SEO, or search engine optimization, is a way for Google, Yahoo, and other search engines, to categorize website according to targeted keywords and reliable content.  For instance, if you type in “nyc computer repair,” you’ll find New York Computer Help up on the first page.  Now, if you type in, for instance, “ny laptop repair,” you might see a Twitter blurb in the list. 

Yahoo has set up a deal where it will feature Twitter in the search results.  Google and Microsoft already announced they would do the same.  The real question is: “Is this too much info?”  And is this info meaningful and fresh content?  Well, the fresh content part cannot be denied.  Twitter’s “tweets” are a frame of consciousness way of writing so this is not duplicated text.  Is spur of the moment updates for sporting events, weather, social events, and news.  The place where it will come in handy is when you want up-to-date info for subway lines, weather, and sports. 

The cool factor comes in when you search for the NY Knicks score, and you’ll get as a result a Tweet from someone courtside who talks about the score as well as Nate Robinson getting into a shouting match with Spike Lee.  You can’t get such gossip or real-time info from ESPN…well not all the time at least. 

The point is that Twitter can provide the elements of the game, weather, and other events with a real-time buzz.  Regular news sites and TV can provide updates, but not as fast or actively live like Twitter.  Twitter will add a nice complement on search results as long as it doesn’t overpower the foundation of the other websites’ results. 

If you have a Hotmail e-mail account, change your password right away!  Today, for whatever reason, Windows Live and Hotmail customers have access to other customers’ Windows Live and Hotmail accounts.  Microsoft said they would investigate this right away, but have no clue, in so many words, about this security breach.

We recommend to change your password first right away if you have a Hotmail or Windows Live account.  If you cannot access your e-mail account, then reset your password by answering one of your security questions.  If you are unable to perform either of these tasks, then you have one other option which is filling out a request to Hotmail to change the password account and they will e-mail your previous e-mail account the steps to take.  If this last option fails, you are at a loss if you signed up to a free account since free e-mail accounts do not have phone support. 

If you purchased an e-mail account with extra storage, you can call Hotmail for further support.  It is sad that you only get phone support if you purchased extra e-mail storage, and when your account has been hacked.  Well, there’s no such thing as a free lunch, especially when someone steals it!

Also, if you sign up for any free e-mail account, such as Yahoo or Google, you should always make sure to export your contacts.  This will make sure your important friends and family info are safe even if your e-mail account is hacked into.  Further, make sure that you install anti-virus and anti-spam software to prevent possible hacking and infections.

Google doesn’t stop.  The powerhouse now will be offering high-speed Internet connection.  Instead of TimeWarner’s Roadrunner Cable or Verizon’s DSL or FIOS, you can order Google’s ultra high speed broadband Internet.  So, what’s the difference?

Speed is the difference here.  Google will be offering a 1 Gigabit connection to homes that will be competitive according to Google.  Downloading a movie can take just less than 5 minutes.  Sharing files or performing online backups will take a fraction of the time.  The broadband network will offer a speed that is not even offered by TimeWarner and Verizon.

What to look for or watch out for?  This new product is slated to come out in a few months, but could be pushed back until 6 - 9 months.  Only select buildings in New York City will be selected for the Internet service.  Plus, we wonder if the 1 Gigabit connection might be shared throughout the whole building like how the Cable Internet service is offered.  Then, the overall speed will be slower than expected. 

Further, Google’s motivation for getting into the Internet industry might just be to show the Federal Communications Commission how to push the envelope with the speed and innovation of the broadband industry.  But, then again, if Google can push Verizon and TimeWarner into better technical support service, then that’s not a bad thing.  We’re hoping that Google will increase the overall speed of the Internet and slash pricing since that’s what competition usually does.

The favored Colts will be playing the storyline Saints for the 2010 Super Bowl.  But, what are us New York Giants and Jets fan to do?  We can watch the commercials to keep us interested.

As for the computer support or technology service commercials, these are the ones that typically revolutionize the computer industry.  Take for instance, the Apple commercial in 1984 that took the world by storm, with the woman runner throwing a javelin into the screen while hundreds of drones looked on.  It was symbolic for waking up the drone-like IBM or PC industry with the Apple computers.  From that point on, Apple became the company with shocking commercials along with the gift to spread rumors to hype up their products.  They might have another commercial up their sleeves to shock the PC world.

Also, many years ago, was the eTrade commercial where monkeys traded stock.  It was portraying how easy the website was to use for stock trading that even a monkey can do it.  Be on the look out this year for the baby and his baby friends to scare of some more “Shankapotamus” folks and easily perform trades.

Then, you can also expect to see some more GoDaddy almost-censored ads.  Its original ad had a Godaddy Girl have a waldrobe malfunction while pleading to the jury about their domain and hosting services.  They have bought 2 ads - 1 in the 1st quarter and another in the 4th quarter.  Watch out for more skin or at least more well-endowed Godaddy Girls.

Enjoy the Super Bowl!  Hopefully, the younger brother, Eli Manning will turn it around for the Giants next year!

Google was looking to turn the corner on owning the local search market.  Google currently has a good piece of local search real estate with its own Google local which showcases thousands of local businesses.  For instance, if you typed in “nyc computer repairs,” you’ll find several nyc tech companies.  Or you can get very specific, and type computer repairs 10016, and you’ll find IT companies in that specific zip code.

With Yelp, Google could have bought out another website that specializes in local search results.  Many argue that Yelp has taken over the local business search war over Citysearch.  Google offered $500 million, but Yelp thought this amount was too low especially since they already received an anonymous bid for $750 million.  Well, this so-called anonymous bid might be a bluff-bargaining tool to lift Google’s offer.

Why did Yelp turn down such a huge offer from Google?

• Yelp recently overtook Citysearch for the amount of website visitors.  There are more good things to come.
• Yelp might be waiting for Microsoft, AOL, and Yahoo to step up to the table for better synergy.
• Google might just want to take over Yelp’s customer base, and chew Yelp up in little pieces.
• Yelp’s niche is all local whereas Google’s broad search engine might not be specialized enough
• Maybe Yelp is looking to take its company public with an IPO.  Then, it can still keep majority ownership and sell off some of its company.

Overall, we think Yelp is crazy to turn down Google.  After all, Google local pretty much has the same customer base as Yelp, if not more.  All Google is looking to do is take out the little guy here while it trucks on.  Yelp should get out while it can and make some serious cash.  The deal might still go through, but as for now, the deal is off the table.

The iPhone has found its path to the sacred land of Israel.  But, is it beshert?  Is this a match made for the ages?  Have we found the messiah?

Here is why the Israelis will enjoy this phone.  Apart from all of the hours of mindless as well as important apps the Israelis will enjoy, the phone is offered on the 3 main carriers, Cellcom, Orange’s Rival Partner Communications, and Bezeq Israel Telecom unit Pelephone.  This already is a step up from Apple’s monopoly with only ATT service in the United States.  ATT offers sub-par service in the New York City and surrounding areas.  If the iPhone was offered via Verizon, Sprint, and other carriers, more people would be flocking to the iPhone.  Of course, the iPhone has been unlocked to work with other carriers, but that is not the legitimate way and besides the point. 

With 3 carriers to choose from, Israelis can stay on their current plan or decide which service has the best reception to go with their iPhone.  It’s surprising Apple didn’t target one carrier like in the US, but then again, they’re testing a new market to a broad audience.  At the end of the day, Apple is looking to make a few more shekels, and the 3 phone carriers will maximize their bottom line.

Here’s the skinny on the pricing:

• $753 (2,600 shekels) for the 8GB iPhone - it’s $399 in the US

Will the iPhone make a major impact in Israel?  Well, there are approximately 80,000 Israelis that have already unlocked the iPhone to use it.  So, we think the iPhone will start to make a big burst with businesses, especially configuring the iPhones with e-mail servers.  The consumer fanatics have already unlocked their iPhones, but there will still be a good number of normal consumers who will also jump on the iPhone Macabi bandwagon.

With the High-Tech market as advanced as it is in Israel, we’re certain to see some cool tech support and sophisticated apps created for the phone.  Remember, the apps created for the iPhone are mainly developed by individuals and tech companies, so exposing Israel to the iPhone could be the best thing Apple has done to further foster the wide array of popular, downloadable iPhone apps. 

iTunes is glorious, but it is with flaws.  If you need to go for a mac or PC reinstall, then you have to make sure your iTunes is backed up.  Also, if you’ve customized your playlists, be sure to back those up too.  And, oh yes, your library - that should be backed up to avoid those annoying exclamation points stating you did not buy your own music.

With the purchase of Lala, iTunes can prevent this one flaw of a new computer setup.  This means that the cool factor here is that when you have a new computer to set up, or an operating system re-install, you can forgo laboring over backing up all of your gigabytes of songs and just install the iTunes program, and then just log in to your iTunes account, and voila!, your music, pictures, videos, and apps will be readily available to play!  Further, Lala was created originally to share songs with others.  Apple may take advantage of this peer-to-peer sharing function as well.

Of course, we are speculating on this new bridge of revolutionary development.  But, this would be the logical next step here in fostering the Lala partnership.  This step would allow Apple to enter the “cloud” world in allowing users to store all of their content on the Internet for an instant file backup and access from any computer.  The cloud process has become popular for sharing word docs and spreadsheets among co-workers and friends. 

This cloud process and peer-to-peer sharing may take a while to come to light due to the artist and industry licensing.  It should be fairly easy to upload songs to the Apple server for easy access, but sharing among friends on the cloud could cause potential controversy and licensing issues.  Time will tell if and when Apple will take full advantage of the Lala acquisition and in what form.  Whatever form and whenever this may take place, this theory is a revolutionary advance in the way we listen and play music, movies, games, and all media.

If you are one of those die-hard Lotus Notes users, you will be happy to know that the latest version of IBM’s Lotus Domino now supports the iPhone.  This means, like Microsoft Exchange, you can wirelessly sync up your e-mails, contacts, and calendar.

The cool part of Lotus Notes is that you can look up your corporate directories on your iPhone.  Microsoft Exchange still hasn’t figured out to set up this feature on iPhones or Blackberries.  This corporate directory feature is something that is accessible via Outlook or Notes when looking to e-mail your company co-workers.  Now, it is also available on the iPhone. 

Lotus Notes is already available on other phones, such as Blackberry, Nokia, and Windows Mobile.  The real software that works for this synchronization process is Lotus Notes Traveler, the go-in-between to sync the smartphones with Lotus Notes.

We’re not big supporters of Lotus Notes since Outlook is so much easier to work with.  However, some companies who still use Lotus Notes will be happy to hear that its software has finally advanced to be compatible with the most popular smartphone in the business, the mighty iPhone.  One thing to note is that tech support end of the iPhones with Lotus Notes might be quirky as has been known in the past with Blackberry syncing.

For a while, Macs have had difficulty syncing blackberries with e-mail, contacts, and calendars.  In the past, third-party software was needed to sync up e-mail.  Now, Rim has provided a download for the Blackberry Desktop for Mac.  It is compatible with iCal, Address Book, Microsoft Exchange and some others.  So, you can essentially use your Blackberry for your Mac like Windows users.

Rim didn’t stop there.  You can also do some other cool features with your synchronization Blackberry software.  You can set up automatic backups, install firmware updates to your phone, add/remove programs, and sync iTunes to your Blackberry.  That last feature is an impactful one since it might sway a lot of smartphone consumers into buying Blackberries now instead of iPhones, knowing they are compatible with Macs.

If you don’t think malware hasn’t affected PCs, look at the numbers.  In the United States, 58% of Windows computers has become infected with malware. 

What is malware?  Malware includes: trojans, spyware, hacking tools, viruses, worms, and adware. 

This is showing that hackers and virus creators are becoming more creative and stronger than ever.  In the past, if you had a good anti-virus software and your Windows security updates were up to date, you were good to go.  Now, even if your computer is guared by Fort Knox, you’re still susceptible to threats.

Here’s what you need to do to get protected from the latest malware:

1. Install anti-virus software and make sure it updates automatically.
2. Install the latest Windows updates and set it to auto-update.
3. Make sure the Windows firewall is activated.
4. When surfing on the Internet, do not click on links unless you know the site is secure.
5. Do not open unknown e-mails.

These 5 steps will prevent most of the malware threats out there.