Be careful about what you post!

This sounds like something your mum would tell you upon hearing you made an account on a social networking website. However, I'd probably say it is sound advice after reading this story. A post over at Mashable (see here: http://mashable.com/2011/10/12/google-engineer-rant-google-plus/) recently caught my eye. A Google engineer recently posted a 5,000 word rant about how Google+ has ultimately been a failure in comparison to its main rival, Facebook. Furthermore, he criticises the production of the social network, stating that Google+ is a 'pathetic afterthought'.

(http://blogs-images.forbes.com/erikkain/files/2011/10/google-plus-logo.png)

Ironically, the post was made on Google+, and was intended for certain internal employees at Google. As the engineer states 'Sadly, it was intended to be an internal post, visible to everybody at Google, but not externally. But as it was midnight and I am not what you might call an experienced Google+ user'. This seems to be just another PR nightmare for Google+, after recent reports of traffic to the site falling dramatically, along with many managers at Google not even using the social networking service. 

After accidentally making this post public, the news of the Google engineer bashing Google+ quickly became headline news around many technology and press websites around the globe, and has quickly resulted in a very nasty headache for Google, and I'm sure the engineer too. 

Clearly, this is one of many classic examples of failing to realise the public nature of the internet. The real question is, is too much value being placed upon posts like these? As I've stated in a previous post, companies have been known to place a very high value on seemingly personal reviews or statements of a product or service by individuals. It could be assumed that this post was made by a disgruntled employee after a very bad day at work, and has now had disastrous effects for the employee themselves and for Google. Personally I'd say the employee is to blame, and that responsibility should be taken for their own actions. However, I feel that the online press jumping all over this story is a bit much. Being one employees view of the service, it doesn't really dictate the amount of negative press Google+ has received. 

What is going on with the iPhone 4S?

Browsing over at The Age lead me to an article titled 'Unprecedented' demand for the iPhone 4S (view it here: http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/mobiles/unprecedented-demand-for-iphone-4s-say-telcos-20111010-1lgje.html). The article states that the recent passing of Steve Jobs has lead to consumers to pay their respects by pre-ordering and purchasing the iPhone 4S, which has resulted in demand never seen before for the iPhone line. I found this quite strange, especially considering the wide range of criticism and public outcry online for the iPhone 4S, due to the little differences between previous models. The iPhone 4S features an improved camera, an improved processor, and a new method of voice control titled Siri.

(http://images.theage.com.au/2011/10/05/2669450/iphone4smain-420x0.jpg)

Another article featured at The Age (view it here: http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/mobiles/apples-iphone-4s-an-evolution-rather-than-a-revolution-20111005-1l7r1.html) mentions just how damaging some of the criticism of the new iPhone was, with one critic stating 'It's been 16 months and all you've got is an A5 processor in the existing iPhone 4', along with reports of shareholders not being satisfied, with Apple's stock spiralling down after the announcement. However, after the death of Steve Jobs the day after the announcement of the new iPhone, it appears response to the product has improved substantially. This illustrates the sheer loyalty and respect of Apple fans for its products, and its people. However, for the future, it seems that Apple will be required to continue to push the boundaries and innovate when announcing new products, along with proving it can continue to drive its massive growth and success in the future without its previous CEO.