Blogging with a Smartphone

Posted on October 1, 2010 by Phil Velez

Samsung Epic 4G

About a year ago I bought my first smartphone. As a huge Mac guy, I chose the iPhone 3GS. I thought as a blogger and member of Latinos in Social Media, I should invest in a smartphone to be able to blog in real-time, tweet regularly, and actively participate in location-based social networking.

Since then, I have used my smartphone to post pictures on my blog and videos on Facebook and YouTube, and helped promote restaurants and other businesses via Foursquare and Yelp. With a smartphone, I now have the capability of posting a blog entry while attending an event with the use of the WordPress and BlogPress mobile applications. I can also record audio and video interviews and instantly conduct Internet research when needed. The geo-positioning apps also help me get to where I need to go.

I’ll most likely upgrade next year to the latest iPhone, however I am open to considering other smartphones. I can definitely see myself owning an Andriod HTC EVO 4G or the new Samsung Epic 4G from Sprint, which has a camera/camcorder with autofocus, power LED flash, 4x digital zoom, and HD video recording.

The smartphone market still has a great deal of room for growth. According to a graphic published in Mashable, 83 percent of Americans use mobile phones, however only 25 percent of these phones are smartphones.

If you are a blogger or active in social media and do not own a smartphone yet, seriously think about it. Prices are still high, but I think in the long run the investment will be well worth it.

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Education in Puerto Rico: A Need for Major Improvement

Posted on September 17, 2010 by Phil Velez

Recent demonstrations in Puerto Rico have highlighted a desperate need to overhaul the island’s entire educational system. Students and teachers have been unsatisfied with the government’s lack of leadership and outraged by layoffs, budget cuts, tuition hikes, and attempts to privatize the system.

A one-day teachers strike nearly paralyzed public education in Puerto Rico last August. Teachers took collective action to draw attention to the general deterioration of the island’s public school system.

The teachers charged that the government had failed to fill 1,000 vacancies for the new school year. The teachers argued that the personnel shortage hurts students and gives teachers extra work. They also say there is a major shortage of textbooks and paper for photocopies.

The teachers’ strike comes on the heels of an almost two month-long student protest on 11 campuses of the University of Puerto Rico system that ended last June. More than 62,000 students took part in the massive demonstration that started on April 21 and virtually shut down all but one of the 11 university campuses.

The multi campus-wide show of strength was another organized attempt to protest major municipal layoffs ordered by Gov. Luis G. Fortuño, a Republican elected in 2008. Puerto Rico has been dealing with a huge budget deficit and 16 percent unemployment.

For more information on both protests you can read the September political column at ElBoricua.com.

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Jarritos – Mexico’s First National Soft Drink

Posted on September 11, 2010 by Phil Velez

The nice people at Jarritos provided me with the opportunity to try out all 11 flavors of their Mexican-made soda. I enjoyed them all, but my favorites were Mango, Mandarin, Strawberry, and Lemon-Lime. Jarritos are available throughout the United States and are less carbonated than popular soft drinks made in the U.S. or Canada. Jarritos originated in 1950 and is a popular brand of soft drink in Mexico. The drink is naturally flavored and one of the few soft drinks in the U.S. containing actual sugar cane rather than the controversial high fructose corn syrup. The drink comes in an array of traditional Mexican flavors including: Tamarind, Mandarin, Fruit Punch, Jamaica, Lime, Toronja, Guava, Pineapple, Strawberry, Mango, and Lemon-Lime. I enjoy supporting Latino-made products. Give Jarritos a try today!

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Bronx Blogger Fiesta: A Networking Event

Posted on September 1, 2010 by Phil Velez

The Scheme at PeaceLove CafeI always enjoy meeting new people and reconnecting with those I’ve met before. Last night I attended an incredible networking event organized by two very well-connected Bronx bloggers. The event was hosted by a new local business in the Melrose section of the Bronx. Bloggers, media professionals, government and non-profit representatives came together with local entrepreneurs to share their love and pride for the borough of the Bronx.

Clarisel and Ed, owners of the blogs Bronx Latino and Welcome to Melrose, organized the first ever Bronx Blogger Fiesta. The host of the networking event was Darada David, owner of PeaceLove Café, an Internet health food music café on Melrose Avenue. Attendees enjoyed PeaceLove’s organic strawberry smoothies, luscious pound cake, and deep chocolate chip cookies. Music for the evening was provided by The Scheme, a talented rock/soul fusion band with an eclectic sound that grooved the crowd. The red and white wine was also flowing very nicely.

Facebook phenomena Being Latino and from The Bronx mixed with BlkGrl Blog, BronxMedia, BronxTalk, MainlandMedia, and follow local business owners Coqui Mexicano, Isagenix, and SugaBear Pet Care. Representatives from the Hunts Point Economic Development Corp., the New York State Consumer Protection Board, and the Bronx Community Pride Center were also in the house. It’s safe to say all had a good time.

The successful event is sure to lead to other networking parties in the Bronx. I had an awesome time and look forward to the next one. Check out the links above and support any and all of these business men and women. They are wonderful people who do great work and make the Bronx a really beautiful place.

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Movie: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (opens Aug. 13th)

Posted on August 3, 2010 by Phil Velez

I have begun working with a group that aims to market mainstream Hollywood movies to the greater U.S. Hispanic/Latino market. The promotional work sounds pretty interesting and I look forward to learning more about, and sharing information on, upcoming films.

The first film I’ll be promoting for HMThinkLatino is entitled “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,” an action-comedy based on the graphic novels by Bryan Lee O’Malley. Several trailers for the movie showcase great visuals and a cool and funny cast in their late-teens/early twenties. Overall it looks like an entertaining movie full of lots of fun.

“The emotions and interactions throughout the film are infused with the mass media that this generation has grown up with—not just in music, film and animation, but in over 30 years of video games,” said Bryan Lee O’Malley.

The movie, which opens Aug. 13, 2010, also seems to have a superhero-like tone with a twist of sci-fi fantasy, making it appealing to a broad set of audiences.

Director, producer, and screen writer Edgar Wright has worked on the projects like the U.K. series-turned-international-cult-phenomenon Spaced, Shaun of the Dead, and action-comedy opus Hot Fuzz. In his mid-thirties, Wright has evolved from a young film geek wanting to prove himself to one of the most sought-after geeks working in film today.

Check out the international movie trailer for Scott Pilgrim vs. the World below and feel free to like HMThinkLatino’s Facebook page.


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