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Not sure how long Dell has been running this program (I’m not a PC) but DellSwarm.com is probably one of the smartest online commerce ventures I’ve seen in a while.

By leveraging the power of bulk-savings and impulse buying, Dell offers the promise of lower prices based on how many committed buyers there are for a limited-time product special.

And of course they are using social media to help spread the work about new swarms and get people on board to help you lower the cost of your (and their) purchase.

Smart strategy with a great design.

I love me some gin and it doesn’t get much better (when it comes to the package at least) then Bulldog.

(via Lovely Package)

The passing of Michael Jackson, possibly the greatest entertainer of all time, is a modern day tragedy. Never before has there been such an equally exalted and ridiculed figure in the media. Following his recent demise, Jackson remains a figure of unparalleled achievement but also mystery. His extremely private life left many filling in the blanks in his storybook life. Though occasionally he would try to use the media to address speculation made about him, one thing Michael didn’t leverage (or even have access to for the greater part of his life) was social media.

Watching parts of his memorial service on television I couldn’t help but wonder, if Michael was on Twitter would things be different? Would he have interacted with his fans and questioners in a direct way, instead of through a shroud of publicists, skewed interviews or misinformed third-parties speaking on his behalf? Would he have brought more attention and reaction to his numerous charities and causes, enabling more people to get the help they needed and at the same time painting him in a better light? Would he have quickly told his story when allegations of child molestation were made against him instead of leaving time for entertainment news to sensationalize every detail? Would Michael, the business man, use it as a vehicle to market upcoming performances, albums and appearances? Would he have ‘tweeted’ photos of him with his kids, displaying what could have been a very healthy father-child relationship? If Michael Jackson used Twitter, would it have been a way for us to see another Michael, one few fathomed existed: an ordinary guy with an extraordinary upbringing and career?

Of course, none of this matters now. It does however make me appreciate the changing landscape of media in a new way. The ability for all of us to have a voice is a powerful thing, so long as as someone listens. For Michael Jackson, we already know no one had more listeners.

Update: As of recently there is an official Michael Jackson Twitter account. It would be interesting if it became a place to remember him through posts of archived messages and media.

Apple says the iPhone 3.0 software detailed today will be available “this summer”. Here’s how you should decipher that: There will be a new iPhone out this summer.

I find it hard to believe Apple would allow consumers to run out and check out the new Palm Pre without first causing some necks to crane at a new piece of hardware.

Also, Apple needs iPhones in as many hands as possible. Which means it’s market share has to increase tech-knowledgeable boomers and gadget-loving kids if they want a growing piece of the mobile pie. While today’s announced software update are certainly sweet, that just won’t reign in these audiences.

Or who knows. Maybe it is good enough? After all, no one can market software as good as Apple. And we are in a recession as well. iPhones, and the plans they come with, aren’t cheap. There’s also nothing to suggest that they’re capable of building a faster, thinner, cheaper and larger iPhone right now.

So again, time will tell. But after a complete overhaul of their Mac lineup, what else will there be left to boast about come June? As “this summer”, the season that’s included the launch of the last two iPhones, draws near I won’t be surprised if Apple has more bullets in the barrel.

Apple will be hosting an event today at 1pm PT where they will announce the features of the upcoming iPhone 3.0 software. (You can follow a live blog of the event on Macworld.)

For those not a member of Apple fandom (or a shareholder), here’s what this means:

For the business, the event is aimed at keeping the luster on a product that has become the benchmark of the mobile phone industry but is at risk of losing traction as competitors come around to duplicating what made it a success. (Read: The Palm Pre)

For developers, many of whom have made careers out of developing applications for the iPhone, this will hopefully mean a few new tools they can play with to bring an even better experience to the phone. I’ve downloaded several great apps since I got my iPhone and whether I use them to tune my guitar, chat with friends, play a game, check movie listings or find a restaurant, they’ve all been worth it.

That brings us to the consumer. End users will benefit from today’s announcement in a mostly indirect way. I suspect a lot of features announced won’t be cosmetic but rather aimed at expanding the development feature set. Other than Kevin Rose’s (probably correct) prediction that copy-and-paste functionality will be included in today’s announcements, I can’t imagine there will be more tangible updates for the user to look forward to in the iPhone interface.

But of course, no one ever really knows until it happens. Especially when it comes to Apple.

Update: Macworld is reporting that Apple has over 100 features for end user including, as reported, cut, copy & paste and shake to undo. (Developers have over 1000 new features to play with including a notification system and peer-to-peer connections via WiFi or Bluetooth.)

Update 2: In the end it looks like there are a lot of great new features that users will immediately benefit from and a whole lot more that developers can sink their teeth into. Rather than summarizing all the new features here I’ll point you to the Apple site, now updated with all the features in the coming software update.

Via Inqmnd