ADVERTISERS ARE COMING FOR YOU The New York Times reported in May that the “sophistication” of Google’s and Facebook’s ability to identify potential customers of advertisements is “capable of targeting ads… so narrow that they can pinpoint, say, Idaho residents in long-distance relationships who are contemplating buying a minivan.” Facebook’s ad manager told the Times […]
Anthony Pignataro reflects on MauiTime’s 20th anniversary
I hate starting stories with “I.” Some curmudgeon reader probably snapped at me years ago for doing that, and I’ve subconsciously winced every time the thought popped into my mind when presented with a blank screen. But when writing about the scrappy paper I’ve called home for half my journalistic career that has somehow survived […]
NOTW: Flaring tempers, Google eyes and one really idiotic sheriff
GOOGLE SEES THE FUTURE Google filed a U.S. Patent Office application on April 28 for a vision-improvement device in liquid form that, once inserted (i.e., injected directly into the eyeball!), solidifies into not only a lens replacement for the eye but an instrument that carries its own storage, radio and wireless power supply. The idea, […]
‘Let’s Put Maui On The Map’ Google Workshop
Google is presenting the free workshop titled “Let’s Put Maui on the Map” this Wednesday, Oct. 7 at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center (though the above image only mentions Kahului, rest assured that this is for the entire county). It will emphasize the importance of companies putting complete and accurate business information online. This will ensure that more customers connect with your […]
NOTW: The perils of Schmilk, credit card rewards and Zayn Malik fans
MEALS 2.0 Silicon Valley code-writers and engineers work long hours–with apparently little time for “food” as we know it. Eating is “time wasted,” in the words of celebrity inventor Elon Musk, and normal meals a “marketing facade,” said another valley bigwig. The New York Times reported in May that techies are eagerly scarfing down generic […]
NOTW: Brain-damaged rats and fecal transplants
DONATING FOR DOLLARS Already, healthy people can donate blood, sperm and eggs, but now the nonprofit OpenBiome offers donors $40 for bowel movements–to supply “fecal transplants” for patients with nasty C. difficile bacterial infections. (“Healthy” contents are transplanted into the infected gut via endoscope or frozen swallowed capsules so that the good bacteria drive out […]
Quizunderstood: How well do you know U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono?
1. On Dec. 12, Google announced that it had named a town on Maui an official “2014 eCity of Hawaii,” according to a news release sent out by the winning town. The distinction shows how well local firms in that town use the Internet for business. Which town won the award? A. Wailuku B. Lahaina […]
How Maui Startup Weekend Provides New Opportunities For Island Entrepreneurs
By her own admission, Sara Smith was scared. She made her living on Maui in the publishing business, and doing communications for the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust, but now she was in Honolulu, surrounded by people she didn’t know. It was 2013, and she had decided to take part in the Honolulu version of Startup […]
This Wednesday, Mar. 19: Google Presents ‘Hawaii Get Online’
Geared to small business owners, Google presents “Hawaii Get Online” this Wednesday. The three-hour seminar will walk business owners through website creation and targeting your existing and potential customers. Participants will get tips, a free business listing, a customized domain name and the option of free web hosting for a year. Learn how to build your […]