BizBlog©

Update to Jott.com - voice-activated text and e-mail

My original Jott post was published back in my June-2008 Blog.  The updated Jott is even better. Now that they are out of beta, they released the service with a number of service plans which range from ad-supported to monthly subscription. I've been using the ad-supported version and am really impressed.

Jott has expanded it's capability beyond the call-800-number, record-a-message, email/txt it to a friend ... to a well rounded service that integrates easily from desktop to mobile.

Here's my set up of the service which I'm using very easily as a to-do list organizer:

I downloaded and installed the Mac version of Jott Express. The is an Internet-savvy application and when you add items to the list, they immediately appear in the list and also on my dashboard at the Jott.com website. In addition, I downloaded and installed the Jott iPhone application from iTunes and so any information I enter ends up on my iPhone as well. 

The iPhone application enables me to record 15-seconds of voice (the paid subscription services enables up to 30-seconds). The voice file is then uploaded to Jott's servers where is it converted into text and added to my list of to-do items. Of course, this information also immediately appears in my desktop application as well.

I've found Jott to be an incredible time-saver. Very solid and very easy to use.

Here are a couple of screen shots of the Jott application:

Jott Express on Mac

Jott iPhone Application

Racquetball at the Y

Photo of my buddy Howard Small playing racquetball at the Y.  We just love to play. Great workout and a good time!

High tech at the Pub

Yes, blogging about a beer glass as being high tech may be a bit of a stretch, but you’ve got to
agree that at least a certain amount of technology goes into product design. So when I
viewed Sam Adam’s new beer glass while in last in Boston, I gained a new level of
appreciation for the technology behind the new design.

This is no ordinary glass. Sam Adams’ CEO, Jim Koch, stated, "We wanted to create a glass that offers beer lovers a full sensory drinking experience by fully showcasing Samuel Adams Boston Lager's complex balance of malt and hop flavors. This glass achieves that mission." In designing the new glass, Mr. Koch reached out to Tiax, the world-renowned sensory experts, for assistance in creating a glass that would showcase the key attributes of Samuel Adams Boston Lager.

The goal of the new design is to deliver sweetness from the malt, maximize the hops’ aroma and flavor, maintain the ideal temperature, support a rich and creamy head, and sustain the
right amount of carbonation.

This was achieved by designing a glass with laser etchings at the bottom, creating a constant stream of small bubbles. These bubbles release consistent aroma from the beer.
The glass has thin sidewalls and a rounded shape that helps to maintain a more constant temperature. Nearer to the top the glass narrows, maintaining the hop aroma and sustaining
the head of the beer.

At the very top, two interesting design elements enable the glass to deliver complete satisfaction: 1. The out-turned lip is supposed to deliver the beer to the front of the
drinker’s tongue, where sweetness is tasted. 2. A small bead inside the lip of the glass helps to create turbulence, thereby releasing additional flavor and aroma.

If you’re interested in acquiring this bit of new technology, you can find it offered at http://www.samueladams.com/store/drinkit.html.

Having tried the glass--OK, so I actually shared a sip with a friend--and the beer (Sam
Adams Summer Ale), I can tell you with absolute confidence that the glass works. No
question about it. Of course, we never did do a side-by-side analysis of the beer in a
different glass, but I’m up for it!

Let me know what you think by commenting below.