Leadpile's Blog» Technology

FCC Mandating Minimum Internet Speed?

Mari Holt — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 05:05:25 +0000

Reuters is reporting that the FCC is trying to regulate a minimum broadband speed that American households are delivered by our nation’s broadband companies (ie-Verizon, Comcast, Time Warner and AT&T are the largest) provide all of us. “The planned initiative, which will be proposed in the National Broadband Plan report to Congress next month, comes a week after Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) said it would build a super-fast Internet network for up to half a million people, a project that could pressure telecommunications companies to loosen their control of Web access in the United States.”
So once again is Google pushing the envelope on the way things are done technologically? From everything I am reading it appears that they are in fact doing that and this is forcing broadband companies to compete technologically to stay in business. This new initiative potentially by the FCC could be a great thing for all of us and how we get out internet delivered to us. Nice job Google!

Who Is Online More…Teens Or Adults?

Mari Holt — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 03:58:33 +0000

In the age of the internet, trying to figure out who goes online more can be a tricky question at times. However, it seems each era of people has their own “area of interest” with the internet.
4/5 of young adults between the ages of 18 and 29 are wireless internet users, while many of them are using their laptops, some are using their cell phones and other mobile devices to access the internet. The internet is everywhere and it appears it is a way of life for most young adults.
On another note it seems that 63 percent of 30-to-49-year-olds, and 34 percent of those age 50 and older use wireless connections for the Internet. Bottom line is we all use the internet as if it was something we can not live without. What will be the next generations “must have” if the internet is now already a must have? Is there something else technologically that will roll out what young adults HAVE to have? Is there a point where parents need to control how much their children are actually on the internet, and more specifically their cell phones? What about all the other things like the ipad, iphones, social networking, texting… what is next in the technology world and what parents have to “control”?

Apple Is At It Again With The iPad

Natasha Aronov — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 03:17:53 +0000

Apple seems to always be on top of being the most innovative company. With the touch screen iPhone being a huge success, it only makes sense that a touch screen computer was in the works. The new iPad is said to be able to access the internet faster than a regular laptop. This little gem is only about a half an inch thick and has a 9.7 inch touch screen. There is built in wi-fi with a flash memory (available in 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB), 3G wireless access, and is App accessible (which can be enlarged to fit the iPad). Let’s not forget about the hefty price tag that comes along with it, ranging from $499 – $829.
Whether it is the iPhone, Mac, or just and iPod, people seem to be Apple obsessed these days. Even here at LeadPile we are all on our iPhones and Mac computers to ensure that all of or work is being done in the most effective and efficient way. It is interesting how in a so called “struggling economy”, people always find a way to get the newest technology. I know that I will not be purchasing one of these iPad’s anytime soon, will you??

Google Possibly Pulling Out of China??

Natasha Aronov — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:52:27 +0000

As a follow up to our recent post discussing China’s Internet censorship and regulations, Google has now pulled the plug on launching it’s cell phone in China. Google’s mobile phones equipped with Internet applications were decided by the company to be “not a good experience” for the consumer. Currently, China has over 700 million mobile phone accounts and consumers driven by the latest technology.
According to the Associated Press, it has been rumored that Google has threatened to shut its Chinese-based search engine if the restrictions are not eased. The Chinese government is standing strong on it’s decision that “Foreign enterprises in China need to adhere to China’s laws and regulations, respect and the interests of the general public and cultural traditions and shoulder corresponding responsibilities. Google is no exception,” as stated by a Foreign ministry spokesman at a new briefin
It will be interesting to watch this controversy unfold as many Chinese and foreign businesses rely on Google’s email and maps…If Google is blocked and access is restricted it could certainly disrupt things!

Americas Addiction To Trendy Electronics

Natasha Aronov — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 03:49:48 +0000

The last time I checked, everyone was still saying that we were still in a recessions. So why has there been a increase in smartphone sales and a huge push for big screen TV’s? Frankly, just because people want them. It is true that many consumers have been cutting corners here and there, but it is where they are cutting that is showing changes.
Most people find it very easy to switch from a name brand food to the store brand, or maybe hold off on that new pair of shoes that you have been eyeing in the store window. However, when it comes to electronics, it seems that consumers just don’t want to cut back. They buy the newest smartphone or upgrade to the new version without even thinking twice. This has been great for the technology companies seeing an increase in their sales even in the tough economy.
A lot of consumers are finding themselves trying to rationalize their electronic purchases. They upgrade to a large HD flat screen TV saying that they will stay in more and watch a movie, rather than going out to a movie. Even just switching from a regular DVD player to a Blu-ray player is something consumers are not thinking twice about. The next big electronic buzz you are going to hear about….3D TV. It really was only a matter of time before something like this was going to hit the shelves. 3D televisions are set to hit the shelves in most stores mid 2010, and experts are estimating there potentially to be 4 million sold this year.
The real question is if this is all really necessary? Smartphone are great. We use them at LeadPile all the time to get back to our clients when we are on the run, but a 3D television set? Really? I have a feeling they are not going to be as awesome as everyone thinks. What do you think?

Major Brands Looking To The Internet

Mari Holt — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 03:42:17 +0000

It looks like big brand names are maybe seeing that technology (the internet specifically) is where they need to look to to promote their products bigger and better. In recent years, luxury brands have not had to look at using the internet to generate business. They would do costly things like high end fashion magazine layouts or lavish displays at their stores. However, when times are tough (and you see a lot of traffic on your website) you brainstorm on ways you can generate business for the smallest cost. This is why many luxury brands are now looking at the internet as a way to generate more interest in their “brand”. Previously, businesses could solely depend on traditional sources of revenue, but never the internet. Adage.com reports that less than 33% of luxury companies were using the internet to generate business. I can not imagine this, but it seems it is in fact true. The future of the internet is really where it is at, yet some are just a little slower at seeing the “light” it seems. I guess better late than never!

LeadPile Announces 61 Lead Verticals Served in past 30 Days

Eugen I. — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:36:25 +0000

*Phoenix June 30th, 2009* — LeadPile, The World’s Largest Online Exclusive Lead Exchange announced today record results for its [MicroClick Form](http://www.microclick.com) in June, 2009. LeadPile reports a record number of Lead Verticals being served by its MicroClick Form with Lead Sellers producing leads in 61 different verticals in the month of June. This makes the LeadPile MicroClick Form the most widely used Multi Vertical Lead Generation Form in the lead Marketplace and Lead Exchange Industry.

LeadPile’s Centralized Online Exclusive Lead Marketplace supports thousands of affiliates that use the exchange to sell to suitable lead buyers. By using the LeadPile MicroClick Form, Affiliates can focus on driving traffic to their pages and not on managing lead buyer relationships. Over 90% of LeadPile’s active affiliates are currently using the MicroClick form, offloading the responsibility for lead collection, management, technology infrastructure, and quality control to LeadPile.

Astoundingly, LeadPile’s MicroClick form has been used to produce leads as diversified as Tax Debt Relief, Home Improvements, Business Loans, Health Insurance, Equipment Leasing, Credit Card Processing, Cash For Gold and more.

Andrew Jacob, CEO of LeadPile says, “The LeadPile MicroClick Form allows us to handle leads across multiple verticals, including payday, starter credit, debt consolidation, credit repair, bankruptcy, auto financing, and homeowner. While the majority of leads currently being exchanged in the Marketplace are in the Financial sector, the fact that Lead Sellers are using the MicroClick form to produce leads in over 60 verticals is very rewarding for our team.

Jacob adds, “I would like to personally thank our existing Lead Buyers and Leads Sellers for their business, and it is our promise to everything we possible can to help them in their efforts by continuing to provide the type of technology infrastructure and transparency that they have come to both expect, and deserve, from LeadPile.

About LeadPile:

LeadPile (”LeadPile” or the “Company”) is the premier Lead Exchange, providing a central marketplace for the buying and selling of targeted consumers or “leads.” The Company’s system sits between lead buyers and sellers allowing them to conduct business in an efficient, exchange-driven environment providing value to both parties. The Company’s MicroClick form allows high traffic affiliates to merely place LeadPile-generated code on their pages in order to immediately produce leads. These leads are directly routed to the exchange for sale, thus the system allows affiliates to generate leads without creating a backend management system or managing lead buyer relationships. To read more, please visit http://www.LeadPile.com

Phoenix June 30th, 2009 — LeadPile, The World’s Largest Online Exclusive Lead Exchange announced today record results for its MicroClick Form (http://www.microclick.com) in June, 2009. LeadPile reports a record number of Lead Verticals being served by its MicroClick Form with Lead Sellers producing leads in 61 different verticals in the month of June. This makes the LeadPile MicroClick Form the most widely used Multi Vertical Lead Generation Form in the lead Marketplace and Lead Exchange Industry.

To read more, please visit http://www.LeadPile.com/

Saying Goodbye to the “Rocky”

Mari Holt — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 20:00:49 +0000

It’s a sad day in one of America’s great cities, and for one of the that city’s oldest businesses. What can be said when a business that is almost 150 years old has closed its doors? The last edition of the Rocky Mountain News was published this morning. Yesterday, the owners announced there would be only one more edition of the paper. It was not a total surprise, as the paper was recently for sale, but shock and sadness was felt in the newsroom, and throughout greater Denver.

There is little blame to be passed around, as the business model of daily newspapers has abruptly changed for the worse. The poor economy has drastically affected display advertising, and classified advertising has either moved online or been drastically reduced. The newspaper industry could perhaps overcome the loss of one revenue stream, but they cannot handle the loss or reduction of two revenue streams. Heck, their third revenue stream (subscriptions) is also down.

Sadly, there are only about ten cities that still have two daily general interest newspapers. A community is always served better by two voices rather than one. More newspapers will surely close and some are looking again at charging for online content. (An experiment that hasn’t work for most papers) If it’s not too late, perhaps some papers can figure out a way to monetize their websites. (Please contact our V.P. of Marketing, Eugen Ilie, if assistance is needed.)

Tomorrow morning will be sad, and very different for many in Colorado. Change is usually good, but when it is quickly forced on you, it can be unsettling. Enjoy that cup of the coffee, and for many, the “Rocky” will be missed, but not forgotten.

Is Technology Changing Anything?

Mari Holt — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:31:21 +0000

The obvious answer to this mostly rhetorical question would seem to be “yes”. However, numbers just released from The Nielsen Company indicate that Americans are still watching a lot of television. The older the person, the more television, on average, they are watching. The way people are watching television is changing, and the report is even called the “Three Screen Report”. People are now watching television on their computers and mobile devices in addition to the standard way. These additional methods of viewing have added to the time spent watching television programs. The average American is now watching more than 151 hours of television each month, or about five hours each day. Last year people were averaging around 145 hours of viewing each month. So, yes, technology is changing the way we watch television, but is it for the better?