World Cup 2010 is over. Spain win the competition and become the new world champion. I’m one of the big fans of Spain National team, so i celebrate for their winning in this competition. World Cup event always offered a lot of dramatic and sensational story in it, including World Cup 2010. In my local newspaper, almost everyday world cup news always appear on front page as the headline news of the day. I think the other news must be willing to become the second priority after the world cup news. The whole world is being hit by World Cup fever

This also happens in  Internet. Especially when you watch carefully what the trends happening in the search engines like Google, Yahoo, Bing or also social media like Facebook and Twitter. During the World Cup, I tried to observe this trend more clearly through Google Trends Hot Searchs. And during the World Cup there are some topics that seem very popular among Internet users. What is it? Usually the hottest topics searched is about the next game will be held. eg: Argentina vs. Germany, Spain vs Paraguay, etc. Also surprising defeat of big teams also become hot topic in search engine, eg : the defeat of England, Italy and France. The winning of big team also dominates hot searches, especially Spain winning from Netherland in The Final. Besides all that, there are other topics that as hot as the match game itself or even exceed world cup game  itself. A booming trend during this world cup is associated with an octopus named Paul.

Who is Paul? Of course you all already know who Paul The Octopus. He is the animal who managed to predict several World Cup 2010  games with result exactly 100% correct. The accuracy of his predictions begin recognized by surprise when Paul predicted that Germany would lose against Serbia in preliminary round. No one believe, until the results are speaking. Germany actually lost 1-0 against Serbia. And his prediction proved to be always right  until the final.
In addition to Paul, another trend that is equally hot Larissa Riquelme. Larissa Riquelme is a lingerie model from Paraguay. Larissa began publicly known when he mentioned the promise to run naked through the streets of Asuncion if Paraguay’s national team success to be the World Cup 2010 Champion. Since then a lot of internet users are curious about Larissa Riquelme.

Well … From these, what are the relationship between World Cup, Paul and Larissa with internet marketing? Of course they are related … Both of the trends is a sort of seasonal trends. And if we truly pay attention, we can utilize these trends to increase the traffic of our website. Did you know that 20-25% of Google searches every single day are brand new? So 1 from 4 search queries have never been typed in the history every single day.

Using Events to boost our Traffic

Do you believe that 1 from 4 keywords typed in Google searches is a brand new every day? You might think that this is unrealistic. But, the reason is simple: events. Just read the newspaper, magazines and watch tv everyday. There will be new programs, criminal action, natural disasters, sports events, new products and so on. Now you might think that that is not unrealistic anymore. Now. let’s back to our World Cup topic. The pictures below is the graph of trends of Paul the Octopus and Larissa Riquelme in Google Trends.

The searches volumes boost just in several days. You can use this topic as your article in your blog post. I myself often use this technique on my other blogs. Seasonal trends are very powerful to boost traffic to our website. Traffic spikes can reach even 2-5 times higher than the average visitors per day. Just try it, and you’ll be suprised with the result

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Microsoft has officially revealed the latest version of the game console Xbox 360. The latest version of the Xbox 360 was named Xbox 360 Slim. The most interesting thing of this new console is the size that look more slender and the color is black with some chrome element.

This console, will have a 250GB hard drive, WiFi capabilities (built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi) and certainly are ready to Kinect (formerly known as Natal Project). On the side of each unit, it is said that Xbox 360 Slim has ventilation holes better than the old Xbox 360. Consequently, the Xbox 360 fan will run much quieter.

In US, XBox 360 Slim has been released with price range of USD $299. On Mid-July 2010, Xbox 360 Slim is estimated to enter the international market.

XBox 360 Slim (Front)

XBox 360 Slim (Side)

XBox 360 Slim (Back)

The controller is slightly changed, with a chrome Xbox button, the Xbox logo on the back, and squared off shoulder buttons, which don’t change gameplay but give it a more angular aesthetic feel. The angularity is also evident in the Xbox 360 itself, which Microsoft said that they updated to match the look of modern AV equipment, which are usually black and glossy and chrome.

Beside XBox 360 Slim, XBox 360 Kinect is a other project from Microsoft to compete his  competitor, Nintendo with its WiiMote.

So what is Kinect?

Kinect is designed to connect to Microsoft’s Xbox 360 game console and let players navigate and play games without a game controller or remote control. Kinect consists of three sensors — a depth sensor, a camera and a microphone — on a motorized device the size of a giant candy bar.

Microsoft, at a press conference held a day before the opening of the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, highlighted several demos showing how the device can recognize faces, read hand and body gestures and understand a dozen or so verbal commands such as “pause,” “stop” and “play music.” Instead of using a remote control, users can navigate through menus by using their hands in a way similar to the way character Tony Stark swiveled through virtual screens in “Iron Man 2.” Kinect is also equipped with a microphone so you can talk to the 360. Based on rumor, a price for Kinect is $149.

Kinect works with your Xbox 360 to bring you extraordinary entertainment experiences. Kinect’s unique sensor and specially designed games transform full body movement into game play. And the great news is Kinect works with every Xbox 360 console

Microsoft’s Kinect without games will be wasteful. For that Microsoft provides at least five games that will be launched with these controllers. They are :

• Dance Central
  A musical game worked by MTV Games. Games with a variety of dance styles seem well suited to be played through Kinect.
• Joyride
  A zany racing game that we found fun but a touch loose in terms of controls. Joyride is an arcade game designed specifically for Xbox Live. Uniquely, this game players can face as an avatar.
• Kinectimals
  Is a simulation game featuring 20 animal care virtual cat species that can be maintained. In this game, players shall take care of the cats ranging from children to grow into an adult cat. Just remember Nintendogs in Nintendo Wii & DS
• Kinect Adventures
  In this game gamers will control a boat raft that floats on the river torrents. System is controlled with body movements, making this game very challenging.
• Kinect Sports
  This is the Microsoft version of Wii Sports. Yep, Kinect Sports is a specially designed sports games to be played through Kinect. In this game there are several types of sports such as boxing, bowling, beach volleyball, athletics, soccer, and table tennis.

The other games rumoured will be released for Kinect are :

• Your Shape Fitness Evolved
  Ubsisoft fitness game with potential depth and plenty of polish. You’ll build your body by moving your hand and foot using Kinect
• Star Wars
  There is no much info about the upcoming LucasArts Star Wars Kinect title, but it involves lightsabers and cartoonish graphics.

Some of these games will be launched simultaneously Kinect controller.

For more detail, visit XBox Official Site

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The World Cup 2010 was started on June 11th, and one of the best ways to keep up on the soccer will be to watching it streaming live.

HERE is where you can find the World Cup soccer matches streaming online!

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Recent days my country hit by horrendous news. Sex scandal that entangle a top singer Ariel Peterpan (recently changed into “Ariel Peterporn“) with such top artists Luna Maya and Cut Tari seems to be the topic which dominated all the news in the media. Ranging from TV shows, newspapers, magazines to news portals on the internet, all their headline filled with this news. I do not want to comment further about their video. From this, we can see how horrible and how powerful the internet media impact the world right now. In fact this trend was originally just started from a share in facebook, but the impact can be like this. Spread the news on the Internet run faster than any media worldwide.

On Twitter, this topic reached one of 10 trending topic most talked for today. It really really fenomenal. Quite embarrassing seeing trending topic of my country came from something negative. The popularity of “Ariel Peterporn” even beat the subject “iPhone 4″ which was recently launched. So it’s not supprised that this trend even attract attention to Vicky Vette, a porn artist in US. Some people in Twitter also share by RT (retweet) to inform that Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga and Paris Hilton also curious about Ariel. But afterwhile, the RT confirmed as a hoax.

From all the thing i mentioned above is enough to show how powerful the social media in the internet right now. But we should use social media to expand our business, not for something like this. Now we understand the potential of social media. So the rest is totally depend on you. Do you want to use it for something useful or keep share “Ariel Peterporn” thing.

Just my rambling thoughts for today…

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Today while browsing, I found an interesting article … What is it? This is related with the Google logo a few days ago. Whether you noticed or not, a few days ago, those of you who signed into Google would notice that there’s something different with the logos of it. Yes … Google logo is replaced with the logo of Pac Man.

Coinciding with the birthday-30, Pac Man is indeed one of the legendary game that is one of the early generations in the world of gaming. For you who have a chance to know this logo, have you also tried to play Pac Man Google’s version game on it? In fact, based on the CNet News article, last Friday the average Google user plays Pac Man game is around 36 seconds. It’s not a long time of timeplay, but if all users playing time totalled, the amount could reach 4.8 million hours wasted just to play that game. This show that people still enthusiastic to play a game that was released by Namco Bandai 30 years ago. Playing this game even for a while make us to reminisce childhood memories. I myself also one of the fans of Pac Man when its released for NES (Nintendo Entertainment System). Pac Man game really one of legendary game. Before the video game doesn’t still advance as now, this game is like mandatory to be played by every person.

That may seem like a bold statement, but the there is evidence to back the idea of Pac-Man That May be the most influential video games of all time. For instance, to the Guinness Book Of World Records named Pac-Man-Known as “the best video game character on Earth, beating out stalwarts like the Mario Brothers and Sonic the Hedgehog. Also Guinness lists Pac-Man as the most Successful Coin-operated games ever.

Ok … Enough blogging …. Just sharing what i found interesting thing on the morning.

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Oh nooooo….. Jorge Lorenzo win again. Three races have passed, Jorge Lorenzo still leads the standings with 70 points, followed by Valentino Rossi (61 points) with 9 points difference. While on third place, Andrea Dovizioso (42 points) a little bit far to Lorenzo with difference of 28 points. The other skilled riders, Dani Pedrosa (40 points) and Casey Stoner (11 points) seems to still have yet to find their best form. Rossi seems to recognize the dominance of his team-mate on the Le Mans race.

Not too optimal on motor setting and a bit of feeling pain from a shoulder injury caused Rossi can not match Lorenzo in the competition.
He started the race from pole position, Rossi fight from the beginning with Lorenzo almost throughout the race. Although leading until lap-11, Rossi couldn’t hold more from Lorenzo attack.

Lorenzo ride faster and faster…. up to three laps later, Rossi had closed to within a distance of three seconds from his team-mate’s. Since then Rossi can’t pursue Lorenzo and eventually Lorenzo emerge as the first one to touch the finish line.

Current Moto GP Standings (by Riders) :
1. Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) 70
2. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 61
3. Andrea Dovizioso (Honda) 42
4. Dani Pedrosa (Honda) 40
5. Nicky Haiden (Ducati) 39

Hopefully in the next race (Mugello), Rossi can not win …. Go Go Rossi: p

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Oh No….. Rossi beaten this time. Seems the injury make Rossi not at his best perfomance this time.
Jorge Lorenzo gain victory in Spain MotoGP, beating Dani Pedrosa after the conquest of Valentino Rossi. Lorenzo’s really amazing because he makes big changes around the last seven laps. After passing Rossi who looked not at his best perfomance, he has made Pedrosa very disappointing because he has almost won the race.

In the last three laps Lorenzo was closer to Pedrosa, who from the start was not overtaken the other drivers. After failing on several occasions, Lorenzo finally managed to beat the Repsol Honda rider was on the last lap! Lorenzo was also collected his first victory this season, after the first series in Qatar only a runner-up Rossi. Pedrosa should be satisfied with two podiums at Jerez, and fail to lift the Honda to the top.As for Rossi, who started from fourth position, is entitled to occupy third place, but its position in the standings, dropped to the order of two under Lorenzo.

Spanish GP Results:
1. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 17 538 seconds 45 minutes
2. Dani Pedrosa Honda + 0543
3. Valentino Rossi Yamaha + 0890
4. Nicky Hayden Ducati 9015 +
5. Casey Stoner Ducati + 10 034
6. Andrea Dovizioso Honda + 23 144
7. Mika Kallio Ducati Pramac + 34 489
8. Marco Melandri Honda Gresini + 34 687
9. Randy de Puniet Honda LCR + 36 160
10. Suzuki + 36 791 Alvaro Bautista
11. Gresini Honda’s Marco Simoncelli + 37 155
12. Colin Edwards Tech 3 Yamaha + 38 260
13. Hector Barbera Aspar Ducati + 38 371
14. Hiroshi Aoyama Honda + 1m02.052 Interwetten
15. Aleix Espargaro Pramac Ducati + 3 laps

Did not finish
Ben spies Tech 3 Yamaha 7 laps
Loris Capirossi Suzuki 2 laps

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OMG. I can believe it’s true. Yes. Actually i don’t read newspaper today. I read one of my friends status post in fb about this news. In the office, i read a lot of my friends messenger status about this news. Finally i checked some news site like CNN and Reuters. Oooo God… This is really true… I’m so shocked knowing that this not a jokes. Michael Jackson was pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m. PDT after arriving at a Los Angeles hospital in full cardiac arrest. The cause of death was not known and an autopsy would likely take place on Friday.

So dramatic actually, if we follow the story of how Michael Jackson live. From him, we can learn a lot of thing. One of the most important thing i learn from Michael Jackson is how to not follow his path by falling into financial problem after retiring from his career as a singer. His lifetime record sales tally was believed to be around 750 million copies.  But “King of Pop” died at age 50 reportedly awash in about $400 million in debt, on the cusp of a final comeback after well over a decade of scandal. Why? How can someone like Michael Jackson can fall into a situation like this.

Even Michael Jackson gain very lot of money from his album sales, but so poor, he don’t have a millionaire mindset. One of the most successful motivator in Singapore, Adam Khoo ever said that “If you don’t have a correct mindset, our wealth is only enough for 1 month only.” Don’t care how much money you can gain every month, if you don’t have correct millionaire mindset, your wealth is only enough for 1 month living.  There are 4 level of wealthiness mentioned by Adam Khoo. And the first level (the lowest level) is :

“If you stop working now, your wealth can afford your 6 months living cost with your current lifestyle”

Yes… a lot of people often ask a question like this “How much money do we must get so we can be called rich guy?”. Noooo. the answer is not depend on how much money you have right now. But how long you can afford your lifestyle if you stop working now. Yes. This is why a millionaire mindset needed. So poor, Michael Jackson didn’t have this.

After accesed of molesting a 13-year-old boy at 1993,  he faces a lot of problems. At 1995, he agreed to a deal with Sony to merge ATV with Sony’s library of songs and sold Sony music publishing rights for $95 million. Then in 2001, he used his half of the ATV assets as collateral to secure $200 million in loans from Bank of America. Not wise using his money, his financial problems continued. Jackson began to borrow large sums of money from others. One accountant testified that the singer had an “ongoing cash crisis” and was spending $20 million to $30 million more per year than he earned. Until his death, he reportedly still in debt $400 million.

From Michael Jackson life, we can learn one thing. A wealth can not calculated by its value, but from how long we can live from our savings if we stop working right now. Hopes we can learn something from this.

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