Twitter alerted me this morning of this blogger, John Battelle, founder and chairman of Federated Media Publishing. In his most recent post, Battelle gives his annual predictions for the new year. Among his predictions: Google will see its search share decline as it struggles to find an answer to the question of how it diversifies its revenue in 2009; Yahoo and AOL will merge; Apple will see a reversal of recent fortunes; use of Twitter will continue to rise, with the company attempting to remain independent and Facebook will do something shocking and unpredictable. A possible merger with a traditional media company? A new CEO? 

I’m not sure how many of Battelle’s predictions will prove true, but I agree that 2009 is going to be a big year, full of changes — good and bad — both for technology and the media. 

Check out the animated version of your favorite Mac and PC characters:

Some Christmas cheer from a newly discovered group, which is quickly becoming one of my favorites:

I always enjoy a good Santa photo this time of the year. Check out these, courtesy of chicagotribune.com. Do you have any funny, cute, or otherwise entertaining photos of you or your child with Jolly Old St. Nick? Send them to jbowen@the-review.com and I’ll be happy to post them here. If I get enough submissions, maybe I’ll even throw in a prize for the winner!

I quite enjoyed watching tonight’s last presidential debate. Not because I found it particularly exciting, or even because this is the last time our regularly scheduled programs will be interrupted for said debates. No, I found enjoyment in following my friends’ up-to-the-minute commentary on sites like facebook and twitter. It was great. Seconds after a candidate made a statement, statuses changed and tweets were made either praising a candidate’s comments or ripping them apart. In a few cases, I even saw heated debates going on among users. Gone are the days where we waited until after the debate was over to call a friend and hear their thoughts. Now, with social networking sites right at our fingertips, we can discuss issues in real time, as they’re happening. Will others’ thoughts change my vote? Highly doubtful. But I still think it was interesting to hear others’ thoughts as the debate was going on. What were (are) your thoughts?

No, I haven’t decided to turn this blog into a spinoff of Engadget, but I can’t help but mention cool new technology when I read about it. Like the new Google phone which is set to make its debut Oct. 22. The phone will cost $179 and will incorporate a large touchscreen, a trackball, a slide-out keyboard and easy access to G-mail and mapping programs. 

The phone will be available to T-Mobile customers in areas where the company has established its faster wireless data network. Otherwise, the phones will be available on T-Mobile’s Web site and can be used on T-Mobile’s slower data network. One cool thing about the G1 is that software developers are free to write new applications for the phone, which could add to its appeal.

Check out this vintage Sesame Street clip where Grover tries to help a girl fix her computer. Notice the “computer” as well. Funny stuff

Chances are, you’ve at least checked it out. If you’re like me, you’ve tried to ignore the fact that it’s coming. But like it or not, the new Facebook will be here by the end of this week, and there will be no going back. 

I guess you could say Facebook has given its users more than enough warning that the site we’ve come to know and navigate so easily will soon take the form of a new design. The tabs we know — Profile, Friends, Inbox, etc. — will no longer be organized in the same way. The new Facebook is meant to make it easier to share information and photos and shifts some applications to the bottom of profile pages. In recent weeks, Facebook has given users the choice to switch over to the new design or stick with the old design. But by this weekend, everyone will be moved to the new design for good. 

I don’t actually have any specific objections to the new design. It’s just different. I’m guessing this is why so many have rallied against the new format. It’s not what we’re used to. But I’m betting once people have gotten used to the new design, the switch will no longer be an issue. 

What are your thoughts — have you made the switch yet? Do you prefer the new or old Facebook design? 

The old Facebook:

The new Facebook:

Earlier today, Apple announced a revamped line of iPod Nanos, the thinnest Apple has ever made according to Apple CEO Steve Jobs. The new Nanos will sell for $149 for an 8-gig model and $199 for a 16-gig version. According to Jobs, Apple has sold 160 million iPods since they were introduced in 2001. 

The new version does seem to be a great value, but I have to wonder if sales will reflect this. With the 3G iPhone —  which incorporates phone, internet and iPod capabilities — starting at $199, it almost seems like a waste to not just go with the iPhone. For those who are just looking for a music player, though, the new Nano seems like a great deal.

What kind of music player do you use? Would you (or have you already) purchased an iPhone? What are your thoughts on using your phone as a music player?

Pilobolus