Mark Geller

Can the patent system be fixed?

Mark Geller — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 06:41:42 +0000

There has been a lot of discussion recently by several top startup investors about how the U.S. patent system is badly broken and calling for Congress to dismantle software patents altogether. In a nutshell, the main problem is the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted many patents for inventions that seem like they [...]

Welcome to the desktop, Facebook

Mark Geller — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 16:22:19 +0000

As I mentioned in my last post, building desktop software, which for the past few years has been considered maybe something less than cool, is now becoming fashionable again, maybe even hot. This past week it was reported Facebook is hiring a desktop software team in its Seattle office. Various experts have speculated on what [...]

The downloadable is dead. Long live the downloadable!

Mark Geller — Wed, 11 May 2011 06:26:01 +0000

Quick update since my last post: for the past few months I have continued working as a consultant with HauteLook, the fashion flash sale site that was recently acquired by Nordstrom, managing their “off-website” experiences such as the iPhone app, mobile site, Facebook store, and some cool new stuff coming soon. (This has been an [...]

My take on the Samsung Nexus S and Android

Mark Geller — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 04:39:34 +0000

A few weeks ago, I made the switch from iPhone to Android. Initially I had been holding out for a second-gen 4G Android phone with excellent battery life, however, I am starting work on an Android app for a consulting project this week so I figured this was a good time to make the move. [...]

9 reasons why fantasy football is the most successful social game

Mark Geller — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 02:36:31 +0000

There has been a lot of talk recently about social games like Farmville and Mafia Wars and their potential value to investors or acquirers. However, there is another social game that may be even larger in terms of its overall impact and value to partners–fantasy football. For those who do not follow pro sports closely, [...]

Zoom in and out for product innovation

Mark Geller — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 06:27:00 +0000

It’s been a while since I last posted. I did not intend to take a long break, although I have kept fairly busy in the meantime, working on KlickFu and doing some consulting for the L.A.-based flash sales fashion company, HauteLook–releasing an iPhone app and a mobile website and working on other projects. Also, I have built [...]

Ding! You are now free to keep your points to yourself

Mark Geller — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:41:16 +0000

Yesterday, after returning from my trip to the Bay Area this weekend, I qualified for a free Rapid Rewards trip on Southwest airlines and received a confirmation email with the award codes. Yet the email did not include a link to post an announcement to Facebook or any other element of social interaction or social [...]

BP did not plan to fail… and that was the problem

Mark Geller — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 21:39:46 +0000

It has been over 40 days since the BP oil rig explosion and blow-out that has been spewing 15K-20K barrels per day into the Gulf and there is still no end in sight. Aside from the media coverage of the potential devastating impact on the environment and way of life of the people in the [...]

Improving the Windows desktop is so… 2010

Mark Geller — Wed, 05 May 2010 05:38:43 +0000

For a lot of the time my co-founder Rod and I have been working on KlickFu, we have often had the feeling the area of the business we have been focusing on–enhancing the experience working with the Windows desktop–is maybe not the coolest part of the industry. Yes, Windows 7 is an excellent product and [...]

Which way to HealthVille?

Mark Geller — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 01:00:50 +0000

The drug company, Bayer, recently introduced a glucose meter that attaches to the Nintendo DS called the Didget, “to help kids manage their diabetes by positively reinforcing consistent blood glucose testing habits and awarding points that kids can use to unlock new game levels and customize their gaming experience.” On the one hand, it is great [...]