It’s no secret that over 75% of the market still uses Internet Explorer. They (as in the online media) say that Google Chrome has been labeled as an IE killer. Question is, does Google have the credibility to convince the average user to switch from IE and try Chrome? Aside from people like us (who are willing to download anything the all-mighty-Google releases) the average user may not be as daring and willing to adjust. Humans are a creature of habit. I must say, Chrome is pretty quick. Aside from faster page loads, I even notice my vertical scroll bar having greater sensitivity. Go Google!

Pros:

• Faster Page Load
• Simplified tool bar
• Sleek User Interface
• “Favorites” dashboard shortcut
• Open source

In my constant search for new apps and sites, I stumbled upon imeem.  Imeem is a social network centered on providing music for online listeners. I would say it’s extremely geared towards community building.

add MissChicGeek as a friend!

Imeem has some pretty cool features such as:

• customizable dashboard fully equipped with web2.0 drag and drop widgets
• extremely user friendly personalizable user profile page
• ability to add and remove dashboard widgets
• media tracker
• ability to add song and music player on to any site
• and basic SN features such as message board, friend tracker, friend finder, and customizable user profiles

Couple of features I believe would really up their game:

• user profile urls to include profiler full name (everyone loves a personalized link!)
• ability to add nicknames
• ability to post a status update
• eventually have the ability to sync up with my ping.fm account. I’m all about centralized messaging.

Imeem seems like a hybrid of facebook/myspace/lastfm. I love the ability to create personalized profiles, accounts and super easy to use profile customizability. I’m also definitely a big fan of the media tracking and “play related” function. The music selection is questionable (I’ll give it a couple of days). I see a bright future for imeem, I just hope it doesnt run into the same issues as Pandora and Lastfm.

Another sign of the epic battle between the iphone and the blackberry…

The BlackBerry Media Sync is a FREE new application where you can put all your tunes stored in your computer (including iTunes) on to your smartphone. Now I don’t have to be stuck to my computer to listen to my awesome tunes.

It’s easy to use, intuitive, and you can control how much of your music is synced to your BlackBerry smartphone. Just click here to download.

::edit::

how sad… it doesn’t sync with a BB 8700. Anyone want to sponsor my new BB bold?

You ever find yourself listening to music, getting into the groove, and then all of a sudden a nasty commercial starts? Or even worse, all you hear is the same old limited selection. Well do not fear my friend, Last.fm is here. Last.fm is this AWESOME (yes, it is so awesome I had to emphasize it) online music community where anyone can come and listen to their wide selection of free music without commercial interruptions.  Music genres that varies from Neo-Soul to Heavy Metal, Electronica to Old School Hip Hop. Looking for Daft Punk? They got the dynamic duos. Or maybe you’re in the mood for something a little more mellow, like Dido. Last.fm has her soulful music too. Last.fm also hosts a variety of music videos, concert schedules, and even free downloads (Nine Inch Nails  - Discipline)

Now, remember when I said Last.fm is a music community? Let me elaborate. Last.fm is a true community oriented site that allows users to tag the artist and song, edit artist bio (with moderator approval of course), leave comments, add events, link friends, and so much more. At Last.fm, we are no longer users with out a voice.

I’ve been using Last.fm for months without complaint. Last.fm has gotten me through countless brain-numbing days at work. I do recommend that you join and download their application. Why? Because once you download their application, Last.fm will search your music library and list your music taste on your online profile. This allows them to make music suggestions. Plus, once you start listening to their music library, your player tracks the music you’ve listened to and allows you to save your favorite songs and even ban(removes the song from ever being played again) music.

What got me hooked on Last.fm is their radio, a widget that can play in or pop out into it’s own small browser.  This widget allows the user to listen to music similar to the artist you’ve already chosen. But wait, it gets better! If you download Last.fm’s applciation, you have the option to listen to music by genre. Personally, I’m always looking to widen my music pallet.

Pandora and AOL Music is so last year. Last.fm is made for people like you and I. Best of all it’s free.

Check out my list

As a modern chick, I must stay connected. Even if that means having 5 instant messenger accounts, 4 emails, 3 social network feeds, etc… gosh, a chick can get lost trying to figure out where she logged her friend’s new cell phone number. Luckily, Digsby solves all.

Digsby is my hub of connections to the outside world. Basically Digsby consolidates your IM, Email, and your social network accounts into one application. For IMs, Digsby supports AIM, MSN, Yahoo, ICQ, Google Talk, Jabber, and Facebook Chat Accounts. As for Email, Digsby manages your Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, AOL/AIM Mail, IMAP, and POP accounts. Last but not least, Digsby supports a feature that provides a newsfeed from your Facebook, Twitter, or MySpace account. Seeing how I have an account on a good number of these applications, I was more than excited to try Digsby.

Let’s just say after 3 months, I’m still a loyal supporter.

I’m a busy chick, I don’t have time to search, open, and sign onto 5 different accounts. Now all I have to do is open my Digsby, click on one “connect” per account and all my contacts are there, organized. As for my email and social network newsfeeds, after my initial setup I never have to bother with them again. It’s as if someone read my wish list and decided to send me an early birthday present. Best of all, you can personalize the look of your Digsby. None of that generic, grey crap for me.

As much as I love Digsby, I must warn you about two drawbacks. First, Digsby is still in their testing phase and they do send out a number of automatic updates. If you ever get disrupted during an update, it is best to reinstall the application. Second, Digsby is currently not available for Mac users. Sorry Macs, it seems that PCs get first dibs this time.

As a person whose been through a number of IM applications (Trillian, Meebo, Yahoo! Messinger, etc.) I can confidently say that I’ll be staying with Digsby (at least until the next best thing).

This day and age, there are about a bijillion clothing sites who want to get their hands on your email address, only to bombard your inbox with brands you have no interest in. Shop It To Me is a completely different service that allows us fashionistas to select our favorite brands and the clothing size we are interested in. Once selected, the weekly emails will only contain items on sale in the brand and size we preselected. It’s practically our own personal shopper (I’ve always wanted one of these). And if you ever get irritated of your personal shopper, you can login and take a break which will pause all emails.

Shop It To Me is a service that allows the modern day fashionistas on a budget to be emailed daily or weekly (you decide) of their favorite brands that go on sale. Best of all, this service is free!