As an internet marketing company totally consumed in the latest technology advancements, we thought there is no better way to prep for the holidays than to share our most technology focused gift ideas for professionals. Some items are useful on the go, helpful on the job, or just simply brings a little humor to the work environment.

This year’s highlights include a personal energy generator, a tripod mount for the iPhone 4, and a portable and foldable Bluetooth keyword for iPhone, iPad or Android.

nPower PEG (Personal Energy Generator)

Description:

As you move, the nPower PEG stores up kinetic energy you’re already generating from your motion and converts it into usable power for recharging your cell phone, mp3 player or other hand held device.

Why it’s Cool:

It’s perfect for any professional that always seems to be without their cell phone charger at a crucial time.  The readymade charger can help you make any last minute phone call, hear a song or make an appointment update to your PDA.

Price:

$150.00

Available at:

nPowerPEG.com

Magnetic Accelerator Cannon

Description:

A metal ball sits at the end of the track as you watch the energy transfer and multiply down through magnets and metal balls until the last ball takes off! Magnetic acceleration has a big place in our future, from weapons to travel, so have some fun experimenting.

Why it’s Cool:

It’s the perfect little item if looking for an afternoon escape. This cannon is extremely powerful and offers a bit of enlightenment in the office.

Price:

$29.99

Available at:

ThinkGeek.com

The Glif

Description:

The Glif is a tripod mount for the iPhone 4. It is a simple piece of plastic that screws into the quick release plate of your tripod and allows you to mount the iPhone in any position you desire.

Why it’s Cool:

Anyone that has tried to shoot video with the iPhone 4 knows that the HD quality is remarkable, but is easily destroyed by the rolling shutter wobble present by the CMOS sensor. The Glif allows you to mount the phone on the tripod, dollie, crane, etc. to use just as you would a standard camera.

Price:

$20.00

Available at:

TheGlif.com

PPC Editor App

Description:

The PPC Editor is an Apple App that provides significant management features like budget management and keyword research. The App relies on Google’s API to pull information regarding PPC campaigns and even though this app was not developed by Google, there has been talk of Google developing an Adwords management tool as well.

Why it’s Cool:

PPC Managers are always in the habit of tweaking Adwords accounts.  The App enables Adwords managers to manage their campaigns without being restricted to the computer.

Price:

$16.99

Available at:

The App Store

Jorno Bluetooth Keyboard

Description:

The keyboard is a portable and foldable Bluetooth keyboard capable of turning any iPhone, iPad or Android device into a fully functioning laptop.  The item serves as a mobile powerhouse in pocket size form with a detachable cradle and provides ease of use. Although the item isn’t truly available until January 2011, those interested can take advantage of pre-order pricing and provide as a late holiday gift in anticipation of receiving one of the most mobile advancements.

Why it’s Cool:

Marketing/communications professionals are always on the go and this handy item allows for quick updates in laptop form.

Price:

$99.00

Available at:

JornoStore.com and select retailers

HP – iPAQ 111 Classic Handheld Organizer

Description:

The HP – iPAQ 111 Classic Handheld Organizer has TFT-LCD Color Display. The device features a Windows Mobile 6 Classic operating system with Microsoft Office Mobile PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook and Internet Explorer keeping everything at your fingertips.

Why it’s Cool:

It’s a handheld organizer that connects to the web allowing you to stay productive away from the office.

Price:

$295.99

Available at:

BestBuy.com

Yoda Desktop Protector

Description:

A motion detecting Yoda lights up and talks when it senses movement near your desktop. The motion sensor will detect movement between 6 and 9 feet away.

Why it’s cool:

It will detect movement while you are away from your desk, and it’s Yoda.

Price:

$25.99

Available at:

ThinkGeek.com

Alfa High Gain USB Wireless Long Range WiFi Network Adapter

Description:

The most powerful WiFi adapter on the market. It’s very secure and is compatible with Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7, Linux and Mac.

Why it’s Cool:

It serves as a solution for connecting a desktop computer that can be set up anywhere to connect to a wireless network.  It’s perfect to travel with because it’s light and compact.

Price:

$35.99

Available at:

Amazon.com

It is true…..Ken just broke up with Barbie using Twitter. I could not believe my ears when my 6 year old daughters latest Barbie DVD was playing in our car during our last family road trip and those exact social media and more technical phrases were being referenced as common place.

Uncommonly, I began to pay extra attention to the dialogue that was taking place and the references of Twitter, email, texting and Facebook kept repeating themselves throughout the story line. I can only imagine what it must be like to actually watch these activities take place on the screen.

We are losing the art of conversation and I am just as guilty of this crime. What is worse our kids are going to completely be conversing via technology and losing site of traditional methods. How can we help keep the art of conversation alive and well, especially with ouryouth?

One good thing from the Barbie video is that one of the characters spoke and stated “you don’t break up with someone using Twitter….that is wrong!” Perhaps this a step in the right direction.

Flying in earlier in the day to Minneapolis via Southwest from a 2 am wake up and a 6:15am flight, Mike and I arrived 2 hours early from a great day of Internet Marketing meetings to catch our 7:15pm flight to Milwaukee. Mike being Mike Frey our new CEO personally discovering my explanation of a typical power meeting day.

Thinking that we were continuing Southwest to our next destination we returned our Hot Rod and proceeded to the closest terminal to check our golf clubs. Once hitting a dead end around the ticketing counter for Delta airlines we were instructed by a very confident traveler from Seattle to take the tram which we never knew existed to another airport.

Reluctantly Mike and I boarded the tram, which lead us to a train to terminal 1 to hit ticketing for Southwest and after leaving the train and up an elevator and over an escalator through an overly hot abandoned parking lot (which by Mike’s estimation appeared to be a par 7 away) with luggage and golf clubs in tow we hit another set of
elevators that took us ultimately to the Southwest area. As we approached the terminal I was looking at the departure boards and commented to a mike that I was not seeing our flight destination or time on the boards.

We arrived to the ticketing counter perplexed and pulled out our itinerary only to reveal  that we were to catch a Delta flight and not Southwest. I immediately began to roar with laughter since we were at that counter 20 minutes and several modes of transportation earlier. I then told Mike I am going to the bathroom….I will be back.

When I returned, Mike was smiling and the back of his shirt revealed a nice soaked image in the outline of his backpack that obviously stood out once he took off his back pack. We both got another chuckle from his sweaty back as we were contemplating our next brilliant move. Mike was advised that we could take a cab at this point as opposed to reliving the last 20 calorie burning minutes…..due to time restraints we elected to take a cab.

Arriving at the cab stand the first cab was not able to accommodate our golf clubs, fortunately another cab was close by and we loaded up and headed out. Despite the cab driver knowing exactly where we needed to go we began to question him when we actually left the airport and got on a major highway. He assured us that he was heading to the correct location. Sure enough after a 10 minute cab ride we were back to Delta.

Once we got through security we rushed to the gate and upon arrival realized that our flight had an hour delay…..laughter once again erupted and we were fortunate enough to have had a bar next to our gate of which we needed desperately and utilized fully.

Needless to say we made our flight and the trip was a success and we truly maximized our early arrival time at the Minneapolis Airport(s).

I don’t know exactly who did the study… but I remember hearing a statistic one time that working in an advertising agency is one of the world’s most stressful occupations. I know a lot of people are going to disagree with that, but I’m pretty sure that those working in any type of advertising agency won’t disagree.

At ProspectMX, we try to do a variety of activities to counter balance the stress of working for one of the busiest web marketing companies around. And almost all of us have different things we do to relieve stress.

Some of us carry Nerf guns around the building and shoot darts at co-workers. Some of us wear t-shirts with funny one-liners that only geeks can enjoy.

And some of us, well… some of us smash pies in the face of our bosses.

Last week, as the culmination of a series of events and activities that raised over $1600 for March of Dimes, the co-founders of ProspectMX donned trash bags and had all of their employees gather outside during a lunch break for an especially sweet event.

Three lucky employees got to live the dream with an opportunity to “pie” Rory Wilfong, Steve Young, and Dave Conklin. And it was all done in the name of raising money for March of Dimes.

Luckily, we caught the event on film…

Rory, Steve, and Dave (along with COO John Fraunfelter, Sales Manager Jim Bradford and Customer Success Specialist Mike King of a real estate marketing company) got pied by individuals who placed the highest bid on a pie during a week long silent auction fundraiser held for company employees in April. All funds raised during the silent auction were given to March of Dimes.

All proceeds raised and donated to the March of Dimes helps fund research and efforts to reduce premature births, birth defects, and infant mortality. To date, ProspectMX has helped raise over $1600 to benefit the March for Babies campaign.

As you may have heard, we here at ProspectMX are sending Matt Cutts to space.

Well, ok, not the REAL Matt Cutts… and not really into space, but…well watch the video if you haven’t heard.

ProspectMX is Sending Matt Cutts to Space! from Dave Conklin on Vimeo.

That’s right, we had a doll of Matt Cutts made and we’re going to send it on various adventures in the coming months. Hopefully, other prominent members of the SEM community will be on their own adventures, too.

Joe Latrell, a fellow employee, also happens to be a Rocket Scientist (isn’t everyone?). He volunteered to build us a 10 foot rocket to help Matt on his journey.

But there was one critical piece left that we didn’t have for the launch next week.

A name.

So, we polled the community and got a couple great suggestions as to what to call this magnificent beast of a rocket. After much deliberation, crying, voting, and tallying – we have reached a consensus. The rocket will be called…

Drumroll please…

SPAM BLASTER!

Yes, the rocket will be called Spam Blaster. And what better name for the rocket-fueled-speed-machine that will hold Matt Cutts on that fateful day? A phrase that not only encompasses a giant rocket but also Matt Cutt’s day to day responsibilities at Google?

We’re quite pleased with the name and would like to thank everyone that suggested names and voted.

So it’s the final countdown. We have a rocket. We have Matt Cutts. And we have a name.

There’s less than a week left until the launch, so we hope to see you all back here next Monday at 2pm to see how it all goes down.