Did you keep yourself busy this week reading about all things CES? Well, just in case you missed anything outside of Vegas, it’s time for the weekly features roundup.

We have tips for navigating the dating scene with digital media, tricks for making your Pinterest cutting edge and pointers for getting the most out of YouTube. We’ve covered the coolest tech accessories, the most popular Twitter pictures and we’re even holding a Facebook short story contest.

Here are this week’s social media resources.

Editor’s Picks

• 10 Essential YouTube Tips and Tricks
  Here’s how to get more out of your YouTube experience, from improved search to better viewing options via cunning shortcuts.
• 8 Apple Accessories at CES [PICS]
  The top iPhone and iPod accessories we found at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show.
• How Technological Justice Can Fight Global Poverty
  While the developed world takes tech for granted, billions of people still live without electricity. Could a change in our economic approach change the lives of people on the other side of the great tech divide?
• Tell Us A Story – On Facebook [CONTEST]
  Facebook lets you post status updates of 63,206 characters. We’re asking you to use that space creatively.
• Pinterest: 13 Tips and Tricks for Cutting Edge Users
  If you’re still getting used to Pinterest, like many of us, take a few minutes to review our tips and tricks for the hottest new social network.
• The 10 Most Popular Photos on Twitter This Week [PICS]
  Here are the most popular photos on Twitter this week, getting the most retweets as of January 5.

Social Media

• 10 Tips for Dating in the Social Media Age
  Social media has made the dating game trickier than it already was. Here are a couple tips that might help you.
• 4 Short-Form Blogging Networks Perfect for Customer Engagement
  Which sites help brands keep up in the real-time content race? Which sites really drive engagement? Here are four I see as emerging leaders.
• 10 Social Good Kickstarter Projects Seeking to Change the World
  Activists, humanitarians and other pioneers of social justice can use Kickstarter to share their projects and raise funds to make a difference.
• 20 TV Shows With the Most Social Media Buzz This Week [CHART]
  Which TV shows generate the most buzz on social networks? Find out each week from our new chart.
• The Top 10 News Organizations With the Most Google+ Engagement
  A list published Tuesday reveals which news organizations on Google+ are roping in the most +1s, comments and shares.
• 5 URL Expanders to Help You Avoid Spammy Links
  We’ve found five URL expansion services that will give you some peace-of-mind when browsing.
• Social Media Guilt Trip: 10 Ways Networks Try to Make You Stay
  When you delete your social media accounts, networks try various techniques to get you to stay, and they cleverly leave you wondering if it’s you and not them.

For more social media news and resources, you can follow Mashable’s social media channel on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

Business & Marketing

• 5 Strategies for Creating Magnetic Online Content
  Brands are content publishers, and the Holy Grail of brand-produced content is magnetic content. Here are some tips for making yours as engaging as possible.
• 5 Proven Ways to Generate Revenue From Facebook
  Can you really make money from Facebook? If you understand what your customers value, the answer is “yes” — if you put in the effort.
• 3 Major Concerns for Brands Over ICANN’s New Domain Registry Options
  Let’s look at a few of the biggest questions and concerns that brand owners have raised about the brand-new gTLD registration opportunity.
• Why Targeted Ads Must Account for Changing Consumer Context
  If a consumer who loves action movies suddenly rents “Toy Story,” will Netflix understand that his nieces are visiting? Understanding shifting context is critical for keeping targeted recommendations relevant.
• 5 Ways Brands Can Use Pinterest to Boost Consumer Engagement
  Here are five ways companies can jump on the Pinterest bandwagon to reach a quickly growing and engaged audience.
• The Top Brands on Pinterest
  Here are eight brands that are exploiting Pinterest’s potential to its fullest.
• 13 Tips for Increasing Your Company’s Google Rank
  Apply these tips and techniques from a group of successful, young entrepreneurs in order to boost your company’s SEO results.
• 10 Companies That Hit the Bullseye With Online Contests
  Ten successful entrepreneurs share contests that caught their eyes in 2011, and why these contests presented genuine business wins.
• 13 Essential Resources for Socially Responsible Companies
  There’s more to running a business than the bottom line. Check out the ways these leading companies and entrepreneurs are making the world a better place.
• 6 Startups to Watch in 2012
  An Olympic games, a U.S. presidential election and the end of the world are already planned for 2012, but we’re more excited about the startups.
• 3 New Tools for Promoting Your Interests
  This week we focused on three companies creating new ways to promote your interests.

For more business news and resources, you can follow Mashable’s business channel on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

Tech & Mobile

• The Best Airports and Airlines for Tech-Dependent Travelers [INFOGRAPHIC]
  What airports have abundant outlets and Wi-Fi? What airlines have a good mobile app? This infographic has all that and more.
• 36 Digital Tools That Make Long-Distance Relationships a Little Easier
  We’ve gathered a series of apps, gadgets and social tools to support your faraway romance.
• 10 Awesome Accessories Featuring the Vintage Apple Logo [RAINBOWS]
  We’re bringing you 10 fun accessories featuring, or inspired by, the classic Apple rainbow logo.
• What to Expect From Mobile Marketing Tech in 2012
  As new technologies emerge, the offline-to-online marketing learning curve only gets steeper. Read on for my mobile marketing predictions of 2012.
• How One App Empowers Citizens to Take Control of Urban Noise Pollution
  Can’t cope with the wall of sound? NoiseTube aims to help citizens take control of their noise through mobile mapping.
• 5 Free Homework Management Tools for the Digital Student
  Keep track of assignments, record lectures and never miss a deadline again with these 5 great web and mobile tools for students.
• Designer Tech: 6 Beautiful Gadgets You Know You Want
  From smart watches to iPhone-operated coffeemakers, there’s a slew of sleek new technologies on the market. Here’s a rundown of items that are sure to make your wish list.
• 10 Rock-Steady Rugged iPhone Cases
  We have found 10 cases for the Apple mobile that offer such protection, ranging from peace of mind anti-bump options to military grade belt-and-braces coverings
• Top 10 Tech This Week [PICS]
  Top 10 Tech This Week chooses groundbreaking products to be rolled out in Vegas, and sprinkles in a healthy measure of futuristic fare.

For more tech news and resources, you can follow Mashable’s tech channel on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

7 New Apps Worth Downloading This Week

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With about 500,000 apps in the Apple App Store and an estimated 300,000 apps in the Android Market, finding the gems among the virtual haystack can be full time job. The good news is that it’s our full time job.

We’ve trekked through the overly frivolous, the ugly and the downright impractical in our search for these seven recently launched apps in the slideshow above. We hope you enjoy this week’s top picks.

Thumbnail image courtesy of Flickr, Jorge Quinteros

Neil Patel is the co-founder of KISSmetrics, an analytics provider that helps companies make better business decisions.

How can you be persuasive with consumers on social media? One of the best books on persuasion is called Influence, in which author Robert Cialdini describes six elements of effective persuasion.

I share those tactics below and analyze how they can best be applied to a social media audience.

1. Reciprocation – The Oldest Trick in the Book

Reciprocation is built upon the theory that if you give something as a gift and then ask the recipient for a favor, they’ll respond in kind.

For example, Dropbox will give you 2GB of storage space for free. But the company asks you to return the favor by sharing the service with friends, then rewards you with another 250 MB of space. That’s reciprocity.

Another common social media strategy is to give away ebooks. For example, after a customer has downloaded a free ebook, encourage that person to subscribe to your blog, Facebook Fan page or Twitter account — “Now that you have the book, would you mind following me on Twitter?”

2. Social Proof – Don’t Be Left Behind

When it comes to making decisions, we often look to other people for clues. This is called social proof. Here are a few indicators of social proof in the social media world.

• Subscriber or follower counts – Are a lot of people following this blogger? Then you probably should follow him too.
• Reviews – If you see that a book has over 500 reviews and an average four stars, you are more likely to buy it than a book without any reviews.
• Comments – Blog posts with hundreds of comments suggest that it is a very good (or very controversial) post. You are more tempted to see what’s going on.
• Share counts – If you see an article has been tweeted 1,200 times, you are more likely to read it than an article tweeted 50 times.

Bottom line: When it comes to social media, a large audience is golden.

3. Liking – Never Met a Stranger

When Cialdini talks about “liking,” he doesn’t mean the “Like” button on Facebook. He means, do people like you? Here are a few ideas how this works on the social web.

• Be warm and personable – Whether you’re on LinkedIn or Google+, talk to people how you would interact with them at a cocktail party.
• Give people things they want – For example, if you know somebody is looking for research studies on mobile app marketing, and you come across some information, share it with that person.
• Be polite – Unfortunately, it’s very easy to let it all hang out online, but you shouldn’t do that. If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.
• Be funny – If you have a sense of humor, flaunt it online. People love to laugh, even in professional contexts.

4. Authority – Why You Must Listen to Me

What does authority look like in social media? Maintaining relationships with well-known brands can only help. For example, if any of your articles have been published in popular offline or online publications, display that content on your social media accounts.

If you’ve ever published a book or built a successful company, you are considered an authority. Developed an app? You are an expert.

Highlight your exceptional achievements in your social media interactions and you’ll have greater influence with your audience.

5. Scarcity – Last Chance to Be Popular

Scarcity is another way of saying you have a limited supply of something. When it comes to social media, weave scarcity into your efforts.

• Limit your interactions online – James Altucher hosts a 30-minute Q&A on Twitter every Thursday. People flood him with questions during that time because they know he’s not available otherwise.
• Time your interactions – Online attention is scarce. Therefore, identify the best times to interact with your social media communities. Master social media timing and you’ll increase your social media performance.
• Use deadlines – Force people to act quickly by limiting how long a product, opportunity or offer is available.

6. Commitment and Constancy – Don’t Go Back on Your Word

This is where it all comes together. During the entire process of connecting with your social networks using the above tactics, you should constantly ask for small commitments.

For example, ask people to share an ebook before they download it. Once they download, remind them of their commitment!

Push those commitments because most people dislike their own inconsistencies. If they commit to something, they will likely do it.

Conclusion

To be successful in both life and business, you must ask people for help. But first, you have to convince them to comply with your requests.

Social media allows you to do that by giving you the tools to be a connecter and persuader, whether offline or online. What other examples of persuasion in social media have you seen?

Image courtesy of iStockphoto, adventtr

Google has a secret laboratory, unknown even to most of the company’s employees, where it develops projects that sound like something taken from a sci-fi movie, the New York Times reports.

At the lab, located somewhere in the Bay Area, Google’s brightest engineers are working on some hundred projects, including smart refrigerators and dinner plates, robots that fetch the groceries and elevators that can take you to outer space.

An unnamed Google engineer says that the lab is run mysteriously, in two different office buildings — one for logistics and the other for robotics projects.

The scientists working in the lab include hires from Microsoft, Nokia, Stanford, M.I.T., Carnegie Mellon and New York University. Google’s co-founder Sergey Brin is reportedly “deeply involved” with the project, and he and co-founder Larry Page have come up with a list of ideas for the lab.

It is reportedly headed by robotics and artificial intelligence expert Sebastian Thrun from Stanford, best known for his work on the world’s first driverless car. Andrew Ng, a Stanford professor and an esteemed A.I. expert, also works at the lab.

A Google spokeswoman would not confirm the existence of the lab, but she did say that Google likes to invest in speculative projects. Google’s 20% rule, which lets engineers spend one-fifth of their work time on personal projects, is one example of that, but a secret lab takes this idea a step further and makes you wonder which of these technologies will graduate to be full-fledged Google projects.

BONUS: Inside the Google NYC LEGO and Tech Fantasy Land

Inside Google NYC

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Here at Mashable, we’re always looking out for you (in a non-Big Brother way) so if your iOS 5 upgrade left you with a dead battery, you may have missed a feature or two. Never fear though, because we’ve gathered the weekly features right here for you.

Google+ had a hot week with the launch of its new brand pages. Although it’s too early to tell what’s to come of it, we did learn what users felt was missing from the social network. The newest tablet to enter the competition was released by Nook, and it might give the others a run for their money.

Looking for even more social media resources? We have everything you’re looking for below.

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Editor’s Picks

• Nook Tablet: How Does It Stack Up Against the Competition? [CHART]
  The new Nook Tablet adds yet another answer to the question, “Which tablet should I get?” Use our handy chart to compare the specs and make your decision.
• Top 10 Features Users Want From Google+ Brand Pages
  Here’s what users want from the new Google+ company pages. What’s on your wish list?
• Google+ Brand Pages Are the “Wild West”– for Now
  It’s very easy to set up a fake Google+ brand page, which may sow some confusion.
• Hands On: iOS 5.0.1 Upgrade is Fast, Easy [PICS]
  Watch how easy it is to update iOS 5.

Social Media

• How Hashtagging the Web Could Improve Our Collective Intelligence
  While Twitter generates mass interest and curates collective thought, its trends cannot represent the true pulse of world conversation. That needs to change.
• Google+ Users Are Still Mostly Male
  If you were to throw a dart at Google+, it would be more than twice as likely to land on a man’s profile as a woman’s profile.
• 10 Tips and Tricks for Better Google+ Brand Pages
  We’re bringing you some handy tips and tricks, ideal for anyone new to Google+ brand pages.
• 9 in 10 Teens Have Witnessed Bullying on Social Networks [STUDY]
  Teenagers can be mean. But a new survey suggests they’re no more so on social networks such as Facebook than they are in real life.
• Google+ Brand Pages vs. Facebook Fan Pages
  Will Google+’s brand pages give Facebook’s fan pages a run for their money? Check out what top brands are doing on each social network.
• Top 12 Quotes From the Mark Zuckerberg Interview
  Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and COO Sheryl Sandberg addressed Google+, Steve Jobs and privacy concerns during Monday’s interview with Charlie Rose. We’ve collected their most significant responses.
• 16+ Universities Dive Into Google+ Brand Pages
  Since Google+ launched brand pages Monday, universities across the world have not wasted time setting up pages for their communities to follow.
• How Natural Language Processing Helps Uncover Social Media Sentiment
  NLP refers to computer systems that process human language in terms of its meaning. Can these tools really help detect and analyze how a customer feels about a brand?
• 6 Tips for Holiday Social Good Campaigns
  The holidays are just around the corner, and for many non-profits, that means big opportunities for fundraising. Here are some basic tips for any organization looking to run a social good campaign during the season.
• 20 TV Shows With the Most Social Media Buzz This Week [CHART]
  Which TV shows generate the most buzz on social networks? Find out each week from our new chart.
• Comedian Louis C.K. Thinks Social Media Sucks [VIDEO]
  Comedian Louis C.K. is never at a loss for strong opinions, and that holds true for social media. Frankly, he says he hates it.
• Social Media Users In Love: Romance Update [INFOGRAPHIC]
  Social media is a great accelerator for exposing you to potential mates, but does that change the basic way people interact with each other?
• Justin Bieber: The Ultimate Story of Social Media Fame [SORRY]
  Justin Bieber is arguably the most famous person on the Internet. And while he has the backing of traditional media outlets, his astounding reach is securely rooted in digital. This infographic breaks it all down.
• How Algorithms and Editors Can Work Together to Burst the “Filter Bubble”
  Eli Pariser is concerned that web personalization is only showing us content we “like,” and not content we need. But he proposed some solutions at the Mashable Media Summit.
• What Facebook’s New Features Mean for Journalists
  Vadim Lavrusik, journalist program manager for Facebook, shares how to use Facebook’s new features for breaking news, research and content analysis.
• 5 Essential Tips for Managing Your Users’ Social Profile Data
  How do brands get to know users individually, rather than as one of many in an audience segment? Obtaining the user’s social profile data is the first step. Here’s how to leverage that data for better service and sales.
• Why User Experience Must Always Account for the Human Condition
  Mashable Media Summit attendees were probably wondering why Tor Myhren, president of Grey New York, was talking about losing his virginity. Well, it all started with the telephone….
• Tweets Last Up to 67 Times Longer for Users With Higher Klout Scores [INFOGRAPHIC]
  Klout studied the impact of a tweet over time, based on a user’s Klout score.

For more social media news and resources, you can follow Mashable’s social media channel on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

Tech & Mobile

• Free College: How to Audit Courses From 7 Elite Schools Online
  Thanks to the Internet, you don’t have to take on mountains of debt to snag a piece of that educational pie. Many Ivy League schools have online coursework available for free.
• 5 Google Paid Search Products You Need to Know
  Google paid search has evolved to include everything from video to coupons and a call feature. Here are 5 Google products to learn.
• How Sports Illustrated Got Ahead of the Tablet Publishing Competition [VIDEO]
  One of the first publications to format for the iPad, Sports Illustrated has continued to successfully adapt its pages to tablet technology, said the magazine’s editor Terry McDonell at the Mashable Media Summit last Friday.
• Lost Steve Jobs Interview Reveals Man on the Cusp of Change
  Mashable talks to interviewer Robert X. Cringely about how Steve Jobs changed after his infamous “lost interview
• Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg on Why We Need More Women Engineers [LIVE]
  Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook’s COO, isn’t at a loss for words when it comes to getting more women in leadership roles in tech and business.
• 4 Key Considerations When Choosing Web Typography
  Need good-looking, readable fonts for your website? These tips will help you select the typography that’s right for your message and brand.
• 80% of Smartphone Users Multitask While Watching TV [STATS]
  Yahoo! Mobile and RazorFish polled 2,000 U.S. adults on their mobile habits and device preferences, to help marketers better understand consumer behavior.
• Teachers: Embrace Technology or Students Will Leave You Behind
  We are creating tools that offer limitless access to knowledge and collaboration, but we’re still putting the same textbooks in front of students. How can we better prepare kids for a connected world without sacrificing traditional educational values?
• 16% of Cellphones Have Poop on Them [INFOGRAPHIC]
  This infographic, created by Keeping It Kleen, reveals the specs of our tech gadgets we don’t really want to know.
• 6 Best Practices for Modern SEO
  If your business website needs clicks and visibility to survive, you’ll need to re-optimize for Google’s current algorithm and results pages. Here’s how.
• Tennis: The Unlikely Testing Ground for New Video Game Tech
  Some of the most popular and most beloved video games of all time are tennis games. Why do they make such perfect guinea pigs for new video game technology?
• 4 Ways YouTube Has Changed Broadway
  From auditions to promotion, the persistence of video entertainment on YouTube has changed The Great White Way. Here’s a look at the 21st-century transformation.
• Top 10 Role-Playing Games for iPhone
  Role-playing gamers can now enjoy an adventurous quest in the palm of their hands. Here are the top RPGs for your iPhone.
• 11 Essential Tools for the Tech-Savvy Traveler
  Traveling is a hassle, especially when you’re pressed for time and on a budget. These tools will organize your trip and ease your woes.
• 3 New Time-Saving Technologies
  We focused on three startups that have created technological shortcuts to simple tasks.
• 5 iPhone Battery Cases to Keep You Connected Longer
  We have found five cases designed for the Apple mobile — both the iPhone 4 and the 4S — that will extend the handset’s battery life.
• 20 Life-Tracking Tools for Better Health, Wealth and Productivity
  Here is a list of the top 20 resources for tracking the most salient aspects of your life, from sleep and weight to money and sex. Use the data to improve your life.
• Top 10 Tech This Week [PICS]
  Catch up on the most unusual and spellbinding tech introduced this week, right here.
• Review: Soundfreaq Sound Stack Sounds Freakishly Great [PICS]
  The Bluetooth speaker dock market is becoming increasingly crowded, but Soundfreaq has punched through the noise with its Sound Stack, catering to audiophiles at a price that’s much lower than its high-end competition.
• Siri: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
  From her debut to her downtime, Siri’s short month in the public’s hands has been nothing short of a roller coaster.

For more tech news and resources, you can follow Mashable’s tech channel on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

Business & Marketing

• 13 Tech Tools for a Paper-Free Life
  Here are a few services and gadgets that will significantly reduce your paper trail, making your company and your life more efficient while helping the environment.
• 10 Essential Tips for Planning the Perfect Industry Event
  Here are 10 quick tips to help make event marketing work for your brand, strategy and your bottom line.
• Google+ Badges Make it Simple for Users to Connect With Brands
  Google has unveiled Google+ Badges for brand pages, a widget that lets brands promote their presence on Google’s social network.
• How to Manage a Rebrand
  So, you’ve launched a company, but you want to go in a different direction regarding logo, name and maybe even product. A rebrand is not easy, but it could be the “X factor” that drives your startup to success.
• 4 Innovative Projects Making Water More Accessible in the Developing World
  Water access is one of the most important issues in the world right now. Here are four innovative ways organizations are trying to solve the problem.
• Two Schools of Thought: The Key Difference Between Apple and Google
  Apple and Google may look similar, but the companies couldn’t be any more different. They epitomize the ying-yang battle of design vs. data.
• Want to Run a Contest or Promotion on Google+? Not So Fast
  Google may have finally invited brands to participate on Google+, but it doesn’t plan to let them run promotions. How come?
• 12 Tips to Make Your Company More Creative
  Although it seems to be on the decline, creative capacity is more important than ever. Check out these 12 ways to make your company more creative.
• How to Set Up a Google+ Brand Page
  We go hands-on to offer you a simple walkthrough, demoing just how quick and easy it is to get your business set up on Google+
• 8 Mainstream Celebrities Who Invest in Tech Startups
  Even Hollywood celebs and mainstream musicians are getting into the tech startup space. Here’s where 8 top names have been putting their money.
• How to Retain Your Startup Workforce
  What employers do to retain hired talent and show the benefits of staying with their startup company is crucial to the business. Here’s why.
• How To Ace Your Technical Interview
  You’re ready for a tech job interview, but did you brush up on problem-solving skills? These tips will help you pass with flying colors.
• 4 Essential Facebook Page Apps to Improve Communication With Fans
  For businesses, trying to determine which Facebook apps can help your organization can be daunting. To get you started, here are four time-saving Facebook apps that allow you to better reach and communicate with your audience.
• 6 Best Practices For Small Business YouTube Marketing
  Mention YouTube and most people will picture cats playing the piano. But among a certain type of small businessperson, the name conjures another image: Dollar signs.
• 5 Places to Get Work Done When You’re Traveling
  Just because you’re on the road doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice productivity. The Internet makes it possible.
• 8 Simple Tips for Your YouTube Ad Campaign
  YouTube has proven hugely profitable for many companies. Want to get in on the action? Discover how eight companies have used YouTube to bolster their ad campaigns.
• Steve Jobs Said Sports Illustrated‘s Tablet Demo Was “Really Stupid” — But Didn’t Mean It
  Sports Illustrated editor Terry McDonell recalls a 2009 meeting with Apple founder and former CEO Steve Jobs.
• From Startup to IPO: Groupon’s Major Milestones
  Check out some of Groupon’s major milestones over the last three years.

For more business news and resources, you can follow Mashable’s business channel on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

Image courtesy of simpo-jo

This post originally appeared on the American Express OPEN Forum, where Mashable regularly contributes articles about leveraging social media and technology in small business.

Everyone loves international clients, but not everyone likes the headache of trying to reach those clients to talk shop. Business is becoming more global and most companies, from startups to corporations, will need to think about cross-border clients.

So how do you call your partner in Hong Kong or your supplier in London without breaking the bank? There are a bunch of ways to use popular chat services that will help expand your business’ international scope. Read on for some quick tips and let us know what you use to conduct your global business.

1. Skype

Before we jump in, yes, you can just email your international clients. But, this often doesn’t create a true real-time dialogue no matter how fast you, or your clients, can type. For better or for worse, Skype is still one of the best ways to chat across the seas. Skype has video and audio conferencing as well as an instant messaging system. There are a lot of other video clones out there, but Skype is still the most reliable video conferencing service, especially when dealing with people in different countries.

Twestival, an international online social media charity fundraiser, was organized largely thanks to Skype and some late night coffee runs. Amanda Rose, Twestival’s mastermind, held daily calls and chats with her teams based in London, Ireland, Russia, Japan and more in order to sync details and check progress.

2. Gchat, Facebook, Google+

Gchat is an absolute gift, assuming your team uses Gmail. Google’s built-in chat service lets users message, call or video conference, a good option for businesses that need to check in with employees throughout the day rather than schedule individual meetings. It’s far less formal but just as effective (and reliable) as paid services or Skype.

Another similar option is Facebook’s chat service. While a lot of people actively dislike its aesthetic and user interface, it still stands as a viable chat tool. A Facebook account is, of course, necessary to use the service, but at this point odds are pretty high your clients are already online. This option, like Gchat, is more of a passive system that is better for quick chats rather than formal business meetings.

Google+ offers a unique spin on the chat function with its Hangouts. A limited number of users can sign into a hangout to share ideas and conference. Hangouts have been growing in popularity as a way to schedule meetings with remote business teams. While Hangouts are a better option for doing business, Google+ has comparably fewer users so you might need to explain how to use a Hangout before you set up a meeting.

3. Free Conference Calls

It seems like everyone and their grandmother has signed up for a free conference line. These numbers allow many users to call in and share a communal line. Depending on where you register for the number, you will often get a local (or at a least national) number. However, most services worth their salt will also give you a toll-free or international number that overseas clients can call without picking up huge long-distance fees. For example, FreeConferenceCall.com has an international account option that will create in-country call-in numbers for global participants.

4. Go Local

If your international dealings are limited to one country or geographic region, consider signing up for popular local chat services. For example, one of the largest chat services in China is QQi. Signing up for local services will help those clients feel more comfortable using familiar technology. Of course, QQi isn’t much help if your clients are in London, so be careful about which services you join.

Bonus: Time Zones

One of the most difficult things about chatting with international clients is figuring out what time it is over there. Anyone that’s done international business has either called, or been called, at an ungodly hour because of a time zone miscommunication. Do yourself a favor and look up a good time zone converter online like TimeAndDate.com, which also has a handy meeting planner to help keep everyone on the same schedule.

Image courtesy of Flickr, pasukaru76

The New York Times Co. turned a third-quarter profit and now has 324,000 paid digital subscribers — about 40,000 more than the prior quarter, the company reported Thursday.

The modest profit of $15.7 million compares to a loss of $4.3 million for the year-ago quarter. Circulation revenue grew by 3.4% to $237 million. However, ad sales fell 8.8% to $262 million as national and classified advertising remained slack and online advertising for the Times-owned About.com was singled out for being “particularly weak.”

The Times Co. highlighted growth in its paid digital products as “a new revenue stream that has helped offset a decline in advertising revenue.” The newspaper launched a paywall on its website in March. It goes into effect after you access more than 20 articles in a month. After that, you can choose from $15 for four weeks of access to NYTimes.com and a mobile app, $20 for four weeks of access to the website and iPad app or $35 for all of the above.

Given the tiered pricing structure, it’s impossible to extrapolate how much The Times is making from its digital subscriptions and the company hasn’t disclosed a figure. The range is from $4.86 million to $11.34 million. The 324,000 figure doesn’t include 100,000 people who get free access to the homepage thanks to a Ford Motor sponsorship. The Times also reported that 800,000 print subscribers have opted to link their accounts to NYTimes.com for free access.

Image courtesy of Flickr, Joe Shlabotnik

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Google has teamed up with Mastercard and Citigroup to create a near-field communication mobile payment system on Android phones, the Wall Street Journal reports, citing several people familiar with the companies’ plans.

On the customer end, the technology would allow payments simply by waving an Android device in front of a NFC reader. To do that, owners of Citigroup-issued debit and credit cards would have to activate a special Android app (in development for one current and many upcoming Android devices, the WSJ claims).

This is where Google comes in: It would offer retailers data about their customers and help them deliver targeted ads and discounted offers to Android users near their stores. Instead of getting a cut of the transaction fees, Google would make money by selling these ads.

VeriFone is also involved in the deal. Its role would be to deliver NFC readers that enable these kinds of payments to retailers around the country.

The new mobile payment system is expected to be released this year.

The report comes hot on the heels of many rumors that Apple is working on a similar mobile payment system for iOS devices. To be able to do that, Apple would have to include NFC functionality in the iPhone 5, but Apple hasn’t officially confirmed any details about the upcoming device.

[via WSJ]

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