Being huge Apple fans, we're way too excited about the coming release of the Apple iPad.  In fact, we're so excited that we happened to build a mockup of the iPad box the other night.  The goal was two-fold-- enjoy the satisfaction of having the crisp packaging sitting there like an unopened Christmas gift, and to get pumped about our "Great Apple iPad Giveaway" (starting today).

 

With the new iPad box in tow, we went to the local arcade down the street to get revenge on a particular game called "Stacker."  If you've ever fed your hard-earned cash into this machine like us, you've probably come so close to winning a tantalizingly huge prize like an XBOX or Wii. 

Look at us now, Stacker!

If you'd like to win this empty box, plus an Apple gift certificate for $499, just enter our Great Apple iPad Giveaway! 

Just a few days before we head to Austin, Texas for the SXSW Interactive conference! 

We'll be there from March 12th-16th, soaking up the sun and meeting all kinds of cool people.  It's the first time anyone on our team has been to the event, and to be honest, we're excited and a little nervous.   Will it be Geek Paradise or Geek Overload?  :)

If you're going to be at the conference, stop by our tradeshow booth and say hi!  We'd love to meet you and we're sure you'll enjoy our free swag (buttons, stickers, sunglasses, and maybe even a free Apple iPad).

 

-Mike

We're excited to take the wraps off a great new feature that has been in the works...

Now, your Site Header and Navigation supports unique font choices.  To give it a try, just go to "Site Options" in the editor, or double click your Header or Navigation.

Here are just a few of the available fonts:

"Caviar Dreams"

"Marketing Script"

"Daniel"

 

-Mike

To travel around the world, experience incredible places and cultures, and get paid for your time? My friend Lindsay Mackenzie is fortunate enough to be in this position, as an International Tour Leader. She guides small groups of intrepid travelers-- Anthony Bourdain style -- and discovers experiences that are off beaten path.

Lucky for us, Lindsay's been using Lifeyo to chronicle her travels with blog updates and photography on her website, www.GoodOnTheGo.org

Writing from Buenos Aires yesterday, she had this to say, "Keep up the good work guys, I love how Lifeyo makes it so easy for me to keep in touch and to share what I'm doing while on the road."

Thanks Lindsay!


GoodOnTheGo.org

-Mike

Hello out there! So we've been working like crazy since we last updated the blog which explains the lack of posts. A day ago we released a number of new features which we hope you'll enjoy.

First, a big thanks to all our beta testers who have submitted such great feedback since our launch. We listen to every comment, question, and suggestion in order to come up with improvements for the product. It's always motivating to know that the things we're working on are going to improve everyone's experience using Lifeyo.

Now onto the updates:



Ability to Preview a Site


This has been a long time coming and we think its a great way to check out what your site will look like when you're making changes. The preview opens a new tab in your browser, so you can quickly get back to your work.



Improved Site Name


This one took a lot of work behind the scenes but we think the payoff is going to be great. You'll notice that now you can resize and re-position your Site Name from the Site Options panel. You can also upload a graphic logo directly. The big improvement here (beyond a nicer editor interface) is that your site now has a more fluid and consistent layout. If your title gets bigger, your site stretches automatically to give it more room.



Improved Publish Window and Share Features


We've added a number of choices after a user publishes their website. Now you can share your site in Facebook or Twitter, view your website, or return to the editor seamlessly.



Ability to Connect a Domain Name to your Website


Now, if you already own a domain name, you can connect it to your website. It's just $30 a year for the connection. This is a great way to finally make use of those domains that are sitting around!

We just pushed a new redesign of the Lifeyo.com landing pages and user sign-up! Our goal was to make the experience a lot crisper and more obvious to first time users. After many hours of tweaking we're online. :)

Sometimes a Lifeyo site comes along that is too good to resist. Check out Betsy Berger's RazorBlonde.com .

Betsy's a prolific fashion blogger and all around awesome person. She's even nice enough to give us a little style consulting from time to time. Who says you can't look good while you stare at a computer screen all day long?

A little organization goes a long way!







Lunchtime!

We received a package the other day, and to our surprise it was full of custom laptop covers from Angie Davis at Byrd & Belle!

OK, well we saw them on Etsy weeks before and they seemed like such great "Job Well Done" gifts for the team that we couldn't pass them up.

They came out beautifully. The pictures don't do the stitching and materials justice. They're made of wool felt and rich leather. And they fit perfectly! OK, OK enough bragging...

For more of Angies work check out her Etsy shop at: www.byrdandbelle.com

Some Lifeyo care packages went out today. Destinations include: San Francisco, New York City, Toronto, Arlington (VA), New Haven (CT), and Hyattsville (MD).

Hope you all get those stickers up!

It's been a little over a week and things have been running pretty smoothly! Thanks to everyone for sending in comments, bugs, cupcakes, etc. Please keep them coming. We really care about what you think of the product-- your feedback is the best way we can make Lifeyo awesome.

The first batch of sunglasses are finally going out to our friends and testers this week. They came out good and have super dark lenses for maximum radness.

If you'd like a pair, I'll make a deal with you. Just make a website with Lifeyo, then send me the link, your name, and mailing address to mike(at)lifeyo.com. I will personally send you a pair plus a sticker pack using our wonderful postal service.

In other news, stay tuned because this week we'll be adding some slick new themes.

Well, we pushed the button and Lifeyo.com is now available to the world. It's a nervous moment because we're finally able to show all the people who have supported us what we've been working on all this time. It's also exciting to be getting real feedback from our users so we can improve the way things work.

It'll be a little rocky start but we'll be working hard to make it perfect as things progress.

Here are some photos from launch!

Moments before...Ryan is stressed.

Now, less stressed.

Ryan sets her loose. Mama Kai in the background.

Post champagne shower.

Happy zero birthday, Lifeyo!

Yes, the cake tasted like computer code.

Russell looks the most pumped.

We're just moments away from letting Lifeyo out into the wild. There's a lot of emotion in the air right now. In many ways today feels like just another day among the hundreds we've had, coding, implementing, and testing. But its also a very proud moment for our entire team, family, and supporters. Thank you to everyone who has followed us and supported us along the way.

It's been a good day here at Lifeyo HQ. What started as a simple project evolved into months of pondering, designing, and tweaking. But today all the hard work has paid off.

I present you with:

THE PLATYPUS





For the initiated, this is a hull-design inspired 5' 8" shaped by yours truly, with the much-needed help of several craftsman from Russell Surfboards. This is my first attempt at the board-building process. To say the least, it was a rewarding experience that left me with a humbled perspective on the amount of work and attention to detail necessary to complete a board.


Some photos from the build:
(B/W's by Jenny Woo)




Special Thanks goes to Russell, Dove, and Ryan for helping at every stage of the build process!