Last week I talked about the Logos Quiz Game, a fun app that involves the idea of remembering the names for hundreds of logos from various companies. I thought about how unique the game is, and how there's really nothing like it!

But yesterday as I was browsing the family games aisle at Toys "R" Us, I came across the Logo Board Game.  I had no idea that this product existed!  A quick Google search revealed that games based on identifying brands are actually not that unusual at all.

For example, there's "Guess the Logo," an iPhone app that features 11 different categories including everything from airlines to soft drinks.  "Guess the Logo" is also available online, making it simple to play the game even without a mobile device.  There's even a slide puzzle game that requires players to rearrange pieces until they reveal the correct logo.

I find it crazy that I've worked in the promotional products industry for over a year, and I'd never played (or even seen) one of these games until recently.  Here at Motivators, our lives basically revolve around company names, logos, and slogans!

But the prevalence of these games got me thinking about how important branding really is.  If you can create a good product with a stand-out brand name and an attractive symbol, a customer will never forget you.  Who knows -- maybe one day your company's image will be featured in a game!

If you're anything like me, you're on the edge of your seat every day waiting for info on the next generation iPhone.  And over the past few days, several sources have reported that the new device will feature a 4-inch screen.  Could the rumors be true?

According to CNET.com, a trusted source for tech news, "...Apple has been tapping into its suppliers for screens larger than the ones used in the current iPhone. The new screens are at least 4 inches, compared with the 3.5-inch displays used on the phone since its debut in 2007."  A larger screen could have several benefits including a bigger keyboard and easier web navigation.  And some sources are reporting that, depending on the phone's design, it could potentially still fit into user's old iPod covers.

But more importantly, a 4-inch iPhone screen could help Apple compete with its rivals, especially Samsung.  CNET reports: "The latest smartphones are increasingly inching up in screen size, making them look and feel like mini tablets."

For example, according to the New York Times, Samsung announced that an updated version of its wildly popular Galaxy S smartphone will feature a 4.8-inch screen.  Samsung also boasts the largest Android phone, the Samsung Galaxy Note, making it the "king of the phone market."

If the rumors about the next iPhone's larger screen are true, could Apple reclaim its position as the top mobile device retailer?

Did you know that in countries outside the US, field hockey is not just for girls?  That's right; the sport that's seen as a female-only game in America is played by both men and women in most other nations.  So when 13-year-old Keeling Pilaro moved to Long Island, New York from Ireland, he was ready to pick up a stick and play.

But according to the Associated Press, his school was hesitant to let him join the team, asserting that "Keeling's skills were too developed and could harm the girls' opportunity to play in interschool competition." With that, Pilaro was initially banned from playing the sport.  That's when the 4-foot-8, 82 pound teen decided to fight for field hockey equality.

A fight that he won yesterday.

The New York Daily News reports that on Tuesday "... [a] committee in Suffolk County, New York determined that Keeling Pilaro can continue to play."  The youngster immediately took to Facebook, writing, "I can play field hockey."  The statement was "met with over 140 'Likes' in less than 24 hours," reports the New York Daily News.

I've never played field hockey, and I have no interest in trying it out (I'll stick to surfing, please).  But I think Pilaro certainly deserves to be on that field.

When I was a sophomore in high school, a senior girl had joined the football team.  I remember at the time it seemed a little strange to me; how could a female stay safe on a field filled with angry 250 pound men?  Still, she was allowed to play.  She may not have become a football star, but she certainly made a statement.

In a way Pilaro's situation is unique; when it comes to sports, women are usually the ones fighting for equality.

But is Pilaro's struggle for equality really all that different? "If [Pilaro's] not allowed to try out for the team, that opens up the door for all kinds of discrimination," said Dana Edell, executive director of the SPARK movement, an organization dedicated to the equality of females in sports. "It's the coaches' responsibility to make sure the players are safe. And a boy should not be penalized because he's good." That's why I'm rooting for Pilaro! 

What do you think? Should boys be allowed to play field hockey?

I may not be a mom, but I always have a great time on Mother's Day. For the past couple of years, my family has done the same thing:  We meet up with my mom's brother and take my nonna out to brunch at her favorite diner!  I know diners aren't exactly fancy, but the food at this one is just incredible (which might explain why it took almost an hour to get a table)!

After a delicious breakfast, we went back to nonna's house to exchange gifts and enjoy each other's company.  Nonna is pretty much the only person in my family who has a green thumb, so I wasn't surprised by the fact that we all bought her flowers and other garden items as promotional gifts.  You should see her backyard -- it's full of thriving plant life!

Luckily the weather completely cooperated (75 degrees and not a cloud in the sky? Sounds ideal to me!); we were able to spend a majority of the afternoon in nonna's yard.  Check out some of the photos we took while relaxing outside: 

Afterward, my mom opened her own gifts.  We bought her a Pandora bracelet and customized it with charms we knew she'd love.  You should have seen her face as she opened the gifts -- she was so happy!

As you can see, we had a lovely time. How did you celebrate Mother's Day?

Following brief yet wildly popular cameos on television shows such as "How I Met Your Mother" and "Glee," Britney Spears has signed onto a full season of TV's "The X Factor."  

Fans have been speculating since early March about whether or not the pop princess would appear on the panel for Fox's singing competition.  Simon Cowell, a returning "X Factor" judge, shared his excitement about the possibility back in April: "I think it would be a coup," Cowell told TMZ. "I think she would be a fascinating person to sit next to, so we'll have to wait and see."

MTV explains Cowell's hesitation in speaking about the news: "...considering the low profile she's kept since her string of personal problems several years ago — which included a nearly-total retreat from interviews and unscripted public appearances — the idea of Britney agreeing to appear on live TV twice a week seemed remote." But early this week, sources confirmed that a deal had finally been signed.

And Spears will certainly be earning a lot of dough for her time.  According to Us Weekly, "...a source close to the negotiations told Us the 'Till the World Ends' singer will get $16 million for doing the show." That's a pretty hefty paycheck for what will probably amount to about one month of work.

But Spears manages to draw in the crowds, even if she's not the sprightly performer she once was.  Her 2008 appearance on "How I Met Your Mother" brought in more than 1 million additional viewers from the previous week and almost 2.5 million more than the sitcom's average.  The New York Daily News reports that the "highly hyped telecast also generated the largest audience between the ages of 18 and 49 in the show's three-year history."

Similarly, a 2010 "Glee" Britney Spears tribute episode, which included several cameos by the star, helped make TV history.  MTV explains:

Tuesday night's episode, appropriately titled "Britney/Brittany," had a 5.8 rating and rose 4 percent from last week's season-two premiere. The feat made history for "Glee," as it becomes the first series since NBC's "Seinfeld" in 1993 to debut as the top series of the week and then spike in ratings the following week...

"The X Factor" might be a huge money-maker for Spears, but her participation in the show will likely help Fox break new records.  Are you looking forward to the show's September premiere?

When my friend told me about the Logos Quiz Game, I couldn't believe my ears. A game that revolves around guessing which logo belongs to which brand?  That sounds like something only we promotional product junkies would be interested in!

And yet the Logos Quiz Game has become wildly popular (it's currently the top free iPad app, and the #3 free iPhone app).  Is anyone else unclear about why the app is appealing to the average consumer? I mean, where's the fun in guessing pages and pages of logos?

Forbes asserts that a logo is a "kind of imagery that we all know and care about." Plus, many people like (and are good at) solving visual riddles. Those factors combined with the fact that the game has an intergenerational appeal, Forbes reports, makes the Logos Quiz Game a real winner. 

The game showcases 500 of the biggest corporate brands' logos, and asks players to identify as many as they can.  Maybe I've been watching too much Mad Men, but to me the Logos Quiz Game sounds like nothing more than a gigantic focus group!

And it could certainly be used that way -- Forbes reports that with a few minor updates, brands could use the app to "compare recognition rates of their logo by age, by zip code or by 'likes.'" Companies could even study feedback to test out new logos and designs.

It's no surprise that folks within the promotional products industry are already falling in love with the Logos Quiz Game. After all, we have the privilege of working with interesting brand logos all day! But what do you think of the app?

Thirteen-year-old Internet company Google is finally old enough to drive a car.

One of the search engine giant's self-driving cars, which utilize a laser radar to detect people, cars and obstacles on the street, has been granted a license from the state of Nevada. According to Mashable, "With the help of GPS and a bit of artificial intelligence, the car can drive itself with very little or no intervention from the human sitting inside." Those are some serious custom auto accessories!

Still, Nevada requires that two people sit in the test cars -- one individual in the driver's seat, and the other monitoring the vehicle's route, stop lights, and potential hazards on the street.  With a simple touch of the brake or wheel, whoever's in the driver's seat can take over.

Watch a test drive of the super-smart vehicle here:

Would you get in a self-driving car?

Before we die, we're supposed to write up a will that describes which parts of our estate go to whom. You might leave your property in Florida to your son, your car to your cousin, your house to your spouse.  But who would you leave your Facebook profile to?

The US government is now urging citizens to consider creating a social media will as part of their estate planning.  According to the government's official Tumblr, "If you have social media profiles set up online, you should create a statement of how you would like your online identity to be handled. Just like a traditional will helps your survivors handle your physical belongings, a social media will spells out how you want your online identity to be handled."

But law professor Naomi Cahn told Mashable that formal wills can be tricky: They "...become public," Cahn said. "So you need to be careful what you put in a will, because anyone in the world could have access to it."  Therefore, Cahn suggests creating an informal agreement about passwords and how accounts should be handled.

Would you consider drafting a social media will, or would you rather sort out those details with a friend over a cup of logo tea? Share your thoughts below! 

Anyone who knows me well knows that I'm very interested in (and borderline obsessed with) marine mammals. From dolphins to walruses, I happen to think sea mammals are some of the coolest animals around.  So when my coworker Adrienne sent me an article about a grey seal that had washed up on Long Island's Tobay Beach, I almost screamed with excitement! 

Come on, look at that face and tell me it's not the most adorable creature you've ever seen.  According to News 12 Long Island, there was some concern about the grey seal's appearance after a dead pygmy sperm was found at Westhampton Beach and a dead dolphin spotted in Sagaponack. However, the four-foot seal appears to be healthy.  Still, "...a marine biologist plans to keep an eye on it just in case," reports News 12 Long Island.

As Dan mentioned earlier today, one way to celebrate Cinco De Mayo is by enjoying Dos Equis' "Feast of the Brave." But if you're not in a participating city (Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles or Miami), you're out of luck! 

Thankfully, Forbes has filled us in on the top spots for celebrating Cinco De Mayo. Let's take a look at Forbes' picks:

1. Dallas, Texas
   
   Celebrity chef Dean Fearing will be concocting the "perfect margarita" at Rattlesnake Bar, which is located inside Fearing's restaurant. The eatery even has its own "guacamologist" to celebrate the May 5 event!
   
   
2. New York, NY
   
   At Viktor & Spoils in Manhattan's Lower East Side, patrons will get a chance to test out mezcal, a "smoky spirit made in Mexico from the maguey cactus." Sounds delicious!
   
   
3. Chicago, Illinois
   
   Can't get enough spice? At Mercadito in Chicago, you'll have the opportunity to try the Vato Loco -- but not before signing a waiver.  This cocktail features a chili-infused tequila that's ultra-hot. Even the stemware is rimmed with ground chilies, so be careful!
   
   

 For more Cinco De Mayo events near you, click here.