Recently I was asked by one of the writers at ProfNet to help explain Google's New Helpout service demonstrating that knowledge leadership and a stead presence online leads to media seeking you out as an expert. Replying quickly with key points it led to more questions to help round out the reporter's story, so while I was in transit and at the ITU Telecom World Conference I quickly penned some thoughts, replied to more questions by being conneted and reachable. That's a key trait to get quoted. You can't dawdle or wait, or someone else gets in the story. You'll see I got the prized "first quote" and what's more my comments were salted throughout the article, proving that being time sensitive to a reporter leads to getting quoted.

Now, onto the news…

The Q&A Team: Help Me, Helpout

Dear Q&A Team, My marketing team wants to learn more about Google Helpouts. We want to get a better understanding of this service as well as how we can use it to promote any of our products and/or services.

Biometrics are on the rise in proving who you are. Not only is fingerprint scanning on the rise, but so is retinal scanning..and now it comes to a smartphone near you.

This startup’s tech verifies your identity by scanning your eye with your smartphone

Eye scanner identification systems are the stuff of spy movies, but EyeVerify is bringing them to the mainstream. The startup took home the first prize at the Kauffman Foundations's Get in the Ring startup clash yesterday, beating out hundreds of applicants, 40 semi-finalists, and 8 finalists for the award.

Bashing the mobile operators seems to be a job the daily media loves to take on, and in their defense, the mobile operators don't help themselves by getting in the way of progress…

Never Forget That Wireless Carriers Are Evil

In today's edition of "U.S. wireless carriers are dicks", we're going to look at the latest in how carriers and the CTIA are protecting valuable revenue streams by blocking features that would curb smartphone theft. Over 1.6 million US consumers had a smartphone stolen in 2012.

Changes in the VC world are afoot with two of DFJ founders stepping out.

Tim Draper Steps Back From Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Firm Confirms

The boisterous venture capitalist Tim Draper will not be an investment partner for the next fund of the firm that his name headlines, Draper Fisher Jurvetson confirmed today after a Fortune scoop.

What's hot in tech? Just follow the money from one of Wall Streets biggest investment banks, Goldman Sachs and see who they have speaking to their own team internally. 

Here Are The Hottest Companies In Tech Right Now, According To Goldman Sachs

I think we've established by now that what happens in Vegas actually never stays in Vegas. And, as you can see by the agenda obtained by TechCrunch that's embedded below this post, the Goldman Sachs Private Internet Company Conference scheduled to take place in Sin City over the next two days is no exception.

Skype is seeing more competition from the mobile operators themselves who launch over the top services of their own. Last week it was SwissCom and now we're seeing ChinaMobile. T-Mobile did it early on with Bobsled so one has to wonder if this will be a big push at February's Mobile World Congress next year.

China Mobile relaunches Jego, its Skype competitor that offers free incoming calls overseas

In June, China Mobile quietly launched Jego as a competitor to Skype, but in the same month, the carrier abruptly suspended account registrations for the service. There were plenty of speculations as to why China Mobile International – a Hong Kong-based global-focused China Mobile subsidiary – made such a move back then.

So much for in-flight calling disturbing passengers. It seems it really was more of "we're not able to make money" before. Now that there is technology that lets the in flight technology companies bill and keep some revenue, talking and texting in the sky seems to be the talk of the skies.

European Commission Says Yes to Mobile Data, Calling In-Flight

The European Commission announced on Thursday that it would begin allowing the use of 3G and 4G mobile devices on board aircraft that are flying over the European Union. The change in rules allows airlines to implement the use of 3G and 4G above 3,000 meters (9,843 feet).

In a reversal of sorts, we're now seeing Bitcoin being embraced by USA regulators and enforcement bodies…HMMM.

U.S. Agencies to say Bitcoins Offer Legitimate Benefits

The Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission are telling a U.S. Senate committee that Bitcoins are legitimate financial instruments, boosting prospects for wider acceptance of the virtual currency. Representatives from the agencies told the U.S.

This week in San Francisco is DreamForce, SaleForce.com's big soiree. And, in typical style they are making news, this time about how they have redefined their customer experience over mobile.

Salesforce reboots its mobile experience with a bunch of dev tools with Salesforce1

On Monday, the $3 billion cloud computing company kicks off its 11th annual Dreamforce conference, which is expected to draw more than 100,000 attendees. The crowd will be buzzing about all sorts of news at the show, but one of the biggest announcements is bound to be Salesforce1, the company's revamped mobile platform for administrators, end users, and developers.

WebRTC was a focus of discussion between some of us in Bangkok, and the topic at a TMC sponsored conference in Santa Clara this week. It seems though that no one can agree on what the standards will be. That's not stopping innovation and may actually lead to more interesting new ideas vs. everyone doing the same old thing.

Anatomy of a stalemate: Why is everyone still fighting about WebRTC?

Earlier this month, representatives of some of the biggest tech companies met in Vancouver to find common ground in a long-running feud.

On the subject of conference, here's some helpfu hints to get more from those events you attend for business.

The complete guide to getting your money's worth out of conferences

Conferences are a booming business-Quartz held its own Next Billion gathering last week-and your company may pay thousands of dollars to send you to a big-name event. How do you make sure it's worth the money and convince your boss to let you go next time?

Some of us can't get through the day without being connected and online to stay in touch with the people who matter. A new infographic compares Wi-Fi to the cigarette….and more.

Is Wifi the new cigarette? (infographic)

Internet addiction is real. It is said to be more pervasive than alcoholism in the United States, and debate is raging over whether it should be officially classified as a mental illness.