For the first time since I’ve started in social media (2006), I caught wind of a news event from Google +, not from tv, nor twitter.  And this was real time news.

I’ve been following @sarahMidMO, a news buoy for KOMU-TV, from Columbia, MO for 1/2 a yr now.   She is a leader in the integration of Google + hang-outs as part of her regular news delivery.  To watch her integration is to learn about how the tool can be leveraged for business.

Last night Sarah was preparing for a hang-out on air from @jfdesmarais , a journalist from Montreal and in the thick of the Montreal protest, providing a live cam into last nights march.   A hang-out is essentially a video conference call among 10 people.  A hang-out-on-air [or 'onAir Hang-out] is a live video conference with the ability for many people to view it, but still only 10 can be apart of the live broadcast.  The comment functionality works for all.

I  joined the hang-out on air and particularly enjoyed three minutes into @jfdesmarais’  broadcast, where he gives a great summary of what the Montreal student protest is about.

Meanwhile, because I understand French, I could quickly understand what the hashtag was that he described [#manifencours - which is short for 'manifestation en cour'].   I could add that to the comment line – while Sarah interviewed.  Then, I could find the event on twitter – translate other comments and fed it to my twitter stream / hangout comments.

@sarahMidMO recapped the broadcast  - and some comments are emerging about the option of hang-outs are aiding in broadcast.   Joshua Barkdull comments – “I have been saying since G+ was in Beta that Hangouts real power was in citizen journalism.”  or Ron Watson [@PawsitiveVybe ] who comments “I think hangouts and the entire Google suite of apps is highly disruptive.”.

Comments go further to discuss the avent of mobile broadcasting.   As Sarah comments “we are all anxious to have mobile OnAir Hangouts as another tool in a journalist’s toolbox.”   

It is quite worth singling out early enterprise adopters to just watch how they use new tools.  Admittedly, I have Sarah Hill and a few other Google + early adopters [I follow the Google circle]  in their own circle so that I can watch how she uses the platform.    This is much like how I watched @cammipham and her use of Hashable, or lately her style in delivering the #RBCchat.

[credit for headline "a powerful tool for immediate stories" goes to @michaeltuckertv]

If you have any Google related account – you’ve probably received notification of their privacy policy massive consolidation to the tune not seen since the Toronto amalgamation.  Essentially, they are blending 60 privacy policies into 1 policy that covers all their products.   Aye, there within is to be noted.   They state:

Our new policy covers multiple products and features, reflecting our desire to create one beautifully simple and intuitive experience for your users across Google products.

In other words, your behaviours in YouTube may inform and result in better targeted advertising in your gmail account.

To get updated on this – I’ve noted a number of excellent blog posts already covering the topics..

• For a thought provoking consumers point of view on how changes affect you, read @beryn’s Big Brother is Thy Name Google?  (hey @beryn – check out my last reference)
• For a review of key points Google made to the Feds on their policy changes, read 5 Key points from Google’s privacy policy letter to Congress
• For a reminder on Google’s market share, see a new infographic Google Search plus your world
• For the most entertaining review that I’ve seen, read Pleated-Pants.com ‘s  Changes to Google’s Privacy Policy

In searching for Star Wars themed party things – I was appalled to discover ToysRus Canada  (@toysruscanada) considers 138 of their 139 Star Wars as toys for boys not girls.   I tweeted the #fail – wondering if I am making a mountain from a molehill.   But it continues to bother me and importantly, my daughter agrees with me - “I feel sad and its weird” she says to ToysRus Canada only listing 1 of the 139 Star Wars toys as a girl toy.

I had to wonder if this was hap-hazard product classification based on old stereotypes.    With gender specific filters – certainly there is strong responsibility to ensure accurate classification.   Could misclassified toys have a role in promoting old stereotypes?  Are girls not getting into Star Wars because a large toy retailer fails to include them in their toy recommendations – thereby limiting girls out of popular sci-fi experiences?

Low interest in Star Wars by girls would surprise me – especially these days with the successful Star Wars Clone Wars cartoon tv series and their strong female character leads like Jedi Ahsoka Tano and Senator Padme Amidala.   (And I do consider Ahsoka is a far better role model than dated princesses).   Could erroneous product classification give parents and boys the wrong cues about girl interests?

Upon a bit investigation, I found a wonderful anti-bullying essay by Carrie Goldman, @cmgsart , that I missed from November 2010.  She spoke about her daughter, Katie Goldman, taunted by boys in her grade 1 class who believed Star Wars paraphernalia to be ‘for boys only’.

Her blog post created strong internet support for girls who like Star Wars and don’t deserve to conform into traditional ‘sci-fi is for boys’ thinking.    It made me think about the role retailers, like ToysRUs Canada, has when you have gender based filtering on products – especially for kids.   Did it start with the boys believing Katie should not have a Star Wars water bottle or could they have gotten their cues from retail?

A little more investigation turns up a wonderful interview by Ann Hoevel, @cnngeekout , Geek Out! producer for CNN with Ashley Eckstein, @heruniverse and voice of Ahsoka Tano  –   “Her Universe is Ashley Eckstein’s Battle Cry” .   She highlights the 2011 shift in Star War popularity from boys to include girls as girls show they are not afraid to embrace sci-fi.

‘somehow even children hold fast to the idea that sci-fi is only for boys.   I think we have a responsibility to the younger fans today, and I think obviously we saw that with Katie Goldman, the ‘Star Wars’ girl. “

Ashley goes on to say “many girls are told “this isn’t for you – for so long. Told that, ‘just accept that (sci-fi franchises are) a boy’s and a men’s property,’ “ – well – @toysruscanada is doing the same thing.   [ Ann's interview with Ashley - excellent!]

Certainly, I have appreciated gender specific recommendations for gifting in the past.  And yet,  I think any retailer who offers an opinion on what is best suited by gender has a strong responsibility to ensure gender specific recommendations are accurate and do not uphold old stereotypes for either gender.   Toysrus – its time to look more closely at your 139 Star Wars toys and identify many of them as gender neutral.