SXSW 2011

Good new for smartphone and tablet users headed to SXSW. Hopefully you won’t have any problems getting on to the AT&T network, as the carrier is preparing for heavy data usage in Austin this week by upgrading its wireless network in downtown Austin.

The Statesman reports: “The company, which was besieged by complaints when its wireless network slowed to a crawl two years ago during the event, said it has added more wireless spectrum and more temporary and permanent cell sites as it prepares for the surge in use from visitors using smart phones and other devices during SXSW.”

The city of Austin has been working on expanding its broadband network in the downtown area as the city prepares for the widespread adoption of 4G usage.

Launch a social media campaign that will build your brand and deliver results in our online Social Media Marketing Boot Camp starting June 7. Speakers include Abigail Cusick (Bravo Digital), Gregory Galant (Sawhorse Media), Alex Leo (Thomson Reuters Digital), Jim Tobin (Ignite Social Media), and many more. Read the reviews.

Are you a book trivia buff? Well Kirkus Media has a new app for you. The book review publisher has teamed up with social trivia app developer Qrank to build an iPhone/iPad/Facebook app for all things literature.

The app launches on Friday at SXSW at Pubcamp and will be up on the Kirkus home page later this month. “The Kirkus Book Challenge Powered by Qrank” will focus specifically on the history of publishing from Gutenberg to eBooks and will be broadcast live at PubCampsxsw.com.

Players from Pubcamp will compete against each other for the chance to win books that received a Kirkus Star in April, and they get to choose the format the book comes in. Four runners-up will win “Live Sketches” created on-site by artists from Toolbox.

SXSW has a new mobile app available called SXSW Go, which is available for the iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry and Windows Phone 7.

The SXSW blog explains the app in detail: “The app allows you to view/build your schedule, see a map of what’s happening and how to get there, navigate the tradeshow, stay connected to the social world and more! You can build your schedule online at schedule.sxsw.com or directly on your mobile device.”

The site is integrated with Facebook, Twitter and Gowalla, so users can update their SXSW experiences to their social networks directly through the app. The app also has search tools and mapping tools to help attendees find their way around the massive event.

Heading to Austin this weekend for SXSW to catch some panels on eBook publishing or to check out some new bands or films? Eat Well Guide wants to keep you well fed on local and sustainable food.

The website, which is dedicated to local and sustainable organic food, has put together a map of where to find such healthy cuisine while in Austin. The guide lists all kinds of cuisine including some local favorites like Mexican at Manuel’s, BBQ at Ruby’s BBQ and fresh veggies at Austin’s Farmers Market.

Here is a link to an interactive map with all of the recommended restaurants, as well as a link to download a PDF.