The New MiKandi Adult App Store

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Shame on me. After months of hard work, we finally launched MiKandi V4 without a word of it on my personal blog. In my (weak) defense, the workload hasn’t let up since the launch. But still. MiKandi V4 launched last month. In truth, this blog often takes a back seat to my Kindle, OnDemand, Netflix, or Imgur. Shame, shame, shame.

mikandi v4So here it is – the NEW MiKandi V4. It’s the accumulation of months and months of hard, dedicated work.

Redesigned from the ground up, the new and improved MiKandi boasts a complete interface overhaul, faster performance, broader device support, and showcases content from the world’s most popular adult brands – Hustler, Elegant Angel, Brazzers, Private and more.

MiKandi Version 4 represents our long term vision of becoming the premier adult mobile content delivery platform. With nearly 8,000 adult apps (7,000 at the time of launch) and millions of users, this latest release makes it even faster to find the adult content you desire. You read that right- there are nearly 8,000 adult apps in MiKandi. Not too shabby for a lil’ ol’ app store, eh?

Fap Faster with SendFaster

The new MiKandi app store and web portal offers significant improvement in browsing, downloading apps, and watching unlimited mobile adult videos. Content delivery has been dramatically improved by upgrading to SendFaster, the latest in network acceleration technology. Users are now seeing more quality content at up to 500% faster delivery rates with less jitter and less buffering.

We’ve got your back

In addition, we partnered with a groundbreaking Seattle startup to power our customer service engine, enabling our customers to reach us directly within the app store. We’re committed to giving you very best adult mobile experience. We answer every support inquiry personally, so say Hi next time you write. Chances are you’ll hear directly from me. MiKandi also offers a no-hassle refund policy. If you’re having trouble with an app, contact us right away and we’ll assist you. I don’t doubt for a second that our customers are happier and more willing to trust us than other adult app stores due to our unswerving commitment to honesty, transparency, and accessibility.

Seriously. If you ever have an issue with MiKandi, reach out to us in our app, via email at support {at} mikandi {dot} com, Twitter, our blog, or this blog.

You can download and install the new MiKandi Adult App Store by visiting mikandi.com on your Android device. Non-Android customers can access the MiKandi HTML5 Theater at http://mikandi.com/theater.

We had a giveaway going last month to celebrate the new MiKandi. That contest is now closed, but you can still enter to win free MiKandi Gold anytime by following and/or reblogging us on Tumblr, or following us on Twitter, or hashtagging #mikandipornapps.

mikandi twitter girl

Robot Ethics

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Robot ethics is a thought provoking subjet. Particularly, as a sex toy designer, I’m interested in the evolution of sex toys into intelligent social products that learn from and adapt to you. If a robotic sex product hurts you, who’s at fault? The creator, the manufacturer, the robot itself? And then there are social ethics- can you cheat on your spouse with a robot? Can you assault a robot? Would you use one to act out dark fantasies, instead of a human partner/victim? Do or should robots have legal protections?

Judging by the state of the sex toy industry, that innovation is far, far away. But there are technologies that exist today and that are in development for tomorrow, so these questions are becoming increasingly more relevant.

My friend +Kate Darling gave this fantastic presentation at re:publica 2013 on Robot Ethics. If you’re interested in the subject, watch the above video, then follow her on Twitter. http:/twitter.com/grok_
Also, learn more about her here: http://about.me/katedarling

My Sunday Funday

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Sunday Funday

We’ve had some exceptionally great weather this year in Seattle. I like to make-believe that it’s the Universe’s Welcome Home gift to me after living in a crazy-hot-and-humid environment  for a couple of years that I wasn’t acclimated to and therefore couldn’t enjoy. Or perhaps the good karma I’ve built up over the years is paying off. Not that I believe in karma, or that I have a supply of the good kind. ;)

This Sunday was another lovely Spring day in Seattle. I’ve been cooped up inside working on a big update for MiKandi. When I woke up to blue skies and that big warm yellow thing in the sky, I had to at least spend a few hours outside. We went over to my teammate’s condo in Belltown. His deck has a spectacular view of Puget Sound, so we camped out up there with some beer and snacks. Afterwards, I headed back home and back to the grind, refreshed and ready for a long night of work.

And Game of Thrones.

And Mad Men.

Gawd, I love Sunday’s.

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Do what you love, and you’ll never sleep again. Ever.

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That’s what that saying should really be. Since deciding to work for myself those many years ago, I’ve been really tired and hungry- and I mean that both metaphorically and actually. But I get to do what I love, so, sleep? Ain’t nobody got time for that!

It’s been a long day, week, month, screw it, year. We’ve been working overtime at MiKandi (well, over our usual overtime) gearing up for a huge update to the app store. If you’re curious, you can take a gander at it now by updating the app next time you open it. Updating is voluntary right now, but soon it’ll be required. We’re ironing out a few more kinks, but believe me, you’re gonna love it. If you have any issues, shoot me an email at support@mikandi.com, or tap Help in the app store to send us a message.

If you’re familiar with product development, you know the usual lifecycle: concept, sketch, wireframes, design, develop, feel pretty confident, meet friends for happy hour on occassion, look at your calendar, panic, develop more, confidence plummets, rethink UI, live off a diet of ramen and mountain dew, freak out, develop, look at job listings on Craigslist just in case, test, pull your hair out, set Skype status to Don’t Even Think About It, Asshole, test, develop, ship…I guess?, hope it doesn’t break, test some more, develop, test, OH FUCK IT, JUST RELEASE  THE DAMN THING, see analytics and revenues climb, THEY LIKE US, THE CUSTOMERS REALLY LIKE US!, be super invigorated and productive from your happiness high, get shit done, aaaaaaand ship!

Right now, we’re between our “happiness high” and “ship!” Explains why I’m just now hitting the hay at 6:30 AM. Which in turn explains why this post may not be coherent to you well rested folk. I apologize, but I’ve pretty much hit delirium. I suspect I’ll read this when I wake up and think, “Well, it sounded good at the time.” Right now, I can hardly keep my eyes open, between lack of (good) sleep and the fact that I can’t blink very well anymore because I spend entirely way too much time looking at screens.

ok, enough now. Must sleep and dream of updates, kittens, and rainbows. Turns out I do have time for that.

Allons-y, Alonso!

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I’m on a doodling rampage! Here’s the 10th Doctor, David Tennant. Based from this cosplayer’s photo. It’s not much, and I’ve definitely got a lot of practice ahead of me. But I’m having a blast today doodling to my heart’s content.
I’m (along with the rest of the of the Nerdisphere) watching the latest season of Dr. Who. Matt Smith is amazing, but I’m torn between him and Tennant as my favorite Doctor. Smith’s Doctor is more entertaining to watch, but Tennant’s had a wider range of emotions. How about you? Who is your favorite Doctor? (Classic included)

Drawing naked women again

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kandigirl
When I was in middle school I loved to draw. I had real potential, too. My art teachers really tried to get me to pursue it, but then high school came, along with a high school boyfriend, and the desire to fit in with the cool kids, so my hobbies took a back seat. Drawing wasn’t my only victim- I also loved to play piano and clarinet, but gave those up pretty early. Looking back, I really wish I hadn’t stopped practicing. I could’ve made undies drop left and right for a decade!

I still draw, of course, but really only vibrators, flow charts, and wireframes (I <3 UX). Now I’m getting into drawing for fun again. More often than not, for fun translates to naked girls. Lucky for me naked women is a perfect fit for MiKandi (NSFW – 18+). We’re all fans of comic art at MiKandi and have been incorporating Kandi Girls in our ads for years (here, here, and here). Yesterday, I dusted off my stylus and worked on my first Kandi Girl, seen above. Not bad for a 15 year hiatus, eh?

Update: I did another one.

KandiGirl2

Ne Me Quitte Pas

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Ne me quitte pas

The past week has been gorgeous. It felt like a proper Spring- Summer even, for us PNW folk. But today we’re back to cold and gray. Surprisingly, I’m enjoying it almost as much as I enjoyed our warm, sunny weather just yesterday. But don’t push it, Weather. I’ve only got 4 days, tops. This weather always puts me in the mood for coffee and Nina Simone. As luck would have it, Ne Me Quitte Pas just started playing on my Chanson Pandora channel, thus prompting this quick Nina Simone and Coffee Appreciation post.

Nina Simone – Ne Me Quitte Pas

The original from singer-songwriter, Jacques Brel.

And for good measure, the English adaptation, If You Go Away sung by Frank Sinatra.

Why you should travel

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Born to roam

I come from a family of travelers. My mother is an immigrant from the Philippines. Out of her nine siblings, she’s one of three that moved out of the country, and one of two that settled outside the PI’s borders. My paternal grandmother worked in and moved her children around Micronesia, Polynesia, and South East Asia. My father’s sister lived in Japan, while my dad spent most of his teens, twenties, and thirties in SE Asia and Polynesia. So, I wasn’t bitten with the traveling bug- I was born with it. Through my travels, I learned so much about myself and the world, which has (hopefully) helped me develop into a well rounded person. I strongly believe that everyone should travel if they’re able to (it’s much easier than you think). Here’s why.

You discover yourself

Traveling and exploring the world has taught me so much about myself, opened my mind to new perspectives, and solidified some of my beliefs. Returning to the US after two years in China, I realized the same things don’t bother me anymore. I also learned how to be more outgoing, to be curious, and to ask questions. I ate my way through every place I traveled to, even if I did turn down a plate of chicken feet or two. Hikes that I loathed taking at the time now provide a story just as fun to retell as the hikes that I loved. Even to that, I still feel like I didn’t fully grasp my opportunities. But, I’m glad to have had them.

It’s more affordable than you think

Traveling can be expensive. But there are plenty of resources at your disposal that can reduce the cost to explore. I personally love using Airbnb to book affordable apartments. You can also book cars and boats. But also, traveling doesn’t always have to mean going abroad. There is plenty to discover in your own part of the world. Think of it this way- people travel to where you live all the time. There must be something interesting there, so go find out what it is.

If you need motivation, check out Seattle’s Travels 30 Inspiration Travel Words.

Sex Toy Design: KEY Ceres Lace

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KEY Ceres Lace

KEY Ceres Lace in Lavender

It’s been about 5 months since the luxury line of sex toys Jesse and I developed for the past 2 years hit shelves. It’s really satisfying to see our designs evolve from ideas and sketches to products that people enjoy and love. We’re both extremely proud of our work and are so happy that women and couples worldwide are falling in love with them.

KEY Ceres Lace

While I love all my vibrating babies, the KEY Ceres Lace is one of the most beautiful in the line up. Everything we did with these designs, one thing was constant- it should not look like anything out there. That meant no chrome bar, no confusing control panel, and lots of new textures. Jesse wanted a texture that emulated fabric. You already know I’m a visitor of OffBeatBride.com (what? They have cute DIY stuff!). I saw these beautiful fascinators that ended up being my source of inspiration of this texture. When we put it on the Ceres, it looked like a woman’s leg in sexy stockings. From the beautiful handle, to the stainless metal button, to it’s texture- everything about this vibe purred sensual sex kitten. It’s just so womanly. And that’s exactly why I named her Ceres.

What’s in a name?

The new line of KEY Pleasure Toys that I created with Jesse were out of this world, and their names reflected that. If you’re a regular around these parts, you know I’m a bit of a star gazer. So it’s not a huge surprise that I’d name these products after planets, stars, and constellations. Ceres is named after this dwarf planet. And fittingly, Ceres is the Roman goddess of fertility and motherly relationships.

Bring her home

You can get your own Ceres online at most major adult product retailers. If you’re in China, the line is called KEY Pleasure. Everywhere else in the world, look for KEY by Jopen. If you pick one up, ping me on Twitter, Instagram, G+, or this blog. I’d love to hear what you think about Ceres!