I’ve been trying something out that I figured I’d share and see if any one has any advice or comments. In summary, cell phone + larger battery cover + contactless credit card (e.g. Visa PayPass, AmEx Express Pay) = mobile payment enabled cell phone. In other words, I’ve been trying to make my own version of the converged mobile device/wallet by inserting a contactless payment credit card into my phone. I’ve tried just about all the major credit cards and their contactless payment solutions (I’m now on Express Pay) and haven’t really gotten one that can 1. fit in my phone after being trimmed down 2. reach the contactless payment terminal through the battery cover. If any one has any thoughts please do share in comments, and I’ll keep trying and post an update if I’m successful.
mDisney, a mobile publishing unit of the Walt Disney Internet Group has announced the launch of a suite of mobile content based on Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, the latest installment of the Walt Disney Pictures franchise (to hit theaters tomorrow, May 25th,) including two mobile games. Content includes a new casual mobile adventure game which allows players to assume the role of the film’s heroes; a mobile multiplayer game permitting up to 16 players to engage in individual game sessions, chat with other players and form guilds; wallpapers and screensavers; and tones based on the film soundtrack.
“The ‘Pirates of the Caribbean‘ trilogy is a fantastic creation with colorful characters and adventures, and mobile content based on this franchise has been hugely popular over the last couple of years,” said Walt Disney Internet Group executive vice president and general manager of North American mobile Larry Shapiro.“mDisney had a lot of fun putting together this latest lineup which has a little something for everyone while capturing the essence of the brand in a made for mobile format–and we think that fans will appreciate that.”
Motorola recently filed a patent for a cell phone display that doubles as a solar cell. Â Â Apparently, the screen will be able to charge a cell phone’s battery when the display is exposed to the sun. Â It’s doubtful the phone would get all its juice form the sun. Rather, sunlight probably would power the handset while it’s away from an electrical outlet.
I wish my Q had this, maybe then and only then could I leave my house without my spare charger.
Owners of some new Nissan cars are being advised to keep their mobile phones away from the keyless-ignition fobs which are used to start their cars, as the phones can “wipe” the fob memory. The problem is limited to the 2007 Altima and G35. The problem can be avoided by keeping mobile phones at least an inch away from the fob.
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The Tennessean newspaper said that if owners send or receive calls while their phones are touching the fob, there’s a chance the fob’s electronic code could be erased. Once erased, the fobs cannot be reprogrammed, and owners can restart their engines only by using the spare fobs sold with their cars, a Nissan spokesman told the newspaper. The problem can be avoided by keeping mobile phones at least an inch away from the fob.
So much of who we are can be found on our phones… Who we talk to, which people we ignore, are we faithful to our spouse, what we are doing this weekend, etc.It is almost as if our phones are mini individual time capsules.
The Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in Washington, DC is putting out a play next month titled Dead Man’s Cell Phone.Playwright Sarah Ruhl had the same idea: How much could someone learn about you if they found your cell phone – and started answering your calls?
Want 25% off your ticket?Share a slightly outrageous, funny, or completely inappropriate conversation you overheard someone saying on their cell phone.Text “get woolly†to 24421 for instructions. All stories can be heard on DeadMansCellPhone.com or at the theater just before the show.
Maryland Delegate Jeffery Waldstreicher plans to introduce legislation in MD, banning the use of text messaging while driving.If passed, Maryland would be the second state to in act such legislation (Washington being the first).
“Texting is so incredibly dangerous because it requires you to take your eyes off the road,” he said. “Talking takes your hands off, which is dangerous in itself, but texting takes your eyes off the road.â€
The handsome boys over at the search engine company Prodege (the first search engine to custom brand and incentivise search) have have created an image search site called YOWGO, a search engine dedicated to the concept of searching for images to send to your phone.
The “send to phone” service is being provided by Mixxer, the former ringtone turned multi mobile media company. “Prodege is the first engine company to utilize this tool and offer this free service to users,” says Scott Dudelson COO of Prodege.
Its really simple actually. Say, for example, I wanted to put Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney as the wallpaper on my phone. But the campaign does not provide this service. Well as simple search for Romney on YOWGO provided me with a plethora of material to use… now how do I get it on my phone. Underneath its picture is a little link that says ‘Send To Phone.’ This opens up a Mixxer site that allows you to enter your phone model and number and send away (it even lets you edit the picture). In no time you receive a WAP Push SMS with a link to a mobile website where your phone will then prompt you to download the picture. Thats it, your done.
I think the implications for this are pretty huge it terms of making it easier to deliver user user generated content to the mobile phone… but it also makes such things are mobile viral delivery more viable.
Of course there are some possible legal implications to all this but for now its a really fun and obvious idea.
Just the other day I was talking with some colleagues wondering why there where never ever “Bushism” ringtones that become widespread. I mean, there have been cases of people making Bush blunder ringtones, but the real question is why political ringtones have not caught on and why no one is standing up and trying to distribute it on a mass scale.
Well just in time for the 08 elections, Ringtones08.com is hoping to make Ringtones the new bumper sticker and lawn sign. Simply put RingTones08.com is a free site that user the power of myxer.com to let anyone upload and download ringtones about the 2008 election. Thats a key element, not only will they create and distribute election teemed ringtones but they will also let you, or anyone (i.e a campaign) use their site to upload ringtones of their own for viral distribution.
As a former exercise rider and mobile enthusiasts I am excited to report that NBC2Go Sports will debut with a live mobile streaming of the 132nd running of the Preakness Stakes. (Preakness is the second race in the elusive Triple Crown famed Thoroughbred racing series – post time: May 19, 2007 6:15pm EST). Racing fans can also vote for the horse that they think will win, via NBC’s Preakness Stakes Lucky U Game text messaging contest.
Best of luck to Street Sense, this year’s derby winner.
Thats a good question and a really great article over at the Techpresident blog that I wrote explains it all. A couple of days ago I wrote that Hillary Clinton announced a text message initiative for her campaign, the first implementation of text messaging for a presidential campaign. In her announcement Hillary pulled out all the usual bells and whistles telling people to take out their cell phones and text the word “Join” to 77007 (listen to it here). So far its less impressive than the PR its receiving.