TIM and Polymer Vision’s new Cellular-Book (mighty creative name) is a very interesting device: 5 inch foldout “newspaper†display, 4 GBs of storage, cellular connectivity, 10 day “usage time†and access to e-mail, RSS feeds, LBS, music downloads, audio books and more. Besides all that, upgrades are also on the way including a color screen and video capabilities. Faster connectivity and a better UI are probably also coming soon. If interested, I would read the full press release and check out this cool demo.
One of the interesting points to note about this product, however, is that it, along with the rest of the “e-paper†movement, is being largely shunned by the industry right now, yet there is a lot happening on form factor and screen utilization. As we all know, along with the iPhone came many questions, among them being How are we going to interact with our phones in the future and what sort of displays will they have? Apple’s take on this was a 3.5 inch multi-touch display, but there is no consensus in the industry that that is for sure the right approach. This TIM/Polymer Vision device can be taken as not only a reason to finally take your girlfriend to Venice but more so a reminder that there is still a lot of definition that must be done over what and how we interact with our mobile devices. That includes new and possibly even currently unconventional technologies such as a laser keyboard and camera movement detection for input. As for display, who knows. This sort of OLED and e-paper in general still has a long way to go by all means but it definitely has its chances. It works well in the sun, allows for long battery life and should not be discounted.
I know you have been there with me… you are in a new city, you just need to feed your caffeine addition, but you cant seem to find a Starbucks… All you want is a Starbucks to start off your day.
Starbucks has made a few efforts to help out in these dyer situations. The coffee behemoth has launched a new cell phone-based service that lets you efficiently locate the nearest store through SMS and they added a WAP version of their site.
Try it out: text your zip code to “MySBUX†(697289).
I think this is a great start, but I see just a few problems. In the times you can’t find a Starbucks you are probably in a place you don’t even know the zip code. They should add a search by city name and state. And yes, you could now use the WAP site when you don’t know the zip code, but we all know how long using Internet on your mobile takes! Finally, I think the shortcode is a bit hard to remember. I can totally see myself asking what that abbreviation they used was again. What I suggest is that we start seeing the abbreviation “sbux†ALL over the store so we get used to it.
As many of you may or not already know I am moderating a panel at this years SXSW Interactive Festival entitled MobileActive: Mobilizing The Masses With Mobile Technology. The panel should be a great conversation with some of the industries leading experts on using mobile technology for activism and political purposes. If you will be at SXSW in Austin on March 12 you should definitely stop by. The companies involved on the panel will also be throwing a little party later on, the info of which will be discussed at the panel.
Like last year, SXSW also has its own mobile thing going.
Whether you are a registered attendee or not you can stay in the loop of SXSW action by signing up to receive SXSW SMS alerts. SXSW will send you alerts and updates specific to your badge type from last minute schedule changes, special events, breaking news and more. But users can also search for content via SMS to get band and film listings, festival updates, vote for your favorite film and more. The search feature will even allow you to text various keywords that you may or may not want to find more information about. Texting “sx cab” for example will send you back relevant cab and limo information. SXSW is using Wiredset and StarTXT for their mobile messaging needs. The whole rundown of SXSW’s SMS service can be found here.
For those of you who would rather use their data plans SXSW has also gone mobile web and has actually taking advantage of the controversial (also here) .mobi domain to do so. SXSW’s new mobile specific site allows you to get official SXSW information like schedules, mp3s, video clips, podcasts, and more when and where you need it. Users will also be able to access the Mobile Registrant Directory through the mobile site and thus connect with other registrants and sign up for SMS alerts. Check out SXSW.mobi to try out these new features and stay informed about everything happening at SXSW 2007.
There’s an interesting read online from the BBC about the convergence happening between our digital and physical lives thanks to the wonders of mobile technology. A quick quote from the article:
“IBM’s master inventor Zygmunt Lozinski explained his vision does not simply involve accessing Second Life from your phone - it involves using your mobile as a bridge between the virtual world and the real world.” (emphasis mine)
A good read especially because of it’s highly sought after status on Techmeme today and the implications that it has about people’s growing understanding on what mobile really has to offer and how it compares vis-a-vis the beloved Web 2.0.
I know that this has been advertised and such all over the place but I just want to remind people of this amazing event being put on right before the Web 2.0 conference. Mobile 2.0 will take place Monday November 6th (the day before election day) in San Fran. Its A One-Day Event on November 6th, 2006 Focusing on the Mobile Web and Disruptive Mobile Innovation.
Confirmed panelists include:
* Chirag Bakshi - VP, Verisign
* Steve Bratt - CEO, W3C
* Judy Breck - Goldenswamp.com
* Ronan Cremin - Director of Developer Initiatives, dotMobi
* Tony Fish - Author of Mobile Web 2.0
* Kelly Goto - Principal, gotomedia LLC
* Kaj Häggman - Widsets
* Aron Holzman - Windows Live Mobile
* Rhys Lewis - Chief Scientist at Volantis
* Charles McCathieNevile - Chief Standards Officer, Opera Software
* Bob Morgan - VP Business Development, ShoZu
* Hetal Patel - Partner Manager, North America at Symbian
* Dave Raggett - W3C Fellow (on assignment from Volantis)
* Nandini Ramani - Sun
* Arun Ranganathan - System Architect, AOL
* Oliver Starr - Blogger at MobileCrunch.com
Looks like am AMAZING event. I will try 2 make it but it being the day before the election it may be a little tough.
I love walking around the city with friends trying to find a place and showing them how to use Google’s SMS service to find places. People are always floored and always become users. I think its a real success story but it is not until recently that Google has started beefing up (in terms of promotion) its mobile stuff. C. Enrique Ortiz on his Mobility Weblog points to this article from GoogleBlog on Google Mobiles rebirth of cool. More or less, if you want to really get a taste of what Google is up to mobile wise it is a must read and do for it talks about the changes google has made to its mobile.google.com website and the steps they have take to make it easier for you to explore google on cell phone. Its really worth a look.
Its a question that is on a lot of peoples minds lately. A lot of people still refer to Olive Starr’s notions on the concept and reminder that Mobile 2.0 is not Web 2.0.:
Whereas Mobile Web 2.0 is all about the advanced capabilities associated with a specific subset of systems within a mobile device and particularly centered around some kind of web enabled interface Mobile 2.0 is more about the entirety of the device and its myriad and highly differentiated possibilities for interaction with the end user. In a nutshell, Mobile 2.0 is the superset of life altering functionality conveyed by a functioning mobile phone to that phone’s owner.
Mobile 2.0 is not device dependent. There is no measuring stick of functionality that is a determinant as to whether or not a mobile phone is or is not a Mobile 2.0 device. All functioning phones today are Mobile 2.0. It isn’t what the phone does, so much as what is being done with the phone that has lead us to Mobile 2.0.[read more].
Well now Daniel Appelquist (W3C repressive for Vodafone) has put his two sense in over at his blog and is planning an event in San Francisco later this fall to discuss the issue further.
In short, Mobile 2.0 takes the Mobile platform to where the Internet is today, and shows us how the mobile phone can become a first class citizen, or even a leading citizen, of the Web. What Mobile 2.0 does not mean, at least in my mind, is more sophisticated, but still essentially closed, mobile applications and services. Openness and user choice are essential components of Mobile 2.0.
So, I am on a a W3C programming committee for a “Mobile Web In Developing Countries” workshop to take take place this 5-6 of December 2006 in Bangalore, India.
We are looking for participants and or sponsors. and are therefore beginning the call for experts to participate in the Workshop in Bangalore, India, on 5-6 December 2006. Participants will discuss the challenges, requirements, and use cases for mobile Web access in developing countries. The Workshop will bring together experts in mobile Web technologies and specialists on emerging countries and the digital divide. To participate in the Workshop, please submit a position paper by email before 1 November 2006.
“While in some countries, mobile Web access is the latest must-have for executives, it is increasingly clear that it may play an important role in the development of some communities,” said Tim Berners-Lee, W3C Director. “We must ensure that the Web is designed to meet the needs of sparser populations and of those whose only access to the Web may be on their phone. I look forward to hearing a wide range of views about requirements on Web technology particular to developing countries.”
This public Workshop is part of W3C’s Mobile Web Initiative, which aims to identify and resolve challenges and issues of accessing the Web when on the move. W3C thanks the Workshop host, Jataayu Software, one of the Mobile Web Initiative sponsors. Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available.
On that note, the W3C invites your support for this Workshop through a three-tier sponsorship program designed to support participation by people or organizations who might otherwise not have the financial means to attend the meeting. Benefits of the Sponsorship program include public recognition of your commitment to the W3C mission. Sponsors reach those who are making decisions about the future of the Web, as well as those in the public who have come to rely on the Web as critical infrastructure for development.
One important step in bridging the “digital divide” — the lack of access and ability to use information services by a portion of society — is the deployment of mobile networks around the world. According to the World Bank, more than two billion people own a mobile phone and 80% of the world’s population has access to GSM service. With one million new subscribers every day, almost four billion people will have a mobile phone by the end of 2010.
Although access to phone service is fundamental, W3C considers access to Internet services such as email and the Web vital for education, commerce, and communication. High speed mobile data networks and more affordable Web-enabled phones are helping to make this access possible in the developing world. For some, telephones may be the primary, or even sole, means to access the Web. In order to deliver Web standards that enable access for all, W3C is organizing this Workshop to learn more about the specific needs, expectations, and challenges faced by people in developing countries.
Help Sponsor Global Participation in the Workshop.
So, I am on a a W3C programming committee for a “Mobile Web In Developing Countries” workshop to take take place this 5-6 of December 2006 in Bangalore, India.
We are looking for participants and or sponsors. and are therefore beginning the call for experts to participate in the Workshop in Bangalore, India, on 5-6 December 2006. Participants will discuss the challenges, requirements, and use cases for mobile Web access in developing countries. The Workshop will bring together experts in mobile Web technologies and specialists on emerging countries and the digital divide. To participate in the Workshop, please submit a position paper by email before 1 November 2006.
“While in some countries, mobile Web access is the latest must-have for executives, it is increasingly clear that it may play an important role in the development of some communities,” said Tim Berners-Lee, W3C Director. “We must ensure that the Web is designed to meet the needs of sparser populations and of those whose only access to the Web may be on their phone. I look forward to hearing a wide range of views about requirements on Web technology particular to developing countries.”
This public Workshop is part of W3C’s Mobile Web Initiative, which aims to identify and resolve challenges and issues of accessing the Web when on the move. W3C thanks the Workshop host, Jataayu Software, one of the Mobile Web Initiative sponsors. Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available.
On that note, the W3C invites your support for this Workshop through a three-tier sponsorship program designed to support participation by people or organizations who might otherwise not have the financial means to attend the meeting. Benefits of the Sponsorship program include public recognition of your commitment to the W3C mission. Sponsors reach those who are making decisions about the future of the Web, as well as those in the public who have come to rely on the Web as critical infrastructure for development.
One important step in bridging the “digital divide” — the lack of access and ability to use information services by a portion of society — is the deployment of mobile networks around the world. According to the World Bank, more than two billion people own a mobile phone and 80% of the world’s population has access to GSM service. With one million new subscribers every day, almost four billion people will have a mobile phone by the end of 2010.
Although access to phone service is fundamental, W3C considers access to Internet services such as email and the Web vital for education, commerce, and communication. High speed mobile data networks and more affordable Web-enabled phones are helping to make this access possible in the developing world. For some, telephones may be the primary, or even sole, means to access the Web. In order to deliver Web standards that enable access for all, W3C is organizing this Workshop to learn more about the specific needs, expectations, and challenges faced by people in developing countries.
Help Sponsor Global Participation in the Workshop.
Had the pleasure of bumping into Paul Smith CEO of MPulse at CTIA this week. If you remember I did a story on MPulse’s product WapTags a few months ago (another article on Waptags by WapReview can be found here). Not only did he announce that wapTags is getting 5,000 new users every day and had to triple their servers and that storefront owners and game lobbies are using WapTags to add a community to their stores/game lobbies to keep customers coming back and buying more (It seems people who just bought a Madonna ring tone like chatting up, showing off, flirting and gifting other Madonna fans.) but he is also came to the mobile event in true mobile style, pimping in an retro 1970’s Airstream RV (they thing still had a beta max player). Now th.at is truly “Going Mobile.” (get it? the song… “Going Mobile” by The Who”).
Here are some pics. Click them to make them bigger. I think the RV needs a Mpulse logo pimped out on the side.
TIM and Polymer Vision’s new Cellular-Book (mighty creative name) is a very interesting device: 5 inch foldout “newspaper†display, 4 GBs of storage, cellular connectivity, 10 day “usage time†and access to e-mail, RSS feeds, LBS, music downloads, audio books and more. Besides all that, upgrades are also on the way including a color screen and video capabilities. Faster connectivity and a better UI are probably also coming soon. If interested, I would read the full press release and check out this cool demo.
I know you have been there with me… you are in a new city, you just need to feed your caffeine addition, but you cant seem to find a Starbucks… All you want is a Starbucks to start off your day.
There’s 
