Back in January I was writing about how people actually use technology and why certain Ïsure fireÓ services fail to take off. As an example, I quoted Mobile Video Calling.
This is a classic example of technology-led marketing, a process that starts like this:
1. We have the technology, therefore people will want it.
2. WeÌll do some research and people will say they want it (after all, they only have to SAY they like it).
3. We launch it and people donÌt use it. Are they mad, donÌt they know how totally cool this technology is?
Clearly the wrong approach (but hey Ò it worked with Post-It Notes, so itÌs not always doomed!).
The problem with Video Calling (apart from the complete lack of evidence that anyone wants it Ò landline calling has never exactly exploded) is that many people actually use their mobiles as alibis.
For instance, there’s the old “working late in the office but actually in the pub” scenario. Not to mention “I’m stuck in traffic but actually still with another customer who’s your major competitor” scenario. Plus a whole host of other white and not-so-white lies that make up many peoples lives. Obviously, present company excluded.
And the same applies potentially to Location Based Services.
Well it seems that someone was listening 
As Wired reports, thereÌs now a plethora of Alibi Services, ready to lend technological hand to your untruths.
As an example we have:
Ï “It’s a way to make jokes,” said Liviu Tofan, the CEO of Simeda, the German company responsible for the SounderCover application.
SounderCover lets mobile-phone users download prerecorded sounds that mimic the noises of a traffic jam, a circus parade, a thunderstorm, a ringing phone — or even a self-created sound. It’s compatible with certain Nokia phones, which mainly run on the cellular-phone networks in Europe.Ó
There must come a point though, IÌd have thought that the lengths youÌre prepared to go to to validate a lie, might start worrying you a little!
But thereÌs also a serious point here. It would clearly be wrong to try to launch an operator network that had as its major benefit Video Calling. So IÌd strongly advise anyone thinking along these lines not to.
Ahhh. 3 (the UK Hutchison 3G network) already have. Did it work chaps? I think not.
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