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. [...]
Archive | May, 2004
Bar Code Price Comparison
by on 17. May, 2004 in New launches
Once a upon a time, a couple of mates had an idea for a mobile company. ÏHey, wouldnÌt it be cool if you were shopping and you could use your mobile and the barcode to find out if the book/CD etc was cheaper on lineÓ they said. They quickly mocked up a demo (in those [...]
Social Networking Software
by on 17. May, 2004 in Analysis
I know this is a little off topic, but I thought youÌd indulge me Actually, itÌs only a matter of time before social networking software goes mobile. In fact, Dodgeball in New York already has, so itÌs ON topic. Phew, glad we cleared that up. Anyway, inspired by TJÌs Weblog round up of the scene, [...]
Cutting the Cord
by on 17. May, 2004 in Mobile Society
ÏCutting the cordÓ, “Going Mobile” or “Mobilisation” is something weÌre going to hear a lot about in the next 5 years, I predict. Or words to that effect. Increasingly, younger people in their 20Ìs donÌt bother getting landlines installed for their phones. They just stick to their mobiles. To this generation their phone number IS [...]
Read full story •
Comments Off
Professional SMS Copywriters
by on 17. May, 2004 in Mobile Society
Actually, IÌm going to claim the idea of thinking up the need for, and then employing the worldÌs first, SMS copywriter. Back in the old days of 2000, I gave a job to Brad Arnold, now a DJ in Australia Ò can anyone beat that? But the Chinese have taken it one step further as [...]
Read full story •
Comments Off
Location Text Marketing
by on 14. May, 2004 in Location Based Services
There’s an interesting article on Adverblog today, reporting on a survey by Empower Interactive. “Eight out of ten mobile phone users in Europe wouldn’t mind receiving promotional offers and marketing messages via SMS.” I donÌt like research that so transparently supports the interest of the company commissioning it. (ÏPope reveals soaring use of prayer as [...]
Read full story •
Comments Off
The real reason for hotspots
by on 13. May, 2004 in Analysis
Is the current rush to put up hotspots a legitimate strategy I wonder? Or is it another case of “business follow my leader”? The rules of this game is that one Dufus CEO in one company has a stupid idea. And everyone else in the sector assumes the thinking must be brilliant and copies him/her, [...]
Read full story •
Comments Off
Location Tracking by WLans
by on 13. May, 2004 in Location Based Services
Back in the 60′s the Americans spent billions on developing a writing instument that could work in space ie in zero gravity. The Russians used pencils. The pencil users in this case are a very clever company called Quarterscope.com. They have come up with a way of tracking location based on your position in relation [...]
Karaoke Mobile Phones!
by on 13. May, 2004 in New launches
Vodafone have launched a Karaoke mobile in Japan. “You download backing tracks to the phone from the web, plug the handset into your TV, and sing into the mouthpiece.” Apparently, you can also play the music via external speakers. In Vodafone’s defence, karaoke is obviously much bigger in Japan than anywhere else – with good [...]
Read full story •
Comments Off
GPS Drawing
by on 13. May, 2004 in Location Based Services
Another creative experiment that has practical uses is GPS drawing Essentially, people carry GPS devices and their movements are then tracked as drawings published on the Web. As mobiles increasingly incorporate tracking facilities, we’ll all be able to look back at our movements over a specified period off time. I wonder what a 5 year [...]
Read full story •
Comments Off
Recent Comments