Twitter back

Persona non grata

Have U heard about Twitter personalities ?
Be a ''girl'' and go read it :-D
Andrew Grill knows everything about your inner twitter hehe

Yahoo to provide UK's 3 with mobile ads

Pissing Google territory

Yahoo has struck a deal with mobile operator 3 UK to sell display ads and sponsored links on the company's Planet 3 portal site.
Yahoo becomes the shark for mobile internet advertising, indeed.

Where's Google ? Loosing its steam ? It appears that Yahoo OneSearch gets edge with operators.
I am not sure about consumer market ( if there is one ).

WAP browsing is still not for broad market, only iPhone is there to drive usage.
Operators mobile portals are lousy and killing subcribers with data rates.
Portals suck.

But for sure, ''mobile checkout'' is still in operators hands and no promising solution is on the market yet.

Well, nobody has dominant position and it is hard to measure those things at the moment.

Flash goes iPhone ?

For real or a rumor ?

The first time in the mobile history somebody ported Flash Lite Project ( mobile version of Adobe's Flash ) to the iPhone/iPod touch, claims Thomas Joos ( yesterday< ) who has collaborated with italian programmer Emanuele Cipolloni.

We managed to create a flash lite application, providing cool graphics and animation ( that’s why we definately do NOT use JavaME ) and giving you all the information you need without any other crap! How great is that. No more silly ringtones or wallpapers to ”catch your attention”. This time you just get what you need: Rock Werchter Information in a rich visual environment.

That's what he says. We know that iPhone, at the moment, doesn't support Flash, but Adobe has plans.
I already wrote about my excitiment with Flash lite before ( when there was still no iPhone released ) and touted croatian development studio Gideon Mobile who got an award for interactive mobile guide of London's subway system ( Nokia s60 3rd edition )

MTV portal does flash lite content.

Here's the latest about Flash lite statistics.

Modu, a personal mobile device

Old fashion victim or the real gadget ?

Could it be more to ModuMobile than some strange avanguard/fashion experience or an extreme customisation experiment ( jackets ) for mobile phone ? Pics from Barcelona 2008. Have not too much hopes.

Some investors seem to think that way and they could be ready to take ( $ 100 million ? ) a second round ? ( The first round was raised by Gemini Israel Funds and Genesis Partners. )

I have mixed feelings . This phones can take many forms, but at the same time I ask myself could these devices become an engine for the array of mobile apps ( deal with Universal Music ? )
Personalising your mobile phone is an individual ( social ) statement which is an old news ( people want more flavors for his mobile toy ).

ModuMobile does reminds me about various conceptual handsets made by major mobile phone vendors and looks like a mobile phone still in the lab ( years away from the market ) , but Telecom Italia seems to be already having close co-operation with Israeli start-up.

Going deeper into my research, I can see that the founder is Dov Moran ( he made his fame with DiskOnKey – so he's an USB flash drive expert )

ModuMobile has developed a cellular handset that can be connected to a USB port on any computing device. It is based, among other things, on flash memory technology, and a unique memory technology that interfaces with any device it is connected to, enabling the uploading all forms of data, from telephone numbers to multimedia files.

Having in mind how these days USB sticks for wireless access are all the rage in the 3G world as a selling point, you get a point... connected consumer electronics devices ?

Hmmm....but, as I said, I have mixed feelings ( overstreched expectations by ModuMobile ) about too much avanguard with design forms regarding mobile phones ( we've seen a lot of design failures in this industry ).
How good marketing you need for this to succeed ? Who can pay for that :))

ModuMobile does blog.

iPhone broadcast

Making couch potato mobile

Flixwagon is streaming live video on an Apple iPhone.
Mobile TV to be done right in the future ? These videos were done in the Flixwagon labs using an unlocked iPhone. Oh my, ''unlocked'' again :))

Officially, the only phones which support live video streaming from Flixwagon are the Nokia running on the Symbian OS.

Can we have CNN mobile TV in the hands of millions ? CNN become global during first Gulf war, and I would like to have in my palm CNN breaking news video 24 hours a day.

Animal with a soul to grow

Personal touch , maybe iTouch :))

When doing some home repair, a thought of a day have come to my mind yesterday ;)
I like short but descriptive quotes ( said by others ) about life etc. This one comes from myself:

I am just an animal with the soul and the one who constantly develops as a human being.

A bit of metaphysics to relax from mobile communication heheee. Just a though about human personal development.

What would animals do with a mobile phone ? Start to live in the cities because there's better connectivity ? ;))

iPhone era

A brick for the ''fast'', ''aware'' and ''social'' mobile Web with a better sales touch


Extremely wise choice by Apple for the release of 3G iPhone.

Apple 'Inc. will launch new iPhone 3G in Germany, the Netherlands and Austria July 11. It's in Europe ( T-Mobile empire ) , and what is best of all ; later this year, T-Mobile will start offering the phone to customers in Croatia ( my country ) , the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia ( Eastern Europe )

What does this tell us ? Where's global test bed for brave new mobile world ? Welcome to Eastern Europe.
Just as I preached here on Zec Online Journal blog for years hehehe. Thanks Steve, now I like you more ( before ).

Just a short note, iPhone is now indeed gaining first-mover advantage and with some smart and practical solutions ( Web as a platform, good carrier deals, solving music downloads, SMS services ) could be pervasive in the next few years just like iPod ( but needs to put more flavor to it ) . Nokia and Google won't give up.

''Giveaway'' is expected as well. Go to sleep ;)

Scheme for rural broadband

Digital divide. Croatia and broadband policy. Urban vs. rural.
Talented off.

The forces of globalisation and progress have come to my little village in the croatian countryside years ago.

Satellite TVs, DVDs, supermarkets, etno restaurants, hotel with 4 stars, capitalism, swinger sex couples, sexual revolution, mobile mast towers, public bath, Playboy magazines, but broadband we do not have because our incumbent operator doesn't give a shit about ADSL for rural regions.

And boy do we have talented people but those are lacking decent information highway and we are bypassing those things with USB modems etc. Counting myself among those he he

It reminds of me and how I was missing sports career when I was very young ( I was talented football player ) because there wasn't anyone who would push me further and make connections with people from town , so I could go up and play for bigger clubs :))

Yesterday I read an article about , IMHO, failed project for ubiquity wireless connection.

Today, a news came from India. This is what I call ''right thinking''. Indian goverment will build $2-billion public-private partnership to provide broadband and internet connectivity in country's rural areas.

There are some other ideas for rural broadband, it all helps ( just a note to myself for later reading ):

- Australian scheme
- OECD review and policy paper
- UK rural broadband penetration
- The city of Ottawa

Cry :((

Wi-Fi utopia

Cloud without sun

New York Times article I read today:
Martin Varsarsky and FON story.

I am skeptical and think it is non-doable ( not comprehensive solution ). Just a pipe dream.

Facebook's ponzi scheme about to end ?

One night stand and its supply

BBC reports reversal in Facebook's growth trends.
The rush might be gone.
The whole point, IMHO, is about sustainability of those businesess. Where are they ? I can't see it more than a fency ( IN ) night bars.

Tomorrow you might go to some other bar to meet new people ( or the bar will stay at the same location but will get a new owner ;))
A place could get boring and we might overestimate our ability to manage our digital personas and get hurt someday and become a victim of our fullish openess.

Mobile 2.0 Industry Report

Truly a Mobile 2.0 reference work

Glossy mobile industry yearbook is a perfect weekend read.
Just released by french firm Netsize.
It's the best in-depth free industry report documenting the state of the global mobile content and services market.

For those that do not have time and resources to travel to Barcelona ( or elsewhere for thee gathering with mobile enthusiasts ), it's a perfect subsitute and more.
I wish I could travel more , see more of the World, speak more with relevant people and have less worries ;)

Maybe one day.

Intel's fifth-gen Centrino and WiMax

Mobile Wimax connectivity nirvana

Intel gets pushy about WiMax mobile broadband in USA and they just funded joint venture with Sprint and Clearwire.

Given Wimax is a competitor to both cellular broadband solutions and fixed broadband, much of its market potential is shrinking even before this appears, IMHO.

But the rollout of HSDPA is tough business as well. We in Croatia do have some fast mobile broadband coverage, but only major cities are covered by now.

One of the first pioneers and WiMax operators here in Croatia is Novi Net d.o.o. from Merhatovec ( northern part of Croatia , Medjimurje )

Nokia in the street

Drive, walk, be guided

Nokia Maps 2.0 hit the streets and pockets of mobile phone power users.
Novelties as explained by folks from AllAboutSymbian.com.

'' pedestrian mode, enhanced driving navigation mode, satellite maps, much improved search and new real time traffic information ''

A new multimedia computer N96 combined with those Maps could bring a magic in one's travel life :))

I wish myself N96 :)
Nokia wants you to pay for all those city guides and additional stuff.
Another Maps 2.0 review.

Nokia lacks true openess, IMHO.
Is it worth ?

Mobile Experience Company

What ? That too ? ;)

Not just mobile computer maker, but ''mobile experience company'' too ;))
Nokia speaks out.
You know, they would like to be called like that.

Nokia and Google team up around search products for upcoming Nokia models.

First Google Android Devices

Under the Mediterranean sun of Barcelona. Webphone dejour but SMS will rule them all ;)

Unusual suspects like british ARM and Texas Instruments got us first glimpse into practical prototype of Android mobile operating system.
It's not fancy release like iPhone's launch ( thank you ) , but it is of equal importance, IMHO ( although we have seen some of these interfaces few months ago ).

View full gallery. Still rough on the edges but it's no rush , the style will come later with handset makers and ''the switchers''.
( I like this one, tricorder someone ? ;))

The new mobile interface philosophy is beign seeded by Webkit SDK ( thank you iPhone ) . It's a magic carpet for mobile phone- programmable ( fluid ) interface. A webphone DNK.

Smartphone, indeed. Websmartphone ? Webphone ? What gives ;)
Is it finally smartphone for the ordinary people and mass market phones ?
I hope so, but let's wait.

It's a smartphone with ''mirror'' ( touchscreen aka iPhone ) and smarthphone with good ol' buttons. The hybrid approach, just like it should be.
There is plenty of room ( mobile screen ) for advertisers as well ;))

There is a plenty of icons. Someone for buried apps in the phone – those never used ? Could be an issue for some people. Power features might be used by individual preferences ? Yes, but the one thing should be straigtforward – a call.
Simple phone call.

But I have a trouble and doubt of how much progress is made when I see ''applications '' folder. Yes, it's nice for Google. Pure Google trojan horse into the handset. Gmail , Maps and other icons are in the one-button reach ( game-set-match for them ) and in the same ''game level'' like SMS.
But is it illusion made by product designers who put close observation onto current phone usage ? Will this all appeal to average users and be used by them ?

Where's search ? I can't see straigtforward ''search '' feature or something similar ( mashups ) ? Contacts folder with social networking ? Too much expectations, I shouldn't be so pushy ;)) It's not a sinn.

I would suggest only one keyword: connectivity.

I think it's the crucial ingredient for success ( too be truly useful ) of Android platform along the good battery time, IMHO. Android phones will be hungry of being alllways on. Not just allways connected to the internet, but those connection should be fast.
That means only one- fast mobile network services ( HSDPA or UMTS ). It's not something Google can do much about. It's a long, long road.

The mobile carriers will need to create special flat rate plans for Android phones. So, even if we have agile and proactive Google and its partners, I don't see that much agility on the carriers side nor mass enthusiasm among the average users.

Not until the Web on the mobile phone becomes ''status'' issue ;)) Status like ''I am important'' with that thing in my hand and ''status'' like Facebook presence ( mobile edition ) and super-light-fun-apps as well.

Time to wait. Time to explore and think more. Nobody knows...
One thing is for sure, ''the switch'' is going on.

USB stick modem for wireless internet access

Wifi hotspots are yesterday. 3G dongles are today. Affordable for consumers, not only businesses.

In essence, mobile lifestyle ( mobility ) is all about your mobile devices and connectivity . Right ?
Your phone, laptop or other gizmo makes true communication device when connected to a wider network.
Yet, it's not on cheap and it 's not much about convenience.

The business usually pay montly subs on 12 or 24 month contract and get PCMCIA card ( if they are not in mood to mess with WiFi , we have only few commercial hotspots in Croatia , but there's VIPNET's Mobile Connect modem only still too expensive ).

But 3G networks are reaching much more these days and perfect plug & play solution for connectivity seems to be USB dongle ready to access the Web without much intervention from the average user. No configuration at all.
I spotted this issue writing last year about Sony Ericsson's MD300.

Now, I've seen that Vodafone sells 3G dongle ( USB stick modem ) as well. The price of data and network bottlenecks are still important issues for widespread adoption.
Dean Bubley comment is right spot on:

'' Operators in the UK, Austria, South Africa, Portugal & others are definitely going after the consumer 3G dongle market.
Typical user is someone (student, recent immigrant etc) who doesn’t want a 12-24mo fixed-broadband contract at home, because either they share apartments, don’t have a current landline (which would cost £££ to get re-connected), move flat every 6 months or don’t yet have a local bank account / credit record.
Another segment is people who want a 2nd broadband line (maybe families, maybe young professionals).

While I do agree with most what Dean says, I think this type of connectivity is ideal for professionals on the move ( as a second broadband line ) and people without broadband connection in rural places.

The prices in Australia , for example, have dropped dramatically in the last year. AU$100 to AU$14.50 a month on a two year deal + free dongle.

When will those mobile data plans for laptops go hand in hand with mobile phone data plans ?

Wistron GW4 – Android prototype ?

Turbo. Fun. Brrrrm, brrrrm ;))

A bit late on this ( stuff from CES 2008 ) and it is a smartphone made by chinese NeWeb. Supposed to be Android phone by March ;)
Sounds like new Volksawagen model  It runs Montavista Linux.
Other things to note: touchscreen, Bluetooth, WiFi, QWERTY, 2,5 inch QVGA ( 240 x 320 ), 2 megapixel camera.


( via Stephan Mot )

Soros: The worst market crisis in 60 years

Not just an usual boom and bust cycle. Dollar fall off the race.

George Soros isn't writing a blog but he writes a column for the London's Financial Times. His last column is diagnosis for the financial crisis just upon the World.
More or less, it's all what more couragous analysts and finance expert do talk for years. Now, the mess is huge. I would need to buy the book ''The Long emergency'' by James Howard Kunstler ( who talks more about oil crisis, not financial crisis ) and perhaps his new book '' World made by hand''. Still, there's is conclusion in the Soros article with a bit of relief when he says:

Although a recession in the developed world is now more or less inevitable, China, India and some of the oil-producing countries are in a very strong countertrend. So, the current financial crisis is less likely to cause a global recession than a radical realignment of the global economy, with a relative decline of the US and the rise of China and other countries in the developing world.

Mobile internet devices are reality

Forget the mobile internet ''phones''. Cloud computing puzzle going on with Intel's mobile leg. Only ( mobile ) internet infrastructure is just not keeping ahead. Yet.

Intel is a close partner of Google and Apple and it is a piece of a puzzle for ''cloud computing '' of which mobile component will be just one important leg to the brave new world of personal computing. Intel's Silverthorn chips are ready for mobile internet devices.

Apple confirmed the first Silverthorn products to be released in 2008. Well, those new shiny iPhonish devices on the market will most likely get decent energy consumption ;) If Apple is in the game with Silverhorne, then some handset makers couldn't be far away .
Maybe those partners in Open Handset Alliance are already building Android gPhones with those chips ?
I already wrote ( part 1, part 2 in 2007 about Intel MID and challanged some of my previouse dogmas.

Motorola to axe mobile phone business

Sinking ship. Siemens was just first suitable for ''big bang''

Motorola said it is considering "structural and strategic realignment", according to the Guardian article.
No Razr in sight. Carl Ichan was right after all and this could be concession to him.