newmediacuts

Mobile phones as remote controls

Mobile Phones That Interact With Buildings While we've all heard the stories of new interactive TV offerings that use mobile phones to "vote" and the vending machines that let you buy via your mobile phone - it looks like some are trying to get even more creative, and are actually constructing spaces that can interact with mobile phones. Forget the concept of the "waiting" room. At Vodafone and the BBC in the UK, the reception area comes complete with plenty of interactive choices - all of which can be controlled by your mobile phone. This isn't completely new, and the article details some of the earlier experiments, such as the building that was rigged up to display SMS text messages running along the side. However, more companies now want to embrace the idea of the mobile phone as a ubiquitous mobile remote control.

[via Techdirt]

Leaked photos of Nokia's new 6850 - with flip-out keyboard - over at mobile.burn.

A global take on LBS?

I'm following with interest Bernie Goldbach's posts on LBS- Location Based Services. Essentially the inside is this - each town [or location] has a unique four-digit ID. You text to a particular number the four-digit ID and a word representing the specific information that you require - for instance 'restaurant' or 'accommodation' and the like. Moments later, you get texted back the information from the service provider - for a predetermined set fee. It's not rocket-science, but then the best ideas are usually very simple, so simple that most people would not have thought of them.

Would people use this? You betcha. Rather than a free for all as the ringtone providers scramble to provide services, I suggest that the following model should prevail.

• We should bring postcodes into Ireland - they are long overdue and could serve as a basis for the location codes that power the service.
• Any service provider should be able to provide the service, and not restricted to a round of licensing and associated fees. Those providing the best services and value will prevail.
• Get a well-known brand to back your service - and we're not talking about the telcoze here. For travel-related information team up with The Rough Guide or Lonely Planet. For event information use The Event Guide. Public information should be provided by the local county councils. These people already have the information that you want to offer, and they're already-recognised and trusted brands.
• Let the customers define the usage and content.

Interesting to see how this one will pan out. I like it because the lowest common denominator is any mobile phone - needn't be anything expensive - just able to send and receive standard SMS messages.

[Listening to: New Frontier - Donald Fagen - The Nightfly (05:10)]