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Mobile Society Research Institute

continental — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 07:23:20 +0000

NTT DOCOMO, INC. has set up a Mobile Society Research Institute in Japan to study the impact of mobile phones on Society and how it is transforming the next generation in Japan. Reading the white papers there, one gets the sense that the mobile phone is impacting society on a much larger level than anticipated.

For example, things like MNP (mobile number portability) now enables users to keep their mobile number across phones, and One-seg broadcasting, which now enables all cel phones to receive terrestrial digital TV broadcasts. This propelled a swift increase in compatible handsets available.

But an even more interesting development is the introduction of mobile phones aimed at children and the elderly, increasing the overall market saturation.

Many of their studies are showing trends that mobile phones are increasingly becoming a natural part of lifestyle and habits. Most users state that it gives a user the ability to contact others regardless of time and place, and a significant number now say that it is a single device for various purposes.

Signs of attachment and addiction are also showing, with many users feeling lost or insecure if they’ve forgotten their mobile phone when they go out.

This is a facinating site that is a must read. Website is in both Japanese and English.

Website: http://www.moba-ken.jp/

Skout.com ups the bar on mobile social

continental — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 07:04:26 +0000

Skout is a new mobile, real-time, location-based dating platform that helps people meet compatible singles in their vicinity. People can use Skout to chat, share photos, and even share videos and other information. Whether at a conference, a bar, a college campus or a sporting event, people with similar interests who are near each other can use Skout to communicate and possibly even find love.

Skout’s online dating service and iPhone application are being launched at the 6th annual Internet Dating Conference in Miami, Florida, January 22nd and 23rd, 2009.

“When I founded Match.com, I envisioned how the internet could change the way singles discover each other . As we stand at the cusp of mobile convergence, Skout is perfectly positioned to disrupt the online dating market. Skout represents what all dating companies must become to not only just remain relevant, but to survive,” says Match.com’s founder Gary Kremen.

The Skout dating service is available on virtually every mobile phone with a browser as well as via a laptop or desktop computer by visiting http://www.skout.com .

The company is also releasing SKOUT, an iPhone application, available free of charge at Apple’s App Store under the Social Networking / Lifestyle categories.

“We are very excited about today’s release of our Skout dating platform and the SKOUT iPhone application,” says Skout Founder and CEO Christian Wiklund. “We’re making it easy for singles to discover others with similar interests, using location information and mobile phones. Skout brings cheer to people who are on the go and typically don’t have time to find someone special.”

According to Juniper Research, the mobile dating market will reach 1.4 billion dollars by 2013. Skout is perfectly positioned to take advantage of this growing market.

About Skout
Skout is a mobile, real-time, location-based dating platform that helps people meet singles in their vicinity by chatting and sharing photos and other user-generated content. The company is based in San Francisco, CA. The service is available on over 10,000 mobile devices, as an iPhone application, and on any Internet-connected laptop or desktop computer.

website: Skout.com

Booq Laptop & Camera Bag

continental — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 05:43:30 +0000

If you’re a serious traveler that takes along your creative equipment, then this is the bag for you. It’s made by Booq, called the Python Pro. Booq isn’t a mainstream bag maker,

Python pro has been designed for the serious photographer who carries a 15-17” Mac or PC laptop, an SLR, 2-3 lenses, and a multitude of accessories. This full-featured, large capacity laptop backpack can be used with or without camera gear, since the camera compartment, which doubles as a fully functional camera case, is easily removable.

Python pro is made up of a padded laptop compartment and a large main compartment, perfectly sized for the removable camera case, files, folders, and books. Featuring a removable divider, the main compartment can be segmented to create a separate space for the camera case, which is also accessible through the front of the bag. In addition, a medium-sized front pocket can hold business cards, a cell phone, and another accessory, while two large side pockets for flash cards & readers, batteries, filters, hard drives and other accessories. The Python pro features newly designed shoulder straps which are fully adjustable – simply open the back panel of the backpack to modify the height placement of the straps. Together with adjustable strap length, Python pro owners can customize the fit to their unique needs. Used with or without camera gear, Python pro leaves very few things to be desired.

Website: http://www.booqbags.com/All-Products/17mbp/Python-pro

Backpack Storage:
• Overall Capacity: Room for a 13-17” Mac or PC, SLR camera & lenses, and a limited number of accessories.
• Main compartment:
-1 large pocket perfect for documents.
-4 medium-sized pockets sized for CDs, backup drives, extra lenses or other camera gear.
-Large open space for removable camera case, books, folders, files and other larger items.
• Laptop Compartment: Separate compartment protects the laptop from impact, scratches, and excessive wear, while removable padded inserts allow one to find the perfect fit.
• Exterior:
-Two large, zippered side pockets feature multiple smaller compartments for flash cards & reader, business cards and other small items
-Zippered front compartment stores cords, cell phone etc.
• Straps: Integrated zippered pockets designed for iPod, cell phone, lens caps, camera batteries etc.

Removable Camera Case:
• Overall Capacity: Carry a digital SLR and 2-3 lenses in this dedicated camera bag, designed to protect a camera from impact and scratches – complete with foam inserts that allow one to build a suitable interior layout to fit a camera and lenses.
• Exterior:
-Top zippered pocket is great for flat items such as filters or flash cards.
-One neoprene and one zippered side pocket provides room to store batteries, lens caps & flash cards for quick access

Construction
• Fabric: The dark-brown and deep-orange silky sheen of the 420D Polyester interior is an unsuspectingly perfect contrast to the rugged, yet understated, water-resistant, 1680D ballistic nylon exterior.
• Laptop Compartment: Half an inch of high-density foam padding and a scratch resistant lining protects the laptop.
• Straps: Ergonomically designed shoulder straps are height-adjustable and length-adjustable, and feature breathable mesh fabrics and a removable chest strap. The waist strap may be used on the backpack OR the camera case.
• Pocket Fabric: Fine-gauge mesh Lycra with elastic edging – expands as needed, holding accessories securely.
• Hardware: Oversized heavy-duty YKK(r) zippers with custom booq logo zipper pulls.

Watch Local TV Anywhere

continental — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 23:46:12 +0000

Ever get homesick for local TV? Well no need to panic, take your TV with you. All you need is to set up a slingbox somewhere in your home country, then watch TV through your computer. It’s that easy.

Slingbox comes in a couple of different flavors depending upon your budget and the definition you want to watch it in. The Slingbox PRO-HD is the coolest, first ever HD-streaming Slingbox. With the Slingbox PRO-HD, you can watch and control multiple devices – including your standard- or high-definition DVR, digital cable, satellite receiver, or DVD player – from anywhere in the world on your computer or mobile phone. Your high definition programming streams in HD quality for an amazing picture.

It’s probably only a manner of time when you can rent a slingbox in any country so you can watch that country’s TV remotely. There are some slingbox community groups that have slingbox exchanges, but that means that you give up the right of controlling your own TV. There’s got to be a better way.

If you do a lot of traveling internationally, and still want to stay connected to your local news, then Slingbox is for you.

website: slingbox.com