Gogelmogel

Mobiluck 2.0 Officially Launched: Location-based Social Platform, With Minimum Friction and No Need for GPS

Finally it's out :) Patrick has just posted the official PR for the launch of Mobiluck 2.0 or Mobiluck Live (on wap).

The new version is a major upgrade to the original bluetooth messaging application that first showed on late 2003, and the Mobiluck team have made an amazing work to create this service, which is essentially also a platform for location-based mobile applications.

My big congrats and salute to Olivier, Patrick, Lison, Laurent, Stephane, Tristan, Marc, Thibault, Oualid and everyone who helped to forge the new Mobiluck experience.

What is this experience then?

At simple level - Mobiluck answers the question "Where are my friends now/ What's around me now". it's a location awareness tool. The post gives good examples how Mobiluck elegantly complements our everyday intuitive needs to asses what's on our radar.

In a deeper perspective - Mobiluck is also emerging as a platform to power social mobile applications with location awareness.
Want to build an auction system for securing free parking lots in trafficked cities? You can use Mobiluck. Interested in location-based marketing campaigns with special social features? Mobiluck can easily provide that.

How about mashing up facebook apps with real world location data received from Mobiluck? also possible I guess. Location meets lifestream.

This avenue for social location based apps is simply fascinating, as it adds a new layer of data and meaning to your social experience. I'll try to explain more about the potential of this platform in the next posts.

(Tags: mobiluck, location based services, lbs, mobile social network, mososo, bluetooth)

Google-Jaiku - Adding Personal Tools to Google's Mobile Ecosystem?

Ewan at Blognation just updated me about Google's acquisition of Jaiku (Google blog, Jaiku's note), and i've been immediately contemplating about the meaning it has for Google's play in mobile media.

If Google is heavily building its mobile strategy (an it is, according to their declarations) seems that planning a mobile ecosystem of sticky mobile services, would serve them right.

Similar to their web ecosystem personal services (docs, igoogle, blogspot), the mobile ecosystem (carried by locomotives Jaiku, Zingku and gPhone of course) will drive Google's penetration into mobile media.

This is of course, just another angle apart from the Twitter/Facebook "lifestream play", which could be the primary cause for this acquisition.

Updates: Sam added an Interesting comment from Google about their strategy behind this move, Tris on the battle with Pownce and Twitter, and Marc on Where now for Twitter with interesting point about Nokia coming into this field quickly that what you might think.

(Tags: google, jaiku, mobile ecosystem, mososo, twitter, lifestream)

Launching the MMS and Buy Service

So this week we thought we'd make a nice PR about the coming launch of the MMS & Buy service (impulse purchase with any camera phone, based on image recognition).

It's the first time I was sending a PR doc I wrote through the wire services, and it was kinda a trial to see how this works. We had to cut it to 400 words, which wasn't an easy task, but in the end we managed to come with a nice format that kept most of important info.

The results were quite impressive: mentions on USA Today, MarketWatch, The Street, Chicago Tribune, LA Times and other publications.

But probably the most important one is on the ringtonia blog. Thanks Emily for the nice words !

As a blogger, I was always very keen about direct and personal connection with bloggers to inform about new services and products, rather than using traditional PR. However, this was definitely an eye-opening learning experience about using PR wire channels. I know i'm not discovering here anything new though...

We're going to develop this service much more in the coming weeks, and hope to start some nice tease campaigns in the UK to raise awareness. The user behaviour model behind MMS & Buy still needs more investigation , so we hope to get some insights on how users can really use a camera-phone in the real world to instantly fetch information & media they want.

(Tags: mms and buy, mms&buy, camera phone, mobile 2.0, impulse purchase, music 2.0, mobile music, image recognition, craze digital)

Mobiluck Live (2.0) coming soon...

(Disclaimer: I'm a small investor in Mobiluck)

At the recent 3gsm I had a great time together with Olivier Chouraki, the CEO of Mobiluck.
Apart from going to parties and strolling the venue with models, he also showed me the beta version of the upcoming Mobiluck 2.0 - a neat Mobile IM app with global/local location features that open possibilities for all sorts of cool services.

It's still a closed beta, but I hope to post some screenshots soon. The first Mobiluck client was the leading bluetooth messenger (see a very cool flash movie here), with the biggest handset compatibility. The new version introduces a full online app, client-free, in addition to the client version.

Bluetooth and mobile proximity services have taken a big step ahead in the last year, and Mobiluck aims at this growing domain as well.

(Tags: mobiluck, mobile2.0, bluetooth, mobile IM, mososo, proximity, mobile application, location based services, toothing, bluejacking)

	Dan Curtin - Evolution
	12'' "Orbital Love Triangle"
Murky detroit techno for acid lovers

Craze debuts Visual Mobile Search for Music and Video

Fleck This Post - It's Fun

What if any visual image on a newspaper, print, web, TV ot even a t-shirt could become a clickable banner? Probably a very cool way for mobile content delivery and impulse purchase, but moreover, it could really evolve into a new paradigm for the advertising industry.

On the recent Telecom Israel 2006 we showcased this very cool Visual Mobile Search technology, which was developed by DSPV, and presents great opportunities for mobile music content, but also for mobile marketing.

Here's Tsvi from DSPV showing the technology used with our Sky Interactive Music Portal (video produced by IsraelHighTech.tv):

-> on 3:23 Snoop Dogg hits the screen :)

So it's about a more entertaining user experience (in some situations, like the fashion model selection, clicking an image presents a stronger incentive for the user to take an action), a tool for boosting impulse purchase, and also a great way to save on print ad space. The engine can be also activated through MMS (not just video call) - so the user takes a picture, sends through MMS and retrieves the content.

See also what MocoNews and GomoNews had to say on this exciting service.

We're about to launch this service with our Sky Interactive site, so every artist image on it would be clickable and immediately link the user with downloads. Innovative eh?

(Tags: mobile search, visual search, mobile marketing, advertising, mobile music, sky interactive, innovationcraze digital, dspv)

	The Spirals Vs. Orbital - X Vs. Halycon & On & On
	Balance 008: Desyn Masiello
Explosion of free spirit through guitars and beats

Snoopfoot.com goes online

Just as a quick follow up to the previous report on our super dope "Snoop Loves Foobtall" pacakge for World Cup 2006, we've launched a brand site -> www.snoopfoot.com.

Currently it shows instructions how to get those neat videos and ringtones through SMS, but very soon everything will stand up - Paylpal Purchase, online downloads and even exclusive skypetones!

If you are into street culture, Urban music and good funky vibes, you should check it out :)

(Tags: world cup 2006, world-cup-2006, warren g, snoop dogg, videotone, video ringtone, mobile video, digital music, craze digital )

"Snoop Loves Football" - World Cup 2006 meets the Urban Style

Well, it's time for some little self propaganda (following the nice post at Ringtonia blog).

We've just released the first chapter in our superb content package for World Cup 2006, starring the very amazing rappers Warren G and Snoop Dogg.

"Snoop Loves Football" - is a wicked mini-series of Videos, Realtones & VideoTones, all are taken from the song "Get U Down", featured on Warren G's fantastic album "In The Mid-Night Hour".

What's the deal?

The 2 clips are what we call "The essential Urban flava of Football". Or the ultimate expression to what's the Soul of Football is about.

The concept is simple: we all love football for its true basic soul. For the essential spirit that touches everyone, no matter where they are in the world, or which team they support. It’s the street game, the “hood” matches, which create that initial spark of excitement we all share.

And we think there are no better than rap honchos Warren G and Snoop Dogg to deliver that feeling with their absolutely smashing lines and beats.

It’s the world’s popular game meets the world’s biggest rappers.

Where to get it?

The package is currently available for licensing (check our www.crazedigital.com for more details), but you can of course get it right away:

Send SMS with “GO SNOOPFOOTBALL” to

UK -> 82772

Germany -> 82008

Ireland -> 57788

International -> +44-7786-203222

Definitely worth checking out!

Some more Manifesto notes

The Craze Digital lads love football, and wanted to create a unique and original , that connects great music with the foundations of the football experience. We're really sought to bring people the feelings and emotions that surround the game. The vibes of excitement that surge while you play, watch, listen or talk about football.

Sure - flags, animations and players wallpapers are the obvious wanted items. But at Craze we are music people - so our aim is to find innovative ways to tie amazing music with the digital world, keeping the music at the centre all the time!

Hey! but it's American Football in the clips, not Soccer!

Honestly, it doesn't matter! here's why:

1. If Snoop sang on Soccer, it would have seem artificial and maybe even a fake. Obviously, the original theme was about American Football. But that's the whole point - it gets the real cool twist when the clip is taken in the context of Soccer / European Football / World Cup. We're in the mashups generation, and young people quickly understand this kind of tweaks and find it has something very unique and rad!

2. The main theme is the street culture and sports. Whether Soccer, American Fooball or anything else, the "feel" we want to put here is the "Soul of the Game" - which Warren G & Snoop brilliantly express.

And guess what - 2 more chapters in our WC 2006 series will be released soon, as the games begin.

What's next??

Coming up are exclusive remixes for 2 massive tunes, both of which relate to the core cultural elements of this amazing event - The Mundial!

I'll post here once they are out, and meanwhile would be happy to hear anyone's views on the "Snoop Loves Football" clips!

oh, a website with previews will be aired very soon :) Working hard on this...

(Tags: world cup 2006, world-cup-2006, warren g, snoop dogg, videotone, video ringtone, mobile video, digital music, craze digital)

The return of the PodCoupons

So I finally decided to wrap up all my wierd mockups (usually created during various mind situations) into a category and use a nice button to form the Mockups Zone.

Yeah there's not much now - but I hope I can find the time to upload more concept that currently just lie on my Onenote tabs.

But anyway, let's first give light to one of the oldies, which was first posted on SkypeJournal a year  ago...(thanks again for posting it, Stuart).

It's the PodCoupon trick:

• Subscribe to Podcoupons channels (audio coupond, 30 sec like jingles).
• Load them to your iPod or mobile skype (when...?)
• Play to the seller and redeem your discount :)
• Ah, share with friends of course.

 

It's a fun-thing, don't think I assume people would adopt it. But anyway, I was thinking maybe it could inject some freshness to both sides of the equation.

Advertisers might gain a wider distribution for coupons, relying on the viral effect that Skype, RSS and posdcasts have, stirring them from the old boring concept of paper image.

Consumers might just find it as a cool new trendy digital lifestyle "see me" stuff. Who knows...but it does take something from the experience of ringtones - as people express themselves through sounds and music, while getting the public attention.

Can anyone think of specific retail segments where it might be cool? Probably anything with brands I guess (clothing, perfumes, underwear).

Drop your ideas :)

(Tags: podcoupon, podcast, skype, digital lifestyle, mockups )

Vlogging is handy

With the Nokia N90 series, as Loïc Le Meur shows.

Nokia has also aired a special blog to cover this series, with an intention to provide easy-to-use content for bloggers and publishers.

The models look sleek and already got good (not to say "overwhelming")reviews. If you got one, you might be glad to know that Mobiluck, the bluetooth communication messenger, and generally a very cool application, is available for this series as well (Download it here).

(Tags: vlogging, nokia)

IXI takes another try with the Ogo

Let's start with a reminder: Ogo is a cool gadget for mobile IM  - simply put.
There are also other nice features, like email, but the main cherry is supposed to be its ability to get a proper IM experience, with a full 2 hand keyboard, while also spreading some flashy digital lifestyle dust.

IXI mobile manifactures it (including OS), and the communication with the mobile phone's GPRS link is based on bluetooth I believe.

So far everything is wicked, but now comes the big question: who really needs it?

Yes - it looks great, it works great, but is it really geared towards the mass average user?

Seems that Cingular wireless has given its answer, when they decided to stop the Ogo partnership when they acquired AT&T wireless, only 9 months after it began.

But now Ogo is back in the hood. The latest distros are Swisscom Mobile - who claim they made their homework and found out that the average Swiss citizen spends around 12 hours a month logged in to MSN. Such an outstanding figure, isn't it?

The Israeli Globes site informs us that the basic agreement talks about 65k devices over 3 years, begining with 15k for first year. Yet again an amazing projection.

Ok, enough cynicism - as I'm not trying to mock IXI and their challenging foray into the Personal Area Network (PAN) vision. It's a tough battle on an undefined and virtually undiscovered market, which paints a vivid scene of filling the world with cool, tiny gadgets that are aimed at a specific functions.

A quick overview on this notion would be:

• Pro PAN = mobile phone is the center but not good for doing everything -> other cool and specific gadgets will accompany it.
• Anti PAN = the mobile phone inherits all the killer features -> will gradually develop into a multi-funtcion device, flavoured for each user type.

It's quite clear which concept is winning now. But it doesn't mean there isn't a future to IXI-powered devices within the next 2-3 years. My assumption is that the possible gateway to breakthrough with this kind of devices has to go through a killer mix of:

Low price that puts the device as a legitimate X-mass gift + Strong usability + some degree of viral distribution.

(Other concerns such as adoption of GPRS will be solved eventually by the operators).

So how does our buddy Ogo stand for this killer mix? let's see:

Low price -> Swisscom will offer it for $37, which seems to be a fair deal. On AT&T it was sold for $100, plus GRPS subscription fees - clearly not a compelling offer for the average IM user.

Strong usability -> is mobile IM really demands having a cool keyboard? I'm not quite sure. We do want the IM presence availalbe on our mobile, but the long chatting experience is still based around the desktop environment. It's very cool having a full chat when travelling the bus or train, but is it that essential? Seems that only in the 2 years ahead we'll know how much users appreciate this advantage. My current view -> it appeals only to a niche sector. The majority will adapt themselves to find shortcuts with the handset keyboard.

Viral factor - this argument can make miracles, if you know how to tap on it well. The features might not be killer, but if the price is ok, and there's an incentive to bring it to your friends, you still have a chance. We all know successful examples from the software world (Skype, social networks, P2P). But what can be done with hardware devices, other than the "refer a friend and get a discount" sort of plans?

Typically, the IXI lads would want to capture users with a message like:"It's not just cool, it's so much better, it's a big upgrade". How can they enrich the Ogo with such major upgrades?

Maybe gift vouchers to claim Winks for messenger, realtones, ringtones, 3g packs or other hot mobile media products? Maybe a special killer game add-on for MSN (not available for other users)?

I don't have a clear answer, but I feel that the Ogo's promise has to "shine" a bigger value than just a rad and trendy keyboard. Make my IM experience significantly better and richer, show me a good price, and I'll be more prone to buying it.

(Tags: ixi, ogo, IM, mobile )