Great list of Australian web applications
November 8, 2006
Read/Write Web has posted a great list of Australian web based application companies. Look over the comments too as they include some other additions from readers.
Great to see The Podcast Network & Bluepulse get named as they are both innovative Australian companies.
Posted by Shane Williamson.
Technorati Tags – web applications
Fine print humour for the day…..
November 6, 2006
Well, at least for Cingular users in the US anyway 🙂
Posted by Shane Williamson.
Mobile VoIP using the Nokia N90
November 6, 2006
I’ve just had my first Mobile to PC VoIP call using a fascinating product called Fring. The actual voice call was impressive considering the quality of the audio, but it did seem to be half-duplex in the delivery (in other words we couldn’t both speak at the same time).
The amazing part of the call was that my friend in the UK didn’t have to install anything new or sign up for the service. That’s because Fring connects directly into the Skype & Google Talk networks. Once I had the application installed on my Nokia N90, it access all my contacts in both Google Talk & Skype (including showing their online status), and then I just select the user to call or text message them.
Fring’s ability to extend existing VoIP communities through an easy to use interface, takes a lot of the complexity away from setting up a call as well as the ability to view the user’s presence status.
The Fring application is using around 1Mb per 15 minutes according to a support question on their website, so whilst on some 3G data plans this will be more expensive than doing a standard mobile call, the bit rate compared to other products is quite impressive.
With all the talk around of how some telecommunications carriers are starting to block VoIP ports, not to mention how some countries in the Middle East and elsewhere are making them illegal to use outright, it will be interesting to see how the market dynamics will pan out for these types of products.
At the moment Fring is only available on certain Nokia handsets (Symbian 8 – Series 60 and N Series phones) with other devices coming online soon.
Posted by Shane Williamson.
Microsoft launches Windows Live Barcode Beta
November 4, 2006
Microsoft has swung into the fray with 2d code scanning by launching Windows Live Barcode Beta. At the moment the site has some introduction information about what can be done with mobile scannable codes such as the QR Code technology. They have setup two QR Code generators, one for plain text and another for business cards.
Whilst scanning 2d codes via mobiles isn’t a new thing (in fact in Japan it’s been in commercial operation for years), now that larger corporations such as Microsoft are starting to take the technology seriously means that we could see some major advancements in its use.
Physical world hyperlinks are a necessary technology that are required to bridge the gap of mobile usability and the interactivity we are all used too on a PC environment. It goes further to assist in how mobile users can enter data quickly and efficiently. People wanting extra information about mobile and/or location based information such as, restaurant menus, bus timetables and even ordering a pizza, are as easy as pointing your camera phone at a 2d black and white code.
A good real world example is here on the Kaywa QR Code reader Blog that shows a Japanese can of drink with the code on the can.
If you want to get your hands dirty and try for yourself, some new devices already have a reader built in them or download one of the many free QR Code readers (Pocket PC, Java & Symbian) such as the Kaywa Reader (installed this on my Nokia N90 and it worked OK with most codes I came across.
Robert Peloschek’s Blog has a great overview of QR Codes as well some links to code generators and other free mobile readers.
Posted by Shane Williamson.
Google launches Gmail mobile client
November 3, 2006
Google has launched a new Java application for mobile devices to access Gmail. The application is very simple in design, but is far superior to using the existing mobile web interface. According to their press release the Java app "…is currently compatible with all J2ME-enabled phones in the U.S."
I installed the application on my Nokia N90 via the mobile Gmail site which recognised my device and installed the application easily. Once I had is installed and entered in the user name & password details I was viewing my Gmail inbox very quickly.
Google is demonstrating well how to incorporate access for their mobile users to their mainstream services. Their simplistic approach means that a larger part of the market can access the services.
Sony with 007 notebook & camera combo.
November 2, 2006
Sony has releases some of their new equipment bundled as cool 007 foam packed cases. Looks like they have secured the marketing rights to the new Bond file Casino Royale coming out in November this year.
The ultimate gadgetry for any budding spys out there. I’m a sucker for Bond branded gear so my wife is cutting up the credit card as we speak…..
UAProfile.com – Access to over 3000 mobile device profiles
October 26, 2006
I just came across UAProfile.com over at the University of Oxford Next Generation Mobile Applications Panel forums and it is a very informative source for mobile developers looking for functionality profiles on mobile devices.
A UAProfile is – "a machine readable description of a mobile phone’s capability/specifications. The standard came about because the industry recognised the massive increase in the capabilities of mobile devices, and the need for content providers and websites to be able to have an idea about the device they’re serving."
UAProfile.com also has a wizard on the site called "The Versionator" that easily allows cross-comparison of mobile features between UAProfile versions.
UAProfile.com is a great resource for mobile application & content developers. It is a great complimentary service to both WURFL http://wurfl.sourceforge.net & The W3C UAProf database http://www.w3development.de/rdf/uaprof_repository/
Wireless technology generations roadmap
October 24, 2006
Whilst many would argue for or against different wireless radio frequency (RF) technologies, convergence will always be necessary to utilise the best of "both worlds". Pocket PC Thoughts has a link to a report (in PDF format) from Rysavy Research that is useful for both novice and professional in understanding the generations of mobile wireless technologies currently in play and what their strength and weaknesses are.
The end game is about how future devices will utilise these multiple RFs seamlessly and efficiently for the user. We will see a trend of devices utilising multiple RF technologies that will change the mobile landscape in pricing, opening it to new products and services.
Rysavy Research rightly outlines the many reasons why HSDPA is becoming the mobile technology of choice for telecommunication companies worldwide.
What do paint and TVs have in common?…..
October 24, 2006
…… an amazing Ad
and yes, it is real paint. Read the description at the bottom of the page.
Geeks leaving Australia….
October 19, 2006
Cameron beat me to getting my picture on the cover of a major print publication……
Shame he has to leave Australia to do it though 🙂
Well done mate, great story and God Speed with your business ventures in the US.
Universal Convergence 