Mark Lowenstein recently wrote about LBS and the proliferation of GPS enabled or capable mobile devices. One of the things that I learned from the article is that we are reaching mass market penetration in terms of vehicular GPS devices. This coupled with the mobile phone environment (trending toward ubiquitous GPS capabilities) puts users in an ever localized and networked environment. Did someone say electro/metropolis?

At this time, being someone who feels like they are generally well informed in terms of applications currently available, I would have to agree with Lowenstein in his prediction that there is and perhaps will not be a large market for subscription-based LBS. I think there are many reasons for this, but perhaps the most obvious one has to do with the proliferation of non-mobile internet access (especially in the U.S. market). Compounded with increased mobile Read more…

Artists Robin Hewlett & Ben Kinsley teamed up with the Google Street View to coordinate “a series of tableaux”  throughout the streets of Pittsburgh’s northside. Entitled STREET WITH A VIEW, the project demonstrates a series of intended human interactions with this (somewhat) controversial technology. I’m always interested in artists working specifically with technology in innovative ways, especially when it brings a wide range of people together. This example is the best I’ve seen yet.

Wired currently has an amazing article in the November issue on how some young Egyptian activists are utilizing Facebook as a means of organizing political protests. David Wolman tells the story of Ahmed Maher, from the beginning and explosion of his Facebook group, to his arrest by Cairo police and his continual commitment to the “April 6″ group. While bloggers have been facing intimidation Facebook created an alternative outlet and, “State security was aware of online dissidents but was completely caught off guard by the popularity of the Facebook group.” Ahmed Maher was eventually taken into custody and tortured until he agreed to handover his password to the Cairo police. I highly suggest you read the article in its entirety (link at the top) to get the full story and to understand the political implications of sites like Facebook.

Read more…

Google recently unveiled a new feature, Mail Goggles, which could prevent you from sending that late night email you may regret come morning. Unfortunately, a breathalyzer does not magically appear and ask you to blow towards your computer screen, however, a prompt kindly times you while you perform a few simple math problems. Currently the goggles come on in the wee weekend hours, but you do have the option of changing this according to your personal imbibing schedule. Is this the type of feature we should come to expect from Google Labs? Either way, it is nice to know they have quite the sense of humor.