rome

Data Goldmine from Mobile and Social Networks

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The BBC reports on how real time data on mobile phone use in Rome is being used by MIT researchers to observe how people move around the city through the day.

Map of mobile usage in Rome

Anyone who has ever driven in Rome or any city in Italy knows the chaos which results from traffic congestion.  Researchers are looking to the mobile networks for real time data on the movement of people through the city.  Mobile networks must track phones to execute handoffs between towers as one moves in through space to ensure optimal signal strength.

There is little doubt that the mountains of data we generate when using our phones for talking, texting surfing the web or engaging with our social networks offers astonishing opportunities for new applications, targeted marketing, and new lines of business for those who house and store our data.

In Rome, one possible application for all this real-time information is its use by traffic planners to expand roads or increase public transportation resources in obviously high traffic areas.   The article extends this idea.

…in future sic buses might not stick to a fixed timetable or even route.

Sending busses to where the people are rather than vice-versa could mean fewer wasted journeys, so Real Time Rome might ultimately be good for the environment.

Better route planning for buses and cars could mean less time standing in traffic, pumping out noxious fumes.

Another example of how this data might be put to use was a demonstration by Verizon Wireless for the AdAge’s Madison+Vine event in LA last year.  Verizon wanted to show Madison Avenue the power of data mining its users to generate targeted advertising.  The demo consisted of a list of Verizon users in the LA area who had downloaded a hiphop ringtone during the previous 30 days.  A group of 10,000 of these identified subscribers were offered concert tickets for a same day outdoor concert and all of the 10,000 tickets were purchased in the span of one hour, according to John Stratton, chief marketing officer, Verizon Wireless.

And finally, consider MySpace’s move to launch a record label, and now, it’s own TV network.  These new lines of business are enabled and assured by the knowledge of what music and media (think YouTube) that MySpacers are consuming and promoting to their networks.  Further, the company knows much personal information about the demographics they can target with new media services.

The backend data from social networks, mobile phone networks and of course, mobile social networks and social media is a treasure chest for the data miners, researchers and marketeers wishing to understand or monetize your interactions.

Mit

Data Goldmine from Mobile and Social Networks

Published by:

The BBC reports on how real time data on mobile phone use in Rome is being used by MIT researchers to observe how people move around the city through the day.

Map of mobile usage in Rome

Anyone who has ever driven in Rome or any city in Italy knows the chaos which results from traffic congestion.  Researchers are looking to the mobile networks for real time data on the movement of people through the city.  Mobile networks must track phones to execute handoffs between towers as one moves in through space to ensure optimal signal strength.

There is little doubt that the mountains of data we generate when using our phones for talking, texting surfing the web or engaging with our social networks offers astonishing opportunities for new applications, targeted marketing, and new lines of business for those who house and store our data.

In Rome, one possible application for all this real-time information is its use by traffic planners to expand roads or increase public transportation resources in obviously high traffic areas.   The article extends this idea.

…in future sic buses might not stick to a fixed timetable or even route.

Sending busses to where the people are rather than vice-versa could mean fewer wasted journeys, so Real Time Rome might ultimately be good for the environment.

Better route planning for buses and cars could mean less time standing in traffic, pumping out noxious fumes.

Another example of how this data might be put to use was a demonstration by Verizon Wireless for the AdAge’s Madison+Vine event in LA last year.  Verizon wanted to show Madison Avenue the power of data mining its users to generate targeted advertising.  The demo consisted of a list of Verizon users in the LA area who had downloaded a hiphop ringtone during the previous 30 days.  A group of 10,000 of these identified subscribers were offered concert tickets for a same day outdoor concert and all of the 10,000 tickets were purchased in the span of one hour, according to John Stratton, chief marketing officer, Verizon Wireless.

And finally, consider MySpace’s move to launch a record label, and now, it’s own TV network.  These new lines of business are enabled and assured by the knowledge of what music and media (think YouTube) that MySpacers are consuming and promoting to their networks.  Further, the company knows much personal information about the demographics they can target with new media services.

The backend data from social networks, mobile phone networks and of course, mobile social networks and social media is a treasure chest for the data miners, researchers and marketeers wishing to understand or monetize your interactions.

social-media

Data Goldmine from Mobile and Social Networks

Published by:

The BBC reports on how real time data on mobile phone use in Rome is being used by MIT researchers to observe how people move around the city through the day.

Map of mobile usage in Rome

Anyone who has ever driven in Rome or any city in Italy knows the chaos which results from traffic congestion.  Researchers are looking to the mobile networks for real time data on the movement of people through the city.  Mobile networks must track phones to execute handoffs between towers as one moves in through space to ensure optimal signal strength.

There is little doubt that the mountains of data we generate when using our phones for talking, texting surfing the web or engaging with our social networks offers astonishing opportunities for new applications, targeted marketing, and new lines of business for those who house and store our data.

In Rome, one possible application for all this real-time information is its use by traffic planners to expand roads or increase public transportation resources in obviously high traffic areas.   The article extends this idea.

…in future sic buses might not stick to a fixed timetable or even route.

Sending busses to where the people are rather than vice-versa could mean fewer wasted journeys, so Real Time Rome might ultimately be good for the environment.

Better route planning for buses and cars could mean less time standing in traffic, pumping out noxious fumes.

Another example of how this data might be put to use was a demonstration by Verizon Wireless for the AdAge’s Madison+Vine event in LA last year.  Verizon wanted to show Madison Avenue the power of data mining its users to generate targeted advertising.  The demo consisted of a list of Verizon users in the LA area who had downloaded a hiphop ringtone during the previous 30 days.  A group of 10,000 of these identified subscribers were offered concert tickets for a same day outdoor concert and all of the 10,000 tickets were purchased in the span of one hour, according to John Stratton, chief marketing officer, Verizon Wireless.

And finally, consider MySpace’s move to launch a record label, and now, it’s own TV network.  These new lines of business are enabled and assured by the knowledge of what music and media (think YouTube) that MySpacers are consuming and promoting to their networks.  Further, the company knows much personal information about the demographics they can target with new media services.

The backend data from social networks, mobile phone networks and of course, mobile social networks and social media is a treasure chest for the data miners, researchers and marketeers wishing to understand or monetize your interactions.

carnival-of-mobilists

Carnival of the Mobilists #80

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Following on the recent relaunch of mobilejones, it’s great to be back hosting the Carnival of the Mobilists (CoM), and once again, be part of this astute group of mobile technology and industry columnists. It’s been 18 months since I first hosted a CoM, and the effort has gone through a number of changes and improvements.

The CoM launched it’s own website, acquired a sponsor and brought new voices into the RSS readers of a wide audience. Originated from Mobhappy, CoM has transitioned to the stewardship ofSmart Mobs contributor and mobile technology in education thought leader, Judy Breck. I’d like to thank Judy for keeping the lights on and the welcome mat out for we longtime mobile commentators, the newer entrants into the fray of mobility’s future and for the large audience that each CoM draws together from highly successful mobile blogs.

The CoM is currently seeking additional hosts. You can participate in moving the tradition forward and making your own mark with the best writing on mobile. The details can be found in the CoM hostFAQ, and of course, if you’d like to consider sponsorship opportunities with CoM contact Judy directly.

Now, on with the show.

Carnival Midway

Mobile Applications

Dennis, WAP Review, continues to deliver the best mobile application reviews on the web. This week News Alloy, a mobile feed reader, gets the WAP Review treatment in News Alloy – Mobile RSS Reader.

Ewan Spence, All About Symbian, delivers an in-depth review of Nokia’s Lifeblog. Simply titled,LifeBlog, the review is complete with screenshots and discusses the strengths and weaknesses of both the mobile client and the PC client pieces. Spence points out that the application has improved since it’s debut, and is “…an invaluable tool as you use your smartphone to capture more pictures, more video, and more of your life.” Everything you need to know about LifeBlog and why you need to know it.

David Harper, Different Things, announces and teases a new Winksite release in Winksite Releasing Major Upgrade July6th, Love the Mobile Web. I’m a big fan of the platform and the founder at Winksite. Congrats David! We’ll be watching Friday.

iPhone

Judy Beck, Golden Swamp, provides a refreshing look at the iPhone. iPhone Review Confirms the Future of Learning highlights the features of the iPhone and its novel UI which “will help kids learn.”

In iPhone, first impressions, industry impact and lessons learned, C. Enrique Ortiz provides a personal view of the device and a caution for himself that extends to us all, “…a lesson or reminder of all the artificial boundaries and barriers that we all create, or have created over time, but that we don’t have to.” Wise words.

And last, but not least, Darla Mack shares CNBC’s quizzing of Nokia’s Bill Plummer, VP Multimedia, North America, on the iPhone versus the N95. Don’t miss the video link beneath the photo.

Mobile Advertising

Tim Trent, Marketing by Permission, molls over the question of Bluetooth marketing in Bluetooth: good or bad for marketing? asking his readers, ‘The question I am throwing open is “What safeguards are needed, and how should they be implemented?“‘ This question summarized another way, Will Bluetooth marketing merely become a new form of spam?

Ajit Jaokar, Open Gardens, offers a frenetic post promoting Nokia’s ad service. Crossing the chasm with the long tail: Mobile web 2.0, mobile advertising and user generated content extolls as virtuous “the mobile web,” “mobile advertising,””the long tail” and “user generated content” – sort of in that order. While promoting Nokia’s ad service, Jaokar mentions admob and screentonic. Nokia’s ad service is limited to S60 devices and targeted at large publishers.

Mobile Politics

Judy Breck, Smartmobs, summarizes a WaPo article on the use of text messaging in the US Presidential race for 2008. Text-Friendly Hopefuls… quotes the original article, ‘”The way I think about it is, if we can support our ‘American Idol’ contestants by texting, why not our presidential candidates?“‘ The original article reviews the use and relative success of text messaging campaigns among the Democratic front-runners, and includes quotes from previous CoM contributor and host, Justin Oberman, MoPocket. SMS based political action is an emerging theme at Smartmobs, so check out the other coverage of this trend, as well as, Howard Rheingold’s new initiative, National Caucus – smartmobbing democracy.

Mobile Industry

Paul Ruppert’s Mobile Point View, presents a thorough analysis of the impact of mobile technologies on growth in developing countries, and in particular, Vietnam. Ruppert leads us through some compelling statistics and the confluence of political and socio-economic factors in Vietnam, today, to the conclusion, “As Vietnam climbs from the village to the villa, mobile phones will lead the way.” Don’t miss the opportunity to follow this verbal logic footpath in Upwardly Mobile in Vietnam. As with most good stories, the pleasure is in the journey.

Pseudonymic blogger, raddedas of Techype offers a critical analysis of a story from Reuters UK on mobile banking, in general, and the company Monitize, in particular. Read about the reality of mobile banking at Montise To Demand Urgent Correction to Misquote?

Malcolm Lithgow, Smart Dreaming, takes on the familiar argument of thin versus thick client in his,Why Web 2.0 won’t work on smartphones, Part III of Smartphone or Mobile Browser. This final installment of Lithgow’s provocative three part series insists that web apps – he only considersGoogle Gears and Blogger – are inferior to smartphone native applications.

Alan Moore, Communities Dominate Brands, informs us through his post, What do Cyworld, the iPhone, blyk, Admob, MyNuMo, Artists first and Moblog UK have in common? They are all part of the 7th Mass Media: Mobile. “Gutenberg brought us the first mass media – Print, then we had Recordings, Cinema, Radio, Televsion, the Internet and now the 7th Mobile.”

Rudy De Waele, m-trends, treats us to another edition of his revealing series titled, Women in Mobile. The 20th profile in De Waele’s series features Katie Lips, a social media strategist. This series should be in the feed reader for all conference organizers who complain that finding women speakers on these subjects is difficult. The next time I hear such a comment, I’ll shake Rudy’s finger at you, Mr. Conference Organizer – you know who you are. *wink*

I’ve enjoyed hosting this week’s CoM, and I know you’ll enjoy reading it. Don’t forget to watch for next week’s carnival from Cairo at Symbiano-TeK. …next time.

mobile-tech

iPhone Countdown: Watch live

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The day has arrived and lines have formed at Apple stores around the US.  If you’re in the US and have cable TV, CNBC is carrying live feeds from various cities awaiting the first sales of the iPhone.

There are Internet streaming sites also covering the launch and include live chat.  The NYC Soho Apple Store is covered live at iphonelaunch.tv.  The chat room is full, but they’ve added a second web site for chat.

Many of you already know that Scoble is broadcasting from the Palo Alto, CA Apple Store onustream.tv.   There is also a live chat available.  Scoble’s feed has been experiencing audio difficulties, but the video is not bad.  Zoomr TV is providing the equipment and using Sprint’s EVDO network for transmission of the live stream.

The first sale of the iPhone occurs at 6pm local time, so NY’ers will be able to purchase 3 hours ahead of California line dwellers.

operatorcarrier

iPhone Countdown: Watch live

Published by:

The day has arrived and lines have formed at Apple stores around the US.  If you’re in the US and have cable TV, CNBC is carrying live feeds from various cities awaiting the first sales of the iPhone.

There are Internet streaming sites also covering the launch and include live chat.  The NYC Soho Apple Store is covered live at iphonelaunch.tv.  The chat room is full, but they’ve added a second web site for chat.

Many of you already know that Scoble is broadcasting from the Palo Alto, CA Apple Store onustream.tv.   There is also a live chat available.  Scoble’s feed has been experiencing audio difficulties, but the video is not bad.  Zoomr TV is providing the equipment and using Sprint’s EVDO network for transmission of the live stream.

The first sale of the iPhone occurs at 6pm local time, so NY’ers will be able to purchase 3 hours ahead of California line dwellers.

mobile-phones

iPhone Countdown: Watch live

Published by:

The day has arrived and lines have formed at Apple stores around the US.  If you’re in the US and have cable TV, CNBC is carrying live feeds from various cities awaiting the first sales of the iPhone.

There are Internet streaming sites also covering the launch and include live chat.  The NYC Soho Apple Store is covered live at iphonelaunch.tv.  The chat room is full, but they’ve added a second web site for chat.

Many of you already know that Scoble is broadcasting from the Palo Alto, CA Apple Store onustream.tv.   There is also a live chat available.  Scoble’s feed has been experiencing audio difficulties, but the video is not bad.  Zoomr TV is providing the equipment and using Sprint’s EVDO network for transmission of the live stream.

The first sale of the iPhone occurs at 6pm local time, so NY’ers will be able to purchase 3 hours ahead of California line dwellers.

iphone

iPhone Countdown: Watch live

Published by:

The day has arrived and lines have formed at Apple stores around the US.  If you’re in the US and have cable TV, CNBC is carrying live feeds from various cities awaiting the first sales of the iPhone.

There are Internet streaming sites also covering the launch and include live chat.  The NYC Soho Apple Store is covered live at iphonelaunch.tv.  The chat room is full, but they’ve added a second web site for chat.

Many of you already know that Scoble is broadcasting from the Palo Alto, CA Apple Store onustream.tv.   There is also a live chat available.  Scoble’s feed has been experiencing audio difficulties, but the video is not bad.  Zoomr TV is providing the equipment and using Sprint’s EVDO network for transmission of the live stream.

The first sale of the iPhone occurs at 6pm local time, so NY’ers will be able to purchase 3 hours ahead of California line dwellers.

Uncategorized

Apple iPhone Countdown: T-minus 100 hours

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Hello!

Activity surrounding the much anticipated iPhone launch is coming from all quarters. According to Gizmodo, a line in front of the Apple Store in New York City has already begun. So, what’s the word on iPhone from around the web?

Pictures of the first two guys in line at the NYC Apple Store from Gizmodo.

Gizmodo appears on The Daily Show tomorrow night to explain the iPhone.

The Apple Insider reports that the faithful will be joined on their iPhone sleepover by Apple employees.

The Insider also describes details on how the launch will occur at Apple Stores.

Come Friday morning, all Apple retail stores will open around 10:00 a.m. local time for a 4-hour stint. They’ll then shutter for the same amount of time while prepping for the iPhone premiere, reopening at 6:00 p.m. local time with the gadgets for sale.

“We’ll open the doors again at 6:00 p.m., when you can be one of the first to see, try, and buy the iPhone,” Apple said in a message posted on its retail website. “Be sure to arrive early — iPhone is available on a first-come, first-served basis.”

Engadget reveals the security plan for iPhone deliveries.

FedEx drivers to deliver the goods in teams (one must carry the boxes, the other wields a big stick) for the 6pm store opening.

From BarCamp the first iPhone Dev Camp on July 6 and 7.

What other announcements of note have you heard?

x-posted at mm2