Media: Boston.com on Using Mobiles to Talk about the Environment

'As pragmatic uses grow for cellphones, mobile technology is also expanding into creative territory,' starts this article on how mobile devices are connecting people with the world around them.

'One art project, Yellow Arrow, based in New York City, has developed a system where people can place yellow stickers in the shape of arrows around the city, stating that they have something to say about that particular location. Each arrow, which is ideally placed in a location that holds significance to the person, has its own unique code that can be sent to a mobile phone via text messaging, allowing others to read the message that was left.'

There's a short interview with the author of another such scheme in Canada who says he wants to change spaces into places. '"People ignore a lot of stuff in our surroundings, but once you lay a narrative on it, it becomes a place. You might dislike the story but you can't ignore it."'

Associated Link: Boston.com: The art of mobile technology

New Report: Innovative Marketing in the Digital World
Source: E-consultancy, 7 October 2008
 
A new report from E-consultancy provides a distillation of ideas and suggestions provided by digital marketing experts.

Linking Industry with Academia
Source: unknown, 6 October 2008
 
Customer experience research consultancy, fhios, based in London, has just launched an innovative internship programme, aimed primarily at postgraduate students.

Online Travel Booking: What influences Consumers?
Source: Webcredible, 4 October 2008
 
What influences consumers when booking a holiday? How can travel companies offer the best user experience?

Getting the Word out
Source: UN, 3 October 2008
 
I SAID, I'M ON THE TRAIN... Voice recognition technology can now translate all those pesky garbled voicemails into manageable text messages.

Mobile hardware outpaces Software and User Capabilities
Source: ComputerWorld, 2 October 2008
 
The main issue dissuading users from employing all the capabilities of their mobile devices is the complexity involved in operating them.

Gesturing, not Drowning
Source: UN, 1 October 2008
 
The newly launched Gyration Air Mouse with MotionSense technology is designed to work in the air or on a flat surface.

Usability as an ERP Selection Criteria
Source: TechWorld, 30 September 2008
 
What careth big hairy Enterprise Resource Planning for usability? More than you might imagine.

Expert Q&A: The Latest Thinking on Computer-Related Pain
Source: NY Times via Ergonomics in the News, 29 September 2008
 
Controversy continues over whether typing on a computer could cause repetitive strain injuries of the hand, arm and shoulder. Has that debate been settled?

Talking Websites could Improve Sales and Accessibility
Source: BusinessInBerkshire, 27 September 2008
 
An IT Analysis report says that making websites talk improves accessibility and sales.

Documentation: the Hidden Challenge of Mobile Interface Design
Source: UN, 26 September 2008
 
Multiple functions per key, animation, gesture, and industry regulation. Fantastic for the end-user, but what about the poor information architect?