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Yahoo launches Contextual Search
04 February, 2005
http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/0,2000061791,39179907,00.htm
Yahoo is offering a new search service designed to help people find more-relevant content online.
The Y!Q service offers "contextual" search that analyses the page being read and gives a list of related search results.
Instead of starting a search from a text box, a person would search while reading a specific page. For instance, a reader looking at a news story about the State of the Union address might highlight the phrase "Social Security" to get a listing of pages that deal with that topic.
The company, which has released the service in a test format, said it is making the coding available to Web designers to embed in their sites, so that the tool can search their pages. Yahoo is also offering versions of the tool for its news site and as a toolbar that readers can download and run on their browsers.
The battle among Yahoo, Google, Microsoft and others is extremely heated, with new services coming almost daily. Just in the past several days, Microsoft replaced Yahoo's search technology with its own homespun software in its MSN tool, IceRocket.com licensed new technology to help visitors find and download video and music, and Amazon.com began incorporating digital photos into the yellow-pages portion of its A9.com search site. At the same time, Google has continued to tweak to its service and recently released new products designed for businesses.
While Google is the definite champion right now, there have been signs that its competitors are creeping up on it.
As for Yahoo's new service, "it is more of an interesting new feature than a Google killer. We'll see how it goes," said Danny Sullivan, editor of SearchEngineWatch.
Sullivan said that enabling people to generate a search while they are on a Web page may resonate with some people but that the more exciting news will come if and when Yahoo decides to add advertising to the product.
If Yahoo allows Web site operators to use Y!Q to run targeted advertising on their sites, the new product could compete with Google's AdSense program, which pays Web site owners who put Google ads on their content pages and attract Internet surfers who click on the ads.
"It potentially gives them a rival to Google AdSense," Sullivan said.
Hyper-tagging, very cool...
http://www.hypertag.co.uk/
Software bots menace GOOG's Search Engine Ads
04 February, 2005
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn6972
ABC News 20/20 broadcasts camera phone episode
04 February, 2005
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/
ABC News' "20/20" program tonight at 10:00 p.m. (EST) will be all about cameras, and I have heard from one source (but haven't confirmed) that camera phones will be among the subjects discussed.
The 20/20 Web site says, "Cameras are redefining our everday lives. We're being watched, and we're watching each other. Some of us are taping ourselves in our most intimate moments.
"In a special hour, '20/20' puts the power of the camera in sharp focus."
John Stossel's commentary
One of the "20/20" reporters, John Stossel, has a Web site and writes about today's focus on cameras. The commentary discusses the value -- and problems -- of surveillance cameras. No mention of camera phones, though.
Stossel writes:
"Increasingly, cameras are providing the proof authorities need to intervene. Some parents have planted cameras to watch their nannies while they're at work. In some cases, the tapes revealed abuse, and police have arrested nannies caught on tape abusing babies.
"Surveillance video sometimes catches people who file bogus workers' compensation claims. They said they were too injured to work, but were healthy enough to be caught on tape running around outdoors. We have one tape of a corrupt chiropractor, caught coaching a patient to lie to collect insurance money.
"And '20/20' caught an auto body shop making extra work for itself by taking a hammer to a customer's car.
"This sort of targeted surveillance is clearly helpful, but what about government cameras that keep all of us under surveillance?"
Friday, February 04, 2005 in Video - Camera phones / Permalink / Comments (0) / TrackBack
CTIA: Inside the Camera Phone Eco-system
http://mobileimagingsummit.com/CTIA.htm
Where image meets mobility...
All the Best, JP
Webs biggest search engine
04 February, 2005
http://www.weboptimiser.com/search_engine_marketing_news/13005690.html
Oh what the hell, $ell em all smart phones
04 February, 2005
http://www.thefeature.com/article?articleid=101401&ref=5480017
Mobile advertising should benefit the mobile user
Not the advertiser:
19 January, 2005
http://www.thefeature.com/article?articleid=101355
Could cellular be added to MP3 players
02 February, 2005
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1759247,00.asp
Give credit where credit is due
13 December, 2004
http://waveriding.blogspot.com/2004_12_01_waveriding_archive.html
3G content turns cell phone users into salespeople
03 February, 2005
http://networks.silicon.com/mobile/0,39024665,39127568,00.htm
The first MMS stamps in the world
04 February, 2005
Switzerland's Post Office is to issue the worlds first postage stamps with images sent in to it via camera phones using MMS. Swiss Post, Swisscom Mobile and the Museum for Communication in Berne are seeking the best motifs on the topic of "Swiss mobil - a country on the move". Owners of mobile phones with cameras can submit their pictures as an MMS from 1 February until 21 March 2005. The public will vote by text message to choose the top 100 MMS pictures by the end of March. A specialist jury will then select the four winning motifs from these entries. They will be issued as special stamps with face values of CHF 0.85, CHF 1, CHF 1.30 and CHF 1.80 and will be available at all post offices as of September.
All the pictures will be shown on http://www.mms-stamp.ch/
But MMS artists are not the only winners. Swiss Post, Swisscom Mobile and the Museum for Communication are holding a draw for all kinds of prizes for those who take part in the text message voting.
Implantable RFID technology on the move
04 February, 2005
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050204/laf007_1.html
Harold Rheingolds (Smart Mobs) LunarStorm
03 February, 2005
Sweden's Youthful, Increasingly Mobile Virtual Community
http://www.thefeature.com/article?articleid=101356
Manage Calls, E-Mail With One Service
03 February, 2005
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,119375,00.asp
Smart but pricey SBC and Verizon services give users a universal inbox and more.
Have you ever wished your phone were smart enough to automatically try reaching you at all your numbers--office, cell, home--so you wouldn't miss crucial calls that went to the wrong location? That's the objective of recent services from SBC Communications and Verizon, which take advantage of the Web to offer a host of call-management and universal inbox features for standard landlines.
To access the Iobi Home service by Verizon, users log in via a desktop program or, in some cases, via the Web or a telephone. You can see a list of recent calls, schedule call forwarding, receive real-time notice of calls and voice mail coming to your home phone even when you are at the office, play back voice mail on a PC, and forward messages as e-mail attachments. You can sync Iobi's address book and calendar with Lotus Notes, Microsoft Outlook, or Palm Desktop. Verizon users in New England (except Connecticut) and New York can subscribe now, and the service should be in more areas shortly. It costs $8 per month.
Available to any SBC customer, the Unified Communications service lets you access e-mail, voice mail (from one landline and two Cingular wireless phones), and fax messages via the Web or by telephone; and like Iobi it permits you to forward voice mail as an e-mail attachment. It costs $13 per month (or $8 monthly without wireless integration).
Ins and Outs
We tested both services and found them intuitive and easy to use, with fast and simple setup. Nevertheless, we did run into a couple of glitches. Iobi constantly prompted us to upgrade to a newer version, but when we tried to upgrade, the application quit. This happened repeatedly until we uninstalled and then reinstalled the software. SBC's service worked well, except when we tried to download e-mail from an IMAP-based Mailblocks account. It crashed, and thereafter we couldn't download mail from the account. SBC told us that this was potentially due to a corrupted e-mail and that there are some known issues with e-mail collection.
Universal inboxes are not new. Services appeared in the late 1990s promising one inbox with access to e-mail, voice mail, and faxes--but they didn't catch on. Both of today's services, however, go beyond a basic universal inbox. The killer feature, already offered by SBC and in the works from Verizon, is wireless integration with a complete find-me/follow-me service for calls, says Wu Zhou, an analyst with research firm IDC.
VoIP providers--and many phone companies--can't offer this type of wireless integration because they don't control cellular networks and can't retrieve calls forwarded there. That points to the big catch with wireless integration: You must get your cellular service from the same company that provides your landline and call-management service.
Calling Plans
Verizon plans to launch a professional and enterprise version of its service in early 2005. It also intends to add new features that will let you block specific calls and view additional landlines in one mailbox, for example. SBC, meanwhile, plans to integrate its service with its upcoming consumer VoIP service, due in the first quarter of 2005.
We liked Iobi's ability to notify users at a work PC of calls to a home phone. And SBC's wireless integration is impressive. Both services are pricey, however; and for now, each seems to lack at least one feature the other already offers.
Rand McNally provides traffic updates on cell phones
03 February, 2005
http://www.mobiledia.com/news/25261.html
e-Centre Bar Code Symbology
http://www.e-centre.org.uk/free_txt_temp.asp?fid=87
Alexandre, all good points
Well spoken. In the worse case scenario involving litigation outcomes, even if ScanBuy were to somehow gian the upper hand on NEOM's patents, I believe NEOM would buy them out in a NY second. What are the chances of ScanBuy gaining the upper hand on a treble damages patent suit? Remote; extremely remote.
I'm extremely comfortable with NEOM having taken on an 800-lb. Gorilla by the name of Virgin and are being recommended by the Judge to look towards settlement this 02/23/05. This is powerful. You couldn't ask for much better than where we are at present.
All the Best, JP
KoKoNut...
Scanbuys patent for integrating barcode scanner enabled services in existing e-commerce applications using a floating pop-up web window was recently filed 01/06/05 as follows:
http://www.freshpatents.com/Integrating-barcode-scanner-enabled-services-in-existing-e-commerce-appl....
This was done while under a treble damages suit w/NEOM. Also don't forget ScanBuy has been operating on copy rights protection which hold no water in comparison to patents.
Integrating barcode scanner enabled services in existing e-commerce applications using a floating pop-up web window. The invention is disclosed and declared to upgrade any existing e-commerce web sites with a new feature to allow/enable barcode scanning services without requiring a change of the customer's online environment or a large integration process with the current e-commerce application provider. The additional barcode scanner enabled services and products, as the one referred to herein as ScanClik™, are available for the customer either on a floating pop-up web application interface (on top of the current web site) or a browser toolbar. Thanks to the invention, very easily and without undue interference with the existing e-commerce web-site, the web-site customers have the ability to upload barcode data from any barcode scanner device to an intermediary window and eventually post it to the current shopping cart of the customer, and the ability to print customized catalogs and labels (with barcodes) from any list displayed on the e-commerce application and from the shopping cart.
Agent: Avi Outmezguine, Scanbuy, Inc. Suite 302 - New York, NY, US
Inventor: Olivier Attia
Class: 705026000 (USPTO), G06F017/60 (Intl Class)
Patent Application Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to the system, and method for easily and rapidly integrating barcode scanner enabled product and services into existing e-commerce application-provider, thus upgrading the exiting web-sites
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] Prior to the invention the process that an existing e-commerce web site should have undergone to interface with a handheld barcode scanner and/or scanning technology was painfully long and complex. It requires an extensive integration process, and many changes to the e-commerce application-provider.
[0003] Any client wishing to utilize a barcode scanner services and products would need to first register with the providing company and obtain the required software. Once they have the software, the user must go through an extensive and sometimes very complicated setup process. Many changes are necessary in tight network configurations in order to allow users to install software on their machines. Also, the software consumes system resources and require a constant internet connection. These are all factors that contribute to degrade performance of a user's machine unnecessarily.
[0004] The existing e-commerce sites, desiring to upgrade their websites would need to undergo changes and modifications on their end to handle data being passed to them from this software. The e-commerce needs to add complex processes in order to handle and parse this data in addition to their current processes. For large e-commerce sites, this can mean causing parts (or even the whole) of their site to be rendered unoperational if not carefully planned and implemented.
[0005] The process take the users away from their primary dealer's site. Since the process would be stand-alone, there is no relation between the two distinct methods (manual entry and scanner input). It is very difficult to monitor the environment in which the user is working and entering their order. Since the user's atmosphere is different, there is no correlation in the user's mind regarding this service and the dealer's service; it appears to be two completely distinct features.
[0006] In addition any change made to the existing e-commerce platform affects the software application, thus making the software unoperational and useless. This places a very strict limitation as far as what the e-commerce platform can make available to their customers, thereby prohibiting growth.
[0007] The present invention resolves the foregoing problems, allowing a very easy, and fast integration of upgraded scanning technology services with extremely limited interference with the existing e-commerce.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0008] The invention has been conceived as a floating pop-up web application interface, which gets loaded in the client's browser upon a click by the user, which is served from the central web server. The theory behind this model is to provide the easiest integration process with existing e-commerce platforms.
[0009] Links to the application are provided on the existing dealer sites to open the pop-up application interface on top of the existing web site. This is done to provide the user with a unified feel/environment. The existing web site occupies the mainframe, which covers the entire area of the client's browser while the pop-up application window is displayed at a fraction of the size on top of this first window. The small application window serves the purpose of providing the client with the barcode scanner enabled services such as upload, clear, and print/list management functions. In simple terms, dealers will be provided with links such as: http://www.scanclik.com/app/app_name
[0010] The current model allows the transfer of data and population of the client's shopping cart on the existing e-commerce system from an external interface by providing a list of SKUs (Stock Keeping Units) and other relevant information passed to the back-end of the appropriate web interface. The integration utilizes this node to be effortlessly combined with the parent system.
[0011] The pop-up window interface offers users and dealers many benefits. The user is never away from their dealer's site (they will never feel as if they have left the dealer's platform) and so they have all the options and functions offered by the dealer still available to them on their screen. For the dealer this translates into a very strong relationship with the user since the user will feel that this service is being provided specifically by the dealer and not a third-party. The colors are blended with the site's colors in order to provide a uniform look and feel.
[0012] The barcode scanner enabled services site will be boosted further by the following features once integrated with the process mentioned above. It will enable the customers to scan item barcodes and upload/transfer this information to the e-commerce website, to clear the scanner whenever needed, and to print customized barcoded catalogs on-the-fly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1: System Architecture of the System
[0014] Diagram 1 illustrates the system architecture of the ScanClik solution (from a physical view). The system architecture as presented here is very standardized and based on Microsoft's Distributed interNet Architecture (DNA).
[0015] FIG. 2: Process Flow of the System
[0016] Illustrates the implementation level architecture providing a complete overview of how the system processes.
[0017] FIG. 3: Screenshots of the Application
[0018] Screenshots of the application accessed through an existing e-commerce platform.
[0019] FIG. 4: The Temporary Shopping Cart
[0020] A screenshot of the temporary shopping cart is displayed to the user after he/she has initiated an upload. This temporary shopping card provides the user with an opportunity to review their order before they proceed to execute anything.
[0021] FIG. 5: Items After They have been Sent to the Shopping Cart on the Dealer Site.
[0022] A screenshot of the following operation: Once Add to Cart has been clicked from the temporary shopping cart, the application window will be closed and the shopping cart will be displayed on the dealer site (in the browser window the user had previously opened to log-in).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The premise of the invention is to provide the easiest and swift integration process of barcode scanning technology with existing e-commerce platforms. Links to the application are provided on the existing dealer sites to open the pop-up application interface on top of the existing web site. This is done to provide the user with a unified feel/environment. The small application window serves the purpose of providing the client with the barcode scanner enabled services such as upload, clear, and print/list management functions. In simple terms, dealers will be provided with links such as: http://www.scanclik.com/app- /app_name
[0024] The invention permits the transfer of data and population of the client's shopping cart on the existing e-commerce system from an external interface by providing a list of SKUs (Stock Keeping Units) and other relevant information passed to the back-end of the appropriate web interface. The integration utilizes this node to be effortlessly combined with the parent system. It's imperative that the browser not allow client-side script to access elements (information) of the main window. This is crucial to ensure security. The functionality (barcode scanner enabled services) provided by the application should only be available to users who are logged in to the e-commerce platform. This is to provide a means to identify the information retrieved from the scanning device to a particular user and therefore requires a way to identify the user when uploading items to their shopping cart. This identification must be provided by the e-commerce platform, and would be included in the link to the application.
[0025] The system does not change the existing e-commerce web application in any way and leaves the existing functionality alone. The web site's contents or logic may change in the future, but this will not drastically affect the functionality provided by the pop-up application as long as the following data is available (negotiated and explained during the short integration process): (a) user information for identification, (b) a way to access the shopping cart by making an HTTP POST to transfer data to the e-commerce platform.
[0026] The invented application used the pop-up window, initiated with a simple click on a hyperlink (button or text) provided on the e-commerce site to the user. The integration process just involves setting up this one hyperlink from the perspective of the platform. In this hyperlink, the platform will pass information such as the user ID, current session ID, and color variables (in order to blend in with the site), as well as two URL's (one to transfer the information to, and the other to view the shopping cart)
[0027] The temporary shopping cart is displayed to the user after he/she has initiated an upload. This temporary shopping card provides the user with an opportunity to review their order before they proceed to execute anything. From this screen, the user is able to edit the quantities associated with items, uncheck items they may no longer want included, delete items, add the items to their shopping cart on the dealer site, or add items to an existing or new list.
[0028] Once the pop-up window is opened, the user has features not available to him/her prior to the set-up of the pop-up windows, on the e-commerce application. He/She can "upload" data from the scanner to the scanning application. From here, the user can modify any pertinent information regarding their order. When ready the user needs to click on "Add to Cart" in order to send this data to the dealer site (or as far as the user is concerned, he is simply adding this information to his dealer's shopping cart). The application takes the data and formulates an XML file containing all the necessary information. This includes the user ID, session ID, and the data scanned. This XML file is automatically sent to the e-commerce site (to the first URL provided in the abovementioned hyperlink). The application closes and the user is redirected to their shopping cart on the dealer site where his items are displayed.
[0029] Thus the scanning technology is easily integrated due to its subtle and unobtrusive design. It does not require anything on the existing e-commerce end other than to provide a hyperlink. It is able to adapt itself to the current process of the dealer web site. The XML file being submitted conforms to the existing processes of the dealer site, and requires no change on that end. Moreover, if a dealer does not wish to receive an XML file, this data can be passed back in any format requested (including a QueryString for the most simplistic methods). Also in the case of a change on the e-commerce platform in the future, the invented application would continue to function without difficulty since the information needed is contained entirely in one line of code (the hyperlink). This provides high flexibility to the existing solution providers in terms of growth for the future.
[0030] The invention will enables the customers to scan item barcodes and upload/transfer this information to the e-commerce website, to clear the scanner whenever needed, and to print customized barcoded catalogs on-the-fly.
[0031] The system architecture of the intervention, as illustrated in Drawing 1, is based on Microsoft's Distributed interNet Architecture (DNA). Drawing 1 depicts three separate components functioning jointly.
[0032] The client-end comprises three elements: The scanning device, a handheld wireless device with which users are able to scan item barcodes. The scanner communicates with the client machine through a COM/Serial port (communication can also be achieved through a USB port, but for the purpose of simplicity, this document will continue to refer to the serial port). The application transfer data from the scanner by means of an embedded scanner plug-in. The scanner plug-in is transparent to the user and there is no configuration necessary on the client-end. The plug-in is loaded upon a user's first access of the application. The client's machine (computer) represents the user's gateway to the internet (through a web browser (Internet Explorer)). Also the machine contains the system API (Operating System), which is mentioned here because it is necessary for communication with the scanning device. In addition, the machine provides communication with the scanning device through its COM port(s) (as explained above). The client is able to access their respective dealer's website (which is portrayed here simply as the existing e-commerce web platform for simplicity) through their web browser. Communication with the platform is transparent for the user. As stated earlier, this is because the goal of the invention is to extend the capabilities of existing e-commerce platforms, while making the process invisible to the end-user. The user should never feel that they have left their dealer's website, thus making the process a comfortable one and a more widely accepted one. The printer will allow the end-user to print their customized catalogs and labels.
[0033] The existing e-commerce platform, as illustrated in Drawing 1, can be separated to distinguish between individual dealer sites (direct customers who have a storefront with the abovementioned platform), and the platform provider themselves. The platform, as defined here, is responsible for handling customer orders, and providing a means to purchase online. The platform will also be thought of as the provider of the invention, since the transfer of service being offered is invisible to the end-user.
[0034] The application integrated is the means of translating the data uploaded by the user into a meaningful format and sending the order to be processed by the user's dealer (or platform provider). Web servers intercept traffic and route it to the appropriate destination. Moreover, the application provides an intelligent and meaningful to handle user created lists, and customizations. Detailed features have been defined in the previous sections of this document.
[0035] This is how the invention and the scanning technology process flow as depicted in Diagram 2 functions. The user navigates to his/her e-commerce web site (existing process). The user then clicks the dedicated link provided on the site. The small invented application window will open on top of the existing dealer window at this point. The system checks to see if this is a new user, and gathers data accordingly to provide the user with the best experience possible. The system will check to see if the plug-in is loaded, if it is not, it will prompt the user to accept it and the user will be shown the Scan tab.
[0036] The user clicks on Upload and the system starts transferring data from the scanner to the application. The user is then shown the temporary shopping cart with the items that were uploaded from the scanner where the user may review the items for deletion, or modification (of quantities). Finally, the user may add these items to a list (an existing or a new one), or add the items to their dealer's cart (the Pop-Up window will be closed, an XML file with a preformatted schema will be generated and sent to the dealer website platform and the user will be taken to the dealer shopping cart). The user clicks on Clear and the system initiates the clearing of the scanner. The user clicks the link on the bottom of the page to see a demo of the application. A small flash presentation displays in a new window.
[0037] The user selects his/her desired list from the dropdown, then selects the type of list they want (catalog, labels, etc. . . . ) and clicks on the button labeled Go. The list is generated in the appropriate format (PDF or HTML--see Manage tab), and presented on-screen to the user. The user can print a hard-copy of this list by sending it to the printer. The user can create, modify, or delete lists. In order to create a list, the user must click on the Create button--then enter Skus and click on Update. In order to delete or modify a list, the user must select a list from the drop-down menu and then click on the appropriate button (Modify or Delete). Clicking on the Delete button will delete the list, and clicking on the Modify button will display the list for modification to the user. From here they may select sku's to delete, add skus, or edit quantities (see Manage tab). The system will provide a confirmation message in all these cases in the upper-left corner of the box.
[0038] The user is able to customize his/her application experience by setting preferences on the preference tab. Following is a brief list, and explanation of the customizable options. Username: The logon id used on the e-commerce site. This is used to provide a unique set of lists provided by the dealer to a group of users. Clear Scanner after Upload: Yes or No. This option determines if the scanner should be cleared after an upload. Alternatively, the user may elect to clear the scanner manually (using the "Clear" button on the Scan tab). Print Format: PDF or HTML. Determines which format the user prefers lists to be printed in. Sort Option: Yes or No. Determines if the list should be sorted (by Category). Save Quantities in List: Yes or No. Determines if the user wants to save quantity information with a list. This can be edited from the list view (when this option is turned on), and quantities would be sent to the shopping cart also when selected. Print Combined Barcodes: Yes or No. Determines if combined barcodes should be printed (product reference and quantity), so that scanning separate quantity barcodes can be eliminate.
[0039] The user has many documents and functions available to him/her. Following is a brief description of each (Note--All documents are provided in PDF format unless otherwise specified): FAQ's: This section provides many common questions and answers about the application. This should be the first place users turn to for answers to their questions or even for general information. Your Comments: This section provides users with a way to communicate their comments and suggestions about the ScanClik application to the team. User Guide: This manual explains all features of the application. Client Setup Directions: This guide presents basic setup instructions targeted towards network administrators. This document will only be necessary for those clients who are behind a strict network setup. CS1504 Guide: This manual outlines the functionality of the CS1504 (keyfob) handheld cordless scanning device. CS2000 Guide: This manual outlines the functionality of the CS2000 handheld cordless scanning device.
[0040] The user has a few scanner utilities available to him/her. Following is a brief description of them: Scanner Use Summary: Provides an on-screen summary of the current session's scanner activity including any system messages. Scanner Reset: Provides the user with a downloadable application that can be used to perform a factory reset of the scanner in case it stops working. ystem Compatibility Check: Provides the user with a means to check his system for the application compatibility. Upon click, a new window will appear that will automatically check the user's system setup to determine if there is anything that might cause the application not to function properly. It also provides a means to submit this information directly to the ScanClik team.
Related - 20050004846 - (abstract) - Dynamic tracking, analysis and acquisition of e-commerce advertising channels for toll-free markets
Related - 705026000 - (abstract) - Information processing apparatus and information processing method
Related - 705026000 - (abstract) - Method of real-time on-line auction processing
Related - 705026000 - (abstract) - Print fulfillment with economical delivery quantities
MSFT ready to launch new search engine
01 February, 2005
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,119512,00.asp
3 adds brands to mobile content in UK
31 January, 2005
http://www.netimperative.com/2005/01/31/3_brands/view
All the Best, JP
High-end cell phones providing more content than ever
02 February, 2005
http://www.newstarget.com/004049.html
Cell phone carriers are inking deals with content providers to bring high-end content to cell phone screens. Cingular and Sprint now offer a TV service that brings entertainment and news content to cell phone users. Other content providers provide information such as adult content, wine databases, games, and Christian material.
News and entertainment companies from Maxim magazine and Sports Illustrated to CNN and the Food Network are developing content to make the screen on your cell phone look more like what you see when you surf the Internet or click on cable TV.
And wireless carriers -- faced with a blazingly competitive market -- are rolling out those new features almost daily in an effort to differentiate their service from those of rivals.
Sure, the idea of watching CNN news on a handset still isn't reality for most of us, but interest in advanced services from streaming audio and video to downloadable games is picking up.
Last year, U.S. cellular subscribers spent $850 million on perks such as ringtones, graphics and games, compared to just $350 million in 2003.
"The cell phone is transforming into a small, networked social computer," said Lewis Ward, analyst for IDC, the technology research firm that gathered those numbers.
Consider this: Wine Spectator magazine has introduced a subscription to a review database of 130,000 bottles of wine that cellular users can tap when they're in the grocery store or at a restaurant.
Carriers Cingular Wireless and Sprint PCS now offer MobiTV, a service that offers live broadcasts from MSNBC, ABC News and Discovery Channel among nearly two dozen streaming video channels.
"Clearly, the young adults are more apt to download ringtones and games, but with the news content you're getting the road warriors, the businesspeople," Sprint spokeswoman Genevieve Billy said.
Driven in part by that expanding demographic, the North American market for mobile content will likely reach $14 billion by 2008, according to technology research group Strategy Analytics.
Some high-end phones already come complete with miniature joysticks for gamers.
Ultimately, analysts add, entertainment conglomerates from Disney to Time Warner will create whole cell phone networks and plans targeting their demographics.
News Summary Source:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/lifestyle/209168_cellphonescontent.html
Success, nice work on the Virgin front...
IMO, a settlement in our favor is long overdue. I'll be very curious to learn what the outcome will be. It seems like this is a "time out" before contemplating the next step, which would be a plunge into the deep end for both plantiff and defendant.
All the Best, JP
KoKoNut...Great find.
This seems like a good one. I'm in Manhattan, so I'll make sure to stop over there and see what's on display, especially w/GOOG. All the Best, JP
KoKoNuts...nice post
This is obviously very good news. Triton has been taking down some very nice contracts this past year. Maybe someone could list them all, their dates, amounts and with whom. That would be a great help. All the Best, JP
Thanks Chucker...
for your insight and pragmatic thoughts on why a judge would issue a demand for settlement request, such as the one issued between NEOM & Virgin. All the Best, JP
Verizon/Time Warner hook-up on new VCAST Service:
31 January, 2005
http://www.cellular-news.com/story/11861.shtml
Verizon Launches Music Video, Service For Cell Customers
BEDMINSTER, N.J. -(Dow Jones)
Verizon Communications (VZ) launched a music video and news service for its cellphone customers through an agreement with Time Warner Inc.'s (TWX) music unit. Terms weren't disclosed.
In a press release Monday, the two companies said the service, called VCast, is available for a $15 monthly charge added to Verizon Wireless calling plans and includes video clips from news and entertainment from leading content providers.
Music videos from the Warner Music Group cost an additional fee of $3.99 per video. The service is available in more than 30 metropolitan markets and covers more than 75 million people.
Users can obtain the service using the new VX8000 phone, available to Verizon customers for $199.99 after $70 rebate with a two-year customer agreement.
The service is also available using the Samsung a890 telephone, which costs $249.99 after a $70 rebate with a two-year customer agreement, and the CDM8940 from UTStarcom Personal Communications, for $229.99 after a $70 rebate with a two-year customer agreement.
-John Seward; Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-5400
http://www.mobiledia.com/
Verizon Wireless and Warner Music announced an agreement to sell music video downloads to mobile devices. Through Verizon's high-speed VCAST service, consumers will be able to download content at broadband speeds. "We believe services like VCAST, which employ 3G technology, will quickly become one of the most important and popular distribution platforms for music and music-related content," said Michael Nash, senior vice president for Internet strategy at Warner. Each video will cost $3.99...
Vodafone announces TV in a phone:
01 February, 2005
http://www.cellular-news.com/story/11864.shtml
Japans Vodafone K.K. today announced that it plans to offer two new 2G models in the middle of February, the V603SH by Sharp and the V603T by Toshiba.
For the first time in Japan, the V603SH features a Motion Control Sensor that recognises and responds to movements, enabling customers to experience a host of new features not available in mobile phones until now. Jointly developed by Aichi Steel Corporation and Vodafone K.K., the one-chip sensor allows customers to perform menu operations by moving the handset up, down, left or right and call up often-used functions (shortcuts) by moving the handset in a variety of preset patterns. Customers can also enjoy new possibilities with mobile gaming, such as aiming a gun by moving the handset while playing shooting games and swinging the phone like a golf club to hit a ball in golf games.
The V603T offers an innovative 'TV View Style' design to increase TV viewing enjoyment for customers. By holding down the unlock button located on the side of the handset while it is open, customers can push the LCD display backward a complete 360 degrees to activate the TV.
The V603SH and V603T feature analogue TV tuners, which enable both TV viewing and FM radio listening. Customers can also relive scenes from their favourite TV shows by using capture functions to record broadcasts. In addition, both handsets come equipped with an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) so customers can easily find the shows they want to watch.
DonBalon
Eme: JPetroInc@aol.com
All the Best, JP
12-Snap's new website:
http://www.12snap.com/uk/reception/index.php
Digital Rum:
http://www.digitalrum.com/
7 World Wide:
http://www.sevenww.com/
LG's "Strategic Alliance" w/ Intel
LG teamed up with Intel in March 2004:
http://www.lge.com/about/corporate/html/strategic.jsp
We also know that TS specifically went hunting for LG at CES in Vegas on 01/05/05:
http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=5263516
And that Verizon is luanching their nation wide 3G service called VCAST this Tuesday 02/01/05:
http://news.vzw.com/news/2005/01/pr2005-01-07.html
And that LG has one of only 3 phones featured by Verizon for the launch of their 3G VCAST debut:
http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/5710.html
"The featured phone is the new LG VX8000 phone, with its full motion video with audio downloading and playback capabilities, the LG VX8000 offers customers a rich and rewarding interactive experience. The LG VX8000 also features a 1.3 mega-pixel camera with 10X digital zoom and embedded flash. Customers can capture 15-second videos and still photos and send them to other Verizon Wireless customers with video messaging-capable phones or any e-mail address."
"On February 1st, Verizon will officially launch its 3G EV-DO high-speed service. In preparation for the announcement, phones are being shipped overnight to stores nationwide. The new handhelds planned for released for the network include the LG VX8000, UTStarcom CDM-8940, UTStarcom XV6600, and Samsung A890. LG VX8000: The VX8000 EVDO handset is the pinnacle of a visual entertainment handset, enhanced by the high-speed data capabilities of EVDO technology."
I was directed back in Oct. 04 to start looking towards cell phone and mobile PDA manufacturers to be carrying PC downloaded software right off the assembly line. If Intel's PXA27x chip is poised to be incorporated into any of the 3 phones Verizon is touting including LG's VX8000 (even if only at a future date) NEOM could be in the overall equation. This would of course infer that we have an SP on board. Verizon and Vodafone do have a working alliance.
Special thanks to AFL.
All the Best, JP
JC Whitney's on-line automotive catalogue
has a search feature in the top left hand corner on the site. This maybe the licensed search link CF spoke about in the audio which connects the consumer to Qode's data base (now belonging to NEOM) containing (at time of acquisition) over 100Mil. UPC codes accessable by bar code number, word or phrase to a particular auto part for this paticular brand partner.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/StoreCatalogDisplay/c-10101/s-10101
However, I agree with Personalizit that the audio tape must be old. They talk about Cross pen scanners and future scanners with zoom lenses. The Cross pen scanners were a commodity before cell phone camera's caught on. This kind of web access is passe' unless you're in heavy mercahndising or inventory control processes.
Also, the reference to Pax TV/Shop owned by Paxson Communications is loacted at:
http://www.paxmall.com/
The 2001 Pax TV PR calls for Pax to use NeoMedia's Qode Commerce Solution to serve their growing shopper base of 300,000 shoppers. However, I don't see a search window which would fulfill Qode's data base function on the shop link above.
Also, Qode's URL is:
http://www.qode.com
However, this site automatically brings you to another URL address:
http://www.seeq.com/popupwrapper.jsp?referrer=&domain=qode.com
This web site is the Seeq Search Engine site. However, on this site you will see a Quode link saying "Qode is for sale" which when accessed, brings you to yet another site:
http://www.buydomains.com/servlet/UserPrice?domain=qode.com&request_source=1
All of this does not infer that the original Qodes data base has not been increased and/or upgraded since 2001. It would have to be to in order to be vialbe for todays increased data rates. Also, NEOM representatives spoke about this data base at the SM meeting. Personally speaking, at the time the Qode buy-out was tendered, I believe NEOM was seeking to obtain Qodes data base contents and not Quodes entire operation.
Now, what about an on-line auction for WORD Registry subscribers. Will the Qode link to BuyDomains.com benefit the role out of that process in some way?
However with all this said, the audio is still a great piece of information in that it provides a look back at where we were in comparison to where we are today. Obviously there have been alot of great changes, and all for the better.
All the Best, JP
Nut, regarding your RB link...
With all due respect to you and to Seabiscuit, please leave RB posters on RB.
In the event you have not noticed, we here on I-Hub left RB and started this thread for reasons contained in way too many past posts.
Seabiscuit is entitled to her opinion. I'm entitled to mine and you to yours.
If I wanted to engage Renee, I'd do it on RB (or in personal emails, as I have done so in the past). I for one choose not to reply to her, especially on our forum.
If you want to know my position in NEOM, please read all my past posts; both here as well as Atomic Bob's and RB from years passed.
Thanks for the invite bud, but I'll have to decline your public invitation for private reasons.
I know what I own.
All the Best, JP
Naples News...
29 January, 2005
http://www.naplesnews.com/npdn/business/article/0,2071,NPDN_14901_3506706,00.html
Compliments of HairWave
The Cellphone Convergence Wave
Quote from TS @ CES 01/05/05 (with appropriate permission)
"The Wall Street Journal is right on target when it describes the
wave we’re riding with NEOM -- the Cellphone Convergence wave. I
am especially interested in seeing LG’s new phone the LG 14 -- it
fits the profile of what ALL digital communicators will be like in the very near future.
The new LG phone has it all -- 1.3 megpixel camera, zoom lens,
video player, MP3 player -- and of course voice and data
communications at near 1 megabit speed on 3G systems.
As someone who travels, I LOVE the ability to store music and
watch TV on my phone or plug my phone into my laptop to get the
same functionality on a bigger screen.
ALL this convergence makes NEOM’s Word system the KEY to these
business models -- the one click URL via barcode. And soon, just
the spoken word or phrase gives me access to everything I want in
my hand.
I speak the phrase into my phone: “NEOM stock price” and the chart comes up. I speak the phrase “ChangeWave Investing” and go to the CWI home page on my phone. There is a reason I call NEOM the “Next Google” -- because for most of the world accessing the Internet for games, info, music, TV, etc. will be from their smart phone -- NOT their computer."
From Verizon's VCAST Wireless Launch Article:
At launch, customers will be able to access VCAST on three hot new phones, from LG Mobile Phones, Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung) and UTStarcom Personal Communications. The featured phone is the new LG VX8000 phone – with its full-motion video with audio downloading and playback capabilities, the LG VX8000 offers customers a rich and rewarding interactive experience. The LG VX8000 also features a 1.3 mega-pixel camera with 10X digital zoom and embedded flash. Customers can capture 15-second videos and still photos and send them to other Verizon Wireless customers with video messaging-capable phones or any e-mail address.
All the Best, JP
Verizon Wireless Launches VCAST
Nation's First and Only Consumer 3G Multimedia Service
http://news.vzw.com/news/2005/01/pr2005-01-07.html
Tuesday 02/01/05 is the day.
http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=5257865
Can you feel the buzz?
Rock on, JP
PC downloaded phones to come-on line when?
02/01/05 for Verizons new 3G nationwide roll out?
I'll take one even if only in demo form.
All the Best, JP
Top 10 Wireless Predictions for 2005
25 January, 2005
http://www.phonecontent.com/bm/news/gnews/741.shtml
Palm-1 Launches Free Online Basic Training
27 January, 2005
http://www.mobiletechnews.com/info/2005/01/27/174906.html
"NeoMedia also provides Go-Window capability for the Palm OS."
Yahoo's New Mobile Search Engine
28 January, 2005
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,119487,00.asp
Yahoo Launches Video Search Site
16 December, 2004
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,118974,00.asp