Category: Uncategorized

Pedestrian devices not so pedestrian anymore

Posted on by Lab Team

lbsThey say that all politics are local. That it’s all about me..me…me. A unique and interesting example of what I like to call “local me” can be seen in the Personal Navigation Device (PND) and Location Based Services (LBS) world. PND makers are looking for their next playing field–and while the car market still has some legs–the “pedestrian” PND market is now in focus.

In the not too distant future, the two technologies will be working to make your content and search results local and relevant. It is still early in the game but as LBS comes online in a more robust manner, the market expansion for pedestrian devices will surely move quickly. Expectations are that the “pedestrian” segment of the PND market will gain traction towards 2010-2012. In the near future, growth prospects are likely more on the application side than the device side. Until PND’s and “pedestrian” PND’s can step away from a purely utilitarian profile, the adoption will sit with GPS capable phones. Continue reading “Pedestrian devices not so pedestrian anymore”

LinkedIn becomes a community, finally

Posted on by Lab Team

linkedinLinkedIn, boasting 28 million registered users in close to 150 industries, is at last doing things to incorporate community and the exchange of information within its network.

Since its launch in 2003, the professional networking site has served more as an online destination to store business contacts than a community offering value to our working lives. With the highly anticipated introduction of new social features, such as branded groups and custom applications, LinkedIn is trying to change this. At the same time, the company is offering brands a chance to engage with desirable business professionals in unique ways. Continue reading “LinkedIn becomes a community, finally”

StumbleUpon charts new course

Posted on by Lab Team

stumble-upon-logoMy brother pleaded with me for months to try out StumbleUpon. Please, he would say, I do not ask that much of you, just try it.

Now, I am hooked and have been having the same conversation with my colleagues and friends. The web-based browser’s “personal recommendation engine” truly makes web surfing fun again. Unlike del.icio.us., Digg or Technorati, the site is a more instant and integrative experience. You like something? Click. Thumbs up. You don’t like it, click. Thumbs down. No sign-in process necessary. Not only does it make passing content between users more fun, its technology enables users to discover diverse and sometimes obscure sites or articles they would otherwise have a hard time finding on the web. AND, when you’ve got the FireFox toolbar downloaded, the site functions like a real-time instant message platform where you can comment on articles or pages you like, or simply have a quick back and forth conversation. (See example after the jump). Continue reading “StumbleUpon charts new course”

Tuesday’s sexy tech trifecta

Posted on by Lab Team

(iStock/Sonya Rosas)So sue us: When RealNetworks Inc (the folks who brought you the RealPlayer) released a new software Tuesday that allows consumers to make copies of DVDs easily using their PC, the Motion Picture Association of America promptly sued the company, and now RealNetworks is suing the organization in turn.

The movie industry is calling RealDVD “Steal DVD” and claiming the product “violates the law.” However, as quoted in Wired, RealNetworks argues (if somewhat idealistically) that instead of “trying to shut down advances in technology” the movie industry should embrace “changes that provide consumers with more value and flexibility for their purchases.” Fair enough–consumers are increasingly likely to do what they want with their content anyway. Continue reading “Tuesday’s sexy tech trifecta”

LBS tries to create real community

Posted on by Lab Team

lbsLocation Based Services (LBS) seem to be gaining momentum and a certain level of respectability. For the uninitiated, LBS is the leverage of applications/devices that use positioning as a value add to services. This is typically found on mobile phones, Personal Navigation Device’s (PND’s) etc. A recent media report suggests that location based mobile social networking revenue will hit $3.5B by 2013.

Whether we are talking LBS through a mobile phone, PND or through the leveraging of a social media app, there is no question that LBS and the platforms that leverage them will grow to dominate the consumer market place and the attention of marketers. I remember a few years back people complained that the Internet was breeding a generation of isolationist. Kid’s..people… staying home and doing everything from the comfort and security of their PC. Early Social Media sites gave people a virtual place to connect. Sure you could go on ..say, “hello,” share and get to know many people but for me it still removed what I think is a key social attribute …proximity..closeness …real “community.” Continue reading “LBS tries to create real community”

In-game scavenger hunt proves itself

Posted on by Lab Team

tropicIn-game advertising has taken a big leap with a new campaign for Paramount Picture’s new film Tropic Thunder. This month the action film is being advertised through an in-game scavenger hunt within Rainbow Six: Vegas 2. The hunt is comprised of nine dynamically inserted display ads, starting with a lead-in, and then follow-up clues until the final placement has a call to action to text in the user’s email address to a short code. This final step enrolls the user into Ubisoft’s VIP service, and automatically enters them into a sweepstakes.

I’ve long been a proponent of embedding calls to action within in-game ads, believing that dynamic in-game advertising is far more effective a platform when incorporated into a larger strategy. As the campaign is ongoing, there are no metrics to be discussed, but there are a few key points to examine in this campaign to better understand how in-game advertising can be leveraged successfully. Continue reading “In-game scavenger hunt proves itself”