Designing for Mobile
August 04, 2006 | CommentsDesigning for Mobile: "My workshop focused on the mobile ecosystem, some of the basic fundamentals as well as dispel myths and jargon common to the mobile industry. As this information can be incredibly hard to come by outside of the mobile industry, it seemed like a good place to start."
Beautifully done and overall fantastic advice, though I'd disagree with the approach advocated here of focusing on 5 browsers. Yes, by targeting a few common handsets you can reach a disproportionate percentage of potential customers, but understanding and using tools for content adaptation can get you to *everyone*.
The section on convincing carriers that you'll impact their ARPU is also slightly naive (for the UK market, anyway). Carriers have been inundated by content and service providers promising to raise their ARPU, and it's unlikely that any one service is going to have a noticeable impact.
All the above suffers from the disclaimer that I've only read the presentation, not seen it presented - so Brian may have dealt with my comments when he presented it...
Brighton rocks in lottery survey
August 04, 2006 | CommentsBrighton rocks in lottery survey: "People in Brighton are the most positive and feel the luckiest of any town or city in the UK, according to a survey by the National Lottery."
But Reading came third??? Christ... having lived there for 3 years I'm impressed by anyone resident in that particular hole who retains a positive outlook on life...
A proper update about the Creative Zen Neeon 2
August 04, 2006 | CommentsA proper update about the Creative Zen Neeon 2: "It plays music for 20 hours or video for 8 hours, which is pointless - who ever wanks for eight hours solid? "
WiFi phones: look, will you just forget about hotspots?
August 03, 2006 | CommentsWiFi phones: look, will you just forget about hotspots?: "Consequently, business models around VoWLAN will only work in those places where there's already high usage, where lots of costs can be saved - in the home, or at work. Saving 2.7 cents twice a week when calling outbound from Starbucks doesn't make a viable business for anyone. Hotspots might come later, but for now, they're not where the dual-mode action is."
Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Sleep (But Were Too Afraid To Ask)
August 02, 2006 | CommentsEverything You Always Wanted To Know About Sleep (But Were Too Afraid To Ask): "Make a routine in the evening. The last 2-3 hours before bedtime stay out of the bedroom (bedroom is only for sleep and sex), and switch off all the screens: no TV, no computer, no gameboy. Reading a book while sitting in an armchair in the living room is fine. Just sitting on the porch and thinking will help you wind down. As the evening progresses gradually turn down the lights. Once the bedtime arrives, go to the bedroom, go to bed, switch off the light (pitch darkness) and go to sleep if you can. If you cannot, get up for a few minutes, but keep your lights dim, still no screens, no caffein, no food."