Molecularist

Seems like Om is extending his brand into the mobile domain. He now has an applet, GigaOm Moblet*, that is as an RSS reader for all of Om’s feeds.

MobHappy also has a branded RSS reader (including their favourite RSS feeds).

I think this is all so cool. Media outlets creating a compelling app for their readers. This self-service mobilization includes also the many sites mobilized via WINKsite, a personal mobile portal service I mentioned earlier (see upper left of my blog for my WINKsite or visit
http://winksite.com/cschick/mobile with your phone). Om uses WINKsite as well. Check out the list of other sites that are mobilizing with WINKsite.

Link: Om Malik on Broadband : � New Tools GigaLinks and User Feedback.

We are in a new year, so its time for something new. For starters, I am introducing a new mobile RSS reader which lets you get GigaOM on your mobile phone, along with feeds from some of my recommended blogs. In other words, a tiny GigaOm branded mobile application.

* Great name. Alas, the applet runs only on a small set of phones and
is only available for phones in the US (due to the poor distribution
mechanism). I’d check it out if I could just download it.

Like everyone I know, I sent a bunch of SMSs at midnight (my time) on New Year’s Eve. I scanned through my contacts and just added them to the list. I knew that Lifeblog would archive them, so I would be able to remember whom I sent them to.

I also received many before and after my message went out. Many were joking about me sending my message before their midnight. Tee hee. Thank you all for sharing with me that night.

Alas, I had just switched phones and the phone was only set to save the last 20 sent messages. Bummer (yes, I sent more than 20). I did go look at the phone log, which keeps a record of all incoming and outgoing communication. I’m not transcribing that list, but I do know how many I sent. And going over that list again, gave me a warm friendly feeling. I am glad to have Lifeblog to archive all that stuff in a nice way
(even though I lost most of my half of the conversation).

Y’see, with me, those who are in my contacts have to work hard to get there. Yes, there are many who are strictly work contacts and other personal info (like the pizza parlor). But many are also there because they mean something to me, even if I have never called them. True, there are many who are not there, who I wished were there, but eventually they’ll end up in my phone contacts.

What’s interesting is that the combination of phone log and phone book on the mobile so powerfully maps our personal communication networks. With a bit of tagging, that info can be useful if made more explicit.

Nothing new here, but I am wondering why no one has done anything with it. Lifeblog was supposed to tie the logs and contacts with the personal media, but that never got off the ground and I have no idea where its at now. But, that would be really powerful, personally.

Oh, and don’t give me this privacy thing. That’s a red herring. I think something can be done here, in a relevant way, that obviates the privacy squeamishness.

Anyone know of anything in this space?

I wonder if Yahoo might be able to capitalize on this? They have the most phone-Web integrated services I know of. But, I am not sure if their services are integrated enough to bring this all together.

Good idea to revisit this.

Thanks to MobHappy for reminding me.

Link: TheFeature :: It’s All About The Mobile Internet.

Only a cockeyed optimist would forecast an open, user-driven, entrepreneurial future for the mobile Internet. This should not prevent us from trying, however. Sometimes, envisioning the way things ought to be can inspire people to work at making it that way. That’s what manifestos are for.

I am ashamed to have not participated in this at all this year, despite being asked countless times. Due to timing, focus, and the like (which everyone also deals with), I don’t think I can contribute to the extent I would like to. I feel that if I can’t do a great job in contributing, then I should step aside until I can.

But, that doesn’t mean I haven’t read each one or mentioned it countless times. These folks are near and dear to me and we are all part of a worryingly small group of mobile believers from all corners of the globe and industry.

Way to go guys. Keep it up.

Link: MobHappy: Carnival of the Mobilists – Best of the Year!.

Welcome to the final Carnival of the Mobilists of 2005, where we feature the very best online writing about mobile. To celebrate this special issue, we asked all our writers to send in their favourite piece from 2005 – and they haven’t disappointed. I challenge anyone to come up with a finer collection.

We also have some special guests dropping in, who I hope might turn into more regular contributors in 2006.

So let’s get started on our record catch.

Hmmm, should we have an event or gathering like Les Blogs? Could be that 2006 is just right for one. (dang, what am i thinking?! ;-D)

At Les Blogs, Marcel Reichert from Burda had some posters up mentioning the Digital Lifestyle Day. Now I find out that the inestimable Jyri Engeström will be speaking there among other luminaries of the digital world.

Should be interesting. I wonder if I should ask to go.

Link: DLD – Digital Lifestyle Day.

Save the date / January 23-24 / DLD 06

On DLD06 – chaired by Dr Hubert Burda and Dr Joseph Vardi – a select group of 200 movers, thinkers and innovators from media, digital, brands, arts and sciences will meet to discover and discuss the connected worlds, the digital consumer and Europe’s role in innovation – Jan 23/24, 2006, Munich. The gathering will feature panels exchanges and interactive presentations as well as interview discussions and key note addresses from leading technology pioneers and digeratis.