April 2011 Archives

In my book, The New World of Wireless: How to Compete in the 4G Revolution (http://www.amazon.com/New-World-Wireless-Compete-Revolution/dp/013700379X), I talk about  "Killer Bees" scenario where users lose trust in wireless networks due to breaches of privacy.  In this scenario, the Digital Swarm never fully develops to its full potential as users are unwilling to share their personal data for the greater benefit of all.  It will take a critical mass of health, financial, energy, security, or other personal data from many mobile users to drive real benefits.

The recent accusation of Apple, Google and other device/OS vendors accumulating user's location data without their full knowledge (http://www.wirelessweek.com/News/2011/04/Policy-and-Industry-Lawmakers-Apple-Google-Location-Sharing-Legal/?et_cid=1458682&et_rid=54169515&linkid=http%3a%2f%2fwww.wirelessweek.com%2fNews%2f2011%2f04%2fPolicy-and-Industry-Lawmakers-Apple-Google-Location-Sharing-Legal%2f)  This is now under congressional investigation and depending on how this progresses, could result in public backlash, or worse, new privacy legislation that will over-restrict the ability to track information from a users mobile device.  Much of the innovation going on around mobility today is around context-aware services or applications.   Continue Reading...

As many folks know, I am always looking for leading edge examples of Digital Swarm apps that integrate social + mobile + sensing.  One that I recently spotted comes out of colorado ski resorts from snow.com called EpicMix (http://www.snow.com/epicmix/home.aspx).  It allows skiers of all ages to immerse themselves in a social and competitive skiing experience with others on the mountain.  It is based on a RFID-enabled lift ticket that automatically tracks the skiers path around the mountain and logs points (or Pins) for each activity completed and vertical feet skied.   Continue Reading...