Mobile Behavior: an Omnicom Group Company

Tokyo-based jig.jp has released SPIDERSS, an Android app that uses a browser and RSS reader to aggregate news and updates from social networks like Facebook and Twitter. The company, known for developing mobile browsers since 2003, claims that its jig browser is the first that is Java-based.

All of the app features are accessible from a single screen. You can directly type in a URL to search, check your Facebook or Twitter feed, or scroll through your RSS feeds. All links and webpages can also be easily shared through SMS, e-mail, Twitter and Facebook making it an ultimate all-in-one tool for news and social media junkies.

[via techcrunch]

To promote Android, Google is beginning to use its tech muscle with even the small things, like status indicators within Gmail chat. Now users will see a robot icon if their friend is online with an Android phone. Google claims that the addition is to differentiate between friends who are "online online" and those who are online while mobile. It brings up an interesting idea, as users will see these indicators and alter their communication accordingly. It is good thinking, as we will increasingly be conversing between devices with differing interface personalities.

[via techcrunch]

In finance speak, GRMN means Garmin and TOM2 TomTom. These are two of the leading companies providing mobile GPS navigation systems, and have been hit by one very disruptive force today. Engadget provides the above screengrab, one that shouts change. Google has walked in the door.

Google Maps Navigation was announced today along with other features of Android 2.0. Many of its capabilities are brought with its connection to the Internet and Google servers, something that traditional GPS companies won't be able to compete with. There is no need to buy map upgrades, as your Android phone automatically fetches the most up-to-date maps and business listings. Search is possible by either plain old English, or voice. Multiple views are available, including traffic, satellite, and street view. With all of this, Garmin may soon have to change their slogan, "Follow the leader."

[via googleblog]

• Spring Design Alex: dual-screen Android-based e-reader | Engadget
  We've covered a range of new e-readers that are being released to market, now Spring Design has announced Alex, a dual screen reader running Google Android.
• Ad.ly to Launch New Advertising Platform for Twitter | Ad.ly
  In an attempt to monetize digital word-of-mouth, Ad.ly is launching an ad platform which matches top tier Twitter publishers with brands and advertising agencies.
• Foursquare, a Social Network Site, Puts Users Face to Face | NYTimes
  Foursquare, now with a following of about 60,000, is being used over other city exploration applications like Yelp and Urbanspoon to locate friends and venues.
• Loopt's Mix Grows Up; Becomes an iPhone App | TechCrunch
  Taking on the role of matchmaker, Loopt has released a new iPhone application, Loopt Mix, which helps users find potential lovers nearby.
• New camera promises to capture your whole life | New Scientist
  Originally designed for researchers studying Alzheimer's, the SenseCam is now being marketed as a camera to "lifelog," or capture every 30 seconds of daily life.
• Sweb Apps 2.0: Build Your Own Mobile Storefront for the iPhone | ReadWriteWeb
  Promising to make iPhone app creation simple, Sweb Apps 2.0 comes with the ability to create an iPhone-based store where inventory can be sold in-app using PayPal.
• Entertainment top vertical in mobile ad spend: Millennial Media | Mobile Marketer
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• Devs Hack iPhone API for True Augmented Reality | ReadWriteWeb
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• App of the Day Makes It Easier To Find iPhone Apps | TechCrunch
  For those having trouble locating quality iPhone applications, App of the Day features community-nominated apps on its home page each day.
• Wolfram Alpha Launches $50 iPhone App | Mashable
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• When the Cloud Fails: T-Mobile, Microsoft Lose Sidekick Customer Data | GigaOm
  T-Mobile and Microsoft are experiencing a possible worse case scenario for the failure of cloud-based storage. All personal data stored on a Sidekick is now lost due to an accidental data wipe-out.
• Social networks most visited sites on mobile Web | Mobile Marketer
  A new study by Openwave has revealed that four of the top ten domains accessed on mobile devices are social networking sites.

• 14 million more people navigate with their mobiles | MobileMonday
  As more and more mobile devices include GPS in their offering, their use for navigation will grow tremendously. In the past year, the number of mobile subscribers downloading navigation instructions has doubled to about 28 million.
• Quick Search Box for Android: Search your phone and the web | Google Mobile Blog Google has announced its Quick Search Box, or QSB, which makes searching on an Android phone that much easier. It provides suggestions while typing and also includes the ability to search contacts using voice recognition.
• Nokia Working on Augmented Reality Language Translation via OCR Character Recognition | IntoMobile
  While still in alpha, Nokia is using augmented reality to translate written language by simply viewing text through a mobile camera.
• Tweetie iPhone Twitter client gets a sequel | Mobile Entertainment
  Heavy duty Twitter client for the iPhone, Tweetie, has updated to version 2.0 and adds the ability to handle multiple accounts, link Twitter contacts to the Address Book, and view information while offline.
• FCC To Probe Google Voice | The Washington Post
  Looks like Google is being treated like a traditional telecom company; the FCC requested an explanation for the illegal blocking of certain calls made in Google Voice.
• Assessing buying behavior triggered by mobile campaigns | Mobile Marketer
  A comprehensive post on just how trigger-based mobile advertising can be used not only for targeting but also for assessing and tracking campaigns, all of which can help boost ROI.
• Wireless Gadgets: Watchphones, Tiny TVs, and Other Shiny Objects at CTIA | Mashable
  CTIA delivered to us the news of the Barnes & Noble eReader along with a slew of smaller wireless gadgets. These include the K&S Phonewatch, FLO TV Personal Television, and Samsung Mondi.
• A Chink In Android's Armor | TechCrunch
  While open source is what fuels the growth of the Android OS, it also comes as a threat when developers begin to "splinter off into their own different world." J2ME should be a cautionary tale for Google.

• Will EA Mobile’s ‘Rock Band’ Be The Next Big Hit For iPhone? | mocoNews
  After a year in development, EA is demonstrating its newest contribution to the iPhone ecosystem: Rock Band. The most impressive of its features is the Bluetooth enabled multiplayer, along with stunning graphics, and a variety of instruments to play with.

• IPhone Tethering Still Unavailable, AT&T Says | WSJ
  Although AT&T made a wise move in opening up VoIP on the iPhone, the device's ability to tether, or act as a modem, is still blocked by the provider.

• Barnes & Noble to Launch Kindle Competitor, in Color | Mashable
  Another company evolving to keep up with these digital times is Barnes & Noble, who have plans to release an eReader with a color screen to compete with the likes of Amazon and Sony.

• Ping: Free iPhone-to-iPhone Text Messaging | Mashable
  Ping for the iPhone allows users to send free MMS text messages to others using the app. Using push notifications, it can bring the iPod touch that much closer to becoming a cell-phone.

• Is App Addiction a Real Thing? | ReadWriteWeb
  USA Today recently wrote about the addiction to mobile applications, largely supported by the reward circuitry of our brains firing off when we use them. ReadWriteWeb responds, disagreeing with the use of the word addiction. Here's our own Dr. Eric's commentary on addiction and mobile phone use.

• It's All Android, All the Time | BusinessWeek
  There has been much commotion and many bullish remarks surrounding Google's Android at the CTIA conference this week. With about 15 devices to be powered by Google's OS by the end of '09 and a forecast of 14% market share by 2012, this trend could be a game changer.

• For Mobile Music-As-a-Service, How Soon Is Now? | Gigaom
  With the Internet transforming how we manage our data and the movement of music to the cloud, businesses are vying to wrap their head around new models of making money. Rhapsody's free app is leading in the iPhone store with over 330,000 downloads, and Spotify is said to be the next big thing.

• Um, Did Mayor Bloomberg Just Ask To Follow Me on Foursquare? | Mediaite We wondered whether or not Bloomberg would become mayor of New York on Foursquare and were surprised to get an invite from him earlier today. Unfortunately, it turns out that it was just a prank put together by Sam Lessin of Drop.io.

• Amazon Announces Mobile Payments Service | ReadWriteWeb
  With Amazon's new Mobile Payments Service, developers will be able to give users the option of making purchases through mobile applications. Potential game-changer...
• What Mobile Payments Will Mean for the Marketing World | AdAge
  With mobile payment through Amazon (and Paypal), brands will have yet another destination to market through.  Starbucks has already activated mobile payments through its new iPhone app, and McDonald's in Japan ties loyalty programs to ordering via mobile.
• Adobe Shows Off Flash Apps For iPhone. Yes, You Read That Right | TechCrunch Using the upcoming Adobe Flash Pro CS5, developers can convert Flash apps into a format that is compatible with the iPhone.
• FTC to Fine Bloggers up to $11,000 for Not Disclosing Payments | Mashable
  The FTC has released new guidelines that will have an impact on bloggers who receive payments or gifts from brands. Without disclosing this information before making an endorsement, a writer could receive a fine of up to $11,000.
• Google and Verizon enter Android Agreement | Phonemag
  Google and Verizon are teaming up to jointly develop, distribute, and market Android phones. The resulting devices will be bundled with apps created by the two companies plus third-party developers.
• Voice chat app Vivox comes to Facebook | cnet
  Facebook is joining the voice chat game with an application and downloadable plug-in by Vivox.
• Fujitsu Application Aims to Improve Your Golf Game | Yahoo! Tech
  Fujitsu's ETGA Golf Lesson uses data pulled from the phone's accelerometer and compass to measure and analyze a swing and give advice for improvement.
• Google Set for Richer Advertising on Smartphones | AdAge
  After catching some flack for delivering AdSense web ads to mobile, Google announced that they will help publishers serve richer (bigger and more dynamic) advertisements to high-end smart phone users.