LBS Tidbits
RIM has applied for two patents. They cover technology to gauge the speed/concentration of cars that pass by billboards based on their phone speeds and to adjust the billboard based on that information.
When traffic is moving fast and drivers have no time to pay attention to billboards, or there’s a dense crowd on the street so you are distracted and less likely to pay attention, the billboard may just blast a huge logo and slogan of the advertiser at you, to catch any peripheral attention it can get. When traffic slows down in a jam, and you are sitting bored at the wheel waiting for a car in front to move the next few meters, grateful for any distraction, the same billboard will give you a detailed information about the service, prices, benefits and stuff.
Google’s Eric Schmidt spoke at Berlin’s IFA home electronics event on Tuesday. His vision of the future is not about search but rather your device continuously providing relevant information to you based on (wait for it) your location and everything it know about you (likes, dislikes, friends, interests, music, etc.) It’s a sort of forced Serendipity. I at least right now like real Serendipity.
- RWW
The Atlanta Post has an interview with Tristan Walker, VP of Biz Dev at FourSquare [sic].
The Observer looks at Foursquare in the crosshairs of Facebook.
- Observer
John King of CNN is teaming up with Gowalla to map out his favorite diners. You can follow him, too.
“John King is teaming up with Gowalla, the location based mobile and web service, to share his experiences from the road. Last year, John visited all 50 states following President Barack Obama’s inauguration and sat down with residents in local diners to hear their stories and discuss important issues.”
BusinessWeek interview with Loopt CEO Sam Altman.
