Backblog | Mobility

The ability for mobile devices to detect and respond to users' context is one of the most powerful features of mobile technology.

In writing a paper on locative technologies, I found that the definitions of the key terms locative media (LM) and location-based services (LBS) out there are poor. Both academic and trade sources are either nebulously vague or miss the defining criteria and instead focus on the resulting effects.

In early April, I attended a seminar on mobile technology and Canada's economy presented by Backbone magazine and the Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance.

Despite a recent CBC study which found that 82% of Canadians mostly use tablets at home, I still consider tablets a mobile device and thus under my purview.  I also take an avid interest in Canadian innovations in digital media. So I was really excited to attend a talk last week by James Wu of Kobo on "Rethinking Tablet User Experience".

There is a weird story unfolding right now centred on business negotiations between US network AMC and cable giant Rogers. It seems the two are in some sort of dispute, that the disagreement has dragged on, and that AMC has set a deadline for its resolution.

My kid was away this weekend on a winter camp-out with her Brownie troop, so my wife and I used the opportunity to have some grown-up fun while she was away. So we invited friends over for dinner and planned a meal that was decidedly not kid-friendly (i.e. no grilled cheese).

I've been recently researching the history of location-based services (LBS) and locative media. I previously blogged about the definition, terminology, forms, and examples of these, but I have not examined their origins.

I attended a talk yesterday that presented an inspirational model for the power of online mapping, social media, and mobile communications (much of the stuff I'm researching!). Rebecca Chiao co-founder of HarassMap, an online sexual harassment service started in Egypt in 2010, spoke at University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs.

Mobility is disrupting and transforming business, bringing new opportunities that also bring new demands on IT.

Jan. 30, 2013, was a big day for Research In Motion. The company launched its much-anticipated and long-overdue BlackBerry 10 operating system and handhelds.

The bring-your-own-device (BYOD) trend is on the rise, and 2013 is the year to make sure plans and policies are in place.

I attended a talk recently by usability expert Steve Krug. His book written in 2000 Don't Make Me Think helped convince me in the early days of my Internet career of the importance of usability and the need to study it.

I recently signed out magazines from my nearby public library for recreational reading on a flight. I still like reading print, but don't like spending the $6 or more magazine now costs. Granted they were a bit old, but applicable to my research interests.

Last month, after three long years, my smartphone contract with Bell finally expired! This contract had me locked away from the exciting developments in the mobile device market. Although not completely cloistered and clueless, I really need help in choosing my next device and carrier.

While researching locative media and Toronto history and urban planning, I have frequently come across the work of Shawn Micallef. I first encountered his work through his locative media installation, [murmur] co-created with James Roussel and Gabe Sawhney.