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eBay launches PayPal Mobile for impulse buying IRL
So PayPal Mobile -- not to be confused with Papal Mobile, the MVNO for the active-lifestyle Pope on the go -- is finally getting off the ground today, bringing a whole generation's eBay buying addiction to bear in the real world. We're just excited to finally put an end to certain restaurant leechers (you know who you are) who never seem to "remember" cash, but won't have as much of an excuse with their phone sitting right there in their pocket. PayPal hopes to work with brick and mortar stores, charities, and media outlets to nab those impulse buys from people who might not be carrying a credit card, or don't want to take the time to make a regular physical transaction. To make payments you first need to activate you phone at the PayPal website, and then you just text message PayPal a product ID number, or an amount and a recipient. PayPal will then call you to make sure the purchase is legit -- they require a unique PIN number to confirm. After that PayPal will pay the recipient, and even specify shipping info with what is currently listed on your account. Current retailers that are slated to work with the service include 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, Bravo, MTV, and the NBA Store.[Via CNNMoney.com]
Nextel's Cat Trax phones getting sexual predator location data
Nextel's Cat Trax line of child-tracking phones are about to get an interesting new feature that keeps them updated with addresses of local sexual predators and alerts parents by text, email, or page if the phone enters one of the virtual danger zones, or "geofences." The system, which is part of a $20 monthly subscription service from CATS Communications ($10 for each additional phone), is updated in more-or-less real time thanks to a link with the Family Watchdog national database of registered offenders. This new component of the service was championed by Joe Dawson, a resident of 11-year old murder victim Jessica Lunsford's hometown, and the driving force behind the legislation which bears her name.
Hands-on with Samsung's T719
We got a chance to take a good, long look at Samsung's new T719, their SureType-equipped slim flipphone with BlackBerry connect. The 1.3 megapixel camera and slim design are all well and good, but the keyboard is obviously notable for a non-smartphone Samsung device. The BlackBerry integration was so seamless it was actually invisible (emails just showed up in the unified email / SMS / MMS messaging app); the rest of the interface was the usual Samsung UI we've come to know and tolerate like. The handset itself? It was surprisingly light, solid, and the keyboard was bright and tactile. Plus, how can we fault a phone that had "Engadget" in the dictionary (or at least was able to predictively guess our weirdo name)?
Forty Three Kix delivers movie info to your cellphone
Finding out movie information on-the-go just got a little bit easier with the launch of a new service called Forty Three Kix that responds to texted queries with movie locations and showtimes based on the user's location. The free service works on any SMS-enabled handset from all of the major carriers, with support for regional networks promised at a later date, and requires only partial movie titles (even misspelled ones) or select keywords in order to supply a result. Forty Three Kix, who seem to have adopted their name based on their phone number (43549, or 43KIX) as opposed to vice versa, also offer an online movie "blog" where film buffs can submit what we imagine will be rather humorous reviews via SMS ("OMG! garfield2 t0tally 0wns garfield1!!!"). Additionally, the company offers a subscription service for automatically delivering new release info to your phone, and allows you to forward showtime information to friends so they can discover how bad your taste in movies really is.[Via Yahoo!]
Obopay adds a debit card to the standard mobile transaction service
You'll soon have yet another choice of services for making payments from your cellphone, with a new entrant called Obopay joining recently-launched PayPal Mobile and industry "veteran" TextPayMe in the fight to host your handset-based transactions. As with the other services, Obopay allows members to both send and receive money from bank accounts and credit cards (after passing through the company's servers for a fee of "just pennies," of course), but diverges from other offerings by sending you a MasterCard debit card for retail payments or ATM withdrawals directly from your account. The downloadable app required to access the service will be available on April 15th, and according to Obopay, may soon come pre-loaded on handsets from "major wireless carriers" who are currently conducting their own qualification programs.
GSM Spy Socket turns power strip into surveillance tool
One door closes; another opens. If you've been planning to set up a little sting (not that we're advocating privacy invasions or anything), the GSM Spy Socket might be the tool for you. Looking like a humble power strip -- it's even got a logo from power-supply company APC for increased verisimilitude -- the device works with any GSM SIM card to become an instant eavesdropping tool. The best part: you can check in from anywhere, simply by dialing the number associated with the SIM. Alas, this seems to be available in a Euro-only configuration; no way is this gonna fool anyone using a US-style strip. (It's also pretty expensive, at €950, but that's the price you pay for being a spying scoundrel, eh?)[Via the Ferret]
Vodafone study: cellphones are good for healthcare
There's a new study in town, kids: it's published by Vodafone and the Imperial College, London, and states that -- surprise, surprise -- mobile phones are becoming increasingly essential in providing expeditious and efficient health care services. All snark aside, we don't doubt the (British) health care system does stand to save some bucks with things like automated SMS appointment reminders, so if you're inclined to slog through a 40-page report citing 150 usage cases for text messaging in the health care industry, be our guest. We just ask that no matter who comes up with these things, they don't stop at thinking that mobile technology can benefit health care only so far as SMS is concerned.[Via textually]
Paypal Mobile launches?
We heard it was coming, and now it's (supposedly) here: Paypal's new Paypal Mobile service is apparently up and running, and from what PSFK says there's really not a whole lot to it: you can either text PAYPAL (729725) with the dollar amount and recipients digits (i.e. "send 10 to 2125551212"), or you can do it manually by calling 1-800-4PAYPAL (1-800-472-9725), which is obviously far less exciting. There isn't any official press release we could find on this yet, so caveat emptor, we don't know what (if anything) they're gonna charge you. Oh, and do especially mind your phone from now on, ok? As if using it as an e-wallet didn't scare you enough, now it's linked to all your bank accounts and credit cards.
Survey sez: wage monkeys confused by email, IM, and SMS use at work
Like it or not, those quick-cut, MTV kids are now deeply entrenched in the daily cubicle drudge. They bring a style of communication and comfort with messaging technologies which, no doubt, befuddles those senior execs who feel most comfortable with their emails printed, stacked and ready for shuffling each morning. So it’s no surprise to find a wide range of expectations and confusion around the appropriate office-use of IM, SMS, and email in a recent UK-based "Digital Etiquette" survey. In fact, the very lack of uptake in using business IM and text messaging, they conclude, stems from the fear of using these technologies incorrectly.The survey also notes that without proper technology-use guidelines, companies risk “damaging relationships” both within the organization and with suppliers, partners, and clients alike. One thing seems universally agreed, however – “ur fired” is inappropriate in any medium.[Via Techdirt]
Heart implant communicates with docs' cellphones
Heart implants that can communicate with, and be programmed from, a remote device over the telephone have been around for awhile, but now we're starting to see pacemakers that actually send real-time updates directly to a doctor's cellphone. An Australian man has recently joined around 30,000 Americans and Europeans who have defibrillators that use an external transmitter to send data to a medical server, which then texts the appropriate doctor with vital information such as heart rhythm. Along with such devices as the DIY EKG kit, ECG shirt, and remotely-operated robot surgeon, this product may help us fulfill our dream of never seeing the inside of a doctor's office again.[Via Smart Mobs]
Free basic service on "PlayStation Network Platform"
Going by the working title "PlayStation Network Platform," Sony has announced that the basic level of its online service will be free (at least at first).While the company's "Live-killer" will readily support the PS3 at launch in November, it is not known to what extent the "PNP" (er, "PSNP"?) will support the PS2 and PSP.What are supported, however, are voice/video chat, messaging, matchmaking, ranking, game data uploading/downloading, shopping, content downloading, micro payments, subscriptions, and entitlement (i.e., user access) management. All of this will be tied together with a Live-like user login ID/handle name. Hello, 360... More P(S)NP pics follow.
Text messaging bigger than Hollywood?
We find this one a little hard to believe, but according to at least one set of stats, text messaging is a bigger business than the movie industry. Revenues for texting in 2005 were about $75 billion, vs. $30 billion for Hollywood. Text is even bigger than the video game biz, which only brings in $40 billion. And, to top it off, texting has a 90% profit margin. Given that texting is bigger than the movie business, we assume it's only a matter of time before it has its own stars and scandals. Oh, wait, it's already got that, right Paris?
Ogo go Deutsch Euro
Been a little while since we've heard from IXI and their Ogo, the little phone-free mobile messenger that could (but never quite did). IXI's been working the overseas circuit, slowly penetrating the text-heavy European sub-continent. The Ogo's latest stop is in Vodafone Germany, rebadged as the 1&1 Pocket Web device, which will sell for about $60 US and have an associated all you can eat data / texting plan for about $12 monthly. Good luck, little guy, wherever you, um, go in the world.
Possible kidnap-victim who texted for help has been found safe
A New Jersey girl who was being reported as kidnapped, and who contacted her mother via text messages with pleas like "helm 0m im scared I d0nt kn0w were I am," was found safe but in shock today in an NYC taxi. Thirteen-year-old Natasha Browne of Jersey City went missing on Monday morning after telling friends that she had a doctor's appointment that day, although her mother claims that was not the case. Instead, police are speculating that Natasha met up with someone who had approached her on the Internet, although at this point it is unclear whether or not she was held against her will. Still, the dozen or so frantic messages seem to point to a meetup-gone-wrong scenario, with Natasha informing her mother that she was being held in a basement and forced to do "disgusting things." CNN is reporting that she is currently with her mother in an NYC hospital; we will update this post when more information becomes available.
Reality TV embraces text messaging
Text messaging is playing a starring role in at least two reality TV shows this season, with the Apprentice asking contestants to design an SMS advertiting campaign and Top Chef offering viewers the chance to receive "personalized" weekly messages from the battling gourmets. In episode two of The Trump Show's fifth season, the Donald's minions are tasked with shilling Gillette's new five-blade Fusion razor via text, pitting Synergy project manager Pepi against Lee and the Gold Rush. Meanwhile, over at Bravo, Top Chef fans can sign up for messages containing insider info and a so-called behind-the-scenes look at the vicious backbiting and ingredient-tampering that we imagine goes on among these Emeril-wannabes. We're hoping that this Top Chef-style messaging catches on with other reality shows, as it would really buoy our spirits each day to hear the Survivor castaways complaining about their progressive hunger and misery.Read- Apprentice [via textually]Read- Top Chef [via textually]
"Election Alarm Clock" reminds UK citizens to vote by SMS
UK citizens now have one less excuse for not voting, with a new election reminder service threatening to kick the old "Oh, that was today- I forgot" excuse directly to the curb. The Electoral Commission's New Initiatives Fund and e-democracy company Delib kicked in some quid to launch the "Election Alarm Clock" pilot program, an opt-in service running through May that notifies participants of elections, impending registration deadlines, and absentee ballot cut-off dates through a series of emails and text messages. In order to generate buzz, the sponsors of the program are giving away a free iPod shuffle as well as publicizing a semi-addictive Flash game that involves pushing an elephant on roller skates down a ramp and going for maximum airtime before the inevitable crash. While this is certainly a great first step in motivating people to vote, an even better way to "remind" them might be to send habitual non-voters on short "vacations" to oppressive non-democratic countries, where the lack of basic rights and freedoms should serve as an even greater kick in the pants than a friendly SMS.[Via textually and eGov monitor]
Consumers are/aren't hot for mobile TV, Part II
In what we're hoping gets no one wants turned into Engadget Mobile's version of the "cellphones are dangerous/not dangerous" saga, a new study released by International Data Corp (IDC) of Internet users in Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, China, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan claims that less that 10% of cellphone owners use non-voice features other than text messaging. This study would seem to corroborate an earlier one of U.S. Internet users by InsightExpress showing that less than 25% of Americans express an interest in watching TV on their cellphones- but also contradicts a Nokia-sponsored study of Europeans, whose optimistic results could have nothing to do with the fact the Nokia wants to sell people DVB-H handsets. The IDC study also showed, unsurprisingly, that SMS remains a popular feature among the mobile crowd, with 65% of those surveyed sending text messages every day.[Via textually]
E-ticketing via MMS on dba
See, if we spent our time brainstorming useful new ways of taking advantage of our phones instead of always writing up the news, maybe we could take credit for German airline dba's new e-ticketing / flight check-in system, which they're readying for CeBIT in Hannover next week. It simply sends an MMS of your e-ticket barcode to your phone, which you then flash at the boarding gate (what, no pre-security check-in?); what you've got here is a completely paperless airline experience. It's the little things about wireless tech, people.
Is Stan Bubrouski reading your text messages?
A recent SMS fiasco of our own reminded us that those text messages don't always make it to their intended recipient, and it sounds like a certain Stan Bubrouski could be reading a few of those transmissions at this very moment. Seems that since he set his Verizon username as "null" back in 2001, he's been receiving a whole bunch of messages not quite intended for him, including everything from "call mom," to school grades, to massive tests by OnStar and ESPN. Supposedly Verizon is now looking into the issue, and none to soon now that Stan is getting SSNs and credit card info, a sign of the increased use of the not so reliable tech.[Via Techdirt]
Chinese government outlaws lewd texting
In the latest move to protect its citizens against the immoral and democratizing influence of technology, the Chinese government has dictated that cellphone users may no longer text one another with sexually explicit messages. Shenzen police will be running a campaign to inform the public of this new danger to their freedom and yuan stacks, which will rather ironically include posters, banners, and brochures depicting graphic examples of exactly what types of "nasty chat" are off limits (not really).The law also covers sending threatening or fraudulent information, which seems pretty legit, but the threat of nine days in jail and/or a $62 fine for something as harmless as a little intimate SMSing between significant others seems a bit over-the top from our liberal Western standpoint. Next thing you know, Beijing will start limiting the Internet search capabilities of its citizens and maybe even restricting the websites they can visit- and after that, hey, maybe they'll go all out and decide to build some kind of big wall-like structure all around the country.[Via TechDirt]
