Posts tagged Mobile Lifestyle
RIAA wants FM radios in every mobile device, but why? Because it’s huge business!
Aug 18th
Earlier this week, the RIAA and the record companies issued a request to the US Congress to mandate the inclusion of FM radios on all future mobile phones. The motivations are clear: having them on devices that everyone already uses will increase listenership, and therefore ad revenue. Not to mention the fact that all one really needs is a pair of headphones plugged into a 3.5mm jack, and you have yourself a built-in antenna.
Indeed, the latest Android phones that I have used, including the Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant and the HTC Desire, both have FM radio capabilities included in the kernel. All you need is a pair of headphones to act as an antenna (copper wire is a great antenna of FM signal) and you’re good to go.
But why do they want to move backwards when the rest of the industry seems to want to move forward with digital music sales? Doesn’t it scream desperation? Absolutely! And they don’t care! Advertising is still, by far, the more profitable way for media to be consumed. There is a reason that HBO/TMN is so expensive when added to an existing cable line-up, or that movie ticket prices haven’t greatly increased in the last ten years despite exponentially larger budgets.
FM radio, according to Ars Technica, isn’t decreasing in listenership, either. In fact, it has grown in the past few years. 239 million people listen to radio on a regular basis, and 93% of individuals aged 12 and higher listen to radio at least weekly. I know some people who have it on all day at their office desks. And for those who commute, it is much easier to turn on the dial than load up a CD that ends after 50 minutes.
Like the TV that is always there, blabbing away in the background, FM radio will never die, as long as their is pop music to keep listeners coming back. But do you listen to the radio on your phone? And would you, if it was there? Despite having it on my Galaxy S for the past couple weeks, I have never listened to the radio because I hate ads. Why would I subject myself to something I don’t want to hear for 10 minutes of every hour?
Would you? Let us know.
(via Ars Technica)
Mobile Lifestyle: How To Be Sneaky On BBM!
Aug 8th
Lately, I feel like I have been bombarded with BBM commercials of really obscure groups of people using BBM. The only thing I could possibly relate to is when a woman around my age says, “I can see when they received the message!” <Insert evil laugh here> Thankfully, I am here dear readers, to inform you of deeper and more pertinent features of BBM.
Just when I thought I had exhausted the subject of blackberry messenger with my ever popular debate of “received” versus “delivered” messages and argument of BBM being a personal messaging tool, there is more.
Consider the following scenario: Adam has not replied to Sarah’s message for 3 days and she knows this because it’s “delivered” and not “received”. However, Sarah has a blackberry 8830 and Adam has a 9700. Why does this matter?
Let’s examine the 9700 a little closer:
Notice how the first line of the message can be viewed without answering it? You are able to read what the person is saying without actually answering the message, therefore the message remains delivered to the sender. Furthermore, you can click “back” on your Blackberry and the alert (whether it be the flashing red light or sound is disabled) allowing one to completely forget the about message except that the icon remains. Fortunately, older Blackberries allow you to disable the alert without answering the message yet do not allow the luxury of reading the first line in the way described above. Fortunately, there is a way around this for older users, let’s look at an 8830 Blackberry messenger screen:
If you get a message that you don’t want to answer, go to another active conversation, the incoming message will appear (at least the first line) at the bottom of your conversation, however this does not appear to work for the bold. For other blackberry versions, you can go to your “messaging” icon which collects all of your messages; the first line of the BBM message will show up there. Just be sure to checkmark or click yes in BBM options for “forward/show chats in message application”.
The new version of BBM is very sexy compared to the older versions as it includes options of showing a picture and little status message; it’s very ICQ-esque. Yet, as I argued in an earlier post – with these new features of picture and status changes – it becomes quite personal and borderline stalker city since there is no private settings for BBM – all your “friends” see you. The advantage is, although they can see you, they don’t have to know that you read their message. That, folks is how to be sneaky on BBM.
How to lose a GIRL in 10 BBMs
Jul 26th
It appeared that most of you related to my last article. So much so that I felt the need to write a Part Deux. Believe it or not, there are many ways to lose a guy through BBM. Yet, did you know that girls can equally be lost through similar means?
Most girls are emotional creatures who thrive on feelings! Isn’t it then ironic that most communication now occurs through the use of devices that through which it is impossible to successfully convey emotions?
Perhaps it would be helpful for there to be an app that would judge the type of emotion and level of intensity of that emotion via cellular communication. Unfortunately, we are left with decoding emotion with wild imaginations that create large dramatic storylines.
Thankfully, I am here to save you from hours of analysis with the following simple translations:
The One Worded Guy
You see clear and normal interaction in real life which involves conversation in full sentences. Yet, when it comes to BBM – the conversation skill level deteriorates to that of a 2 year old. Could it be that he has abnormally large thumbs? Perhaps he wants to avoid all miscommunications so he replies with a simple “yes”, “no” and the occasional smiley face (J).
Guess what, buddy, your every move is being analyzed and evaluated! My only advice to this poor soul is to remain consistent between your real life self and your electronic self – you are currently giving off standoffish signals! Next!
The Crazy Emoticon Guy
Are you in high school? Okay, then please carry on.
Yes, an emoticon is used to portray emotion (sort of), yet there is a point where too much use of smiley faces can make you appear immature and in some cases, desperate. “Everything in moderation” should be your new mantra. I know guys can be a bit on the non-emotional side in real life; in that sense pouring out your heart through the use of emoticons is not the way to go.
The Over Use of LOL guy
Is it really that funny? No, I don’t think so. As a constant BBMer, even I have fallen victim to the overuse of LOL – am I really laughing out loud? Only in rare instances does such an event take place. Am I that funny? Well, apparently, because everyone is laughing out loud with the occasional “rolling on the floor.”
To a guy that overuses this term, please invest in a thesaurus. Furthermore, if it’s not funny then don’t lead us on and think that you are actually laughing out loud; do us a favour and tell us what you really think – a smile emoticon would work in this instance (but not too many!).
The Rest
You may have encountered a mixture or parts of these types of people in your history of BBMing – the best way to deal with it is to let the person know that you just don’t roll like that. The bottom line is: keep emotional and earth shattering conversations off BBM!
There are of course other anomalies that I have not encountered, yet. What types of emotional misunderstandings have you come across on BBM?
Mobile Lifestyle: How to lose a guy in 10 BBMs
Jul 18th
A boy must have invented the “delivered” versus “received” system on BBM because he certainly did not take into account the potential torture and agony that would ensue. Don’t get me wrong, I love BBM, yet where do you draw the line on who to add and when it is appropriate to add them? To avoid emotional turmoil, and embarrassing conversations like the one below, I have developed some simple rules.
| BBM Conversation | Translation |
| 1:54 am R u still up? | Drunk text to new guy |
| 1:54 am thx baby – had a great time too J | Misdirected message intended to be sent to old guy |
| 2:18am oh! Sorry, wrong person…..lol! eek.. | Back peddling! |
| (messages all received) | The glaring “R” shows up on all messages to new guy |
| 2:19am hello??? | More Back peddling and slight anger at his non-responsiveness |
| 2:21am k listen, don’t worry about that message – its nothing. | …. |
| 2:22am am I | …. |
| 2:22am right? | …. |
| 2:23am k, well ur prolly sleeping | Resignation and acceptance |
| 2:23am are you?? | Disbelief |
| 2:24am I am sorry for waking u up… | Apologetic |
| (all messages received) | Anger and Rage |
| 12:34pm Yah I was. I was fast asleep and I heard my phone beep 10 times. | Good riddance – didn’t like him anyways |
- Do not engage in drunk-texting, sexting or any type of mobile communication after 1:51am. This will ultimately lead to messages sent to the wrong recipients. #fail
- Do not date those that choose to leave your message as “received” with no answer. These individuals are clearly not eager to read your message – how dare they.
- There is also a smaller group who choose to leave the messages “delivered” for up to 3 or more hours that could be on the non-date list as well. These individuals are either a) playing games b) industrial strength phone answering control. In either case, you are a phone junkie and need to know things right away and have no patience for either.
- If you do choose to place your new “special someone” on your instant message list – first think about the implications: 1. You can be reached 24/7 – do you want to be that available? 2. Unfortunately, deleting will be noticed.
- My number one rule going forward with BBM is to just keep it to close friends and family where no miscommunication can occur. If it does, than a simple phone call can alleviate such matters.
Email is sooo 2009, BBM is the new hotness, and in any case it’s more personal than email.
When you add a new contact it’s an open invitation to conversation 24/7. So be mindful and weary as to who you draw into your inner personal mobile space – it can get crowded.
What Does Your Phone Skin Say About You?
Jun 27th
A cellular phone skin (cover/protector) can come in many different colours, and materials which can say a lot about one’s personality. Here is my short list on what your phone skin could say about you. Please take this seriously as the following has been researched based on psychological science.
The Naked Phone (no skin)
You are a highly responsible and organized individual. Your phone does not dictate your identity as its primary use is for business purposes. You don’t feel your phone requires any protection as it usually sits in a holster on your hip, or at the side of your leather office bag. Furthermore, you know where your phone is located at all times and would never carelessly drop it due to any scatterbrain activity as this is completely against your nature.
Black Dark Coloured Rubber or Plastic Skin
You are a highly practical and a down to earth person. Your phone means quite a lot to you, yet you don’t want to draw attention to yourself or your phone as you relish those under the table tweets and quickie pillow talk texts. Furthermore, you didn’t think beyond having a suitable non-coloured protector to your phone which occasional dropping would protect.
Solid Colour Skin – White
You are a bold individual that is highly neat with a unique style. You own special cleaners for your phone and skin that you use on a daily basis. Your phone is always in perfect condition. You shudder at the thought of it being placed on a cement floor or wet bar; this would never happen.
Solid Colour Skin – Bright (Yellow, Pink, Green, Orange etc..)
Depending on your colour, you are a range of extroversion that may include the need to have people notice your phone and comment on its brilliant colour. You are loud and noticeable in your demeanour and feel that your phone should match that similar personality. You drop your phone a few times a week due to multi-tasking and frequent scatterbrained activity. Furthermore, you feel the need to switch up your bright colours as your tastes of colour and style change like the weather.
Intricately Designed Skin
You are a creative and unique person that believes your phone could be an actual living spirit. You have decorated your phone with jewels, caricatures, or purchased uniquely designed skins of graphics with a mixture of colours. You are most likely an iPhone user who enjoys music, application use and taking pictures – you may aspire or take part in design or creation of ideas as your profession.
Whichever skin your cell phone wears, whether it is unconsciously or deliberately, be mindful that it generally doesn’t go unnoticed. It is directly related to your personality and mobile lifestyle.
iPhone vs. Blackberry – Clashing of Mobile Personalities
Jun 19th
Today we are introducing a series of articles on the Mobile Lifestyle. Jas Banwait is a fashion and technology entrepreneur, and, having her foot in both doors, wants to explore the ways we interact with our devices, and why we choose the ones we do. In this first in a series of articles, Jas looks at the not-so-friendly rivalry between the iPhone and Blackberry. Let the battle begin!
iPhone vs. Blackberry – Clashing of Mobile Personalities
Have you ever thought of your phone as being an extension of yourself and a dictator of your relationships? Is it not the first thing that you look at before you go to bed and when you wake up? It sits dutifully beside you at work and forgetfully calls those lost loves as it jiggles in your pocket/purse while at play. Your life literally revolves around the small device that carries personal messages, business contacts, and incriminating photos.
Some of us are fiercely loyal towards our brand of phone – namely iPhone or Blackberry. But we still befriend one another. Yet, much of our conversations will ensue through these clashing mobile personalities – how can we stand it!?
What, with the ability of an iPhone to send text messages in the wrong order to Blackberries is enough to make someone question their mobile sanity. (Okay fine, older versions of Blackberry do this too).
Every day, we see more and more iPhone applications with no matching Blackberry one. I am left having to find an iPhone user to download said app for me to explore. How sad and pathetic. But alas, I am still loyal to my Blackberry (with a bit of wavering after the hype of iPhone 4).
Here are some helpful tips on how to defend yourself when faced with a clashing mobile personality:
- Being friends is okay, but dating someone with a phone of the opposite kind is a ticket into miscommunication hood. Be careful.
- Your strongest argument for the Blackberry is its amazing email/messaging capabilities – milk this for all its worth when confronted with an arrogant iPhone user.
- Your lifeline is your charger – do not leave home without it, otherwise you will be left with actually making conversation face to face; there is no app for that.
- Create an amazingly cool application for the Blackberry just to spite iPhone users. (Ed. I’ll believe it when I see it).
- Ensure your phone has a skin, you don’t want to be caught naked – who knows your iPhone may be mistaken for a Blackberry or visa versa. This will help avoid discriminatory conversations.
The mobile lifestyle is all about choices in mobile fashion. It’s sometimes hard to decide what camp you want to commit to; it’s hard enough with all the choice out there. But when it comes down to Blackberry or iPhone, it’s about priorities: messaging or apps. Practicality or hotness.
In the long term, it doesn’t really matter. It’s just a phone. Right?
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