Smart Ring

In the wearable computing category a smart ring could beat a smart glass or even a smart watch. A smart belt perhaps? The ring would be great for health apps, especially sleep apps, physical activity apps.

I see the smartphone still being the center of the wearable computing universe. Just like my favorite smartphone apps I can still access from my laptop.

Battery is the biggest bottle neck in the whole equation. A good battery is one you don't worry about. There is always juice.

Wearable computing can be amazing for the global traveler. For safety, for navigation.

Google Now could use all of the above. You want the smart things to constantly be soaking data, but the display can not be constant. Otherwise those smart things get in the way of life. A smart display is one that is mostly out of sight.

A Case For A Facebook Phone

Latin America and the Caribbean (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This Techcrunch post makes a great case for a Facebook phone. Super convincing.

Facebook Phone International, Bringing The Developing World Online Social-First

Through savvy carrier deals, subsidized handsets, and free limited data access, Facebook could ensure emerging markets come online with friend requests as their first experience. That could turn populations in southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America into Facebook users for life.

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If You Did Not Attend SXSW

Here's a shortcut.

12 Brilliant Sketches Illustrate SXSW Keynotes

Ingress: Is Victory Possible?

Ingress is a great way to explore the city. It takes you to parts of the city you never have been and would not have gone. I am talking about 20 blocks from where you live. The game is also a great way to meet people. And there are good practices. Strategies are possible. But this is not exactly chess.

Right now the city looks about 60% blue. Would it be possible to make it 90% blue? I think it is possible but  it gets harder as the percentage goes up.

When you are dominant, your players start taking it easy. Most prefer not to get regimented. When the city is largely blue it is great for the most active green players. They have more portals to capture.

But even going from 60% blue to 75% blue would fit my definition of victory.

Another definition of victory would be if we could turn permanently green areas like the High Line, the East Village, Williamsburg, Long Island City, the UN blue for a few days in a row.

I am under no illusion we are creating anything permanent. Permanent victories are not possible. If they were, the game would not be fun. But I think it is possible to shift the ground.

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