Saturday, December 20, 2008

"hello world" - the mobile web; and first 2008 blog

"hello world"

I sent a test message (using go@blogger.com) from my new mobile phone today - the HTC Google G1. It's an amazing phone, and I'm not here to give it some tech review, as there are million of those online, but rather how it is changing the way I think about interacting with the web in disconnected states and full mobility. This phone is almost a mini computer, complete with pull out keyboard and large touch screen. It is this mobility combined with continually increasing computer power in these miniaturized devices that allows thought and ideas to flow to the web. It is a state of more connectedness from any remote location, and it is this state that is forcing me to reevaluate my workflow. At first there was no web, then came the cable to plug the computer into the web, then wireless freed the user to roam around hot spots, and now the mobile computer with satelite technology allows connectedness from anywhere - as the entire world becomes a hot spot.

To me this means when I have a new idea, I can post it (public or private). When I want to email, SMS, IM anyone - I can, whereever I am. (the battery life on these units needs to catch up to the increasing computing power required to run them - but I digress). I've used SMS and email on a phone; but this phone puts it all at your finger tips. And the IM, is seemless. Going to a particular contact contains every possible way of contacting them - all on the same screen. It does make me think about what mode of communication is best for different applications. (eg. email for more delayed communication; voice for complex discussions; text for a quick question; IM for fragmented conversation throughout a particular amount of time). Each has their own benefits and drawbacks, and with all of these at my fingertips it makes me think about how to most effectively use each of them.

I do tend to get very excited over new devices and new technology. So excited, like most people, that I use it extensively in the beginning and then wonder what benefit it holds. For example, pertaining to this particular blog entry - is there a benefit to writing a blog? I tried it before, but I always had to BE CONNECTED and take time to write something. But in a mobile word, as a thought enters my head, I can write a quick something about it. I will ask myself what this blog will be about, because I can't deal with public blogs that act as journals of personal events. Nobody, including myself, really cares if I went to the store today, or who I talked to, and what some friend said about some other friend, etc. However, just like anything; if this new mobile state is what I think, and my inspiration is unencumbered by the ease of transmission from head to screen, I am anxious to see how it evolves