LiveStation to bring Live TV to your cell phone, soon

If you dream of being able to watch CSI: Miami or Survivor on your cell phone while you dash out to the store for some snacks, take heart: Livestation, a Web TV service created by Microsoft and a software company called Skinkers, might soon make it possible. Newsfactor.com reports.

"LiveStation, which would enable high-quality viewing of live television programs on a PC or other computing device, is being touted as an alternative to technologies like
Joost that enable PCs to show pre-recorded TV programs, but not live shows.

Unlike Joost, LiveStation is a peer-to-peer technology, which means that once the PC acquires programming, it can be shared with other devices like a set-top box or, at some point, a cell phone. "

Related: - Microsoft announces Joost killer

YouTube could dominate cellphones

According to BloggingStocks, YouTube's greatest potential is not on the computer screen -- but on the cellphone screen.

"Visit mobile.youtube.com on your cellphone's web browser and you can get a taste of what may be coming. Not all YouTube content is available yet, but with these videos being converted on the fly to the format most modern cellphones can play, is YouTube's vast video library about to be opened to over a billion cellphones worldwide?

With YouTube being bundled by Apple on the new iPhone and with a partnership with Korean cellphone giant LG on tap, Google's plans for YouTube may expand way beyond the computer screen.

There are about four times as many cellphones in use in the world as PCs -- and we can all do the math, right?"

University adds RFID tags to mobile phones

Starting in August, Slippery Rock University's 8,500 students and faculty members will each receive a passive 13.56 MHz RFID tag they can attach to their cell phones. RFID Journal reports via TUV Product Service Industry News]

"This tag will allow them to pay for everything from laundry and copier services to movies and groceries in the surrounding town of Slippery Rock, located about 50 minutes north of Pittsburgh.

... Students can go online at any time to track their spending and, if they so desire, allow their parents the same access. Their parents can then see where the money is being spent, and add money to the account."

audioTagger: Wireless Phonography

audioTagger will be presented at Digital Art Weeks Zürich 10-14 July.

audioTagger is a mobile-phone-sound-art-in-urban-space research project, or can be defined as, wireless phonography ("mobile sound writing"). audioTagger is a momentary exploration of urban space, to capture a sonic moment using mobile technology.

Anybody with a data enabled mobile phone can participate and contribute to AudioTagger's exploration of the environment, using the mobile phone as a field recorder, "phonographic tool", ubiquitous and artistic. The mobile phone is used in this application, being the most ubiquitous tool at present, within wireless architecture; creating a seamless computing environment with the Internet.

The location of the field-recording can be viewed and the sound listened to, on a Google map

If anybody out there want their location on the audioTaggermap, just shout!

[via e-Mail]

Can Beijing get its 3G act together for 2008 Olympics?

With less than 400 days until the opening ceremony on Aug. 8, 2008, Chinese workers and officials appear on track to have everything ready. Everything, that is, except 3G, or third-generation mobile technology. PC World reports.

"China remains one of the few Asian countries without 3G service.

When Beijing won the bid to host the games, officials promised a "High-Tech Olympics" to highlight new technologies and showcase China's economic development. 3G was going to be one of the technologies on display."

Paparazzi business being redefined

Peter Gilstrap on Variety on the re-defining of the paparazzi industry as the MOPS - industry jargon for Members of the Public - join the fray.

UPDATE: Thank you BBC for quoting me in your section From the Blogosphere, but all the credit goes to Peter Gilstrap from Variety, whom I quoted (reBlogged part of his article).

EXCERPTS: ... "It's crazy, it's exploding," admits Mark Kuschner, Getty's global VP of entertainment. "People cannot get enough information, especially when it comes to entertainment. On their mobile phones, on the Internet, in newspapers and magazines, TV shows, you name it. And it's a massive global trend.

More and more, individual photogs connected with existing companies are branching off and forming their own concerns. And there are plenty of non-photographers turning pro: ex-gang members, valets, waiters, dog walkers, even the homeless are working for agencies, bringing their own particular skills and vantage points.

Another upstart player in the photo game are the MOPS, industry jargon for Members of the Public. With cheap, user-friendly digital units and cell phone cameras, a money-making snap can potentially be captured by almost anyone". Read on.

Related: - Phone snappers put squeeze on paparazzi

Put your favorite DVDs on your iPhone

DVD to iPhone kets iPhone users upload video content from DVDs, home movies, YouTube... to their phone. [Popgadget]

According to their website: "You can take blockbuster movies from DVD, but also recorded TV, downloaded Youtube content, or videos from your camcorder, and with 2 clicks convert those into a high quality compressed file, which will play on the iPhone's built-in video player. Enjoy movies with an amazingly crisp picture and stereo CD-quality sound.

New Cyberspeed technology allows up to 400% faster DVD-to-iPhone conversions. In 45 minutes you can put a feature film on your iPhone. So whatever you would've watched on the sofa, you can watch elsewhere instead."

Surprisingly though, points out Popgadget , the full version of DVD to iPhone is not Mac-compatible.

Cameraphone Reporting As "Vox Pop"

Within minutes of the terrorist attack on Glasgow Airport people had sent photos and footage from cameraphones to broadcasters, writes MocoNews

"It's interesting how this sort of behaviour is being viewed: "Adrian Monck, professor of journalism at London's City University, says the use of viewers' pictures can be a way of "rewarding" the audience..."It is like the 'vox pop', which was developed as a way of showing we really were interested in what people have to say." reports the Scotsman.

The suggestion is that as young people watch less television and get more of their news from other sources this could be a way of keeping them engaged with TV news—sort of a TV 2.0 thing, where people participate in the content creation process."

Related: - Eyewitness capture terrorists burning car on camera and film

Helio ads YouTube Mobile

The American virtual carrier Helio announced that it had added YouTube Mobile, its own adaptation of the web video service.

"... Like Apple's iPhone client, the Helio version includes a custom program for searching and playing videos and plays re-encoded versions of the clips in full-screen rather than the normal Flash versions."

[via electronista]

Live TV on cell phones better than you'd expect

Live TV finally comes to cell phones -- full-length on-air programs in full-motion video, with an interactive program guide, without annoying "buffering" lags, and with the ability to instantly surf channels. Newsday reports.

"Channels from industry titans like CBS, NBC, Fox, MTV and ESPN.

Verizon's new V CAST Mobile TV service -- newly available around New York City and other major metro areas -- is light years ahead of Verizon's V CAST clip streams and Sprint's PowerVision TV I tested last year. Verizon Mobile TV finally makes real television broadcasts portable in a convenient, efficient way. It really does replicate the in-home viewing experience.

... So you're not watching phone TV. You're watching TV. Period."

[via TV Barn Ticker]

Cameraphone Classifieds

According to ScreenPlays, iqzone inc. plans on launching on August 15 a service that enables camera phone users to take a photo or video clip and post a classified ad in less than a minute’s time.

"Although other do-it-yourself classified services exist online, iqzone is specifically targeting an “under-30 handset generation” who tends to engage in far more text messaging than in PC-based activity, and whose phone likely has an integrated camera.

Sellers will be able to broadcast their mobile ads to a network of free online and paid classified sites and print publications. Buyers can set mobile alerts for items or services of interest or search for items using their mobile phone or the iqzone.com Web site."

Citizen Mobile Videos to save the Earth

Friends of the Earth is asking members of the public to record videos with their mobile phones to pledge support for a new campaign, The Big Ask, to help push for tough new climate change laws.

"Friends of the Earth will send a copy of each video message to each sender’s local MP. The campaign has attracted celebrity support from the likes of Jude Law, James Blunt, Johnny Borrel and KT Tunstall."

[From Pocket-Picks]

Identity Protection System

Régine over at we-make-money-not-art.com reports on a project showing at the RCA's Great Exhibition in London, called IDPS (IDentity Protection System.

"Interaction designer Miquel Mora proposes a new way to protect our visual identity from the invasion of ubiquitous surveillance cameras, by sticking a special sticker on your jacket which blurred your image on the video screen".

In his own words: DPS allows users to secure their identity. It gives them the power to reveal or hide their image with subtle gestures. With IDPS they are in control of their identity.

IDPS technology could be printed or embedded in all kind of items, from simple badges to clothes or jewellery. With IDPS users can always feel comfortable, knowing that with a simple gesture like smiling, they are in control.

Cellphones to come with projector

SK Telecom of Korea will be releasing new handsets that come with a built-in Nano Projector which is capable of throwing images of up to 20" in size onto a screen or wall.

Developed from an earlier iteration shown last year by Iljin Display, the projector is set to get its first commercial outing after mass production begins in September.

[DigitalWorld Tokyo via Uberphones]

Related cellphone/projector concepts:

-- Microvision unveils tiny projector for mobile devices - Microvision announced that it will unveil at CES an ultra-miniature full-color digital projection display for cell phones and other mobile devices.

-- Microprojector for cell phones - FutureWire reports on a "microprojector" that will allow cell phones and iPods to project images on a wall or screen, developped by Redmond Microvision.

-- Phone to Carry Video Projector - A South Korean company developed a coin-size laser video projector module that can fit into portable gadgets such as mobile phones and digital cameras.

And a more bulky concept:

-- The Project-a-Phone - The ICD-5000 delivers a live image of a handheld device screen to a computer, so it can be recorded, displayed on a monitor, projected on a screen or shared through the Web.

Eyewitness capture terrorists burning car on camera and film

Eyewitness Thomas Conroy too this picture of the terrorist vehicle crashing into the Glasgow Airport's Terminal One building in Glasgow. Another witness filmed the car on fire with his cameraphone. [via BBC]

YouTube Gets Embedded on LG Handsets

LG Electronics will build a YouTube app for its phones and then start selling handsets with it later this year. LG handset users will be able to film, upload and view videos on YouTube using their mobile phones.

[via MocoNews]

Nokia launches Mobile Photo Printing Service

Nokia has launched a fully integrated mobile printing service in Europe for the Nseries handsets, accessible from the Gallery application.

"The Nokia XpressPrint service ets you order prints via LAN or cellular networks directly from your Nseries phone.

Simply select the images to be printed, insert address and other requested information, and press 'Order now'. The order is then processed by CeWe Color and prints are delivered to the entered address. You can also have your favorite images printed on stickers or gift items like mugs, jigsaw puzzles and T-shirts, and have them delivered to a friend. "

[via i4u]

Mobile TV Is Like Sushi: Report

The Vienna-based Institut der WU has issued a report (commissioned by 3) which claims that consumers will not be able to resist mobile TV, and compared it to sushi.

"According to the study, mobile TV is a trend, which - like sushi - is first met with resistance and sceptism, but once accepted very addictive. One must have experienced mobile TV in your own hands to realise you can't live without it" reports Broadband TV News.

The study spoke to 52 experts and 232 consumers in Austria, Germany and Italy, and more than 53 percent of the respondents said they could imagine watching TV on their mobile up to 30 minutes a day.

[via Moco News]

EU telecommunications chief favors European mobile TV standard

Viviane Reding, the telecommunications chief of the European Union, said Thursday that she would support the European mobile television broadcasting standard over U.S. and South Korean rivals when the commission decides next month which one to back. IHT reports.

"The lack of a single standard has held back wider use of television broadcasts on cellphones, but EU support for digital video broadcast handheld, or DVB-H, technology could be the decisive factor in the battle between half a dozen standards."