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The next new thing.

A fascinating article from the New York Times today about the next technological revolution: the use of mapping on cell phones.

My husband can’t go across town without consulting google maps (and traffic conditions) on his blackberry. Soon, however, this will be the “donkey kong” of map applications. No one seems to know what innovations the technology will inspire, only that they will be life-changing.

New applications are beginning to surface (for instance, Google’s friend-finding service, Latitude, launched this month.). How could this be used? Sam Ashton,a 23-year-old Stanford University computer science graduate and the founder of Loopt, a pioneering friend-finding service,

…was having dinner in Palo Alto, California, when he noticed from the screen on his phone that his freshman college roommate was having dinner just two restaurants away. The two met after dinner at a bar, where they were joined by another former Stanford student who had noticed on his display that the two were socializing together.

Pretty neat. And of course, advertisers are salivating at the commercial possibilities of tracking a consumer’s footprints as she travels from Neiman’s to Barney’s to Nordstrom.

But will there be a backlash against this invasion of privacy?

A full-blown map-based, location-aware mobile world would entail rethinking some basic notions of privacy. For an older generation, exposing their precise location around the clock to an army of little brothers for marketing and advertising purposes is a privacy invasion.

I doubt it. With many of us in our 40’s and 50’s posting to our facebook wall and twittering our every move, it’s only a small step to let the world know what we’re doing by map.

Note: Embedded in this story is a fascinating discussion- worthy of its own column- that human brains are hard-wired to use maps which are, therefore, a logical tool for providing us information.

Sign-Offs

Lunch-time in South Florida.
Courtesy: Maggie’s Farm

BBC anchor being naughty on-air? Decide for yourself.

British newspapers -and not just the tabloids- are almost giddily reporting the on-air, implied sex-capades of BBC presenter, Tasmin, who announced the 60 Second News on Thursday night:

Her enunciation appeared noticeably peculiar, placing unwarranted emphasis on the word ‘quick’, which she stretched out. She then moved on to the first snippet of news: ‘A missing businessman’s been found alive in a Florida campsite…’ she purred (my emphasis), her voice rising conspicuously at the end of the final word. ..She managed to end the sentence with ‘…three days after his plane crashed’ - but not before gasping very audibly between the words ‘days’ and ‘after’. The next item never materialised, as she stopped talking altogether. In the seconds that follow, she is heard sighing.

Sounds like a steamy, trashy novel, doesn’t it? And admit it, your imagination runs to the famous Meg Ryan scene in When Harry Met Sally (despite the official BBC explanation that Tasmin was simply running late and out-of-breath).

Well, you can decide for yourself. Here’s the original audio:

Re-entry Moms Take Note

This could be your new job:

Tourism Queensland is taking applications for the job of “Caretaker of the Barrier Islands” through February 9. Basically you live on an island for the last six months of 2009, play hostess and write a blog about the amenities of the islands. Specific responsibilities include:

Explore and report back
There’s so much to see and do, so you’ll have plenty to write about in your weekly blog. And with so much life above and below the water, you’re sure to capture some entertaining moments for your video diary and photo gallery. To keep you busy, Tourism Queensland will organise a schedule of travel and events on the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef. Your schedule could include sampling a new luxury spa treatment at qualia on Hamilton Island, trying out new snorkelling gear on Heron Island, or bushwalking on Hinchinbrook Island.

Feed the fish
There are over 1,500 species of fish living in the Great Barrier Reef. Don’t worry – you won’t need to feed them all.

Clean the pool
The pool has an automatic filter, but if you happen to see a stray leaf floating on the surface it’s a great excuse to dive in and enjoy a few laps.

You get to live here (and can bring your family if you must):

The bright, airy interior features three spacious bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, state-of-the-art entertainment system, ceiling fans, air-conditioning and laundry facilities.

The Island Caretaker will enjoy Blue Pearl’s outdoor areas including a private plunge pool/spa with exceptional views, sun lounges, large balconies and the traditional Aussie barbeque. A golf buggy is also included with the house, so you can explore the island with ease.

AND you get paid AUD$150,000 for six months work.

This combines many aspects of my- and I suspect many other’s- dream job (i.e. bed and breakfast owner, writer or celebrity). But come on. NOTHING is this good. Obviously it’s a publicity stunt. But what could the downside of this job be? Running down the usual list:

• -jerk boss
• -unbearable pressure to produce (whether it’s sales, billings or words)
• -long hours away from your family,

I doubt any of these apply. And besides, couldn’t anyone stand even a bad job for six months? I don’t get it.

Posted Under: Australia, Too good to be true
This post was written by Louise on January 12, 2009 Comments (0)

Those Crazy Kids

Here’s one way to see the fjords of Norway.

wingsuit base jumping from Ali on Vimeo.

Story of India

So I’ve set our DVR to PBS tonight from 8-10 p.m. Central Time. The Story of India,  a BBC import which premiers tonight and the following two Mondays,  has the modest task of tracking 50,000 years of Indian history. The first two chapters cover “Beginnings” and “The Power of Ideas” which takes us through the Age of Buddha. By most accounts, it’s a visual and educational feast.  Should be a  good night for tika masal and saag paneer pick-up  in front of the tv.

Interesting to see the website for this show. Complicated, extensive and interactive, with a focus on teaching, it’s a great example of  a homebase for connecting various media. Surely this is the future of  digital communication.