Nashville Technology Council

Nashville Tech Story (3/22/10)

Twitter’s @anywhere service and Facebook’s rumored GPS-based status updates proves the mobile user’s interest in community.  Apple’s application not only allows the user to discuss tell where they are and why they are there, but allows group interaction with others at the same event, further revolutionizing location-based technology.

Group collaboration is not the only new thing coming to the smartphone. This weekend’s Tennessean Article stated, “Analysts say they believe mobile commerce will continue to grow in the future. Dawn Iacobucci, senior associate dean of Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management, said there are opportunities for businesses to take on a new type of impulse buying through the cell phone. For example, stores could use GPS technology on customers’ cell phones to recognize if the customers are near one of their stores and send mobile coupons to attract them inside, she added.”

View Apple’s full patent application here: http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PG01&s1=20100070758&OS=20100070758&RS=20100070758

Nashville Tech Story (2/8/10)

How did last night’s super bowl keep track of 74,000 fans, players and sponsors?  Through high-definition security cameras, a GPS web-based tracking system, and a beefed up network of extra cell towers.  According to CBS Sports, the event featured a host of technological advances this year.

CBS Sports really stepped it up this year in making sure each player got to the right place at the right time. CNN Tech states, “The Super Bowl contracted with Hunter’s US Fleet Tracking to use its real-time GPS tracking system, which uses satellite technology that can ‘ping’ a vehicle’s location every few seconds.”

In order to track the referees’ calls, CBS Sports used six high-speed, high-definition “SuperVision” cameras, which had the ability to shoot 300-400 frames per second, compared to a normal camera’s 60 frames per second.  Not only could fan’s view amazing replays, but they didn’t have any trouble texting, twittering, or sending photos from the game with AT&T’s 3 extra cell towers and Sprint’s $2 million investment in extra towers.

Security was a breeze with the stadiums high-tech scanners that were used to scan each individual as well as packages and purses that entered the stadium.  The stadium also provided bomb removal robots in case of a threat.

Find out more about game day technology here: http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/02/05/superbowl.olympic.security/?hpt=Sbin

Nashville Tech Story (11/5/09)

When asked what the five best things are about Motorola’s new Smartphone, DROID, an Android 2.0-powered phone developed in partnership with Google, Verizon Wireless’ Manager of Data Solutions, Terry Henry, had much more than five things to say. There are a number of things that differentiate the DROID from its leading competitors in the wireless market.

1. Customization: DROID’s fully open operating systems makes it completely flexible for the user. You can add applications and widgets of your choice to 3 different screens, which can easily be navigated with the touch of a hand.
2. Flexibility with Applications: If you do not like the applications already installed on the phone, there are over 12,000 compatible apps available on the Android Market™, or you can simply create your own app with the software development kit. In addition, if you think your app is awesome, you can sell it on the marketplace.
3. Multi-Task Capability: The DROID has the capability to run multiple applications simultaneously. With the ability to toggle between 6 applications at one time, you can listen to Pandora, browse the web, answer text messages and check e-mail all without losing speed.
4. Speed: Speaking of speed, the DROID has a 550 megaHz processor, the largest available on the market to date. This speed makes web browsing have a desktop-like experience for the user.
5. Navigation: The user has the ability to search any location through Google, by voice command or text. DROID’s GPS navigation will give you turn by turn directions to you location of choice through Google Maps™ Navigation Beta.
6. Contacts: With DROID’s universal list, your contacts can be integrated from work, personal and even Facebook. What if your phone breaks? With Verizon Wireless’ partnership with Google, all of your contacts are stored in a Gmail™ account, so you can find them directly from your desktop.
7. Camera: In addition to the built in video-camera, the 5-megapixel camera not only has an image stabilization feature, but also has night vision capabilities.
8. Accessories: There’s no need for an alarm clock because your DROID will transform into a media station with the bedside dock. In addition, the car dock creates a hands free navigation system.

Last but not least, Affordability. The new DROID Smartphone is only $199, which comes with over 16 gigs of storage space, a 3.7” display with over 400,000 pixels, and both a touch screen and slide out full QWERTY keyboard. The DROID will be available in Verizon Wireless stores this Friday, November 6th.

Want to learn more? Click Here to view a DROID demonstration video.

Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes

This week we challenged ourselves to find and profile a new tool.  Although we came across this tool some time ago, we were re-introduced to it this week at a member meeting.  Google Latitude allows you to track on a map your family and friends location real-time.  It does this via GPS and triangulation in the mobile phone.  You can use on Blackberry, Iphone, or Androids.  It is very cool.

Like most social networking tools, it is opt in only.  No need to worry about creepy stalkers, you can control who has access to your profile.  Time to change your attitude about your latitude.

Click here to check it out.

To learn more about these tools, please join us for TechNashville next Thursday.