phil herborn

Mobile micro payments
I made my first credit card purchase over mobile this week, it was for the n-gage poker game, pretty painless, and no reason why I wouldn’t purchase more off-deck content via mobile using my credit card.
It’s interesting that Nokia seems to be basing a good part of it’s business model on customers willingness to put credit card numbers into their phone. Considering that people struggled with the security issues of doing the same thing online for years, I hope people just get on with plugging their credit card details into their phone. (You can buy n-gage games online too and then transfer to your phone… but I think the point of n-gage is the game platform on your phone and buying and browsing for games from it).

Idea for a location based mobile device
A friend finder that uses location info from phone to determine where you are and where your friends are… my motive for this idea has always been that it would be a great tool to work out which of your friends is the best bet to call for a lift home when stuck in the city…. Oh it’s been done.. check out twibble - twitter plus location info from your phone. (stalkers rejoice!)

Product design paying attention to users
This story on the nokia sports tracker struck a cord for me, it’s an example of the value of good feedback from real users/customers into the product development process. I guess the moral of the story is measure and observe what your customers are doing with your product and give them them ability to feedback into the product design… and use the feedback. Design what they want, not what you want or what you think they want… right?

World Phone Throwing Mobile Champs
Stumbled across the 2007 world mobile phone throwing championships, can’t wait for the 08 meet. So Tommi Huotari from Finland is the world champ with a throw of 89,62 m… that’s a long way, the world record for discus is around 74 metres, shot put 23 meters… think about it.