Blog Fail

Written by Mark White on November 23rd, 2011

Arrgh. I haven’t touched this blog for well over a year. Do people still blog, or has Facebook sharing become the digital medium for time-poor expressionism? We’ll see. I’ve got a few ideas for new posts so will make it a goal to do some old-style blogging in December. Stay tuned.

I May Never Buy Another Book

Written by Mark White on July 31st, 2010

I’m still enamored with the iPad, but slightly more so after discovering the Kindle application. I’d considered buying a Kindle on recommendation from friends – one of whom pointed out the side benefit of free Internet browsing anywhere in the world, albeit with a limited browser. And while I did note the third-generation Kindle device release this week, in my opinion the iPad just eats it up.

I used the Kindle reader to acquire and devour the just-released Daniel Silva novel, “The Rembrandt Affair”, being surprisingly impressed with the user experience (as well as the price). I really struggle to get engaged with personal reading sometimes, always finding it hard to get really into a plot line. More importantly, I only get to read recreationally for a few minutes each day before I go to sleep, and what I thought would be a negative has turned to be a real positive.

The selection on Amazon for Kindle titles is quite respectable, and the immediate download is way more satisfying than trying to find a title in a bookstore.

I’m sure the Kindle device itself would have many of the same benefits…… But I don’t think you could switch to Wordpress mid-chapter to blog about the experience on a Kindle device.

While on an iPad, it’s surprisingly easy!

My New iPad

Written by Mark White on July 28th, 2010

I’ve just started using my latest device, a 3G ipad, and one of the first things I wanted to try was the Wordpress application. Here It is.

I had used the Blackberry Wordpress application a few times and found it workable, however on a bigger screen even I am finding the touchscreen keypad usable. I’m not so sure it will lead me to be a more active blogger, but over the coming days I will try!

I had tried a 2G iPhone when they were first available but it went into the developer pool in short order, as I just couldn’t handle the touchscreen typing. However in landscape mode on the iPad I’m finding this quite productive, reinforcing a view I’ve held for some time that this device, rather than netbooks, will be the business tools of the future.

Locatrix has a number of iPad projects in the works that will be refined over the next few months, so I even have a tax-deductible reason to own this device.

More soon, but in the first hour I’m impressed!

The future is augmented

Written by Mark White on June 24th, 2010

I had an interesting diversion from work this afternoon, testing a new location-based game the Locatrix team is developing. As the User Experience is Augmented reality-based, I also got to play with Layar as well.

Firstly, we made an odd sight: four guys walking down Albert Street, holding their phones camera-like as we sought to claim game tokens from thin air.

Secondly, it worked fine. Sure, some refinements are necessary – we’re specifically working on the optimal placement and radius values for both visibility and token acquisition, but the general concept worked well.

Thirdly, snatching at objects which aren’t really there is a surreal experience; I was trying out a new Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Android device (courtesy of our Telstra friends), and the 8 megapixel viewing experience made for a very “real” augmentation experience.

A bit of fun, and several steps forward on the LBS games agenda.

Back to the future

Written by Mark White on June 23rd, 2010

I don’t want to begin another blog post with a “it’s been a long time since I posted” entry, but it has been a while; in each of the 5 preceding weeks I’ve had either an overseas trip OR a local trip (with at least 3 days out of the office) each week except for one.  And that was the horrendous week we moved office.

The new location is shown below (Wordpress HTML willing); we’ve moved to a heritage-listed (circa 1877) building in Brisbane’s CBD, directly above a great coffee shop, and within spitting distance of three bike shops.


View Larger Map

So far the reaction to the new site from the Locatrix team has been magnificent, and being in the CBD certainly has its conveniences. We’re holding back a more formal announcement of our move for July, when we’ll also unveil some new web and presentation material, but for now – having just returned from the AppsXChange Asia and Communicasia events in Singapore last week, I’m truly back to the future!

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