Kevin's Mobile TV Technology Online Diary

Do people want to receive information via Bluetooth?

2009-02-01T06:43:00.000-08:00

I think I will have to construct a questionnaire for the students on staffordshire university in enable to see if they would want to receive information, pictures, and short videos in news on university and campus events via bluetooth to there devices.

And also how many people actually have bluetooth switched on, with there device discoverable.

Bluetooth Proximity Marketing - Article

2009-02-01T06:39:00.000-08:00

Bluetooth technology is now the latest medium for advertising and marketing. Bluetooth proximity marketing has become all the rage overseas as the newest way to connect with potential or existing customers.

The definition of proximity marketing via Wikepedia.com is “the localized wireless distribution of advertising content associated with a particular place. Transmissions can be received by individuals in that location who wish to receive them and have the necessary equipment to do so.” In other words, if you have a cell phone in the proximity of a marketing broadcast, you would be able to receive the message or advertisement.

Here’s how it works. Imagine you’re walking through a mall, and you pass a proximity broadcast station. The key is to have your phone on and in “discoverable” mode. This will allow all possible ads in the area to “hit” your phone – asking if you want to receive free content from the provider. For example, say you’re shopping for gym equipment at a specialty shop and they have a proximity marketing station set up. If your phone is in discoverable mode, you’ll receive a message asking if you want to receive free content from “ABC Company”. Think of it as a virtual billboard or flyer advertisement.This form of advertising has been in use for quite some time in Europe, as well as various other overseas locations. There are dozens of companies already in full swing of promoting Bluetooth proximity marketing, with many more in the start up phase here in the United States today.

Proximity marketing can also be received via laptop or PDA. The range and accessibility to most Bluetooth proximity marketing depends on your equipment, many which don’t require pairing for receipt of text or graphics. The average range of Bluetooth proximity marketing is 100 meters, although with advances in technology, this distance is increasing. Although some critics of the technology claim this as a potential problem, we can refer to the virtual billboard idea. The billboard doesn’t move with the driver as they pass it on the road, but looks for an instantaneous response to the ad in the general vicinity. The same is true of proximity marketing.

Going paperless has been a concept for so long that it can be taken for granted in most businesses. Bluetooth proximity marketing is simply the next technological step for businesses to take.

A Little Research into Mobile and On demand....

2009-01-19T09:44:00.000-08:00

On-Demand refers to a service or feature which addresses the user's need for instant gratification and immediacy of use.

Channel 4 has an ‘on demand’ service available on the internet.

For mobile phones, through WAP, the channel provides the latest TV listings, downloadable video clips, and lets users read news and reviews.

The mobile TV service offered, allows users to download clips from various achieved shows.

BBC iPlayer enables viewers to catch up on the programmes from the past week, as long as they are connected to the internet within the UK. If you are connecting outside the UK, you can only listen to the programmes and connect to the radio.

BBC iPlayer is now made available for the iPhone and iPod Touch as long as the devices are connected to a Wi-Fi internet connection.

ITV, Virgin and Sky also have on demand services.

The on demand service allows users to record programmes of their own choice.

For mobile, services target a whole range of people.

Shazam is a service which you call and play a piece of music, the service will then reply with the name of the song. This service is popular within the teenage community.

When WAP, was first released, readable information was the only thing it had to offer, along with a few pictures. You can now subscribe to various news broadcasters which will send you text message updates on the latest sport news, fashion news, or whatever suits your personality.

Advertisement is used on demand, the same way they are used on TV. Before and during the programme intended to watch, commercials will appear. This does not occur with BBC iPlayer.

Bluetooth Broadcasting Research

2009-01-14T05:24:00.000-08:00

I have started to look into how information (video, pictures, adverts) could be sent to mobile phones for free, targeting people within a certain area. The answer is obviously bluetooth.

I've been looking for the hardware which would be capable in doing this, and i have come across the website blutoo.co.uk, this group can supply equipment which targets discoverable bluetooth devices in order to send information.

You simply upload information onto the device and set it to send to all discoverable devices...

The device can broadcast up to 10 kilometers, which seems rather long, to and bluetooth enabled device.

The device can be controlled over the internet also, but does this means it converts video files for mobile playback? i shall find out....

Just a little information found on bluetooth broadcasting.... more to be added....

Initial Idea - Aims & Objectives

2009-01-12T03:07:00.000-08:00

Initial Idea
Bluetooth sent adverts (video content for mobile phones) for events held by the university or students union.

Aims
Research Assignment brief
Look into and think about strengths and weaknesses surrounding the initial idea.

Objectives
Look into Bluetooth servers (bluetooth broadcasting)
Would people want to receive them?
Formats which is playable of most mobile devices

Genesis - Mobile TV Technology

2009-01-12T02:39:00.000-08:00

Today is the beginning of the second semester, which means the beginning of a new module, Mobile TV Technology.

This blog was set up to monitor progress, store research and to showcase advancements.
This blog site was chosen because it has the function of uploading image and video content. Many or blog sites actually do this, but blogger.com had me at hello with its user friendly appearance. The final factor that pushed the decision over the edge was the availabilty for the url, mobiletvtechnology.blogspot.com, which means that our awesome lecturer, Paul, is likely to remember it.

:-)