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British mapping agency takes on Google Maps
Ordnance Survey, the United Kingdom's national mapping agency, is opening up some of its secret code to allow software developers to create Google Maps-style mashups. Dubbed OpenSpace, the project will initially launch as a closed beta test with up to 12 volunteers and will run for around three months before the Ordnance Survey (OS)--one of the world's largest map...
Britons get back to their U.S. roots online
Britons can check if they are distantly related to Tom Cruise or Halle Berry with the help of a Web site which sheds light on the millions who migrated to the United States in search of a new life. Passenger lists from thousands of ships that left Britain and Ireland packed with migrants between 1820 and 1960 were published on a genealogy Internet site on Thursday.
Gloom as Intel plans to close Cambridge lab
Intel has announced it will shut the research laboratory it was running in conjunction with the University of Cambridge, as part of the company's current drive to cut costs. The chipmaker has a policy of not disclosing the numbers of staff members employed at its research facilities, but it is understood that around 15 full-time...
Emblaze Signs Agreement with DSG international plc for Exclusive UK Handset
Emblaze Mobile Ltd., the mobile devices design and distribution
house of the Emblaze Group (LSE: BLZ - News), announces that it has signed anagreement with DSGi, Europe's leading specialist electrical retailer,for the launch of an advanced new Emblaze-branded handset in the UK. DSG international plc is Europe's specialist electrical retailing group.
Britannia’s IT moves in-house to cut costs
Britannia Building Society expects to save
£8m in IT operating costs by replacing its storage infrastructure and insourcing systems following its £150m acquisition of Bristol and West’s savings business. The purchase increased the society’s three million customer records by 30 per
cent, putting a strain on Britannia’s systems infrastructure.
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11.09.06
The New PR In London
 By
Neville Hobson
Heading into London this afternoon for the Delivering The New PR conference tomorrow.
I'm looking forward to meeting up again with Philip Young, Tom Murphy, Stuart Bruce and Chris Rushton for the fifth in this series of one-day conferences.
Over the past year, we've helped quite a few communicators around the UK expand their knowledge of what social media can help them achieve in the practice of public relations.
Missing from our presenters' line-up this time is Elizabeth Albrycht who is somewhat preoccupied with a few things including an imminent new member of her family.
We'll toast you at tonight's speakers' dinner, Elizabeth!
As Elizabeth can't be with us, Philip and I will be taking Elzabeth's presentation slot on networking.
I'll be adding some perspectives on virtual communities like Second Life.
Today's edition of the FIR podcast won't include me live with Shel.
I sent him a recorded contribution this morning which he'll include in the show, which he's recording with guest presenter Leesa Barnes.
Being on the road means that I'm going to miss taking part in a briefing today from Dell re an announcement they're making in conjunction with the Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA).
I won't give the game away; just pay attention to Direct2Dell from about 5pm UK time today.
On the road also means I'll miss Second Thursday in Second Life today which is being hosted by Eric Rice in the Hipcast Conference & Expo Center in Second Life.
A bummer to miss that one.
More later.
About the
Author:
Neville Hobson is the author of the popular NevilleHobson.com blog which focuses on business communication and technology. Neville is currentlly an independent communication practitioner helping companies build dynamic relationships with customers, employees, shareholders and other key audiences and influencers. Visit Neville Hobson's blog: NevilleHobson.com.
The "Anywhere Consumer" Is Here
 By
Doug Caverly
Thanks to modern technology, a person can shop from pretty much anywhere, at any time. This person - a retailer's dream - is known as the "Anywhere Consumer."
The Yankee Group's Emily Green delivered a keynote on the subject at ad:Tech; Lisa Barone of Bruce Clay, Inc. reported on the address. According to Green, a "Trinity" of factors is (in part) responsible for the creation of the Anywhere Consumer.
Mobility is the first component - Barone writes that it "extends the value of all consumer services, like voice, messaging, imaging, audio, video, socializing, etc." Network applications come next, because "the computer has developed into our network, while the Web has been demoted into the content platform."
The last part of Green's "Trinity" is mobile TV, which has apparently taken off in the Korea (a leading tech market). "An interesting study . . . found that drama and music videos far surpassed news and sports for preferred genres. Most surprisingly, the average viewing time was 20-30 minutes - that's a full episode of television!"
The spread of "anywhereness," as Green called it, will in some ways benefit consumers. "Users are showing a need for media to be fluid. They want to be able to download music and video and be able to listen to it on a variety of platforms. Media can no longer be anchored." There will be some ramifications that don't seem quite so positive, however. "Users have to work at not being reachable, instead of the other way around."
Still, the Anywhere Consumer may find the convenience worth the bother. It all comes down to price - "the biggest challenge right now for mobile," according to Barone, "is that many users find it too expensive."
About the
Author:
Doug is a staff writer for WebProNews. Visit WebProNews for the latest ebusiness news.
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