Being in the middle of a big, still largely unresolved, fight with Nokia over the expensive piece of crap that is an N97, I just wish I’d seen this video before I ever even thought of getting an N97.
The real tragedy is that Nokia have pretty much lost one of their biggest fan-boys at a time when they really cannot afford to.
While MTN’s social networking endeavours seem to amount to simply making more Africans text each other more, Vodacom actually seems to be embracing mobile social media with their “The Grid” location-based social network. It boasts a number of features, and is probably worth trying out – some pretty good stuff is being/has been rolled out, including Facebook and Twitter integration, a mapping solution for driving directions (!!) and an Instant Messaging feature. Even better, they haven’t locked the service into a single network provider – The Grid works the same no matter which network operator you’re using (apparently). And now that they’ve developed a The Grid application for the JesusPhone as well as the Android platform, the barrier of entry to joining The Grid is much much lower, so presumably more of your social circle will be using the platform.
Now all Vodacom has to do is make mobile data dirt cheap.
Personally I haven’t registered yet for a few reasons:
1) I hate Java apps but I love Nokia – there’s no native Symbian client, and Java kills battery life.
2) The niggling privacy issue where you can be tracked by a local company that is subject to South African law corruption.
3) DATA IS TOO EXPENSIVE STILL!
Anyway, enough of my bitching, here’s the latest press release:
Vodacom’s The Grid, South Africa¹s first location-based mobile social
network, today launched iPhone and Android applications, allowing these
users to see their friends on local street maps, chat to them via instant
messaging and upload or view geo-tagged content.This new Grid iPhone application combines the iPhone¹s GPS functionality and
Vodacom¹s location based (LBS) technology to display a user¹s approximate
position on a map. Maps on the Grid are populated by user-generated content
(text, images and videos) that are geo-tagged to a specific location. In
addition users are notified when their friends log onto the Grid and are
shown their position on a map to make it easy and simple to meet up.The Grid iPhone application is available for free download on the Apple
iPhone App store.Android application
In addition a Grid application for Android, a mobile software platform
initially developed by Google using the Linux operating system, has also
been made available. Aside from having access to Grid functionality such as
instant messaging, map browsing and media sharing, the Android application
allows users to share photos and videos straight from their cellphone¹s
camera.The Grid Android application is available for free download on OpenMarket,
Android’s online application store as well as on The Grid website,
http://www.thegrid.co.za.Integration with other social networks
The latest Grid application releases, follow Grid integration with other
social networks Twitter and Facebook. Grid users can now automatically
update their Twitter and Facebook statuses from the Grid’s mobile
application or website, with the added benefit of their location being
tagged e.g. ‘Mark is in the mood for a coffee (near Bryanston)’.Says Shameel Joosub, Managing Director, Vodacom South Africa: “The
opportunities offered by location-based technology is starting to have a
lasting impact on people’s lives. We’re making it easy to make use of the
Grid on new handsets and also by integrating existing social networks,
adding a whole new dimension to the way people communicate.”For further information visit www.thegrid.co.za
If you’re in the mood to give your phone a breath of fresh air, or you’d just like a change of phone-scenery for a bit, be sure to check out the Touch Zen theme. You can download it free for your S60 device (3rd edition, E Series and 5th edition). Personally I prefer the “Seven” Icon set. It sure is pretty, although the image above doesn’t do it much justice.
[Via: ICantRemember]
No streaming in South Africa.
DRM crippled songs do not play on iPods. Er, hello? Are you hearing this? Are you complete and utter morons?
The “Store-front” is not compatible with alternative operating systems and browsers.
You’re almost as bad as than Pick ‘n Play.
You online music stores never learn.
And there’s always the Analog Hole, which cannot be plugged.
Nokia Music Store, congratulations, you too have blown your chance to open up online music in South Africa.
I’ll get my tunes from RhythmRecords, ThePirateBay or even Watkykjy.
Now, Nokia execs (that includes you, Mr Jake Larsen), go read this study. Here’s the gist of it:
“online music bootleggers are much more likely to pay for music online than those who don’t steal music.”
It’s simple: Give us a reasonable record store that gives us the music in a format that works for us, and you’ll make your money. And yes, FUCK the record labels. The record companies don’t know shit about the modern music business.
Jislaaik, why do you guys make me so angry? Bloody hell.
This is probably the most amazing sign of the times I’ve seen!
I am now, officially, an old-timer. Tech-Grandpa Shaun.
Fortunately not yet a has-been.
It really puts the pace of progress in perspective when I see Windows 3.1, the first GUI “operating system” I ever crashed and re-installed, running on the Nokia N95, the very same phone I now have in my pocket today. There’s a bit of DosBox hackery involved, but I am absolutely gobsmacked. Now I need to go dig out some floppy disks…
[Via Gizmodo]