Check the video:

I experienced this a few weeks ago when I had to migrate all my contacts to a new phone (Google’s Nexus One). The easiest way to do so was via Google’s sync. I was quite reluctant to upload all my contacts (along with their phone numbers) on to G’s servers, but the ease of use and value of the outcome made sure I did use their service.

Now if only operators understood the power of the data they already have in their networks and the importance of valuable services for their users. But until then, we are still all fu***d.

First of all we should look at the definition of what augmented reality really is and what do I (we) expect from it in the long run.
Wikipedia defines Augmented Reality as:

Augmented reality (AR) is a term for a live direct or indirect view of a physical real-world environment whose elements are merged with (or augmented by) virtual computer-generated imagery - creating a mixed reality. The augmentation is conventionally in real-time and in semantic context with environmental elements.

The key part being  “semantic context with environmental elements”.

Current situation

In 2009 and 2010 we already saw several implementations of augmented reality applications for various purposes, the most publicly known being Layar and Wikitude which try to become globally recognized augmented reality enablers for other applications. Layar has been extremely successful so far in generating a lot of buzz in the high-tech community and in getting a lot of brands on the AR bandwagon. However the “context” that current AR platforms understand is very limited as they all rely on a limited number of sensors:

• geolocation info (via GPS)
• compass for direction
• gyroscope for the angle of view

Current AR applications just superimpose linked information to the data they acquire from these sensors, making it impossible to understand the whole context of the surrounding reality and limits the number of possible use cases.

Near future

In the future we can expect the number of sensors to increase drastically. We can easily imagine that surrounding sound data will be used to better understand the context, image recognition tools will be used to recognize and tag elements directly in the context. Context will not be linked just to location but to a much broader set of environmental elements, therefor enabling a set of new applications.

A classic example would be a computer vision aided AR application that recognizes a billboard and provides you some super imposed information connected to the billboard content.

Imagine walking down the street and hearing a familiar song. When sound sensors will be good enough (and they probably already are - Shazam) you could easily take out your AR device (no, not your mobile phone) and see the band playing live, superimposed over the image of reality you are just looking at.

Conclusion

From my point of view the AR frenzy has just started and there are many opportunities for developing new sensors first, and a new breed of applications using these sensors.

Since MWC is HUGE and you can not find anyone at the conference venue (or it might be because everyone is sipping beer or wine somewhere) it is always a good idea to look out for cool people at the side events. From my perspective the side events are the best part of the week and you are missing out a lot if you skip them.

The following events are my favorites, but there are plenty more:

Mobile Sunday (Sunday, 14.2.2010)

Mobile Sunday is organized by M-Trends and will be held at the VINTAGE starting at 7pm CET.

• Time: 7pm onward
• Location: Vintage- c/ Fusina. 7, 08003, Barcelona
• RSVP: For a free ticket, click to register for dotopen.com and click on attend this event in your toolbox. Non-dotopen members can purchase a ticket for 25 Euros here.
• Cost: “free to all registered users of dotopen.com who will also get their company’s logo and pitch shown on the many screens visible at the event.

Mobile Premier Awards (Monday, 15.2.2010)

Read all about it on the MPA website.

• Time: 3-8pm including networking cocktail
• Location: Petit Palau of Palau de la Musica Catalana
• RSVP: To attend the Mobile Premier Awards in Barcelona on February 15, you can buy full price tickets here on Amiando.
• If you are a member of dotopen, you (and up to four of your colleagues) can buy a special ticket price of 39€ instead of 99€ for non-members, and you get  additional benefits. Check here for all details on registration.

Mobile Premier Awards Dinner (Monday, 15.2.2010)

One of the best events if you ask me. Closed, but you can get in if you really want and if you are the right kind of person. It is common to spot MPA participating startups, organizers, jury members, MobileMonday chapter organizers, investors,  and more …

GoMo Blender (Tuesday, 16.2.2010)

Perfect party to meet the guys working in the mobile marketing, mobile advertising, mobile search, and mobile application space.

• Time: 7-11pm
• Location: Incognito Bar Barcelona, Calle Fusina 6, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
• RSVP: Required here
• Cost: Free Sponsored by Smaato

Swedish Beers (Wednesday, 17.2.2010)

Another classic side-event organised by the well known Helen Keegan (aka @technokitten). Swedish beers proposes itself as “a relaxed evening, no formalities, no presentations, no business cards thrust in your face as soon as you arrive.  Just come with an open mind, be prepared to talk nonsense to strangers, enjoy a drink or five and have yourself a good time. Oh, and leave the ties at the door please.” - just the kind of event I love.

• Time: 6:30pm-1:30am
• Location: Dostrece, Calle Carme 40, Barcelona
• RSVP: RSVP on Facebook here.
• Cost: Free

I am leaving on Thursday evening, so I’ll be enjoying only 4 full days of mingling and networking. I am looking forward to meeting old and new friends. See you in Barcelona!

p.s.: ping me via Twitter or drop me an email if you would like to have a chat about Qootia or Web Telephony

disclaimer: I borrowed some event details here & here; thanks guys!

Mini Seedcamp Zagreb

It is finally here - the week of Mini Seedcamp Zagreb, taking place on the 11th of February as part of Seedcamp. I will be mentoring there along with a pack of incredible mentors in order to help and advise 20 selected startups from the region.

Mini Seedcamp Zagreb finalists include:

AdCaptcher - Bucharest, Romania
ALBIA - Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Clover Studio - Zagreb, Croatia
CO2cut - Zagreb, Croatia
Flowr - Ptuj - Slovenia
GaMiTech - Bucharest, Romania
Garmz - Vienna, Austria
GIS Cloud - Zagreb, Croatia
Kubu Stream - Bucharest, Romania
mmatcher - Maribor, Slovenia
Mojnogomet - Zagreb, Croatia
Ninth Prime Technologies - Bucharest, Romania
Physio Software - Paris, France
PLAY.FM - Vienna, Austria
Primabit - Zagreb, Croatia
Readster - Bucharest, Romania
SalePod.NET - Zagreb, Croatia
Talentoncampus - New-Delhi, India & Cardiff, Wales UK
TB Soft - Sofia, Bulgaria
Visionect - Ljubljana, Slovenia

I already know some of the companies and I am looking forward to meet the others. Personally I see a lot of potential in many of them, but will have to see their pitches and meet the founders before I pick up my favorites.

IT Showoff 2010

The day after (12 Feb) the Tomislav Car is organizing IT Showoff. An annual event to showcase Croatian (and regional) IT projects in addition to talks focused on very technology oriented topics. I will be there and expect to learn about what our Croatian friends have been up to. Tadej from Motiviti will be speaking as well. Full details and schedule can be found at www.itshowoff.com

What is a Poken?

Poken is a technology that utilizes a proprietary Near Field Communication technology to allow the exchange of online social networking data between two keychain accessories.

Source: Wikipedia

In less wikipedish words - Pokens are small devices (the size of a USB key) that serve as a handshaking object that

connects two Poken owners’ social network accounts. Once you get home, you just plug your Ninja or Gorilla in your computer and the contact info is automatically synced to the beautifully designed Poken Hub.

Where to use them?

It is great to have at conferences and on other occasions where you expect some heavy networking to occur. Pokens are still fairly new, but they are becoming quite popular with geeks, so I guess they will become a must have gadget for tech and mobile conferences. If you ask me Pokens can be a great addition for the goodie bags at events in the next year. Once Pokens become ubiquitous, exchanging business cards will be an obsolete ritual.

The Hub

Pokens have a really well designed (and useful) web application to complement the hardware. All the exchanged contacts get transferred automatically every time you plug your Poken in the USB of your computer. You can see contact’s cards and their social networking profiles.

Of course you can set up what you want to exchange with others. You can create a personal card that is linked to your devices (yes, more than one).

Where can I get one?

You can get your Poken online from one of the resellers. They finally available in Slovenija, Srbija, Bosna, and Makedonija from the cool folks at Poken Slovenija.

Happy Pokening ;)