Hey Everybody,

The day is finally here. The AP is going to make regular print news content available for free (ad-supported) to mobile devices like the iPhone and other smart phones.

I just read this story on MediaPost this morning.

AP Launches Mobile News Network

by Erik Sass, Wednesday, Apr 16, 2008 7:31 AM ET

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS LAUNCHING a new Mobile News Network that makes it easier for newspapers to distribute AP content to mobile devices, including Apple’s iPhone and other smart phones, AP president and CEO Tom Curley announced Monday. The service is not-for-profit, with the AP positioning it as a cost-saving measure for newspapers.    The mobile service, part of AP’s Digital Cooperative project, will allow newspaper publishers to deliver AP stories to handheld devices alongside the newspaper’s logo and local advertising. The service is still under development, as the AP confers with mobile service providers about the interface and other details. A beta version is currently being tested by a group of Digital Cooperative members. However, the service should be available to all AP members by this summer. The mobile initiative follows close on the heels of another new AP service that allows local broadcasters and publishers to syndicate their online video content to other Web sites. The Online Video Network basically allows AP members to share any local video, splitting the ad proceeds with the AP and Microsoft, which helped design the network.

Hope you enjoy the story. Also here is a link to a study done on the public’s desire to see mobile device-delivered news. Check it out at Second Generation Mobile Media.

Enjoy,

William Flavell

Hey Everybody,

I might be a little biased right now (cause I am on a two hour layover in Phoenix on 1 hour of sleep), but I think that the airlines and airports could really communicate with their passengers faster and in easier ways. I called information this morning and got the number for Southwest airlines in Omaha, NE and when I dialed, the number was disconnected. So I called 411 back and they tried another number, also disconnected.

First, this wrong needs to be righted. Most savvy air passengers call to check on flight status. So, this is a big point of contact.

Second, there is a definitely a better way. Why not let me give you my cell number and e-mail when I book my flight and let me select an update option. Then the airline can just host a database of numbers that send out automated updates to flyers on delays or cancellations. This would be a lot more cost effective than 5 service attendants getting chewed out at the terminal counter. Plus, it would diffuse a lot of the anger. At least I wouldn’t have to drive to the airport if my flight got canceled, or I could not rush to check in, if my flight was delayed.

Third, this is a great way to generate opt-in advertising and it would make the airline that implemented it, look cool. It might even generate a little positive press.

Just an idea.

Has anyone seen anything like this yet?

Will

Are you lost? Do you need to find the nearest pizza place? Need to settle TV trivia? Now you can do this for free without have a blackberry or iphone. A new service called ChaCha is offering a free answer search and answer service from now until later this spring.

The coolest part: a human searches for your inquiries. They call this contact a “guide”. Google offers a similar SMS service, but it is automated and searches by phone number. So you can use text speak. Just text your question to 242242 (ChaCha) and you will get an answer in 3-7 minutes. For Example, the question “What is Scott Baio’s middle name?” took two minutes. And then the reply was, “Scott Vincent Baio was born in 1961.”

Pretty cool.

The services promises that their search is easier and faster than a similar one done on a smart phone.

I heard about this from a story in the KC Star: DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION? CALLERS, DO THE CHACHA.

Or you can learn more on the Web site at: http://www.chacha.com/.

Gotta love people coming up with new ways to search.

L8r,

Everybody’s A Genius