The contentAI Platform & CTIA (Fall 2001, San Diego)

October 7, 2011 By

Yup, we’ll be there.  Looking forward to a range of meetings and some new relationships.

Also, we just got an invite to present at the MOBILE PLATFORM CHALLENGE.  So, that’s another area to find us.

See you in San Diego.

Stay tuned for an upcoming post on our thoughts about the iPhone and SIRI.  We think it’s terrific to see Natural Language Processing get a big PR boost. . .but, we also know the limitations of an “all knowing” personal assistant (it can never be as “all knowing” as we’d like to believe). . .Anyway, detailed thoughts soon.  But, congratulations to SIRI and their team.

Filed Under: AI conversation, AI conversational network, Brands and Mobile, Conversational AI, mobile marketing Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Mobile is Personal — Really Personal…it’s called Love (Maybe)

October 1, 2011 By

While the study was small in scope, the take-away from the New York Times article here

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/01/opinion/you-love-your-iphone-literally.html?_r=2&emc=eta1&pagewanted=all

Addresses not just an “addictive” nature to mobile engagement – But it goes further — To a “love” of our mobile devices.

The subjects’ brains responded to the sound of their phones as they would respond to the presence or proximity of a girlfriend, boyfriend or family member.

Virtual characters and agents designed for mobile engagement fulfill the 2-way communication needs associated with the devices — the raison d’etre they have evolved to evoke such deep emotion.  We’re 99.9% certain that this “love” has not come into being due to GPS sensors, mobile banner ads or even “push” notifications.

To fulfill and make “love last,” emotionally compelling mobile content experiences matter!

I’d posit that mobile devices have evolved to evoke “love” because they’ve become our most important communication channel with friends and family (other than face-to-face).

While the article focused on iPhone users and implies that it is a more “loved” device than others, we’d challenge that assertion and suspect it is a cross-device phenomenon.  Simply, iPhone users like to express their affection a little louder than the rest of us!

For those in the mobile content business, we hope the take-away here is that to keep the love flowing, you’ve got to deliver emotionally rewarding content – not just click-throughs — this is NOT the static web.

 

CAVEAT:  Some really smart people have taken issue with the study (not just the thinness, but detail level) and that should be noted:  http://www.talyarkoni.org/blog/2011/10/01/the-new-york-times-blows-it-big-time-on-brain-imaging/

While the technical aspects are worth questioning, the underlying notion that mobile devices are held to be extremely personal by their owners remains fairly solid.  Just try taking one away from someone…or, see how they fare when they lose their device?  It doesn’t take an MRI to tell you that you are touching on emotions, not just rational thought.

 

Filed Under: AI conversation, AI conversational network, Brands and Mobile, Conversational AI, Friendly machines, Mobile, mobile marketing, Virtual Agents Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Virtual Agents Get Closer to Customers

September 15, 2011 By

One of the early players in the “virtual agent” business was VirtuOZ, we have not seen them venture into mobile (though they’ve talked about it); and our interactive narrative engagement solution differs from their engine in other key respects (contentAI was designed specifically for mobile, contextual and personalized engagement, not static web).

That said, we like the work VirtuOZ do — And, we really like the perspective they offered in a Guest Post on VentureBeat:

http://venturebeat.com/2011/09/15/4-ways-to-bring-your-customers-closer-with-virtual-agents/#disqus_thread

The projected 400% increase in virtual agents by 2014 could be low (though it’s a great number, as is); but, we’d include our Mobile FAQ product in this category; and that form of application alone could drive greater adoption of IVAs on the “mobile side” of the web specific to individual products and intelligent packaging as mobile web use increases.

 

Filed Under: AI conversation, Brands and Mobile, Conversational AI, Mobile, mobile marketing, Virtual Agents Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Mobile Marketing Start To Think Conversationally

September 6, 2011 By

This was fascinating to look at from Quaker Oats and their recent mobile campaign — that’s termed “conversation,” though in our opinion, it is taking a step toward conversation without jumping into actual 2-way conversation. . .

http://www.mobilecommercedaily.com/2011/09/06/quaker-uses-qr-codes-to-start-dialogue-for-nick-jonas-promotion

But, it’s an important step to see a major Brand move into conversation based mobile engagement — Our position that mobile devices are, at heart, communicators, is clearly key in the campaign thinking for the above.

Thanks @Mposada for sending the link and seeing the connection!

*****

UPDATE:  Another article this week with an excellent quote and perspective from Mike Wehrs of Scanbuy:

http://www.mobilemarketer.com/cms/news/strategy/10915.html

“It is also an empowerment tool that allows for a one-to-one conversation…”

 

Filed Under: AI conversation, Brands and Mobile, Conversational AI, holiday mobile marketing, Mobile, mobile marketing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

“No, I will not go out with you on a date” – Virtual Agents and Backstory

August 26, 2011 By

There’s an amusing story in Venturebeat today about how virtual agents get “hit on” frequently:

http://venturebeat.com/2011/08/26/virtual-customer-service-agents-are-constantly-getting-hit-on/

The focus of the story is on the VirtuOZ animated characters and their “looks.”  What’s fascinating is that we see this exact same behavior from a certain percentage of Users with text-only engagement.  We think it’s because our “characters” are well drawn through words alone!

This was an obvious issue back during our early development – We created a zone called “backstory,” so that each virtual character would be able to engage on a more personal level, yet control the situation.  So, yes, you can ask our virtual agents on a date, their favorite movies and a range of other topics (though, there are child safe filters in place for most agents).

With mobile engagement, we find that this level of personalization is what is absolutely necessary to create memorable and successful consumer engagements.

So, sure, ask away…you never know what you may find out about someone!

 

Filed Under: AI conversation, Conversational AI, Friendly machines, Virtual Agents Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Mobile Marketing: Just answer the customer’s questions!

August 17, 2011 By

This was a humorous and insightful post on MediaPost today about the mobile experiences that many QR codes lead to:

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=156030#

So I turn the tables on my better, skeptical half and pose the question to her. “How would your smartphone best serve you here?”

She is a lifetime shopper. This is actually a no-brainer for her. She points to the cosmetics counter as we pass. “Tell me what shades match my skin color. There are too many choices here.” We pass by the women’s clothing section. “Tell me what that skirt goes with that you also have in the store.” We go to a restaurant and she suggests, “Tell me what the nutritional value of this menu item is — and whether it has any ingredients my kid might be allergic to.”

In other words:  Let the customer ask a contextual and relevant question and give them a reply.

This is exactly what our MOBILE FAQ product offering is designed to fulfill.  In fact, we’ve started prototyping a cereal product that touches on the specifics in the quote (allergies, nutritional value, etc.).

Carrying this one step further, this is why we believe that personalized mCoupons are going to replace the one-size-fits-all model — Customers don’t want to be pushed the same offering that everyone around them is receiving — They want their smart phone to deliver “smart” to them.

The closing paragraph is worth inserting:

Why would we as an industry squander that opportunity on half-measures and disappointing brand puffery that runs the risk of poisoning the well and turning people off to the prospect of a clickable world. They can tell us what they want to know, apparently without breaking a sweat, once we stop trying to impress them with what is new and cool — and instead focus on answering their simplest questions.

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: AI conversation, Brands and Mobile, Conversational AI, mobile marketing, Products, QR TAgs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Conversational Messaging and mHealth

August 16, 2011 By

This story caught our attention today, about using SMS “reminders” for mHealth in Kenya:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/16/health/16global.html?scp=6&sq=kenya&st=cse

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2811%2960783-6/abstract#

Now imagine that the health workers could query the system for instant answers to common questions?  Or, be lead through step by step simulations for circumstances they face?

We can route via SMS, but, even at the 1-cent per message, our platform would be delivering 3x or more messages than a “notification system.”  With expanded data access, there would be no per message costs, using mobile web.  There is also the capability to work through “light data” engagement such as IM platforms; including pushing mobile web pages through IM widgets.

But, the natural next step is to bring conversational engagement to mHealth to deepen the value that’s offered.

We’d welcome an opportunity to discuss this with any groups working in this space.

Filed Under: AI conversation, Conversational AI, mHealth, Mobile, mobile english Tagged With: , , , ,

Personalized Mobile Advertising does NOT need GPS

August 11, 2011 By

Terrific post over @paidcontent today:

http://paidcontent.org/article/419-mobile-advertising-personalized-ads-coupons-score-with-users/

Highlight:

According to a new survey, it’s not location-relevant advertising that is most valued by mobile consumers; it’s mobile ads that are personalized to a users’ tastes.

So, let’s look at our Mobile Retail demo with a virtual clerk.  In a couple of quick messages, the Brand derives market research data and the User is delivered a personalized mobile coupon specific to their needs that day, at that place, at that time.  All without GPS, accelerometers or Ouiji Boards.

Just ask them.

 

 

Filed Under: AI conversation, Brands and Mobile, Conversational AI, Friendly machines, mobile marketing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mobile Technology and Developers v. Average User

August 5, 2011 By

Each day there’s a story about one platform, or another, being the winner-take-all in the mobile universe.  Or, a story about how some new technology/platform means the death rattle of another.

Today’s story is about an image recognition feature added to LAYER’s AR engine that sounds like Google GOGGLES, but, with more brand control on directing the action of the scan:

http://www.fastcompany.com/1771451/augmented-reality-kills-the-qr-code-star

Cool!

Except, how does anyone know when and where to use this?  How many people use LAYER to begin with?

These new tools and technologies are rushed to market before establishing user acceptance or demand.  Just when you think LAYER is one thing, it’s now another?

Market-Fit is forgotten in the excitement of new and shiny toys.

This blog post from over at CONQUENT touched on GPS and Location Check-in tools; which reminded me I hadn’t used Foursquare in over a year either.  Do regular folks with their mobile devices care about GPS enabled engagement, except for when using GOOGLE MAPS?  I don’t think so.  Yet, GPS based platforms still are funded and come to market almost daily.  Why?  Because Developers and the technology are cool.  Because it’s there.  Because putting things together in new combinations may come up with a killer app through serendipity, if not through smarts.

But, sometimes we come across mobile technologies that seem inherently “right.”

The TOUCHANOTE platform that uses NFC and EVERNOTE: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/8/prweb8686751.htm is one of those matches that seems really perfect.  OK, way ahead of the curve in many respects (by a year?), but, it seems practical, useful and maybe even fun.  It also seems that an “average user” (whatever that means) would find ways of applying this to their daily lives without a lot of complication.  We also see applications that are of great value for specific mHealth related applications using a platform and tools like this.

We spend a lot of time thinking about how the “average user” and their mobile device want to hang out together?  How do they enjoy acting together?  We’re not so focused on the early-adopter iOS user (less than 10% of the mobile population) since they tend to love all things shiny and new.  That’s great.  But, it may not indicate how the mainstream will behave.

We know that “short, text-based conversations” on mobile continue to be the #1 use of the device.  That’s where we remain focused, though we see these conversations being triggered from a range of interfaces.

Filed Under: AI conversation, Brands and Mobile, Conversational AI, Friendly machines, mLearning, Mobile, mobile marketing, NFC, QR TAgs, Virtual Agents Tagged With: , , , , ,

mLearning Simulations and Story…Encouraging Exploration…

August 2, 2011 By

“Precision oftentimes kills the ability of the learner to discover multiple real-life applications.”

There have been a couple of follow up blog posts to the WIRED article entitled: IN PRAISE OF VAGUENESS.

One notable blog post is here:  VAGUE STORIES HELP LEARNERS DISCOVER.

This is very consistent with the responses we’re receiving from ESL teachers that note how our ESL conversational simulations allow vague and varied responses — they don’t encourage precision and fixed responses — they encourage conversational exploration.  We allow the vague. 

Please stop by our http://ESLai.com unit and try out the simulation/stories developed with the contentAI engine. 

The articles are worth reading, here’s another quote. . .

“Sometimes, precision is dangerous, a closed door keeping us from imagining new possibilities. Vagueness is that door flung wide open, a reminder that we don’t yet know the answer, that we might still get better, that we have yet to fail.”

Does this same “wide open door” deepen user engagement for mobile marketing and entertainment applications?

We’re guessing, “yes.”

Filed Under: AI conversation, AI conversational network, Conversational AI, ESL, Mobile, mobile english Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
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