Thoughts on MobilePortland’s “Myth of Mobile Context” Evening

May 26, 2011 By

Last night MobilePortland held their monthly meeting themed around “The Myth of Mobile Context.”

It was terrific to see a panel gathered from a range of perspectives within Mobile – Including panelists from Nokia and Opera (almost felt like living in a real city): @globalmoxie, @ourmaninjapan, @tyhatch, @Hinman and @tkadlec

The premise of the evening was that all of our perceptions about mobile context are in flux.  People use their mobile devices in places, situations, etc. all co-mingled in such a manner that “contextual” awareness is, at best, fairly muddled.

So, what was the upshot?  Can “Mobile” add contextual value or not?

The general opinion was that it’s too early for mobile devices to be truly intelligent in terms of contextual awareness — While “location” is valuable contextual information, it can’t differentiate between (for example) being in Wal-Mart while casually wandering about and killing time (if that’s where you  kill time?)  and being in Wal-Mart with specific shopping intentions — Therefore, delivering a mobile experience that presumes one, or the other, fails to add true contextual value to the End User.

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So, what was the take-away?

*  First, it was interesting that the discussion of “what constitutes “mobile” continues?  To my way of thinking, “mobile” is first and foremost a device that is a COMMUNICATOR.  We purchase them so that we can have two way communication with friends, family and business colleagues, whether by Tweets, Wall Posts, SMS, IM (continues to increase on mobile by 30% annually), in-App messaging – And, occasionally, voice.

Then, the cherry on top, are all the other features a “mobile” device can offer — but, at it’s heart, it’s a COMMUNICATOR FOR 2-way conversations.

*  While waiting for device and software “intelligence” to grok relevant contextual analysis and awareness — and provide added value to the End User — There’s a far simpler solution available today: Just ask them.

i.e. Use the 2-way “communicator” channel to engage and allow the User to specify the information that will add contextual awareness to the engagement.  Mobile devices are now packaged and sold as “messaging devices” (low data plan IM and light mobile browsing) — But, Developers seem hell-bent on bypassing the non-sexy text-level engagement that would add instant contextual value, in favor of future allusive technology solutions that are years away (not that people shouldn’t work on it; but, why not add value today?).

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As we consider the range of advertising/marketing, mHealth and mLearning opportunities on mobile, we remain convinced that contextual value is readily added via textual communication (inclusive of communication via mobile web and in-Apps, where we deliver 2-way chat applications).

Of course, that’s what we’d think, since that’s the foundation of http://contentAI.com and our mLearning spin-off, http://ESLai.com

@MobilePortland is increasing in both size and sophistication — It’s becoming a “must attend” event, rather than something to occasionally drop in on — the conversations and perspectives are much needed as we all endeavor to create truly valuable mobile experiences for global users, in a plethora of contextual circumstances.

 

 

Filed Under: AI conversation, Conversational AI, ESL, mobile marketing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Our ESL Conversational Simulations now on APPup (Windows)

May 25, 2011 By

Our http://ESLai.com unit have now released their “build once” conversational ESL apps on Intel’s APPup store for Windows devices.

Here’s are the Links:

http://www.appup.com/applications/applications-ESL+AI+Conversational+Simulation+1

http://www.appup.com/applications/applications-ESL+AI+Conversational+Simulation+2

APPup appears to have a strong commitment to educational content — We’re pleased to be flowing through their channel, in addition to mobile web, Android, and NOOK.

Filed Under: AI conversation, AI conversational network, Brands and Mobile, Conversational AI, ESL, mLearning, Mobile, mobile english, Products Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Conversational Apps on Mobile — Expanding Channels and Reach

May 16, 2011 By

Mobile web is our core and base delivery.

But, we understand that people are using app stores for Search at a level nearly equal to mobile web search.

So, about two months ago, we added Android delivery to the mix.

In the past week, we’ve now tested and are pleased to add Windows/Mobile and MeeGo — and, Barnes and Noble’s NOOK, to our mix of delivery channels; for both Tablets as well as phones. And, we’ve undertaken a fascinating test to delivery our mobile web pages through a mobile chat Client — Not merely the chat, but, the full page experience, including animation and graphics; providing a wide reach to low-level data plan users.

So, where’s iOS in all this? Well, iOS users can always reach us via mobile web. But, we’re also working on a solution specifically for iOS that doesn’t require a full rebuild simply to reach a couple of devices.

More to follow…

Filed Under: AI conversational network, Brands and Mobile, Conversational AI, mLearning, Mobile, mobile marketing, Products, WAP Chat Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

“People want that two-way conversation…” – Conversational Mobile in a Nutshell

May 3, 2011 By

There’s a terrific post over at Mobile Commerce Daily HERE that extracts quotes and  a video from Herman Nell, VP/CIO of PETCO as well as Katie Grisko from PETCO with regard to mobile engagement and consumers.

Some key quotes:

“Customers want to have a conversation with you and they want you to provide them with the content they’re looking for…”

“People want that two-way conversation and they want to carry on with that conversation when it’s right for them.”

“…companies looking to extend to mobile should think of unique content for the specific channel, as opposed to copying and pasting from their Web site.”

It’s nice to hear others articulating the need for conversational mobile marketing.

Enjoy the read.

 

 

 

Filed Under: AI conversational network, Brands and Mobile, Conversational AI, mCoupons, Mobile, mobile marketing, Virtual Agents, WAP Chat Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Conversational Mobile Apps – Defining Products

April 30, 2011 By

Having been down this path before with developing emerging media technologies, it’s always a terrific moment when the business makes the transition from “defining technology” to “defining applications” to then “defining products.”

contentAI studios have been developing it’s technology for over a year while testing in various applications and seeing market response and adoption — Over the past month, the “product definitions” have become far more clear (at least, the initial product offerings, as there are others which will follow).

- Conversational Mobile Campaigns — Motivated, directed conversational engagement with a purpose:  enter a contest, acquire a contextual mCoupon, engage in an entertaining interactive story. . .i.e. drive the User to take a specific action in an enjoyable exchange.

- Mobile FAQs — This is the economical version of the platform that allows a Brands mobile web site to deliver deep information and graphics without a complex user navigation or dense, unreadable text.

-  Conversational mLearning with emphasis on ESL — Our http://ESLai.com initiative is roaring along; the consumer-facing Beta apps are now accessed in over 100 Countries from both mobile web and Android app stores.  We’re keen to engage in partnership opportunities with ESL curriculum providers, schools and regional mobile content portals.

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What are the future products?

Interactive eBooks with a focus on children’s entertainment and mLearning is high on our list.  And, beyond campaign/marketing apps, we see the platform serving as a complementary story-platform for motion pictures and television — widgetized TV is a space that is fascinating to consider.

Stay tuned.

Filed Under: AI conversation, AI conversational network, Brands and Mobile, Conversational AI, ESL, mLearning, Mobile, mobile marketing, Products, Virtual Agents Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Conversational Mobile FAQ Solution

April 21, 2011 By

Nearly every web site of substance also includes a FAQ page.

FAQs are part of life.

Except on mobile. Why?

Basically, FAQ pages are text-dense. They are extremely useful and heavily trafficked. But, they are really, really dense. On mobile, due to screen size and User’s reading comprehension on mobile, FAQ pages (if created like static online pages) would be nearly unusable.

Solution?

See: http://contentai.com/demos/mobilefaq/

This is the contentAI solution for Mobile FAQ pages — Use conversation.  No navigation required. No dense text to sift through.   Wrapping this up in a widget or accessed via Link in/out of any mobile web site is quick and economical.

App developers and mobile site developers who need to include access to FAQ information are encouraged to contact us for partner relations.

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

AdTech 2011…New Products … Uniquely Mobile Experiences

April 17, 2011 By

AdTech 2011 in San Francisco last week offered up a lot to consider with regard to both mobile publishing (our mLearning B2C initiatives) as well as a mobile technology and service provider for marketing, advertising and entertainment applications.

One big take-away was that a number of established, online advertising platforms are only beginning to wrap their heads around mobile – all too frequently, they are not grasping the unique User Experience that mobile requires, as they rush to port old static web solutions to mobile.

That said, there were a few gems in the mix as well as a number of prospective relationships where the contentAI platform is complementary and delivers a uniquely mobile User Experience, adding value to both the Brand and User.

One significant result that emerged from assessing the market during AdTech was the need to scale an economical product specific to delivery of “FAQ” pages on mobile sites and apps.  Please see more on this offering HERE. While we will offer this direct to clients, it is also an offering designed for mobile web and mobile app developers to plug-in to their tool kit.  FAQ pages are a part of our web life; but, on mobile, they are nearly impossible to read and navigate.  While these are not “storied” experiences, the contentAI platform is ideally suited to provide a cost effective solution for mobile sites and apps that need to present FAQ data in an easy to use interface.

Filed Under: AI conversation, AI conversational network, Brands and Mobile, Conversational AI, ESL, Friendly machines, mCoupons, mLearning, Mobile, mobile marketing, QR TAgs, Virtual Agents, WAP Chat Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

MIT, Intelligent Retail and Cereal Boxes…Where’s the Emotional Impact?

April 2, 2011 By

It’s remarkable how many new technology efforts are focused on the cereal aisle.  We’ve posted about the “light up” cereal boxes (from CES) before.

And, as you see, on our site, we use cereal boxes as our leading example of where interactive conversational engagement is a natural.

Today, we were looking at the YouTube video featured here:

http://blog.seattlepi.com/videoblogging/2011/04/02/youtube-retail-aisle-of-the-future-demos-mit-qr-codes-and-intelligent-inductive-ink/

While it’s great to see MIT thinking about cereal boxes, they seem to forget that the cereal boxes (except those on the upper shelves, out of sight of most kids and parents, are supposed to be fun!

It’s time to figure out how to get into the door at Kelloggs and suggest that these characters come to life and start interacting conversationally with us via mobile.   We can provide all of the passive data acquisition too (nutrition information, etc.), but, we can also create fun and memorable conversational experiences.

After all, it’s a cereal box.  It should be fun!

 

Filed Under: AI conversation, AI conversational network, Brands and Mobile, Conversational AI, mCoupons, mobile marketing, QR TAgs, Virtual Agents Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What’s in a Name? Just don’t call me a Chatbot.

March 28, 2011 By

We’ve haggled with the issue of “what to call our end product” since our initial launch.  Generally, we use “virtual characters” though we mix up our naming system and add Tags for a variety of terms that are applied to “virtual agents, brand agents, chatbots, etc.”

There was an interesting post today over at:  http://www.chatbots.org/synonyms/

That lists the 130 + (apparently, it’s being added onto in the Comments) names that these conversational machines are called.

It is a problem.  Both in terms of planning Search Optimization, but, also in terms of how a business is perceived.  Particularly, how each differentiate themselves.

contentAI studios and our sister unit ESLai.com most frequently use:  “virtual characters” to describe our products.

Why?

Our conversational mobile “virtual characters” are more akin to interactive film characters than to passive, data acquisition/response “chatbots.”  While we incorporate access to passive data acquisition within each “virtual character’s” knowledge base, 90% of a conversation is driven and motivated by the virtual character.   The “passive data” can either be practical knowledge (i.e. Brand knowledge) or what we refer to as “backstory” character traits.

Each virtual character has it’s own personality, knowledge and mission.

That’s why they don’t like to be called “chatbots,” which, to us, implies more random or generalized conversational functionality.

It’s fascinating that an industry which is quite old at this point (in internet years) has yet to really standardize itself.  It would be great if there was something short and sweet, and neutral, that we could just stick “mobile” in front of.

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

Conversational Mobile Marketing – Interesting Bits from the Week

March 25, 2011 By

Fascinating week here.  We wrapped  the http://ESLai.com conversational apps into Android with the http://appsgeyser.com online platform.

We’re anxiously awaiting AppsGeyser to tweak their platform so that the apps can be submitted into the new AMAZON Android App Store (whatever it will be called???).  Word is “about 2 weeks.”  In the meantime, the apps are already on the main Android Market, GetJar and a few others.

The news that BLACKBERRY’S tablet will be compatible with Android apps was a fascinating development in terms of some level of standardization emerging.  We hope more OS’s will allow x-platform app access.  We still highly believe in mobile web and a build-once strategy; but, the AppsGeyser solution allows us to leverage our single build but be found in multiple locations.

Finally, we were impressed with the Vid.ly “universal URL” offering to deliver optimized video across all mobile (and desktop) devices and platforms.  Very cool.  It also has an embed feature which is the first we’ve seen for mobile (though we’ve talked about it endlessly).

Filed Under: AI conversation, AI conversational network, Brands and Mobile, mLearning, Mobile, mobile english, mobile marketing, Virtual Agents Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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