iPhone launched in Second Life

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I thought, let’s discuss a bit about Apple.

Of course, there is no point in adding yet another hit to iPhone’s current Google Quotient (187 million, and counting..). So this blog-item is not about the iPhone. But mentioning the iPhone a few times, will definitely increase the visit count of this site. Especially when we combine mentioning the iPhone (or simply Jesus Phone, if you like) with mentioning Second Life. This could be done with an announcement like ‘Second Life citizens can now buy virtual iPhones; they have to wait for several hours in a virtual queue in their favourite shopping mall after which they can exchange cool, fake phone calls with their newly acquired devices; the little 3D iPhone retails for an amazing 499 Linden Dollars'.

Sorry about this. I promised myself never to discuss Second Life again – after summer nobody will anyway - but it was too tempting not to draw your attention to some of the practical experiences I have had with yet another Apple innovation. A few of you may recall an earlier blog-item, in which I described the new Nike+ combination of an iPod and a RFID-enabled sensor in your running shoes. I considered it to be much more than just a metaphor for applying new, fresh IT ideas to business.

Now, after using the kit myself for almost half a year, I’m more convinced than ever that Apple and Nike have created an impressive, contemporary IT showcase. It’s all there: sensor technology, an attractive user experience through a non-PC computing device, real-time monitoring and feedback (while you are running), very slick browser-based business graphics, personalised performance management, an active online community plus online store and even some real mashupable web services.

It’s nothing less than compelling material for any IT strategist that wants to demonstrate to the board room how technology enables a sense & respond business that constantly improves itself.

And I know it works too. Believe me: I’m a sad, pathetic excuse for a runner but ever since I have been using this kit I have been steadily improving (admitted, it’s still on a scale between downright lame and laughable amateur, but that’s hardly the point). Of course, I enjoyed running more because I could listen to my favourite music. But more importantly, the sensor was always in the back of my mind. I knew it was monitoring my steps, I knew that the voices of Lance Armstrong or Paula Radcliffe would praise me after breaking a personal record (Lance: ”congratulations, you just ran your fastest mile ever”) . I knew that I would be downloading the iPod data to my PC afterwards where performance scorecards would keep track of my progress against the targets I had set for myself. Run at least three times a week, run at least 80 kilometres a month: there was no escaping from the desktop widgets that confronted me with my own rise and decline, every time I looked at my OS X desktop.

If it even works for me - unmotivated, easily bored, wannabe runner – it probably does miracles for others.

And I am sure we will achieve similar results in business, now that we are starting to embed business intelligence much more into the daily operational activities of the organisation, mapping corporate performance to highly personalised, individual objectives that can be measured and monitored in real-time (we discussed this recently).

Imagine that we could even add some more Apple / Nike style spice to all of this. I am not suggesting that all employees should be wearing iPods during work, with the CEO occasionally speaking words of encouragement when an objective has been reached. But somehow, you can’t escape from the feeling that business clients would be using our applications with so much more fun if the experience would be better and more exciting.

It’s the same excitement that drives people to wait for hours to buy an iPhone.

Any creative ideas of how to infuse business with iPhones, iPods, sensors or even Nike running shoes? Or how to recreate the same excitement in very different ways? We are anxious to hear from you in the comments section.

p.s. To put things a bit more into perspective, I have to confess I am a dedicated fan of Adidas running shoes. Being a genuine Apple-inspired device, the sensor was of course based on a proprietary standard, meaning that it could only be inserted in specially designed Nike shoes. Luckily, this standard could easily be hacked: with the help of a good old Stanley knife I managed to cut a space in the sole of my Adidas shoe. The sensor fitted nicely into it. Nothing to be proud of, but if necessary I am available for other difficult tasks.

Posted by Ron Tolido on July 6, 2007 in Business Intelligence :: Fun :: Innovation :: Technology | Digg this | Seed Newsvine

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Comments

# on July 6, 2007 11:54 PM, James said:

What would it take for you to add the one.org banner to your blog to support charity? I have added it to my own and would love to see other bloggers amplify the need to stomp out poverty.

If the activism irritates you then I understand...

James McGovern
http://duckdown.blogspot.com/

# on July 9, 2007 8:36 PM, Mark Nankman said:

What about a fairly good quality (or even high-end) digital camera combined/integrated with a mobile device like a PDA or cell phone (an iPhone if you will) that has GPS and broadband internet connection capabilities? This way you could automatically geo-map the pictures you take - creating a live photo blog - during your travels. I did a quick google-scan and actually found a few gadgets in this direction.

# on July 10, 2007 12:45 AM, Ron Tolido said:

@Mark: well, the iPhone already has the broadband / wifi capabilities, so the only additional capability would be GPS. And of course some reasonable battery life (supposed to be the reason why Apple has chosen the 'older' GPRS / EDGE technology) would be nice too. A live photo blog including geo information could of course serve many business purposes too, next too simply being a enjoyable holidays dairy.

# on July 11, 2007 3:53 PM, Andrew Gough said:

Ron, how about a Capgemini Nike+ challenge?

# on July 11, 2007 4:25 PM, Ron Tolido said:

@Andrew: I know what you are doing! you saw my performance graphics and thought, here's a guy I can beat anytime... Good idea anyway and let's see if some other readers are interested.

# on July 11, 2007 4:59 PM, TIm Kelly said:

Nice try, Ron, to increase this blog's rather disappointing Technorati "authority rating."

"Paris Hilton in naked Second Life iphone scandal" might have worked even better.

Of course you might not hear about Second Life again after the Summer, since by September it will be just one of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of virtual worlds vying for your hard-earned Euros. China alone will have launched at least a dozen this year. There seems to be announcements of new ones every week or so at the moment - but of course it's just a passing fad, eh?

# on July 11, 2007 6:11 PM, Ron Tolido said:

@Tim: at least I am quite sure the iPhone will be able to show some Paris Hilton multimedia materials. But luckily enough, I believe she is rapdily approaching the trough of desillusionment, like Second Life, for that matter. The fact that so many new virtual worlds are announced does not necessarily mean it will increase the success. On the contrary, it would be like having hundreds, perhaps thousands of MSN-like systems that are all incompatible. Isn't this more like a supernova exploding in many, many small pieces..? Appreciate your comments by the way, and I hope you'll help us to raise our laughable Technorati rating.

# on July 13, 2007 4:29 PM, Tim Kelly said:

As with other online tools, (social networking, search engines and so many other examples) there will be an inevitable shakeout in the VW marketplace over the next 12-18months. I have no idea who the winners and losers will be - only that there will be some.

Before then, however, as a loyal company man I will take it upon myself to improve your pathetic Technorati score by... well... 1. Keep an eye on Ambling in Second Life over the next few days. :-)

# on July 17, 2007 2:09 PM, Tim Kelly said:

Y'see? Technorati rating has gone up from 35 to 37... though admittedly nothing to do with me.

"Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and Harry Potter twitter nude"

# on July 30, 2007 4:14 PM, Milé Buurmeijer said:

Talking about simplicity: I was showing my sun where we went that afternoon viewing the place with Google Earth. We looked at the panorama pictures and noted also yellow dots labeled "Foxytag". Interestingly enough it turned out to be locations of speed control camera's used by a mobile service that warns when approaching the camera. The mobile app installes even on my very basic Nokia 6021 company phone and connects to my bluetooth Tomtom GPS device. My wife was instantly enthousiastic, because she sees too many envelopes containing speeding tickets lately. The real bargain is that the service is for free and there is an interesting trust / belief system behind it for managing the locations of the camera's viewable through Google Earth. So Web2.0.

# on September 24, 2007 2:10 AM, Nike SB said:

You guys should checkout the shoes that came out from Nike with Ipod applications. Nike and Apple coming together is a perfect combination and if this can motivate a healthier lifestyle than more power to them.

# on October 19, 2007 6:46 AM, Nike Shoes said:

This is a good way to track your running performance, Ive been using it for a month now with good results.

# on November 3, 2007 11:12 AM, Nike Shoes said:

i would like to see some nike shoes made by japanese, isn't cool?

# on November 30, 2007 10:16 PM, Damien said:

I know this blog was awhile ago, but the Nokia N95 has wifi / broadband and gps, but the iphone was so cool, I couldnt resist

# on December 14, 2007 8:31 PM, Romel Alibudbud said:

I'm wondering, how many companies are planning to have iPhone enabled apps or services when Apple finally releases access to it for developers? Nike's partnership with Apple seems to be just the tip of the ice berg.

# on December 24, 2007 6:47 AM, Free RPG Game said:

The iphone is awesome but you cant use it outside the USA which is queer

# on December 24, 2007 6:48 AM, Hid Conversion Kits said:

I would buy the Iphone but I cant because I live in Hong Kong.

# on April 22, 2008 12:33 PM, Nike Dunks said:

# on July 6, 2007 11:54 PM, James said:

What would it take for you to add the one.org banner to your blog to support charity? I have added it to my own and would love to see other bloggers amplify the need to stomp out poverty.

If the activism irritates you then I understand...

James McGovern
http://duckdown.blogspot.com/

# on April 22, 2008 12:34 PM, Nike Dunks said:

TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.capgemini.com/cgi-bin/blog/mt-tb.cgi/171

# on April 22, 2008 12:36 PM, Nike Dunks said:

# on July 6, 2007 11:54 PM, James said:

What would it take for you to add the one.org banner to your blog to support charity? I have added it to my own and would love to see other bloggers amplify the need to stomp out poverty.

If the activism irritates you then I understand...

James McGovern
http://duckdown.blogspot.com/

# on May 5, 2008 12:02 PM, HID Conversion Kits said:

i want to master how to install hid conversion kits

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