DP (ceo of mPortal) demonstrated the Disney Mobile Family Center features to me. Very cool. The interface is crisp and easy to use (a bit slow though). We were not leveraging EVDO speeds.

The "parent" device was able to very closely locate the "kid" device. One of the first mobile "location-based" service. Let us see how the parent / child dynamic works with this. Location might be the best parameter to eliminate the clutter from mobile phone decks and create truly usable experience.

Parents can also review / control the usage on the "kid" phones. Finally, a carrier is providing a direct view into the billing system from the handset. I think this will be the killer feature that will clean-up issues with carrier billing. In my experience, exposing back-office data to customers is the best way to get the plans simplified and system bugs fixed fast. Disney can get a huge boost in customer satisfaction with this one feature.

Very interesting product Lumalive textile garments from Philips. Clothes with a written message and not just a hint. Works better for an engineer-type like me. We are sure to see the product in interesting and attractive advertising.

Our next sofa will be one that sets the mood. Don't know what it might cost. No mention of pricing in the press release.

Tried out the Myvu personal video viewer. The glasses obviously look very cool. I checked with some 40-somethings around office. A few comments:
- image quality is surprisingly good but smaller than anticipated
- it surely has a very cool look, but they would not be getting it just for that
- price is good, not great
- if Apple were to market these as iPos accessories, they might win big
- I will not be caught dead wearing this!

Will try and check what teens think about it.

London buses will soon display location-based advertising. Just-in-time advertising is where the market is headed. Closed loop analysis of a consumers location, needs, etc. to select the appropriate advertisment is essential to get attention and to make a sale.

I am quite into webtop technologies. Saw the potential when I first saw netvibes about 7 - 8 months ago. They had 30K visitors then and hit 15mil today. Exponential rise with practically no marketing.

I also like pageflakes technology. Interesting team spread around the globe with european roots.

Fun to see how technology is re-invented for a function every 12 - 18 months. "My Yahoo!" looked really cool just 18 months ago. They are now behind the new guys in UI (AJAX makes a huge difference in usability). I am sure they will catch-up soon.

The pace on the Enterprise Software front is depressingly slow. Our users are getting used to the pace on the consumer side. They will soon get very impatient with IT.

I am finally starting a blog to keep track of all things technology that I come across on a daily basis and my analysis of the threats and opportunities they present to the media industry.