kwiizii-blog

[kwiizii-blog]

Apps Against Police Brutality

I read PC Magazine’s article, NJ ACLU App Let’s You Tape Police Encounters by Stephanie Mlot. The article focuses on how in the smartphone-era, the rise of police brutality recordings have dramatically increased and a new app related to them. The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey is an organization that fights against police brutality and supports citizens rights. The NJ ALCU developed an app in 2012 that would let you record interactions with police officers, according to New Jersey laws it is legal. There are three main settings contained in the app.

A user can choose between capturing audio or video. The third setting is a user right’s tutorial video. When recording video, the user can omit a black screen to appear incognito to the officer. They implemented this feature just in-case of an officer telling the user to not record them. The recordings would then be sent to the ACLU and be put into evaluation. But with this app, it has drawn backfire from officers, it could possibly hinder an officers action. Specifically the article mention the trouble of stopping an individual in the middle of the street and how they could mistake them for taking out a gun over a phone.

A relevant piece of technology are body cameras used by police. I remember when they were being implemented in Seattle, discussions were brought up if it was an ethically sound decision, The matter of ethics revolved around an individual’s consent to being recorded. The body cameras would record the officer’s point of view and their interactions.  The purpose was to record, monitor and gather evidence. Much like the ALCU app, but the roles of user and officer are reversed.

The technology example applies to the course as a whole by touching on topics of social justice, social interaction, privacy and surveillance, and mobility. With smart phones, the act of social justice ranged from spreading information to discussing and recording police brutality. One of the discussions for implementing body cameras was to reduce the need of citizens recording officers. The camera would record the officer’s actions and then the officer would be evaluated if they were in the wrong in their interactions. With the body camera, it served as an extra mobile surveillance dash camera. Like I mentioned earlier, one of the ethics revolved around consent to being filmed. Individuals could be recorded without their knowledge, it was a breach of privacy as some argued.    

Out of all of the apps I know of, I’ve never heard of a recording app centered around injustices. I always thought that the default camera app would be good enough. It goes to show that accessibility apps for situations such as these are made available by a community. There truly is an app for everything.

Discussion Questions:

1.       Would you record a police officer interactions for your own sake?

2.       Are policy body cameras a good enough tool in regards of evaluation?

3.       If you were to make a similar app, what would it be?

[kwiizii-blog]

Finstagram Identities

I read The New York Times’ article, On Fake Instagram, a Chance to Be Real by Valeria Safronova. Safronova focused on how Instagram accounts are used to portray a different lifestyle the public wouldn’t see. They are called finstagrams and it was created by teens and 20+ year olds. These accounts could have over 100,000 followers.

The finstagrams can showcase another lifestyle, positive, negative or funny situations. Some accounts are devoted to partying or a pet lizard. These Finstagrams would reflect teenagers social media actions of trying to keep up or satisfy the followers needs. Safronova also explored the possibilities of using Snapchat, but the limitations stop finstagram users from transitioning. Despite all of these finstagrams, they don’t seem to be going anywhere and are considered the real Instagram.

Former finstagram user Essena O’Neil had more than 800,000 followed at 19 years old. She eventually deleted her account due to the pressures of expectations and desires to please the followers. She also stated that the followers did not know who she really was.

In my experience, I have seen these finstagrams, but I don’t think they are bad. Some accounts are used to provide income through advertisements and sponsorships. I’ve seen an account dedicated towards wholesome dog posts.

Speaking of wholesome dog posts, Twitter is relevant software that can apply to this reading. Twitter has the same exact fake accounts, as do many social media accounts. I am more active on Twitter and have seen these cases of fake accounts. From a guy acting keeping up an image of unpopular opinions to again, wholesome dog posts. These accounts post everyday and garner thousands of likes and retweets. In their descriptions or pinned tweet they might have some kind of shout out to a product. They don’t seem to be stopping anytime soon from the looks of it, just like finstagram.

Twitter applies to the course as a whole by relating to topics such as Mobility, Games & Creativity, Social Interaction and Social Justice. Before smartphones really took off, Twitter was used on a traditional computer and web browser. Now, users have the power to tweet exclusively on their phones.

Although you can’t make or play games on Twitter, it has become an popular outlet of creative artwork and memes. Users who create artwork interact with their audience via giveaways, polls and responses. Or you can see new and creative trending memes via posts/photos/videos emerge.

Twitter has also also notoriously been an outlet for social justices. From the United States president Donald Trump and his opinionated tweets to blasting an individual for something they did on social media. Twitter has been an outlet for political stances and news. Twitter also had some instances of catching criminals, because some are smart enough to post their actions of what they did. They would then be reported by their followers.

Discussion Questions:

Have you run into anything similar as Finstagrams? i.e. pages, channels

What would you dedicate your Finstagram account to if you were to make one?

Do you consider finstagrams as a full time job?

[kwiizii-blog]

Homeless Coder

   I read Fran Berkman’s Mashable article, Homeless ‘Journeyman Hacker’ Launches Eco-Friendly Mobile App. The article talked about a homeless man, Leo Grand and his interesting journey on how he became versed into coding. Patrick McConlogue approached Leo and offer him between $100 or learning how to code in two months. Eventually Leo released his app, Trees for Cars, a carpool organizer app that happens to focus on being environmentally conscious.

   Leo and Patrick spent about an hour together learning through a Google Chromebook and textbooks. During the final couple of days the pair would stay up, surviving on energy drinks and provided by Patrick. Eventually their story caught wind and the pair achieved national recognition from numerous news outlets. Leo is still homeless, but he plans on applying to companies such as Google, which is down the street from where he usually stays at. Leo is also planning on making a follow-up app, Trees for Cars ll.

   I like to volunteer with organizations over the summers, so reading how Patrick used mobile technologies to fight for a cause makes me wonder how can I use technology. I’ve had some experience doing web coding and website design in highs school, but the only thing I retained was how to make a title. A piece of relevant technology was a game I played throughout middle school. Little Big Planet 2 (LBP2) is at its core, a side-scrolling platforming game. But my favorite mode on the game was the creative mode, where you can build anything and get right down to the physical, elemental and technological sciences. For example, I can make a space ship made of metal, but I would need to insert and adjust the right tools to make the space ship fly. You can make the spaceship as simple as moving up and down to full range of motion and spitting hamburgers. Although it is nothing like web coding, C++ or any other coding method, it is a basic method of coding. LBP2 received awards and high praise for its entryway to coding. I don’t see myself in the field of coding, but the game did inspire my creative 8th grade mind. Much like how Patrick instilled a coding drive into Leo.

   The article talked about how coding can change a life, Patrick was trying to combat homelessness by offering Leo a trade skill. The article relates to the class by being related to mobile technologies/media and its social functions. In Patrick’s case, he used a Google Chromebook in a social situation. Although it is not a common occurrence to teach a homeless individual on how to code, it is another example on how mobile technology can be used in a social environment. It also relates to the topic of creativity, Leo did mention how he wants to make another app.

Discussion Questions:

1.       How do/would you use mobile technologies to combat homelessness?

2.       How do/would you use mobile technologies to fight for a cause?

3.       Have you done any type of coding, i.e Adobe Xd, web design, etc?

 https://mashable.com/2013/12/10/homeless-hacker-mobile-app/#k_czURudAsqx

[kwiizii-blog]

Location Tracking, Games and Rome

I chose to read Real Time Rome. In 2006, the MIT SENSEable City Lab collected cell phone data from individuals. Whether they were walking, sitting on a bus or a taxi, it helped them understand Rome. The information that was collected could benefit the daily commuter in Rome.

           By discovering how users traveled throughout Rome they were able to get detailed representations on maps. With the data, they could see where social and economic hot points were in the city. As well as how goods and services are distributed throughout the area. Through typography and placements of landmarks, they were able to see how ancient civilizations in Rome operated too.

           A relevant piece of technology is the software game Ingress by Niantic. Niantic also made Pokemon GO. One of my old roommates used to play Ingress after when Pokemon GO was introduced. He would say he waited 30 minutes in snow in shorts to claim a crystal. Ingress would pit players against each other in factions to capture information/crystals for their own team’s agenda. You can track other player’s movements and strategize to make the plan go your way. In a sense, like MIT SENSEable you are able to track a users activity. With that you can have a better understanding to reach your goal.

           Ingress relates to the course on a broader scale by being a game. As mentioned in other my other blog posts, the Japanese mobile gaming market was ahead of the United States’ market. Now Japanese gaming companies such as Niantic are entering the U.S. market due to its growing success. When entering the game, you are giving up your privacy when playing the game. Which is another topic we discussed before in my other blog posts, users are more willing to give up their privacy for certain smart phone apps. Whether its for social media or video games, it has became a lifestyle for users across the world.

           When I read the article, I was quite impressed on how much data they were able to place and code. In 2006, that would be considered a big achievement to pull off a big data haul. Now, in 2018 its easy to track data via GPS. Again, reiterating back to smartphone apps. Users, despite backlash of how companies have sold user habits, are still willing to give up location privacy. When I discovered Ingress, the capabilities of Pokemon GO have, in a way, desensitized me to new/similar technology. But my roommate was completely enthralled with the capabilities. Growing up with GPS tracking and location based services apps have benefited me. Personally I don’t see any big problems with them in the future. Location tracking, seems like it is at its peak from now compared to 2006, but I think it can evolve even more. But this makes me curious.

Discussion Questions:

1.     Do you use any GPS/location tracking apps?

2.     Has GPS/location tracking altered your or another’s lifestyle?

3.     How comfortable are you giving up your privacy to social media or gaming companies?

[kwiizii-blog]

Music an the Enviornment

Music implications can heavily change an social environment for individuals. MP3s and iPods and listening habits were focused on the report. Users listen to music as a way to say they are busy or not busy. They listen to music to fill in an empty space of time when performing tasks such as working out. Or when they go walking.

Playing music specifically to get rid of the outside world is what situates an individual as being busy. It can drown out unwanted noises and people. Instead of isolating users, music can unite people. During parties or couples, people would listen and choose music together as a relationship building tool. Specifically sharing an earbud can be a high form of trust among people. According the article, the earbuds are designed for one ear, therefore having a personal aspect. Yet, some implications are that some people view playing music as a result of boredom.

A technology that relates to this is the Microsoft Zune. Due to marketing and poor public interest it is a failed product that couldn’t beat the iPod. I had a friend who had the Zune. What the Zune did at the time that the iPod couldn’t was play videos. The Zune could store MP4 files to play back videos and it could store music files. Eventually, the Zune did not perform well enough. My friends and I would watch music videos on it as an activity to pass the time. It would, I guess strengthen our bonds by giving us topics to enjoy and talk about.

Another piece of technology besides the Zune is the software Spotify. Spotify allows me to personally change the environment by listening to music. Right now I am in Washington D.C. for a wedding. During the plane ride to D.C. I used Spotify and my headphones to change my surroundings. It canceled out the noise of the planes engines, babies crying, and people snoring. With Spotify’s ability to follow friends and other people’s playlists, I had the chance to actually talk about them with friends. Spotify also has a share feature, which I’ve used to suggest playlists to other friends. As for being a busy individual, I listen to songs on Spotify when I do homework or working out. Specifically metal music for me, makes me work harder.

This article relates to the Mobile Media course by being in another article I read and reviewed in past blogs. They both focused on how participants used music to change the environment to their liking. But both had different methods of observation. The last article prompted people in situations and select music in different platforms. Such as changing music on a radio or selecting an individual song from a playlist according to a different setting, ie study environment. As opposed to this article which focused on asking participants with their music experience.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you use music to change your environment/relationships? How?

2. Do you play music when you are in a busy mode?

3. How else do you think music can change a social setting?

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8EAyV6kDHOmdnpBX24yU05ZOWM/view?usp=sharing

[kwiizii-blog]

Persona Project

My use of mobile technologies is ever growing. The three pieces of mobile technology I always brings with me when I go out is an iPhone 7 Plus, Apple Earbuds, and a wristwatch. I walk to class while listening to music on his phone, during class I glance at my watch to check the time. The only time I forget one of the items is when I wakes up late and rushing out the door. 

The important items for me are my laptop, wallet, watch, bracelets, keys and gaming consoles.Clothing accessories are part of fashion and function, such as bracelets for fashion, glasses and a hair tie for function. The Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo 3DS are items that are mobile, and I frequently uses them inside and outside of his home.

When looking at myself, I focused on how often I use these mobile technologies and how much I use them for accessibility and games. My perception of mobile technologies is that they are devices that are beneficial to a user, whether it be from an entertainment or accessibility standpoint. Accessibility and games are topics I will relate to in the essay.

What I consider accessibility on mobile technologies, I consider how a device can help me wherever I go. I think that device is the iPhone 7 Plus. I use a voice assistant, Siri, to do hands-free actions such as setting timers or alarms on my phone. I use it on a near daily basis. I also use it to translate for my Japanese classes at WSU. At the 300 level courses, the language only gets harder, so using apps like Google Translate definitely helps me.

I love playing video games, It’s a hobby when I have time. I mentioned in my previous blog posts how I use the Nintendo Switch or Nintendo 3DS. I use the consoles as well as mobile phone games on a weekly basis. Occasionally when I have free time, I would bring my Nintendo Switch with me and play games before class starts, or play it in the CUB when I finish my homework. The ease of enjoying home console content on a mobile platform keeps my drive alive. I’ve had people come up to me and share their comments or have them try out the console. I notice that it increases my social interactions. On my phone, I have a set rule of not spending any money on phone games. The phone games are a quick, cheap purchase that has a shorter entertainment factor as opposed to gaming consoles. I have two phone games that are free to play, but I rarely play them.

[kwiizii-blog]

Disability Concept App

Here is the link to the slides!

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1W7h5-vXXBQinu06wEbR9wcSnC1kj-MskY5WEibFoFDY/edit?usp=sharing

[kwiizii-blog]

Building Mobile Experiences

I read Building Mobile Experiences. Three experiments were conducted in the reading. How do participants communicate with close ones, What kind of information is tracked and provided by participants, and how do individuals pick out music for certain occasions. The Motorola lab team of Crysta Metcaf wanted to explore the realm of space of interest. Which is music, location, and communication among individuals and how they perceive and perform each one.

The first two experiments that are talked about are the communication and location of participants and mobile technology. In 2006, Frank and Crysta became interested in location based services. Conducted an experiment to record their phone calls on the memory card. Then they would ask about location questions. People who were close with one another, on the phone they would disclose their location and plans at the same level as talking in person. Some participants would have trouble asking where their friend is, they thought they were busy traveling. So they developed a concept that lets you know where your friends are in real time, but without giving away their location. It would give away their estimated time of arrival from point A to point B.

The second experiment focused on how the experimenters wanted to see how users interact with music and mobile devices. In 2004 they wanted to see what kind of music a participant would choose for the correct setting. This would be through observing daily life and activities. One method was a radio selection, the user would tune the knob to get the music they like. The other method was a linear playlist, the user was able to see the entire playlist and skip songs at leisure.

The experiment primarily focused on how participants would use mobile devices, or relate to a cell phone’s music capability. Then the experimenters would observe the users habits based on location, preference and communication. I think a relevant technology would be Snapchat. Snapchat is slowly becoming a all-in-one conglomerate social media app. You can message, call, record, share articles, share location, etc.

Earlier in the course we talked about mobile games and creativity. Snapchat has evolved from a picture sharing app. You are now able to play games on snapchat via face and motion tracking. At first Snapchat had filter buying system. Much like how users in Japan can subscribe to a mobile game service, Snapchat users can purchase or use a microtransaction to purchase a filter. Eventually snapchat moved away form the model and used advertised filters to gain their revenue. Much like the mobile game market today, advertisers make up a portion of a app’s revenue.

Discussion Questions:

1) Pre (2010) smartphone era, there was no way of tracking another user, a location tracking concept was the closest thing. With apps that can track friends that are available, do you use them? If so, why?

2) The article mentions how people who have strong connections will talk with them on the phone in the same manner as in person. Is that the same case for you?

3) Even though cell phones had cameras on them during the time of the experiments (2006), the experimenters did not focus on the users camera habits. Now that cameras and smartphones are popular, do you think they can merely observe with the abilities of cameras. Or do you think experimenters can come up with another concept like the location concept, but for cameras?

Bentley, Frank and Edward Barrett. (2012). Building Mobile Experiences. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Chapter 3.

[kwiizii-blog]

Japan and Mobile Media

I’ve been waiting for this day where I can talk about video games naturally. Never would I thought it would be in a communication class. I read Convergence, Connectivity, and the Case of Japanese Mobile Gaming by Dean Chan. Chan goes over cell phone gaming, video game companies influence and how Japanese people live with mobile gaming. The article was made in 2008, before the big iPhone Angry Birds boom. Japan was heavily invested in Mobile gaming before the United States, or any other country. Japanese users had the options of buying mobile devices with games pre installed that had subscription services. Of course, cell phone gaming was starting to slowly pick up. If you were to compare the U.S. to Japan, the U.S. did not adopt these mobile games or subscription services as much. The two big Japanese tech giants, Sony and Nintendo were competitors and influencers of mobile gaming. With Nintendo having the upper hand on their portable gaming systems. Brand recognition was a factor for game purchases. Game companies such as Namco and Square Enix released a slew of exclusives for mobile phones and portable systems. Particularly, arcade games like Pac-Man made significant strides in the cell phone game market. The gaming lifestyle between Japanese and Americans are different. A majority of Americans take their mobile games to their bedroom, even though it’s mobile they play it in their beds. Japanese people do that too, but they take their mobile gaming systems out more with them.

I name dropped the Nintendo Switch in about every blog I typed. I will try to stay away from it this time. Nintendo in general still has a dominant control over the mobile gaming system market. A relevant piece of technology to the reading is the Sony PS Vita, it was a commercial flop outside of Japan, companies outside of Japan did not develop games for it, consumers did not like Japanese based games. Nintendo’s family of current mobile systems is the 3DS. Just like the original Nintendo DS, the 3DS went through a number of redesigns and upgrades. They phased out the 3DS and are on the “new 3DS & new 3DS XL” as well as the 2DS versions, which is a non-3D capable system. Smart phones have also taken a big chunk of the mobile gaming market, especially with pay to win type of games.

 The reading relates to the course of mobile media by including the multiple uses of a mobile device. Mobile game systems now have evolved form two buttons to a screen to multiple buttons, internet, 3g connections, music downloading, streaming, cameras. They went under heavy iterations just like smartphones did. Mobile media isn’t limited to phones, but to video games as well.

 Discussion questions:

 1)    Since this article is from 2008, how would you compare today’s mobile game market to back then.

2)    Sony and Nintendo are the only competitors in the mobile gaming market outside of smartphones. With brand names a big factor, do you think a console can enter the market easily?

3)    Subscription based gaming is much bigger in Japan than in America, do you think it will ever take off in America?

Chan, Dean. (2008). “Convergence, Connectivity, and the Case of Japanese Mobile Gaming.” Games and Culture. 3(1): P. 13-25.

[kwiizii-blog]

Media and Privacy

I read Wired Magazine’s, Wiki Leaks Dump Reveals A Creepy CIA Location Tracking Trick. The notorious website, Wiki Leaks published documents from 2013 on how the Civil Intelligence Agency (CIA). The CIA could infect computers and check the WiFi to see a users location. Any computer running Windows 7 would be effected. It’s been determined that the CIA could run the same virus for new Windows updates. The malware is called ELSA. The malware connects a users WiFi and crosses data from Microsoft and Google to determine the exact coordinates via longitude and latitude. ELSA can cover its tracks, so people who are proficient in computers can’t find out what happened.

A user would not have to be connected to WiFi to track information, when they reconnect they can get location data on where the computer or device has been. The article said since google and Microsoft has improved, naturally ELSA would improve.

Personally, when Edward Snowden revealed that the NSA is tracking us, I didn’t mind too much. When the CIA is tracking us, I don’t mind too much either. But, hackers have used similar software. That’s why you see either yourself or other people cover there webcams with tape or paper. If ELSA would get into the wrong hands, the internet could be an even more dangerous place.

With social media platforms such as Facebook using the phone’s microphone to give ad suggestions. It’s only a matter of time for Mobile media spying to become more of a threat. I know that Apple’s iPhones have been constantly updates their operating system to prevent malware. It is considered one of safer phones. But some of the older models or some older android phones are more susceptible to hackers. This is why you don’t see people cover their phone camera compared to laptop screens.

The topic of privacy relates to the course by exploring privacy on a desktop and mobile application. Even though the topic goes into computer tracking, apps today are under flack for tracking user info. Again, Facebook also tracks location. Facebook suggests adding new friends by the the amount of time you spend next to someone. If you’re near a person on the bus everyday, eventually Facebook will bring them up as a friend suggestion. It’s not running pure algorithms, it’s running location data.

Apps like Snapchat or twitter use this too. But apps like them send and show privacy policy documents. But, a lot of people skim through them or don’t read them at all and agree to use their app. When Facebook announced how in depth they go to tracking people, they were turned away. A lot of apps do similar things but people haven’t deleted them as much as Facebook did. But Facebook in itself is a big scandal.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are your opinions on the CIAs actions and secrecy.

2. Do you still use Facebook? Do you think it will effect your communication career if you delete it?

3. A lot of apps disclose privacy documents with the user, but people don’t read them. Would you take a second look to know where your info is going?

https://www.wired.com/story/wikileaks-cia-wifi-location-tracking/

[kwiizii-blog]

Accessibility

I chose to write about Joe Hindy’s Android Authority article, 10 Best Disabled Apps and Accessibility Apps for Android. Hindy talks about smartphone apps for Android that can benefit people with disabilities or help in different ways. Google can be your virtual assistant on your phone from making hands free phone calling or opening apps. Google Translate can also transfer foreign languages in real time with the camera function or use American Sign Language. Google Maps can also find handicap/disable friendly routes when commuting. There are other apps that enhance your phone for assisting the blind with voice over text readings or build sentences.

The article applies to this week’s topic by showing off numerous accessibility enabled apps. Apps in the article can help disabled people or make using your phone much easier.

After reading the article I found that I use some of these features regularly. But learning more about other apps showed a different perspective. There are a lot of developers who want to help others. I’ve heard that Android is more customizable than IOS devices, I can take this quite literally in terms of accessibility.

I have an iPhone 7 Plus, Apple operates on IOS which already have most of the assistant features already in the software. It seems that base Android settings are not good enough for accessibility or are non-existent. The Android app Assistive Touch is already installed and hidden in IOS mobile device’s settings. I personally do not use Assistive Touch but I have seen people on social media use them. They would take a screenshot on their phone and it would capture the Assistive Touch button in the screenshot.

I regularly use Siri as an smart assistant, which rivals Google’s/Cortana/etc. By saying “Hey Siri” anywhere in my room I can do hands-free actions. I cook a lot of food, so when the oven timer is in use I use Siri to use a secondary timer for my stovetop. Or when I’m doing homework and my phone vibrates I tell Siri to read my notifications so I don’t have to stop working. When the iPhone 4S came out I was in the early-majority in getting one and using Siri, and I’ve been stuck using it. For those of you who are curious, I use the female British accent Siri.

I also used to use the greyscale function, I set the activation to where if I click the home button three times the phone would switch from colors to grey. I would use it when my eyes would get dry at night for using my phone too much. Now I am much better at this habit and I don’t have to use the greyscale function. Plus I have new glasses that have lenses that block blue light from screens to take less strain off of my eyes.

One of apps the article mentioned was Google Translate. I am currently minoring in Japanese, from time to time I would use it to search a quick word or use another translation app.

Discussion Questions:

1. In recent years, a lot of companies have taken a “quality of life initiative.” Gear such as Fitbits or Apple watches help can provide accessibility in regards of health. Do you think gear like Google Glass can make a successful approach to this?

2. Phone capabilities are getting better every year with Apple and Samsung releasing new products every year, do you think we reached the peak of accessibility in terms of Apps and phones?

3. If you were to make an accessibility app with no limitations, what would it be?

“10 best disabled apps and accessibility apps for Android” (2018, June 23) in Android Authority.

[kwiizii-blog]

Expanding Mobile Media

I chose Kakihara, Masao and Sorensen, Carsten’s Expanding the Mobility Concept. Kakihara and Sorensen classify mobile media as information and communication technology (ICTs). New relationships are made with ICTs, changing how we interact with each other. They suggest to expand the concept of mobility into three distinct dimensions of human interactions. Spatial, temporal and contextual mobility.

Spatial mobility is the mobility of our social lives. One example is the international tourism a business travel. ICTs is in our everyday lives, including business lives. The internet became a mobile feature, using our phones is any environment. Using our laptops for work or travel.

Temporal mobility, technology influences our social activities. Technology in social situations or workplaces can speed up time. The monochroncity and polychronicity become intertwined where humans renegotiate again. This means that the sense of time and mobilization creates new opportunities and constraints for social life. We can influence time.

Contextual Mobility, modern devices, or ICTs influence contextual interaction between humans. The interactions between people on the internet and easily connecting. With this, it can help improve face to face connections when they meet.

The article gave me a three part review of how mobile technology effects social situations. Initially it was confusing, but after re-reading it, I got a better grasp on things. I use Netflix on my phone when I take flights out to California to pass the time. I can turn a 5 hour layover into a mini theater. I also use my phone as a boarding pass. It is a temporal mobility and a spatial mobility device for me. I regularly use Discord when I talk with my friends. Think of Skype, but more geared towards people who like video games. I easily connect with my friends back home who are about 400 miles away from Pullman. We keep up to date on what happen, for the next time we meet we won’t have to catch up on the “hows it been” talk.

I could go on and on about what my phone can do related to the article. A relevant technology related to the reading that is not my phone is my Nintendo Switch sometimes when I travel. It is a home video game console with the ability to turn into a mobile gaming console. I can pass the time waiting for classes on break playing games. Or put myself in a social situation on campus, playing games with friends in the CUB or in class. I’ve used it at home, on planes, at school, it’s one of the few mobile devices that I can relate to this article.

The Nintendo Switch relates to the class by simply being a new mobile technology. Think of a laptop, it’s the power of a desktop pc packed in a mobile format. That is what the Switch is for games. The Switch can create new social opportunities for others.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think temporal mobility will have a negative effect for future generations? Will they rely on passing time on mobile devices too much?

2. Have you made new relationships with mobile technology? How?

3. Do you think workplace environments will fully integrate on mobile devices for productivity?

Kakihara, Masao & Sorensen, Carsten. (2001). Expanding the ‘Mobility’ Concept. SIGGROUP Bulletin, 22(3), 33-37.

[kwiizii-blog]

Mobile Media effects

I read the Mobile Media Reader, mobile media is a changing landscape. Like a waterfront and erosion, mobile media is in constant change from the cassette player to the MP3, evolution of the cell phone and social construct. As mobile media changes, so does our actions/society. 

The book starts off with a brief history of communication and devices through the ages. From rail systems to the first cell phone and how society and communication changed.

The book mentioned that people in Japan went from having their phone to there ear to staring at their phones. Asynchronous communication, process of communicating with others over text than call became a staple past 2009. Face to face communication is becoming less common with the revelation of mobile devices.

When president Clinton lifted the GPS rules, companies became creative which led to applications such as geocaching and tracking services. With the GPS rules free, it allowed the importance of location information too. Overall, mobile media changed personal connections and installed new creative features for apps.

During my internship over the summer I downloaded Google apps on my phone to enhance my workflow. The following apps were Google Slides, Sheets, Docs and Mail. Even though it looked like I was staring at my phone at my desk, I was posting photos onto slides for photos I collected on my phone. With the apps I was able to edit the photos on my computer after. For Google Sheets I was able to view my spreadsheets on the go or check my emails on the go with the Mail app. The company uses the entire Google suite. Every desktop application that Google had was available to download on mobile devices. 

From a broad perspective for the course, the Google apps bring desktop applications to mobile devices. They are cross compatible so you can transfer between desk to to mobile device seamlessly. This is a mobile innovation in my opinion. With Google apps you can also work with others. For example, we need to work on a slide show presentation with a group. People can work on it together in real time from their own devices anytime and anywhere on their mobile devices. It is also a free service, with Microsoft applications, you would need to combine and transfer slides separate, and pay for the service. They have mobile apps as well, but they are not as recognizable or cross compatible as Google apps. Mobile apps are very important to cell phones, without them, they would be a regular phone. With apps like Google’s it can increase productivity on the go.

I have three questions related to my readings. 

1) What do you think is the next phone innovation is? Not the “no headphone jack” feature, a revolutionary feature.

2) Do you think future generations will rely too much on phones? I rely on mine to find locations, etc since phone books are obsolete.

3) Besides phones and mp3s, what other mobile device will change? Watches became a mobile media, could shoes be next?

Farman, Jason. (2012). “Historicizing Mobile Media: Locating Transformations of Embodied Space,” in N. Arceneaux & A. Kavoori (Eds), The Mobile Media Reader. New York: Peter Lang. P. 9-22.

[kwiizii-blog]

Introduction Post!

Hi all! My name is Kevin, a senior majoring in advertising and minoring in Japanese language. I grew up in Bremerton, WA and return there every summer. Fun facts: Dippindots follows me on my real Twitter account, I am convinced my mom and I had a possessed microwave, I can play Hallelujah on guitar but not Wonderwall. 

Over the summer I worked at Davis Elen Advertising as an account services Intern. I made Facebook posts for McDonald’s in WA, OR, ID and MT. As well as doing extensive research about fast food competitors. The position gave me a lot of insight of what people will interact with or what their views about McDonald's is on Facebook. It was a dangerous situation because there was a McDonald’s literally across the street from the office. Towards the end of the summer I found myself their at least twice a week. 

Currently i’m a peer mentor for international students! I got to meet students from all over the world who are excited to start their journey at WSU. 

One day, I WILL work at Nintendo of America. I’ve been building a plan for years and I’ve got the ball rolling in the right direction. I love playing video games, but if you want to throw down in Ultimate Frisbee/ Racquetball @ me on Twitter. I’ll show off what I learned in beginners racquetball class.

I’m taking this class because of the title ‘Mobile Media.’ I’ve done a lot of social media work at my internship, maybe I can enhance my skills or learn more about mobile media in general. You can never learn too much.

I’m taking two online classes this semester, this is my first time taking online classes. I tried running Netflix in the background but it didn’t help. For me, a quiet and comfortable area is my ideal learning environment for online classes.

For face-to-face, anywhere that is a classroom is good enough. Classrooms provide a secluded area where students won’t be distracted by the outside.