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The future is augmented

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

I had an interesting diversion from work this afternoon, testing a new location-based game the Locatrix team is developing. As the User Experience is Augmented reality-based, I also got to play with Layar as well.

Firstly, we made an odd sight: four guys walking down Albert Street, holding their phones camera-like as we sought to claim game tokens from thin air.

Secondly, it worked fine. Sure, some refinements are necessary – we’re specifically working on the optimal placement and radius values for both visibility and token acquisition, but the general concept worked well.

Thirdly, snatching at objects which aren’t really there is a surreal experience; I was trying out a new Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Android device (courtesy of our Telstra friends), and the 8 megapixel viewing experience made for a very “real” augmentation experience.

A bit of fun, and several steps forward on the LBS games agenda.

Posted in LBS, Mobile, Social Networking | No Responses »
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Back to the future

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

I don’t want to begin another blog post with a “it’s been a long time since I posted” entry, but it has been a while; in each of the 5 preceding weeks I’ve had either an overseas trip OR a local trip (with at least 3 days out of the office) each week except for one.  And that was the horrendous week we moved office.

The new location is shown below (Wordpress HTML willing); we’ve moved to a heritage-listed (circa 1877) building in Brisbane’s CBD, directly above a great coffee shop, and within spitting distance of three bike shops.


View Larger Map

So far the reaction to the new site from the Locatrix team has been magnificent, and being in the CBD certainly has its conveniences. We’re holding back a more formal announcement of our move for July, when we’ll also unveil some new web and presentation material, but for now – having just returned from the AppsXChange Asia and Communicasia events in Singapore last week, I’m truly back to the future!

Posted in Brisbane, Mobile | No Responses »
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Location Logic finds a new home

Thursday, May 21st, 2009

This posting probably would be more appropriate on the Locatrix blog, but Wireless Developer Network has reported that TCS have acquired the assets of Autodesk’s former Location Services division, which had a brief life as privately-owned Location Logic.

The transaction is of interest in several ways. Firstly, I wondered if the private equity firms that acquired the assets from Autodesk earlier this year did well in their 4 months of ownership. Secondly, the revenues stated for Location Logic of US$18M ($5M EBIT), primarily from Sprint and Verizon, suggest that there’s still room for expansion in the sector.

And thirdly, it’s led me to wonder about the employees – I had quite a few friends at ADSK, and in 2006 was invited to sit on their developer advisory council. They were good folks – I hope they have found the new owners welcoming (but I’m noting that the release explicitly specified the acquisition of the assets of Location Logic, not the business itself).

I think I’ll go send a few e-mails.

Posted in Business, LBS, Venture Capital | 1 Response »
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Score one for the Good Guys!

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

mark_award

We were thrilled this week to learn that Locatrix has won the ACS Queensland Telecommunications award for 2009.  Both Telstra and ourselves are planning some more formal announcements surrounding the win, but here’s a quick snapshot of the award and yours truly. Kudos to the brilliant team I get to work with at Locatrix for all their hard work, and to our great friends at Telstra for their ongoing faith and support.

Posted in Business, Mobile | No Responses »
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