Mobile-related technologies for the past week, in 3 (or almost) words: Hide & Seek, Toy, Beat

1. 1
THE WEEK IN 3 WORDS

2. 2
WEEK #23

3. HIDE & SEEK
3

4. 4
The current trend for social networks is anonymie and privacy. Edward Snowden may
have make users aware their digital life may be spied, but they more likely are afraid of
the damage of some of their spontaneous posts may cause to their private or
professional life.
Secret, Snapchat and now Voycee are mobile applications focusing on
keeping private life really private (no user identification or (very) ephemeral
posts). Spontaneity is granted back.
But are they still “social” networks? Social is also about the history that you share with
your acquaintances. If history vanishes or if acquaintances are blurred, what kind of
social links exist between people? Facebook remains social because it shares users’
“real” first and last names. But Facebook has many pitfalls. It is possible to have a real
social network that also really protects its users’ private life?

5. TOY
5

6. 6
“Can I play with the iPad?” Well…
Tablets are part of today kids’ life and there is no much that can be done against it. It
may even be a great educational tool… if used right.
Tangible Play has introduced a complete game kit
that fits to an iPad. The objective is to use the
tablet as part of a more global installation,
aiming to teach children while playing. The tablet
is therefore no more the finality for the child, but only
a part of the whole game.
Apart from teaching the kids how to use a tablet, this initiative shows them the right
use of a tablet: as a tool rather than as an object.

7. BEAT
7

8. 8
So Apple bought Beats to enrich its music offer, mostly in
headphones, but also in streaming. And this is where this
acquisition is interesting.
Apple stated it will keep the Beats Music offer and
even invest in developing this offer. Which means
Apple are going to develop mobile applications for
both Google Android and Microsoft Windows Phone!
This is the very first time Apple is actually going to develop (or
maintain, at least) an application for its competitors mobile OS. It
may look benign but it’s quite a revolution!