12 PM | 13 Sep

A new #app that lets users’ friends virtually walk them home at night #companion [#geekgirl]

Companion is a peer-to-peer safety app that improves public safety and provides peace of mind to anyone on the move!

“Tens of thousands of people around the world are now using a free personal-safety mobile app that allows friends to virtually walk you home at night.

The Companion app, created by five students from the University of Michigan, enables users to request a friend or family member to keep them company virtually and track their journey home via GPS on an online map.

Although they can do so, the friend or family member does not need to have installed the Companion app, which is available for both Android and iOS.

The user can send out several requests to different phone contacts in case people are not available to be a companion or not with their phones at the time.

Those contacted then receive an SMS text message with a hyperlink in it that sends them to a web page with an interactive map showing the user walking to their destination. If the user strays off their path, falls, is pushed, starts running, or has their headphones yanked out of their phone, the app detects these changes in movement and asks the user if they’re OK.

If the user is fine, they press a button on the app to confirm within 15 seconds. If they do not press the button, or a real emergency is occurring, the Companion app transforms the user’s phone into a personal alarm system that projects loud noises to scare criminals from the scene, and gives you the option to instantly call the police.

Original Source: Business Insider

01 PM | 04 Jul

100 ways to say I Love You – Call for Participation

October 2010 :: SASA Gallery University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia

This work is situated around shifting language use with digital communication and the subconscious interplay of symbol/number in nonverbal mobile communication. In examining the interaction between the user and the mobile interface, many sequences of I love you (ILY) are used when sending the endearment. For example to send message ILY on a Motorola v3 requires the sequence; ok v 9 9 9 9 L- v v v v L-L- 4 4 4 4 #5 5 5 # 9 9 9 L- L-

To achieve an authentic outcome to the project the artist is seeking contact with interested people to share their interfacial sequence in the sending of the message ”ily to someone they ‘love’. If you are interested in being involved, please contact Jaynie Langford at jnilalang@gmail.com

12 PM | 04 Jul

Mobile Film – Call for Submissions #Australia

Mobile Screenfest is the first mobile phone film festival of its kind in Australia. Proudly presented by ARAYA PICTURES, this is the first festival where all films and photographs are shot entirely on mobile phones. The festival aims to recognise the growing global phenomenon of shot-on-mobile content. Mobile Screenfest seeks creative shot-on-mobile memories, stories and entries that will set high standards for user generated content in Australia.

This contest is free to enter and there is no training required. Over $10,000 in prizes are on offer.

Deadline is 22 August.

Guidelines and application form for Mobile Screenfest here

02 PM | 19 May

Museum Victoria is offering a $5,000 award for up to 2 young emerging new media artists

Museum Victoria are looking for innovative proposals for digital projects that can be exhibited online as part of a 3 year project called Talking Difference.

The aim is to inspire conversations between and within cultures about difference and commonality.

Your project could utilise any form of digital media. It could be a short film, interactive game, online interactive artwork, digital public art project, mobile phone application… the possibilities are endless.

 For more information and application form go to:  http://museumvictoria.com.au/talkingdifference