Microsoft's Greenwich leader jumps ship | CNET News.com

News giant Reuters is taking IM seriously enough to hire David Gurle, former director of program management for Microsoft's Real Time Communication group. An impressive move.

Reuters say that they have no intention to charge for its IM service in the future. I might be going out on a limb here, but I have a feeling that this will change during 2004. As they currently see IM as "a way to enhance the company's current products and create new products" some kind of premium services is bound to emerge.

Guardian Unlimited | Online | Get caught mapping

Read about how London's world famous underground map has become part of a large local community blogg. The story also contains interesting thoughts on how around-the-corner locations can become integrated with our net habits.

All in all, it's a good read and a refreshing take on the subject of "geolocation".

[ Designmuseum ]

"This is the first year of the Design Museum's new national award with a £25,000 prize for the UK-born or based designer who made the biggest contribution to design in the past year."

Jonathan Ive, VP of industrial design at Apple, and Rock Star Games are two of the nominees. This is a tricky one! In terms of impact on contemporary culture i'd say both Ive and RSG have had a tremendous and equal impact. From a design perspective, I'd probbaly go with Ive. Submit your vote at designmuseum.org

The latest issue of CreateOnline, the brilliant UK new media design magazine, is sadly also the last. If you ever come across a smarter, more relevant publication covering all aspects of developing digital content let me know!

Guardian Unlimited | Online | Digital TV set to overtake internet

Digital TV has reached an impressive level of maturity in the UK. According to this story in the Guardian, research shows that over 10 million homes, i.e. 40% of the population, are digital TV subscribers. Online access in the UK is frequently quoted around 11 million homes.

I have personally tried several digital TV options in the UK. Functionality, usability and overall value are light years ahead of anything I have seen in the US.

Wired 11.04: Wrist-Top Revolution

A PDA in a watch is a gadget, not a tool. Why? It's simply to small to provide an environment where a professional would want to spend time (no pun intended) working. Maybe it could function as a back up or as an "in-meeting" PDA? The up-side is that it will probably get a new segment of customers interested in PDAs. And that's a good thing.

PCG-U101

Sony Japan has launched the PCG-U101 palmtop. The fact that it can be held as a book and navigated with 4-way thumb controllers is intriguing. Also, the controllers look like they might work better than the ones incorporated in the more limited PCG-U1. If it came with a stylus and a touch screen it might be an alternative of sorts to the Tablet PC.

Visit the PCG-U101 site for more info on the thumb controllers. (Translated version.)

Boingo, T-Mobile team on wireless roaming | CNET News.com

Good news. The two companies will make it easier for their customers to access "the wireless Internet" through hot spots and GPRS cell networks.

Now, how long before T-Mobile acquires Boingo?

audblog audio post

Audblog offers some interesting technology. Listen to the message I recorded to learn more and also visit audblog.com.

ZDNet News: Spam fighters connect at JamSpam

The second meeting of JamSpam is being held here in San Francisco today. The goal of the organisation is "to produce an open, interoperable antispam specification that serves as a universal solution to both edges of the spam sword". More on JamSpam at JamSpam.org

Businesses getting into Wi-Fi act | CNET News.com

Jupiter Reserach: "57% of U.S. companies use Wi-Fi networks with another 22% planning to do so within 12 months".

I would be suprised if close to 80% of companies in this country were using 802.11b/a/g by the Spring of 2004. A more believeable number is close to 70%, but I would love to be proven wrong on this one!

ZDNet |UK| - News - Wireless - UK gets more Wi-Fi hot spots as T-Mobile expands Starbucks deal

It's great to see that Wi-Fi hot spots are becoming more common in the UK.

I'm also impressed wit the "almost free" offerings of sandwich mavens Benugo who offer 1 free hour of access to anyone who spends at least 2 GBP (approx $3 USD) at one of their stores in London's Soho or Clerkenwell districts. It's perfect: eat lunch, check some e-mails/news/chat etc. Go Benugo!

Jaan Orvet Digital | blog

Still in beta, but it's a live beta!

Blogger's "Help" section really needs some work. Instructions are often confusing, the terminology is not consistent and the spelling errors...yikes! Hopefully the new owners will initiate (over all) improvements to the content, functionality and look -n-feel of the service.

I'm in the process of moving my blog to orvet.com/blog/. The old blog at jaanorvet.blogspot.com will no longer be updated.

BBC NEWS | Technology | Blogging goes mobile

Interesting story on mobile blogging. Well worth a read if you want an introduction to the subject (like I did).

Hilton offers price details on Wi-Fi plan

Hilton is set to charge a maximum of $9.99 for 24 hours of access. I believe this is basically a very good deal. They should, how ever, do away with the $1.99/10 minutes and per minute charges. These only add to the back end admin costs of the initiativ.

Hot-spot hopefuls could get burned | CNET News.com

This story mentions, among other things, the WiFi initativ launched by Mc Donalds. McWiFi i's an interesting concept but one that in my opinion will fail. Why would anyone want to sit in a fast food joint and work?

Today I spent some time at the offices of Thomas Weisel Partners.

I'm trying out Blogger for my new blog. I've also checked out Radio UserLand. RUL is a good product but right now I prefer a web based blog tool.