iPhone Launch - Bad start

iPhone launch in the UK did not do as well as expected. They only sold 8000 on the first day which is weak compared to the amount sold in the US and Germany. However, this is more than they expected - they expected 3000
They believe this is beacuse of:

1. The hype - people got bored of hearing about it for the past year
2. High monthly fees
3. Carrier lock
4. No 3G - Apple say it is because it eats the battery life away
5. Touchscreen phone alternatives

Blogging - Up to 4 Million

4 million people now keep a blog. One in five blog at least once a day.

"British bloggers are keeping track of their lives through online diaries, social networking services and other websites, creating a thriving network of internet communities reflecting the breadth of the country's interests. "

"An internet phenomenon that is transforming the way people voice their opinions."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2007/nov/09/blogging.socialnetworking

Web3 - people don't want to be tracked

Audiences do not want to be tracked by advertisers. There would be a 'do not track' list which would stop advertisers tracking them. Web 3 advertising is expected to get bigger in the coming years as more companies such as Yahoo, Google and Microsoft have all purchased online advertising firms. This means advertisers would not be able to place electronic cookies on audience's computers.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7072653.stm

ALSO

Britons sending 1bn texts a week - almost as much as the total people would send a YEAR in 1999. This is 25% higher than last year. The total for 2007 is expected to be 52 billion. Mr Short said there were several reasons for the continuing growth. "It's convenient, comprehensive, it's on every handset and network and it is cost effective," he said.

Second Life

Internet-based virtual world since 2003. Users, called "Residents", interact with each other through motional avatars. Residents can explore, meet other Residents, socialise, participate in individual and group activities, create and trade items (virtual property) and services from one another.

Before June 6, 2006, all Residents were required to verify their identities by providing Linden Lab with a valid credit card or PayPal account number, or by responding to a text message. After that date, it became possible to create an account with only an e-mail address; even standard verification methods such as e-mail reply verification are not used. Access to Teen Second Life still requires credit card details.



See article about 'worries for values' in previous blog.