The thing that most people fear when they have mobile employees is the productivity level. As humans, the common belief is that we’re more productive when people are standing over our shoulders. In this world of mobile connectivity with devices that can do almost anything we need them to do from outside the office, atmospheres have changed and many consider themselves more productive when away from the cubicle. Is it true? Is it wishful thinking to believe that working from home or while traveling avails us to more efficient working? Some would argue that there are more distractions away from…

For most things, when we lose them, we lose them. Depending on the value, we either replace it or put in an effort to find it. There’s not much that goes into it. Cell phones are different. There’s a process that has to happen when you lose one. It can cause emotional distress and create challenges in day-to-day life. This graphic by our friends at MyLookout breaks down the process and shows us what happens when phones are lost. Click to enlarge. …

Our mobile devices have many uses to us, well beyond the talk and text functionality of the past. Millions of mobile apps are downloaded to smartphones and tablets every day. The types of apps we download are an indication of what uses we see for mobile devices. According to a recent study by Nielson, we want to have fun, know when it’s going to rain, monitor Facebook, and get directions. Over half of mobile device users have used apps for gaming, weather, social networking, and/or navigation in the last 30 days. Music, news, and entertainment follow. Perhaps more interesting is the fact that 93%…

With nearly 70% of the US adult population accessing the internet via their mobile devices, it has become a strong play for the devious phishermen in the world. Security is always a concern when getting online, but on devices where encryption and bouncing internet connections happen regularly, phishing is the biggest issue. This graphic by our friends at MyLookout puts it all into perspective. Are you taking the right precautions when it comes to mobile surfing? Click to enlarge. …

Mobile devices have become an integral part of every day life for millions of people. Small businesses are following this trend and adopting the use of smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices in ways that help manage, monitor, and promote themselves. As the digital world gets larger by making the devices smaller, it’s not wonder that the reliance on these devices increases. This graphic by our friends at Intuit puts it all into perspective, noting that an astounding 96% of small businesses use wireless devices and technology in their operations. Click to enlarge. …

Local branches of Apple and Google stores in Taipei City have been given two weeks to offer free 7-day trials on apps that run on their mobile platforms or face financial penalties. According to Yeh Ching-yuan, Taipei City’s director of Law and Regulation Commission, “If the two companies fail to meet the requirement by the deadline, they may be slapped with fines of up to NT$1.5 million (US$52,265).” Currently, both companies are in violation of Taiwan’s Consumer Protection Act, a consumer protection that requires companies to have return and refund policies available for all purchases that…

I’m not trying to say the folks at the Hasso-Plattner Institute are crazy, but guys: the folks at the Hasso-Plattner Institute are crazy. Introducing the Imaginary Phone – an exercise in how to take interaction design to its (il)logical conclusion. Using a large depth camera mounted on an arm, the system can read your palm – or, rather, read your opposite hand’s motions across said palm, as you swipe, tap and gesture as if it were your real phone (which is meanwhile in your pocket or something). Why would you want to play Angry Birds while your phone is still in your pocket? Honestly, your guess is as…

As Apple, Google, and Facebook face more scrutiny over their mobile privacy policies from the government, the concerns continue to grow for users. Where we are, what we’re doing, and how we’re doing it are often questions that can be answered by these companies, often without our knowledge. This graphic by our friends at ZoneAlarm breaks down the threats and perceived evils being perpetrated by mobile-based companies and the larger companies who control them. Are we safe to surf on our gadgets? Click to enlarge. …

Just as 8-Tracks led to tapes, tapes, led to CDs, and CDs led to MP3s, so too is that way we do our transactions changing. This is the early stage – it’s hard for most people to even imagine paying for things with their cell phones – but both technology and trending pop culture are pushing us all in that direction. Will credit cards and even cash someday be replaced by mobile devices as the preferred method of payment when out in real life? That’s the question that CreditSesame attempts to answer by taking a look at the way society is heading with regards to mobile payment mechanisms. “What’s in your wallet?”…

2010 was the year of the iPhone (again) as more Americans who planned on purchasing a smartphone intended to buy an iPhone – about 1/3rd. The 1st quarter of 2011 shows a clear shift in smartphone envy as Android is now the OS that 31% of Americans intend to buy next versus 30% planning on going iOS according to a quarterly survey by Nielson. Recently purchased smartphones People surveyed in March who had purchased a smartphone in the previous 6 months indicated that half of them had bought Android phones. While much of this success can still be attributed to the number of phones and carriers that support…