Field Notes Inside an Integrated Communications Agency

These folks went from owning run down flip phones, one person holding theirs together with a rubber band, to buying iPhones and Verizon's new Droid. When asked why most their responses were, "Why not."

While some have taken to their new phones like fish to water loading apps like it was their jobs, others haven't faired as well. In one case the user of a brand new iPhone has still, after two months, not figured out how to use the phone to get their e-mail.

Should everyone be buying the Bugatti Veyrons of the phone world because they can, or should they be looking for the Porsche Carrera GT? A buyer still gets the rush of owing an "it phone" but one that is just a bit slower and bit less expensive. What a great idea, one problem, these Porche models just don't exist. So we have a lot Bugatti Veyrons sitting in their garages or in this case, gathering lint in the bottom of your mom's purse.

As the mobile business explodes and more users take to interacting with their phones for more than just calls, who will adapt? The users or the phones? I'm not saying we can't still have our super cars of the phone world, but I do think they will have to make a more toned down version of the phones hitting the market. Early adopters are great, but I go back to cars, how many people do you know that own a Bugatti Veyron and how many people do you know that own a Porsche? It is still an expensive market to play in; phones, but I foresee an iPhone "light" in the future.

This blog is inspired by "Top Gear" one of the BBC's finest productions.

I want someone to build an app for me that can find lost keys, hats, remotes and dog collars. For my Droid.

I've got an Arduino. I've got all sorts of projects waiting patiently in the wings of my free time. I'm hoping to break into app development at some point this year (Droid app dev - let's be clear, I'm not learning objective c). I'm all about wiring up my house with RFID emitters and a wall panel, but I want something more...device-y. I want an app to track and fire these RFID signals, and geolocate them in their nooks and crannies, between the sofa cushions, in the pocket of the pants that I wore last Tuesday. Hell, take it to the next level and get some funding: pitch it to Netflix to wire up their rentals so I can find those DVD's in the laundry hamper!

This has been done already, I know. Clunky, old and cheap-plastic-y, just like the Web site. If you'll build this Droid app for me, I'll build a sexy site for you to match*. Aaaaaand I promise my devotion to and shameless promotion of you and your fabulous app.

To address the most obvious naysayer argument straight away: I will NEVER lose my phone.

Gauntlet thrown down. Hit me up:

#big_britches

http://www.facebook.com/bigbritches

*Disclaimer: Not for free. Certainly affordable, certainly sexy, but unless you wanna throw in some royalties (let's talk), I have bills.