One in five Britons want Google Glass banned

Google_glassA new study has revealed that one in five people in the UK want Google Glass banned, even though more than eight million Britons already use wearable technology.

The report by Rackspace and the Centre for Creative and Social Technoloogy (CAST) at Goldsmiths, University of London was conducted with 4,000 respondents and underscores the privacy concerns that people have with what many consider to be invasive technology.

Other findings were that more than eight million Britons already wear some form of fitness monitor, smart watch, wearable camera, smart clothing or tracking device and demonstrates how divisive this type of technology has become. Some embrace it wholeheartedly, others think it is the devil’s work.

While 20% want Google Glass banned, 15% intend to buy Google Glass as soon as it goes on general sale in 2014 and nearly 40% intend to use these these devices once they have obtained critical mass.

Rather more worryingly, the study also reports that 15% of UK adults use wearable devices to help improve their love life. Try as I may, I have tried to imagine that but it means my brain is now working in ways that I’d prefer it not to.

There again, wearing Google Glass while on the job may have some positive developments. It doesn’t matter where you get your appetite from (as you look at the streamed video in literally your mind’s eye), as long as you eat at home.

Retailers have survived the first digital coming, but what’s next?

By regular contributor Lloyd Gofton who tweets here

high street deathHMV’s recent demise was hardly a surprise. The writing has been on the wall for so long that it’s been painted over and graffitied many times since.

If we rewind ten years to 2003, the conversation around retail was focused on the importance of the web Continue reading

Mobile ad network InMobi snaps up UK-based Metaflow (for undisclosed sum)

Bangalore-based mobile ad network InMobi has acquired Metaflow Solutions for an undisclosed sum as the company continues to spend its recent $200 million funding.

Metaflow is mobile app management and distribution company that has been working hard in the mobile space for six years. Its CEO Charles McLeod is not only a good friend, but he’s worked his socks off with a great team to make this happen. The acquisition will ‘expand the distribution and monetisation of content for InMobi’s developers and publisher partners.

“At Metaflow, our mission has been to simplify and unify the process surrounding content management and deployment of apps to a distributed and highly fragmented marketplace. The global reach and technology backbone provided by InMobi is hugely exciting for us,” said Charles McLeod, CEO at Metaflow.

On a final note I’d like to thank Charles for the lashings of fizz we consumed on Friday afternoon and just to confirm that I can keep a secret. Nothing as sacrosanct as off-the-record. Congratulations, mate!

800 jobs up for grabs at Shoreditch’s Silicon Milkroundabout May weekend

More than 105 start-ups and established brands such as Google, Twitter, Facebook, Songkick and Mind Candy are joining 105 start-ups in London’s Shoreditch to offer 800 jobs to the brightest of UK talent.

They will get together over the weekend of May 26/27th 2012 where 3,000 potential applicants will be introduced to a number of companies dedicated to the areas of Product Management, User Experience (UX) Design, Visual Design, and Intelligence/Analytics. Continue reading

800 jobs up for grabs at Shoreditch's Silicon Milkroundabout May weekend

More than 105 start-ups and established brands such as Google, Twitter, Facebook, Songkick and Mind Candy are joining 105 start-ups in London’s Shoreditch to offer 800 jobs to the brightest of UK talent.

They will get together over the weekend of May 26/27th 2012 where 3,000 potential applicants will be introduced to a number of companies dedicated to the areas of Product Management, User Experience (UX) Design, Visual Design, and Intelligence/Analytics. Continue reading