NTT Launches Mobile Social Network, FAMI NAVI!

NTT Com, Japan has launched a social networking service (SNS) that families can use to share pictures and schedules through their mobile phones. The beta version of "fami navi" ("family navigation"), is initially targeted towards families. NTT Com expects its SNS service to build a better tomorrow by helping to strengthen family bonds, foundation of our socities.

NTT Com offers the service for free (packet data charges may apply from the carriers). Fami Navi is currently compatible with NTT DOCOMO, au and SOFTBANK handsets equipped with Flash^®Lite™ 1.1 or above.

Since the the network id geared towards the family units, there are a limit of 20 members to a unit. With small families that Japan has, this limit will not prevent a few generations be in touch where ever they are during the day. I am not sure what happens when a member has multiple memberships! As of now, one person registers as the site manager and then can invite up to 19 other family members to register.

With current services, photos, usually those taken with a camera-equipped mobile phones, could be shared with family or unit members. One also will be able to create a slide show with a compilation of these photos with a provided application, and the same could be used as a Flash Video standby screen for handsets.

The other prominent service, calendering or scheduling is uniue in itself. There is nothing new from traditional calendering service but having it available on your mobile device might make it easier to be home before dinner. Everyone’s schedule can be viewed by other members anytime and anyplace making it easier to plan family functions together. Members can receive an automatic e-mail reminders before special days, such as birthdays and other anniversaries.

As usual with Japanese Internet culture, A variety of graphics are available to decorate messages exchanged among the members. Members also encouraged to access the site frequently. Each time a person accesses the site, a decorative item such as virtual flower or building block icon is added to the site and that reflects the frequency of use. When the site collects a certain number of flowers/blocks within a given time, the members can receive a present from fami navi, such as a photo album template.

Tags: fami navi, family navigation, Mobile Social Networking, NTT DOCOMO, SOFTBANK, Flash®Lite™ 1.1, Japanese Internet culture

Mobile Social Networking With Facebook For Blackberry Smartphone Application.

Las Vegas, NV,“ CTIA Wireless 2008 - Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM)(TSX:RIM) today announced that downloads of the Facebook® for BlackBerry® Smartphones application have surpassed the 1,000,000 mark. The easy-to-use mobile software application, which leverages the push-based BlackBerry(R) service and Facebook(R) Platform to offer an unparalleled mobile experience for Facebook users, was launched at the CTIA Wireless IT and Entertainment 2007 show on October 24, 2007.

"When we launched Facebook for BlackBerry Smartphones, we believed that consumers would recognize the value of marrying social networking with mobility and that vision has now been validated more than a million times," said Mark Guibert, Vice President of Corporate Marketing at Research In Motion. "This innovative mobile application, combined with the refined usability of BlackBerry smartphones and the incredible convenience of the push-based BlackBerry service, makes it easier than ever for Facebook users to stay connected with people wherever they choose."

With the Facebook for BlackBerry Smartphones application, Facebook users can wirelessly send and view messages, photos, pokes and Wall posts. The rich, native application goes beyond browser-based access, automatically pushing notifications to the user's BlackBerry smartphone as friends and colleagues send notes, Wall posts or pokes. The application allows users to take a photo, upload it to the site with captions and tags; quickly and easily invite friends; manage events; manage photo albums; and manage their status while on the go.

Since its initial launch, Facebook for BlackBerry Smartphones has added language support for French, German and Spanish. The software application is available as a free(i) download from www.facebook.com/blackberry or www.blackberry.com/go/facebook and can also be downloaded using a BlackBerry smartphone from m.facebook.com or mobile.blackberry.com.

Facebook for BlackBerry Smartphones is being showcased this week at CTIA. Visit the BlackBerry booth (425 in Center Hall) for a demo.
tag: facebook, Research In Motion, CTIA Wireless 2008, Facebook for BlackBerry Smartphones application, Mobile Social Networking

Don't Lose Your Face at Facebook | Facebook Best Practices

I came across this information at Sophos, , where they provide information on recommended privacy settings in Facebook, and shows you how to set more secure levels of privacy and reduce the chance of becoming a victim of online identity theft.
But They also have a very nice article about Facebook Privacy and Productivity and a podcast (Link is at the bottom).

Tips to protect your reputation, and your identity:

Adjust Facebook privacy settings to help protect your identity

Unlike some other social networking sites, Facebook has provided some powerful options to protect you online - but it's up to you to use them!

Think carefully about who you allow to become your friend

Once you have accepted someone as your friend they will be able to access any information about you (including photographs) that you have marked as viewable by your friends. You can remove friends at any time should you change your mind about someone.

Show "limited friends" a cut-down version of your profile

You can choose to make people 'limited friends' who only have access to a cut-down version of your profile if you wish. This can be useful if you have associates who you do not wish to give full friend status to, or feel uncomfortable sharing personal information with.

Disable options, then open them one by one

Think about how you want to use Facebook. If it's only to keep in touch with people and be able to contact them then maybe it's better to turn off the bells and whistles. It makes a lot of sense to disable an option until you have decided you do want and need it, rather than start with everything accessible.

PodCast: A Sophos investigation showed how easy it is to steal an identity on Facebook

Tags: facebook, Mobile Social Networking, security, podcast, sophos

Socially Mobile

How can users be persuaded to access their social networks twenty-four hours a day, without ever stopping, using a mobile device? That was the question at the Mobile Social Networking Conference in San Francisco Thursday. The Mobile Social Networking Conference runs through Friday at the Courtyard Marriott Downtown San Francisco.

PC Mag article

Tags: Mobile Social Networking, Social Networking, Mobile Social Networking Conference