Emily Turrettini is the sympathetic woman behind textually.org. Her blog “about text messaging and how cell phones are being used around the world” is one of THE reference points for anyone interested in mobile and wireless technology. Every day she posts different articles in her own original, smart and to-the-point style.
I am pleased to present her interview here in the Women in Mobile series. Let’s learn about how she got started, the people that are inspiring her and how she personally experiences mobile.
- Can you explain a bit about your work?
I’ve been publishing on the Internet for 10 years, first on a Web site covering Internet news and in the last three years, I’ve been updating 3 blogs related to cell phones; Textually.org covers the different applications of text messaging, picturephoning.com follows the many issues surrounding camera and video enabled cell phones, (privacy issues, the emergence of citizen reporters, content…). Ringtonia.com covers the many new ways music is being played on cell phones.
- Are you more social, business or technical oriented?
I’m not a technical person at all. I’m interested in the way people are using mobile phones and how it’s affecting the world around them.
- What brought you into mobile?
When following Internet news, as of 2000, I started to pick up on text-messaging stories. So I started a daily SMS Chronicle (in French, published on netsurf.ch). When the US voted for the first time by SMS on TV for American Idol, I figured the time was ripe to publish news in English, to reach a wider audience. Blogs were the perfect medium for this new venture. Fast to update with automated archiving and categorizing, all features I used to perform painstakingly and manually on my website.
- How does mobile technological progress influences your daily routine as a writer/blogger?
It doesn’t really, I spend my time in front of my laptop (Apple PowerBook G4) and my blogs are text based. I take pictures with my phone only for personal use.
- Which tools you use to publish, blog or moblog your work?
MovableType
- Which applications and services do you use (daily) on your phone?
I call, text message and take pictures. Download ringtones. I periodically check out what’s available in terms of content on Vodafone. That’s about it. Oh, I also use my cell phone as a flashlight to get my key in the door and as a clock to see what time it is.
- Would you use your device to interact with other machines?
With a parking meter would be good. I never have change.
- Which machinery can you think of would be handy to interact with?
I think it would be nice if my cell phone could turn off my son’s phone, iPod, Odigo, laptop after I say good night and return downstairs, so that just once in his teenage life, he get’s a full night’s sleep.
- Would you download mp3 tunes on your phone? Share them with friends? Mobsharing?
My phone does not have MP3. I would probably only share with my son, or mostly the other way around.
- What about Mobile TV?
I’m looking forward to mobile TV. Not much here yet (Switzerland), just the news or sports.
- What is going to be the next *big thing* in mobile?
The next big thing in my books would be alternate technology that would make battery life last longer, so that developing nations which are low on electricity, don’t have to worry about recharging their cell phones (walk miles to do so).
- The mobile trend(s) for next year?
Music phones will continue to be big in 2006. Video/TV content tailored for cell phones. I think this year will be mostly about content.
- Who inspires you professionally?
As bloggers: Régine Debatty, Peter Rojas.
As an entrepreneur: Anil de Mello and Rafat Ali.
As a visionary: Howard Rheingold.
Steve Jobs for Apple computers and everything else he has accomplished. And above all others, Tim Berners-Lee, because without him the world would be a much duller place.
- Your favorite mobile technology blog?
As of this second? mopocket.com. Just opened. Looks very good.
- Your favorite moblog?
mobuzztv.com
- Your favorite mobile device?
My Nokia cell phone.
- Favorite mobile application/service?
A text alert service which would remind me to take out the garbage Tuesdays and Fridays. Not available where I live though.
- Your ultimate dream scenario including mobile?
I guess that would have to be someone buying my blogs on cell phones for a small fortune.
- The ultimate tech device not invented yet?
A device than would enable me to always connect my laptop to the Internet, anywhere on the planet. Even on a boat in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
- Which links would you like to be included?
we-make-money-not-art.com
engadget.com
mobuzztv.com
moconews.net
smartmobs.com
apple.com
mopocket.com
Tim Berners-Lee
- Who else could you recommend to be interviewed next?
Régine Debatty
Thank you.
* NOTE: the book on Emily’s picture is “Blog Story” which she co-wrotes with Cyril Fiévet. It was published in October 2004. (only available in French).
TAGS: women in mobile Emily Turrettini textually.org picturephoning.com ringtonia.com m-trends.org
