French 2d barcode company Mobile Tag announced new Mobile Tag barcode reading software for BlackBerry. The software uses the BlackBerry Bold’s video recording features to actively sample the barcode and process the tag’s info. Other BlackBerry models use their camera feature and require the user to “snap” a barcode scan. Contact tags are used to securely exchange contact info. Web tags are used for promotion from billboards, magazines and web pages, providing more info, and even managing virtual coupons.
OAO Mobile TeleSystems, Russia’s largest mobile operator, plans to begin selling BlackBerry phones to individuals in the country within two weeks as communications companies compete for wealthy customers.
Mobile TeleSystems, already offers BlackBerry to corporate users, but is looking to attract a consumer base. The company aims to attract about 3,000 retail clients in Russia this year. The operator has about 3,800 retail customers in Ukraine, after starting to offer BlackBerry service to individuals in June.
Although the Russian economy is feeling the recession like anywhere else in the world, I know BlackBerry will be a hit there. Not only is it a status symbol, which will make it a hit among consumers, but it is an essential tool for enterprise. This is why RIM is seeing a 50/50 split in their sales.
One thing to watch out for: The Federal Security Service has access to consumer emails and data whereas the corporate version is offered on encrypted channels. The quality will not be affected but if you’re a strong supporter of Gary Kasparov, better save your mass emails for when you get home.
[ED NOTE: Yes, I know Putin is no longer in power. Or is he? *wink*]
Outalot just launched recently for New York and San Francisco residents, offering a very clean mobile website to find nearby restaurants, movies, bars and shops, an even lets you save particular locations for future reference. Entries include directions, maps, phone numbers, and even a rating system so others you know which ones are worth going to. Although things are just getting started with the site, you can suggest a city for Outalot to cover in the future. It’s really handy having a good collection of mobile sites on your BlackBerry browser, and as soon as Outalot hits Ottawa, you can bet it’ll be in my favourites.
We just found a cool site called NetworkSolutions through BlackBerry Insight that lets you not only check domain availability from your mobile browser, but even buy it through their 800 line. Now this might seem like a pretty esoteric service to offer, but there’s a lot of people out there who hoard domains, sometimes to great profit. Hell, just look at the iPhone.com guys (although they weren’t really squatting, to be fair). NetworkSolutions could let you nab that domain name as soon as you think of it, no matter where you are.
If you’ve been to the mobile Google site recently, you’ll notice a few changes. Namely, you can now add extra content to your default Google page, such as news, weather, and plenty of website updates. This is reminiscent of their iGoogle service that has been around for awhile. The mobile search engine’s been a little more location-optimized, so Google remembers where your previous queries were directed and applies that to future searches. Pretty awesome, all around.
We just found a cool site called 
If you’ve been to the 
