This project fascinates me, not just for its human rights angle, but because it is an example of designing for the non-iPhone set. Yes, phones are smarter these days, but there are still many, many people using older or “dumber” devices.

This project fascinates me, not just for its human rights angle, but because it is an example of designing for the non-iPhone set. Yes, phones are smarter these days, but there are still many, many people using older or “dumber” devices.

Thanks for the questions. The VICE interview did not handle these themes
very well.

What do people need to know?

The interface design right now works as a universal compass – based on
single bounce GPS signal and locative wave database are part of the midlets.
So a user can request from the applet via text or speech for Agua/Water -
the compass would then orient the user towards the nearest water station.
Or the user could request a highway or city etc.

The single bounce GPS would disallow triangulation to take place. Endless
they use it as a phone call for 911 (let as say – if things are dire) and then
triangulation would be possible and perhaps keep one among the living.

What kind of device can they afford?

The Transborder Immigrant Tool would be free. Since
b.a.n.g lab has already received funding for a large number of
cell phones and we will receive more funding next year.

What are the technical limitation of that device (physical size, screen size, input capability, battery life, available memory)?

We are working to deal with the limits of the device as a strength rather
than a weakness – so the midlets and datasets focused on a bare min. and
its potential.

Power issue – is based on strategy of No-FI/ Low-Fi/HI-Fi.

The No-Fi tactic would be to turn the phone off after you are
oriented and return it on – if a directional question is needed.
This give this little phone quiet a bit of batter time – 8 hours plus.
Almost 12 hours. Spread out over a 48 hour period etc.,

Low-Fi: a little power generator/hand cranked on each phone.

HI-Fi: cheap solar powered attachment with each unit.

How can we build an application that works well on such a device?
Please check out
http://bang.calit2.net/xborderblog/?page_id=11
for goals.

Any input welcomed.

Best,
Ricardo Dominguez (P.I/artivist bang.lab)

Thanks for the questions. The VICE interview did not handle these themes
very well.

What do people need to know?

The interface design right now works as a universal compass – based on
single bounce GPS signal and locative wave database are part of the midlets.
So a user can request from the applet via text or speech for Agua/Water -
the compass would then orient the user towards the nearest water station.
Or the user could request a highway or city etc.

The single bounce GPS would disallow triangulation to take place. Endless
they use it as a phone call for 911 (let as say – if things are dire) and then
triangulation would be possible and perhaps keep one among the living.

What kind of device can they afford?

The Transborder Immigrant Tool would be free. Since
b.a.n.g lab has already received funding for a large number of
cell phones and we will receive more funding next year.

What are the technical limitation of that device (physical size, screen size, input capability, battery life, available memory)?

We are working to deal with the limits of the device as a strength rather
than a weakness – so the midlets and datasets focused on a bare min. and
its potential.

Power issue – is based on strategy of No-FI/ Low-Fi/HI-Fi.

The No-Fi tactic would be to turn the phone off after you are
oriented and return it on – if a directional question is needed.
This give this little phone quiet a bit of batter time – 8 hours plus.
Almost 12 hours. Spread out over a 48 hour period etc.,

Low-Fi: a little power generator/hand cranked on each phone.

HI-Fi: cheap solar powered attachment with each unit.

How can we build an application that works well on such a device?
Please check out
http://bang.calit2.net/xborderblog/?page_id=11
for goals.

Any input welcomed.

Best,
Ricardo Dominguez (P.I/artivist bang.lab)

Most mobile apps are more than informational, they are also acting on information or allow the person to do something in context or do something with a feature on the mobile.

Most mobile apps are more than informational, they are also acting on information or allow the person to do something in context or do something with a feature on the mobile.