Sessions at SXSW Interactive 2011 about Mobile on Friday 11th March

This panel looks at mobile learning technologies and programs that get students outside, envisioning a classroom framed by the sky, earth, and everything in between. The No Child Left Inside Act (NCLIA) now in Congress seeks to enhance the environmental literacy of K-12 students “to foster understanding, analysis, and solutions to the major environmental challenges” facing the nation. There is a tremendous opportunity to engage young people in science that connects their local environment to global problems, and technology is crucial to effectuate its promise.

Five hundred million eyes looked on as Neil Armstrong stepped onto the Moon; under NCLIA, with eyes trained on the environment around them, learners could now help address a problem as complex as climate change. By implementing a citizen science-based model that leverages mobile technology, NCLIA could help form a scientifically literate citizenry while researchers explore questions previously unanswerable.

Richard Louv’s "No Child Left in the Woods" explores how going outside improves the well-being of young people, and fosters what E. O. Wilson has termed “biophilia.” Programs that combine appropriate technologies with outdoor experience can give learners a new point of entry to scientific understanding beyond textbooks, and introduce new modes of assessment beyond standardized tests.

LEVEL: Intermediate

We all know photo sharing is nothing new - it's been around as long as photos have been around and that's a long long time! So what's all the buzz around mobile photo sharing now? Are people all jumping on the bandwagon to share their mobile photos? Instagram just passed 1M users within 3 months of their launch. Path introduced somewhat controversial private group sharing with 50 friends limit. And LiveShare by Cooliris just launched the first flexible private group sharing service for photos. Which brings us to question, are users more likely to resort to private streams? Is that where we are headed - small, intimate groups? What does it mean for the overall social graph(s) we have been building for the past years?

Come and join in on the discussion around mobile photo sharing, the hottest topic in Silicon Valley.

The growing hole in your back jeans pocket is getting a bit too personal.

No need to swipe anymore. Just scan.

When can we get rid of our wallets without losing the cash? We know mobile is here. Now learn how far we can take it. Digital wallets are within very close reach. With RFIDs, QR codes, and Big-Brother-like tracking, the technology is already in place.

Checkout with your phone. Instantly grab coupons when you checkout. Scan your digital ticket at Friday’s ballgame. Digitally split the bill with your friends.

The possibilities that we’ve always wished for are now within reach. Get a glimpse into how retailers are edging towards digital, understand the impact of how this will change the way we buy, and ultimately, as designers, understand how this will change the way we interact with our mobile phones.

LEVEL: Intermediate

The mobile landscape as we know it is focused heavily on gaming, productivity and social media applications. But as mobile technology continues to advance and phones become smarter, people will search for even more intimate, immersive and interactive ways of expressing themselves. Today, mobile technologies have made music creation easy, affordable and accessible to the masses, enabling users of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, to create and share music, regardless of previous musical knowledge.

Whether you’re a fan of hip hop, classic, pop or video game theme music, there is an app for everyone. And the entertainment industry has taken notice – almost every big name artist or brand has an app for mobile devices. Most of them are just fancy message boards providing information, but some are pushing the limits of what it means to interact with the artist or brand. From the palm of your hand you can Auto-Tune your voice to sound like your favorite hip hop star, play an instrument designed by Jorden Ruddess of Dream Theater or join a virtual Glee club. Each of these artists and brands are building communities thru mobile apps that provide anyone the ability to explore their inner star.

This presentation will discuss how advances in mobile technology have opened up a new world of expression to everyone and enabled users to broadcast their own musical talents across the globe.

LEVEL: Intermediate

The mobile market is flooded with fun, useful and engaging applications. These apps are
becoming increasingly important to a company’s success but many companies are simply
recreating their product for mobile without giving adequate consideration to the differences in
mobile and Web based usage patterns. Additionally, specific benefits that the Apple, Android or
BlackBerry platforms offer are commonly not fully leveraged.

During this session, Aaron Forth, director of product design at Intuit’s Mint.com, will discuss
how companies can analyze customer usage patterns to develop the best possible mobile
application and mold the app to harness the advantages of each platform.

LEVEL: Advanced

There's been a shift in the center of authority in healthcare. It's moved from established authorities, like doctors, to the people who are experiencing a given condition. The proof can be seen in the growth and popularity of websites like WebMD, Wego Health, and PatientsLikeMe.

And technology now provides new ways of sharing knowledge. As feature phones improve and as smartphones begin to saturate the market, users have unprecedented access to information and to each other. The exponential growth of the iPhone and Android app marketplaces show that users are looking for new ways of doing old things.

At the intersection of user-managed health and technology lies an opportunity. A mobile solution that enables users with a chronic condition, accustomed to managing it alone, to track their health socially and to access the learnings of the larger community.

Users can passively hold each other accountable in a way that is difficult for them to do alone. A mobile solution removes some of the hardest barriers to better record keeping. It also provides a forum for knowledge-transfer, letting users optimize their treatment at a quicker pace.

OMG - My Pancrease Just Texted will explore a concept for a mobile community geared towards supporting diabetics in better managing their health, together.

LEVEL: Intermediate

Conventional wisdom says that farmers aren't "wired." The only truth in this statement is that they aren't spending much time on desktop computers - in fact, the majority of their computing is done on mobile devices. Farmers are becoming increasingly dependent on wireless technology, from tweeting about industry issues, checking markets, researching equipment, booking trips to China and connecting with their kids on Facebook - all during their time in the cab of a GPS-piloted combine. This panel will explore the various applications for mobile technology on the farm, how farmers are getting serious business done with smartphones, and what new innovations are coming around the corner.

LEVEL: Beginner