Offering Incentives

Here’s an interesting news story related to NESP. The government is considering offering incentives to increase participation in the census. The reactions in this article may mirror the types of responses use of similar incentives might get from researchers in a NESP.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/census/2008-05-20-census_N.htm

Using GPS phones for traffic management

Imagine if everyone shares a little bit of location information. What’s possible?

Nokia has done some testing on the use of GPS phones for traffic monitoring/management. They talk not only about knowing where cars are, but also about possibly using patterns of behavior about where people might typically go based on previous patterns or information in the phone (calendar?) to improve driving recommendations.

CNET article and Video

Windows Mobile with an accelerometer

http://www.htc.com/www/product.aspx?id=46286

As far as I know, this is the first Windows mobile phone device with an accelerometer built in. Such devices, (iPhone, Nokia 5500, etc.) create new opportunities for continuous, non-obtrusive measurement of physical activity.

Also see: http://wockets.wikispaces.com/PhonesWithAccelerometers for a list of phones known to have accelerometers.

Computer fitness applications go mainstream

Here's an example of sensors being used for exercise going mainstream, with Westin hotels partnering with Nintendo.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1285747/westin_announces_industry_first_partnership_with_nintendo/

Now just imagine what might be possible when typical mobile phones are detecting physical activity? Could the entertaining applications using the data also be used for long term health monitoring?