FutureWire - futurism and emerging technology

Monday, August 30, 2004

Creative Uses for Camera Phones

Ever wonder what in the world you'd do with a camera phone (assuming you don't already have one)? Well, fear not... camera phone owners are finding their own creative uses for their gadgets. According to a recent New York Times report, advertisers have discovered that magazine readers are swapping photos of print ads (mostly for women's clothes) with accompanying text messages. In response, Vogue and Jane magazines are using Web-based tools to help readers interact with one another and find related products more easily.

Also, a UK poll cited on SmartMobs found that 20% of camera phone users sent photos of themselves in different outfits to their friends to get their opinions. Others (again, mainly females) use camera phones as mirrors to check their makeup, teeth and the backs of their hair. Men are also getting into the act (again while shopping), snapping photos of big-ticket items such as furniture to get their partners' opinion and approval.