Results of an interview

Before I start, let me first state that this is NOT a representative sample of Americans. Nothing could be further from the truth. This would be results of a convenience sample of americans and possibly bulgarians who have chosen to come work in yellowstone for the summer.

I had an informal interview with Kevan Kimm of Washington yesterday, and the interesting thing was that Personal usage was the most important reason why he had a mobile phone. He didn't bring it up to yellowstone because the network operator did not have coverage in yellowstone. Apparently, in my area the only operator with reliable coverage is Verizon and possibly AT&T. Another reason for having a mobile phone was for "official purposes" e.g. to remain contactable should he have to travel away from home for long periods and a prospective employer calls.

Features used on the mobile phone: Almost purely voice.
He knows of some of the features available e.g. sms, downloading ringtones etc but seldom uses them.
Also, he is aware that newer phones have cameras, web surfing ability etc but price is an important reason for not getting the phones.

As it was purely an informal interview without any set questions, I shall have to leave it at that, more another time as I try to get my survey questions emailed to me.

In the middle of Yellowstone

Internet addiction takes on a whole new meaning here.
Internet time is carefully rationed out, and people sign up once every three days, for half an hour each time.
Staying here makes me appreciate how "connected" life in Singapore really is.
Although I do see people talking on their mobile phones, I haven't heard a single handphone go off during my 2 weeks here.

Had a chance to talk to Preston who's an American and the only reason he got a handphone was because he would be working in Yellowstone until October. I have a feeling he's not representative of the general American population but then again, America's a large country with many people and the "average" American might not really be that "average" after all.

In the meantime, the book "The Inmates are Running the Asylum" is pretty interesting and makes me further appreciate the idea of pattern design., which I have already blogged about.

I'm waiting for Jessica to finish the other book so that we can swap around and I can get started on the other book about M-commerce which I feel is probably pretty relevant as to how technology can be used.

Also, I've already gotten another person to agree to a short interview for research purposes, but I've got to find questions to ask Eddie first.... Time to get the brain working again. More stuff about OoBE, user experiences and expectations, willingness to pay etc etc...

Oh well, my half an hour's pretty much up, so I guess I'll post some stuff from the interviews when I get the data.