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a mobile productivity app that analyzes data from a user's mobile calendar and applies artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance meetings and events throughout the day. Specifically, it's designed to find and neatly organize in context everything the user needs to be fully prepared, including contacts, relevant emails, and related documents

"LevelUp operates a mobile payment network with 3,500 U.S. merchants in 20 U.S. markets, and 250,000 active users. The service recently rounded up $21 million in funding to scale growth. The new NFC-equipped terminals, along with a newly adopted "interchange zero" policy, are designed to accelerate LevelUp's maturation process."

"Walmart began recruiting top Silicon Valley talent and acquiring start-ups last year. For instance, Walmart acquired Kosmix, a company that specializes in making web design more seamless, for $300 million. That team has been working for over a year to fix Walmart's systems and improve its website.  Walmart is investing in the "social gifting" market. A year ago, Walmart launched "Shopycat," which makes gift recommendations based on friends' Facebook profiles. The site is now called "Walmart Gifts" and allows customers to log in and get personalized recommendations based on Facebook and Twitter profiles.  The retailer got a better search engine. A dozen top engineers took 10 months to build it, and while the company won't discuss sales figures, they said the new system is more user-friendly. "If you search for cotton socks now, you'll actually find them," Manjoo writes.  Walmart is trying to lead the charge in same-day shipping. Its at an advantage considering that 96 percent of Americans live within 20 miles of a Walmart.  Walmart is investing like crazy in its mobile app. "Walmart imagines that as you go through an average day, you'll remember things you need--milk, bread, a new tennis racquet, a toy truck for your nephew's birthday--and tell the voice-enabled Walmart app. The app will list each item's location inside your local Walmart and include product info; eventually, it will also learn your preferences and offer recommendations. And once you're actually in the store, you'll be able to summon an associate to help you," Manjoo says. "

We've seen numerous mobile apps designed to improve drivers' safety on the road, but Automatic takes what may well be the most comprehensive approach to date. With the help of a small device that plugs into the car, the Automatic app monitors that car's health, makes money-saving driving tips, remembers where the car is parked and more. Users begin by plugging the Automatic Link device into their car's data port; it supports every gasoline-engine car made since 1996, its San Francisco-based maker says. Once that's done, the car and smartphone will automatically connect wirelessly whenever the user takes a trip. Among the services Automatic provides along the way are driving suggestions for better fuel efficiency, trip timelines including miles per gallon, and automatic crash detection as well as sending alerts to 911 and loved ones. Also available are engine-health monitoring and parking reminders. Pricing is USD 69.95. The video below explains the premise in more detail:

...and design considerations

Nearly four in ten mobile users are disappointed with applications from their favorite brands, according to a new study by Harris Interactive commissioned by design agency EffectiveUI. About three-quarters (73%) believe a company's mobile app should be easier to use than its Web site.

T-Mobile is suspending the service because the company believes that in Facebook's current design it's not clear that the service is from T-Mobile.

Privacy for mobile; mobile data activity more transparent = greater risk for companies who design apps without data security in mind.

To celebrate Helsinki as the capital of design, and to illustrate the importance of good design, interactive pop-up cafes were set up all over the city that were complete with tables, music, lighting and more that are remotely controlled by people online.

the app will give you a lego design. you have to make it, hold the phone to your design, and if it correct, you will move on.

a handbag introduced at London Fashion week has tech to charge mobile devices.  it has LED light that flashes when people call -- you just charge the bag itself when youre' at home.

Klout, a San Francisco-based company that attempts to quantify a social media user's reach, has used a chunk of its estimated $30 million in new funding to purchase the community-centric company Blockboard for an undisclosed sum. Blockboard makes an iPhone application designed to connect neighbors through a mobile community bulletin board. The app is currently only available to users in San Francisco neighborhoods.

I actually like the idea of having some vital information provided to me that is served to me independent of my mobile device.

Facebook, the world's largest social network, is planning acquisitions that will improve site design, keep its service reliable and advance mobile features to stave off competition from Google and Twitter. The company aims to make about 20 purchases in 2011, up from 10 last year and one in 2009, Vaughan Smith, Facebook's director of corporate development, said in an interview.

Video of a not-quite-yet-finished version of Windows 7 Mobile, Microsoft's latest operating system for smartphones. It's designed to compete with iPhone and Android OS's.