NEC Gets Into SL-to-Cellphone Communication Business

If you're fluent in Japanese, you should be able to visit Tokutoku Pocket Island (direct SLURL teleport at this link), attach a heads-up display, and call or text someone's cellphone. Assuming that I'm reading this notice right, that is-- joining British telecom Vodafone, Japanese IT multinational NEC has just showcased SL-to-mobile communication at a Barcelona trade show.  There's a lot of potential in being able to call someone from within Second Life, but I wonder how much it's being used. In any case, Tokutoku is a cool and fun build, full of that busybody, futuristic, neon-lit aesthetic that seems distinctly Japanese.

Comments

[Professor Merryman]

Nice to meet you Au. I came to your blog from a review of your book. Congrats on getting it all down on paper. It's tough for bloggers to do I know.

I just wanted to leave a comment about this post since I am living in Japan and using SL for teaching English. I thought looking into this may give me the ability to interact with my students in a new way.

First, the Slurl isn't quite right. I did a search for Tokutoku and arrived in the right place. No big. As fr being fluent fluent in Japanese, you got that right. The displays send you to a help screen on the web that gives a QR code for you to scan with the bar reader of your phone. I did that with my 703i docomo phone. I then had to go through 4 screens to set up an account. Then I was asked to pick a card but I couldn't get past this screen. The system is set up so you go to a convenience store and get points for something. I'm not sure.

As for being able to make a call...couldn't figure that one out at all. I'll have to get a Japanese student from English Village to help me out. But thanks for the discovery in any case.

[Hamlet Au]

Thanks for trying it out in any case, Professor!