From Israel, cell phone apps offer smartphone capabilities

VascoDe has created a platform that enables any cell phone to use advanced web applications such as Facebook, Twitter and Skype.

While items such as the AOptix Stratus and SatSleeve help add extra features to smartphones, what about those still stuck with a regular cell phone? Israel-based VascoDe has created a platform that enables any cell phone to use advanced web applications such as Facebook, Twitter and Skype.

The system uses a client-less mobile interaction (CMI) platform – which means that user’s don’t have to install software or hardware onto their handset. Instead, the company has created pared-down versions of social media services that enable cell phone users to interact with them. The CMIs present users with a simple text-based listed menu – for example, launching the Facebook CMI will offer a choice of viewing the news feed, posting a status update, viewing a friend’s page or checking their notifications. Each menu item has a number next to it, and users press the corresponding button on their phone to interact with the site. Information is sent via Unstructured Supplementary Service Data, a system similar to SMS, meaning that no web connection or data plan is necessary. VascoDe has so far created cell phone apps for Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, Wikipedia, online payments and even video service Skype. The Facebook app is demonstrated below:

VascoDe is aiming its products at the developing world, where more than three quarters of people have access to a mobile phone, but smartphone uptake is still in its infancy. Rather than a backwards step, the company is bringing those who rely on basic cell phones to connect with the social web, and the rest of the world. Are there other ways to retrofit new technologies with older ones that are still used by many in poorer countries?

Spotted by: Tracy Chong