Mobile Ministry Magazine

Here's part two of one user's experience with mobile devices and its intersection with their life. Check out Part One of this story and then submit yours.

Then I heard about the upcoming [Nokia] N95. And I wanted it. That wasn't ideal as I found that Orange had sneakily locked me in for an extra 6 months (actually, they've gone and done that again this time, now I think about it, by a different method). I bought out of the contract and got me a new Nokia N95 on the day of release. Some people had all sorts of problems with the device, but mine has been going strong with regular daily use for over two and a half years. There's no silver left on some of the buttons (and hasn't been for a long time). But it's still up and running.

The N95 uses the Symbian operating system, which brought me back into the realm of available software: Olive Tree Bible means I can always turn up a reference when requested. E-Reader saves me taking a case full of books when I travel (or it did – these days everything I want seems to require a US credit card). A card full of MP3 files means I am never without a range of music (and I have a cable to connect it to the car radio). I don't carry files - data protection is a hot topic within my circles.

Then last autumn, I invested in a netbook. In conjunction with a phone dongle, I now have the full internet anywhere there's a signal. I chose the netbook with windows on because of the dongle plug and play, and it has given me access to anything I can possibly need: Open Office, Firefox browser, email, and I can run the Methodist liturgy programme and such things. I even use it as a music player for dance practice. On holiday, I carry a camera cable, and turn my blog into a travelogue. The netbook nicely fits into my handbag.

And these days my primary phone is a c905. (The N95 has my work sim-card). I have to say I am not impressed. It has all the limitations of the k750i but has none of the advantages: the build quality extremely poor, and the camera, while boasting a wealth of megapixels lacks either the excellent software of the k750i or the optical lens of the N95.

Which brings me to where I am now... looking for something to replace the c905 as my primary phone (because the case it broken, the earpiece doesn't work and it's now having problems charging). I've looked at the Sony Ericsson Satio (but I'm wary of SE after the c905), I've looked at the HTC HD2 (But I actively dislike the capacitive screen, and the camera is weak). So I've almost settled on a Nokia N900. If I could just get the nerve up to click that 'buy now' button.

As for using devices for 'my ministry', I suppose I'm not sure how that works for two reasons. Firstly because I'm nervous of pretending that my history of gadgets is anything other than a closet materialism that just enjoys toys. It can be easy to make 'holy' noises to cover up the bits of our humanity we're less proud of, and I wouldn't want to do that. And secondly, I'm not sure I make a distinction between my 'ministry' and other aspects of my life. If I support someone who's having a tough time over Twitter or Skype, is that 'ministry'?

If my teddy bear chats to children struggling with understanding a death in the family, or offers his stories free for worship leaders and teachers on his website, is that ministry? Is my presence in various communities 'ministry'? To me, it's all just me, being the person I am called to be wherever I am, online or off. Loving people and God to the best of my (limited) ability in whatever environment. And enjoying playing with the tools God has blessed me with. ;-)

Labels: communication, community, HTC, minister, N95, Olivetree, sony ericsson

Yesterday, I received a call from a friend in the area asking me about phones. This isn't unusual as I get these questions pretty often since this its something of a hobby for me to write and research about mobile devices. After speaking with him, we decided to get together that night and just spend a bit of time speaking on those mobile questions he had in detail.

One of the things that I did was that I took a mobile that I had been keeping around as a "giveaway" mobile to him. It seemed that part of his issue was that he was having a problem with a phone, and his wife as well. The phone I had, while a solid mobile, was not something that I used very often and literally purchased it because it was inexpensive and would bless someone down the line. So I gave it to him as a recommended replacement for his wife's phone which had been acting up.

After that, we talked a bit more about me and mobile and I asked him a question about his own use. Interestingly enough, he was in a position where his PC was no longer available, and so he did everything over a mobile phone and quite enjoyed the simplicity in doing so. Because he had a Windows Mobile phone (the T-Mobile Wing), I wanted to know about how he felt about being mobile and how well that would work for him. Hearing those observations from someone other than myself was refreshing, but then eye-opening. There *are* more people in this position, and so I wonder what a mobile capable mobile could do.

I then asked if I could show him something. We had talked about memory cards, and so I wanted to show him a few online so that he could see and make a purchase. Well, we didn't get to the memory cards, because I was more in wonderment about the fact that he was smartphone centric, and getting things done. Pretty cool to me (of course); but then I wondered what could be done with a touch more.

I showed him the Celio Redfly and asked if that is something that could work for him when he needs to get more significant tasks done (instead of doing them on a work computer - mobile ethics ya know). Amazingly enough, after explaining the concept, he was very much on board. Just the idea of having the familiar laptop form factor, but not that incentive to manage more technology was very appealing.

As we talked, it was hit upon that a good deal of folks could do with that solution but they didn't know about it. I figure that at some point, this could change. But in the meantime, what about that mobile world that we don't see.

By the way, I was showing him the Celio Redfly using my phone connected to his TV via my N95's TV-Out cable and 3G internet connection.

So we then moved to showing MMM. Yea, I had to do a plug, but since he's a brother that I try to get with on occasion, I wanted to share with him some of what "passionates" me (I know, made up the word last night too). As I spoke to him about the vision and mission of MMM, you could see a whole new world opening up to him. In only a few minutes, he went from seeing the world through his mobile phone, to using that window as a change agent to share the Gospel in ways that people he encounters rarely see.

And all night I've been thinking about this - despite the fact that I probably pushed a bit hard when I came to sharing my passions. What happens when we are confronted with the fact that the world that we once knew has changed to the point that we literally can go out to the ends of the world and share with them a world (Christ) they have not yet seen. What are the implications of technology at that intersection?

Personally, I know some of the answers to these questions and observations, but I will share them at Bible Tech and afterwards. But if you know me, then you know that I'm about something a lot more than just playing with the latest gadget or web service. There's a state of reality that we are going to (my friend called it the Matrix) to which the Christian Body will have to adjust and become change agents there as well. I feel that we can do that, only when we know the foundations of our faith, and then acknowledge that with the tools of this age we can craft what hasn't been seen before.

At least that's part of how I think. The rest, well, you'll just have to live with me and see ;)

This was previously posted on my personal website; so the timing is a bit off, but the concept is what I intend to share.

Labels: ceilo redfly, community, mobility, N95

Was talking to a new coworker today and got a chance to play with the new BlackBerry Storm. A really neat device, it got us talking about mobile devices and specifically some features that I use with mine. Besides the 5 megapixel camera, which usually gets a lot of attention, my co-worker was a bit enthralled with the idea of instead of hitting a button to snooze an alarm or hit "ignore" for a call, that I could do those actions with just a simple motion of the mobile.

As I spoke with her, I realized that there are some aspects of mobile devices that really have to be seen to believe. Sure, one can do things such as have a touchscreen or a nice camera, but its another thing to reduce (amplify?) interactions to actual motions.

Think about what the Nintendo Wii and what it has done for casual gaming. The people who want and use the Wii are not people who are "into gaming" but who see the ability to wave the controller and become a part of the game. To these people it is not about specs and the shiny stuff, even though the PS3 and XBox 360 get that look, its about those simple things that one never thought of before when it came to gaming.

Now go back to that interaction with my coworker. I received a phone call as I was talking with her and simply flipped my phone over to ignore it. Simply speaking, she was excited. It was so much a simple activity - ignoring a phone call - but to her it meant a simple activity that was made even more natural by the use a simple behavior.

Besides FlipSilent, which does this simple snooze/ignore technique, I also have an application called RockNScroll which takes that idea of using motions a lot further. With RockNScroll, I am able to not only change the orientation of my phone from landscape to portrait by flipping it, but I can also do things such as scroll web pages and select items by "pushing" or "pulling" the mobile.

If you will, my mobile phone has become more than just an input device, but its an interactive one. And just like my co-worker who chose the BlackBerry Storm in part for the advanced touchscreen, I am using these simple motions as a means to just add a bit of interactivity to my mobile-enabled life.

When you think about it, this is more the future of computing than specs and shiny stuff. And when looked at like this, its going to be something very hard to ignore, and something a lot of folks will be willing to pick up and answer.

This post was previously posted on my personal website, but I'm following a solid request to have it posted here for further discussion and thought.

Labels: BlackBerry, innovation, mobility, N95, sensors, software

Its Halloween and for many Christians, this is NOT the time when they want to go out and do much of anything. Understandable, there are some not-so-Christian aspects to the day that could discourage some.

That being said, I'm going out. Actually, I'll be driving to PA. Not for candy and treats (though there is a possiblity of a real treat this weekend), but to connect with various folks. Mobile is taking a signifiant piece of my trip as well, and it should be fun. Here's a breakdown of some of what I'll be using:

• Down to two mobiles, I'll be using the N95 and N96 to take pictures during homecoming and a parade.
• I'll be doing some troubleshooting to a few PCs using my N95
• The N800 will be my music player in the car when I'm tired of the 100+ CDs I have
• I'll be using both the N95 and N96 as wireless hotspots for the week as I'll be working out of office the entire week. Also, they will serve as a conference call center for me
• I hope to get some use out of Nokia Maps 2.0 as well, though I'll be largely in areas that I am very familiar with

It should be pretty fun. I only hope that Philly is still intact considering the World Series parties that have been happening. Hehehe

What about yourself, are there ways you are looking to get out and use tech to connect and share life with others this weekend?

Labels: mobility, multimedia, music, N800, N95, N96, navigation, Nokia, Nokia Maps, travel, wireless application

This is just a bit of a summary look at a few mobiles that have been in my pocket recently. Feel free to ask questions on any of them, and concerning the Nokia devices, stay tuned for feature articles about them.

HTC Diamond from Sprint

This is a model that I just finished reviewing for Brighthand. Its designed similar to the iPhone, Sprint Instinct, and LG Prada, but offers a smaller design than all of those. It has Windows Mobile and a custom user interface called TouchFlo3D. This custom interface, combines with the Opera Mobile browser, VGA (640x480 pixel) screen, and several pieces of additional software to make for a solid device. Some of my knocks on it were the battery life and polish of some of the software, but overall, its not a bad device to have.

Nokia N96 (Euro version)

The N96 is a newer Nokia model that I have received from Nokia Blogger Relations to review. It features 16GB of internal memory, a digital TV-Tuner, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, TV-Out, GPS... (breathe) ...a 2.8in screen, and Symbian S60 3.2 as the operating system. I've actually been swapped out to a different model since initially getting it due to some missing software and an update. So far, its not been too bad, but this newly updated model hasn't yet seen much time in the pocket due to the Diamond review taking priority. I have taken a slew of pictures of it though :)

Nokia N95 (North American version)

The N95 is the model that I received as the prize for the Mobile Web Server competition. Given the applications that I have for it, memory, system stability, and what is not out yet that could be better, this has been pretty solid. As usual, I wish that I could get more battery life out of it, but that's only because I really do everything with it. I'm not looking for a new model though, this one really meets the needs I have, the explorations that I've been wanting to do with mobiles in ministry.

Labels: Hardware, HTC, HTC Diamond, mobiles, N95, N96, Nokia, review

Here is a small demonstration of how I use my mobile at home, thoughts?

Labels: E71, frogpad, mobile accessories, mobility, N95, Video

There's a reason for the scatted postings of the past weeks. I've picked up some more work, and have been a lot more active in using mobile tech than just writing about it. That being said, this past weekend allowed me to put into play some mobile tech that might add a hint of fun to your next community outing.

Things started with a montly biking event that I lead at my church. The goal is simply to get out and bike, engage with your community, and promote wellness. The added benefit of things in my neck of the US is that there is a gas shortage and so this is one of those kicks to an alternative means of transportation which can put less strain on resources.

Despite the event being cancelled, I still went out and a friend joined me. The course was to simply bike a local park/greenway and go from there. To log the event, I used my N95 along with Nokia's Sports Tracker application.

Sports Tracker is a beta application which enables one to log their workouts and do things such as see speeds, lap times, and measure progress over a course of workouts. It also uploads to Nokia's Sports Tracker web service and then one is able to see a map of the road traveled, pictures taken, and music listened to. So you know what that meant...

Pretty cool isn't it. Imagine what mobile looks like when ministry starts not just promoting the Gospel, but what the life abundantly looks life on the way to glory. Neat ain't it.

Does your church do anything similar where mobile tech like Sports Tracker or similar programs can add to the exposure, emphasis, or effectiveness of such endeavors?

Labels: biking, community, environment, N95, Nokia, Sports Tracker

Just putting something out there for thought and possible discussion, so please excuse yet another rough thought spill...

Since receiving the N95 NAM as my prize for the Mobile Web Server Competition, I have been exploring aspects of mobility that I had only dreamt about. For example, one of my usual tasks these days is foregoing the desktop and Internet Tablet and connecting the N95 to my TV and Bluetooth keyboard and just working and browsing from there. Outside of a few niggles, it really does work very well.

Today (Sunday) though was interesting, I had to put my car into Pep Boys as it was smoky and as I waited for the oil change, I pulled out the N95, and it proved to work as something to browse, read, and just connect with the local environment.

I pulled it out when I got to church to turn the profile to the Meeting profile, and then used it to read along with the sermon. I made a note to blog about the sermon later and set up an appointment to meet with pastor.

Getting home, I then connected it to the TV to browse, writ that blog post, and catch up to some weekend reading. I realized that mobile wasn't the push so much as the context that it was used. And if the mobile's software and hardware works in concert with my environment, then I am better able to live and connect with the world around me.

That got me thinking about how using mobile devices allows us to better respect and use the context for the benefit of Christ and community. Where much of the other technology that we use is pervasive and stays that way, mobile devices have the ability to be pervasive first, but then meld into the background as they are more personal than other technology and media. If you will, its designed to be used in context with our environment, and from there we connect.

So I sit, composing this on my tablet as my phone is streaming music from last.fm, imagining what it willb e when my mobile responds to the environment much like a person does after being taught the ways of culture. For my mobile to automatically go into silent when I get to church, and then pull up the Bible reader with a prompt to download the pastor's outline and any church announcements to my calendar. I look forward to all that's really left for us to do is have the tech move out of the way, so that in the context of connecting and sharing the Gospel with people, we just are able to live without layers.

That is what I saw today in using my mobile. Context is where mobile makes its impact. Should be fun to see how this works out.

Another post created with the alpha version of WordPy for Internet Tablets; please excuse any issues as I am doing some application testing.

Labels: community, Context, mobile, Mobile Web Server, mobility, N95

One of the new aspects of play that I have had with mobile devices lately has come through the Nokia N95 and a piece of hardware/software called the accelerometer. The Accelerometer is basically a sensor within the device that senses when it has changed positions on the X, Y, and Z-axis and then orients the screen accordingly.

Those of you with the iPhone will know this feature as being the same thing as when you hold the device in its normal portrait mode, but then tilt to landscape for web or email viewing. The N95 also has this feature, and its something that when I unlocked it with a few applications, it got me thinking again about mobile Bible readers.

One of the common issues I hear with mobile bible readers is the screen resolution. For many people, the text is too small to read, but just right to look up a phone number (go figure). For some others, the buttons are designed for quick presses and therefore are uncomfortable for a reading mode.

Some browsers have seen this issue and have adopted a pan and zoom feature. For example, Opera Mini, Nokia's S60 Web Browser and Apple's Safari Mobile have this feature where you can view the whole of a web page as it would look on a desktop, but then zoom in to a section that you'd like to read.

The benefits of this is that you get some of the feel of the large page, but the compactness of the content fitting the screen that you are looking at. Now, what if that same idea, plus the accelerometer were applied to a mobile bible reader.

Let's give a usage case and then hear some thoughts from you:
- Open the Bible Reader and you are presented with two panes: last read verses and recent bookmarks
- Clicking on Last Read Verses you are taken to a zoomed out page with the focus square (the area that you can zoom into) on the verse that you chose
- The view is a nearly traditional four column, 42-line view (mimicing the page view that many are familiar with)
- Zoom in and the content is reflowed to fit the mobile screen for that specific verse with a line from the previous verse and a line from the next verse if the screen permits
- To scroll one tilts the device up or down, moving the Bible a verse up or down (an optional setting to allow it to move an entire screen, multiple verses, or off)
- For added fun, tapping the camera will indicate that a bookmark is to be made for that verse and a new screen pops up with that specific dialogue

Again, this is just a thought after having played with the programs FlipSlient and RockNScroll on my N95. What do you think of immersing the electronic bible reading experience with a few subtle actions such as described above?

Post created with alpha version of WordPy for Internet Tablets (please excuse any formatting issues)

Labels: Bible, iPhone, iPod Touch, N95, seminary, software, UI

Having received the Nokia N95 (North American edition) as the prize for my second place finish in Nokia's Mobile Web Server Challenge, I am now about the business of using it and its associated applicaitons and services to turn what we know about church and Bible studies on its head.

First thought, and something that I will certainely try and pull off (in some form), is using my mobile device as a learning center for a Bible study. For this we have a few items:

• My N95
• Nokia's Mobile Web Server
• JoikuSpot
• Friends with various wireless devices
• eBible or YouVersion

As you can see, we have a common contact point in the N95. The N95 will serve as the WiFi router for the other mobile devices with JokiuSpot (did you think we'd be meeting in a coffeehouse). And then we will balance having Bibles and resources with eBible and/or YouVersion, while the lesson and its comments will be placed on the Mobile Web Server.

Location: the middle of a park. There are a few reasons for this location. One, we are outside of a building and able to enjoy the beauty of God's creation while engaging His Word. Also, we put people in a place where they are less tight from sitting in a traditional church environment. Lastly, this is open enough that it would invite others to sit with us, but not feel like they cannot just pull out a pen and paper, or a laptop of their own, and jump right into the discussion.

Of course, making sure that this is something that can be found on a map would make it easier, so we use the MapSpot add-on with JokiuSpot to put the hotspot on a literal map so that people could see and engage with us, and have a means to get directions to our location.

This assumes a few things, such as connectivity issues as not being a problem, and that those involved would have the technology to engage this environment. Of both of these, I see them as being much less of an issue for the current and next generation of mobile users than what has been had previously. Devices and networks are ready for this if you will.

After all of that its just about digging into His Word. Using what we have been given in terms of His Word and Spirit to hear what God would have us learn at that moment. And then with the technology we can engage virtual audiences with audio, text, and video. We have a means for people to follow up on things as they are saved on the mobile web server and easily accessible. And then we have engagement. Its all about people and giving them avenues to engage the Word and their communities.

Thoughts (because I've not done it just yet, but I will)?

Labels: community, eBible, internet tablet, iPod Touch, Laptop, Mobile Web Server, mobility, N95, smartphone, study, YouVersion

A post that I had starred in Google Reader has got me thinking about something that I'd like to put out there for discussion:

How would you feel about running a church service, or even an outreach event from a mobile device such as a mini-notebook (as described in the Palm Addict post I was reading) or even a mobile phone (very possbile with the Nokia N82, N95, and N96 models - )?

I want the thinking to go as far as even creating the content on the device and serving it on the device. Could you do it? And if you cannot, what's stopping you?

Labels: Asus Eee, community, Hardware, mission, mobile, N82, N95, N96, Nokia, outreach, software

Ok, I am probably the last person to want to say that we want to elevate the Christian experience over the truth of the word - as this is a recent marketing thing that pretty much bugs me (and a few others) - but I do want to highlight that that if done in concert with discipliship and accountability, speaking and relating our Christian experience can have some value.

Getting back to that experience thing in a more content-neutral fashion (I hope), I like to see how others are making connections with the Body and enabling the testimonies of God to go further and further than ever before.

There is one post over at digital.leadnet that speaks about a holographic pastor as a means of relating the Word. As much as that's very much affluent and something in the future, it does speak to where tech can go in terms of making the sharing of the Gosple something where boundaries don't have to be an issue.

Then again, we can keep things in a more relevant light and look at the recent Mojo experiement that Nokia is doing in South Africa. Similar to the Reuter's experiment, this is exploring the use of mobile technology to create content and do so in a means that works with the environment instead of above it. I really like that Nokia is doing this and like them, I think that being careful crafters of content in this day and age is something that is also worth teaching.

What I like about the Mojo project is that it gets students involved and teaches them how to tell stories. A lot of time, we want to relate to others about what it means to be a Christian, or even talk about some important social speaking points, but have gain little in the way of training. I see a solution like this as being beneficial towards helping people to see their identity in Christ as something that can empower their communities. Pretty neat, and not so far into the future at all right?

Labels: communication, community, N95, Nokia, virtual

In airing last week that I am moving to a new device, there's also a bit of a change that I'd like to do that is a lot more far reaching. I'd like to make an effort in this coming year to be a almost-always mobile blogger. Meaning that I'd like to not just post the occasional post to the blog, but even go as far as produce and admin all the content for it.

Doing this is going to be a good bit of a challenge. The major hurdle will be getting the devices and accessories needed to make this happen. Right now I have the 3G phone, but looking at either expanding that to the N95-3 (US 3G super phone) or just getting an Internet Tablet and running from there.

Sidenote: the N95 would allow a good bit more play in terms of creating multimedia-themed aspects to things (here and elsewhere), while making outreach something that will challenge perceptions. The Internet Tablet aspect is more personal and would allow for the investigation of reading and study solutions that haven't been pursued as much.

I've gotten a keyboard ($30 at Amazon). But then I'll need to make sure that my charging solutions are together (car and solar are already on tap).

After that, it will be a matter of just doing it. And by it I mean everything. As it stands right now, there is not a suitable web/offline application that works as a great reading, studying, and journaling Bible (still). That's something that I'd like to see (and would help develop if time permits). I'd need a suitable platform to admin this blog, and might even have to move to another platform to make that easier. And then there is the web/offline office apps that I'd use. Its a lot that I'd be pushing to happen on this move, much of which I've aired in part before, but will be a bit louder about making happen.

In a recent Brighthand editorial, I mentioned that moving away from the the Treo the the N75 was like changing into a new relationship. And in a lot of ways it is. But the kicker is that I've made this change so that I can walk even more fully into the mobile life that will probably define most of the rest of my 20s (not that many more to go there). I think there is value enough in what's to come that I'm willing to push out and try something not-yet-done.

My only hope is that I don't reach too far, else no-one benefits from this, and I end up with a nice sized empty wallet. I've already seen this happen with my inability to get to BibleTech 2008. I've got to make sure that this move is a good bit more planned, and then executed so that the intersection of what works and what doesn't in terms of faith and tech, is made clear.

Labels: Bible, BibleTech, internet tablet, mobile, mobile accessories, N800, N95, software, tech

This morning, I packed up and sent back the Nokia N95 to Nokia Blogger Relations. I've had it for a number of months, and have been both disappointed and impressed with it. I wanted to write some of my closing thoughts about the device, some of the software that I've used with it, and how devices like the N95 have a bigger place in ministry than we might give them credit for at times.

First, about the N95:
I was very impressed with the device's capabilities. As I spoken about many times, the sheer number of features that the N95 has can really make you sit back and appreciate where technology has come from to this point.

My most frequented feature was the TV-Out. I would set up the N95 as my evening computing device and then play music while browsing the net with either the impressive Nokia Web Browser or Opera Mini.

Doing this though revealed several flaws of the N95 (which are corrected in both the just released N95-3 for the US, and N95 8GB). The worst was battery life. While I could really get out a solid usage run from it, as an all day device it would be dead most times before an 8hr day was done. Then there was the issue of low memory errors that cut off programs in the background. That was frequent on my end and very much frustrating.

Those let downs were not enough to stem my opinion though of the N95. I would heartily recommend the N95-3 to US users in a heartbeat, even given the $700 price tag. It is designed to change your mind about what a mobile can do, and is very successful in doing so.

Software I'd Recommend:
There was not much that I installed, but of what I did, here are my favorites:
- S60 Bible Reader: uses Bible+ bibles, easy to use navigation, and little impact on memory
- Jaiku Mobile Client: the only reason I used Jaiku was because of this mobile client. Integration with the built in addy book was a plus, and the latest client release added more community involvement. I really wish there was a mobile client for my Treo, this app and service is just that good.
- TalkPlus: This application/service enables one to have a second phone number attached to their mobile without the use of swapping SIM cards. Is pretty much like a VoIP solution, but much cleaner n implementation. On the N95, it would run in the background and so I could call it up when needed. For one who recently moved, this was a life saver in some situations.
- Mail for Exchange: enables one to connect to MS Exchange servers for email, contacts, calendar, and tasks. I keep all of my info on an Exchange server and so keeping the Treo and N95 synced was pretty much a breeze with this software. It was the main source of my daily battery drain issues though. With the small battery of the N95, this was probably just a bit much.

There are certainty others out there that could work for many, but for me, these were just the best for me. Because of them, usability of the N95 approached that of my Treo in some areas. For that, I was very impressed.

Consequences of the N95:
Devices such as the N95 prove that while there is a place for computing, that most do not know that place for it in their lives. From those that need the educational window, to those who bank, to those who just want to connect, a computer is personal, communal, and persuasive.

As a Christ-follower, we are called to be examples of Christ not just in the way we talk, but in the way we live. I have seen the N95 as helping to foster in me a sense of humility towards what can be brought to the table. The device does a whole lot, and one should be hard-pressed to use EVERYTHING that it has to offer. Will it be the best in every situation? No. But it will be an example and a teaching point as to what is possible.

I learned that just simply putting yourself in the way of the Spirit of God presents opportunities for Him to use you. A device like the N95 certainly expands the scope of what is possible.

Updated from original post by adding pics, spell-checking, and addition of links

Labels: mobile, N95, Nokia, tech

One of the things that keeps me going with MMM is exploring with others how technology can be used to connect with one another. Yesterday, I saw a simple example of tech used to connect, and the fruits are both visible and not-yet-in-full-bloom.

Yesterday, I accompanied a friend of mine who has moved recently to Charlotte on a trip. The goal of the trip was to do pop-up visits to people who had visited our church once or twice, but we had not seen them in a while. We would take some homemade cookies, and just look to be relational with them. We did this not so much to get them to come back to our fledgling church, but to live with people so that they can meet "the Christ outside the four walls."

So he and I got together when I got off work in the evening and just took the list and our phones into his car and started on our way. He used the LG enV with Verizon Wireless's VZ Navigator service, and I used the Nokia N95 (via AT&T) and its built-in GPS as backup to go from place to place.

From a technical standpoint, things went very well. Both devices were clear and quick to show us where we needed to go. In my case, I had to key in the locations as we went along. He had mapped the points earlier and was able to access the points and then be voice-navigated to them. With the exception of a little long to get an inital signal lock with the N95, and some cases of late directions with VZ Nav, things worked really well.

To those that were home when we visited though the connection was much more apparent and clear. One person recognized me from when he visited, and spoke favorably of his visit and wanted to come back. The other woman spoke of how she found the church more for her daughter, yet ended up liking it herself. Both cases saw the ability to connect the body, with tech playing as a tool in between.

I write this account to say that (1) this is the first time I had done this with my church here and so I'll be signing up again for it. And (2) that this is a simple way that one can use mobile tech to live out the Gospel with one another.

Notes:
The LG enV and VZ Navigator service are exclusive to Verizon Wireless. The VZ Navigator service is an additional plan component that is paid monthly. The GPS used is called Assisted GPS (A-GPS) because it uses triangulation with cell towers in order to get a fix on your location and then give you directions/maps.

The Nokia N95 can be had through several carriers in Europe and Asia, and can be purchased independent of a contract worldwide. The GPS is a literal hardware GPS antenna that communicates with GPS satellites. The N95 also uses A-GPS to get a quicker signal lock and to assist the GPS in low signal areas. The GPS is free, however a data plan is needed and additional paid features via Nokia's Smart2Go maps service can be purchased.

Similar Previous Article
- Get Your Church on the Map With Earthcomber
- UPDATE: Proporta announced a keychain-sized GPS device today that would be another alternative to GPS in a device or a service such as VZ nav

Labels: GPS, mission, N95, Nokia, tech, Verizon

I hope that you have had had a good week. Mine is going well, and this week I've probably had a lot of mental fun just going between my Treo and the N95 on loan from Nokia Blogger Relations trying to see which device works best for me, and where are some areas of applying and doing mobile tech/ministry can be. I'll admit, its kind rough as most of this I am just experimenting with, and from there making accounts and recommendations of what can or could work.

When I think about where we are in terms of the Body though, mobile tech seems to be the perfect intersection towards where we are. Between using social networks, mobile phones, and even IT summits; the ability to be a support or communication aspect to ministry is exciting.

I even get excited when I read about where mobiles are going. Just knowing that a "phone" device can serve as a computer, or creating a system were people can use their mobiles for communication and finacial services, its exciting.

Being in a new area of the US though, I am looking for ways where living by mobile can assist in the mobile outreach side of things. Whether that is something as simple as a bible study, or as needed as a mentor/mentee relationship, I'm looking for those ways were I can live in ministry, and what I do on a mobile device can really foster that healthly.

I think that items such as the Internet Ministry Conference and Church IT RoundTable are great because they really give some boundaries to where things are and where things can go. I'd really like to know more of what is happening around the world in this respect so that more "Body encoruagement" can happen in this world of tech.

So as you can tell, I'm one part loving the move, another part just watching and learning this new place. There's bound to be many areas where we move to or move from where some aspect of mobile tech has helped us to stay in touch with life around us. But when that mobile tech intersects with our faith, how we respond to the call will determine if we are really being challenged to live as vessils. I'm choosing that my mobile tech use should make me into a vessil of His glory. How that will effect the world around me, I can only hope it will be something that leads others to growing in their relationship with Our Lord.

Labels: ChurchIT RoundTable, devotion, Internet Ministry Conference, mobile, N95, Nokia, Treo 680

According to a few posts at Symbian Guru today, the Nokia N95 multimedia computer (really, they don't call it a mobile phone), will be offically coming to the US in September in a version tailor made for US radio frequences and usage. This includes 3G (wireless broadband) and an increased battery capacity (because its not all that great now).

I'm pretty sure that it wil cost about as much as the iPhone, if not a bit more (but would be great at lower). According to the reports, its not known if it will be sold via a carrier or not. But normally, Nokia's devices in the US are best bought from someone like MobilePlanet or by going to the Nokia store and getting it there.

Now, pardon me as I try to figure out what TV would work best with the N95 as I doubt that I will want to be getting a new comptuer of the laptop sort seeing that "computing life" is possible via just the N95. All of my Bibles work with it so that's great (and I can even take advantage of some of the iPhone Bibles out there too).

The neat part of this is also that I could host parties at my apt (or elsewhere) and always have the music and video with me to play, or just stream from online. Nothing but a cable needed (and battery pack). Whooo hooo!

Labels: mobile, N95, Nokia

One of the things that I've liked about the N95 is that its let me get back into just browsing the Net, not just reading info. Granted, browsing is fun when there is nothing to do of dire importance and there is just loose time. So what did my rabbit hole bring tonite...

- I started at Jaiku. I wanted to see what some of my contacts were up to. I still think that an Opera widget and a mobile client for every other phone would make this an awesome application for a lot of folks.

- I peeked in on Darla Mack's blog via her Jaiku channel when I saw a post about Nokia's mobile web server. Now this got me thinking that I should move to a Symbian device, and then host MMM on the device. Besides accessible as all get out, it would really kick the mobile notch up a good bit.

- Continued on Jaiku and saw that there is a TUAW channel (for the Apple fans, they should know that site).

- Clicked there and read Robert Scoble talk about giving up the N95 and appreciating the iPhone.

- had another tab open stil to TUAW's Jaiku and got the idea via ijustine and The Remix of Children's Ministry (found via Robert Scoble's site) that its not the tech nor the availabilty that is the issue, just how we want to imagine using it to reach an audience and just going there.

- I managed to come out of the hole though to reinitate the full posts in RSS feeds, and at take a bit more of a thought to moving MMM completly mobile. If the right Nokia device were to come along (the N95's battery and memory issues are the only real hold up for this one), I'd probably do it; which would make that whole planning for MMM to be reinvented in MT4 go to waste a bit...sorry LJ.

- There's not much else that I can say other that since moving to Charlotte God's been heavy. God's been just moving a whole lot, from temporary residency to a job to a possible apartment. God's been extremely gracious and hence my heart being heavy for doing well with MMM. There's a whole lot out there, and God's saw fit to lead me this far - lead YOU this far. It's not like we deserve this, but He's so, so gracious. A few friends can testify to the fact that today I've never been more in awe, thankful, gracious of God's hands in my life. He says, "I know the plans I have for you." I've been walking towards Charlotte and more for 8+ years... there's just a whole lot that just browsing doesn't capture....things that God hands and flow just happen to roll with. I am so not ready for this IMO, but God has saw fit to just dump some grace notes on me. Heavy stuff.

Labels: accessiblity, children, devotion, iPhone, Jaiku, mobiles, N95, usability

I started to post this on my personal blog, but considering that I am 30-some odd minutes late for going to bed, I wanted to get this idea out of my head before the bed got the best of me :)

So today I decided to contine the slow down of my life from DC Metro speed to NC/SC speed. Suffice to say, it really is a refreshing and jarring change. But I am adjusting and am finding all types of things that I used to worry about doing immediately, that there really doesn't need to be a pressing for.

I decided to use the N95 (thanks Nokia Blogger Relations) instead of the Treo 680 after church today for webbing and what have you and ran into a really good idea: Instead of sitting at my dekstop and just doing the computer thing there, I would use the multimedia computer (the N95) and play with it as a computer and media accessory via the TV-out interface.

So after plugging in the A/V cables and turning on the TV -- boom, the N95's display was right on the screen in front of me. Now, at this point I was doing my requisite wows and oohs, but then I got serious and said that I wanted to get into some level of browsing and see just how long I could take this "multimedia computer" before running back to the Treo or my dekstop.

As I began to surf the web at EDGE speeds (note: the N95, while a 3G phone, does not support US bands of 3G speed, hence EDGE is as fast as I could go), I noticed that there was less of a need than ever to have a computer, or even cable for that matter. I started by going to sites that I had already saved RSS feeds for, and from there started going to various links. It was pretty cool.

Then I got a few out of memory messages. This kinda miffed me. Here I was with possibly the best feature that a phone could do and the browser was giving me an out of memory error with two browser windows and music playing in the background. Oh well.

I continued my run and it was really fun. I played System Rush (one of the games that came with the N95), and even read a few emails. I did not like that the screen would always orient itself to which ever way I was holding the device. Sometimes, I wanted to keep the wide screen on the TV, but use the keypad to type a few things for example. But overall, I started to realyl dig this kind of computing and began plotting of how such a computing setup could be usable for me in the near future.

Before I settled down for the night, I grabbed a bowl of leftover Chinese food and began to watch some videos that I took from the Cross Movement concert in Woodbridge, VA. This concert was a part of their HIStory Tour and I was really blessed to get to it before I left the DC Metro area. Besides rocking out to a group of fellas who magnify the Lord and produce great music, it hit me how such a setup would be a fast and easy way to attend to teen ministries when resources are low.

You see, the N95 has the ability to not only take video and pictures (5mpx at that!). But can also edit video clips right on the device. Right there one would have the ability to create programs where clips of teens, things that they like, and music could be used as an outreach/inreach mechanism. From there, I had the thought of recoding sermons or talks (I had about 1.5hrs of recording on a 2GB micro SD card) and replaying them at a later time for fellowships and other gatherings. If you will, the N95 made me think of ways where I could take the recording of when ministry happens, and turn it into an avenue for teaching others how to walk like Christ.

Ok, so I am now on my desktop with the N95 playing modem. I don't have a BT keyboard that would work with all of my devices, and so I needed this much in order to type this. But in looking at the N95 and playing with it as I have today, I not only think that it is possible for me to get by without a full computer for everything, but to use my mobile as a door into getting others to see Christ moving in anyone.

Labels: community, mobile, N95, Nokia, Treo 680

I find it surprising that some ads for various devices (except the iPhone) don't take advantage of really showing you what all a smartphone can do. Its pretty impressive, and as I have experienced, some do get a bit jealous of the mobility and accessiblity from time to time.

But did you ever consider what would happen if laptops started revolting against devices such as the N95 -- which Nokia bills as multimedia computers and not smartphones?

I am guessing that the result would be pretty scary (see pic). And as All About Symbian found out, there just might be some(thing) lying in the weeds.

I only post this as a warning to all of you smartphone users out there. Beware the laptop :D

Labels: humor, mobile, N95, Nokia

While it is that I have really enjoyed the n800, especially as a weekend computing device, I don't think that I have maximized it just yet. Now, if my treo keeps actin' up, that will not be a prob.

Nevertheless, here is a post I did earlier which was written on the n800:

Right now i am in the mist of using three phones at once. I have the SIM from my 680 in the N95 so that it can be updated by the internet connection being served by another. Of course, all of thus is being done via the desktop and so there is at least one more comp in the mix. This does free me to get some good time in with the n800 and bemoan the lack of a really well done touchpad bible.

Yikes, i fell asleep in the mist of typing this. The n800 is a good bedside device indeed.

Really, there are not too many missing items from this. Some better logic from the keyboard would be good as well as some wireless profile settings. And a really good hybrid bible app. That would be icing on the cake. the cake. the cake.

Labels: Bible, internet tablet, N800, N95, Nokia, Treo 680, usability

I have to in some respect apologize to Nokia's Blogger Relations folks. I've been sitting on a near full review of the N800 for a week now and just haven't had the time to complete it. But for them and you here at MMM, expect a something a bit different than those "normal" reviews ;)

I also have a received an N95 from NBR. I'll be swinging that into my usage at the end of this week and taking a look at how my impending mobile status effects the use of that kind of tech for keeping up this site and attending to those folks near and dear. If you will, how does the N95 facilitate ministry, not just enabling it.

So stay tuned. And if you have any questions that the tons of other reviews haven't covered, do ask away.

Off to find a Bible reader and pack now :D

Labels: Bible, mobile, N800, N95, Nokia, usability

I was just over at Symbian Guru reading this post about Nokia's Project 95 that is taking place. Essentially, a person is going from one end of China to another to raise funds for the China Youth Development Foundation (read the Chinese site via this link). The Nokia sponsored device will be used to blog and log the trip, both showing a side of China that many do not see, as well as what mobile tech can do.

As soon as I read this, I thought about Marco Polo and Paul. Imagine how them having tech such as an N95 could be used to not just share the Gospel (in Paul's case), but also connect with those whom were already visited to give them a taste of the field to be explored. This is something that I'd personally like to see ministries and organizations sponsor more of. Not so much the mission, but the trip itself. Getting to those places where we have to demonstrate the heart of God and in doing so provide an example to the world of how to live in/thru Him.

Labels: China, mission, mobile, N95, Nokia