Recognizer, the new and improved Augmented ID App
March 9, 2010 by Michael Marlatt · Leave a Comment
The meshing of mobile, digital information, and real-world images has taken off.
Whether you are an avid mobile fan or not, it’s hard not to notice the buzz around augmented reality. Need more examples? Run a quick search on the word “Augmented Reality” and you’ll likely get millions of results - literally.
Back in July 2009, I first blogged about an AR mobile app called Augmented ID. Initially conceived by a Swedish design company called TAT, Augmented ID uses mobile face detection to “recognize” individuals, what social networks they’re connected to, as well as other personal information they are willing to share. If you’re wondering whether this app reveals too much personal data, don’t be. The app requires both participants to use the mobile application in order to work. Users have the option of setting specific limitations on what can or cannot be viewed.
Today, the new and improved “Augmented ID” is known as Recognizr. Although the mobile app is not yet available for wide-spread use, Recognizr is expected to be available within the next couple of months. I don’t know about you, but I’m certainly looking forward to taking this app for a test drive!
Want to see Recognizr in action? Check out this video…
» Click here to get additional TAT news and updates.
AutoSearch = Recruiting on the mobile made simple.
November 23, 2009 by Michael Marlatt · 1 Comment
Lori Fenstermaker, have you heard of her?
If not, you should take a closer look at Lori’s profile because she’s helping to drive some cool innovation in the mobile recruiting space. In case you were unaware, Lori is the creative mind behind AutoSearch, a desktop and mobile app that was specifically designed to enable recruiting professionals to easily source for new talent online.
Lori’s Story…
I had the opportunity to speak with Lori directly. I was particularly interested in asking what inspired her to create the AutoSearch mobile application. Like many of us, Lori took a class on internet recruiting to become better acquainted with how to create and leverage Boolean searches for prospecting new talent online. What Lori very quickly realized was that she was spending more time and energy constructing search strings than actually connecting with candidates. She was convinced that there was a better way. She wanted to make the process of searching for prospect candidates less complicated. The result: AutoSearch for the iPhone.
Key features of the AutoSearch iPhone app:
» Click here to expand image view.
AutoSearch offers users a very simple platform for conducting recruiting (sourcing) searches via the mobile device. Here’s how it works:
» Step 1: AutoSearch landing page.
» Step 2: Users are prompted to enter their primary key search terms and location preference. (Note: At the moment, there is no save search feature. I believe creating one would certainly help with addressing a valid OFCCP concern of searching for candidates while using a mobile device. While the save feature is not available on the AutoSearch app today, my understanding is that they are planning on incorporating this function into a future release.) Refer to screen-shot in step 2.
» Step 3: AutoSearch is pre-configured to run your search query against multiple sites including Yahoo’s search engine, Linkedin, Twitter, Zoominfo, and Jobster. (Note: AutoSearch uses Yahoo exclusively and does not currently run any searches across Bing or Google.) Refer to screen-shot in step 3.
» Step 4: The search results are rendered in a consolidated format, making it easier for the user to scan the results. Refer to screen-shot in step 4.
I have used the iPhone AutoSearch app on several occasions and have found it to be very intuitive and easy to use. AutoSearch delivers what it promises and makes mobile recruiting simple. You don’t need to be a “Boolean Expert” to obtain your desired search results. However, to get the best results, it is helpful to include all your critical keywords when entering the details in the search field. This will help reduce the amount of search “noise” you get back in the final results. Keep in mind, the app is still in its early phase so expect that it will continue to evolve and get better as more people use it.
AutoSearch is currently selling for $4.99. You can download a copy by visiting the iTunes store. If you want to learn more, or want to stay current with what’s new, you can follow AutoSearch on Twitter or become an AutoSearch fan on Facebook.
Finally, here’s a video that demonstrates what AutoSearch has to offer…
(*Disclaimer: The views expressed on this post are solely mine. I was not paid to endorse this product.)
SnapTell: ‘Snap.Get.Send’ solutions for Mobile Recruiting?
March 16, 2009 by Michael Marlatt · 1 Comment

Do you have a web-enabled mobile device with a built in camera?
Is so, would you please do me a favor and follow the three instructions below?
1. First, go ahead, snap a photo of the “Heroes” image above.
2. Next, using your web-enabled mobile device, email that same photo to fun@snaptell.com
3. Finally, check your email for a follow up note from SnapTell and preview the link provided.
So what was the purpose of capturing a photo and emailing it to SnapTell?
Well, SnapTell has developed sophisticated image recognition technology that is absolutely amazing. Using any mobile device, simply snap a picture of the cover of any DVD, CD, Book or Video game, then send it directly to SnapTell as demonstrated above. Within seconds, SnapTell delivers additional information on the image you just emailed. Their image matching database includes millions of cover pictures and the accuracy is spot on. You can view their demo here, or even take it for a spin if you prefer the real-time experience.
According to SnapTell’s site, here are the major features of their “Snap.Send.Get” solution:
1. End-to-end mobile marketing solution
2. 100% opt-in mobile marketing
3. Works with all phones
4. Works with existing marketing collateral (Special bar-codes not required)
5. Fun to use by consumers
6. Real-time personalized, interactive communications
7. Easy to implement and deploy mobile marketing campaigns (Drag-and-drop GUI Campaign Manager)
8. Actionable metrics (Intuitive dashboard for easy navigation and tracking)
SnapTell as a Mobile Recruiting strategy?
Scenario #1:
Let’s assume for a moment that you represent a company that is contemplating a mobile recruiting campaign. Your goal is to attract (and hire) the “best and brightest” so you need a forward-thinking solution that will set your company above the competition. A company like SnapTell makes it super easy to develop a truly amazing mobile campaign. How? Well, with their “Snap.Send.Get” solution a hiring team is able to easily “drag and drop” specific images into the SnapTell image database to match with corresponding content (e.g., career site, job postings, open-house info, videos downloads, links, etc.) that can all be pushed to candidate’s mobile phone.
Now imagine attending a major campus recruiting event, professional career fair, or technology conference and your booth is equipped with SnapTell-ready images provided by your company. With some prompting by your print ads (or recruiting representatives), potential prospects could walk up to your booth, snap a photo, email it, and instantly receive a link that drives them to your mobile-enabled site (along with key information about careers, company details, where to apply, etc).
Scenario #2:
Imagine that “Rock-star” consultant, manager, or senior executive who is traveling through an airport. They notice a compelling ad that encourages them to snap a photo of an image, which then automatically redirects to your mobile-careers site, specific job listing, etc. Now, instead of wondering (hoping) whether someone noticed that expensive airport, billboard, or print ad, you now have the ability to accurately measure what ads are working vs. which are not. How’s that for metrics?
What’s the final take-away?
For the candidates:
SnapTell is fast and simple. No more ‘pecking’ at small characters or numbers into a tiny keypad. Get the information needed and walk away with a “wow, that company gets-it” impression.
For the employers:
SnapTell helps engage the consumer/prospective candidates by simplifying the mobile web experience. A key advantage of SnapTell’s solution is that hiring teams can easily access “real-time” stats on the effectiveness of a mobile campaign before ever leaving a campus recruiting event, career fair, conference, or any other scenario.
Does the idea of image recognition in recruiting sound too far-fetched? Maybe so; however, as mobile growth continues its domination in the world mass media, integrating a creative mobile recruitment campaign may make all the difference between hiring that next “Rock-star” or losing out to your competition. Ready or not, SnapTell is making a huge impact in the consumer space. Check out their impressive list of mobile campaigns here.
Before we part ways, I leave you with this final video…enjoy!
* For more details, I would highly recommend taking a closer look at SnapTell’s site. Oh, and if you are an iPhone user, you can download SnapTell’s free mobile app from the iTunes store. It rocks!
Voice-to-text made easy with Jott’s Mobile App
November 25, 2008 by Michael Marlatt · Leave a Comment
Like most of you, I carry my mobile device with me at all times. The idea of being connected means I’m never too far away from the information or resources I need. For example, when I’m on-the-go I often find that I need to leave myself work-related reminders, or, great ideas come to mind that I need to quickly capture for future reference. In these scenarios, I have found that it’s often cumbersome to type lengthy reminders on my mobile device, or simply locate a pen when I need it most. However, the good news is that those days are over.
Voice-To-Text
In the past, I often relied heavily on memory, or, a scribbled note on a napkin. Today, I use Jott’s voice-to-text service which allows me dictate a memo to my mobile device. Within a couple of minutes, my memo is transcribed and sent to me via text message (or email if I prefer).
What is JOTT?
“Jott makes sure you stay on top of everything. With a simple phone call to 866-JOTT-123, you can capture notes, set reminders and calendar appointments, stay in touch with friends and family, and interact with your favorite web sites and services…all with your voice!” -Jott.com
As with most SaaS on the web, Jott offers both free and premium service. Paid services offers much more functionality such as the ability to install, and use Jott for Outlook. It’s a nifty Outlook add-on which allows you to easily create e-mail messages, calendar items, and tasks by dictating them to Jott on an as needed basis.
Here’s a short video on Jott:
Jott is a must-have app for the mobile professional. If you are on-the-go and in need of a great way to transcribe your daily acition-items, I would recommend testing Jott’s (free) service. If you decide that Jott’s free offering is too basic, then there’s always the option to upgrade.
Remember, get comfortable now because the future is mobile…
Evernote.com announces the latest release for iPhone & iPod users
October 30, 2008 by Michael Marlatt · 2 Comments
What is Evernote?
Evernote allows you to easily capture information in any environment using whatever device or platform you find most convenient, and makes this information accessible and searchable at any time, from anywhere.
The latest release of Evernote for iPhone, version 1.4, introduces our most (MOST) requested feature: offline notes. We call them Favorites, and here’s how they work.
When viewing a note on the iPhone or iPod Touch, you’ll see a little gray star in left corner of the note title. Once the note is fully loaded, tap the star and that note instantly becomes a favorite. It’s now quickly accessible any time, even offline. To view your favorites, click on “Favorites” in the tab bar along the bottom of the application.
Great for the iPod Touch
This feature is particularly useful for iPod Touch users. Now you will be able to view selected notes even when outside WiFi range.
Planes, trains, and automobiles
With Favorites, you can access selected notes any time you like, no matter where you find yourself. So, whether you’re heading to the corner deli or to New Delhi, the information you need is always close at hand.





