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Editor and writer at www.livetradingnews.com Founder of The Heffernan Group and currently building the companies financial services business in China. I thought I retired to Phuket Thailand, after 25 years in the China and Hong Kong trading markets and doing some VC. I am now a major shareholder... More
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  • Get Fugu and the Mobile Internet $GFGU, $GOOG, $YHOO 3 comments
    Nov 10, 2009 08:12 AM | about stocks: GOOG, YHOO

    Google CEO Eric Schmidt has openly and regularly declared that mobile advertising is a key piece of his growth strategy, with the potential to be as big as Google’s core PC-based business. If Schmidt believes that, then he is probably right. Google has just paid $750m for AdMob a small start up with limited revenue, a year or so advanced on marketing than Get Fugu.

    AdMob runs a product technically superior to Google’s mobile ads, but well short of the core technology developed and used by Get Fugu. Like Google Get Fugu is an ad supported services, the fugu augmented reality has the potential to change the very landscape of mobile users should the product gain widespread use. But to the larger companies like Google etc etc this market exists and as with the AdMob deal larger companies can buy, license or revenue share on these new technologies to an instant audience. Getfugu’s “See It”, “Say It” and “Get It” mobile application leverages the mobile phone’s core strengths delivering a seamless mobile application that redefines how consumers interact with their mobile phone.

    Augmented reality is a digital revolution that integrates location and data, the ultimate in advertising. It allows your phone to become a walking guide. So there you are standing in Pacific Place, you have just landed in Hong Kong and it is your first trip, your phone will be able to tell you where you are, give you a run down of the stores in the shopping centre and what they have, also it can show you what they are promoting and what special deals they have. The phone will be able to lead you back to your hotel, show you were the taxi rank is, even help you find a place for lunch.

    Rather than scanning through all of that with the Fugu technology you could simply tell the phone what you are looking for and it will find it for you. Augmented reality enables mobile browsing of the world, to help explore and experience it more thoroughly. It’s a lot like “real” reality, only more more useful. And while still in its early days, it promises to enrich the world in ways barely imaginable. The key to augmented reality is geolocation, that facility of the latest generation of mobile phones that include inbuilt global positioning system (GPS) functions. Most owners of smartphones — iPhones, BlackBerrys and certain Nokias, for example — will have used their mapping functions to get street directions. Augmented reality applications go beyond simple map direction by combining location with information usually locked in websites and other, hidden databases to add layers of additional “reality”.

    As far as technology goes the Get Fugu model looks very exciting.

    UA:F [1.6.2_892]
    Stocks: GOOG, YHOO
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This post has 3 comments:

  •  
    TAD,

    I have read several of your posts, as I am doing research on GetFugu. I have a small position but want a better feel for the company before I dive into something larger.

    Have you tried this product yet? I downloaded it for my iPhone and it simply doesn't work. I've sent an email to "tech support" but have received no respone.

    I spoke with the company that is handling investor relations for GetFugu and they said that the company would be releasing the new version of the software between last week and December. Have you heard anything about the technology not working or about a December release date?

    Thanks,

    JH
    Nov 24 08:26 AM | Link | Reply
  •  
    I like the Fugu tech, I am concerned about debt and spending levels, once I have made up my mind I will let you know
    Nov 24 10:58 AM | Link | Reply
  •  
    Aft,

    I'm less concerned about the longterm health of the company and more concerned that it is a shell game that is going to end sooner than later. The product simply doesn't work, at least for the iPhone which is their biggest platform, and the company is not communicating.

    The lack of funtionality coupled with the fact that the company recently appointed Carl Freer, who is currently embroiled in a major tech-company scandal, the president and director of the board is very disturbing. What is needed is communication or this stock will continue its plunge.

    I called GetFugu last week and left a message with "Stephanie", who seemed apprehensive about giving me her name, but I have still heard nothing.I just put in a second call today and was told that there is no "Stephanie" working for, or associated, with GetFugu. I was told that "Mark" would call me back. If you can do some more digging it would be helpful. I'll let you know what I find out.

    ZC
    Nov 30 01:50 PM | Link | Reply
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