What's Next: Using Your Cell Phone As A Remote Control In Bars, Restaurants, And Airports

What's Next: Using Your Cell Phone As A Remote Control In Bars, Restaurants, And Airports

A little-known private company, Akoo International, is setting up a network of digital screens that can send and receive messages from cellphones. The company aims to transform mobile devices into universal remote controls that can select on-demand content from big-screen TVs in airports, bars and restaurants.

With Akoo's network, named m-Venue, cellphone users can send a text-message request for a music video, sports clip or fashion show to be delivered to their phone or played on a nearby Akoo television screen, which would act much like a high-tech jukebox.

In return, companies can deliver digital coupons and promotions to the cellphones. For instance, a customer at a John Barleycorn restaurant in Chicago, part of the m-Venue network, might select a text message code displayed on a big screen -- say, one that would deliver Gwen Stefani's new music video.

The customer would then receive a text message to the effect of, "Thanks! Gwen Stefani will play shortly. Show this text to your server and get any appetizer for $1."

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