Technology in Mind

I’m currently trying out a 14 day free trial of the Mobile Grid Client on my Android phone which allows me to access a number of common in-world functions within Second Life.  I can use in-world chat, review profiles, teleport, and even provides a region map of wherever I’m logged in.  I won’t go into detail since their own website in the link above details all the features quite well.

My initial gripe was the fact that the software is not a one time purchase, as it is with similar applications in the iPhone market (i.e. Sparkle IM and Touch Life).  However, the Mobile Grid Client is currently the only option in the Android Market filling this niche, and their subscription prices are quite reasonable. After the 14 day trial, the subscriber can opt for either the 250L$($1 USD) for the standard version or their professional version at $450L$ ($1.75 USD) per month.

The primary features that differs the standard subscription from the professional is that the standard does not permit you to change your active groups, make payments, and the application only remains idle for 15 minutes in the background versus 8 hours for the professional subscription.

As an ‘Augmenter’ versus ‘Immersionist’ in Second Life I tend to look for tools such as these to compliment my real life Internet presence without having to remain tied to my computer at home. This application seems well designed and it appears that the author is actively adding new features and functionality.