This is getting cooler. Now right here in India, we have silicon valley styled unconferences for networking, demonstrating new technologies and now showcasing startups. After barcamps that started last year, its proto.in. Looks like a lot of action is happening out there.

Budding entrepreneurs, take a look at this:

http://www.proto.in/

The second version of this event is happening this weekend:
Dates: 21st and 22nd July.
Location: Chennai

I did come across this site sometime back, but only realised the power of it, when I heard about it from Atul Chitnis of Geodesic at the National Open Source Conference in Ahmedabad last weekend. Well am sad that I am unable to attend, as the bookings are over and the event is packed to full. I just wish some last minute capacity increments happen and I get a chance to receive a tank full of inspiration.

Best of Luck Startup Participants!!

Finally, a phone launch that makes me POST on my blog. It’s been a little more than 3 days and 5,00,000 iPhones have been sold. In the meantime, I have spent 8-10 hours reading pre-release reviews, watching user-help videos and pondering about what all things I can do with such a gadget.

No one will agree less, it’s a revolutionary product, especially because Steve Jobs did a brave job launching the world’s first no-keypad, 1-button touchscreen phone. (I know LG is there with Prada)

Suddenly, it seems all the Mobile Handset Majors (Read Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Motorola) were fools, in not taking this practical next step early on. I am sure they will launch their own models of touchscreen cellphones in next 6 months. A person like me, who is not a major Apple fan, would certainly go for a Nokia release of such a phone. So Apple really needs to speed up its entry. I thought they made a mistake showcasing the product 6 months before its availability, but looking at how things have gone, well I salute their marketing strategy.

Though, Apple will not be in a position to serve the Mass Market of Emerging Countries with the iPhone, but then does it really want that mass market? The MAC is certainly a fabulous product, but is ultimately is a niche product, when you compare it with the wholesome market. Even with its large popularity in the west and excellent functionality, iPod still remains an unaffordable luxury for vast majority of people on the planet. In a CNBC interview, Steve Jobs did wish that he could make it available at $100, but I dont trust his intentions to serve the mass market by compromising on the brand or styling or Profits. Apple products are for the classes and not the masses, globally speaking. I assume it will remain so for sometime to come.

Eventually, if Apple becomes a company for the masses, it will not happen because of companies efforts to create products for the BOP. It is more likely that the masses have reached Apple, which means the world will be a much richer and stylish place!!!!!