Unstrung gets more press releases than it can eat every day, and only a few do anything for the palate. But when one slips into the Inbox softly whispering about two-way mirrors and hidden cameras, we start to salivate.

So well done to 3G Lab for catching our attention with a quite perverse notion (see 3G Lab Plays Voyeur). The wireless software developer has built a boudoir with special viewing facilities and secret cameras in order to spy on people as they caress the latest form factors. Gives the phrase "wireless penetration" a whole new twist, eh?

Unstrung has experienced similar facilities (all in the name of research, of course), but that was in Hamburg, at some point back in the mid-80s -- and besides, the wench is dead.

Obviously shy of giving it a suitable name, 3G Lab refers to its new extension as a "usability testing suite" that will allow the "close observation of consumers actually using next-generation mobile phones." This, in turn, will allow the "assessment of how effective and satisfying new mobile applications are before they launch commercially."

So set that handset to "vibrate" and turn down the lights -- there's some in-depth analysis to be done.

— Ray Le Maistre, European Editor, Unstrung
http://www.unstrung.com