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A manual for unlocking mobile phones just one publication widely available from Delhi's Karol Bagh Market. A few things of note for what is essentially a grey market publication: documents how to unlock all major phone models; has taken advertising for the different unlock kits and the Indira Technology Institute; printed in high quality colour; and even includes a help desk number. In a world where so much is online, why is this printed at all?

Last few days I've been pulling together material for a presentation on informal cultures of repair and innovation drawing on recent research in China, India, Mongolia and Vietnam. If anyone is in proximity of South Africa's Meraka Institute on the 20th June - the presentation is open to the public. I'll post the slides on ResearchDotNokiaDotCom when they're done.

Writing from Tokyo | June 16, 2006 | Permalink