Electric Artist

Blackberry Storm Launch

I must say, I was hesitant when I first heard of RIM launching a touch screen device.  Seems like the typical "fast-follower" approach on the heels of Apple's iPhone.  Interestingly enough, it's a fantastic device - despite some getting used to, I found it to be quite intuitive, slightly more tactile feel (given it's touch screen click feel)...the major win over Apple's iPhone is the  Storm's (or RIM for that matter) strength in email - it's actually one of the first touch screen devices I've actually enjoyed typing an email on...well done for nailing that!

The team over at RIM/Telus invited me to attend the launch party for the special device...to say the least, was a great event - lots of great product showcasing, great music (special presence from Canadian indie label Arts&Crafts - so extra points for supporting the local guys)...and to top it off...we all walked out with the blessed new device.

Point is...if you're going to launch a product...do it right, spend the money, make it relevant and authentic.  Kudos to the organizers and the rest of the lot - job well done.

The Future of Mobile Search

 

If you're like me, and interested in where the mobile space is going (content, search, advertising, media consumption, etc.) then you'll enjoy this look at a possible mobile future.  I'd say this isn't that far off...

check it out [HERE]

BMW GINA - Truly Amazing

BMW GINA Light Visionary Model - Revelation
by svgibson

The Untold Story of the iPhone

Interesting article on what REALLY went down with the launch of the iPhone here.

Mobile Barcodes

Mobile barcode readers are nothing  new, but they are still fun to play around with.  Create your own here.  If you ever see me walking down the street wearing a t-shirt with my barcode on it, please run me over.  Here is my mobile barcode ...

Amazon's 'Kindle'

There seems to be a fairly robust conversation happening around Amazon's new ebook reader, Kindle (just announced the other day).  So I present to you Piers Fawkes' top reasons Kindle will not make an impact on the market ...

• It tries to charge $9.99 for digital content which as we know is going to be a difficult business to be in. You can charge for live content, fine - a book is live content, you hold it and turn its pages and experience it live, a ebook reader is not live content, just a window.
• Appalling design. No, let’s just say it’s horrible.
• Nausea. Have you ever tired to read a screen in a taxi or train?
• Not Open Sourced. Another device that can’t be hacked, modified or made my own. A critical issue.
• Doesn’t access Google Docs or 37 Signals. Does the target market really use Word that much these days?
• Once you have an iPhone or any phone with podcasts and audiobooks, do you really need an e-book for being on the go? What sort of evolution does this represent?
• $399
• Even less control for the user: Amazon’s selection of RSSes not yours. And: Top international newspapers from France, Germany, and Ireland; Le Monde, Frankfurter Allgemeine, and The Irish Times. Is that it?
• It’s Black & White!
• It’s got a keyboard!!
• Another thing that uses electricity. What was wrong with books and sunlight?

And bonus:

• You’re going to look a right wally taking that out on the 7.45am Brighton to London.

[full post here] [kindle]

Web Crash 2007

The Onion does it up again with a classic take on what a newscast would be like should the entire internet crash...too funny.

Map of Web 2.0

I came across this interesting map of web 2.0 here.  This map attempts to plot web 2.0 trends in a subway map type format.  Very interesting.

Intel Joins One Laptop Per Child (OLPC)

The previous battle that's being going on between the Silicon Valley giant Intel and Nicholas Negroponte (founder of OLPC) was not really a mainstream news story. Bottom line - Intel wasn't really that excited about the idea/concept of OLPC and wanted to start their own thing...slowly their tune has been changing more for the positive. As of late, Intel has embraced the idea of One Laptop Per Child and will be providing the chip sets for all the $100 laptops issued in the program. 

Here's an interesting BBC News article that give more details.

Digital Paper

An interesting new technology that integrates paper with the digital world.  Essentially when you touch the paper, it will stream a digital file through printed speakers...yes, that's right, printed speakers...Research teams at the Mid Swedeb University forestry industry research program Fiber Science and Communication Network (FSCN) are evidently working on a 4th generation of this paper product that can communicate with computers...I wonder if all my direct mail pieces will soon begin talking to me before I throw them in the recycling bin?