Tag Archives: Technology Blogs
Adobe Releases New Flash-To-HTML5 Converter Called “Wallaby”
Adobe is stepping further into the HTML5 arena. Whether it’s pressure from Apple or the progressive movement towards standards-based technologies like HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript — it’s clear that Adobe’s heard loud and clear that developers need tools to create rich content without the requirement of their Flash plugin. Personally, while I see less and less value in most Flash-produced content, I’m rooting for Adobe to create a rich toolset that for producing rich content in all forms for the web.
QR Codes Are So 2010 — 2011 Is All About The NFC
In 2011, NFC has nothing to do with football — although you might be able to buy the next game’s tickets by swiping your cell phone at the ticket booth. NFC stands for Near-Field Communication, and it’s coming to a mobile platform near you. Near-Field Communications is a method for transferring bits of data over short distances. One popular use (already very prevalent in Japan as Mashable mentions) is mobile payments. A number of big players like Amazon, Google, Apple and Microsoft are already rumored to bring support for NFC-based technology to their existing platforms. Time will tell as to whether or not we’ll be able to replace our wallets with our phones.
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Photo Credit: CNN
After watching a talk with Dennis Crowley the founder of Foursquare, one of the big thought provoking statements he made for me was that Foursquare is about‘ getting people out into the real world’.
Later, as I watched him play a real game of Foursquare with a group of kids, it got me wondering, could location based mobile games be the answer to getting kids of their bums and out of the house again? Obviously I’m not talking about 3 years olds here, but kids who should be outside discovering the big wide world (then again, with a parents participation it could even work for 3 year olds!).
I grew up in a world of tree climbing, outdoor swimming and bike riding through the leafy suburbs of London UK, at it shaped the adventurous side of my personality that I have today. However, with the world of education, sharing and gaming becoming increasingly digital, it’s often commented on that kids don’t get outside enough to get their hands dirty and breathe in what’s around them.
This years CES brought close to 140,000 visitors enjoying 2,700 displays of awesome. It was truly a geek central and an experience like no other. With so many booths, tech displays, 200+ sessions and almost 1000 speakers it was hard to see and hear everything. All that makes it hard to pick your favourite gadget or technology, so here are five.
1. Tablets
You could pick from over 80 tablets, ranging from 7” to 14”. Most had front and back cameras. Many featured slider keyboards, dock frames with keyboard or bluetooth keyboards. Some had touch and precise pen input. A couple even had dual screen setups. They were running anything from Android 2.2, Android 3.0, Windows 7, Linux to Blackberry QNX. Many were designated for 4G networks and were packing some serious power under the hood. Most notable were Dell Streak 7, LG G-Slate, BlackBerry PlayBook, Acer Iconia, ASUS Eee Pad, but my favourite was Motorola Xoom. It featured NVIDIA Tegra 2 Dual-Core Processor and Android 3.0 Honeycomb system with all the Google love you can handle.
2. Smartphones
2011 CES was definitely about smarter and faster phones. AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile presented their 4G lineup. Many of the phones had some heavy duty features like: HDMI, Autofocus 8MP Cameras, AMOLED screens, HD Video recording/playback, Dolby Surround and more…
Top picks:
Motorola Atrix (AT&T)
Samsung Infuse 4G (AT&T)
Motorola Droid Bionic (Verizon)
Samsung 4G LTE (Verizon)
LG Revolution (Verizon)
HTC Evo Shift (Sprint)
Motorola Cliq 2 (T-Mobile)
My favourite was Motorola Atrix. In part because of the cool docking station that doubled as a netbook and in part because of the snappy 1GHz Dual-Core processor and HD Video Playback streaming option.
3. Android everywhere
Approximately 70% of devices at CES were Android powered. Anything from phones, tablets, netbooks, and TVs, to cars, clock radios, printers and Android-powered headphones. Read More
Last week, a number of CMers flew from all of our offices into Austin for one of the year’s most hyped industry events. For 6 full days, we were completely absorbed in the world of SxSW–the speakers, the vast campus, the BBQ, the karaoke… and lots of noise! We’ve come back (well, those that didn’t stay for the rocking music portion!) to our respective offices and departments with lots of inspiration and lessons, to be shared more in-depth in a few days. For now, let’s look at some of the quick hits in the Pro and Con lists for SxSWi 2010 from my perspective, with cameos from a few others who managed to make it back!
Let’s start with the areas that were lacking and work our way up to the highlights, shall we?
I’ve seen a lot of posts about how the “content was weak.” Chris Pirillo even went so far to say that the “speakers weren’t entertaining,” and gave some great feedback for next year. I know I felt a bit underwhelmed, but I directly attribute that sentiment with the fact that most SxSW sessions are pitched 8 months in advance. How can those topics stay relevant with the pace of cultural change? They can’t.
That rant aside, I did find reasons to be inspired by my industry peers…
1. The crowd speaks for itself. I can’t find a SxSW source, but hck2 says that registration was up 40% this year. Geek love is forcing new application and ideas into the mainstream. Location based apps like social networking, video, & QR codes were not only used, but used a lot!
2. Not only were real-time social apps used, but they were used for utility. A while back, we were using augmented reality and iphone apps just because they were a bright & shiny objects. Now, we’re using them together to provide utility and to add value to “traditional” consumer experiences. While the SxSW app wasn’t perfect, I used it constantly to navigate my way through the maze of conference rooms and panel topics. And, while I’ve been on foursquare for a while, I’ve never felt prouder to get a badge titled “Porky” or “Panel Nerd.”
3. Conferences don’t exist to deliver a “silver bullet” or the next “disruptive” idea. They should, however, inspire smart people to cultivate ideas on their own. Here are a few that kick-started my creative thinking: #mindcontrol, if you want to be inspired by how “influence” works… and the “Snark It” app by Powered, if you want a good laugh.
Lastly, I had a wonderful time sharing ideas, banter and beers with all my @criticalmass SxSW travel companions: Jessi Odenbach (@jessio), Greg Arnanitakis (@The_Promethean), Dave Vieser (@dvieser), Adam Bracegirdle (@richinminerals), Mike Lanyon (@lanyonm), David Fasullo (@livebrush) and Kerry Janes.
Here are some of the lessons they were each inspired by…
David:
Inspiration Point 1: “Committing to an idea is the hardest part. Starting an idea doesn’t make you a startup.”
Inspiration Point 2: “It’s not just about telling your story. You need to be competitive in how you add value.”
Jessi:
Inspiration Point 1:“Looking to the future, employees will have a growing need to be well advised in multiple disciplines. Designers need to know social media. Social media needs to know technology. And so on. Our worlds are colliding and we need to expand ourselves even more.”
Inspiration Point 2: “No brand will build a lasting relationship with consumers without a valuable digital engagement.”
Greg:
Inspiration Point from the Gary Vaynerchuk: “His emphasis on doing what you love for a living is inspiring, but above all else he pushes loving your family and spending time with them being more important than a job. Work-life balance matters. A whole lot.”
Adam:
Inspiration Point from Brendan Dawes: “On some level, to be a good designer you just need to be an interesting person.”
What were you most inspired by at SxSW? What lesson did you learn that will change the way you work/create/adapt/ideate/think?
Originally posted at Experience Planner blog.
At first glance, the new Apple iPad doesn’t appear to be a game changer. Honestly? What it is, is an upgraded, tricked-out iPod Touch and in typical Apple fashion, they’ve focused on basic functionality the first time out. There is no camera, no HDMI, no USB – not without an adapter, at least – and it lacks multi-tasking.
Apple has created a low-risk product based on their existing technology. So unlike the Apple iPhone, there’s no new real technological or user experience innovation here (i.e., touchscreen tech and an application delivery channel in the form of the Apple App store). I can only assume that Apple created this device at a fraction of what it cost to research, develop and market the technology behind iPhone and iPod Touch.
That being said – I, for one, will be getting in line two months from now to pick up a 16gb Wifi iPad.
Personally, I really enjoy the touchscreen experience. I’ve been an iPhone user for over two years and I’ve craved a larger touchscreen experience for watching films, reading books and playing games while on the go (as I travel for work frequently). I get that now with the iPad and I’ll buy it because of that. Yes – I could have that with a small laptop or netbook, but neither of those device types are built for delivering a portable, high-end media experience.
I had a couple of recent technological hiccoughs in my personal sphere. At the time, I passed them off as mere inconveniences — although I ranted quite loudly (warning, objectionable language) on one of them. But it was only when I stopped and took a step back that I wondered something:
Do I put too much faith in technology being there for me?
Which then led to some interesting questioning as I looked at the world around me. How much are we dependent on technology being there? It’s so pervasive now that most times we don’t even think about it.
At least not until it doesn’t respond.
