Augmented Reality

OK, I must admit, when augmented reality first game out I thought it was quite gimicky. The term was coined in 1993 by a man named Tom Caudell, but the concept didn't take off till 2003, when GeoVector teamed with Vodafone, HP, Microsoft, Virtual Spectator and Animation Showcase Ltd to produce an AR app for America's Cup Sailing Races in Auckland, New Zealand.
Personally I only came across it this year and with any new gadget, it tends to be quite clunky and uncertain. During the past month AR has seemed to explode and finally people know what to do with this new technology.

The Dutch are a very sneaky bunch when it comes to new technology....they tend to sit back, find the coolest new trends and put them to use. Take this AR application for example:



And here is one for the Londoners- who tend to be obsessed with their phones, how best to use the (shit) TFL system, and show off their city navigation skills:

Girls vs Boys Old Skool

Nike is a strong independent brand, it pushes you to the limit, inspires you to be competitive, and knows who to reach. Thats why, I think the Nike+ idea is brilliant. In 2006 Nike started making trainers with space for a Nike+ data chip. Information of the run is transmitted wirelessly to an ipod, which can then be downloaded to a computer. Nike+ online has set up an online competition of men vs women. If you are sporty, as I am, you'll no doubt be faced with a girls vs boys game, which the girls will probably anihilate the boys....

Men and Women around the world will compete online in three categories: total km, av km per runner, and most km run by an individual in a 24 hour period. I think this will work really well- as long as the right people are targetted. The super athletic, super competitive individuals.

Here is the ad for Men vs Women.

Bye Bye Banksy

This past Saturday in London, just off Oxford Street saw the last moments of a famous Banky. 'One Nation Under CCTV' was stenciled on a Royal Mail building in London's West End. Perhaps one of Banksy's most well known artworks, the Westminister Council just cannot seem to tell the difference between artwork and graffiti. Isn't artwork suppossed to elicit emotions, send a message, and create joy? And don't you sometimes feel these things when looking at well drawn graffiti? So would Banksy be classified as artwork or grafitti?

Luckily I found out Banksy's famous artwork/graffiti was being torn down through the Banksy fanpage on Facebook. My boyfriend was in the area and took some pictures of the 'demolition'. I was lucky enough to stumple upon it last week and witness it with no scaffolding. And I love Banksy's work so much, I was honoured to have just randomly run into it.

Fallon does it again

The newest ad for Cadbury is genius. Seems Fallon are back on track, after the miss of the airport one where trucks come to life. The Glass and a Half Full production definitely entertains with this one. Wonder what crazy planet these kids came from?

Cheat Sheet

I love "Making of" videos, I just can't seem to let an event just happen, I love knowing the details. So if you are like me, check out the making of the T mobile dance in Liverpool Street Station.

Funnies

Round up of some of the funniest ads I've seen in a while:

1. Durex, Get it On viral



2. Heineken, Walk in Closet



3. T-Mobile, Liverpool Station- Life is for sharing

New Beginnings

A new year, a new world leader, a new job, a new flat, and new financial problems for many. But with Mr W not having his little finger on the big red button anymore, the world seems like a better, safer place.

January 20, 2009 was a great day for the whole world. It will be one of those historical events, where one must remember where they were this great day. Apart from the emotional event itself, I was impressed with CNN and Facebook's partnership in streaming the speech live, as well as being able to see everyone's status worldwide on Facebook with up to the minute updates.

So if you were thinking the Aretha Franklin's crazy bow hat was ridiculous, someone else wrote it on their status. Or if you just couldn't understand the choice of that poet, there were also many others expressing their confusion on Facebook. Apart from the intrusion of privacy, tt made the world seem like a smaller, cozier, hopeful place.