We’re sitting at the Oshawa train station, barely outside of Toronto and it’s been a little over an hour since I checked-in on Foursquare, broadcasting to those who follow me on Twitter and Facebook that I was heading to Ottawa. Thanks to such modern conveniences as free Wi-Fi, I’ve been able to check my email and get a bit of work done. When I logged into Facebook, I noticed a couple of messages linked to my original post. One, from an old college friend who warned me that it’s only 13ºC and rainy in Ottawa, hoping I’d brought a jacket. Another from a friend who asked if I was visiting for business or pleasure.
I explained I was in town to help out family and wouldn’t have time to get out. It was then that he asked what time my train was arriving and offered to pick me up. Here we are again, serendipity, much as I discussed in my last post that was oh, so long ago. A few minutes later I got a call from my Mum, telling me someone would be picking me up. I told her not to bother; that was already taken care of.
Posts Tagged ‘technology’
When Will It All End?
That’s a common question we get from people entering the social fray. “Facebook. Twitter. Foursquare. When does it end?”
It doesn’t. And that’s a good thing.
The latest social network I’ve looked into is called Stickybits. Where Facebook connects you to a network of friends and Foursquare connects you to a location, Stickybits does this with both and a brand. How does it work? First, you download an application to your mobile device (only Android and iPhones thus far), then scan anything that has a barcode–a granola bar, a box of Band-Aids, a bottle of Coke. Stickybits then asks you to attach a note, photo, video or audio clip which it then sends (with your location) to a stream where others from around the world can share.
What’s the point?
Well, I could scan a can of Guinness and send like-minded drinkers a cheers from Toronto. I could scan a food product and send along a recipe for others to try out. As David Berkowitz from Inside the Marketer’s Studio explains: “People are already experimenting with Stickybits in cases such as scavenger hunts and business cards. Soon enough, brands will get to take control of their own bits and share their own messages with consumers. Right now, it’s all about having fun, and with any luck it will largely stay that way.”
But what about the numbers? Exactly how many people are doing this and do I really need to be there? The answers: not many and probably not yet. Maybe never. But with all things social, you should be less concerned with how many people you’re hitting and working toward conversing with those that matter to you and your brand. Will Stickybits work for you and your business? Perhaps. The key is to keep yourself open to these new opportunities and decide for yourself if you should embrace them or not.
Are you ready for the next thing?
Evolution of Print: Pictures that Move
Print is not dying. It is evolving beyond the traditional definitions and it is finding a new place in the content kingdom. There is always going to a place for people who enjoy the tactile experience of a book or a magazine but the iPad — and those that follow — will become the new tools for publishing.
The marriage of print and motion.
VIV Mag Motion Cover – iPad Demo from Alexx Henry on Vimeo.
VIV Mag Interactive Feature Spread – iPad Demo from Alexx Henry on Vimeo.
Leica’s M7
Every once in a while a product comes out that has me salivating, excuse me while I wipe the drool.
Thanks to a great article from Wallpaper* I was able to find this new special edition Leica M7. What makes it so special? Hermes has teamed up with the fame camera company to create an eye catching new model:
“Taking its cue from 2003’s Leica MP Edition Hermes, the M7 comes complete in high-shine silver chrome casing, coated in two distinctly understated shades of leather – with either signature Hermes orange, or safari-style étoupe on offer.
Each version of Leica’s latest 35mm edition will be available in a limited run of 100 each, and both come complete with a matching round lens hood in silver anodized metal, a chrome-coated back and polished metal control elements. ”
With a limited number being produced you have to imagine the price tag will be set a tad on the high side–at a mere (EURO) 8,500.00 this limited edition model can be yours!
