This week we have an eclectic mix of brilliant ideas, incredible creative tech and a bizarre dancing pony.
Number 5) Peugeot Motion Emotion
Peugeot have released an interesting interactive site which enables you to use your phone as a means of determining the story which plays out on the screen. On initiating the experience you’re encouraged to scan a QR code which turns your phone into a controller. At predetermined points, the video narrative which plays out pauses and options are presented on your phone which dictate what happens next. The story is perhaps a little tenuous and the interactivity lacking in any kind of meaningful engagement, as all you do is configure the colour of the car or rims to aid the protagonist, but it’s a really interesting mechanic which no doubt inspire plenty more creative interpretations.
Via Adverblog
Number 4) MYO Wearable Gesture Control
In another leap in wearable gestural computing, Thalmic Labs have announced the lab of their gesture control device called MYO. It’s an armband worn on the forearm that senses electrical activity in the muscles, allowing users to interact with digital technologies using just their fingers and hands. Unlike most other gestural technologies, it doesn’t require a camera which can open up far greater opportunities including usage not limited to a fixed space or exposure within natural light. It’s on pre-order for $149. I’m off to be nice to my CFO now…
Via Marketing Wire
Referred by @y0z2a
Number 3) Dance Pony Dance
Mobile telco Three in the UK have launched a bizarre ad campaign which appears to be gaining a huge amount of positive sentiment online. It features a Shetland pony moonwalking (see video below) as the focus of its advertising. Online you’re encouraged to create your own dancing pony and share with others. The amount of conversation on #DancePonyDance is astounding.
I have absolutely no idea what this has got to do with Three, nor why people are going nuts for it. But 3.5m likes on YouTube, 93% positive must mean they’re doing something right…
Referred by @SteveChristison
Number 2) VW Smileage
Google Labs’ new campaign for 2013 is called Art, Copy and Code. The first interesting product to come out of it is a project for VW is Smileage, an app that connects to your car and seamlessly records details of road trips—everything from the route taken to the average speed driven. The data can be shared via the app’s underlying social network Google+, allowing friends to follow your trip in real-time. Photos and comments can be added along the journey, and drivers are rewarded at the end of trips with data visualizations indicating the amount of fun had and digital bumper stickers for various achievements.
Via Fast Company
Number 1) Chrome Super Synch Sports
In Number 1 this week is another innovative release from Google Labs called Chrome Super Sports. The concept enables you to synch your mobile to your computer and play a number of retro styled running, swimming and cycling games. The concept isn’t too dissimilar to Peugeot’s Motion Emotion site (Number 5 above), but with a far more interesting game play and the ability to play along with up to four others. Looks like a really smart concept which could trigger even more brilliant ideas.
That’s it for this week. As ever, if anything screamingly awesome has been missed out, let us know in the comments below. Or feel free to ping any recommendations for next week to @jamescfilmer.
James Filmer
Chief Innovation Officer
UM