This week’s entries include an über-smart use of 3D projection for enhanced driving from BMW, another super smart connected training innovation from Nike, and perhaps the coolest means of promoting driving shoes anyone will ever dream up.
5) BMW Smart Windshield Shows 3D Projection of Speed
First up this week we have BMW’s Head up Display which projects current speed and navigation instructions right in the driver’s view on their windscreen, so in theory they can keep their eyes on the road instead. It uses an intense light source shone through a TFT display to ensure the display can be viewed in any light conditions. I’m completely undecided whether it’s genius or a ridiculous driver distraction – what do you reckon? Either way, it’s scraped in at this week number five slot.
Via PSFK
4) Font Bomb
Ever wished you could take your vengeance on a web article that annoys the hell out of you without having to craft one of those tediously cerebral comments? Well Font Bomb is what you’ve been waiting for. Now you can get even by simply annihilating any web page that annoys the hell out of you. FontFomb uses html5, javascript, and CSS to allow you to plant bombs anywhere on a webpage. After three seconds, they'll explode, sending the surrounding text flying. Boom! (I tried to let you blow up this post by unfortunately AdNews wouldn’t oblige…)
Via The Verge
3) Changi Airport: Kinetic Rain
Given how hanging out at an airport terminal tends to be about as pleasurable as a finding yourself in Dante’s limbo, you’d be pretty damned happy if you found yourself killing eternity at Changi Airport. They’ve just installed an incredible looking kinectic sculpture consisting of 1,216 individually controlled copper droplets that can be moved to create multiple ephemeral shapes. Just make sure you get the right terminal (t’s not the budget airline one).
2) Nike + Training
Continuing its Cannes Titanium endeavours to blend technology, gaming and sport, Nike have released a new sports pack alongside their Hyperdunk and Lunar Hyperworkout trainers. According to The Verge, it’s ‘a small plastic puck that slots into the footbed and communicates with the four pressure-sensitive sensors present in each shoe. Like the FuelBand, the puck also contains a three-axis accelerometer, and in concert the system can track how high you’re jumping, how many steps you’re taking per second, and even whether you’re doing specific actions like pushups.’
Via The Verge
1) Ken Block DC Shoes: Gymkhana Five
There was no debate to be had over this week’s number one slot. What better way to advertise a pair of Ken Block DC Shoes then to have him pimp up a Ford Fiesta to 650 bhp and rip up the entire city of San Francisco? Because if I bought a pair then there’s no doubt I could do this too, right? At the time of writing it’s gained a staggering 6.6m views in two days, which is pretty amazing for a video that’s just shy of 10mins.
Aggrieved something isn’t featured? Think an entry just isn’t up to the correct threshold of awesomeness? Then let us know in the comments below. If you’d like to share anything for inclusion next week and get a nice little credit in return then contact @jamescfilmer or james.filmer@umww.com