This week’s tourniquet injection of awesome includes time-lapse maps of the planet from Google, the ability to ‘chirp’ data between smartphones and a brilliant (if difficult to describe) AR 3D shoe try-on visualization thingamajig from Goertz.
Number 5) Audi: Audi City Digital Showroom
To kick things off we take a look at Audi’s spanking new Digital Showroom concept in Audi City London. It’s packed with loads of interactive ways for you to experience the car on a suitably massive digital screen; including motion sensor floor plates and capacitive touch screen interfaces to customise your car. It’s perhaps never going to be a substitute for experiencing any car first-hand, but could be a smart high-street opportunity given it uses just a fraction the real-estate of a traditional dealership.
Via Digital Buzz Blog
Number 4) Chirp app transmits data via 'digital birdsong'
Animal Systems, a commercial spin-off from University College London (UCL), has developed an app that ‘chirps’ data between different devices. It enables the ability to send data to multiple devices at once without them needing to be either paired or have a wireless connection. According to the Beeb, the robotic bird-like tweet can transmit weblinks, short pictures or short text messages. Moreover, it can work over radio transmissions so could prove an effective way for broadcasters and advertisers to send data links to their listeners / target audience.
Via BBC
Number 3) Goertz: The Augmented Reality Shoe Store
So I know you’ve seen virtual showrooms powered by Kinect before, but these outdoor installations from Goertz warrant a number three spot in the Countdown because they’re much smarter than just about anything that’s been seen before. Each outdoor installation uses three Kinect sensors, a beefy CPU and big screen to 3D map their entire shoe range to your feet. You can then choose your favourite shoe brands, flip through colours, sizes and post to Facebook for feedback before buying on your mobile via a dynamic QR code that is displayed on screen. Pretty damn awesome.
Via Digital Buzz Blog
Number 2) Axe: Fear no Susan Glen
In Number 2 this week, and just pipped by the sheer technological genius of Google at number one, is the beautifully written and directed new ad for Axe from BBH New York ‘Fear no Susan Glen’. It features a voiceover from Kiefer Sutherland that includes the wonderful line “In her presence all that were beautiful before she arrived turned grotesque, and in her shadow others became goblinesque”. Susan Glen is not just A girl, she's THE girl. Of course, the brand promise is that with Axe you need no longer fear your Susan Glen. If only more TV ads could be written as well as this, the world of advertising would surely be a better place.
Via The Inspiration Room.
Number 1) Google: Google Earth Adds Timelapse Videos of Earth Taken From Over 40 Years
In the prestigious number one spot this week is yet another ridiculously smart innovation from Google. They’ve mapped time-lapse videos of the planet taken by NASA’s Landsat satellite over the past 40 years to Google Earth. “You can travel through time, from 1999-2011, to see the transformation of our planet — whether it’s deforestation in the Amazon, urban growth in Las Vegas or the difference in snow coverage between the seasons” (Google Blog). Beyond awesome.
Via Mashable.
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. Or if you’d like to share anything for inclusion next week then contact @jamescfilmer or james.filmer@umww.com.
James Filmer
Chief Innovation Officer
UM