Brainwave Shifting: Toyota Prius + Parlee Concept Bike
Wow, here’s a glimpse into the future of road bike technology! Prius and Parlee teamed up to build a concept bike. The end result is a true mash-up of the latest in Brainwave recognition hardware and software, Mobile Devices and Apps (Apple iPhone iOS), Wind tunnel optimized carbon frame design and electronic shifting (Shimano Di2). The end result is a usable rolling test case for what can be done with off-the-shelf technology.
Tags: Bikes, Brainwave recognition, Cycling Technology, Hardware, Mobile Apps, Software
SOPA and PIPA, the battle lines have been drawn
As someone who works in the *industry* I often struggle with taking sides on issues such as the new Stop Online Piracy Act and Protect IP Act legislation that is to be voted for early 2012. On the one side these two acts are clearly being positioned to help protect intellectual property owners. However, it seems less simple than that. A lot of folks are taking sides against them. Of note, Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia is calling for a black-out of wikipedia.org for this week. When people like that take such strong meassures to push for a change to the proposed Acts then it’s time to take notice.
For more, read here on Politico.com
The Lion King Taxi TV Spot
Here’s a recent mobile video spot I produced for the Disney Theatrical Group promoting The Lion King show. It is currently running on the ABC Taxi TV network throughout NYC yellow taxi cabs.
Palm Pre
Well, by now there have been several well written reviews of the latest (finally!) smart phone from the folks at Palm. As a web professional, I do have to say they did a bang up job with their new operating system, webOS. I managed to test drive one recently at a Sprint store. Below are my observations on the key functionality that seems to be a true differentiator from the likes of the iPhone, Blackberry, and Android phones.
From a UX/UI standpoint there are several key offerings. Here are some of my take-aways of the more significant features:
Activity Cards – The use of a “card” as a metaphor for navigation between applications is quite a simple and unique interface problem solver. It works so well, it leaves one wondering why this hasn’t been done before. In addition, any open app that is open is running. This is significant as a sign of how robust the operating system really is. It’s really fast, even with several Activity Cards simultaneously open.
Universal Search – It’s just that… a true universal search, of your smart phone applications and contacts and then seemlessly of the web. It’s a nice feature and would seem to be a productivity enhancement.
Intuitive Notification – Message notification feature that seems quite intelligent in it’s function. Without directly intruding on any currently used application a bubble prompt message notification is used to inform the the user there are incoming messages. These messages include e-mail, voicemail, IM, calendar notifications, etc…. This is a much less intrusive feature to what is currently used on the iPhone, Blackberry, or Android phones.
To read more, see a full post on Engadget.com
Net Neutrality: Inside Perspective
Let me begin by making it clear I am in no way a journalist. I’m sure that’s a given in this day and age of the blogosphere, but it’s important to mention this. Anyway, the point being, below is a quote from an acquaintance of mine who will remain nameless. They happen to have had inside experience working as legal counsel for several of the leading national Cable Cos. Below are the excerpts of our email conversation-
Xavier: I hate to ask, but what’s the word in the industry in regard to net neutrality? Seems like you work on behalf of the Cable Cos. I’m still not sure how this is all going to play out with the big push with IPTV, VoIP and others. What’s your take?
Source: Well, I have represented cable companies but I’m currently representing a very large Telco as well. But in any case, I can honestly say that I have no idea where net neutrality will be going. The reason for my lack of direction on this issue is simple. There is going to be a new FCC Chairman and at least one other new Commissioner. The new FCC Chairman is the former General Counsel of the FCC and he worked under an activist Chairman in the early 1990s (Reed Hundt). If the new Chairman follows in his old boss’s footsteps, anything is possible. Only I don’t know what the new Chair’s position will be on net neutrality issues.
Well, if we read into this email response as well as look at the previous background of Julius Genachowski, President Obama’s current FCC Chair pick, it would be safe to say that times are changing. In other words, we may have a high likelihood the pendulum will swing in favor of public interest and not major corporations looking to consolidate their control over the Net. Let’s hope this observation is correct, we will know soon since Genachowski is set to be confirmed as Chairman of the FCC on June 17, 2009.
Tags: FCC Chairman, Net Neutrality