September 2007
37 posts
The Unsung Heroes Who Move Products Forward - New... →
Celebrating (and explaining) process innovators whose constant re-invention of better mouse traps enhance the bottom line, and usually the quality of the product.
From the article: “Novel processes are often more important [than buzz-garnering products] in keeping the cash registers ringing.”
Every business, especially those built on information and content (like advertising) needs...
Given Fewer Coupons, Shoppers Snub Macy’s - New... →
Dramatic changes to existing brands (in this case Macy’s, Foley’s, Robinsons-May, and others) over a very short period of time can have dramatic negative effects on consumer perception and retention.
“Never practice or invent in your field, and you will come up with an original...”
– Malibu architect Harry Gesner, recalling the advice of his father and grandfather - vanityfair.com
“Never before in the history of content has the hardware been more valuable than...”
– Edgar Bronfman, Jr., Warner Music Group chairman - Wired News
Peak6 uses design to differentiate and enhance... →
“Designers and their products are often viewed by Wall Street firms as nice but not vital to business success.” In a crowded field where you are one of many with few product or service differentiators, smart design may be the best thing you can do. Customer satisfaction trends towards success.
“It turns the patient into the user interface.”
– Mark Frauenfelder, succinctly explaining why the Luminetx VeinViewer is so amazing - IDOnline.com Was fantastic to see in person (on display at the 2006 Wired NextFest in NYC).
“You’re only on this planet once — do something extraordinary, imaginative and...”
– Stephen Fry, discussing the state of mobile technology today, and appealing for a better tomorrow. [via BB Gadgets]
I Luv Helvetica - Douglas Coupland (NY Times) →
[via Daring Fireball]
iPhone soundly beats other smartphones in... →
Overall scores:
iPhone: 4.6/5
HTC Touch: 3.4/5
Nokia N95: 3.2/5
“Testers were [typically] about twice as fast doing specific tasks on the iPhone, which is pretty remarkable.” Tom Thornton, Senior Research Scientist at Perceptive Sciences.
[via Fake Steve Jobs]
Lesson From Tor Hack: Anonymity and Privacy Aren't... →
by Bruce Schneier
“All “killer applications” give users significant control over...”
– Lars Vik - Wireless Business & Technology Constraints on the use and enjoyment of any content impede adoption and harm the word-of-mouth (not going to say ‘viral’) potential of a campaign.
A Technology in Search of a Metaphor →
On WAP, back in 2000.
“…Computing is a skill that must be learned, not just a product to be...”
– Rob Beschizza, Gadget Lab editor, on Why Tech Support is Broken, Gadget Lab
The market opportunity is to create products that work reliably, intuitively, and intelligently. But the truth is, consumers also need to meet developers part of the way.
Newser →
This news site may just give Google News a run for its money (or, more accurately, eyeballs) among the information-hound set. Michael Wolff, who is apparently involved with the project, has a great write-up/introduction on Newser in Vanity Fair.
Web Video’s Audience Likes 2.7 Minutes at a Time -... →
According to ComScore, consumers view an average of 3 hours per month of online video, with an average duration per video of 2.7 minutes.
The Morality of Blocking Ads - New York Times →
Creativity Online 'busts' various agencies who... →
Previous related entry.
Wired NextFest Preview: The Future of Interactive... →
Fix the Leopard Folders - IndieHIG →
Solid writeup on the issues with the Leopard folder icons as seen in the latest seed releases. [via Daring Fireball]
“The real competition for iTunes downloads isn’t DVD box sets — it’s cable On...”
– Pete Mortensen, on the rumored 99¢ TV episode price drop - Cult of Mac
“We try to do films which are in support of cinema, in a large room with good...”
– Sir Ridley Scott, on why putting films on mobile phones and other gadgets harms cinema - BBC News
iTunes Tagging lets users tag HD Radio songs to... →
Clever use of meta-data. [via TUAW]
Norway cracks down on car ads' green claims -... →
New Jaguar XF's multimedia interface co-designed... →
If so, Apple’s Mercedes-Benz deal is definitely not exclusive. Could Apple be transforming itself (at least in part) into a Porsche Design- or Pininfarina-type service and design company?
Open letter to all iPhone customers from Steve... →
Summary: $100 store credit available for early adopters.
iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store
For the first time, Apple has provided its music customers with impulse
shopping. Even more important, it has negotiated relationships with
organizations like Starbucks to provide access to the store, plus, the ability
to purchase songs that are playing in-store. There clearly must be a revenue
sharing deal involved.
This leap forward in ease-of-purchase dramatically leapfrogs any of...
