Chipuya Town

During the commercial hype of Secondlife, many brands considered whether they should jump on the band wagon of holding presence and gaining from the virtual economy. However, just like entering any other new foreign market, planning and decisions must not be hastily made.

Today, IG TrendCentral points us to a new Japanese virtual world, Chipuya Town
where "companies and marketers will have a major presence" in a replica of Tokyo's Shibuya shopping district. "Players will earn in-world currency; Grooves, by signing up friends, playing games and interacting with marketing materials such as promotional events, flyers and billboards."
Hey the front page even has a QR code, wonder what leads to/from?

Seemic and virtual privacy

This post is dedicated to my friend and his research (previously I emailed him directly but think I will post here, so others can contribute....)

We conversed about the trend of a 'new method of keeping in touch', as evident by the following;
Text updates: Twitter, Facebook
Pic updates: Radar
and today I come across a video one: Seemic

Also, I've just read this PSFK post on virtual privacy, which may be of interest?

Japanese melody roads

I read about Japanese melody roads for the second time today on PSFK, and thought about Japanese(-based) racing films such as Too Fast Too Furious: Tokyo Drift and Initial D. Thinking my 'motor fanatic' relatives would enjoy this one, I thought I would share it! (image credit)
"The roads use cars as tuning forks to play music as they travel" (The Guardian)

Easier-to-use Virtual Worlds

My friend asked a question at the Own It: 3D Business, reality or fantasy? seminar: regarding the user-friendliness of virtual world interfaces (with particular reference to Secondlife, as it was the main example of the evening) and here, I think Habbo Hotel's new website provides some stimulus. Based on consumer research, the site was redesigned to provide its teen-users easier navigation and therefore a better experience.

One can assume this would increase the demographic of virtual world users/residents.

Skipping the PC generation

Having read this PSFK post about problems with the launch of the $100 laptop, it remind me of a comment a colleague made during an internal meeting; she says how some countries (mainly BRIC?) are completely skipping the 'PC generation' and heading straight to mobile phones for combined usage. Just think, they'll probably think we're being prehistoric stuck to our computer desks and carrying our laptop cases!!

o2's latest UK project with Nokia and Visa PayWave

o2 certainly seem to be churning out big UK projects; having acquired and transformed the former Millennium Done into an entertainment hub and currently, holding exclusive UK rights to the iPhone. Now, they are working with Nokia and VISA PayWave to create a phone that takes a smiliar stance as the Barclay's OnePulse card: a mobile phone that integrates the London Oyster travel card and allows users to swipe in and out of stations.

Directing online crowd back to TV

Lily Allen's new TV show due early next year, could to be an attempt to blend online activity with TV. I'm guessing as the internet (and technology) becomes integrated within lifestyles, young viewers can avoid (UK) TV license as online suppliers such as youtube and Joost provide an alternative to traditional TV.

Youthful fashion for all

Apparently, even gran-ma doesn't want to dress as gran-ma . Does this mean that in the future, everyone will look/dress "young"? Diva at DDI points us to (more) youthful brand extensions (from existing run-of-the-mill fashion labels) targeting babyboomers.

Photographers increased competition

I have a friend who is an aspiring photographer and wonder whether photowalking will cause a negative affect to those trying to gain name a for themselves, as the competition dramatically increases. However, I guess just as downloads have restructured the music industry, perhaps there be a silver lining under every cloud?

Nick Zinner from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs

"Nick Zinner, the guitarist (of band, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs), said playing in China was something the band had wanted to do for years.  When asked why, Mr. Zinner opened his eyes wide and looked at the crowd of the well-dressed young Chinese. 

"It's the future," he said."

Sweet!!

This article in the New York Times (about Western Pop Acts in China) was beautifully concluded.  

BarCamp and Foo Camp

Does anyone know about BarCamp? or the more exclusive FooCamp?
I only come across it today and I'm sure some of my 'techie' friends would appreciate the brains at this event!

Its slightly abstract definition: "an ad-hoc unconference born from the desire for people to share and learn in an open environment. It is an intense event with discussions, demos and interaction from attendees".

"Think of it as a way to get the tech/geek community together in London. What will happen during the event? Only one thing is certain: It's up to you to decide"

BarCampLondon3 takes place this weekend. Here's the 'what to bring' list:

• Laptop
• All the chargers/cables you'll need
• If you're using a Mac for a presentation, VGA adapters
• Spare battery if you have one
• Camera
• Sleeping materials - sleeping bag, pillow and toiletries (floor is not soft)
• An idea for a session/presentation/talk
• Cards / games etc for evening
• Mini computer speakers for presentations (not everyone!)
• ...?

(Participates sleep on the floor of the venue: Google's offices).
It sounds so intriguing. I wonder what they will talk about?

(Oh by the way, 'techie' friends; did I mentioned its a sellout, all the tickets are gone! ^_~)

The attitudes and behaviour of today's international youth

- Comparing Internet users in the US and to those in China, Adweek has an article with some interesting statistics. It concludes that there are 6 million more users in China, who are on average 10 years younger with a college degree, more involved with blogs, forums, community-focused activities and who split their internet usage at home and work.

- Showing how naive Western Millennials (those born from about 1980 onward) are, Carol Phillips points marketers to "The Ten Things College Students Don't Know About Marketing" and how marketers can use this to their advantage.

- I've read and heard about the growing presence of metrosexual males as a 'reaction' to the empowerment of woman. But apparently, Japanese males are so into it that they are actively becoming more skinnier and weaker than their girlfriends, with one admitting that he "admires his girlfriend for being stronger and that he feels protected when around her".

Orange's Unlimited Webpage

This isn't the first time I've seen or had a go at it, but it came up in conversation again today, so I thought it deserved a mentioned here:

Kudos to the genius' behind the design of telecommunications company, Orange's unlimited webpage. The site literally....never ends!!! (I've tried it!) What a simple but effective idea. Certainly extends dwell time - just that bit longer!

Keyboard on the OQO e2 Windows palmtop

Just read about the award-winning OQO e2 windows palmtop on TrendHunter. It comments on the "dinky keyboard being too big to type comfortably with thumbs and too small to type conventionally". I'm surprised with all the touch-screen technology around at the moment, that they haven't utilised this. Perhaps technologists don't want to overkill it?

"constraints can lead to tremendous innovation"

As I read "The Green List" supplement from The Guardian (Mon.5.Nov'07) I stumbled upon a quote from Sarah Steven, Nike's Director of Corporate Responsibility (speaking at the WWG Carbon Management Conference in Paris)

"We have found that constraints can lead to tremendous innovation"

I totally back this.
The whole "make do and mend" attitude from the post-war era as well as early cave man years and modern customisation has led to highly-creative, one-off-a-kind, unique-yet-functional ideas, which must bring a sense of fulfillment (as one overcomes a challenge faced with limitations).