A few weeks ago, a huge, wide-ranging patent application was made public which describes a number of iPhone apps that will soon be available. Titled “System and Method for Providing Content Associated with a Product or Service,” the 83 page document outlines future possibilities for iPhone app technologies that will have big impact on our everyday lives.

Ranging from making a purchase at a store by phone to finding an instruction manual for a device, these apps really can make our hectic lives just a little easier. Students will be able to access supplemental text book guides on an iPhone app. Imagine sitting in a restaurant and scanning the menu with your iPhone to quickly access health info for various dishes, or even finding out about upcoming events to be held there!

There really are limitless possibilities with these future apps dedicated to making life easier. We can’t wait to see what the next generation of iPhone apps will hold for users!

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In select store locations in Spain, Diesel installed kiosks for shopping interactive fun. Kiosks come equipped with a “Diesel Cam” that allows shoppers to take pictures as they try on outfits. They can then post them online and ask their tribe of Facebook friends for their opinions on what styles look best—or just don’t cut it!

We like the fresh, fun way in which technology and customer interaction work to promote unique in-store experiences and broadcast them among social networks. By engaging shoppers on a more intimate level and allowing them to instantly connect with their friends for style advice, memorable experiences are created and shared. This also has the possibility of promoting future sales, as shoppers will not only react to friends’ instant input, but may even come back after seeing responses posted after they’ve left the store.

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As one of their logos claims, Volkswagen is “dedicated to everyone who enjoys speeding life up a little,” and in one recent “social experiment” that is just what they did. Volkswagen set up and installed a giant red slide going down one side of a very long staircase into the Alexanderplatz Subway in Berlin, Germany. They put cameras all over the staircase to see what would happen and they posted the funny videos of people of all types jumping on the slide and zooming down the long staircase. Volkswagen, which has always found interesting ways to shake things up a bit, has succeeded yet again in spiking curiosity and bringing focus on their company. Basically a marketing tool on steroids, the FAST LANE includes commercials, a facebook page and even fun little “social experiments,” all of which combine to create a sense of a new and exciting way of doing business.

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In Germany, a new organization called Meine Ernte (German for “my harvest”) provides rentable vegetable garden plots to urban city dwellers. The plots, which come pre-planted and in three sizes are easy for members to care for, usually requiring only a few hours per week. Even more helpful for the amateur gardener, the gardens have an on-site professional once a week to answer any questions that users may have and if they need further help. The garden also hosts an interactive webpage with helpful, up-to-date gardening information. Meine Ernte, which was launched this year, already offers gardens in six major cities in Germany and the company is projected to double in size next year.

We love the sense of community that founders Natalie Kirchbaumer and Wanda Ganders (in cooperation with local organic farmers) have succeeded in creating while uniquely catering to a particular need of city-living, green-loving busy people. This just goes to show that people want to identify on a more personal level with companies which are part of their lives.

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GM’s new Hy-Wire concept car represents what can be achieved with the incredible technologies already available to us. The car is unlike anything we have come to expect in a vehicle, running off of a computer interface rather than a motor and requiring no battery. It is powered by a complex hydrogen conversion, which is so efficient that it produces enough electricity to power half of a street. A driver simply presses the power button like any ordinary laptop, selects the drive mode from the interactive touch screen, and away they go. Because it is a computer-based vehicle, there are no gas pedals and the acceleration and braking is accessed by the twist or squeeze of the handles. In the mood to drive something different? The car lifts easily away from the computer motherboard and wheels that run it, allowing a quick change out to different styles (sedan, sport, even family sized) in just thirty minutes.

GM’s Hy-Wire may feel futuristic, but the idea is actually quite simple. It serves as a beacon of light for our desperate need for alternative fuels and reminds us that in almost cases, we can positively change the way live forever if we creatively apply today’s resources.

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Often, being efficient means making the most of what you have. Sometimes, it means being creative enough to maximize very small spaces. In Hong King, China, where seven million inhabitants struggle for space, architect Gary Chang has done just that. In a typically small studio apartment of only 350 square feet, Gary has created an apartment that changes, based upon his needs, into twenty four different rooms. By installing a track system in the ceiling which is nearly hidden by mirrored ceiling panels, Gary has ingeniously created walls that can slide and pull out. This unique idea allows Gary to hide whole rooms, such as his kitchen or guest room, and expose them again as needed by pulling a wall away. It is reminiscent of a puzzle and makes the most of his tiny space while also creating warmth and comfort. The apartment is also eco-friendly, serving as a model of inspiration for all countries suffering from overpopulation and a need for greener living. Gary Chang took a common problem of living inside of a small box and solved it in an incredibly ingenious and effective way by, literally, thinking outside of it.

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Using nothing more than interior wood trim, high definition plasma screens and custom made software, Rationalcraft has ingeniously created something fun and interesting with their Winscape project. They mounting plasma screens on a wall with wood trim around the edges, they created virtual windows that add life and interest to any plain wall. The software that they have designed runs off of an Apple Mac Pro and allows the user to change the window “view” remotely via their iPhone, and soon with a wii console. It is also embedded with tracking technology which senses where the user is standing and automatically adjusts the view out of the “window” as the user moves about the room, giving it the appearance of a real, natural view.

This concept inspires creative thinking, utilizing known and readily available technology in a new, unique way. It proves that digital can be the answer to just about anything and can be used in a variety of unexpected ways… in the home and beyond.

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Philips has released the new GC4490: an Iron with men in mind. With an overall heavy-duty, yet sleek look, the iron has a larger grip, more power, and a heavier, more robust and masculine feel. It comes complete with a solid case for storage, suggestive of a power tool rather than a garment care appliance.
What Philips has done here is worth a second glance. It goes back to the basics: rethinking the obvious. Why shouldn’t an iron come in a rough-and-tumble man’s version? It is reminiscent of tools marketed for women a few years back. It allows the “same-old” to suddenly be new and exciting for a whole new demographic. This sort of simplistically innovative thinking is key to securing a leadership position in today’s cluttered brand landscape.

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Touch iBar, located in Chicago, ups the gamut for customer experience by utilizing touch screens in a totally inventive way. The hip, chic bar offers its customers a fun, hands-on experience with their nightlife. In a world of iphones, ipads and other touchscreens, Touch iBar hones in on what trendy, tech-savvy customers really want. The bar offers TouchLife tables and a unique iWall, both of which users can interact with in an array of ways, bringing technology and fun together.

The top of the TouchLife table, which is a digital touch screen, can be used to order drinks, play your favorite songs through the DJ, watch YouTube videos and even interact with other tables. This last feature even makes flirting from across the bar possible! Other features focus on social activities such as games, sketch apps and more. The bar’s iWall has similar features, allowing customers to have more control over their night out on town, with drinks and music literally at their fingertips. This unique spot sets the bar for unique customer experience.

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Coby Neuenschwander knew there had to be a better way to keep families connected while geographically separated. He saw how difficult it was for his young son, Oliver, to build a meaningful relationship with his grandparents since they lived so far away. Phone calls just weren’t that engaging for the young child, and simple Internet videochat didn’t hold his attention either. That’s when Coby realized that by combining the age old ritual of reading books together and videochat, his son and his parents could create special moments despite the distance. And thus, Readeo BookChat was born!

Through …

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By meeting its goal in creating a funky boutique environment which feels more like a NYC community than a hotel, W’s Aloft hotels make guests want to be there. The visionaries behind Aloft go the extra mile at every point of the guest experience to create something exciting and inviting. They address the little things in unique ways and the results are an overall exciting guest experience.

Guests are greeted with sophistication as they arrive into a large inviting lobby centered around a circular reception bar, to the easy guest kiosk which allows a breezy check in. The lounge …

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Stylesignal, a UK based fashion forecasting company, made the move to the iPad with an innovative free app that enables their subscribers with a totally new service experience. Operating as a trend book that is never out of date, it takes “fashion forecasting with consumer insight” to a whole new level. Now, members of Stylesignal can stay in touch with always-current fashion trends in the most literal way. Pinch to zoom, touch to get colors, and flip between video, photographs and even swatches by the flick of a finger. Imagine holding a life sized picture of a …

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Coby Neuenschwander knew there had to be a better way to keep families connected while geographically separated. He saw how difficult it was for his young son, Oliver, to build a meaningful relationship with his grandparents since they lived so far away. Phone calls just weren’t that engaging for the young child, and simple Internet videochat didn’t hold his attention either. That’s when Coby realized that by combining the age old ritual of reading books together and videochat, his son and his parents could create special moments despite the distance. And thus, Readeo BookChatter was born!

Through his 2009 creation of Readeo BookChatter, Coby gives us a simple solution to create memorable experiences between little ones and their parents, grandparents and others who are far away. It goes beyond a simple phone conversation and allows kids and their families to bond while reading a book together—online! It works like Skype, but with Readeo, members view a children’s’ book on their screens, and read it together, page by page while interacting through the webcam video.

In this day and age, innovations are at every turn of the corner. Coby Neuenschwander’s unique way to create connectedness between families started in his home. Now, the working parent on a business trip or the retired grandparents in Florida can easily stay in touch with the kids they love while sitting down and sharing a bedtime story.

Readeo BookChatter meets an unsatisfied niche with a creative solution that allows members to have a heart-felt experience. In this industry, we should ask ourselves, “How can we be more like Coby?”

Video after the jump…

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Room 121, "Sleep Seasons"

In most hotels, the rooms have the same standard look. They have similar carpeting, furniture, and pictures on the walls. In Copenhagen’s Hotel Fox, however, each room is a unique art exhibit.  

Twenty-one artists designed the hotel’s 61 rooms. Room 504, called “Boxing,” features decorative boxing gloves and trophy case. Room 121, “Sleep Seasons,” has a makeshift tent pitched over the bed and a forest mural adorning the walls.

When guests arrive, they choose which room they want to stay in based on their personality and mood. The result is a fun and individualized experience.

The hotel’s unusual theming was created as a publicity stunt by Volkswagen. In 2005, Volkswagen was in Copenhagen unveiling its new Fox model. The auto maker knew industry journalists would be visiting to cover the unveiling, so VW took over the existing Park Hotel, brought in the artists to redesign, and renamed the hotel after the Fox.

The redesign was so successful in attracting attention that after Volkswagen’s stunt was over, the hotel’s owners kept the theming and name change.

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eBay's holiday pop up store

A week before Black Friday, eBay launched a pop up store in one of the busiest, trendiest shopping locations in the world: 57th Street and 5th Avenue in Manhattan. The store was open for nine days. It sold no merchandise. It was created solely as a reminder that people don’t have to wait in line and battle crowds to get their holiday shopping done. They can shop more cheaply and easily with eBay online.

Inside the 57th Street location

Inside the 5,500 square foot store, trend experts and personal shoppers taught visitors how to navigate eBay’s website. Displays showcased the kinds of items customers could buy, such as laptops, designer shoes, and vintage Ray Ban sunglasses.

By occupying a three-dimensional space, eBay allowed customers to interact with and experience its brand. The pop up location allowed them to do this without the cost or commitment of a permanent store.

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When you walk into Clo wine bar in Manhattan, the first thing you notice isn’t the way technology maximizes a small space. The first thing you notice is the center table.

Interactive tabletop

The long table appears to be composed of multiple touch screens that allow customers to scroll through the bar’s wine list. What kind of technology is inside the table? There isn’t any. It’s a regular white coriander countertop. The technology is embedded in the ceiling above.

Three ceiling-mounted projectors turn the tabletop into a showcase of digital wine bottles. An infrared sensor (also in the ceiling) tracks customers’ hand movements, enabling them to scroll through the different choices. When a bottle is selected, its image is enlarged and information about that particular wine — such as the cost, year it was made, where it was produced, and tasting notes scribed by Clo’s sommeliers —  is displayed on the table.

According to Hunter Tura, managing director of 2×4, Inc., the design firm that designed Clo, the interactive tabletop was “a way to . . . advance the self-guided nature of exploring the wine selections.” (The architect of record was Gensler and the technology was developed in association with Potion). The self-guided nature Tura mentions is also demonstrated by the way Clo serves wine.

"Enomatic" wine dispenser

When customers enter the bar, they run their credit card with a sommelier and receive a branded Clo card. The Clo card keeps track of which wines they’ve tried and how much they’ve spent. Customers swipe the card at one of the self-serve “Enomatic” wine dispensers and make a selection (think high-brow vending machines). The dispensers, which line the walls of the space, then fill their glasses with tasting pours.  

By integrating technology with design, Clo adds new functionality to conventional fixtures. The table becomes interactive and educational. The walls become self-serve displays. The result is efficient service and a memorable experience.

(Thanks, Brian Smith)

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LA Kings' Ice Rider

Many brands create exciting in-store experiences with design and entertainment. Unfortunately, some of them fail to convert that excitement into sales. Often, it’s because the point of purchase is hidden or disconnected from the otherwise engaging in-store experience.

To sell hockey tickets, the Los Angeles Kings knew they had to make their point of purchase more visible. They created a branded ice cream truck that is one part road show, one part traveling ticket booth.

The truck, called the Ice Rider, is decorated with flashy team logos and graphics. It parks at public events and attracts people with free ice cream and entertainment. On one side of the Ice Rider, there is a giant plasma screen where visitors can play Xbox. On the opposite side, mounted flat screens air Kings’ highlight footage. There is also a green screen photo booth operated by a street team. People who have their photo taken receive it in an email that links to a branded website.  

Amidst the entertainment, the truck lets fans buy game tickets from an on-board kiosk. There is no separation between the point of purchase and the entertainment. The Ice Rider gets fans excited about the Kings, and gives them the opportunity to buy right then and there.

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In case of "fear attack."

Not all barriers are physical. In the airline industry, one of the barriers standing between carriers and prospects is fear. Fear of flying. According to The New York Times, 40% of people have flying anxiety. Some people’s anxiety is strong enough to keep them from flying at all.

Virgin Atlantic saw this barrier as an opportunity. If they could help people overcome their fear, they’d win business from, and build loyalty in, customers no other airline could reach. To do this, Virgin created an iPhone app, “Flying Without Fear.”

The app, which costs five dollars, includes two videos: one, an introduction from Virgin founder, Richard Branson; the other, an eleven-minute explanation of the in-flight experience, from takeoff to landing. The app also includes relaxation exercises, answers to common questions, and a “fear attack” button to alleviate midflight anxiety. (Hitting the button triggers a breathing exercise and message that reads: “This is natural. We know you’re scared. You will be ok.”)  

By using the app, is there any doubt that people taking their first successful flight will remain Virgin customers for life?

All brands should take note. Consider finding spots where your prospects and customers suffer. Ask yourself: “How can I help them get over their difficulty?” and “How can I do it in a way that’s practical for my business?”

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Technology by itself is neutral. It’s how the technology is used that’s key.  

At Adobe Max 2009, Adobe’s user conference, musician John Mayer unveiled the video for his song “Heartbreak Warfare.” It’s the first music video ever to use Augmented Reality.

Adobe’s CTO Kevin Lynch demonstrated how the technology creates a visual experience that puts fans “inside” the video as lumbering onscreen giants behind a tiny virtual John Mayer.  

The technology is exciting but, as Mayer points out, the viewer experience depends on technology and content working together.

Augmented Reality, he says, “is great, but if you can get a song in there and actually have an artistic experience, then I think that would be the best you could possibly achieve.”

(Thanks, DG)

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Want to effect your customers’ behavior in a major way? Make the thing they’re striving towards fun.

As part of its new campaign “The Fun Theory,” Volkswagen converted the stairs in a Stockholm subway station into functioning piano keys. Each step played a different note. Walking up the staircase became an opportunity to play a little ditty. The result: 66% more commuters than usual used the stairs instead of the escalator.

Another part of the campaign included equipping a trash can with cartoon sound effects. Every time someone threw out a piece of trash, a high-pitched whistle sounded (think Wile E. Coyote falling off a cliff).

The sound effect got people curious. They wanted to hear the odd whistle again, so they picked up litter off the ground and threw it away. In one day, the Fun Theory trash can collected 90 more pounds of trash than any neighboring trash can.

Both initiatives nudge people towards a positive behavior — not because it’s the right thing to do, but because it’s the fun thing to do.

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