We get interesting information everyday from reading articles in newspapers, blogs, company websites and even from conversations we overhear or have ourselves. Shark Bits is an entry post where I share my thoughts on recent articles, events and conversations. Feel free to comment at the very bottom of each post while indulging yourselves with new information.. you’ll find that a bit of information a day will go a long way.
Panning for Panorama
For iPhone users and amateur photographers alike, there is a new app that captures a 3D panoramic picture for you to share with others called UScapeIt.
Similarly to shooting a video on your camera phone, you can pan your view of a room, city landscape, or whatever have you, and then UscapeIt transforms this “video” to a still image of the entire view. Although the panning process can be a bit awkward, the result into a 3D view is prolific!
I’d love to do one of these while I’m doing one of my speaking events just so you all can see the crowd I speak to, or even show you the serene surroundings I stand in while I’m fishing—anything help you understand what keeps me going! What kind of panoramic views would you capture and share with others? Is this another blow for cameras?
Local Libraries Lending E-Books to Kindles
For a long while, Amazon has been ignoring the library market while the Nook and SONY Reader have been enabling their users to borrow books from their local libraries. Now it’s come to a point where E-Book use in libraries has been growing so rapidly that Amazon can no longer overlook this growing space. With that said, later this year, Kindle users, too, will be able to borrow E-books from their local libraries. Now that customers will no longer walk away without this book of choice when they hear they can borrow an E-book for their Kindle, and librarians are just as excited and relieved about this implementation.
You Can Drink and Drive, but He Can’t?
Drinking and driving is a severe issue that people don’t take seriously, perhaps because they’ve gotten away with it before. Alcohol consumption alters a person’s perceptions, bodily movement, vision, hearing and emotions, but to know that you have no control over yourself doesn’t seem to scare people off, even still.
AdWeek posted up a brilliant ‘Ad of the Day’ to stop drivers from driving while intoxicated.
In an effort divert the what-can-turn-into deadly practice, Ogilvy Brasil uses the ol’ trick of reverse psychology to produce a clever ad: called “The Drunk Valet.”
» Read about The Drunk Valet in AdAge.com
Musical Barcodes
Unlike the iBone and Pocket Guitar, the new musical app for the iPhone integrates two popular concepts of innovation with technology: barcode scanning and electronic music. Leo van der Veen created Barcodas, an iPhone app that turns any barcode into it’s own little tune at the very basis. If the melody seems mundane, then swiping across the screen can spice up the sound.
» Read more on Barcodas in FastCompany.com
Weight Watchers for Men
Something about those words in the title seem off, but if you can be successful in one target market, (and we all know Jennifer Hudson looks amazing after going on the program) why not try another new market if what you’re offering can benefit them?
Weight Watchers’ idea to branch out to men is slowly developing as they strategically market themselves. For one, they will be placing ads in between the NBA playoffs game, so don’t be surprised and say I didn’t tell you so.
Guys, will you be signing up for a Weight Watchers program? If not, what will it take for you to do so?
