Yesterday Google announced Chrome OS, a version of their Chrome Web browser turned into a full-blown operating system. Based on Linux, Chrome OS behaves differently from standard operating systems. All of a user's files, such as music and documents, are stored online on Google servers that can accessed from anywhere. This is what is known as "the cloud," where files are always on and always available. This is ideal for netbooks (compact laptops), but really won't fill the place of operating systems that can install non-Web applications locally. Got that? It's a little esoteric, yes, but just know that Google is moving the ball forward is some interesting ways.
View - "Google's Chrome OS revealed -- with video!" at Engadget
With an economic rain cloud still hovering this holiday season, Campbell Soup Co. is adjusting to changing client behavior with CampbellsKitchen.com, a site dedicated to recipes and holiday favorites for chefs in the making. The move comes after more consumers are cutting costs by dining out less.
Not to be outdone, General Mills has followed suit with Tablespoon.com, a place where users can explore and create customized recipes to share on Facebook and Twitter. It seems creative application through the Web during these hard times is one way for companies to reach out to their consumers.
Read - "Recession Leads Campbell to Overhaul Cooking Site" at Advertising Age
Research finds savvy shoppers will search for the best deals through social networking sites such as Facebook this holiday season, including coupons and comparison shopping. Another part of the study finds research and shopping on mobile phones will also be a part of the mix. Can you hear that? It's the sound of Sunday circulars letting out a resounding sigh.
Read - "Holiday Web Shoppers Hit Social Networks" at eMarketer
A new article looks into the Web of the future, all the way to the year 2014. Beyond an increase in multimedia options and content, contributors list the possibility of micro-payments for quality content and more horizontal scrolling sites as widescreen monitors become the norm. One thing is for certain: as more dollars shift online, sites will have greater resources but much greater demands. The Web will more than likely be more interactive and user-friendly, but you probably still won't get that flying car you were hoping for.
Read - "The Future Of The Web: Where Will We Be In Five Years?" at Noupe
Newspapers may be reeling, but a new study finds adults 35 and over still consider newspaper ads influential. When it comes to the Web, women appear less likely to make the jump over from traditional media.
Read - "Men More Likely To 'Go Digital,' Study Says" at AdWeek
Creative projection ads are now being featured at London's Waterloo Station, and they sure are nifty. The ads are done by the UK's aptly-named Projection Advertising.
View - More examples of AdTrace technology in action
Google has announced voicemail management to its currently invite-only Google Voice, a component most mobile carrier's incur a monthly charge for as 'visual voicemail.' The service also transcribes voice messages to text and other functionality you'd usually be seeing on your statement. This announcement comes hot on the heels of Android 2.0, Google's operating system for cell phones which features free turn-by-turn navigation through Google Maps, negating another monthly charge. It seems Google is slowly chipping away at carriers' nickel-and-diming schemes.
Read - "Google Voice can now manage your cellphone's voicemail" at Engadget
The "Save Your Logo" initiative lets companies give back to their animal inspiration by donating towards biodiversity, education and community engagement across the world. The program is backed by several non-profit organizations, including World Bank.
Best Buy is the first major retailer to take a stab at AR, printing a graphic on the front of their Sunday circular that can be used at BestBuyin3D.com. Even if it will leave most scratching their heads, kudos to BB for trying something different.
Read - "Enhancing User Interaction With First Person User Interface" at Smashing Magazine
With aggressive developments on how Web users are able to
view and parse information, UI and interactive tech are more important than
ever. Microsoft's Bing and others have attempted to set themselves apart through these means, with a beta of its visual search released this week.
Sony
Computer Entertainment unveiled it's own effort at CEDEC 2009, a Japanese video game
conference. The high-resolution zoom technology is able to seamlessly explore a high-resolution image
or series of images. It's implications for interactive advertising can
be seen around the 2:20 mark, with the user zooming in on a man's face
to see a mosquito, revealing a hidden message. With the fickle nature
of Web browers' digestion of online advertising, zoom technology may be
one way to capture the often hard to capture.
The city of Melbourne, Australia, has a new face, and it's bold, fresh, and possibly seizure-inducing.
The new identity unveiled this summer is a major break from the
collegiate, fragmented version of old. Upon first glance, it's as if
the letter M and a color swatch ran headfirst into each other and fell
into a game of Tetris. It's adventurous, and that's what makes it
particularly interesting.
