Bing at TED 2010 Conference

I'll post more on this later, but there are some big moves happening in the location space. What is discussed during this TED presentation is not live yet (to my knowledge), yet it is really only the tip of the iceberg in terms of how technology companies will be mixing mapping & location services with both virtual and real world applications.

This video demonstrates some of what is possible with mapping technologies today (mostly in the realm of augmented reality) - later today or tomorrow I will post how businesses are starting to take advantage of this technology.

Friday Mixtape!

To celebrate the end of this week I am ordering a double of working late, chased by a 3 hour drive to Edmonton. I'm in the midst of it. During these activities here's some music I have been (and will be) listening to:

Stornoway - I Saw You Blink
The National - Afraid of Everyone
Get Well Soon - Angry Young Man
The Very Best - Dinosaur on the Ark
Bomba Estereo - Juana
The Whigs - Mission Control
Phoenix - Lisztomania
Sleigh Bells - Ring Ring
Hooray for Earth - Surrounded By Your Friends
Bombay Bicycle Club - Evening/Morning
Friska Viljor - Wohlwill
Admiral Fallow - Squealing Pigs
Man/Morning - Hot Sprawl
An Horse - Horizons
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - 40 Day Dream
Old Canes - Both Falling Bright
The Lighthouse and the Whaler - Under Mountain, Under Ground
Julie Doiron - Borrowed Minivans

Updating my blog...

I've been told by 4 people (one by proxy) to update this blog. Since that represents nearly the entire readership here, I better do it.

A few things have gone on in the past week that I'm aware of: Twitter acquired Atebits (the programmer behind Tweetie), I smashed my laptop & not on purpose (thankfully it still works... only louder!), a volcano erupted in Europe, the NHL playoffs started, the Oilers won the draft lottery, Souray demanded a trade, AdTech kicked off in SF, I discovered a bunch of new music, some drunk Apple employee left the new iPhone in a bar, Calgary had Ad Rodeo, the SEC sued Goldman Sachs, there was a blizzard in Calgary which caused the lights to go out, and some other things.

However - I was in Maui with Ashlea last week and was not in the mood to blog. Here's a picture of the sun setting from our lanai (lanai = patio).

2.5 year old with an iPad

First off, I'm jealous that this kid has a chance to play with an iPad. Secondly, it's interesting to see both how intuitive overall it is for kids, and where there might be some problems with the interface (thumb on the edge of the screen, for example).

By the time she's 6 the concept of a mouse will probably be totally foreign to her.

{Via Laughing Squid}

Another great Old Spice ad

Weiden+Kennedy has been killing it with the Old Spice ads, easily the best campaign of the past year. They've done a great job of breaking down the perception of Old Spice being your grandfather's deodorant with their Smell Like a Man, Man; Different Scents; Swagger; and Where Freshness Smells From ads. This ad is part of a set promoting their new bodywash.

Each set of ads has the same ridiculous quirkiness that is funny, memorable and has an appeal for both men and women. They are somewhat reminiscent of the Dos Equis ads from last year (The Most Interesting Man in the World, agency: EuroRSCG). But there is also enough variety in the themes within each set of ads which should allow the campaign to stay fresh for a while. I'm looking forward to what W+K is going to come up with next with this brand.

See all of the awesome Old Spice ads on their Youtube page