Apr 2008 Why it is fun working with George
This is an email George sent around the other day that is a classic collection of links cranked out as a “last thing before I run” e-mail.
Amazing set of links around only one subject — imaging. Not that I’d recommend missing the Porter on a Friday night at 9 pm but it is great to see serious obsession shared.
From: George Nimeh
Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2008 21:18:22 +0100
To: SEUK, Sony Ericsson Global, Planning
Cc: digitalgroup
Conversation: Thought for the day
Subject: RE: Thought for the day
> Ps anyone seen anything particularly interesting in the world of
> imaging recently? Please share, it seems to be Cyber-shot heaven round
> here at the moment
>
Below are a few “interesting” things that I’ve come across. Some of them may have already been sent around, but I think they’re all worth a review.
If any of you would like to chat about how iD could help SE understand/activate these ideas and themes to create buzz and traction around Cyber-shot (and thus help people buy), lemme know.
Have an excellent weekend,
~G~
Photosynth
I think this is spectacular.
http://labs.live.com/photosynth/view.html?collection=NASAColl/LaunchPad/index.sxs&st=coll <http://labs.live.com/photosynth/view.html?collection=NASAColl/LaunchPad/index.sxs&st=coll>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p16frKJLVi0
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/129
http://labs.live.com/photosynth/video.html
Photosynth is a software technology preview from Microsoft Live Labs and the University of Washington that analyzes digital photographs to build a three-dimensional point cloud of a photographed object. Pattern recognition components compare portions of images to create points, which are then compared to convert the image into a model. Currently, users can view models built by Microsoft or the BBC, but not create their own models.
Radar
Mobile/online imagery that create “conversations”.
http://www.smstextnews.com/2008/01/instant_picture_conversations_with_radar_-_the_application_of_the_week.html
This week’s application is Radar, a phenomenally well put together service that enables picture conversations online and on-the-go. If photo sharing site Flickr is Web 2.0, then Radar is Mobile 3.0. Or something like that… The entire service has been conceived to run from your mobile, not as a bit-part of the overall experience. Yes there’s an online element for those sat at desks, but Radar is all about mobility. You can easily upload photos from your handset and all your subscribed friends can instantly see — and crucially, comment — on the photo. You can then easily see who’s been commenting and reply back and, before you know it, get into a dialogue with your friends about the picture. All by phone. That’s the way to do it.
Flickrvision
Hypnotic global entertainment, all based on geo-located photos.
http://flickrvision.com/
Flickrvision shows realtime, geolocated Flickr photos. Just like Twittervision, it’s hypnotic to watch. The map moves around to show the location of the most recent tweet or photo. Both visualizations hail from David Troy, a VOIP consultant who has suddenly found himself doing a lot of geo work. See: http://www.i-boy.com/weblog/2007/05/site-of-day-flickrvision.html
Picnik and Fotoflexer
Two free tools that make photography easier.
http://www.picnik.com/
http://fotoflexer.com/
If you use Photoshop for basic photo editing, you’ll love ’em. They’re simple, free, web applications that do the job very well. I love the Flickr/Facebook/Picasa/Photobucket/Webshots integration. In addition to being fully integrated into Facebook, both apps lets you pull in your Flickr photos, edit them, and then save them back to Flickr. Sah-weet! See: http://www.i-boy.com/weblog/2007/11/picnik-and-fotoflexer.html
Animoto
Incredibly easy to use … and creates fantastic content.
http://animoto.com/
Animoto is a web application that automatically generates professionally produced videos, each a customized orchestration of user-selected images and music. Using patent-pending Cinematic Artificial Intelligence technology and high-end motion design, the result is a user’s own personal creation with the visual energy of a music video and the emotional impact of a movie trailer.
And finally … Interestingness!
http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/
Besides being a five syllable word suitable for tongue twisters, it is also an amazing new Flickr Feature. There are lots of elements that make something ‘interesting’ (or not) on Flickr. Where the clickthroughs are coming from; who comments on it and when; who marks it as a favorite; its tags and many more things which are constantly changing. Interestingness changes over time, as more and more fantastic content and stories are added to Flickr.