Google vs Microsoft - mapping kit beauty parade

Gizmodo compare the cars used by Microsoft and Google for collecting streetview data. Worth a look for a very brief mention of the sorts of things these machines do.

Business.com sells

for $350m.
Blimey.

Source: Techcrunch

When you absolutely must listen to the Kaiser Chiefs.

Waterproof headphones.
iPod underwater case.

Rather than be happy with that pesky ambient noise.

This is not an endorsement.

Poke a hole through a picture of Steve Ballmer. Source: digg

Man + deckchair + helium balloons

But no personal record. Doh! Man 'flies' in his deckchair video . Source: BBC News

Pop-up club in Barcelona

Kubik Barcelona is an offshoot of the UK Creamfields event.
Made from recycled water tanks.




Source: Springwise

AIR vs Silverlight

Internet app to desktop exposure is fast increasing. Livestation and Silverlight. (Microsoft). Posted July 6. Pownce with AIR (Adobe) All we need now is a suitable project.

iPhone - a very full review

Lots of photos and balanced opinions from ars technica.
Well worth a look.

Obligatory photo here. Shows the 'conversation' view for SMS:



I really really hate to say this but it left me wanting one mostly for the web browsing and SMS handling. Although I may find text entry frustrating after Windows Mobile and the stylus. Will reserve judgement.

Brand as curator

"Design is so popular today mostly because business sees design as connecting it to the consumer populace in a deep, fundamental and honest way. An honest way. If you are in the myth-making business, you don’t need design. You need a great ad agency. But if you are in the authenticity and integrity business then you have to think design. If you are in the co-creation business today—and you’d better be in this age of social networking—then you have to think of design. Indeed, your brand is increasingly shaped and defined by network communities, not your ad agency. Brand manager? Forget about it. Brand curator maybe."
Bruce Nussbaum, BusinessWeek

Great article picked up Logic and Emotion blog via crackunit

Feed me

Now I know choice is good...

Wearable technologies

ispo Sport & Style 2007 preview on I4U.




A step up from the 'a special pocket in your jeans for your iPod' type of stuff that seems to have passed as wearable technology up till now.
Actually, I spoke too soon. There's an iPod bag thingy.

So someone IS using Silverlight

Microsoft Livestation purports to be Sling without the box. Didn't know that MS had a stake in Skinkers. Makes sense to develop using Silverlight then. Source: Techcrunch

Wiltons Music Hall

Went there last night and saw Handel's Il Trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno (The Triumph of Time and Truth) by Transition Opera.

I'd urge you to go and see it. Although I think there's probably only one or two performances left.
Very interesting mixture of decaying music hall, baroque period instruments, strong voices and projections (back and live capture from video camera).



As you can read on the Wiltons site, it's the oldest surviving grand music hall from the 1850s. You wouldn't know it's there. Sandwiched between South Smithfields road (busy, polluted), the DLR and some rough estates.

Book Slam

Went to Book Slam once and was worth it - has various authors/poets getting up and doing readings. Irvine Welsh is on tonight which could be interesting, otherwise probably worth looking out for future authors... if you're into books! If not then it's in a bar so you can't lose.

Looks like Flash

Smells like Flash.
But is it Flash?



Microsoft Silverlight.
When are people going to start using it?

Desktop app for Flickr

Nostalgia
Only been quickly looked at but seems to allow viewing, uploading and management of photos on Flickr.
But purely desktop-based.



Found by: Conor

Street installations

Some made of tape.



Source: Shadi's Mum