Do you know what's in your knickers?

Pomegranate Phone

Looking for new developments like Instant Voice translation we stumbled upon the Pomegranate Phone. At first we were shocked; wow what a wonderfull design, and 'more things that you could ever think of ever fitting into the palm of your hand'. Everything build in; phone, camera, full internet browsing 'and that's just the beginning' as the trailer tells you...

But then...

... well just look for yourself...

http://www.pomegranatephone.com/

And for more information, and a nice review about the Nova Scotia Viral go to:

http://issmatblog.wordpress.com/2008/10/09/nova-scotia-pomegranate-phone-great-viral-but-is-it-effective/

The College-University Fair, do you stare or do you dare

On Monday 3 November the college-university of Rotterdam organised a fair where students from second and third year could get information about their possible ‘minor’ (the so called ‘specification’ within your study). I had the chance to promote and inform other people as a representative of the ‘minor’ I am following currently, formally known as ‘concept development’.

The fair took place at one of the main buildings of the school department offering information and services and first encounters with these ‘minors’. As soon as I entered I had the feeling of chaos, and it was, quite.

Though there was a map, the interaction with the environment lacked severely, not mentioning the programming and understanding timetables and ‘whereabouts’ on the location itself. We even had to share our small stand which made it even harder.

In the afternoon we organised two lectures for interested students, and two times we were able to fill the room, nevertheless not always with the most interested students seeking for their obligations within the minor.

The presentation ‘thinking outside of the box’ answered questions of students as in why students should choose for this minor, what you can do by following this minor, what is expected from you and of course, what do you expect from it.

A lot better than previous slides I have seen, I must say. The presentation has improved a lot, and fairly stands out amongst the others. Strong and clearly students could see now what it is about, with me and my fellow student giving live examples and interact with the audience. And by taking that last thing, that is exactly what should be, by my understanding, more encouraged.

Interacting with the potential students can be improved. This could be simply realized by picking examples and making it more fun which is exactly what will keep it attached, remembered and told about.

Simple solutions to make the concept development presentations more interesting is to start with a ‘check in’, a kaospilot technique, naming what were you thinking in a maximum of one sentence, breaking the ice already.

The content of the presentations could be also somewhat more active, like naming trends, you name a trend! What did you noticed lately? Or why do you have an iPhone ? Why do you wear GStar, why do you stand still on the escalator? You could play more to the awareness of the students present, like 'did you notice the red arrows on the sealing?' or 'did you notice that the text under my name tag is upside down?'.

Let them name their ideas, their quest for life, let them think out loud and feel free to join the fun and serious sides of concept development.

are You cut out...

This week I had the chance to follow a lecture about entrepreneurship, with a theme quoted as "Are you cut out to be an entrepreneur?"

The workshop was hosted by Keith Wallace (see Nebib.nl), an entrepreneur and micro-investor who has seen many an adventure succeed and far more fail. And it started in the morning being the first to join. Luckily some other students showed up, cause I was wondering if I was the only one signed up for the workshop.

And it was indeed an interesting workshop, many presentational skills and many discussions. Which was good, I felt alot like the others; the main fun thing; the people I thought signed up were there. And the other fun thing; or call it interesting thing; many had the same problems.

Problems? Yes, sometimes the workshop seemed like doing a therapy session where everybody talked about their problems. Which problems? Well, that everyone present are doing everything at the same time, many hobbies and interests and feel like doing everything.

I enjoyed the workshop and feel alot more secure now, as well as that I am planning a meeting with Keith in the future as he offered to help me.

Open Sesame

*update: the concept won the 5th prize out of 33 contestants!*



Finally the battle is over, and the concept has been accepted by TNO. TNO ? Yes, two classmates and me joined a battle of 'Battle of Concepts' (http://www.battleofconcepts.nl/) for the TNO battle...


According to TNO there are three media types; professional content, user generated content and archieves. And in their briefing they explained two types of media instruments; the television, and the pc with internet...


We did a lot of research and made some extrodinary sketches about mediaworld as it is today, and how internet (especially web2.0) is taking part (for others; going to take) in that, and offcourse how 'Sesame' our concept is the solution for this all. For Dutch speakers the document is downloadable at:


http://student.cmd.hro.nl/0766740/minorpd/BoC_TNO_SESAM_CONCEPTv5.pdf





A (very) short English version of the Introduction:

The Media image as we see it today changed rapidly and the easyness is something that is important to people, because of that the intensity of the use of internet increases. Not only for information, but also shopping, administration and community building is getting a frequent habbit and is much more used than ever before. In 'The New Economy 2007' with results of the last years it is stated that it is getting more usual to call with the use of the internet, and reading news, watching television, listening to the radio is getting for a lot of people almost comprehensible.



We expect this to continue, and even increase exponential if the mass sees the easyness of accessing the internet for almost everything on high quality and portable devices. From the Apple iPhone users there were already 85% of the users accessing the internet in January 2008.


We see people going to do this more, mobile or locally, like sending emails instead of letters will be on your phone calling through the internet. With the use of these high technology devices people are also getting more handy, when you maybe first had a photo album you will bring a USB stick, or one step further on an online Operating System like Netvibes, Jooce, iGoogle, Windows and so on. This saves in space also, and you do not need a case or anything, only a screen with a connection would be enough. But not only people are getting more handy, also the devices, with this high technology they are even made (or not made) possible to connect to connect to other devices. Think of the automatic synchronisation of Apple Devices, but also on the unexpectedMicrosoft's XBOX with the Sony PSP.



Now it is up to us to let these devices connect with each other, on the most powerfull way, according to the briefing. Maybe there should not be another device but the software behind these devices. The technology is there but they are not connected with other devices optimally. How would it be if these devices which connects through wireless accespoints and mobile operators also could exploit the internet ? Like if they could spread the internet as well, functioning as a portal for the internet ? That every device would feel and understand other devices and automatically connect with each other ? Everywhere and All the time. Open Sesame.







The Concept under the name of 'Sesame' is currently taking part in the TNO Battle



awaiting for the results, in time i will try to translate :)

Buy & Die !

Some time a go, in the time of the CPD, a Guest lecture was held. The lecture organized by students contained two speakers and a workshop. The second speaker was the strategy director of Ara, a company responsible for the promotion of the royal Netherlands air force, Cordaid, Campina, several ministries and many others. He had an interesting and understanding vision.

Trends on the internet, which was the subject of the day, wasn’t easy according to him. A thing to start with is to read the clue train manifesto which is downloadable on the internet for free. He referred to the manifest as that a powerful global conversation has begun. Through the Internet, people are discovering and inventing new ways to share relevant knowledge with blinding speed with result that these markets are getting smarter.

Markets are like conversations. Their members communicate in language that is natural, open, honest, direct, funny and often shocking. There is a question, an answer, a conversation between two sides. Traditional single side media is going downhill, because of this oneway traffic, social media is making individual and group activities more and more possible and visible to the rest of us. And most corporations –quoting the manifesto- lack in the involvement of the customer, ignoring this development. Which I would like to call the "Buy & Die"-Attitude. They stick to talk in a soothing, humorless monotone of the mission statement, ignoring their ability to deliver genuine knowledge, opting instead to crank out sterile happytalk that insults the intelligence of markets literally too smart to buy it. Same old tone, same old lies. No wonder networked markets have no respect for companies unable or unwilling to speak as they do.

Because there are people that will match your communication. And that is interesting. According to that statement he showed a display of integrated marketing communication:

As presented in this diagram you can see there are four categories of people in the world of the web (see the pyramid on the right). The creators represent 7% at the top of the pyramid, the ones that make content, contribute if via Wikipedia etc. The next step in the pyramid are the critics which account for 18%, collectors 18% and finally the wonderfully named “couch potatoes” (Robert Armstrong, 1976).

Engagement by marketing differs per group. With couch potatoes reached by Push marketing, collectors are reached by providing content, critics with dialogue and finally the creators can be touched by giving a platform for their creativity. Interesting and definitely good in understanding marketing and communications worldwide.

Do you have a Bie & Die Experience ?

High Tech Super Soldier

Once upon a time the planet is going to be torn apart, if it is not because of ourselves with all our wars and destruction and resulting climate shifts, it would be by external forces like asteroids, artificial intelligence and little green men.

It is slightly easy to spot a recent movie with one of these future scenarios, but come on; the future scenario just isn’t that bright.

But there is a light in the dark. Salvation is near. There is a massive rise of mankind; evil will be defeated with all sources available and humans will live happily ever after

But what are those sources, these appliances where mankind deals with in the future. Technological breakthroughs in times of warfare are impressive (according to a lot of people; the most advantageous) because people are under pressure, and the one with the biggest gun wins. In science fiction movies (and games) based in the future you see this as well; like all the technological possibilities of weaponry and other arsenal in Star Ship Troopers.

In a lot of games and movies (maybe for the first time in Alien, 1979) there is this simple utility that helps seeking your comrades in the field. The product is simple; a small screen which shows your location and the location of your other fortune members. The product is used in many games (for instance Halo seen below) which creates a good overview and reduces friendly fire.

The need for this product rose tremendously on account of friendly fire incidents amongst the Dutch Soldiers in Iraq. According to Menno Bentveld in a show called ‘Nieuwsblik’ on 23 February a same sort of product will be used by the ministry of defense in 2011.

According to Dutch Newspaper ‘Trouw’ the device is already there. The so called CIM (communication and information module) is a pocket computer where you can see the commander and the location of its troops. At the moment the CIM is in a test phase though, next year it will be a standard in a soldier combat utensils…

Though the product cannot show the opponent…
...yet.

Woman with Balls

Woman with Power, like in the book of Thea Beckman ‘Children of Mother Earth’ and other looks far away. Though it is a statement of many marketers. And with the woman’s right to choose (since 1919 in The Netherlands) it was said that ‘there would be less wars’.

Now anno 2008 it is a true fact that in politics and labour that woman are making a hard try for leadership and equal treatment. But it is hard world, it is a men’s world.

The answer of Madeline Albright (ex-minister Foreign Affairs from the United States) on a question in Nova College Tour (21st of February of 2008) about what she would recommend to present female students is as follows; “You have to work hard, you have to work at least twice as hard as men. There is no room for mediocre women, there seems to be plenty of room for mediocre men.”

The brain pattern at the moment seems to be that you can be anything you want. But is it widely accepted ? I do not think so. Though a regular pattern as in the woman in the kitchen and men at work seems to be more common in the western world as we know it. It is true that mainly men at the moment on higher grounds.

In our cool hunt we saw that nowadays more and more marketing is focused on Woman with a goal to be stronger and independent. You can see it in books, magazines and even in woman underwear. Besides that there is the image of models and icons who are pretty and smart as well.

Men are working on their image as well. A lot of products are tagged with the ‘FOR MEN’-phenomenon, for instance Coca Cola Zero, Labello and Andrelon. Besides that the baskets in shops are more than ever filled with a diversity of accessories like necklaces, bracelets, scarves, caps and hats. With our empathizing ability we can say that we agree with what some marketers say, that men are becoming more female.

But we see this development as some kind of seesaw. Slowly man and woman will grow to each other and reach a balance eventually. In the future the relation between man and female will be more equal, with woman being treated equally which will give them more chance in the men’s world.

Because, for everybody to know, man and woman are not equal, but can be equally. Like men are physically stronger than woman, but woman are mentally stronger than man, besides man is easily sexually influenced as woman are in contrary strongly affected emotionally.

Our future image is that this trend will continue when the current development will be accepted and stimulated from society, the trade and industry, and with a major role and influence; the media.

There will be a more female side of men, as there will be a more male side from woman. We estimate this will have a positive effect on the balance and equality between man and woman. On the other side a more feminine-man or a manly-woman will be marked as a homosexual which discourages the trend.

Because it is aberrant. And things that are aberrant are different. And different is strange. And bound to that there are consequences.

In this future image there will be a group which rejects the current development and becomes the total opposite, a polarization as well as appealing towards each other.

In the ideal future image we estimate the manly man and the feminine female will practically be extinct.

Sander Westerduin &
Ellen Schrik , Saida Jahjah

The Comeback of Taboo !

This week a ‘remarkable’ outcome of a question survey was great news in The Netherlands. On all popular magazines, television and radio it was stunning news with a universal statement: “youth are watching porn, massively!”. Because in the results of the survey 83% of the participants in the age of 12 to 24 said they had watched porn previously, of which the absolute majority for FREE, through the internet…

At the same time there is a lot of commotion about a movie called ‘Deep Throat’, a porn movie from the eighties, which should be broadcasted today by state television. Two third of the participants from the same survey said they will not have a problem with that, and a small amount of that said they are going to watch it as well ('oh No! Save our children!?').

It seems a lot of commotion about nothing, but is this nothing? Today a show called ‘EenVandaag’ (‘OneToday’) will be interviewing youngsters about how they see the present porn, like mtv video clips and if this changes their sexual experience. Writers will also give their opinion of this so called ‘Pornification of the Society’.

But in my opinion this kind of development is already playing longer than we know!

And this development we spoke past week with other students. In the same discussion about the world in 2050 (see previous post) a statement was made, as in an open society taboo like Sexual behavior and content. The Problem, or so called Remarkable thing we noticed is that: The current development is that explicit sexual content gets more open and visible for everybody. In our group we discussed and shared the same opinion that this would be more of a taboo in the future; as in that it gets more private again.

We came to a conclusion that the current development would be parabolic, as the time continues a this so called ‘taboo’ would have a variety as in the acceptance within a society as seen in the picture above.

An organizer with attitude

This Friday the first lesson of the minor Concept & Product Development took off. The minor is given by lecturer Saskia Best, an active professional at Redmond in creative marketing with a specialization of concept and product development.

At first we had to introduce our selves and get encountered with the first things you noticed this week and getting the feel and meaning of this specialization of your study: “Tell me your name, your course or familiar job experiences past half year, a trend (current development you noticed), why you chose this minor and what is it that you expect of this minor.”

As I introduced myself and telling in a short sentence about my course in Mongolia the attention of people grew. My laptop at the time of travel was heavy and annoying and took away a lot of space and weight which is the reason I am looking for a new laptop. The development I suggested, or rather noticed was that of the latest version of a device which comes really close to the $100 dollar laptop mentioned earlier this year. This one is triple the price though, but still almost nothing.

This device from Asus weighs less than a kilo, runs on any required platform (as the standards can be adjusted) and is a little bit bigger than an Envelope (with a screen of 7 inch). The ideal for students, business presentations, travelers or in a school environment. Smart thinking as the name is as well EEE what stands for; Easy to learn, Easy to work and Easy to play. Intel has described the Eee PC as in line with its “World Ahead” marketing drive — which aims to provide anyone around the world a chance to own a PC...

Amongst professionals it is stated that the device is the first on the market of a All-in-One product, making the computer also possible for the lower groups (see the $100 laptop concept). The device –as I did not stated the device earlier- is not a laptop, as you may think, but more comparable with a portable DVD player with a lot of extra functions. An organizer with attitude.

Or should it have a nice name? Like Laptop is from Lap, because it’s on the top of your lap right ? Because the Desktop is on top of your desk… So uhm… HandTop ? ( Hmm… that would make an mp3 player a Fingertop than…) Yeah I like that. Handtop. Or TipTop… as we say in Holland when ‘it’s okay’ ?

The TipTop is slightly bigger than the sketchbook but smaller (and lighter) than an ordinary dictionary

So, tiptop in everybody’s head, we went over from the introduction of C&P-D to the assignments we are supposed to fulfill the next days, weeks, months. As we are human beings with ideas and concepts which we are faced with every day, every week, every month, until we die.