Foursquare recently launched Swarm - an app that enables you to check in to places and see where your friends are checked in as well. Sounds kinda familiar, eh? As in, it sounds exactly like what Foursquare was originally designed to do but now they've spun Check-In's off into its own app. I imagine this is to focus the main Foursquare app on reviews and recommendations of places. I can understand the desire to focus but the split, for me, seems disjointed. Regardless, the new app is worth giving a spin.
Fred Wilson calls this split "App Constellations" - a myriad of disparate apps from one company that do very distinct things. Dropbox has a suite of apps, Google obviously does and now Foursquare. Curious trend to say the least!
For quite a few years now we've been hearing about how the Internet is heralding in a new era of original video content. Thus far, I haven't personally encountered much content that I've felt connected to but I think it is changing. Seeing the original Broad City shorts on Youtube certainly gives promise for future series.
But, for now, I'm rather intrigued by the original series that bigger companies are putting out exclusive online to see if they can build an audience. Comedy Central's Idiot Sitter is a solid example of this. Jillian Bell (Workaholic's) is hilarious and Charlotte Newhouse is new to me but certainly holds her own. AND because it's kind of an experiment, the episodes are shorts and the "seasons" emulate more of the British model - 6 episodes and they're done. If this is the future, I think I can get on board.
There's no shortage of highly effectivefilters to turn photos into 2-bit color creations but there's something alluring about the authenticity of these NYC photos taken with a Gameboy some 14 years ago. Faking an aesthetic is one thing but creating something compelling within serious limitations is a whole other. It's also worth noting that the photos are at 200% because the originals are tiny by our current standards.
The Double trailer - I've talked about my anticipation for this film before but I finally got to see it last night and am endorsing everyone see it if they get the chance. Richard Ayoade does a great job with his second film and Avi Korine (Harmony's brother) helped to write the script. Lots of talent all around.
Also be sure to watch Start Puffing Boy - a drugged out, bizarre cut of King of the Hill where Bobby tries smoking. It's a phenomenal, absurd, somewhat insane and creepy piece of work. The Internet needs more stuff like this.
This Coca-Cola promo site ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.com is, conceptually, absurd. You make a mixture of "fireworks" and release them from a bottle? Honestly, it's kind of dumb. BUT the animations, interactions and overall experience are pretty fun. Actually worth giving a spin one time over.
And then you click Menu and see an overwhelming amount of Episodes and Games developed by various artists. It's a major time suck but a solid way to waste a Friday.
Japanese culture is fascinating for a number of reasons - mostly because of stuff like this - but I'm adding "Adorable Mascot Overload" to the list as well. How I've gone this long without realizing that, as a culture, there's a huge collection of "Mascots" for just about everything is beyond me. This CNN article explains that it may becoming a bit overwhelming as a thing but have a look at this list of Mascots. It goes on forever and they're all ridiculous, adorable and sometimes even a little unsettling. The perfect combo.
The above video is a simple explanation of what Net Neutrality is and why it should be defended. At this point, you hopefully don't need any further education on the what and the why but, moreso, how we can all help. The FCC is voting today on a new proposal for net neutrality rules and if we can reclassify broadband internet as a Title II Common Carrier Telecommunications Service.
The folks at #StopTheSlowLane are asking everyone to rally around their hash tag and let the FCC know that the neutrality of Internet Broadband is crucial to healthy environment for innovation. It boggles my mind that this is a fight that even has to be had but here it is. I know petitions, FCC filings and hashtags seem like a silly way to be heard but it's better than doing absolutely nothing.
So, do all the reading and educating you need but please actually act on it.
I tend to post a lot of iOS-only undertakings here because I'm an iOS user but I can't speak ill of a solid Android offering when I see one. Such is the case with Pressy - an external "button" that triggers a handful of actions on your Android phone. Want to quickly take a photo - click Pressy once. Want to start the voice memo recorder? Click Pressy thrice. The intro video explains it all.
At first it seemed a little extreme to need such a device. Honestly, unlocking a phone and launching an app isn't that hard but you gotta give it to the Android crowd for making a device that gives them more options and potentially a lot more accessibility.
I tend to stray from lofty subject here on the blog but this Business Insider article really got to me recently and I can't seem to shake the concerns it brings up. As you may well know, the Supreme Court recently heard the case for Aereo, the TV retransmitting service that has the major networks up in arms. The argument is strikingly similar to the one made when cable TV first came about (at that time called CATV, see Fortnightly Corp v United Artist Television). Granted, this is different because of the profit involved but it's worth noting that new technology is usually upsetting to huge established corporations.
But that's not really the big concern at hand. The troubling matter is the level of ignorance from the Supreme Court justices (and, honestly, most lawmakers) about how technology works. "Ignorant" usually has a heavy negative connotation to it but, in this case, it's meant in its purest form - lack of knowledge, not ability to comprehend. The BI article above doesn't really get to much of the heart of the matter except for this one paragraph:
Some critics say the Supreme Court's apparent lack of awareness about the technology that increasingly permeates the lives of everyday Americans could have real consequences as the court grapples with such issues this term as maintaining privacy in the digital age, when software is eligible for patent protection, and the future of the TV industry.
That's a massive understatement but serves as the foundation for the concern. How do you find the balance between seasoned, experienced lawmaker and insightful, comprehending technologist? I refuse to believe it's simply a matter of asking young law clerks or "friends of the court" (likely lobbyists with their own interests).
In the end, I'm asking because I honestly want to know.
Take some time today to browse through the works of HR Giger. He passed away on May 13th but his legacy will, undoubtedly, influence artists of all kinds for longer than anyone can imagine. Just the fact that he designed the Alien from the Alien series is enough but his cover art is no small undertaking either. Long story short, if you aren't familiar with his style, get familiar.
I'm pretty intrigued by this Reinvent Hollywood Series that Ted Hope has put together. The topic is rather lofty but certainly worthy of a lot of discussion:
If we could redesign the film industry into the best possible system for artists, the audience and society at large, what would it look like?
The idea being that the existing industry has slowly grown and changed over time but technology has skyrocketed past it. If the slate could be wiped clean, how would the system operate now? Seems like he's got plenty of good thinkers on board to discuss the topic.
There's a skeptical part of me that thinks this might just be some lofty pitch for Fandor (Hope's fan film site) but I choose to believe that Hope is genuinely interested in stirring this conversation up.
Gotta admit it, I'm rather enjoying the offerings from this Mr. Show Show, an art exhibition at the Nerdist showroom in LA this May. Maybe it's a little overly nostalgic of me but I never felt Mr. Show got its proper due. It's great to see others appreciating these two or the Devastator. I'd like to see more of the Ghost of Mediocrity or the Monsters of Megaphone but all in due time, I'm sure. Follow the Tumblog!
The talented folks at Emma (the email marketing tool) recently relaunched their website. It's filled with clean layouts, great illustrations, effective photography and just an overall solid vibe. However, I must admit that I find their 404 Page to be the area that I've spent the most time on. A never ending loop of high-fives, arm wrestling, eyebrow dancing and ping pong are among the delights to be found. I highly suggest wasting some time there (after you've browsed the full site that is).
