Thursday 29 November 2007

Not the Future Of Mobile

A week or so ago I went to the Future of Mobile conference at the IMAX. What are they going to do with the big IMAX screen, I wondered? My question was answered the moment I walked in the door - project PowerPoint slides onto it! Not a great start. I also switched on my Bluetooth to see what cunning little stunts they might play to prove the power of mobile. Needn't have bothered. Nothing. Despite this the day started quite well with some interesting facts. There are more people with access to the web via mobile than there are via desktop and in the developing world most peoples' first experience with the web will be on mobile. That makes mobile a big deal. We then heard that the big developments in mobile having been making the Razor pink and putting a powerful torch on phones sold in Africa! All day we were heard from people questioning where mobile is headed. It was just a shame nobody was prepared to guess at where that might be.

Cat of the moment


















The Persian cat by Hanoch Piven

Wednesday 14 November 2007

They're here to save the world and eat icecream

Climate Depression
It's the Climate Cops! Our new project for npower launched today. Singer and mother Sophie Ellis-Bextor, joined pupils from Thornhill Primary School in London, as part of the ‘npower Greener Schools Programme’ a five year initiative designed to make UK schools more sustainable.
climate-cops-home
This is the first site we have worked on that is be part of a school's curriculum.Pupils play three games to qualify as a cadet and then enter the hallowed 'Climate Cops Academy'. They can also visit the HQ to download wallpapers, wanted posters andyour cadet certificate when you complete the missions!
We wanted to make the three games fun to play, but also have an important energy saving message. In 'Whack-Attack' large stand-by buttons switch on and pop up randomly, and you must bash as many off in the time limit. 'Chase The Waster' is a two level sideways-scrolling racer. Catch the gas guzzling car on your solar-scooter... And save the polar bear, save the world! In 'Polar-Gotchi'.
The games were developed by educational game experts FutureLab in Brighton.

Look behind you!
"...Climate change is like, sooo not cool"

CLIMATE COPS IN THE NEWS!
‘Climate cops are fascist throwback’
Sophie Ellis-Baxtor 'moves and talks'
Marketing Week - Positives of Pester Power

Fangoria 2007

The last Fangoria arrived from space on the weekend. It was an instant classic. Instead of the usual in-your-face scare, it began in a small kitchen. An alien enthusiast (Jas) ushers us in and we gather around a laptop displaying realistic looking footage of UFO sightings. Safe so far... Then all hell breaks loose! The News reports go off air, coloured lights stream through the windows (very Close Encounters. Nice), our guide gets abducted, then so do we! Surrounded by these strange growling sounds...someone gets attacked with an electrical sphere...run...RUN!
The Flippers and Boob are taking a break, which more than likely means there'll be something twice as big next year!
Fangoria, you will be missed.









Kuato lives!

Tuesday 13 November 2007

Richard Medeley 2.0

"About Me: Just call me 'Mr. Fabulous'. No, seriously. I want to be known as 'Mr Fabulous' because I've yet to meet somebody half as brilliant as me.

The squish of mud between your toes; how would you live your life as a frog? I'd be the best amphibian in the animal kingdom. I'd be a prince among frogs..."

Wonderful shite.

(via - Keith Noble)

Wednesday 7 November 2007

Ever wondered who writes 'View Blog'?

Well, today it's been me. I've been writing the error messages and instructional copy for a large corporate site. I don't know what I've done in a previous life to deserve such a task , but whatever it was it must've been bad. I actually found myself trying to re-write 'send to a friend'. 'Send to someone you know who will enjoy this too' - too long. 'Send to a mate' - too matey. Clearly the task was getting to me. I began searching the web for a list of generic error messages. No luck. Suddenly it dawned on me. I was actually going to have to write these bloody things. Now it's all over, I've decided to start collecting these little messages. Things like: 'We were unable to accept your order as one or more of the fields has not been completed' This is a really useful one. I might collect them in a Panini Sticker Album type of way - got, got, need... Anyway, I've got some automated responses to write for a useful online tool...

The gift that keeps on giving

Mod Your Rod Our latest idea for Condom Essential Wear was a long time coming *fnar fnar*, and almost didn't make it! Originally called P*** My Rod, we partnered with a 'well known' music television channel. Unfortunately, its big US boss person pulled the plug on the project. Boooo!
After a few more changes (and recording a new track!) it's up and erect.

The site aims to change the preconception that teenagers think there is only one size of condom. To do this our sexy Mod Your Rod mechanic helps you build a replica (or in my case, fantasy) penis, then adorn it with accessories and one of the many condoms on offer. It doesn't end there! You can send your 'Rod' to a loved one or show it off in MySpace. Happy Modding.

Monday 5 November 2007