I was stuck for a couple of extra hours at the airport in Dulles and I noticed this amazing visualization of the Internet from AT&T Labs and a company called "Lumeta". Yes, I know these have been done before, but rarely with any sense of aesthetics in mind. Alas, some extensive searching revealed no aditional information on this monstrosity (it is rather large). It is one of those things you'd really like to get a copy of, but for some reason, a company smart enough to map the Internet is not smart enough to put an URL on the poster to follow up on their creation. Something this cool deserved a "How We Did It" type of explanation somewhere. Oh well. If you are in Dulles or Reagan airports, be sure to check it out. It color codes major nodes and networks, and that faint gray "haze" is actually thousands of labels for major servers in the network. A great marriage of science and design.

And apologies for the quality of the picture. It was taken with my phone.

I love this. OK, twitter was having some problems, but look how they handled it! An illustrator worked with a developer to make sure that this, in itself, was not a total bummer to the consumer. Really nice wacky brand experience.

Next time you're thinking about the drudgery of error handling, think about your audience: cold, confused and alone with an ERROR screen confronting them... Many are sure that whatever just broke was their fault. Then think of this ... whale, being lifted effortlessly over the waves. Not only is this feedback from the site on what is hapening, it is an extremely polite way of saying we did not properly plan load capacity and messed up--please come back later.

The opportunity to surprise and delight an audience is everywhere! Even, and maybe especially, in the areas of weakness. Sounds like a zen proverb, but it's all about the details.

For those of us that think visually and like to click on pictures (ok, that's most of us btw), PicLens is a pretty amazing app that brings the Web to life as a visual medium. Just download the extension and PicLens turns image and video feeds from top sources into an interactive "wall of media" that animates smoothly across your screen. So smoothly, in fact, that you may actually get motion sickness playing with it (like I did).

Like most interactive things it really has to be experienced to be appreciated. If you have ever felt that image or video search should be more compelling than this one is certainly for you. I recommend everyone on my team try it out. Though if you haven't wanted a more visual, interactive Internet than this plug-in will probably go into the "cool things" bookmark graveyard you never go back to visit. I do believe the new "Shop Amazon" feature is a stretch though.

Speaking as the General Manager of PIXCETERA, this one is a tough act to follow I must admit.

Another company with a name that looks like a typo.

Apture is a killer new publishing application that lets you hook interactive multi-media modules from the Web onto your editorial. It has to be experienced to be really understood, so, for example, if you were writing a blogpost on the Aurora Borealis and wanted to provide definitions, pictures, and video from top sources like Wikipedia and YouTube, you could do so with just a couple of clicks. And then your audience gets to experience multi-media and related content on your website.

It's rare I say "wow" these days since I'm steeped in the Web all the time, but I have to say that this particular capability is stunning in its implications. Now ANYONE can have a site that is supported by some of the Web's top content providers (the Web 2.0 ones, that is).

Here are some examples of media stitched into a sentence (overdone for effect):
"The Summer's reigning blockbuster is still Iron Man, with Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull hot on it's heels. Me, I'm now rooting for The Incredible Hulk. And Will Smith's Hancock has yet to take a bow."

OK, the sentence is bad, but the multimedia in-page is really differentiating. Only real flaw is if there is no great content on any of those properties accessible within the application. For this type of interactive plug-and-play experience I can sure live with that.

Well, considering that that experience has little to do with words, I'll just say "check it out"...



But, if you like to read, the site says: "VUVOX is excited about the coming introduction of a new personal expression platform - called COLLAGE. This dynamic media creation suite will enable everyone to easily turn their photos, videos, text and audio clips into interactive story panoramas." At last someone finally built one of those. Been waiting... Thanks to Jonathan Meyers for the tip.

Qualifier: I'm sure this discussion has been going on in AOL for years, but, being enmeshed in our Games world, I've never heard it. So pardon me if I tread old ground. I know there have been products (AimSpaces) and features (AIM's "Enter a status message here...") that have spoken to the issue, but I feel like they're steps in a direction instead of an enthusiastic sprint to the finish. So I'm using controlshift to throw in my 2 cents (1 cent adjusted for inflation).

I think Digsby is a little window into what is coming, and, ironically, what AOL has been well-positioned to do for a long time. The app's astounding out-of-the-gate popularity is a flare we should heed, especially with Bebo in our immediate future.

What is Digsby and why should we care?

I am sooooo tired of my mouse. Move-click-move-click-move-click-move-click-click-move. We've been using mice for almost 25 years now while movies like Minority Report have shown us a glimpse of a future where all you have to do is wave your hands around a bit to get the job done (OK, you also have to live with Tom Cruze in a distopian future (OK, some might argue that we already are living with Tom Cruze in a distopian future)). Yes, there are some extremely big expensive systems thate promise to do some cool things, but we need something cheap and portable.

The portfolio for Publicis & Hal Riney are taking us into the future with a Flash site that allows you to navigate with hand gestures using your Web cam. Just move your hand over certain "hot spots" in front of your computer (shown in a handy mini-window on the bottom right of the screen) and you can move around their portfolio to see their ideas, news, and examples of their work. It may not be replacing your mouse anytime soon, but it's still pretty cool.

As I have mentioned in these posts before, the intersection of graphic design and music has probably had the largest influence on me over the years. I was pleased to find this countdown on Spinner this weekend. I have to say they did a pretty good job! Check it out.

Note: all times AM PST

9:13

Starts with new I'm a Mac ad. "2008: The YEar of the PC" Just gonna' copy everything you did in 2007.

9:14

Steve walks on the stage "There's something in the Air today". Look back to 2007.

9:15

2007 Review. Steve says a big "Thank you".

5 million copies of Leopard. 20% of install base

4 things to report.

9:16

Press quotes on how great Leopard is.

9:17

Office for Mac being released native on Intel.

9:18

Item 1 - Time capsule. Back up device for laptops (and desktops).

Harddrive with wireless networking built in. 500GB drive ($299) and 1TB drive ($499).

ships Feb.

9:20

Time Machine ad "I'm a Mac" ad. Very funny. Also shows a new Keynote transition.

9:21

Item 2- iPhone - 4mill sold. 19.5% market share of smartphone in first 90 days, second only to RIM (39%).

9:23

SDK for iPhone

new features on iPhone: Maps with location. Webclips (make widgettes from parts of a Web page), Customize multiple home screens. Multiple SMS. Chaptering of videos. Lyrics support.

9:24

Demos new iPhone features.

9:28

Demos Web Clips.

Can add Web links directly to main iPhone screen.

Can auto zoom to a part of the Web page.

9:30

Can repositions icons on main screen(s). icons start to "jiggle" letting you know they are ready to be moved. Can create up to 9 different pages for storing Web pages.

Free iphone software update.

9:33

iPod Touch - Adding apps Mail, Maps, stocks, notes and weather PLUS the new iPhone features.

Comes on all new Touches or $20 update cost for current.

9:35

iTunes - Sold 4 billionth song. sold 20 million on christmas day. 125 Million TV shows.

9:36

Item 3 - iTunes move rentals - new section in iTunes. Touchstone, Mirmax, MGM, Lionsgate, Newline Ciniema PLUS Fox WB Walt Diney Paramount, Universal , and SOny. every major studio.

9:38

Will have all of the first run films plus large library.

Launch with 1000 films by end of February.

New films avail. 30 days after DVD release.

Can watch on Computers and iphones.

Starts within 30 seconds of pushing button.

30 days to watch MUST watch within 24 hours of first starting.

9:40

New movies $3.99 Library Movies $2.99.

Can move movie around between devices during watch period.

9:41

Launches today.

New iTunes update.

9:42

But, how to get movies on to your HD TV.

Steve admits that everyone has missed (even apple).

9:43

Apple TV Take 2 - NO COMPUTER REQUIRED.

9:44

Can rent movies in DVD quality or HD quality Dolby 5.1. Can view Podcasts. Can view photos directly from Flickr and .MAC

9:45

Can view all YouTube videos.

9:46

HD rental costs $1 more ($4.99 and $3.99).

100 titles to start with.

All streaming so does not take up harddrive space.

9:47

New interface centered around the movie experience.

9:48

free previews.

9:49

Shows HD Movie of "Live Free or Die Harder"

9:52

Buy Movies, TV, Music on Apple TV and will automatically synch with Mac or PC computer.

Can rent movies.

9:53

Podcasts also available streaming.

9:55

Photos from .Mac. Not saved on harddrive so not taking up space.

9:56

Photos from Flickr. Can surf around photos and friends photos.

9:58

Glitch in showing Flickr friends photos.

Steve tells us Flickr not serving up the photos.

10:00

Free software upgrade for existing owners. $299 price current -

NEW price $229 ($70 less).

Ships in two weeks.

10:02

Steve Introduces Jim Gianopulos, Chaiarman & CEO of 20th Century fox.

Talks about people wanting easy access to good movies.

Shows Homer iPod hybrid ad (silhouette homer with donut instead of iPod).

10:06

From Jim - BlueRay disks will now include digital version for playing on iPods.

10:07

Item 4 - There's something in the air. New note book.

MacBook Air

10:08

MacBook Air - The worlds thinest notebook.

10:10

Reviews current laptops and their problesm.

Need to be thinner larger display, faster, and full keyboard.

Air will be .76 inches to .16 inches. Very thin. So thin it fits in an inter office envelope.

Pulls out interoffice envelope with a Air inside.

10:11

it's very thin.

Magnetic latch. 13.3 inch widescreen. LED backlit. Instant on. Built in iSight. Full size keyboard Bakcklit.

Trackpad has multi-touch gestures similar to iPhone.

10:15

1.8" hardrive - 80GB OR 64GB SSD

10:16

Intel Core 2 Duo - 1.6 Ghz or 1.8 Ghz. 60% smaller than standard 2 Duo on PCs

10:17

Steve Introduces Paul Otellini, CEO of intel.

Didn't think it was possible to shrink the Duo 2, but Apple challenged them.

10:19

Smaller power adaptor. Flip down door for jacks. Built in 802.11n Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR.

10:20

NO OPTICAL DRIVE.

Can buy external drive.

Steve thinks most people will not miss.

How to install software?

10:21

Remote Disc feature allows you to use any optical drive on other Macs or PCS to install software.

Can install wirelessly.

10:23

5 hours of Battery life!

10:24

Review 3lbs, 0.16 to 0.76" 13.3" display, Fullsize backlit keyboard, multi-touch gestures, iSight, 1.6 GHz Core Duo, 2GB memory, 80 GB HD or 64 GB SSD

$1799 - in two weeks

10:25

Shows new ad

10:26

New feature in demos - Environmental impact - Aluminum case, Mercury and arsenic free display glass, circuit boards BRC and PVC free. Retail packaging 56% less volume.

10:27

Reviews show and other 2008 announcements including NEW Mac Pro.

10:30

"Special Treat" Randy Newman performs. New song for Europeans about America and the theme song to Toy Story.

10:41

Steve says Thanks.

If you don't want to pour through my notes, here is a quick recaps of the top announcements from Steve Jobs Keynote at Macworld 2008.

1. Time Capsule - Wireless hard-drive in 500GB or 1TB formats. Allows computers (especially laptops) to use Time Machine without having a tethered external hard-drive.
   
2. iPhone and iTouch Updates - SDK (Software Developers Kit) released. New applications. GPS. Web clips, allows you to clip all or part of a Web page for quick updates. Multiple main screens. Multiple SMS. Video chaptering. iCons can now be moved around for custom layout.
   
3. iTunes and AppleTV Take 2 - New Movie rentals section with DVD ($2.99-$3.99) and HD quality ($3.99 - $4.99) movies. All major studios on-board. New movies available 30 days after DVD release. Apple TV has new interface and no longer requires a computer, but can hook directly to the Web. AppleTV price cut to $229.
   
4. MacBook Air - Ultra thin notebook with full size screen and keyboard. No optical drive (CD/DVD) but can use any desktops optical drive wirelessly. 1.6GHz, 2GB RAM, 80GB HD or 64GB SSD (Flash) HD. Built in 802.11n Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR. 5 Hour battery life.

Yes, it is that time of year when every agency tries to outdo each other with the ultimate Holiday card site. I am giving the award to RGA this year for this hilarious use of new Flash "Papervision 3D" technology. After Christmas R/GA can just change the subject to Cupid and have a huge hit on Valentine's day as well. You'll know what I mean after you send your loved one a personalized tattooed Santa card.

If you want to know more about "how they did that" you can check out this overview and tutorial by Paul Spitzer, an ActionScript Architect writing on the Adobe Developer site. He says, "With the introduction of a new 3D engine, Papervision 3D, the creative control you can exert over Flash video has gotten a whole lot wilder". Just when you thought video playback was becoming a stable and standard "viral play" implementation. This new wildcard will ultimately allow ads and other related video to be played on the surfaces WITHIN a video! Far out.

Our Key Experiences team is already thinking of ways to leverage this within our programming and interfaces in 2008. I can't wait to see what they come up with.

Whether or not you dig the music of pasty Icelanders Sigur Ros it is hard not to be stunned by the images of landscape and dreary still life worked into this fascinating concert movie trailer. The cinematography here is sublime (as is the music in my opinion). Find the biggest monitor you can and fire it up at HD (1080p) quality. Then crank the volume and prepare to soar. I never wanted to go to Iceland before now.

As far as the film itself: how often does Rotten Tomatoes show 100% compliance with the vision?

A map specialist who works in Illustrator and Photoshop, John Grimwade is the Director of Information Graphics at Conde Nast's Traveler and Portfolio magazines based in NY. I found this video interview with him quite interesting. Two thirds of the way in he starts to discuss the future of interactive graphics. I think he is right.

His personal website has a great collection of his work. I am always amazed by designers who can take impossible piles of data and turn it all into simple and cohesive information graphics. Bravo.

John really believes in the power of "a pencil" over processor-based technology. I tend to agree with him on that score as well.

He will be speaking at the VizThink Conference in January in San Francisco (tagline: "are you a visual thinker?"). This one sounds like a killer alternative to the 1000th Web 2.0 conference there. This is what the conference organizers have to say about him: "his speciality is wayfinding maps and diagrams: helping people navigate complex spaces." Perhaps I can commission him to do an info-mural of my life lately. Or perhaps we can ask him down to speak to us?

Leopard, Apple's latest operating system, is "nice" overall. I say that because it is in no way a critical upgrade. Yet there is a feature in Safari working in concert with the operating system that is pretty important in its implications. There is a "one-click" desktop widget maker built into the upper left navigation of the browser. You can "click and crop" any element from a web page to convert it into a living desktop widget instantly. It is that simple. In the screens below I made a digg feed desktop widget in, say, 5 seconds.

Step one: select your widget on the page. In this screen I have just finished clicking the little scissor icon in the upper left (it is now grayed out).


Step two: enjoy. It even applies some shading to make it visually feel like a custom app. Powerful idea.

They may be the drop-shadow of the Web 2.0 world, but the Wet Floor Reflection is still a pretty cool effect which helps any image pop-off the page. But creating them is a pain to do by hand, and beyond a lot of content creators pay-grade to produce. Enter Reflection.js, a tiny (5KB) JavaScript that will take any image you can throw at it and automatically create the Wet floor effect just by adding the class "reflect" to the image tag. You can play around with background colors, width, height, and opacity in real time. Very cool.