augmented reality and the bandwagon

22 Jun, 2009 • posts i've written • 2 comments

Lately, I’m hearing a lot of back and forth these days over Augmented Reality.

As it happens with technology, more evenly distributed tech (webcams and smartphones) has lead to a step forward (AR) which has lead to a rise in applications and adoption. Call it progress or call it a bandwagon, either way, we’re seeing some particularly smart uses of the technologies at hand.

When most people consider a bandwagon, they see two options: jump on or stay off, proselytize or condemn. Of course, this is a false dilemma.

The third option is to remain curious – and to use technology to serve a purpose. Most of us are talking to clients about the technology, and it’s up to us as intelligent thinkers to determine if AR really can serve a purpose for our client’s business. Disregard those that blow wind, listen to your own damn self.

But I will say this, ignoring and avoiding advances in technology, even those you may deem superfluous, is the quickest road to irrelevance. Technological literacy is a demand of our modern era; sussing out how things work is critical to understanding how things will change.

digital media isn’t mass media for cheap

09 Mar, 2009 • posts i've written • 2 comments

The truth is, most brands use the web in superficial ways. And our favorite place is becoming littered with pointless Facebook apps, ‘viral’ videos and widgets (whatever those are). Brands chase hits because they fundamentally ‘misunderestimate’ the power of this medium. They look for whatever sounds popular, hoping for rapid and mass adoption; the kind of curve they’re used to seeing through TV advertising.

Please drop me a comment below so I can discuss it in more detail.

And really, this deck is just an appetizer for Mike’s latest thoughts on desire paths. Give em both a read.