Digital Dumbo

Smart man.

Beautiful elegance here.

Meta Mirror

So, what is it??

Meta-Mirror is a concept application that delivers an enhanced television experience without disrupting the conventional expectations of home entertainment. It allows viewers to access content relevant to the program currently being viewed.

The product is a software platform which runs on a secondary device of the users choice, displaying this contextual content over a mirror of the television broadcast. By bringing together live television, real-time contextual information and an intuitive user interface, Meta Mirror is positioned to update television from uni-directional broadcast to two-way interaction. Three scenarios explain how this can happen:

For sports the main screen is dedicated to the game/match in question. Real time statistics of the game, together with twitter updates and other scores of the viewers choice are all overlayed on the device running MetaMirror. In addition, new forms of online betting / merchandising / purchasing are enabled.

In lifestyle programming tagged objects, in this case ingredients, become clickable. This in combination with 3rd party supermarket plugins makes putting together shopping baskets simple.

Music broadcasts are enriched by track names, album details and further artist information. Direct links to iTunes, Ticketmaster, Wikipedia and broadcasters music websites allow viewers to delve further into the music on screen. As smart object recognition becomes more commonplace, instruments are tagged automatically.

Why?

Meta Mirror’s innovation is in bringing together as yet unconnected facets of our digital content experience. It creates a contextual access point to web data from TV viewing. No one has created a meta overlay on a live program on a separate device. There is further innovation in how it delivers the experience to the user. By using a secondary device, Meta Mirror does not clutter the primary screen and enables personalized interaction with the service.

Future?

The immediate enhancements are obvious. A wealth of related content is brought closer to users, who are otherwise trawling online in a manner which is influenced by television, but still fundamentally disconnected. At the same time the primary viewing experience is refreshed, cleared from on-screen clutter. As we mentioned already, the traditionally uni-directional activity of watching TV is suddenly much more interactive.

Alongside these immediate user benefits is a wealth of potential for 3rd parties, advertisers and service providers. As Youtube continues to implement pre-roll ads it begs the question, is this traditional disruptive advertising technique still relevant to on-demand video services? Or more to the point – why are we trying to marry old disciplines with new technology?

MetaMirror has the potential to combine tagged video objects with new forms of advertising, generating revenue for 3rd parties in a way which is more attractive to viewers and altogether more seamless. We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, but surely this is next-generation television marketing?

Conclusion

For all the developments in TV technology from HD to IPTV the industry seems myopic. It believes that bringing the power of the web to TV means the abilty to search for more content.

Meta-Mirror is a concept based on joining the dots between the organic way in which television-watching behaviors have developed, and the technologies which are permeating the industry. It challenges the status quo of traditional television advertising, creating new opportunities for next-generation product placement and targeted, relevant marketing. At the same time it enriches the viewers experience of watching TV. Overall, it enhances rather than interrupts.

If you would like to know more of the story behind MetaMirror, feel free to get in touch, or leave a comment below.

Absolutely love this idea.

Fantastic presentation.

I’ve just been called a douche on Twitter (http://twitter.com/andrewmackenzie/status/18553562836) for not specifically mentioning the Old Spice art director and copywriter in an article that was written here: http://www.fastcompany.com/1670314/old-spice-youtube-videos-wieden.
I know I’m not supposed to rise to things like this on the Internet. It’s rule one, on page one, chapter one of Social Media 101. But I hate it when I get called a douche. Because my mother says I’m not. And I trust her.

But at the same time I also feel bad if people think the team aren’t getting the props that they deserve – for they deserve many more props than I am able to proffer. The art director, copywriter, creative directors, crew and Isaiah are tirelessly turning out amazing / hilarious / surprising / fresh videos time after time. World class humour at a pace that defies belief. Without this content there would be nothing. No responses. Nothing to put on the Internet. Literally a void of nothingness.
If you want to find out more about the team who’ve managed to write nearly 200 ads in 48 hours – they’re mostly listed here: http://www.canneslions.com/work/film/ – and if you want to see and hear 2 of them, there’s an interview with Eric and Craig on YouTube here (link kindly supplied by Mr Douche-Caller).

Their contribution is as unquestionable as Isaiah and his towel. I had assumed that would have come through loud and clear.

But aside from the creatives, the crew and the performer, this seemingly ‘simple’ thing is the product of a team of people who came together in a way that I’ve personally never witnessed before. The social media guys who figured out the who and where, spotting the opportunities, pulling out the gems and putting them cleverly back into the world. The tech guys who pulled together a super smart workflow system which underpinned this production. The editors who edited all that stuff as it happened. All the people around the set. The account people. Planners. Media folk. PR. All working in real time to produce and distribute internet-primed content of amazing quality. And you’d imagine that this kind of thing would require a great producer to pull off. And you’d be right.

And of course it’d be impossible to talk about this without mentioning P&G. Without a client brave enough to work in this kind of compressed time frame again there would be nothing. That relationship of trust and understanding has been built up over time by a team of people working here at W K and P&G, turning out great work and learning from it every step of the way. Something I’ve been 100% uninvolved with until now.

I could ramble on about this thing all day, but I’m not going to.

This was an amazing team that had a lot of fun doing something that I felt honoured and privileged to be a part of. And it seems like other people are enjoying it too. Which is nice.

If that makes me a douche. I’ll take the hit.

//////////////////////

Really dig this post. Great words Iain!

Thanks to the modern console, arcade games will never hold as large a place in gaming as they did in the 1970s and 1980s.

But there is some good news for reto-gaming fans, as many arcade classics are now available in the App Store (

) just waiting for you to download. Here are five awesome games that have made the leap from coin-operated arcade machine to your iPhone’s screen.

So limber up your thumbs and let us know your favorites in the comments below.

1. Pang: Pocket Pong

 

 

The Atari classic arcade game Pong, is undoubtedly the seminal title in the modern computer game industry. While it might be hard to believe now, back in the mid-70s, a home Pong console was the modern-day equivalent of having a PS3 hooked up to your television. Being the only game on the market at the time made it an obvious success, but the game itself is surprisingly addictive.

No “official” Pong app exists, but this version is pretty faithful to the early versions of the game, complete with authentic sound effects. There are several modes of play, which include the classic two-player action, player versus computer mode, and “rebound” in which you rally against the “wall.” There’s also a kind of volleyball variant if you want to mix it up.

Available as Separate iPad App? No
Cost: $0.99

2. Space Invaders

 

 

Despite the price tag, this is a must-have app for true fans of the original arcade game. There are three different options for controls — tricky tilt controls, drag controls and the easiest arrows method — as well as the ability to customize the screen, although you may prefer the simple “color” option over other more convoluted choices.

This app is from Taito, the game’s original developers, and one nice touch is the inclusion of a gallery of rare artwork and materials from the game’s development. Whether you can remember playing Space Invaders in an arcade, or you’re just curious about the game rumored to have lead to a shortage of 100-yen coins in Japan, then this is the app to opt for.

Available as Separate iPad App? No
Cost: $4.99

3. PAC-MAN

 

 

Namco has brought back Blinky, Pinky, Inky and Clyde, and the eponymous hero for the iPhone with this excellent mobile version of the vintage gaming giant. Play the “Lite” version (just the first level) for fork out the cash, and you can gobble dots and eat ghosts to your heart’s content.

Like other arcade games ported to the iPhone platform, you get a choice of controls, as well as the choice of your own music from your iPhone that you can select to play. Download this app on the game’s 30th anniversary and you’ll still be playing it in years to come.

Available as Separate iPad App? Yes
Cost: $4.99

 

5. Original Duck Hunt

Despite Nintendo’s dominance in the history of gaming, because they’re a rival to Apple as far as hand held games go, they haven’t been very keen to develop for the platform, meaning a severe lack of vintage Nintendo titles are available on the mobile platform.

So far its existence has escaped the glare of Nintendo’s legal department, so this app is perfect for those nostalgic for Nintendo’s golden days of gaming. You may think Duck Hunt just won’t be the same without a bright orange NES Zapper, but it’s worth giving the game a “shot” on a touchscreen.

The colorful 8-bit graphics and fun sound effects will have you reminiscing about the 80s in no time, while the gameplay is faithful as far as the one duck/two duck options go, and that adorably frustrating pooch giggling if you miss, or retrieving if you don’t. Unfortunately, the clay pigeon shooting option has not been ported.

Available as Separate iPad App? No
Cost: $0.99

ClickZ News Cannes Lions

Public Social Experiments Abound in Cannes This Week

By Zachary Rodgers, ClickZ, Jun 21, 2010

Cannes, France-- It wouldn't be a proper festival without a few spectacles now, would it?

For the 57th return of Cannes Lions, a number of agencies have built real-time games and social media experiments designed to distract, amuse, and possibly even be of use to ad creatives as they make their way around the city this week.

SapientNitro: "Marco Polo"

SapientNitro has conceived a utility - or is it a game? - that lets attendees broadcast their whereabouts and get tips about what's happening nearby. In the process they'll hunt down a mysterious character and compete to win an iPad.

Those who want in must first follow @SapientNitro on Twitter and enable "locations" on their account. They can then tweet an @reply greeting or photo to that account with the #marco hashtag, which will communicate their location and desire for information to the agency's Twitter bot.

In reply they'll receive a link with the #polo" hashtag and a map of nearby "hotspots," some pre-selected by SapientNitro and others based on buzz and human density in the area.

In the tradition of other location-based tools (Foursquare, Dodgeball), the agency has named its Cannes experience after a classic children's game - and indeed a gaming element is a central component of the Marco Polo service.

The agency will deploy an elusive persona, the mustachioed "Marco" (a SapientNitro staffer or combination of staffers), who will wander around town. Participants who pass close to him will receive a direct message telling them how far away he is. Others playing the game will also be able to see his whereabouts, which could set off an interesting chase on the streets of Cannes.

Why did SapientNitro opt to use Twitter as the platform for its "Marco Polo" experiment, as opposed to hot geo-location platform Foursquare? Head of social marketing Nathaniel Perez said the agency surveyed Foursquare's adoption in and around Cannes and found little activity. A bigger factor was Twitter's substantial reach and familiarity.

"People are very comfortable with Twitter already," he said. "There's a million users on Foursquare - not a lot - whereas Twitter is extremely viral because of its openness."

On Friday, SapientNitro will host a session to talk about the game and give iPads to a handful of participants who managed to catch "Marco."

Leo Burnett: "David on Demand"

In a case of Justin.TV meets fraternity hazing, Leo Burnett recruiter David Perez has shipped off to Cannes with orders to, well, take orders. The "David on Demand" experiment kicks off today, when Perez dons a pair of webcam equipped glasses and begins live streaming his experience at DavidOnDemand.com. The social aspect comes into play on Twitter, where Perez will obey the whims of his followers. Whether you want to make Perez streak during Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg's Wednesday session or just tell him to eat a Croque-Monsieur on Le Croissette, place your order through @davidondemand.

The project was created by Leo Burnett and Arc Worldwide with help from Justin.tv, Tool, LiveU and Optimus.

Hill & Knowlton: Improv Everywhere

Charlie Todd, the founder of prank comedy troupe Improv Everywhere, will make an appearance at Cannes this year in a session led by Hill & Knowlton. Details are sparse, but whatever they have planned will culminate in a "live group action" on the streets of Cannes.

Improv Everywhere is behind such recent stunts as the public reenactment of the iconic library scene from "Ghostbusters," the tormenting of Best Buy employees, and a series of pantsless group subway rides.

Porter Novelli: Cannes Buzz Reports

Finally, in conjunction with video content and ad startup Mofilm, Porter Novelli is hosting a "social media hub" at the Palais des Festivals where the agency will analyze and publish online buzz coming out of Cannes. You can track festival buzz on Porter Novelli's Twitter account or by following the hashtag #pncannes.

Speaking of hashtags, Twitter's now-familiar conversation-flagging protocol is already proving to be a big phenomenon this year. In addition to Porter Novelli's #pncannes and SapientNitro's #marco hashtags, the Cyber Lions jury has for days engaged in a lively twitter discussion using the tag #cyberjury. Other examples include #askBenandJeff, for questions directed to Jeff Goodby and Ben Stiller during one of the week's celebrity sessions, and of course festival-wide catch-all, #CannesLions.

Follow Zachary Rodgers on Twitter at @zachrodgers.

USA 1950 T-Shirt

We'll take our goals any way we can get 'em. Get your couch kit ready for the next game by ordering this USA 1950 T-Shirt ($20). It pays homage to the jerseys worn in the classic 1950 England vs. USA game. But the real question is, who pays England's keeper for letting that mufftastic Dempsey goal squirt through?

@DONNIS is back with a new mixtape, it is sick. Get that shit, right now.