iPhone Music Video

The iPhone has innovated many things in our lives - where you access your email, how you interact with the world (opening up access to Scoail Networks etc.) and completely revolutionising the idea of mobile applications. So the question is, is there anything left for the iPhone to conquere?

Well apparently there is. With the release of the iPhone 3GS (which allows 30sec video capture) there has been a momumental increase of UGC video content online, and in particular on YouTube (400% per day since launch according to YouTube). Mostly it's the regular kind of stuff you'd expect - parties and other social occasions, sporting events etc. However a group of filmmakers at Showdown Productions LLC have gone a step further. They recently completed the first music video shot entirely on an iPhone.

It may not have the creative flair seen with the most recent Fight Like Apes video, but it's worth a look.



Source: PSFK and Claire

Augmented Reality: ID

These is one of the funkiest uses of Augmented Reality that I've come across. Imagine being able to combine all your Social Media profiles into a single "profile" that is, you. Pick and choose what information you want displayed based on what you're doing - in work, out at a club, whatever.

This is exactly what the guys at The Astonishing Tribe are currently working on. Following on from some brilliant stuff like their G1 user interface and impressive 3D eye-tracking concept, they are now in full swing to get the Augmented ID up and running. The augmented reality app will utilise facial recognition software to allow people to view your profile around you. By simply viewing someone through the app on your phone you will be shown their pre-selected info and social networking links hovering around them.

Facebook Fan Box

Last Monday Facebook launched Facebook Fan Box. This handy little widget allows you to bring your Facebook page out of Facebook and onto your website. Instead of the usual 'Follow Us' link or button, you can now stream your Facebook activity straight to your site. This will include your most recent posts, a list of your fans, and, perhaps most conveniently, a button to become a fan without having to go anywhere else.

Fan Box utilises Facebook Connect and is extremely simple to add. Just go to your Facebook page, immediately below your page's profile picture you will see a new button. One click and a handy creation wizard will launch.

The main advantages of implementing the widget are to allow fan recruitment in a more direct and engaging way directly from your site, while remaining in complete control of the content provided (content can be customised by the administrator). However the biggest advantage is that anyone has access to the embed code, and can add a Fan Box to their own site. The potential for pushing out content to the net is dramatically increased. There's also a knock-on effect of increasing linking, and therefore increasing page rank potential.

Good examples of pages using the Fan Box include:

• Threadless
  
• Coca-Cola
• World Wildlife Fund
• Lance Armstrong/Livestrong
• Kings of Leon

Complaining Web2.0 Style

Back in 2008, the band Sons of Maxwell were on their way to Nebraska for the start of a one-week tour. They were flying via Chicago's O'Hare airport and while sitting on the runway waiting to depart O'Hare a number of people on the plane commented that the United Airlines baggage handlers were throwing around a guitar. Dave Carroll, lead singer of Sons of Maxwell realised that it was his own Taylor guitar. Dave would later discover that the handlers had caused $3500 worth of damage.

United Airlines didn't deny what had happened but for the next 9 months Dave got passed from employee to employee, each of whom just failed to take any responsibility for dealing with the damage. Dave was finally told that United Airlines would offered the singer a $1,200 flight voucher to cover the costs for his guitar repair, as he had not followed the correct complaints procedure.

Feeling that there was nothing that Dave could do, he told the last person who gave him this news that he planned on writing and producing 3 songs about the experience. He also promised to create videos for each song that would be posted online for everyone to see. Below is Sons of Maxwell's first of these songs, simply titled 'United: Song 1'. The second song, 'United: Song 2' has been written and the video production is currently under way.The third song will follow soon.

'United: Song 1' was posted on YouTube 5 days ago on the 6th of July. In that short space of time the video has already received over 2 million views.

In light of this, United Airlines was forced to apologise to Dave and the band. The airline issued a statement via Twitter, saying: "This has struck a chord [with] us and we've contacted him directly to make it right."

In true internet brilliance, the 'United: Song 1' video now ranks number 2 in Google for searches on "United Airlines" and number 4 for searches on "Taylor guitar".

You can follow Dave on Twitter and read the full story of what happened on Dave's website.

Office 2010: The Movie

In the lead up to the release of Microsoft's Office 2010, their marketing campaign has gone into full swing with the unveiling of a campaign microsite (with blog), YouTube channel and newly created video content, including the below 'spoof' movie trailer.

As a whole the campaign doesn't strike me as being particularly innovative or well thought out. The blog is flat and technical. Site navigation is sticky and clumsy. For a product that must have millions at its disposal, Microsoft have failed to do anything special here. The video content sits in isolation with no other attempt made to draw viewers in. No ARG, no onsite treasure hunt, no supporting channels at all - at least none that are being used to any effect. The site does offer 'Share Links' and a link to the products Facebook page, where you can become a fan. But why would you?

The Facebook page currently has just under five and a half thousand fans, and offers such great status updates as, "New work out -- please spread the word!"

Unsurprisingly, that particular update is met with responses such as "what new work???" and "f?ck you". The fact that this hasn't been removed is further indication of a lack of commitment and moderation.

Still, perhaps I'm being too critical? The video does have high production value.