Where is the awesomeness?

September 12, 2012 2 Comments

Later today we will see the newest iPhone. We may see a new iPad Mini (although TechCrunch thinks we won’t). So why am I not more fired up? Following along with the liveblogs on Engadget or Gizmodo used to be one of my favorite ways to procrastinate at work. I used to tweet about everything they would say as it came out.

Maybe it’s because I know I won’t be getting the new phone (not up for an upgrade this round). Or maybe it’s because I know that no matter what they reveal tomorrow, it won’t be that much better than what I have right now. A slightly bigger screen? Cool, but not a game changer. LTE? faster would be nice, but not blowing my hair back. A better camera? A sharper screen? New dock connector? Please.

These are evolutions not revolutions.

A few years ago it felt like everything was getting awesomer every day. New apps were literally changing the way we live, new devices were radically blowing away their predecessor, and new websites were creating new forms of entertainment.

But now? Now everything feels very blah. Read TechCrunch and you see headline after headline about some new mobile CRM platform or yet another app to modify your photos. You see newer, sometimes better, versions of things we already have. Facebook is boring (although maybe that’s a reflection of my and my friends’ life stage).

Where is the awesomeness?

The digital toys and tech that used to get me so fired up has become a part of my everyday life and now I need more. It’s like a drug. I need another Uber. I need another Hulu. I need another first generation iPhone.

And yet, I don’t need “another” anything. I need a NEW. I need something I can’t even imagine.

Has the pace of innovation slowed? Have we mastered everything there is to master? Every so often someone comes out with a stupid prediction like that and quickly proved wrong. In the past, the technology itself was rapidly changing as we moved from analog to digital. But as digital technology evolved the revolutionary-ness of it slowed. Today’s computers aren’t that different from the first Macintosh. They’re faster, more powerful, have WAY more features. But if you brought someone from 1984 to 2012 and showed them a computer they could probably identify it. I doubt the same would hold true from the average person from 1964.

So what do we have to look forward to? What are you looking forward to most?

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The Future is Ours

June 26, 2012 1 Comment

This is awesome. Watch it full screen and crank up the volume.

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Avoiding dangerous neighborhoods

March 27, 2012 1 Comment

Switching agencies has forced me to change my business travel habits a little bit. Instead of frequent trips to NYC where I am chauffeured around in the finest taxis the city has to offer, I’ve been driving to more “local” clients. Local being Hartford, CT or Framingham, MA. And because these are not bustling metropolises (metropoli?) I’ve found myself spending a lot of time in Zipcars.

And because I have a terrible sense of direction, especially in places I have never been before, I have been relying on my GPS app on my phone. A Lot.

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Hot Tub Boat

March 1, 2012 Leave a comment

Not quite a crime machine, but still impressive.

Hot Tub Boat

Hot Tub Boat

The boat can accommodate up to six persons while underway, and eight at dockside.  It is powered by an almost silent electric motor at approximately 4 to 6 knots.

More from the manufacturer: HotTubBoats.com

 

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CES 2012 Video

January 23, 2012 4 Comments

Here’s a video recap of my trip to CES 2012. Enjoy!

And for more from my trip check out these other posts:

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CES Review: Recon Instruments MOD Goggles

January 12, 2012 5 Comments

On my first day at CES I saw these Recon Instruments MOD Live goggles and was instantly smitten. My buddy Ian thought so too and shot a quick video about them for the Weber Shandwick Social Studies blog. Check it out here:

 

And if you want some more of the MOD Live, here’s their official video:

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CES: Day 2

January 12, 2012 11 Comments

Another amazing day at CES. Although I have to say, the exhibits we saw yesterday weren’t quite as new/exciting/interesting as the first day, but still some great new tech.

The big hit of the day for me was LG. Having recently bought an LG LED TV I am a little biased. But they have so many great products coming out. From the world’s largest OLED TV, to amazing Cinema 3D displays, to innovative home appliances, like these vacuums and a cool fridge.

LG Vacuum

Similar to a Roomba, this robot vacuum keeps your house cleaning and doubles as a surveillance system you can monitor on the web or on your mobile device.

LG Canister Vacuum

This LG canister vacuum has "follow along" technology that self-propels the base to keep up with you as you clean. No pulling the base with you, it drives itself!

LG Refrigerator blast chiller

The blast chiller cabinet in this LG fridge sucks cold area from the freezer into a small box to rapidly chill a bottle of beer to 41 degrees (f) in just 4 minutes.

chair

The Emperor 200 chair/workstation has three screens that can raise and lower, creating a "cocoon" of productivity

Victorinox

Victorinox just released this thumb sized one terabyte solid-state drive today at CES. It has an e-ink display and biometric security. I have to disclose that they are a SapinetNitro client, but this is still awesome.

Electric Delorean

The all new electric DeLorean. So cool. Not loving the decals they stuck all over it, but it's still awesome.

Riding on a double decker bus

Matt and I riding the double-decker bus home from the convention center

Pedometer Day Two

8876 steps today, not bad. But not as good as yesterday.

That’s it for day two (actually there is a lot more, but you’ll have to wait for the video and/or accompanying presentation).

Also, I have to give a huge shoutout to the WordPress.com team for featuring Hot Tub Crime Machine on their “Freshly Pressed” section. I received almost 1000 visits to yesterday’s review of CES, setting a new record for the site. If you want to see that post, it’s here.

Update: Here are my highlights from CES Day 3 (and if you prefer video format, click here)

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CES: Day 1

January 11, 2012 59 Comments

Wow. All I can say is that CES is one of the coolest, most over-stimulating experiences I’ve ever had. Everywhere you look there are flashing screens, blinking lights, 3D displays, glossy, shiny, connected objects. I only made it through about 1.5 of the conference floors yesterday, so I have plenty more to explore today. I spent the first part of the day exploring the North Hall, which was mostly tech accessories, like iPhone cases, iPad screens, docks, speakers, etc. But they also had tons of gadgets like Zeo Sleep Manager and FitBit.

When I get back to Boston I’ll put together a real presentation about my experience here, but for now, I wanted to share a few pics. There will also be a movie, mostly starring me, and directed by the amazingly talented Matt Lindley.

Here’s what I loved yesterday (in no particular order):

smoking

While I don't believe that e-cigarettes are a good or safe alternative to smoking, the design of this device was pretty cool.

The great Zoltar

I wished to be big. I'll let you know if I turn into Tom Hanks tomorrow AM.

Sphero

Sphero is a remote control ball. I'm not kidding. It's going to be bigger than Google.

Solowheel

Solowheel is like a uni-Segway. It's awesome.

Samsung display

The centerpiece of the Samsung area was gorgeous. This picture doesn't do it justice.

Recon Instrument Goggles

Recon Instrument MOD Live Goggles with heads-up display and bluetooth. The coolest thing I saw at CES today.

Ferrari

Not sure which model this is. And pretty sure I don't care. It was GORGEOUS.

Escort Radar/Laser Detector's cloud service offering

The power of community at work. The first car to get hit with the laser reports to the cloud, cars behind get an update that a laser is active ahead. Genius. Assuming enough people have them.

Ian Cohen of Weber Shandwick

Got to see Ian do his thing.

United Healthcare Pedometer day 1

United Healthcare gave out pedometers. I didn't get mine until around 11am, but after that I walked about two miles today. Not too shabby.

More to come tomorrow…

Update: Here are my favorites from CES Day 2 and Day 3 (and if you prefer video format, click here)

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