Cameras That Make People Smile

Cameras That Make People Smile

A cute example of product innovation based on a cultural insight: a Pez dispenser attached to the camera's hot-shoe makes "picture-takees" produce a more organic smile than having them say cheese (via BoingBoing). Expect a new wave of cameras with red-eye reduction and smile-enhancing features.

One of my most vivid memories from a trip to the Magic Kingdom are Kodak's Picture Spot signs (this picture is someone else's). Wonder why there aren't more of those around the landmarks in tourist destinations. Our office is right next to the Trinity Church, a textbook tourist attraction in Boston. The tourists' picture-taking ritual is rather complex and, I think, culture-dependent.
Tourists at Times Sq. And this is the picture that started it all.

Assorted Goodies

Assorted Goodies

Speakers made in the shape of little Heineken crates.

MissionStatements.com -- a repository of corporate wisdom. Have to write one yourself? Use this handy mission statement generator to land something like: "We are committed to expanding the highest quality personal gain by quality solutions and opportunities from the lowest level."

FanLib.com -- a social network for fan fiction writers.

ModelsHotel.com -- a social network for professional models.



How to make a pop-up picture.

An entire blog on digital signage. They say 3D displays are not quite there yet.

The Speckies -- an award show for ads that weren't.



And a gallery of ad parodies.

Fruit-picking robots could replace the dwindling immigrant labor in the US.

A DVD with Jackass-like stunts comes together with a barf bag. (See a video game advertised on an airplane sickness bag, too).

A Google Spreadsheet doc by Silicon Alley Insider speculating about YouTube ad revenues.

Create your own iPhone ringtones in three easy steps.