This is just wooooowww!

Click & drag on the video & see the magic!!!

“By using a Google Streetview-like camera, a system with six lenses, not as a photo but as a video camera, an all-encompassing picture is captured. […]
From the point where the images were recorded, the viewer can look in any direction, let his eyes wander through the crowd, or stare at the ground or the air, which makes viewing a video an experience without boundaries.” – Yellow Bird press release

Innovative single-serve packaging

In Pack Expo 2008, Snapsil unveiled a innovative single-serve package that can also serve as an utensil! This is pretty cool stuff from the “ultimate serving solution provider”.

Snapsil is a fresh, innovative company focused upon the development of unique portion controlled serving solutions.  A Snapsil packaging solution integrates product storage within a highly functional utensil or applicator, combining packaging and portion serving into one eye catching branded pack. By combining both delivery and function into the one pack, precise portion delivery of powders, granules, creams or liquid products becomes a viable and convenient marketing alternative. Meeting consumers’ ever-growing desire for greater convenience and functionality, a Snapsil solution goes further by adding unparalleled convenience with high brand promotion values.

Snapsil goes on to enhance the benefits for the marketers by adding exclusivity to the partnership. “Not only can your company exploit the marketing benefits of Snapsil you can also be assured, that a raft of intellectual property protection including pending patents are there to protect your market leadership.”

While U.S. is known as the bulk buying destination, introducing single-serve packages in this recessionary period may be a good idea. Especially when families are cutting cost and buying only what is required.  This is truly amazing creation! Absolutely out there for marketers to make use of and create a distinct advantage by a simple integration of innovation in their packaging!

Recharge yourself and your car at McDonald’s!

McDonald’s will soon allow customers to drive in, hook up their car and go grab some food. On July 6, 2009 McDonald’s Cor poration  and NovaCharge, a leader in the deployment of EV charging infrastructure, announced the deployment of electric vehicle charging stations. McDonald’s will open the first “green” restaurant, built with eco-friendly materials and technologies, including ChargePoint™ Networked Charging Stations for electric vehicles, making it the first of its kind in the United States. Ric Richards, the independent owner of the McDonald’s, is building the new restaurant with eco-friendly materials and technologies.

“The networked grid-friendly charging stations are a perfect complement to the many innovative green features of the restaurant,” said Ric Richards, “Our customers will have a dedicated place to park and recharge their vehicles.  McDonalds is enabling a better environment for future generations by supporting zero-emissions transportation infrastructure, through the use of the ChargePoint Network.”

I simply love this! because I see great cross-marketing opportunities with this deployment.  Since EVs usually take longer period of time to recharge (say couple of hours?) McD’s can have  these EV owners as a captive audience to try out few menu items to pass some time till the vehicle is recharged! There may be potential to try out a loyalty program to redeem points for spending money of recharging or vice a versa. Opportunities may even emerge to make ‘the new green outlets more entertaining for the kids too’. I can surely see the future with this initiative. But I doubt the use of this deployment in current scenario. I believe it is still a long way ahead till Electric Vehicles become mainstream.

Here’s my entry for Future Lions – 2009.

View this document on Scribd

Brand: Nintendo Wii

I love this Green (pizza) Box!

According to PizzaDelivery, over 1 billion pizzas are delivered every year. A pizza delivery is not complete without the same old paper box. When I think about pizza box… environmental hazard, recycle, inconvenience, etc. comes to my mind.

So I wanted to come up with a novel idea of a pizza box that is Eco-friendly and very convenient. I thought how about a circles pizza box that can be cut in slices?. But before I go deeper, I wanted to understand types of pizza boxes available in the market currently. So I request loyal Google to search for “Green Pizza Boxes”. And what do I stumble upon! An amazing packaging concept that bowled me completely! It is Eco-friendly, convenient and smart!

I am talking about “The Green Box” developed by a New York based “Environmentally Conscious Organization, Inc.”. Here’s a video demonstration this brilliant packaging idea.

Even though the company tauts about the 100% recycled material & the ‘Green Factor’ I personally feel it is more about convenience than the ‘Green!’. If you remember, Pizza boxes are a huge pain… to fit them in trashcan is similar to mission impossible, refrigerators space do not gel well with the large pizza box, after the pizza is over the box just seems so annoying. Hence this “Green Box” may be absolutely green and help save the worlddddd. It still impresses my due to it’s immaculate versatility.

Smart perforation let's this box to be used as plates and also enables to store the remaining pizza in the smaller box!

This is how convenient it is!

Conclusion: This pizza box rocks!!! (because) it is Eco-friendly & it is super convenient (I love the Eco-friendly aspect, But I am still tilted towards the convenience factor).

What can ‘Robotic Distribution’ do for you?

Very recently I came across a great video about Kiva Systems’ – Robotic Distribution used by Zappos.com. By just the look of the massive store house it seemed like a preview to I,Robot, but as the video goes along I am amazed by the benefits of this Robotic Distribution. Here’s the video of this cool technology:

“It’s a major game-changer. There’s no question about that. You can increase productivity immensely,” said Michael Levans, editorial director for a group of supply-chain trade magazines like Logistics Management.”

This automation enables Zappos to process an order in 12 minutes! as compared to 40 (single order) -150 (multiple order) minutes earlier. Isn’t this amazing? The robots  don’t just add speed in processing, but they also save a ton of energy costs. There are entire sections of the warehouse that don’t need any lighting or climate control (because humans don’t go there). Accuracy is another added advantage!

Another interesting part about this automated adaptation is the reaction from the employees. They look so relieved by the arrival of Robots. Employee reaction is of utmost importance. Employee reaction is one of the most ignored part in the whole customer experience cycle. A firm must to put the same rigor in enhancing employee experience that they do to enhance customer experience. After all, employee is a (internal) customer to0.

Any advancement in operational automation tends to fail if they’re not fully accepted by the employees. I must say this investment definitely seems to have enhanced the experience of internal customers.

Apart from numerous benefits derived through this technology, one thing that I can take out of this is… For a real commitment to Customer Experience, a firm has to rethink the whole value proposition including the back-end operations! Kudos to @ZapposCEO, Gap and Staples who use autonomous robots to pluck products from their shelves and send them to you.

my Idea: Electronic Saplings

The future is here! Welcome to 2020

How does this work?

• These E-Saplings can be planted anywhere on the earth.
• E-Saplings are capable to generate electricity and provide power to the buildings & recharging Electric Vehicles (EVs).
• More you water it, more it grows. Bigger it gets, more electricty it generates!
• It can be planted alongside roads (like normal trees) to use it as a recharge station for EVs

How will the world benefit from this?

Electronic Saplings are invented with an aim to bring ecological harmony  in the world. E-Saplings will increase the proportion of greens  on the earth’s surface. Thus safeguarding  the environment & increasing the logitivity  of our planet!

Electronic Saplings by Anish Shah is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at interface.anish@gmail.com.

my Idea: A Bubble Wrap Stimulator

Definition of Bubble Wrap: A flexible plastic sheeting containing numerous small air pockets, used in cushioning items during shipment is called a  bubble wrap. But, for me & many others… Bubble Wrap is well-known for something else! it is a cool stress relief mechanism. The action of the popping, as well as the tactile response and associated noise made, is a widely known and widely used distraction and source of amusement for people of all ages.

Popping the bubbles has a cathartic effect: The point of popping bubble wrap is to pop all the bubbles. The satisfaction of knowing you are powerful against the weak plastic wrapping that cannot do anything against your torterous fingers. The achievement of expelling the trapped air in every single little pocket provdies a psychological relief & a feeling of rejuvnation

Complement to Bubble Wrap… is coffee, we drink coffee for its taste and the caffeine jolt. Not necessarily used only during stress, but it keeps us going. A New research is shedding light on the benefits of coffee aroma! According to a recent study, scent of coffee beans may stir your brain & give you the jolt needed to shake off sleep.

myIdea: A Bubble Wrap Stimulator

To easily present my idea, a bubble wrap with the air pockets filled with strong coffee aroma. The moment you ‘pop’ the  air pockets, the aroma of coffee is released instantaneously to help you loosen up your stress or shake you off sleep!

Scenario: You’re sitting in the office, stressed with how the week has gone. Stress or high dosage of caffeine may have left you sleep deprived. Just pull out a small sheet of ‘Bubble Wrap Stimulator’ from the cool  refillable container it comes with.

How will this work?

Opportunities for extension: This idea is specifically catered towards adults with stressful lifestyle. But, similar concept can be extended towards various segments of population by adding cool aromas of flower, fruits, etc.

I will be encouraged to hear your feedback

Bubble Wrap Stimulator by Anish Shah is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at interface.anish@gmail.com.

GE incorporates Augmented Reality in new advertising campaign for 2009

Just over a month ago I posted an article on Mini’s Augmented Reality Ad, now it seems GE has also joined the AR brigade along with Nissan, Volvo & Mini.

This film demonstrates how GE will leverage augmented reality technology to tell a story about Smart Grid.

This effort is a part of GE’s new advertising campaign called “NOW” to be launched during Super Bowl today on February 1, 2009. The theme of the campaign is “innovation you don’t have to wait for.” As per information on GE 2009 Advertising Overview, the campaign will incorporate three themes including ecomagination, healthcare and Global Research, with a key focus on Smart Grid technologies.. GE will use television, print, and digital mediums to tell this story:

Television – Super Bowl advertisement

• For the first time, GE will advertise on the Super Bowl with a 30-second ad called “Scarecrow” that focuses on Smart Grid technology
• Smart Grid is a vision for a smarter, more efficient, and sustainable electrical energy grid that GE technology is helping to bring to life and represents GE´s latest example of “ecomagination” at work
• The ad is a modern take on the classic song, “If I Only Had A Brain,” from the film The Wizard of Oz, imagining what can happen when old technologies have a brain and become smarter
• The ad is created by BBDO New York, GE´s long-time agency partner for more than 80 years
• The commercial was directed by Traktor and employs the latest computer and digital technology from Framestore
• The ad is scheduled to appear on US television networks including NBC, CNBC, MSNBC, CNN, Bravo, USA, SciFi, Comedy Central, Discovery and ESPN after the Super Bowl

Digital

• GE is incorporating breakthrough technology called augmented reality that will be featured on its new microsite – PlugIntoTheSmartGrid.com
• Augmented reality is technology that augments real-world elements with digital holograms, so consumers can see a digital hologram of Smart Grid technology come to life in their hands
• This is the first time that augmented reality technology has been used to interact with a consumer in an advertising effort
• Banner advertisements, print ads, and web films will drive consumers to the microsite to experience the augmented reality technology
• The digital campaign was created by Goodby, Silverstein & Partners

Print

• GE is launching an extensive global print and outdoor campaign
• Print and outdoor ads are focused on three areas:
  • Ecomagination: highlights GE´s renewable technologies
  • Healthcare: demonstrates how GE is providing worldwide healthcare solutions such as x-rays in China and ECG technology in rural India
  • Global Research: evaluates what the world needs and discusses how GE innovates solutions to redefine what´s possible
• The ads are created by BBDO New York and will run in publications such as the New York Times, Financial Times, Fortune, and Wired

Click on the image for a Sneak Peak of the commercial & brand’s integrated efforts to extend the Ecomagination campaign in 2009

Out of the world!!!

Great space management never seen anything like this!

JetBlue-JetPaws an Airline Travel Progam for our ‘four-legged friends’

Difficult time like this demands smart thinking for survival. I came across such smart thinking by JetBlue. The company recently launched a JetBlue’s exclusive Pet Program called JetPaws.

The program is designed to provide pets and their owners the tips and tools they need for a smooth trip from start to finish.

Some Features:

• Pet carrier bag tag – a bag tag will be attached to your pet carrier at check in to let everyone know your pet is ready to jet.
• Travel Petiquette™ – a handy list of JetBlue’s social graces of pet travel.
• TrueBlue® points – you’ll earn two TrueBlue points each way when traveling with your pet.
• JetPaws welcome email – once you book your pet, you will receive a welcome email with useful information such as next steps, Petiquette and travel tips.
• Free Pet Travel Guide – a useful, downloadable e-booklet featuring:The ins and outs of jetting with your pet from the moment you book your flight to your arrival at your final destination, Travel Petiquett & Pet-friendly hotels, restaurants and parks plus animal hospitals in some of JetBlue’s major cities

This is great stuff from JetBlue! I think they’ve hit a bullseye with this. People love Pets, Pets are like family members! and I am impressed to see JetBlue recognize this & put this insight to great use!!!

I’m really impressed by the manner they have extended this loyaty program. Travel products for Pets*, Photo content (up load a picture of your pet for the JetBlue Pet Look-Alike photo contest), Travel Points for Pets, Pet Travel Checklist, etc. In all looks like a great package bundled with lots of fun stuff, great information & more importantly relevant offerings…. With all this in sight I would love to sign up for their loyalty program.

“Travel Points for Pets sounds so coool!”

However, JetBlue has set some rules to make the experience for all travelers a smooth ride.

Here are some of the JetBlue limitations:

• JetBlue accepts up to four small cats or dogs in the cabin of the aircraft on both domestic and international flights.
• The combined weight of the pet and carrier may not exceed 20 pounds.
• Only one pet is allowed per customer and the pet carrier does count as one personal carry-on item.
• For the safety and comfort of all customers, pets must remain in the closed carrier at the airport and in-flight for the entire duration of the trip.

* Jet Blue is working with famous New York Post celebrity columnist Cindy Adams to design the Jet Paws travel carrier and ammenities kit.

MINI’s ad with Augmented Reality (AR) hits stands!

This super cool!!! New advertisement for MINI uses augmented reality (AR) technology to create a truly interactive media piece out of a 2-dimensional magazine ad.

Using AR tracking technology, as you hold the ad up to your computer’s webcam, you’ll see a 3-D model of a MINI Cabrio convertible that moves as you turn the sheet of paper around.

All you need is a copy of the ad, a webcam, and a web browser (sorry, Internet Explorer/ActiveX only) to view the 3-D AR effect.

The ad campaign was created by Munich, Germany agencies Buzzin Monkey and die agentour GmbH.

The ad appeared recently in three German automotive magazines: Auto, Motor und Sport, Werben & Verkaufen and Autobild, but…

See how it works right now you can print out a PDF of the ad and head on over to the MINI augmented reality web site to check it out for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.

[I am sure to try this as soon as I manage to take a print out of this ad! will post how it goes. If anyone one of you try this, I will be greatful if you can share your experience]

SPOILER ALERT: Just realized that Nissan Cube used AR technology before Mini (watch here)

Power-generating mat lets people produce electricity!

The power-generating mat is developed by Tokyo-based tech company Soundpower. This mat was placed right out Shibuya station in Tokyo’s Shibuya district, it is one of the most crowded areas in the world, particularly full with people due to Christmas.

This very special kind of mat is 45.5cm squared, made of piezoelectric material. The mat generates between 0.1 and 0.3W of electricity every time a person weighing 60kg steps on it twice. About 900,000 people pass by the area daily.

Watch the video by Mr. Toto.

Thanks for the video Mr. Toto!

WOW….. CNN reports elections via HOLOGRAM!!!

did you hear that? 3 weeks of set up & 35 HD cameras covering each & every angle of the body… it is indeed remarkable! That must have cost them a bomb. But, excites me to the core & is absolutely very interesting to see Holograms being used on Mass Network, just wondering if this trigger wil lead to something super cool. Lets wait & watch.

If you remember Nov 4′s CNN telecast, they even had a Virtual White House. I believe CNN is up to something big.

my Idea: A portable (desktop) Juicer

Background:

Fruit juice is best when freshly squeezed. It gives you a much greater supply of antioxidants, vitamin C, and other nutrients. Freshly squeezed juice tastes better too. But, if you don’t have the time to squeeze your own fresh fruit juice, you can buy canned fruit juice. A canned fruit juice tastes exactly like juice that has been heated, stuck in a tin can, and left for several months. It also turns out that mostly all the fruit juice available in the market comes with added sugar to make it sweeter. As if this were not bad enough, the canning process destroys many of the vitamins that make the juice healthy in the first place. You drink canned fruit juice thinking that they are drinking a healthier option. But, you don’t realize that in the hard economic condition you are giving away your hard earned money for a product that is pasteurized!

Pasteurizing is a process that makes foods stay fresh when they are put in cans, bottles, or cartons – destroyed many vitamins and minerals. All you are left with is the sugar, the water, and some fiber.

Need:

To maintain a healthier lifestyle, there is a high need for people to drink fresh juice.

Concept:

A new product innovation that enables fresh intake of fruit juice without wasting any time! A ready to go! Battery powered Mini juicer with USB Port & regular AC Adapter as attachments. Make juice anywhere you want, any time you want.

Target:

For the time starved, health minded people on the go! Be it students, super moms, travelling & had working professional. These are the people who understand the meaning of healthy drinking & realize the importance of fresh fruit in their daily food intake.

Details:

A compact 18 oz food juice thermos with daily intake marking for kids as suggested my Government Research (Age 06 – 6 years: 4‐6 oz, 7 years – 18 years: 8‐12 oz). Dent‐resistant stainless steel body. Compact juicer blade within the sound proof cap. The mini juicer comes with batteries & to enhance the mobility it has options to connect via USB port & regular AC adapters too! With this mini juicer, you put the fruit inside the cap & press the power button & carry it to your office, or drink it while you drive, or even while at work.

This super machine is handy, healthy, smart & cost efficient (as you don’t have to shell out your money to buy canned juice). One very important feature of this mini juicer is that it comes with a pre-installed ‘Calorie & Nutrition Manager’. This is small & effective software that acts as your calorie & nutrition manager.

Portable (desktop) Juicer

Press button to pull the container, insert the fruit. wait & watch the fruit to get sliced into the processor.

The moment processor stops, the outlet (like a camera shutter) opens up to allow pure juice to fall in the mug (pull the black processor out & enjoy the pure juice from the yellow container as shown in the sketch).

Stealth pen knife & fruit peeler, for people to cut or peel the skin from the fruit.

Representation drawing for ‘Calorie & Nutrition Manager’.

Disclaimer:

I would like to bring to your notice that, I am no engineer. Am just a keen brand management student who has tried to explain his idea in terms of drawings. I am still trying to refine this design in order to make it more practical. I will be glad to hear your comments on this idea. I hope you like my attempt to add more fruits into your life!

Updates:

(a) I spoke to few people in electrical engineering & it has been brought to my notice that, USB charging may not be a viable option. Hence in my refined design I will keep this in mind. (actually, I had thought about this, but then could not control my instincts to make this juicer a USB charge enabled )

(b) Many friends I shared this concept with were concerned about pulp. So my refined design will also incorporate ‘pulp extraction’ – anything for you my friends!

(keep giving me feedback!)

Portable (desktop) Juicer by Anish Shah is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at interface.anish@gmail.com.