Texting in Combat

It has certainly been awhile since my last post. Things have been rather busy these past few weeks, but here is an interesting article as we begin the Memorial Day weekend.
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As is common in most workplaces today, many people carry a work specific phone. Back in the day it was a pager, and most recently it was the Blackberry. Many are still using the Blackberry, but it has become an outdated system, compared to today’s smartphones (i.e. Android and iPhone). Even certain military personnel carry work phones, as reading email away from the office can be imperative but must be done on a secure network.

What is interesting is the Army’s next step. This article from Wired.com’s Spencer Ackerman illustrates the Army is considering equipping soldiers with smartphones … but only if they have special gloves. Obviously going on missions, it is key that soldiers have all the protection they can get. We want our men and women to be safe. One of these required pieces of equipment is flame-retardant gloves.

Now, anyone knows how difficult it can be to try to send a text message in the middle of winter with gloves on. You start to contemplate whether or not it’s worth it to remove your gloves, or if you hope for the best with auto-correct. There have been several gloves that have come out to the public that supposedly help you text while wearing them. But do they really work?

If the Army does go through with equipping various soldiers (or all of them) with smartphones, they will also be investing in equipment that will allow them to use these devices while maintaining a certain level of safety. Hopefully this will carry over to pilots as well. I’ve heard many stories of pilots that cut the fingers off their gloves in order to improve dexterity and to ensure they can feel their controls and equipment. If the Army does achieve success in this development, maybe it can be utilized for more than just texting.

Of course, this leads me to be very inquisitive to what applications the Army is developing for these devices. I’m hoping it’s more than just texting in air support during a firefight. Texting and driving is very dangerous; I don’t see texting and shooting a gun to be much safer, especially in a hostile environment.

Virtual Reality

If we weren’t living in as much of a digital age as ever, I came across this article yesterday discussing Google’s new idea for “augmented reality glasses.” Google shows off prototype augmented reality glasses.

Seriously? We live in a world of smartphones and smart tvs and dumb people. I do support technology and the advances we are making. However, we are starting to push the envelope a little too far. Have we become so lazy that we need to wear glasses in order to communicate with the world? Next thing you know, we will be in chairs with screens in front of us (referring to Disney’s Wall-E) and no need to do anything for ourselves.

I get it. This is supposed to help make our lives easier. And I’m sure it would have a great market for the disabled. But I am still very much able to pick up a phone and make a call, or use my fingers to send a text message. (Also, I feel this would be more of a hazard when it comes to driving.)

Then I watched the video. First, why would I want to respond to a text message while I’m enjoying a great sandwich? That person can wait five more minutes while I finish. Plus, I find it to be good manners not to use my phone at the table, even if no one is eating with me. And then he needed directions in a bookstore! Most people I know would ask someone who works at the bookstore where to find something … or they would enjoy just walking around, exploring, and finding things would never have otherwise encountered. I will give it points for a cute ending.

I guess at 23 years old, I am now considered too old for new technology. But then again, I also enjoy my humanity.

Viral Kony

KONY 2012. At this point, many have heard of it, seen it on Facebook, and probably even watched it.

It is a “simple” video portraying Joseph Kony as a vicious villain tearing up the African country-side. Jason Russell, created this 30 minute documentary to increase awareness of this individual and his crimes in hopes of bringing him to justice.  It is an emotional roller coaster with a moving and powerful message.

Christine Amy of Beyond Madison Avenue points out that this viral video may be surging on “…untapped social network power…” [KONY Island | Beyond Madison Avenue.] It is an interesting idea — how much social network power is still untapped? In just one sitting of this video, I saw the amount of views increase from about four million to over seven. And that was two days ago. It is now sitting at approximately 27.6 million views! And it has only been live for four days!

If this video can accomplish the bringing to justice of one man, what else can social media do? What else can it affect?

Creative Problem Solving

We all know how entertaining drunk people can be. And how amusing it is to mess with those still half-asleep. But new research is showing that those people may actually be smarter than those of us who are sober when it comes to creatively solving problems.

Jonah Lehrer of Wired.com shares an interesting insight into how brain damage improves cognitive function. Why Being Sleepy and Drunk Is Great for Creativity | Wired Science | Wired.com.

Obviously, as creatives, we can’t just show up to work drunk and expect life to be just fine. However, those late nights trying to finish a project may actually produce some interesting creativity. The solution we’ve been working on all week may suddenly just appear.

So the next time you’re at a road block, skip the caffeine and let your mind wander. You never know what the answer could be.

Return to America

As a retailer, how do you return to America when most of the products you sell say “Made in China”? Simple: You change your logo. And JCPenney has done just that.

The new logo and store layout won’t officially appear until February 1st. But as a designer, this is one interesting marketing campaign. Looking into the logo design and its incorporation into the store layout, Armin of underconsideration.com has provided his input as well as photographs, for those us who enjoy a good visual. jcpenney Nails the American Look.

It is a nice clean logo, that really picks up on the idea of the American flag. And its application in the stores is used quite nicely. The logo is clean and simple, and a step up from their last one. Every designer will interpret its application differently. Armin posts that on a postcard idea that the think outer line dwarfs the logo. I, personally, find tension in certain places where the logo interacts with its surrounding imagery. But overall, it is a strong piece.

How long will JCP (as they will now be known) keep this design? They kept their last logo for barely a year. While that one is not quite as sophisticated as their new one, will JCP keep it past a year? Or will they try to reinvent themselves next year? Most of it depends on how well this new layout is accepted by their consumers.

In the mean time, keep your eyes peeled for JCP’s facelift. And if you want to see how they are fairing so far with the new designs, Armin has a vote at the end of his post. Feel free to cast your vote and share your opinion.