Ramble by Sunil Bahl
18Mar/131

Volkswagen Smileage

With the Volkswagen Smileage app, road trips are never going to be the same again. Powered by Google the app is set to socalise road trips world over.

To start earning Smileage you have to pair the app with your car and sign in with your Google account. Once synced, the app automatically connects each time you go for a ride. Friends can then watch and comment on your journey in real time while you earn Smileage through shared photos, kilometers, checkins, comments, likes and punches from other nearby Volkswagen's. 8-)

Pre-register for the Volkswagen Smileage app here.

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4Mar/130

Chrome Super Sync Sports

Google has recently released their latest Chrome Experiment called 'Super Sync Sports' which allows players to convert their mobile phones and tablets into a remote control for their desktop browser.

To give it a spin visit www.chrome.com/supersyncsports/, choose a game i.e. running, swimming or cycling and then follow the instructions to sync your mobile phone. Once the sync is complete you can then play your way to victory, while the game plays out on your desktop.

What will be interesting to see is how this type of interaction and technology is finally leveraged. The game currently utilises HTML5 features like WebSockets, Canvas and CSS3.

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22Feb/130

How does it feel through Google Glass?

Google has recently released a new demo video of the highly-awaited Google Glass device. The video shows how the Google Glass UI would work in real world situations i.e. jumping from a plane and swinging on a trapeze. ;-)

It is also said that Google is ready to hand out Google Glass units to non-developers. But one has to apply for them using the hashtag #ifihadglass on Twitter or Google+ and with 50 words or less, explaining how you would use Google Glass. Photos and videos can also be included. The deadline is February 27 and the competition is only open to US residents aged 18 or over.

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2Aug/120

Decode Jay-Z

In a market dominated by Google, Bing needed to increase usage and position itself as a modern choice. A younger audience was the key to growing Bing's market share, so they partnered with Jay-Z for the launch of his book 'Decoded'.

In a lead up to the official launch, each page of the book was unveiled in a place that was mentioned on that particular page i.e. Gucci jacket, restaurant, hotel pool, pool table, car, bus stop and subway. Bing then tied this with an integrated game where fans had to assemble the book digitally using Bing Search and Maps, while clues to the page locations were released daily using Facebook, Twitter and Radio.

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22Jun/120

Coca-Cola Hilltop Mobile Ad

In March I had written about Google's advertising experiment where they set out to re-imagine and remake some of the most iconic ad campaigns from the 1960's and 1970's with today's technology.

During these experiments the iconic Coca-Cola "Hilltop" ad campaign was re-imagined. Fulfilling the promise of the original ad, special vending machines were created that allowed users to instantly send a Coke around the globe to unsuspecting recipients.

Now the whole experience has been taken onto mobile and can be experienced through the Google AdMob network, across iOS and Android devices. Viewers can now truly 'Buy the World a Coke' with just a few taps on their mobile phones. 8-)

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