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Apple release a new product, just for a change

Our Dev team got their mitts on a Beta version of the iPhone 4, oficially unveiled by Steve Jobs this week (although didn’t come as too much of a surprise thanks to the whole leaked prototype saga).  Now you can switch between third party apps, listen to Spotify and read an iBook simultaneously. Other new functions include video calling, HD video recording and editing, a 5 mega pixel camera with LED flash, and a Retina Display screen. The ‘4’ indicates the fourth generation of Apples OS software, which incidentally has now been renamed to iOS4 and has left us wondering if a 4G will be on the way soon. According to Reuters, the iPhone 3 is available in around 90 countries and on more than 150 carriers and Apple sold an astounding 8.75 million iPhones in its latest quarter, accounting for 40 percent of its revenue. But the iPhone 4 could well overshadow the newly released iPad as well as the iPhone 3, with improved battery life and surprisingly, a better screen quality than the iPad.

Livestreaming trend sweeps fashion industry

Fashion front row? It’s so last week. Hot right now is the live streaming of catwalk shows giving thousands of fashion followers a virtual front row seat to the previously uber-exclusive runways. Back in March we spoke of how Burberry Prorsum set a new precedent streaming their autumn/winter 2010/2011 collection in live 3D from London Fashion Week. This week, Oscar de la Renta followed suit unveiling his Resort 2011 collection on Livestream and Facebook. As well as a real-time level of access to product launches previously reserved for celebrities, industry elite and the press, fashion enthusiasts could also chat and discuss the collection across social networks including Facebook and Twitter. Though this is by no means Oscar de la Renta’s first foray into social, behind-the-scenes footage is available via their dedicated Facebook page and the brand engages with 7,700+ Twitter followers via @OscarPRGirl. Commenting on why he decided to stream the show, Oscar de la Renta says “I think that there is so much happening in technology that is so unbelievably exciting today, so many ways to reach a consumer, to excite a consumer there are so many ways to reach that wide world, you know?  And why wait? I think it is exciting that people [are] seeing it as it happens.” This is a sentiment clearly shared as a host of major fashion houses look set to stream their shows this September in London, New York, Paris and Milan. Live streaming…it’s the new black darling.

Sony’s Crackling video platform released in UK

Here comes another drive towards online viewing with Crackle, Sony’s version of the iplayer. Sony Picture’s vast library of television and film, from Married With Children to Dr Strangelove, is available to watch online and through mobile. The ad-supported, multi-platform network was acquired by Sony in 2006, when it was called Grouper, a technology platform using P2P file-sharing. It was released as Crackle in the USA in July 2007 but was only released in Australia and our side of the pond yesterday.
Eric Berger, senior vice president of Sony’s digital networks said, “Our content is chosen and programmed for the true video buff who loves movies and television shows and also wants to discover the best new content on the web.” The Crackle Player content is also available through YouTube, AOL, Bebo, Boxee, Break, Dailymotion, Friendster and Metacafe, and via Sony’s Bravia internet video enabled television sets.

Stuff on the web we think you might like…

Nike78 Project: Creatives let loose on Nike trainers, watch out for the fish-tank shoe.

Send your face to space: It’s social media Jim, but not as we know it…

Life’s too short for the wrong job: A smashing piece of advertising if ever we saw one.

Fully functioning Lego printer: Proving there is no end to what you can do with a small building blocks and big imagination.