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The best-laid plans to give clothing as a gift can be foiled in an instant for lack of the recipient's correct size. Aiming to banish such disappointments once and for all, Belgian OrgaSizer offers an online place to check the sizes and preferences of loved ones and friends. Users of OrgaSizer begin by registering with their age, location and gender, among other information. They can then enter all their sizes and preferences for a variety of different types of clothing. Along the way, users can decide what information they'd like to share with others, and exactly whom they'd like to share it with. Nothing is ever publicly shared, OrgaSizer stresses. Users can also create wish lists and request reminders about important gift-giving dates. Ultimately, the idea is that shoppers hoping to purchase a gift can then check the site from wherever they happen to be to see what the recipient wants, and in what sizes or variations. OrgaSizer is still smoothing out the edges on its site, which at present is available only in English. More languages are coming soon, along with advertising support, it's hoped. Clothing brands and retailers around the globe: one to sponsor, partner with or otherwise get involved in? (Related: Gift-giving simplified through a prepaid plan — Never forget to send a birthday card.) Website: www.orgasizer.com |
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Aesthetically pleasing as they may be, windows are typically a drain on a building's energy efficiency. Enter Smart Energy Glass, a new innovation from Dutch Peer+ that turns windows into solar energy collectors with a customisable appearance. Not only are Smart Energy Glass windows available in several colours, but they can switch between three modes: dark, bright and privacy, which scatters the light passing through. Even better, the glass serves to collect solar energy, which can then be used directly or fed back to the grid. Users can control the darkness mode of the windows at will, depending on light conditions and energy concerns. Privacy mode generates the most energy, while bright mode is the least productive. Corporate logos can even be incorporated into the glass, Peer+ says. Peer+ is currently working on its first pilots in the Netherlands, and is seeking further projects for testing. One to get in on early for a little eco-bounty of your own...? (Related: Thin, flexible solar paneling — Solar panels shaped like clay roof tiles.) Website: www.peerplus.nl Spotted by: Simonn Jagers |
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When we wrote about Bamboo Bike Studio late last year, we noted the company's involvement in the Bamboo Bike Project, which seeds bamboo bike factories in developing countries. Working towards a similar goal is Calfee Design, which is helping entrepreneurs in the developing world make locally sourced bamboo bicycles for domestic and international sale. Calfee Design has been manufacturing and selling its own bamboo bikes from its California studios since 2005, but a trip to Africa inspired founder Craig Calfee to promote the concept in Africa. In 2008, through an initiative called Bamboosero, Calfee set up two bike-building groups in Ghana—one in the capital, Accra, and one in Abompe. Both groups now build frames for several bike designs using locally sourced bamboo; they then ship those frames back to Calfee's shop, where the US team adds wheels and hardware before sending them on to distributors. The Ghanaian entrepreneurs earn about USD 150 for every frame they build, while the finished bikes are sold for about USD 950 each, according to a report on SantaCruz.com. By December 2009, Calfee had sold 28 Bamboosero bikes and sent six back to Ghana for use by tourists and locals, the site reported. Calfee hopes to expand the ranks of its bicycle entrepreneurs both in Ghana and in other developing countries, as well as to bolster the supply chain of bicycle parts for those local teams. One to sponsor, partner with or otherwise get involved in? (Related: Low-cost bicycles for (not only) the rural poor — Used Danish bikes help African poor.) Websites: www.bamboosero.com and www.calfeedesign.com Spotted by: Brian Yang |
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We've seen the crowdsourcing contest model applied to everything from business documents to doughnut design. The latest spotting? One Billion Minds, a prize-led innovation platform that connects problem-solving scholars with solution-seeking companies and non-profits. One Billion Minds challenges student and alumni crowds from universities worldwide to come up with innovative solutions to real-world problems. Challenges range from designing a USD 1 teaching aid for the education of children to developing an innovative solution for the garbage disposal problem in Kolkata. Prizes from the participating corporations include cash, professional recognition, and opportunities to interview for full-time or internship positions. Members can compete as individuals or teams. In public beta as of September 2009, One Billion Minds is on a mission to change the world by unleashing the power of a billion minds on challenges in the areas of design, engineering, science, business, technology and social innovation. Something to get involved in to make that happen? (Related: Crowdsourcing economic solutions for Ireland.) Website: www.onebillionminds.com Spotted by: Cecilia Biemann |
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Extreme sports such as bungee-jumping from the Macau Tower may well be enough to satisfy the adrenaline needs of the majority of premium thrill-seekers. Those still wishing for more, however, have a new alternative: they can pay to be kidnapped, without warning, by French Ultime Réalité. "Kidnapping", "Manhunt" and "Go-Fast Adventure" are all among the standard services Ultime Réalité offers, but it's open to special requests. Through the company's simulated kidnapping packages, for instance, the participant is abducted without warning—after leaving a restaurant, say, or in the supermarket parking lot. Paying "victims" are then bound, gagged and imprisoned for four or 10 hours (depending on the scenario they choose), allowing them to experience the terror of the real thing. Additional elements such as ransom, escapes and helicopter chases can also be involved. Manhunt packages, meanwhile, can last either one or two days, with the option to play the role of either hunter or prey. Then there's the Go-Fast Adventure, where participants take the role of a drug dealer smuggling cargo on the high seas. Finally, a recently added "extreme" package allows clients to wake up on an autopsy table in a morgue, surrounded by corpses and body bags. Pricing on a basic kidnap package is EUR 900. Just a few weeks into its launch, Ultime Réalité was already getting as many as two requests per day, according to Reuters primarily from top-level executives seeking an extreme-sports alternative. Don't look now, but the premium bar just got raised again... (Related: Paparazzi for the rest of us.) Website: www.ultimerealite.fr Spotted by: Cecilia Biemann |
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As the electronic age puts physical bookstores and libraries under increasing threat, Local Books is a great example of how, by encouraging a resurgence of consumer interest at a local level, new technologies can be used to provide a shot in the arm for traditional outlets. Launched in January, it's a free iPhone app that allows users to search an area for bookstores, libraries and literary events such as readings, book discussions and signings. At present Local Books does not show inventories from bookstores and libraries. We wouldn't be surprised to see this feature available from them or from someone else in the near future. Could that be you? (Related: Online platform connecting booklovers.) Website: www.librarything.com/blog/2010/01/local-books-iphone-application.php Spotted by: Los Angeles Times via Jim Stewart |
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We've seen several efforts recently to bring Facebook photos into the offline world, such as HotPrints' free, advert-supported albums. Now bringing such capabilities to brick-and-mortar stores comes a new initiative from Kodak that lets consumers print online photos from Facebook and Picasa using its in-store kiosks. Starting this summer, users of Kodak Picture Kiosks will be able to access their web albums on Facebook and Picasa as well as Kodak's own Kodak Gallery service. The kiosks will make 4x6in (102x152mm) prints of the photos, provided the resolution is high enough to make a quality print. Kodak says it also intends to connect with other social networking sites around the globe. Given that more than 3 billion photos are uploaded to Facebook alone each month, there are plenty of opportunities for forging OFF=ON connections for consumers whose memories increasingly reside in the virtual world. How can your brand help make those memories more tangible? (Related: Mini web-to-print photo albums.) Website: www.kodak.com Spotted by: Judy McRae
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Tourist maps are not unique. Artistically rendered maps are available for many cities, usually created by a local artist. What distinguishes Guatemala-based mapmaking company Where To Go Maps is their focus on replicating the local approach globally. Where To Go Maps is working towards creating a globalised mapping system that would see their free artistic city maps available to travellers for all major tourist destinations worldwide. In addition to presenting tourists with the best hotels, restaurants, bars, shops, attractions and sightseeing highlights that each city has to offer, Where to Go Maps also illustrate the specific locations of local businesses who advertise on the maps. Currently available online and in downloadable form for seven cities—La Antigua, Guatemala City, Puerto Rico, Panama City, Cayman Islands, Madrid and Miami—Where To Go Maps is seeking partners to join them in creating maps for more cities across the globe. One to explore? (Related: Hand-sketched city maps feature drawings and local advice.) Website: www.wheretogomaps.com Spotted by: Juan Olivero |
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It's been a while since we've come across any new efforts involving vending machines, but recently a nice one in the Paris Métro caught our eye. A week before Valentine's Day, fragrance retailer Sephora installed a series of machines at various Métro stations dedicated to selling Calvin Klein's CK One scent in a special, portable size. From February 7 through February 20, visitors to the Métro's La Défense, Charles de Gaulle-Étoile, Montparnasse and Miromesnil stations could buy a special 15ml size of CK One at an on-site "CK One Pocket Store" by Sephora. Priced at EUR 10, the limited-edition pocket size is also available through Sephora itself. The vending-machine concept was created by Paris agency Nouveau Jour, which says it expects to use it abroad as well. A video on Daily Motion shows the campaign in action. Another option, of course, would have been for Sephora to use the vending machines to give out free samples of the fragrances, much the way Fosfor's Boobox does. Either way, however, the approach is sure to generate far more interest and trials among trysumers than a traditional advert ever could. Keep the vending-machine ideas coming! (Related: Upscale vending machine sells curated luxury goods — Vending machines sell after-party shoes — Vending machines sell bathing suits at hotel pools — Touch-screen machine for interactive vending — Best Buy starts vending at airports.) Website: www.sephora.fr |
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The subscription services are coming thick and fast lately, automating for shopping-weary consumers the routine purchase of life's little necessities. Most recently it was men's skincare products; before that it was razor blades, greeting cards and more. The latest spotting? Men's undergarments—including socks, T-shirts and underwear. 'Sockscriptions', of course, are no longer new, dating back as they do at least 10 years. Florida-based Manpacks, however, expands the concept into an entire undergarment package, available for delivery every three months. Consumers begin by choosing one of four subscription packages, all of which use exclusively Hanes clothing. The JustSocks package, for instance, provides three pairs of socks every three months for USD 7 per shipment. At the opposite end of the scale is the MachoPack, which includes three shirts, three pairs of underwear and three pairs of socks every three months for USD 33 per shipment. Consumers can specify the colours and the styles they prefer—boxers versus briefs, for example. Currently Manpacks ships only within the United States and Canada, but it aims to expand internationally soon. Time to help make that happen...? (Related: Household goods, straight from manufacturers.) Website: www.manpacks.com Spotted by: Cecilia Biemann |
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Few would dispute the value of a business that breaks down barriers for consumers with disabilities. A shining example of this, Traveleyes is a UK-based travel company whose primary function is to make independent world travel more accessible, and more interesting, for the blind and visually impaired. Traveleyes offers "multi-sensory experience" holiday packages worldwide for number-balanced groups of sighted and non-sighted holidaymakers. Every day, each visually impaired traveller is partnered with a different sighted traveller who describes the sights to illuminate the experience for their travel buddy. For visually impaired travellers this means they don't always have to organise willing travel companions in advance. Instead they can simply browse Traveleyes' (highly accessible) website or audio brochure, phone to confirm a booking, and then jet off with new-found independence. Sighted travellers benefit from a discounted price, and, the organisers believe, a more rewarding experience than they would get on a conventional package holiday. Globally, around 314 million people are visually impaired, according to the World Health Organisation. As populations age, the size of this market—and its collective spending power—will increase. How can your brand better serve this segment of the population? (Related: Blind guides take sighted on sensorial walking tours.) Website: www.traveleyes-international.com Spotted by: Cecilia Biemann |
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Hard on the heels of our story about BlockChalk comes word of Nixle, another location-based service for community messaging. But where BlockChalk focuses primarily on letting neighbours communicate with each other, Nixle adds a component for secure messaging by local government and municipal agencies. Through Nixle’s community information service, granular, location-based information is pushed out directly to the community by SMS, web and email. As with BlockChalk, neighbourhood residents can broadcast locally targeted news, events, and recommendations. Additionally, thanks to a partnership with Nlets (who provide messaging services for law enforcement agencies), Nixle says it is the first authenticated and secure service for connecting municipal agencies, schools and community organisations with residents in real time. Nixle’s servers are even housed within the Nlets secure facility. This means police departments can send alerts and advisories right from their police terminals. Nixle is offered at no cost to government agencies, community organisations and consumers. Local residents can decide how much information they want to receive in real time; and all messages are archived online for later access. Since Nixle launched publicly about a year ago, more than 3,800 public safety and community agencies across the United States have begun using it. The New Jersey-based company also plans to expand internationally; could you be a partner in your part of the world? (Related: More neighbourhood problem-solving: SeeClickFix — In Boston, an iPhone app for civic complaints — In San Francisco, civic complaints via Twitter.) Website: www.nixle.com Spotted by: Jim Stewart |
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