The iPhone.  Android.  These two platforms are reforming the mobile industry, and have been considered as agents of change long before their launches.  What’s received less attention is how they are fundamentally changing the concept of mobile content and altering the infrastructure of mobile ad networks.

Books are now applications. Next generation smartphones are driving a reversal of what’s occurring in the online space.  Whereas cloud computing and advancing browser technologies are shifting content from specialized applications into browser-centralized spaces, content on phones is being packaged into on-device application downloads within app marketplaces. Read More »

There have been some great steps forward for Digital OOH this month, especially for video networks. The first bit of good news came from the Out-of-Home Video Advertising Bureau (OVAB) which released the highly anticipated Audience Metrics Guidelines during the sold out Digital Media Summit: Focus on Digital OOH in NYC at the end of October.

As Media Week notes, despite the fact that DOOH is a $1.3 billion business, the platform “has lacked a common language to be considered in media plans along with traditional media. The guidelines are designed to change the medium’s status in the planning process.” Read More »

Social networking tools are facilitating social change in ways that weren’t possible before. These tools are uniting like-minded individuals and gathering support from around the world. A connected culture is demonstrating the ability to improve lives.

Facebook, YouTube and Twitter offer many opportunities to put the power of good – charity, support, awareness, etc. – in the hands of so many. Teach For America, an organization that recruits, trains and places teachers in inner-city schools, is now recruiting both teacher candidates and donors with popular YouTube videos. Facebook Causes lets members start and join causes such as cancer researcher Eric Ding’s  Facebook Cause for cancer prevention and research. The cause has over three million members and has raised over $75,000. Read More »

Telematics, like many of our other categories that we cover here at the Emerging Media Lab, is constantly evolving.  Our Mobile and Social Media practice leads see change on an almost daily basis. Telematics/Infotainment, while still new to most, is showing growth and change on a regular pace.  This month I thought it might be more helpful to single-out a few new items rather than focus on an singular topic.

This coming year and beyond will continue to show an expansion of in integration, services and connectivity.  Industry resources show that over 58% of new cars will have iPod connections available from the factory.  Non iPod interface will come by way of a USB interface.  Bluetooth will continue to have a strong presence in the car’s of 2009.  Read More »

Imagine, for a moment, a universe that does not yet exist.  A flying saucer navigates a galaxy of oddly colored planets and moons teeming with life.  The saucer slows upon reaching one particular world, and moves in closer.  It is a lush, green landscape, and scattered around the planet are cities – sculpted from Coke bottles.  Moving closer, vehicles created from Coke bottle caps race back and forth between the buildings.  And zooming in reveals the townspeople of this foreign land to be none other than the creatures from Coca-Cola’s “Happiness Factory” commercial.  This imaginary planet sits in a galaxy created by Spore, EA’s new hit game.  Or rather, it could. There’s a trend beginning to hit mainstream in-video game design: User-generated content.  Read More »