App

We map our runs, capture our calories, monitor our heart rates, so why not track our driving?  Well now you can with this awesome little app and dongle combo from Automatic.  Simply plug the dongle into the data port on your car, install the app, synch the two and  watch as your daily drive is scrutinized for driving flaws and then visualized in an easy to understand dashboard.  This isn’t the first time brands or start-up have started fuse driving and data together.  VW recently announced Smilage, their take on what driving a Volkswagen should feel like.  Before that Toyota experimented with a glass of water as an app mechanic to promote better driving.

Read more…

Google have launched a new location based app called ‘Field Trip‘.  Users can select a variety of topics and local feeds that they find interesting such as history, food & drink or deals, and then the frequency of updates can be tailored to match their appitite.  The content is sourced from a series of publications including Atlas Obscura, Thrillist, Cool Hunting, Eater, and Zagat, so you can be sure the info is worth reading.  The app then works in the background pushing out updates about “cool, interesting and unique” places as you pass by.  Currently only available for Android although a iOS app is on the way.  Lets see you try and beat that Apple Maps!

Read more…

Although slightly creepy in the most awesome way, this funky check-in app by Creature of London and Clubhouse Studios is a great example of invisible technology.  Designed to keep guests occupied for a few minutes as their hosts make their way to reception the iPad app allows participants to generate their own personal avatar and release it into the agency.  The Creature Greeter (as its called) begins with a simple shake and first starts by trying to recognise user.  If it’s your first time on the app you get to mix and match a host of fantastical animals to splice your own creature together.  Once you are happy just set your creation free and watch as it roams the agency screens looking for mischief!

Read more…

Watkins Books, a London bookshop specialising in mind, body and spirit, has released Fenopalm, the world’s first interactive video palm reading iPhoe app powered by a social network. As well as scanning the user’s hand, Fenopalm takes a look at the user’s Facebook data on social and work life, relationships and friendships. The outcome of the analysis is a bespoke interactive video featuring renowned palm reader Swami Krishna. The app, online at Fenopalm.com, will also recommend books and events based on a user’s profile.

Read more…

Volvo taking some great strides toward shaking the old fuddy duddy safe driver image they have been tagged with for years.  A new line of vehicles including the awesome looking V40, a distinctly naughty approach to comms and of course who could forget that Edward Cullen drives a Volvo!  Their latest piece of fun is a mobile app a launched at the Geneva Auto Show.  The app lets you X-Ray the new Volvo V40 to learn whats under the hood.  Its technically not X-Raying anything, rather it using image recognition and smart augmented reality but it looks cool none the less.

Volvo – Volvo X-RAY from La Comunidad on Vimeo.

Read more…

I love this, Deportivo Independiente Medellín (the oldest Columbian football team) apparently has the most passionate fans in the country.  To measure that passion and turn it into a social currency this nifty little iPhone app was developed.  Using the phones microphone and accelerometer the app can measure movement and noise aka jumping and cheering and turn it into a passion score.  The score helps the club find their most passionate fans and also acts as a badge of honor and commitment through social channels!

Read more…

So Nike have released what looks like a cool new app called NG360° specifically for golfers.  The mobile app gives players the tools, tips and motivation they need to fine tune their game.  One of the key elements that caught my eye was the gamification of performance improvement.  Trophies, badges and PB’s all seem to feature encouraging players to practice, play or educate themselves just a little more.

Read more…

This is awesome.  Apparently in Russia there is a douche bag problem amongst the country’s drivers.  It seems they like to park anywhere and everywhere regardless of the inconvenience they cause other people.  Now however the power is back in the peoples hands thanks to this smart little photo app that is synched to geo targeted online display publicly outing the douche of a driver to any any computer in the vicinity!

Read more…

This is a great idea from Canadian advertising agency Taxi.  Apparently there is a particular time of year when Montreal experiences really bad potholes, unsurprisingly this is called Pothole Season.  To help Montreal residents Taxi built this awesome app that automatically recognises a pot hole when you drive over (thanks to the iPhone’s accelerometer) maps it and shares it with other users in real time so they can avoid the pesky road craters! Effing genius!

Read more…

Citroën are planning to crowd source an entire care called the C1 Connexion using only Facebook!  From the paint job to the interior detailing and even the equipment it carries everything will be selected by fans of Citroën via this custom app developed in conjunction with the social network.

Read more…