We will all create our own power

Motorola Emerging Market has showed a nice bike during CES: a bike allowing to recharge your ipod (or iphone), while bicycling. Interesting but this is not a revolution. Isn’t that a big dynamo, powering your bicycle light & your mp3 gear by the way?

Nevertheless, it may open a road (not a boulevard yet) to funny and cool forms of energy.

We all have tens of electrical powered devices (fixed phone, mobile phones, smart-phones, wireless mouse, video camera, digital camera, portable game device, gps… whatever) consuming more and more power and using more and more batteries AND we want to lose weight (I want, for sure).

So forget nuclear energy, personal fuel cell… It is time to develop and market funny ways to create electrical power, by moving our fat and over-weighted bodies.

Creating energy while bicycling has always existed but it is a good start. But what about:
- the floor that allows dancers to create power (let’s have a party and save Earth)
- the ab chrunch machine that allows to do sport (and save Earth!)
- the stairways that allows to elevate us (do sport and save Earth!!)
- creating power simply by wearing swim suits

Not to mention the famous Hamster power of course :-)

The bike that generates power
The dancefloor that generates power
The stairways that generate power
The solar paint that generates power

Apple Iphone's non removable battery

According to APC, the iphone does not have a removable battery.

Strange.

Since 1996, the Battery Act in the US (similar acts exists elsewhere) imposes companies to get rid-off mercury and develop collection methods and recycling/proper disposal.

Although I believe Apple uses mercury free battery, why on earth do they use non removable battery? And how to collect the used batteries then (just remember the Ipod and its poor battery life) by the way?
Like for the Ipod, by sending the devices back to Apple for replacement (imagine travel costs, logistic impacts and CO2 generation…) ? And how should I phone and consume in between?

I cannot believe that such a conscious and design company like Apple markets a product that requires users to send their device back.

If I were them, I would open more Apple shops or contract with distributors to collect and replace/recycle batteries – to avoid users sending back devices by the Post.

And hey, it’s a good way to keep contact with one customer. If the average I-phone user has to replace (or upgrade) its battery every 6 months or every year, Apple could develop an environmental marketing.

APC article
Battery Act
iphone

Trauma Center : second Opinion

How long will it take for developers to combine Real life simulation with new kind of ergonomic ? 2 years, 5 years ? Whatever – it is going to be unified very soon. And may be even playable on today’s console (Xbox360, PS3, Wii).

Consider first acclaimed Nintendo Wii

The console has been last winter's success. Not only in Japan, where Nintendo has always sold lot of units (Nintendo Wii performed to beat Sony PS3) but in Europe and in the US too. Thanks to games targeting the family (included sport games, French mad rabbits), teenagers (car driving, World War II playing) or the Nintendo first fans (with the latest Zelda).

Now editors are marketing games mixing education, real life experience and Wii’s unique user interface.

Altus is one of those editors. It is about to market a medical trauma simulation, where you use the already famous Wiimote to cure and do surgery on your patients.
The game was brilliant on Nintendo DS and is supposed to be as brilliant on the Nintendo Wii (even if they use the same missions and did not add many new challenges).

Consider now celebrated Second Life

This online life simulation allows to create and manage your avatar in a full 3D world. You decide to create and play any kind of characters: you can chose to create someone like you or someone not like you. Someone you would love, you would admire or would hate in real life. It is up to you.

And after? Well, just enter the room and – as they say on their Web site, “you'll discover a vast digital continent, teeming with people, entertainment, experiences and opportunity. It’s your imagination”


Then what ?
Developers will merge life simulation with new interaction. Be prepared to buy different paddles – to really act/be who you want to be.
Users (oops, sorry citizens), will wander in huge areas and will be able to interact with their commuters, like in real life.
Say goodbye to your old keyboard, keypad, paddle or mouse (well, except in dev centers). Welcome to enhanced user interface, interactive screens, boxes stuffed with sensors, moving panels...
If you chose to be a cop, you will have a sensor gun. If you chose to be a cab driver, take your IR wheel. If you prefer being a doctor, then take your Bluetooth scalpel
It's going to be a good time for ergonomy companies.

Hardware: Nintendo Wii
Game: Trauma Center Second Opinion
Editor: Altus
Avaible: 2007
Trauma Center

Hardware: your pc, your Mac, your open source hardware
Game: Second Life
Free download
Avaible: now
Second life

About Sony Mylo

Sony’s new device for kids (and grown-ups) is astonishing. Here a link on their Website: Sony Mylo

This WIFI device enables to talk, IM, surf, access personal spaces, share photos, video, music…

The main strength is the use of open hot-spot, meaning that you can talk, access multimedia content and share content freely (provided that you use the Google or Yahoo software included).

Comment 1: mobile voice is going to be free very very soon
Comment 2: the mylo likes (because every handset maker is developing its one) will enable marketers to develop community marketing
Comment 3: by the way, marketers are going to your younger and younger J

A good view of what our kids are going to ask for Xmas soon, if they can wait until next Xmas!!!!