Posts Tagged technology
Saturday, July 17th, 2010
As you know from this post I recently got my grubby little hands on an iPad. I have been experimenting with a variety of free and paid iPad apps and have crafted this list:
Best business apps for the iPad
1. Dragon Dictation – Typing long notes of the iPad is a bit of a nightmare…so I bought the wireless keyboard. But let’s face it, I bought the iPad because it’s small and light to carry with me and it’s a pain to have to lug around a keyboard. Then I found Dragon Dictation. This FREE app is a godsend. I was very wary about it since I’ve had some pretty bad experiences with voice recognition software, but I’ve tested it out a number of times and it’s been incredibly accurate. All you do is record your voice and it will convert it to text.
2. ACTPrinter – This very handy $0.99 app lets you print any file from your computer to your iPad. So you can read documents from your iPad without having to be connected to the internet. I’ve printed event tickets and travel eTickets to my iPad that have barcodes and they scanned beautifully. But the possibilities are endless…
3. LogMeIn – At $29.99 this is by far the costliest app on my list, but well worth the price tag. After all, how much would you pay to be able to get access to the file you forgot on your home computer while traveling? LogMeIn lets you remotely connect to you computer(s) from your iPad…any time…anywhere.
4. Pages, Keynote & Numbers – Although these are 3 separate apps ($9.99 each), I’ve bundled them together since they fall under the iWork umbrella. The reason they’re on my list is pretty simple – fill the much needed word processing, presentation and spreadsheet gaps on the iPad.
5. Clock Free – As the name so succinctly states, this is a free clock. I was actually really surprised to see that the iPad didn’t come with one but this is a great substitute to the app that comes on the iPhone. Ideal for the travelling event planner, it lets you set a buzzer or music alarm. If you’re interested in the latter, you have tons of choices from SHOUTcast.Radio. And heck, if you’re lonely, turn the music on and dance around your hotel room.
6. SmartNote – For those who like to sketch out your ideas instead of typing them, this app is for you. At $0.99 it’s a steal. You can also import PDFs and highlight text or draw over top of images. This could be great for making revisions to floor plans, signing contracts from your iPad or brainstorming on the spot.
7. Dropbox – I don’t remember what I used to do before dropbox. Simply put, Dropbox is the easiest way to share files across computers and with your iPad or iPhone. You need to have a dropbox account, which you can set up for free. Paid accounts are also available for higher storage space.
I’d love to hear what your favorites are…
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I’ve blogged quite a bit about the amazing 3D projections, projection mapping and holograms that are getting oohs and aahs all across the globe . Here is a snapshot of some of my favorites (please note if you’re viewing in Facebook some of these videos will show as links):
Seoul University
Samsung Jet Presentation
New Years Eve 2010 in Texas
Gorey Castle
Illuminated Apparel 2010
(check out 1:45 onwards)
El Jardi Theatre in Figueres
Volvo Frankfurt 2009
Samsung Amersterdam
BMW Singapore
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There’s no doubt that conferences as we know them are being re-imagined. Organizers have recognized that attendees are looking to be engaged, they want to be heard and they’re expecting conference organizers to be using the same social tools they’re living and breathing every day. If you are a presenter, conference organizer or event sponsor, you need to check out EventHive. It is a web application that smashes chatrooms, Twitter, Facebook and polls together to create a tool that can help build better engagement with attendees.
Presenters
- Engage your audience
- Learn about them via real-time polling
Organizers
- Build a better experience for your attendees
- Create additional value for sponsors
- Learn what people really thought about your event
Sponsors
- Select relevant sponsorship based on session content
- Get comprehensive analytics
If you’re interested, you can contact EventHive to request a demo for your event.
Have you used EventHive at an event? What were your experiences?
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More and more our event attendees are using their smart phones to document and share their experiences in real time – Tweeting updates on entertainment, Facebooking pictures, checking in to the venue using foursquare. But, *gasp*, sometimes all of this activities can drain our cell phone batteries. This can mean missed opportunities for event organizers.
Powerkiss has created a new product that converts any piece of furniture into a wireless charger. Yes, that means by simply laying their phone on a table, attendees can be juicing up their batteries. And for those of you who plan conferences, I’ve been told that this technology will be applied to charging up other devices like laptops very soon.
How does it work?
There are 2 components: the heart (or the wireless charging transmitter) and the kiss (or the wireless charging receiver). The kiss is plugged into the device and the heart is attached to the furniture. When the device is laid in close proximity to the furniture it charges.
Powerkiss hopes that soon cell phone manufacturers will be making their devices with wireless recharging capabilities which will eliminate the need for the kiss component.
If you’d like more information, click here to download an information sheet.
Thank you to Springwise for sharing this business idea.
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If you’re looking to amp up your event’s Twitter feed and are bored with conventional aggregators, this event is a beautiful example of art, drama and technology combined.
With high-powered video projectors and their patented video mapping technology, Klip Collective transformed the Art Deco façade of the Edison Hotel in Miami Beach into an eye-catching 3D illusion for the Super Bowl in February 2010. Using light and shadows, the front wall flies away revealing the building’s interior where room-like vignettes transpire. Twitter feeds about fan excitement and Super Bowl predictions appear in word bubbles around the building occupants.
Hired by Anomaly in New York City, Klip shot all content, edited and site-mapped the video projections. Permitting, site selection and custom equipment installation was coordinated and executed by Klip Collective. The site-specific video installation was sponsored by Motorola and the NFL.
If you’ve never heard of Klip Collective or Anomaly NY, well I’m pleased to introduce you. Both agencies shake down the walls of convention. Check out their sites.
Video: Motoblur Hotel from klipcollective on Vimeo.
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For event planners who are constantly searching for what’s new and unique, Neurosonics Audiomedical Labs Inc. is the epitome of mind-blowing entertainment. Using a unique mixture of holographic projection, beatboxing and wicked spinning and drumming skills, there’s no doubt their goal is to entertain.
Below is a video produced by Chris Cairns from a live show with Beardyman, an infamous British musician well known for his beatbox performances, with assistance from Musion (who did the holographics).
Neurosonics Audiomedical Labs Inc. also produced this totally incredible video that’s sure to put a spring in your step today.
Event planners, where do you go to find your entertainment inspiration? What do you think of this group?
Credits: Thanks to Black Yogurt for introducing me to this group.
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