Old Spice Odor Blocker is SoHotRightNow! [VIDEO]

If this isn't SoHotRightNow! then I don't know what is.

Advertising at its best.

Extreme Free-Running Gymnastics [video]

Ok, so this not the usual post, but it's certainly SoHotRightNow!

Gymnast Damien Walters pushes free-running to the limit, tumbling and flipping off buildings and cars with seeming ease.

Check it out!

Visa Turns Your iPhone Into A Credit Card

Visa announced a new product today called, In2Pay. In2Pay (developed by DeviceFidelity) is basically a 'contactless payment system' for the iPhone which allows you to use the phone as a credit card.

The payment method uses a modifies microSD card with a near-field communications (NFC) chip inside. Because the iPhone doesn't yet feature a microSD slot, the card has to unfortunately sit in a case that powers the chip to make payments. In2Pay would simply work by holding your iPhone up to a compatible reader and making a transaction.

The basic idea is good but it makes me wonder about the security of ensuring someone has actually paid for the item or made the transaction. Imagine you could just walk into a shop pretend to scan something in action of purchasing it and proceed to walk out. Meanwhile the shopkeeper would be left questioning what just happened? I guess to solve this there would need to be some sort of magnetic strip or attached to raise an alarm if an item was stolen. Regardless, if Visa have backed the idea, I'm sure they have thought long and hard about the pros and cons and how to overcome instances like this.

The other side to this is that despite In2Pay aiming to free you from carrying a wallet and allowing you do everything with your phone is that:

1. Is it more convenient than a wallet if in order to use the service it requires carrying a case for the microSD? The video below seems pretty convincing.
2. Assuming that In2Pay would be connected directly to a Visa card, would there be an opportunity to connect it to your bank (direct debit) or your phone bill?
• If bank, fine.
• If phone bill, how will this affect mobile carrier's ability to pay for the goods in advance? Will this be an opportunity for the Telco to charge the consumer credit card fees to purchases?
• When would the supplier of goods receive their funds?

Overall I think it's a fantastic idea and I'd certainly use it. It looks very simple to use too. Check out the video below.

And I agree with Wired with the thought that soon, almost all payments will be made using mobile phones, even the ones that involve paying your friend back that dollar he owes you.

But, one thing to always be mindful of - just don’t lose that phone!

Related articles by Zemanta

• Visa officially announces their case that turns your iPhone into a credit card (and we've got pics!) (mobilecrunch.com)
• In2Pay iPhone Case: Anywhere Visa payWave Is Accepted [Mobilepayment] (gizmodo.com)
• In2Pay is the name of Visa and DeviceFidelity's money-grubbing iPhone case (engadget.com)

Water Pistol - WaterAid Cannes Young Lions Ad Contest 2010

Copywriter, Gavin Chimes from M&C Saatchi / Mark Sydney created this intriguing ad called "Water Pistol" for WaterAid as part of the Cannes Young Lions Ad Contest 2010.

Check it out and show your support by sharing or rating it!



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How the iPad will turn TV viewing social

I've always been told by internet marketing gurus that "content is king" and it seems many companies out there are starting to broaden the accessibility of content on demand.

• Telstra are creating IPTV partnerships with LG and Samsung so customers can stream BigPond movies for free. They've also launched the T-Box: a set-top box that links into the BigPond content network and most recently, the T-Hub, which also aims to drive content (like Social Networking, News, Weather, Music etc.) through a fixed line home phone touch-screen interface.
• Verizon have also been pushing their FiOS TV, delivering TV and movie content through fast fiber-optic cable.
• iiNet are soon to be on the content bandwagon when they launch FetchTV, which also delivers TV and movies through an internet connection.
• Sony's PlayTV is another 'game changer' because PSP users can now watch, pause and record high-definition digital TV. It also offers an easy to use programme guide and the ability to record live TV while watching other channels and manage your recordings with the interactive video library. Play PS3 games and record TV shows at the same time, plus if you're around a wireless connection you can watch TV on the go.

The other key player in this is of course, Apple. The release of the iPad has spawned a new category within the mobile device industry and the content opportunities have and will continue to follow.

With all this talk about TV content, check out Comcast's new Xfinity Remote. The iPad app lets you peruse the programming guide, operate your cable box, schedule DVR recordings, and even invite friends running to app to watch live shows with you (virtually, of course). Better still, you can actually search On Demand options using the onscreen keyboard, a feature that isn’t available to us subscribers using our traditional remotes.


Comcast CEO Brian Roberts shows off the Xfinity Remote prototype at the Cable Show 2010.

What do you think will be the next evolution in driving TV content or content in general?