NTT-DoCoMo has unveiled a real 3D hologram from their R&D Lab in Japan. The company expects in 3 years the technology will be in mobile phones allowing people to communicate with life-size 3D hologram projections. (Princess Leia?)
20 Ltd is a new online twist on luxury. The web retailer offers exclusive limited-edition product collaborations with a rotating group of 20 hand-picked luxury brands.
Editions of items, like an op-art Pucci rug, an Opus foosball table (pitting good vs evil with players like Gandhi and Hitler), a Solange pot leaf-shaped ring, and a Zaha Hadid designed Alessi piece are each limited to different quantities.
When one item sells out a new product takes its place from the next set of 20, with the total number of products available never more than 20 at any given time.
20 Ltd. keeps the focus on authenticity and genuine passion for items that are "created because someone wanted to create it not just to sell it".
Brands are taking advantage of this and creating interactive content that blends into the narrative of the discs. In "Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift", Progressive Insurance estimates the cost of damage done to the cars in the movie through an on-screen tally.
Consumers won't stand for interruptive advertising in their movies, but the challenge is to weave useful tools or entertaining bits into the story that are very relevant.
Social Retailing is a trend that lets people go shopping with their friends, remotely.
A New York-based designer has come up with a mirror for fitting rooms that sends a live video feed to any computer, cell phone, or e-mail account elected by a shopper.
The technology connects peoples shopping experience in stores with their network of friends online for advice and input.
For example, a mother in Paris could see her daughter trying on wedding dresses in New York, instantly.
More elaborate interfaces will display comments from friends or a chat room of people, let people make suggestions of other products in stock, and send images of products to your home email to view later.
This is also an example of how social networking is more than an website based thing like Facebook or MySpace, adn rather about connecting you to people wherever you are.
