Sometimes there’s nothing more calming than hearing the soft sounds of rain against your window. The newest app from the user interface research lab Taptanium, called Thunderspace, takes relaxing…
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In an expansion of Art.com’s online service, Photos to Art, the eminent supplier of household decor is bringing personalized prints to social media. Photos to Art is now available as an iOS app capable of pulling images from phones as well as from Facebook and Instagram accounts, letting users…
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Five new pocket cameras
Presented last week at Photokina, the following five cameras represent changing ideas about what the pocket cam should be. Sandwiched between cell phones and high end DSLRs, the once ubiquitous point-and-shoot is evolving to incorporate features that represent both professional capability and mobile usability. Fujifilm XF1 With a highly…
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The latest flagship rangefinder is a huge leap forward for the German camera maker
This week at Photokina, Leica reminded us of their history and showed us their future. With more than half of their exhibit hall dedicated to a gallery show of iconic images created by renowned photographers using Leica cameras, visitors were immediately overcome with the spectrum of emotions a photo…
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Curator Chris Anderson on the media company’s new publishing platform
In a recent sit-down with TED Curator Chris Anderson, I had the chance to try out the TED Books app, a dedicated platform to hold the company’s publishing endeavor. Focused on short books, TED Books hopes to continue TED’s method of viral ideation by tailoring to today’s attention spans. This addition to the TED family has fascinating implications for the company, which has clearly moved from an annual meeting-of-the-minds to a global media phenomena. As Anderson, a publishing veteran, explains, “TED is a media organization devoted to ideas worth spreading.”
“Arguably, a lot of the reason why books are the length they are is because the physical form demands it. If you were to print a short book, it just feels cheap, so things have to be 80,000 words regardless of whether or not the content demands it,” says Anderson. “A book that fit the length of the idea that it’s trying to express became interesting to us.” Long enough to communicate the idea and short enough to feel unimposing, TED settled on 20,000 words—an ideal length for a single sitting.
“In a magazine, the mode of behavior is bit like a playground in that you browse—a page here, a page there. With a book, you’re on a train journey. You start and you work your way through, and there’s something very satisfying about that,” explains Anderson. “So what do you do on an iPad where you have lots of reasons to play and lots of opportunities to play?” After searching through available platforms, they settled on Atavist. The platform gave TED the level of interaction they were seeking, with narrative linearity and optional browsing of multimedia tangents.
Launched last January, TED Books is now moving away from Kindle singles to their dedicated app. The new platform accommodates browsing through in-line items that can link to images, maps, audio and video. Best of all, the interaction is optional—users choose the way in which they read by toggling the additional elements on or off. There is also social element that allows for a kind of user-generated marginalia. While books come in at $2.99 on the free app, TED encourages the subscription model for $14.99, which delivers two monthly books for three months. Founding subscribers (people who sign up in the first 90 days) will also receive free access to the entire back catalog of TED Books. Because users know what to expect from TED, the company can get away with this subscription model.
“I think one of the biggest problems in the book publishing world as it goes online is just the problem of discovery—so what’s the equivalent of walking into a bookstore and browsing to find the thing you want? The subscription model is an interesting alternative. You just say ‘Look, trust us.'”
The TED Books app is now available on iTunes. Check out the app in action by watching TED’s video.
Portrait by Josh Rubin
Flight search results are prioritized by mileage booking options
Even the savviest of frequent travelers can fall into the miles trap, letting their rewards go unclaimed or worse, losing entire days strategizing how to cash in for a free ticket.
Superfly is a relatively new engine that simplifies the process of shopping for reward travel by storing membership information for airlines, hotel chains, ground transportation and credit cards. Flight searches cross reference this data to present the most relevant results.
The search engine allows users to set up frequent flyer accounts from 67 airline options, integrating each seamlessly into an easily digestible interface. Miles are given a dollar amount to simplify the appearance and enable users to compare their accounts. The interface is light and clean, and stacks up flight options in comparison through price, rewards and net value rankings.
In the search funciton, adjustments can be made through the sidebar to adjust time, number of stops, cabin and preferred airlines. The site essentially plays the role of a good travel agent: rather than assuming that each individual will be interested in the same results, Superfly is in the game of personalized travel planning. While certain sections of the start-up remain in beta, Superfly is ready for booking.
Test driving a class of purpose-designed automobiles for law enforcement
When we visited Ford back in September 2011 for an exclusive preview of their new “Police Interceptors“, we felt the story wasn’t complete without getting behind the wheel, which we finally had the opportunity to do. The Sedan and the first pursuit-rated Utility available represent a thoughtful and considered approach to designing cars specifically for law enforcement use. We sat down at Ford’s headquarters in Dearborn, MI with Lisa Teed, the Marketing Manager for the Police Interceptor line, and Mike Interian, the line’s Vehicle Integration Engineer. We learned about the difficulty of designing a purpose-built machine to service one of the most specialized jobs on the market.
At first glance the Interceptor models bear a striking resemblance to the standard Ford Taurus and Explorer consumer market automobiles. Initially, we were really disappointed, having imagined a design similar to one you’d more likely find in a science fiction movie—but therein lies the amazing design story of these cars. They build off of existing car platforms, which cuts development and maintenance costs. Their design is functional rather than superficial, and nearly every component of the cars other than what you see right away is tuned and suited to the very different uses that these look-alikes perform. From their radiators and engines to their stiffer bodies, steel wheels and enormous breaks, not to mention the column shifter, equipment plates, special fabrics and wide door openings, nothing has escaped the team’s (and their customers’) considerations. Ford isn’t new to the law enforcement space—its Crown Victoria Police Interceptor is a law enforcement standby that continues to dominate the market, but is being discontinued to make room for the Interceptors.
“Ford has been making police vehicles for 60 years,” says Teed. “We usually took our products and then we morphed them to fit the needs of police. That was until the Crown Vic—and keep in mind the Crown Vic is on a 19-year-old platform. Our mission said the next generation must be equal to or better than the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. Well, that’s easy from a platform perspective—you can find a better platform. It’s got to be safer. It’s got to be equal in durability—now that’s the hard one.”
“Police don’t treat the vehicle all that nice, honestly,” Teed continues. “This is a vehicle that lives 24/7. One person gets off the shift and the other person comes on. The vehicle just takes a beating all day long. That’s why the Crown Victoria has this great reputation. So we have to build vehicles that have the same durability in the life of police use. From a design perspective, the vehicles aren’t about aesthetics, they’re about function. But from an engineering perspective, it’s all about good design because you’ve got to make this thing survive.”
From custom interior fabrics for easy cleaning to skid plates on the undercarriage, Ford went to great lengths to ensure the durability of the new models. Door hinges are reinforced to double the lifespan of the components, a necessary measure on a car that is constantly exited and entered. The 18-inch wheels are bigger than those found on civilian models, and are built to meet the needs of the extra-large calipers and brake pads—both of which translate to jaw-dropping braking capabilities. Match that with an optional 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine souped up with two turbochargers and a high-pressure direct-injection system, and you have a 365 horsepower vehicle that can jump to high speeds and slow to a crawl at the drop of a hat.
Due to the difference between civilian and police driving techniques, all of the driving dynamics like suspension and turning sensitivity have been tweaked to provide optimum performance. If you imagine that driving a police car is fun, you are right. I was able to drive both the Crown Victoria and the new Interceptors on identical courses, and the differences were instantly noticeable. The Crown Vic has the brazen power and handling that’s a bit of a throwback. The Interceptors leverage AWD and every modern engineering tool to create a vehicle that handles and performs better, safer and more easily. I’m not going to lie, however—throwing a Vic around a corner is a helluva good time.
Most surprising, perhaps, was the way the Utility Interceptor drove, which didn’t feel anything like its street version. It gripped and turned more like a car than an SUV, and its braking was particularly impressive. The cars also feature 20% better fuel economy than the competition, and considering how much it costs municipalities to keep fleets gassed up that really matters.
Another important element to consider was distraction while driving, which inhibits decision-making. “We tried to make it as easy to drive quickly as possible,” says Interian. “A lot of the new technologies help us with that. The all-wheel drive, the stability controls—we tuned the suspension to that kind of driving.”
While the interior looks much like that of an explorer or Taurus, subtle details are peppered throughout. “We took a lot of design effort in the seats,” said Teed. “We took down the bolsters to the point where there was hardly any foam left so that the butt of the gun would fit. The seat has “anti-intrusion” plates—there’s a nice big steel plate that runs through the back of the seat. Then you put a partition in there, which is generally common in most patrol vehicles, and all of a sudden it becomes a cell, a safety cell.” Ford also pushed back the rear seats and widened the door, creating safer and easier entry and more legroom for all.
Ford worked with a team of officers from start to finish, making sure that every detail was purpose-designed for the line of duty. In some cases that included doing less with technology—fleets can either be ordered with standard keys that work in all models or individual fobs that are car-specific. While Ford included their iPod and USB-enabled info-center, the real innovation came in allowing “after-market” technologies to work in the automobile. They inserted unassigned control buttons on the wheel that can be wired to sirens and other police-specific electronics. Ford realized that older models are often rigged to accommodate police needs, so the new Interceptors are designed to be easily customized.
One of the unique quirks of law enforcement fleets is that electronics often outlast the automobiles. With Ford’s malleable models, police forces can outfit the new cars with existing technology utilizing the customizable features. The trunk of the Sedan features interior lights and a custom-mounted gear box for installing technologies out of the way. On the Utility, a wide berth and mounting options make it easy for officers to include their own after-market storage.
In terms of safety, crumple zones have been specified to divert impact away from the cabin, a feature that is enhanced by (optional) ballistic door panels. Airbags are intelligent, and can distinguish the difference between the impact of a bullet round and that of a collision. Steel has been used throughout the car for its ability to diffuse heat. This, combined with the larger radiator and and auxiliary transmission oil cooler, help to counteract overheating from long running times.
The Interceptor Series, building off of a long history of police-specific automobiles, is a great example of how purpose-built design can turn standard-issue sedans and SUVs into a versatile tools of law enforcement.
All photos by Josh Rubin and Evan Orensten
Three new applications aim to enhance mobile photography
A slew of photo applications for iPhone have rolled out recently, bringing a bit of competition to the Instagram-dominated scene. From professional features to creative image destruction, the following apps continue to expand the capabilities of smart phone photography.
Camera Awesome
Focusing on camera and video, this app brings some professional-level options to your touch screen interface. The slickest feature has to be the adjustable focus and exposure selection, which allows you to set each independently as you compose the shot. While shooting video, Camera Awesome will record the five seconds prior to pressing the record button, a clutch feature for capturing fleeting moments.
Pictures can be taken rapid fire, and the app has hundreds of filters and effects ready for application through the “Awesomize” button. Finished images are then shared across multiple social media channels. Not that it affects the app’s performance, but quirky loading phrases like “alchemizing dragon scales” and “grilling unicorn tears” sure make for an entertaining wait time.
Decim8
The anti-nostalgia attitude of Decim8 turns your photographs into pixelated works of glitch art. This is the third version of Decim8, and the UI has received a complete overhaul, giving you much more control over the final product through customizable presets. Effects can be applied one by one or as a batch effect. Menus and options are accessed through multi-directional gestures, and the focus is found by simply tapping the screen. Since corruption is really the point of Decim8, data is irrecoverable and pixel reconfiguration often renders your images beautifully mangled. Users share photos through social media or Postagram postcards.
Instamatch
Rather than compete with the popular photo app, Instamatch from Tiny Hearts pulls Instagram photos to create a fun memory game. The app recognizes similar objects and arranges them into themes, also allowing you to create your own categories. For example, a food-themed game would present a series of similar dishes that users will have to flip and match. Scores are determined by the number of tiles and the amount of time it takes to complete them. Multiplayer mode supports two people on the iPhone and four on the iPad.
Two apps seek out sustainable food and responsible diet options
We know plenty, perhaps even too much about how we ought to eat, but the fact remains we put a lot of faith in restauranteurs and grocery stockists to have our best interests in mind. Lately, we have noticed a few apps that aim to put power in the hands of the purchaser. Vegan, gluten-free, raw, green, sustainable, ethical and flexitarian eaters can all appreciate the awesome power of knowing the best foods to eat and where to find them.
The newest app for selective eaters is inBloom, founded by OK Go guitarist Andy Ross and Eytan Oren of Eytan and the Embassy. The personalized interface saves the users’ dietary preferences and employs the information to filter search results. Not limited to food, inBloom also offers the ability to search for eco-friendly lodging and electric charging stations. Each restaurant description includes yelp ratings, hours of operation, map location and other useful tidbits. The location-based app is currently only available for NYC with plans to spread to other cities.
Clean Plates is less user-specific, with browsing based on the type of fare you happen to be feeling at the moment. Search by cuisine, location, price or diet to find healthy, sustainable and delicious food. Essentially a restaurant searcher, Clean Plates sets itself apart with well-researched summaries that are a result of investigation into the background of individual restaurants. The app also includes Yelp ratings, links to Menupages, hours, price ranges and locations. Rather than ignoring middle-of-the road options, restaurants are rated as either “great,” “good” or “okay” to allow for more dining flexibility.
Some old favorites in the sustainable food app selection are Seafood Watch and Locavore. The former comes from Monterey Bay Aquarium and rates different types of seafood based on sustainability and ecological ratings. Once users decide on a fish, they can search restaurants and stores to find it nearby. Locavore features a seasonal food list so that you can stay informed of locally grown produce any time of year. The app also lets you search for nearby markets, browse recipes and see what others are eating in your area.
Offline functionality and itinerary sharing dominate this multi-city metro app
The network of transit apps now available has grown nearly as complicated as the oft daunting subway systems they were created to navigate. Certain New York-focused programs we’ve used have their strong points—New York Subway features an augmented reality function for above-ground navigation; NYC Exit Strategy maps out which cars to ride for fastest transfer and iTrans shares service changes directly from the MTA. The relatively new Embark stands out by simplifying the system with a “tailored trip” concept.
Originally developed for San Francisco, Embark now serves Chicago, NYC, London, D.C. and Philadelphia, as well as the Long Island Railroad and New Jersey Transit systems through a series of location-specific apps. Most notably, Embark functions without a data connection, allowing users to plan new trips while underground. The user interface makes station-to-station navigation fast and easy, and trips can also be designed around address and landmark destinations. Linking with local transit announcements, Embark sends push notifications to keep users apprised of relevant delays, warnings and service changes.
Embark CEO David Hodge believes that, in the age of the smartphone, people shouldn’t have to think about how they’re going to get somewhere. Embark minimizes time spent on the app, streamlining A-to-B navigation with its offline functionality. In some ways, Embark does less than other similar transportation apps, but is able to set itself apart through intelligent navigation. Small details like planning trips based on arrival rather than departure and walking speed adjusted by city also give Embark a crucial edge.
Users are also able to Tweet, text and email itineraries so that friends can know when to expect each other. The free app looks to include transportation systems outside of railways in the future, and will expand to public bus schedules and routes next. With a flood of Olympic Games tourists set to hit the London Tube next summer, Embark hopes to ease the movement of unfamiliar travelers in the European metropolis.
Embark is available for download from iTunes.
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