Reese’s has been getting a lot of flak this year on social platforms for their holiday treats, supposedly peanut butter-chocolate shaped like Christmas trees but more often a near-shapeless blob.

While customer response didnt reach the levels of heated conversation incited by Starbuck’s red cup, the tone generally denigrated the company as not caring about their product. So Reese’s responded.

and their followers called it a win, as a charming and even motivating answer.

Why It’s Hot

Neither ignoring nor apologizing for their product “fail”, Reese’s brilliantly stopped the product-shaming in it’s tracks.

Apple released iOS 9.1 on Wednesday and the thing that caught everyone’s eye, was the eye. A new emoji of an eye/word bubble.

Turns out, it’s part of the anti-bullying campaign called “I am a witness.” According to the Ad Council, when they first approached Apple about developing an emoji for the campaign, it should have taken a year. But apple was able to combine two existing emojis and fast-track it into the new release in weeks instead of months.

Why It’s Hot

terrific buzz generation not just for it’s existence, but across tech circles for the expedited development. All calling more attention to the cause. They made the process worth celebrating.

Analysts were caught by surprise when Apple TV doubled its TV Everywhere share in a single quarter (ending March 2015) after such a long struggle to gain traction. Spurred by a price drop for the holidays to some degree, this gives Apple devices almost 58% of the TV Everywhere usage.

Some are crying “woe” as a good part of that share was shifting from Mac. This ignores that the overall category grew significantly, and the Apple TV-mobile connection (ipad/iphone) is what Apple really wants.

Why it’s Hot

The shift back to the living room from laptop is interesting. More interesting, is that Apple is seeing the shift to the two channels it really needs to launch and fuel HomeKit. Apple now controls the bulk of data with the majority of viewing, and is in best position to monetize the entire connected experience.

This weekend an ambitious event called the Space App Challenge will be held simultaneously in 162 countries with over 10,000 participants. Co-sponsored by NASA and IBM, the event is a hack-a-thon designed to tackle challenges around space and human problems that can be solved using the data available through NASA and platforms/cloud provided by IBM. The participants include developers, scientists, students, entrepreneurs and educators.

25 specific challenges have been identified under four major themes, with local organizing groups in 100 cities and tools, data, prizes all included.

http://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/nasa-ibm-to-hold-global-space-app-challenge-this-weekend-679229?site=classic

https://2015.spaceappschallenge.org/

Why It’s Hot

The perfect intersection of data, tools, focus and incentives combined with the drivers of achievement and collaboration– these kind of hack-a-thons are now being applied in new areas (health), powered by the Internet of Things and the data being generated.

As with any major cultural change– and technology is obviously transforming our culture– it has been so much easier for the older generations to talk about the negatives when our teenagers are spending 11 hours a day in front of a screen or multiple screens.

But the tide may finally be turning to see the more balanced impact. Recent studies are showing that all this screen time is building reasoning and logic skills, enhancing visual acuity, teaching brevity in communication, enhanced ability to filter and sort rapid streams of information…

http://www.fastcompany.com/3040767/the-case-for-more-screen-time

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/01/21/opinion/

Why It’s Hot

Understanding both sides of our users and the generational differences enhances our ability to create individualised experiences that have impact.

The question of who owns the internet, is now front-page news. Is it a utility, a basic service for U.S. citizens or is it controlled by the providers who can decide how to prioritize traffic?

http://www.wired.com/2014/11/net_neutrality/

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/heres-how-other-countries-are-addressing-net-neutrality-2014-11-13

http://time.com/3578043/thebrief-net-neutrality-obama-fcc/#3578043/thebrief-net-neutrality-obama-fcc/

I have always advocated for free and open web but its not a simple issue. For example, regulation might slow down innovation and progress as seen with AT&T already suspending some build-out until it’s resolved. On the other hand, ISPs have the lowest satisfaction scores and haven’t delivered on service and innovation.

Why It’s Hot

This will impact every Client, differently. Cisco and Verizon are closest to the debate but our social and mobile programs, innovation partnerships are on the other side. It impacts the long tail of channel planning, start-ups we would like to invest in, possibly cost structure for access on behalf of Clients.

Most importantly though, this could be a spur to competition, service and innovation as the spotlight hits the ISPs.

With two health platforms launched (Google Fit and apple Health), more on the way (Samsung, Nintendo) and a thousand wearables with varied functions in various stages of development…. Microsoft has somewhat quietly released the most advanced device yet. The device is slim but packs 10 sensors into single band. It’s cross-platform (although Microsoft did release their own platform).

What’s really new is the intelligence from the device– it can analyze your behaviors and give you feedback. It can also guide you through workouts. And it can work through its app on almost any device.

http://gizmodo.com/microsoft-band-hands-on-an-activity-tracker-thats-actu-1652836668

http://www.wired.com/2014/10/microsoft-health-band/

Why It’s Hot

Wearables are less than two years old, and the acceleration of utility and intelligence only required the right platforms to unleash them– from dumb monitoring devices to intelligent, engaging tools. This is the beginning.

Interesting commentary and perspective on how social influence impacts the creative process and expression/publishing.

http://www.fastcompany.com/3036135/how-to-be-a-success-at-everything/how-neil-gaiman-stays-creative-in-an-age-of-constant-distr?partner=rss

Social platforms and connections can be equally distracting and inspiring, can enable or disrupt. they affect both the individual creator, and the crowd, and certainly disrupt the old models of content distribution (Amazon’s battle with hacchette is an example of the latter).

Why it’s hot

Digital natives will wrestle with incorporating social behaviors and engines into the creative/strategic thought process and the distribution of intellectual property– how to make sure crowd-sourcing and real-time expression don’t become the process.

This is a juxtaposition of two articles that happened to be back-to-back in my newsfeed.

The first (with a shout-out to Todd) is about the unintended consequences or possibilities of technology– in this case, the reveal that your Android smartphone can listen in on real-world conversations not through the microphone (which you can block) but through the gyroscope (which you can’t block).

http://www.wired.com/2014/08/gyroscope-listening-hack/

The second is a piece from IFLScience addressing a recent edu-tainment show on Discovery Channel’s Shark week that has convinced millions of people that long-extinct “moster sharK’ is hiding in the oceans.

http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/could-megalodon-still-live-deep-ocean

Why It’s Hot

A real inspiration to look at the tools available to us– the channels, platforms and devices– and look past the pre-defined purpose to their possibilities; and the power of our narrative whn delivered through those channels in such an impactful fashion.

Transformers are here!

Using some paper, a circuit board and the plastic used in Shrinky Dinks, a team of researchers has designed an origami-inspired crawling robot that folds itself into working order in about four minutes.

The fusion of 4D printing and origami techniques has already made complex, mobile self-assembling robots possible– starting from a flat sheet sheet of material and becoming a working, moving robot.

http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-origami-folding-robots-20140807-story.html

Why it’s Hot

it was only weeks ago that we identified 4D printing as an nascent technology and its already advanced to complex structures. The implications for health (miniaturized components), space exploration, law enforcement, armed forces, and more are incredible.

Behavioral scientists are at it again, publishing studies and theses that leave us wondering “who paid for that?”

http://www.fastcodesign.com/3032932/evidence/the-science-of-cool

In this case, researchers identified four traits of “cool” and its the fourth one thats tricky– unconventiality. When does “unusual” become “abnormal”? The conclusion is that “cool” isnt too risky, people need to ground the new design/function in their human needs or habits.

Why it’s Hot

Two lessons for us as we create experiences and interactions. First, we must tether our design to something solid in peoples lives (think about music, where albums went to cassettes to walkman to ipod, vs Segway). Second, it means “cool” is a journey because others will be able to copy rapidly if we arent too unconventional.

Two Australian research firms have teamed up with Twitter (through their recently-acquired Gnip) and Amazon Web services to create a real-time emotion-quantification project called “We Feel.” By analyzing the English-langugage Twitter activity every 15 minutes, they can map the emotions around the world. The website has an interactive visualization that lets users break down emotions (for example, “joy” could be “zest” or “pride” or a number of sub-groups), geography, time, gender.

I’ve been tracking the World Cup matches and how they affect the countries playing.

http://wefeel.csiro.au/#/

Why It’s Hot

Behind the scenes, the collaboration was sparked by Amazon looking to donate their services. These kind of collaborative projects begin to show the intelligence and insight we can use to measure the impact of products, politics, events.

At least three organizations are creating re-enactments of the Normandy Invasion on Twitter, using archived photos and first-hand accounts for a real-time immersive experience.

http://mashable.com/2014/06/05/d-day-twitter-accounts/

Why Its Hot

Using the platforms of the 21st century to “translate” a defining moment in history, into an accessible human drama for new generation. Says a lot about the power of reach, immediacy and content to capture the imagination in education.

Some have been around for a while (Google Search), some are just coming into view (IBM’s Crush for crime prevention). Some have become so ubiquitous we hardly even notice them (Amazon’s referral). But these algorithms shape our experiences, our economy and maybe our love lives.

The 10 Algorithms

Why Its Hot

At first, I was struck by the patterns, the structure of these algorithms. And the fact that there is research that proves humans follow patterns and structures, its how we understand our environment and why “thinking outside the box” is not always a good thing. But then I realized– not one of these algorithms existed 15 years ago. Now they define our lives. That says a lot for how we adapt to the visualizations, how we integrate experiences into our lives, and challenges us to look for the new experience drivers that are waiting to be created.

I admit it… I am rooting for LinkedIn. Since they became the first network to use gamification principles so well, I have embraced that spark of genius. But they have had a long road to get out of the “recruiters” platform perception.

This week, they hit 300 Million users. And clarified their ambition to be a content delivery engine. Very different from facebook, because they dont depend on advertising (they have paid memberships).

Why LinkedIn is morphing from a social network into an online newspaper

Why Its Hot

LinkedIn is poised to be a business influence and content engine. The counterpoiint to “frivolous” social networking. And a great opportunity to use content and influencers in our creation of experiences.

First SETI borrowed your “spare” time on computer, then FoldIt turned gene mapping into a game, now you can donate your mobile processing power to solving complex medical issues. As more and more devices, even your home itself, has computing and processing power, you can begin to direct that power wherever you like.

how-the-internet-of-everything-will-cure-cancer/

HTC takes on cancer with smartphone-powered supercomputer

Why its Hot

Thinking about the raw computing power coming online is incredible, if we can begin to aggregate and direct it to real human challenges– global warming, econometrics, even cancer research. You can decide the cause or institution you will support with your new currency. And we can begin to solve the most complex problems at a fantastic rate!