I’ve really enjoy reading Ethan Marcotte’s book, Responsive Web Design. It’s so easy to read, and full of great info that you can put to use immediately. In fact, I’ve already started re-constructing many of my web projects so that they can be more “responsive.” As well, at work, we are talking about this a lot and we have just completed a project that is fully “responsive” (well, it’s about 80% there, I’d say – as it supports tablet and desktop perfectly, but needs some work for the mobile phone.) What’s amazing is how simple it is to make a design responsive.

I recently did a Podcast interview with Rick Mathieson for his GENWOW blog. I was joined by Sarah Ortman, senior group manager for consumer and shopper promotions for Clorox, and Dorrian Porter, CEO of Mozes, Inc. We talked about the projects we working on (I could not speak about too much because of NDA), and some of the trends we see shaping up in the Mobile world. One of the ideas I helped introduce was the concept of “reverse search.” Specifically, it’s the idea that, moving forward, with all the data we are collecting about individuals (via social networks, ecommerce, CRM systems, location, etc…), we could be approaching a shift in how we “find” things. For example, right now, when we want to find something on the web, we go to Google and, using the best “keywords” we can think of, we try to narrow in on what we are looking for. But, perhaps the next direction, or an augment to current Search, is to use what we already “know” about a person, to provide users with a direction, or suggestions of what might be valuable to them. Not unlike the recommendation engines we see now – but with more relevant and real time info as we can pull from multiple data stores, including location. Maybe, I can turn on my “antenna” for what I’m looking for, and the world will be waiting to find me!

Big thanks to Rick for the invite to join the discussion – I had a great time!

Wow – it looks really nice. The new MeeGo-powered device apparently has NO buttons, except for volume and camera. I’m excited to see this one in action!

While I agree with much of this decision, and understand the issues surrounding it, I’m rather bummed to hear Adobe sound like they are “conceding” in this manner. All this talk just continues to blur the really story: (1) Flash does not run well on mobile devices yet. I like my Android devices, but I try to avoid Flash content because it’s not that great of an experience – I’m not sure why Adobe can’t focus on improving this, this would be huge if they could. At the same time, (2) HTML5 not going to save the world next week like Apple loves to say – it’s still a long ways from being a reliable alternative itself. It’s great that Adobe is working on new tools to support HTML5 authoring – that will be great, just sad that it has come to this “feud.”

Whew, last week was a busy one; I’m calling it my “PR Road Show.” It centered mostly around the AppNation conference in SF, but also included a trip to Facebook, a panel on Native vs Web mobile apps, and numerous parties.

Facebook.
Met with some very cool people at Facebook’s new HQ to discuss programs/plans for communications with agencies as well as tightening our technology relationship. Man, they have a great cafeteria. Google’s is much bigger, but the food at FB seems more healthy.

Mobile Marketing Panel: Native Apps vs. Mobile Web.
I spoke on a panel, moderated by AppNation founder, Drew Ianni, which raised the question: “Are Apps Just a Stop Along The Way To The Mobile Web?” I’m a huge fan of building web apps for mobile devices. Back when the iPhone first came out (literally, the week it came out) I was playing with the iUI framework and convincing clients to create we-based iPhone experiences. After the AppStore came along, the mobile “apps” didn’t seem so “hot” to people – but, they are making a come back! However, I still feel that discoverability for web apps is a key factor in their success; so, I’m not sure we are quite “there” yet.

AppNation
It was my second AppNation – this time I spoke on a panel (“The Rise of the Creative Technologist”). Like the last event, this year’s show was full a good info and great people. One of the things I enjoy the most about this conference, and what seems to set it apart from others, is the focus on business (vs. development or design). For example, it’s quite amazing to be able to hear top VCs get up and talk about how they see things from their side (how often do you hear that?)

This is very cool. When I first saw it, I thought for sure it was using the accelerometer to pull this off; but no – it’s using the front-facing camera to track the user’s head movement. It looks great in the video below, but I’d like to play with it myself to really see how it works and performs. Certainly opens the doors to some cool gaming and interaction ideas.

They are here! I must say, these tablets look really nice (in the photos and in specs.) If they perform as well as they sound, I bet they could give the iPad 2 a run for it’s money. In addition to being slightly thinner and lighter than the iPad 2, both Samsung devices also have higher resolution (1280×800 vs. 1024×768); microSD ports for storage expansion (iPad has no ability for expansion); and, the Samsung devices are relatively cheaper than the iPad 2. (Oh yeah, and these devices support Flash.) Still, all this won’t make a difference if they don’t perform well. I was not wild about the previous Samsung Galaxy – it was a little sluggish and the size was odd: not quite big enough to be a “tablet”, but too big to be a cell phone

HTC has announced two new Android, “social phones” that provide “one touch” access to Facebook (if you really need that.) There’s the ChaCha and the Salsa. Probably the two greatest phone names ever! The HTC Sense looks interesting. I particularly like the FriendStream functionality. I personally would not be interested in one of these devices, but, they look cool and I’d imagine that Facebook-obsessed teenagers will love it!

HTC ChaCha Facebook Phone

I meant to post this on Monday after I watched the announcement on YouTube. My dreams of a pure-web-app-based world are coming closer to reality! Google announced their new device: the Google Netbook (apply to the pilot program here) , along with a the Chrome Web Store, the place to go install new apps and extensions.

I’m not sure I’d buy one of these things, yet, as I personally need a powerful machine that allows me to create/develop stuff. Given how I use computers, I’m not able to stick with basic web-based apps (they are not that helpful for me yet, but in time ? ) It’s a similar argument I have with myself whenever I want to buy an iPad: “what would I really use it for?” (This doesn’t stop me from planning to buy one very soon of course.)

Still, what is significant here, is the future of the computer that devices like the Google Netbook are pointing to. The idea that one day I might never see my desktop again; I might use only a browser to interact with all my applications and data. Pretty cool and not hard to imagine. Web apps have made huge strides over the past several years. Technologies like AJAX and Flash and now HTML5, help to blur the lines between the browser and our good old desktop. Dang, I remember when drag and drop within a browser was a huge deal! Now, I can do (basic) photo and video editing, mix music, play fast-moving animated games (even real-time multiplayer games) and do all of my document writing and management without ever seeing, or needing, my desktop. For the “average” user (pardon the use of the term “average”) doesn’t this activity account for a significant amount of what they use computers for?

Of course, this is where the distinction kicks in to gear. If I lump my wife, most of my family and many of my friends into this “average computer user category,” I can absolutely see how they could eventually be left with only needing a device like Google Netbook. Why would they ever need to install a desktop app if they can do 90-100% of their daily tasks within a browser. And, don’t forget: they don’t have to worry about storage or back-up, as all of their data is stored in the cloud (nothing is stored on the device.) Sounds like a great deal!

But, it won’t work for me, or many of my other “non-average” friends. We still need our desktops as the tools we use are just not efficient enough within the browser. Without even talking about the tools I use for web/software development, I’m chuckling at the thought of trying to use something Pro Tools (which, has a hard enough time running on my dual core, Intel Mac with 9GB of ram.) There are just too many tools I need that seem very far off from being available in the browser.

Although I have not used the Google Netbook yet, and I have doubts as to how I would ever really bring myself to buy one – in addition to my lovely MacBook Pro (which an’t much bigger BTW) I’m still very excited about the pure-browser based future that we are heading towards.

Although I have not yet visited one myself, the Walmart-owned Sam’s Club, is planning to add mobile services to it’s in-store experience; cool! First, they will be adding WiFi into their stores (powered by AT&T), and then in September, they will be rolling out applications designed for the iPhone, Android and BlackBerry devices.

“Our goal for the apps is also to enhance members’ shopping experience,” he said. “Mobile is a bridge between our traditional dot-com site at home and the bricks-and-mortar experience, and these apps bring something new to members at their fingertips.

“Mobile is a fast-moving evergreen channel that is driven by what members tell us they want.”

- Jason Jackson, senior director of member innovation at Sam’s Club, Bentonville.

The apps will feature the usual: product information, reviews, store locator, and eValues discounts (coupons) which are loaded directly into a Sam Club member’s membership card – that is pretty cool. It’s nice to see this kind of integration between devices/systems.

It’s amazing to me that there are not more stores following this strategy. Personally, I do not enter any kind of store without my iPhone ready to pull up product reviews or search for better deals or nearby stores. I was in Blockbuster the other day, and used my NetFlix app to pick a movie!