A world of endless possibilities, in 3D

I finished reading +Chris Anderson fantastic new book "Makers: The New Industrial Revolution" 3 weeks ago and my head is still buzzing.

I had heard about 3D printing but did not realized how it could actually be applied to so many different fields. What I was missing was someone to open my eyes and take me on this fantastic tour. And there is so much to see, discover and think about!
This technology will reduce waste (one would be able to print the broken part of a toy or a small machine that would otherwise send the whole thing to the bin), create jobs (thinking of all the opportunities for creating jobs catering to small niches, "the long tail", which big players cannot economically reach) and nurture, and be nurtured by, the open-source school of thought, making collaboration all the more important.
If only I had one when I was a kid and was so annoyed of having lost a small element from a toy (especially from my Star Wars figurines). Just imagine: downloading schematics, printing them out and voila! No more tears.

One could think, like I did, that it would be limited to hobbies and small time tinkerers but when I read this article "3D-printed dresses make it onto Paris Fashion Week catwalk", I realized it was becoming mainstream at a very fast pace.
A few more years and one will be able to print almost everything, as long as it is available on Creative Commons license (another big subject...). For me it means that one could live from its craft, and compete on a virtually unlimited playing field. It so invigorating. And I even have a few ideas for myself, if I ever wanted to become my own boss, or complement my retirement, in many years.

Have a look at the book and the available resources (the magazine Make, from O'Reilly media, has just spun off due to its succes), it will open your eyes and may be give you ideas as well. A brand new world!

A good change for smartphone consumers?

I meet many people from a similar background: marketing. Being hype as we are (or actually think we are), everybody has been using the latest iPhone and the coolest cover. Everything else was just turned into derision, i.e un-hype.

Like everyone else I read reports and announcements about the pace of Android handset activations the world over, without actually experiencing it myself. Until last week when I traveled to Hong Kong, for the first time since May 2012. There I saw multiple, and quite enticing, OOH ads for Samsung and aggressive POP material from Sony and LG. Going into meetings, I noticed what I estimated around 50% of Android devices (including one remaining BlackBerry). Quite a change! For the first time I experienced what I had read: Android, in its diversity, was really becoming a force to reckon with (and the 2nd hand market is increasing the pace of re-purchase in Hong Kong, at least) and new comers to the game.

How much market share will go to the various operating systems (iOS, Android, Microsoft, and may be Linux and BlackBerry) I do not know, but what I know is that, as a consumer, I am really excited about this situation!
More competition means makers will outdo each others with features, designs, better OS and pressure on the prices to keep all those gizmos affordable. We will be able to chose from a wider range of products and find the one we really like in every aspects, no more mono-choice (don't get me wrong, I find the iPhone form factor and finish absolutely beautiful). All these new features interacting with others in buildings, cars, mass transportation will create habits and usage that we have not dreamt of yet. This could be a simple a locking a door with your phone (like this precursor), to helping elderly keep in touch with their family in an easier way or helping far away elementary school students getting access to more knowledge, a better shot at a better life. My sci-fi fan heart is pounding just imagining how close the future seems to be!
As a professional working in advertising, I am excited by the field of possibilities opening in front of me. More ideas to think about and develop, and more options to wow consumers with jaw dropping visuals and tag lines, turning advertising campaigns into really memorable and entertaining moments.

I now actually feel that we are on the verge of seeing an explosion of choices in mobile systems that will just open our world to so much opportunities, regardless of how much money or diplomas we have in our pockets
And that gets the optimist in me smiling at the beginning of this year.