Augmented Reality Ice Cream

As a company with a vested interest in mobile application development, we're always taking time to stay up on current technology trends in this area. One we've been following closely is the burgeoning area of augmented reality. To date, there have been a few really incredible uses of augmented reality in mobile apps, most notably augmented reality browsers such as Layar. Layar's a really cool application that uses the viewfinder from your phone's camera and your phone's GPS capabilities to show you on-screen descriptions of what's nearby.

Here's one that we just stumbled upon, and while I'm not sure I'd classify this as a mobile application nor a USEFUL deployment of augmented reality, it certainly qualifies as incredibly cool. Enjoy:

by Garret Ohm

Post a comment Email Garret Ohm

Latest Work: Tandberg

We are very excited to announce that we recently launched an engaging new web-based training course for Tandberg, the leading global provider of telepresence, high-definition video conferencing and mobile video products and services. As the final touches of their acquisition by Cisco were put in place, they came to The Sutter Group seeking a solution for one of the core challenges of the acquisition: Quickly getting Cisco employees up to speed on Tandberg's products and technologies.

Given a turnaround time of just a few short weeks, The Sutter Group created a sophisticated and engaging web-based training course titled "Tandberg Product Expert, which consists of 8 individual learning modules representing the Tandberg products and underlying technologies. Working with the Tandberg project team, we first identified all functionality requirements and helped them solidify the overall architecture, outlining all content departments and the flow of the course from start to finish. The wireframes that resulted were used as a guide throughout the development and implementation of the course.

Next, taking cues from Tandberg's existing brand guidelines, we developed the design for the user interface, striving for a look and feel that would complement the high tech nature of the course content without drawing the user's attention away from the content itself. The selected design, which you can see in the screen captures we've provided, was used as a blueprint for the development of the entire Tandberg Product Expert course.

more...

by Garret Ohm

Post a comment Email Garret Ohm

TSG creates premium wbt for premium automaker

Audi of America recently engaged TSG to create a new version of the existing Audi Brand Orientation Web-based training (WBT) module used to familiarize new Audi employees with the brand. Working with Audi Academy staff and subject matter experts, we analyzed the existing course to determine ways to better present the content, user interface and navigation of the module. Once the strategic and basic content development was in place, we developed a design template that, when combined with the revised content and new digital assets, much more closely represented the Audi core brand values of Sporty, Progressive and Sophisticated.

Our solution incorporates advanced functionality including voiceover narration, video and Flash-based games to help users retain and recall information as well as streamlined navigation, bookmarking functionality, SCORM compliance and a post-training evaluation. The result is an effective WBT that speaks to the Audi brand and ensures that the deep knowledge of the brand is easily transferred from employee to customer. Here's a few screenshots of the final product:

We are excited to be underway with our second WBT project for Audi, creating a module for Audi TDI® and Alternative Fuels training. Stay tuned for more details.

by Garret Ohm

Post a comment Email Garret Ohm

Starbucks Doesn’t Deliver. Just Plug and Pour.

If you're using social media and specifically Twitter, chances are you've heard one of the people you follow on any giving morning Tweeting something along the lines of, "I'm soooooooo tired this morning. I wish Starbucks delivered." While there are no plans to change their business model to include delivery, they did recently prove that they've been listening to their customers by responding with a Tweet with a link to this image:

We've written quite a lot about how powerful social media can be as a tool to engage with your audience in meaningful ways, and this is a classic example of how it can be done right. By listening to their loving customers and responding personally in a creative and playful way, Starbucks has really shown that they take their customers wants and needs into consideration, even if they can't directly satisfy them. Plus, they reaped the benefit of the tons of buzz this promotion created.

Well played, @starbucks, well played!

by Garret Ohm

Post a comment Email Garret Ohm

The Coolest iPad App Yet

Not long ago, we wrote a blog post about the future of publishing, based on a Sports Illustrated concept for a tablet-based magazine. Since then, the iPad has arrived, and technology-forward companies are working hard to develop applications that utilize these technologies and devices. Here's one from the folks at Wired Magazine. It's so much more than just a digital version of the print magazine. It includes embedded video, linking to the web and more. I can't wait to see this thing in real life! We really think this is going to be a game changer in magazine publishing.

What do you think? Are you ready?

by Garret Ohm

Post a comment Email Garret Ohm