Via C|Net comes word (Link) of a new version of Microsoft’s Virtual Earth. Seems as if the race between Google and MS to create the most compelling, interactive 3D version of the planet is progressing nicely, as both seem to have unique advantages over the other. Of course, the thing most people want to know is when will they support avatars. No mention of that, but there is an accompanying video (Link) and a short but nice slideshow (Link). That’ll have to do for now.

Ever since seeing some advance images for one of the concepts entered into the Los Angeles Auto Show Design Challenge, I’ve been wondering what the rest would look like. Fortunately the concepts are now available for viewing online (Link).

I have to admit, however, I’m unimpressed. The one that stands out – the Audi Dynamic Space Frame (Link) – is actually very much like a concept a classmate of mine, Phil Kucera, did way back in our final year at school. A shame it doesn’t really seem to go much further than his idea.

{Image Copyright © Volkswagen/Audi Design Center California}

If the journalistic community is fretting over losing mindshare and gainful employment to blogs and consumer-generated media, I can provide one example of why I believe they should. You see, for about two decades there’s been a mostly lone voice in the mainstream media talking about Design: Bruce Nussbaum. One would think I’d appreciate having someone talk about design – and I would – if I believed that what I perceive as increasingly worthless, honey-dripping hype was how the design profession would grow and gain respect in the corporate community.

Although previously mentioned (reLink), I’ll repeat a little history here. In the late 80’s Nussbaum told the world via BusinessWeek (April 11, 1988) magazine that Design had returned to America:

After relegating design to the backseat in the 1970’s, U.S. manufacturers are once again discovering that it is key to industrial competitiveness.

Right. And there was much self-congratulatory backslapping in the design community. Until everyone figured out it wasn’t quite true; that it applied to only a handful of manufacturers. I wish you could see the products chosen as examples of this new Return to Design. Sadly, there’s essentially nothing that a design student today would likely recognize. No truly great design icons; just mostly pretty, 80’s era geometric shapes.
Continue reading →

Anyone remember this – the Trimersion head-mounted display (reLink)? Well, seems it’s now available for purchase. At US $395 it’s certainly worth taking the time to read the reviews when they become available, but for now you can check out the gallery over on the 3001AD website (Link).

Sure seems like it bloated though, doesn’t it? Too bad this doesn’t look more like Johnny’s goggles – the geometric wraparounds. Always thought those were pretty nice.

{Image Copyright © 3001AD LLC, 2006}

There’s an interesting Second Life story over on New World Notes titled “Need 4 Nissan” (Link) that’s worth taking the time to read. In it author Wagner James Au puts Nissan’s efforts in Second Life up against – who else – some Tuckerish guy from the American heartland. There’s no surprise in the implied outcome: Nissan doesn’t fair well.

I started writing a long entry about this but I don’t have the time to go into the kind of detailed analysis of the situation that I’d prefer. Perhaps next time. Because I’m sure there will be a next time.

(p.s. – There’s a hint of some of what I was thinking in the title to this post.)