Denuology: The Observation and Observations of Denuo. » Random

A Chromatic Call

btorres — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:05:39 +0000

I was browsing the internets the other day when I happened upon the news that Nintendo’s releasing new colors of their mega-sized DSi XL in Japan. They look pretty fantastic (I’m especially diggin’ on that yellow one).

The video reminded me how much I love the smurf blue DSi. It kinda reflects my odd taste, and I dig that. Sadly the digital tool that reflects my odd digital tastes the most is boring on the outside. My smartphone. The 2010 smartphone is a decidedly black, white, and grey affair. Well consider this my call to arms. For color. My call for color if you will (clever, right?).

Apple, Google, HPalm – will someone, somewhere PLEASE build a serious smartphone in some damn colors. Color doesn’t limit functionality or reception (although apparently covering your hand over an antenna does). Color isn’t inherently immature or non-technical. So why are we stuck with monochromatic portable gadgets? It’s problem is so bad that a company named Colorware has created a highly lucrative (and insanely pricey) business out of simply COLORING the pieces of our digital culture.

All gadgets should come in clear purple (Nintendo called it “Atomic Purple,” which is also awesome)

Portable gamers are used to having a glut of color options available for their perusal. Since the very early days of the industry handheld gaming systems have tended to come in a rainbow of colors. Other gadgets have had their flirtations with color as well. Nokia did it (albeit with faceplates) with their popular phones in the early 00s. Apple did it with their original iBook (fair disclosure… I owned one… and yes it looked like a clamshell mated with a purse… but a colorful one!). Heck, they created a whole campaign about it with their nano-chromatic line of iPod nanos. So why do we live in a world of black and white now?

Apple is the most egregious violator in my eyes – if only because they’ve got a well documented history of being a leader in color. It started with that (still superior) colorful Apple logo. It continued with the delightfully colorful iMacs. When the whole nano-chromatic iPod nano hit, I figured Apple was just continue their conquest of color. But then the iPhone 3G came out… in black and white. And the iPhone 3GS came out… in black and white. And the iPhone 4 was announced… in black and white. Except that it’s only available in black until late July. You’ve got to be kidding me, Apple.

Maybe it’s because glass only comes in black and white

Look, I understand the economics are a bit wonky and it’s tough to stock all those colors of the same product. Why not just follow gaming’s example? Both the PSP and the DS always come out with only a couple of colors at first. Usually black and/or white are one of them and there’s another crazier color in the mix. Then, as the platform begins to lose a bit of steam, release some more colors (usually along gender lines) and BOOM – more sales. It’s a tactic Nintendo has used again and again to much success over the past two decades. Check Nintendo’s balance sheet – I promise you – the tactic works.

In a world where the Gulf of Mexico is being turned black (or brown if it’s been *ahem* “chemically dispersed”) – the last thing we need is LESS color. So consider this my Chromatic Call:

Smartphone manufacturers release us from the bonds of black and white and grey and silver. Not only do we deserve mini-computers in our pockets that enable us to Yelp that mediocre phở we just had in Wicker Park. We deserve to do so in COLORS, dammit.

The “L”: It’s Off-The-Train!

jlau — Thu, 06 May 2010 14:58:17 +0000

Call me crazy or perhaps too innocent, but I get a kick out of riding the CTA trains. There’s something about public transportation that makes me feel so important. It’s 7:10am on a weekday morning, and there I am, standing on a platform scattered with yuppies and working folk. With my coffee thermos in one hand (insert shameless plug for @betacup here) and scrolling my iPod playlist with the other, I try to contain my excitement as the Purple Line train to the Loop screeches to a halt and the humdrum, two-tone “L”-bell greets me. But I get the feeling that I am a part of the minority, as evident by these cantankerous Chicagoans. (See: “The CTA sucks my left ass cheek.”)

It got me wondering: how do the always-candid employees here at Denuo feel about the “L”? And, being the creative innovators they are, what kind of ideas do they have for improving the ride? I began my research by asking everyone to give me three adjectives that describe their relationship with the “L”. Below are the top six adjectives:

Unreliable
Complicated
Annoying
Loud
Deathtrappy
Smelly / uniquely scented

Hmm. My train-in-shining-armor was starting to sound like a bad boyfriend. But maybe the good people at Denuo could turn things around. So I asked: “If you could use all the state tax dollars to fund your project, what would you add to the new CTA trains?”

Here are the most interesting ideas, with my added two-cents $2.25:

Give me mag-lev rails.
Yes, I had to look this one up.
Arrival sounds that varied by stop.
Play “Eye of the Tiger” off the Addison stop.
Flat Panel Touch-screens.
Embed each 3 ft by 5 ft window with an iPad.
Rubber wheels, to make them quieter.
A dream come true for a six-year-old Hot Wheels fan.
Personal TVs with selection of my favorite shows and movies.
So we can all keep up with the Kardashians…or not.
Dance floor with smoke machines and disco balls.
Next stop, Funkytown.

I would be pretty excited if the CTA were to upgrade their choo-choos à la Denuo. But until that day, my beloved, creaky piece of crap will have to suffice for my commute to work.

No related posts.

Denuo’s Chatroulette Roulette

admin — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 12:01:52 +0000

No one else did it. So we had to.

Save as: JPEG / PDF

The Chatroulette “next” button is your roulette wheel. Ready your webcam, place your bets and spin your way to sweet, emotionally scarring victory.

Roulette n00bs: Click here for a quick how-to.

Like this? Get more Denuo-exclusive goodies in your inbox by signing up for the Fan Club.

The Emotion of Reality Television

cacuff — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 22:15:00 +0000

I try really really hard on Sunday’s not to think about work, at all. It’s my day for sleeping in, Yoga and catching up on the DVR. It is also the only night that I actually watch television programing in close to real-time. I’m a die hard Amazing Race fan and literally get a little sick to my stomach with anticipation of each new episode.

That is important to know only because it so happens that I extended the record time on Amazing Race this season and have by default, also been recoding and watching Undercover Boss. Now before you judge, please take solace in the fact that I’m not an American Idol fan. My reality television viewing has only included two shows up till now (Deadliest Catch premiers tomorrow night, don’t miss it!). That said, I failed miserably last night at separating church and state by finding inspiration and crying real tears while watching the final episode of the season of Undercover Boss–now you can judge.

I might just be getting more emotional now that I’m closer to 35 than 30 but I actually paused, got up and took pen to paper to make notes though my tears as the last 10 minutes of the show played on. While I have watched every episode of the short season, there was something different about last night’s show for me. I’ll spare you the whole recap but for those of us who manage talent or are looking to inspire those who work around us, the message last night was that a little recognition goes a long way.

While not all of us can go “undercover” in our own organizations, we can take the time to get involved in more of the day-to-day to better understand the contributions and frustrations that are going on behind the scenes. Listening shouldn’t be something we only do via dashboards but rather an activity that we proactively engage in face-to-face.

I for one am no longer going to underestimate the power of a simple, “job well done.” Recognition based in actual accomplishment or illustrations of character can’t be faked or forced. It could happen through a new take on the mentor/mentee relationship or may start by being more thoughtful of those around you; hopefully creating more meaningful relationships in the process. I may not be empowered to name a flower arrangement after Dee at 1800-Flowers but I certainly can and will make sure that those who help drive the business I lead know that I couldn’t do it without them.

the internets and 24

Confessions of a Digital Hoarder

tharris — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:34:27 +0000

I knew I was late to the game on Hoarders, A&E’s “look inside the lives of two different people whose inability to part with their belongings is so out of control that they are on the verge of a personal crisis,” so I watched it over the weekend. I was smirking as the show came up and the initial interviews with the subjects began. Initial shots of their homes revealed stacked up boxes, stuffed animals, guns in open cases, and– in one home– a computer tucked away down a meandering walk-lane made of detritus. I happened to have my laptop open and glanced at my screen.

And then I became afraid.

Throughout the rest of the show I looked back at my desktop, wandered through my e-mail, explored my file system. By the time the sad tales of Guns McGee and Catsenyucky Plushtoys were over, I had taken the first step (admission) in the 12-Step Program. What I didn’t know was how deep down the rabbit-hole I’d gone. Evidently, there are 5 Levels to Compulsive Hoarding. Levels 1-3 are relatively minor, without a need for direct intervention by those who might take things away from you. Levels 4 and the big nasty Level 5 mean you need professional help and the cops/fire department/lawyers may be coming. I’m not cool with those last two levels, so I need to figure out where I am on the scale. After some searching, it turns out that digital hoarding is a thing. But “its’ not a currently recognized subtype of compulsive hoarding by the DSM.” (wikipedia). Well, I recognize it (in me), and you may need to do the same before it’s too late.

Take the Denuo Digital Hoarder Quiz– it may be time to make some changes…

(give yourself 1 point for every item that you answer “yes” to)

I have more than 150 messages in my current e-mail inbox.
My desktop has more than 15 icons on it.
I never delete– I only file.
I “own” music, games or movies (i.e., any of that is saved to my hard drive).
I compulsively bookmark.
I play social games (Farmville, Ninja Warz, Sorority Life).
I compare others’ Friends (or Followers, or LinkedIn connections) tallies to mine.
I’d rather buy a new drive than delete files.
I play Massively Multiplayer Online games and love “loot.”
I put things in my Recycle Bin/Trash… but I never empty it.
I download things to “look at later.”
I make lists of websites to go to.
I have received a warning from my company’s systems administrator about my e-mail storage use being too high for company policy.
I only use 25% or less of my smartphone apps on a regular basis.
My voicemail box is regularly full.

If you scored 0-3 points, you are a Level 1 Digital Hoarder. No special actions need be taken, but watch it– you’re on the edge.
If you scored 4-6 points, you are a Level 2 Digital Hoarder. Take a long look at your file system and inbox, then drag some stuff into the Recycle Bin. Hit Empty. Ahhh…
If you scored 7-10 points, you are a Level 3 Digital Hoarder. It’s affecting your relationship with your machine, certainly– and maybe your peers.
If you scored 11-13 points, you are a Level 4 Digital Hoarder. We may have to talk.
If you scored 14 or 15 points, you are a Level 5 Digital Hoarder. Cry for help right now.

I know, I know– some of these things seem completely innocuous. Many of the telltale signs do, so this just helps you catch yourself early– before it’s too late. And no, I’m not ending with my score… but we may have to talk.