John Curran (Updated)

I see that John Curran, who we worked with extensively in our innovation centers and with retail innovations using advanced display technologies, has unexpectedly passed away.  I mentioned him a number of times in this blog.   He was most recently connected with MCOSM Digital signage solutions.   And the 5th screen startup addressing multiple media delivery modes.  Our condolences to his colleagues and family.  I will follow with more information as it is received.

I see that the 5th screen blog has put up a remembrance post

Please pass this on to others that may have known John, especially regarding his work at P&G.

Update: Another tribute from the DOOH (Digital Out of Home) site for John.  I can relate to this, several times when I met with John he was keying away developing software for clients.

Intel Shows Roadmap

Correspondent Michael Curran of Micro Industries, a company we used extensively for in-store displays,  posts about Intel's Developer's forum, which I do not normally follow.   He suggests this shows a roadmap for technologies destined for intelligent retail signs:

" ... Each September, Intel® demonstrates its latest technology innovations at Intel’s Developer Forum (IDF) in San Francisco. In addition to the traditional rollout of new microprocessors, this year Intel unveiled a number of software initiatives that leverage their recently acquired assets at Wind River and MacAfee to provide a basis for the next generation of personal and embedded computer applications. From a digital signage perspective, the most interesting aspect are Intel’s new software tools that make it easier to integrate various types of interactive technologies into digital signage applications. ...From Intel’s perspective, I am sure that these tools are targeted at the Ultra-Book market but their relevance to the digital signage market is significant. Intel is poised to deliver software development tools that address touchscreen interfaces, gesture control, voice control and facial recognition along with a number of enhancements to their currently available tools for Anonymous Video Analytics (AVS) ... " 

Interactive Table for Environment Center

John Curran, long-time correspondent, has sent along pictures of some excellent work that his company MCosm did at the Dupont Environmental Education Center, which opened a week ago in Delaware. I had previously seen some excellent work they had done in a Whole Foods store in San Jose. Great examples of engaging the shopper. Excellent attention to detail. He writes about the DuPont work:

' ... Talisman developed the interactive applications and they use our Runtime Client and mCast Digital Signage Management System on each of the Messengers. The systems are being remotely monitored and managed from our Westerville Support Center. The application features gesture controls similar to what is used on an iPhone.

You can use the Center’s binoculars with an internal 3 mega-pixel camera and take photos in the wetlands. The photos are vetted and posted on the map on the Messenger 65 table. Guests can also send cell phone photos and digital pictures to be stored on the Messenger 65. We will installing more Messenger 65” during 2010 with multi-touch ... '

Contact MCosm for more information about their expertise.
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In Store Gamification

Using in-store gamification. Via John Curran of 5th Screen Display Services, who worked with us at our Innovation centers and introduced us to advanced interactive displays.  How might such displays be used as part of an engaging in-store game?   Contacy John for more information.  More details will follow here.

Intel on Digital Signage

Very good report on experimental field trials with digital signage in retail by Intel.  Via their acquisition Cognovision.   I like the fact that this is real observational data.  This study uses Anonymous Video Analytics (AVA)  to gather data about shopper interaction with the signage.    See also that my correspondent and colleague John Curran of MCosm cooperated in producing the experiments.

Micro Industries Retail Signage Blog

Micro Industries, who contributed advanced digital signage to our innovation centers, has just added a blog to their site. A number of posts have been made, including the latest, a report by John Curran from the recent Digital Signage Expo in Las Vegas. Check out this blog for more news from the experts in advanced signage.