the sniffer

 

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In this trendwatching podcast, Cathi Bond and Nora Young offer up a fashion update.  Cathi notes, (via JC Report), that a much more butchy look is back for women this Fall, featuring suspenders, caps and more.Meanwhile, Nora Young notes this fabulous red pool in the Hotel Unique in Sao Paolo (via Trendhunter).  Yet another example of the trend towards intense jewel tones and colour in unexpected places.Also, a note on thesniffer over the summer.  Cathi and Nora will be posting once a week, in between summer hols.  Back to a more frequent schedule after Labour Day. Thanks for listening!  

 

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In this trendwatching podcast, Nora Young talks about a plan by the Italian government to empower consumers worried about being ripped off by price gouging in the wake of rising food prices.  It will text message average wholesale and retail prices for foods directly to consumers. (via Springwise)Meanwhile, Cathi Bond looks at research into a ’skin-tenna’, which people could use to power their gadgets and even health devices such as pacemakers (via New Scientist) 

 

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In this trendwatching podcast, Cathi Bond and Nora Young talk about the growing trend towards gear that can combat hearing loss.  Cathi talks about the Silynx GPS-enabled headphones, to help navigate and prevent hearing loss. It’s designed for soldiers now, but can consumer apps be far behind? (via Gizmag)Nora Young says she’s noticed the trend to higher end headphones in products such as Cathi’s Bose in-ear phones, and the Outi. She also discusses research into a “cloaking device” for  audio, currently being researched in Spain (via Technology Review).

 

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In this trendwatching podcast, Cathi Bond talks about McDonald’s restaurants’ new hipness. Wi-fi is now in McDonald’s in Hong Kong, and HK gamers are hanging out there, playing late at night, notes PSFK.com:Meanwhile, by now you’ve probably seen, or heard about, the Weezer video for Pork and Beans (it’s been viewed nearly 7 million times) .  Nora and Cathi discuss memes and marketing. (Thanks to Joseph and Lezlie)

 

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In this trendwatching podcast, Cathi Bond talks about two neat solar ideas. Scottish firm, ZM Architecture have designed solar lily pads for the River Clyde, according to Inhabit:
http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/05/12/solar-lily-pads-planned-for-glasgows-clyde-river/

As well, Gizmag features a thin silicon solar film by Signet Solar:
http://www.gizmag.com/thin-film-solar-modules-manufacturing/9378/

Meanwhile, in keeping with the trend towards biomimicry, Nora Young spots this wild motorcycle that you ‘wear’, courtesy of coolhunting:
http://www.coolhunting.com/archives/2008/05/yamaha_wearable.php

She wonders whether it’s a return to cyborg chic

 

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In this trendwatching podcast, Nora Young talks about this Technology Review interview with the new CEO at Linden Labs (the people behind Second Life) and wonders what it would mean for businesses to make an investment in building authentic community in online worlds. She also references this story on Disney’s Virtual Magic Kingdom that her show Spark covered.

Meanwhile, Cathi Bond points to this Science Daily report on new research that suggests gaming may put you into heightened states of creativity.

 

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In this trendwatching podcast, Nora Young refers to this article in the New York Times magazine, by former Gawker blogger, Emily Gould, which has become the talk of the blogosphere.  What do you think?  One of our podcast listeners pointed it out to Nora, and wanted to know whether Cathi and Nora think of themselves as, ahem, celebrities.Meanwhile, Cathi Bond talks about Visionaire magazine.  They’re a multi-format mag that also sells art-based cool stuff, including these neat-o audio audio art projects. 

 

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In this trendwatching podcast, Cathi Bond talks about research at the University of Houston that suggests patients in recovery from addiction can use virtual worlds like Second Life to ‘rehearse’ re-integrating into social situations.  Meanwhile, Nora Young is curious about New Scientist’s look at research that would allow people with mobility impairments to do gaming–manipulating avatars, for instance–by having eye movement tracked. The thinking is that this could help people in virtual worlds.And, feeling a little saggy? Why not try the biniki?  It’s like a face lift for your bottom!  

 

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In this trendwatching podcast, Nora Young comments on the return to the trend spotlight of twitter.  Why, a year and a half after it was first white hot, is it white hot again? Any theories? Also, Nora and Cathi talk about Cubes&Crayons, a flexible work space for freelancers in Silicon Valley that provides child care, along with meeting rooms and office supplies.  With more and more people being self-employed and living in smaller spaces, this could be an increasingly popular trend.  And, Nora has a blog crush on PSFK and its sister site, Springwise.

 

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In this trendwatching podcast, fashion’s the name of the game.  Nora Young mentions “big brother” fashion in Japan: guys with lots of facial hair, chunky jewelry, and a bit of a rocker look (via Trends in Japan).Meanwhile, Cathi Bond looks at the return of 70s denim, in flared, palazzo-style jeans and thin, dirty-looking jean jackets.  Why does everyone want to look sleazy? (check it out at JC Report)Nora also points to two up-and-coming brands: Muji, the Japanese, stripped-down, label-free store, is opening dozens of new shops across the US. (via PSFK ). And, Nora’s trend-sniffing leads her to bet that legendary Finnish label, Marimekko, is going to be the next HOT thing.