Information overload is consuming us. And if you need to sort out a way to deal with a ton of RSS feeds and constant Instant Messages, then maybe the next Trillian is for you.

Codenamed Trillian Astra, and available for alpha testing, the new messaging client from Cerullean Studios has a impressive roll of features:

• Web based chat
• Cross platform (Mac/PC)
• Interoperability (integrates MSN, Yahoo, MSN, AIM, Gtalk, MySpace)
• Ubiquitous contact list (download on login)
• Open protocol
• SecureIM encryption
• Widgets integration
• RSS news bar
• Instant skin change (no restart required)
• Memory usage and leaks reduced

Kevin Kurtz has a screencast where he showcases the new technology:

The application is based on the new Flash Player 9 (not Apollo), being one of the finest examples of RIA i’ve seen lately. Altough i haven’t used Trillian for ages (in Linux i use Gaim, and on XP the standalone IMs) i’m curious to see how this little Flash gem will face the competition, specially the web ones like UserPlane.

Trying to catch up with feeds, with some great stuff to share:

• Psst!2 brings us “nine films, made over a 4 month stretch by 27 different teams with over 70 people – working in 12 different cities in 5 countries”.
• Robert Hodgin (from interactive agency Barbarian Group) has some Processing goodies
• For extended pleasure, the ultimate iPod Acsexsory: iBod
• Playing with Legos for a living
• Polish portfolio of Peter Jaworowski
• Find out what’s in the box from Adobe
• a new vision on big brother conspiracy
• another social network: Virb. This one at least as an eye for design.
• Consumer generated mashup by Hyundai
• SkyScout is a great gadget for the wannabe astronomer
• A more futuristic gadget is Epoc, a headset that uses the brain to detect player thoughts, feelings and expression.
• Some hope on the war against spam
• Doing graffiti the legal way: with RFID and mobile phones

I’ve read the book, but to find most of the content on Slideshare is really a sign of the times.

The Brand Gap is a essential reading for brand managers, designers and marketing professionals, where Martin Neumeier presents his unified theory of branding in a very compelling (and visual) way, bridging strategy and design perspectives.

If you don’t have the chance to buy the book, check the presentation.

Turbulent times at GooTube. After Viacom moved out, Turkey is banning the service due to a video showing Greeks criticizing and insulting Turkey and Ataturk. More details at TimesOnline.

Source: Techcrunch

Continuing with this week’s corny websites, my friend Andre just tipped me about a new MTV sponsored website: Rodney Heals.

It’s a really strange mix of whale music with new-age spiritualism and aura pictures! Lots of social networking/viral tools available also. I’m feeling weird … Aummmmm.

Update: let’s not forget the credits

Product : MTV (rodneyheals.com)
Agency : N/A
Country : New Zealand
Creatives : Gaysorn Thavat (Director), Gaysorn Thavat (Copywriter) and Claris Harvey (Producer)
Other Credits : D.O.P : Ginny Loane
Interactive director: Kentaro Yamada
URL : http://www.rodneyheals.com/

Good things come to those who wait.

Besides the web/advertising related posts, i evangelize a lot about Arcade Fire so it’s rewarding to see that they’ve just reached #1 in several iTunes charts.

The only thing that i miss is the chance to see them live, but it seems that they’ll be in Portugal at SBSR festival so hope remains. After Paredes de Coura fest 2 years ago, i miss that ethereal atmosphere on AF concerts.

The author of one of the most inspiring portfolios last year has launched Minor Ventures, his own agency at San Francisco.

FWA has a great interview where he shares some insights, advices and the feedback received with his portfolio. Good luck Dave!

The ad was already superb but who would have thought that the website had such a twist. Levi’s did a great job at Levi Cooper and given us some underground vision (literally) of their new collection. Forget those web 2.o gradients or alpha video on Flash sites ! Grey input buttons and extra large image slices are back !

Source: Adverblog

This “back to the future” approach does bring some nostalgia. I’ve learned HTML markup around 1996 and it seems ages ago when i was using HotDog editor (any web veteran out there that used this app?) and hacking Java beans. Oh my, those were the days when we had all the fun with animated GIFs and blink tags.

(more…)

While on my casual surfing i came across a true example of creativity: Time Fountain, an experiment with strobe lights and water created by Nate True. Based on a concept by Shigeko Hirakawa, he applied fluorescent dye to a fountain and created this DIY idea, documented in this video:

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/v1sD8Vj0DtM" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1sD8Vj0DtM