iPad: interesting concept. BAD name.

As I'm checking out the latest gadgetry from Apple (the iPad,) I'm struck by the bad name. iPad? Really? They couldn't think of something else?

OH -- the creative community is just going to eat this one up, I'm sure. We're so fond of poor, feminine hygenie humor (iPad? ha! what about iTampon? iFemHy? baw-ha-ha-hah!!) And while all this is going on, I'm going to be asking -- did they talk to any girls about this product (notice the lack of them in their introductory video)? I hate to feel like the PC police, but after umpteen years in this biz, I'm weary of tawdry, cringe-inducing humor especially at the expense of my female counterparts.

In the meantime, I'm going to keep an eye on this gadget because this girl has been waiting for a color version of Amazon's Kindle -- which I've heard is YEARS from being a reality. bad name, or not -- iPad is a cool product.

posted by: Karen Raidel

[Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net]

Google, you're so easy to love.

I didn't know that it was possible for me to love Google any more than I already do. I'm completely sold on Gmail, Picasa, Blogger, and Google Trends. And I'd be completely lost without my iGoogle page.

But this holiday season, Google found another way to impress me by gifting free wi-fi to 54 airports in the U.S.

I had the good fortune of flying through three of the 54 airports to which Google provided wi-fi during the holidays. Amid all of the winter weather delays and the holiday stress, I really appreciated Google's fitting gift. The free wi-fi had a strange pacifying effect on me (but multiple hours of LOLcats and Facebook could pacify almost anyone).

I have to wonder if airline and airport satisfaction scores would be higher if the entities did something more to accommodate passengers on a regular basis. I'm already overpaying on everything else in the airport ($7 for a fruit cup and $20 for one checked bag? Really?). Sure, free wi-fi might not be the key to passenger happiness, but it's not a bad place to start.

- posted by hillary hempstead

Peculiar Pairings

One of my favorite pastimes is wandering around in search of quaint shops and cafes. I love the thrill of finding a place to buy great coffee or pretty stationary. During recent explorations of my new West Coast home, I've noticed an interesting trend: the proliferation of shops that pair seemingly disparate goods as their core retail offerings.

I noticed this first while walking around Palo Alto, where I stumbled upon a runner's supply store called Zombie Runner. Instead of limiting the store to running supplies completely, the owners have also installed a top-notch coffee bar (complete with barista!) in the back portion of the shop. The owners are avidly devoted to both the cults of long distance running and high-quality coffee. It's absolutely an odd combination, but it seems to be working well for them.

The second example of this trend I found in San Mateo. I happened upon a store called Clear Optometry, which offers typical optometry services and frames, but it also sells frozen yogurt and, local favorite, Bluebottle Coffee. One of the most interesting facets of this combination is that patients receive free frozen yogurt while they wait for frames. That would definitely get me in the door, but I'm just a complete pushover when it comes to sweets.

Both of these stores opened up in the midst of the recession and are unique concepts. While the items the shops sell are worlds apart, so far they seem to be drawing customers in at a respectable pace. It will be interesting to watch how these businesses evolve as the economic climate continues to improve.

- posted by hillary hempstead

Anthropologie and The Anthropologist

Anthropologie.

The simple utterance of that brand name brings me happiness.

It's no big secret that I'm a devoted fan of Anthropologie. The in-store experience is top-notch. The interior is always thoughtfully outfitted with intricate and artful displays, and the sundries they sell are beautifully unique. Heck, I'd set up residence inside Anthropologie if it were socially acceptable.

Beautiful and whimsical design is something that is obviously paramount for the brand, and serious attention is paid to the look of the store's shop, website, and catalog. So fittingly, the brand recently introduced an online destination devoted to design and inspiration called The Anthropologist. And the execution is flawless.

The email I received from Anthropologie described The Anthropologist as:
"...a virtual story book where inspiring content is exposed, emotional connections are made, and the creative process is illuminated."

What I love the most about The Anthropologist is that it's devoid of any solicitation from Anthropologie the retailer. It stands alone at its own web address and asks nothing of the visitor, other than to view it and be inspired. The Anthropologist is a brilliant example of how a brand can provide real value and connect with its consumers in a genuinely interesting and useful way.

Well done.

- posted by Hillary Hempstead

eh, gads! CHICAGO is the most stressed city?

A Harris Interactive poll (conducted on behalf of Princess Cruises) found that my beloved hometown Chicago is considered the most stressed city in terms of finding work/life balance. Really? More so than New York City? Apparently so. Houston, Boston, LA and San Diego round out the top five, whilst Miami is the least stressed city.

I admit, I'm totally biased. Yet, this finding surprises me. Yeah, the weather literally blows and traffic can be a beast, but how is my city worse than others? Being a researcher myself, and having some understanding on how surveys are conducted, I offer a different theory: Chicagoans are honest about their feelings. Really honest. So when asked: "Hey, how's it going?" A Chicagoan is more likely to tell you the truth, rather than an expected answer.

Take that, Miami!

- posted by Karen Raidel

Sweden saves the earth, one meal at a time

Sweden has found a new way to tackle the issue of climate change. The NY Times explains how the country is testing a system that calculates the carbon dioxide emissions associated with food production. If the system succeeds, all food sold in Sweden could bear a label that lists the carbon emissions associated with it. The idea is that shoppers could then use the information to consider the environmental impact of their diets.

This could be an interesting case study. But with all of the controversy over simple nutrition labeling for restaurant chains the U.S., it's more difficult to imagine carbon emissions labeling catching on here.

- posted by Hillary Hempstead

[image via DragonDrop's flickr]

An alternate reality.

I was sitting on the living room couch with my laptop when I first saw this spot. I shushed my couch-sitting companions. I stopped web surfing. And for the first time in quite awhile, I watched a spot that actually gave me chills.

The Levi's campaign by Wieden + Kennedy has been running for a few months now, but I've wanted to post on it for quite awhile. The spots are hauntingly beautiful and inspiring. And as a fan of Walt Whitman, I’m happy to hear his voice and poetry featured in the campaign.

While the spot was arresting for me on both a visual and auditory level, it also made me take notice of the Levi’s web address at the close of the spot. Of course I was on my laptop while watching TV (what good Gen Y-er isn’t?) so I typed in the address and found myself getting pulled into a brilliant alternate reality game created for Levi’s.

The site spins a tail about a man named Grayson Ozias IV who buried a fortune somewhere in the U.S. back in the late 1800's. Grayson disappeared without a trace, but left behind a series of wax cylinders with clues that lead to the treasure.

The site is updated with new clues for players to listen to and solve. They’ve also wisely introduced social media into the game, and players can follow @GraysonOziasIV on Twitter or use Facebook Connect to spread the game. The player who manages to solve the game wins $100,000, and Levi's is also ponying up $100,000 to donate to a charity of America's choice.

I’ll admit that I’ve gotten drawn into playing this game; it's very well done. It's also fascinating take part in seeing how brands are using alternate reality games to connect with consumers on a less traditional level.

- posted by Hillary Hempstead