What will they think of next?

Innovation

It should be no surprise to anyone when a new technology comes along and sweeps the publics imagination; an aftermarket add-on comes along that augments that capability.  We’ve seen it with a lot of add-ons for i-pads and i-phones.

One such innovative product I’ve discovered in the past year is a little gizmo is called the OWLE Bubo.  It’s a milled aluminum iPhone case with a swappable 37mm macro lens.  It’s sturdy, attractive and makes it easy to manually hold the iPhone and record videos.

The 37mm lens helps to provide a slightly wider field of view and because of this wider view it helps to make the image more stable when you’re holding the camera with your hands.

In this day of instant publishing, micro blogging and all, the iPhone and other mini publishing platforms will allow the innovative to push ideas and messages to the masses.

I’m not going to review the OWLE Bubo but rather praise what this sort of gizmo can do for you.

The Owle Bubo, paired with the iPhone makes the iPhone a unique video platform. Because the iPhone 4, 4S have the ability to create HD movies combined with good sound, a user can create short videos that can be instantly published to any web site directly from the iPhone or iPad and even to an HDMI input to a big screen!

In addition the video camera on the iPhone allows you to trim the clip, meaning you can take out the stumble at the beginning and end of your clip before you publish. If you’re a real techie you may already have iMovie on your iPhone or iPad, which means you’ll be able to add titles, insert additional shots, images and even include music if you wish.

So lets imagine for a moment that your organization is hosting a conference. Your key note speaker or star studded international speaker panel are so hot that you cant pass up the opportunity to get some quotable quotes.

Your agencies agenda is to generate a lot of traffic to the web site and push your content and message to the media and other organizations. Pick any communications rational that serves you.

You’ve done you homework and the speaker(s) have all agreed to allow you to publish some pre-cleared questions.  As soon as the speaker gets off the stage you have them stand in a pre arranged nicely lit spot and conduct a mini 10-minute interview.  You grab your Bubo or similar device and start recording content. As soon as you’re thanking your guest and their handlers are dragging them off to their next rendezvous, you’re already editing in iMovie right on your mobile device.

In anticipation for this event you may have been keen enough to produce a pre-canned branded intro for your breaking news blog.  You can even do a standup.  You trim your clip; insert the intro, standup, the interview testimonial, your closer and your ready to publish. In relatively little time you’ve gone from zero to breaking news in less than 30 minutes.

Only a few years ago, publishing rich video content was more laborious and required more gear, typically more people, expensive software and it wasn’t instant!

As a disclaimer to those in corporate production or in communications shops who are possibly reeling in horror at this concept, I’m not suggesting the death of high-end video production.  Rater I want to illustrate novel ways to keep things exciting and new.  Each technology has its place in the digital domain.

For more info on lenses and other tools for the iPhone you can check out the following links or “google” iphone lenses and such.    Enjoy!

Links

http://www.almlive.com/store/products/Bubo-for-iPhone-4%7B47%7D4S.html
http://www.geardiary.com/2008/12/29/iphone-magnetic-mount-lenses-clarify-your-photos/
http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/iphone-telephoto-lens/
http://www.apple.com/ca/ilife/imovie/