Coin: Only carry one card.

Startup Coin is looking to lighten your wallet (and in a good way.)  Using a mobile phone and card reader, Coin can store an unlimited amount of cards within its app, and then transfer up to eight of those cards onto your Coin card, letting you leave your other plastic at home.  It will store credit cards, reward cards, gift cards - any card with a magnetic strip.  

Pressy: An Android Shortcut Button

Pressy is a tiny physical button that plugs into the headphone jack of your Android device.  By creating custom settings within the Pressy app, you can use custom click-combinations to activate programmable functions on your device.  

Minuum: Revolutionary, intuitive, cross-platform typing software.

With alternative input controller concepts like the previously mentioned Leap and the wearable gesture-based MYO, there seem to be plenty of innovative options for us to navigate our screens of choice.  But when it comes to typing, what is the best option?  I personally have trouble with the default keyboards on my mobile devices, and always jump at the chance to try out third-party software that claim to ease this experience.  The new concept Minuum looks intriguing -- it aims to simplify typing and be adapted to virtually any medium (from smart phones to consoles to even a wristwatch).  The video demo seemed slick, and I look forward to checking it out on my phone soon.

Just arrived: the Leap developer unit!

The Leap developer unit just arrived in the mail, and I'm excited to start testing it out.  About the size of a pack of Juicy Fruit gum, the unit looks like it was designed by Apple with sleek aluminum body, a rubberized bottom, and a glass top.  Will let you know more once I've got it installed and working.

How innovation and heart creates unforgettable user experiences

from Disney's Paperman

The Oscar-nominated short Paperman by Walt Disney Animation Studio is beautiful.  While absent of dialogue, its groundbreaking animation style wordlessly conveys the emotions of the greyscale protagonists. The new technique used by Disney merges computer generated and hand-drawn images to create a stunning and smooth picture.  This artistic innovation, combined with a heartfelt story, creates an truly moving experience for the viewer, adding value to the brand and product.  You ask: what does this have to do with games and apps?  Everything.

Video and more after the jump...

Leap Motion - The future of UI Navigation?

via LeapMotion.com

Have you heard of Leap Motion?  If not, you probably will soon.  The Leap Motion controller is an "iPod-sized" computer peripheral that lets users interact with software in a 3D environment.  Using hand and finger gestures, you can intuitively swipe through menus and windows, slice fruit (as seen in the image above), or guide your favorite “Angry Bird” to its target with a flick of your finger.