Having used Apple‘s products through most of my professional career, I was saddened to hear of Steve Job’s passing on October 5, 2011. Reflecting on his legacy, along with the multitude of Apple media and computer products I’ve used in my life, I felt an urge to pay small homage to his design insight with the following photo.

This grouping includes the older beige products developed prior to Steve Jobs' return in 1996 through the translucent cases and more machine-crafted parts (center-left)

Steve Jobs was ousted from the company he co-founded in 1985. Upon his return in 1996 he steered product development coupled with a clean design ethic that turned Apple, Inc. into the chic brand we know today. You can see the evolution of his influence, and great examples of key projects including a blue-and-white G3 Power Mac (1999), and the Power Mac G4 Cube (2000) and four different iPods (Classic’02, Shuffle’06, Nano 3G’07, & Touch’08), along with the iPhone 4 and the original Mac Mini (2005). Note the initial migration away from beige boxes as seen from the dark grey PowerCD (1993) unit to the QuickTake 200 camera (1997) and the black Powerbook G3 laptops at the left side of the photo. These later gave way to extensive use of translucent plastics and colors, and finally machined aluminum and polished glass. (The keyboards and mice from each era also reflect this transition – four of which are shown here.)

Curiously, all of the devices shown here still operate flawlessly, though most are defunct by nature of their I/O connectivity and inability to run current software.

Product Names and Timeline of Apple Products Shown Above

After months of speculation by technology aficionados, Apple, Inc. is expected to announce the details of the iPhone 5 when Tim Cook, the new CEO of Apple takes the stage on Tuesday, October 4th. The discussion has served as both the jewel and the bane of tech blogs and podcasts. Predictions, criticisms, and praise have been volleyed and the only sure thing at present time is that tomorrow’s media event will soon be followed by months of analysis and subjective observation as to whether or not the iPhone 5 is a successful product.

What most people fail to see, though, is that we already know more about the up-and-coming iPhone than we realize, if we just took a moment to understand that the majority of the tech writers are not asking themselves the right questions. They do not realize that the main reason the iPhone has been so successful to date is because Apple is a design-oriented organization and pushes itself forward through more of a holistic mentality. Instead of asking ourselves what we want the next iPhone to do, what specifications it should have, or what we want it to look like, we should simply ask ourselves “What does the iPhone want to be?” It is from this question that we can derive the future direction of the product line, because that’s the question that Apple likely uses to drive all future development of it’s products.

In my own humble, design-oriented prognostication exercise, here are a few key directions:

1. The iPhone wants to be UNIVERSAL. A cell phone is a useful tool, but only if it can be used wherever and however we want it. There are presently too many competing cellular standards out there, and I’m certain that Apple, Inc. would love to change that. The early days of railroads were plagued by the lack of standardized rail gauges and the present state of cellular communication is not much different. Apple has a vested interest in pushing for a more global standard in cellular service. The iPhone 4 was their first foray onto the Verizon network in the U.S., but to date it requires hardware that is not transferable to AT&T.

2. The iPhone wants to be SMALL. Cell phones are constantly with us, but they remain neither elegant nor convenient to carry and use. Their present form factor is either going to leave a bulge in our pockets, or get caught up in seat-belts if we strap it externally to our hip. The desire for a big, usable screen battles our requisite need to carry it around. The number one reason my wife feigns interest in owning an iPhone for herself is that until it’s available in a smaller form factor, she simply won’t want to tote it. In an era where LCD screens populate our living rooms, work spaces, automobiles, retail shops, and public spaces why do we need to carry more of them around? For those lucky enough to carry an iPad, do you still use your phone to watch movies, play games or go online? Probably not, since a larger screen in most cases equates to a better experience. Battery life to power these big screens has become a huge overhead in such a small device. Is it time that the interface begins to peel away from the flat, non-tactile glass that all smart phones sport these days?
photo credit: {Guerrilla Futures | Jason Tester}

3. The iPhone wants to be USABLE. How many times have you missed a call because you couldn’t fish your phone out of a pocket or purse fast enough? How many times have you missed a message because the ring was too muffled from being stowed in your pocket or briefcase? Does this sound like good design for a device that is supposed to primarily serve as a telephone? Thankfully the implementation of Bluetooth connectivity has solved most of these challenges for me while driving — I never have to worry about which pocket my phone is in, or struggling to see the screen to dial out or answer an incoming call. Instead, this information is integrated into the environment around me as my radio mutes and the dashboard visually notifies me of the call details whenever I’m on the road. Shouldn’t this be the model for the rest of my user experience?

4. The iPhone wants to be INTEGRATED. Steve Jobs first publicly described Apple’s overall desktop strategy as a digital hub back in 2001. Much has changed since then, but the need for a unification of our communications is more imperative than ever. Our smartphones have become our window to the world. They video conference. They keep us up-to-date with social networks. They push our calendars to our co-workers. They identify the pieces of information that would otherwise hold up casual conversations around the world such as the name of an actor or lyrics to a song. They find the closest gas station. With continuing development of cloud-based services, it’s safe to declare that the digital hub will continue to push ever further into our lives, and that devices such as our cell phone will become more omnipresent than they already are.

5. The iPhone needs to be SECURE. It only takes one negative instance to turn your user experience into a distrustful one. Apple knows that and to date has taken its share of criticism for restricting its iOS environment so tightly. When cell phones are used as our digital wallet, the stakes are at their highest. Ongoing development of the iPhone platform will undoubtedly carry further security mandates to anchor its reputation as dependable in both the consumer and corporate economies.

So what will the next iPhone look like? The only thing we know for certain is that Tim Cook will be sporting a highly finessed device that is designed to integrate with all the rich media hardware that Apple has worked so hard to create. As a designer, I look forward to seeing what form factor that becomes.

With the recent launching of Google Plus, the idea of creating customized groups, or circles, from which to selective share content with has become a feature that many users have quickly gravitated towards. Sending information to certain groups while omitting others is quite advantageous, but creating subsets from which to follow controlled content on your own is a great strategy for filter management.

Below are a few “tongue-in-cheek” circles for you to check out. If you’re an exhibit manager, you’ll undoubtedly have created “mental circles” for many of these already.

If you’re a Google Plus user, be sure to add me to your circles. If you’re not on G+ and need an invite, send me an email and I’ll happily get one over to you.

Enjoy.

[Show as slideshow]

Instagram is one of the fastest, most popular social photo sharing services available. With a reported 4.5 million users in its first 7 months, this iPhone app has quickly become a best friend to us “wanna-be-photographers” with its user friendly filters that turn bland photos in to retro-hipster works of art.

With a released API in recent months, there have been a number of developers who’ve extended this service in to other creative applications. I came across Shelly Kramer’s post from V3 Integrated Marketing which detailed one of these many applications and intrigued as towards to possibilities of using Instagram as an interactive, fun and engaging part of trade shows and events.

There are a number of other apps that have made a splash with Instagram’s API that have showcased the limitless possibilities and creativity. There are numerous ones designed to enhance the Instagram viewing experience, but a couple stand out as having fun and interesting potential for use and events and trade shows.

Screenstagram

What is it: As shared by Shelly & V3, this Mac download turns your built in screensaver in to a photo wall streamed from you and your friend’s profiles. A simple setup process displays and transitions images beautifully, in true Instagram fashion.

How it can be used: Engage attendees pre-event and onsite and invite them in to your Instgram circle. Have them take and share photos of each other. Challenge them to a photo scavenger hunt. For trade show exhibitors, having a large display with updated photos is a great way to bring attendees back to see photos of themselves and other users.

Instaprint

What is it: Instaprint brings back the Polaroid days and turns your digital photos in to a remote printing station. Photos are printed based on location or hashtag, making it perfect for events.

How it can be used: What a fun idea for a private event or trade show! Bring the old time photo booth back and let attendees engage with each other or other photo ops you have integrated.

The word “Mobility” is soon to dethrone “Social Media” as the next buzz word – if it hasn’t done so already. By 2014, mobile web usage is expected to surpass desktop web usage. That stat alone should stop you dead in your tracks. As mobile devices continue to evolve and increase, the possibilities do as well. In an event or trade show environment, where desktops and laptops are even less convenient, mobile engagement is a tsunami of opportunity.

What is Group Messaging?

Group Messaging is pretty much as it sounds. Think SMS for multiple people. Group messaging apps like Beluga, Fast Society & GroupMe excel where most native messaging functions in mobile & smartphones are lacking. And if there were any stat any more alarming than the increase of mobile web usage, it would be that of SMS usage. Of the estimated 4 billion mobile phones across the globe, 3.05 billion are SMS enabled, but less than half are web enabled. SMS is a nearly universal mobile language.

One more advantage of Group Messaging over native SMS is the option to use your phone’s data service over your SMS service. Many people are charged per SMS or have capped rates. While Group Messaging can work over an existing SMS service, the ability to use Push Notifications via data (3G, 4G, etc.) is an added convenience.

How is it viable for events?

Unlike Twitter or Facebook, Group Messaging allows you to create a controlled environment for engagement. Where hashtags and groups serve their own purposes, Group Messaging is one less step away. There’s no need to launch an app or interface – instead, the messages are delivered TO YOU – at the top level.

The idea of creating a controlled platform combined with instantaneous conversations is a powerful one:

• Gaming – Organizers and exhibitors can create opt-ins for attendees pre-show and follow up with creative, incentive based messaging during the event. By creating a mobile arena, you have the opportunity to converse and control where they go, who they see and when they do it.
• Internal Organization –  When the lights turn on and your event begins, staff organization often times succumbs to the task at hand. Group Messaging is great for your team members to stay in communication with each other as the hours and days progress with status updates, last minute errands or just friendly photos and encouragement.
• Event “Pods” – MostGroup Messaging platforms allow you to name your groups as you add members to them. For larger events, this could be helpful for attendees to find conversations pertaining to speaking sessions versus the opening reception. Segregating these groups not only helps organize them, but creates opportunities for cross-popluating them with new members.

Are you a Group Messaging adopter? How have you been using mobile devices to converse in groups? What other opportunities do you see with Group Messaging and events?

As we continue to observe the increasing trend in mobile applications to the world of business and the trade show world, we’re happy to announce today that Tradeshow Insight has released an advanced web-app version, formatted for the iPhone, iPad and other mobile platforms. Powered by WPTouch Pro, this “hybrid” between an app and mobile website optimizes our blog and articles in a format that is fitting for the mobile environment and its ever changing landscape.

Some features included in this update:

• Web-App Enabled – Bookmark and use from your home screen. Enjoy a “browser-less” experience, with the latest HTML5 & Javascript technologies.

• Native iPad Use – Touch, scroll and swipe as you would a normal app. You already know how to use it!

• Support for future Tablets – As the “tablet war” grows, Tradeshow Insight will continue to adapt to the newest and brightest of the pack.

• Commenting – Fly in comments make reading and creating discussions a breeze – and fun!

• Real Time – Built on AJAX technology, comments are show immediately after posting.

• App Menu Popups – Browse pages, recent & popular articles along with tags and categories.

• Flickr Integration – Peek at recent photos from the trade show world from within a menu popup – Without leaving your article.

• Smartphone Support – Download the web-app for your iPhone and get the same features – on the go!

• Wide Platform Support – Tradeshow Insight Mobile now supports Android, Blackberry, Palm OS and Samsung touch mobile visitors.

To use a mobile formatted version of this site, simple visit tradeshowinsight.com and follow the on screen instructions to enable the web-app! Then, come back and tell us what you think!!

Earlier this year, Echelon Design sponsored a report that was tabulated by Exhibitor Media Group which outlined the current trends of social media in trade show and event marketing. In June, we released a white paper that highlighted a number of industry expert opinions on these ideas. Today, we’re releasing our first infographic, which is an interesting blend of these findings.

This guide is designed for anyone who is new to social media or looking to apply social media to their trade show or event marketing strategy. It provides an quick and interesting look at some of the most widely used tools and their application and effectiveness in today’s event world. Please enjoy and share your comments with us!

[click the image to view full size]

Social Media in the New Event World Infographic

We’re sincerely honored and thrilled to have Echelon Design and Tradeshow Insight be nominated for “Best Coporate Blog” in this year’s Eventprofs Blog Awards. The nominations included over 40 event blog submissions and includes seven different categories. The winners will be announced live at EventCamp Twin Cities, on September 9.

While we’d LOVE to have your vote, the nomination alone is truly humbling.We’d like to thank everyone who has participated in our blog over the past year. The conversations that are started here are only as good as those who read, comment and share the information, to keep those conversations growing. This nomination is truly in part to having such an amazing community of individuals willing to share their ideas and opinions for continuing progression in the tradeshow and events industry.

So again,

Thank you!!

Earlier this year, I shared a few iPhone Apps that would be perfect for the tradeshow environment. With the introduction of the iPad, many immediately saw the value of this niche product for the event world. With a few months for a library of exclusively design apps to accumulate, I’ve decided to follow up with a list of my favorite applications.

Why the iPad is perfect for tradeshows:

The iPad goes where your laptop can’t and it’s size is advantageous over the iPhone. It’s the perfect “in-between” device for both attendees and exhibitors to be productive and share information with each other. The brilliant and beautiful screen display is perfect for demos and presentations and it’s speed and integration with other progressive products and software makes it an impossible display to ignore.

bCards Pro ($1.99)

Most business cards are thrown away within the first 24 hours of exchange. Many of those are due to the inconvenience of manual data transfer. Business cards scanners are great for obtaining your attendee info, but nearly as important is ensuring YOUR info lands in your attendee’s address book.

bCards Pro will send your contact info, in a vCard format, via email or Wifi transfer directly to your attendees smartphone – instantly. Be creative – leave a personalized note in your contact details or a friendly ‘thank you’ for the time they spent with you.

(also available for iPhone)

Simple Job Proposal ($4.99)

So you’re nearing that deal on the tradeshow floor. Using Simple Job Proposal, you can create a customized proposal for your customer, on the spot. Using an iPad stylus, you can even pull signatures into your proposal. No need to print documents. No need to fax a copy. Simply email the document to your customer and end the paper trail before they leave your exhibit.

Dropbox (Free)

One of my personal favorites, Dropbox is leading the way in cloud based storage and document management. With your free account, you can view and manage photos, videos, documents and presentations from your iPad. Furthermore, your Dropbox account allows you to synchronize between your computer and other mobile devices.

Developing a directory of tradeshow collateral with Dropbox makes sharing brochures, product specification sheets, presentations, photos, demos, videos, etc. extremely convenient. You’ll also free yourself from the expenses of printing and shipping materials, which can be easily shared with anyone right from within the app.

(also available for iPhone)

Conference Pad ($4.99)

A large advantage with the iPad is the high versatility with a fairly competitive cost. If you’re giving a presentation at a tradeshow, you can simultaneously control your demo on any number of iPads, iPhone or iPod touches. By passing out devices to attendees or strategically placing them throughout your exhibit or conference, you can deconstruct the projection screen and customize your presentation around your environment. All devices respond as you do – slide changing, pinching and zooming, even a laser pointer function – all adds a touch of user interaction.

Popplet ($8.99)

Add an interest and level of interaction with your attendees with creativity from Popplet. This app is a visual idea sharing organizer. Create an idea board based on a topic or question and let your attendees add their own responses to the board. Incorporate photos of attendees or their experiences throughout the event.

(a Lite version is also available)

Are you using the iPad at your tradeshow at events? What creative apps or uses have you come across to utilize this new piece of technology? How do you think it will effect the tradeshow industry in the future?

I recently had a chance to attend the worlds largest hospitality technology show, I had this opportunity thanks to two of Echelon’s newest clients Cetis, Inc. and Intelity who were exhibiting.  Cetis, Inc. is a leader in hospitality and enterprise phones, you can trace their roots back to 1983 (who doesnt love the 80′s).  Intelity is a fairly new technology company that gives guests of the hotel the capability to order any and all services offered by the property through the use of your iPad, iPhone and other devices.  Simply put, you can order room service, valet service, etc all with one touch on your favorite device.

The Cetis exhibit was a custom rental that we designed to be warm and inviting, a place that you might want to sit down and hang out in.  We accomplished this by including a raised conference/meeting area, using rich colors, large fabric identity sails, an architectural wall and a large product display area.

Intelity is also a custom rental, our goal was to attract attendees to the exhibit with the use large story board graphics and highly visible demo areas.  We provided a overhead hanging sign, a conference space on the interior, and six custom kiosks that were used for product demonstrations and provided excellent space for large graphic murals.

I enjoyed working with both teams and was pleased to hear great feedback about the show in general as attendance was up from the 2009 show.