International Canadian Videos
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In this trendwatching podcast, Nora Young refers to Technology Review s latest look at the progress of Second Life, and moves towards virtual world interoperability.Meanwhile, Cathi Bond discusses the newest release from iRobot: The Negotiator (via gizmag).  Could it mean a Robocop future? 

In this trendwatching podcast, Nora Young talks about Alex Steffen s recent post at worldchanging, suggesting that the combination of rising fuel costs, consumer sensitivity, and other factors may spell an end to the relentless push for globalism.Meanwhile, Cathi Bond has found a cool project in the nanoantenna; new hope for re-using energy byproducts (via engadget) Plus, Nora touts Scandinavian chic, and talks about finding a very cool Icelandic outerwear store in St. John s. 

In this trendwatching podcast, Cathi Bond mentions the Schweeb, a sort of monorail for bikes (via gizmodo).  Meanwhile, Nora Young mentions the alarming drop in magazine sales (via psfk.com).  Would you read newspapers, magazines, and books on something like the Kindle, now that at least one analyst is predicting big sales?

In this trendwatching podcast, Nora Young mentions Polymeme, a news aggregator of a different sort, which doesn t curate stories by niche, but by a broad range of general interests (via Lunch Over IP).Cathi Bond tips us off to the new JVC TV with a dock for your iPod.  Is this the beginning of some real convergence, making it easy to move your images from one device to another? (via Gizmodo)

In this trendwatching podcast, Nora Young talks about the latest privacy concerns with Google Streetview, now that it s set to track the streets of London.  Although Google rightly points out that the visual information is already available to anyone walking down the street, Nora wonders whether the ease of gathering information now is making for a qualitative shift in privacy. Here s the BBC article on UK s privacy advocates concerns.Meanwhile, Cathi Bond has found a lovely tool for taking in the night sky, the Sky Scout, by Celestron.  Find out what constellation you re looking at and learn more about it!  Cool toy!

In this trendwatching podcast, Cathi Bond gets her summer on with a look at the Rinspeed sQuba.  Check it out!  The hitch? It s a convertible.Meanwhile, Nora wonders whether the butchy look they talked about recently is really going to take off, since all she sees on the streets of Toronto is femme, femme, femme. 

In this trendwatching podcast, Cathi Bond talks about a new concept building called the UltimaIt s another in a series of ideas Cathi has seen that point to a future of sky-high living to preserve space. Meanwhile, Nora notes Technology Review s story on Ottawa s plans to green light PlascoEnergy Group s waste-to-energy facility.   Nora sees it as an example of success in a post-industrial society, built on sustainability

In this trendwatching podcast, Cathi Bond mentions research into developing a new type of glass that can release calcium in the body for the regeneration of bone.  Another example of innovation that can target ageing populations?  Check out the press release hereMeanwhile, Nora Young picks up on Trendwatching s word watch: Eco Embed (scroll down).  More than just a surface level eco chic driven by consumer demand, it refers to deeper, more structural environmentalism, whether that s cradle to cradle production, or legislated green policy.   The question is, can more sustainable and more expensive production models last in a recession?

In this trendwatching podcast, Cathi Bond and Nora Young offer up a fashion update.  Cathi notes, (via JC Report), that a much more butchy look is back for women this Fall, featuring suspenders, caps and more.Meanwhile, Nora Young notes this fabulous red pool in the Hotel Unique in Sao Paolo (via Trendhunter).  Yet another example of the trend towards intense jewel tones and colour in unexpected places.Also, a note on thesniffer over the summer.  Cathi and Nora will be posting once a week, in between summer hols.  Back to a more frequent schedule after Labour Day. Thanks for listening!  

In this trendwatching podcast, Nora Young talks about a plan by the Italian government to empower consumers worried about being ripped off by price gouging in the wake of rising food prices.  It will text message average wholesale and retail prices for foods directly to consumers. (via Springwise)Meanwhile, Cathi Bond looks at research into a skin-tenna , which people could use to power their gadgets and even health devices such as pacemakers (via New Scientist) 

In this trendwatching podcast, Cathi Bond and Nora Young talk about the growing trend towards gear that can combat hearing loss.  Cathi talks about the Silynx GPS-enabled headphones, to help navigate and prevent hearing loss. It s designed for soldiers now, but can consumer apps be far behind? (via Gizmag)Nora Young says she s noticed the trend to higher end headphones in products such as Cathi s Bose in-ear phones, and the Outi. She also discusses research into a cloaking device for  audio, currently being researched in Spain (via Technology Review).

In this trendwatching podcast, Cathi Bond talks about McDonald s restaurants new hipness. Wi-fi is now in McDonald s in Hong Kong, and HK gamers are hanging out there, playing late at night, notes PSFK.com:Meanwhile, by now you ve probably seen, or heard about, the Weezer video for Pork and Beans (it s been viewed nearly 7 million times) .  Nora and Cathi discuss memes and marketing. (Thanks to Joseph and Lezlie)

In this trendwatching podcast, Cathi Bond talks about two neat solar ideas. Scottish firm, ZM Architecture have designed solar lily pads for the River Clyde, according to Inhabit: http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/05/12/solar-lily-pads-planned-for-glasgows-clyde-river/ As well, Gizmag features a thin silicon solar film by Signet Solar: http://www.gizmag.com/thin-film-solar-modules-manufacturing/9378/ Meanwhile, in keeping with the trend towards biomimicry, Nora Young spots this wild motorcycle that you wear , courtesy of coolhunting: http://www.coolhunting.com/archives/2008/05/yamaha_wearable.php She wonders whether it s a return to cyborg chic

In this trendwatching podcast, Nora Young talks about this Technology Review interview with the new CEO at Linden Labs (the people behind Second Life) and wonders what it would mean for businesses to make an investment in building authentic community in online worlds. She also references this story on Disney s Virtual Magic Kingdom that her show Spark covered. Meanwhile, Cathi Bond points to this Science Daily report on new research that suggests gaming may put you into heightened states of creativity.

In this trendwatching podcast, Nora Young refers to this article in the New York Times magazine, by former Gawker blogger, Emily Gould, which has become the talk of the blogosphere.  What do you think?  One of our podcast listeners pointed it out to Nora, and wanted to know whether Cathi and Nora think of themselves as, ahem, celebrities.Meanwhile, Cathi Bond talks about Visionaire magazine.  They re a multi-format mag that also sells art-based cool stuff, including these neat-o audio audio art projects. 

In this trendwatching podcast, Cathi Bond talks about research at the University of Houston that suggests patients in recovery from addiction can use virtual worlds like Second Life to rehearse re-integrating into social situations.  Meanwhile, Nora Young is curious about New Scientist s look at research that would allow people with mobility impairments to do gaming manipulating avatars, for instance by having eye movement tracked. The thinking is that this could help people in virtual worlds.And, feeling a little saggy? Why not try the biniki?  It s like a face lift for your bottom!  

In this trendwatching podcast, Nora Young comments on the return to the trend spotlight of twitter.  Why, a year and a half after it was first white hot, is it white hot again? Any theories? Also, Nora and Cathi talk about Cubes&Crayons, a flexible work space for freelancers in Silicon Valley that provides child care, along with meeting rooms and office supplies.  With more and more people being self-employed and living in smaller spaces, this could be an increasingly popular trend.  And, Nora has a blog crush on PSFK and its sister site, Springwise.

In this trendwatching podcast, fashion s the name of the game.  Nora Young mentions big brother fashion in Japan: guys with lots of facial hair, chunky jewelry, and a bit of a rocker look (via Trends in Japan).Meanwhile, Cathi Bond looks at the return of 70s denim, in flared, palazzo-style jeans and thin, dirty-looking jean jackets.  Why does everyone want to look sleazy? (check it out at JC Report)Nora also points to two up-and-coming brands: Muji, the Japanese, stripped-down, label-free store, is opening dozens of new shops across the US. (via PSFK ). And, Nora s trend-sniffing leads her to bet that legendary Finnish label, Marimekko, is going to be the next HOT thing. 

In this trendwatching podcast, Nora Young talks about Flare, a cool example of a building surface that responds to its environment. Found via PSFK, where you can see a video of Flare in action.Meanwhile, Cathi Bond has been thinking about Nora s home energy improvements.  She likes the Panorama film that lies on the surface of your window, cutting out heat but still allowing you to see outside clearly. 

In this trendwatching podcast, Cathi Bond talks about Big Moving Pictures, which organizes giant, moveable displays for outdoor events, which feature content and ads.  It s part of a broader trend towards monster outdoor displays. Meanwhile, Nora Young describes her recent visit to the HICKtech conference, including its commitment to reducing waste and serving 100 mile food.  It reminded Nora of SPROUT, a concept for a zero waste restaurant, written up at trendhunter

In this trendwatching podcast, Cathi Bond mentions the thudguard , a British-designed cap to protect toddlers (via gizmag).  Sensible protection or yet another step in over-parenting?Meanwhile, Nora Young mentions the T3 Hub 2.0 for Macs, a sort of USB hotel (at drbott.com, via The Cool Hunter).  Who doesn t need more USB ports? 

In this trendwatching podcast, Nora Young talks about SpareSpace portable work environments (via Springwise).  It s part of the broader trend we ve noted towards temporary spaces that can be parked on rooftops, in lofts, etc.  Nora also notes the NoStore concept in Shanghai (via KissAtlanta), a rotating retail environment for different artisans. Meanwhile Cathi Bond has been looking into the Thirst Aid Pouch, a small portable pouch for creating potable water in case of emergency.

In this trendwatching podcast, Nora Young looks at some new research that backs up what Cathi and Nora have been feeling: according to the study Information Behaviour of the Researcher of the Future, lots of people engaged in scholarly research engage in skittish power browsing rather than sustained deep research, and this behaviour crosses generations (via The Guardian) Meanwhile, Cathi Bond tells us about the ergoskin shirt, designed to help people recovering from back injury.  Are we likely to see these kinds of applications for sports or just general smart clothing uses? (via Medgadget)

In this trendwatching podcast, Cathi Bond finds this puzzle alarm clock, and this alarm clock that s superloud and shakes the bed! (Both at bimbambanana) And this bible inspirational clock (via UrbanTrend).  A sign that we are all really sleep-deprived? Meanwhile, Nora sees a couple of recent notes about VOIP: Reuters reports that Japan Communications is going to start offering VOIP as part of their regular mobile phone service, and Skype is set to offer unlimited calls to land lines in 34 countries, and unlimited calls to a smaller list of countries for cell phones .all for $10/month, according to the New York Times.

In this trendwatching podcast, Nora Young talks about the virtual desktop, Jooce.Cathi Bond describes the community-based art of the British art group, Proboscis.Nora Young refers to this Cscout article on time-based products at McDonald s in Japan. 

In this trendwatching podcast, Cathi Bond points to two cool turntables: one, designed like a tiny VW van that drives around your vinyl, and one, that converts vinyl to mp3s. (via ubergizmo) Meanwhile, Nora Young talks about some of the trends she spotted on a recent trip to South Beach.  She visited the Marimekko store, and took Cathi s advice and went to the Base store, much cooler than the generally cartoonish, rawk star aesthetic of South Beach (though she does like Ed Hardy and bought some of his running shoes a few years ago). Cathi also tips us off (via Gizmag) to what happens when your inner environmentalist meets your inner machismo: the electric muscle car by Dodge

In this trendwatching podcast, Nora Young takes the new search tool, seachme, out for a spin.  She thinks it s part of a bigger trend towards snapshot displays that let you better manage masses of data.Meanwhile, Cathi Bond on a product she found at medgadget:  this new, commercially available test, that looks for genetic markers associated with bipolar disorder.  Cathi thinks it could be part of the basket of tools used to evaluate the condition; Nora s worried these tools are not reliable, but thinks they re part of the trend towards body monitoring.Also, a quick update.  About a month ago, Cathi and Nora discussed wi-max, and wondered why it wouldn t be a good solution for the west. They ve got more info from a trusted source. 

In this trendwatching podcast, Cathi Bond talks about a concept for how to solve London s booming population requirements, without resorting to urban sprawl: this Super Tower at popularchitecture.com Meanwhile, Nora Young looks at an interesting concept from Simon Fraser University: the ladybag lets you know if you ve forgotten to put your daily must-haves (phone, wallet etc) into the purse.  Nora thinks it s an intriguing example of some of the applications of RFID technology that we may see in the future.  (via trendhunter)

In this trendwatching podcast, Nora Young talks about this Guardian article on the future of work. It s a look at a new study that suggests work life balance is being replaced with work life integration . Nora and Cathi wonder whether, in spite of all the great tools for remote collaboration out there, creative collaboration really just works better face-to-face. Meanwhile, Cathi Bond has been checking out these fancy digs in the Chelsea district of Manhattan.  Click on play movie in the en suite sky garage to take a look at the, er, en suite sky garage.

In this trendwatching podcast, Nora Young talks about her obsession with Simon Carter accessories.  Nora and Cathi Bond continue their conversation about wireless connectivity in the developing world with this Business Week story about Tata s plans to create an enormous WiMax wireless internet mesh that will serve over 100 Indian cities. Meanwhile, Cathi Bond continues to spot the trend of body monitoring devices and cell phone apps with MiCoach  It s a cellphone that takes your heart rate and offers you words of encouragement when you train.