There’s been a lot of discussions of late about Facebook Places and if it’s going to be the Foursquare and/or Gowalla killer.  Well with new start-ups like GetGlue are we soon to be drowned in check in hell?

I’ve played around with Foursquare, and when I remember to do so, often check in.  I’ve also started to use GetGlue and can see a real benefit in both for Businesses looking to engage with potential customers.  But is the danger that it develops into a saturated market where the noise of advertising and getting your business noticed through clever and eventful campaigns means that they becomes yet another stale means of modern advertising?  What will be the next new phase?  Will it be having your heart rate, breaths per minute and blood pressure tracked and put of whatever the next phase of social media becomes.

We all remember the story of a Woman from Georgia being tracked down by a journalist based on her search terms. How will this translate when you’re whole social media interaction starts to be centred around Facebook.  From my user account people can currently tell: What I did on the weekend (Facebook); How I slept last night (Sleep Cycle); Where I am and have been (Foursquare); What I’m watching, listening to, eating, thinking (GetGlue); How far I’ve run and for how quickly (RunKeeper Pro).

Time obviously will tell who will emerge the victor when all is said and done.  I mean who would of seen Facebook coming out the water when MySpace was first launched.  Surely it all started with Friends Reunited?

Well I guess social media is a modern version of the music genre where fashions come and go, styles and attitudes can live on forever, and from one will always come another.  We have a clan mentality and will always align ourselves with something that we feel represents ‘our’ brand.  I guess for the moment 500 million people feel that’s Facebook.

I guess the bravest thing to do would be to check out of social media…but were would the fun be in that.

Following on from the health concious tip we have recently finished out latest Flash website for US company Lee | Stafford. We were asked to come up with a groundbreaking design concept to help them position themselves as a market leader in medical marketing and communications.

Using the Double Helix of DNA as a design element throughout the site we built an enaging interface using Flash’s new 3D funtionility. Pulling in social media content from the likes of Twitter and Flickr to create a personable experience and insight into the company.

We’ve been a little quiet on the blog front of late. That’s because we’ve been all in a state of slumber while working on our dreamy latest Flash project which has just gone live. Make a cup of tea, sit back, explore, and relax. All the beautiful illustration was done by McFaul Studio.

http://www.silencetea.com/

We’ve made it into the latest edition of Computer Arts Project (issue 125). Be sure to grab a copy and check it how we wreck it. Yes my little bambino.

What a great idea for an online game, with real life data, utilising social media in an engaging and innovative way That’s a podium finish for Vodaphone for this one.

http://taxigp.vodafone.co.uk/

Oh so cool!

Watch this space…

@sparcd has pointed out a very addictive but interesting little Flash app. You can find it here http://bit.ly/NaikH.

It’s addictive so be prepared to end up in a state of trance while drawing pretty patterns.

Good things come in small packages, and our latest web venture is no exception. Friend & Co is possibly the smallest gallery in the world featuring some of the biggest names in urban art.

The gallery is owned and run by Tom Friend and is based on the Gloucester Road in Bristol. Take a look at their online store to see some of the amazing pieces of art that they have available.

http://friendandco.bigcartel.com/

With our sister company McFaul handling the design of the new site, we’re putting all the backend loveliness into it.

Watch this space for some big things from small spaces to come.