The demo center is set up like a small stage. There are a few rows of seating (pictured) facing a stage. The stage was divided into four sections, each representing a location where a user may have to interact with another user using technology. There was the home office, airport, corporate office and medical office.

Even though they did not perform a demonstration, they did talk us through how the center was used. As Microsoft would show its Sharepoint solution, for example, there would be an actor at each station. The actor at the corporate office may initiate an event (creating a document) and then IM a co-worker (at the home office) who would edit the document further. All this action would take place on audience-viewable screens while the actors went through a rehearsed and smooth script. The employee at the airport would request something and medical staff could collaborate from different locations. So many scenarios and so easy to tell a story with this environment!

Well done, Microsoft.

I won’t bore you with the details, but let’s say it was a simple fender-bender, with my car getting hit in the right rear bumper and me not hitting anyone. While waiting for the police to arrive, I recalled the commercials about this iTunes app and I downloaded it for free within minutes.

I started the application and entered my State Farm username and password. This was successful and I was presented with a menu of items, including filing a claim. I selected this menu item and was walked through entering all the details. The location of the incident was recorded with GPS, and I added all the driver information from the other driver, took some pictures, added some explanation including a sketch of what happened, and submitted it to State Farm. All in all – 10-15 minutes of work and State Farm had everything I needed.

My appointment for repairs is all set up, including rental, and I checked the system later in the afternoon and saw that my claim is now listed under “Open Claims” within the Pocket Agent app. Very well done!

I hope I don’t have to use it often, but this State Farm Pocket Agent app is really slick and made what could have been a pain-in-the-ass experience into something I enjoyed (at least a little).

You upload your IPA and your Ad-Hoc Provisioning Profile, and then send out the link to your users and clients. They use this link on their iOS device and get a web page that displays the Provisioning Profile (if it needs to be installed) and the IPA. Works very very well. I highly recommend using this website and service (and donating!).

DIAWI

Check it out here!

MetaWatch

Connected to my Droid via Bluetooth, an open API to my watch interface. Are you kidding me? I can see who is calling without pulling my phone out of its holster. Check the weather. See my email and SMS. Everything – right on my wrist! And I can make it better!

Digital MetaWatch

I am MetaWatch. I am unstoppable.

Good afternoon.

Scott and I were identified earlier this year as Fire Captains, responsible for securing our area of the building in the event of fire. I am sending this email because we are required to review our specific Fire Evacuation Procedures with the people in our area. Congratulations! If you are receiving this email, you are in our designated area – The Awesome 6 or 7B Group!

Please read this and hit REPLY, letting me know you read it.

So here it goes:

a) Please use Vestibule Exits 6 or 7 when leaving the building. Vestibule #7 is right next to Farid’s and Kim’s offices, and Vestibule 6 is the main one in the back of the building (double doors).

b) We are to gather together in Parking Lot Area 6-7B. This is the area outside between Vestibules 6 and 7. Please do not stand next to the building. The preferred location to stand and watch the inferno is up on the grassy area.

In the event of a fire, Scott and I will look for all of you in this Parking Lot Area 6-7B after we check your office to make certain you have evacuated. And then we’ll help ourselves to some of the food on your desk.

Please let me know if you have any questions. We need to record who acknowledges this info so please REPLY to this email even if you have no questions and let me know you read it.

Thanks!
Glenn

Bug Labs and Ford = OpenXC

Bug Labs (http://www.buglabs.net) in a partnership with Ford Motor Co. unveiled the OpenXC system today (link here). From Bug Lab’s web site:

At TechCrunch Disrupt San Francisco, the two companies will demonstrate innovative solutions based on OpenXC, including a socially-networked in-car fuel economy monitor connected to the Internet, via Bug Labs’ cloud-based service, BUGswarm.

Check it out!

In a vehicle with AppLink, the following screens show how to link your iPhone with your SYNC with AppLink system. This information is also available within the Allergy Alert itself under the SYNC tab in the menu.

You can track PFR, Azma.com index levels, Air Quality, and weather in your Azma Diary. All the latest news is presented. The content is focused on Parents with Children Asthma Sufferers, Adult Asthma Sufferers, and Child Asthma Sufferers.

Check it out!