Media Librarymarketingmagazine.co.uk 15th September 09 LONDON Facebook-enabled shoes and texting vending machines for free samples are among the latest digital innovations from around the world.
Shoes fitted with GPS chip let Facebook users track friends' movements
MIAMI The Isaac Daniel Group is launching a collection of GPS shoes that can be tracked by the wearer's friends using social networking sites. The shoes are equipped with Bluetooth connectivity so that with the touch of a button all of a person's Facebook contacts can pinpoint them. Link
Texting vending machines for free samples
BRUSSELS The Boobox is the prototype for a vending machine that distributes free product samples to interested consumers who send it a text message. The system not only allows companies to collect consumers' mobile numbers for future promotions, it provides an easy mechanism for immediate consumer feedback. Link
GPS party-planner application
STOCKHOLM Brewer Carlsberg has launched a website that allows users to arrange to meet at a local party. The website's mobile phone application locates users via their GPS signal and connects them to Facebook and Twitter accounts. New friends can be selected according to their gender, relationship status and taste in music.
Fiat provides virtual test drives using Google Street View PARIS Italian carmaker Fiat is promoting its 500c model in France by providing online test drives that employ the same functions as Google Street View. The user sees the front of the Fiat 500c as he or she drives through a digitalised Paris.
Gifts by text
SEOUL - South Korea's largest mobile phone operator, SK Telecom, has launched the Gifticon service. A person can select a gift, pay for it and send a barcode for the present to the recipient's mobile phone. The recipient can collect the present by bringing the code to one of the stores taking part in the promotion and presenting it to the retailer.