Ford's latest promotion for the Flex really has nothing at all to do with the Blue Oval's big crossover, but it's still cool. Available for iPhone and iPod touch users, the Flex Photo Lab is free and allows Apple gadget owners to do things like adjust the brightness, contrast, hue, and saturation of images, as well as add special effects like add glowing lines or kaleidoscopic effects to photographs. What's the connection between a big station wagon and photo retouching software? Both are intended for tech-savvy consumers, says Ford. There is a tie-in built into the app. There's a "Discover Flex" functionality that allows users to tour the vehicle's interior and exterior, and iPhone users can use the "Locate The Flex" feature to beat a path to the nearest of Hank's stores. Rather than trifle with becoming an iPhone/iPod Touch developer, Ford farmed out the task to the Tao Agency, and now that we can spiff up shots on these mobile devices, we're tempted to trade our DSLRs and fancy lenses.
High energy costs and growth in emerging markets have automakers scrambling to downsize their product plans, and ultra-small transportation like the VW up! is bound to bring low-cost city cars to the masses. Mazda intends to be a serious player in this burgeoning segment and will unveil the Mazda1 concept in Paris this fall, expected to look like the sketch above and influenced by the Nagare design language.
Mazda promises that the production vehicle will be more "radical" in production trim, though it likely won't carry fuel cells and batteries like the concept. The automaker does plan on offering amenities like navigation, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, and the micro will have sliding doors and seats to make getting in and out easier. Mazda engineers are also working hard to make sure the Mazda1 is environmentally friendly, which means low emissions, small powertrains, and low weight. Fortunately, those very same attributes will also help keep costs down, which should help Mazda offer the vehicle everywhere from India and China to more developed regions like Europe and the US.
Does Ferrari lower itself to do a podcast? No – and you could argue that it doesn't need to. Lamborghini has always had a knack for forging its own way, and rather than acting aloof, it's inviting everyone into the cult of the brand. The big tent that Lamborghini's erected in the iTunes store is called "The World of Lamborghini," and it strikes us a a very smart marketing move.
To geek out for a moment, we think it's a good use of marketing dollars because while the production costs are obviously significant, distribution costs are far less than even a modest broadcast campaign. Besides, when was the last time you saw a Lamborghini spot? Right. The podcasting effort will further cement Lamborghini's aspirational, yet within reach, status. It also helps that the videos Lamborghini is disseminating are hella cool, and thus work just as designed. Our Reventon lust is even more serious now that we've seen the video that's reminiscent of the Six Million Dollar Man. Check it out on iTunes.
NAMCO, the video game company that brought us some of the cheesiest yet most compelling video game titles of all time, is releasing Pole Position: Remix specifically for your little iPod. This is the game's 25th anniversary year, and the new title, which will thankfully not use 25-year-old graphics, has also been updated with new game play like 3D versions of its four tracks, and a Misake Point track that will only be available on the iPod version.
And since you'll be playing this on the music device du jour, the game comes with an updated soundtrack, but you can also listen to your own tunes while you spin the wheel -- we expect to find a lot of Pole Position playlists in people's libraries. If you do that, album art from your music collection will show up on billboards, both randomly and from what's playing, which is pretty trick. The game will sell for $4.99 on iTunes, and works on the iPod nano with video, and the classic and new iPods.
