.oO Tailwind

Last year we worked with Multimap, redesigning the UK internet granddaddy and bringing it back to life with a new UX and web-two-of type over haul.

It needed it.

I have to say it was one of our finer achievements last year, good work by all.

Well, yesterday Sean Phealan (founder) and his partner Audrey sold Multimap to Microsoft for an undisclosed sum. Sean started the outfit about 10-15 years ago from home and has been at the helm ever-since, head firmly under the bonnet shepherding Multimap through highs and lows, including the .com bust of 2000. CEO, Jeff Kelisky will remain at the helm as Mutimap moves into a new era.

Multimap will remain separate from Redmond and act as a wholly owned-subsidiary of Microsoft but will pseudo-join it’s Search and Local team. It stands to reason that Multimap will benefit from some favourable data deals.

Multimap is incredibly popular here in the UK and easily provides the best quality maps. Fact. The purchase will not only increase Redmond’s foothold in the UK mapping market which is currently dominated by Google and Multimap. The acquisition will also significantly improve MS’s local advertising remit.

Multimap has over 1300 b2b clients, including Yell, Ford, Tesco and Foxstons, mostly poviding store locator type functionality. It’s also prevalent on sites such as Autotrader from which is reaps massive free usage. Multimap has never advertised and yet is a popular service when polled in the high street.

Also, the improved geospatial skills now lend themselves to some potentially exciting location based mobile services. How long have we been talking about location based services? How long have I been wanting Multimap to properly break some mobile services.

All this considered, Micromap has some exciting times ahead.

It’s rumoured that Multimap was sold for about $50 million.

Like Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, then have a play with this game. Be warned! you might be some time

Continuing a space theme, here is an R2D2 translator. You can download the output.

In 1959 a man went up in a balloon to the edge of space to jump out. He was ata height of 40km (!!!!). Completely mental. Why isn’t this an extreme sport?

Struggling to sleep? Try a bedtime tune to relax yourself.

Ever wondered what the system is for completing a Rubiks cube?

More drums. The most amazing drum solo ever?

Ever lost a manual for a product you own? Well, fret not, here’s a BIG library of user manuals.

Molecular Nanobots? In your bloodstream? What? Im actually sacred.

Back in March I bought a pair of Shure e2c heaphones.

I was quite impressed. It took me a while to work out which ’sleeves’ to use but once I did, nice.

Then the legendary build quality failed me. The left headphone started to develop a loose connection so I could only hear music if I wiggled the wire, tilted my head and stretched my neck.

This is no way to behave on a packed commuter train.

So, as they had a 2 year warranty I contacted Shure and returned them. The then promptly sent me a shiny new set of SE110s which have replaced the e2c.

Two things; first these are fantastic headphone for the price (about £65) and secondly this was superb customer service.

The Headphones:
They take all the good bits of the e2c and work them into a better package. the sleeves are way more comfortable, produce a better seal (they are noise ‘isolating’ you see, not noise ‘cancelling’) and they are in a lighter unit. Even with MP3 encoded tracks on my iPod I hear brighter, wider sound, an elevated stage and clarity on the instruments.

If you are using the standard buds, CHANGE THEM!

At home I sport some Sennheiser HD25s (turntable usage) but I want something pocket size for the commute.

The Customer Service:
I once returned a set of Oakley Eye jackets after 3 or so years ownership only to have the cracked frame swiftly replaced. this was back in 1997ish.

I’ve bought Oakley eye-wear ever since, be it sunnies or snow boarding goggles.

Of course they are amazing lenses, but the fact that they stuck to their promise and respected the lifetime guarantee I’m an Oakley customer for life.

Shure have now instilled me with the same loyalty for a set of entry-level £65 headphones. So long as they produce quality products I’ll keep buying because I know if things go wrong there is integrity behind the brand.

Thanks Oakley. Thanks Shure.

Wow. 3 for 3.

Okay, it’s Saturday, but you got last weeks a day early.

Reet bonkers slide show on the future of our planet and galaxy.

New street signs springing up all round London. Thanks Mr Hellens.

Some bonkers nanotech for you.

VideoJug shows you how to compose your photographs in this instructive little video.

Here are some batteries that charge via USB.

Photos from nuclear tests. Pretty scary but beautiful stuff.

For those who like cartoons, did you ever get into Calvin and Hobbs?

Ever wondered how to classify lists of animals..? What do you mean no?

Twango allows you to upload files that will automatically have geospatial data added to them based on the text associated with the file.

Based on consumer insight from over 1000 guests in 5 countries, Swisscom are about to reinvent hotel connectivity (thank God!). Called room 2.0 it’s an interesting story about innovation, whitespace and conducting primary research.