Five to watch

Space beer ready for launch

With space tourism poised to take off soon, attention is already turning to in-flight refreshments. Testing of a beer brewed especially for microgravity will begin this November on Zero Gravity’s Boeing aeroplane. Astronauts experience dulled taste buds in space, so the flavours have been enhanced to compensate; carbonation is lower because bubbles stagnate in microgravity; and specially designed packaging ensures the beverage can be enjoyed without too much mess.

Source: Popsci.com

Ads within captchas

When registering for a website, internet users are often required to prove they are not spam bots by typing out a sequence of distorted letters in an image called a “captcha”. Solve Media is planning to use captchas to place adverts – something web users often don’t want to see – where they can’t be ignored. Instead of a garbled sequence of letters, Solve Media’s security captchas require the user to type in quoted text from an associated display advert. Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 8 ad requires users to type the slogan “Browse Safer”.

Source: PSFK.com

Marketing wizardry

Since the days of Rasputin and Tsarina Alexandra, the occult has been big business in Russia: reports suggest that one in five Russians have consulted an occult healer. But there are rising claims that the industry is detrimental to the population’s health. Cancer specialists are concerned that many of their patients have already wasted lots of money and time on seeking an occult cure for the disease. Russian MPs are backing a bill banning any self-proclaimed witches or wizards from advertising in the media.

Source: Telegraph.co.uk

FashionYouTique

Fashion brand FCUK has teamed up with YouTube to create a new direct sales channel, making clever use of in-video pop‑up buttons to enable viewers to purchase items with just a few clicks. The “YouTique” videos feature FCUK stylists making a case for a product and a model wearing the clothes in question. Hovering over the various items of clothing being modelled are “buy” buttons that take viewers directly to the FCUK page from where the item can be purchased. Pop‑up buttons usually only link to other videos on the site, but FCUK came to an agreement with YouTube to enable links to its shop.

Source: Fastcompany.com

Super‑sized cycles?

Frugal, healthy and environmentally friendly, cycling is now more fashionable than ever. But most bikes aren’t built to support more than 225 pounds (100kg) and rising levels of obesity mean an increasingly large demographic isn’t being catered for. US company Super Sized Cycles has taken note of this problem and developed a range of bikes specially designed for the bigger consumer. Bikes in the range are built with steel frames, wider tyres and stronger rims and spokes, as well as wider, well padded seats. These modifications make bikes suitable for carrying up to 550 pounds (250kg).

Source: Springwise.com