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Infographic by PPC Blog

Once you get past the layouts and color palletes, most browsers seem pretty similar. But what sets them apart is under the hood. Take Internet Explorer and Chrome, for example. Currently their main differences include Cross Platform Availability, Webpage Rendering and manufacturer.

Microsoft Internet Explorer has been the primary Web browser for computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system. This browser is integrated into the windows operating system and configured as the default web browser application for a windows computer out of the box. Microsoft Internet Explorer is currently only available for the Windows computer; their support for Apple (mac osx) and other desktop computers has been discontinued.

Google Chrome is Google’s answer to web browsing based on the open source WebKit viewing engine. This popular and acclaimed web browser is available cross-platform for download on Windows, Apple (Mac OSX), and Linux Operating Systems.

As mentioned, the average user will notice mostly aesthetic differences. Internet Explorer closely mirrors the Glossy windows buttons to match the look and feel and user experience offered on a Windows based operating system. Chrome, on the other hand, sports the minimal Google look and feel with fewer buttons and interface elements in plain sight. Chrome “skins” can be downloaded to modify the colors and graphics of the application itself.

Other than aesthetics the other key difference is how the browsers render pages. Google’s Chrome browser uses the WebKit Open source browser engine, which supports popular HTML5 based techniques such as page animations, transitions and support for more in depth multimedia content using something called Canvas. Mac enthusiasts might have heard the term WebKit when listening to presentations about various Apple software and hardware devices. Examples include Mac Osx’s Safari browser and Ipad/ipod devices which also run on the open source standards inspired browsing engine WebKit.

Internet Explorer on the other hand can directly access the windows system since it is closely integrated into the operations system using Direct X. Some argue that this increases the need to run an Antivirus/Anti-malware application.

Many users argue that WebKit based browsers offer a faster processing of pages due to the engine used, but these results differ depending on the testing device hardware and software configurations.

For additional information on Google Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer and the other technologies mentioned above see the below links:

Google Chrome:

Download Google Chrome

Google Chrome on Wikipedia

Microsoft Internet Explorer:

Microsoft Internet Explorer

Microsoft Internet Explorer on Wikipedia

Webkit

HTML5:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTML5

http://lifehacker.com/5416100/how-html5-will-change-the-way-you-use-the-web

Cool Infographic from Focus.com on what is HTML5 and why we should all care about it.

I wrote a blog post a while back about the shift in interactive and HTML5 giving way to new experiences. Take a peek and throw me some feedback.

When my friends and I need inspiration we pound on caffeine and get crazy at a whiteboard till the ideas start flowing. When it comes to caffeine we turn to one location and that is the mecca you might know as Starbucks.

Below you are about to see the product of our addiction for Starbucks.

If you enjoy please share and comment so we know you all like it.

At the F8 Conference yesterday a game changer was introduced into the social media ecosystem. Facebook is positioning itself themselves to potentially become the center of the social web.

They introduced their new Open Graph API and protocol along with its abilities to integrate websites and applications within facebook.

Companies like Pandora, Microsoft, CNN and Yelp have already released these new ways to connect on their websites.

For example, visiting CNN you can see what your friends are reading and liking. This allows an understanding your circles of friends and colleagues viewing behavior.

They have also added a slew of new items to tackle three key features (or so they focus on)

• Registration + Login - Replace your Authentication / Login system with Facebooks. No longer will you need to maintain and track multiple registration and login data.
• Engagement - Adding Activity Feeds, like buttons and other social experiences with the dropping of a simple line of HTML. No more complex development just copy/paste a line of code.
• Growth – Publishing content, and hooking into users viewing activity are just a few things that this will offer. All your interests and likes will now be available providing a user has not chosen to opt out.

I have mixed feelings on this new technology. The geek inside me is grabbing and reading every API document I can get my hands on and thinking up cool new ways to incorporate it into the next awesome mashup but being someone who likes their privacy has me getting a little concerned.

Whats so new about all of it?

Previously applications required an elaborate “allow” process. Developers were allowed to store the information for 24 hours before having to purge it for privacy reasons. This meant we would have to download and export information every 24 hours in order to retain the user data. With the release of these new protocols the restriction is lifted so once a user has opted into your application you can continue to grab and store their information seemingly forever.

With the implementation of the new Open Graph facebook has replaced Facebook Connect with these new social widgets and drop-on capabilities.

Users now have to be weary of what they click  when “Liking” an article that can potentially show up in their friends activity streams or in their customized view as we see above on CNN.

Danger on the interwebz?

I’m sure it’s just a matter of moments before the phishing attacks and malware begins. I mean after all by clicking on a “like” if i am not logged into facebook throws open a new window.

All I have to do is login to facebook and then I can start sharing with my friends and taking advantage of this cool new feature.

But what if this is a malicious website? What if it were something other than CNN or a trusted source? The popup window doesn’t have the chrome so I cannot see that I am actually about to submit a form that goes to crazyhackerinnigeriawillstealyourinfo.zn

Without actually going into the source file of this site I have no clear indication that I am actually passing my information to a secure facebook form.

All a mean all a hacker would have to do is recreate this simple html/css and have the form post the information into their system and start a slew of worm-like activities infecting their facebook with malicious links and javascript snippets as well as anyone who also got the link.

Remember when people were doing that on PayPal Payment pages?

This might not be an issue in some peoples eyes but lets face it theres a lot of people that still click on the blinking red banner ads that say win 1 million dollars which lead to bogus information spam sites.

I should probably be writing some code to steal people’s facebook logins and sell them to some Russian or Chinese syndicate right now but I figured I’d rant about it to hopefully have someone who matters listen and respond to this.

One of the bigger potentials for phishing scams is centered around their announcement to utilize Facebook Credits to become a commerce center. At the F8 conference they presented “App2User” which is going to enable (cough cough FORCE cough cough) to convert their rewards into “Facebook Credits”

Financial Institutions and consumer brands might present “offers” that give users the ability to convert their credits into “facebook credits” so they can redeem and spend more on Facebook.

This doesn’t just stop at the cheesy virtual gifts anymore we are talking airline flights, flowers, and products.

Are you nodding your head yet and seeing how phishing scams can be a problem now?

It’s not just “check out my webcam” links going to your facebook wall; your wallet can now potentially be affected if you’re not a savvy user.

With the advancement of these “credits” and global adoption of facebook being a reality Facebook is getting closer to pulling in the power of a paypal and the mass appeal of an Appstore for purchasing both tangible and digital products.

In short what that means in short is they can potentially become a top player in the commerce sector similar to how paypal did back in the web 1.0 days. The larger their network gets the more connected and seamless online becomes the easier it will get.

Your Online Life all in a bubble?

This new Open Graph is one huge aggregation channel that will just collect my viewing activity along with my likes and interests for publishing and mining data. Sure I may want to show my friends that I am a big Star Wars Fan but I might not want to show my business colleagues some of the random things i’m reading and getting inspired by.

Obviously this is great information to be gathering because then Facebook can start delivering more relevant advertising as a result of all the information they have collected about me.

Now while I would love to get advertisements that are relevant to me there’s a lot of times that i will learn about something new or pursue new purchase behavior as a result of something I’ve never done before.

For example I was randomly served an advertisement the other day about Organic foods. Before seeing that ad I could give a care less about eating organic food but after clicking through and getting some valuable information about it made me head to the local whole foods and I’ve started to shop and really eat a great deal more of those types of products.

If I was only being served ads from my interests and my friends interest I might not ever see that ad.

But then again I suppose it’s all about relevance and further connecting us but where does the disconnection happen?

Along with announcing their much anticipated IPhone OS4 Steve Jobs introduced the all new iAd. Apple’s expanding their presence in mobile advertising and this unique mobile advertising platform promises to incorporate elements of traditional television advertisements with the acclaimed interactivity of web ads.

Currently the advertising delivery on mobile devices is an obtrusive experience that brings users outside of the application to the webpage linked to in the ad. A user then has to navigate back to their application in order to resume their experience.

The all new iAd will solve this flawed User Experience by allowing the ad to display full-screen video and interactive advertising content right within the application. The newest version of the iPhone OS (4.0) will enpower mobile application developers the ability to easy embed hooks to iAds.

Now comes the interesting part. Apple is going to sell and handle serving the ads and they are offering as much as a 60% revenue split with the advertisers.

Watch out Google. They purchased Double Click to successfully cross into the online advertising delivery business but Apple is a flagship that they have no chance at acquiring.

First the App Store now this. Apple is positioning themselves to go toe to toe with the Goliath’s in cyberspace.

Well there goes the bell I have to get back to working now even though i’m compelled to go off on a Flash rant about Apple versus Adobe.

Print might be the fastest declining type of media in the world today but what lies ahead is surely to be captivating for device technologies and content publishers that can harness the power of digital media to breathe new life into their content.

Being in the Digital Marketing space from 9 to 9 everyday (no that isn’t a typo) I get my fair share of time to dabble and experiment with new concepts for content interactivity.

I’m really excited to have opportunities to work with experts in content creation and help them translate and expand their ideas to offer a whole additional layer of interactivity.

We were been playing with Webcams and Gestural navigation concepts where we used facial recognition and point tracking to create augmented reality experiences.

With hardware advancements in multi-touch enabled devices like the kindl and ipad the next generation in interactive user experiences is going to be a whole lot more exciting.

Posting some of the things we are and have worked on might piss off some of our clients and agency partners so i’ve grabbed some similar examples of interactive content using tablets and multitouch devices. I did not have any part in the below examples and clicking on the videos will give you full information on those who should be credited for their hard work and cutting edge ideas.

Alexx Harvey from Viv Magazine showing their Ipad digital magazine.

Mag+ from Bonnier on Vimeo.

Time Inc’s Tablet magazine.

We have already been working on completing an iPad application that lets our Creative Strategists and business developers carry around an interactive version of our portfolio where we can show prospects and review project status in person with our clients.

Sketches from our iPad App in progress.

For the non-techy folks that haven’t caught on yet the digital landscape is changing by the minute and the need for content changes happens so fast printing something is just such a waste of time and money when it will date and make itself extinct in a matter of days.

We packed up our pocket folders and traditional leave behinds and went for a more progressive way to demonstrate our work to our clients.

What about when we leave and they don’t have anything to reference?

No problem we email them a web version of it which uses jquery and a standard mouse hover/click interaction to experience the work. They can view, print and email their colleagues links to showcase things.

if you would like to demo the beta version of the application shoot me an email at pete [at] peter sena dot com.

Sander ter Braak is exploring changing properties of a 3d object using Distorted Projection. As the viewer moves the experience changes based on their perspective.

I love seeing stuff like this so I figured I would pass this along.

Augmented anamorphosis from Sander ter Braak on Vimeo.

Now if only Apple would put isights into the Ipad we would be having a very different set of things to look at.