3D mobile futures

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Who ever comes along to an Open Coffee, it’s always a really interesting discussion that emerges. This morning was no different, after introductions we landed on the topic of 3D applications on mobile devices.

We quickly worked through some background examples of ARG games that had used 3D effects on Gizmondo devices (before the company imploded) and the use of QR codes to trigger ‘Princess Leia’ type animations. Lenticular displays were included as a passive 3D display technology with obvious application in advertising.

In addition to the polarised light sources, we also discussed some of the more subtle (and less technological) approaches to producing 3D or 3D-like effects that could be used in gaming / media / advertising. Lots of ideas for using these and for building on Bristol’s creative industries as show case exemplars.

We also talked about social media monitoring, iPhone/Android apps, programming languages, and how the business models for those are evolving.

Lots of great discussions and ideas, hope to see you all in a fortnight at the Boston Teaparty.

Lots of new people at Open Coffee

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Thanks to everyone that came along to this morning’s Open Coffee. Despite having to crowd around the tables a bit it was great to see so many new faces.

I missed a lot of the discussion at the far end of the table between Stephen (@stephenmaudsley), Greg, Nick (@nicksturge), Matt (@PRBristolblog) and Andy, but Bob, Christine, Nigel (@nigellegg), Andrew and myself had a good discussion around hydrogen fuel-cells & alternative fuels, managing multiple websites & social media monitoring. There were also discussions around the future of Local Enterprise Partnerships and what that might (or might not) mean for people around the tables.

We had a few people on holiday and forgetting their bike locks, but a really good turn out. If I didn’t catch your twitter name and you’d like a shout-out, let me know in the comments.

Look forward to seeing everyone again on 24 Aug, same time (8.30am), same place (Boston Teaparty).

<Updated with links to ppl’s twitter accounts>

Open Coffee next Tues 10 Aug

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Just a quick note to remind everyone that we’re back in the Boston Teaparty on Park St from about 8.30am.

Last time the discussions ranged from the business model behind Groupon to fashion tips to monitoring social media for business intelligence. See you there for great coffee & great conversation!

Open Coffee, CoWorking & networking across Bristol

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OpenCoffee Bristol takes place tomorrow morning, 20 April from about 8.30 in The Boston Teaparty on Park St. Unfortunately I can’t make it this time but I’m sure plenty of regulars will welcome the new folks that have been joining recently.

We’re also getting a bit of friendly cross-promotion from @CoWorkingWest on Twitter where Lee Cottier is flying the standard for start-ups and freelancers organising Jelly co-working venues (Working for yourself, not by yourself).

I also had a great evening with the South West Founders meet-up and hope to be building some cross-connections there also.

More events, more coffee!

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Not that things have quietened down, if anything things are busier around Bristol than ever, but this site has been bit neglected of late.

So I’ve updated the calendar with future dates out until the end of May, which seems like a good point to perhaps stop and reflect on life, business, and the future. ;)

I’ll also try and get back into the swing of posting mini-reviews of meetings and discussions, plus other items that might be of interest to an Open Coffee reader.

Fresh coffee & opportunities

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Well 2010 kicked off in the UK with snow, ice, sub-zero temperatures and general chaos as public services ground to a halt.

But not Open Coffee and the entrepreneurs of Bristol.

Fortified by the best coffee that the Boston Tea Party on Park Street has to offer we gathered on their first floor to catch up after the break and discuss the future. By the end Steve Cayzer (HP Labs, LinkedIn), Rupert Russell (Carmen Data, LinkedIn), Helen Davies (For Effect, website), Sam Machin (Orange, personal website), Nigel Legg (Katugas Social Media, website) and Andy (who surname I’ve unforgivable forgotten, sorry).

Conversation covered the various tax implications of company car ownership, developing new brand images for the new year (and the difficulty finding a good printers these days), online marketing for small tourism companies and the challenge of getting good geo-location data, and that was just at my end of the tables!

The general opinion was that while the weather and economic climate might be a bit inclement (or just down right awful) there was business to be done and opportunities to be exploited. Business cards were swapped and a couple of new collaborations initiated.

So the New Year is off to a great start and looks to get better.

Look forward to seeing you at the next Open Coffee Bristol on Tues, 26 Jan from 8.30am in The Boston Teaparty on Park St.

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Open Coffee Bristol updates

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It’s been a few weeks since the last fortnightly reminder email and quite a few developments have taken place.

We’re settling in well at the Boston Tea Party on Park St as our new ‘home’. We’re also trying out some ideas to keep Open Coffee Bristol vibrant and of value to local smaller & growth companies. Helping me in this are Nigel Legg and Stephen Maudsley.

The most tangible development the Skilswap sub-group on the LinkedIn OpenCoffee Bristol group. The concept is to provide a safe environment in which to seek advice and support. You can post needs, and a suggestions on your area of expertise, and then other OpenCoffee members can offer to help in return for some advice / support from you; in this way skills are swapped.

We’re also revisiting the idea of having invited speakers / presenters to talk about specific innovations that they’re working on or things that might of interest to the broad Open Coffee membership (129 on LinkedIn, visitors to this website, etc).

However, the consistant feedback from the surveys that I’ve run, is that people quite like the slightly informal format & engineered serendipity so we’ll try not to lose that in any future changes.

I look forward to seeing you again on Tues, 20 October from about 8.30 am in The Boston Tea Party on Park St and fortnightly from then.

Help shape the future of Open Coffee Bristol

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The next morning is scheduled to be 8 Sept (we’ll be in The Boston Tea Party on Park St as usual).

I’ve been thinking about how to keep developing / tweaking / improving Open Coffee and discussed the idea of speakers to a few people . However I’m not sure if there should be occasional speakers on a specific topic, or more of a rolling programme of themes to which we invite ‘specialists’?

To help sort this out, please fill in this short survey (3 questions).

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=zkAnhZuUFbShQ4CEvnGAVA_3d_3d

Many thanks,

John

Open Coffee summer networking

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With the weather seeming to reflect the economic uncertainty, entrepreneurs around Bristol still welcome the relative serenity of The Boston Tea Party’s coffee garden (at least when the sun’s shining).

The storm in the social media teacup was the purchase of Friendfeed by Facebook, however, the discussions last Tues were more around the balance between strategic planning and tactical agility for a start-up.

The perennial topic of funding & finance followed the recent (highly unscientific) poll from Businesszone.co.uk indicated that many businesses aren’t even aware of the Enterprise Finance Guarantee (and those that are don’t seem to be having much luck with it); meanwhile the Regional Development Agency is seeing a return of business confidence in the South West (Economic Review pdf).

Plenty to discuss next Tuesday, 25 Aug from 8.30am in the Boston Tea Party on Park St (the garden if it’s sunny, first floor if is isn’t).