Muji Goes App Shit Crazy

Japanese retailer Muji has given non iPad users another reason to hate on that revolutionary little tablet. They've just released an app suite for the iPad and one lone app compatible with a few other Apple gadgets. Like the brick and mortar stores, the apps are not about frills -- they're purely functional. However, this doesn't mean you can't have any fun or indulge a bit. You're definitely one step closer to a paper-less environment with these super functional and stylish apps:

• Muji Calendar (Free; iPad only) - Easy to use and syncs with your Google Calendar. Drag and drop to schedule events.
• Muji Notebook ($3.99 USD; iPad only) - Draw freehand and enter typed data. On top of it all it recognizes your handwriting. It's a big step up from the Palm Zire (yup, I still have mine). If you're in a sharing is caring mood, feel free to email your notebook to friends.
• Muji to Go ($3.99 USD; iPad only) - Several useful tools for the lady or dude on the go rolled in one; weather, world clock, calculator and Forex -- because you may need to turn that chedda' into brie. There's no bouncing from one app to another; toggle between them with the stroke of a finger. Muji apparel and other goods are suggested based on the app module you're using.
  
• Muji Apparel Catalog (Free; iPhone, iPad & iPod Touch) Who cares if it's in Japanese? Now's a great time to learn with Rosetta Stone. Just kidding, at least you can look at the photos of Muji's new items.

Click the individual links above to learn more about, and to purchase each app.

McCann Spills

Global advertising agency McCann Erickson has done it again. For years they've been creating groundbreaking advertisements and making consumers and corporations look at each other in new ways. Now they are turning the creative gun on themselves and their employees with Spill. Spill isn't your 1990s intranet. For one it's a mega blog made up of more than 700 writers and it's more than a source for mining numbers and best practices.

Recently, I spoke with what I'll call a "Spill Insider" about the creation of the program and how it's impacting the organization. Also, a few lucky spillers were able to get their hands on iPads to help them with day to day blogging; wherever and whenever.

What is Spill and how did it come to be?

Spill is a blog. You basically "spill" about anything from specific topics to random banter. It's the new internal communications platform for McCann NY. It's where all employees share info and content with each other. It came about as a way to have a "flatter, faster, more open and integrated culture." It's the companies way to build digital into our daily lives so we get in the habit of integrating it into the strategy of our clients. They introduced the iPad as a tool to drive us to a more digital, open and shared work environment.

How are your colleagues responding to your spills?
I have responses from pure laughter to some of them letting me know they feel the same way. For instance, I spilled about a popular reality show character and a recent natural phenomenon. A lot of my colleagues were fully engaged about the two topics. They commented and added relevant links.

How do you think this exchange of information will impact McCann Erickson?
I think it will encourage dialogue between colleagues across all departments not just creative which I believe was part of the goal.

Even creative organizations are seeing the value of employees that don't come equipped with an English or art degree. No doubt McCann is getting insight into whom they should be courting as clients and in turn; how their clients should interact with consumers. Faster and open is the way to go -- perhaps your company will follow suit before they get left in the dust.

We'd love to tell you more but it's a bit of a secret. And no, the "Spill Insider" is not a LLady.