Archive for the ‘Business’ Category

Apple will be leading the way for HTML5

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

The driving force for switching to HTML5 and CSS3 is getting sites compliant for the ipad / iphone. We can say that we are moving technology forward just for the sake of it, or because we want to code to web standards. But lets face it – we need a practical reason to make the jump, and Apple has given us just that. They are pushing HTML5 on their iOS platform and since their platform is the market leader, that is where designers are going to go.

A few days ago Apple published a useful demos to thier site – an HTML5 demo page that shows exactly how to use HTML5 to accomplish different tasks a la iOS

http://developer.apple.com/safaridemos/

I especially like the typography demo, as that is one of the more pressing issues, in my mind. These demos represent a major push by Apple to incorporate standards – based development practices into the ecosystem of their products, and AVANT is paying attention. Did you hear that Apple surpassed Microsoft as the tech company worth the most money? Not a fact to be ignored.

Posted in Business, Design, HTML 5, Uncategorized | No Comments »

HTML5 & IE – Coding For Multiple Browsers Into Eternity

Monday, June 7th, 2010

HTML5 Infographic

Recently, this HTML5 infographic made the rounds here at AVANT. It was really interesting for a lot of reasons, partially because we are positionning ourselves strategically with clients and partners. But the main interest to me (as a producer) was the impact on production workflow – the browser compatibility chart. What stood out more than anything else was that Internet Explorer, once again, is incompatible in its support for the technology that several others seem to be getting behind. Is the Silverlight play SO important that Microsoft intends to leverage XAML against the rogue wave of HTML5? Is that going to be the development battle ground for the next phase of Mac vs. PC?

I understand that Microsoft has made an effort, that thier business is built around proprietary software, IE8 was a big step up, and that IE9 will be even bigger in the right direction. But honestly, its not enough – soon enough – if the focus on UX is REALLY a goal for Microsoft. If this graphic is correct, then it appears that we will have to continue designing for multiple browsers in order to extend apps to multiple devices: All reasonable browsers, IE7, IE8, IE9, sometimes IE6 (still). Our goal is generally the best UX, and we would rather focus on that over bug testing syntax shifts for IE.

Posted in Business, Design, HTML 5 | No Comments »

AVANTians Invade ad:tech SF

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

AVANT will be joining some of the worlds leading marketing technology experts at ad:tech San Francisco this year. If you are an advertising decision maker at the event we would like to speak with you about how we can help you provide a premium experience for reporting campaign metrics, integrate social media and consumer generated content into your strategy, and create interactive utilities that engage your audience. Success in the marketing and advertising space is about creating meaningful, useful and memorable digital experiences – and that’s what AVANT is all about. Attending:

Michael Kemper, Founder + Principal
Kemper worked in the advertising and marketing world as an award winning Designer, Creative Director and Technologist for several years before starting AVANT. He has crafted technology marketing solutions for companies like Microsoft, RedBull, Absolute, Maytag, Porsche, Vail Resorts, Virgin, RKO Pictures, Paramount, Comcast and several others.

Posted in Business, Community | No Comments »

Flash, Mobile & the Next Web

Wednesday, April 15th, 2009

The next web is without a doubt going to be mobile and device-driven. But the current limitations of devices are many and varied, especially considering rich web experiences. Flash is the most common web-based rich experience technology available, unfortunately they just cant seem to crack the OEM “nut” (Original Equipment Manufacturer), meaning they cant get their plug-in accepted on the broader set of available devices. Adobe is going to need more then Nokia to push it over the line. If one does happen to have Flash on their phone, the process for a developer making compliant Flash Lite apps is a mixed bag of version control and specific bug tracking to get the experience solid. The result is few (useful) apps for your phone – limiting your technology experience. This is something I know a bit about having worked directly with the Adobe Mobile group a few years back. It saddens me to think that one of the technologies I have built my career on may not cross the device threshold and become as relevant in the next 10 years as it was in the previous decade. Perhaps the new $10 Mil fund for the development of Flash and AIR apps announced by Adobe recently will impact the OEM problem, assuming the apps that come out of that effort woo the manufacturers and service providers over to their side. But what else can possibly take the place of Flash? Windows Mobile? Riiiight… That being said, it’s not the only limitations: there is still battery life, browser standards specifically for phones, and network bandwidth – then again Flash tends to drain on those, as well.

Posted in Applications, Business, Mobile | 1 Comment »

Microsoft BizSpark

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

BizSpark is an innovative new program that unites Startups with entrepreneurial and technology resources in a global community with a common goal of supporting and accelerating the success of a new generation of high-potential Startups.

A core strategic component of AVANT’s mission is to design and develop products that focus on compelling new platforms and disruptive technologies. A large portion of our clients are also partners that we are developing products with to effect change and make a big impact on enhancing communication, education, culture and engaging audiences. As a member of BizSpark, we are now able to accelerate our client’s success by providing fast, affordable access to current, full-featured Microsoft tools and technologies, plus production licensing for hosted solutions.

Posted in Applications, Business, Community, Silverlight | No Comments »

Catch Up With AVANT at MIX09

Monday, March 16th, 2009

We will have AVANTIANS at MIX09 this year, and to give you something to talk to us about we thought we would post info on Microsoft projects some of our team members have worked on in the past.

Michael Kemper, Founder + Principal

Kemper has worked with Microsoft for over two years starting with a project called TopBanana which debuted at the MIX07 keynote. Some other projects he worked on include:

_ Silverlight 2 Component Set (Keynote 08)
_ Expression Media Encoder (Silverlight Galleries)
_ Microsoft Surface Products and Demos (Runner up for keynote 08)
_ DigitalForum (Featured at WPC)
_ Zune Social Card (including the facebook implementation)
_ AOL Silverlight Mail Client (keynote 08)

Jeremy Stover, Senior Developer

_ Top Banana
_ Silverlight 2 Component Set (Keynote 08)
_ Expression Media Encoder (Silverlight Galleries)
_ DigitalForum (Featured at WPC)
_ Zune Social Card (including the facebook implementation)
_ AOL Silverlight Mail Client (keynote 08)
_ and several more…

We hope to meet you and talk about everything Silverlight (and maybe a little Flash ;) ).

Posted in Applications, Business, Community, Silverlight | No Comments »