As an update on the Pleo, which will be in stores early next year, check out this video of the Pleo in action!

There’s a must-read article on Campfire Media, the innovative advertising shop that is pioneering branded entertainment for viral marketing campaigns, in this month’s Fast Company. Movies and television shows already offer product placement opportunities for brands (a la Ford in Casino Royale), so why not create (as Campfire is doing) more compelling and immersive (and effective) entertainment experiences that are sponsored by brands?

The experiences Campfire create could be even richer and more dynamic. Imagine participating in a game where you actually have to participate in a heist, and then evade law enforcement in an Aston Martin in a simulated car chase, for example (a video game on steroids). Simply passively watching such things happen in a movie, if such an active and real entertainment opportunity existed, would be merely an artsy experience like watching plays. For more color on this, and to read my developing vision for next-generation entertainment, click here.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Check out this Scoble Show video demo of technology developed by Microsoft Lab that offers a revolutionary way to explore spaces via an interactive compilation and integration of hundreds of images. It allows you to “walk around” and zoom into particular places. Imagine this technology applied to an online museum experience, so you can explore the museum and zoom into high res images of artwork. Or, think of the implications for real estate sales. Wow.  Photosynth site here.

Cambrian House, a Calgary-based crowdsourcing incubator of sorts, aims to discover and commercialize software concepts by leveraging the wisdom and participation of crowds. With a twist on the true open source model, contributors share in the success of the developed products by earning royalties determined by relative contribution.

They have also launched an idea competition called IdeaWarz. Each month, 16 ideas are selected to compete in the tournament, and each week half the ideas advance and half drop out.

George Davison’s Inventionland, which opened its doors last week, has 15 incredible sets integrated into its office space. George believes creative thinking is best fostered in an imaginative environment, and there is a NASCAR speedway, a pirate ship, a rock cave and a tree house! Check out more pictures here. [thanks, Dominic Basulto]

Also, check out this BW slideshow of Jump Associates’ innovation workspace.

Check out this advertisement for Mexico travel with live models inside a trailer with transparent walls! Inside there’s sand, palm trees and women in bikinis! The actors play beach volleyball, and give each other massages etc.! [thanks, Software Development Manager]

[UPDATE 12-31-06: Check out this YouTube video below.]