JP Holecka, founder, and CEO, POWERSHiFTER comments, “We’ve been moving more and more into the strategy and design arena as a reflection of where clients’ needs are.  Chutter’s newly developed senior leadership role demonstrates the commitment our agency has to this as a key pillar of servicing the needs of global brands as they work to innovate their customer experiences.”

As an entrepreneur, storyteller and academic, Chutter has worked with Fortune 50 brands, the nimblest start-ups, and the most innovative co-creators. With the businesses he has co-founded in his career, he has helped Microsoft, eBay, Starbucks, Whole Foods, and Nike find ways to better connect with their customers through brand and product design.  As a storyteller, Chutter has worked with MTV, ABC, Warner Brothers, Dreamworks, and Nickelodeon to help them find new ways to tell amazing stories with the best creators. During his 10+ year career in digital, Chutter has launched hundreds of websites, 50+ apps, interactive digital displays, AI-driven assistants and multiple VR experiences.

About POWERSHiFTER:

POWERSHiFTER, a digital design agency with offices in Vancouver, has been working with clients like TELUS, Deloitte, Fitbit, and Energizer to simplify the way customers experience their brands since 2007.  The agency partners collaboratively with clients to create innovative digital products and services that deliver what matters most – measurable outcomes. From APPS to websites to platforms, the POWERSHiFTER team provides creative thinking, early-and-often, and direct-to-expert approaches, to produce higher performing, innovative digital products and services.  The agency was recently acknowledged in the 14th position in Business in Vancouver’s Top 100 Fastest-Growing Companies in B.C. list for 2017.

Follow us on Twitter @powershifter, Facebook facebook.com/powershifter, and Instagram instagram.com/powershifter_agency/

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Media Enquiries:
Fawn Mulcahy
Email: fawn@fawnzcreative.com
Mobile:  604.961.3314

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Take total control with LumaFX

( iOS )

If you’re already toting a 4K video camera around, why not go the extra mile and take a production room with you as well? LumaFX is designed for video professionals, journalists and enthusiastic amateurs looking to take their creations to the next level. It’s a full editing suite accessible from your iPhone or iPad, with finely adjustable controls that allow you a huge amount of freedom to edit your footage. You can crop and rotate your video, adjust its aspect ratio, extract frames as still images, and control video speed with or without affecting the audio pitch. You can also adjust audio levels and apply colour correction and effects for the full theatrical experience. Whether you want to shoot an independent film or just get a lot of likes on Instagram, LumaFX gives you the tools you need to get there.

Edit video the lazy way with Shred Video

( iOS | Apple TV )

Shred Video is pretty much the exact opposite of LumaFX. It’s a one-button app that allows you to create professional-looking film without having to make minute adjustments to color balance or audio levels. Shred Video can import footage from just about any source, including your smartphone, camera, GoPro or drone. Simply import your video, and then pick out the highlights that you want to showcase. You can also import music from your library to give your video a soundtrack. The app takes care of the editing for you automatically, saves the completed video online, and makes it viewable through the Shred Video app or on your web browser.

Bounce back and forth with Boomy

( iOS )

If you’re an Instagram user, you’re probably already familiar with Boomerang videos. They’re short video clips that play and then instantly rewind and repeat, so you can watch the same moment forward and backwards over and over again. Boomy lets you create this type of video straight from your video library and then export them to share on social media, no Instagram app needed.

Keep your intimate moments safe with Rumuki

( iOS )

Hypothetically speaking, let’s say that you decided to shoot some video that you really didn’t want just anyone to be able to see. Rumuki allows you to share video discreetly between two consenting adults. It is encrypted using keys stored on separate phones, and either user can send their key to the server to grant the other a one-time playback redeemable within one week. If one of the users deletes the video from their smartphone, all outstanding playback credits are cleared, so no-one can ever watch the video again.

Apart from the keys, nothing is ever uploaded to the internet, so there is no cloud storage that can be hacked. The original video is shared between the two phones over Bluetooth or a local WiFi network, and no personal data is ever uploaded. Unlike most video and photo apps, it also won’t sync anything to your other devices, so there are no surprises lurking when you flip through your album of holiday videos.

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Love is in the air! This week we take a look at some of the most romantic apps around, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Whether you want to impress your significant other, or just make sure that you don’t spend the day alone and sobbing into a pint of Ben and Jerry’s, there is something for you here.

Hate while you date with Hater

( iOS )

Are you still searching for that special someone? Well, the enemy of your enemy could be your friend with benefits. Hater founder Brendan Alper is banking on the idea that our shared hatreds bring us together as much as our shared interests. This Tinder-style swipe dating platform matches users based on their common bugbears: swipe right for like, left for dislike, up for love, and down for hate. Originally conceived as an idea for a comedy sketch, it attracted widespread media attention for its era-appropriate take on romance.

The app launched on February 8th with around 2000 pet hates to choose from, including gluten-free diets, slow walkers, and, of course, Donald Trump. So far it is only available on iOS devices, with an Android version slated for release in the spring.

Mail a card with Red Stamp Cards

( iOS | Android | Web )

Finding the perfect card can be surprisingly hard. Red Stamp Cards solves the problem by giving you the tools you need to make your own. You can create a card using a picture from your smartphone camera or photo roll, and then personalize the text, colours, theme and even the envelope. You can send an eCard through the app or, for the equivalent of about $3 CAD, they will print a physical card and put it in the mail for you. I sent a card with them myself this year, so we’ll see how it goes.

The app isn’t just for Valentine’s Day, either. Red Stamp Cards provides themes and templates for cards for any occasion, as well as invitations and gift tags. It was voted “Best of the Web” by InStyle magazine, and has won recognition from media outlets including The Today Show, MSNBC and the New York Times.

Say it with flowers with 1800flowers

( Web )

Nothing says “I forgot it was Valentine’s Day” more than a wilted bouquet of last-minute gas station flowers. If you’re stuck for gift ideas, don’t have time to run to your local florist and don’t want to spend the most romantic evening of the year in the doghouse, 1800flowers is here to bail you out. So far there is a real shortage of Android and iOS floral delivery apps in Canada, but their website is well-optimized for smartphones. They offer same-day and next-day delivery on a wide selection of Valentine’s Day arrangements.

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Home automation isn’t just the stuff of science fiction anymore. With the technology becoming more accessible by the month, more and more people are using it to manage and secure their living and work spaces automatically and efficiently. This week, we take a look at some of the apps that make your home just a little bit more futuristic.

Secure your property with August Lock

( Web )

Open the pod bay doors, HAL. August Lock allows you to control access to your property remotely. The hardware fits over a door’s internal bolt, and can be installed quickly even by people with limited DIY skill. My wife and I installed one at our vacation home on Vancouver Island in under half an hour, and we’re looking into installing it at the POWERSHiFTER office as well. If you want a more complete security system, it can be equipped with a camera to see who is at the door, or a pin pad for code access. It also integrates with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, If This Then That and Nest for more automated functions.

The August Lock can be locked and unlocked over the internet, or you can use the app to unlock the door using Bluetooth. You can also supply other app users with time-limited virtual keys, so it’s perfect for letting in cleaners or maintenance workers. The app is certified by AirBnB too, so guests can be issued with virtual keys that only work during their stay.

Check in with Presence

( iOS | Android | Web )

Cloud-based security camera systems are increasingly popular, but the hardware can often be prohibitively expensive. Presence Security Cameras solves the problem using something that almost everyone has already: old smartphones. Set it up in the area that you want to monitor and then sign in remotely to spy on the nanny or make sure that your dog is staying out of trouble. You can also access the phone’s speaker from the app.

The app also features a set of home security-oriented automation features, including a motion detector mode. When it spots movement, it sends you a text message and starts uploading video to the cloud. The camera can also be set up with timers to monitor the area during certain times of day, or set to trigger a loud alarm. The app also integrates with the company’s range of security equipment, including entry sensors, water sensors, and motion detectors. Presence can be used for free, or you can buy extra cloud storage for two dollars per month.

Stay cozy with Nest Thermostats

( iOS | Android | Web )

Canada has two seasons: too hot, and too cold. Nest Thermostats make both more comfortable. Nest is one of the original names in home automation, but with the recent release of the 3.0 Nest Thermostat, they’ve proven that they are still on the leading edge. We use three of them to manage the temperature in the 5000 square foot POWERSHiFTER offices. The thermostats learn your routine over time to automatically find the most efficient way to heat and cool your space, generating greater savings in your heating and air conditioning costs.

Nest Thermostats can be used alongside home automation services like Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Home. This opens up a suite of new features, including voice commands to adjust the heating in your home and automatic pre-heating and pre-cooling to bring your living space to the perfect temperature before you get in. You can also use Nest’s web or smartphone apps to check or adjust your settings remotely.

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With January drawing to a close, it is statistically likely that you have already dropped all of your New Year’s resolutions. In other words, you have some free time to learn a new skill. This week we take a look at some mobile apps that make learning fun. Whether you want to learn a new language or sharpen up your mathematical skills, you can do it without it feeling like work.

Learn a new language with Duolingo

( iOS | Android | Web)

Duolingo claims to be able to teach you a new language in just ten minutes a day. Its gamified approach uses short quizzes to test your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills while you’re commuting to work or waiting in line for coffee. Complete topics and earn points to level up and unlock new, more advanced lessons. Its streak count and pop-up notifications encourage you to log in for your daily practice to get you from novice to fluent speaker as quickly as possible.

Duolingo currently offers language courses across 23 languages from Danish to Vietnamese, with more in development all the time through their volunteer-driven Duolingo Incubator program. Around 120 million people around the world use the mobile app to upgrade their language skills, for free, and there is an active community of language learners to help you out if you get stuck.

Make your playtime count with 2048

( iOS | Android )

When 19-year-old Gabriele Cirulli created 2048 in 2014, he only wanted to see if he could build a game from scratch. To his surprise, his game became an instant out-of-nowhere hit, thanks to its addictive blend of simple gameplay and deceptively fiendish difficulty. In less than a week, more than 4 million people were smashing matching numbers together.

Unlike many popular mobile games like Candy Crush and Pokemon Go, 2048 is completely free to play with no in-app purchases. It’s also a good mathematical workout for your brain, making it that much easier to justify your addiction to it.

Battle brain-to-brain with QuizUp

( iOS | Android )

Do you watch Jeopardy from the edge of your seat? Are you banned from playing Trivial Pursuit ever again? QuizUp allows you to take on users from around the world in seven-round multiple choice quizzes. It features a staggering range of topics from obvious choices like General Knowledge and World History, to more esoteric categories like Name the Wrestler. Like Duolingo, winning matches earns you points and level-ups, earning you more and more extravagant titles as you sweep all challengers aside. You can also add and challenge your friends to determine once and for all which one of you is smarter. The base game is free, although it includes in-app purchases.

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When smartphone manufacturers put a digital camera in everyone’s pocket, they changed photography forever. The modern smartphone or tablet is an incredibly powerful artistic and creative tool. This week, we look at some of the apps that help you to unlock its potential and realize your creative visions. Whether you want to create professional graphics for your business, get more attention on social media or just make something cool, these apps can get you started.

Unlock your inner Van Gogh with Prisma

( iOS | Android)

Can’t paint? No problem. Prisma became a media sensation last year by turning blurry front camera selfies into high art. The app uses a unique combination of artificial intelligence and neural networks to recreate your photos and videos in the styles of famous artists, including Picasso, Van Gogh and Munk. It also contains a suite of more ordinary photo effects and editing tools, as well as community features for sharing your creations and seeing what other people have come up with.

Develop your own photos with Darkr

(iOS)

Does one-touch photo editing just feel too easy? The Darkr app turns your smartphone into a virtual photographer’s darkroom. Choose your black and white images from negative strips, adjust lighting for each individual picture, and even apply manual dodge and burn tools, all with the convenience of a touchscreen. Whether you are a seasoned photographer looking to relive the glory days or a newer snapper curious about the pre-Photoshop age, Darkr recreates everything except the chemical smells. Manual editing isn’t a quick process (developing and retouching your black and white photo can take between five and 10 minutes) but that just makes it more satisfying when you get it right.

Create professional images with Adobe Spark Suite

(iOS/iPad/Web)

To successfully market yourself online, you need good visuals. This suite of three apps allows you to quickly create professional-looking graphics without the complexity of professional photo and video editing tools, so you can compete with the pros on social media. Spark Post creates social media visuals, Spark Page generates online newsletters, and Spark Video combines text and images with a recorded voiceover to build attractive video presentations. It also comes with a whole gallery of free images and templates. Using Spark Suite, creating this video took me about two minutes.

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Arctic temperatures. Freezing rain. Black ice. Just some of the reasons why so many Canadians migrate south for the winter. This week, we look at some of the apps that make it easier to escape the cold for a week or two.

Smarter trip planning with Google Trips

( iOS | Android)

Google Trips is yet more proof of the fact that Google is reaching farther and farther into our everyday lives, including travel. This app gathers data from your Gmail inbox to intelligently combine all of your travel information (flight plans, itineraries, hotel and restaurant bookings and so on) into a single interface. It also draws on Google’s search technology to create customized, organized lists of attractions and integrates with Google Maps to guide you to them once you are there. All of its maps and suggestions can be downloaded for offline use, so you won’t have to rely on expensive or patchy data availability once you reach your destination.

Sit back and relax with SeatGuru

( Web App | iOS | Android)

Every frequent flyer knows that not all airplane seats are equally good, even within the same class. Grabbing the right seat early can make all the difference between a relaxing flight and eight hours of cramped long-haul misery. Sit in front of the exit row and you’ll be stuck with a seat that won’t recline. Sit by the main washroom and you’ll have to put up with terrible smells and lines of people in the aisle. This app provides color-coded maps of every airplane on every carrier, telling you which seats to take and which to avoid.

Hop on the best price with Hopper

( iOS | Android )

According to the creators of Hopper, their award-winning app can save you up to 40 percent on flights by analyzing billions of potentials. Like rival flight booking tools Skyscanner and Kayak, it can show you the cheapest dates to book, but it also alerts you to the current deals using push notifications. Using its streamlined interface, you can book a flight in under a minute. Impulse flyers beware!

Avoid the lines with Wait Times For Disneyland

( iOS | Android )

The Magic Kingdom can feel a little less magical when you are in a two-hour line for the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Disney offers their own wait time tracking, but this independent app draws on crowd-sourced, real-time information to display more accurate times, so you can plan your day to spend more time riding and less time waiting. The displayed wait times and ride closure information are based on submissions from other app users at the park, and rides are viewable by park, by GPS, by search, or by viewing a saved list of favourites. As well as the text interface, it offers VoiceOver Accessibility for blind and partially-sighted users. VersaEdge Software have also released a tracking app for Walt Disney World.

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January is the month of self-improvement. Every New Year, people resolve to replace their bad old habits with good new ones. But most of those resolutions are forgotten by February, and only around eight percent of people stick to them until the end of the year. Luckily, there’s an app for that. Self-tracking is already big business in the fitness industry, but quantifying your life isn’t just for people trying to get in shape. This week, let’s take a look at some of the apps designed to make us into healthier, more productive people.

Stick to your reading goals

Bookout (iOS – free)

Read one book every week. It’s a common resolution, but actually making the time to read isn’t always easy. Bookout tracks your reading progress by hours spent or pages completed, and allows you to set monthly or yearly goals for the number of books you go through. It tracks metrics like reading speed using generated infographics, and includes unlockable achievements to motivate your progress. The app also allows you to enter notes on the books you are reading for easy referral later.

If you are already a regular reader and your shelves are spilling over with books, Bookout’s library features make it easy to keep track of them. It can gather book details by scanning ISBNs or searching online, and it also allows you to mark lent books with the name of the person you lent them to.

Keep a daily journal

Day One – iOS & Mac

Getting your thoughts down onto paper is a powerful form of cognitive therapy, which is why more and more people are journaling their daily experiences, myself included. Even if you never look at them again, it can give you the distance and perspective that you need in the moment. It is a great way to work out frustrations, or to keep track of the positive things in your life to look back on later.

The award-winning Day One app stores location and weather data and can store pictures and audio as well as text, giving you a richer experience when you look back. Powerful tagging features make it easy to save important entries or refer back to your previous thoughts. It is available for the iPhone and iPad, Mac and Apple Watch, and syncs across your iOS devices so that your journal is always within reach.

Bliss – Android

Bliss is a more focused journaling platform, intended to turn you into a more positive person through psychological exercises. If you resolved to be more optimistic in 2017, this is your app. It guides you to catalog the things in your life that you are grateful for. By writing down the positive experiences of each day, it claims to rewire your brain over time for a more optimistic outlook.

Be more productive

Why Go On Facebook? – Google Chrome

The name isn’t catchy, but it is descriptive. This plugin for Google Chrome doesn’t prevent you from going on Facebook, it just encourages you to reflect on why you log in. Do you need to see something, or are you just checking it out of habit? That moment of questioning alone helps you to use your time more productively. Maybe you could use the time you save on your other resolutions?

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Martin Lindstrom is a “global professional outsider” or, more formally, an ethnographic researcher. He is hired by companies around the world to discover how ordinary people live their lives, generating valuable insights into what they truly want and value. This kind of research is the key to gaining a full understanding of your customers and of your own business. Lindstrom discusses at length his idea that there is no detail too small to be valuable. Even the most mundane everyday behaviours form secret patterns, which when discovered reveal important lessons about the way people work. When he comes to visit, he examines everything from hand gestures to wall décor. While living with families as part of his research, he has been known to rummage through their garbage and recycling bins for clues.

For me, Lindstrom’s book solidifies the fact that observation and research are essential when building a product or service and confirms that relying on Big Data alone won’t get you the outcomes that you are looking to achieve. It also underlines the need for empathy in design, and confirms my vision of Design Thinking as a critical part of our product and service design process.

Chip Heath, author of“Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die”, nails the book’s importance in his foreword:

In today’s business environment, Big Data inspires religious levels of devotion and Martin Lindstrom is an atheist… Big Data does not spark insight. New ideas typically come from juxtaposition – combining two things that previously haven’t been combined. However, Big Data typically lives in databases that are defined too narrowly to create insight… Big Data is data and data favors analysis over emotion. It’s hard to imagine data capturing many of the emotional qualities we most value: beautiful or friendly or sexy or cute. If data fostered better emotional decisions, then accountants, not poets, would be the cultural prototype for great lovers… In sum, Big Data has problems, and Martin is successful at showing how Small Data is essential to overcoming them.

Although Lindstrom does digress quite a bit sometimes in building a case, the journey is fascinating regardless. It’s an easy read/listen and I recommend it if you are fascinated by the “why” of things.

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Ted first teamed up with POWERSHiFTER last year as a freelancer, using his expertise as a Certified ScrumMaster and Scrum Product Owner to lead our fully agile embedded team at TELUS Digital, one of our long-standing clients. Initially brought on to lead the rebuild of their Support section, he later moved over to developing a custom CMS platform for them. Our shared commitment to lean and agile processes made it a perfect match, and so, two successful projects later, we decided to make it official. His work will be key in navigating our complex transition to fully agile production methods, a process on which he has already moved the needle significantly.

“I’m incredibly excited to be joining the POWERSHiFTER team full-time and to be a part of building on their distinct offering,” Ted told us. “The emphasis here on creating and measuring high performing products and services is unique to any digital agency in the market. Coupled with an enthusiasm for honing the ongoing delivery process through Agile/Lean principles, it’s a perfect environment for how I want to be investing and growing my own skills and experience.”

When he isn’t busy “SCRUMing it”, Ted acts as an Associate Member of the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, a role that has him on the judging panel of the internationally-respected Webby Awards.

Ted is a great addition to the POWERSHiFTER team, and we are very pleased to have him with us as we move towards an even leaner, more agile agency model.

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