Near Field Communication (NFC) technology enables simple touch-based transactions, data sharing and social engagement. With this technology, Dutch company NXP has introduced a car key that allows users to connect [their keys] with NFC-compliant devices such as mobile phones, tablets and laptops.

This utility-based tool provides users with the opportunity to geo-track, plot routes, transfer data and upload information into their in-car navigation systems. It also tracks customized features such as optional upgrades and diagnostic data which can be uploaded to service websites.

Introduced earlier today, Google+ is Google’s attempt to layer its existing online presence with a social component. This is certainly not the company’s first venture into the social space; while Google Wave and Google Buzz didn’t quite hit the mark, with this all-encompassing (and ambitious) new Google+, users now face a viable alternative to platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.

Borrowing from popular features on these social channels, Google+ allows users to share content, provide real-time updates and engage with individuals and customized groups/organizations. There is a strong mobile element – it appears that the company anticipates a great deal of the content and engagement to take place through the user’s mobile device. In addition to these instant upload, sharing and group texting features, Google+ also provides highly personalized search features through customizable categories.

The recent proliferation of modern smart phones has prompted a new wave of innovative thought in usability and interface design, and many of the innovations in the mobile space are rapidly making their way back to the desktop computer. From touch-sensitive inputs to desktop App Stores, a feature migration back to the desktop is coming ’round full circle.

Voice search has been available for some time now on modern smart phones, and Google recently announced the launch of Google Voice Search for the desktop (http://www.google.com/insidesearch/voicesearch.html ). Enter The Verbalizer: The BreakfastNY team developed an open source voice board using the standard Arduino hardware reference platform, allowing users to activate a voice search wirelessly and conceptualizing a set of ideas for taking the technology a step further, ranging from rope-pull searches to Jeopardy-style ring-ins allowing the first contestant to hit the button an opportunity to give an answer.

In an effort to raise brand awareness and introduce new laundry detergent products to the Chinese market, Persil launched a creative campaign that integrated Wii gaming technology into large interactive display ads.

Enormous t-shirts spanning across five-story buildings were displayed in over 60 locations. Using bottles of household items that had Wii controllers built in, the t-shirts were digitally stained by several passers-by — while others used bottles of Persil’s Ariel laundry detergent (which also had Wii controllers built in), to clean the virtual stains. In part due to the sheer size and scale of the interactive gaming experience, the campaign proved to be a tremendous success. Not only did Persil’s Ariel set itself apart within the competitive local market, sales increased by over 110%. Additionally, the campaign resulted in over US$1,000,000 in PR value and a 300% increase in overall brand awareness.

Years after the release of the seventh and final novel in the series, ravenous fans can’t get enough of Harry Potter. The online world was set abuzz last week when word got out about a mysterious new project from series author J.K. Rowling.

Frenzied fans were led to Secret Street View, a Google Maps-driven puzzle game that revealed the name ‘POTTERMORE’ to successful participants. They also tracked down a simple YouTube countdown site, communicating only that “The owls are gathering. Find out why soon.”

There’s no more tried and true tactic for getting attention than to strive for placement in the Guinness World Records.

The newest campaign from Stride Gum looks to take it 99 steps further by setting 100 records in 100 days, challenging fans to break a new record each day with the ultimate goal being that Stride will take the record for the “Longest Lasting Streak of Long Lasting Records.” Each of the record breakers will receive $500 for their efforts, not to mention long-lasting fame.

How many buzzwords can be shoehorned into a campaign that still ends up being simple, coherent, and on-brand?

Look no further than DDB Paris’ ‘Mini Maps’ campaign to find out. It’s a multi-player Facebook Connect-enabled casual UGC advergaming mashup. They’ve created a Facebook app that allows users to customize a virtual Mini and challenge friends to race through the streets of any city in the world using Google Mapsƒ in real time. Seriously.

Any city, even a visually stunning jewel by the ocean, is nothing without the vibrancy and spirit of its people.

Following last week’s riot at the conclusion of game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, Vancouverites showed a remarkable outpouring of support for the city we love. Most visibly, this reaction took form on the temporary plywood facings assembled on storefronts around the city, which have been inundated with thousands of messages of love and pride and a strong resolve to move forward and show the world what kind of city Vancouver truly is.

“Le Concert de Jenifer” is a campaign put forth by the Parisian company INPES with the goal of educating today’s youth about the effect that loud music has on their hearing. The interactive YouTube video takes viewers on a hunt to help find a kidnapped pop star, using audio as the sole source for clues.

The video begins with a clip of Jenifer singing on stage, when everything goes dark and when the lights come back on, she’s gone. From there, the clip turns into an interactive tool that encourages users to help find Jenifer and her kidnapper by putting on headphones or turning on surround sound, as all the clues are given through the audio feed. First, you are placed at a classic “fork in the road” situation and must listen closely to hear Jenifer’s cries. The player is given only a short amount of time to identify where the sounds are coming from – that is, if they can hear them. As the game continues, the player is faced with similar situations and must recognize certain tones or voices in order to proceed to the next level.