coca-cola

Concept Coke can splits in two for sharing

If sharing fluids strikes you as icky, Coca-Cola's shareable can may be just the thing. A simple twist and the 330-milliliter can splits in half, one for you and one for a friend. Ideally, you should only do this with one buddy, as the can doesn't multiply any further.

The idea of this shareable can originated with ad agency Ogilvy & Mather Singapore, though the group that came up with the idea has since left the company. The concept was based on a Pepsi can that had been cut in half to be used as an ash tray. Passersby in Singapore recently could grab a shareable can from a "happiness truck," though we reckon it's unlikely the can will end up being made as a real product that's widely available. … Read more

The 404 1,136: Where we occupy the Low Line (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- iPhone 5: Say hello to scuffgate?

- Hacker: I've ported Google Maps to iOS 6.

- Subterranean park in Manhattan to stay sunny with fiber-optic skylights (Low Line).

- Coca-cola nails social media by releasing personalized bottles, Justin included.

- Leica cameras for some reason favored by celebrities.

Bathroom break video: iPhone 5 super-glued to ground in Amsterdam.… Read more

The best-sounding club in NYC?

I recently dropped by Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center to talk with the sound engineer, and by chance met Sam Berkow, the club's sound designer. Berkow had one key advantage going into the project that most designers don't: the club was planned before construction started on the Time Warner Center in New York. Berkow was quick to point out he had one major hurdle to jump over, in that there would be a huge glass window behind the stage to give patrons a spectacular view of Central Park. The window would be a massive … Read more

Spotify press event lacks sizzle or substance

NEW YORK--Someone needs to remind Spotify that you need news at a news conference.

Spotify, one of the top music subscription services, announced today that Coca-Cola is launching an app on its music platform. Three Coca-Cola executives and Spotify CEO Daniel Ek tried to convince a gathering of about 30 members of the media that the partnership can offer Spotify users untold number of benefits and help extend the streaming-music service's brand.

By being everywhere that Coca-Cola is, which is just about everywhere, the agreement will spread Spotify's brand to new markets. What they didn't tell us … Read more

The 404 930: Where we go thermonuclear war (podcast)

Believe it or not, we still have our jobs after welcoming Jim Lanzone, CBS Interactive president, on yesterday's show. Go back an episode and listen for a rare opportunity to hear someone make fun of Jeff. Cheers, Jim!

Today we're going over some of the stories that we didn't get to talk about yesterday, including Google's latest OpenGL project. The platform that Google tested using Google Earth is once again put to use on the Google Infinite Digital Bookcase, a helix of virtual books you can browse in a 3D model.… Read more

Coke app + 'freestyle' machines = DIY sugary drinks

That mainstay from youth, the "suicide"--that's several different flavors of soda mixed together in a single glass to create one insanely sweet concoction, in case you're not in the know--is finally available on demand without having to fiddle with half a dozen 2-liter bottles.

Coca-Cola's nonstop marketing machine has introduced "Coca-Cola Freestyle," an online and real-world system that allows corn syrup (or Aspartame, for you Diet Coke drinkers) addicts to create their own soda "mixes."

The online component allows Facebook fans to fiddle with hundreds of combinations of various Coke brands and flavors, and an app for Android and iOS provides a related game. The apps also direct you to the nearest physical Coca-Cola Freestyle machine, where you can actually try out your deliciously decadent and dangerous-to-diabetics creation. There are currently more than a thousand "mix your own" dispensers in select restaurant chains, including some Burger Kings, Domino's Pizzas, Pei Wei Asian Diners, and other spots.… Read more

A Google Earth layer to scare you into submission

Links from Friday's episode of Loaded:

Apple releases an update to iPhone software in preparation for its press conference at 10 a.m. PDT Friday, which we will cover live here. Amazon is sued by Discovery Communications for alleged patent infringement on the Kindle. The latest Facebook scam claims to have horrific information about Coca-Cola. It doesn't. Don't click that. The upcoming version of Ford Sync can respond to over 10,000 commands. Mozilla releases Firefox Home on iPod Touch and iPhone to sync your desktop browsing with your mobile device. A new Google Earth layer may … Read more

A day at Zap: The future of electric fleet cars has arrived

Zap's founder and director of research and development, Gary Starr says the future is here, all we have to do is plug in.

"The Zap approach is to make electric cars more cost effective and more comfortable," Starr said during a tour of the downtown Santa Rosa, Calif. showroom and factory on Monday.

If you're unfamiliar with with Zap's vehicles, don't feel bad. The car maker is right smack in the middle of Sonoma County, a Northern California region more known for its wine than its electric cars.

Truth is, Zap has been the … Read more

Olympic notebook: 'Snow Leopard' spotted in Vancouver

VANCOUVER, B.C.--There's been a lot of attention in Vancouver about a certain Snow Leopard, but this one comes from a lot farther away than Cupertino, Calif.

Ghanan skier Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong, who happens to have the same nickname as Mac OS X 10.6, has won attention as the only representative from the African nation at these Winter Games. The Snow Leopard is slated to race on Saturday in the men's slalom race at Whistler.

Part of his nickname comes from the fact that he supports the Snow Leopard Trust, an organization devoted to protecting the endangered … Read more

Coke eyes climate-friendlier vending machines

Coca-Cola said Thursday that it will eliminate a major greenhouse gas in its new vending machines and coolers, raising the bar for climate-friendly refrigeration in the food and beverage industry.

Coke's Chief Executive Muhtar Kent said that the company, which sells everything from soda and juice drinks to water, will replace hydrofluorocarbon, also known as HFC, in its new vending machines and coolers by 2015.

While Coke's 10 million vending machines, coolers and other refrigeration equipment around the world keep its drinks chilled, they also are the biggest contributor to the company's carbon footprint.

Together the refrigeration … Read more