An Australian invented the black box recorder and Australia became the first country in the world to make cockpit voice-recording mandatory. Since then, refined and upgraded, voice-plus-data recording has become mandatory in all major aircraft throughout the world. http://www.dsto.defence.gov.au/innovation/black-box-flight-recorder/

Modiface is well known for its apps that allow you to update high res photos of yourself then edit them to make yourself look perfect! They have recently developed a new augmented reality feature, based on their detailed skin analysis and developed in conjunction with health care professionals, that they say will provide insights into how to make skin healthier and rejuvenated. ModiFace hopes that these live, 3D visualisations will help you better understand and evaluate your skin health. www.modiface.com

Within the next couple of weeks a major climate change marker is likely to be passed in a remote part of north-western Tasmania called Cape Grim. It's the co2 monitoring site jointly run by CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology and researchers predict its baseline reading of 400 ppm (parts per million) of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is likely to be exceeded. Cape Grim's readings are significant because they capture the most accurate reading of atmospheric conditions in the southern hemisphere and have records going back 40 years. While the fraction may seem small, it's 0.04% of the atmosphere and it's symbolic. By comparison, a similar level of alcohol is near the legal driving limit of less than 0.5% in Australia.  

Handkrafted is a platform that will connect you with artisans to commission furniture and handmade goods so you don't have to fill your home with mass-produced items that may not last very long. There are many independent artisans in Australia who are committed to producing high-quality and original pieces made to last a lifetime and this is an opportunity for you to become aware of them and use their services. www.handkrafted.com

Go Reception replaces traditional pen and paper visitor sign-in processes with digital. It's made for offices and reception areas in any industry where you need visitors to register their arrival and is designed to make business processes easier and faster as well as look more professional. A separate device can be arranged for name badges if needed. You can sign up for a free trial on their website www.goreception.co

Members of Readers Ink, a book club in Sydney, offered to act as a focus group for Idea Spies to help refine the concept. They each have professional backgrounds related to innovation and their advice was very helpful- watch this space! Thanks to new Idea Spies- Christine Pitt, Janet Sayer, Rebecca (Bec) Murray, Jan Land, Babette Bensoussan and Clare Loewenthal.