Bye Bye Receipts!

Shopper Receipts Join Paperless Age

A few years ago I had visited the Apple store and purchased an iPod and noticed something rather interesting. When I finalized my sale they asked me for my email address and told me I was all set. When I inquired about my receipt, the associate then told me that he had sent a copy to my email address. Oddly I was very impressed by this simple luxury that Apple had offered. One less thing that I would have to worry about, my receipt was already saved and filed away for me.

I had thought Apple was the only company that was utilizing the technology of emailing your receipt but apparently I was wrong.  According to the article by Stefanie Clifford "Major retailers, including Whole Foods Market, Nordstrom, Gap Inc. (which owns Old Navy and Banana Republic), Anthropologie, Patagonia, Sears and Kmart, have begun offering electronic versions of receipts." It seems to be that this technology has been catching on and it is taking the retail industry by storm. It is such a simple concept, but provides consumer with a convenient option rather than having to collect and file away receipts from their many purchases.

Paperless receipts could completely eliminate the frustration of filing away receipts. Not only is this new concept helpful to the consumer but it could have a major impact on the environment. If this technology becomes the norm this could be the ultimate "go green" project.  Electronic receipts could also significantly reduce the headache that many of us endure looking for our receipts during tax season. Everything could already be previously filed and organized with the click of a button.

Who knows how far this technology will be taken as it begins to catch on.  As stated in the article by Stefanie Clifford "Mr. Nordstrom said Nordstrom was also thinking about ways to make its e-receipts more appealing, perhaps by adding a picture of the item to the receipt so a shopper could post it to a Facebook wall." Simple additions such as this could make the shopping experience all that more appealing to the consumer.

I personally believe that within five years we will look back and be astonished by the fact that we ever used paper receipts. The world is always evolving in regards to technology and simple functions such as this will do away with the processes that we have known since we were kids. The convenience that the electronic receipt brings will leave no other option for retail stores than to convert from physical paper receipts to electronically emailed receipts. 

iCloud

Apple Reveals iCloud Details and Pricing

Since the first day the iPod was introduced to the public, the technology world has never been the same. It started with the conversion of our physical CD collections into well organized mp3 libraries. As the iPod technology became more sophisticated, more and more of our personal possessions were stored on these apple devices. Many of us use our iPod, iPhone, or apple computer to hold everything from our music to our most important documents. These advancements in technology have made our lives more organized and accessible than ever.

These technological advances have brought the public many new conveniences, but they also come with some negatives. For the average user of these products it may be hard to figure out how to transfer all this stored information from one device to another. Not only that but many times a user of these products does not know how to back up this information in case of a lost or broken product. I can't even count how many times I've heard a story of someone's lost iPhone and their "entire life" being stored on that phone.

With the launch of Apple's new service iCloud.com, the concerns of your data being locked up in one place are gone. Apple realized that the common man is not always technologically savvy so they have come up with the answer. The iCloud is a website that will let you store all of your data online and download it on any new apple device that you buy. This will allow you to share your music library from your IPod with your Macbook, or iPad. It will also serve as a backup for your data so you do not have to worry about a lost or broken device. They have taken the external hard drive and placed it online for your convenience.

This seems like a simple idea but Apple is the first company to offer this service conveniently to their customers. Not only is this new site useful for the most avid technology guru, but any casual user will be able to access all of their files with ease from numerous devices.  Apple is offering the first 5 gigabytes of storage for free and then allowing you to buy larger quantities for a set amount. They are also offering all iTunes music, movies, and books to be stored for free. With 5 gigabytes of extra space, the iCloud website should be free for most casual Apple product users.

Although it is a good idea to back up all of your important data on an external hard drive or flash drive, iCloud could certainly cut into the need for these devices. I don't believe that this service will do away with flash drives or external hard drives, as you can only access this storage website in places that have internet.  That being said, this is still a very convenient and helpful service that Apple will be providing. Apple will also be locking down customers for many years to come. If you store all of your most important files with the Apple iCloud, chances are you will be buying an Apple product to access these the next time you're in need of a technological upgrade. 

Google + Impressions

Google +

Social networking has become a driving force in areas such as business, media, and each one of our personal lives. Industry giants like Facebook and Twitter have dominated the social networking phenomenon. It was inevitable that Google would eventually take a try at this growing industry. Google has launched their own social networking site called Google+. 

Google+ is not Google’s first attempt at breaking into the world of social networking. In February Google launched a site called Google Buzz. There was a lot of potential surrounding this site, primarily because of its easy access through Google Gmail accounts. Although this site had great potential, the hype quickly fizzled once it became apparent that the public was not ready to convert from Facebook.

In a review written by blogger Ben Parr, he describes Google plus as “a bold and dramatic attempt at social networking.” He also makes it clear that Google wants the site seen as a “project” and not a “product”. Google wants to portray this as an ever evolving technology rather than a final product. They are mirroring the strategy of Facebook and continuously changing and growing in order to satisfy the needs of their customers.

After reading the review for Google+ I have noticed one glaring difference that outshines Facebook. It is a function that is offered called Google+ Circles. This function lets you allocate different friends into particular groups. By doing this you will then be able to decide what information you share with each group. This could be a very useful function when separating work, family, and friends on your social networking account. This is a function that Facebook has not yet been able to offer. Other than this function I do not see any significant differences from the social networking king Facebook.

Personally I do not believe that Google+ is ever going to get off the ground. Facebook has completely monopolized the social networking industry. It is not the layout, the available functions, or the accessibility that Google+ won’t be able to compete with. It is simply the amount of time each individual has invested in Facebook over the years. For years people have uploaded all of their pictures, searched for family and old friends, and uploaded all of their personal information. People have put in hour after hour to create their own personal web page. I do not believe that enough people are willing to let that all go and start from scratch on Google+. Sure some people will convert over but I cannot realistically see Google+ ever competing with Facebook.

MapQuest App for the Android

In this article, I read about the new MapQuest application available for the Android phone. In the past, the Android has had a Google maps application, but what is distinctive of MapQuest is the price. This new application is free while Google maps is not. Unfortunately, once again, I do not have a smartphone, but I have to question if this is really a large difference. I have an iTouch, which is basically an iPhone without the calling and text messaging, and I can downloading any application for about $ 1.99. Is it really that amazing that the MapQuest app is free? Does anyone know something about this that I do not?

Also, in regards to the price. I think it is pretty crazy, for lack of a better term, that we not are paying for directions. What happened to asking for directions on the side of the road or having a 30 year old atlas in the back seat. I still don't know how I feel about all of these innovations. With that off my chest, I think that GPS satellite receivers and directional applications are probably the best apps on the market. I don't think I NEED to read an email or NEED to update my Facebook, but I do think that if i'm lost and alone, I NEED an application that can navigate me home. It appeared to me that Google maps had tromped MapQuest, but I am happy to see MapQuest is not giving up because people always need directions; especially for free.

In addition, the MapQuest application, like the Google maps app, is linked with the Android's contact list information. Therefore, the user can search for directions to their friends house or to a the pizza place they just called and ordered from. What is really cool about MapQuest is the OpensSreetMap, which allows the user to go international and find directions outside the United States by a kind of wiki programming. Users can update and upload information about directions and local areas in order to help navigate. Therefore, local businesses are the desired destination are described. I wonder though, If I had this application, would I really spend my time updating information on the retail outlet in my area for others? Or would I just get my directions and be done with it?

Lastly, Google maps has something MapQuest was lacking originally; ground view. Below you see a link that includes a video and article about the Google car has it records images of ground level streets in order for users to zoom in and find what they are looking for. This is my favorite aspect of the entire Google map experience because before I studied abroad in Florence Italy for a semester, I was able to zoom in and literally see the building and piazza that I would be living in for four months. I could not do that with MapQuest.

Google Car

If Cars Could Fly

Yikes! Talk about innovation! When I was in high school it was cool if you had a CD player that you could insert and remove from you dash board and store in the glove compartment for safety. Now I think its impressive if my friend's care are purchased and equipped with iPod docks, GPSs, and parking assistance. But this!? I understand this story is over a year old but I just heard about it and decided it was worth of a blog for purpose of sharing interesting information. Never had I images a car that could fly. And even if I had I wouldn't think it was possible. 

I find it interesting how the weight limit was waived in order to produce this machine. I do not even know what to call it, a plane, or vehicle. All the necessary requirement for safe driving are provided but my biggest concern is the look of it. I do not think this car is pretty or cool when parked as a car, which I assume it will most used for primarily. Also, who has the money for this and who will really fly themselves. I wonder if a standard would be to have a certification to fly prior to receiving confirmation to even buy this car in the first place. Food for thought?

British Police Make Arrest in Net Attacks

This is scary! The internet has become a portal for lack of a better word "terrorism" against commercial economies and federal agencies. I find it disturbing that Twitter, a place for fun social networking, as developed into a realm where individuals can make threatening statements that can cause potential harm to our society. Topiary, the vigilante's online alias on Twitter made a Tweet after several arrests for internet attacks were made that " You cannot arrest and idea." This is unsettling because this could mean that a "idea" or plan of action is already under way. Online attack are taking place every day but one day there may catastrophic repercussions. What if these hackers were about to not only effect the shares of eBay by exterminating PayPal accounts but what if these hacker groups had access to pay pal accounts or FBI security measures. The global economy could severely suffer.

No more print books?

In this New York times article titled, Print Books: Should They Stay or Should They Go? by Nick Bilton, Bilton discussed his recent move and what valuable items he took with him. Bilton found himself torn between the idea of taking his hard and soft back books with him to his new home or to leave them in New York City with the rest of his memories. Being a writer you would think he would instinctively take his collection of prints with him, yet he questioned the matter. Bilton asked others for their opinions and discovered that his close colleagues were shocked that he would even consider leaving his books (as was I), while other felt differently. No matter what side people argued, there was a lot of passion behind this subject matter and I think Bilton put it nicely when he comment, "If I was talking about throwing away my CD or DVD collection, no one would bat an eyelid."


I find it interesting and true how no one causes a fuss when deciding to get rid of a poster or a collection of playing cards, but books appear to be a major uproar. Bilton finally decided to leave behind 80% of his collection, sparing his favorites and those most memorable to him. I think he made the right decision but for some of the wrong reasons. Bilton noted that he has a Kindle and can easy download these books again and save money on the shipping fees, yet to me, that is like saying you can retake a picture. I do not think reading a book on an e-reader is nearly as enjoyable as reading a print, although I would love to have one. This is a different experience, and I think Bilton gave up his books because he can replace them easily. 


The author mentions how he would not use many of these books if he chose to keep them, but how often does one use a book? Personally i consider books almost a decoration and display of your personality. I enjoy walking into someones house and browsing their book shelf to discover their interests, along with the fact that it looks cool to have a book shelf! Bringing books to the e-reader eliminates the sharing of books, something I still do not feel comfortable with. In the end, Bilton left his books behind and stated that "most will end up on someone else’s bookshelf, until they are forced to make the same decision too." this idea frightens me because one day the world wont need books and I wonder what will happen to them. As a child I have always imagined having a huge bookshelf in my house, but now and days that seems almost impossible. No one will share books with  me or buy me books, there is going to be one spot on a counter top for a Kindle or Nook and that will be the extent of it. NOT very aesthetically pleasing and interesting if you ask me!

Funny Interview with Steve Wozniak

First of all I want to apologize for not being able to simply insert this video into my blog. I don't know how to do that. I would have uploaded a clip or two that were available from YouTube but I watched this 60 min. video and found it very fun and interesting to hear Wozniak speak about Apple and technology 5 years since the speech he gave at MIT.

This video confirmed the fact that Steve Wozniak is an all around nice guy who really was a young kid that had an idea and made it into a reality. Even as an adult Wozniak has been experimenting with fun little technologies, although not all of his choices are necessarily legal. I learned that Wozniak is hilarious. For about 20 years he has been printing his own 2 dollar bill pads which has been given permission to use as real money. Although people are not obligated to accept his money as a form of payment, he has been circulating these $2 perforated bills over the past 20 years. I wonder if I have used one (haha). This story, along with one about him making fake IDs, really showed me the kind of fun, creative, and imaginative person that he is.

In addition to his creative engineering skills I have discovered that Wozniak is a genuine person. Although he "doesn't look at his bank account", because he doesn't have to, he appears to be a good person. For 5 years, rather than taking the money he has made and focusing on investing and increasing his wealth, he simply decided to teach 5th grade. He also blogs, and comments on Engadget as any average person interested in the subject matter would. In addition, he speaks his mind. Wozniak does not always agree with the decisions made by the Apple Corp. and he has not problem expressing that, such as the fact that they decreased the price of the iPhone too quickly resulting in customers getting money back.

At the end of the Engadget episode, two gentlemen discussed a new technology about a super secret unannounced Play Station iPhone. Apparently the back of the gadget is touch screen and the top has controls that allow a gamer to get the maximize experience. The game will be the size of the iPhone with high resolution similar to the iPhone screen. I have not yet heard about this and am excited to see if the Plays Station device will be a success if placed on the market.

Outsourcing - Not Always the Best approach

In chapter 4 of the Reynolds text we read about business processes and IT outsourcing. Outsourcing is an arrangement between two organizations to provide services that could have been provided by the company's employees. In addition we learned about offshore outsourcing which is the relocation of the individuals doing work to another country. Most individuals view outsourcing as the way to do business in today's economy mainly because of the cost benefits relationship and the increase in work force. I am skeptical however. I have always been one to question whether or not outsourcing a number of operations, specifically in relation to management, was the best decisions for an organization. Going further, I had initially considered the outsourcing of IT activities to be worthy yet after reading the attached article I have come to find that if offshore and international operations are not properly developed, the result can end in a world of problems, most of which could have been avoided.

The first horror story I read was about Fran Schmidt who worked in the medical industry and was asked to create a team and outsource the existing internal development and quality assurance IT departments at her company. Fran was not bogged down by the usual issues such as language barriers or accents that are hard to translate. Rather Fran's team in India was facing a 13 hour delay in information communication. If the U.S office were to submit something to the IT department now located in India, those in India would not receive the data until the next working day. Outsourcing in this respect, result in a constant game of "catch-up" because their existing Microsoft Visual SourceSafe could not collaborate with the country 8,000 miles away. In the end, Fran spent large sums of company resources to transition to a new software known as AccuRev which reduced the time difference from 13 hours to 1.5 hours. Clearly, it is important for a company to "test their infrastructure before going live offshore." Not only did the company waste money when they thought they were saving, but they lost knowledge because individuals in India, with less experience, were replacing those who were proficient in America.

The painful lessons of James Hills, president of a marketing firm known as Marketing Help Net is another example of outsourcing gone wrong. Hills' new company had gotten into an argument with his offshore website developers in the Philippines. Hills came into the office the next day to find that the developers turned off his clients website. Working offshore appears to be a good solution for the new client because resulted in large reduction in costs, yet major problems became noticeable. The providers were constantly missing deadlines, the designs were not what he expected, and the functionality was lacking. In the end, Hills stop making payments and the offshore company shut down the website. Hills recognizes that his major flaw was not performing probably background check and asking for references prior to beginning the relationship. This project was poorly planned and had no risk management involved. All said and done, Hills has vowed that he will not outsource any longer, and  that if he were to test it again he would only go offshore with U.S based companies rather than contract workers.

In my opinion, we as students can learn more from the errors of small time businesses than major corporations because we will see more small time issues in our future careers. I recommend my peers read the rest of this article in order to hear the other horror stories mentioned and take with them the knowledge that a lack of project management and underdeveloped outsources endeavors will result in more hurt than good. Sometimes the decreases in cost are not worth the loss of knowledge or the loss of a client.



Horrors Offshore

Video on the Carr debate