Bytevibes iPad Review: Business Benefit Predictions
The newest Apple craze to hit consumers this year, the iPad, was released in the US on April 3rd 2010. This device will dawn a ‘new’ era of mobile / ubiquitous computing in 2010 - the not too large, not too small hybrid between an iPhone and a netbook. But is it really worth the hype? How will they be used to generate business? Bytevibes lists a few opportunities where business can benefit within the next year or so:
1. Collaboration with your customers allowing them to take the driving seat:
Wouldn’t it be nice to be holding hands with the customer, allowing them to give you information directly, rather than asking them over the counter? I see a great opportunity to remove local barriers (let’s say: Retail Banks) and allow for data entry and information capture to be performed by the customer, not the clerk. Some examples:
- Collaborative retail banking loan / financing calculators with your customer
- Interior architecture with the customer on iPad CAD diagrams, allowing for multiple user support
- Sharing portfolios of work with your customer - the end of hard copy? 2. Low cost touch screen alternatives for mobile-point-of-sale:
Whilst PDAs are currently being used at many popular retailers to process orders and sales a far more richer experience would be the use of an iPad. Apart from the ‘cool’ factor, this allows retailers to focusing on providing an engaging experience at the hands of the POS sales person, instead of the less engaging scan/process/print process consumers are usually exposed to.
For example: a counter staff from McDonalds can now approach longer queues with iPad orders to a) process the order quickly, and b) improving customer experience for those who are waiting in line.
Wii will be Fit - May 8th
The Nintendo Wii has been unofficially branded as the console to get for those who are looking for a more interactive way to play games. With Wii Sport coming with every console that is sold, it’s hard to ignore the active nature of this console compared to its predecessors and competitors.
Wine no Hajimekata - Drool over the DS in Stylus
According to DengekiOnline.com Nintendo DS Customers as well as wine connoisseurs will be priveleged to enjoy two luxuries of life at the same time, with a new game called Hajimekata no DS. According to my patchy Japanese from high school, roughly translates to “Wine Starter / Beginner DS”. It should be a relatively fun game to play as it’s being developed by games conglomerate Square Enix, an organisation most famous for its Final Fantasy Series.