Embedded here is a video demo of the use of Surface technology in the AT&T retail store. It shows the user placing a Samsung Blackjack on the table and all of the features displayed in rich media with video and audio coming up about the phone. The user then places a Curve on the table and it instantly shows a feature comparison between the two phones. Pretty slick demo.
Archive for April, 2008
Borders Concept Store Video
I found this video on youtube that shows the new concept stores being rolled out by Borders. It’s a good looking store, but I don’t see anything new.
Target’s Inner Circle – CNN Money
In case you missed it, there was a good article by CNN Money that covers Target’s Executive team, why they are different and how they are preparing for the departure of their CEO. http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/18/news/companies/reingold_target.fortune/index.htm
Amazon launches TextBuyIt Service via SMS On A Cell Phone
Standing in a Barnes & Noble, flipping through a book you are considering to purchase, you can now pull out your cell phone, write a txt a message to 262966 (Amazon on a phone pad) that contains the ISDN, UPC code, or name of the book and Amazon will reply back with the price of the book and an offer to buy it. The book could now be 20-40% cheaper if you are willing to wait a couple days for shipping.
The next versions are sure to include being able to take a picture of the UPC with your phone camera, send that up and receive your price and availability of the product.
This time next year, it will be interesting to know what percentage of retail store sales are pre-scanned at Amazon before purchase.
Also consider the possibilities of advertising. While walking through the airport, an advertisement panel on the wall shows the latest Iacocca leadership book and at the bottom it gives you the Amazon SMS # and a short code for the product. In two minutes you’ve purchased the book.
About six months ago we designed a similar addon module for Blue Martini Commerce that would allow this type of sms commerce. It fell in the priority list as being a little too far out there from a consumer adoption standpoint. Looks like we will need to reconsider.
Surface Tables deployed at AT&T Cellular Stores First
There’s an interesting article in the Seattle Post Intelligencer about AT&T Cellular stores being the first retailer to roll out Microsoft’s Surface technology.
It’s funny that AT&T is the first to deploy the technology when one of the main demos for Surface has been a T-Mobile in-store kiosk.
The stores that will get the tables can be found here:
