The Speech at Microsoft group is integrating voice technology into some of Microsoft’s best-known applications, revolutionizing how people interact with their computers and mobile devices.
‘Augmented Reality’ Is Also A Form Of Search
August 12, 2009Greg Sterling talks about the evolution of search and new input methods, especially being driven by mobile scenarios/experiences and capabilities.
We’re really just at the beginning of the era of “mobile search.” Even what we think of as “search” will be dramatically altered by innovations in mobile. In this first phase the transfer of what might be called the “query box” (and related links) into mobile is complete. In time, however, we many even come to see that image — the white box with the search button to the right — as a kind of metaphor for something more intangible (i.e., directed intent) that can be fulfilled in a variety of ways.
Tellme mobile multitasking research
July 29, 2009We announced new mobile multitasking research from Tellme today about the value of using your voice (over touch/type) to interact with mobile devices.
Out of box experience design
July 24, 2009Harry Brignull shares a case study for successful, user-centric design.
Going Green, Making Green
October 3, 2007New technologies are making it easy for people to do the right thing, without compromising convenience or quality. The basic value propositions most marketers use is: save time, save money, or look beautiful / feel good. If you sell products or services that help people save time or money AND feel good, you’ve got a winning proposition.
Whole Foods has taken a basic chore (grocery shopping) and made it easy to eat and live better, which they support with good prices and great customer service. Toyota did the same with the Prius; making it affordable (and even cool!) to be green. SustainLane helps consumers “live green” by connecting them to businesses, products, content, and people that do the right thing.
There’s lots of growth potential in this category and businesses are getting serious about their investments. My friend Chelle Izzi is an executive at ConsumerPowerline. They recently received $17MM in funding. Another friend of mine is joining GridPoint, which has received over $70MM over several rounds. Both companies are making energy management easier and more efficient. The big guys are jumping in as well. According to the Clean Tech Revolution:
When industry giants such as GE, Toyota, and Sharp and investment firms such as Goldman Sachs are making multi-billion dollar investments in clean technology, the message is clear. Developing clean technologies is no longer a social issue championed by environmentalists; it’s a money-making enterprise moving solidly into the business mainstream. Read more >
What’s interesting about these trends and investments is that people and companies are starting to do the right thing, doing it right, and saving/making money in the process. The perfect value proposition that we can all feel good about.
9/11
September 11, 2007It’s 9:11am as I write this post. For some bizarre reason I keep seeing those numbers everywhere and often; on my cable box, alarm clock, cell phone, microwave, laptop. The two towers were hit by 9:11am with the attack on the Pentagon and foiled attack and crash in Pennsylvania still to come.
I was at the pool, getting ready for just another workout. One of the guys in the locker room was talking about a plane crashing into the World Trade Center. At first, I wasn’t paying attention. It was before 6am PST after all and I was half asleep, just going through the normal pre-swim routine: clothes off, swimsuit on, goggles in hand, backpack over the shoulder, slow walk to the pool outside, running start and jump into the pool. Did the workout. Uneventful.
In the locker room afterwards someone mentioned that another plane had crashed into the second tower. Instantly, I knew we were at war. I had no idea what that meant exactly, but it was a terrible, gut-wrenching feeling. My daughter was less than a year old and I feared for her future. Work seemed irrelevant at the time. I drove straight home to my family. That day, my wife and I watched what we all watched over and over again. Shielding our daughter from the TV, fearing that she’d somehow remember such a terrifying sight.
This is not what my blog is about, but I wanted to remember and pay tribute and contribute in a small way. As Jack Myers writes:
For the first time in history, the people can speak out without restriction. Let’s hope leaders emerge from the depths of the Internet to help rebuild our hope and spirit, and renew our faith in the future.
Here’s to the future and using our medium to speak out and do good.
What, me blog?
August 24, 2007I know that to succeed in our business we must listen to our customers, learn from our competitors, and do both with our people. Also, in our highly competitive industry, with nearly perfect real-time information, effective and successful product development and marketing must be driven by consumer insights, competitive intelligence, business rationale, product quality, implementation speed, and employee morale. In this blog, I will attempt to write, explore, and share what I learn about these topics.
