Corresponding with family and friends while on vacation used to involve a gift shop, the purchase of a postcard and a stamp, and a few awkward sentences detailing all the fun you were having on the trip. Nowadays, correspondence from afar comes mainly in the form of email or text/picture messaging. Sure, it is convenient, and the pictures are often a bit more personalized than a “wish-you-were-here” labeled beach photo, but an electronic greeting will never compare with an actual card delivered by mail. What if there was a way to combine today’s technological advancements with the comfort and tangibility of the classic postcard.
The Idea: instant postcards.
Instant postcards would be pictures taken at tourist destinations, which would instantly be printed onto postcards and mailed out. The pictures would include anything from those often taken at museum exhibits, amusement park rides, sporting events, etc. - instead of 10 awkward wallet-size photos of the family at Epcot Center, why not 4 ready-to-mail postcards that each member could send out to a friend? Its utility would boost sales at these photo booths, which in turn, would save on the waste generated by pre-printed photos which tourists previously would have had no need for.
Further, with the help of advancements from companies such as Massachusetts-based Zink, roving photographers with printer-equipped cameras could snap a picture and instantly print the image on a postcard. Zink just recently introduced a digital camera with a printer. The only modification would be creating sheets which had preprinted postcard formatting on the back for a letter. Imaging being at the Grand Canyon, looking out at the spectacular view, when someone comes up behind you and offers to take your picture and print it on a postcard; you agree, and a few minutes and a few dollars later, you now have a personalized postcard to send back home to your family. Picture perfect.
To learn more about Zink's new products, visit Zink.com
Friday, January 16, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
SMALL-DEBT COLLECTION AGENCY
A group of friends decides to rent a vacation house together. One friend steps up, charges it on their credit card, and then has to collect money from ever other person going... three or four months later, they are still missing a few payments. Whether it's rounding up money for a vacation, paying for spots in fantasy football, or even splitting rent and utilities among roommates - payments between friends and acquaintances often become sticky situations.
The Idea: a small debt collection agency.
A small debt collection agency would be a company for which one would pay either a flat fee or a percentage of the debt being collected in order to avoid the responsibility of collecting payments from everyone in the group. By using such an agency, the problems and complications which usually arise when dealing with money and friends will be eliminated. Essentially, the debt collection agency would be a much-needed third party which would manage collection. Once an event was scheduled, all group members would agree to employ the agency at a reasonable rate relative to the benefits.
Some group members may balk at the idea of paying someone a fee for a seemingly simple transaction among friends, but then again, they are not in a position to ensure that anyone will pay on time besides themselves. Further, those who support the service would most certainly agree that a small fee is a welcome tradeoff for the hurt feelings and potentially long term effects (not to mention debts) that group pools often elicit.
To learn more about simple group travel planning, check out I'm In!
The Idea: a small debt collection agency.
A small debt collection agency would be a company for which one would pay either a flat fee or a percentage of the debt being collected in order to avoid the responsibility of collecting payments from everyone in the group. By using such an agency, the problems and complications which usually arise when dealing with money and friends will be eliminated. Essentially, the debt collection agency would be a much-needed third party which would manage collection. Once an event was scheduled, all group members would agree to employ the agency at a reasonable rate relative to the benefits.
Some group members may balk at the idea of paying someone a fee for a seemingly simple transaction among friends, but then again, they are not in a position to ensure that anyone will pay on time besides themselves. Further, those who support the service would most certainly agree that a small fee is a welcome tradeoff for the hurt feelings and potentially long term effects (not to mention debts) that group pools often elicit.
To learn more about simple group travel planning, check out I'm In!
Monday, January 12, 2009
CREATE-A-DATE WEBSITE
The internet has revolutionized the world of dating - between online services and social networking sites, the whole landscape has changed. However, the one component that has remained constant is the planning and execution of the actual date. Whether it is your first date or your 100th, there is still the question of what to do. From the classic dinner and a movie to skydiving and burritos (in that order of course), the possibilities are seemingly endless. But how do you know what to pick, what is available and whether your significant other will even enjoy it?
The Idea: a create-a-date website
A create-a-date website would be an online resource for date-related activities. Users would be able to "create" dates by inputting certain criteria such as price, time and location, as well as general interests. The site would then produce a series of complete dates for the user to choose from. These dates could range from the traditional activities to the unique, and the individual components of each date could be rated and commented upon.
The site could easily be added to an existing site such as Yelp, a social networking, user reviewed and local search web site. In this situation, the create-a-date part of the site would operate as described above, but would cull the date components from the existing database of places and activities. In this scenario, the user-generated content would be readily available for people to review, as well as add their own opinions after the fact for future users.
A create-a-date website could also promote partnership opportunities with existing online dating services such as eHarmony or Match.com, giving people a “one stop shopping experience” for finding a companion... and a place to take them. Finally, it would be simple to match a potential companion's interests with the dates provided by the create-a-date program.
To sign up and create a Yelp profile, check out Yelp.com/signup
The Idea: a create-a-date website
A create-a-date website would be an online resource for date-related activities. Users would be able to "create" dates by inputting certain criteria such as price, time and location, as well as general interests. The site would then produce a series of complete dates for the user to choose from. These dates could range from the traditional activities to the unique, and the individual components of each date could be rated and commented upon.
The site could easily be added to an existing site such as Yelp, a social networking, user reviewed and local search web site. In this situation, the create-a-date part of the site would operate as described above, but would cull the date components from the existing database of places and activities. In this scenario, the user-generated content would be readily available for people to review, as well as add their own opinions after the fact for future users.
A create-a-date website could also promote partnership opportunities with existing online dating services such as eHarmony or Match.com, giving people a “one stop shopping experience” for finding a companion... and a place to take them. Finally, it would be simple to match a potential companion's interests with the dates provided by the create-a-date program.
To sign up and create a Yelp profile, check out Yelp.com/signup
Friday, December 19, 2008
PUBLIC LIBRARY DELIVERY
The public library system is great, offering every book free of charge. One of its only drawbacks is that you have to physically go to the location to pick up a book, and with today’s busy schedules, it can be a real burden. In the same vein, because most people share this dilemma of when-can-I-get-to-the-library-next, it has a ripple effect on all users, making turnovers longer and causing delays on reservations, late charges, etc.
The Idea: public library delivery.
Public library delivery would be an extension of the online systems currently used by most libraries. Users would be able to log on, search for titles, and reserve them - but, instead of having to go to the library to get them, they could elect to have them delivered to their home or office for a nominal fee; on the same note, people could also schedule a delivery pick-up for those which are due. Ideally, the user would schedule one delivery, where they would receive their new books and hand off their old ones which need to be returned. Opponents may argue that one of the defining qualities of a library, and the most attractive, is that it costs nothing; while true, paying for a delivery service would still be much cheaper than paying for the actual book. Further, such a service would complement the current system of picking up books, not replace it, so the user would still be able to choose which method they prefer.
Numerous benefits would result from public library delivery. It would create added revenue for the libraries, which could be put towards the system's infrastructure, as well as lighten the burden for taxpayers. It would create jobs, as branches would need to hire additional people to make the deliveries. And lastly, it would make the system more efficient and foster a quicker turnover, since people would no longer have to schedule a trip to the local branch to receive/return their books.
Public library delivery would even be beneficial for the environment. Rather than many vehicles traveling to and from the library, only a few vehicles would be needed to get people their books. And where feasible, bicycles (similar to those used for takeout - think Upper Crust Pizza delivery) could be used to completely eliminate the use of fossil fuel.
To learn more about public libraries, visit publiclibraries.com
The Idea: public library delivery.
Public library delivery would be an extension of the online systems currently used by most libraries. Users would be able to log on, search for titles, and reserve them - but, instead of having to go to the library to get them, they could elect to have them delivered to their home or office for a nominal fee; on the same note, people could also schedule a delivery pick-up for those which are due. Ideally, the user would schedule one delivery, where they would receive their new books and hand off their old ones which need to be returned. Opponents may argue that one of the defining qualities of a library, and the most attractive, is that it costs nothing; while true, paying for a delivery service would still be much cheaper than paying for the actual book. Further, such a service would complement the current system of picking up books, not replace it, so the user would still be able to choose which method they prefer.
Numerous benefits would result from public library delivery. It would create added revenue for the libraries, which could be put towards the system's infrastructure, as well as lighten the burden for taxpayers. It would create jobs, as branches would need to hire additional people to make the deliveries. And lastly, it would make the system more efficient and foster a quicker turnover, since people would no longer have to schedule a trip to the local branch to receive/return their books.
Public library delivery would even be beneficial for the environment. Rather than many vehicles traveling to and from the library, only a few vehicles would be needed to get people their books. And where feasible, bicycles (similar to those used for takeout - think Upper Crust Pizza delivery) could be used to completely eliminate the use of fossil fuel.
To learn more about public libraries, visit publiclibraries.com
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
IN-HAT HEADPHONES
Winter is here, which means it is time for coats, gloves, and hats. While hats provide warmth, they also make the common practice of listening to one's ipod that much more difficult. People are constantly fidgeting with their headwear and their earphones, trying to obtain a comfortable setup, but most times, people just grow frustrated and remove one or the other.
The Idea: In-hat headphones.
In-hat headphones would basically be various types of headgear with speakers mounted inside them. Winter hats would have speakers adjustable inside the hat, whereas hunting-style hats and earmuffs would have speakers adjustable within the actual ear piece. In addition, various head pieces could be made with custom pockets to house an ipod, helping to guard it against cord-related mishaps.
In-hat headphones would be useful for commuting, exercising, or any other situation where you find yourself trying to manage the two items separately. Further, by consolidating the two items into one, you would be able to hide the telltale cord and protect yourself from a potential ipod theft.
Other ideas might include collar mounted speakers in winter jackets and backhand mounted speakers on gloves, for people who are averse to headphones in general, but still enjoy music on the go.
To learn more about how to construct your own “headphone hat”, check out instructables.com
The Idea: In-hat headphones.
In-hat headphones would basically be various types of headgear with speakers mounted inside them. Winter hats would have speakers adjustable inside the hat, whereas hunting-style hats and earmuffs would have speakers adjustable within the actual ear piece. In addition, various head pieces could be made with custom pockets to house an ipod, helping to guard it against cord-related mishaps.
In-hat headphones would be useful for commuting, exercising, or any other situation where you find yourself trying to manage the two items separately. Further, by consolidating the two items into one, you would be able to hide the telltale cord and protect yourself from a potential ipod theft.
Other ideas might include collar mounted speakers in winter jackets and backhand mounted speakers on gloves, for people who are averse to headphones in general, but still enjoy music on the go.
To learn more about how to construct your own “headphone hat”, check out instructables.com
Monday, December 15, 2008
CAMERA SERVICE SUBSCRIPTIONS
Imagine returning home from vacation, with tan skin and a camera chock full of great pictures; you decide to hold off on uploading them straight to your computer, figuring hey, they're not going anywhere. But then the unthinkable happens, and your camera ends up stolen, misplaced, or damaged. All too often, pictures are lost somewhere in between the taking and the uploading - there must be a more foolproof way of saving each photograph before anything can happen.
The Idea: camera service subscriptions.
Camera service subscriptions would be subscription plans coupled with compatible cameras which would use wireless networks to upload pictures from your camera to a website immediately after being taken. That website could be accessed at any time for editing, archiving, printing, etc. The system could be set up similarly to that of Amazon's Kindle, which allows the user to download books to their Kindle from absolutely anywhere - in this case, the user would be able to upload pictures to their computer from absolutely anywhere. With the subscription, users would be able to take photos with the comfort of knowing that no matter what happens to their camera after that moment - their pictures are already saved and sound.
In addition to the immediate-upload, users would have access to their accounts, with the ability to share photos as they are uploaded. This would benefit individuals, but moreso, it would be ideal for groups and organizations. Construction companies would be able to send pictures from remote job sites back to the office; youth groups would be able to provide parents with instant photos of what their kids are up to; the list goes on...
Finally, the partnership opportunities are plentiful for this venture, as the components for such a service are already widely available (i.e. wireless networks, digital cameras, and online photo sites). Since the companies which produce these components are already established, the race to create the best package would be instant and competitive. This translates into an array of options for the consumer, as these newly-formed partnerships try to outdo one another.
To learn more about digital photography and digital imaging, check out dpreview.com
The Idea: camera service subscriptions.
Camera service subscriptions would be subscription plans coupled with compatible cameras which would use wireless networks to upload pictures from your camera to a website immediately after being taken. That website could be accessed at any time for editing, archiving, printing, etc. The system could be set up similarly to that of Amazon's Kindle, which allows the user to download books to their Kindle from absolutely anywhere - in this case, the user would be able to upload pictures to their computer from absolutely anywhere. With the subscription, users would be able to take photos with the comfort of knowing that no matter what happens to their camera after that moment - their pictures are already saved and sound.
In addition to the immediate-upload, users would have access to their accounts, with the ability to share photos as they are uploaded. This would benefit individuals, but moreso, it would be ideal for groups and organizations. Construction companies would be able to send pictures from remote job sites back to the office; youth groups would be able to provide parents with instant photos of what their kids are up to; the list goes on...
Finally, the partnership opportunities are plentiful for this venture, as the components for such a service are already widely available (i.e. wireless networks, digital cameras, and online photo sites). Since the companies which produce these components are already established, the race to create the best package would be instant and competitive. This translates into an array of options for the consumer, as these newly-formed partnerships try to outdo one another.
To learn more about digital photography and digital imaging, check out dpreview.com
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