Smartphones are very benificial for their seemingly endless possible applications. Here is a quick slide show of some smartphone uses that you may be unfamiliar with to help you ease back into school. Read through the slide show. What opportunity are you the most interested in? Which one do you think is the most bizzard? How do you feel about these suggestions in general. Explain your answers.
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2011/news/1107/gallery.back_to_school_shopping_smartphone/index.html
I think that the applications for smart phones are endless. From an advertisers stand point they now have the tools to reach all age group, all types of people, all at once. And for very low cost.
ReplyDeleteThey have the tools to get theirs ads to people 24/7 be it through in game apps, to like the slide show shows, apps for the store it self.
Though the internet did bring on a huge reach to advertisers its no where close to the cell phone. Everyone has one, everyone always has it on them. For myself there is maybe one or two hours during the day that i do not have my cell phone on me.
Out of all the applications shown in the slide show I have to say that the "Pay with your" Phone was the worst, I think that it opens a whole new possibility for theft.
I think the best ideas were the ones allowing you to upload your school shopping list, saving you time, maybe not always money. But in my opinion time often out ways monetary costs.
The smart phone has endless possibility for both users and advertisers a like. I think the next few years we will see a great push away from the old advertising tactics of the past, such as paper adds and printed coupons. My hopes are that we find that fine line between being over run by ads and simply being informed and slowly brain washed.
-Corban Irwin
Just in time for back to school, American Eagle is rolling out Google Wallet in 90 stores in five cities.
ReplyDeleteIn New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles, you'll be able to just tap and pay for back to school purchases at the store using Google Wallet's app. That means you wouldn't have to carry a bulky wallet when you shop, or worry about losing your credit cards as you juggle with shopping bags in crowded stores.
I'm most interested in this because u don't have to carry cash around most of the time, that means the less chances of being mugged it puts a whole new look on shopping..........Miguel.R.Sansavour
There is great opportunities through the use of smartphones, getting instant coupons and price-matching seem to be the best benefits for shopping. I think that the most bizzare is where they have you send a picture of something along the lines of what you were looking for, and wait for them to look at the picture and e-mial and respiond back with their recommended purchase. That doesn't make much sense to me because I believe that they will never respond or it will take a long time for them to respond back to you with the information, and if you have a picture sent to them, why can't you just buy that item? I believe is is a good thing overall but, very time consuming, but it is money-saving tricks, that may, at times bee worht you while.
ReplyDeleteBrianne
I really like the best buy one that gives you an instant percentage off. I think its pretty cool that by just downloading an app you have instant access to savings. I think the Sears one is a little ridiculous considering the scrambling that the Sears workers will have to do to find the products, there has to be a simpler way to do this. In my opinion they are wasting time and money and they will change it once they realize. I download all kinds of apps, I like the idea of saving money without having to hunt down and clip coupons. They are definitely a good start to something new.
ReplyDelete-Liisa
I like the idea that Staples has in that you can shop online and ship your school supplies to the closest store. I also like Sear's idea, it's like having someone else do the shopping for you! And although I like the idea of not having to carry a bulky purse or wallet, American Eagle's idea of paying with your phone is a little strange to me. I'm not sure how it works, but I don't like the idea of my credit card information just being out there.
ReplyDeleteAll of these suggestions are interesting overall. It's interesting to see how retailers are keeping up with technolgy and their customers. More and more it seems as though people are turning to their computers/smartphones to get the best deal.
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ReplyDeleteI think the one that is most interesting to me is the sears one. Where you take a picture of an item, no matter the store, and it will find it for you or an alike one. The one I think is a little odd is the American Eagle one where you can pay for your items using the Google Wallet app. Since you don't have to carry your money or credit cards, it must have it on file. I really don't like the idea of having my credit card information on my phone, it leaves your information to open for hackers to find. I find these suggestions very interesting, I never knew about the Sears one, but I heard about ones where they text you coupons in all. Overall, having a smartphone at your fingertips does help benefit you when you are doing some excessive shopping, by helping save you money.
ReplyDelete- Jennifer
Over half of the cell phone users now use smart phones, so I think now that companies are taking advantage of the new opportunities that come with applications on smart phones is a brilliant idea. I think stores such as Sears and Wal-Mart have the best ideas, because they are willing to match prices that may be lower than theirs, which should increase their number of consumers that want their products. I think the American Eagle idea where your smart phone now becomes your credit card is kind of outrageous, technology seems to be taking over our lives, so if we are now storing our money on a phone instead of carrying a wallet around, who knows where we will be in the next few years and what other aspects of our life will be taken over by technology. Yes, it is a good idea and will keep the buyer more organized, but if you lose that phone someone could easily hack into it and take over your money. These suggestions are great ideas for people who love their smart phones. I just am not a huge fan of the way technology has become nearly the center of typical American's lives. So whoever wants to use it, more power to them, I am just not a fan of technology overtaking our daily lives.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI am big fan of smartphones and what they've brought to society. They've become so vital in our lives and the constant improvement in them has become just as important.
ReplyDeleteThe oppertunity I am most interested in is the pay with your phone application. I believe that idea is so convenient and beneficial to society. Although I also believe that the personal shopper application is a tad bit bizzare for my liking. I dont see how its beneficial to the averaqe smartphone user and therefore deem it as useless.
Never the less i see these suggestions as innovative and edgy ways to improve peoples daily lives, through a component that is often so important to them.
I think the American Eagle: Pay with your Phone is the coolest one on here. It helps eliminate having to carry around a purse that can get stolen or lost. All you have to do is have a smart phone handy and everything was taken care of! I can't say which one I think is the most bizzare because they are all the same in a small way, and they are all a new way of shopping and will probably go along way, and will be around for awhile.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI am very hesitant to use my smart to buy anything on the internet. I would not want to open myself up to getting my money stolen. The app. that I may use would be the L.L. Bean. It would be nice to know about the product I am buying and how well it has worked for other customers. Overall I think most of the apps are unnecessary but will slowly take over the commercial ads and coupons.
ReplyDeleteThe Google Wallet app for American Eagle is the most interesting and the only one I would probably use. All of the other apps are pretty bizzare, and almost the same because in the stores listed you can pay on your phone instead of waiting in lines, or check prices at other stores to get a lower price, or see which items are in stock that you need and have them shipped directly to you. I would rather do things the old way and wait in a line or wait for someone to help me..I think people rely way too much on phones.
ReplyDeleteSarah Hammer
I don't think I would ever buy anything off my phone just because it seems like an easy way for people to hack into your phone and charge more additional fees. If I had to pick an app, I think I would use the Best Buy App the most because I like looking for the best deal on the device I am looking for. The one I found the most bizzard was The American Eagle Pay with your phone. I feel this app would end up causing more problems than making shopping easier. By being able to pay with you phone, I feel you are more likely to ended being scammed. I feel the Iphone has brought a whole new meaning to shopping and could change the way most people start to shop.
ReplyDeletemy thoughts for smartphones in general is that it's great to have,it eases the worry of carrying cash and you can do most of your shopping online and from the comforts of your home.....Miguel.R.Sansavour
ReplyDeleteThe whole 'smartphone revolution' is getting to be a bit excessive. In all of the back-to-school apps I cycled through, Google Wallet seemed to be the most interesting, and the most terrifying. Well, maybe terrifying isn't the right word. Lets just say this - Google has mastered (and is only rivaled by Apple) in terms of synchronization and omnipresence in the tech community. For example, if you have a Gmail account, you can access a calendar, notes, YouTube, and an array of other features that will seamlessly integrate with your Android or iPhone. Wallet, I can imagine, will let you hook your bank account up to Google and let you use your phone to be scanned at check out in order to pay for items. (Again, my assumption) Either way, its linking your Google account, to your money, which is too far for me. My money is a separate entity that I like to keep track of outside of Google's watchful eye. Having said that, I will (eventually and undoubtably) succumb to the convenience factor that Google caters to so beautifully. Its like I said, synchronizing your day-to-day functions is useful. This is understandable, and most of all, it is *practical*.
ReplyDeleteDo I need Sears to give me a 'personalized' shopping list that ultimately promotes a product that I didn't need in the fist place? Do I really need to download that application? No. And I can assure you I never will. (Wait, lets back peddle for a minute. I'll admit that a 10-15% discount at Best Buy is pretty wicked) As for the rest (JCPenny, Sears, Walmart, Staples, etc.) their apps are cluttering up the market. Yes, it sounds very handy to be able to shop from your phone, but in all honesty, who wants to? No one. Its lie! Its a hassle. No one wants to run around JCPenny to 'tag' things with their phone in order to get some lame incentive on a pair of Bermudas. Its all a hassle, disguised as a fun-loving, helpful, interactive app. Its all a lie. End of story.
Even though Staples bills itself as an office supplies store, the back to school season is huge for the retailer.Staples just launched its mobile version of staples.com to coincide with the back to school shopping season.
ReplyDeleteOne key feature lets you upload a teacher's back to school list on the Staples' mobile website and take it with you to the store.
You can also check product availability with its app -- it'll tell you the nearest Staples store with the product in stock.
College students can order their back to school items on their smartphones and have the items shipped to the Staples closest to their school.
this one's the most bizzard because u don't have to worry of going to the shopping mall to buy your back to school items,u can do it from the comfort of your home or classroom...but it's just as fun and conveniant.
Miguel>R>Sansavour
I think that being able to look up a competitor's price and show the employee right away that someone else has a lower price is a good idea. It will benefit the customer's and even the store because they will receive more business. I think that paying with your phone is crazy because there is always that chance of losing your phone and someone could find it and not just have your phone but your entire life on one device. I think that in some places it will benefit people but in Williston it will be a while before we have all the same opportunities.
ReplyDeleteIts funny if u think about it back in the 60 it use to take up a whole room for a computer, but now we have these tiny smart phones that fit in your hand think about that lol.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think that Bestbuy and Walmart have the leading apps, In the sense of useful features. Allowing one to price match, scan bar codes to review products and find better prices, and also discounts for using mobile devices!
ReplyDeleteI think that the pay with your phone features are a bit over-the-top! I would like to know where my money is going a bit better rather than just clicking on whatever you want and having that instant payment.
I love to shop around online for deals and get the best price for the items I want. The idea of going into a store in paying with my phone scares me a bit. I don't think i would go into a store and use these features. I think they are almost more of a hassle than anything. Online shopping is a completely different ball game tho.
Shawn Slaubaugh
Smartphones are popular! They give people many opportunities and apps. The oppurtunites that I was more interested in was the instant coupons and matching prices. Everyone love good deals so when they find the same product at a store closer but cost more, matching is a good idea,thats why best buy caught my interest. Coupons on the phone was a good idea too because you hardly see anyone walking around with out their cell phone if they own one. No more forgetting the coupons at home, you'll have them on your phone. The most bizzard is paying on your phone. I personally dont think that its secure, its a gateway for people to try and get over, theft, and hackers. Overall I dont think smartphone apps like these are a good idea, saves time and saves money, who wouldnt want that?
ReplyDeleteI love smart phones. I have had a Blackberry smartphone model for three years now. I enjoy the instant availability of information. However, shopping with my smart phone rubs me the wrong way. The article in particular that stuck out to me was the one about American Eagle allowing people to pay with Google Wallet. Although I think Google Wallet is a great application, offering discounts to people for making purchases with their smart phone is really encouraging people to over-spend. In fact, all of the articles struck me as rather unnecessary.
ReplyDeleteFor example: What is so difficult about going to the store and picking up some school supplies? Not to mention the fact that I am reusing notebooks from last year because I hardly used them or they still have paper left in them.
Instead of companies encouraging people to save money by making what they have work, they are selling the idea of "Keeping up with the Joneses." Don't get me wrong, I'm not a big believer in the "green movement", nor am I against a capitalist economy. However, supply-in-demand only works when there's a demand. If we all looked closely enough we would see that there's no necessary demand. We would stop living above our means. I think it's deplorable for companies to encourage "demand" in this economy.
^^^^Correction: I think it's deplorable for companies to encourage "demand" in this -state- of our economy.
ReplyDeleteI personally think the coolest opportunity is the Staples: Shop on the go application, because if you’re like me, and don’t live anywhere near a Staples, it’s kind of a pain in the butt to go to the store only to find they don’t have the product you’re looking for!
ReplyDeleteThat application seems the most convenient to me, however the most bizarre is the Best Buy: A 15% off app, it seems like that would be an awesome app because you would get the 15% off for having the app, and using it of course.
I think these suggestions are really helpful because if you’re a parent that needs to shop for children’s supplies and clothing, it can get tedious because there are usually a lot of items on the list that are all over the place in different stores. These just make it easier because it helps out the parents that do need to do back to school shopping, for clothes and supplies alike.
Smartphones are the greatest, they remind me of my ipod touch except faster and better, i love my smartphone and all of the things it can do. The opportunities im most interested in is the one where you can send the store your list of things and they will call you when they find them, this would make shopping so much easier because my parents would actually be able to get the things that i wanted instead of what they thought i would like. The one i think is most bizzard is the one where you can use your phone instead of cash or your card to pay. It would be very easy for someone to get your information off your phone, some people could get into your phone and get your card information, or even your contacts, i dont think its a smart thing to do unless you want to throw your information out there not knowing what could happen. These suggestions they might be faster but is it worth it to be putting everything and all of your information out in the open for the store employees, phone company, and unhonest people to have. Smartphones may have all these apps available but the question you have to ask yourself when things come available like paying with your phone is it really worth it?
ReplyDeleteIn this article, Many different stores are doing things such as handing out mobile apps that give coupons or the best deal for students that are going back to school.
ReplyDeleteTo be able to do this must be a big head ache for many different store employees that they have to learn that customers can get discounts through their cell phones.
the one that I would find most interesting is the Staples mobile website just because of all the electronics that they have that are of great names.
There is not a single website that I find bizarre just because it sounds like what big companies would do just to get you to spend more money
Brett Wilkens
Brett.W.Wilkens70@gmail.com
I didn't know what to think reading through these slides. It's strange to think that we can now pay for items in a store through our phones. I like that you can check for discounts and get them through your phone but I also like that you can check to see where you can find some things without going store to store. I think that all these things are coming out with for your phone are both good and bad though as well. Does it mean we are getting lazy that our phones are now letting us do things from our house by just hitting a button? Maybe but I do like the conveniance of it as well!
ReplyDeleteOf all the available uses with a smart phone in popular stores around the world, I am most interested in the Wal-Mart option. Being a college student, I am very dependent on this store. In Williston, this place is always a zoo so these features will help with getting out of the store quicker or may even allow you to not have to go at all.
ReplyDeleteI think the most bizarre is that in places like Best Buy and Wal-Mart you can search the web for different prices on a product and if you find a better price they will give it to you for that price. Stores often say this, but may not expect their customers to look at the competition's prices.
These suggestions in general are very useful and helpful. They provide smart phone users with easier ways to shop during this busy time of year. I can't wait to see where technology will be in a few years from now.
I think that the instant coupons that Target is offering is the most intriguing. It is a lot more convenient then going through catalogs trying to find the right deals and it'll make more people use coupons because it's so easy to access off your smartphone. The most bizarre one is the Google wallet that American Eagle is offering. I feel it is setting themselves up for credit card scams and identity theft because if someone loses their phone inside the store someone could easily max out on clothing inside the store and easily dispose of the phone afterward.
ReplyDelete-JORDAN
Smartphones are a great technology in the world today. The applications I was interested in was the price matching with Walmart and Best buy. In these current economic times, people want to get the best deal out there. By having price mating, people can get the best deal at the store that they feel comfortable buying products at. It will be good for both the consumer and the store because they will continue to go to that store and spend their money knowing that they are going to get a great deal there.
ReplyDeleteI think the most bizarre application is the online buying for American Eagle. Personally, I like to buy items with my debit card in my hand and knowing that I paid for it. I'm not so sure if I would trust that type of application.
As a consumer buying products, I feel that this is a great way to get more people interested in a store and its products. It is easily accessible and it has a lot of benefits to help save people money.
This technology is a little beyond me. I like the idea of getting coupons sent to your phone. I think people scanning items and paying for them through the phone is a little much though. I personally would wait an extra 5 minutes in a line to buy the goods from a cashier face to face and get a receipt. I know some people do not like giving out stuff like credit card information online. I try to avoid buying items online unless I have to. I would use the JC Penny online coupons feature for sure but that is about it for me.
ReplyDeleteI think the mobile app that is the most BIZZARD is the scanning bar codes at the target stores. Its crazy how technology has changed everything about our world, including the way we shop. Having the scanning bar code app on your phone would be handy when the store is busy or short staffed (Wal-mart needs this app) and you just want a simple question answered! Target made a good move by introducing this app because it is going to cause people to go there over places like Wal mart, k mart and other places that usually make your shopping trip longer than it has to be.
ReplyDelete-Jasmine
I'm most interested in Walmart's app because I've actually used it before. I've found products and had them shipped to my local Walmart where I could just pick it up when it got there.
ReplyDeleteSmartphones are very convenient, especially when trying to find the lowest price on a product since stores like Best Buy and Walmart will match the lowest price you find. I think that the JC Penney app is cool too how you can scan tags to get $10-$30 off you purchase.
Google Wallet is making it so that people will no longer have to worry about misplacing wallets and credit cards. It's genius and will soon be offered in many more cities and stores around the world.
-Raven Dampier
Katie
ReplyDeleteI have never purchased anything from a store on my phone before. I get a little nervous thinking that I will be over charged or purchase something I was unaware of. I do think that smartphones are awesome and maybe someday I will purchase an item off of my phone.
The app that I liked the most was the Walmart one. I hate going to Walmart for a certain item and then it is not there. It would be much easier to look it up on my phone and purchase it then. It also comes with free shipping.
Smaller towns do not have a Walmart. Using your phone to purchase what you need and then having it mailed to you sounds great. For those towns that do have a Walmart it would be much easier to just drive there, pick up what you need, and then leave, but the fact that you can search to see if what you need is in the store is what interests me.
In my opinion I think that the stores are trying to not only help the customers but help themselves at the same time. Such as in American Eagle where the customer no longer has to keep track of a credit card or their cash. Which also saves the sales associate running the register time. By not having to go through the steps of having you sign for your credit card purchase or giving you the correct change they can get you in and out of the store faster. This way everyone is happy.
ReplyDeleteAlso it is a way to kind of reward those who do spend more money for their phone. By giving them more options and other ways to save their money on other things that they do need. Especially during back to school shopping when a lot of parents are looking for good deals because they are buying so many new things at one time.
Technology is an incredible thing and it's never ending!!! There are soooo many possibilities with shopping with the smart phones it's unreal! As a student and knowing what back to school shopping is like I think that the most bizzar thing that they have come up with so far is JC Pennies store and its "Dorm Shop" area where you go and scan your own bar codes, and then it brings up a list of school supplies for you to browse on your phone. A lot of the suggestions are really overwhelming for someone like me! For starters I don't own an I-Phone or even ran one, so I am not a hundred percent sure how comfortable or efficient I would be running one regularly. Another concern I would have is viruses. You don't hear much about them at the moment, but that doesn't mean you won't. And identity theft, I feel that the more we rely and trust the internet the more risky it is to put your personal information on it! The more stuff you buy through the Web, the more times you put your personal information on it (including credit card numbers), the more chances that your identity is taken! I just feel we are becoming too reliant on technology sometimes, and forget to be cautious.
ReplyDelete-Dani-
All of these apps are very cool, but I would personally get the American Eagle app, that way you wouldn't have to carry around your wallet and possibly misplace it in a store. I think it would be a lot easier if you just carried your smart phone around with you and use it while your in the store. All of these apps are sweet. There isn't any app that I find bizzare. If you used these apps it would be a lot easier for everyone I think. Getting coupons and paying through your phone is awesome, and you can pretty much go to any store and use this. People are finding new ways everyday to use your smartphone with something.
ReplyDeleteSmart phones have their name for a reason and the possiblity to have applications to do almost everything you need with the click of a botton, couldn't represent the name any better. There is an app for almost everything these days, in this case back to school shopping. I personally think the pay with your phone is a little crazy and over the top. Its a way to overdraft your account by not paying attention to exactly how much you are spending, considering you scan the bar code and you're done and on the your next purchase, or atleast I think i'd have an issue with that. Not only that but phones get stolen everyday and if the wrong person got ahold of it, there goes all your money and other information. It is a very clever idea and im sure it works great for people but in my eyes its nothing I would use. As for the opportunity I was most interested in would be the instant coupons and matching prices. It doesn't get much better then seeing something you want or need and thinking somewhere else could have it for cheaper, this way you just pop up your app and boom its done. I probably wouldn't use it on the daily but just to have in mind is always a positive. Applications have taken smart phones to another level, and with everything they offer you are bound to be in luck with something.
ReplyDeleteI am very interested in the ocational coupons you will recieve from the target store. I digg merchandise from target and I believe this is a great idea on targets part. The staples order on smart phones and have it shipped to a staples store seem totally wack in my opinion. In perspective of the big picture I think that this is a conspiracy. These stores are giving discounts and advantages to only the smartphone toting customers. They are incouraging the purchase of smart phones so people who love discounts will buy smartphones from these stores to score sick discounts.
ReplyDeleteThe app that would be the most useful to me would be the Best Buy app. It would give me just one more reason/excuse to buy something I want, but may not really need. A potentially money saving tip they repeated with a few retailers was using your smart phone to price match while in the store. I noticed many stores also have free site to store shipping which gets you in the doors of their facility, hoping you'll stick around and do some additional shopping. Whatever these company's motivations may be, they are effectively creating a media buzz which usually bodes well for profits.
ReplyDeleteThe app I found most bizarre was the Google wallet being utilized by American Eagle. I am unsure of how Google Wallet works, but I foresee a lot of angry parents when they receive the phone bill if their kids are purchasing clothes. As an adult it seems like it may become a viable payment option, as Starbucks also has a mobile payment system now, but the opportunity for fraud far outweighs the "nuisance" of carrying my wallet.