Sunday, September 30, 2007

globeandmail.com: Paying for goods – on the fly

Mastercard's new paypass system is starting to gain some visibility. Now you can use it in Tim Horton drive-throughs and at Loblaws for groceries along with numerous other outlets. It's one example of the new tap-and-go technology, a payment system that uses plastic, but differs from credit cards and debit cards in that they don't need passwords and you just tap a screen with it and the payment goes through. Similar technology has been available at ESSO stations and other outlets for several years. As a society, we have been looking for convenient ways to make small payments since technology began to rule. Eventually we will use cell pones, but in the meantime, you'll continue to see Paypass and competing products popping up here and there. globeandmail.com: Paying for goods – on the fly

Friday, September 28, 2007

Will A Google Phone Change The Game?

Does the idea of cell phone ads really agravate you? How about an approach that allows you to select the ads in return for getting the phone service for free. Maybe that would work. The word is out that Google is planning a cell phone - the gphone - that is based on just that concept. As always, Google has a talent for seeing through the current maze of issues to find an innovative business model - Will A Google Phone Change The Game?

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Clicks That Count - Forbes.com

Advertisers on the Web often pay for their ads based on the number of clicks on them. However, there are various ways of inflating the number of clicks - a phenomenon known as click fraud. There are several organizations who will monitor the clicks for the advertisers, so the advertisers don't end up paying for phoney clicks. The efffectiveness of this monitoring, and the ability to monitor click fraud are issues that continue to plague web advertising. This interview sheds some interesting light on the controversy. Clicks That Count - Forbes.com

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Technology Review: New York Times to stop charging fees for access to columnists, other material on Web site

Marking yet another shift in onlne business models for newspapers, the New York Times has announced that it will no longer require subscription for its content on its website. They say times have changed since they implemented that policy and that there are now better ways to make money online, primarily through advertising and other online linkages. People spend far more money on the internet than they once did. Technology Review: New York Times to stop charging fees for access to columnists, other material on Web site

Friday, September 14, 2007

AT&T : Enterprise Business : Emerging Technology White Paper : Executive Summary : RFID: A Business Revolution Providing Strategic and Competitive Advantage

RFID has been used for several years, and in the eyes of some, has not measured up to its potential. Nevertheless, it has crept into several types of applications, and has become an essential tool in such areas as inventory control. Now the use of RFID is gathering steam in the area of SCM. There it is proving very useful. AT&T : Enterprise Business : Emerging Technology White Paper : Executive Summary : RFID: A Business Revolution Providing Strategic and Competitive Advantage

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

There is a large swathe of high end spectrum due to be auctioned off by the US's FCC which could have major implications for internet connectivity. Use of the high end spectrum could enable much faster network speed for broadband networks. Apple and Google are being touted as two potential bidders. But there will be strong competition from telephone companies and others in the communications industry. It's not cheap, with the expectation that $9 Billion will be required to buy. That points to big players with lots of cash - like Apple and Google. Apple Eyes the Wireless Auction

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

The Right Way to Use Web 2.0

Web 2 is essentially a social network, and therefore presents some real marketing opportunities. But this requires a strategic and coordinated approach. This article presents some useful pointers. The Right Way to Use Web 2.0

Friday, September 07, 2007

globeandmail.com: Higher education for the high-tech savvy

Education has been moving away from the long lecture format for years. Few top educators now use that format. But what comes next? A variety of approaches have been used. Lately, however, technology is providing an answer. In the past few years, students have developed their own tech culture, involving social sites, chat groups, e-mail, text messages, and podcasts. all of these are useful for education, so some innovative educators are using them heavily for their courses. globeandmail.com: Higher education for the high-tech savvy