I hope they've handled all the possible problems! This could turn out to be great or a total bust. I wonder if they've talked to any banks yet and gotten any feedback.
Stayed tuned for some eBB updates in the next couple weeks!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
NCR Allows Depositing Checks by Phone
I saw this on Gizmodo this morning. Apparently, with any 2-megapixel camera on a data-enabled phone, you can now deposit checks directly from the palm of your hand. NCR's APTRA Passport uses advanced recognition and image quality technologies to validate the check and send the necessary information to your financial institution.
I hope they've handled all the possible problems! This could turn out to be great or a total bust. I wonder if they've talked to any banks yet and gotten any feedback.
Stayed tuned for some eBB updates in the next couple weeks!
I hope they've handled all the possible problems! This could turn out to be great or a total bust. I wonder if they've talked to any banks yet and gotten any feedback.
Stayed tuned for some eBB updates in the next couple weeks!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Google releases Product Search for Apple iPhone
On Thursday, April 23, 2009, Google released their Product Search for the Apple iPhone and Android-powered smartphones. Product Search allows bargain hunters to search for items that are gathered from a variety of different shopping sites. It also lets users read product reviews and get more information of something they're thinking about buying.
On Google's Mobile Blog, Rob Stacey, a Google mobile software engineer, states:
"Say you're in a store and having a hard time deciding between two products. Instead of waiting to go home to check the internet for ratings and reviews, you can now get all of this information right there on the spot. Just take out your phone, go to Google.com in your browser, and try out Google Product Search for mobile. From Google.com, type in a query and then tap on the "shopping" link that appears in the search results. Or, tap on the "more" tab and then "shopping" to get to Product Search directly."
Intuitive huh? We're really excited about this release for bargain hunters because it allows them to be more shrewd as shoppers by comparing prices and getting more information on things they're thinking about purchasing, while they're already out shopping.
If you have an iPhone, you should definitely check it out. Watch the release video below. You gotta love that background music!
On Google's Mobile Blog, Rob Stacey, a Google mobile software engineer, states:
"Say you're in a store and having a hard time deciding between two products. Instead of waiting to go home to check the internet for ratings and reviews, you can now get all of this information right there on the spot. Just take out your phone, go to Google.com in your browser, and try out Google Product Search for mobile. From Google.com, type in a query and then tap on the "shopping" link that appears in the search results. Or, tap on the "more" tab and then "shopping" to get to Product Search directly."
Intuitive huh? We're really excited about this release for bargain hunters because it allows them to be more shrewd as shoppers by comparing prices and getting more information on things they're thinking about purchasing, while they're already out shopping.
If you have an iPhone, you should definitely check it out. Watch the release video below. You gotta love that background music!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Part I: Social Network Showdown - Twitter or Facebook?
Social networks have been around for years, but for many experts, they haven't even begun to hit their potential. Many technology gurus point to the dotcom boom in the 90s as the last time when there was so much hype surrounding "the next big thing". To us, social networks are that technology, and since the Apple iPhone was released in January 2007, access to these networks has never been easier nor more convenient. People are updating their Facebook and Twitter accounts on-the-go and sharing information on Loopt at an alarming rate. The information sharing age is here but it is still in its infancy.
Many perceive Twitter to be the next big social network giant, many state at the expense of Facebook. Questions have also been raised of which social networker will be the next Google. Remember, Twitter is still relatively new (in Canada, while Twitter has been mentioned, many still don't know what it does, where it came from, how it's used and what its benefits are). Users who I've talked to state that "I'm already on Facebook. I don't want to have to maintain yet another social network account." This blog post will help address those questions, from a personal and business networking perspective, and show that, if you find a need to be on Facebook, you need to be on Twitter, especially if you're a professional.
What is Twitter?
If you know what Twitter is, you can skip this section. Twitter is a message-sharing service that allows you to concisely send updates on a network-wide scale answering the question of "What are you doing?" From a quality of content perspective, Twitter has defined how to get great messages across with a 140-character limit. You can search for people who share similar interests to you, whether they include "social media", "network marketing", or "music", for example. One can then form their own circle consisting of people they want to follow. The power of conversations inside that circle then take on a much greater meaning when people with common interests contribute to a common topic. People can also search for conversations about any topic, so they can find out what people all over the world are saying instantly about any topic of interest.
Twitter and Facebook are Different Animals
The first major point we want to make is that Twitter and Facebook are two very different entities. They have their own niches and exist for two different reasons. That's why we were shocked when Facebook made yet another profile change in March 2009 to apparently give their response to Tweeting that has seemingly taken over the world. We ask, why did Facebook have to do this? If you know or have an idea, reply us @eBargainBuddies on Twitter.
In our opinion, Facebook never had to because they do something completely different from Twitter: they are a social framework where you can talk and communicate with your friends and family, and send messages to people inside your social circle. This is the pre-application age of Facebook that everyone loved. Then came the moment that enraged the majority of users when Facebook released the application platform which lead to thousands of applications being created. This not only cluttered people's Facebook profiles but then required a response from Facebook to make their first major profile layout change which angered users more. Don't get me wrong - at SoCreative, we're greatful that Facebook opened up their API because it allowed us to create our eBargainBuddies application, where thousands of people all over the world can share deal and sales information from retailers. But from a user's perspective, we can definitely see where their displeasure comes from. We're not concerned with the application backlash because we have a very clear purpose that is to save people money by letting their friends tell them What's On Sale while they're on Facebook. Ah, but, I digress.
Was Facebook's March 2009 Update Really Necessary?
Because Facebook and Twitter are different animals, they cater to different audiences. Facebook didn't realize that they are less of a networking tool than Twitter and more of a place for friends to just hang out. This is where their strength lies and they should stick to it. The second they opened up their API to Facebook applications, they moved away from their strength and, from the users' perspectives, made a change that was never necessary. Remember they began as a student-based network. This is why Facebook's "What's on your mind?" newsfeed change in March 2009 was never required. The Facebook status was already that.
Why is Twitter the Better Networking Tool?
Twitter and Facebook exist for very different purposes and, in our opinion, Facebook can never be as great a networking tool as Twitter. The reasons are the following:
1) The first major reason is personal information. How many times have you been reluctant to add somebody on Facebook that you didn't know? How about being asked by a friend how you know somebody who tried to add them as a friend? It's become instinctive: "How do I know this person?" and "Who do I know this person through?" There is a major reluctance there because you risk providing personal information to someone you don't know, or giving somebody access to your friend conversations. This severely hinders the power of networking on Facebook. On Twitter, if you see someone you want to follow, you follow them and, most of the time, if they're interested in what you have to say, they'll follow you back. And the willingness to network with other users starts from the personal information you provide when you sign up.
2) The second is the core market that Facebook attracts compared to Twitter. As Charlene Li presented, only 34% of Facebook's user-base is compromised of business professionals. As correctly pointed out by Tom Raftery, this is because Facebook started off as a student-based network. Twitter, on the other hand, has not and, as Tom has correctly noticed, at least 90% of Twitter's audience is made up of business professionals. So if you're a professional and want to network, get on Twitter immediately if you haven't done so already.
3) The third major reason is, regrettably, the Facebook application platform and the Facebook profile changes. Why, do you ask? With the backlash that Facebook faced, they opened the door to Twitter to grab positive media attention. More people see the benefits of Twitter, hence having a greater willingness to try out the service.
...
If you own a business, check back for Part II next Sunday, May 3, 2009, where we discuss whether your business should be networking on Facebook, Twitter or both, and why.
Many perceive Twitter to be the next big social network giant, many state at the expense of Facebook. Questions have also been raised of which social networker will be the next Google. Remember, Twitter is still relatively new (in Canada, while Twitter has been mentioned, many still don't know what it does, where it came from, how it's used and what its benefits are). Users who I've talked to state that "I'm already on Facebook. I don't want to have to maintain yet another social network account." This blog post will help address those questions, from a personal and business networking perspective, and show that, if you find a need to be on Facebook, you need to be on Twitter, especially if you're a professional.What is Twitter?
If you know what Twitter is, you can skip this section. Twitter is a message-sharing service that allows you to concisely send updates on a network-wide scale answering the question of "What are you doing?" From a quality of content perspective, Twitter has defined how to get great messages across with a 140-character limit. You can search for people who share similar interests to you, whether they include "social media", "network marketing", or "music", for example. One can then form their own circle consisting of people they want to follow. The power of conversations inside that circle then take on a much greater meaning when people with common interests contribute to a common topic. People can also search for conversations about any topic, so they can find out what people all over the world are saying instantly about any topic of interest.
Twitter and Facebook are Different Animals
The first major point we want to make is that Twitter and Facebook are two very different entities. They have their own niches and exist for two different reasons. That's why we were shocked when Facebook made yet another profile change in March 2009 to apparently give their response to Tweeting that has seemingly taken over the world. We ask, why did Facebook have to do this? If you know or have an idea, reply us @eBargainBuddies on Twitter.
In our opinion, Facebook never had to because they do something completely different from Twitter: they are a social framework where you can talk and communicate with your friends and family, and send messages to people inside your social circle. This is the pre-application age of Facebook that everyone loved. Then came the moment that enraged the majority of users when Facebook released the application platform which lead to thousands of applications being created. This not only cluttered people's Facebook profiles but then required a response from Facebook to make their first major profile layout change which angered users more. Don't get me wrong - at SoCreative, we're greatful that Facebook opened up their API because it allowed us to create our eBargainBuddies application, where thousands of people all over the world can share deal and sales information from retailers. But from a user's perspective, we can definitely see where their displeasure comes from. We're not concerned with the application backlash because we have a very clear purpose that is to save people money by letting their friends tell them What's On Sale while they're on Facebook. Ah, but, I digress.
Was Facebook's March 2009 Update Really Necessary?
Because Facebook and Twitter are different animals, they cater to different audiences. Facebook didn't realize that they are less of a networking tool than Twitter and more of a place for friends to just hang out. This is where their strength lies and they should stick to it. The second they opened up their API to Facebook applications, they moved away from their strength and, from the users' perspectives, made a change that was never necessary. Remember they began as a student-based network. This is why Facebook's "What's on your mind?" newsfeed change in March 2009 was never required. The Facebook status was already that.
Why is Twitter the Better Networking Tool?
Twitter and Facebook exist for very different purposes and, in our opinion, Facebook can never be as great a networking tool as Twitter. The reasons are the following:
1) The first major reason is personal information. How many times have you been reluctant to add somebody on Facebook that you didn't know? How about being asked by a friend how you know somebody who tried to add them as a friend? It's become instinctive: "How do I know this person?" and "Who do I know this person through?" There is a major reluctance there because you risk providing personal information to someone you don't know, or giving somebody access to your friend conversations. This severely hinders the power of networking on Facebook. On Twitter, if you see someone you want to follow, you follow them and, most of the time, if they're interested in what you have to say, they'll follow you back. And the willingness to network with other users starts from the personal information you provide when you sign up.
2) The second is the core market that Facebook attracts compared to Twitter. As Charlene Li presented, only 34% of Facebook's user-base is compromised of business professionals. As correctly pointed out by Tom Raftery, this is because Facebook started off as a student-based network. Twitter, on the other hand, has not and, as Tom has correctly noticed, at least 90% of Twitter's audience is made up of business professionals. So if you're a professional and want to network, get on Twitter immediately if you haven't done so already.
3) The third major reason is, regrettably, the Facebook application platform and the Facebook profile changes. Why, do you ask? With the backlash that Facebook faced, they opened the door to Twitter to grab positive media attention. More people see the benefits of Twitter, hence having a greater willingness to try out the service.
...
If you own a business, check back for Part II next Sunday, May 3, 2009, where we discuss whether your business should be networking on Facebook, Twitter or both, and why.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
eBargainBuddies Re-Invented
12:00am Here it is. The new eBargainBuddies logo presented by SoCreative Solutions Inc. We slimmed him down, made the text sharper, and changed the slogan. Tell us what you think?
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11:58pm
2 minutes to go!
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11:50pm
10 minutes to go!
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11:30pm
In 30 minutes, SoCreative releases the new eBargainBuddies logo to our Twitter and Blog followers! Stay tuned...
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Connect with us via Facebook
Just a quick update for our readers. As we promised on Saturday, we're merging eBargainBuddies with your favorite social networking sites to make it easier for you to connect with us.
Last night we added Facebook Connect so you can now interact with us on our blog using your existing Facebook account and post your ideas, comments and feedback. Just click COMMENT[S] at the bottom of any blog post and click the blue Connect button like the one above.
Log-in and interact. Enjoy...
Last night we added Facebook Connect so you can now interact with us on our blog using your existing Facebook account and post your ideas, comments and feedback. Just click COMMENT[S] at the bottom of any blog post and click the blue Connect button like the one above.
Log-in and interact. Enjoy...
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Merging the many facets of eBB...
At SoCreative, we're working behind the scenes to bring you some really interesting features in the coming weeks. We recently added the Twitter widget to our blog so you can follow what we're working on to the second! You might even find out about some great deals while you're at it! We're also going to be merging the many facets of eBB over the coming months so that you can keep track of us in any way you like to, including our:
Facebook Application
Facebook Group
Now to the features! First and foremost, the tag function that we've been hyping up is almost ready to roll out. The extra surprise that we've promised you is almost ready as well. To the followers of our blog, we'll be giving you a small preview of our new look, eBB 2.0. Look for this in the coming weeks (notice a little change to our orange friend)!
The Shopping Summer is almost here! and we'll be ready to make sure you don't miss out on the coolest gadgets, fashions, travel deals and food trends. Remember, we exist so that your friends can share with you 'What's On Sale' when you're on Facebook. Get your friends on our eBargainBuddies Facebook application. Don't miss out on some genuinely great deals in Summer 2009.
...keep checking in to find out what we're working on!
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