WEEK 4 EOC: There's an AP for that

There’s an app for the! Everywhere you go, every problem you have, you will find that “There’s an app for that”. I have always wondered just how far can we go with applications? In my research for new apps I have discovered that there is room for improving existing apps, just as the iPod, iPhone and other electronics have been improved, so is the need for improving the existing ones. “At Google, researchers are trying to make a currently unrealized future a reality by investing heavily in research into computer vision. Barra says the public face of that work is Google Goggles. When he travelled to Prague he explored the city by pointing his Goggles app at buildings and landmarks; it recognized each location and served up web pages on their history. "Our ability to understand the visual world is only just beginning to develop," he says. "We can't understand 3D or heavily contextualized objects, but we will get there in a few years. It's a canvas we are beginning to paint on. ”Barra, Hugo. "A Brave New World: the Future of Smartphone Apps." Latest News, Sport and Comment from the Guardian | The Guardian. 27 Aug. 2010. Web. 01 Nov. 2011. <http://www.guardian.co.uk>. The idea of visiting somewhere without physically being there is an amazing concept. Currently with Google Earth you are able  to zoom in to someone’s front door, go up and down the street and even visit other countries, but to be able to go into buildings and have a more extensive experience is hear now. 
The app that I would love to create is your hotel room. We can call it home away from home. What you would do is snap a picture with your smart phone of the four corners of your favorite room in your house. When you arrive at your hotel, your room would look almost identical to the room in your house. There are several ways it could be done, for example there could have a virtual image, or the hotel could create thin, easily removable wallpaper, something that resembles a car wrap. I am sure there are other ways it could be done but I think the vision is a start to something great. This is a few of the apps the were thought of in 2008 and we are currently using them 1) Use iPhone to tag people. You can already take a picture and assign it to a contact. It is just a matter of time before these pictures will available to a search engine, doing it on the phone will be quick and fun. 2) Paperless Receipts & Digital Business Cards. 3) Physical Browsing & Digital Shopping. Iskoid, Alex. "12 Future Apps For Your IPhone." ReadWriteWeb - Web Apps, Web Technology Trends, Social Networking and Social Media. 12 Mar. 2008. Web. 01 Nov. 2011. <http://www.readwriteweb.com>.So in reality, anything is possible.

Week 3 EOC: Making Money for Good

Companies that are for profit are for profit and are in the business of making money. According the businessdictionary.com, A business whose main goal is making money, is a "for profit organization", as opposed to a nonprofit organization which focuses on helping the community. A nonprofit is concerned with making as much money as necessary to keep the organization operating. Most organizations who considered themselves to be a businesses haveto make money, but there are a few that make money as well as contribute. I have found a few that make it a habit of giving to those in need. Nike has donated over 78 million to children, human rights, and international relief. In 2009 they donated over 5% of their income and continues with the practice of giving today.  Founder and chairman Philip H. Knight gave $105 million to Stanford University's Graduate School of Business. It is believed to be the largest gift ever given to a business school. STANFORD GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS—NIKE Inc. http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/news/headlines/knight_gift.shtml

If a “for profit” company decides to be socially responsible and give to charity, it is considered commendable by the consumers. Will it enhance their future growth? It seems that it would make consumers take a closer look at an organization that gives back. It may be more attractive to purchase product from a company that is “for the people”. Charitable activities don’t drain corporate resources or cause any set backs, first of all these contributions are tax deductible. Target has given 5 percent of its income to support education, and social services. Target Corporation is consistently ranked as one of the most philanthropic companies in the country. It ranked #11 in Fortune Magazine's "Top 20 Most Admired Companies" for 2007, largely in part to the donation efforts of the company as a who. Target give on average over $3 million away every week in charitable donations, over $150 million per year. Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Target_Corporation

Wells Fargo contributed millions to nonprofits nationwide. A daily amount is given to nonprofits to support education, community development, human services, and the environment. The company donates a small percent of profits to charities, even though the contributions are small they are still giving back. Companies that are sensitive to consumer perceptions are more likely to give back. They need the support of the consumers and are willing to give also. Wells Fargo staff chose six nonprofit organizations in the Biloxi area to receive grants presented Tuesday as part of the Days of Giving program http://www.sunherald.com/2011/09/20/3446254/wells-fargo-makes-donations-to.html#ixzz1bGyiCrP3.

Michelle Brown 10/19/2011

Week 3 EOC: My Demographics

I am Generation X, I would say that I represent my era, Even though my parents did not divorce, I was truly a latchkey kid. The Generation Xers are defined as much by their shared experiences as by their age. Increasing parental divorce rates and higher employment for their mothers made them the first generation of latchkey kids. Although they seek success, they are less materialistic; they prize experience, not acquisition. For many of the Gen Xers that are parents, family comes first—both children and their aging parents—and career second. From a marketing standpoint, the Gen Xers are a more skeptical bunch. They tend to research products before they consider a purchase, preferring quality over quantity, and they tend to be less receptive to overt marketing pitches. Armstrong & Kotler (2011). Marketing: An Introduction, 10th Ed.  Page 73.

 

Family definitely comes first, this is our foundation, and we try to keep the family in tact at all times. Gen Xers are always eager to give advice to anyone who will listen and I believe we have a lot of sayings, like “Don’t eat all your food so you won’t get all the way sick” or “The best way to keep from falling out is don’t fall in” or “ A penny saved is a penny earned” and we would always ask that question, “what’s the catch,” always thinking there is a scam. We were a part of the Encyclopedia Britannica sales men, who went door to door to sale encyclopedias.

Gen X are pretty up to date with technology and are trying to keep up with the younger generation, not ready to accept the age differences and continuing to feel as young as ever. I also believe that Gen X are much more health conscious, we eat clean and spend a significant amount of time in the gym, trying to stay competitive. Learning is also a constant with Gen X, always knowing the importance of improving for the future.

Michelle Brown 10/19/2011

                  

                                                                   

                  

Week 2 EOC: Boston Consulting Group - Video Games

There are a lot of opinions on the direction of the gaming industry lately. With the advancement of technology and the rapid growth of the cell phones, laptops, and tablets, gamers and the gaming industries are at a crossroad of determining the best strategy for sales, combining portability, and convenience. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata says, “He believes that game devs can't simply ignore the burgeoning Smartphone market. "We have to think about that when we're making new games, because it's kind of becoming very easy to let people play games now. They don't have to buy big consoles to play simple games. So that's what we should think about for the future.” Inafune envisions a future where portable gaming consoles and Smartphones coexist http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/17/inafune-invisions-a-future-where-portable-gaming-consoles-and-sm/ by Ben Gilbert on Sep 17th 2011

Because of the latest technologies on ipads, Itouch, iphone, tablets, and the variety of social networks online gaming consoles may become obsolete. Now gaming offers on-demand streaming of video games onto any platform. Gamers will not need to own copies and can  play their favorites on a variety of platforms, like TVs iPads, iphones and more. According to Nvidia, the world’s leader in computer technology the future seems bright in the PC world. Designers for MAC and PC are competing for the biggest and best of the gaming world. Nvidia says “The future is looking bright for PC gaming, according to graphics card producer Nvidia. In a recent conference call, the company stated that it believes PC game sales will surpass that of consoles by 2014.” Nvidia: PC To Beat Consoles In Game Sales By 2014

http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2011/09/24/nvidia-pc-to-beat-consoles-in-game-sales-by-2014.aspx  by Jeff Marchiafava on September 24, 2011

With the rapid growth in cloud gaming as well as mobile gaming, these consoles may have to be remodeled, revised, upgraded or just discarded to make room for the new wave of gaming According to SIR: games and reviews they feel the “Its good to know that companies like Sony has considered the potential in cloud gaming as well as the true aspects on what video gaming truly means. However, they should also know that as cloud gaming progresses, the demand for game consoles are fading too.” Cloud Gaming is The Future While Game Consoles Fall Apart director of hardware marketing http://www.sir-games.com/2011/07/cloud-gaming-is-future-while-game.html

So what is cloud gaming? Cloud gaming is an instant connect to your favorite game it is a simple as opening your phone, Mac, TV, PC or ipad, it’s an instant stream and it is a simple as Netflix. This means instant access to the games you love. I believe it will be the best, no disc, you never need to wait for your game to be delivered to you, you don’t have to go to the store. Instant access and that is what appeals to most people these days. Its good to know that companies have considered the potential in cloud gaming and with this comes the death of the console

The Boston Consulting Groups (BCG), The world's leaders in advisor on business strategies has devised a system which consist of four area of concern when marketing your product the four areas are the Star, the Dog, the Question Mark and the Cash Cow  and the cash cow is the goal in most situations, with high market share in a slow-growing industry typically generate cash in excess of the amount of cash needed. Companies want there question marcks, dogs, and stars to all become cash cows.

After reviewing the gaming market and the advancements of technology I have decided that cloud gaming will become a star and then cash cow, PC technologies will be a question mark because A question mark has the potential to gain market share and become a star, and eventually a cash cow when the market growth slows. And consoles will become dogs. Dogs are low-growth, they may generate enough cash to maintain themselves but do not promise to be large sources of cash and I feel the console will be out the door real soon.

Michelle Brown

10/12/2011

WEEK 1: Customer Delight

What an amazing moment!

I was backstage at the George Clinton concert, YES, I’m sure I was in the way but that wasn’t important, all I wanted to was hang out where the sound guy was, and learn as much as I could about the board he was working on.

There was a man walking around and telling everyone what to do and trying to control the backstage groupies, making sure they didn’t accidently loosen any cords or injure themselves. I had to know who this patient man was, so I asked him. His name was Tony and he was from A1 Audio. Tony Alamia is a well-known and respected Pro Audio Mixer and Full Service Technician he was also the guy who watched over the equipment, fixed anything that broke, and he designed the set up for the performers and bands for the evening.

He couldn’t have been a nicer and he worked for A1 Audio, which is now called A1 Entertainment. I had so many questions and he was willing to answer all of them, even though it was loud and he was working, he took the time to engage my curiosity.

I was able to do my internship under Tony and have learned so much. This company and the people who work there are passionate about what they do and are willing to share the knowledge. Albert V. Siniscal, owner P.E. & Sound Designer, and founded of A-1 Audio spent his time explaining in detail equipment and just how things work. I have appreciated the time they have taken to teach me, and the customer service is amazing.

Week 1: My Voice

My name is Michelle Brown 

My passion for audio might have begun as early as pre-birth -- in my mother's womb as I was exposed to the sounds and rhythms of gospel music at home.  As a young child my imagination was stirred by the tales my father would create in which in included each of us kids as characters in his stories.

As I grew and started listening to radio dramas, the storytelling experience was heightened by the addition of sound effects and music.  I was a radio fanatic!  My imagination would run wild.  Even now, listening to sportscasters report play-by-play action during a baseball, football or basketball game has a special fascination.  The excitement in their voices as they paint such a vivid picture just adds to my passion for audio and sound.

My skills include post audio production, Foley acting, music production, audio cleanup

My future consists of attending the University of Colorado-Denver, and peruses a Masters of Recording Arts with Emphasis in Media Forensics