Back to not working…
Time to put the feet back up on my desk and finish off the mobile brainstorming I started in my previous post. To recap, in that post I decided to challenge myself while hiding out from work during a snowstorm. By the way, the storm never materialized and I was the butt of a few jokes from my co-workers when I sheepishly returned to work two days later. Now back to the main topic. My goal? I work on mobile projects, but I’m also a mobile user, so what are ten things I can envision being useful when I am out and about? You’ll have to read last week’s post for my first five ideas, but the following finishes out the top ten.
6. Digital cards – I’m tired of trying to juggle which cards I carry in my wallet at any given time. Credit/debit cards, memberships (gym, Costco, etc.), healthcare provider, proof of insurance, driver’s license, and so many more. I want my iPhone to replace all of them. In fact, I want my iPhone to entirely replace my wallet. I’m a guy, so it only holds cards and cash. Both of which should quickly become things of the past. Imagine that, the next generation will never open up a shiny new wallet from Grandma during the holidays.
7. Enhanced sporting events – Plug me in coach. Instant replays, multiple camera angles, live stats, interaction with other disgruntled fans – all while sitting in the stadium. Make me feel like I’m in the control room, up in the booth, down on the sidelines, in the huddle, hanging out in the locker, up to bat, or at a large party with 50,000 like minded friends. Show me a traffic congestion map for the food lines, let me have food delivered to my seat. Make it worth the $100 ticket price.
8. Historical GPS – Like everyone else, I love GPS maps, but they are so current and today. Think instead about walking around NYC, a favorite city of mine, starting up the GPS app and selecting a year from the past. Set the date to 1776 and start walking around. Where did Washington maintain his headquarters? No problem, right over there on the street corner next to that Starbucks. Where did the British land in Manhattan after chasing the rebels out of Brooklyn? In between the apartment complexes across the way. What path was used for the retreat into New Jersey? Let me find out by going back in time and wandering thru history.
9. Document review and guidance – we all sign documents on a regular basis, but we usually have no lawyer, guidance, thoughtful interpretations, or explanation of the potential risks. This happens when we rent cars, check into hotels, apply for jobs, borrow money, find a new doctor, hire a maid, or simply send a kid into the batting cage. What if these types of agreements became standardized or individually cataloged with bar codes. This would enable me to sign up with a legal service provider I trust and receive guidance, tailored for me based on information I have provided, before I sign any new document, no matter how big or small. I’ll be able to show up at the doctor’s office, pull out my iPhone, and scan each document’s bar code as I read through them. Instantly, because my legal app has previously seen and analyzed the document, and they also know who I am, I’m given a list of potential issues I might encounter once I have signed my life away. A legal eagle in my pocket.
10. Here comes a regular – I want to be able to let certain retail or service providers know that I’m a regular. For example, I love Starbucks and am usually recognized when I walk into my local store. I’m asked if I want my typical venti unsweetened iced green tea. It’s a nice touch. But what if I want this type of recognition nationally at all of their stores? It sure would make me feel important if I walked into a Starbucks down in California and the staff immediately greeted me by name and asked if I wanted my usual drink. I wouldn’t want this everywhere I went, just the places where I want to feel special.
And that’s the way it is, my thoughts on what the mobile world should be working on to make me happy…
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Tags: Ed Dekema, Increase Customer Satisfaction, Mobile Apps, Mobile Dog, Mobile Futures Today, Mobility - General
