Good bye checks, good bye debit cards...hello Cell phones?

There is a new push in the consumer world that involves using mobile devices to make financial payments.  With this option consumers can possibly replace their cards and checks, even their PayPal account, with a simple mobile phone program.  Read the following article about this advancement.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/mobile/12/03/gahran.mobile.payment/index.html

What do you think about this?  Is it something that you think will end up becoming a reality?  Would you feel comfortable using this system?  What are three interesting things you learned from this article?

What are you searching?

Directions: There is no class this Thursday (December 2nd) however there will be a blog entry required for that day.  After reviewing the articles answer the questions and add any thoughts you have regarding the articles.  Next, respond to a classmate's post.  Be polite and repsectful but feel free to openly debate topics.  Have a great weekend!

As a society we are somewhat obsessed with searching the internet for information about any topic under the sun.  Personally as soon as I am questioning something I turn to Google or Yahoo for the answer.  Things such as song lyrics, mathematic conversions, weather, the relationship status of a celeb, etc.  The options are endless.  What are three things you regularly search on the internet? Read the following article.  How many of the Top 10 have you searched this year?  Which of the Top 10 interests you the most and why?  Which is the least likely for you to search?  How do you think our instant searching habbits are changing society?  Do you think the constant and virtually instant access to information allowed by technology is a good or bad thing? Why?

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/web/12/01/yahoo.most.searched.terms/index.html

Cyber Monday

I hadn't heard of this until today!

http://money.cnn.com/2010/11/30/technology/cyber_monday/index.htm

What are some of the benifits to online shopping? What are some of the drawbacks? How do you think this could change to consumer mentality towards purchasing?  How would an increase in online shopping affect our society?

http://money.cnn.com/2010/11/29/technology/cyber_monday/index.htm

Black Friday - Happy Thanksgiving!

The Friday after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, is the most hyped shopping day in America.  Stores advertise mind-blowing discounts on some of our favorite products and if you are able to conquer the long lines the extreme savings are usually worth the headache.  This is also the event that gets most people thinking about Christmas shopping! :) Read the article about the 5 hot gadget trends for the holidays.  Which gadget would you add to your list?  Why?

www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/gaming.gadgets/11/19/gadgets.holiday.shopping/index.html?hpt=Sbin

Happy Thanksgiving!

advertisement bombardment

Everyday we as a society visit million of websites.  What we often don't notice though is all the advertisements we are viewing. Companies pay marketing agencies and websites billions of dollars a year to "get their name out there".  Go to a website you find interesting (post a link to this blog).  Look through the page and take note of the advertising.  How many ads are on the homepage? (post this in your response)  Had you ever noticed them before?  Do you use any of the products that are being promoted?

Read the following article.  Would you pay for this service?  Do you think Twitter should charge for this tracking device?  Have you ever thought about how advertising is so integrated into everything we are exposed to on a daily basis?  What is another example of this "subtle" advertising?

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/social.media/11/18/cashmore.twitter.business/index.html

Hot Topics

You have the first 20 minutes of class to complete the following tasks.

Get in a group.  Chose one of the topics listed below.  Post your group and topic choice to this blog.  Read 2 to 3 articles and give the class an update on current technology advances and how they have impacted society.  Do not read any article that is over 3 weeks old.  Post the links to the articles you reviewed.

Smart phones
Facebook
Flying cars
Social networking
iTunes
Google
Technology Unvieling
Twitter

NO CLASS - Tuesday, November 9

Sorry for the short notice but I will be out of town on Tuesday so we will not be having class! Also, no class (and no school!!!) on Thursday, November 11th due to Veterans day.  Have a great week!