TechCrunch: The concept of Ether is straightforward, but it has a massive back end infrastructure (thankfully Ingenio already had it built). They call it an “ebay for services”, allowing people to charge for advice over the phone (and by email – more on that below). Service providers set up an account by providing some personal information and a phone number […]
Sell What You Say
Auto Dust Pan
Shiny Shiny: Huzzah!, another household appliance that stops people from having to bend over (why yes, I am the laziest housekeeper in the world, thanks for noticing). The SweepEZE Vacuuming Dust Pan replaces the standard dust pan by lying in wait to “sense” dirt rather than lying in your broom closet waiting not to be found when you need it. […]
No Fear of Allergies
DailyCandy: There are those who do the whole nondairy/nonanimal product thing by choice. To them we say, best of luck. We’ll just be over here enjoying our Easy Cheese and Slim Jims. And then there are those with allergies who do it because they have no choice. Them, we feel for — that sucks. But things are about to turn […]
Redbox DVD
KIOSK: In late May McDonald’s unveiled plans to bring a taste of Hollywood to Denver by offering new release DVD movie rentals for just one dollar per night, plus tax. McDonald’s, long recognized for successfully bringing together the elements of food, lifestyle, and entertainment, is installing fully automated Redbox DVD rental machines in over 100 restaurants throughout Denver, giving customers […]
Sapphire Inspired
Trendwatching: So let’s start with a slew of what can now be considered ‘traditional’ pop-up BRAND SPACES, many of them of the fast-fashion type, eager to surprise either random passers-by or those select few who were in the know. Here’s a long list of spottings over the last 6 months or so (ammunition!), just copy and paste into your brand […]
Mobile Pet Grooming
Iconoculture: Pet hair out of control when owners don’t want to be? That’s the calling card for Aussie Pet Mobile, a franchise that home-delivers pet grooming services in a specially equipped van. With a grooming station at their door, owners can watch as their beloved furballs receive an in-van shampoo, conditioning, blow-dry and brush-out. Or Aussie Pet can solve pets’ […]
Sales Ranking
Springwise: We don’t mind spelling it out again: in an age of abundance, curators rule! Riding the CURATED CONSUMPTION trend in all its glory is Japanese Ranking Ranqueen, a Tokyo chain selling only the top 3, 5 or 10 items in a bewildering range of categories. Rankings are based on sales data from big Tokyo department stores and independent research. […]
Hidden Clues
MSNBC: Psstt. KFC wants to share a secret. No, not that secret. Colonel Sanders’ herbs-and-spices recipe for Kentucky Fried Chicken is still safely locked away, but the chain unveiled a new TV ad Thursday that allows viewers to crack a hidden message if they play the spot back slowly on a digital video recorder or VCR. The gimmick is aimed […]
ChitterChatter Cellphone
Iconoculture: Hop-on’s ChitterChatter cellphone helps parents keep kids on a long leash – and within their virtual jurisdiction. The affordable, age-appropriate tot-tracker uses GPS tech, text messaging and graphical, one-touch buttons to pinpoint little ones’ locations within 300 feet in under a minute. Parents pre-program the speed-dial phonebook with emergency and family contacts and can choose to block numbers not […]
Night Delivery
Springwise: Kozmo! Urbanfetch! Food.com! Ordering a pint of Ben & Jerry’s and a video from your East Village studio in your underwear. Ah, those were the days! But as predicted, beautiful flowers now grow on the graves of many a failed dotcom. In Istanbul, After 9 started delivering stuff to demanding Istanbulites in need of urban necessities like condoms, beverages, […]