What’s happened this week:
- Facebook announced a mobile ad network that is a potential precursor to a cross platform ad product powered by social data.
- The world’s first 3d printing store opened in New York, an early move in what could be a major new consumer sector.
- iOS6 launched with advertisers most interested in the possibilities of passbook.
What we have learned:
- 3.3m UK consumers scanned a QR code in Q2 2012 according to the latest comscore data. They are most popular in Germany and Spain.
- UK e-book sales have risen 90% in the past 6 months to account for around 13% of all book sales.
- It is now possible to buy a 7” tablet in China for USD 45, this opens up all sorts of new distribution models for the technology.
Cool stuff:
- Burberry’s new flagship store is a real world manifestation of their digital experience.
- * Decide is a potentially disruptive app for shoppers that predicts future pricing of goods to best time a purchase around the lowest price.
- Qualcomm is attempting to crowd-source a portable medical diagnostic device based on the Tricorder from Star Trek (really).
Where to find more:
- ‘The future of Real Time Buying’ according to Microsoft, is characterized by accelerated growth blended with the challenges of scale, working with current buying systems and planning models.
- IfThisThenThat is one of the web’s most interesting startups and they tell us a lot about where ever more connected technology is taking us (lots of automated services connected together to make everyday life a little easier).
- How technology is changing the restaurant industry. An interesting analysis that illustrates how technology impacts every part of the value chain.
