Futuretail: The Retail Technology Weblog

Isn't this the coolest thing ever!

Wow, I really like  thyis.

The hiatus is over...

After a long forced delay (strange how both Intel and SAP refused to allow me to blog uncensored...) the retail technology blog is back. I'm now back on the "outside" where I belong, free of the chains and shackles of working for a particular technology company. I've accepted a position as VP of strategy for CMD agency, a strategic marketing firm in Portland, Oregon. In the spirit of introducing you, dear reader, to CMD... I'm going to devote this post to a couple ideas we're kicking around that have some serious potential to redefine the retail shopping experience.

Mobile Tagging

This has kicked around for years, but we finally have a critical mass of mobile phones able to read the little suckers. With a huge portion of the US using data plans and Web browsers on their phones, manufacturing brands now have the ability to deliver product information right into the hands of shoppers in the store without hitting a retailer-owned network. Yes, Virginia, there IS a Santa Clause...

By the way, if any of you want to try it out (and have a compatible phone) point your camera at the tag above and come visit our Website...

Scalable Browser Windows

OK, so it ain't that new. But...

One of the magically delicious things about the Opera browser is that it can scale the ENTIRE PAGE of HTML code down to fit a smaller screen. This means the integrity of the interface can be maintained (albeit with little tiny letters) with one consistent set of code that underlies both a Web-based kiosk and a mobile device hitting the same application. For a simple demo of what I'm talking about, look at www.cnn.com on both an iPod touch and a T-Mobile Dash... On the touch, you see the SAME thing as you'd see on the desktop browser, just smaller (and zoomable). And yes, I know the iPhone/iPod touch doesn't use Opera... but the point is the same.

Decoupling the interface from the application should revolutionize "small screen" applications (customer cell phones, Symbol handhelds, UMPCs, etc.) in the retail environment.

So that's all for now. But more to come, to be sure...