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June 2011 - Shammam Consulting Services

Recent years have seen an explosion of consumer-based technology: devices and processes designed for the general public by means of user-friendly functions and practical implications. The most used example of this is the Google search engine, a service that is constantly reshaping its construction in response to user needs and trends. How will this recent trend of consumer-based technology shape the future of technology as a whole? Here are some ideas:

User-Generated Content

Creating content, like apps, to work with more complex pieces of technology, like the iPhone, is now a process that has been opened up to independent developers. While independent programing has always been available, recent consumer-based technology has created a greater need for more specialized content. Because of this, you no longer have to look to big companies like Microsoft or Apple if you’re in the market for a new app. User-generated content is a valuable aspect of technology because there is a consumer need for it.

User-Friendly Applications

Any market reliant on consumers will inevitably adapt to the ability of those consumers. Basically, this means that a company must provide an easy to use product in order to survive. Consumer-based technology is no different. As technology has progressed, it has become more user friendly. Compare Linux to Windows 7, the improvements made between the two operating systems is a direct result of consumer trends favoring products that are easy to use. Technology has become a part of our every day lives because of the innovation behind it is consumer-based.

User Involvement

With recent generations growing up with advanced technology, current consumers now want to interact on deeper levels with their technologies. Those products that allow greater interaction between user and device are quickly becoming the most successful. For example, the Xbox Kinect is a gaming system that allows the user to move independently of a handheld device in order to interact with the game.  As demand increases, Microsoft has already found more innovative applications for this. With a wave of a hand you can browse movies on Netflix, send a message by email, and navigate the web.

Because consumers supply the demand for technology, consumers will direct the growth of technology. Many of these advancements may seem trite or simple, but the key to determining their worth is looking to the future of how they will be implemented.  What would it mean if doctors could customize body scans from patient to patient, or if writing program code were so easy that anyone could do it, or if motion capture technology could help you analyze your regular workout routine? Consumer-based technological advancement isn’t a bad thing, it’s the future.

To see some specific ways consumer technology is being implemented practically, take a look at this article.

The classic resume is a standard of professionalism that has been agreed upon between prospective employees and prospective employers since the dawn of the barter system. The traditional resume typically consists of a white piece of paper, size 12 font, and an easy to read list of skills and accomplishments designed to convince any reader that the author is a talented and skilled worker. However, recent years and economic stress have driven applicants to generally be more creative when formatting their resumes, resulting in some truly ingenious creations. The new technological market has developed a need for creative thinkers. Whether you are creating a resume or reviewing one, here are a few things to consider.

When Creating a Resume

Make your resume as professional as it is creative. Don’t forget that this is a representation of your ability to perform well in the job you are applying for. If you err on the side of being too creative, you might run the risk of leaving out important information about your relevant skills. However, don’t shy away from presenting that information creatively. Here are a few tips to start you off.

1. Be graphic. An infographic is a great design choice when applying for any creative position. They are interesting, factual, and will set you apart from most other applicants. Take a look at this example. Infographic
2. Match the design with your style. If you work best in an open schedule, let your resume reflect that artistically. If you work best in a regimented schedule, reflect that in the same way. Take a look at this resume as a great example: Design and style
3. Utilize flair. If you are able to turn your resume in as a PDF, don’t be afraid to add specialized components to give a bit of flair to your application. This shows off both your creativity and your talent. Take a look at this example. Flair

When Reading a Creative Resume

What qualities do you look for in a candidate? Ingenuity? The ability to think outside the box? Brains? These are all traits that can be communicated in a creative resume. Don’t turn a blind eye to an applicant who turns something in that doesn’t fit your traditional view of an application. Instead, keep an open mind to expanding your view of what a resume should look like. Chances are if someone turns in a well-done creative resume, they could be exactly what your business needs.

As technology advances, job seekers will find more and more creative ways of expressing their talents in the hope of setting themselves apart in any applicant pool. Having an open mind when reviewing these creative resumes will allow your business to find the most creative and adept candidate for the job.

In the forseeable future, you might start to see websites that end in .food or .microsoft.

After

In a special session on Monday, June 20, the Internet’s governing body voted 13-1 to allow, in theory, an near-infinite number of new domain endings.

ICANN, known formally as the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, calls it “one of the biggest changes ever to the Internet’s Domain Name System.”

There are currently 22 top-level domains, the most typical being .com, .org, .net, and so on. With this change, website names will be able to end with almost any word in any language.

Rod Beckstrom, president and CEO of ICANN, explained the gravity of the announcement on ICANN’s website: “ICANN has opened the Internet’s naming system to unleash the global human imagination. Today’s decision respects the rights of groups to create new Top Level Domains in any language or script. We hope this allows the domain name system to better serve all of mankind.”

Tech commentators and marketers see this an immediate opportunity for corporations, which will certainly rush to apply for branded domain names, such as .coke or .microsoft.

As for the Joe Sixpack who wants to register www.joe.sixpack, he’s going to need a brimming bank account and a good lawyer. The change comes with a few limitations:

• It will cost $185,000 just to apply for a new generic top-level domain name
• Approval will take months and may involve governments and other agencies
• Applicants must show a legitimate claim to the name they are buying

Learn more: http://www.icann.org/

The Internet has become an increasingly accessible source of information as more and more mobile devices have been designed with online features. Smartphones are becoming more commonplace and are challenging developers to create new ways in which we can interact with the Internet from a mobile device. Once such advancement is voice search, a technological evolution of common voice recognition programs. While most users have experienced voice recognition in one way or another, few users have fully interacted with voice search technology. The idea is simple: provide a way for mobile users to search the Internet without using microscopic keyboards or scrolling through massive amounts of text.

What is voice search?

There is no greater collection of information than the Internet. However, without a way to effectively search the Internet’s content, it becomes useless. As smartphones become a leading outlet for users to access the Internet, more effective ways of searching online have been developed. Voice search transmits a user’s voice to a digitally controlled database that runs this information through a series of voice-recognition algorithms and then sends that information back to the device to develop a search query. Basically, your smartphone uses the Internet to translate your voice into detailed code at an extremely fast rate.

This is all made possible by the recent advancement of cloud computing. Voice search uses the Internet to decipher your voice, where voice recognition traditionally used a device. The introduction of the cloud to this particular technology allows for unbelievable performance by way of accuracy and speed. The cloud is the main application that makes voice search far more advanced than voice recognition.

    Voice recognition has been a familiar technology to anyone who has ever called a costumer care line. Voice search takes the idea of voice recognition and combines it with cloud computing with the end result of a highly functional voice-based command option.

What is the future of voice search?

    The future will most likely see an increase in the adoption of voice search technology, not only in interactions with the Internet but also in controlling the devices themselves.

However, the most exciting and logical next step in voice recognition evolution would be language understanding technology. Classic search is based on matching query terms with an index of words found in documented text. Language understanding would differ from that in its ability to function abstractly. For example, a classic search for “change volume” would find documents or files containing those words. The same search with language understanding would result in bringing the user to the settings that control volume. Imagine changing the volume on your computer by just asking it to change.

Voice search is a perfect example of how technology evolves in line with cultural trends and practical designs.  We can look forward to highly effective voice command and recognition functionality on future devices.  If you’d like to read more information on voice search, including its history and development, please check out this article.

Web video is a very basic and effective way to convey information about a business, yet many businesses still aren’t utilizing it. If you’ve been wondering how you can use videos for your business, take a look at these great examples.

Testimonials

Sharing your business’ success stories is a great way to grow your business through word of mouth. In order to do this, many companies ask for testimonials – which satisfied customers are often happy to give. Requesting a video testimonial can make that success story more effective than ever.

Chances are, your clients know how to create a video and have a webcam built-in to their computers. If you are able to get a video testimonial, instead of a written one, it really brings the story alive to prospective clients.

Replace written content

Most business websites are text-heavy and don’t offer much excitement. Throwing a video or two into the mix can make your site easier for your clients and prospects to find their way through.

Try replacing some standard, informational text with a video that describes your company in order to liven up your site a little and intrigue your site’s visitors.

Educate!

Educational videos such as product demos or even “How to” videos are extremely popular. Although you may not sell products that you can create a demo for, you can still create videos that relate to your business – whatever it may be.

Clothing stores can make videos demonstrating how to best wear a garment, or a trend. Things like this can go a long way and tend to make your clients look to you as an expert.

Web video is still relatively new when it comes to business uses, but the possibilities are expanding. If you’re thinking about learning more new ways to use web video for your business, take a look at this article.