A new start up, Superpedestrian is a company that has attempted to revolutionize the bicycle wheel to a wheel that works the same way a hybrid car does. The wheel has a small electric engine inside of small shell and it looks very normal. The engine is connected to an app which monitors everything from speed to effort while cycling. The bicycle wheel knows when the cyclist is struggling and the engine automatically kicks in. The battery recharges from braking down hills and generates power when the cyclist pedals in reverse.

The idea is no doubt an attractive one for the everyday metropolitan cyclist, and it seems the invention has been executed well. It will be interesting to see what Superpedestrian does for business decisions. With the increase in renting city bikes in many large cities this wheel would be an appealing buy for cities who are developing the rental city bikes. There are many skeptics to this bicycle and the company may try and argue the skeptics. But better yet, let the product speak for its self. The idea is definitely different and perhaps may revolutionize urban cycling but what is next? What can super pedestrian do to make this better many times over?

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/21/start-up-literally-reinvents-the-bicycle-wheel/?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20131022&_r=0

http://superpedestrian.com/

Apple has recently hired Angela Ahrendts, former CEO of Burberry, the British luxury clothing company. Her role in Apple is to fill to role of retail chief, which has been empty for over a year. In her time at Burberry she was able to bring the company out of a slump and bring consistent growth for about seven years. She was able to reinvent the trademark look of Burberry, as the traditional plaid was growing old. Apple’s hopes is that she can bring a fresh new design to their products. Their fear is that their electronics are losing their competitive edge in their clean design and small size. As many other phones and electronics have similar looks. Its as if Apple is trying to fill the void of revolutionary looks and ideas  for products that Steve Jobs had.

Angela Ahrendts was no doubt impressive at Burberry and very capable. However this begs the question, can Angela’s knowledge of luxury clothing apply to a remodel of Apple? It seems an odd fit, clothing to electronics. The only obvious match is that both products are somewhat luxury goods, however Apple’s trademark has always been, simple, and monochromatic. Clothing tends not to be monochromatic for the most part, it will be interesting to see if Apple changes their looks in attempts to change popular design again.

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304561004579136642448489128

Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook is trying to secure deals with television networks over seas. Ten networks in eight countries is what he wants to offer data about the amount of likes and comments television shows receive to aid the advertisers. This will allow advertisers to see not only a very precise number of the network fans, but the demographics which can really help networks and advertisers maximize their airtime and dial in their most effective adverts. The battle over these networks is ongoing over Twitter, but Facebook is already supplying their data to networks in the U.S.

This partnership could be very effective for Facebook financially, as advertisers and networks would really value the data within Facebook’s users. This social technology is really creating a new era as it breaks down previous barriers that viewers had with networks. With these partnerships, television networks can supply to their majority consumers with great efficiency and effectiveness. For many smaller television shows that are not planned episodes ahead, this could allow producers to really customize the entertainment and really see who liked what when. This in turn could even help Netflix with what shows and networks they should focus on getting to their viewers.

http://www.businessweek.com/videos/2013-10-07/facebooks-zuckerberg-adds-overseas-tv-partners#r=nav-f-video

The recent popularization of E-Cigarettes has been increasing the decline of normal cigarettes. E-Cigarettes are a healthier alternative to normal tobacco however they are not completely safe. The European Parliament has voted on a proposal to regulate the distribution of theses cigarettes as if they were medical. The problem is the E-Cigarettes do help smoker to reduce their smoking and quit, however the regulation would give no control to E-Cigarettes of who their target market would be. Obviously the producers of these new vaporizers are upset at this potential regulation as projections by Bonnie Herzog of Wells Fargo bank predicts E-Cigarettes to surpass the popularity of normal cigarettes should regulators allow this.

The implementation of this regulation has its positive and negative outcomes. Without regulation, E-cigarettes could surpass the popularity of tobacco in turn reducing many health risks involved with normal tobacco cigarettes. These could also reduce the number of smokers as it would be easier for them to make the switch from tobacco to electronic cigarettes at a local convenience store rather than going through the trouble of getting a prescription. The potential risks could be increase in overall smokers, as electronic cigarettes could use the same marketing techniques as tobacco companies when cigarettes were gaining popularity and make smoking look cool and safe. Either way electronic cigarette manufactures need to address the responsibility they owe their consumers that electronic cigarettes are not a completely safe alternative to tobacco.

http://www.economist.com/news/business/21586867-regulators-wrestle-e-smokes-tobacco-industry-changing-fast-kodak-moment

Tech City, a London based company that is a technology cluster working with companies like Google, Intel, Facebook, Vodafone and many more has recently opened a competition in which over 1000 start ups from 77 countries are attempting to create the next Facebook or Twitter. The price money is $1.6 Million as well as invaluable experience, the selection is rather complex using crowd sourcing, algorithms, and a jury evaluation. The question of Tech City is if all the money, time, and effort invested will pay off and a billion pound flotation will be created or a something that would sell to a big firm. The company, ‘King’, maker of popular online game “The Candy Crush Saga” has filed for flotation which is a positive sign that this competition is moving in the right direction and has potential to be very successful.

It is no doubt this goal is ambitious despite the large number of start ups involved, but to create a company as dominant and revolutionary as Facebook or Twitter is a risky project. The technology industry is highly competitive which is conducive to creativity as everyone wants to invent ‘the next big thing’ however for Tech City to have a finished product in mind that resembles Facebook or Twitter can be very limiting and even hinder creativity. Contestants could focus on the judging process with its algorithms and see it almost as guidelines or a rubric. Perhaps a contest with less limiting factors could more effective as some start up may  have the vision of the ‘next Facebook’ to be completely different from what is known today.

http://www.economist.com/news/britain/21587268-cluster-start-ups-east-london-thriving-all-they-need-now-big-success-start-me-up