Monthly Archives: September 2012

09/29/12

September Trends in Review!

Wow can you believe it’s going to be October in 2 days?! Wow, this term sure has gone by fast!

As September comes to an end, I came across an interesting article on Trendwatching’s blog that sums up “Consumer and business trends that will yield you some profitable innovations”  of this past month.

The article introduces twelve  ‘mini’ consumer and business trends including:

Although I feel like I could go on and on about all of the fascinating products, apps, and more described in the article, I felt that the trend which intrigued me the most and gave me the strongest impression with its catchy name was “One Touch Wonder.” I was able to relate to the need of the related inventions immediately because as a busy student, time seems to always a scarce resource. Having the opportunity to order water and pizza with a handy touch of a button on my fridge is very attractive to me. I guess the inventors created the product with a very good understanding of the lifestyle of its potential customers in mind.

Another trend I specifically want to talk about are the “Nanny Apps” and products of the “24/7 Feedback” trend. I wonder if the products are actually practical and whether the fad will last. As a health and nutrition freak myself, I support how the creators have the intention to improve consumers’ health. Yet, if my prediction is correct, as a hot new trend, at the beginning users may follow the instructions and use the app frequently as directed, however after prolonged use they could become detached to the app and therefore rebound back to their original negative health habits. From my past experience of using the “Calorie Count” app, I found it a bit of a hassle to have to constantly update the records and stopped using the app. Maybe these apps would be more effective if the companies can make these products naturally become a habit that is sustained of users. Nonetheless, I am interested in testing out the LUMOback, SuperBetter, Color Frame, Caffeine Zone. Stay tuned for my feedback about these apps!

After learning about the trend of TASKSUMERS (consumers who make money from carrying out small tasks, for other individuals or corporations) I am definitely considering becoming a Tasksumer through the “FOAP” app since I love taking pictures. What a wonderful way to earn some side money while doing something I enjoy!

 

I’m looking forward to finding out what the hottest consumer trends are in October. If you have read about the twelve trends as well, I would love to hear what your opinions are. Everybody, feel free to comment/post about these trends or any other trends you would like to mention! 🙂

Source: www.trendwatching.com. One of the world’s leading trend firms, trendwatching.com sends out its free, monthly Trend Briefings to more than 160,000 subscribers worldwide.

09/12/12

The “World’s Most Valuable Company” Makes an Announcement Today

Today, the long awaited “Iphone 5,” was officially released. I remember that rumors about the new device started becoming widely common in the middle of 2011, when everyone was expecting the October 2011 announcement to be the Iphone 5. To many people’s dismay (including myself), last year the Iphone 5 was not born, and instead the 4S became its temporary replacement. Because at the time I was using a fairly old phone and was in need of a smartphone, along with many others, I ended my wait and bought the 4S. Was this all a part of their marketing scheme?

From my perspective, Apple has somewhat mastered tailoring marketing techniques to appeal to its target market. Fans of Apple or the “world’s most valuable company” as described by BrandChannel, can never seem to get enough and are always striving to have the newest product. Members of the Apple cult anticipate for products long before they are released. Having customers wait for products and product knowledge of things they desire to own is smart marketing strategy used by Apple by attracting customers based on their curiosity and addiction to be the first to own the newest products. Word of mouth spreads quickly when people are discussing their opinions and guessing what the new product will be like. This is advantageous to Apple since word of mouth is a vitally costless promotion method. Perhaps, sometimes the rumors or “leaked” designs released periodically are in fact spread out by internal employees in order to maintain the buzz.

Since people have been waiting for so long for the Iphone 5, I wonder if the reason driving the craze over ordering the Iphone 5 is due to the new features or whether the impatient fans have been sucked into the marketing trap of Apple.

Lineup for release of Ipad 2 in early 2012, What will the line look like for Iphone5?