You heard it here first!

I like to amuse myself by thinking of neat ways everyday institutions could implement new technologies in ways that would benefit both the customer and the store. Maybe it's the business student in me. For example, I thought, hey, a free 411 number that had you listen to a 10 second advertisement before it connected you would be genius! How many times are you driving around or just too lazy to get up and you need to call someplace? And then, what do you know, I see a free 411 number in Tyler's phone. Anyway, listen to this sweet idea I thought of, which, I am sure, is probably already in the works by Walmart or some large retailer. Tyler and I had a fun time talking about it over lunch today:

A Shopping Assistant Kiosk that attaches to your cart.

Here would be how you use it. You have an online account with Walmart and you go online to enter your shopping list. Then you go to the store, pick up a kiosk, strap it to your cart and log on. It says "Hello Mindy. Thank you for shopping here today. I find one shopping list you entered today. Do you want to shop for these items?" Yes, I do. Okay, off we go!

As we walk around, there are transmitters around the store that let the kiosk know where we are. "You are in hair products. Items A, B, and C are found on this aisle." You go pick them up and scan them to your kiosk so it knows to check off the item--think about it! Never missing an item and having to go back again!

Of course since you have been doing this for a while Wal Mart knows your every purchasing move for the past year and knows your patterns and what you own, etc. (Sneaky devils) Your kiosk:"You have Soniccare toothbrushes at home. Head replacements are on sale this week in Aisle 17 if you are interested." Oh man! I do need more heads and now I get them on sale! (Wal Mart knows I like sales.) Getting the picture? Suggestive sales? See, I don't feel violated when companies data mine to get your purchase patterns down. Because you know what? Chances are I'm going to buy something anyway and it may as well be what I would like and at a good price!

Next, I am in produce. My kiosk tells me that avocados are on my list. I pick them up, scan them in. "I have a delicious recipe that has avocados in it that would only involve 3 more items you have not picked up. Would you like to view it?" Yes, I would. Why would I bother meal planning before I come to the store anyway?? ;) I view the recipe and the hundreds of oneline reviews average it a 5 out of 5 stars. I decide to do and my kiosk directs me back to aisles 4 and 5 to pick up two of the three items still needed--I have one at home already. Of course, such features of this can be turned off but I don't know about everyone else, I'm in the market for new meals anyday!

After finishing shopping, I check out, pay, log out, and return my kiosk.

After finishing talking about it all Tyler says, "Do you want to watch Minority Report?" If any of you have seen that movie, you will know what I'm talking about.

So does this idea seem to far off? I don't think so: Tyler sees me typing this entry and tells me to stop because he doesn't want anyone to take my idea. I say that I'm sure it's already been thought of and to show him, I google it. Check this out everyone, from 2005! http://news.cnet.com/2300-1041_3-5798687-1.html