How This  Will Effect Your Business

Just watch this “You Tube” video and tell me the first words that pop into your head. “Beam Me Up Scotty.”   A classic phrase from the icon of all Sci-Fi shows.   Are we there yet scientifically? No not yet – something about a shortage of lithium crystals likely. Scotty’s transporter might never beam any more than dreams, and warp speed is…well…light years away. But that old Starship Enterprise computer, affectionately known as “Computer,” is closer every day.

Microsoft is soon to release their latest graphic game version of the Xbox 360 with the all new “Project Natal” which includes a collection of features that are down-right spooky. Just your regular old voice recognition, and face recognition and a virtual character who can also recognize your emotional state. Mix in some drop dead graphics and amazing (I mean jaw dropping) virtual interaction and if you aren’t transported back to planet Klingon then you’re long due for a Vulcan Mind-meld.

        Microsoft is shipping out this demo version to a number of the worlds’ best game makers and the results are bound “to go where no man has gone before.” Steven Spielberg is gaga with his recent close encounter with Nadal. Your kids will be beamed up and bug-eyed with their new Xbox, faster than you can beam up your bank account. Your kids may never leave the house again.  And of course, it’s just a game.

Can you imagine the number of spin offs? It might be just a game right now but the technology will certainly spill over into every possible field. Video conferencing will never again be stuck spiraling down the same old black hole of boredom. Your next conference can be interactive on a whole new virtual level in the same amazing way that Claire becomes immersed in the world of Mylar in the Video.   No more boring faxes . Got a sudden brain flash – scribble it down and pass it through the virtual screen. Why not have a virtual narrator chair your meetings? An impartial narrator who recognizes all the attendees and has all of the company’s stats and facts on the tip of his virtual fingertips. The possibilities are endless.

Think about the efficiencies of a virtual service line/help line. A pleasing virtual persona with all of the client-related data at the ready. The client may not recall the exact date of purchase or the kind of service last applied but your virtual employee will know with photographic certainly. Need a copy of any receipts or records, just ask. Your voice mail is certainly not winning you any friends right now but imagine how a virtual employee could walk your customers through a virtual demonstration of a technical testing procedure before returning their new gadget to your old repair shop. (Press 1 for interesting.)

The tech trekkies in the world of advertising will be blasting off at warp speed with this technology. Interactive, virtual reality commercials might be too luring to turn off. Imagine consumers addicted to advertising? Get ready for a super nova of change. “Beam me up Scotty.”