South by Southwest, or SXSW, is a set of festivals that happens every spring in Texas. At SXSW 2013, professionals and fans gathered to experience the latest developments in music, film, and interactive technology. One of the most famous products of SXSW is Twitter, which has gone on to become a worldwide social media phenomenon. For technology professionals, the SXSW festival can offer valuable insights into the most exciting new business technology.
In many industries, consumers are currently pushing for more payment options. At SXSW 2013, the online payment giant PayPal introduced its new developments in mobile payment technology. Based on industry demand, PayPal is launching a mobile SDK, which will make it easier to use the service on an external website. The system will allow users to pay by clicking a button or by scanning a credit card. In addition, the new PayPal JavaScript buttons will be easier to integrate into existing code, and its updated API offerings will allow more flexible interfaces. For businesses that sell products online, the new developments will reduce the barriers to Internet sales and improve their customers' experiences.
One of the most futuristic new technologies at SXSW 2013 was the Leap Motion controller, a device that allows a user to control a computer simply by moving his or her hands. Like the Kinect, the Leap Motion detects movement and translates it into action. While this SXSW tech star has obvious applications in the gaming industry, it could also have a wide range of applications for other businesses. If you run a graphic design agency, for example, your designers could use the Leap Motion to design and illustrate without ever touching a mouse. According to Wired, because the Leap Motion can pick up very small movements, it is particularly easy to use.
For businesses that use Facebook as part of their marketing schemes or customer service operations, Facebook Graph Search is an exciting new technology to come out of SXSW 2013. With this new tool, users can search through their friends to find specific information, such as their friends' favorite snowboarding manufacturers or those who like a certain band. For businesses, this new tool offers a new way to connect with Facebook users.
Near-field communications (NFC) is a growing market, and a number of companies demonstrated their products at SXSW 2013. This emerging technology relies on short-range wireless proximity to trigger events. This proximity-based technology allows businesses to trigger events on their nearby customers' phones. A retail business, for example, could use the technology to present offers to people who were within a certain distance of its store. Although the technology is still in developmext, the SXSW festival was filled with companies promoting NFC products.
For professionals who work in the manufacturing industry, the 3D printers displayed at the SXSW tech festival were a big draw. The market and the technology for 3D printers are still quite new, but the obvious applications drew crowds. These printers can scan existing objects and produce an exact copy; they can also print from digital designs. As a result, 3D printers are likely to disrupt the manufacturing industry in the future. The printers drew crowds, but the real star of the show was the Internet-meme sensation Grumpy Cat, which indicates that consumers still need to be educated about 3D printing benefits.
Whether or not you were able to attend SXSW 2013, it is crucial to stay abreast of the latest trends and developments. By doing so, you can ensure that your business offers timely solutions and an exciting customer experience.
Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net
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