Power Tools on Technology

"Imagine a computer that could pick the right emotional moment to try to sell you something, a future where mobile phones, cars and Web sites could read our mind and react to our moods," says Cambridge University professor Peter Robinson in a Reuters report today. That scenario might be exciting to some or a little disturbing to others, but the day is coming, Robinson believes, when computers will be able to read your mind.

He and his team of researchers have developed a system that reads 24 facial expressions, which they hope to eventually use to tailor Web advertising to suit your mood or as an aid in online teaching, among other uses. "Anyone who does not want to give away too much information about what they are feeling," the report reassures, "can just cover up the camera." Now imagine what such a system might do for the often highly emotional processes of buying and selling a home....

Posted on June 27 at 02:01 PM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Electric typewriters are mostly long gone, but you might have an arsenal of other gadgets that should be put out to pasture. But how do you know whether or not that 12-year old fax machine should be replaced? The June issue of Texas REALTOR® offers some food for thought: "Most items that end up being faxed are created as electronic documents. Why turn them into hard copies?" And on the other hand, "it’s still easier to handle documents that require signatures via fax; it’s a one-step process versus scanning and e-mailing a signed document." An all-in-one device for scanning, printing, and faxing might be an option. The Texas REALTOR® article gives the same why-keep-it/why-replace-it treatment to landline phones, pagers, and two other devices.

Posted on June 23 at 10:31 AM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Did you know that NAR's Information Central offers a collection of electronic books and digital audio books just for REALTORS® through the Virtual Library eBooks Collection? NAR members can "borrow" up to three eBooks at a time, at no cost. eBooks automatically expire after the specified loan period, so there are never any late fees! You'll find interesting titles on podcasting, blogging, marketing your website, and more. The collection also includes eBooks on sales & marketing, business management, technology, finance, and personal growth. Visit eBooks.realtor.org to take advantage of this award-winning digital collection.

Posted on June 22 at 10:32 AM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Are the digital camera's days already coming to an end? "Camera phones could replace digital cameras as the main gadgets people use to take pictures," says BBC News, citing a recent survey by cell phone maker Nokia. 44 percent of those surveyed already use their phone as their main camera device. Nokia surveyed 5,500 people in 11 countries, and found that there are some cultural differences among those using their phones as cameras: 89% of Americans said they preferred to keep their camera and phone devices separate, while 68% of those questioned in India use just their phone to snap photographs. The survey also found that other devices are being eclipsed by multi-function phones, with 73% of those surveyed using their phones instead of wristwatches to keep time and 72% using them as alarm clocks.

Posted on June 6 at 10:33 AM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0) | TrackBacks (0)

New York's RE/MAX Signature Real Estate is cited by Long Island Business News this week for thinking outside the box to sell homes in a slowing market. The firm offers individual domain names for its listings, so that potential buyers interested in seeing 48 Maple Street in West Babylon, for example, could surf over to www.48maplest.com to see the property details. The domains last for one year, and are proving to be an inexpensive yet effective way to market homes for sale. "That's just one example of how selling methods are being tweaked as interest rates climb above 6 percent, giving this previously sizzling residential market time to breathe," the article declares.

Posted on June 5 at 10:34 AM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0) | TrackBacks (1)

Welcome to the new "Power Tools on Technology"! NAR's Information Central will continue to provide information and resources about technology and real estate on this site, with new features such as reader comments, easier-to-use archives and RSS, and more. Previous posts from the Technology Power Tools (June 2006 and earlier) are available on Realtor.org at http://www.realtor.org/vlibrary.nsf/PubPages/techpp.

Posted on June 1 at 10:46 AM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0) | TrackBacks (0)