Author: Kathryn Vidal
Tech Tuesday: Chirp
Tech Tuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world. ABCey would like to recognize these up and coming companies for their innovative ideas and ability to think outside the box!
There are tons of ways for people to share information via their phones. People can use Dropbox, “Bump” their phones together, or even use a good old text message. Well what about singing? Thankfully, you won’t have to belt out any tunes because now your phone can do it for you. Introducing Chirp, the newest iPhone app to use song to transmit information. When the song is heard by another phone, it triggers an automatic download of that file. Could you imagine sending event info, or recaps, to your customers using sound? This would revolutionize the way you transmit information to your clients.
The CEO of Chirp, Patrick Bergel said he turned to nature for inspiration. He also said other means of transfers, such as Wifi or Bluetooth, are alien like — invisible and inscrutable. The advantage of this app is that it can be used without needing an internet connection or being paired to another device. If a user is offline, the app will remember the “chirp” and download the file when internet connection is resumed. Another advantage of this app is how it can be used across different technologies. An example would be if a speaker system, such as a radio or TV, emits the chirp, the file can also be downloaded that way.
Chirp is a unique app that can eventually be developed to transmit information to tons of users at the same time. Not only will users be able to send pictures, but even tickets, coupons, and videos etc.
Do you think you would ever use Chirp for your events? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter and Facebook!
Startup Monday: Waze
The San Francisco Bay Area is truly a beautiful place. Every year thousands of tourists, visitors, and newcomers flock to our beloved city. Unfortunately this leads to more congestion and even more traffic. San Francisco was actually just rated one of the top 3 cities with the worst traffic. Thankfully there’s an app that can help with this problem. If you haven’t already heard of Waze, it helps users share real-time traffic and road information.
Imagine all the millions of drivers around the Bay Area, working together to outsmart traffic and finding the best routes. Waze not only gives turn-by-turn voice directions, but also helps in alerting drivers about potential obstacles on their routes. It learns the favorable routes drivers take and can even locate nearby gas stations.
Waze has also successfully integrated social features. Users earn points every time they contribute road information. These points help solidify their position in the Waze community (such as “Waze Baby” to “Waze Royalty”). This app also uses a live drive-time integration. Users can even see live updates of their friends’ position on the map as they move.
Waze is easy to use and the additional features, such as voice navigation and the ability to see others live time really puts this above other apps.
What do you think about this app? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook or Twitter!
Tech Tuesday: KeyMe
Tech Tuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world. ABCey would like to recognize these up and coming companies for their innovative ideas and ability to think outside the box!
Oftentimes when I’m in a rush to get ready, everything seems to go wrong. I end up spilling coffee everywhere, forgetting my wallet, or even accidentally locking myself outside the house. I don’t have anything that will keep my coffee in place or wallet by my side, but I do know a device that can prevent myself from being locked out, yet again. Instead of paying the local locksmith, I can download a new app called KeyMe.
KeyMe is an amazing new app that scans keys front and back. In doing so, users save time and money, instead of having the locksmith do all the work. KeyMe allows users to store keys on their iPhone through the actual app itself. The stored key can be accessed at any KeyMe kiosk, shared with family members or ordered through the mail as a replacement.
Just by simply placing the key on a flat white background, the app can begin to scan the front and back. One safety feature is that it only works on keys scanned with a white background. The reason is so someone cannot just take a random or oddly angled picture of the keys. Credit card information is also used to verify if the keys belong to the correct user. If going to a KeyMe kiosk, users also have to verify their keys via fingerprint. After scanning the keys, users can go directly to a locksmith to have the keys replicated! Awesome!
Do you think this app would be useful? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook or Twitter!
Startup Monday: RAVN
Startup Monday is ABCey’s weekly post that features some of the best and brightest companies in the Bay Area. They are often companies that we have our eye on or have worked with in the past that we would like to share with friends and followers of ABCey Events.
They say people are creatures of habit. We tend to eat at the same place, watch shows at the same theater, exercise at the same park. Once we get comfortable doing the same thing, it only becomes that much harder to try something new. This is where the newest RAVN app comes in handy.
RAVN lets users discover the best events going on in their city. The wonderful thing about this app is that it has a handpicked database of over 20,000 upcoming events. We say handpicked, meaning the employees actually go out and search for the most interesting events located in your city. Therefore this provides users a diverse selection of events to choose from, such as attending a movie in the park or participating in a local marathon.
Unfortunately there is no search function within this app. That means events can only be found chronologically. Once users find an event they’re interested in, they can “like” that event and add it to their Wishlist. They will also have the ability to see who else liked that event. This can help them see which are the most popular, or which ones their friends want to attend. The more often certain events are liked, the more personalized the app becomes. Eventually it will filter out events that are not interesting to the user.
Would you use RAVN to find something new and unique to do in your city? Let us know in the comments below, and on Facebook or Twitter!
Tech Tuesday: BYOB – Be Your Own Bartender!
Tech Tuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world. ABCey would like to recognize these up and coming companies for their innovative ideas and ability to think outside the box!
Having events are always fun, but juggling between being a host and a bartender can be overwhelming. Add on loud music, with talkative guests, and you’re bound to mix a wrong drink or two. Luckily there’s a robot, (yes, robot!) that can help rectify your situation. Introducing Bartendro – a cocktail dispensing robot.
The Bartendro is a robot that can mix over 50 different cocktails. It uses a router board, which is linked to peristaltic pumps. These pumps dispense a certain amount of liquid with each rotation of the motor. Each cocktail is said to be made in about 10 seconds. With tons of drink orders to take, time is really of the essence.
The great thing about this is how hosts can set up drinks ahead of time. Now when their guests are ready, all they have to do is connect their phone to the Wi-Fi network. Once connected, guests can actually use their phones to order their drinks through the Bartendro ordering page.
What fun drinks would you like to create using Bartendro? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
DIY Photobooth Ideas
A photobooth is a great way for guests to take their own pictures at your event. It’s really fun to do and it also lets your guests express their creativity. Instead of hiring a company to bring their photobooth, why not do it yourself? Here are a few awesome ideas you can use to create your own!
1. Instead of using a plain white background, spruce it up with different colors and shapes. An example of this could be wallpaper. It is really easy and inexpensive to use. Also creating paper flowers and hanging them from the ceiling can add some dimension to the backdrop.
2. Add your own props. Props definitely add another element to the pictures. It’s also an awesome way for guests to make wacky faces or take on different a persona.
3. Use a theme. Adding a focal point to the background and having everyone gather around it can result in a great picture!
4. Adding picture frames. Cut out different shapes on the back wall. Then add different picture frames on top. Instead of standing in the center, this allows guests to change up their placement in pictures.
5. Use a life-size Polaroid. The cool part is you can include the name of the event at the bottom of the picture. Also after the pictures are printed out, the Polaroid pictures look really awesome!
6. Don’t be afraid to use the outdoors. What better backdrop to use, than what’s just outside your door? A lot of times, the trees and leaves themselves can help add great color to the pictures.
Using a photobooth is a great way for guests to have their own remembrance of the event. Like they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. So why not have your pictures speak for themselves. Have you created your own photobooth before? Tell us about it on the comments below or on our Facebook and Twitter. Check back on ABCey Events for more fun ideas for your next event!