San Diego Can’t Complain Infographic created by PC Housing
Archive for the ‘Pete Posts’ Category
There are plenty of software grads. But they can get a better engineer, willing to work for less money, by sponsoring an immigrant.
Drivers already do and will continue to use Google Maps more than any other application while driving. Late March 2013 a California court ruled that touching the phone for the use of a maps app constitutes distracted driving, and violators will receive the same citation as for texting while driving. This video demonstrates how the new no-Google-Maps ruling is practically impossible to comply with, and effectively increases dangers for drivers, creating more harm than good.
I’ve purchased quite a few “deals” from both Groupon and LivingSocial. Restaurants, entertainment, etc. I allow(ed) both companies to spam my inbox multiple times daily. Most of the offers are not even close to relevant to me (massage? facial? really?) but occasionally I get a compelling offer and buy it. And we’ve all read articles about how these services are not good for businesses.
But there’s a bigger issue for Groupon and LivingSocial: the deals aren’t good for customers. Every time I’ve tried to use one of these vouchers, it’s unpleasant. Best case it’s a hassle, worst case I end up losing the money altogether. I can’t schedule the entertainment on the voucher because the only time slots that fit my schedule are full. The server at the restaurant or bar is annoyed that I’m not paying cold hard cash. Pretty much everyone I ask has had similar experiences.
i.e. the reason the deal is not good for the customer, is that using the voucher is not good for the business. And using it makes the business grumpy. The end result is that I’m annoyed with the business, in fact making it less likely I go again or recommend to my friends. And definitely less likely I continue to use Groupon or LivingSocial.
Not much different than the impulse-purchase coupon books sold door to door in the 70s and 80s. The business model only works if buyers fail to use most of the coupons in the book.
I for one would have continued to spend if the experience was positive. Like most of my friends, I’ve cancelled both. There is still room in this space for someone to do it right – but like any successful business, it must start by creating real value for customers.
Wonder if Andrew Mason will try another chance at bat and start a new one?!
If you haven’t already read Chunka Mui’s series on the self driving car (links at bottom of this page), you should. For lots of reasons. Mostly because the whole thing is awesome and fascinating.
The economic benefit is illustrated here:
and my take away is that Google is well positioned for a reason I didn’t even think of until now. The massive economic benefits of self driving cars are only realized alongside equally massive adoption of efficient sharing. And that’s a hard problem to solve, arguably harder than getting a car to drive itself.
This system would need to understand my schedule and habits well enough to predict both were I am and where I want to go (however spontaneous I like to think my life is, I’m probably mathematically predictable). And have a car ready to pick me up. And do the same for millions of others. The level of effort the USPS, FedEx, trucking companies, etc. spend on routing and planning is huge. But the magnitude and complexity of this problem dwarfs all of those combined.
So it’s a huge problem, but if anyone Google (maps, mobile, infrastructure…) is well positioned to both:
a) Create and scale this disruptively effective system.
and
b) Benefit from the wealth of information they collect about me in the process.
Pete Tenereillo
Founder / Creator / (ex)CEO, Trapster
http://www.forbes.com/sites/chunkamui/2013/01/22/fasten-your-seatbelts-googles-driverless-car-is-worth-trillions/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/chunkamui/2013/01/24/googles-trillion-dollar-driverless-car-part-2-the-ripple-effects/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/chunkamui/2013/01/30/googles-trillion-dollar-driverless-car-part-3-sooner-than-you-think/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/chunkamui/2013/02/12/googles-trillion-dollar-driverless-car-part-4-how-google-wins-2/
What an awesome weekend! MotoGP / AMA Superbike at Laguna Seca. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in motorsports. I’ve been to Laguna Seca for open wheel racing, the Rolex series, and the awesome and classy Monterey Historics, but this takes it to an entirely different level! The track record was broken 3 times in one day! Check out this short video of the famous Corkscrew:
Here I am hamming it up on Jorge Lorenzo’s (new record holder, finished 2nd) bike! And I got to eat breakfast next to him in the hotel that morning!
