Experience
I was like, “sweet I’ve been wanting to use one of these machines!.”
At first I picked sprite because I wanted to add some wild flavors to it.  I added raspberry, which turned out being very dry.  So I was like let me go add something to regular coke.  I added lime, which also was very dry and not as good as I thought it would be.  So then I was like, “I wonder how the handicap feature works.”  So I pressed it and it just scrolled through the various options since the actual screen was up higher for people who might have been in a wheelchair.  I remember from our forum discussion with Coke’s VP of Design that the touch points on the machine were the items that had the most detail put into them.  You can notice it because the dispense button is flashy and stands out.  The elements of the coke bottle can also be seen in the machine as well, and then the screen is just that added modern feel to something as practical as a fountain drink machine.

Wells Fargo ATM Machine
Directions:
Insert debt card.
Select your purpose: withdrawal, deposit, etc.
Once you have completed your desired action you can elect to send your receipt to your email address, your Wells Fargo inbox, or print out a copy.
Then your cash withdrawal or action as a result of your interaction is complete.

Experience
I actually went inside to give my deposit to a bank teller at first, and since the line was long the clerk was like, “Have you tried our new ATM machines that take your deposits also.”  I said, “No, but yeah let’s check it out.”
So we put my card in, I entered the PIN, and then selected what option I wanted (Cash Deposit).  The clerk said I could put up to 50? bills or checks in at once and the machine would could it and scan the checks and give me a total.  Once it does this it gives you a read out of what you put in there.  Luckily it was accurate.  I asked the clerk what happens if it’s wrong?  He said once they take everything out of the machine the next day they double check to see if there are any errors to make sure it did not deposit more or less of the money as you had entered into the machine.  I thought it was pretty cool because that was my biggest concern, but I was assured that someone actually took all the deposits and went back over them to see if there had been any errors.  I then elected to send my receipt to my Wells Fargo inbox because I don’t want to have a bunch of pieces of paper lying around that are wasting resources.  Success!  I then made a deposit in a branch at a different location, and asked the teller if the receipt that he handed me could be sent to my inbox as well just like the ATM.  He said he did not know, but he would check into it for me.  I thought if I can send it to my inbox from the machine I should also be able to do this in person.

Kroger Card Swiper
Directions:
Swipe card.
Enter payment method.
Debit enter PIN.
Amount correct? Yes or No?
Make selection.
Transaction approved.
Receipt is handed to you buy the cashier.

Experience
Swipe the card, enter my PIN, check Yes the amount is correct, get my receipt back.
First of all, Why is there always a Yes No option written in pen on the device where the red and green buttons are?  Why did someone not put the words on there instead of putting two different colors that mean stop and go.  Then secondly, when am I going to be able to click and send my receipt to my Kroger inbox or something like the Wells Fargo feature at the ATM.  I don’t want to carry receipts anymore.  I’m thinking mobile payments, mobile receipts, NFC.

The launch of Apple’s iPad 2 might not seem like a big deal, but they took an entire Gold’s Gym in Austin during SxSW and dedicated 3 days to making it an authentic pop-up Apple store. Patrons lined the streets to get their hands on the second generation during the annual SxSW festival. That’s a pretty big deal if you ask me. Check out this guy in Austin.

With copious amounts of activities going on check-ins were common. And introduced into the category of location-based apps was SCVNGR. SCVNGR is a location-based app resembling FourSquare and ShopKick that challenges you to competitions at certain venues. You checkin-in, comment, or take a picture, and you get points, which then can be cashed in for rewards. Here’s the link to SCVNGR’s SCVNGR’s

Contour Camera

Arnold’s Screams

FitFu

This kid tries to make the other kid back down, but when he doesn’t he unleashes the fury that no one saw coming.

Rebecca Black – Friday

By far the most awful song ever.  Even the still photo at the beginning looks bad.

CAPTCHArt

Turn those CAPTCHA words into spontaneous art.

Charlie Sheen Browser Blocker

Are you F***** tired of Charlie Sheen?  There’s an app for that…well a browser plugin rather.

Charlie Sheen Rant

Songify takes it to the Charlie Sheen Interview.

1. Front/Rear Facing Camera
2. New Design – Thinner
3. Dual Core A5 Chip
4. Proximity Sensor/Smart Covers
5. 3G Models On Both AT&T & Verizon

All of the fuss has been about not seeing a camera on apples products when they enter the mobile market.  It’s just something that should be standard by now, and I’ll admit I had a camera on my phone in 2003 that was ‘revolutionary’.  Though we’ve had this technology available for quite some time, and the price for a camera in a phone/tablet is only about $16, I think Apple’s approach keeps people talking about their products year-round.  It’s not that big of a deal, but again there is an ongoing speculation that keeps people anticipating something every year.

It’s thinner.  While there is talk about the iPhone 5 having a wider screen, the goal of the tablet is to be as mobile as possible and making it 33% thinner was the approach Apple took.  Also, there will be 2 colors available: Apple’s traditional white and black glossed finishes.  White ships from day one.

Going along with the new design comes the new A5 chip which powers the iPad 2.  The A5 microprocessor based on an ARM design promises better-quality FaceTime videoconferencing, and gaming capabilities.  The chip with dual core runs at 1GHz while a single 1Ghz core A4 processor is used in iPhone 4.  It allows for 1080p capabilities with your HD TV, and works great with Apple TV.  This chipset will most likely be implemented into the iPhone 5 as well to compete with the Motorola Atrix 4G which also runs on a dual-core ARM processor.

Something smart from Apple’s standpoint is the proximity sensor and the smart covers that they will offer with the iPad 2.  With the cover on the iPad goes to sleep, and when you remove the cover it wakes.  What’s even smarter is the fact that the company is offering these covers at $39 & $69 for polyester and leather models respectively.  This means that old covers or cases will not be able to be used with the new iPads, and it will increase revenue through a different category that 3rd party vendors will have to play catch-up on.

Finally there will be models offered on both AT&T and Verizon.  I’ve yet to decide which one I will get, but for now it looks like AT&T since I already have my iPhone on AT&T.  I’m still waiting for the iPhone 5 on Verizon that will, hopefully, be able to function as an Internet browser and phone at the same time.  It’s a small detail, but really is convenient when you need to look something up while talking to someone on your phone.

For a rap up on the full list of features and capabilities check out the iPad 2 here.

Here is a video from TechCrunch going over the differences between the new iPad 2 and the Motorola Xoom.  Note the guy who is critiquing the Xoom is an Android fanboy yet slams the Xoom for its lack of Apps and less than impressive user experience.

Also these are a few apps I think that are noteworthy.

1. Explor
2. TurboTax
3. WHERE
4. News360
5. CoBrowser

Also noteworthy is this camper who has set up shop outside an Apple store in Texas even though it’s not due for another 3 days.  Apple Fanatic.

Xoom Versus iPad (Price Comparison)

NVIDIA Tegra Zone

Mashable’s Breakdown Of iPad 2 Rumors

People Love Apple

Apps

Spout

DirectTV

What’s A Publishing App?