(This column originally appeared in Forbes)
Here are five things in tech that happened this week and how they affect your business. Did you miss them?
1 – Best work from home tech of 2023/2024.
PC World listed their picks for the best laptops, webcams and other tools to support your home office. (Source: PCWorld)
Why this is important for your business:
The HP Dragonfly Pro scored best work from home laptop for its performance and 32GB of RAM capacity. Its high-quality display was also a noted feature. The Anker PowerConf C 200 made the list as best webcam for those do a lot of virtual conferencing or presentations. Its 1440p resolution is on target for professional appearances. Logitech’s MK40 advanced wireless keyboard was chosen for its precision and affordability. Visit the link to see the whole list.
2 – Digital advertising issues surge to top of small business concerns.
Internet for Growth – a coalition of small business owners, creators and entrepreneurs – have voiced their concern about the ways in which regulation is complicating their ability to utilize digital advertising. (Source: MarTech Series)
Why this is important for your business:
Aware of the importance of data privacy, members are seeking fairer parameters for online ads. “Regulators are failing to strike the right balance [by] restricting essential data,” said Brendan Thomas, Internet for Growth’s Executive Director. Online advertising (Google, for the most part) is a difficult, time-consuming chore for most small businesses. The rules are onerous and sometimes inconsistent and my ads often get shut down for violating some obscure regulation.
3 – Apple expands Self Service Repair and introduces new diagnostics process.
Apple announced an update to its Self Service Repair program to “give users more transparency and autonomy to troubleshoot issues.” Tailored for those with efficient tech knowledge and troubleshooting capability, they can now access the Apple Diagnostics tool – available on Apple products in the US and Europe next year – that will give them the same level of expertise as an authorized Apple technician. The tool will also help the identify what part needs to be repaired as well as a testing function. (Source: Apple News)
Why this is important for your business:
Wasn’t it only a short time ago that no repairs were allowed on these devices and we had to send them back to Apple for fixes? Thank goodness the right-to-repair movement was successful and Apple has responded positively. Not only can our devices get repaired faster but this has opened up opportunities for many small businesses to start repair shops and provide similar services.
4 – Major retailers use AI to slash number of clothing returns when shopping online.
Artificial intelligence is helping the retail industry reduce their costs with returned merchandise. According to the National Retail Federation, a 2022 survey showed for every $1 billion in sales, the average retailer is hit with $165 million in returns. One company is offering a tool that will help control the rate of returns. MySize ID is an e-commerce platform that helps consumers pinpoint their exact size of certain clothing that aligns with their body type. Online shopping often results in buying a size too large or too small. In those cases, the MySize ID app will alert the user with a different size recommendation in advance of the purchase. The app also tracks consumers’ habits. (Source: Fox Business)
Why this is important for your business:
Retailers – regardless of size – should be leaning into AI-leveraged applications like MySize ID and others to help minimize returns by doing more to help customers make the right selection at the time of sale.
5 – Durable cements $14M to build bots and other AI tools for small businesses in service industries.
Vancouver-based company Durable has raised $14 million in capital to help the small business sector accelerate with AI-powered tools (Source: TechCrunch)
Why this is important for your business:
With an objective to “help people worldwide to build their own business” the company reportedly has an AI website builder. Targeted at those who have basic knowledge of website construction – according to the article – over 6 million websites have been created to date. CEO James Clift emphasized there are many companies who’ve been in existence for a long while that don’t have a companion website. Clift also mentioned an AI assistant Durable has in the works that will be programmed for the individual’s business needs and will offer recommendations for business development.
