Week 4 EOC: My New App

I have an idea for a smartphone app that involves the diagnosis of health problems. This app would be called Diagnet, where the user would be able to follow a series of prompts that will determine what kind of illness they might have. I realize that there might be apps out there that might function like this one and that simply going on a website is an option, but this app would be the culmination of all of them combined plus more. This app would utilize the phone’s built in GPS system where it can direct the user to specialist or even general doctors to get a full diagnosis. The app would generate its questions from websites such as WebMD and Mayoclinic but would also be able to take liquid samples and temperature readings through the use of an external unit that plugs into the phone’s power port. From these readings, the app will generate a document to the cloud with the users results as well as family history and personal information that only the user can reach. This app would cost $4.99 US and the attachment would be available for purchase online through a redirect from the app’s site for $19.99 US. Keep in mind that the app can be used without the attachment as a means of a quick diagnosis but the attachment would make the most of the app’s intended purpose. In the hopes that the medical board approve and partner with the app to make it official, the implementation of a live chat with a doctor through the app would become possible and the need to wait at the doctor’s office will be cut exponentially so people with moderate to serious health conditions can get the quick help they need by cutting out the middle man and getting to the root of their illness.

Week 3 EOC: My Demographics

Milennials, the dirty word of this generation it seems. For some it is a term describing those who lack the respect for simpler times, those who take things for granted, and those who are so caught up with themselves and technology that nothing else matters. For others it is just a classification, like baby-boomers and gen x-ers. Now for the textbook definition, “Millennials, or Generation Y, are people born between 1979 and 1994.” (MKTG, PG 55) It is as simple as that but much like every generation before my own, there are marketers that gear their intentions on selling us things that they believe peak our interest. “Millennials may be the most tech-savvy generation yet, spending more time surfing the Web and on social media than they do watching television, listening to radio, or reading newspapers, but they still use and value traditional media.” (MKTG, PG 55)  While I myself cannot speak for the majority of millennials, I do not prefer social media when compared to the more modest and old-fashioned ways of communication, but as for being on the internet, that is a must for anyone nowadays. As for being a Hispanic millennial on the cusp of being slightly older to the newest generation (Gen Z), I am in tune with my culture while being fully aware that I am an American, with being born and raised in the states. Thus comes the issue of where I stand in the demographics realm, where I can either choose to be lumped with primarily being a millennial or being marketed to as a Hispanic. “With such a large number of children being raised inside the United States, it should come as little surprise to researchers that eighty percent of the Latino population prefers English or bilingual programming.” (MKTG, PG 57) “Univision and Telemundo, the largest Hispanic broadcast television networks, both have English subtitles on their prime-time telenovelas, and Univision broke its all-Spanish programming tradition by interviewing Republican presidential hopefuls in English with a Spanish translation.” (MKTG, PG 57) Both these quotes relate to my personal demographic as well as my family’s, with such programming being a staple of our household. To conclude, I believe I am in the position of being targeted by marketers and companies for both aspects of my makeup, as a millennial in-tune with the internet age and as a Hispanic who still prides himself in his culture.

Week 3 EOC: Making Money for Good

There are millions of companies across the world that produce a product for the betterment or convenience of the consumer, but how many of those companies give back, with their intentions not solely on making a profit? TOMS and Newman’s Own are such companies that give to those who are needy, in either being a one-for-one operation or just giving all profits to charities. For this topic matter, I have found a company that gives back to an institution with the same problem no matter where it is located. The company in question is Yoobi, a school supplies company that gives back school supplies for every item purchased, whether it be scissors, crayons, pencils, etc. Schools across the country face the problem of not being able to provide their students with the adequate supplies that they need on a yearly basis, where the burden is either taken upon by the parents, which might not be financially able to afford such supplies, or the teachers themselves out of their own pockets and good of their hearts. “The report, "Today's Teachers: School Supply Purchasing Dynamics and Behaviors," surveyed almost 1,000 K-12 public and private school teachers in the United States about their purchasing behaviors. The online survey was conducted in February 2015.” “According to the report, teachers expect to spend a total of about $500 on school supplies by the end of this school year, 47 percent of which will come from their own pockets. About one third of teachers expect to spend more on school supplies this year than last.” Keep in mind that this is a recurring problem facing teachers and parents alike due to budget cuts and schools putting their efforts and money into other assets.  This is their mission statement, “Yoobi, pronounced “you-be,” means “one for you, one for me.” For every Yoobi item you purchase, a Yoobi item will be donated to a classroom in need, right here in the U.S. It’s that simple!” With the help of their partner, the Kids in Need Foundation, Yoobi is able to accomplish such a task and I find it amazing since everyone has been a grade school student at some point that may have fallen into the category of being in need. While Yoobi does make a profit from this unlike Newman’s Own, there is a quote from the textbook that states, “Socially responsible companies will outperform their peers by focusing on the world's social and environmental problems and viewing them as opportunities to build profits and help the world at the same time.” (MKTG, PG42) So with this logic, it is perfectly fine for companies to make profit while giving back for a good cause then to not give back at all.

Week 2 EOC: Boston Consulting Group - Video Games

The video game industry is one that fluctuates greatly in terms of revenue and on which company is top dog. Speaking of dogs, that seems to be the case with Nintendo and it’s position as the third wheel while Sony and Microsoft square off for the past two generations of consoles to be the best. While the Nintendo 3DS is what is keeping Nintendo in the race, with 58.5 million units sold as of April 2016 (Takahashi, venturebeat.com) it’s home console, the Wii U, sold significantly less with only 12.8 million units. “The Wii U figures show why Nintendo is hurting in the worldwide $99.6 billion gaming market, which earnings down 60 percent as the Wii’s successor withers away.” http://venturebeat.com/2016/04/27/nintendo-by-the-numbers-58-5m-3ds-handhelds-and-12-8m-wii-u-consoles-sold-to-date/ Sony on the other hand has been the definitive leader over the other two competitors since its inception. Last year’s Black Friday was the turning point on the constant power struggle between Sony and Microsoft, with the PS4 beating the Xbox One’s sales by double. http://www.idigitaltimes.com/ps4-vs-xbox-one-black-friday-2015-playstation-sales-win-despite-microsofts-best-494403 “The Japanese electronics giant sold 17.7 million PS4 consoles in its year that ended March 31, up from 14.8 million sold in the previous year.” The last known estimate put the number of Xbox One consoles sold at around 19 to 20 million, based on comments made during Electronic Arts' earnings report.” http://www.ibtimes.com/ps4-vs-xbox-one-close-40-million-playstation-4-consoles-have-been-sold-2013-launch-2361021. It is also important to note that PC gaming is also in the numbers, with it actually being the number one selling digital gaming outlet when compared to consoles and mobile. “In 2015, the market as a whole saw $61 billion in revenue for digital games across all platforms. That number was up 8% from the year prior. Of that $61 billion, $32 billion was in PC gaming, $25 billion was in mobile gaming, and $4 billion was in consoles.” http://www.winbeta.org/news/pc-games-still-rule-consoles-mobile-2015-sales In all, according to the BCG-Matrix, I believe with the way Sony is going it is a star, while Microsoft and the Xbox One is a question mark, the Wii U is a dog, the Nintendo 3DS is a cash cow, and PC or online gaming is a definitive star.

Week 1 EOC: My Voice

At this point in my life, I see myself as an audio professional in the making because I still have a ways to go.  I’ve been fascinated by the world of audio ever since I got into music during my middle school days. Whether it deal with vintage equipment, what my favorite bands are up to, to even who produced their albums.  Ever since I started attending school to get my feet wet on what it’s like to work in the audio field, I have grown to study how famous engineers and producers have created the magic behind well-known musical acts. It is also interesting to note that most people evolve during their time in college and I have surprisingly had a change of heart, from wanting to work in a studio to now creating the amazing sounds that go into the films you see in theaters. There’s nothing like the adrenaline pumping feeling of plugging in some microphones and positioning them or going on sets to capture cool sounds that can be warped and modified to sound like robots, monsters, and even creating natural sounds through the use of improvisation with many common objects. Also, besides this aspect of audio, I have also dwelled a little bit into composition, which I need much improvement but I enjoy the time I take on it so improving in this area should not be that difficult. Lastly, as I am quickly approaching the time where I leave school and spread my wings, it is of upmost importance for me to get my foot in the door and see where my skills and knowledge take me.