Bing Rewards

I have been using the Bing website recently, instead of Google.  I find it to be equally helpful, and some of the additional features are better than Googles.  I still much prefer GMail and Google Reader, and of course Blogger, all of which are amazing Google products, and their compatibility may bring me back to using Google as a search engine.

The real reason I have converted to Bing is the new Bing Rewards Program.  You get credits for every search and often for other easy to complete tasks.  These credits can be redeemed for cool prizes, such as Xbox Live Subscriptions, donations to charity, or my most recent reward a $5 Starbucks gift card (see picture below!).  I love drinking coffee, and the office coffee is not up to par with the brown stuff Starbucks vends.  I may only get enough points to redeem 1 gift card per month, but I will take that benefit in exchange for using Bing.  Check out the other available prizes above!

I recommend you check it out, sign up through my link.  (Full disclosure, I receive 5 credits for every one who signs up through this link)

Amazon to Open Retail Location

I am a huge fan of Amazon.com.  As an avid reader, Amazon is the go to spot for any and all titles, at a reasonable rate.  They have also expanded into other product lines and they allow other retailers to use their platform, for a small fee.  Their used book market is also the premier internet book resale market, with students searching for textbooks and adults looking for novels and everything in between offered at a great rate.  Once again, Amazon provides the software and will handle various issues, for a commission on all sales.  They must have the model priced correctly, as there are many books that sell for $00.01 + 3.99 shipping.  I am intrigued by the Kindle, and may consider it when I decide to purchase a tablet, but for now I am going to stick with my MacBookPro until it becomes obsolete.

The exciting news that is being speculated is that Amazon may be expanding and opening a physical retail location.  This is surprising due to the recent struggles of book stores, precisely as a result of Amazon, see Borders Bankruptcy, and the rapid closing of independent book stores as the general public is less inclined to read.  I think that just looking at those factors would mean that investing in retail locations would be a mistake.  However, the angle that Amazon can use to be profitable, is to sell high margin books, Kindles, Kindle accessories, and offer some kind of a cafe.  Unfortunately, fellow Seattle based - Starbucks is in contract with Barnes and Noble, the dominant physical book retailer, and fierce competitor of Amazon, because that would be a match made in heaven.  I think that Amazon could work with another company to create a great cafe experience, with free wifi, a custom, rotating, selection books, the possibility of ordering books from the site to be picked up at the store and comfy lounge chairs, could be a great way to gain market share.

According to the sources I have seen, this is basically the model they are considering.  The rumor is that they will open a location in their hometown, Seattle, known for its willingness to try new things in technology and a love for cafes!  They are not looking to create a Barnes and Noble superstore, more like a boutique, and I think it can be a successful new line of business to drive profits for the e-commerce giant.

Source: Ritholtz

Starbucks "Via" Instant Coffee

I feel that Starbucks brand integrity and coffee fanatic, like me, approval rating is already in the tubes, so their new "Via" instant coffee will not have much of an impact. At a buck a cup, I may even pick up a couple packs my self. I will say that it is a good business decision, since I personally know many people who claim to be coffee aficionados, but their knowledge is limited to what Starbucks tells them! As for me, I will stick with my French Press and Blue State Coffee.

Starbucks said its Via Ready Brew product is made by adding water to a single-serve packet. The packets will be sold in books of three for $2.95 or boxes of 12 for $9.95. Worldwide, there is a $17 billion market for instant coffee, according to Starbucks.

“We’re so confident that you won’t be able to tell the difference between Starbucks Via and our brewed coffee, we’re inviting customers into our stores to see if they can tell the difference,” said Howard Schultz, chairman, president and CEO, in a statement. -via Denver Business Journal