Summary

Throughout the course of the eight weeks of this project, my entrepreneurship idea has definitely made progress. I feel that I came in with a simple idea, and with all of the information that was covered in class, I was able to take an idea and run with it. With all of the modifications and tweaks that were taught throughout these eight weeks, my idea has been enhanced to include a wider variety of people.

Initially, my entrepreneurship idea was a simple intercom system that would place a call to your cell phone when it is rung downstairs. This will allow you to answer the phone call no matter what, which will save you time since everyone carries their cell phone with them every where they go. It would be a great relief to answer your cell phone to see who was at your door instead of running to the actual door every time someone knocks on your door.

As simple as this idea was, over the course of these weeks, I learned many new modifications that definitely helped propel my idea forward. One of the major ideas that stood out to me the most was the development of a cell phone application that would coincide with the actual intercom system. This would work on a push notification system, and be available for many of the operating systems (OS) that are used in America today. This application would work like FaceTime, which would be helpful in identifying who is at your door, to prevent an impostor from saying that they are someone that they are not. This also would be great in making sure that your package was left at your doorstep, as many of these delivery companies claim to leave your packages at your door step.

In all, each week brought insight to my project, making it that much more stronger and better. All you need is a simple idea and an imagination, and you could really develop your idea into something truly special. The fact that there are so many ideas out there, you are forced to craft your idea into something unique and catchy. Each week helped me think of many new ways that I could further enhance the overall concept of my idea. This has definitely been a great opportunity and learning experience for my future ideas.


I posted three comments to other people's blogs:

http://straightnastyentrepeneur.blogspot.com/2011/09/week-1-social-media.html?showComment=1320099206930#c4311816350290849871


http://amychestnut131.blogspot.com/2011/09/week-2-twitter-and-social-media.html?showComment=1320114453381#c2920826335216080181


http://breakthrough1521.blogspot.com/2011/09/week1-social-media.html?showComment=1320115390891#c6679712438033790808

Intercom System - Blogger Review

The blog that I decided to read deals with intercom systems and is extremely helpful in allowing me analyze my idea and further enhance my idea. As pointed out in the blog, there are two types of home intercom systems: the wired and wireless type. The hardwired type of intercom system allows one to monitor different rooms and areas around the vicinity. The author of this blog goes on to speak about the importance of the intercom system as a single unit. It's importance allows one to feel even more safe in the comfort of their home. With all of the surround surveillance, an intruder would think twice before trying to loot your home.

Basically, the author goes into the different types of intercom systems and the companies that make them. He mentions Panasonic and how they manufacture a video intercom system. One has to take into account the lenses of the cameras in these systems, as well as what actually is being monitored. Do you only want your front door having an intercom system? There is so many ideas that must thoroughly thought about when it comes to installing your own intercom system. The system must be effective, efficient, and it must be relevant to getting the job done. In all, He definitely touched upon the necessary topics that needed to be addressed to enhance my overall product.

Link:  http://www.mycontentbuilder.com/requirement-of-home-intercom-systems/

Operating Systems

Now that my vision for my product has definitely enhanced over the course of the last few weeks, I am now thinking about how it will be implemented into the mobile devices. Since it will used on the mobile devices, the operating system must be compatible with that of the device's operating system. With that being said, devices such as the iPhone run on an iOS software, in which the intercom system would be necessary to run. There would need to be compatible with pre-emptive multi tasking, because it would be able to handle more than one task. This is necessary in our smart phones, because the application would be sending push notifications as well as handling video capability to monitor your home when you are away. This is ideal with packages to see where they are left. The fact that the intercom system must be compatible with the operating systems, such as iOS is extremely crucial for this application to being a success.

Audio

Now that I plan on incorporating a video feature with my intercom system, I need to thoroughly think about what I should incorporate with this upgrade. It's obvious that I would need to develop an application feature, because this would enable the video call from downstairs to sent as a "push notification" to the actual device so that the feature could be similar to Apple's FaceTime feature. I feel that this modification would definitely be of value to the user because it would allow for easier access to see who is actually at their apartment and who is trying to get inside.

This ties in to this week's lecture because we spoke about wav vs mp3 files. This is definitely crucial if I plan on developing the video application. How can one communicate with another individual with a visual and no sound? Thus comes into the debate which will deliver the best quality of audio at the lowest possible file size so that the application doesn't take up too much space on the mobile device. With that being said, I will choose to have the audio be streamed in .mp3 format because this format compresses the original audio format, allowing the same quality to be heard but at a much smaller file. This is a great idea to implement with the project, which would definitely help further enhance my overall intercom system and it's application for the mobile handheld devices.

Input Devices

On the week of September 26th, we spoke about input devices and their effects on many other products. They definitely have had an impact on enhancing the user's experience as shown in the devices such as Webcams. These such cameras have taken a simple experience as surfing the web and have greatly enhanced it to being able to visually communicate with another user. It's advances such as these that have greatly revolutionized the technological industry and continue to do so until this day.

This lecture goes perfect with my new innovative idea of creating a way for the the intercom system to send a notification to the owner's cell phone so that they can see who actually is knocking on their door. The best bet would be to invent an application that would allow the intercom system to send the video notification of the person who is at the door. Ideally, it would be running over a wifi connection. Also, it would be similar to that of Apple's FaceTime, or the application Tango. It would revolutionize the whole intercom system and would help bring a deeper sense of security for those who have this intercom system.

Parts of the Intercom System

This past week, we spoke about the different components that go into assembling a computer. We also then went on to speak about identity theft, and the different procedures that one can take to make sure that they aren't a target of such attacks. The latter is definitely something that can be applied to my product, for the simple fact that with the newest modification of video, the owner of the house can further protect his or her family as well as see if the person who is at the door truly is who they say they are.

I personally feel that the video modification on the intercom system is necessary for those who want to ensure the security and the well-being of their home and everyone who is in there.  With an intercom system, you will further limit the amount of chances that you have of being deceived by that outside person. A video modification will further enhance that security by definitely giving you a visual of who is outside of your door.

Privacy..

This past week's lecture dealt with social media & privacy, and Excel. Professor Rubin went in depth on the importance of safety and how it affects various social networking sites. This lead me to instantly question how effective my entrepreneurial idea truly is, because the main focus of the product is to further ensure safety. The fact that the internet has such a profound effect on being able to either keep our information private or not is extremely remarkable. Ideally, with the information that I learned in class this past week, I will be able to further add modifications that will keep this product on the market for a while.

The product that I wish to further modify is an intercom system that would send a call to your mobile device when someone rings your intercom. This will definitely help keep both you and whoever is in your home at that very moment. Now that this privacy issue is ever so present, I feel like adding a feature that will enable a live video stream to your mobile device based on who is in front of your door. This will further keep everyone in your household safe and out of harm's way.

Entrepreneurial Idea

The entrepreneurial idea that I have decided to come up with, is an intercom system that would send a call to your cellphone when someone is at your door. For example, let's say that you're in the bathroom, or you're not home, but are expecting a package of some sort. As soon as the person or delivery man rings your intercom, you immediately receive a phone call and are able to hold the conversation through there. Also, when you're in the bathroom, you can tell them that you will be right there without having to rush. In today's day and age, it is safe to say that almost everyone carries their cellphone with them everywhere they go. Of course, this idea is still very premature, and I hope to further develop it within the upcoming weeks, but it ideally seems as a useful device that would help many people.

This idea definitely coincides with what we spoke about in lecture last week. Last week's lecture had to deal with the rise of social networking sites and how they affect our every day lives. Also, how companies are starting to promote themselves on these sites as well, since every one is constantly updating their statuses and every one is constantly checking other people's statuses. This goes hand in hand with the intercom system because, basically, technology has taken a huge part in people's lives. With this being said, just merely 20 years ago, cell phones were an extremely rare device, and in such a short time, almost every person owns a cell phone. The fact of the matter is that with technology changing almost instantaneously, there will always be updates and improvements that will make each program, device, application that much better. The audio intercom is premature, but with constant updates, I definitely see this idea positively affecting people's lives.