I can see the future of real estate technology, and it makes me want to Yelp!
By Jeff Bernheisel, Friday, August 28, 2009.Yesterday, Yelp released an updated iPhone application. I probably wouldn't have noticed, except that I visited the app store to download the new Facebook application that everyone was in an uproar about and it told me there was a new version. So I downloaded it, checked the notes to see if it added the ability to post reviews directly from the app (Still no? Come on, Yelp!) then closed the app.
I had pretty much forgotten about it until I saw a tweet a few hours later on Twitter from another local Portland chap, Marshall Kirkpatrick of ReadWriteWeb, titled "Yelp brings first US augmented reality to iPhone." That caught my attention right quick! I clicked on the link, and couldn't believe what I was reading. Apparently, there's a hidden feature in the new Yelp app that allows people to unlock an "augmented reality" (defined here) function. What, what, what?
As some readers may know, I've been babbling about augmented reality on my blog for the last few weeks. It's a fascinating technology that I believe has a TON of potential, if used correctly. From what I understood, Apple wasn't allowing the release of AR applications until the next iPhone software update.
The technology is here, and I guess by including the function in a release of an application update, developers are able to basically sneak it in. Hey, whatever works, right?
Shake it, shake it, shake it!
According to the article, you've got to shake your iPhone 3 times in order to activate this hidden feature. Boy, did I feel silly sitting there shaking the crap out of my phone. I was almost to the point of thinking this was all just a rotten joke being played on me when -- low and behold -- a little message appeared on my screen.
It read something like, "The Monocle is activated. Yelp thought reality is boring, so we augmented it and added a button to the upper right hand corner of the application window."
Clicking this "Monocle" button brings up the camera function within the Yelp app and allows you to view the world with the addition (or augmentation) of Yelp reviews layered over what we know as reality. Pretty cool stuff if you ask me.
So, what does this have to do with real estate?
If you attended Connect SF this month, you may have heard Yelp Chief Operating Officer Geoff Donaker discuss the fact that thousands of real estate professionals have been reviewed on Yelp. It's the ultimate in transparency, and it's where our industry needs to head, whether we like it or not. Now hold that thought.
Enter a Swedish company called TAT (The Astonishing Tribe) and its "Augmented ID" product. Basically, it's a facial recognition system combined with social networking profiles. I won't go into much more detail here. You can watch the video on the company's blog. It's pretty amazing.
Connect the dots!
See where I'm going with this? No? Let's say I'm an agent. I take a photo of myself using my iPhone. By uploading that image into my profile, I activate a feature that allows anyone else to use the Yelp Monocle to access reviews my past clients have left simply by pointing their iPhone (running the Yelp Monocle) at me just as we are able to do for businesses now with this new release. Assuming the reviews are positive, my face is now possibly one of my best marketing pieces.
Like I said earlier, the technology is already here, and as scary as it may sound to some people, I think the transparency that it can create will help push us closer to where we need to be as an industry.
Jeff Bernheisel is the Marketing Coordinator at Inman News.
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Submitted by Patrick Brown on August 29, 2009 - 6:09am.
Hi Jeff,
Another Portland "chap" here. This all sounds so cute and all, but is it really that worthwhile? I still can't open a house with it like a Treo can.
Patrick Brown, CRS
Windermere Cronin & Caplan Realty Group
Portland, Oregon
(503) 284-7755
Check out my LinkedIn profile at:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickbrownrealtor
Submitted by Christopher Shaw on August 29, 2009 - 10:10am.
Hello Jeff
Great article, the Iphone has it all, I have one and it works very well with the shake. I just do it like a little dance and know one can tell the difference. I also just got the MlS program on my Iphone and it gives me details and up to the minunte updates of properties in my area.
Christopher Shaw
My First Michigan Home
Southfield, MI
248-569-1486
www.Myfirstmichiganhome.com
Submitted by Barry Noble on August 30, 2009 - 10:02am.
I guess I better just break down and get an Iphone. I was waiting to see what gadget I could best use to add my a la Mode sketching program and still have a phone and GPS too. www.MyPropertyIsWorth.com Appraiser/Broker
Submitted by Matt Fagioli on August 30, 2009 - 4:56pm.
This is cool stuff man. I watched the TAT video. amazing to think where we'll be in 5 or 10 years given the current pace of change.
Submitted by Michael Taylor on August 31, 2009 - 1:56am.
I definitely agree about being on Yelp, but the facial recognition thing seems like a bit of a stretch for me. Maybe my pea brain just doesn't get it, but I just don't see that as being a viable tool just yet.
Michael Taylor
Indianapolis real estate | Fishers real estate | Indianapolis real estate
Submitted by Bob Gibbs on August 31, 2009 - 5:33pm.
There are so many innovative widgets and things coming out that will really serve to improve our profession by holding agents accountable. I welcome the changes and can't wait to experience the benefits.
Submitted by nick jordan on September 1, 2009 - 7:34am.
i am interested to see how technology will eventually supplant or supplement the traditional realtor model. a few sites i like besides www.zillow.com are http://123place4me.com
and does anyone have any iphone app recommendations? there are a ton of cool apps out there for listing locators using the gps. now this is cool sh*t!
Submitted by Becky Washam on September 3, 2009 - 3:18am.
The iPhone is going to be the device that truly brings real estate technology out into the field.. The tools that are becoming available are amazing.
Coppell Real Estate
Frisco Real Estate
Submitted by Robert Stoneburner on September 4, 2009 - 12:58pm.
Becky,
The biggest technology effecting real estate agents is not the iPhone, Facebook Twitter or even Yelp (although I do agree that most sites will integrate Yelp reviews into them). The biggest technology offering in all outside sales industries will be unified communications. 75% of people hire the fist agent they contact, responsiveness and the ability to field incoming leads will become increasingly more important. In addition to a number of other features, Unified Communications allows agents to appear online on a search portal site while you are in the field. You can have full integation of Outlook calendar and contact management from your mobile device and as we move toward cloud computing, you will be able to access live documents.
This already exists with Windows Mobile and Communications Server 2007 (the upgrade to exchange) Apple has been working on a solution to get unified communications functionality on the iPhone with both Cisco and Microsoft. When this happens, the iPhone will become a serious sales tool rather than a lifestyle phone.
here is a link to what one developer did to create an iPhone app leveraging unified communications technology.
http://www.modalitysystems.com/blog/?p=92
Its not sexy and doesn't get much press, but Outlook will still be agent's primary contact management tool, and unified communciations will extend this. Brokerages that recognize this early can use unified communications as a very powerful recruitig and retention tool and help agents captue and close real business.
Submitted by BankOwned Dayton on September 14, 2009 - 11:22am.
Now a days technology is constantly revolving and finding ways to make life easier and faster.
Lets just welcome the changes and wait to experience its benefits.
BankOwnedDayton.com
Submitted by Frank Shipman on September 28, 2009 - 8:15am.
It's incredible how fast technology changes and grows. As a result, its expanding the way real estate agents communicate.
Prescott Homes
Submitted by Nannes Smith on March 9, 2010 - 1:37am.
Unified Communications allows agents to appear online on a search portal site while you are in the field. computer technology degree | construction management degree | counseling psychology degree
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The future is definitely exciting but I'm seeing lesser employee benefits in the long run.
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Submitted by cadee smith on August 17, 2010 - 12:23pm.
I watched the TAT video. amazing to think where we'll be in 5 or 10 years given the current pace of change.
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