Signatures and Cameras

If you haven’t been getting many calls for or inquiries about digital signatures from buyers and sellers yet, that could soon change. Awareness is growing, helped in no small part by Docusign’s launch of a free branded app targeting consumers.

DocuSign Ink makes it easy for them to sign and archive documents with a electronic version of their signature right on their iPad or iPhone or in regular email including Outlook .

The intuitive nature of these user friendly solutions, and the way they simplify what some consumers might see as an intimidating technology could pave the path to broader acceptance,and give you good cause to investigate and start offering digital signatures for real estate  , if you aren’t already there.

Thinking about replacing your compact digital camera in the next few months? Seriously weigh the capabilities of a new smartphone as its replacement replacement for a compact point and shoot. It may be “good enough” for your real estate photo and video needs, leaving you with one less peice of hardware to carry.

Even the serious shooters and reviewers are starting to ponder that path, as reflected in this detailed article from Ars Technica  on the iPhone 4S 

. If that idea sounds appealing,also here’s a round-up from the New York Times on accessory lenses and such which can make that phone a better camera 

Are QR codes delivering for you?

Just did a story for one of the graphics magazines I write for on QR codes.

Now there’s a technology where Realtors have really taken the lead.

Sign shops, from independents to large national chains, all cite real estate professionals early adopters codes, the largest group to embrace QR so far. Seems these graphic grids will eventually become a fixture on all types of signs and printed marketing materials, but real estate is one of the proving grounds for this intereactive technology

Makes sense to add them to yard signs as a way of directing buyers to more details about that home, or a page of current listings. Certainly shows you’re tech savvy. But beyond that, are they working? Any quantifiable results, any new clients because of your use of QR codes?

I understand their appeal when showing sellers how you’re got all the tools to promote their home, is there more to it than that. let me know, and I‘ll report back what I hear later.

Gifting: Maybe an apple...

We’re approaching that season when, if you’ve put off investing in new technology, you’re likely to gift yourself or someone you love with that bit of wizardry you’ve been eyeing all year. And if you haven’t already invested in a tablet PC, one probably tops your list.

Earlier this year, it looked like there would be an abundance of choices with all the Android tablets coming to market. While there have been many admirable options there, none have really dented the iPads appeal.

That’s as much about the hardware as software. The IPad 2 is a great product, backed by the software catalog Android devices have not yet begun to rival, for real estate or otherwise. Adding significant momentum there is the simple fact that many apps developed for the ever-growing universe of iPhone users also run on the iPad.

At this point, the most promising challenger to the iPad’s dominance the rumored Amazon tablet, expected to launch sometime within the next two months. Early speculation suggests it may offer the combination of package and price which make it a winner.

But software is what makes the hardware, and it’s likely to be a while before the combination of general and real estate specific apps are available to make whatever Amazon brings to market the practical solution for your needs in a mobile computing platform. By then, if and when sometime next year, WIndows 8, with its promised tablet support, will give you even more options.

Short-term, the iPad’s appeal as a practical solution with the most software support, real estate and otherwise, seems secure.