Google Shopper - The NEW Android App

Google just launched their first shopping app for the Android market. There are some other players who have been there already - ShopSavvy, Amazon and C-Net's Scan & Shop. The Google app may be more productive for usability and overall robustness, but not in product selection.

First, with Google Shopper, you can scan, take a photo or even use voice search to find what you need. I've used ShopSavvy in the past and I find it limiting when I can't locate the barcode or there isn't one at all. These features are much more convenient than typing in the product name - which yields varied results to boot. The downfall is that it only applies to books, CDs, DVDs, and video games. Also, there seem to be some bugs. I took a photo of a book that is listed from $3-$595.

Google Shopper also lets you save history for offline use and share products with friends. Drawback - prices are in US ($) only. And don't forget, both the ShopSavvy and Amazon app lets you do the same thing: save items to your wishlist, view history, etc.

So what's the verdict? Although Google owns the Android market and there are some great features with the image capture and voice search, the limitations of only being able to find digital media and books gives ShopSavvy the edge. And as for the other nice features, those already exist. I'm sticking with my existing apps and if I can't find what I need with ShopSavvy or Amazon, I'll try Google Shopper. But by no means is it a mere replacement.

Augmented Reality (AR) at Retail

-Contributed to the ShopperCulture.com blog

One of the newer digital technologies generating buzz right now is Augmented Reality, or AR. What exactly is it? AR is the technique of overlaying graphics on a real-world image so the graphics enhance and recontextualize the scene. Most of the techniques today are generated using a computer's webcam. Users point out a "target" -- a black-and-white image that the AR application uses to determine the scene geometry. Users can view it coming to life on a computer screen by holding it in front of the camera or shooting it with a mobile device. How can this virtual technology be successful for retail? There are successful AR companies bringing their technology to retail consumers in several different locations: at home, on the go (mobile), and at retail.

Let's face it -- online stores are limited when trying to show how their products fit on consumers. One way this has worked with eRetail is Ray Ban's Virtual Mirror. This use of AR allows consumers to virtually try on and sample eyewear while sitting at their desks. French company FittingBox created a technology FIT3D that uses a person's eyes, nose, and ears as natural AR-tracking markers to figure out exactly where the sunglasses "appear" on someone's face. Imagine what this fitting technology can do for retailers or even hair care products.

Speaking of clothing retailers, another great example is how Zagura's Social Shopper app combines AR with motion capture. While it has some limitations (the user is required to print markers for it to work accurately) that might hinder its widespread use, it's nevertheless a very interesting and useful concept. The company hopes to license the technology to online retailers.

Zugara's Social Shopper App:

Now apps from mobile operating systems such as the iPhone 3GS (via its compass tool) and Google's Android are displaying AR content on the phone. Some require that users take a shot of the "ID tag." This could be printed on a piece of POS or found on the packaging. Others, such as Layar's Reality Browser app, allow users of the application to provide custom-tagged reviews of their own by entering text, photos, or videos of locations (via Flickr, Wikipedia, Yelp!, and Google Search, to name a few) while simultaneously updating social networks (Twitter, YellowPages, and more). Metaio's version "junaio" is debuting next month.

Metaio has also partnered with LEGO to develop an interactive terminal they've coined the Digital Box to be used in toyshops and LEGO stores worldwide. Together with a camera and display screen, the software lets LEGO packaging reveal its contents fully assembled within live 3-D animated scenes. The customer can rotate the product box to see all angles of the constructed design as if it were put together on the spot.

Metaio has also introduced what can be done with AR and packaging. Everything from games to videos can be part of a consumers morning routine. Imagine the possibilities with beer packaging or consumer packaged goods (CPGs).

At Comic-Con 2009, AR provider Total Immersion introduced AR-enhanced toys based on the upcoming film Avatar. Each toy includes a 3-D tag (iTAG) that consumers scan using their webcam. What's really cool here is that if shoppers place two iTAGs from the Battle Pack together, the 3-D images will interact with each other.

Finally, the last AR tool generating buzz right now is the USPS Box Simulator. This has great practical applications in the home or office - brilliant! Basically, it allows consumers to virtually see what size box their shipment will fit in without buying the box.

These case studies prove the success of AR inside as well as outside of retail environments. I believe that this technology, when used effectively, can be very advantageous for retailers.

Online Transactions - Fear or Fear Not?

When purchasing items from merchants online, you want to be assured that your credit card information is safe. I was recently a victim of online fraud, and fortunately my bank was able to credit the transaction and replace my card with a new account number (since the charges were recurring). This process is frustrating and can put a significant dent in your account until your bank figures out how to best deal with it.

Here are some quick tips and recommendations for making sure your online transactions are safe and secure. Note: This doesn't cover EVERY possible transaction, so be sure you read the fine print before processing payment with ANY unfamiliar merchant!

- Once you are asked to enter payment info has a secured (SSL) feature. An easy way to check this is to look at your browser bar and make sure it begins with https, not http.

- Look for verified merchant credentials such as Verisign, usually on the home page.

- Be skeptical of miles of agreement forms. Those lengthy forms can contain 3rd parties (such as safedebits.com) that will be given consent to charge you a fee (sometimes upwards of hundreds of dollars) in order to process your transaction.

For more info on risk of frauds and scams on Craigslist and eBay, check out the following links from the Geeks:

Does Craigslist Need Better Regulation?

Fraud and Scams on Craigslist Pt. 2

April Fools Day: Best Practices - Whole Foods Market

In honor of April Fools Day, I thought I'd share a retail site that really took advantage of this opportunity. Whole Foods - also known as Whole Paycheck - has been notorious for charging a premium on their organic products. They have decided to poke some fun at themselves on their home page, offering "Organic Air" in a 0.02-oz spray bottle for $6.99, with scents such as Mountain Air, and Salt & Vinegar. But that is just one of the many playful anecdotes they gave visitors to their site.

The recent spider controversy was also elaborated upon, with the retailer offering "one free spider with every 50-lb. purchase of organic bananas." They even offered playful recipes such as Toast and Chianti-Gorgonzola Popsicles. Now if you click on these fake items, you will be taken to actual foods and products that are being offered through their store.

What I really like about this is that the retailer has found a way to poke fun at themselves - in a twisted Onion-style sort of approach. This is good because it shows how a corporate retailer can have a sense of humor. It grabs your attention and piques curiosity. That is what every landing page should do. Does yours?

Happy April Fools Day!

Mobile Tagging - Instant Interactions & Transactions

The future of advertising is here. Well, actually it's in Japan, and gaining traction in Europe. When this technology evolves to the states, it will change how we view ads with the click of a button - on your phone.


Mobile tagging simply means reading out a 1D- or 2D-barcode using a camera in a mobile device. Currently about 70 different types of barcodes and their specific versions exist and are mostly in use in the field of logistics. In terms of mobile tagging, the number of codes is essentially restricted to a dozen types. For reading out 2d-barcodes it is essential to install specific software, a reader, on the mobile device. How does it work? See below.

Now, how can this be applied to marketing or even shopping? Easy. With its seamless interaction, content can be delivered instantly to the consumer. Whatever the transaction (pushing a URL, video/media, "add to cart") this enables anyone with a camera phone and data plan to view content in a more interactive way. Imagine what this will be like once the program moves over to webcams - any camera is a barcode reader and any barcode can be printed out on a sheet of paper and scanned. What if these barcodes were on product packaging? Then you could interact even more with the product, even while consuming it. Talk about interaction.

New Tool for Putting Music on Twitter

(re-posted from Wired Magazine - 2/11/09)

MixMatchMusic impressed us mightily with its online remix contest platform, but we're not so sure about its latest venture -- a URL shortener designed to make it easier to promote and discover music on Twitter.

On the one hand, Twitter has grown into a communication tool for everything from houseplants to washing machines. Why shouldn't people be working on ways to make it a better platform for music too?

On the other hand, one might question the utility of another tool for shortening URLs. Does anyone really need this?

MixMatchMusic justifies tra.kz' existence in three ways:

1. "URL links are often too long to include in tweets."

That may be the case, but Twitter already does a fine job of automatically shortening URLs in many cases, and other tools (redirx, tinyurl, etc.) already exist for that purpose.

2. "By being given the visual cue of 'http://tra.kz/,' music lovers will know that the link will take them to music related content."

Again, true, but tra.kz doesn't verify that you're linking directly to a music file. For instance, here's a link to this blog that I ran through the engine: http://tra.kz/147e. Technically speaking, your usage of tra.kz merely tells readers that you decided to use it rather than something else. Still, if you're a fan who subscribes to a band's twitter feed, and you notice that two of their tweets have tra.kz URLs indicating that they link to actual music, that's useful information to have.

3. "Fans browsing Twitter feeds will be able to... play music files directly through tra.kz's player."

Now we're really getting somewhere. This feature, pictured above, could prove beneficial for labels, artists and users looking to distribute music on the Twitter platform, as well as Twitter users looking for new music. The player includes play and pause, a short version of the song's URL (of course), and, perhaps most importantly, buttons that let listeners to re-tweet or otherwise share the song. (Bands must host the MP3s themselves.)

One label, Controlled Substance Sound Labs, is already using the service on Wednesday -- the day it launched. "Our bands are increasingly using Twitter to stay in touch with their fans," stated label co-founder Jon Phillips. "Tra.kz is simply the best way to use Twitter to point them to new releases, B-sides or special content."

As David S. Hubbins of Spinal Tap once said, it's a fine line... What do you think?

Retail Shopping Goes Mobile

The 2008 holiday season brought many new challenges to retailers. First off, how to you compete with other stores offering the same merchandise at the same cost? Here's one answer: Problem-solve at the customer's fingertips. On November 9th Sam's Club launched their Gifter Stress Lifter online application which allowed the customer to find additional products that they might not think about during the holidays - at Sam's Club. This helped them change their perceptions of what they can buy at the store. Customers who download the app - available online or on iPhone - are asked to build a profile of a friend or family member. Six questions are asked to offer an insight to the person's behavior. Sam's suggests recommended products for each profile. Products can be shopped via a link through the app store to the wired web site or customers can take their iPhone to the store to buy those items (like a shopping list).


In addition, Meijer has introduced its Meijer Mealbox which helps consumers plan meals, find recipes, and save money. How? It finds recipes based on ingredients that are on sale at the store. The mobile application is tied to the store's inventory and sales. The user can save a list of coupons and when checking out at the store, can scan their phone for instant discounts.


Both of these mobile apps are great for reaching your customers through online channels and increasing sales and traffic to your brick-and-mortar store. What I find really compelling is how sensory and emotional factors play into the online shopping experience, which has proven to be difficult in the past. Now the connection is effortless.

Attention E-Shoppers: Thursday Is Free Shipping Day

One of the most dependable draws for online shoppers is free shipping -- but that can be trumped by fear that gifts won't arrive in time as the holidays draw near. Free Shipping Day is designed to quell that worry and encourage consumers to place online orders with confidence that they can get both a deal and just-in-time delivery.

Move over Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and make room for yet another retail-inspired shopping event. Free Shipping Day is here -- or rather, it will be here on Thursday, Dec. 18 -- the last day someone can order a gift online and have it guaranteed to arrive on Christmas Eve with free shipping.

Free Shipping Day is the brainchild of Luke Knowles, who hatched the idea just a few weeks ago. There are now 250 retailers participating in the campaign.

Knowles seized upon the idea when he realized that online holiday shopping peaks weeks before offline shopping because people are afraid their gifts will not arrive in time.

Last year, for example, the online shopping season peaked on December 10, with US$881 million in sales, he pointed out. However, shoppers at brick-and-mortar stores continued to spend heavily during the weeks before and after Christmas.
Big Money

Free shipping has proven to be a reliable inducement for online shopping. Shortly after Thanksgiving, Knowles floated the idea of highlighting it with a special "last day" promotion and was amazed at the reception it received.

"Judging by the interest and excitement, I think this could be as big as Cyber Monday in a few years," he told the E-Commerce Times.

If the reaction of Lisa Christopher, a public relations account manager in Winchester, Calif., is any indication, he may be right.

"I only shop where and when I can get free shipping," Christopher told the E-Commerce Times. "Disney online for example, will offer free shipping if you spend a certain amount of money. I always make sure I hit that minimum; I'd rather get something for my money than not. This holiday season, I haven't paid for shipping, and 95 percent of my gifts have been purchased online."

Within a few years, Free Shipping Day will become so popular that it will increase online holiday sales by hundreds of millions of dollars, Knowles predicted.
Something for Free

There is little doubt that free shipping does help to increase sales, Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos, told the E-Commerce Times. Offering free shipping for both purchases and exchanges, he added, "really helps to drive sales and customer loyalty."

Free shipping is even more important this year because of the economy, Carolyn Groobey, vice president of consumer marketing at Bill Me Later, told the E-Commerce Times. "Our recent research with Ipsos Insight determined that holiday deals are proving more popular than ever. One third of survey respondents say that they will only buy items for which they can find holiday deals."

Indeed, even for products that would cost very little to ship, such as jewelry, the inducement is important. "In this economy, people are trying to save a penny any way they can -- and free shipping day gives them that opportunity," Yomesh Shah, President of B2CJewels.com, told the E-Commerce Times.

Who's Participating?

Bloomingdale's, JC Penney, Kohl's, Macy's, Nordstrom, Sears, Circuit City, Crate & Barrel, Eddie Bauer, Kmart, Sears, Sur La Table, Target and Zappos are among the retailers participating in Free Shipping Day.

This year, the event was put together hastily. Next year, however, Knowles will begin planning far in advance and will consult more with participating retailers to determine what is the latest possible shipping day.

Free Shipping Day 2009 will be selected in January, he said. It will likely fall around the same time as this year, give or take a day.

Text to Purchase - Buy It?

In light of the hysteria surrounding CyberMonday I thought I'd share a new purchasing tactic that is being used by Amazon this holiday season - using text messaging to buy products from your mobile phone.

TextBuyIt was first implemented by Amazon in April 2008. As consumers are dealing with an economic crisis, this method allows them to do their comparative shopping while in store. Unlike surfing the web at home where you only find deals at online stores, you can actually text the product as you see it on sale in the store. You can search on any keyword (e.g. item name, author, artist, etc.) or ISBN/UPC code. This applies to any item that you'd typically search for on Amazon. Google's new phone, G1 allows you to scan a UPC which you can send to Amazon and they'll find the product for you.


Save a bit this holiday season with free shipping and no sales tax while doing your in-store shopping. Sure Amazon may not have the best deal on every item but then you'd be wasting your time. Cool stuff.

Multi-Channel Holiday Shoppers Prefer Online vs. In-Store

The holiday shopping season of 2008 has brought us a new first: For the first time, the web has surpassed the store as the preferred way for multi-channel shoppers to purchase holiday gifts, according to the e-tailing group’s third annual “Mindset of the Multi-Channel Shopper Holiday Survey.”


Nearly half (49%) of those shoppers say they intend to do their holiday gift buying online, compared with 44% who plan to do so in-store, found the online survey of over 1,000 adults who shop online four or more times per year, spending at least $500 annually.

Reasons for shopping online start with saving time (88%), locating hard-to-find products (84%), greater selection (83%) and avoiding the crowds at the mall (83%) - all surpassing saving money, which is still an important factor (80%).

Because of the tough economic climate, 52% of consumers plan to buy fewer holiday gifts this year. The average number of gifts is projected to be down from 16+ last year to 11-15 this year.

Although consumers plan to buy fewer gifts and spend less for those gifts, 72% (vs. 65% in 2007) are planning to research products online prior to purchasing.

Over 91% plan to purchase the same number or somewhat more gifts online; that’s equal to last year’s levels.

“Value spending is definitely the mantra as these multitasking consumers watch and monitor the web to get the best deals,” said Lauren Freedman, president of the e-tailing group. “Holiday gift buying is particularly impacted by this propensity for shopping smart as consumers preview online to get the most for their money.”

Convenience and efficiency have clearly made shoppers more comfortable with the online channel, as evidenced by more products’ being sold across a broader range of categories as well as increased usage of tools and information, according to the e-tailing group.

The No. 1 customer reason for not buying more online is the high cost of shipping; that’s according to 78% of those surveyed:

Free shipping (95%) and sales/specials (83%) are at or near the top of the list of what influences the buying of gifts online; another is keyword search (86%).

For 42% (vs. 30% last year), gift cards will account for 11-50% of their online holiday spending. Wish-list use has also accelerated, with 35% (vs. 25% last year) reporting that they have shopped online from someone else’s wish list three or more times.

“Although the internet is now the shoppers’ channel of choice, economic pressures are making the stakes high for merchants. They need to continually learn from and react to their customer’s multi-channel demands,” cautioned Kelly O’Neill, e-commerce marketing director for ATG. “It is imperative that practical solutions be deployed wisely throughout the holiday season and into 2009.”

Alternative Online Payment Options: Here to Stay?

In light of eBay's billion-dollar acquisition of BillMeLater, which cut 1,000 jobs - are alternative online payment options here to stay? These solutions might attract consumers who are hesitant about placing a large purchase on a debit or credit card. PayPal has offered credit solutions for its customers but now eBay is banking on its own merchant services.

But what if you could offer your customers your products for free for things that they apparently want to do anyway? It turns out that you could get paid as if customers purchased from you directly. This is where alternative payment companies like TrialPay, Webloyalty and Affinion help. TrialPay is a different kind of alternative payment, a conversion tool for the large numbers of customers who ordinarily would not pay. Just as BillMeLater can help convert a customer who might not have enough cash to make a purchase, TrialPay helps convert customers who wouldn't normally purchase -- period -- by allowing those customers to "pay" when they transact with a trusted partner for which they have a high willingness to pay. Those companies pay TrialPay for the customer acquisition, which covers the cost of the product or discount you give away to the customer.

My two cents: As people continue to struggle through our country's economic crisis, these options offer assistance to those whose budgets are tighter than ever. However, there is definitely much concern when the decision results in significant job loss for workers.

Social Shopping

We all know that testimonials and reviews on products influence shoppers' decisions and purchasing behavior online. What if we throw in a viral community of shoppers that share their experiences and make suggestions like social networks? Introducing Social Shopping, a unique experience that combines social networking and e-commerce.

Shopping is becoming more experiential and a few sites are reminding us how their users best communicate with each other - by sharing. Online social shopping sites aim to give shoppers a similarly interactive, personal and communal experience. "It's like going shopping with a friend versus going alone," Chris Kensler, editorial director for social shopping site Stylehive. "You get to bounce ideas off of each other and get new ideas. It's the kind of discovery that comes from shopping in a group that makes the site work."

Here's a run-down of the top social shopping networks:

Kaboodle is a social shopping community where people discover, recommend and share products. Kaboodle's tools allow people to organize their shopping through lists, discover new styles, get discounts on popular products and find best prices. Community members create and join groups, share advice, feedback and product suggestions and personalize their profiles with polls and other widgets. Kaboodle was launched in 2006 and has 550,000 registered users and over 7 million monthly visitors.

Part social-networking club, part pop-culture lab , Stylehive.com is one big ensemble cast of trendsetters creating, discovering and buying the next big thing! A hip hybrid that connects online style addicts with one another, as well as to their favorite fashion, home goods, and other fun stuff, Stylehive.com has become the go-to address for all things fresh, hip, and now.

Founded in 2006, ThisNext is a social shopping network where people interact with community-validated taste makers and influencers to discover recommended products.
Reaching millions of visitors each month, ThisNext has become the place to find and experience the best, most unique products on the Web. ThisNext is funded by Anthem Venture Partners and Clearstone Ventures Partners and is redefining online commerce as a genuine social shopping experience.

Check em out. They may be talking about your products already!

USB Wristbands...The Evolution of Live Music Recordings

With the amount of digital downloads over the past year, it's no surprise that CD's are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Apple has made it so easy to obtain music through its iTunes store. Napster and Rhapsody are back in the fray. There are rumors that Best Buy, Target, and even Wal-Mart will eventually stop selling CDs and revert to downloads online.

While all of this is exciting for the digital community, what about all of the live shows we go to and supporting those artists? What happens when they stop selling CDs at their merch booth? I found out what happens at a Slightly Stoopid concert last night at Red Rocks: Silicon wristbands with USB drives built-in to them.

These are not your ordinary wristbands. You can take live recordings of the show home with you on your wrist and then listen to the live show on your computer, burn it to a CD, or upload it to your iPod or any MP3 player! These USB wristbands are Mac and PC compatible. A limited number of these USB Wristbands were available for purchase at the merchandise booths approximately 15-20 minutes following each artist's performance.

The idea was first implemented last night and to prove it successful, there was so much demand that opening acts' performances sold out the wristbands. This buzz quickly became widespread within their community, and the band will now make them available online for those who missed out on the show.

eTail 2008: Embracing Web Analytics and Social Networking

Speakers at the eTail conference in Washington stressed both web analytics and social networking as the most effective means to understand both data and human behavior.

While many companies look at what the consumer is buying, they are missing out on predictive modeling, seasonal cycles, buying/browsing patterns, and gauging the value of "action words" that give more insight into the behavior of consumers. Sheldon Gilbert, founder and CEO of Proclivity Systems, whose company focuses on analytics and predictive behavior modeling, added that “customers are telling us things constantly, but we don't see it. Many of you are sitting on a goldmine."

Gilbert added that “the data will tell you what to offer,” and that “human behavior is fairly predictive.” The best way to create offers is to learn what customers of one particular product are also buying. He also pointed out that this type of modeling behavior will only get more advanced as we tap into social media groups, blogs, videos and customer reviews for data.

In addition, the “wisdom of the crowds” mentality and how it comes into play regarding purchasing patterns was discussed. “People who are friends, consciously and subconsciously, buy similar products,” he said.

Also speaking at the conference, Pattiann McAdams-Russell, president of Avon's online division, said that the cosmetics direct merchant is digging deeper into social networking as a way to give its sellers more power. By year's end, Avon representatives will have the ability to blog on their personal Avon Websites. This will enable them to further tell the story of the products they sell. Reps will also be able to chat live to help customers make their decisions.

Avon is also testing with Facebook and MySpace to attract a younger business. The company is integrating with Facebook to allow reps to have a storefront within that social network. McAdams-Russell said this type of social integration "will allow for engaging testimonials, and allow users to share knowledge of their products with their friends."

My POV - the ecommerce landscape is constantly evolving. As we gain insights into how people shop, we start speaking their own language. This only helps make the transaction run smoother, kinda like your good ol' fashioned "relationship". All you need is honesty, loyalty, and trust.

As Gas Prices Increase, Are More Retailers Willing To Drive Online Shopping?

In light of increasing gas prices, some online retailers are offering incentives such as free shipping to increase sales volume...and it's working. Top retailers are seeing a double-digit increase in online sales while struggling with sluggish sales from their brick-and-mortar stores.

Read this interesting article from the NY Times.

Amazon's checkout can be yours

Move over PayPal and Google Checkout...

Amazon just opened the door for online retailers to process transactions using their checkout. Online merchants simply add Amazon's checkout cart on their site and Amazon will handle the payment process from there. They also launched Amazon Simple Pay, so if you already have an account with Amazon, your info is stored so you can avoid re-entering and calculating shipping costs and sales tax.

Of course there are transaction fees, starting at 2.9% of the entire order. Beats doing it yourself.

Read more about Amazon Checkout and Simple Pay here.

Pandora's web app brings streaming radio anywhere

I discussed the use of iPhone's web apps for online shopping. This post demonstrates how Pandora will change the way people listen to and interact with radio through the use of their web app.

I was at a sushi restaurant recently, sitting at the bar and struck up a conversation with the bartender while listening to their music. It kinda went like this...

Me: "This is a good mix, where did you get it?"

Bartender: "Pandora on my iPhone 3G. I created my own station and it's playing through the speakers in the restaurant."

This means you can listen to Pandora anywhere - your home theater, car, even a jog around the block - on your iPhone. Check it out for yourself.

Read more about Pandora's web app here and be sure to check out the video.

Are online auctions fading?

Let's face it - the online marketplace has changed drastically over the past decade. Ebay's revenue is down, considerably, and they are in a desperate state of overhaul.

Read this to learn more about the future of eBay.

Can new logo for Wal-Mart repair its image?

Wal-Mart, err...uh, Walmart (no dash) has a new look. But is it as environmentally-conscious as it's new logo suggests?

Read more here!

Who Knew...Hulu

NetFlix revolutionized shopping for DVDs online without having to leave your house. YouTube allowed users to upload their own videos and watch their favorite clips for free. Now a site called Hulu merges both worlds.

Unlike YouTube, Hulu's flash content is at a higher resolution and bit rate which yields a better picture on a larger flash player. Although you're still streaming here, you have the option to pop out, view full screen, share, or watch theater-style. TV clips, episodes and videos are supported by the major networks, so you don't have to worry about the link being taken down or clicking through hundreds of user-uploaded videos to find the original. Hulu also categorizes full-length episodes from short clips.

With NetFlix, you order and wait. Before you order, you hope that there is a short line in your queue. With Hulu, all you have to do is search their library and start watching excerpts or feature films. Films are categorized by type so you can browse the lineup, which changes every so often.

So how can they get away with this? Hulu is owned by NBC Universal and News Corp, so the majority TV episodes you find are from NBC and FOX. You will also see advertising at the beginning of play with limited interruption - sometimes outside of the actual player - during commercial breaks.

What about paying for content? If you want to own an episode, all you have to do is click on a link that will take you to Amazon.com to purchase. In light of Apple allowing iTunes users to rent movies and download programming, you can watch it in just about any format (they give you a list of options). Plus you can take it with you to watch on another computer. The highest resolution is 480p, which is standard but by no means HD content.

Now...time to catch up on old episodes of LOST.