Markets In Everything: Track-Kids Track Shoes?
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The single biggest difference between capitalism and government is that with capitalism, dumb ideas don't last very long --
Warm-fuzzy-feeling products are subject to the same market forces as any other product. They might seem like a great idea to some, or at a particular point in time (remember "executive parachutes" after 9/11?). But in the end the market prevails. Good stuff sells, crap doesn't. I think GPS sneakers are the latter.
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Not at all related: Personal submarines for $75,000. Is the SCUBA industry about to get torpedoed, or will this be the Segway of the Seas?
Quantum Satellite Technology, a line of $325 to $350 adult sneakers ... promises to locate the wearer anywhere in the world with the press of a button. A children's line will be out this summer.I'm not a parent, and my parents are not afflicted with Alzheimer's, but I'm fairly certain that I could figure out a more efficient and cheaper way to protect, or even to track, my loved ones than $325 + $19.95 per month.
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The sneakers work when the wearer presses a button on the shoe to activate the GPS. A wireless alert detailing the location is sent to a 24-hour monitoring service that costs an additional $19.95 a month.
In some emergencies -- such as lost child or Alzheimer's patient -- a parent, spouse or guardian can call the monitoring service, and operators can activate the GPS remotely and alert authorities if the caller can provide the correct password.
Warm-fuzzy-feeling products are subject to the same market forces as any other product. They might seem like a great idea to some, or at a particular point in time (remember "executive parachutes" after 9/11?). But in the end the market prevails. Good stuff sells, crap doesn't. I think GPS sneakers are the latter.
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Not at all related: Personal submarines for $75,000. Is the SCUBA industry about to get torpedoed, or will this be the Segway of the Seas?
Related Posts (on one page):
- Markets In Everything: Track-Kids Track Shoes?
- Markets in Everything: Dude's Up, Surf!
Posted by Kip on
10 February 2007
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