Top 10 New Start-ups. Latest Web-Based Apps.

This is a big and exciting week with respect to technology (hardware that is), as it’s time once again for CES (the Consumer Electronics Show).  Having been to CES myself once, I can appreciate all the hype—it’s a time when all the big electronic manufacturers show off their latest gadgets.   In the spirit of innovation, I have highlighted ten up-and-coming start-ups who’ve created the latest web-based apps that I think you’ll be interested in learning more about.

1. Forget cumbersome mobile browsing, Aloga makes finding your favorite restaurant or store super simple by proactively notifying you of interesting places, events and other activities near you…no matter where you are.
2. WildFire will help you promote your business using social networks with their simple “Wildfire Promotional Builder.”
   

   Square credit card processing

3. SquareUp has created a super easy way to accept credit cards in the field.  No contracts, monthly fees or hidden costs…what’s not to love?
4. CitySourced provides a free, simple, and intuitive tool empowering citizens to identify civil issues (potholes, graffiti, trash, snow removal, etc.) and report them to city hall for quick resolution.  Anything that will make government more efficient has to be a good thing.
5. Are expense reports dragging you down?  Expensify might be a solution for you.  Throw away your paper receipts and stop tedious paperwork, get IRS-ready eReceipts.
6. Remember when the fax machine was the latest and greatest way to communicate—then came e-mail?  Well, Google might just revolutionize e-mail and it’s called “Wave.”  Currently Wave is in beta stage and you need to get an invite from Google to participate.  I have been a Wave Beta user for a few weeks now, and while I don’t fully understand it yet, I can see the enormous potential.  Frankly, I’m not even sure Google fully understands how Wave will work just yet as it continues to evolve.
7. Need to move inventory or put butts in seats?  GroupOn might be for you.  GroupOn is a bit like a coupon, but uses collective buying power to get good deals for their users.  Say a local theater has an event that is only half sold out, they can tell GroupOn that their $50 tickets can be sold for $25 if 500 people agree/buy.  Unlike cluttered coupon sites, GroupOn only serves up one deal per day (per city).
8. You’ve heard the slogan, “There’s an app for that.”  Now, there is an app to make an app.  Check out appmakr
9. GPS enabled smart phones are spawning all kinds of interesting new products.  Gowalla will enable you to share your experiences with others while also rewarding you for “stamping your passport” (so to speak).
10. The true convergence between T.V. and the web might just be here…thanks to Boxee.

I know there are a ton of cool new tools, services and start-ups out there, but at the moment, this is my top 10.  Please share or contribute to this post if you run into something revolutionary…or at least a 7 on the coolness factor.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 6th, 2010 at 8:46 pm and is filed under Interactive/Web INFO.