iPads save cash and trees

iPads are changing the way businesses do business

As technology rapidly advances, bookstores are being left in shambles (RIP Borders: tablets are taking over!), and the prospect of a future where jobs are replaced by robots doesn’t seem so far off anymore. But, alas! Sometimes technology does more than help us cut corners and feed into our lazy, time-crunched lives. Mashable reported that iPads are helping the environment by inspiring businesses to “go green.” With the increase of iPads and other tablets comes the ability to cut costs and eliminate resource waste. Paper usage, ink and toner refills and Office Depot runs to restock these products are becoming more infrequent thanks to file sharing and demonstrating on tablets.

One such company jumping on the iPad bandwagon is already seeing cost savings and waste reduction with their shift to the tablet. Architectural firm, BCRA relies on the iPad to reduce their carbon footprint and decrease printing costs. Design firms are typically heavy on paper use, particularly with the mass production of brochures as a means of marketing their portfolios. Before iPad’s introduction to the firm, BCRA’s 150-person staff relied solely on about 200 unique printed pieces to tell its story. Now they are able to showcase presentations to clients and share documents without a paper trail, resulting in an estimated reduction of 80 percent in printed brochures and an annual company savings of $15,000 by year-end.

Think of all the trees they’re saving! And of course, all the green they’re pocketing to be spent on more exciting things than paper.

Do you think we’ll start seeing more iPads surface in businesses in lieu of traditional paper document sharing?

photo: venturebeat.com

A silence that will wake you up

Technology is so mind-blowing these days. I came across an article on a new product that may make waking up to the dreaded alarm clock a pleasant experience. Because it’s not actually an alarm you’re waking up to. Introducing Lark, a silent alarm that wakes you up using natural vibrations. No more scaring the living daylights out of yourself from that piercing horn that blares from your bedside clock. Another plus is, if you’re not alone in bed, you can wake up on time without disturbing your spooning buddy. Lark uses your body’s natural rhythms that are synched from an app you download to your iPhone, iPad or iPod to a wristband you wear when you go to bed. Then, in the morning when your alarm is set to go off, your wristband will begin vibrating slowly at first until it matches your body’s rhythm. What a blissful way to wake up!

Lark was created by some brains at MIT in Boston, MA along with Stanford specialists and a Harvard professor. It was available for pre-order but as of today is out of stock so hang in there and keep checking the site for their next shipment or get on their waiting list.

Available for $99 with a $10 discount for pre-orders with the promo code “TC2010.”