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SwivelCard uses regular paper and has a USB drive embedded

swivelcard.info

21–30 of 58 posts

Re: SwivelCard uses regular paper and has a USB drive embedded

#22
post #19

Many companies have policies disallowing any foreign USB-Sticks. This diminishes the value of this concept in a professional environment significantly.

Particularly the software people and generally tech-savvy crowd are hesitant to stick foreign devices into their computers, and for good reasons.

Re: SwivelCard uses regular paper and has a USB drive embedded

#23
post #10
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

OK I see you indicated it is using NFC. But all the iPhone models from what I know of don't even have NFC, let alone instant response from their proximity.

Also what type of cost will be associated with these type of NFC chips, I can't assume a mass production of these would be inexpensive with those chips. Wouldn't just keeping the USB with the printed metallic ink and a QR code be more economical for mass production? Or will you have two separate models perhaps?

Kevin from intelliPaper here.

We offer two separate formats of SwivelCard.

NFC is a really good fit for some markets, and other markets don't have the adoption. By including NFC as a premium option, we can reduce the cost of just the USB experience and offer it for less.

Re: SwivelCard uses regular paper and has a USB drive embedded

#25
post #4
post #2

Interesting concept, and probably really useful for people on the go. I'm guessing you're doing the web redirection to the site of your client, or is this incorrect? If you are doing the redirection, I'm curious why you decided to not also include a QR code?

Yes, there is a backend interface that allows the card owner to direct each individual card to any webpage they want. We do include QR code (printed on the back of the cards) and NFC inside.

If someone sticks it in their USB port, what do they see? A URL shortcut file they need to click on? Or some kind of fancy executable software?

Re: SwivelCard uses regular paper and has a USB drive embedded

#27
post #10
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

OK I see you indicated it is using NFC. But all the iPhone models from what I know of don't even have NFC, let alone instant response from their proximity.

Also what type of cost will be associated with these type of NFC chips, I can't assume a mass production of these would be inexpensive with those chips. Wouldn't just keeping the USB with the printed metallic ink and a QR code be more economical for mass production? Or will you have two separate models perhaps?

Given that at the end of the day even their USB link is basically a unique code that goes to a website -- thus you can change the content whenever you want -- I don't see why this couldn't be done with a $0.05 NFC sticker and a QR code?

Why the USB part?

Re: SwivelCard uses regular paper and has a USB drive embedded

#28
I like the vision, but confused on what you're actually selling. After reading the FAQs, I was expecting a card that has physical memory and a foldable USB connector, but it seems this an NFC tag implementation that invokes a URL and is "designed for a connected experience". You're referring to this as 'unlimited storage' and 'wireless' technology.

I'm not interested in NFC tags.. I want ephemeral USB cards with physical memory. Analytics is important, but secondary in this form.

Re: SwivelCard uses regular paper and has a USB drive embedded

#29
This will sound overly negative, but I'm asking from an old-fashioned perspective...but why is this easier/better than just printing a URL on a card...in that situation, the card-giver also has the ability to update the content on that destination. Or, why can't the technology be as simple as a read/write stick?

The product seems to envision an idea of a "connected experience" not yet deliverable via a website...but what is that, exactly? The intention is that the card-receiver is going to keep inserting this USB stick to check out if the card-giver has updated the portfolio? If the impression/conversion hasn't been made at first insertion of the USB stick, not sure how this card would be any less discardable than a typical business card...

Also, what are the dependencies...if SwivelCard's cloud service goes down, does that hamper the experience of the end-user?

The IntelliPaper tech seems very cool, but business cards don't seem like a lucrative form for it.

Re: SwivelCard uses regular paper and has a USB drive embedded

#30
Folks, you've put a lot of thought into this, and I respect your efforts, but you're approaching the entire product wrong.

You've created a piece of technology, which precisely matches the purpose of a site URL on a business card, except your solution is more tacky, more cumbersome, and less familiar to people, so more prone to confusion than delight.

It's scary how close a basic site URL matches your product benefits:

- You can add more data (videos, resume, etc.) on a website.

- You can change the data at the site remotely after giving the card.

- You can track access to the site (including location by IP etc.)

Considering the fact that including a URL on a card is far more accessible (no need for a NFC compatible device or an enabled USB port), cheaper and not to mention way more elegant, than a USB contraption, you'll have to find something that differentiates your product from a URL, or you'll fail.

Remember - technology itself doesn't sell. Benefits sell.

P.S.: And honestly, saying "you'll be the most popular person at the conference" because of cheesy USB business cards really drives the message forward your target audience is the socially inept. Don't do this. No one cares what gizmos you have on your card.

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