The Death of Compact Discs

So I think that CDs are on there way out. I think it's outdated and that eventually the music industry will fully embrace the online purchase of mp3s. The problem lies in what many consumers want, which is the packaging. They want the artwork, lyrics, cd leaflets...all the things not music.

There may be an opportunity in bringing back substance to albums. When you sell these digital albums they could come with the music videos for certain songs, the lyrics and lyric explanation, interviews from the artist, artwork/graphic design or even intimate performances.

Either the record labels would put something like this together or a 3rd party company closely related with record labels. This 3rd party company could be like a consulting company that works with artists, record labels and other media sources to put the entire product together. I think there are enough consumers out there that would find value in this. Personally, I still know that a lot of my friends think it's ridiculous to buy a song for $.99 or an album for $9.99 because of what they are getting.

Also, with MP3s players becoming more advanced like video ipods or phones that play mp3s (smartphones) there is a lot more options for the average music listener

Maybe in the future there will be flash cards that have all these goodies, which you buy from a bricks and mortar store.

Scents for a Guy's Guy

I was walking through the grocery store and remembered that my room was starting to smell kinda funky... don't ask me why, i don't know either. I decided to go through the fragrance aisle... an aisle most men don't venture into. I felt like I was lost in the woods or something. Anyways, what I noticed was there were no scented candles or scented oils or whatever else they put scents on for guys. I looked online and couldn't find anything there either.

So the idea is pretty straight forward. Make scents that guys like. Scents like baseball stadium or something.. well maybe that's a bad example, but you get the picture.

I think the only one that could pull this off successfully might be the big boys like Proctor and Gamble or Unilever. AXE or Tag body spray may really benefit from something like this. If implemented right, they could expand their market and create more of a lifestyle product line for their already very targeted demographic... ahaha!!! This would be great for high school and college students and ever some young professionals.

Have a slogan like "Once they walk into your room, the panties fall" or maybe something more kosher.

You may be able to go by this on your own... with a website and doing very selective advertising at first. The marketing itself would be a good amount of capital.

GPS Gas Prices

I am not sure if the technology is there yet, but it will be. With the rise of GPS systems more and more applications are being developed. Soon there we will also have the option of internet in our cars from the exponential growth of WiFi and WiMax technologies.

Wouldn't it be great if we were driving in our car, realized we needed gas and could check our GPS system for the cheapest gas station in... lets say in a 5 mile radius. Especially with how much gas prices have risen recently... it's rediculous.

For the mean time before internet ready cars, you could have a website where you download the coordinates for the gas stations of where you will be driving, but of course this will be static.

http://autos.msn.com/everyday/GasStations.aspx?m=1&l=1&zip=34715&x=17&y=11

Through MSN autos you can obtain this data!

You may also be able to apply this to certain businesses. A trucking business or a moving business where gas prices add a lot to the opertaional cost. ... maybe even travelling salesmen and i know there are plenty of those.

Trendy Plastic Bags?!?!

What have you noticed at the airport lately? Yes, how security has cracked down... and for good reason. We are dealing with some serious issues right now. But does any one else see the business opportunity here?

So what can't you bring on a plane. Looks like hair gel, lotion, and even liquids like water and cola; electronics are so burdensome many travellers are handing them off to check-in luggage. The U.K is even more strict... your are only allowed to bring a plastic bag with the bare necessities. Here is the website from Transportation Security Administration describing what you can and can't carry-on http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/new-procedures.shtm

What's interesting is what you CAN bring on a flight. Light reading, passport, other traveling documentation and prescribed medicine.

This idea may be more relevant to U.K. travellers (more restrictions), but make trendy plastic bags. If the above mentioned is all the carry-ons TSA will allow why not do it in style. Campers have used extremely strong plastic bags for years. This is the kind of bag you would need, because you want these bags to have some value. You give them value in two ways. One, is to make them sturdy enough where they can have repeated use and wear and tear. Two, is to give them some gusto... possibly make them tinted colored(green, blue, pink) or embroider them.... there's tons of possibilities here. Another feature could be to have different compartments inside or outside the bag. Have a pocket that is the size of a passport... have a pocket that hold pills... and maybe have seperators for random papers and whatnot. Add comfortable strap or handles. The beautiful thing is that the whole product can still all be plastic.

Trendy Plastic Bags....

If you strive to make these for higher wealth consumers, the margins could be pretty nice here.

The only downfall I really see is if these restrictions are only temporary. Problem solved if technology gets better in finding explosive components, which they are working on, but may be far from implementation.