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Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

Posted 7 months ago by rstephens
Part of: Insignia Tablet
Idea Status: coming soon

It'd be great if...

Best Buy used their global powers for good to unite employees and customers to design, build, beta, and sell an Android-powered Insignia tablet.

Then give BlueShirts and Agents each one to use to improve customer service.

10/12-inch
Wifi-n
Camera
Accessories

low-cost Dynex model

About This Idea

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54 Comments

Agent3012

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

We can call it the Insignia Connect.

First, as a tool to use for in-store and on-site by Best Buy Blue Shirts and Geek Squad Agents to provide connected access via wifi to an entire world full of information, not to mention each other ("connect").

The device will allow a strong uptake in online interaction with the community at a local level via social networking tools like Twitter and Facebook. The public can get to know their local Best Buy employees and ask questions directly to their store's own Twelpforce.

Apps can be created to allow instant access to internal resources, reducing the amount of time an employee has to leave a customer to go look up information on a store kiosk that may not be near the department.

Once we've beta tested the device, we can market it to both individuals and organizations. Companies would be very interested in a device that can be customized via apps on the open Android OS platform to connect their employees each other, and to internal and external company resources.

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Michael Sander

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

Product features I would include:

Bluetooth Support
Preloaded Android applications -top 5-10 chosen by Customers and Employees
Built in flash - for the camera (and also hopefully Flash support from android 2.1)

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AgentMock

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

Id like to see it smaller, in the 7-9" range. Anything 10" plus is inconvenient to carry.

Id also like for it to support Google's upcoming full Chrome OS. Android is nice but keeps the device from lacking a lot of power. I like power.

Also, a on-screen touch keyboard is cool....but I hate them. But, what if we had a built in lazer virtual keyboard like: http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/keyboards-mice/8193/
Then I could have an actual keyboard! This way the tablet could be placed on a stand and a keyboard could be cast onto a perpendicular flat surface....voila, portable desktop.

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Double Agent Holder

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

The problem with the laser virtual keyboard is that it doesn't quite work. I had a client with one that we spent the better part of an hour trying to use. It's a great concept, but for right now, it's just a toy.

As for having a keyboard, why not create docks similar to what Apple has for the iPad?

Personally, I'd like to have a device like this for In-Home use, too. There are many times it could come in handy.

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Agent3012

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

I second the suggestion for Bluetooth support, as it opens the device up a world of accessories like keyboards.

A bluetooth dock, for example, that you can sit the tablet upright on, would allow you to connect a keyboard and mouse. A great way to turn the tablet into a desktop replacement that's still portable when needed.

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Jacob-BBY

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

Adding MS Communicator support for units used around our enterprise would be incredibly useful as well.

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Agent3012

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

Two services that we should tie in with this device early on would be our Napster streaming music and CinemaNow streaming movie services.

Would be a great way to introduce new owners to the idea of cloud-based entertainment.

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Agent 724

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

Great Idea. This could also be used in the Service Centers to not only interact with our agents (over 800 employees @GSC) but also to better interact with our clients! I 2nd the idea of a corporate im client like communicator or since its a Google powered device gtalk.

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AgentMock

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

@Double Agent

I want an actual keyboard apart of the device somehow.....carrying around 2 pieces that I have to assemble is pointless. Otherwise, my cell phone with its physical keyboard is of more use to me.

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AgentMock

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

@Agent 724

Google Wave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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AgentMock

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

insignia model should use the Nvidia Tegra graphics processor to be game capable

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Agent6711

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

It would be great if it was something we could bring home with us, even if we had to buy our own. While in-store, it would be nice to have access to various resources (FMS, RSS, etc. maybe something to show at least basic status of a STAR tag). Obviously measures would need to be implemented so they cannot be accessed outside of a BBY.

As far as the customer side of it, we could have apps that allow them direct contact with their local BBY/Geek Squad. They could send a message that would go into a queue (department specific perhaps), then when an Agent or other associate responds it would be a live interaction. And, with some type of video sharing, we could demo products to the customers right on their tablet

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Joshua Kahn

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

I love the idea of being able to use it in the stores, or on in-home service calls, that way the customers, via natural curiosity get exposure to them and how they work.

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Agent502

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

I agree with Agent3012 here. A connected device would be amazing. Think of all the support Agents and sales people would have, if we had something like this.

Agents gets stuck on something, and now they have access to the forums, while sending out a Tweet to others, and instant messaging with Secret Weapon, all while building a relationship with the client.

Stores can use it to make sure we get the client what they need. If a client comes in and asks about a server, or if they can do this with their TV, we have instant lines of communication open up to us. We have email now, but at times it seems to slow. Text message and Tweets will be the next step.

Wonder what will come out to make us think these are slow...?

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Matthew-GS

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

Integrated HD video camera with flash/light or at least support for external camera would be nice. I'd also like to use it as an external monitor for the camera (streaming/video in - as accessory?).

For Audio, consider RocketBoost integration.

We have a laser keyboard and it works well on level, non-dark surfaces. I'd second this desire, but perhaps as a bluetooth accessory if native integration is difficult?

How about gesture-based navigation and gaming in an advanced model?

Please also consider adaptive technology needs. There is an often overlooked potential market for a lightweight, affordable tablet configurable to the needs of differently-abled individuals. Everyone wins when adaptability/accessibility is the focus of design.

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Agent3012

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

Imagine what happens to IdeaX if every one of the employee tablets had an app to submit an idea the very second they (or a customer) had it.

Or newly submitted ideas are easily available to every employee via the tablet so they can bounce their feedback off of them.

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Agent6056

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

I'd like a front facing camera for Skype/BBYIM. and 3G for field Agents.

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AgentMock

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

@agent6711

if you have the correct URL's when connected to the store's VPN, you can access RSS, FMS, etc.

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CamG

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

Project teams from BBFB could work with business customers to customize and integrate these devices into their processes.

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Dragon - Remix

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

And, BTW, there are several groups within BBY corporate working on integrated desktops and sales work flow management apps/suites. Put it in the hands of employees, power it with Remix, Customer Account and a commerce API and you have a game changer.

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Joshua Kahn

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

So clearly a fire has been started here. We are working behind the scenes to get some Insignia folks to take a look at the thread here and see what will be required for bringing this to the next stage. If you all are up for it, I'd ask you to push the URL for this idea around your social graph and offer it up for our customers to contribute to this as well.

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Michael Sander

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

I would like to see the option to connect a projector like the Pico projector to this device. Also, if we could work with someone to design an Android app and a device to receive wireless HD - like the WIDI from Netgear. (The Archos internet tablet currently has a docking station that allows it to become a DVR and to play HD movies onto a TV.)

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davebise

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

Also, Best Buy could start "going green" or paperless by allowing customers to fill out Geek Squad services sheets on the tablet to eliminate the need for paper. It also would allow them to view the progress of the serviced products via email, online, or phone by accessing a website to see what is being done to the computer and when the possible completion date would be.

In addition, the tablet would increase the use of OMS, FMS, and ROS allowing customers to order items/products from the associate without leaving the sales floor to see when something can be delivered, from what store, how many hours of services, etc. Could also include a timeline on their products or services much like the paperless GS forms. Layout a schedule stating so they can visually see what the process is until the final product is complete

Sept 18- Customer in store
Sept 20- TV delivered with haul away
Sept 25- In store pick up of accessories (if ordered from OMS, etc)
Sept 26- In home setup
Nov 2 - Calibration

Apple associates already have something like this in their stores and use it with the customer so they do not have to leave them unattended while searching inventory or for information about a product. Also, they can ring out the customer out without walking them to customer service. All transactions can be done anywhere in the store by anyone.

I agree with what most of you said and like the ideas.

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AgentMock

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

@davebise

love the idea of not having to leave the customer for info! and with a POS system on a device like this, you can ring the client out as you talk about stuff....no worries about forgetting anything or taking an extra 10 minutes to ring out the sale in POS.

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Agent6157

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

Observation: Android means handing all of our customer data over to Google.

Make it Windows CE or Symbian and you have me sold though. Or heck, give it an Atom chip rather than an Arm and make it Windows 7 for all I care. :)

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adamstoffel

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

I honestly don't see this being all to practical for a day in the life of a BBY Mobile employee. We already use the mobile genie for some of these types of things. It would have to be a BIG improvement to what I've seen from the Genie. Doing things are just much to cumbersome when I could just hop on a computer.

I would, however, love to see an inexpensive tablet that I could take to class for notes, that would pull up lecture slides, PDFs, etc. I'd love for there to be a Windows option (probably 7 starter) just because I'm addicted to MS OneNote, which I can't even get on my MacBook.

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Agent6157

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

@adamstoffel: check out the HP Slate. :)

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Jacob-BBY

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

I like the ideas of having mobile POS built in to the units used at stores. Having an add on credit card reader, similar to how the apple stores are using with iPod Touch's now, would allow employees to keep the personal touch with the customer without a sales counter in between them. The software could contain all of the plans and services options to match the product that is being sold. Replacing the ancient clipboard. Man, the potential is unlimited with a device like this and I know we can do it.

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AgentMock

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

@adamstoffel

if it wasnt practical or useful, apple stores wouldnt be using it

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Michael Sander

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

@Agent6157 I don't see a corrolation between using android and "handing" information to Google. Google is one of the partners that have designed this platform. We would control everything on our servers, and these tablets regardless of the operating system would have to be secured in a way that customer information wasn't be stored on the tablet. It would still be on our databases, the tablet would just provide a method for accessing and modifying the data through systems we currently use (ROS, OMS, CCM).

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Michael Sander

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

One accessory I would love to see is a mobile printer. Perhaps we could even use the Zink printer from Kodak.

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xavier.castillo

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

this is a ridiculously good idea. LETS DO IT!!!

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adamstoffel

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

@Agent6157 Just checked out the HP slate. Pretty sweet. Like it a lot.

@AgentMock Apple would rather do something "cool" than worry about it being practical.

I'm just saying it seems even more cumbersome than just using the action center. And maybe that's just cuz I'm in mobile and always have 3 available computers within 15 feet. I guess I could definitely see the benefit for larger departments.

But in any case with all the functionality people want on these tablets, it's basically the same as using the mobile genie anyways. It has all of ETK on it. Take the genie, make it more "finger-friendly" and then you might really have something.

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AgentMock

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

@adamstoffel....its 2010, in the electronics world "cool" is typically practical.

It doesnt seem cumbersome to me. I am an HEA and one of my stores is a 50k. Between the larger size of the store and the amount of employees, 2 ETK computers and 3 POS's dont cut it. Luckily as an HEA I have a company laptop....otherwise I would never be able to get anything accomplished. The employees already use their iphones to look up device specs on bestbuy.com so they dont have to leave the customer and wait in line for an ETK computer.

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scr3wlo0se

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

My only change would be to use Google's Chrome OS. Well android is a great mobile OS for phones it is limited by its web browser and the its apps ability to function across different platforms.

Chrome would provide a more cloud based solution that seems to be a better fit for the uses of a tablet platform. Most if not all of the applications that a consumer/employee would use on a tablet are now available in a cloud based form including many with offline support when internet access is not available.

Add to that the default ability for websites to adapt to different resolutions within the screen resolution range of a table. Removing the requirement for developers to have to rebuild their services for yet another platform would make it a win across all aspects.

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Agent3012

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

I'd like to point out that having even 1 or 2 tablets per department would be immediately useful, even if there's a delay in getting any internal company resources made available on the device.

The first benefit is that with a wireless network in the store, the ease of adding a tablet to an area is immediate, versus the wait in looking to add a kiosk for either employee or customer access. And because of that flexibility, you can easily shift available tablets to the departments that are busier that day.

The second benefit is that a large number of customer questions can be answered using non-internal resources. For example, having a web browser means you can quickly bring up the bestbuy.com product page for that HDTV you're talking to a client with, providing more details about it immediately. Have a customer asking if we sell a particular product means a quick search where you're at, instead of walking them over to a kiosk.

The Media department would no doubt love have access to IMDB.com to answer questions like "Do you have that movie with that guy from Heroes in it?"

Also, imagine local stores being encouraged to interact via GTalk. Pinging a store GTalk account saves time from waiting in the phone queue to ask a simple question.

Finally, don't forget all our other resources, such as Twelpforce or IdeaX that would benefit from immediate access for asking questions, providing answers or making suggestions.

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Agent3012

Posted 7 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

On the topic of physical design:

I'd like to see the bezel around the screen be easily replaceable with others in different colors or designs. Best Buy Blue and Geek Squad Orange would be required options.

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taulpaul

Posted 6 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

Initial sketches:

Main points: Mini usb ports on each edge for universal peripheral connections: web cams, mics, hard drive, etc...

Utilizing an external battery that also serves as a grip: connects via mini usb and can work on either left or right side for righties or lefties.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandandbutter/sets/72157623351730266/

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Scott Burglechner

Posted 6 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

Hi. This is Scott from the team that makes our Insignia products. I LOVE the engagement and enthusiasm for Robert's idea. We can absolutely build a great Insignia tablet, incorporating ideas and input from the submissions here.

I'm seeing threads related to a device used as a resource/tool for employees to assist in selling, and I am seeing threads related to a consumer device.

For an employee device, we could get started right away on requirements, and figure out a potential cost. What is the best way to start consolidating requirements with everyone on the site here? Does anyone want to take the lead on this for us?

For a consumer device, this gets more difficult. I'd like to direct the community's passion around the challenge of making money, because to be honest, that is where it gets hard. We need a unified business case that includes the target customer, device, the data service plan, and the rev share model from online services.

Target Customer: Who?
Device: Low margin
Connected World:
- Data Connectivity: Help us understand the profit potential.
- Revenue Share from Services: What services are most valuable to customers, and what services can we most effectively participate in the value stream, and therefore make more money?
- Apps: Can BBY get into the business of designing and building (or investing in the development of) successful apps that customers are willing to pay for?
- What other pockets of profit am I missing?

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A806025

Posted 6 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

Awesome! As one of the customer marketing peeps working on the Insignia brand not only is this product concept exciting but the community driven development model is very powerful testament to the potential of this project -- not cool tech for the sake of cool tech but in service of our existing customers' needs and with a little luck and lots of hard work the needs of future customers. I'm passionate about the nexus of customer needs and product design, branding strategy, and product launches -- tweet me!

-Dan Berger
@tweetsdan

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AgentScreech

Posted 6 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

@agent3012 Most of that useful things that you described I already do, but on my phone. Customer has a question that I don't know about a product, I pull up m.bestbuy.com and put in the sku. Boom, I have the answer. IMDB is a bookmark on my phone anyway, so I use that a lot as is. I can attest that it is REALLY handy to have all that stuff. Add RSS and a few other ETK stuff and it's a must have.

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University of Pi

Posted 6 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

snap on keyboard dock that folds up into a netbook like device

@scott target audience is the ipad's appeal but with android
-ipad on steroids so to speak
the price should be around $300 - $500 for consumers
more likely $500

BestBuy doesn't need to make apps
-but a bestbuy app that worked like bestbuy.com with a cool optimized interface would be really cool

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Michael Sander

Posted 6 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

Scott,

I think Android app development is potentially a great revenue stream. There are so many opportunities that open up when we start down that path as well. It has been said here before, but developing a Napster app would be one of the first things we should do when developing a tablet with an Android operating system. By allowing customers to purchase songs through a device has been a large boon for Apple (iPod touch/iPhone).

By using these in store we could reduce the number of computers we lease from IBM, eventually reducing the need to lease kiosks and registers all together depending on how well we use the tablets in the field. This may not be a revenue stream, but is a reduction of our yearly costs which effects the bottom line in a positive manner.

The most revenue would likely come from the accessories, services, and services plans.

I personally would like to see all of the accessories come from Rocketfish (just as a separation of brands). There would be accessories like Keyboards, Cases, chargers, headphones, speakers, projectors, docking stations, arm bands (to strap to the forearm), video game style controllers, pocket portable printers, cables, etc. which will all carry margin and allow for the same external customization that is possible internally with Android.

Services may include training, data backups, virus removal (not a large problem yet, but may become one as the operating system grows).

Service plans are a must on this device. We really need to carry an ADH, just like on notebooks. I can easily see a tablet being dropped, cracked, smashed, spilled on in many of it's uses. These plans would be a huge win-win for the customer and for Best Buy.

Just a final mention of app development. This would be huge for Best Buy to get into whether we end up developing an Android tablet or not. The number of Android powered devices are growing exponentially and now would be a great time to jump onto that band wagon. I could see a business model that takes ideas for apps and splits the profits with those who suggested it.

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adamstoffel

Posted 6 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

As this continues to develop, I'm liking the idea more and more. As something that we can use in store, this device needs to be easy, quick, ergonomical, and fairly tough (how rough are most employees on telexons?).

From the consumer point of view, putting a gobi chip in the device opens up AWESOME possibilities for our customers, and for margin $. Something like that could even open this device up to our business customers. If we'd love it to work with our customers, wouldn't any other business owner?

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Agent4834

Posted 6 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

I like the idea of having the keyboard able to be attached. Maybe have it on a hinge and pivot so it can fold to cover the screen, or over the back.

Also, I didn't see anyone talk about Napster, all of that music right there. Have a time lock on it so when the blue-shirt or Agent is on the clock it won't play. I see having it as a Napster Device would give Best Buy a chance to shine with a few of its brands. Have a nice app to be able to stream all of the music right to the device.

With a nice set of Bluetooth headphones you would have a nice little music machine as well as a great office tool.

I would suggest branding it as Rocketfish, not Insignia. As far as i see it Rocketfish is the higher end brand when it comes to PC equipment.

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TheGamer

Posted 5 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

I agree but what are the chances of that happening

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jeruvin

Posted 5 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

Could be like Blue Label for a tablet device.

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chrisBBYcomo

Posted 4 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

@TheGamer - Best Buy is about positive customer experiences, there have been many customer/employee ideas that have been implemented int he past.

I personally would like to see the in-store version have a barcode scanner on it so when we scanned a product UPC it came up with other specs/reviews that are not anywhere on or near the product. This would reduce the amount of trips we have to make to the computers located in each department and allow us to directly show the customer right beside what they are looking at. This would relate to increased sales because of fewer distractions and would get each customer taken care of faster. End result = higher customer satisfaction and a more loyal customer base.

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Skuggi

Posted 4 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

we wouldn't need a barcode scanner built in really, employees can use a tool like shopsavy to use the camera for instant price checks and reviews, we could build our own app using barcode scanner to input info to the internal systems.

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Christian Pokrywka

Posted 3 months ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

Seems like the fire has kind of simmered down surrounding this idea, but I definitely think it's great and that tablets is where the future of computing, customer interactions etc. are heading.

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Joshua Kahn

Posted about 1 month ago in response to Insignia Android Tablet - designed by employees and customers

Note the status has changed on this idea.

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