We become "Superhumans" without realizing it...

In a recent Q&A session, Ray Kurzweil is discussing the process of humans becoming superhumans (or cyborgs if you want). (Find out more here.)

Most people have a negative view of this process and are afraid of the change. Kurzweil argues that we shouldn't be because this process is already happening now. We just do not realize it!

In fact if you look around, you can notice a lot of examples of us becoming more superhuman.

Let me give you some examples that I notice in my environment.

1. As I live in Bruges, I see a lot of guided tours with audio devices. This audio devices enhance our hearing capacity and could easily be extended with translation facilities.
2. Augmented reality apps are merging our virtual world and the physical world. Augmented reality apps? Yes, they are here, look at the Pokemon Go hype!
   
   
   
   
3. We are all wearing wearables, so our body is already connected to the cloud: we measure how we sleep, how many steps we make, how many calories we burn, what our heart rate is, we trace our running route, etc. There are even devices that help improve our golf swing.
   
   
   
   
   
4. The selfie sticks let us take pictures of ourselves without the help of anybody else.
5. Braces help us to become more mobile.
   
   
   
   
   

And there are a lot more examples. Do you have some interesting ones? Do you (dis)agree with Ray Kurzweil? As always, I'm looking forward to your comments!

Photo credits:

• https://www.flickr.com/photos/audiolucistore 
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augmented_reality
• http://urbanwearables.technology/improve-your-golf-swing-with-wearable-technology/
• https://www.flickr.com/photos/iwona_kellie 

Restarting my blog with the Pokemon Go Hype...

I posted the post 'Pokemon Go isn't just a hyped game...' on my LinkedIn blog a few days ago.
Ayodeji Awosika gave me on Medium the advice to use my own blog as a starting point and to repost on other media. So I'm reviving my blog with this post. Enjoy reading and I'm looking forward to your comments!
Pokemon Go isn't just a hyped game, although officially it's only available in a limited part of the world today, it's already big business. Nintendo monetizes the game in a different way than traditional games do. In fact a lot of users spend a small amount to buy extra features in the game. (read more) As a result the share price of Nintendo skyrocketed!

But not only Nintendo earns money with Pokemon Go, also the telcos earn probably a lot of money with the extra data traffic on their networks. (Anybody has data on this?)

And also local merchandisers could profit on this, being a little bit creative...

But if you think somewhat further, the monetization opportunity of this game is virtually limitless:

• Nintendo could easily build a Streetview-like database with the app. 
• Nintendo could partner with local merchandisers and events to create special experiences at these places. 
• Business information, c.f. Google Business, could be integrated in the app. 
• Ads for local merchandisers could be integrated in the game. 
• The app could be used as a loyalty and -why not- payment card. 
• Etc. 

Do you have more monetization ideas for Pokemon Go? Write them down in the comments. Looking forward to read them!

Read more background information on the inception of Pokemon Go here.

Picture credits: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tofu_mugwump/27121426235.