Idea 38: 3D Virtual Shopping - When SecondLife Meets Zappos

Online shopping can get boring at times. Not any more, when you can visually tour the store in a 3D environment, ask a representative questions, and even shop together with your friends, not just messaging them, but you actually see your friends' avatar and your own together on the screen. Have you lived a secondlife?

That's the idea. The future of online shopping will replace the flat, static product catalogues with a full experience.

1. Interactive. You may compare different products as their 3D models are displayed side by side in the virtual shelf, just as they would in a real store. Hover your mouse over, and it will fly over with more details; hover your mouse over the lady, and a message box pops up where you can ask a question.

2. Social. Imagine your friends and you sharing the exact same screen over the internet. Point your mouse over a product, and your friends see them as well. Type a message, you can discuss opinions in real time.

3. Fit. Your 3D avatar has all your sizes, hair style and skin color. Try on a shirt and you'll see how it fits on your body. Best of all, no need to figure out what sizes to choose. (from an earlier idea.)

4. Fun. Music is played, chat exchanged, opinions shared. Even if nothing is bought, it's kind of fun.

At least my wife likes this kind of online shopping experience, although I have to admit, sometimes I still prefer the cold, hard google search box. How about you?

photo credit secondlife

Idea #19 Online art collection for social networking and retailing

High end embroidery art gallery from China.

Members ask questions, sharing information, get notified for recent acquisition and sales.

It is like going to an art gallery in Sausalito, CA, with a group of family and friends, who share the same passion about art. It is informational, enjoyable, memorable, and along the way, art is collected with reasonable price.

It is Gilt.com for art.

Idea #14 - Virtual 3D fitting and tailored apparels

Imagine trying on new clothes online with a 3D model tailored for you!

Upload your measurements, height, weight, hair color/style, skin, body shape, whatever. Now you have a virtual 3D avatar model built with exactly your size and shape.

Pick a shirt, a click of button later, you will see the 3D effect of the shirt on your avatar. Scroll your mouse, different lighting conditions are created for your visual examination of the shirt, under different angles.

Impressed and want to make a purchase ? The perfect size is automatically picked according to your size and shape, never again be confused by the obscure labels. Even better, no need to worry about not able to find your size out of stock, because it never will, in the online world. Even it does not have the size at the moment, a custom tailored order can be issued just for you.

The technology is here. We just need to find a business case and make it happen.