Made In USA & X Box One’s Killer Feature?

More tech companies are bringing manufacturing back from Asia. Google is building the X Phone stateside, and Apple will build the new Mac Pro here. A survey from Boston Consulting Group reveals part of the reason for the sudden patriotism. The BCG survey shows that 80% of people will pay more for tech built in the USA. It’s ALWAYS about the cash!

Microsoft has gotten a lot of heat for the upcoming X Box One, but they may have something of a killer feature….developers can self publish their own games, and skirt going through a publisher. Microsoft will release more on this at the Gamescom conference next month. They have a big hill to climb with the X Box One, but this may be something of a lifeline.

Google Maps has been the gold standard, but City Maps may be the up and coming better choice. Think of City Maps as Google Maps with Yelp, Foursquare, and Instagram baked in. 15 million businesses are available. Tapping each business pulls up relevant information like directions, Instagram photos, popular Foursquare tips, menus and the ability to add them to a particular map you’ve created.You choose which of your friends can get access to your maps. Of course it also has the usual driving directions, walking maps and public transit information in addition to the sharing and business features.