Episode #1
Tech Brewed
Welcome to the Tech Brewed podcast, where we serve up the latest in tech news and dive into the world of creative technology topics. In today's episode, we'll cover Google Calendar's new feature of paid appointment bookings, which enables users to set prices and handle payments through Stripe without any additional fees, rolling out gradually from July 2023.. Hey there! I've got some exciting news to share with you. Google Calendar is stepping up its game by introducing a brand new feature that you're going to love. Now, not only can you book appointments with ease, but you can also offer paid appointments! How awesome is that?
The way it works is pretty straightforward. If you're an appointment provider, you can connect your Stripe account to Google Calendar and set a price for your services. This means that when users book appointments with you, they'll be directed to Stripe to enter their credit card information. It's a seamless process that aims to make your life as a small business owner way easier.
One of the main benefits of this new feature is that it helps reduce no-shows. Because let's face it, no one likes it when a client doesn't show up for their appointment. It can be frustrating and can mess up your entire day, right? Well, with this new feature, you can ensure that your clients are committed. After all, they're entering their credit card information, so they're more likely to honor their appointment.
But that's not all! This feature is not just about managing payments effectively. The geniuses behind Google Calendar have made sure that no payment information is processed or stored by Google Calendar itself. So you can rest assured knowing that your clients' sensitive information is in good hands with Stripe. Plus, Google Calendar won't charge you any platform fees for providing this incredible service. It's a win-win situation!
Now, let's talk about how you can enable or disable this feature. If you're an admin, you have the power. You can head to the Admin console and easily toggle this feature on or off. So you have complete control over whether you want to offer paid appointments or stick to the free ones.
But wait, there's more! End users, like yourself, also have the flexibility to turn on payments in the appointment schedule editor. This means that if you're an end user who wants to offer paid appointments, you have the freedom to do so. You can customize your appointment schedule accordingly and start earning some extra cash from your valuable services.
Now, you might be wondering when you can start taking advantage of this new feature. Well, the rollout is happening gradually, starting in July 2023. So keep an eye out for it! This exciting development is available to various Google Workspace plans and Workspace Individual users. So no matter which plan you're subscribed to, you'll be able to enjoy this fantastic feature.
Now, let's shift gears and talk about another exciting development in the tech world. IBM has just launched a groundbreaking platform called Watson X. This platform is designed to provide enterprise-ready AI and data solutions, and it comes with three amazing products: watson x.ai, watson x.data, and watson x.governance.
So, what can you do with Watson x? Well, it's all about unleashing the power of AI and data in the enterprise domain. Clients and partners can use foundation models and machine learning for various use cases. Whether you want to leverage existing models or build your own custom solutions, Watson x has got you covered.
But IBM Consulting's watson x practice is here to lend a hand too. They provide expert guidance and support to help you make the most of Watson x. So even if you're new to AI and data, you don't need to worry. The experts are on your side!
Watson x is not just some fancy concept. It has been shaped and refined by over 150 users across different industries. And guess what? It has been involved in some incredible projects with renowned organizations like NASA and Wimbledon. So you can trust that this platform is truly top-notch and ready to take on any challenge you throw its way.
But IBM has no intention of stopping there. Watson X will continue to evolve and expand its capabilities. There are exciting plans in the pipeline, including AI governance, data discovery, and foundation model specialization. So you can expect even more cutting-edge features and functionalities to be added to the platform as time goes on.
In conclusion, both Google Calendar and IBM are making waves in the tech world with their innovative solutions. With Google Calendar's new paid appointment booking feature, small business owners can better manage their time and reduce no-shows. And with IBM's Watson X platform, businesses can leverage the power of AI and data for enterprise use cases. It's an exciting time to be in the tech industry, and these developments are definitely something to look forward to!
