Remixing Best Buy
The consumer electronics industry is tough and competitive. Circuit City, once a major player, went out of business in Jan2009. Yet through it all, Best Buy continues to innovate, adapt, & grow.
What Remix Means
Remix is the application programming interface (API) for Best Buy’s product database. Developers can use the Remix API to tap directly into product data including part numbers and stock quantities. Another example: Google makes its map API available for developers who want to include driving directions in their web apps.
Members of the Best Buy innovation engine share their thoughts in this 4:50 video:
Leveraging External Minds
The Remix API is a great example of the Open Source mindset. No company is large enough to hire every smart person on the planet. By launching the Remix API, Best Buy makes it easier for those external smart folks to build software to benefit Best Buy while helping themselves. Truly a win/win idea.