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Dallas -- Neiman Marcus said Thursday that it is testing a new iPhone-only app that allows customers to interact directly with their sales associates.

The new app, NM Service, is being tested in four stores this spring — in Austin, Texas; Dallas; San Francisco; and Palo Alto, Calif.

Smart phone Mobile Apps! Just like the accessibility of airplane travel for the masses revolutionalized the travel industry, smart phones will revolutionalize the retail industry. Although I may use hyberbole on occasion (but only to make a point), this is not one of those times. They will truly change the industry as we know it. 2011 will be the tipping point — the point where the line on the penetration chart crosses over. More than 50% of cell phones in the United States will be smart phones versus functional phones, according to Nielsen.

I’m an avid user of Blockbuster’s DVD-by-mail rental program, Total Access. I chose this service over that of competitor Netflix because I like the option of going into the store and exchanging my mailed DVD for another—free of charge—while the next selection in my queue is being shipped. Plus, the local Blockbuster is only four blocks from my apartment.