AMD: Vista only a tiny step to convergence | CNET News.com
This is a pretty harsh piece on the state of the PC as told by AMD and cofirmed by Bose. Things are clearly too complex, big and loud. Consumers want simple, quiet and reliable.
Google ‘s Breakup
Steve Rubel made me aware of a new Google marketing campaign for The Break Up with Jennifer Anniston and Vince Vaughn. The idea is interesting – use the Google Video service to stream the clip (why not scale the preview window to the aspect ratio?) and then enable the viewing community to share their own break-up videos.
I don’t know many people have clips of their breakups, but regardless Google could have worked a bit harder to continue the interface of the promo through the associated clips. The way it works now is that when you choose a clip, you leave the movie promotion and just get the regular Google Video UI to watch through. I can’t see hitting back much if the clips are less than stellar and this seems like it would have been a pretty simple adjustment if they intend to run real promos.
Movielink and CinemaNow: Hardly Worth the Effort
If you must obtain a movie in the next few hours but can’t leave your house or have anybody else pick up the flick, these two Windows-only stores might work. Otherwise, it’s unclear who would bother with them: They stock far too few movies, charge too much for them, offer them at a quality inferior to any DVD and grossly restrict your use of these purchases. [Movielink and Washington Post]
Not exactly a solid endorsement…
Networked DVR
When I first read the headline I got very excited, but then I realized this is not what I was hoping for…
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Cable operator Cablevision Systems Corp. (CVC.N) said on Monday it plans to introduce a video recording service as early as this year that aims to replace the living room digital video recorder.Digital video recorders made by such companies as Cisco Systems Inc.’s (CSCO.O) Scientific-Atlanta and TiVo Inc. (TIVO.O) allow subscribers to pause and rewind live television programs and store programs on hard drives included on their home set-top boxes. The Cablevision service, by contrast, will allow customers to store programs on servers located at Cablevision’s facilities. Cablevision said the move is designed to cut the cost of installing and fixing digital video recorders, which are prone to malfunction.It will operate over existing cable systems through customers’ current digital set top boxes. Though the company said it had not yet priced the service, it expects cost-savings to be passed on to customers. [New York Times]
I sincerely hope that Cable companies decide this is the low-end version of the DVR service and continue to offer / allow a more high end recording capability. My experience with cable DVRs has been quite good. What I would love is for a shared recording space so I can easily browse programs recorded centrally (or simply from a second box) in a different room. This technology already exists and Scientific Atlanta offers a version of the box I already use (8300HD) which enables multi-room functionality. My home has all the connective lines needed – just coax – to make this happen.
Additionally, with “recording” done on the external network, you essentially just offer an enhanced on-demand service which is fine for some instances, but defeats any hope of portability other than streaming. The EyeTV 200 I’ve recently added enables me to auto-export to iPod format which enables my content to be synced with a docked iPod – or streamed through iTunes on any other computer. If I had systems running Front Row, I’d be able to stream quite easily on my home network.
I know I am not in the majority of consumers nor do I view technology through the mass market filter, but I can’t imagine people want less from their content services and providers…
Technorati Tags: Apple, Bonjour, broadband, DRM, DVR, Elgato, iPod, Marketing, Mobile, Movies, Music, Networking, PSP, TV
VW on You Tube and beyond
OK I’ll bite. I received a video link from an “anonymous” friend on You Tube… (just learned it was from my dad and You Tube did not carry forward his name or email) Seems based on the other videos posted by user lowblackdub that this is a viral move by VW and one I really like. I’ve been checking out the new GTI commercials on TV and like them quite a bit, though this one takes a completely different perspective and does not include the “bad influence” creature I’ve been seeing. VW has really done a great job using the web for a different spin from TV which is great to see. They’ve clearly planned differently for the different channels… The main VW site has a nice extension of this video with the sub-site for the GTI MK V…
It features Peter Stormare, the Nihilist from The Big Lebowski among other Coen Brother’s films like Fargo.
Superbowl Commercials 2006
I missed the game due to a west coast flight, but I found this via iTunes so I can at least see all the commercials…
Technorati Tags: Marketing
Downloaded Video Jones
So – Happy New Year first of all!
I’ve been slammed at the office and have not any real time to post, but more on that later…
During the holidays, I decided to check out Battlestar Gallactica while um, browsing online. I downloaded the first series for my iPod and started to watch it while commuting back and forth to the office. Turns out, it’s a really great show and I was hooked within a few short episodes. Since I had the whole season, I was able to watch as I wanted at my pace. This is not that new an idea, since DVRs have been around for a bunch of years and I’ve been a user since the beginning, but I actually had ALL the shows from the season and was able to dive right through commercial free.
I found myself doing most of my watching on my laptop connected to my TV or just directly while traveling. The quality is surprisingly good. It compares to my original SDTV Tivo which was definitely lossy, compared to non-Tivo TV, and certainly not as good as my HDTV DVR records now, but no worries here. The programming was compelling and fit my purpose. I’d certainly love to see it even better by the way, but would not expect that my iPod or iTunes for that matter would play HDTV downloads all that well – at least on my current laptop.
While watching the end of the first season, I saw that the third season was going to be starting in January (tonight actually) and got anxious that I was not going to be current in time, so I hit iTunes and purchased the second season. iTunes really nicely packaged it all, and soon enough all 10 shows were on my system. Well last night I watched the last episode of Season 2 and am completely jonesing for what’s next. I have no desire to wait for the show to begin airing again – assuming it’s available in my market’s cable system – but at this point have no choice.
This has led me to what I would presume is a fairly natural conclusion and something I’ve thought, but not believe – the broadcast model is dead. Downloads, legal or not are extremely convenient, portable and personal. I can define what I want to watch and when — of course assuming that the content that’s out there is worth watching.
The economics of PPV downloads is pretty tough. I paid just under $20 for 10 episodes in a lower resolution. While this was great for my instant gratification purposes it will probably not be the version I’d choose to watch in a home theater situation and I would choose either an HDTV download (if available) or DVD for my collection instead. I can’t justify buying all my shows this way either as it’s far too expensive when I add this to my existing monthly expense for cable (well over $100 which includes broadband access and the premium tier from Cablevision).
Intel’s new Viiv technology is pretty interesting and certainly has the vision to deliver against an on-demand broadband IPTV world. The hardware is capable of transcoding content on the fly which means you could download a very high quality version for local access and move a lower quality (smaller, compressed) file to your portable device, which might be an iPod or something similar. The release of the new Core Duo means you’ll be able to manage high def content on the go from your laptop and is an exiting thing to consider for my 2 hours of travel a day – not too mention the lengthier business travel I encounter. If Apple uses this technology as widely speculated and then takes the next steps with iTunes and their content partners, I’m there. In fact, consider me pre-sold.
My hope is that with DRM baked in, content providers will become more comfortable with using the broadband pipe and will opt to deliver a richer vision for content that does not rely on traditional models – like broadcast gets it first. I am far from alone is having the desire and wallet to pay for the privilege.
Technorati Tags: Apple, Commute, DRM, Intel, iPod, Long Tail, Marketing, Movies, TV
Verizon Blackberry 7130e – no DUN for you
I can’t quite figure out why the BlackBerry 71xx series devices don’t support DUN, other than some silly corporate politics. The latest version the 7130e from Verizon supports their Broadband Access (EVDO) network and in the ad I just saw in the WSJ, says specifically that you it can provide tethered modem access for your laptop.
What’s the real issue here? Greed, right? Clearly Verizon and other carriers who sell these data-centric devices want to really send you a supplemental data PC card rather than let a single device manage your total access. Now you have 2 devices on the network rather than just one.
I use the Blackberry 7100t from T-Mobile and have searched around for a hack to use it as a bluetooth modem but this does not seem to exist. Instead, I use the SIM card from my data card in a bluetooth capable phone so I can have DUN access while on the go. The PC Card does not easily support Mac so I don’t feel so bad moving things around like this… The interesting thing is it’s all the same, but the carriers clearly would see it differently… to them there are specific uses for each and only those specific activities (even though the same type of info passes through) are the only ones you are supposed to have.
Technorati Tags: Apple, Bluetooth, Bluetooth DUN, Commute, Marketing, Michelob, Mobile, N-Series, Nokia, T-Mobile, Verizon
Cingular Goes 3G
GSM-based Cingular is moving towards UMTS (3G) which provides 200-320 Kbps data rates using 5Mhz channels. A software upgrade, HSDPA, should boost speeds to 400-700 Kbps next year. Cingular's BroadbandConnect uses HSDPA/UMTS technology.
Cingular's 3G network is the first widely available service in the world to use HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) technology. Cingular will initially launch the BroadbandConnect service in Austin (TX.), Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Portland (OR.), Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose (CA.), Seattle, Tacoma (Wash.) and Washington D.C.
One question… Where’s NYC?
Dell to roll with AMD
First it was discovered that Dell is selling AMD processors online. Then Dell made public noises about rolling out AMD servers. Now, the other shoe has dropped: Forbes is reporting that Dell will indeed sell a broad range of AMD systems.
I think Dell is legitimately running scared. They are getting killed in servers – especially with the lacking Xeon delivery from Intel this Quarter. Their earnings fell nicely in the past Q as well…
Michael Dell has publically stated he’d be very interested in building an OSX86 machine if Apple would license to him, though I can’t imagine that ever happening given the opposite approach to basic aesthetics the two companies have (GM vs. BMW). (even given my previous post on licensing)
Of interest… Only a few years back (1997) Michael Dell suggested Apple shut down and give the money back to shareholders
The rumor mill is brewing pretty hard on what Apple’s first Intel products might be. If they were to come out with a low-end / low price system they would make a VERY attractive machine to an existing massive base of PC users. There is no reason why any Intel powered Mac can’t do everything you need – running the superior OSX while retaining the option of flipping back to a Windows app you might not have a replacement for on Mac. If low end is not first, it will definitely arrive before Vista… If the take rate on the new Macs is big (and I’d bet it will be significant) Microsoft will be next in line to try and maneuver… As if Google was not enough of a problem.
Dvorak on the future of PC Marketshare
I was just listening to the latest this WEEK in TECH podcast and found myself really thinking about John Dvorak’s final thought on the logical future of the PC. He feels and I agree, it’s bound to be Linux on the server, OSX86 (Apple) running on the desktop with Microsoft controlling the office applications.
This of course all depends on a related POV which would have Apple both building systems and licensing the operating system. The view is that Apple would be able to at minimum maintain their market share for hardware, if not grow it… not too mention all the new sales from the more mass makers.
TiVo to transfer to iPod and PSP
When I read the news on TiVo today I have to confess, I was interested in having one again…
I don’t own a 5G iPod, but I do have a PSP and having an easy system to get video recorded and transfered for portability is quite attractive. I would consider a unique cable box just for this purpose in the house even without HD, since it’s not going to be an HD viewing anyway while mobile.
Damn you TiVo… I’d already written you off.
Google Analytics… Lacking
When I first heard about Google Analytics, I was very psyched to check it out, but as of yet I have absolutely nothing to report but disappointment.
Since installing days ago, I’ve been checking back to see when my 12-hour delay would expire and data would start rolling in… It’s been over 3 days and I’ve seen nothing. Today when I logged in I was redirected to the Google homepage after submitting my password. Um, what the hell is that?
I know the Web 2.0 loves to launch beta software, but Urchin existed before Google… why does this simply not work now? Fix it or kill it.
MCE to get CableCard… for Holiday 2006
Microsoft Corp. and Cable Television Laboratories Inc. (CableLabs®) today announced they have reached an agreement that will allow Microsoft and PC manufacturers to bring to market digital-cable-ready Windows® Media Center-based PCs in the holiday 2006 time frame. [eHomeUpgrade]
While this is great news for people hooked on MCE, I don’t really understand why this announcement is coming out now. This is AT LEAST a year away.
If I am in the market for an HTPC, should I wait now? Vista arrives at the same time basically and that will likely be a heck of an upgrade to handle on it’s own. One of the main hopes for OEMs around the globe (including Intel and AMD) is that we’ll all race out for a new machine (finally) since there will be a need to support a major new OS launch.
Don’t forget Microsoft does not make the PC, so they’ll have to make their own release dates in order for their hardware partners to consider getting product to retail.
Back to this PR… It does not even say MCE is a limitation. I suppose this means that when it eventually arrives, BeyondTV, Sage and others will also be able to take advantage. Thats’ cool. An even playing field and good consumer choice.
So, why announce today? Just more from Microsoft this week? Apple had a good few weeks and now it’s time for Redmond? Maybe this is just a view into the roadmap and that’s good to know as an enthusiast… at least you know the platform has a committed future.
My real hope though is that Apple delivers in 2006 with a real digital home strategy that takes the initial work done with Front Row and refines the media center universe into a friendly and simple place for the consumer.
In2TV? AOL has your fix
With each day the future of TV gets brighter… The content may not be directly from Primetime, but it’s quality stuff and is a major move from a major player – AOL Time Warner. They’ve clearly been thinking about how to manage things across divisions and have a plan to appease the DVD release teams as well as the online groups. Is this actually corporate synergy from within AOLTW?
The company will offer a changing selection of several hundred episodes each month, rather than providing continuous access to all the episodes in a series, Mr. Frankel said, so as not to cannibalize potential DVD sales of old TV shows.
And in the future, when Warner negotiates with cable networks to syndicate popular programs, Mr. Frankel said, the price will be higher if the network wants it kept off the Internet.
For AOL, the In2TV deal is part of a broad strategy to create a range of video offerings to attract people to its free AOL.com portal. It already offers some video news and sports programs from CBS News, ABC and CNN.
…
AOL will offer a version of the service meant to be watched on a television set connected to a Windows Media Center PC, and it is exploring a similar arrangement to link the Internet programming to television through TiVo video recorders.
For those who want to watch on a big screen, AOL is introducing optional technology that it says will produce a DVD-quality picture. Even with a broadband connection, most Internet video looks grainy at full width on a computer monitor, let alone a big TV set. The new option, called AOL Hi-Q, will require the downloading once of special software, and the program may not start for several minutes, depending on the speed of the users’ connection.
There is a catch. To use the technology, viewers will have to agree to participate in a special file-sharing network. This approach helps AOL reduce the cost of distributing-high quality video files by passing portions of the video files from one user’s computer to another. AOL says that since it will control the network, it can protect users from the sorts of viruses and spyware that infect other peer-to-peer systems.
AOL is using file-sharing technology from Kontiki, a Silicon Valley company providing a similar system to the ambitious Internet video program of the BBC. [New York Times]
I had previously suggested the use of P2P networks like Bit Torrent and Kontiki as a way to better ease distribution against demand it looks like AOL is rolling this out to deliver a higher quality buffered stream!! I look forward to giving this a shot as it becomes live… assuming of course it’s not some Windows IE only BS like what Viacom has been offering with MTV, VH1 and Comedy Central.
technorati tags: In2TV, AOL, VOD, Video, Kontiki, Bit Torrent
Google Analytics
Google Analytics will let Web site owners see exactly where visitors to their site are coming from, what links on the site are getting the most traffic, what pages visitors are viewing, how long people stay on the site, which products on merchant sites are being sold and where people give up in multistep checkout processes, said Paul Muret, an engineering director at Google and one of the founders of Urchin.
SiteMeter and StatCounter can’t possibly be happy about this – nor can the perenial favorite Web Trends (which has always sucked in my book). What was once a $199/mo service ($495 before Google’s acquisition of Urchin) is now free! This will certainly shake the stats world a bit… I am looking forward to adding it to my own site to see how it works.
technorati tags: Google, Analytics, Marketing, Web trends, traffic, sitemeter, statcounter
Dell going for Style trying to beat Apple
Dell is trying to spice up its image–and turn around lagging sales growth–by shaking Apple Computer’s hold on hipness, but it may be tough to match its smaller rival’s flair.
If you choose to read the rest of the story, you’ll note that Dell thinks the answer lies in their XPS line of computers which was recently relaunched as a higher end PC – not quite Sony Qualia type of line.
Dell XPS systems are among the more ugly attempts at design on computers in a long time in this user’s humble opinion. They have unncessary curves and details simply for some kind of impact.
If I compare Dell to Apple on any system, I can see minimal precision (sleek) with over-designed bulk (nasty). Add Windows to the mix, and I’ll buy an Apple any time.
Big Networks limited view of VOD
So now that the iTMS has announced a successful foray into video it seems the impact has been realized and other deals are starting to flow in, which is great news … in theory.
In Januaray, if you are a Comcast subscriber you’ll be potentially able to view CSI, Survivor, NCIS and Amazing Race for $.99. Of course, you have to live in one of the 17 markets in which CBS owns and operates the stations… not sure how you figure that out now in a simple way, though clearly in January you’ll either find the shows available or you won’t. Affiliate owners are against this type of system as they announced as well when Apple cut the ABC deal on iTunes as it (in their view) cuts into their ability to sell advertising.
NBC Universal announced their deal as well, though it’s with DirecTV. Same price $.99 which is nice, but you will need to buy a new set top box because the shows will download overnight and be saved on the hard drive. If you don’t have the box, you’ll have to watch on programmed intervals much the same way PPV works today…
Only Networks and Carriers could make it so complex and limiting…
So now aside from Fox, you can find some network, prime-time programming through some additional locations which is interesting but you can’t possibly get everything in one place and you can only watch on your TV at home.
What would really make this interesting and potentially cool, would be HDTV for starters. These are the existing network delivery systems and it would be easy enough to do. It would in fact be a unique selling proposition that iTunes can’t beat – for now anyway. CBS and NBC are trying to make it more attractive to go through your TV rather than iTunes with a lower price, but my guess is that many of the people actually interested in this type of thing are already using a DVR of some kind and can already record their favorite programs for free.
In our home, we have 2 DVRs, each with 2 tuners capable of recording 2 HDTV channels at a time. We don’t have digital portability, but we can seriously record a lot of stuff without conflict if we need to… In fact we actually end up recording a few of the same things to both boxes so we can watch upstairs or downstairs. There’s currently no way to beam content from one box to another … (though the capability exists in test markets SA 8300MR anyone?)
I know this is all still early and more toe in the water than anything… it’s just interesting to see that the old world needs to hold on tight as the new more disruptive world enhances a viewer’s ability to enjoy content where and when they want. Which would you rather be? Enhancing the relationship or providing a continually limited and controlling view on how it should work.
More from the WSJ, NYT and News.com
technorati tags: VOD, CBS, NBC, DirecTV, Comcast, DVR, PVR, HDTV, Scientic Atlanta
Study: CEOs find blogs useful
About 59 percent of CEOs surveyed said they find Web logs, or blogs, useful for internal communications, while 47 percent see blogs as tools for communication with external audiences, according to a study conducted by PRWeek and Burson-Marsteller. Of the 131 CEOs surveyed, seven percent are actually blogging while many others say are unlikely to start a blog themselves. About 18 percent of these CEOs say they plan to host a company blog over the next two years.
The survey indicates that chief executives see blogs as useful for communicating new ideas and news, providing an informal channel of communication and getting instant feedback.
Yahoo with Tivo — What’s the real plan?
The deal will allow TiVo, which has been struggling to differentiate its service from generic video recorders offered by cable and satellite companies, to offer a range of content and services linked to the Internet.
I have no idea what the real plan might be, but it has to be considerably more than simply remote programming of the box. I mean, who cares that I can click a link in the Yahoo TV page and have it record on my Tivo. It’s nice, but hardly the first time you can do this with a PVR and really not something worthy of the hype.
Now, what would be cool would be a feature that let you stream content from the box through Yahoo’s video platform. If you linked your Tivo to Yahoo and enabled remote access the other way you might be able to seriously shake up the nascent placeshifting market currently being driven by Sling Media and Orb Networks.
technorati tags: Yahoo, Tivo, marketing, PVR, DVR, placeshifting, Slingbox, Orb