Media Maven... just good, sound advice

Amazon may be launching movie download service

2006-07-25T22:41:00.000-04:00

The rumor-mill is churning again about Amazon offering movie downloading. The move downloading indusrty is growing, and they sure do want to grab a piece while it's in the infant stages. I bet Blockbuster is gonna be a thing of the past within 5 years, with On-demand, Netflix and other option like Red Box.
Check out this post on pocket-lint about new Amazon "DV". I have had good experience with Amazon in the past, so I would give them a shot for movie downloads. Convienence and price are the two biggest attributes in my purchase decision. Why pay $5 to have to drive to the store and get the video anymore?

Yahoo and Sony will now be offering MP3 downloads

2006-07-21T10:57:00.000-04:00

There has been a lot of talk lately about iTunes exclusiveness, and the lack of options to download "pay per song" style MP3's. Many companies and consumers feel that they should not have to deal with Apple to get their music and videos. In Europe there continue to be lawsuits sighting Apple as a monopoly. I agree that more competition is needed. I think that the movement away from "share your music" for free to pay per song is a good thing.

Yahoo and Sony now are offering a new alternative downloading channel to iTunes. According to Playful.com -"they are now offering more expensive tracks, but with no DRM (digital right management)." This means that you can download a song and make copies to put on several different MP3 players. Itunes downloaded songs, and videos cannot be copied (easily) and therefore this new service may become a viable option.

Still a good time to sell your house

2006-07-11T21:24:00.000-04:00

Everyday the news tells us the housing market bubble is about to burst, everyday for about a year now. The bubble has not burst, and many experts still think it's distant. The home buying and selling process is a very intimidating, exhausting, and stressful experience. Two hundred years of mortgages and the system has only gotten more complicated.

The first thing to do is utilize people you know. In the process of selling your house and buying a new one, you will need to aquire the services of three different professionals- a realtor, attorney, and banker/mortgage broker. If any of your network of friend, family, or colleagues happens to have one of these important jobs.... solicit there service. It only makes sense, they will work harder, for less, and keep YOUR interests as the top priority, not theirs.

The other big obstacle in house buying/selling is knowing the true value of your house and the values of houses you are considering bidding on. A helpful web site for finding out house value is Zillow.com. It's worth taking a look at, even just to see what your neighbors house is worth. You also get a nifty satellite view of the neighborhood.

The last thing is that you need to be careful of hidden fees. Be very careful with independent mortgage brokers, they are notorious for last minute large costs that suddenly appear at closing, when it's too late. Just ask a lot of questions, and assume your closing costs will be at least 2-2.5% of your overall loan.

Good luck with the process..... I am off to the Bahamas for a week.

Stray from the flock... read into marketing

2006-07-10T16:33:00.000-04:00

It seemed like for so long we were just bombarded with advertisements, and commercials. That has now changed. In today's world we watch shows when we want, and a lot of times either without commercials, or we "Fast Forward" through them. Marketers have never had a harder time getting their products message into our ears. We were once like sheep, that were easily reached with a message and simply followed the flock to a product.

The Wall Street Journal had a fantastic article on the challenges of marketing in today's' tech savvy world. I find all the new methods that marketers implore very fascinating. They have had to get very creative to reach potential customers. Marketing has become more targeted and several different mediums are utilized to reach many different niches. Check out WOMMA, the Word of Mouth Marketing Assoc., which uses word of mouth techniques to advertise products.

Other new methods, including viral or buzz marketing bring us concepts like the subservient Chicken, and other types of wacky, yet talked about ads. The more clever an ad campaign, the more I respect it. I don't like being sold to, (in fact I am the worst person to shop with- cause I over-analyze stores sales motives to death) in fact I will walk out of a store if I feel pressured, or I am dealing with an incompetent clerk.

Take a minute every now and then as you watch a commercial, or walk through a store, and think about their motive. Think about what they are trying to get you to buy, than decide if you are going to be one of the sheep.

Online banking easier than you think

2006-07-04T09:25:00.000-04:00

Most people I come across don't have a good handle on their banking, bills, or savings. As a banker I have seen it all, but the most common solution I recomend is using online banking, and making your banking automatic. It makes life much easier by setting up bill payments to be automatically paid on future set dates.

I guess this all goes back to 2 basic banking survival habits: using a check register, and creating a monthly plan. (I hate the word budget, but thats essentially what it is).

Online banking has become very popular because of how easy it is to use. Whichever bank you bank with should offer it to you. Take 10 minutes and give it a try. For more information on automatic banking and financial ideas, check out Finish rich.com

You have to start somewhere. Make now that moment you become more in control financialy.

Digital photography has never been easier

2006-07-01T17:50:00.000-04:00

I got my first digital camera, a Canon S100 ELPH in 2000, when the technology haden't quite tipped yet. As an early adopter of daily usage of digital photography I soon realized how much better it was than film. Maybe the quality wasn't as crisp back then with 1.2 mega pixels, but for the average guy just taking pictures every day and night, digital was an improvement.

The only problem back then was the difficulty to get lots of pics uploaded online, and sharable with the whole world. I always uploaded my pics onto a Canon software program and that's where they stayed. These days not only can I store them on web sites such as Photobucket, and Flickr, but everyone has a home photo printer to avoid the cumbersome treck to Target for picture printing.

If you haven't moved from film to digital, it get easier every day. Cameras are cheaper, better, and easier to use. There are tons of software packages out there that even a caveman (yeah I said caveman) can use.

Take a moment and think about the whole film camera process... from buying film, loading film, uncertainty of pic quality, running out of film, taking film to be developed, and so on....
Yeah... I miss all that.

Back- up your info the old fashioned way

2006-06-26T08:39:00.000-04:00

Theses days all we talk about are the newest, fastest technologies. We debate which gadgets, and software's will best improve our lives. Usually the decision comes down to what is most useful, but too often it still comes down to what is the hipest. As we continue to place our trust, into new technology, remember the old saying" Don't put all your eggs in one basket".

Putting a great deal of trust into our computers, PDA's, cell phones, etc can be a life halting problem if either device breaks, crashes, or get lost. Take the extra time to back-up your info on paper somewhere safe. Writing things down like passwords, credit card numbers, credit card company phone numbers, and anything else you might need.

I was once told to write down all of the contents of my wallet, just in case it ever got stolen or lost. This proved to be paramount when I did loose my wallet, and had to call all my credit cards and cancel them quickly. I am a big fan of new technology, but I have kept myself humble as well, and continued to respect the pad and paper.

Stay a spectator in the Next Gen DVD war..for now

2006-06-25T23:42:00.000-04:00

The battle has begun. Blu-Ray has released a DVD player, and has it's name in some commercials. HD DVD's player has also come out, and the advertising will build. This is going to be a long, dragged out expensive format war. If you're not careful you could get drawn in quickly, and become an early casulty.

I am gonna stay on the sidelines, and let all my "early innovator" friends choose sides. The best advice I can give everyone, is to wait it out a little while. Before you invest $500-$1200 on either format, wait and see which dominated over time.

Or you can put the loser on a shelf in your attic next to your Betamax VCR.

AT&T ready to give us that other cable option

2006-06-24T11:32:00.000-04:00

Be on the lookout in your area for AT&T advertisements announcing their jump into Cable TV service. I am not gonna commit to saying that they will be the best thing since 7th Heaven ended, but they will stir up some price wars.

They have stated that they want to provide us with all four services... Cell phone, home phone, cable, and internet. They have boasted to us about a real low price for all four. I would have no problem giving all my business to them for a low price. I have never been happy with either cable company I have dealt with...Comcast or Charter.

Let's not be blind to our home entertainment options. The cable companies want us to stick with them, and pay for their "one size fits all" price package. AT&T moving into Cable TV will make the cable service industry have to change like the long distance phone service industry had to 5 years ago.

No reason to pay the full price... for Dell computers

2006-06-22T20:16:00.000-04:00

I could probably argue not paying the full price for nearly any product or service out there. Everything has a value, but everything's value is usually overpriced. I plan to continue to write a useful post on this topic weekly.

I want to help you get the most for your money. I guess you can get this type of advice anywhere, but I will show you straight up, that all you need to do is check my blog and get a quick piece of useful info. Unlike a magazine or gimicy web site, I tell it simply, and try to make it interesting. Here goes....

Dell Computers... I love em. Never had a problem with any of the four that I have owned. So you should get one too. But before you try to navigate yourself through the Dell web site, go to this handy site to get yourself the best discount possible. Visit the Dell coupon code site. I saved over $500 on my most recent purchase, these codes really work, and are legit and easy to use.

So don't pay that full price.

What do we expect out of a cell phone?

2006-06-21T17:18:00.000-04:00

I joked with a friend the other day while we were driving that soon cell phones will also have built in radar detectors. Imagine getting into your car, plugging your phone into a cord on your dash board, that will not only make the phone hands-free, but play music, and catch police radar.

Well I don't think we are quite there yet, but the cell phone is evolving into the all in one gadget we all desire (or at least most guys desire.)

The thing to watch these days as you buy a new sophisticated phone, is all the additional fees. The phone may only cost $150-$300, and the service may only cost $29-$79 a month, but how much does each side item cost? You may end up paying an extra $200 a month for texting, ringtones, online browsing, pic messaging, picture storage, video,TV, music, not to mention my favorite...roaming.

Beware of the "Nickle and Dime" approach.

Check out the new U2 iPod

2006-06-14T20:43:00.000-04:00

The new U2 30 GB iPod has arrived, and Apple couldn't have picked a cooler band to partner up with. The second U2 iPod is even cooler than the last. Check out the red click wheel, I want to get it just for that. It has all 4 band memebers autographs, and a bonus 2 roadies.

Go to Apple's site for all the nitty gritty details.

RIAA declares victory against music pirates

2006-06-14T16:02:00.000-04:00

According to Engadget, the RIAA has announced that music piracy is on the decline. People aren't buying albums, but pay per song downloading is very popular, and is the preferred method, up (77%) from last year. The RIAA believes that consumers don't mind spending a dollar a song, as opposed to the risks of illegal downloading.

If all this data is true, then this is a victory for the record companies. Now they can stop crying about all the money they are losing. I still don't feel bad for them.

Children's TV show market is big business

2006-06-14T11:10:00.000-04:00

The concept of creating a product that children will be hooked on (or addicted to) has always been the goals of product pushers, and marketers. TV for years has been portrayed as the "bad babysitter" for children. It has been said that kids just sit like zombies staring at uneducational cartoons, rotting their brains, and toasting their eyes.

Recent studies however, have continued to show that their is a value to children watching some TV shows. Shows like "Blues Clues", "Sesame Street" and Barney and Friends" (as much as we hate to admit it, actually teach pre-schoolers. To compliment these recent discoveries, technology is being highly accommodating.

Most of the educational TV shows will work around children's busy schedules. According to the Detroit Free Press, you can now watch "Barney " on VOD, or stream video of "Blues Clues", and even download unique educational podcasts. The ability to watch these fun-filled shows in this manner is paramount to helping provide a pre-schooler with constant entertainment, yet also repeated educational teachings.

New Firefox Extention by Google gives ease in using multiple computers

2006-06-12T11:57:00.000-04:00

There will be an easier way to use the internet on multiple computers, according to techweb.com

"Google Inc. has released a Firefox extension that synchronizes the browsers settings, including bookmarks, history, persistent cookies and saved passwords, across multiple computers.
After installing the extension on each computer, the Google Browser Sync for Firefox will update settings each time the user starts Firefox."

This will come in handy for anyone that uses more than one different computers at a time. My laptop is set up just the way I want it, which makes using a different computer always an annoyance. This extention will be well appreciated by many. It is very important to me to be able to have all the same settings on all the computers I have to work with a day.

World Cup kick off mobile today

2006-06-09T17:19:00.000-04:00

While Americans are talking about Baseball, and the new Pixar movie "Cars" today, the rest of the world is preparing for arguably the biggest worldwide sporting event starting today. World Cup Soccer 2006 in Germany literally kicks off today at noon, and the whole world will be tuning in. This time the World Cup will be broadcast all over the internet and even mobile to phones and PDA's.

The worldwide audience is estimated to be in the hundred millions, compared to the miniscule group of Americans that watch "The Super Bowl" - 50 to 100 million. However, Futbol, or soccer as we call it, still has very little importance in the U.S sporting world. I want to cheer for the U.S team, but deep down I feel that another of the 23 countries in the tournament deserves to win more. Countries like Spain, Netherlands, Brazil, and England care so much more than we do about this. They deserve it!

So as you watch The Stanley Cup Finals, or the NBA finals, or Barry bonds try to hit another Home run, or even the premeire of "Cars" - don't act as if you really care when America loses early in the world Cup.

Radio ads on school buses next media channel?

2006-06-07T10:48:00.000-04:00

According to the Boston Globe, "A Massachusetts company, Bus Radio, wants to beam commercial radio broadcasts into school buses every morning and afternoon, the latest mingling of education and commerce to spark outcry as the firm lobbies school districts across the state to sign contracts for the fall."

Bus Radio says they will broadcast positive messages into the school buses, including safety announcements, and age appropriate music. The format would be more like XM, than a terrestrial radio station. The big debate here comes over ethics of filling children's ears with more advertising messages.

My question would be what is age appropriate music for K thru 6th graders?

Time to Broadcast from your cell phone

2006-06-03T09:49:00.000-04:00

Watching TV, taking pictures, and surfing the web are not nearly enough things to be able to do with your cell phone these days- how about broadcasting your daily adventures online? With 3G TV's new interactive BLOGTV service, you can broadcast live. Now every myspace rat can stay connected and not miss a friend request, and at the same time show the world just how cool their life really is.

check out www.tech.monsterandcritic.com for the entire story

The web 2.0's constantly expanding interactive abilities are reaching new heights with mobility and accesibility. As I have said before the time to express yourself is here. Blog it, podcast it, or simply post it on any of a million personal sites you can... try www.youtube.com

As this media evolution has grown up (I haven't yet) I have decided to take more of a focus on growing communication forms, particularly mobile media and video-on-demand, which I beleive are the fastest growing, both for persoianl expression and for commercial advertising. It took me some time to root out the subjects that I would blog about less, but I have found through discussion with other successful bloggers that a more narrow focus would be needed to grow.

New Jewish video-on-demand channel

2006-06-02T10:33:00.000-04:00

A mainstream cultural Jewish channel, Shalom TV will offer a wide and vibrant array of programming, from Jewish learning to Israeli news and commentary to films and cultural performances. This is sure to introduce us to a new trend of other targeted video-on-demand channels, or programming.

For every religion, hobby, and group affiliation, there is a niche group that would support a channel, and marketers can only dream of the possibilities that this will bring.

http://www.jewishledger.com/articles/2006/06/01/news/news08.txt

Macy's adding iPod vending machines

2006-05-22T11:46:00.000-04:00

I already thought that it was odd to walk into Macy's and see bottles of Macy's Spring water for sale at the registers. Now it gets even stranger, Macy's will Soon be selling iPods, not in their electronics department, but out of vending machines.

Very soon you will be able to buy an iPod just as you get a Coke, or Snickers. Customers will be able to satisfy that iPod craving by inserting a credit card in a machine and instantly after a thud , an iPod will be dispensed in the "Take me" tray.

Look for iPods to be popping up in the "Crane game" in arcades and in diner lobbies soon too.

http://www.politicalgateway.com/news/read/14350

AOL makes moves to get ads in videos

2006-05-18T22:02:00.000-04:00

AOL wanting to make sure they can reap the benefits of advertisements in downloadable video, purchased a company that specializes in inserting ads in video clips. AOL has been missing the boat on just about everything else these days, so this is there big move to make some quick cash.

Might they consider offering their incredible service free? They alread yhave resorted to offering AIM (email and Im accounts free) just to keep old users in touch with them. If they can realize the same profits that Google has from ad revenues, they can go free as well.

For more read Yahoo.com

iTunes adds some of the FOX line up

2006-05-15T21:59:00.000-04:00

Based on the success of all the ABC, NBC, and CBS shows being downloaded, iTunes has decided to add FOX shows as well. They willbe adding shows like "24" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer".

What about the coolest sitcom ever, "The Simpson" ???

thestate.com

TiVo will help you watch your favorite commercials

2006-05-08T22:12:00.000-04:00

TiVo introduced us to asynchronous TV and and let us pick when we watched our shows. That wasn't good enough, now they will allow us to watch the commercial we want. They are launching the fancy new service Product Watch, that will allow viewers to watch selected ads when they want. Many companies have already jumped onboard and will create longer ads for our viewing pleasure.

TiVo once helped us avoid commercials, now it is providing us with the longest commercials this side of QVC. You know we watch too much TV, when we beg for longer commercials.

WSJ

AOL to AIM for free phone service

2006-05-06T09:05:00.000-04:00

AOL will be adding a free internet phone service soon to it's AIM instant messenger service. AOL seems more like an outdated too little too late player in the web 2.0 movement. I am unimpressed with their constant attempts to get me to try their free 200 hours of broadband. Everytime I get the mail there is another AOL CD ready for me to give them a try. I guess they are still hanging around, but I wonder for how long?

If you are still using AOL to connect to the internet, I challenge you to try something different. Get DSL, or Cable, or even earthlink or another service provider, but give up AOL for a month. I promise you will see an improved internet experience. Even with their free internet phone service, they still leave me unimpressed. I will stick with Google talk.

USAToday

Take a look at Samsungs Origami device

2006-05-02T11:53:00.000-04:00

PC world has a good look at Samsungs Q1, AKA the Microsoft "Origami". So far the reviews for it have not been to impressive. If this is Microsoft's next big thing, I fear for their survival. I stand my my original post that this device will be either too big or too small, and that the thumb typing feature will grow tiresome quickly unless it's just to reply to an email -"yes" or "no".

For a price of nearly $1100 it will be some time before you see one of these gadgets in every college students dorm room.

Rhode Island ready to go wireless too

2006-04-30T10:55:00.000-04:00

The smallest state is set to go wireless from border to border. Rhode Island plans to have a free Wi-Fi service in place statewide by 2007. They want residents and visitors to have free access in every area of the state. Rhode Island is only 1045 sq miles large, but they are a top Northeastern tourist destination, and the Capital Providence is working to become a business mecca.

The Rhode Island Wireless Innovation Networks (RI-WINs) will be a $20 million dollar project, that RI welcomes. It seems the Wi-FI race has begun, and the east coast refuses to be left behind the west coast. The competition never ends. Having Wi-Fi statewide in RI will be a big bonus for all the residents and will be an ammentity for visitors.

MSNBC

Suffolk County, NY considering free Wi-Fi

2006-04-30T10:23:00.000-04:00

So far the only cities or counties to get free Wi-Fi have been on the west coast. Several areas of California and Washington have either signed agreements for free Wi-Fi or already are living it. If Suffolk County, New York were to set it up, they would be the first east coast county to implement it.
It dosen't take a genuis to understand the importance and need for this type of service. All cities and areas would benefit from having an "umbrella" free Wi-Fi service. How cool would it be to be stuck in traffic , or sitting at an airport, and have a wireless internet connection.

Skype hits 100M subscriber mark

2006-04-29T09:29:00.000-04:00

Skype, the free internet phone service, in just two and a half short years has already reached the 100 million subscriber mark. You can only be so impressed with 100 million people taking advantage of a free service, but good for them.
Free PC to PC internet calling anywhere in the world is a great service to have. I have used Google Talk and it's IM and phone features are very user friendly and fun to use.

My question at this point is how long can phone companies survive still charging for home telephone long distance service? But , who 10 years ago thought we would all be paying for bottled water, rather then drinking from the faucet?

Skype info at Cnet

Apple a Blu-Ray fan?

2006-04-27T20:51:00.000-04:00

Word on the street is that Steve Jobs, Apple King, is looking to work out a deal between Apple and Sony's Blu-Ray. If Blu-Ray became the DVD drive of choice for all Apple computers, it would continue to build the kind of momentum they need to be the DVD of choice. Job's wants all new Blu-Ray DVD's coming out to include iPod ready versions, to boost his empire.

We are really talking about the "Two Towers" here. If Apple can work out this deal with Blu-Ray, they will rule together. It is amazing to see the clout Apple now carries in the tech world. Their vote sways the whole thing.

Webaroo lets you take the Internet with you

2006-04-27T20:25:00.000-04:00

Imagine being able to take the Internet with you in a small mobile device. Webaroo gives you the ability to store web content into packets that are downloadable in the size of as much as 256 meg. It allows you access to the web, when you have no connection. However..... you can only access what you have stored on it.

Webaroo will not allow you to check email, or do anything online that you have not stored onto it. At first as I read about it, I thought it was neat, but the more I thought about it, I realized it's not very useful. I mean, anything is useful for something, but in an age where new technology comes to us so rapidly, you have to be picky with your time.

I say don't bother with it, unless you are going to store and save Media evolution for later.

Panasonic starts shipping Blu-Ray drives for PC's

2006-04-26T19:46:00.000-04:00

Panasonic, a major supporter for Blu-Ray DVD since day one, has now begun shipping Blu-Ray drives for PC's.

“Panasonic is committed to the Blu-ray technology, as we believe BD delivers true benefits of better image quality in visual entertainment,” said Mr. Kazuhiro Tsuga, executive officer.

Getting the drives into PC's is key for Blu-Ray to catch on and be successful. The winner of the next gen DVD war, dosen't have to be the best technology of the two, but the better product at marketing and selling itself. Think about the video tape format battle of the 80's. Most people think VHS won because it was superior, unfortunatley that is not true, they simply marketed themselves better, and got all the brands on board.

If Blu-Ray can get us to buy their drives in the PC's they will pick up a huge market.I am still apprehensive to committ to either.

Take a look at X-bit labs

Microsoft releases Internet Explorer 7 (beta)

2006-04-25T09:58:00.000-04:00

Nervous about losing it's place as a fixture on all PC's as the standard browser, Microsoft has finally upgraded Internet explorer.
According to Earthtimes.org, the new Internet Explorer (beta) has the ability to browse the web using tabs, new technology for printing the web pages, support for RSS feeds and an alert system to warn users of dangerous sites. It should also boast much improved security.

The security issue was always my biggest problem with IE. My PC was always crashing, getting virus, and spyware, not to mention all the pop ups, and extra ads. Once I switched to Firefox, I realized just how much easier, and cool it could be to browse the web. The tab browsing is the best way to search the web. Firefox also offers countless extentions made by geeks like me, that offer any number of cool additions to the browser.

I still say forget the giant and stick with Firefox. For me it's too little, too late for Microsoft. For such a big, powerful company, why did it take this long to improve a lousy outdated core product?

Maybe they should charge us for it too.

DVD rentals from "Redbox" kiosks at Super Stop & Shop

2006-04-24T23:53:00.000-04:00

Next time you go grocery shopping you may come across a big red machine offering you $1 videos for rent. Redbox, offers mobile DVD rental kiosks that are inside grocery stores, including Super Stop and Shop, and McDonalds.

The company has plans to continue to expand into other high traffic locations. I think this is unique, clever, yet an obvious idea. They will attract families, and the impulse buyer, but beyond that it's tough to tell. On-Demand at home is still the best option.

The Redbox kiosks have a new DVD selection of about 25-40 movies available. No membership is needed, and movies are only $1 a night. Be careful, keep it too long, and you might as well buy it.

Advertisers will chase us from myspace to ipods

2006-04-24T11:20:00.000-04:00

I have been out of the lop for a couple days. Meant to get to a computer yesterday, but the wedding I was in took up all my time all weekend. Had to make a tough choice -old friend or blog. Anyway I am back.

Advertising has always wanted to be where groups congregate, be it at Sports arenas, in subway trains, or along highways on billboards. The latest trend has been to get on myspace, blogs, or on trendy websites. Advertisers are doing their jobs well. They know how to utilize all the popular media streams we use.

I have said before , having a marketing background, that I analyze advertisements. I nit pick TV ad's, print ads, store layouts, salepeople conversational tactics, and current trends. So naturally it interests me to see advertising following the trends of media delivery. Most experts agree that advertising will move more into our iPod's and cell phones this year. Advertising wants to get more direct and personal. The shotgun approach is not that effective. You get a bigger bang for your buck with a direct ad.

Check out this article at Businessweekonline for more ad info.

Wireless phone Company allows free calls to top 10

2006-04-21T10:16:00.000-04:00

Alltel, the fifth largest wireless carrier in the US, will be offering a new service allowing subscribers to make free unlimited calls to 10 phone numbers of there choice. Alltel will allow you to change your top 10 in "My Circle" as often as needed. The other great thing about this service, is that the 10 phone numbers need not be on the Alltel network. They will allow you to have friends at Cingular and T-Mobile too.

This is a cool and creative new offer from Alltel, to bring in new customers, and increase some users plans. Most of us have a common 10 people we call more then the other 200 numbers on our phones. I would be willing to try it out.

Just think, now you can take your "Top 8" from myspace and also make free calls to them. Rad!

Google won't rule out wireless airwave bid

2006-04-21T09:51:00.000-04:00

The airwaves might get a little busier soon if Google decides to grab a share of the market. According to Reuters:
"Co-founder Larry Page said the company has no wireless spectrum acquisition plans to announce but declined to rule out speculation that Google may be gearing up for a push far beyond wireless trials it is working on in the San Francisco area."

Google would likely drive the costs down for the market, based on the way they have done business so far. They will probably rely on their advertising revenue to fund this venture as well.

Mobile browsing set to become the norm

2006-04-19T15:19:00.000-04:00

Forget about simple mobile device tailored web pages, and get set for full web pages, and browsing abilities. Most of the rest of the world has embraced mobile browsing quicker than we have. In fact many predict that mobile browsing will become more popular and common than from the computer.
Mobile browsing is very useful for business or personal usage. This is a feature in a cell phone that has value and is cool. I would pay extra for full browsing potential on my phone before I would subscribe for videos viewing. Browsing, which would allow Instant messaging, would do to text messaging what cell phones did to pagers.

For the complete article read technewsworld.com

Motorola all about "Follow Me" TV

2006-04-18T10:15:00.000-04:00

Motorola phones will soon allow you to transfer your recorded TV shows from home to be viewed on your mobile phone. I don't see the demand for this type of service. As I have said before about mobile video on small screens, cool party trick, but about as useful and needed by the average person as a seeing eye dog.

Check out this post by Swanni Sez! for more of the same opinion.

DVD war set to go down

2006-04-18T09:58:00.000-04:00

With Toshiba's launch of 2 new HD-DVD players this week, both formats are available to the public for comparison. Wea ll know that guy that will quickly buy one of each just to be the first to have it, so get to his house and line them up side by and drop me some comments of which is better? HD-DVD or Blu-Ray?
How long can they both survive? The electronics industry is much bigger world then it was in the early 80's, there are more companies, more products, and more selling locations and methods. The public is also much larger, more tech savvy, and has access to more info then ever before. It is very possible that both survive a while.

I will probably wait at least a year to get either format, and declare a winner. I won't be getting either the X-Box 360 or Playstation 3 any time soon either. I 'm gonna wait for that friend of mine to buy them and go to his place and watch.

Professional video gaming show coming to TV

2006-04-17T10:52:00.000-04:00

The video gaming world is about to get its own television show. Soon we will be able to watch as video game professionals battle each other with their controllers to be the greatest video gamers in the world. Major League Gaming, the worlds largest gaming league, has cut a deal with the USA Network, who is apparently willing to try anything. They will air seven episodes of the toughest video gaming competition to have ever been aired on TV. Parent alert- this could be violent.

Many believe that video gaming is the next Poker. Poker has been able to get incredible amounts of viewers, and made regular gamblers into millionaire celebrities. It's cool now to be a gambler, and soon it will be cool to be the king of "Halo 2" or "Tetris".
Stay tuned for USA Network to have a "The Wizard" marathon showing Fred Savage in the "Mario Brothers" video gaming tournament.

I must admit this is a big step for video gaming to move onto TV. This will increase video game sale, and probably move gaming into more mediums.

Yahoo has the full detail if you want more.

Easy to spend way too much time on the web

2006-04-16T13:56:00.000-04:00

So it's Easter Sunday, and instead of spending time with family I find myself at the keyboard two hours now. Can you say addiction. Between 4 emails, blogging, reading 3 Boston newspapers, ESPN, and myspace, I can't get enough. If you add in using Google talk to make plans with friends, editing pictures, and downloading music, I spend several hours a day at the computer.

I found this post at the BaltimoreSun.com that expains it all. Most of my friends have become the same way. We were never computer geeks, we just hit our late twentys/early thirties and the tech side of us pulled us more and more online. So much to see and do, we always one up each other with cool new sites, and videos. Self expression and social networking have reached new heights....blog, blog..blog.

Better try to spend some time with the Fam.

Shop from your phone

2006-04-15T09:11:00.000-04:00

These days it's tough enough to keep our shop-aholic significant others from spending money thanks to the ease of use, and accessibility of the internet. It's like having a 24 hour store that sells everything located right in our homes. Lets take this a step further.

Cell phone companies are planning on offering us the ability to purchase DVD and CDs via an encrypted text message. This is just what we need. I can handle the blue-tooth dude arguing in the bank lobby with no one. I can handle the guy playing solitaire on the train, and I can handle the obnoxious "Shakira " ring tone emitting from every club chic that's phone goes off, but I cannot stand to watch people shop for "Brokeback Mountain" from their phones. Its gone to far.

It's to easy to spend money as it is. Credit card debt is at an all time high. The average college student now graduates with $8000 in debt, not to mention student loans. We do not need to be able to make purchases from our phones. It's enough that we can get media in the form of ring tones, and internet news on our phones. Thats it I'm boycotting the cell phone, well......until it rings.

Google calendar better than the rest

2006-04-14T15:14:00.000-04:00

Nearly all services that Google touches turn to gold. There new Google Calendar web service is no different. The common opinion, mine included is that Google calendar is more user friendly than many of the other calendar programs. It offers an easy to use way to manage your day and fits perfectly into your Google family of services, like homepage, Gmail, talk, and google desktop.

It seems weekly Google adds another service to it's arsenal. I still highly recommend the Google pack. (No I do not work for Google (whereas I would) I am just a geek that loves simplifying my online life.) Google calendar will easily import your other calendar from Apple iCal, Yahoo, or Microsoft Outlook. They love eliminating our need for those other companies.

What really makes it better? It works so well with gmail that you can have event reminders pop up on your email. You can have your daily schedule emailed to you every morning so you don't need to remember to check your calendar too. My list of things to do every morning is always growing, so its nice to see it decrease a bit every now and then.

More fun facts at CBS News.com

Portland next city to go free Wi-Fi

2006-04-13T06:48:00.000-04:00

The expansion of free Wi-Fi in major metropolitan areas continues, as Metro-Fi announced they will be providing free service to Portland, Oregon. Recently, a deal was struck for free service in San Francisco, on the heels of several other California cities.
Don't worry this will be coming to the east coast the most in the near future. I would predict that within five years most major metropolitan areas will be equiped witha base free Wi-Fi and a priced premium service (with higher speeds).

Let the countdown for total wireless continue.

Reuters

Cable companies consider offering gaming

2006-04-12T11:03:00.000-04:00

Cable companies are looking at offering video gaming on a subscription or pay-per-play basis to customers. Already having succssfully integrated Pay-per-view TV and On-Demand viewing features, cable companies have their eyes on the billion dollar gaming industry.

With the introduction of the Open Cable Application Platform (OCAP), video game manufacturers would need only to make one standard cable transmitted version. My order is in for Toejam and Earl already. According to USAToday some companies are interested in offering a game only network.

There is merit to this idea. If cable companies can cut out the middle man- the Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo, and bring games directly to our TV's than this could be big. The race to offer everything in one product is on.

Time Warner urges all TV networks to go On-Demand

2006-04-12T10:45:00.000-04:00

As a leader in the television network arena, Time Warner Chief Operating Officer Jeffrey Bewkes, asked (but really told) all TV networks that they should offer all programming on-demand, or fear losing viewers to the internet.
Giving his best Martin Luther King Jr. Impression, Bewkes said-

"Maybe I have a dream. We should take all the networks...a day, a week...and put it on video on demand for free."

His dream will become a reality sooner than later. There is no reason that all networks, and cable providers to not co-operate and make the switch to full on-demand offering. This is the obvious direction of TV, music, and videos. To resist the change would give internet legal downloading and illegal downloading the game.

These changes to the media environment are happening quickly, and radically, and some companies will not survive. I continue to question the need for and strength of companies like AOL.

Check Reuters for the rest of the story.

Cell phones continue to evolve in Vegas

2006-04-11T10:52:00.000-04:00

The Las Vegas Wireless Expo is an incredible showcase of the next generation of cell phones, called the 3G. More than any other gadget or hunk of in our lives, the cell phone is evolving the quickest. Not only are phones getting smaller, but technology is providing us with chips, and cards that can store full movies on our phones.

I don't know about the movement to view movies on tiny screens, but the technology is cool. It would be useful to be able to watch The Red Sox game on my phone on the go. Another addition to these 3G phones, will be MapQuest Mobile directions built-in later this year.

The biggest piece of good news out of Vegas is the improvement of battery life and less power usage in cell phones. All we need now is lojack on the little sucker so if we lose it on the beach we can find it no problem.

ABC will offer popular shows free on the internet

2006-04-11T10:51:00.000-04:00

Disney, owner of ABC television will be giving us free shows on the internet for viewing the day after they are originally aired. Shows include "Lost", "Desperate Housewives", "Alias", and "Commander in Chief". ABC is trying this as a free trial starting in May.

The catch to all of this, is that you have to watch the wonderful commercials that will still be included. Commercials just won't go away, at least they get better. Unfortunately, advertisements are always going to be a necessary evil for anything we get free. Think about it, you may have free Hotmail, or gmail, and free homepage, like Yahoo, and a free MySpace, but all of these free things come to us full of ads. The advertisers pay for stuff to be free for us. If you want to watch your "Grey's Anatomy" commercial free- you can still pay for it at iTunes, or off the retail store shelf.

I will check out some free TV shows... can't get enough of those Housewives.

CNN

Howard Stern will be On Command, and iN DEMAND

2006-04-10T11:42:00.000-04:00

The popular show "Howard TV" featuring our friend and conservative radio personality Howard Stern, will be showing on iN Demand and On Command. Both cable service companies will be offering Howard TV this month. On Command, a leader in hotel and cruise in-room entertainment, will be bring several episodes regularly to us when we travel. iN Demand will be offering episodes on Pay-Per View to us at home. Howards enterprise continues to grow and penetrate multiple media channels regularly. He will probably be popping up everywhere but FM radio.

Yahoo.com

Cingular will be offering Ring tones from MySpace bands

2006-04-07T09:23:00.000-04:00

Soon you will be able to get a ring tone for your favorite MySpace band. So many people are putting their own tunes on their MySpace site that Cingular has decided to offer ring tones for bands. Cell phone companies are really trying to get people to use their phones for more then just talking. Expect the cell phone market to keep growing. It has become our true multi media device, where we talk, text, send photos, videos, web browse, watch TV, and have custom ringtones.

Check out these two MySpace bands-
Lewd Budha
Wamptracks

Google and Earthlink provide free wi-fi to San Fran

2006-04-07T08:14:00.000-04:00

Google and Earthlink have won the bid to provide free wi-fi, wireless highspeed internet service,to the City of San Francisco. Very cool news. There are still some privacy and signal penetration questions, but the deal would be great for the city.

The benefits to living in a city that has free wi-fi signal all over, are tremendous. For business travelers, it would be convenieint to stop anywhere and send email, or get info online. For the regular web surfer, blogging on the go, and counting your myspace friends would be just a few of the many benefits.

According to Silicon.com:
Earthlink has wi-fi networks in Philadelphia, as well as in California cities Anaheim and Milpitas. Google is providing wi-fi access in the city of Mountain View, California. Hopefully it's coming to a city near you.

TV shows benefiting from bloggers

2006-04-06T23:31:00.000-04:00

TV shows are seeing an increase in viewers that they are attributing to blogs about their respective shows. Shows that didn't have high ratings, but had a small group of diehard fans saw the power of blogs keep them alive, and sky rocket ratings. In the past if a show was pulled, like "Scrubs" all the fans would write letters to the station to bring it back. Sometimes this was successful, but sometimes it fell on a deaf ear- remember"The Flash".

I read an article recently that said 10,000 new blogs start a day. That's incredible, yet ridiculus. A friend of mine that has been writing a couple blogs for years says "most blogs don't make it 3 months." My first goal when I started Media Evolution was to accomplish that. Blogs have really changed the landscape of reporting, and expert advicing. How many blogs are in your morning reads?

Many products besides TV shows benefit from the average guy like me, writing a daily blurb about them. The truth is that most web surfers would rather read teh opion of a blogger than that of a reporter at CNN. The world has changed. We live in a time where we all can express our views, and knowledge on any subject, and maybe people will listen. Maybe they will keep listening, and tell others to listen as well.

First look and touch for Pioneer XM Inno XM2go

2006-04-05T09:24:00.000-04:00

Orbitcast blogger Ryan Saghir got a first look and touch, a good touch, of Pioneer's new Inno XM radio and MP3 player. This XM2go radio is the new hotness, but don't take my word from it. Check out this site for all things Satellite radio- and ask him if he will let you borrow his new toy. Yes they gave it to him.

Disney makes call for children cell phones

2006-04-05T09:03:00.000-04:00

Walt Disney is going after the growing market of kids gadgets, by releasing a their own cell phones. These quirky new phones will provide parents with not only a method to reach their kids, but additionally GPS to monitor their whereabouts. This is Disney's latest move to get more gadgets to the "tweens" - kids age 8-12. Sprint Nextel will be providing the service. Disney will surely move quickly to add video features to the phones.

I am sure the popularity of the Disney Computer, with mouse ears has given them great confidence that they can sell anything to a child. Kids may eat free at Disney resorts, but to get their little hands on a phone, mom will have to pay $60-$110 for the handset. Get them quick, you may get a free copy of Bambi II.

PhoneTag lets you hunt your friends

2006-04-04T09:33:00.000-04:00

Remember "Capture the Flag"? The fun game we played when we were kids. Now we can play a similar games as adults. Forget playing solitaire or Dope Wars with your phone, try PhoneTag. This new game will be coming to our mobile phones soon, and it allows us to play a game where we can hunt each other by using a map based system in our phones to locate one another. Big Brother is watching and you are the prey.

I look forward to walking out of work and get tackled by friends. It's not enough to be treated like the poor professional dude in the Verizon commercials -"Do you have a fire extinguisher?"
Phone companies like T-Mobile, and Verizon are looking for any ways to increase our dependability on cellphones, by adding features. Cell phones have come a long way since the tipping point in 1998.

Let the games begin!

Social Networking sites go mobile

2006-04-04T09:12:00.000-04:00

Social networking sites, MySpace, and Facebook have worked out deals with cellphone companies to allow users to send photos, update profiles, and blog from their cell phones. These new features will surely be a big hit with parents and teachers!
Both sites assure us that no new privacy issues will result from mobile usage. Obviously you won't have fill web site access from your phone, but you can certainly share your miserable hangover face with everyone.
I finally see the charm and usefulness in MySpace, for networking, finding old friends, marketing, and spreading quick word of an effect your planning. I also see the reasons that it can be abused, and why parents would not want their 12 year olds using it. Social networking is a tremendous asset to everyone from the most outgoing person to the quietest most shy person.
I can only imagine the possibilities of meeting people this would have given me 10 years ago.

Check out the WSJ for more on mobile social networking.

Show me to your Hot Spot please

2006-04-03T11:16:00.000-04:00

Travelers these days rely on Wi-Fi hot spots in airports, hotels, and coffee shops, but the signal at times can be unreliable. Eventhough their are roughly 100,000 Hot spots worldwide, you still find many hotels, and airports with no Wi-Fi signal. The inconsistency of available hot spots, coupled with business travelers having problems with wireless cards not being connectable to European wi-fi has given way to new methods to connect.

Apple has created the AirPort express, which allows you to connect wirelessly if their is any Ethernet outlet in the wall in the area you are in. (The same way you can catch a signal at a shopping mall from many of the stores.) You can latch onto a unlocked signal at an airport or hotel.
Even more powerful is the Hewlett Packard, EV- DO network card that has a range up to a couple miles, that can connect you wirelessly (to the mall or neighbor). Even as someone that doesn't do a lot of business travel, these gadgets sound useful to me. Damn wires!

DVR's force advertisers to re-think commercials

2006-04-03T08:51:00.000-04:00

With more and more people getting DVR, and VOD in their homes, the effectiveness of TV advertising is decreasing. According to BtoBonline, " 78% of advertisers said television advertising has become less effective over the past two years, and nearly 70% of advertisers said they believe digital video recorders (DVRs) and video-on-demand (VOD) will reduce or destroy the effectiveness of traditional 30-second commercials."

Advertisers are re-focusing their advertising dollars on the web, and other channels. Typically TV has been the hot media, and the most expensive. The death of the 30 second commercial would be quite a change to viewers, but a welcome change. Watching TV shows on DVR is much nicer commercial free, than the original airing. Hence, the success of watching TV seasons on DVD.

Comcast will offer NBC shows on-demand

2006-04-01T15:16:00.000-05:00

Get stuck late at work, or with the girl that won't let you watch "the Office". Never fear, Comcast has struck a deal with NBC to allow viewers to catch their shows as early as midnight of the day the original episode aired. No TiVo or DVR needed, just your home remote.

I am a big fan of asynchronous TV. No reason we are at the mercy of TV networks schedule. I wanna watch "Hi my names Earl" when I want, not when Ted Turner wants me too. I hate the cable companies, but I love the on-demand availability.

Check out www.designtechnica.com

Sony offers "LocationFree TV"

2006-03-31T17:51:00.000-05:00

Plug Sony's new "LocationFree TV" device into your TV and it will transmit your local news, to you over the internet to your computer, or even your PSP. This useful little device will allow you to see what kind of weather you're missing back home, while you travel. The price on this kind of device would dictate it's importance to me. You can always still check weather.com, and local news channel web sites, for current news.

Seems like Sony has a lot of time on it's hands. Maybe they will bring us the rotary dial cell phone soon.

Reuters.com

Apple becoming world Tech Hegemon

2006-03-31T17:21:00.000-05:00

We have watched not only the rebirth of the Apple "Phoenix" the past few years, but now they have soared to world domination. Three years ago, what iPod carrying music junkie would've thought that every other jogger and teeny bopper would jump on the bandwagon. I came across this neat article at theAge.com on the Apple's grip of the world.

How long will Apple remain the world tech Hegemon? It doesn't seem as if anyone- Microsoft, Amazon, Dell, Verizon, Yahoo, Google- can get into their game. They all still sit hatin Apple on the sidelines. I admit I didn't own a 1st Gen iPod, or a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th, but I love my 5th Gen, and Apple has earned a customer for life.

Google may start playing it's own tune

2006-03-30T16:30:00.000-05:00

There is talk about Google getting ready to offer their own music store. They have been successful with their video store, so why wouldn't they try music? Google would seem to have the best chance to built up traffic and sales to compete with Apple iTunes.

I am willing to try Google anything at this point. Sure they have some problems like every other internet-based company but, usually their stuff is golden.

Check out this post on Apple Matters

Web 2.0 offers big chances for little people like you and I

2006-03-30T11:00:00.000-05:00

I stumbled upon this article in Newsweek yesterday at a clients office as I was waiting for my meeting. I feel like anytime I sit in a waiting area at any doctors or attorney's office, I never find a good article to read in any of their 50 magazines, until the moment before someone opens the door and says "Mr. Reilly come on in." I am relieved to be done waiting, yet disappointed to have to abruptly end reading the enticing article I had just found. Can you ask to take the magazine?

The article I found yesterday, was insightful regarding the current web 2.0 environment. Five years ago the internet was stiff, and remedial. It existed as a place to find information, buy things, and locate needed services. We didn't quite see its potential. We didn't recognize the opportunities it offered us to all be apart of it. All around us now, we have all gotten involved, we don't just go to the internet for things, we bring things to it. We contribute, and participate. We have become each other experts, and guides.

This is an exciting time to be in. The Web 2.0 is booming and gives all of us the chance to become more important in its community, the world. Start a blog, podcast or new web business, share your beliefs, ideas and talents with the world- we are all listening.

Confused about the difference between HD-DVD and Blu- Ray?

2006-03-29T12:08:00.000-05:00

Check out this article in ABC News for the average guy about the differences between the 2 next gen DVD formats. As I had mentioned last week, most people are relatively unaware of the battle going on with the electronics companies for our next DVD dollars.

This is coming to us as Panasonic made an announcement today that they will be getting on the Blu-Ray express and selling a player in September. Don't hate the Blu-Ray just yet.

Another way to convert videos for iPod

2006-03-29T10:21:00.000-05:00

In my never ending quest to convert my home videos, downloaded videos, and DVD collection to be viewable on my 3 inch iPod screen, I have come across this web site. This site -Atomic PC has some great posts, and I found this converter download to be useful. It takes some time, but its worth it.

I spend way too much time trying to get movies on to my iPod, when audiobooks are a much safer driving alternative.

Skype and KaZaA named in Morpheus suit

2006-03-28T13:26:00.000-05:00

Can't we all just get along. Peer to peer file sharing service provider StreamCast Networks, owner of Morpheus has filed a lawsuit against Skype and KaZaA. Call me crazy, but aren't all these P2P music sharing services all slightly illegal. The fight over who will allow us to share our music is on.
I think I will stick with Limewire.

For the full details on this lawsuit of P2P gangsters read this

World Cup golden opportunity for Advertisers

2006-03-28T08:59:00.000-05:00

The World Cup Soccer is set to begin in Germany on June 9th, and advertisers are trying to pick the perfect commercial to target consumers in 189 countries. The World Cup is expected to yield the worlds largest audience ever. Forget the Super Bowl, if you are a company that offers your product worldwide (Coke, Budweiser, Master Card etc.) then this is your best opportunity to reach your entire audience with one message.

This poses many challenges for companies. What language is the commercial? How do you simultaneously appeal to 189 cultures, all the while not offending? Can you make everyone laugh with one joke? Your best option is no dialogue, with a music overlay.

The other challenge the World Cup presents is that soccer is nonstop, no TV commercial breaks, time outs, inning breaks, or 2 minute warnings. Soccer goes harcore from start to finish with halftime offering the only break for commercials. In the last couple World Cups, advertisers only put their label on the score clock that is in the top right corner of our TV's. Did Pepsi get your business because their tiny logo appeared below the soccer score, it didn't earn mine for that.

More juvenile crimes due to ipod

2006-03-27T12:11:00.000-05:00

With more and more teenagers getting new flashy video iPods, it has become a hot target for theft. The iPod is small, cost a couple hundred dollars, and is usually loaded with music and videos. These are all things that make it an attractive target for teeon teen theft. New york police have reported several attacks and robberies where teens went after teens with iPods. These types of crimes will continue to rise, as all the kids want the newest, most expensive toy, but cannot afford it.

What age should our children be able to tune us out and strut around with ear buds pumping the latest jams into their ears? This question must rank up there with -
When do I get my kid a TV, cell phone, laptop, or PSP ? Sure this next young generation is very tech savvy and know what toys are out there, but where do we draw the line?

NY1.com

Cablevision will add network digital video recording to boxes

2006-03-27T09:21:00.000-05:00

Tired of adding more and more set-top components to your home entertainment center? Cablevision is going to be giving us an all in one cable box that has network digital video recording abilities built-in to it. This is great for people that are sick of their TiVo breaking or taking up space, and it's even greater for the majority of us that never bought into TiVo.

The final costs of this service haven't been worked out, which in cable-company language means -how much more can we rob our customers this year. The cable box would work similar to TiVo and have a built in hard drive able to store every episode of Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. No announcements yet on whether CBS will allow us to record "Grey's Anatomy" yet.
Code Black!

Reuters

Apple trying new sales method

2006-03-27T09:14:00.000-05:00

Always looking for a new way to sell music and videos, Apple has begun offering packaged downloads for one price. They are currently offering the new Tori Amos "Fade to Red", her new 21 song video compilation for $24.99 or each song for $1.99 still.
Apple sees video packages as the way to go. This style of sales takes Apple from their buy one song/video at a time plan. At $1.99 a song from iTunes, I truly feel bad for people that boast about their 4000 song collection, I mean their $8000 collection. Good investment!

Movie theaters plan to show 3D sporting events

2006-03-24T10:28:00.000-05:00

With ticket sales declining in movie theaters over the past year, theater chains are looking for new ideas to get people to come back for more popcorn and soda. The latest plan is to offer live 3D sporting events by 2007. They want to change their image from movie house to "community entertainment destination".

Many theaters in New England were successful showing live Red Sox playoff games in 2004 , and also selling hot dogs and memorabilia in the aisles like a true sporting event. (I am not kidding) This is a nice idea for movie theaters, and I am sure they will get some traffic from it, but sports unfortunatley find "sports bars" a better home. Theater may draw in the families and the 3D gimic will be neat to go and see - with six pack in pockets. (talk about share of pocket)

Reuters.com

Toshiba announces HD-DVD player release delay

2006-03-24T09:44:00.000-05:00

Both companies have declared their format superior. Both companies have gone coast to coast trying to build excitement. Both companies have now announced they arent ready to give us the winner of the next Gen DVD battle. Both Sony and Toshiba have had to alter their release plans for Blu-Ray and HD-DVD. Earlier this month Sony announced a delay of Blu-Ray to November, and similarly Toshiba has now pushed it's HD-DVD player release back to mid-April .

Toshiba will still have an intial advantage as many people will run out and buy a HD-DVD player just to have the latest, greatest picture quality. However, these are the same guys that will drop another $800 to get a Sony PS3 in November anyway. We will not be able to declare a winner of the battle till late next year, after bothe have been out a year.

The strangest thing about both formats is that neither Sony nor Toshiba have done much marketing to the average consumer. Geeks like me and other media bloggers, electronic freaks, and Best Buy employees, are really the vast majority of the public that even knows a war is going on. Ask 10 of your friends and family about Blu-Ray, and I bet their answers will be like these:
"A new minor league hockey team from Shelbyville"
"That fancy airline from Arizona"
"The new strain of bird flu- that we should all watch out for"

Try it!

Yahoo will be offering internet phone service

2006-03-23T09:49:00.000-05:00

Yahoo will be adding internet phone service to it's Yahoo messenger. The internet phone market has been growing, and many see it as the way of the future, rather than cell towers, or satellite. Yahoo will be charging users only $2.99 a moth or $29.99 a year. That's pretty cheap for phone service.
It's nice to see Yahoo woke up and added a new feature. Since the word Google has become a regular part of our language, Yahoo has sort of taken the back seat. Lets see if they can drive again.

PCWorld

Apple planning to unleash iPhone??

2006-03-23T09:35:00.000-05:00

Here is a mock up picture of an Apple iPhone, I found on ZDnet. The concept of the MP3 player/phone, is what every gadget carrying, electronic freak East of Bill Gates wants to see. This will only be effective and worth getting if Apple pairs up with a couple mobile phone companies, and squeezes a decent sized hard drive or compact flash drive into it (I'm talking at least 20 Gigs).

I want my video iPod with a phone built in. Reality tells me that it makes good business sense for Apple to build up to 20gigs. Steve Jobs knows that the public will be drooling over any iPod phone, and therefore he can sell a million 5 gig iPhone's. With a phone built in with our music collection, we can now blow our ear drums from loud conversations rather than just music.
Gotta love those ear-buds!

More people buying High-Cost items online

2006-03-22T15:42:00.000-05:00

I have recently been doing research online to buy a flat screen plasma TV and have been considering buying it online as well. My thought process is inline with the recent trends of consumers making big-ticket purchases like appliances, furniture, and electronics online. Many companies offer exclusive offers for online purchases that make them not only a more convenient option but a cheaper alternative. Last year Best Buy reported that web sales were up 40% from Dec 2004- Dec 2005. Companies would rather sell it online, because they eliminate a lot of the overhead involved.

I am still a little hesitant to make a large purchase online, simply because I like to go out and look at things close up, touch, and haggle with a salesperson. I have also heard several success stories about purchases made on eBay. My father-in-law got a great deal on his Plasma TV. But still be careful with eBay, read the listings closely.

Microsoft pushes Windows Vista back to Jan 2007

2006-03-22T11:41:00.000-05:00

It comes as no surprise to me that Microsoft has pushed the release of Windows Vista back nearly a year, to January 2007. I bought my new laptop in January, even knowing that Vista was supposed to be released a few months later. As with any new Microsoft software, or video game system, I always suggest waiting for the initial bugs to be worked out. I am usually the guy that has to get everything first, but not when it comes to Microsoft. I would love to see it and play with it, but not on my dime.
The impact of Microsoft pushing back Windows Vista will have its biggest effect on computer manufacturers that were counting on the new OS for strong holiday sales. Maybe Microsoft will ask to have Christmas pushed back as well. With some clever marketing, Gates will turn this into a positive event. I have to admit I do respect the smart decision that Microsoft recognized Vista was not ready, and they have learned from past lousy rollouts. They need to only look back to this past December to see errors in a quick, half-assed product launch...the won't stay turned on 360?

So hang tight and either get your new PC now with XP (which has been improved over the years) or wait till January and get in line for a Vista OS, that may or may not be bug free.

Electronic Arts has sights set on mobile gaming

2006-03-21T10:17:00.000-05:00

Electronic Arts (EA) as most of you know is the worlds biggest video game creator. So when you see them moving aggrerssively into the mobile video gaming business, you know this is a budding market. Mobile gaming in general is a huge industry worldwide, particularly in Europe. Over in Europe, EA is still number 2,next to Gameloft. According to Reuters-

"EA in February said revenue from mobile games could exceed $130 million in its fiscal year ended March 2007, when analysts expect the company to have fiscal 2007 revenue of $3.2 billion."

Since mobile gaming began to grow, the shift over from home game consoles, and PC gaming has been a slow shift for software designers. Sure there have been mobile gaming for a couple years, but we're only talking about Tetris and solitaire not EA MLB 2006. The mobile phone has grown into our portable entertainment center, and gaming will grow into a centerpiece of this for many.

Check out this conversation with Gameloft's CEO

Power line Broadband service running into old problems

2006-03-20T13:10:00.000-05:00

The newest addition to the broadband provider competition might be the first to be eliminated in the fight to provide internet service to consumers. Broadband over power lines (BPL) has begun to be a reliable and affordable alternative to DSL and Cable internet service.
BPL began to be offered in 2004, and has had its share of growing pains. As the "third line" into our homes (as opposed to telephone and Cable)BPL came with much promise as the most reliable. BPL utilizes underground and overhead electrical powerlines to transmit wireless broadband to households.

The big problem BPL is currently facing in its infancy is that the signal interferes with ham-radio signals, and makes them impossible to use. Who still uses ham-radios? With all the methods of free communication, I am surprised that ham-radio is still an active hobby for enough people for this interference to matter.

BPL seems like it will have some difficult battles ahead with the FCC to continue to extend its network.I like the idea of a third option for internet,(I am always all about competition and tech improvement) but I don't see it surpassing DSL and cable. The first thing BPL needs to do is create more awareness.

USAtoday

Big online audience for March Madness

2006-03-19T17:29:00.000-05:00

On Day 1 of March Madness (Thursday), more than 1 million video streams carried CBS's free on-demand, out-of-market NCAA men's basketball games, serving more than 268,000 simultaneous streams. In case you didn't guess, this is a record-breaking day for a sports event streamed live on the internet.

I still watched most games the olf fashioned way, but I think CBS scored big with this offering. Maybe offering the World Baseball Classic online like this would have made more Americans care about it?

HD-DVD movie release delayed

2006-03-19T15:16:00.000-05:00

The next Gen DVD war is off too a slow start. First we find out Sony has delayed the release of the PS3 6months, and now we see Warner announce that they will be reducing and delaying their HD-DVD movie offerings. They will be releasing only three movies; "Million Dollar Baby", "Phantom of the Opera", and "Last Samurai" on April 18th, rather than March 28th.

Warner will add additional movies to the lineup over the coming months. They also have said they will be making DVD's for both formats; HD-DVD and Blu-Ray.

For more on the next Gen DVD war read this

Sirius sets up exclusive deals with VW and Audi

2006-03-17T11:41:00.000-05:00

Sirius radio will now be a feature offered in Volkswagons and in Audi's. Along with choosing to get a DVD player, On-star, and a GPS navigation system, buyers now have a Satellite radio option as well. This is a great deal for Sirus radio (currently the #2 Satellite radio provider) to get in with both of these popular automakers. Heck, who dosen't have an Audi these days?
To learn more about Sirius radio and this press release check out this site.

Maybe this guy should switch to Sirius radio in his Audi, to avoid accidents like this.

AOL shows off new Internet TV service

2006-03-16T17:31:00.000-05:00

AOL is now offering an internet TV service showing old school shows, and cartoons to all web surfers. The TV shows on-demand will be free to all of us through IN2TV. Unbeleiveable, AOL giving something away free.

They will be offering 6 channels with shows like "Welcome Back Kotter", "Alice", "Growing Pains", and "Kung Fu". Currently you can go to AOL and watch Wonder Woman- Linda Carter running around with her rope of truth is reason enough.

Tokyo.... we have a problem... PS3 delayed till at least November

2006-03-15T21:04:00.000-05:00

Its official, Sony announced today that the PS3, Blu-Ray and all, will not be released till November. This will set tehm up to go head-to-head with the Nintendo Revolution, whsich is also scheduled for release before the holidays. This gives Microsoft 6 months to grab up additional market share from Sony, (they currently have 70% of the video gaming market share.)

The 6 month delay of the Playstation 3 is largely because of finalization of the copy protection technology standard for the Blu-Ray Disc drive, a next-generation DVD player that will be included in the PS3. As I have said before, they are taking a big gamble with this delay for their insistance and stubborness to include (or force) Blu-Ray.

I am a fan of Blu-Ray over HD-DVD from all that I have sen and read, but I think Sony is going about this all the wrong way. It's clever, but in the end it could prove costly, especially if any problems develop in the Blu-Ray device. What happens if Blu-Ray loses the next-generation battle? We all get stuck with a cool looking over priced video game console that we can watch Lions Gate movies on.

Reuters.com

Cellphone use on airlines un-necessary

2006-03-14T08:38:00.000-05:00

Next year you could share your plane ride with 50 other people all chatting, arguing, or shouting into their cellphone. The FAA is currently involved in making a decision to allow cellphone usage on flight next year. Companies like Verizon have been pushing for this to happen for a while.

In addition to the annoyance of sitting next to the woman arguing wit her husband over the phone, cellphone usage in-flight can cause other problems. Airplane currently utilize and rely upon Global Position Systems for navigation, the use of cell phones can interfere with the GPS network, possibly sending the plane off course. (O'well I am sure my reservation in Orlando will transfer over to New Orleans just fine) Also, making calls from high up in the sky, can prevent callers back on earth from getting service.

There is no need to allow cellphone usage in-flight. The occurrence of an emergency while you are flying is such a low percentage, and what the hell are you gonna do about it from an airplane?
We might as well all be provided with parachutes so we can respond to emergencies! Since the inception of the cellphone into our lives, we have managed to deal with no usage in-flight just fine. I for one will ask the guy next to me on the phone to go outside for his call.

Newspaper sales continue to decrease

2006-03-13T08:52:00.000-05:00

The Wall Street Journal reported that 2005 was another tough year for newspaper sales. Over the last 10 years the more and more traditional newspaper subscribers have switched over to reading online editions, web sites, and blogs. I read all my news online. I find it quicker and easier. I get no ink all over my hands, and I can do it effortlessly.
Most major newspapers have made considerable investments in posting online editions to retain readers. Most online newspapers are free, or they simply want to collect your name, address, and email to mail you junk. The real question raised by the decrease in sales, is how long before paper editions are eliminated?

Amazon getting ready to enter online video downloading market

2006-03-12T15:41:00.000-05:00

Coming off their recent announcement to get into the music downloading and MP3 player markets, Amazon.com has now begun to take steps to offer video downloading of movies and TV shows. Amazon is in negotiation with several film companies, including Universal Studios and Warner Brothers, among others. They, like everyone else are looking to get a piece of Apple's music downloading market.
With reports of TV viewer numbers declining, the VOD and TV show downloading market seems like the place to be.

Checkout Yahoo for the full scoop, (kind of)

Google acquires word processing program

2006-03-11T09:22:00.000-05:00

I almost went two weeks without a Google new service announcement. Once again, the Blogosphere is alive with chatter about media giant, Google's acquisition of Upstartle, the Silicon Valley-based provider of Writely, a Web-based word processor.
Writely, lets users write documents with an interface similar to that of Microsoft Word, taking advantage of the Internet by letting users store and share documents online. This would be a welcome addition to the Google pack, and fill one of Google's few holes in providing us with every possible web based service imaginable.

That must be their mission statement, that's all they have to say...." Provide customers with every possible internet service known to man."

acquiring Writely is more a move to generate more advertising revenue then to upseat Microsoft Word. Each additional service Google has offered has simply been a another great way for them to deliver advertising to our PC's, or as Microsoft sees it, to our Ultra-Mobile PC's.

More movies on Imax

2006-03-10T17:14:00.000-05:00

For a long time the Imax viewing experience was only reserved for large screen documentaries, and 3D shows. Until the Imax Corp.was able to develop their own program (DMR) to convert standard movies for large screen exhibition , they had a tough time selling the concept,(especially since it cost theaters about $4.5 million to build theaters).

In recent year, with the success of movies like Harry potter and the Goblet of Fire, Star Wars Episode III, and Batman, the Imax theater has become more mainstream. There is a growing population of moviegoers that want to see their favorite new movies in Imax.

The company behind Imax has seen the success develop and is now ready to sell. If they sell while the concept is getting hotter, they should reap a sufficient profit. Seeing a movie in Imax is an incredible experience, and if a large media company purchases them, Imax's could be springing up all over.

How about a 100 inch TV in your apartment?

2006-03-10T15:34:00.000-05:00

If you walk into the CeBIT Tech Fair in Germany this week, you won't be able to miss Samsung's 102 inch television. This Mama-jama, makes your big screen masculine 50 inch TV look like an iPod screen.
This brings a whole new meaning to the term "Home theater". Imagine watching PeeWee Herman race away from the Alamo on his red bike on 102 inches of screen.
Does she come with the TV?
Check out this article on Yahoo.com

Microsoft officially bring us the new "Ultra-Mobile PC"

2006-03-09T15:12:00.000-05:00

Weeks of speculation and rumors about a new Microsoft paperback sized computer were finally answered today, but not by the name "Origami", as everyone had assumed. (Because of the marketing Microsoft had used to create a flashy, ambiguous, and weird web site about Origami.) the odd web show only succeeded in confusing everyone, and sort of created a curious - what the hell is it?- kind of buzz. But how effective was it?

I am going to say it. I am going to say I don't like it, and we don't need it. I think the Ultra-compact mobile PC concept is neat, but not so useful. Some would argue that an iPod is not needed either, but in the realm of useful gadgets, this falls low on the list. Sure many business-men will rush out and get one to look all sophisticated in front of the boss and clients, but will the average PC user find any real use in it? I have my Palm PDA and its usefulness only extends so far. Small handheld gadgets are not great for writing anything long. A thumb-touch keyboard has the friendly awkwardness only appreciated by game controller lovers.

Microsoft says they will be in the stores by April, and sell for the low price of $600- $1000. They believe that the Compact mobile PC is the next big growing gadget market, I disagree.
In a year if I am wrong, and everyone has one, then I will eat my PDA. Until then I will stick with both my iPod and PDA, they still at least fit in my pockets.

Get ready for the Video phone

2006-03-08T10:26:00.000-05:00

Remember the scene in "Back to the Future II" where Marty McFly in the future gets fired over the video phone? Well that could be you or me soon. Maybe not getting fired, but talking to friends and family with a video feed showing them all the terrible faces you are making over the phone.

There is a push by phone companies again to get video phones in our homes. Video-equipped home phones enable callers to view real-time video of the person on the other line, if they are equipped with video as well. Costs range from $149- $599 so far. I see the pro's and cons of this feature.

I think it will be nice to see a relative that you haven't seen in long time, or a new born baby, or an ugly ex as you hang up. However, I think that most times you don't want callers, friends or telemarketers, to see you or what your doing. The days of multi-tasking will be gone, no more using the bathroom while on the phone.

March Madness will be on the web

2006-03-08T08:34:00.000-05:00

CBS announced that they will be offering all early round games from the NCAA Basketball Tournament free to watch on the Internet. This will certainly hurt work productivity at most companies as the Office March MAdness bracket pools will quickly be come top priority. Pay no attention to the man cheering in his cubilcle

I think this is a real cool move from CBS, allowing viewers to watch whatever game they want rather than the "Big game" that they are showing. This is the first time an event like this has been aired live on the internet.

Never fear, you will still get advertisements during commercial breaks that are tailored to a web audience.

LATimes

Cingular will offer video service

2006-03-07T23:12:00.000-05:00

The trend of video on mobile device continues as Cingular Wireless announced that they will be offering 2 new phones that will offer video service. For a small $20 subscription fee we will be able to access NBC, FOX News, and most importantly the Cartoon Network.

How long the video on cell phones trend will last is anyones guess. I think that its a neat feature to have so you can be the only guy at the morning meeting laughing obnoxiously at Family Guy, but its still just a novelty.

MSNBC

The AT&T deal will have great impact on us

2006-03-07T08:20:00.000-05:00

With the news of AT&T's acquisition of Bell South, not only did we get a larger Ma Bell again, but the fantastic new s for us is that the future of low priced bundled services is much closer.

As I have written before the cable companies are rapidly losing their tight grip on their all powerful cable monopoly. This telecom merger will bring about new competitive offers for bundled services of the Big 4; home phone, internet, cable, and cell phone. Imagine paying one company one low price ( they're talking in the range of $100) for all four services. Get excited because this is exciting news.

Cisco moves into VoIP

2006-03-06T12:31:00.000-05:00

Cisco has been working on changing its image and products from just being a creator of routers, and other networking devices into more of a media offering service provider. They have announced that they will be providing a voice over IP software in their new Cisco Unified Communications System package.
Cisco has kind of fallen out of the press since the market crash in 2000, but they remain a driving force in the background for internet growth. I think its great they are moving into new areas and trying to provide more personal services. I recommend Linksys for home networking, both for a good product, and for reliable helpful customer service.

see techworld

LG first to jump ship on Blu-Ray?

2006-03-06T09:04:00.000-05:00

LG has announced that they will not be releasing their BD199 Blu-Ray DVD player this spring as they had previously planned. This is surely a disappointment to Sony, who is in full support of Blu-Ray, and will be selling the new PS3 this spring.
"In light of uncertainty in this early stage of the market for pre-recorded high-definition optical discs, we have decided not to introduce the BD199 as originally planned for this spring," said LG sales VP Bob Perry.

The early stages of the next gen DVD format wars have been mostly in positive news for Blu-Ray, but LG might just be the first domino to fall.

Google Accounts challenges eBay

2006-03-05T14:23:00.000-05:00

Google's online payment site for users to buy and sell from one another, is going up against eBay. Since eBay took off almost 10 years ago, there really hasen't been any real competition. Others have tried to get their auction sites popular, but none have suceeded.
Google Accounts is off to a good start and has the brand reconition, and cash to produce stay power. Google's move into e-commerce and payment service areas is going to put some pressure on eBay. I do think eBay's new TV ad's about "it" are really clever and boost their image.

Times Argus

Cell phones still have more growth potential

2006-03-05T13:49:00.000-05:00

I remember when I didn't have a cell phone, when if you got seperated from your family or friends at an amusement park you spent half the day searching for each other. Before cell phones, we actually had to touch pay-phones. Will our children laugh when we tell them we had to be in our houses corded to a wall to make a phone call?

Since we all got cell phones in our pockets and are reachable anywhere from the beach to the wilderness, they have come a long way both in size, and in content. These days we all have small phones, that are as indiviually as we are. You can shoot and send pictures and videos, go online to get games, TV programs, music, and the coolest new ring tone. So where are cell phones going?

Many people within the industry believe there is still a lot more that can be crammed into our phones, and I agree. I think that concepts like the ESPN phone are the future. Cell's that can tune in to live broadcasts, play music, and alow more detailed web browsing are being developed everyday. The cell phone is the single greatest threat to the iPod. It's not any new MP3 player that Apple should be concerned with, but their biggest threat is already owned by more people than the iPod... the cell phone.

We have become so accustomed to mobile media that we always expect and anticipate more. As soon as you get a new cell phone, PDA, game system, TV or computer, a newer better version is already in production. We hate that, but we love it too. So the next big step for cell phones is to increase the amount of media we can get to it, and store in it. Cell phones are ideal becuase we all own them and with a push of a couple buttons we buy stuff through them all the time. Companies love this because all the music, games and ring tones we buy, require no credit card number, and are simply added to our monthly bill. As I have said before, I look forward to the consolidation of my gadgets.

Choose your channels best way to get cable TV

2006-03-03T10:58:00.000-05:00

I have over 300 channels currently available to me through my cable company in the "premium package" I purchased. I watch maybe 20-30 different channels here and there, and neither of them are in the fancy HBO, Showtime, or Cinemax families I am forced to get. The new option being proposed by the FCC, Politicians and cable companies is for a pick and pay type service offering. A service where the consumer will be offered al a carte programming and only pay for the channels they pick. This type of service is popular in Europe and Asia.

Like any cable subscribing customer I have no choice but to take more channels then I need or will ever watch. This is supposed to be a generous benefit -"expanded- basic"that my wonderful cable company is providing to me. The big problem is that this "expanded-basic" of 200 channels costs $110 a month. If I watch 10% (20) of of my channels a month, I would much rather only pay $20 (10%).
The problem starts in the beginning. Lets rewind to my first conversation with Charter Communication Cable. I was only given to cable package options, Basic, 15 channels ($25 a month) or Expanded Basic, 200 channels ($110 a month.) So I had to choose between the basic 15 channels, or every channel. I even asked if I removed "Lifetime" if I could knock of $10 bucks?

The cable companies see the writing on the wall, and they know that their "expanded basic" packages and their limited options will be compromised soon as Verizon, SBC and other companies begin offering cable in more areas. If they don't offer more flexibility now, and loosen their monopolistic approach to cable TV, they will lose me and most other customers as soon as other options become available. Stay tuned for your personal channel choices soon.

Also see USA Today for more

Microsoft "Origami" continues to tease

2006-03-02T18:00:00.000-05:00

Microsoft is building up to their big announcement of what Origami is. They have been feeding speculation with only the answer of -"wait till 3.9.2006". The rumors are that Origami is a paperback sized PC less powerful than a notebook or desktop but that packs some punch. This micro-PC will be fully equiped with your favorite OS -Windows, and should be able to do most things a regular PC can.

Check out origamiproject.com to be taunted further by Microsoft.