Hey Brother, Can You Spare A Charge

One of my favorite Twilight Zone episodes had a character finally getting what he wanted, to be left alone to read his books. As he bends over to grab one, his glasses fall and smash. He was left with all he could read, but without the ability to see. And so goes the nature of the mobile device. Left untethered, we have the capability to phone others, read, listen to iTunes, watch videos, tweet, and surf. But what do we do when the power runs out.

This is my dilemma with buying one device to do it all. Knowing my un-smart phone can make and receive calls, I don't want to risk draining it on other uses. Letting a second device manage the other non-essential tasks provides some relief that an important call won't be missed. It also means carrying 2 devices. Buying one device, say an iPhone or Android to do it all concerns me. What if the phone loses power after surfing and yet I still need to receive an important call. Do I rush into the nearest Starbucks for a charge and a latte? Am I charging my phone every time I am near an outlet just to be certain I have power during the day? How can I both use this mobile wonder that connects me without losing a complete charge to connect me?

Will we find ourselves begging for a charge wherever we go. Searching for an outlet at every meal. Or is it time for companies to make that quantum leap of sustained battery use. Today I am charging my iPod every night and that is for a device that doesn't make a phone call. It is that concern that keeps me from trusting one smartphone to do it all.

Interactive Content, Take Two - ABC Tries Again

A big argument, when watching sports on TV has been the amount of clutter filling the screen. Banners, bugs, pop ups, and often meaningless data meant to divert our attention form the action on the field. And sometimes, the statistics aren't what we want, when we want it. So what does work. Well with the rise of tablets and smartphones, incremental and interactive info can be shared concurrently with the action.

I haven't seen it offered yet with sports programming, but ABC keeps trying interactivity with its own TV series. The first was the show My Generation, but as it was not highly watched, it was lost on the radar. In this second attempt, a ratings winner will be used, Grey's Anatomy. Using a technology called Sync, the action on screen matches the interactive application on the iPad. "Sync is able to time content to a TV broadcast via Nielsen’s Media-Sync Platform, which allows mobile apps to automatically detect and synchronize with TV programming using audio watermarks. Programmers like ABC have been experimenting with all sorts of interactive-TV strategies for years in hopes of increasing viewer engagement and opening up new advertising opportunities."

I like where this is going. I would love to see this application tied to sporting events. The Super Bowl is a week away. An interactive iPad app tied to the on screen action would be a huge win. So much potential.

Linked In to Go IPO

LinkedIn is surely a terrific networking tool. I am constantly surprised the connections and information it has enabled. Like the Kevin Bacon game, it helps us recognize just how close we may be to another, especially in a job hunt and business development world. And it is those relationships and those connections that help to develop new ones.

So it is no surprise that such a business tool should find itself ready to go public and capitalize on such value. "LinkedIn Corp. plans to raise as much as $175 million in what’s likely to be the first public offering for a major U.S. social-networking site." Can incremental revenue continue to rise through subscription, advertising, and other means? Will users continue to upgrade to paid subscriptions and can advertising break through the clutter? Certainly those buying this IPO would believe that their is far more growth ahead. In a bad economy LinkedIn has done well; will it also prosper once the unemployment numbers decline? That it has multiple revenue streams is a huge plus. And for now LinkedIn is an amazing business and job search tool.

Netflix Has More Cable Subs Than Many Cable Operators

Netflix subscriptions have hit a milestone, exceeding 20 million subscribers. Few cable operators come close to that number. And while the subscription fee is far lower than a cable subscription, so are the costs. "Netflix said it added 500,000 subscribers during the quarter, giving it a total of 20 million, and expects to end the first quarter with 21.9 million to 22.8 million." That is some exceptional growth.

As winter snows have kept us homebound, we have pushed through our on demand choices, free, premium, and yes even transactional. Trying to find shows that would appeal to a boy and girls' sensibilities as well as their parents. Not too violent, not too romantic, but enough to appeal to the very wide interests of my family. Not easy. And yes, we also make concessions, one action movie for one romantic one. But as we sift through the on demand choices, we wonder, should we consider adding Netflix. And with that purchase, do we drop a premium, two, or more.

So I wonder, is Netflix an additive purchase by these 20 million consumers or a shift? Are these new subscribers dropping services or even cord cutting to take advantage of a Netflix subscription, or are they adding to their choice? Is Netflix playing a zero sum game against cable or simply augmenting the playing field for consumers eager to get content across more devices? I certainly would love to see that percentage of homes that have both a cable and Netflix subscription and those that have dropped a premium in favor of Netflix. An interesting research study of the entertainment landscape.

Tivo Sues Dish, Microsoft Sues Tivo

The waters are certainly muddy in regard to DVR intellectual property. Their are suits galore, and you can add Verizon and AT&T to the list. "Citing its customer AT&T, Microsoft on Monday filed complaints with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington and the International Trade Commission against TiVo, alleging the DVR company infringes four Microsoft patents." Each company claims the other stole one patent or another and each is seeking licensing agreements in an effort to halt going to trial. Yet as the Dish and Tivo suit has shown, resolution takes years and years AND YEARS to untangle. And so what does it all mean? I can assure you this, the only ones winning will be the lawyers.

No Wallet Required - Use Your Phone Instead

How many credit cards, bank cards, business cards, medical cards, and other papers are you holding in your wallet? How about membership cards from Costco, CVS, the supermarket, all wanting to track you and your purchases. So that bulge in your pocket or pocketbook only gets bigger as more and more companies want to give you another card to hold. Well recently, Starbucks announced that you can buy its coffee with just a wave of your smartphone. And Apple is right there too. "Apple Inc. plans to introduce services that would let customers use its iPhone and iPad computer to make purchases, said Richard Doherty, director of consulting firm Envisioneering Group." A wave of your phone and your credit card is processing the purchase.

Sure there are always downsides. Your phone could get stolen; so can your wallet. Other problems though could include no battery left to power a transaction or a simple dropped and broken phone could leave you stranded without funds or information. Still there is something to be said for a thinner wallet now that the smartphone has become an equal part of your apparel.

Will Apple be a competitor with the credit card companies? I doubt it, unless Apple would decide to use its cash to buy a company like Pay Pal to handle the transactions. But, I believe that working together could be a win-win partnership for Apple and the credit card companies.

Tivo Snags Another Cable Operator

Count Charter, a top 5 cable provider to a lengthening list of cable operators now offering a Tivo set top box. Along with Comcast and Cox (although I have yet to see a full rollout), others include Suddenlink, RCN, and Direct TV. "Under the deal -- which represents one of TiVo's biggest service provider wins in years -- Charter this year will launch TiVo's Premiere DVR in unspecified markets, along with forthcoming multiroom DVR features. The MSO also will use the TiVo guide on non-DVR set-tops."

Even more exciting, is the level of sophistication that Tivo adds to the Charter and Tivo-enabled home. "The initial TiVo market launches in Charter territories will include Web applications, such as access to local news, sports and weather, as well as Facebook and Twitter updates, right from the TV, plus access to Charter's VOD library, including more than 900 high-definition titles." Truly added value and appeal.

As the volume of choice on television increases, Tivo has proven itself superior with better search capabilities than anything that other set top boxes offer. Add to that the expertise they bring, recording shows that it intuitively thinks may be of interest to the home. It is ultimately those devices that bring better search and recommendation to the home, that as a result, brings value to the consumer. And value hopefully translates as acquisition and retention for the cable operator.

10 Billion Served

No, not McDonalds' hamburgers, rather 10 billion iTune downloads and growing. So it is no wonder that online competition exists. The latest into the fray is Sony. "'Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity,' which Sony unveiled in September, started in the U.K. and Ireland in December and in France, Germany, Italy and Spain this weekend. It’s available on Sony’s Playstation 3 game console, Blu-ray Disc player, Bravia televisions, personal computers, and will be on smartphones using Google Inc.’s Android operating systems." So non-Apple devices can now get an online music store. As Apple and it's devices own the market share, should Apple even be worried? Doubtful.

Still, should the same providers of such content choose to stop offering to Apple, it would certainly affect sales. I doubt any such move would be in the best interest of the content companies, especially given the market share that Apple serves. And as Apple products have proved superior to other smartphones and music players, it is hard to imagine that such an offering will have a big dent on Apple. As long as Apple continues to innovate and improve, they will keep attracting more users and such their iTune and App stores will only continue to provide a greater source of revenue and growth.

Verizon Challenging Net Neutrality

Cable companies don't seem to like net neutrality and neither do the telcos. It is now Verizon's turn to try and overturn net neutrality regulation. "Verizon argues in its appeal that the FCC's Dec. 21 order exceeds its authority, is arbitrary and capricious and an abuse of its discretion, and is unconstitutional as well." My concern with net neutrality is that it paves the way for usage billing. I would hate to constantly monitor how many bits and bytes I consumed to know what my bill would be. I prefer the buffet where I can have unlimited helpings for one price.

With more and more devices consuming broadband, I am also fearful that the internet bill would become too high. In my home, the computers are either hard wired or wifi connected to broadband. Same with the ipods. I frankly wouldn't know what our average consumption is per day. But I can tell that our usage is growing.

I also know that the highway is only so big and that traffic jams will only get worse. Consumption hogs will hurt others. Ultimately, the consumer is best served through competition, not regulation. Allowing other companies to enter the industry, lower the barriers to entry, and creates more choice for consumers. And encourage innovation as ways to make the broadband highway speed along at a faster clip, getting more content from point A to point B without any disruptions.

Too Many Cable Channels?

Ok, so the linked article is about HGTV and Food Network losing viewers to competition from other cable networks. A couple decades ago, broadcast meant general market programming to the widest audience. Cable networks were formed to take over the niches that a broad network wasn't going after. One channel for all news, one for all music, one for food, and so on. Their viewership may have been strong, but as an aggregate, they provided an alternative to over the air. And as they were available by cable systems, an advertiser could buy a cable ad inexpensively and only reach the town or towns they needed. With broadcast, it was always about the DMA.

But cable networks found that a niche wasn't enough. They wanted "broad coverage" across the country and local ad insertion was harder too. Cable systems began owning the DMA and preferred selling bigger not smaller slices. Cable networks wanted more eyeballs for their shows too. So the niches became broader as well. And they began to overlap. Hence multiple cable networks for news, finance, sports, and yes, even food. Was that show on Food or TLC, Bravo or A&E? In the beginning, each cable net had its own niche; today, they bump each other constantly, competing for shows and eyeballs. And in each networks' attempt to reach a wider audience base, the shows themselves are aimed at a much less esoteric level.

So are there today too many cable networks? As long as people are watching, almost all with stay around. Others will simply change their name and start again. Hence Discover Health is now OWN. But this broadening of content is not a new phenomenon. Broadcast stole audience from radio. Cable is stealing audience from broadcast. And internet content is following the same strategy of going after the niches. But with history as a guide, those niches will soon become mainstream.

Apple Dazzles Again

Whatever the impact of the Steve Job's announcement that he was taking a medical leave did to the stock price, the subsequent financial release of earnings and performance caused a swift bounce back. Apple excels and continues to outperform all expectations. "Investors focused on Apple's success in boosting production of iPads, which happened faster than analysts predicted. Shoppers also bought iPhones as fast as Apple could make them, helping drive the company's fiscal first-quarter net income up 78 percent from the prior year." Apple knows what the customer wants and is the leader in getting it to market first.

Without Steve Jobs at the helm, the concern is whether there are others inside the company with the same vision to innovate. At least for now, there seems to be much in their pipeline to sustain them for quite a while. Heck Microsoft has been selling the same product for decades.

Other interesting news, while Jobs has stepped down at Apple, he is still retaining his seat on the Disney board. Certainly not as essential a position, but one that hopes means that Jobs will be back from his medical leave to continue to run Apple. Here's to hoping for his good health.

FCC Approves Comcast NBC Merger

One approval down and one to go. The FCC today has approved the merger of Comcast and NBC and the Department of Justice is expected to also approve. Obviously, the conditions for merger have been agreed to and we are on our way to a new mega-brand. "FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski approved of the joint venture late December, saying that ultimately the union would benefit consumers as Comcast promised to add 1,000 hours of news and informational programming to some channels, contribute $20 million in venture funds for minority programs, and $9.95 broadband Internet service for low-income households." Will the consumer gain in this transaction/ to me, the key remains competition. Encourage more competition in the wireless industry so that content can be accessed without a wire through multiple platforms.

For the new Comcast-NBC, the likely official turn the keys over date will be the last Friday in January. And with any merger, I am sure the employees on both sides of the fence are wondering, what does this new company mean to them and their job. WIll they be in or out? In short term all those questions will also be answered.

Apple's Steve Jobs Takes Another Medical Leave

Apple's stock price is zooming with some speculating that it could reach $1000. Verizon has finally secured its iPhone and the iPad 2 is expected to be released this Spring. All has seemed right in Apple Land and that is never a good sign, as pessimists would say. So it is unfortunate news to read that Steve Jobs needs to take a medical leave from his current responsibilities. "While it’s unclear what the reason is for the medical leave, Jobs’ previous medical history includes Pancreatic cancer as well as a liver transplant. In 2004, Jobs contracted Pancreatic Cancer, which he beat. Then Jobs underwent a liver transplant in 2009, and also made a full recovery. During Jobs’ absence in 2009, COO Tim Cook took over Apple’s day-to-day activities, similar to this situation.'

Hopefully more news will come shortly. Apple's earnings for 2010 and fourth quarter are expected tomorrow and additional news may come at that time. Until that release, Apple's stock may see a drop today. Let us hope that the news is not bad. For Apple, it is truly vital that a succession plan is completed and that the innovation that is the heart of Apple's business continues to be embraced.

SAG and AFTRA Approve Contracts

The writers' strike a few years ago still propels bad memories. With many on the street and tons of productions stopped, the only group that seemed to do well were the networks that still had old content to distribute. SAG couldn't get their act together and the WGA learned the hard way that their tactics only cost their members money. I doubt any of them have truly recouped their losses.

So it is a welcome sight to hear read that SAG and AFTRA have quietly negotiated and approved a contract extension. "The new contracts boost base pay rates and contributions to benefit plans. Union negotiators had reached the tentative deal Nov. 7 and recommended it to the membership, with that deal coming only six weeks after talks with the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers began on Sept. 27." let us hope that the WGA have as easy a time when their renewal is being negotiated. I would hate to see a repeat of history.

Comcast-NBC Deal Closing In

Lots of chatter as 2010 has passed and both sides are eager to close this deal. So what are the stumbling points? "At issue is a condition proposed by the Federal Communications Commission that would require Comcast to offer NBC programming to any online video service that has reached a similar deal for content from at least one of NBC's competitors, such as Walt Disney Co. or News Corp." Some wonder that the conditions imposed could raise additional problems.

Regardless, it seems the cat is so far out of the bag that there is nothing else left to do but approve this merger. Is it good for business, perhaps. Is it good for the consumer? The one thing I can tell you, that no matter what the conditions are, companies and consumers alike often find work arounds. Can't get the answer you want, work around. Build a better mousetrap. Hence cord cutting and IPTV. Napster and file sharing. With technological innovation in the entertainment industry happening at a lightning fast pace, a merger, even of this size, won't stop the consumer from getting the content they desire.

So the question of this merger is simply when and no longer if.

Buy or Wait - iPhone On Verizon Network

What to do, what to do. Buy or wait for the next generation of iPhones for the Verizon Network. Is the 3G network good enough or is it better to wait for the 4G version. And for those that have been waiting, what's another 6 months or year. Frankly these and other questions are being asked as Verizon gets set to presell it's iPhone. And with a 2 year subscription, buying early could satisfy the immediate craving for the device and 2 years will go awfully quick. By then, another cool generation will be released and the natural upgrade process occurs. And like buying a PC, they become obsolete so quickly, no matter when you purchase.

Verizon may also be dropping its discount phone purchase program. With demand so strong, why even consider discounting. So perhaps the best advice is take the plunge. No matter what you do, owning the device is better than continuing to wait to join the party.

MySpace - Sell Or Close Shop

Wave the white flag! A social network leader has risen and the competitor is about to be vanquished. So was the case for Bebo and now for MySpace. "MySpace is cutting 47 percent of its staff amid reports that owner News Corp. is preparing the social-networking website for a possible sale." Can this under performer be resurrected or is it really just the beginning of the end. Without a buyer, it is likely that the business will simply close down. For Fox, owners of MySpace, its purchase a few years ago, never deliver the intended results. Was it poor management, and inability to see the future, or just a better opponent in Facebook? Whatever the case, a sad ending to a once promising website.

Cable Distribution v, Content - Streaming Media

Consumers want their content where they want, what they want, and when they want, whether it is tethered to a wire or not. And they want to pay once for this access. Cable distributors hear that plea and recognize that building an inclusive model with such access keeps subscribers paying, want to proceed with streaming media. Content owners have other ideas.

Content owners like the idea of being paid multiple times for their content and selling to multiple distribution platforms is a revenue winner. That also enables cable customers to cut the cord and switch from one platform to another. Hence the friction between content and distribution.

Now Comcast is announcing that they want to stream the cable content they license to untethered devices like the Apple iPad. "While the initial barrage consisted of warning shots––programmers dispatched carefully worded reminders that such distribution pathways are not authorized by existing affiliate agreements, but stopped short of threatening immediate legal action––many observers believe that this will prove to be the first exchange in yet another long and bloody war between rights holders and operators." Is it time for a response from the FCC?

A merger of content and distribution, ie Comcast and NBCU, would facilitate this step for cable, although other distribution competitors could be shut out of the content. Should the FCC rule that content purchased by a cable operator can be streamed by that operator for the benefit of their customers. Isn't this exactly what Slingbox offers and doesn't Dish integrate Slingbox into their platform's converter box.

To be fair, some content owners have already enabled access. On Demand through authorized boxes can also be accessed. This slippery slope is not flattening and this issue of TV Everywhere will not go away. Other content owners will have to find a comfortable position. Hopefully, an eyeball gained through easier availability will still positively impact revenues. Higher subscriptions and better advertising rates. The future is mobility and Content v Distribution will have to find a common ground.

Verizon To Announce It’s Getting The iPhone; New Edition Unlikely

True, CES was last week, but why spoil an expensive conference with an anticipated announcement. Why not wait to deliver the poorest secret in telecom history, that the iPhone will be finally made available to Verizon customers. Not in 4g with their LTE network, but as version one, in a 3G model. The article speculates that a 4G announcement is possible. The announcement is scheduled for tomorrow in New York. "But given Apple’s penchant to launch new products on its own turf in California, it’s unlikely that it will be the latter." Still better late then never.

Time Warner Likes TV Everywhere

Lots of speeches coming out of CES this week. And the buzz continues for smartphones and tablets. But the underlying need is content. Content is King and access to from an economic model that works for the consumer is necessary. So it is Jeff Bewkes, CEO of Time Warner that sees access of cable content across platforms the key to stopping cord cutting and improving the bottom line. "More screens mean more opportunities for viewers to watch Time Warner's shows or read Time Inc. magazines. Consuming more content means more ad and subscription revenue for Time Warner." I like the reasoning.

The reason consumers liked cable was that for one low price they could access many channels of content. The reason consumers like websites that aggregate information is that it simplifies the search process and provides what they need quickly. Consumers seek easy search and access as well as expertise in what to find, watch, and read. That cable can deliver video content easily as part of its subscription is nice. But the consumer wants to be untethered and if their video content can leave the home, via TV Everywhere, to where they happen to be, that is a major benefit. "He (Bewkes) sees the secret in stemming cord-cutting in giving consumers infinite access to what they're paying for. The theory: If you can access your HBO shows anywhere, anytime, it's worth more than ever — but you're not paying more — so why give that up?"

It is the new want that the consumer is demanding - what they want, where they want, when they want, to any device they want. Embracing a TV Everywhere approach assures retention as well as subscription growth. Owning those eyeballs than allows for more ad revenue too. Viewership rises and ultimately so do revenues.

CES Pushing 3D and Internet TVs

We all rushed out to upgrade our TVs. We threw away our big tube sets for sleeker, thinner, and bigger, not to mention better picture from HDTV. "But now, most people who want a flat-screen TV already own one. Industry watchers and manufacturers estimate that nearly two-thirds of households in the United States have a flat-screen set." But last year, and again this year, TV manufacturers want us to upgrade again to 3D and internet-TV. EXCEPT, 3D has not proved that appealing and we already can connect to the internet through blu ray, XBox, Apple TV, and other devices connected to those HDTVs.

My big tube TV lasted over 15 years. I am reluctant to replace my HDTVs for 3D TVs. I only hope I can get 10 years out of the current crop of TVs. And when other TVs fail and need upgrading, the 3D feature is not compelling for me.

It seems in fact, that once again, attention at this year's CES is focused on smaller products. Smaller tablets, thinner iPads and iPhones. Mobility remains an important benefit for the consumer as does the ability to access more information. Comcast just announced that their new app will shortly allow remote slingbox type streaming of live TV as well as mobile on demand access. More buzz should emerge on this and other new mobile tools this week. For me, I want an announcement that includes a revolutionary improvement of the battery. Charging every night is tiring. Miss one night and you are left with a brick. The need for second batteries and emergency power packs may help but ultimately these mobile devices need to work harder and retain more juice to last longer. I'm still waiting for that announcement to come.

Cable Companies Can Remain Leaders

We've heard of the triple play - phone, cable, broadband, now is the time to really embrace the quad play. No, I don't want cable companies buying Sprint or getting into the mobile phone business. rather, the fourth play is Wifi. With so many products accessing the web and cable content, cable companies should control that connection too. Need connection to your home voice mail, manage your DVR, or watch a show from work, why not on a device connected to your cable's Wifi platform.

For the cable company, a pricing strategy could include discounts based on level of service. A triple play customer gets the best discount, the double play customer a little less of a discount. It encourages retention of cable verse both telco and cord cutters. Obviously there is a cost to build out a wireless platform. But consider a consortium across the top cable companies, Comcast, Time Warner, Charter, Cablevision, and Cox, and the cable customer could have a real benefit to staying with their cable provider.

And customers could buy ipods, ipads, and other mobile devices without the expensive cell coverage. A less expensive wifi connection gets them all the coverage they need. Certainly the need is there for better wifi coverage. Cable companies could once again own the market and remain the leader.

Sirius and Bubba Separate

While content is king, I guess not all content is valuable. Certainly not for Bubba the Love Sponge. "Bubba heads to the "New Media" frontier of online radio provider radoio. While Bubba heads for the internet he is also pushing for this loyal following to drop their subscription to Sirius XM. Many took to his Twitter and Facebook pages to announce that they had called Sirius XM to cancel."

Does Bubba have that strong an audience to affect subscriptions to Sirius. Doubtful. Perhaps Howard Stern could have that influence, but few others.

Best Buy The TV Network

TVs in retail locations are not a new thing. Supermarkets, Walmart, and others have strategically placed thousands of TV screens to capture our attention while we wait in line. So can the Best Buy On Channel "filled with original editorial content spanning everything from how-to videos and gift guides to new-technology primers and behind-the-scenes looks at popular movies" be any different? Certainly if it ventures outside the confines of its own stores it may have a chance. Distribution deals, gaining access on the Netflix platform, Apple TV, and other internet and mobile platforms is necessary; access on a cable platform could be ideal. It wouldn't necessarily have to be as a linear channel. offering these nuggets of info via on demand could be educational, informative, and valuable to the average consumer. And driving them back to a Best Buy store, the win.

2010 TV Viewing Continues to Edge Up

Hey broadcast and cable TV, consumers still like to watch TV! "Americans watched more television than ever in 2010, according to the Nielsen Company. Total viewing of broadcast networks and basic cable channels rose about 1 percent for the year, to an average of 34 hours per person per week." And while cable viewership grows, broadcast viewership is stronger. Even with video content access on computers and mobile devices, consumers like to watch TV in a lean back, television experience.

Still, we should look broader at usage as content is the thing and where it is watch may be of less importance to the fact that it is watched at all. Thanks to DVRs and On Demand, convenience has been served for the viewer on the television to match the convenience of mobility. Subscription and ad revenue,no matter where it is paid, all lines the pockets of content creators and distributors. And with more devices to watch on, there is even more demand for content. So keep producing more TV shows, there is an audience for it.