3D TV Not Appealing

Back in November, 2010 I wrote a blog asking 3D or Not 3D and felt the glasses limited the value and enjoyment of a 3D set.  In other blogs I wrote, I suggested that I saw little incremental value both in the home and in the movie theater.  With rare exception on a couple of movies, 3D wasn't important to me.  And I guess others agree.

"This year at CES, very few television makers even mentioned 3D, Troy Wolverton of the Mercury News reports."  Today the push continues to build connected TV sets as well as to hype bigger screens with more pixels and better Hi Def experience.  And while my own instincts in 3D were proved right, I am sorry for those companies that invested in those products.  Would I revisit 3D; perhaps, when the experience can be created with a set of glasses to wear.  Viewers love to be immersed in the video experience, and once that can be created cleanly with a "hologram" like experience, I would be very interested.  Yes, once again, Star Trek science fiction pushing to be science fact.

So goodbye 3D for now.

Dish Network Wants To Be Your Broadband Provider

Dish Network has  a plan of action.  First, get FCC approval to use its wireless spectrum and second grow the business.  With that in mind, Dish has declared its intentions to move quickly by counter bidding on Clearwire to wrestle control from Sprint.  "Under the proposed deal, Dish Network would buy about 24% of Clearwire's spectrum assets for $2.2 billion, and Clearwire would build and manage a wireless network for Dish. Dish would also provide up to $800 million in additional financing to the struggling Clearwire."  So while counter-offering Sprint, a successful bid would also mean that Sprint and Dish would become partners in the ownership of the wireless entity.

What is Sprint going to do?  Given that they too are being purchased by Softbank.  And is this the best move for Dish?  Given some of the issues facing Clearwire, "Clearwire's frequencies are difficult to use", should Dish look to partner more closely with another wireless provider like Sprint itself or Nextel.

What Dish does know is that two way communication is key.  Google is building a wired market for broadband such as in Kansas City, but for Dish, the strategy is a wireless infrastructure to compete.  And ultimately for the consumer, more competition for wireless and broadband access is good news in keeping prices competitive.