Apple 2011 Plans

Can Google of Microsoft beat Apple? It seems rather than innovate, they copy more to catch up than to lead. For Apple, the future is iPhone for Verizon, the next generation iPad, and new iPhone features. And let us not forget what Apple TV might finally emerge as a real must have product too. "Analysts are of the stern belief that 2011 will further have Apple’s domination in media headlines. Apple iPad 2, a revamped tablet with Apple FaceTime video chat and Verizon iPhone, a CDMA iPhone on the country’s largest cellular service provider Verizon Wireless will be the stars of 2011 for Apple." I know I keep waiting for the Verizon iPhone to be released although I have been told that I should wait till the 4G version is released, possible late in 2011. Till then, perhaps the iPad 2 is on my list.

While Google tries to be original, all Microsoft seems to do is keep releasing updates to its operating system. Their only recent success has been the XBox. But is that enough to continue or do they need some new blood to retake the technology lead. It seems they may have been resting too long on their laurels.

Star Trek Predicts The Future Again

It seems that Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek, made 40 some years ago, continue to predict the future. From disks to store data to mobile phones, the future was in the creator's mind and brought to life on TV. And now another reality emerges with the Universal Translator. On the show, languages spoken were translated into English. Today, what is written can be successfully translated thanks to new apps. "... the brand new TGPhoto app lets you take a picture of foreign words with your smartphone and translates the text for you. Developed by LinguaSys, a translation software company, TGPhoto works with 50 languages, including many that use non-English characters, including Russian, Arabic and several Asian languages." I can only suspect that developers are already working on apps that will record the language spoken and play back translations. Amazing how science fiction is now fact.

HBO, SHO, Starz Verses Netflix

As the year ends, some thoughts go to finances and budgeting for the new year. Certainly, the entertainment budget has been forced to grow, what with rising cable prices, movie tickets, online and more. And being home for the week, it is easy to pay closer attention to how we watch TV. And I must say, it is hard to justify the high cost of cable. As we scroll through the list of on demand movies, some free, some transactional, and some included with our premium subscription, I wonder if it makes sense to continue to buy my premium subscriptions. It seems that most choice exists through Netflix and I could not only drop my premium services and buy a Netflix subscription AND save money at the same time. Perhaps the biggest reason to make the switch is the streaming that Netflix offers. It is just as convenient as on demand. Instant access of movies and TV shows at a lower cost.

Will I go all the way and drop cable completely? Probably not, but it sure looks like a slippery slope. Certainly, it has been the original series on premium that keeps us buying, but if you can wait a year, they will end up on DVD and on Netflix. I haven't made the move yet, but I sure feel the pull.

Sirius Growing

Howard Stern is re-signed and sales are looking up. And so is Sirius' stock price! "Yesterday the satellite radio company announced it has teamed up with BMW to offer an introductory one-year subscription of the "Sirius Everything" package with every new model year 2011 BMW Mini and several of its new motorcycle models." Adding another car line will only help to improve its subscription base, making it easier for folks to sign up for the service. All good news as Sirius enters a new year.

Comcast-NBCU Tell Staffs Deal Won’t Close This Year

The train has been delayed, not cancelled, but delayed as the likely merger between NBCU and Comcast will not be closed by end of the year. Certainly for fiscal year reporting, not clean, but so goes the slow engine of the government. For fired staff members of NBCU, more days of employment, and for others, who knows.

"Despite considerable objection, including from the very vocal Sen. Al Franken, the merger still appears to be on track for approval but it also likely will come with strings attached designed to protect consumers from the consolidation." What will those rules entail and how will they impact the future business of this merged organization remains to be seen. But like we say in business, there is always a work around solution. And whatever the rules may be, solutions will be found to allow the business to move forward. Ahhh, the old loophole trick.

When will the deal close? Some speculation the delay may only be two weeks or less, others through January. Hard to imagine it going on too much longer.

Gaming Revenue - No Movie Required

It doesn't take a movie tie-in to make a game successful. And Activision's Call of Duty seems to hit the spot for gaming enthusiasts. Despite its Adult Rating of M for mature, Call of Duty Black Ops sales has exceeded 1 billion dollars in just 42 days on the market. "That's quicker than the company's previous blockbuster video game, "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2," which passed the 10-figure plateau in 64 days." It seems that the Call of Duty franchise is doing quite well, even without a movie connection. So will the game inspire a movie? I wouldn't doubt it.

More impressive for CoD - BO is that it is more successful then any movie, except for one. "'Avatar' -- the 3-D blockbuster ... wears the crown as the fastest entertainment property to ring up $1 billion in sales, having done so last year after just 20 days in wide release." Certainly in this depressed economy, entertainment still has its winners.

FCC poised to adopt network neutrality rules

It seems that the support has been found to pass the FCC rules on net neutrality, providing equal streaming access to all. "More than a year after FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski pledged to put in place so-called "network neutrality" regulations, the agency is poised to adopt those rules at a meeting on Tuesday." And while it seems black and white, these new rules may indeed still contain areas of gray. Will internet providers find the loopholes to work around the rules? And will the courts come in and be forced to rule on its constitutionality? Ultimately, the rules are meant to provide a level playing field for all content and lower the barriers for other companies to stream competitive content online. Good news for Netflix and Google? A new competitive landscape is certainly forming.

Hulu IPO On Hold

Is Hulu having troubles? Concerned about going public perhaps and opening up the books? Afraid that the model isn't working? Certainly lots of questions, but no answers. Only that the IPO may be off the table. "Online video site Hulu LLC has taken off the table the idea of going public, at least for now, and may consider other financing options, people familiar with the matter said." But will these owners agree to invest more of their money into this venture?

One wonders how well the premium subscription model is working. "Some consumers have complained that the Hulu Plus selection remains limited, and the company already cut its monthly price to $7.99 from $9.99 during the preview period. Many of Hulu's investors have been pushing it to consider other paid models that could help them earn more money from their content." Can more money be made licensing their product to companies like Netflix? Perhaps online is the new syndication model.

Google TV Delayed

Attention cord cutters, you may have to wait a little longer for your Google TV. More tweaks may be needed to build a consumer friendly platform and so Google is delaying its release. "Google has asked Toshiba, LG Electronics and Sharp to postpone launches of Google TV-based products, which had been planned for next month's Consumer Electronics Show, as the Internet giant needs more time to improve the software." First impressions are everything and if the Google software is problematic, smart to delay before the unveiling then try to fix later. By then, the damage would have been done.

Interestingly, internet connected TV sales are not doing well. "Last week Best Buy -- another key launch partner for Google TV -- reported weaker-than-expected sales for the quarter ended Nov. 27, blaming in part disappointing sales of Internet-connected TVs." Of course, why buy one if you already have a connection to the internet through your gaming devices like Wii, Playstation, and XBox 360, and DVD and blu-ray players. How many connections do I really need.

Can Google break into the game. Maybe not by CES, but 2011 should be an interesting year.