All Hail Social Networking - News, Shopping, Gaming, Gossip

I think social networks are an addiction; but in this case, that may not be a bad thing. A check on Twitter, Facebook, and other sites and I can get updates on breaking news, sport score, friends' birthdays, and much more. I can post an update, ask a question, and get feedback when I need it. "Social networks and blogs are taking up more and more of Americans time online, now accounting for nearly a quarter of our time spent on the Internet, according Nielsen's social media report." The article suggests that gaming on social sites is carved out, but I am not sure I agree. In fact I was heartbroken to learn that Scramble will be shutting down on Facebook.

It's funny, when I started using Twitter I was less impressed. But as I found more interesting accounts to follow, the value of Twitter soared. Some people simply like to Tweet inane comments, others try to be funny, some overdue the number of Tweets per day, and some are invaluable. I care little where someone is currently having their cup of coffee, but appreciate when they share an article of interest. And some just bring a chuckle during the day. But most importantly, I feel that I am up to date when important news is released.

Is there enough revenue to go around? Those that link into web sites for more depth of coverage will find more success. Advertising and paid subscription on mobile devices to quickly get to more information. And apps to "bookmark" for later reading or viewing on a device of our choice when we are finally ready to consume it.

Social networking lets us share. We seem less concerned with revealing more and more of ourselves these days through these sites. True, even politicians have been exposing themselves through these sites. But despite that, if you believe the motto that "information is power", social networking delivers the information.

Does NBC Need Hulu; TV Everywhere Takes Another Step Forward

Despite being a partner in Hulu, NBC is moving forward with its own mobile app for nbc.com through the iPad. "NBC upgraded its iPad app Thursday so users can watch entire shows on their tablets." Good news for viewers and hopefully more viewers for NBC TV shows. This new follows on the heels of other articles touting TV Everywhere, including the NY Times article on Turner. While NBC isn't requiring viewers to have cable subscriptions, TBS and TNT will offer its shows to authenticated cable customers through apps. Certainly NBC represents a broadcast network while Turner has cable network. Still NBC affiliate stations are pushing for license fees from cable markets and free web viewing could possibly affect those carriage deals. Will all these same shows be available as well for on demand viewing through the cable box?

The other question is what about Hulu. Will NBC offer these same full length shows through Hulu or will nbc.com have some exclusive product? "The new app also offers customization features that let you follow a show and have it automatically update in the app, rather than having to search for a new episode." Will Hulu viewers gravitate to NBC for these features? And I wonder does this news indicate a change in strategy for NBC and Hulu.

So the recent news of mobile viewing is good news to viewers seeking TV shows that follow them on their schedule. And it certainly continues to increase the value for tablets. TV distribution continues to push itself outside the cable box and away from linear watching. Viewers watch on our terms and this availability is overall good news.

Liberty Media Should Buy Tivo

There is wide spread speculation what Liberty Media should do one it spins off some of its assets. According to Malone and Maffei, Liberty will have quite a bit of cash available for acquisitions. "Asked if shareholders should expect Liberty to delve into companies outside the realm of traditional media, like its recent investments in book retailer Barnes & Noble, Malone said the goal is to invest in or acquire businesses where its management can have an impact." The article suggests Sirius, but I would think that Tivo could be a target, too.

With a worldwide distribution platform, including DirecTv, Tivo is a perfect fit. In fact, Tivo technology is already utilized in DirecTv boxes. So why not expand that reach. A purchase would give them the push to embrace Tivo in a wider platform footprint as well as encourage more innovation with IP connections and content. And it seems it could lead to higher long term value.

Is Tivo being mentioned publicly? Not that I have been reading. But it seems a brand that could do well with a relationship with a company like Liberty. Since Comcast never took my urging in an earlier blog to buy, Liberty could be the next best bet.

Internet Sales Tax and Amazon Cuts A Deal

The threat of a sales tax on internet goods may have gotten a short term reprieve. "Under the deal, Amazon would delay collecting taxes until September 2012, Assemblyman Charles Calderon (D-Whittier) said." Certainly good news for this holiday season, but it seems inevitable that a tax-free internet won't stay around for long.

The article also mentions what Congress might do. "If Congress acts by next summer to settle the contentious issue of how online retailers should be taxed, that decision would override Amazon's deal with California." How quickly Congress acts is always questionable and I wonder how best to divvy internet revenue. Would Congress use this as the first level for a national sales tax? Would a portion of those revenues than be divided across each state? And would an internet sales tax help our deficit or simply stop consumers from purchasing goods, a far worse outcome to be sure.

What is happening in California is most certainly expected to play out in every other state as well. And that will certainly be played out on the national political stage with a Presidential election coming next year.

Some Suggest Content Is Not The King Anymore

With all the news at Yahoo, questions arise whether content is no longer the king and that those that "point to it" are more valuable. "Internet pioneers Yahoo and AOL Inc. are losing out to Facebook Inc. and Google Inc., both of which are adept at helping point the way to pertinent or interesting material." To me, it sounds more like the chicken or the egg theory. Facebook and Google need content to point to and Yahoo and AOL need content to be clicked. An almost symbiotic relationship that needs to be maintained. It also suggests that content companies are better served when they are ahead of the curve when it comes to distribution platforms.

In Yahoo's case, the push for content overshadowed the changing platforms toward mobile and social media. Certainly AOL and Fox tried with Bebo and My Space respectively, but were unable to capture an audience. Yahoo, unfortunately, seemed to remain on the sideline. Google has successfully embraced content with You Tube and the rumors of a Hulu acquisition. And Facebook has made deals with Zynga and movie studios to sell content.

I disagree that Content is no longer King. But content creators need to make distribution deals that reach consumers where they want to be. The rise of tablets is a clear example that consumers seek mobility. Twitter and Facebook demonstrate that consumers like to share information. Content then must be reshaped to fit into these new platforms. One last example...Amazon is already hard at work redoing their website for easier viewing on the iPad. Content needs distribution, but distribution also needs content.

Is a Google Acquisition of Hulu a DOJ Issue, Too?

We all know that Hulu's partners would like a little return on their investment. And with Hulu's announced sale, the list of buyers are well known. "Hulu’s corporate owners are currently mulling bids from three would-be buyers: Amazon, Yahoo, and the Dish Network. And then there’s Google." AllThingsD is reporting that Google is willing to pay more than the others to acquire Hulu.

I have speculated in previous blogs that a Hulu deal may require more long term content deals and Google seems to agree. Should Google be an active buyer, the question is, should the Department of Justice be equally concerned about one company owning the majority share of online video? Like their suit against AT&T getting to big and monopolistic, is the same true for Google? Does this type of acquisition fan the flames for more monopolistic drama?

You Tube already has the biggest share of usage and I wonder if real synergy actually exists by adding Hulu. Couldn't You Tube simply make the same deals without also buying the Hulu platform. And Google already has potential antitrust drama with its planned Motorola. With all their efforts to succeed with that acquisition, the timing may not be right anyway to try and also acquire Hulu.

Still the rumors are out there and it is fun to speculate what will happen next. For me, I think I will guess that Dish or perhaps Yahoo are the final buyers.

Is Yahoo Selling Or Restarting

The news of Carol Bartz's firing may have been for lack of growth of Yahoo's revenue and brand, but the hiring of "strategic advisers" does not sound promising either. My brother-in-law said something to me this weekend that made me sit up and think. As a hedge fund guy, he noted that anytime a company brings in a "suit", the attention is never on innovation, but rather on reducing costs to improve profits. He said that "suits" don't take risks because they are only focused on the ROI. And he cites great examples of leaders and companies that take risk without worrying about the return and when they leave, the lack of risk leads to lack of change and a declining future. When My Space founders sold to News Corp, those entrepreneurs left and My Space fell into disrepair. Apple's growth has been the result of Jobs taking risks without worrying about research and returns. It seems instinct does matter.

So what will the future of Yahoo be post Bartz? I am not saying that she was that kind of leader, but with her gone, can "strategic advisers" be risk takers or more likely "suits". According to AllthingsD, "Yahoo is preparing to hire investment bankers and other strategic advisory firms, said sources close to the Silicon Valley Internet giant, as it seeks to figure out what to do next at the company." Other reports have Yahoo putting itself up for sale. That seems to be a likely outcome for investment bankers. New leadership would more likely reinstall in Yahoo its adventurous spirit and risk-taking.

"The company will also be conducting a search for a CEO, which will be difficult because any new top exec will want to be part of such a company-wide review." Should that be the case, that leader must focus on future not ROI, on innovation, not simple profits, on growth strategies, not expense reductions. Yahoo is a strategic challenge before it, but has opportunities galore to succeed. Take risks, hire out-of-box, use content to drive great partnerships and re-establish itself as the great aggregator of content. Don't sell, buy.

3-D, Bust or Boon?

One of the timeless jokes I have heard reminds me of 3-D. What is the secret of comedy? And before the person can answer, you blurt out, comedy. So may be the issue facing 3-D. It may just not be the right time for 3-D.

Telephones continue to push the value of video calls. It has been the future of phones for too long. But now with Skype and Facetime on the iPhone, the timing may have finally met the product. With 3-D TV set, the same may be true, the interest hasn't matched the product...yet. "'New television technologies have always taken time to be nurtured and grow, and this is no exception,' a network rep tells The Post. 'We're where we thought we would be 14 months in, if not farther along.'" I happen to agree with that statement. Certainly ESPN and Discovery haven't backed away from it, nor are Hollywood studios. Both Spielberg and Scorsese are directing theatrical 3-D blockbusters. Sports and movies are big drivers of new technology. The Porn industry has also been a big driver of new technology. It spurred DVD sales, on demand, and the web. Should the porn industry also push 3-D films, then I can only imagine that the future for CE manufacturers will get brighter.

I also suspect that there is a next generation of devices needed that may require a new TV set, but not need special glasses to view. As I wear glasses myself, it is the one thing I dislike needing when watching a theatrical 3-D movie. Without glasses, my personal enjoyment would increase immensely.

And back to timing. No doubt the economy has had a strong impact on sales of 3-D technology. I believe that has had a great effect on sales. As consumers replace their sets today, 3-D may fall into that luxury they are not ready to pay up for. 3-D has a future; the question remains, timing.

Are QR Codes Becoming Obsolete?

We love our smartphones; we love that they not only make phone calls, but also bring information quickly to our fingertips. And whether we search the web or use Apps to help us, we can find what's around us, where to go, and what we want to know. The QR (Quick Response) bar code was a quick way to access relevant information without pressing a ton of keys. Simply take a picture of the 2D code and the smartphone connected to a corresponding webpage. But it seems we may not need a QR code to initiate the connection.

"Although image-recognition software is still in its infancy, a number of mobile apps are already translating signs, naming landmarks and providing a running commentary on your world." Instead of taking a picture of the QR code, just snap a picture of the ad, and the same connection can be made. And it works in real world too. "If you’re browsing through a bookstore, for instance, one quick snapshot of a book’s cover allows you to check the price on Amazon."

As the QR code is not the most attractive piece of artwork, it may be more distracting to those that don't care for them. They do at least let you know that a connected piece of information exists; otherwise, we may be taking pictures of everything in the hope that at some point a link is made. So in the short run a QR code may have to do, but quickly, these app recognition programs will surpass them.

The NY Times article provides a few apps that they tested, like Google Goggles, Leafsnap, Snaptell and Snooth Wine Pro. I've yet to try any of them but will be downloading shortly. This last one sounds most interesting. "Take a close-up of a bottle’s label, and the $4.99 iPhone app not only displays the price, but also maps nearby bodegas, liquor stores and wine cellars."