Apple TV Device

As a first generation device, the Apple TV box is certainly a great first step to connect web content to the tv. According to the WSJ, it was easy to install and use, working effortlessly to move photos, music, and video from the pc and the web to the tv. I can't wait to get one.

As a tivo fanatic, I only wish Apple would partner with Tivo to build the next gen box to capture more tv content and allow me to move it to any tv in my house. What fun to decide that the show I recorded in one room can be sent to my pc in another or vice versa.

Still, this is a giant leap in effortlessly combining two devices together, the tv and pc;

What is the ideal length of video content on the web

How much time do you have? Willing to watch an hour and a half documentary on global warming or do you just have a minute to catch the hottest uploaded video? Today, tv on the internet comes in many flavors and in many lengths. So I wonder how much time people are willing to invest on a show on the web. And I wonder if the ability to easily move that content from pc to another device affects how long you are willing to watch. Video content in all lengths and forms are everywhere and continue to be added at an amazing rate; still, how do you find what you want when you want. The thing about linear tv is they told you what you were going to watch and when; you changed the channel if you didn't want to watch. Now your program, your channel, your time is up to you, you only have to know WHERE to find it. Good luck.

Digital Distribution

Does it seem harder to find the shows and information you are loooking for on tv, web, on-demand. So many choices, but so hard to get by the junk that interferes with the real answers you seek. Duplication, irrelevant material, unrelated connections - it all gets in the way from getting your answers.

So much clutter, it's time for a Spring Cleaning!

Choices

With so many viewing choices, why does everything start to look the same. One realty show looks like another, one drama feels like the one before it, and one comedy draws heavily from the shows of the past. Have we run out of new ideas or do we simply believe that throw a new actor at an old project, like adding a new coat of paint, will make us believe that something is brand new. Until of course it breaks down quickly.

For me, the most original show out there today is Heroes. Looks like a comic book, acts like a drama, plays like sci fi. Really well done. Plus it offers its viewers innovative interactive opportunities. Well done, NBC.

Oscar Race

So why are ratings down year after year. Organizers of the telecast seem to think it is the length of the acceptance speeches. So why are those same speeches the most interesting part of The Golden Globes? Keep the opening monologue, but get rid of the banter, dance numbers, and other distractions. Turn the night into a huge dinner with open bar, and let us see the stars as they really are. I say let them talk. And let the crowd react. Frankly, isn't that what we hope for...to watch the train wreck.

So good luck all the nominees!

The Oscars on Sunday Night

Am I the only one surprised that ABC is not putting more effort in Sunday night's telecast of the Oscars. Everything is being geared to the linear telecast, but no consideration seems to be given to all the other opportunities. What opportunities - they could push a vote of winners on their website and through mobile phones, they could advertise behind the scene streaning on their website, they could ask for downloads of viewers interpretation of this year's best movie scenes, they could announce a live chat with the winners, and so much more. Heck they could try selling on abc.com dvd's of the winners, discounted if they order the night of the telecast. Instead, we will most likely see a linear telecast with the same insipid monologue, silly repartee between presenters, and bad acceptance speeches.

Lots of favorites to root for, but the one I most want to see is the Best Director to Martin Scorsese. Too long a wait after too many great films. The Departed is not his best work, but it is very good and offers great performances. He deserves the Best Director award simply because of his entire filmography of work.

Lastly, Best Picture. The problem with the category is no one can define what a best picture means "officially". To me, it should be a film that lasts through time. And my winner is Little Miss Sunshine.

Entertainment at Home and on the Go

Audio and Video entertainment no longer makes us wait; rather, with on-demand and streaming, it comes when we want, where we want. The idea of the 1000 channel universe is in the past; today, the choice is endless. And lastly, we are no longer tied to a wire to receive entertainmnet or information content; today it can be had wirelessly.

Still, there is one thing that has not changed for these mobile devices. The lifespan of the battery is still extremely limited. Devices may do a lot more, but we still need power to keep it going...and going...and going! So one of the next challenges out there will be a quantum leap in power. A battery that holds the charge or regenerates power to adequately run all the programming being offered. Till that leap is made, I'm afraid we will be recharging our cellular phones, blackberries, pda's, gameboys, portable dvd players and computers nightly.

And for devices attached still by a wire, your entertainment choices are endless, Half the battle is knowing what you want and then searching for any number of ways. But what of those folks that don't want all that programming to choose from and would rather sit back and let it all come to them; just surf their line-up. Either way, there is more than enough to choose from: broadcast and cable programming, radio and satellite radio, on-demand and on-line. The key for all our entertainment choices is the right search engine; Google did it for the internet, but who will make it work for tv and all our video choices. Have you met anyone who likes their cable box and the way you "navigate"? It's time for another innovation!