Monday, September 8, 2014
Amazon Fire Fizzle Leads To Price Drop
On the heals of new iPhone releases, Amazon has quickly reduced the price of its smartphone, the Amazon Fire, from $199 to 99 cents. Mackelmore and Ryan Lewis could have a field day with this news. According to Business Insider, "Even with the slashed price, the phone still comes with a year of Amazon
Prime, which includes free shipping on millions of items as well as a
growing selection of free movies, books, and music." Current customers should demand their money back given that the phone has only been out less than 2 months. I doubt that this news creates that much more demand.
The Reinvention Of The Smartwatch
Tomorrow marks a potential big announcement by Apple of its first wearable device, the iWatch. Many have also wondered why Apple hasn't come out sooner with this new product. But that doesn't seem to be Apple's modus operandi.
To illustrate, recall that the iPod wasn't the first mobile music device. Prior to its release, we had the Sony Walkman followed by a ton of digital devices that tried to capture and play music. I owned an mp3 player and could never get it to download music from my computer and play it back. I hated it. The arrival of the iPod brought a simplicity and ease-of-use that took years to be duplicated.
Since then, the rate of change has been rapid. And Apple has responded by doing to the world of smartphones what it did to music players, reinvented them with the touch screen. Like mp3 players, the Blackberry and other non-touch phones became uncool. Again, Apple was not the first to release a smartphone, it just did it differently.
So tomorrow, we may just hear about the next wave of new devices. And typical for Apple, it could be a device that others, like the Samsung Galaxy, Sony, and the Pebble, have already released. But if Apple is true to form, the Apple iWatch will also be different and if done right, will revolutionize the wearable marketplace. Articles on it range from the ergonomics and fashion focus of the device to the Health apps, wireless charging, and NFC chip for mobile payments. But most importantly, it needs to follow the Apple strategy of simplicity and ease of use. Done right, the Apple iWatch, or whatever they officially call it, will again show that Apple motto to 'Think Different'. Stay tuned.
To illustrate, recall that the iPod wasn't the first mobile music device. Prior to its release, we had the Sony Walkman followed by a ton of digital devices that tried to capture and play music. I owned an mp3 player and could never get it to download music from my computer and play it back. I hated it. The arrival of the iPod brought a simplicity and ease-of-use that took years to be duplicated.
Since then, the rate of change has been rapid. And Apple has responded by doing to the world of smartphones what it did to music players, reinvented them with the touch screen. Like mp3 players, the Blackberry and other non-touch phones became uncool. Again, Apple was not the first to release a smartphone, it just did it differently.
So tomorrow, we may just hear about the next wave of new devices. And typical for Apple, it could be a device that others, like the Samsung Galaxy, Sony, and the Pebble, have already released. But if Apple is true to form, the Apple iWatch will also be different and if done right, will revolutionize the wearable marketplace. Articles on it range from the ergonomics and fashion focus of the device to the Health apps, wireless charging, and NFC chip for mobile payments. But most importantly, it needs to follow the Apple strategy of simplicity and ease of use. Done right, the Apple iWatch, or whatever they officially call it, will again show that Apple motto to 'Think Different'. Stay tuned.
Friday, September 5, 2014
We Still Need Better Broadband
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler agrees that we need better broadband capacity and competition in the US. And while he was speaking about better wired broadband, the same announcement should apply to wire and wireless. The c/net article cited thinks such remarks hurt the proposed merger of Comcast and Time Warner Cable, but the truth is that no such competition currently exists between these two media giants. They each deliver broadband to different community franchises. So it is a mute point.
But the bottom line is that broadband speed is lacking in this country, especially as more devices are enabled on the platform. Coaxial wired broadband is limited both in capacity and in usage. The more users on a ring, the slower the performance. Heck the more users of broadband devices in a house, the slower the speed. My own house is a perfect example. A tablet running a video will slow down internet access on the pc.
But we have known that our broadband speeds are lacking for quite a while. In March, the website ThisWeek shared that "According to a recent study by Ookla Speedtest, the U.S. ranks a shocking 31st in the world in terms of average download speeds. The leaders in the world are Hong Kong at 72.49 Mbps and Singapore on 58.84 Mbps. And America? Averaging speeds of 20.77 Mbps, it falls behind countries like Estonia, Hungary, Slovakia, and Uruguay." Yes, America's download speeds are worse than many Eastern European countries. What took Tom Wheeler so long to address it and what is he doing about it?
Preventing a Time Warner Cable - Comcast merger is not the solution to the problem. In fact, consolidation creates some economies of scale that could perhaps improve broadband speed to some communities. Our reliance on broadband is bigger than that. To many, broadband access and speed is more important than bread and gasoline. We could be standing in line waiting for our access and share of broadband. Even days for broadband, odd days for gas.
More needs to be done to improve broadband speed and performance in the US. The infrastructure is collapsing under its own weight as more and more people stream content across their many devices. The demand is certainly there, its time for the supply to catch up.
But the bottom line is that broadband speed is lacking in this country, especially as more devices are enabled on the platform. Coaxial wired broadband is limited both in capacity and in usage. The more users on a ring, the slower the performance. Heck the more users of broadband devices in a house, the slower the speed. My own house is a perfect example. A tablet running a video will slow down internet access on the pc.
But we have known that our broadband speeds are lacking for quite a while. In March, the website ThisWeek shared that "According to a recent study by Ookla Speedtest, the U.S. ranks a shocking 31st in the world in terms of average download speeds. The leaders in the world are Hong Kong at 72.49 Mbps and Singapore on 58.84 Mbps. And America? Averaging speeds of 20.77 Mbps, it falls behind countries like Estonia, Hungary, Slovakia, and Uruguay." Yes, America's download speeds are worse than many Eastern European countries. What took Tom Wheeler so long to address it and what is he doing about it?
Preventing a Time Warner Cable - Comcast merger is not the solution to the problem. In fact, consolidation creates some economies of scale that could perhaps improve broadband speed to some communities. Our reliance on broadband is bigger than that. To many, broadband access and speed is more important than bread and gasoline. We could be standing in line waiting for our access and share of broadband. Even days for broadband, odd days for gas.
More needs to be done to improve broadband speed and performance in the US. The infrastructure is collapsing under its own weight as more and more people stream content across their many devices. The demand is certainly there, its time for the supply to catch up.
Thursday, September 4, 2014
A New Revenue Idea For The NFL
As an out of market fan, I am not always so fortunate to get to see my team on television. Yes DirecTv has all the games, but I am a cable customer who still gets triple play service from my provider. I live in the NY metro area so I certainly get all the NY Giants and NY Jets games, but I am a Philadelphia Eagles fan who, if lucky, might get four or five games aired locally. Unfortunately, this Sunday's game against Jacksonville is not one of them.
Yes, I could go to my local bar and shell out some bucks for a few beers and wings although my waistline might not approve. But I would also be willing to buy the game from my local cable provider on a PPV basis. And I wonder, how many other NFL fans might also be willing to pay, say 10 or 15 dollars to get their game as well. Given the mobility of this country, I would not be surprised to know that there are quite a few out-of-market fans who would pay for the same content.
As for this weekend, I might just have to suck it in and head out for a few hours to the local pub to enjoy the season opener. Heck, there are worse things to worry about. But maybe next season, things will be different.
Yes, I could go to my local bar and shell out some bucks for a few beers and wings although my waistline might not approve. But I would also be willing to buy the game from my local cable provider on a PPV basis. And I wonder, how many other NFL fans might also be willing to pay, say 10 or 15 dollars to get their game as well. Given the mobility of this country, I would not be surprised to know that there are quite a few out-of-market fans who would pay for the same content.
As for this weekend, I might just have to suck it in and head out for a few hours to the local pub to enjoy the season opener. Heck, there are worse things to worry about. But maybe next season, things will be different.
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Is Our Cloud Information Ever Truly Secure?
If there was one thing our parents always told us, it was that what you tell someone is no longer a secret the moment you share it. Another truth seems to be that no matter how secure you try to make something, whether it is your nude photos all the way up to your home security, there are people trying to break in and steal it. Locks thwart some who look for open doors while more sophisticated security systems try to stop those more daring in their attempt to smash and grab. And despite all that has happened in domestic terrorism, we still have people circumventing security to jump off One World Trade Center or replace flags with white surrender flags on the Brooklyn Bridge. We are never completely safe from those that want to break in.
And just as celebrities are upset that their nude photos were stolen and shared, The Home Depot became the latest business to have its credit card information hacked. And as surely as I write this, another security breach will occur. So who is at fault? Apple's iCloud platform, Target and The Home Depot's credit card data breach are also victims. If there is a will, there is a way, and in the digital world, stealing can happen without even leaving the comfort of your chair. As long as someone wants to hack, they will; it is not a question of if, only when. Who are at fault; those that want to steal what is not theirs are the ones we should blame
Is there a solution? As security systems get more sophisticated, so do those trying to hack them. It is a game, a puzzle, where the prize is to solve them. But the repercussions are untenable. Security fraud, identity theft, information and financial loss seem more at risk the more our information is shared on cloud based platforms. And we must balance that risk with the value the cloud also offers in accessibility, transaction ease, social networking, and more. It is a tightrope of security breach and mobility that we continue to face in our society.
And just as celebrities are upset that their nude photos were stolen and shared, The Home Depot became the latest business to have its credit card information hacked. And as surely as I write this, another security breach will occur. So who is at fault? Apple's iCloud platform, Target and The Home Depot's credit card data breach are also victims. If there is a will, there is a way, and in the digital world, stealing can happen without even leaving the comfort of your chair. As long as someone wants to hack, they will; it is not a question of if, only when. Who are at fault; those that want to steal what is not theirs are the ones we should blame
Is there a solution? As security systems get more sophisticated, so do those trying to hack them. It is a game, a puzzle, where the prize is to solve them. But the repercussions are untenable. Security fraud, identity theft, information and financial loss seem more at risk the more our information is shared on cloud based platforms. And we must balance that risk with the value the cloud also offers in accessibility, transaction ease, social networking, and more. It is a tightrope of security breach and mobility that we continue to face in our society.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
New Apple iPhone Could Enable Mobile Payments
According to re/code, Apple is partnering with American Express to enable its iPhones to act as credit cards for store transactions. Utilizing NFC or Near Field Communication, the iPhone coupled with perhaps Apple's fingerprint scanner feature, would provide the speed and security for purchases. Instead of swiping a credit card, the user would wave the iPhone and confirm the purchase. All this and more is expected to be announced on September 9 at Apple's big reveal.
Is this the next big thing that Apple needs to compete? Will the iWatch be part of this announcement as well as part of this mobile wallet transaction piece? And what about upgraded iPads, iMacs, and even the Apple TV? With just a week to go, more rumors will fly.
Is this the next big thing that Apple needs to compete? Will the iWatch be part of this announcement as well as part of this mobile wallet transaction piece? And what about upgraded iPads, iMacs, and even the Apple TV? With just a week to go, more rumors will fly.
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
TiVo Wants Its Piece Of The Aereo Market
As Aereo's business model fades away, others are trying to pick up the pieces. The latest to step in is TiVo who has announced a new DVR box that can receive digital broadcast signals from an at home antenna and deliver DVR functionality, all without a cable subscription. Per Multichannel, the Roamio OTA box "is also compatible with the TiVo Stream, a Slingbox-like device that can stream live and recorded TV to smartphones and tablets in or out of the user’s home".
The TiVo box costs under $50 and requires a monthly subscription to TiVo at about $15 a month, a little more expensive than what Aereo charged, but cheaper than a cable subscription. The service is clearly aimed to the cord cutters and antenna households that might want more functionality and channel availability at a lower price than cable TV. Given the court decisions against Aereo, this device might be a great solution, but it is not the only one as other services are popping up as well. With Aereo on the way to oblivion, others are clearly picking at its carcass.
The TiVo box costs under $50 and requires a monthly subscription to TiVo at about $15 a month, a little more expensive than what Aereo charged, but cheaper than a cable subscription. The service is clearly aimed to the cord cutters and antenna households that might want more functionality and channel availability at a lower price than cable TV. Given the court decisions against Aereo, this device might be a great solution, but it is not the only one as other services are popping up as well. With Aereo on the way to oblivion, others are clearly picking at its carcass.
is
also compatible with the TiVo Stream, a Slingbox-like device that can
stream live and recorded TV to smartphones and tablets in or out of the
user’s home - See more at:
http://www.multichannel.com/news/technology/tivo-roamio-ota-model-targets-cord-cutters/383346#sthash.TIBw6cO4.dpuf
Monday, August 25, 2014
Is Aereo Dead?
Now that the Supreme Court ruled that Aereo doesn't have the right to repurpose free over the air signals to consumers, now comes news that a federal court also ruled that Aereo can't operate as a cable TV operator either. Aereo can't seem to find any wiggle room it seems to continue to operate as an OTT service for broadcast signals. Will Aereo continue to fight or is time to shut down completely? For consumers seeking a low cost way to get broadcast signals that can be streamed to their mobile devices, it may be time to buy a digital antenna and a sling box.
Friday, August 22, 2014
GameStop Soars Despite Landscape Changes
It is hard to stay relevant for a long time in an ever changing world. Technological change, environmental change, social change all can either propel or damage commerce. We have seen such an effect that digital has played on big box stores competing against Amazon or how technological change has hurt the Radio Shack brand. For those that adapt to changing market forces, like Netflix who moved from DVD to streaming, a future continues, but for those that don't shift to changing conditions, both macro and micro, like Sears, the future looks bleak.
So it is a bit surprising for many that GameStop continues to see record earnings as game use has shifted to tablets and platform games can be downloaded for play rather than purchasing a disc. But GameStop took advantage of the new gaming platforms from Xbox and Playstation to exceed expectations. Per the Wall Street Journal, "The retailer previously has struggled with a slowdown in sales of videogame discs as game developers and rivals expanded software downloads and other digital offerings. In one recent example, Electronic Arts Inc. EA +0.55% introduced a subscription service that lets Xbox One owners play EA's games for $4.99 a month." A subscription service could truly hurt the current GameStop model.
Still, the problem with downloads is that once tired of the game and looking for the next one to buy, consumers are unable to sell it to someone else. GameStop's service of purchasing and reselling used games appeals to a budget conscious consumer. Simply put, a downloaded game can't be resold. But GameStop can't believe that this model will be enough to remain competitive. It must seek new sources of revenue and adapt to the changing landscape of digital. A GameStop subscription service might just be a possible future to explore. For now, congrats on staying relevant, but don't stop keeping your eye on future growth.
So it is a bit surprising for many that GameStop continues to see record earnings as game use has shifted to tablets and platform games can be downloaded for play rather than purchasing a disc. But GameStop took advantage of the new gaming platforms from Xbox and Playstation to exceed expectations. Per the Wall Street Journal, "The retailer previously has struggled with a slowdown in sales of videogame discs as game developers and rivals expanded software downloads and other digital offerings. In one recent example, Electronic Arts Inc. EA +0.55% introduced a subscription service that lets Xbox One owners play EA's games for $4.99 a month." A subscription service could truly hurt the current GameStop model.
Still, the problem with downloads is that once tired of the game and looking for the next one to buy, consumers are unable to sell it to someone else. GameStop's service of purchasing and reselling used games appeals to a budget conscious consumer. Simply put, a downloaded game can't be resold. But GameStop can't believe that this model will be enough to remain competitive. It must seek new sources of revenue and adapt to the changing landscape of digital. A GameStop subscription service might just be a possible future to explore. For now, congrats on staying relevant, but don't stop keeping your eye on future growth.
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