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We'll be back on air 6th March.
And expect some surprises!!
Monday, February 27, 2006
Microsoft about to launch a new gadget - or is it just press speculation
Microsoft seems to have launched a speical site to announce the launch of an all new gadget. Could it be their answer to iPod - or is some mini-tablet?
The Web site, Origamiproject.com, suggests that the introduction of a personalized mobile device that "will change your life" is in the offing, but gives no details. It promises an update on Thursday.
Who knows what it will be, but as I just stated in the last post on Vista, the press war is hotting up between Microsoft and Apple/Google in particular. And Apple has just called a bunch of journalists to their head office for a splattering of new product releases.
OK, so it's your turn now Google...
The Web site, Origamiproject.com, suggests that the introduction of a personalized mobile device that "will change your life" is in the offing, but gives no details. It promises an update on Thursday.
Who knows what it will be, but as I just stated in the last post on Vista, the press war is hotting up between Microsoft and Apple/Google in particular. And Apple has just called a bunch of journalists to their head office for a splattering of new product releases.
OK, so it's your turn now Google...
Microsoft to launch multiple customer versions of Windows Vista
Microsoft will launch 6 versions of their new operating system, Windows Vista. And they are aimed at customer type and behavior rather than device type.
Microsoft expects Windows Vista Home Premium to be the mainstream consumer product, allowing users to record and watch high-definition TV, burn and author DVDs and perform other multimedia functions.
It also incorporates Tablet PC technology to decipher handwriting to let users write notes on the computer.
Vista Home Premium will be the mid-level option for consumers, sandwiched between the high-end Windows Vista Ultimate, which also includes business-oriented features, and a bare-bones Windows Vista Home Basic without the multimedia capabilities.
For business users, Microsoft plans Windows Vista Business for small and medium-sized businesses that are unlikely to have IT support staff.
Windows Vista Enterprise will be aimed at large, global companies with encryption features to protect information even if a computer is stolen and tools to enable compatibility with applications designed for older operating systems.
This all seems to make sense. Microsoft are in for one big year thanks to all their new product launches. And they are winning the PR war again as they push out positive announcement after positive announcement. They are even stealing the thunder back from last years idols Google and Apple.
Google and Apple need be careful not to lose their product and market momentum under this wave of attack from Miscrosoft. For the battle has just begun.
Microsoft expects Windows Vista Home Premium to be the mainstream consumer product, allowing users to record and watch high-definition TV, burn and author DVDs and perform other multimedia functions.
It also incorporates Tablet PC technology to decipher handwriting to let users write notes on the computer.
Vista Home Premium will be the mid-level option for consumers, sandwiched between the high-end Windows Vista Ultimate, which also includes business-oriented features, and a bare-bones Windows Vista Home Basic without the multimedia capabilities.
For business users, Microsoft plans Windows Vista Business for small and medium-sized businesses that are unlikely to have IT support staff.
Windows Vista Enterprise will be aimed at large, global companies with encryption features to protect information even if a computer is stolen and tools to enable compatibility with applications designed for older operating systems.
This all seems to make sense. Microsoft are in for one big year thanks to all their new product launches. And they are winning the PR war again as they push out positive announcement after positive announcement. They are even stealing the thunder back from last years idols Google and Apple.
Google and Apple need be careful not to lose their product and market momentum under this wave of attack from Miscrosoft. For the battle has just begun.
Vodafone stumbles again
Poor old Vodafone, stumbles again as their embattled management team announce a massive writedown of around $48bn and reduce their revenue and earnings outlook for this year citing competitive pressures.
I get the strangest feeling of deja vue with Vodafone. They feel to me and are even starting to behave like the old fixed line encumbants that went into a slow revenue and earnings death slide thanks to increased competition and then erosion of calling prices thanks to surplus capacity and then VOIP. They only recovered when they set up effective data services businesses offering mainly hi-speed Internet access.
Vodafone may be at the beginning of a similar cycle. Their call revenues per customer just continue to slide as pricing erodes thanks to increased competition and regulatory challenges.
And VOIP has only just begun to hit the mobile sector. Vodafone only have one way out - building an effective data services business. And they are taking too long to achieve it. This is their real achilles heal.
As 3G gets more broadly adopted Vodafone has to turn the overly expensive and walled off Vodafone Live into an open and cost effective mobile Internet service. They have to increase services, packages, open up Internet access to many, many more sites and reduce the price of all of this.
And they'd better do it fast or they'll slide even further and possibly have investors determine their future direction rather than management (which could spark a terminal death slide - just look at British Telecom).
I get the strangest feeling of deja vue with Vodafone. They feel to me and are even starting to behave like the old fixed line encumbants that went into a slow revenue and earnings death slide thanks to increased competition and then erosion of calling prices thanks to surplus capacity and then VOIP. They only recovered when they set up effective data services businesses offering mainly hi-speed Internet access.
Vodafone may be at the beginning of a similar cycle. Their call revenues per customer just continue to slide as pricing erodes thanks to increased competition and regulatory challenges.
And VOIP has only just begun to hit the mobile sector. Vodafone only have one way out - building an effective data services business. And they are taking too long to achieve it. This is their real achilles heal.
As 3G gets more broadly adopted Vodafone has to turn the overly expensive and walled off Vodafone Live into an open and cost effective mobile Internet service. They have to increase services, packages, open up Internet access to many, many more sites and reduce the price of all of this.
And they'd better do it fast or they'll slide even further and possibly have investors determine their future direction rather than management (which could spark a terminal death slide - just look at British Telecom).
AskJeeves to become Ask.com
AskJeeves, the US 4th argest search site, has re-branded and become Ask.com. And it has been revamped with a bunch of useful services which should see the ex-butler outfit continue it's recent run of market share gains. For it is now the fastest growing search engine!
The new Ask.com features a slick, do-it-yourself toolbox that helps users refine more types of searches with the first click of their mouse for maps, images, dictionaries, weather, local info or documents stored on their computers.
Users can select from up to 20 different types of specialized search tools Ask.com has developed. Later this year, Ask will encourage outside developers to build tools to perform more specialized searches.
Ask are well positioned to take advantage of the trend towards more specialised and niche searches and becoming a search platform as well as engine bodes well. Shame about the butler though. Was he knocked off by the parlour maid or the doctor?
The new Ask.com features a slick, do-it-yourself toolbox that helps users refine more types of searches with the first click of their mouse for maps, images, dictionaries, weather, local info or documents stored on their computers.
Users can select from up to 20 different types of specialized search tools Ask.com has developed. Later this year, Ask will encourage outside developers to build tools to perform more specialized searches.
Ask are well positioned to take advantage of the trend towards more specialised and niche searches and becoming a search platform as well as engine bodes well. Shame about the butler though. Was he knocked off by the parlour maid or the doctor?
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Apple's iPod winning the Japanese market?
Apple's iPod seems to have captured the notoriously tough Japanese market for their digital music player. And they have beaten back entrenched local players such as Sony and Matsushita.
By the end of 2005, iPod had cornered 51.3% of the digital-music player market, up from about 32% in 2004, according to research firm BCN. Sony was a distant second with 16.2%, while Panasonic grabbed just 8.2% of the market.
The usual combination of great design, powerful hardware and software that are seamlessly integrated with the iTunes service has proved the killer combination in this market too.
But, look for the fight back from Sony this year. Their designs get better and better and they are working hard to improve their Connect service. And perhaps the biggest challenge is yet to come - from the mobile operators with the major handset manufacturers. And Japan has one of the most advanced and highly utilised 3G networks
in the world to support this move.
Look out Apple. And for the millionth time - what's your mobile strategy?
By the end of 2005, iPod had cornered 51.3% of the digital-music player market, up from about 32% in 2004, according to research firm BCN. Sony was a distant second with 16.2%, while Panasonic grabbed just 8.2% of the market.
The usual combination of great design, powerful hardware and software that are seamlessly integrated with the iTunes service has proved the killer combination in this market too.
But, look for the fight back from Sony this year. Their designs get better and better and they are working hard to improve their Connect service. And perhaps the biggest challenge is yet to come - from the mobile operators with the major handset manufacturers. And Japan has one of the most advanced and highly utilised 3G networks
in the world to support this move.
Look out Apple. And for the millionth time - what's your mobile strategy?
Google getting US National Archives video online
Google is working in stages to put as many as possible of the US National Archives' 114,000 film reels and 37,000 videos online.
They have just started popping up at Google Video. It will take many years to complete (assuming they do) but is a wholly worthwhile exercise.
At least there should be no copyright issues with this one! Everything is in the public domain and much already available at Archives.org.
They have just started popping up at Google Video. It will take many years to complete (assuming they do) but is a wholly worthwhile exercise.
At least there should be no copyright issues with this one! Everything is in the public domain and much already available at Archives.org.
Friday, February 24, 2006
Google and Microsoft launch web site creation for the masses
Google and Microsoft have both launched their version of web site creation tools for the masses. Google's is called Page Creator and Microsoft's is Office Live.
Both are essentially Web page creation tools for the masses. And this time Microsofts is the more ambitious and professional. For Office Live allows small businesses to pick a domain name, set up a simple web site and attach up to 5 email addresses to it. Microsoft will then host it. And all this is for free.
Google's purely allows people with a Gmail account to set up individual web pages. Both are so simple that anyone can do it. With Microsoft's you have to download software and with Google you do not.
Office Live is designed for small businesses and Google's for individuals. Both are in Beta, but Google Page Creator had to temporarily shut to new sign ups due to too much demand. Shame.
But the battle for anyone to be able to set up and manage a web site has begun. By 2010, we should all be building and running quite sophisticated sites with commerce and advertising embedded (plus laods more) without any technical skills whatsoever. Bring on that day. Then anyone can become an Internet entrepreneur.
Both are essentially Web page creation tools for the masses. And this time Microsofts is the more ambitious and professional. For Office Live allows small businesses to pick a domain name, set up a simple web site and attach up to 5 email addresses to it. Microsoft will then host it. And all this is for free.
Google's purely allows people with a Gmail account to set up individual web pages. Both are so simple that anyone can do it. With Microsoft's you have to download software and with Google you do not.
Office Live is designed for small businesses and Google's for individuals. Both are in Beta, but Google Page Creator had to temporarily shut to new sign ups due to too much demand. Shame.
But the battle for anyone to be able to set up and manage a web site has begun. By 2010, we should all be building and running quite sophisticated sites with commerce and advertising embedded (plus laods more) without any technical skills whatsoever. Bring on that day. Then anyone can become an Internet entrepreneur.
Blackberry injunction postponed. RIM and NTP given public flogging!
BlackBerry users will have to wait a little longer to find out whether the service will be shut down.
In the hearing today between NTP and Research In Motion over the wireless email service, US District Judge James Spencer did not issue an immediate ruling, saying he would take the matter under advisement.
And he gave the two companies a right royal public spanking for not settling between themselves. Quite right - they absolutely should have. The big question is which side made it impossible for them to reach a settlement?
If it was Blackberry they could end up paying very dearly - and if so investors and customers should punish them for such an irresponsible act. But, we'll have to wait until next week to learn any more.
In the hearing today between NTP and Research In Motion over the wireless email service, US District Judge James Spencer did not issue an immediate ruling, saying he would take the matter under advisement.
And he gave the two companies a right royal public spanking for not settling between themselves. Quite right - they absolutely should have. The big question is which side made it impossible for them to reach a settlement?
If it was Blackberry they could end up paying very dearly - and if so investors and customers should punish them for such an irresponsible act. But, we'll have to wait until next week to learn any more.
Verizon and Disney agree wide ranging content deal
Verizon and Disney have just announced details of a wide ranging content deal that will both boost Verizon's DSL services and Verizon vdeo-on-demand.
Subscribers to Verizon Online DSL or Verizon FiOS Internet access will be able to watch programming provided by ABC News Now, Disney Connection, ESPN360 and Movies.com Max.
And Fios TV, Verizon's recently launched alternative to cable and satellite, will make available more than 80 hours a month of on-demand programming from Disney Channel, Toon Disney, Radio Disney, Jetix, ABC News, ABC Family, SoapNet, ESPN Desportes and ESPNU.
Perfect for more syntilating couch potatoing. Verizon and AT&T are moving fast. All these digital distribution options, including cable, satellite, fibre and mobile prove more than ever that the ultimate winners will be the content creators and owners.
Subscribers to Verizon Online DSL or Verizon FiOS Internet access will be able to watch programming provided by ABC News Now, Disney Connection, ESPN360 and Movies.com Max.
And Fios TV, Verizon's recently launched alternative to cable and satellite, will make available more than 80 hours a month of on-demand programming from Disney Channel, Toon Disney, Radio Disney, Jetix, ABC News, ABC Family, SoapNet, ESPN Desportes and ESPNU.
Perfect for more syntilating couch potatoing. Verizon and AT&T are moving fast. All these digital distribution options, including cable, satellite, fibre and mobile prove more than ever that the ultimate winners will be the content creators and owners.
Blackberry devices to switch off today? Who will be the real loser?
A federal judge may decide TODAY whether to pull the plug on US BlackBerry email devices used by millions as part of a fight over NTP patents for the pocket-sized technology.
And you'll know when he's reached his ruling cos that Blackberry screen of yours will go blank.
On a more serious note, the judge may well rule against Blackberry and grant NTP an injunction. Blackberry will figure out some kind of work around or agreement with NTP, but the real loser may be US patents.
For such a ruling would have to call to account the entire patent and copyright protection processes and laws in the US. Too many senior execs and politicians have been adversly affected by the Blackberry/NTP tussle. And I'm not sure they are fully on NTP's side over this one.
Your Blackberry is just too personal. That, at least, RIM can be proud of.
And you'll know when he's reached his ruling cos that Blackberry screen of yours will go blank.
On a more serious note, the judge may well rule against Blackberry and grant NTP an injunction. Blackberry will figure out some kind of work around or agreement with NTP, but the real loser may be US patents.
For such a ruling would have to call to account the entire patent and copyright protection processes and laws in the US. Too many senior execs and politicians have been adversly affected by the Blackberry/NTP tussle. And I'm not sure they are fully on NTP's side over this one.
Your Blackberry is just too personal. That, at least, RIM can be proud of.
GQ dives into text messaging - it's direct mail with a twist
GQ, owned by Conde Nast (nice name) is about to launch a new initiative for their readers. It's a voluntery (i.e. readers get to sign-up rather than getting blasted) text messaging service.
GQ will offer readers information on events, private sales, shopping nights and giveaways. But, no pics - they promise. Oh, I thought that's why people read GQ.
And who thought direct mail was dead. No, the battle to litter our lives has just moved to mobile phones instead.
GQ will offer readers information on events, private sales, shopping nights and giveaways. But, no pics - they promise. Oh, I thought that's why people read GQ.
And who thought direct mail was dead. No, the battle to litter our lives has just moved to mobile phones instead.
Viacom to triple digital revenues by providing content to portals
Yesterday we wrote about how Viacom's latest results were a little uninspiring. And we pointed out that one of their footnotes was that they intended to take digital revenues from $150M to $500M over 3 years.
They seemed a little iffy on how they planned to do it. Well, no longer, for they have now explained that they want to achieve such meteoric digital expansion by providing content to portals.
And lost of it. And they seem happy to provide the content for free in return for a share of advertising revenues. That makes sense. And should prove timely given the drive by all major portals into video-on-demand this year.
In an effort to draw more traffic to its websites, Viacom earlier this year signed agreements with Yahoo, AOL and TV Guide to make its content available to their video search engines.
I guess a Google deal is inevitable - and, where's the cornerstone iTunes deal?
They seemed a little iffy on how they planned to do it. Well, no longer, for they have now explained that they want to achieve such meteoric digital expansion by providing content to portals.
And lost of it. And they seem happy to provide the content for free in return for a share of advertising revenues. That makes sense. And should prove timely given the drive by all major portals into video-on-demand this year.
In an effort to draw more traffic to its websites, Viacom earlier this year signed agreements with Yahoo, AOL and TV Guide to make its content available to their video search engines.
I guess a Google deal is inevitable - and, where's the cornerstone iTunes deal?
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Viacom results uninspiring - Paramount turnaround, Pixar integration and digital vital for future
Viacom, the de-merged cable network and movie studio, announced that its 4th quarter profit fell 68% on a string of charges related to its split from CBS and severance costs, but revenue rose on higher advertising sales at its MTV Networks.
The results were solid if uninspiring. To turn that around Viacom needs to improve things at Paramount and make sure that the acquisition of Pixar is a big success (and the two are inexorably linked). Viacom needs more than just MTV to shine.
And a footnote in their announcement reveals that they aim to grow their digital business from revenues of $150M last year to $500M in three years. I cannot understand any media company right now that has digital as a footnote. Oh, well.
The results were solid if uninspiring. To turn that around Viacom needs to improve things at Paramount and make sure that the acquisition of Pixar is a big success (and the two are inexorably linked). Viacom needs more than just MTV to shine.
And a footnote in their announcement reveals that they aim to grow their digital business from revenues of $150M last year to $500M in three years. I cannot understand any media company right now that has digital as a footnote. Oh, well.
WebMD Health to help consumers manage their own healthcare
WebMD Health has just announced a new initiative that takes advantage of the trend toward US employees managing and paying for their own healthcare. And it could see WebMD Health, the leading healthcare information site, develop revenues other than for information alone.
By helping people enrolled in employer health plans compile personal health information online, WebMD Health wants to tap into the growing corporate trend of having employees pay more, if not all, of their own health costs. With more of their own money at stake, the thinking goes, people need information to help make decisions about health care.
WebMD says it has signed contracts with big health insurers and employers to operate private-access sites where employees can keep track of their medical records, look up information about diseases and compare costs and ratings for doctors and hospitals. Employers or their insurers pay licensing fees to WebMD, based on the services and number of health plan members.
This is a smart idea for both WebMD, employers and consumers. Where are those old records of mine anyway?
By helping people enrolled in employer health plans compile personal health information online, WebMD Health wants to tap into the growing corporate trend of having employees pay more, if not all, of their own health costs. With more of their own money at stake, the thinking goes, people need information to help make decisions about health care.
WebMD says it has signed contracts with big health insurers and employers to operate private-access sites where employees can keep track of their medical records, look up information about diseases and compare costs and ratings for doctors and hospitals. Employers or their insurers pay licensing fees to WebMD, based on the services and number of health plan members.
This is a smart idea for both WebMD, employers and consumers. Where are those old records of mine anyway?
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