YouTube yesterday announced a new feature that enables all of us to view videos offline -- when no wifi or network access is available. They didn’t announce how they do it -- just that they can do it.
Todd Spangler of Variety wrote a piece about this news, in which I am quoted as being bullish on the development. Bullish from a user’s and content creator’s perspective.
Why?
While we generally have “connected” access virtually everywhere these days, that simply doesn’t apply when -- for example -- you are 30,000 feet up in the air on an airplane. And, that is one place where it is perhaps most important to be connected, because you are stuck in a seat for hours -- you are a captive audience -- and you (and your kids!) frequently want something to do. Watching videos is an obvious “want to do” activity when no other activities are available.
Another example? Road-trips. Frequently there is no connectivity on long road-trips -- and that ain’t easy on kids these days (and the parents of them who are driving!). I know, I know -- not much of a tragedy in the scheme of things. Yet, connectivity -- and videos -- are a nice-to-have in such circumstances. And, that’s where YouTube’s new offline feature may come to the rescue.
So, I agree with others quoted in Spangler’s piece that this new offline feature is not a game-changer.
But, it absolutely matters ....
Kamis, 19 September 2013
Senin, 16 September 2013
Tesla - My 90 Day Review of the Model S
Back by popular demand (seriously, I was prodded by several readers), here is the latest installment in my continuing series of customer experience reviews related to my Tesla Model S. First, I rated the XP from my first contact (phone call) with Tesla -- through my online order -- to initial pick up at the Tesla service center (a period of about 6 weeks). Next, I rated my first 30 days with the car. Then, I reviewed my first 60 days (which included both a flat tire and an accident). Now, it's been 90 days (actually, closer to 100). Have my views changed? Am I still satisfied? Happy? Giddy?
The answers to those questions -- in that order -- are "no", "yes", "yes" and "yes". Very satisfied (if the car had the rear-end sensors and back-seat cup holders, the satisfaction meter would be closer to giddy).
It's simply a great car (even with its few important feature omissions that I have pointed out in my previous reviews and undoubtedly will be fixed in the 2014 model). My bumper is now fixed (from my 60-day accident about which I wrote). It is now shiny again. Other Tesla owners continue to flash their lights as they pass by, as if to congratulate me for being "one of them" (which my wife, Luisa, continues to think is not just odd, but rather obnoxious). I continue to smirk at anachronistic gas stations. And, my Tesla continues to whisper on the road (while my interior continues to thumb with my cranked up bass -- something an early gym goer pointed out to me after "feeling" the noise as I entered the parking lot in the wee hours; DEFINITELY get the upgraded sound package if you choose to take the plunge).
One more recommendation. If you are interested in the electric car revolution in general, Tesla, the company, specifically, and in CEO Elon Musk -- as well as the company's near-death experience a few years back when Musk literally almost exhausted his entire $100+ million PayPal fortune -- I urge you to watch the documentary "Revenge of the Electric Car." You can find it on Netflix -- and it is a testament to hard-core entrepreneurs everywhere as Musk's face turns sheet white -- caught on tape -- as he essentially writes his last personal check in one last-ditch effort as his company rides on fumes.
And, those are the last fumes related to the Tesla ....
Ride on Model S. Ride on!
The answers to those questions -- in that order -- are "no", "yes", "yes" and "yes". Very satisfied (if the car had the rear-end sensors and back-seat cup holders, the satisfaction meter would be closer to giddy).
It's simply a great car (even with its few important feature omissions that I have pointed out in my previous reviews and undoubtedly will be fixed in the 2014 model). My bumper is now fixed (from my 60-day accident about which I wrote). It is now shiny again. Other Tesla owners continue to flash their lights as they pass by, as if to congratulate me for being "one of them" (which my wife, Luisa, continues to think is not just odd, but rather obnoxious). I continue to smirk at anachronistic gas stations. And, my Tesla continues to whisper on the road (while my interior continues to thumb with my cranked up bass -- something an early gym goer pointed out to me after "feeling" the noise as I entered the parking lot in the wee hours; DEFINITELY get the upgraded sound package if you choose to take the plunge).
One more recommendation. If you are interested in the electric car revolution in general, Tesla, the company, specifically, and in CEO Elon Musk -- as well as the company's near-death experience a few years back when Musk literally almost exhausted his entire $100+ million PayPal fortune -- I urge you to watch the documentary "Revenge of the Electric Car." You can find it on Netflix -- and it is a testament to hard-core entrepreneurs everywhere as Musk's face turns sheet white -- caught on tape -- as he essentially writes his last personal check in one last-ditch effort as his company rides on fumes.
And, those are the last fumes related to the Tesla ....
Ride on Model S. Ride on!
Jumat, 13 September 2013
Does Live Concert Streaming Cannibalize Actual Attendance? Not a Chance!
Long-time readers know that I am a passionate music fan -- meaning that I frequently attend live music events, including major music festivals. So, what to do if you can't make it to Coachella, Bonnaroo, or Outside Lands? Live streaming, that's what (perhaps). Yesterday, USA Today recognized the proliferation of companies focused on this live event streaming opportunity, including LA-based iRocke -- a company I know well.
So, does live streaming cannibalize actual festival attendance?
No way! Nothing replaces the physical, communal festival experience. And, that's the point. Live streaming is no substitute. Nor should it try to be. Those live streaming services that fully "get" this will be the ones that succeed. iRocke is one company that understands this -- because the team behind it owns their own live venue, Saint Rocke.
Right now, we're early early early in the game. And, for now, live event streaming is primarily used for marketing purposes -- augmenting, not replacing, the event experience.
So, does live streaming cannibalize actual festival attendance?
No way! Nothing replaces the physical, communal festival experience. And, that's the point. Live streaming is no substitute. Nor should it try to be. Those live streaming services that fully "get" this will be the ones that succeed. iRocke is one company that understands this -- because the team behind it owns their own live venue, Saint Rocke.
Right now, we're early early early in the game. And, for now, live event streaming is primarily used for marketing purposes -- augmenting, not replacing, the event experience.
Rabu, 11 September 2013
Apple Loves Its Music ... Strategically
Apple. Even the name connotes music (remember that pesky little lawsuit by the Beatles about Apple Records?).
That love affair continued with the iPod years ago (remember that ground-breaking "Vertigo" ad with Bono and U2)?
And, it continues to this day.
Just witness yesterday's long-anticipated Apple-fest led by CEO Tim Cook (about which I wrote yesterday -- including my thoughts about its impact). Cook's opening act yesterday was a discussion about the ongoing iTunes Festival. 20 Million fans tried to score tix to that one. Think about that for one second!
Cook's encore at the very end of his big show featured music front and center once again, demonstrating that music is at the very core (get it? -- that's about all I got!) of Apple's DNA. Cook, in fact, essentially said as such when he introduced Elvis Costello to sing a few songs (an interesting choice by the way -- certainly not who I would have expected to "wow" the crowd).
And, sandwiched in between was new iTunes Radio -- Apple's hoped-for Pandora and Spotify killer -- which comes in the form of a new free app.
From one music fan to the other, I "get" it. Nothing evokes emotion like music. And, Apple has always used music brilliantly ... and strategically.
That love affair continued with the iPod years ago (remember that ground-breaking "Vertigo" ad with Bono and U2)?
And, it continues to this day.
Just witness yesterday's long-anticipated Apple-fest led by CEO Tim Cook (about which I wrote yesterday -- including my thoughts about its impact). Cook's opening act yesterday was a discussion about the ongoing iTunes Festival. 20 Million fans tried to score tix to that one. Think about that for one second!
Cook's encore at the very end of his big show featured music front and center once again, demonstrating that music is at the very core (get it? -- that's about all I got!) of Apple's DNA. Cook, in fact, essentially said as such when he introduced Elvis Costello to sing a few songs (an interesting choice by the way -- certainly not who I would have expected to "wow" the crowd).
And, sandwiched in between was new iTunes Radio -- Apple's hoped-for Pandora and Spotify killer -- which comes in the form of a new free app.
From one music fan to the other, I "get" it. Nothing evokes emotion like music. And, Apple has always used music brilliantly ... and strategically.
Selasa, 10 September 2013
Apple's Big Show Today -- No Surprises, No "One More Thing," and No iWatch or iTV ...
I just finished "watching" Apple's and Tim Cook's big show today -- live, via TechCrunch. Here's my verdict:
-- NO surprises (most of the "headlines" had already been leaked and anticipated) (well, check that, I am surprised that the long-rumored iWatch was not unveiled today in time for the upcoming holiday season);
-- NO "one more thing ..." (i.e., Jobs' famous line in which he would give the "big reveal" ... none here);
-- Many of the "big" features/headliners are difficult to demo. So, while important, they don't make for a "sexy" demo.
BOTTOM LINE -- many analysts and Apple followers will be disappointed -- especially because Cook announced no new product category.
Here were the headlines (again, virtually all anticipated) --
(1) new iOS7 available September 18;
(2) new free productivity apps like iWork;
(3) two new iPhones -- (i) the iPhone 5C that comes in multiple bright colors and is priced at $99 (16GB) and $199 (32GB) with a 2 year contract, and (ii) the iPhone 5S that comes in gold, silver and "space grey" and is priced at $199 (16GB), $299 (32GB) and $399 (64GB) with a 2 year contract;
(4) longer battery life, new high performance chipsets (including a new motion processor that enables "a new generation of health and fitness apps");
(5) better cameras in both -- higher quality pictures (and cool new slow-mo feature); and
(6) Touch ID -- the Wall Street Journal leaked fingerprint security feature that renders 4-digit passcodes obsolete.
Cook ended the overall Apple circus with an homage to the power of music and its central foundational role in whatever Apple does. And, he underscored that by featuring Elvis Costello live on stage.
-- NO surprises (most of the "headlines" had already been leaked and anticipated) (well, check that, I am surprised that the long-rumored iWatch was not unveiled today in time for the upcoming holiday season);
-- NO "one more thing ..." (i.e., Jobs' famous line in which he would give the "big reveal" ... none here);
-- Many of the "big" features/headliners are difficult to demo. So, while important, they don't make for a "sexy" demo.
BOTTOM LINE -- many analysts and Apple followers will be disappointed -- especially because Cook announced no new product category.
Here were the headlines (again, virtually all anticipated) --
(1) new iOS7 available September 18;
(2) new free productivity apps like iWork;
(3) two new iPhones -- (i) the iPhone 5C that comes in multiple bright colors and is priced at $99 (16GB) and $199 (32GB) with a 2 year contract, and (ii) the iPhone 5S that comes in gold, silver and "space grey" and is priced at $199 (16GB), $299 (32GB) and $399 (64GB) with a 2 year contract;
(4) longer battery life, new high performance chipsets (including a new motion processor that enables "a new generation of health and fitness apps");
(5) better cameras in both -- higher quality pictures (and cool new slow-mo feature); and
(6) Touch ID -- the Wall Street Journal leaked fingerprint security feature that renders 4-digit passcodes obsolete.
Cook ended the overall Apple circus with an homage to the power of music and its central foundational role in whatever Apple does. And, he underscored that by featuring Elvis Costello live on stage.
Senin, 09 September 2013
Arcade Fire's NEW Reflektor Video -- Watch It Here, Now
Arcade Fire's new song and video, "Reflektor" -- the band channels Talking Heads, Bowie and disco -- all simultaneously! Who knew? And, guess what? I like it. A very different Arcade Fire ... very ....
Kamis, 05 September 2013
Nimble & WeDemand! -- 2 "MUST CHECK OUT" Companies (For Very Different Reasons)
Yesterday, I participated in live demos for two digital media services that I urge you to check out now -- for very different reasons:
(1) Nimble -- think of this service as LinkedIn on steroids, consolidating -- and making sense of -- all of your social networks (including LinkedIn) in one place. Lots of power here to do lots of powerful things that will -- guaranteed! -- add value to your business networking. Run, don't walk, to this one -- it has broad application to virtually all of you who are reading this. I am adopting it today.
(2) WeDemand! -- this is a very different service with perhaps more limited appeal, but directly in my sweet spot of several of my interests -- including live music and the "Share Economy" (about which I just wrote in Venturebeat). Think of this one as crowd-funding for music fans to connect to their favorite bands and bring them to a venue near them (by essentially expanding tour dates to reach those motivated pockets of fans). It is pure "win" on this one -- musicians drive more live concert (and related merch, etc.) revenues; and fans get to see bands that otherwise would be unavailable. At a strategic level, WeDemand! also gives artists (and their booking agents) important data about demand for them in any particular city. Although similar to Songkick's Detour service (about which I previously wrote in that same Venturebeat article), WeDemand! operates a bit differently and is not 100% pure crowd-funding. WeDemand! also was first -- and works within the current "system" a bit more by crowd-funding only a portion of the artist's minimum guarantee, thereby mitigating the concert promoter's risk.
(1) Nimble -- think of this service as LinkedIn on steroids, consolidating -- and making sense of -- all of your social networks (including LinkedIn) in one place. Lots of power here to do lots of powerful things that will -- guaranteed! -- add value to your business networking. Run, don't walk, to this one -- it has broad application to virtually all of you who are reading this. I am adopting it today.
(2) WeDemand! -- this is a very different service with perhaps more limited appeal, but directly in my sweet spot of several of my interests -- including live music and the "Share Economy" (about which I just wrote in Venturebeat). Think of this one as crowd-funding for music fans to connect to their favorite bands and bring them to a venue near them (by essentially expanding tour dates to reach those motivated pockets of fans). It is pure "win" on this one -- musicians drive more live concert (and related merch, etc.) revenues; and fans get to see bands that otherwise would be unavailable. At a strategic level, WeDemand! also gives artists (and their booking agents) important data about demand for them in any particular city. Although similar to Songkick's Detour service (about which I previously wrote in that same Venturebeat article), WeDemand! operates a bit differently and is not 100% pure crowd-funding. WeDemand! also was first -- and works within the current "system" a bit more by crowd-funding only a portion of the artist's minimum guarantee, thereby mitigating the concert promoter's risk.
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