IDTV, IPTV, ASTB, WTF!

Access to video is awesome. But are you confused about all of the “choice” available to you in your home and the libraries of video available from various providers? And what about the technology. Are you curious about IDTV (Integrated Digital Television), IPTV (Internet Protocal Television, ASTB (Advanced Set Top Boxes), and the services they carry? Did you know that there are over 100 manufacturers of various types of ASTB’s, serving the world’s markets? Home networking gets really fun when you can access HD quality programming on demand from thousands of sources and have it streamed to your flat, large screen monitor that is prominently displayed in your living room all hooked up with your superior sound system. Streaming Video has revolutionized video content and we are still at the beginning of its technological capabilities. So far, streaming has been known for quantity but the tide is shifting and quality is quickly becoming the measure that will determine which providers will emerge as market leaders. It only gets better. For more on this topic, leave me a comment.

To The Moon

Obsession the Trailer

CHOICE

How are you watching content these days? Have you ventured into the world of net-enabled devices that retrieve and store content? Take our poll, and let us know what you think the future holds for video content consumption.

Make Buildings Talk

Smart Buildings is the future of urban living.

Broadband Revolution

President Obama should want to be known as the Broadband President.  The potential strength of the USA is not only in making sure every home has broadband but to make sure that the broadband provided is of the highest quality.  Faster and open wireline  and wireless networks present the most long lasting legacy that this President can claim.  There are challenges that he will face in seeing this through starting with his own congress.  There are powerful lobbying forces that are lukewarm to the idea of spending more on capital intense plant build-outs and some that are concerned with bandwidth management.  This is not a question of when or how, it is becoming a question of who.  Will President Obama and congress rely on the traditional telco operators, cable companies, and wireless providers or will new players emerge to fulfill the promise?  The fact is that ubiquitous broadband is the driver of tomorrows economy.  Home networking, trade, content, voice, advanced advertising, education, health, community services, employment and on and on is part of transforming our Country.  President Obama used the pwer of broadband and internet content to become our President and as if it is good for the President it is good for the people.  Let’s build this legacy together.

The New “Digital” Deal

Broadband infrastucture is clearly on the agenda for the new administration and funding is being appropriated as I type.  Here are some things we should consider in building out a new communications infrastructure that will empower our citizens:

Keep public interest as the driving force for a new communications system

Build out fiber

Build out wifi/wimax networks

Turn our public libraries into “Digital Learning Centers” and Hotspots

Provide free training for Seniors and the less fortunate

Invite more public access

Friends, Followers and Critics

How are you functioning in a profile based world? The social media platform and blogosphere is shaping world culture in profound ways. Some of us are striving to have the most friends, others want the most followers, while others want to have the most critics leaving comments and feedback for us to feel attention worthy. Much of our attraction is based on our online profile. My hope is that in 2009, quality will rule over quantity. And your profile will only represent a small portion of who you are to the world.

Do We Need Stores

We recently discussed the demise of print publications that have migrated to the internet.  Can shopping in physical stores be next.  The 2008 holidays were not necessarily good to the brick and mortar establishment but their online counterparts saw a measurable up tick in online purchases.  Today, we are learning that retailers like Circuit City (bankrupt) is for sale and most retail companies are having to adjust their forecast for 2009.  Obviously everyone is making adjustments due to the economic climate, however, will the advantages of online shopping, outweigh the experience of shopping in a store?  It will probably boil down to the type of product, but it is obvious that consumers are quickly adopting the online shopping experience.  There seems to be a website for any product or service your heart desires, and the most interesting thing is that obscure products seem to be easier to acquire through the internet.  The future of information, entertainment, and education is online.  Can we say the same for your day to day shopping?

Print Media Dead?

All reports indicate that it is time to write the obituary for Print Media. Man created print media and Man is killing print media (sorry Rupert). There are approximately 1700 daily and 7500 weekly newspapers, and 64000 magazines. I hope there is a grave large enough. So far much of the demise of print is attributed to the advantages of digital media including, lower cost, interactive, speed, search and links but you can also add substance. The diversity of news coverage online is mind-blowing, granted the journalistic value of a lot of online media is “still under construction” but being able to research, source, write and publish within the same medium is effective. The goal is still the same: “to inform” but the medium has evolved. It would be good to see local media groups create localized digital media portals that are robust, inclusive, timely, and balanced. The revenue from advertising and merchandising will support these efforts. Let’s see how this unfolds in 2009. But I am not ready to give up on hard and soft cover books.

Digital Trends

We will be discussing 10 Digital Media Trends on January 29, 2009. Please leave a comment to confirm your participation.

Here is a sample of some of the trends that will be discussed:

• Interactive Television – Widgets will be introduced to the early adopters
• Lighter, Brighter, Tighter – your in-home, work and mobile devices will continue to strive to be high tech at low cost
• Power – Large enterprises will change the meaning of power. Look for fuel cells and solar to lead the charge.
• Theater – More Movie theaters will invest in Digital delivery of content – “cloud movies are born”
• Politics – Obama will set a new standard for Broadband deployment, speed, and ownership

Please get ready for a stimulating conversation with several experts on these and other trends.