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Get Social, Tivo and iTunes

December 27th, 2006 | Posted in Predictions

I get all of my television from Tivo and all of my music from iTunes. When I say all, I mean all. Both of these companies have me, the majority of my family, and some, if not all of my friends in their command. The content they serve is fiercely social, extremely viral, dynamic, and deeply personal. If you went to an Apple store during the past two weeks, you know what I mean. Frenzy.

So, why do neither of these services have a social network?

Ever had a conversation with a friend that began with, “have you seen that show…” or “have you heard of that band…” or “did you see the episode last night?”

It just seems to me that both Tivo and iTunes have a golden goose sitting right in front of them, and they must know it. Both systems already have integrated ties to the Internet, and both promote (if not beg) users to try new material. Tivo suggests new shows, iTunes tells you what others have bought similarly to you, and both podcast. So, how about a social net?

I participate in many social network websites, and I am amazed at how many niche markets are served by such. But, why don’t some of the mainstream (are Tivo and iTunes mainstream?) companies jump on board with something bold?

It seems like the latest enhancements for Tivo and iTunes focus on how they can get content to me faster and then manage it easily. I appreciate that—seriously, I do. It is the core of the product. Managing and getting content is the primary responsibility, but imagine if they both had a social network. Social networks give content and services a soul, life, and energy.

My imaginary, socially networked Tivo

When I hit the “Tivo” button on the peanut (remote controller), I get a list of my recorded shows, links to podcasts and streamed content, pictures and music networked from my laptop/computer and the Internet (Flickr would be nice), some other web access such as weather, movies, scores, etc… and finally, a list of my friends/family’s shared season passes, favorites, and suggested shows. We could submit recommendations to each other, chat after (or even during) the show or event. I could also make friends with other people who like certain shows, or just see what is most popular. Also, Tivo would let me know if my family/friends watched the show I watched – so, we can talk about it offline without ruining the surprise. My remote control blinks when I have received a recommendation or if one of my friends liked something I recommended to them.

My imaginary, socially networked iTunes

I log in to the service and instantly see to what others like me are listening, the last tracks my friends/family purchased, recommend music and TV shows, and can buy content for someone else. Also, it shares with Tivo. “Send to your Tivo” is an option. Or, I can send content to a friend. If they buy it and/ or others like it, I get credit. I can build a wishlist of songs not in the system and as they become available I am alerted. The longer I wait, the more credit iTunes gives me for my patience. My friends can add to my list, and if I buy a certain amount from a recommended list, it gives me credit.

Maybe this will all come true when we each have fiber running to our homes. Once we get 50 mbps and beyond, the limitations will change. The Internet is so amazingly social right now, and it seems that this is not a temporary trend. So, why is it that my television and music are not yet with it?

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Motorola Q Road Story

August 23rd, 2006 | Posted in Predictions

Imagine live television streaming out to the Internet from your actual home living room, beamed to a mobile device, while speeding down a stretch of rural highway. Sounds like something from the future, right?

I did this in August 2006.

I recently upgraded my mobile life to the new Motorola Q. (View post). It is an amazing device, and it has completely changed the way I get email, text, and stay connected to the network. But, it is not merely the device that fascinates me, but the fact that it represents a new chapter in true network mobility — a milestone in personal technology.

Just when I thought I had seen it all with this device, along comes a situation that blew my mind – a unique and distinctive glimpse of the not too distant future of mobile technology. Forget what you know about email, texting, television, and mobility.

Truly Mobile Television

During a 17 hour car trip to northern Canada from Chicago, I decided to test what my Motorola Q could really do — truly mobile, and far from any tethered laptop. So, I launched the Slingbox remote television application that I installed. A Slingbox is a piece of hardware that allows you to stream your actual home television anywhere on the Internet. You can change channels and all the other features you would normally have while sitting on your couch at home. Slingbox has a mobile version that sends this stream to your Motorola Q (or, technically, any device running Windows Smartphone)

We were somewhere in rural Wisconsin – about 10 miles north of Rice Lake and heading north on highway 57. It was 11:00 at night. The Slingbox connected, and video started streaming to my Motorola Q. As Slingbox does, the video improved as it found the best pathway to me on the network.

I actually watched a one-hour television show on my Motorola Q while speeding north on a highway in Wisconsin. I could not believe how good it looked – definitely watchable. Next thing I knew we had arrived for a rest stop in Superior.

The Infrastructure For This to Happen

The cable network beams its signal to my satellite provider, they send it into space, my home satdish brings it into my living room, Slingbox takes the signal from my television, streams that signal to my router out to the Internet, to my mobile phone service provider, they locate me in the network, then the signal goes to the cell tower in Wisconsin, radio transmits to my Q, and then to my eyes and ears.

Mind blowing. If I can do this now, what will it be like next year, in two years…in five?

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Television is Isolated

June 28th, 2006 | Posted in Predictions

Content is still the king, but methods of delivering content are brand new. If you have marketable goods, services, or content, you better find new and innovative ways to seed social networks.

During an 18 hour return road trip from Canada, I had an interesting conversation with my uncle. He is the father of four, and his kids are (almost) all teenagers. He and I both enjoy discussing computers, Internet, and high-tech gadget stuff. We were passing the time talking about how young adults and children consume media.

I told him that research studies indicate that teenagers prefer to use the Internet versus all other types of media. The numbers show that video games come next, then television. I told him that marketers are going crazy trying to figure out how to reach these dynamic consumers. So I asked, “if you give your kids the choice of using the computer, television, or video games, which would they choose?”

His answer was immediate.

He said that there is absolutely no doubt that each of his four teenagers would go directly to the computer for the Internet. After that, they would choose video games, then television. So, it appears that my uncle, as a focus group of one, validates the industry’s research. He told me that each of his kids have an iPod, download music, play games online, and socialize with friends. The Internet is interwoven into their lifestyles.

How do you get an audience? How do you reach young adults and teens?

It is all about marketing in the virtual space of the Internet. Video is powerful, just not necessarily on the television. And, social networking is the rage for those targeting teenagers, and it is also emerging as a strong marketing tool for 18-34 year olds.

This is a million miles from marketing to young adults in the 80s and 90s. Back then, kids would get off the school bus to race to the television to see “Saved by the Bell,” during which they would get messaged with 15-30 second spots.

Fast forward to today, and these same aged kids are getting home and logging on to a social network, trading videos, photos, and links. If they missed a favorite show, they download it, upload it to a mobile device, and watch on the bus.

The whole process is changed.

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Web Video: the New Standard?

June 1st, 2006 | Posted in Predictions

Video on the Web is on fire. Major websites are not only experimenting with video, but they are making it front page material. This trend will only continue to grow.

Two more examples this week:

First, Yahoo launched a video portal. This portal not only aggregates web video from multiple channels, but will definitely work its way into other devices, hardware, and multimedia — think programmatic control from the Web delivered to your TV. This will happen.

Second, Amazon.com (yes, the retail sector) features a made-for-web video series called “Amazon Fishbowl.” It is hosted by a major celebrity. The format is similar to a talk show with guests, performances, and comedy. But, notice something unique — at each segue there are links to products available for purchase. Add to cart. Imagine if you could watch the episode and be entertained while they sell you products. This is fascinating. Obviously, Amazon.com thinks video is worthy of selling products and reaching the audience in a new, immersive experience. Compelling.

The future of Web video is obvious. It has the potential to replace static image and text as the dominant protocol for message delivery on the Web. Video may be the new standard.

Related post: March 5, 2005 – Web Video Continues to Flourish

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Web Video Continues to Flourish

March 5th, 2006 | Posted in Predictions

The second half of 2005 on the Web marked a surge in on-line commercial video distribution. Several historic products and services were released, and mainstream media outlets began offering their video content catalogs available for download. Basically, as the majority of Internet users upgraded to high-speed last year (thanks to the broadband wars of 2005), these users collectively asked the question, “Where’s the video?”

The Web’s second most prevalent stereotype is that it only offers short, choppy, pixelated video. (If you do not know the Web’s number one stereotype, then you must be under the age of eighteen.) However, as more and more users took advantage of cheap broadband deals in 2005, the on-line trends related to Web video began to change.

If you can remember the first day you got broadband at home, your first thought after installation was probably something along the lines of, “OK now, what can I do with this awesome power?” And, in 2005, if you were between the ages of 18-34, then odds are you started going to your computer first for entertainment instead of your television. If you are male, then those odds are even higher. So what’s on?

Viral Videos

Sure, viral videos have been on the Web for several years. These are the homemade amateur videos that usually are in the same vain as America’s Funniest Videos, but are either too violent or lewd to air on national television. However, these videos simply had limited or no commercial value and represented a very limited audience.

Websites like iFilm (http://www.ifilm.com) and, more recently, YouTube (http://www.youtube.com) capitalize on these viral videos by giving them a central source. Most of these videos are sophomoric in nature, but others are quality independent films and some even legitimate news. This genre of Web video has even crossed over to TV. (http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/webjunk_20/series.jhtml)

News Video

Naturally, the news media have a future in the world of Web video. They are all trying to figure out the right formula between the traditional television and the Web. But, so far, this has meant a total separation of both distribution channels. However, some corporations, such as CNN (http://www.cnn.com/pipeline/), are experimenting with TV/Web hybrids. That is, websites that blend static, HTML-only text with high-quality broadband video streams. Others offer video playback options on-line with resources for connecting and socializing with other viewers.

Pay-per-download Video

This took a monstrous leap forward with the addition of video to iTunes software (http://www.apple.com/itunes/). Along with this service came a new portable device with video. Apple, partnered with NBC and its library of content, began offering iTunes users the option to purchase video on-line and to view it on a laptops or iPod. Users flocked to the service and continue to do so today. Apple continues to add popular network television shows to its on-line video store.

Google (http://video.google.com) also recently started to distribute Web video and has partnered exclusively with CBS.

Subscription-based Movie Service

Several new interesting “start-ups” (I quoted this because most are owned by large corporations) such as Vongo (http://www.vongo.com) are trying a new formula with downloadable full-length feature films. Vongo offers unlimited access to about 1,000 movies and now nearly 1,500 total pieces of video content for less than $10 per month. Pay-per-view content is also an option at Vongo. If successful, this could be the beginning of the end for physical media such as DVD.

Extension Video

The most intriguing mixture of television and Web video content is what I call “extension video.” These are the websites that offer extended views at content that was either cut by the editors, the network, or just are lengthened versions of the same video offered in broadcast. For example, Comedy Central has a section of its website called “Motherload” (http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/). Viewers can watch clips from the most popular shows on this channel or view unaired video. They also test certain videos that if popular may be broadcast on television.

Scripps Networks, Inc., the company that distributes and owns content for channels such as HGTV, DIY, and the Food Network, promotes a “video only website.” At Living.com, (http://www.living.com/), users can view clips from its extensive catalog – no text, just pure video.

The Future of Web Video

The line between television and Web video is increasingly blurred. Competition between broadband Internet access providers in 2005 and the release of video in iTunes started a trend that will continue in 2006. Devices and services such as Tivo, Slingbox, and the maturation of the websites mentioned above are all contributing factors.

2006 is the year of video on the Web.

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