Two Thumbs Up For Apple's iPad

The Media Device for the Rest of Us
Admittedly, I am a huge Apple fan and have been ever since the first Macintosh rolled off of the assembly line in Fremont California and established the graphical user interface standard for personal computers. At the time Apple's advertising slogan for the new Mac was "The Computer for the Rest of Us." Fast forward about 26 years and we are again at the apex of another revolutionary product from Apple, the iPad.
iPad-My First PC?
The remarkable iPad wins on two fronts. Not only is it a fabulous media playback device for videos and recorded music but it can also bring the Internet, texting, and e-mail to the heretofore computer shy person. Even if you consider yourself an unsophisticated computer user, there are still large numbers of people who can't wrap their mind around a traditional PC with its keyboard, mouse, and graphical user interface. And until the iPad, these people were relegated to continue sitting out the Internet revolution. 

Vertical Markets As Far As the Eye Can See
 
It's hard to imagine how the iPad isn't the new solution for a vast number of vertical applications such as healthcare, sales automation, and shipping receiving to name a few. In many vertical markets the iPad has the potential of being a game changing technology. Even the US military has spent time at Apple headquarters exploring the possibility of using this technology for military applications. Link: US Army leaders visit Apple campus to discuss future mobile devices.

The Beginning of the End of Plastic Discs for Enjoying Music and Video
When I got my hands on the new iPad and promptly loaded it with almost 3000 of my CD audio tracks and a few movies from my iTunes collection, I quickly realized that the CD and DVD will very soon be gone. These plastic discs are already going obsolete. Nothing can compare to calling up your music library (complete with album art) on the iPad and just tapping the album cover to start the music playing. I loved that experience on the iPhone and now it's several times better on the iPad.
Back to the Future
I'm really delighted that Apple is back as a company, as an innovator, and as a cultural force. It wasn't that long ago that Steve Jobs stepped onto the stage of our Apple resellers meeting to introduce us to his new "Think Different" ad campaign. As a "Macintosh faithful" back then I was confident that Apple would rise again someday. I only wish I had held onto the stock. The "computer for the rest of us" turned out to be so sublime.

iPad May Be Revolutionary But Ultimately It’s All About "Search"

Awe-Inspiring Apple

Last week's announcement of the Apple iPad is Apple's latest attempt to deliver digital devices that first redefine and then dominate traditional markets. You need only count the three major markets that Apple has redefined so far to get an idea of Apple's awe-inspiring power:

• MP3 Music Players
• Online Media Retailing
• Smartphones

With the new iPad, Apple is set to redefine the publishing market from books to magazines to newspapers. And let's not forget that the company's Macintosh line has also made astonishing market share advances in the PC business against Windows based PCs over the last three years. This is a feat that no one would have predicted given the overwhelming market power of Microsoft.
 
Coming Soon "Augmented Reality" In Your Hand

But even Apple's outstanding track record of productivity enhancing devices will pale in comparison to the awesome power of the next generation Internet Search enabled "Superphones." I'm going to attempt to express this in the form of an equation that sums up the individual elements that make up one of these Superphones.

Superphone = Screen + GPS+ Camera + Wireless 4G+ Instant Search 

Note that most of the components listed are off-the-shelf except for one, Instant Search which right now is dominated by one company, Google. If you subtract Instant Search from the above equation you still have a very capable Superphone but it will be no match for the one that has instant search capability backing it up.
So what's an example of a Superphone that can deliver Augmented Reality (AR) in the palm of your hand? Say you're a real estate agent and want information about a particular home, you simply hold the Superphone in front of the house and you instantly know everything you need to know about the property allowing you to take action right away. You can also visualize what the home may look like with a different color paint or exterior modification. Another example might be holding the Superphone in front of anything you might be considering buying and have instant analysis including product reviews and friends' recommendations appear on the device to guide your decision.





Bing Anyone

Both Microsoft and Apple seem vulnerable as Google invades the operating system and device market. After years of Apple versus Microsoft battles, few could have imagined that the two companies will soon need each other more than ever to compete with Google. Many new multibillion-dollar Augmented Reality markets are at stake. Indeed there's talk that Apple will use Microsoft's Bing search engine instead of Google's for future Apple search enabled devices. It's also worth noting that Steve Jobs in his keynote address at last week's iPad launch didn't once mention the word Google. This is a far cry from the days when Google CEO Eric Schmidt was a member of Apple's Board of Directors and may have been privy to Apple's strategic decision-making. But the die is cast and both Microsoft and Apple get the "vision thing" very well. Both companies' are aware that their futures hinge on competing in the Augmented Reality market that is fast approaching.

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/01/20/apple_microsoft_in_talks_to_make_bing_default_iphone_search_report.html

iRecord Pro -The VCR for Digital Media Plug & Play Recording

The Digital Media Recorder Defined

As those of you who follow this Blog know,  I'm constantly seeking out new technology that I believe enhances the user experience by simplifying an otherwise time consuming process.

I recently acquired an iRecord Pro digital media recorder a.k.a. the "Digital VCR." The iRecord Pro truly simplifies the task of recording high quality video and audio to digital media. The iRecord Pro is a versatile and easy to use product.

Up to now, in order to get high quality video or audio from your DVD, cable box, or camcorder onto digital media like a flashdrive or iPhone/iPod  you were limited to either paying for an iTunes download or using PC video capture software to process the video into a universal video format like H.264 and MP4 that can then be stored on media like flashdrives.  iRecord Pro gives you an easy plug and play alternative that the average VCR user can relate to.  Simply stated, if you liken the iReord Pro to the old VCR, then the FlashDrive, iPod/iPhone, or Laptop drive is just like the VHS tape. Recording video/audio and playing it back, doesn't get any simpler than that!

iRecord Pro - Digital VCR- hook it up to any source, cable box, DVD player, camcorder using the red,white, and yellow analog cables (like the old VCR), plug in a USB flashdrive or attach an iPhone/iPod cable into the iRecord, hit record on the iRecord and you have a high quality MP4 video/MP3 audio you can play on any PC, Mac, or iPhone.  

 

A quick view of iRecord features

Small in size, easy to carry around.







Plug the flashdrive directly into the iRecord USB port, record from any analog source, plug flashdrive into PC or Mac and play.

Attach iPod/iPhone cable directly to the iRecord USB port, record from any analog source, play AAC, MP3, audio or MP4 video.

DVD content recorded to PC now playing.







Is It Legal?
In a word -yes. Devices like the iRecord Pro use an analog  source similar to a  VCR  to record content to digital media.The "Fair Use" provision of the landmark Supreme Court Betamax case that makes home recording of copyrighted content legal applies to the iRecord Pro.
Hollywood vs. Innovation
Content owners, however,  want to restrict what consumers can now do with their content by imposing copyright restriction on the Fair Use provision.  According to Gary Shapiro CEO of Consumer Electronics Association: "We have long referred to the 1984 Betamax decision as the Magna Carta for our industry. The principle that copyright proprietors should not be able to impede the design, development, and sale of staple articles of commerce capable of significant non-infringing uses gave technology companies the incentive and the confidence to invest in research and new technology."

Read Gary Shapiro's recent articles on the subject of  Hollywood vs. Innovation:

Copyright Needs Limits, As It Restricts Innovation

Dear FCC, Please Don't Let Hollywood Break My TV


The iRecord Pro saves you time and money. It's the simplest way I've found to make high quality digital media recordings truly portable.

Copyright: F.A. Daniels, December 28, 2009, all rights reserved.

iPhone’s Virtualization of Electronic Gadgets-What’s Next?

Sea Change in CE
Last week I attended the Consumer Electronics Association forum in Phoenix Arizona. This is a three day annual event that I mention in my Blog profile. During the event I have an opportunity to network with consumer-electronics industry executives, review research data and see some new-to-the-world products in the annual "iStage" competition. The conference also features guest speakers covering diverse topics like the economy, lessons in smart marketing, and in how to find one's passion. In addition CEA researchers present their analysis of consumer buying habits and yearend sales forecast for various gadgets including cell phones, game consoles, MP3 players, and big screen televisions.
In reviewing some of the research data, I kept seeing the word "Smartphone" used to describe multifunction cell phones like the Samsung Edge, the Palm Treo, and the Blackberry. Included in this group was Apple's iPhone. But I question lumping the iPhone into this category. I asked one of the CEA researchers whether the use of the term Smartphone was really appropriate for Apple's iPhone. As the cellular telephone industry has discovered (much to their chagrin), the iPhone is far more than a cell phone with computer smarts. It Is nothing short of a powerful handheld computer (Mac) which can morph into virtually any other portable electronic device.

Anything You Can Do iPhone Can Do Better
These days the iPhone's virtuosity extends into replacing familiar products like, a wristwatch, XM portable radio, alarm clock, digital camera, camcorder, and GPS portable navigation. The equivalent functionality is either built into the iPhone or can be added via a software app. What this may mean is that entire portable electronics product categories eventually disappear or get reduced to only a few high-end devices. It makes me wonder whether the CE industry really knows where this trend may be going especially now with the entrance of Microsoft as a major CE player.

Quick History of CEA

To better understand where we're headed with the virtualization of electronic gadgets it helps to look back at how the CEA has evolved over the years as an organization. The CEA's name changes show the evolution of the electronic industry over the years. The CEA originally started as the Radio manufacturers group in 1924 then changed to Radio-Television Manufacturers Association in 1950. Next it was known as the Radio-Electronics-Television Manufacturers Association in 1953 eventually becoming today's Consumer Electronics Association. These changes were done to keep pace with new technology and broaden the product categories CEA represents. CEA members no longer need to be partially electronics manufacturers like Microsoft, Apple, and Sony. Now the likes of Google and Yahoo are also CEA member companies. Looking ahead this is a good trend for the continued health of the CE industry.
Apple vs. Microsoft –The Rematch
Will we see a big-screen TV with a Microsoft or Apple Logo on it? As one who lived through the battle between Apple and Microsoft for PC supremacy in the 1980s, it appears that Apple and Microsoft will once again battle for mind share and market share in the handheld computer business and soon other CE market segments like big screen TVs. After all, a great Apple retail store is a terrible thing to waste on just iPhones, iPods, and Macs.

{If viewing this page with Internet Explorer and widescreen format is not showing, click on the title in the upper left to view in widescreen format in a separate window}

 

Déjà vu All Over Again
As Dr. An Wang, founder of Wang Labs who played a personal role in setting business strategy for the now defunct company could tell you, don't bet your company on a product that can easily be virtualized by a PC. The Wang word processors were technological breakthroughs. They were easy to use, easy to maintain, and did only one function: word processing. The huge market for standalone word processing systems collapsed with the introduction of the personal computer. Early word processing programs like Wordstar and VisiWord gained a foothold in the market against Wang. Finally with MultiMate on the IBM PC replicating the interface and functions of the Wang word processor, the PC had completely virtualized the Wang word processor.
Traditional CE manufacturers had better beware of the PC in all its manifestations, desktop, laptop, and handheld. Even cable TV service providers are not immune to the virtualization of their content into something like iTunes which can stream to users' TV's over an Internet connection by-passing the cable service provider's revenue model.
What's the old saying," forewarned is forearmed?"
References:

http://www.ce.org
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wang_Laboratories

Copyright: F.A. Daniels, October 29, 2009, all rights reserved.

Taking in The World With a SixthSense

Beyond Star Trek's Tricorder Technology is MIT's Prototype SixthSense Device

Science fiction buffs that Wikipedia “tricorder” get the definition: “in a fictional Star-Trek universe , a general-purpose device used primarily to scout unfamiliar areas, make detailed examination of living things, and record and review technical data.” Now it’s no longer science fiction. Tricorder capabilities are envisioned for today’s GPS equipped smartphones with image recognition camera technology and anywhere access to the Internet.

Although the Star Trek tricorder idea may have been visionary then, the talk of the recent TED (Technology -- Entertainment -- Design) convention is the amazing research being done at the MIT media Lab known as "SixthSense"–a fluid interface device that will advance the technology to a higher level.

How SixthSense Works

As described by the MIT developers: "SixthSense is a wearable gestural interface that augments the physical world around us with digital information and lets us use natural hand gestures to interact with that information.The SixthSense prototype is comprised of a pocket projector, a mirror and a camera. The hardware components are coupled in a pendant like mobile wearable device. Both the projector and the camera are connected to the mobile computing device in the user's pocket. The projector projects visual information enabling surfaces, walls and physical objects around us to be used as interfaces; while the camera recognizes and tracks user's hand gestures and physical objects using computer-vision based techniques."

This allows the wearer to project information onto surfaces. You might use it to enhance your shopping experience, projecting a rating from Amazon onto books in a bookstore. You might enhance the printed copy of The Wall Street Journal with a projected video clip, or project a word cloud associated with someone onto their clothing as you talked to them.

What SixthSense Can Do Today

The MIT team describes its capabilities as follows: "The SixthSense prototype implements several applications that demonstrate the usefulness, viability and flexibility of the system. The map application lets the user navigate a map displayed on a nearby surface using hand gestures, similar to gestures supported by Multi-Touch based systems, letting the user zoom in, zoom out or pan using intuitive hand movements. For example, drawing a magnifying glass symbol takes the user to the map application or drawing an '@' symbol lets the user check his mail. The gesture of drawing a circle on the user's wrist projects an analog watch. The current prototype system costs approximately $350 to build."

SixthSense Information Displayed Privately

One can envision SixthSense technology deployed in a variety of display devices which will make it easier and less obtrusive to visualize information on the go. One method would be to use specially equipped eyeglasses where the SixthSense image can be displayed privately on the user's glasses.

Another technology under development is the LCD contact lens. Engineers at the University of Washington have for the first time used manufacturing techniques at microscopic scales to combine a flexible, biologically safe contact lens with an imprinted electronic circuit and lights.

Implications of the Technology

The SixthSense technology may have far-reaching privacy implications that need to be explored. The technology however in its purest form can give us the ability to know and better control our immediate environment. When the technology is available in a cell phone size device that can instantly display information about the person place or thing we are observing at the time, we will have crossed a new threshold in the information age. A threshold that even Mr. Spock would envy.

References

http://www.pranavmistry.com/projects/sixthsense/

http://uwnews.washington.edu/ni/article.asp?articleID=39094

http://www.ted.com/

http://www.innovation-movement.com/

Technology That Reads Your Emotional Response

Bio-Sensory Metrics

I am reminded of the first Superman movie with Christopher Reeve which featured a song with the lyrics: "Can you read my mind? Can you picture the things I'm thinking of?" Today the answer to those questions when it comes to a new frontier of marketing research is most likely, yes. Two Bay Area-based companies are now commercializing university research in neuroscience, or brain studies, to help companies develop better advertising, products, games, and web content. The two companies are NeuroFocus in Berkeley and EmSense in San Francisco.

Leveraging a rapidly growing body of research and insights into how the human brain processes stimuli like ads, messages, and products both companies use bio-sensory measurement to advise large clients like, Procter & Gamble, Disney, and Pepsi-Cola, on how to shape consumer messaging to drive results.

Companies Describe The Technology

EmSense describes its technology in this way:

"Zeroing in on the most critical aspects of advertising response – Cognitive Engagement and Emotion - EmSense provides quantitative guidance for evaluating and optimizing the impact of advertising on your audience. The Emband™ is one of the most advanced neuromeasurement devices in the world, and the only one specifically designed for market research. It records more types of measures than any other individual physiological measurement device, capturing not only brainwaves, but also breathing, eye-blinks, head movement, temperature and changes in heart rate. "

"Emband" device that is placed on user's head wirelessly transmits bio-sensory measurements to a computer.

NeuroFocus describes its technology similarly:

"We are able to track millisecond-by-millisecond brain responses to messaging. Our breakthrough techniques utilize advances in measuring attention challenges, emotional engagement, and memory/retention to measure the effectiveness of advertising. Our measurements are precise, unambiguous, and repeatable. The measurement method is established EEG technology, which is simple, non-invasive, non-influential, and comfortable for and familiar to consumers."

In the video below Dr. A. K. Pradeep, CEO of NeuroFocus describes how to measure what is a "superior experience" or the critical components in the total consumer experience. What he calls the 5-sensory experience.

Neuromarketing
Today with companies looking to fine tune their advertising spending to get the maximum effectiveness in building brand loyalty they are turning increasingly to companies like NeuroFocus and EmSense to lead the way in providing a new research paradigm centered on Neuromarketing.

Who Benefits from Neuromarketing? Just about anyone who sells products designed to build brand loyalty. This includes the companies that develop creative messaging for the brand. Neuromarketing is also increasingly being used in political campaigns including its use in the last election. Whether it's product "hot buttons" or "hot button issues" neuroscience is leading the way to use emotional response to uncover the elements in a message that produce the desired behavior.

Reference URL's:

http://www.emsense.com/

http://www.neurofocus.com/

Copyright: F.A. Daniels, August 3, 2009, all rights reserved.

Digital Media Ports – Connecting iPods and iPhones To a New Experience

Old iPhones Never Die They Just Morph Into iPod Touches
It's June 2007, and Apple is on the verge of selling its very first cell phone. The industry is buzzing about the cool features that include a revolutionary non-pen touch screen that recognizes finger gestures. Fortunately my 2 year contact obligation with Verizon for my trusty Palm Treo 700P is ending July 1st.

But wait, the expected retail price for the iPhone model including tax is over $600. That is almost the price of a stripped down lap-top. Not to mention that the cell phone carriers are listing Samsung, Motorola, Palm, and Sony Ericsson phones as "free" or selling them for $49 with a two-year contract. Even Microsoft's Steve Ballmer is railing against the upcoming iPhone for its astronomical price tag and proclaiming that for his money a smartphone running Windows Mobile is a much better value.

I begin to reconsider my decision to purchase a new iPhone on the first sale day at the $599 price tag. Then I start analyzing my decision process; let's see I need a new Internet capable smartphone with a large screen like the Blackberry and that costs $200. I am also in the market for a new video iPod at $299. So now I'm within $100 of the new iPhone. I decide that I'm going to go for it because $100 is a small price to pay for integrating a video iPod, cell phone and mobile web surfing terminal into just one device.

Three months later Apple drops the price to $399. Even with Steve Jobs' subsequent merchandise rebate for original iPhone purchasers of $100 had I really made the right decision?

Two years later just as I place my pre-order for a new iPhone 3GS at the AT&T store the answer to that question is still a resounding yes!

If you're like me and have saved some of your old cell phones in a box you probably have models from manufacturers like Motorola, Palm, Nokia, and Nextel just to name a few. One thing they all have in common is that they are pretty much useless after they are deactivated. Although you could stash one of these older phones in your trunk in case of emergency since 911 will still work even if the phone is not activated. But other than that there's not much more you can do with any of these older phones except donate them.

That's where the iPhone, even the oldest model, is different. With its built-in iPod functions, Wi-Fi, and cool design an old iPhone can live on long after it doesn't take or make cell phone calls.

How to Integrate iPods/iPhones Into Your Home Stereo System

If you are ready to breath new life into your old iPod or iPhone then you'll probably first need to upgrade your home audio receiver.

You will need a new Hi-Fi receiver like the Sony STR-DH700 that supports an add-on digital media port. The model DH700 also supports wireless speakers. There are a competing models available from Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo, and other manufactures with similar capabilities. If you decide on the Sony receiver and digital media port it will set you back about $450.

Digital Media Port next to my big screen TV is plugged into my Sony receiver down below. I can play the music on any of the iPods or watch video from my iPhone through my big screen TV and home stereo. The Sony receiver’s remote can be used to skip tracks and pause/play the iPods.

Sony STR-DH700 Receiver

The latest and greatest: Sirius XM Radio streaming via home Wi-Fi to my iPhone and into my stereo by docking with the digital media port.

Why Stop There-Go For Wireless Sound in Every Room

S-AIR™ Speaker System
This plug-and-play S-AIR™ speaker system, when wirelessly connected to the Sony STR-DH700 or a compatible home theater system, easily allows for multi-room listening. The Sony wireless S-Air speaker system shown above is $149 and can wirelessy control the Sony Receiver's source selection and iPod pause/play and track skipping from top mounted buttons.

Your Music is Reborn

If you've invested many hours importing music into your iPod or iPhone why leave it lying around collecting dust? Now they can sound better than ever connected to your home stereo through a digital media port.


Copyright: F.A. Daniels, June 21, 2009, all rights reserved.