Microsoft’s new mobile devices, Kin One and Kin Two, are aimed right at the lucrative teen segment of cell phone users. With a stylish design and some interesting new features, one reviewer was smitten. After reading, I’ll admit that I started to think Microsoft had made a winner, or at the least, a contender, in mobile technology. Long battery life, cloud connection as a standard feature, cool little shape.
Other critics, though, were more…critical, citing poor software and expensive monthly plans as reasons to overlook these offerings. OK, so maybe they’re not looking as good as I thought.
Still, hats off to Microsoft for being bold and trying.
I’m guessing though, that the company will not get the traction of this phone, or this one, or this one, or…
Ah, the fickle public, the growing list of technical abilities needed to capture the attention of busy geeks, and the high bar set by the iPhone. And I have to wonder: Where will mobile devices be in five years?
SEPTEMBER 16TH, 2009
By JOHN
News suggests Clearwire’s WiMax technology, dubbed 4G by some, is about to undergo some intense testing. A new WiMax footprint included main offices of both Google and Intel, both backers of the effort to bring high speed, wireless service to the masses.
I like the concept, especially as it can really benefit mobile web use, but wonder if the testing and roll-out will take too long. Could it be that a new, faster-and-better service will enter into the marketplace before WiMax grabs hold?
It seems Twitter – and other social media – are being used very effectively by those who are opposing the current regime in Iran. Calls for an election recount, stories of militia brutality, and pleas for help from the West are being disseminated far and wide – despite governmental crackdowns on the flow of information from that beleaguered country.
Here’s a Los Angeles Times piece, and another by new media guru Hugh Hewitt. A story on CNET about the ways Iranians are getting around potential restrictions on their use of Twitter. Read an article about the way Twitter is having to beef up its service to accommodate the flood of information from within Iran. And here’s one of several Iran-related Twitter collections.
And to think that a year ago most people, including myself, were unfamiliar with Twitter. Wonder where it’ll go next?
In less than 24 hours digital broadcast television, as mandated by our government, is a reality. And you’re prepared, right? You have a newer TV set with a built-in digital tuner, or you bought one of those converter boxes for your old analog television?
If not, maybe you have cable or a satellite TV service.
If “none of the above” applies to you, maybe you’ve decided that there’s not much to watch so you don’t care. Although I fall into this group philosophically, I’ll admit that we have a converter, but I’m not really sure why.
When I read reports that 2.5 million households aren’t prepared for this transition, I’m not surprised. Nor am I alarmed…perhaps those folks don’t want broadcast TV. I’m certain they don’t NEED broadcast TV.
Regardless, the timer is in its final hours. This has been one long and expensive conversion. Better be worth all the time and trouble!
Here’s a rather harsh assessment of the new, improved, bigger, more expensive Kindle DX – views expressed in an open letter to Jeff Bezos. I’m ambivalent, but think I’ll pass on this device. How about you?
I’ve told friends about this site – which I always check before buying gear, software of even gifts.
Writer Liz Funk offers insights about Gen Y and the “always on” aspect to their lives.
When teens and twentysomethings spend their downtime keenly aware that they have tasks pouring into their Blackberries or iPhones it’s hard to ignore the urge to respond — maybe they’ll send a quick email while driving or while a friend has gotten up to use the bathroom at dinner. It makes leisure time a blurry period in between work and school, rather than a peaceful and completely restorative activity.
I’m watching my own kids go that direction – that phone is an extension of his (long) arms! Well, at least one of them. Unless he is in the mountains, with no cell service!
You’ve probably seen this type of tool before. It offers an easy way to see just how fast your ISP service is. Pretty handy.
JANUARY 27TH, 2009
By JOHN
Keep it simple, stupid. In difficult moments, I rty to condense things down to one or two salient points. Keep it simple. Yeah.
Keep it simple? Seems that not many manufacturers are able to remember this simple bit of advice. For instance, how many models of GPS devices a particular company makes (and I really like this company and their gadgets)? One report suggests there are 82 different Garmin GPS models. 82?!
Contrast it with…Apple. I know, I know. Call me a fan boy. I love what they do and how they market things. But you can’t deny that something in their approach is (still) working. Can you say, “$10 Billion” in revenues during 2008?
Here’s a money quote from a recent piece in CrunchGear that should remind you that your customer may not want as many choices as you think:
Consumers hate choices. They say they love them, but have you ever stood in front of a wall of plasmas and LCDs with a random person? I have and did for years at Circuit City. They get overwhelmed by the amount of options, but Apple has made it easy but producing top-notch products that are easily available.
There’s no doubt Jobs’ has been most effective streamlining the company’s product lineup. Less stuff equals less clutter equals less confusion.
I’ll suggest that in our world of communication, less is more. Work on making your products and messages simple, and you may find that you actually increase effectiveness and reach.
Application for those in media: There’s some wisdom in, “Keep it simple, stupid.” Maybe we don’t have to splinter our message. Maybe we don’t need to offer so many ways to reach us. Perhaps you really shouldn’t be spending so much time on that fancy Powerpoint with all the swirling graphics and such.
So, are you keeping it simple, or are you…?
