What Should Microsoft Do?
Posted on January 29, 2009
After its recent disappointing earnings report, Microsoft should give serious consideration to stimulating demand for PCs by fostering the next “Killer Application” for the Win-tel platform. Such an application is likely to emerge this year as consumers discover flat panel TVs and laptop computers have a number of common connection sockets. Once attached, the laptop functions as a Media Controller for flat panel TVs thereby enabling consumers to watch Internet Video on their televisions.
In such a configuration the TV acts as a giant monitor for the laptop. The laptop’s built-in WiFi connects to a home network and thence to the Internet. Given a remote mouse and keyboard consumers can watch Internet Videos on their TVs in a comfortable lean-back viewing experience.
This is good news for Microsoft for several reasons. Read more…
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How to Improve TV Set Sales
Posted on January 28, 2009
A recent (1/20/09) Wall Street Journal article projects an 18% decline in worldwide TV set sales this year. However, manufacturers can improve that performance by promoting a popular method that enables Internet Video to be watched on the TV. Read more…
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Third Generation Television: Third Catalyst (Long-Tail)
Posted on January 26, 2009
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If you would like to learn how the growing abundance of Long-Tail content is driving consumers to get Internet Video on their televisions, this video is for you.
In earlier podcasts we demonstrated the first two catalysts. The first is the concept of a “Media Controller”, the initial version of which is the commonly available laptop computer. When a laptop is connected to the television, the TV functions as a giant monitor while the Internet-connected computer enables users to watch Internet Video in a lean-back experience with remote mouse and keyboard.
The second catalyst is the growing availability of popular TV shows and movies at ad-supported websites that are free to the viewer. The best example is www.hulu.com.
Today’s show is about the third catalyst which is the rising interest in Long-Tail content available on the Internet but not on conventional TV. The 5 billion monthly streams at YouTube are only one indication of just how massive the interest really is. Examples include out-of-syndication TV shows, older documentaries, personality interviews, and instructional videos. Read more…
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How to Boost Computer Sales
Posted on January 23, 2009
As computer sales soften with the economy, manufacturers can stimulate demand by fostering the development of the next “Killer App”. In our analysis, such an application is likely to emerge this year as large numbers of consumers start accessing Internet Video at their TVs via laptop computers. Essentially the TV will function as a giant monitor for the laptop and the computer becomes a Media Controller for the TV. Read more…
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Sound and Fury at Consumer Electronics Show
Posted on January 22, 2009
The annual Consumer Electronics Show has achieved such high-profile recognition that exhibitors are tempted to promote modest improvements as breakthrough advances. The sound and fury over “Internet-Connected TVs” at this year’s show is a good example. Upon examination it is clear that if the product announcements signify anything at all it is that the difference between a “Walled Garden” and a “Walled Prison” can be indistinguishable, as Napoleon III discovered. But that’s another story, and a good one. Read more…
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Third Generation Television: Second Catalyst
Posted on January 19, 2009
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If you would like to learn how the growing abundance of popular TV shows and movies at ad-supported websites is acting as a catalyst to mass market adoption of Internet-Video-to-the-TV, this video is for you. Read more…
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Third Generation Television: CATV Impact
Posted on January 16, 2009
CATV and Satellite operators will be profoundly impacted by Third Generation Television. As noted in earlier posts, we believe that significant numbers of consumers will start watching Internet Video at their TVs in 2009. Many will simply connect their laptop computers to the TV and use it as a giant monitor. Since flat panel TVs and modern laptops both have common connection sockets the hook-up is not too complex. Nearly all laptops have built-in WiFi enabling connection to a home LAN and thence to the Internet.
One third of homes already have flat panel TVs and iSuppli estimates that nearly 90% will have at least one flat panel set by 2011. The vast majority of such sets have common connection sockets with laptop computers. Read more…
Third Generation Television: First Catalyst
Posted on January 12, 2009
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If you would like to learn how modern laptop computers conveniently enable Internet-Video-to-the-TV, this video is for you.
Third Generation Television is an idea whose time has come. Its defining characteristic is Internet-Video-to-the-TV. After years of anticipation, the scenario is presently becoming a reality and moving into the mass market. One unexpected catalyst is the modern laptop computer which easily connects to flat panel TVs. Read more…
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