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Apple computers
Macs Do Windows - New Beta
If you had any doubts about making that change to an Apple laptop (or desktop), now's the time to make the move. Just released today is Boot Camp, a beta release that gives you the ability to run Windows OS and applications on your Intel-based OSX machine. No charge. They are planning on adding this into the next major update of OSX.
You'll need some additional disk space, a legal copy of Windows XP and -- a word to the wise -- USE anti-virus software. More on all this at http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/.
This is good news. I'm anxious to try this out with Cubase and other
audio-based applications. And with QuickBooks Premier. If it passes those
tests, I'm ready to say good-bye to PCs completely.
Tom
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"Amazon Plans Music Service To Rival iTunes"
Amazon Plans Music Service To Rival iTunes
by Ethan Smith and Mylene Mangalinden
The Wall Street Journal Online - February 16, 2006; Page B1
In recent years, Amazon.com Inc.Chief Executive Jeff Bezos has explained his company's deliberately paced approach to the digital-music business by saying he wants to avoid simply imitating the dominant player in the field, Apple Computer Inc.'s iTunes Music Store.
Now Amazon, the world's No. 1 online retailer, is in advanced talks with the four global music companies about a digital-music service with a range of features designed to set it apart. Among them: Amazon-branded portable music players, designed and built for the retailer, and a subscription service that would deeply discount and preload those devices with songs, not unlike mobile phones that are included with subscription plans as part of the deal.
Music executives privately welcome Amazon's plans, which they see as one of the only credible challenges to Apple's hegemony in both digital music and portable players. Now the question is whether Amazon's massive customer base is enough to offset a long delay in entering the online music business.
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Interesting news. You would have to figure that sooner or later Apple's dynasty with iPods and iTunes would be challenged. I was thinking we'd hear from Microsoft first, as they have traditionally waited until the gittin' was good then steamrolled in to dominate the market. But things have changed and the market is different, more sophisticated. And with the Internet, consumers are able to be more discerning. Remember Dell's MP3 player? It's been discontinued. It was great for a while, with longer battery life, but I thought it just didn't look very appealing. Products today have to look good and work well, and they gotta have some buzz appeal for the device to catch on. People talk.
I've had two of the four iPods in the family fail in less than a year. It's the price you pay for being on the leading edge, but I have run into many folks that thought Apple was overpriced and troublesome. Some people have paid for a huge library of iTunes songs, only to lose them on their computer because they didn't understand the complexity (and necessity) of backing up. So, there is room here for greater ease of use and improved customer satisfaction.
I sorta chuckle when I think about an Amazon MP3 player. I'm envisioning picking it up after syncing with my PC, and being greeted by the scrolling screen that says, "Other people who bought that music also liked ......." Or a play list that is automatically inserted with demos of songs like the ones I downloaded. Do I want that? Hmm, feels weird.
I wonder if Amazon will offer a podcasting directory - for free AND for pay. That would get some attention. It wasn't mentioned in the article. A combination free podcast directory with for-pay podcasting that allows the podcaster to charge like Audible does so there is some revenue-sharing.
Rumor is that Amazon's MP3 player and subscription service are planned for release in the summer. Well timed for the kids at home, I'm sure.
What, o what, is Microsoft's move going to be and when? Bill Gates keeps dropping hints. My sense is that Microsoft would be supportive of the podcasting community, and, needless to say, the Microsoft juggernaut could wield some might to manufacture something amazing. They already have the hardware expertise with their games. But would that mean their MP3 player would be a kind of living room game device that also plays MP3? Geesh, I hope not.
We shall see soon enough. Seems like this year both Amazon and Microsoft will step into this market, and no telling who else.
Tom
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New Powerbooks with Intel Chip Coming - Rumor
OK, it's a rumor. Why would I care about a rumor?
Well, I switched to a 12" Powerbook for my carry-around laptop about 4
months ago. What a joy it's been using an Apple product instead of a Hewlett
Packard laptop. With that experience and new-found respect for Apple
products, I've been waiting to hear some news about the switch to Intel
processors. Add to that I was at Motorola for 10 years in the semiconductor
group and was familiar with the long-term relationship with the PowerPC
chip. Though IBM won the business for the Powerbook chips the last few
years.
So I've been looking forward. Interest in Apple's laptops is
growing. I've been to five conferences this year and the number of Apple
laptops (iBooks and Powerbooks) was well beyond the 5% figure you
typically hear. It's more like 50% when you look around.
While I'm on the topic - I purchased an iSight camera and have started
experimenting with it. Had one iChat session with Paul Figianni in New York
to test it all out. Was very nice. I mounted it on my 12" PowerBook and
carried the laptop around the house as I took him on a virtual tour of my
home and my new podcasting studio out in the garage. What fun!
Anyway, check out this news (well, OK, rumors):
PowerBook to gain
iSight, iBook to go widescreen in 2006
clip ...
Along with its transition to Intel
processors, Apple Computer in the
first half of next year will
introduce new eye-catching industrial
designs for both of its laptop
offerings, AppleInsider has learned.
Although the Mac maker has only
gone on record in saying that the first
Intel-based Macintosh systems are
due by the middle of 2006,
information passed on by extremely
reliable sources indicates that the
company is on track to begin
introducing its first Intel machines much
sooner.
With the initiation of the Intel
Power Mac project last month, all five
of Apple's Intel Macintosh
projects are now said to be underway and
moving at an exhaustive, yet
fruitful pace. It should come as no
surprise that Apple chief
executive Steve Jobs is reportedly leading
the charge, with his heart set on
making 2006 the next 1984.
See the
article for more details.
Tom
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They Did it! Apple Releases a Video iPod
5.5 ounces
2.4 x 4.1 x .55 inches
30GB - $299
60GB - $399
Apple struck a very cool deal with ABC to make their prime-time TV shows available the next day for download via iTunes for $1.99.
Here is a background article at Yahoo. And do check it out on the www.apple.com site.
Oh, how the bloggers will roar - good and bad - over this announcement. Should be interesting. My bet is that this is a test, to some degree. Based on how this goes with the public and what is learned in the process, more, much more, is planned in this product line with video. How about first-run movies in iTunes .... at least some of the shorter, independent ones?
I'm still day-dreaming for a WiFi (wireless network) version of the audio or the video iPod to ease the transfer of files.
Time for a quick run to the Apple store to see what the experience is like using one.
Tom
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Changing to an Apple Powerbook
Well, I did it. I made the move to an Apple Powerbook (12") for office work and remote audio recording. There were two basic reasons for the change. One was simply feeling tired of the hassle of dealing with virus-related issues and managing a firewall with a PC laptop. It always seemed that the PC laptop, no matter how new, slowed down with use regardless of the constant fiddling, defragging, de-virusing and all that stuff that you just assumed you had no other choice but to endure.
Other issues like battery life never quite hit the mark for me on the PC
laptop either. On the software side I realized I had meet one of my business
goals of moving all my project management, email and nearly every
SEO-related support tool to the web. I also realized that the Podcasting
recording and editing software I use runs on the MAC as well as the PC. So,
I sold some of my studio equipment and turned the Powerbook into my remote
recording studio and general use laptop while traveling to clients.
I've had my Powerbook for about two weeks. I am constantly amazed at how
much simplier it is use. I move around a lot between Austin locations, and
the Powerbook never seems to get confused from one WiFi location to another.
It instantly finds new networks. I close it in one location then open it in
a new location and it 'just works.' Seems to me that's the way a laptop is
supposed to work, right? The PC Laptop I used was always getting confused,
which required a reboot.
I see now why people are migrating away from the PC. You use a PC because
you endure it, thinking it costs less. Well, it does in many cases, but I
wonder, given all the time screwing around with the PC laptop to keep it
running correctly if it's really 'worth' paying less and getting so much
less.
Anyway, I'm on the road to New Orleans Wednesday through Friday to meet an
amazing group of Open Source advocates at the Plone Developers Conference.
Looking forward to taking the Powerbook on the road to do some podcasting
right from the hotel with various Plone 'stars.' Should be fun.
Tom
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Apple iTunes 4.9 Is Available Now
Didn't take as long as we all expected. If you're use iTunes and you're interested in Podcasting then hop on over to Apple.com and download the lastest version of iTunes. Because ...tada ... iTunes 4.9 gives you the ability to subscribe to RSS feeds.
There is more to it then that. Apple apparently sucked in all the Podcasts from iPodder.org and Podcast.net and I guess every directory they can find. Because I'm seeing tons of Podcasts in the Apple iTunes online directory. In fact you have to focus carefully be cause Podcasts and music files sorta all look the same now at the iTunes website. There is a seperate search bar however to just look for you're favorite Podcast. If it's there you just click and it's available for you to download (one click) into your MP3 player.
Truly an amazing event. This brings Podcasting to millions of people all at once and simplifies the process consdierably of subscribing. You never even SEE and RSS feed URL. Nothing to copy and paste as before (assuming the Podcast is already in their directory). There is a place to manually submit new Podcast RSS feeds to the Apple iTunes directory for inclusion.
Go get it - have fun! Talking Portraits Interviews is there! I plan to add Podcasts for my corporate clients this week.
Tom
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iTunes Boosts Prime-time Ratings for NBC, ABC
Isn't this interesting ...
iTunes Boosts Prime-time Ratings for NBC, ABC
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/itunes-boosts-prime-time-ratings-for-nbc-abc/
By Larry Angell (from ILounge.com)
Both NBC and ABC have seen a rise in viewer ratings since adding select TV shows to the iTunes Music Store. NBC credits the availability of its shows on iTunes for the recent increase in viewers during prime time for one of its popular comedies.
NBC’s “The Office,” the most popular show on iTunes, delivered a 5.1 rating last Thursday—its highest ever—among adults 18 to 49. The series delivered a 4.5 the prior week. An NBC executive said he is confident that the iTunes exposure contributed to the rise. Frederick Huntsberry, president of NBCU Television Distribution, said iTunes is bringing new audiences to the show that would not otherwise have watched.
Meanwhile, ABC has also seen a ratings increase for its two most popular shows available on iTunes. Since they were added to Apple’s store in October, both “Lost” and “Desperate Housewives” are up versus the same period last year. “Lost” has seen its total audience rise 14 percent and ratings for adults 18 to 49 are up 28 percent. The total audience for “Desperate Housewives” is up 7 percent and 18 to 49 ratings are up 3 percent.
Who would have thought that traditional broadcast TV would actually benefit from making their prime-time TV programs available for sale and download on iTunes? I can imagine the person internally trying to pitch this six months ago. Must have been roasted alive but somehow, he/she prevailed and now they have the last laugh.
I assert this kind of offering is going to be true in other types of business besides entertainment. One example is when ITConversations posts podcasts for free from major (paid) conferences like Etech or SuperNova. What you see each year is that these conferences are still well attended - extremely well attended from what I've been told. So the 'long tail' nature of making the content available afterwards on the Internet, for free or for pay, has long-term value. It creates greater opportunity for more people to learn about your content and develop an appetite for it on their own terms.
Syndicating content through multiple channels also works for websites, even B2B sites.
It's all about exposure to people, to get their attention in any of the various channels they connect to. It's about 'getting it' that people want to decide what to read or listen to or learn about - on their own terms. Offer these options and you get people's attention, which is more valuable than flashing banners and loud radio advertisements. Get a person's deeper attention and they start wanting to know more - especially about ideas to improve the quality of their life, or more and different types of entertainment - like shows they didn't think they had time to watch, but now that they can watch them on their own time, they do.
ABC and NBC actually make money on downloads in iTunes as an alternative delivery channel. And they get more people who missed the show originally deciding to watch the shows in prime time (or TiVo time). Who would have thought!
A fascinating process is unfolding here. I think we'll see similar benefits come our way as B2B websites utilize more RSS channels for syndicating text, putting audio and video content into RSS-type directories and search engines.
It just means this: Creating a monster static website as one's sole means of making product information available isn't the answer anymore. Just like broadcasting only through a TV tower or only through cable is becoming passé.
It's about making information available in all kinds of ways. Prospects who are truly interested will make their way back (self-select) and become a part of the qualified leads process. When they call or write, they really ARE interested versus kicking the tires. Funny, isn't it? When you give people what they really want versus creating artificial marketing mechanisms and hurdles for people to get through, they come calling.
Tom
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MS Windows to Run on New Apple Laptops
Buy a new Apple laptop with the Intel chip inside and you can run Windows if you need to do that. This is a huge change from the years of us versus them with Apple and Microsoft. For the die-hard Apple folks, I'm sure this is odd. I'm a Windows user who converted to an Apple Powerbook during the last six months. I love this little jewel and wouldn't trade it for a Windows laptop. However, there are occasions when I need to run Windows. One example is Quickbooks Online. I cannot use their service without IE running in Windows. I know I could run a Windows emulator on the Powerbook, but I'm just not ready to do that right now or to deal with the issues that come with that approach. Being able to have a dual-boot laptop works for me.
SEATTLE - Apple Computer Inc. won't thwart users from loading Microsoft's Windows operating system onto its new Intel-based Macintosh computers - but don't expect Apple to start offering a Mac running Windows.
Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, said in an interview Tuesday that the company won't sell or support Windows itself, but also hasn't done anything to preclude people from loading Windows onto the machines themselves.
Microsoft, Apple Sign 5-Year Software Pact - for the entire article.
If this is an indication of the kinds of changes we can expect in 2006, I'm excited.Tom
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iTunes Offering PDFs by Subscription
Now you can subscribe to a newsletter in PDF form via iTunes.
Here is a note from Steve Rubel on this:
iTunes has quietly started to offer PDF enclosures subscriptions in the podcast section of the store. First up is the Wikinews print edition. You can search for and subscribe to Wikinews in the iTunes Music Store. (iTunes link) Instead of receiving an audio enclosure, iTunes will download a special PDF for you every day on cue. Wikinews, a citizen journalism site powered by wikis, also offers a PDF feed on its own that does not require iTunes. See iTunes screen grabs below.
There's more. Wikinews is not the only PDF you can subscribe to in the iTunes store. Rick Steves' audio tours include both audio and PDFs (iTunes link).
Sure gets you thinking, doesn't it, about offering all kinds of white papers and newsletters this way using iTunes? The beauty of the RSS 2.0 protocol is that you can attach any kind of file, so I wonder about offering PowerPoint or FLASH file attachments too. We shall see.
Tom
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iTunes 4.9 to Support Podcasting
Yep, it's official today. Jobs announced this wonderful piece of news at D: All Things Digital, an annual technology conference sponsored by The Wall Street Journal.
You'll be able to browse and download Podcasts and, I assume, purchase
them online just like you did music. This will vastly simplify the
process of getting people excited about listening to Podcasts. Now you will
not have to explain RSS feeds, or use yet another software package like
iPodder that runs separately on your machine to transfer Podcasts to your PC
for insertion into your iPod or MP3 player. This will all be integrated into
iTunes 4.9 and will be transparent to the user - as it should be.
I can imagine we'll soon see this same capability integrated into other
services that sell online music.
So, bravo, Steve Jobs and the crew at Apple.
Onward, Podcasters - the revolution will be Podcasted - as Dannie
Gregoire has been saying now for months. I believe him.
Tom
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