Mobile = software not hardware
June 30th, 2008People love talking about Microsoft vs. Google. How is Microsoft going to stop Google? Google is going to push Microsoft out of the enterprise…etc.
Why is no one talking about the equally important battle of Nokia vs. Google?
These two giants are battling a silent war that is flying under the radar, and it’s amazing. They both want their software in front of the 3 billion mobile users around the world, more so than they want PC Internet users (only 1 billion globally).
Nokia clearly dominants the mobile space today (like +40% market share), and is facing ongoing pressure from both Google and Apple, but are marching forward without hesitation.
Here’s the short version of the latest between these two:
- Nokia buys social mobile app Twango (now ovi)
- Nokia buys NAVTEQ mapping system
- Google releases open source mobile OS Android
- Nokia purchases Symbian (already dominant OS) and is taking it open source
- Google does deal with Tele Atlas mapping system
- Both are aggressively growing the development community - Nokia with more experience here.
The point is, you don’t see these companies touting the latest processors, displays, speakers, or keyboards. It’s all about software, not the hardware. Hardware still plays a factor, but let’s face it that Apple makes everyone look silly. So, I believe the war will be won with the best software and services, not hardware. I also think Nokia is in this game for the long haul - the “Microsoft” of the mobile space. Wondering if Yahoo/Microsoft has gotten in the way of talking about this one 
update: Nokia today signs Warner Music Deal
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Passive influence
June 26th, 2008Sometimes during our day to day craziness we are hit with something that makes us just stop, and reminds us about how much we all influence each other. Teachers, Friends, Family, Neighbors, Co-workers, even people we’ve never met but read or follow on TV, all help shape who we are and how we live.
I just had one of these “experiences.” It made me realize how much I, unknowingly, had positively influenced someone else, and vice versa.
Sometimes it’s not obvious that what we do and say, and how we treat people makes lasting impressions - even though we didn’t realize it
green parking
June 23rd, 2008I’m in California this week. As I was walking into the Marriott at Velocity - I noticed a row of unique parking spaces.
..along with a few Toyota Prius Hybrids parked in those spaces
..they were the closest spaces to the doors that you could park after the handicap spots. Great incentive to go green by socially rewarding those who choose to go green on cars. This is the first I’ve seen this, ironically the same day I read about McCain’s plan to generate a magic battery..
Sphere: Related ContentDoes anyone care where MSFT if going…..?
June 13th, 2008When was the last time you got excited about a new Microsoft product? I can’t remember. Now think Apple, Google. Probably had a different reaction The fact is, Microsoft has turned BORING.
With all the news on Microsoft and Yahoo, and now Yahoo partnering with Google, I have to comment.
- Windows Vista has not won a popularity contest among consumers or businesses. People want XP.
- The Microsoft Office Suite cash cow is about to take a beating from far better alternatives such as Adobe, Google, Zoho, Yahoo, and others. Open Office hasn’t made a big impact yet but not discounting it either. These solutions are easy to use and more collaborative, and will win over the long term.
- Nobody uses Microsoft Search except Microsoft employees - and even they cheat.
- I’ve not seen the ad revenue, but now that Yahoo said bye-bye they MUST count on FaceBook.
Some ideas on growth:
- Go mobile, mobile, mobile. Make WM a contender for both businesses and consumers - they still have a shot.
- Push Windows into other embedded systems ( cars, home appliances etc…) stick with the client approach and get there before anyone else.
- Gaming - I think xbox can still do well.
- Deploy a collaborative office suite before the others eat your lunch - there’s still time but it’s dwindling.
- Put Windows in the Cloud.
Lastly, please come up with an innovative product. Quit making “me-too” copies of products (like live search) just to stay in the game.
Sphere: Related Contentwork life continuum
June 10th, 2008
Everyone is familiar with the concept of work-life balance, but how many people actually have it? How many people actually spend enough time and energy in all areas of their lives to proclaim themselves as fully balanced? So many people view the work-life balance as the need to completely separate your career time from your personal time. They get up in the morning, go to work, come home and it’s personal time. Repeat…repeat…..
I think this is a poor model (granted many people have no other option). But for those fortunate enough, like me, it’s more of a “work life continuum.” There is no defined time slot between when work begins or ends, or when personal time begins or ends. Sure, many days are similar, but there are many days and weeks that are not. If I have to run a personal errand or spend time with my family, thanks to wi-fi and 3G mobile devices I’m always connected and can also fulfill work obligations. You get the picture…
With the continuum method I have more of an overall balance. I believe that we’re all better off the more we mix the two separate worlds.
Sphere: Related Contentcable co’s having more fun
June 2nd, 2008When we first got cell phones, we paid by the minute. We can now buy all you can talk voice plans.
When we first got data plans, they were all you can use data (speeds vary, but still all you can eat)
Soon we’ll pay by the bit for data.
I’m not a fan - but I understand it. As long as we get a fixed cost option for all you can eat I’ll be ok.
Sphere: Related ContentIT is changing - Gartner top 10 tech
June 2nd, 2008
Thanks Gartner and Nick Carr for amplifying the message that IT is changing. Also, glad that I’ve jumped head first, no parachute into #4
- Multicore and hybrid processors
- Virtualization and fabric computing
- Social networks and social software
- Cloud computing and cloud/Web platforms
- Web mashups
- User Interface
- Ubiquitous computing
- Contextual computing
- Augmented reality
- Semantics
Keeping confidential, confidential
May 31st, 2008I treat the Internet as public. Acutally, I consider every communication public, meaning phone calls, text messages, emails, everything that you do and say in digital format can be seen by others. Based on the various scandals and crimes we’ve seen in Governement and the Corporate world I think this is generally a good policy to follow. If you want something to remain private don’t send it to anyone, or post it anywhere.
Why this is a REAL problem
Never mind the embarrassing photos of you at the party that got circulated to all of your co-workers. The real problem is how do companies and more importantly governments keep their information conidential, when anyone can take a photo on their mobile device, or send emails and other documents over the public Internet? Especially cases where local police need confidential information to handle a situation, or troops with their lives on the line who also need details that otherwise would be unshared and highly classified.
My point is that once the information is shared, you cannot stop it from hitting the Internet. Even information that isn’t shared, can be collected using cameras and video recorders etc.
I guess you should trust your employees. Do you?
Sphere: Related ContentPerspective
May 27th, 2008
I had a good conversation last week about how vulnerable the global Internet cabling system is. Look at this map. If “Evil Doers” ever wanted to shut down international commerce, leaving us in the dark and unable to conduct the digital transactions that keep our economies going, sorry to say but it’s relatively feasible - on paper.
Not to be “morbid,” but there are a handful of key points where we are Internationally connected. If we were to lose these due to a terrorist attack, war, whatever…. it would be pretty disruptive.
Just giving perspective……..
Sphere: Related ContentNew HostedLABS Brand
May 23rd, 2008
It’s been an insane few weeks getting the new HL brand finished. The team has done a FANTASTIC job in a ridiculously short time!
Also - thanks to Marco, Sean and the crew for hosting a great phptek conference. We enjoyed it!
need a cool T?
May 20th, 2008
Another great Chicago web success story - our friends at Threadless.
- No Advertising
- No Professional Designers
- No Sales Force
- No Retail Distribution
= $30m REVENUE & “most innovative small co. in America.”
Great going guys.
Sphere: Related ContentThe Kindle Paradox
May 15th, 2008When I first saw the Kindle from Amazon, I basically laughed out loud. (Kindle is an electronic book reader) Who is going to read all their books electronically? Really? Plus the pain of getting the content on the device, worrying about running out of battery on a long flight, is it worth my time? Not to mention the horrible interface that reminds me of the first iPod - with the black and white unappealing graphics.
I’ve now changed my thoughts after a little education, and some good conversation with some smart people. I haven’t yet tried the Kindle, but I can see there are some compelling advantages for the extreme readers only:
- Carry thousands of books in one device. Save space in your bags
- You can instantly purchase a book - the barrier is zero, and you don’t have to transfer it to the device.
- It comes with an unlimited data plan to download books - I think from Sprint ? It’s built into the price you pay upfront.
There is some shock that the Kindle is gaining traction. Credit to Jeff Bezos for having the balls to try anything. Pretty soon Amazon will be struggling to find an identity - if he’s successful with the multiple unrelated projects coming out of Amazon.
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