Geekazine.com

Verizon iphone, or ViDud?

So I was sitting in Houston, TX with Jake Luddington. I made this prediction (the night before the announcement) that the iPhone on Verizon was going to hit 40 million in the first 30-60 days. It was a stretch, but it was based on the masses who have been waiting patiently for the CDMA iphone, mixed with those 3GS, 3G and first gen iPhone users also biding their time.

Jake said I was insane to make that prediction. That is because I thought Verizon would have at least the patience to wait for the iPhone 5 to come out. With the 4G service and Verizon network, I could see that population do a mass-exodus like no other phone would.

But then Verizon had to go ruin it.

Of course, we heard that Verizon is going to release the CDMA version of the iPhone4. You cannot do data on at the same time, because there is no 4G (well, Verizon is even doing that half-assed as it’s not a true 4G network – It’s HSOPA). Therefore, no facetime for you!

Most likely, the iPhone GSM chip is just replaced by a CDMA chip. As I have guessed since the beginning of iPhone, I always expected Apple to have a CDMA version of their phones – in case they needed to jump ship within a week.

So this band-aid phone was apparently acceptable by Verizon execs to ship out. The real question is: Will you buy it?

What is really sad is that we just interviewed Verizon for CES 2011 and they had some great new Android phones using LTE. Why would they want to shadow those items with a half-assed iPhone?

If I was HTC or Samsung, I think I would really be frustrated with Verizon’s action. After all, HTC is one of that leaders of Android devices. They have come out with some great alternatives.

I own an iPhone 3GS. I am seriously thinking about switching off it when the contract is up. iPhone 5 will really have to impress to keep me – Otherwise, I am seriously looking at a couple Android phones.

But in no way will I pay $199 and $125 a month for a 16 GB iPhone that doesn’t have full functionality.

I think it’s safe to say that I will not win this bet. Thanks Verizon – can you hear me now?

Thumbs up/down

Last week I held a great panel of content creators who critiqued 4 shows during BlogWorld & New Media Expo. The panel – consisting of Steve Garfield, Rob Greenlee, Mike Cioffi and Mignon Fogerty – critiqued the good and bad. The idea was to improve not only those shows, but also make people think about their own podcasts.

The panel made some great observations. It definitely made me think about my shows. I broke it down to 10 areas of focus. I can then work on each area within the next few weeks and improve my podcasts. In turn, people will interact.

Here are the 10 things you might want to also consider to better your show:

Audio is Important

I have done this, too. You bust your butt getting the video done. You are running out of time, but the audio is not that great. You work at it, but still cannot get the audio just right. With no time left, you just publish it.

I have seen shows with $10 microphones and they end up with good results. An Audiophile might cringe, but the average user would find it acceptable. During the mixing process, you can tweak the sound for a better result.

It’s important to listen to your show and ask yourself – Would you listen to this?

Video is Important

Position of the cameras, changing of angles and other movement keeps people’s attention. If you just have 2 people standing in front of a green screen that makes the background picture flicker, that could make people stop watching.

The average person needs to have different camera angles every couple minutes, or else they loose interest. You can film with one camera stance, then have the computer mixing software angle and pan around. You don’t need 2 cameras, just an understanding that we don’t want to be stagnant.

Lighting

We are not trying to hide our faces. For $20, you can get a 250 Watt energy efficient light that points right at your face. I should know – I have about 10 of them in my studio.

Of course, lighting can affect the camera and cause a flicker. Therefore, getting the right light is important. If you have enough lighting around you (but not too much light to wash out), the video becomes crisper.

How long is your intro?

We had 3 shows with long intros (over 10 seconds). The consensus was to shorten your intros. One of the three shows, however, I felt was acceptable. I suppose after a few weeks of watching the show, the intro will start to feel too long.

The important thing is to get to the content right away. You need to say the show and the sponsor, but you have 10 seconds before people move on or tune out. Make it pop.

Ever watch M*A*S*H, Friends, the Simpsons or another show in syndication? You may have noticed the intro was shortened – mostly to house more commercials in the 30 minute time slot. I don’t always need to see the full version. I can even create a shorter version and play that, with the longer version for special occasions.

Babble on (a.k.a. It’s really Hoppy) – Scripting

Scripting can add a considerable amount of time to creating a show, not to mention making mistakes when reading from a script. However, you can sound more confident when you do script it. There has to be a happy medium, but where is it?

For a while, I scripted the first half of my podcast. I could pre-plan what I will say and even interweave a commonality to make people think and follow. The second half I talked from the hip, which could be disjointed, especially if you are multi-tasking.

Scripting the commonalities may be the best answer. Read from the script at those times, then improvise for the rest. That can help.

How many people?

Having a show with more than one host brings variety. Having 4-5 people might work, but to do this, each person should have a specific job. Just like a news cast – 2 hosts, weatherman, sports director and 3-4 field reporters.

After all, if you have 5 people babbling (see the previous point) and no structure, how long before you tune out?

Does your show have an Identity Crisis?

Variety is important, but too much variety with no structure and people lose interest. We noted that one show could actually chop their podcast up into 5 and push them every day. So Mondays you would find out about the Geek side of things, Tuesdays would be Tech, Wednesdays could be Comics, etc. etc.

Going back to a News structure – You do have News, Weather, Sports and Special interest, with an opinion section shoved in from time to time. They happen at certain times, so if you wanted to know about the weather, you can tune out until about 10-15 minutes after start.

So plan the work and work the plan. It makes for a better show.

Feng Shui

You have a pile of socks behind you, which you don’t want people to see. Therefore, you put a blanket over it. You throw items on the wall and don’t make it look structured.

I always found that your surroundings should be just as interesting as your content. That way people might focus on another area of the video, but they are still focused on the video.

It’s like if you are putting up wallpaper in the Kitchen, you don’t use 3 or more different patterns on the walls. You try to get the same pattern for a uniform look, then put up small trinkets – Clock, white shelves that hold the porcelain cow, rooster and pig. Even a “Welcome to the Kitchen” sign.

Don’t have too many distracting props around you, but have enough that people can be distracted. They might just watch more than 10 seconds.

Does Your Website Spotlight Your Podcast?

It is just as important to make your website work for your show. One show’s website made you select 2-3 links before you even got to the show. Some people will most likely move on to another site and your show goes unlistened or unwatched.

On the same note, you may have the RSS feeds on the site, but people want something more visual. RSS is for importing into readers. Feedburner, for example, has a little more interaction. Especially in Chrome, where RSS feeds come up with a page full of words and no structure.

Have Fun

I always said, if it’s not fun anymore, I’m gonna stop doing it. If I can sit in front of a camera and drink beer with friends, I suppose I would do it. If people see you having fun, they might just come back and see what beer you drink next week.

Just remember – even though you are having fun, being informative and structured is just as important. If you walk the line between the two, you should have a successful show.

—

I would like to thank the group for their time and I would like to thank the shows for being on the chopping block. I hope the takeaways will help their shows grow.

I learned a lot from this panel. I hope people will notice the changes and come to the show more. That is the goal for me – to entertain more and get more interaction.

330 days from now, TV as we know it will have changed.

I’ve been saying that for a long time, but on Sept. 1st 2010, I decided to put it on the countdown. Why? Because Apple and Google came out with their set top boxes (Apple, finally taking it seriously).

When companies like Apple and Google get into this game, you know the wind is about to change.

The Comparison

GigaOM has a nice write-up comparing the applications on the boxes. Each one has their own advantages and disadvantages. For example, if you want the iTunes store, you will have Apple TV and that is it.

Expect this playing field to grow. The easiest box to program for is Boxee. If you know XML, you can get a channel on for nothing. The 0ther boxes might have you pay a fee for their SDK kits.

Kylo Loop

There are also many other boxes out there. PopBox, Kylo (they have that interesting remote they called “The Loop”) and others. Walmart purchased Vudu, which conspicuously is missing from the GigaOM list.

Why I Recommend Roku

There are technically two of them I will recommend. The Roku is really a no-brainer. For $60 – $100, you can start watching content right now. On any TV.

What really bugs me about the other boxes: They all have HDMI only video. For a box like Apple TV that has a high definition port and cannot play 1080 video, isn’t that pointless?

Roku

As far as I’ve seen through that group of 5, Roku is the only box with Analog plugs.

Early adopters of Flat screen technology bought their TV’s about 2 years ago -right before HDMI became a standard. If you bought a TV in the last 5 years, chances of you running out for another are a lot less.

Therefore, you will opt to get an internet TV box. That also means you will need something that will do either analog or S-Video. With a composite converter, you have those choices on a Roku.

Newer TV’s will start integrating a system (like Vudu, and the Google TV). It makes sense – kinda like buying the TV with the DVD built in. No wires and less clutter.

So if you are not buying a new TV and don’t have an HDMI port, then Roku will be one of your better choices. $99 with Wireless N and full HD is very appeasing.

Why I choose the Boxee Application

Boxee

Boxee has opted to allow people to download the application for their computers. Therefore, you can buy that little box, or make your own. Windows, Mac and Linux; Install the application and you are off and running.

Like I mentioned before, with a little XML knowledge, your Boxee application is created. You can submit to Boxee, or customize your own system to video, audio and pictures that you want.

The Boxee box does have a uniqueness to it, however without the option to plug into a standard TV, I would shy away from the $199 price tag.

The computer in my living room has the Boxee application on it.

Apple TV – Why?

Of course, there is already a jailbreak for the Apple TV. They also took it apart and found the similarities to an iPad. Down the road, I expect some really cool features of the Apple TV, but with no custom applications and having it run on the archaic iTunes platform, the device is best for the Apple fanboys.

You have a good set of choices for boxes out there. Right now I choose Roku and Boxee. Next year might be completely different. With $60 starting price tags and self build kits, you can easily have more than one system to choose from.

Here it is – Every single tweet I sent this year. Reverse chronological order and doesn’t include Dec 31. It’s amazing how much data I gave out for free. And now it’s all here. Enjoy!

• @WISCTV_News3 Biggest was MJ, but I point to the Emergency Broadcasttweets, which caused Techradium to file patent infringement on26 minutes
  ago from TweetDeck in reply to WISCTV_News3
• @chrisheuer Never heard about invite for #lenovo #CES event. Let me know
  if I can put that on the schedule. Thanks. -j32 minutes
  ago from TweetDeck
• Fone FUD – Geekazine 2010 http://bit.ly/7i7yB8 about 2 hours
  ago from TweetMeme
• @LindsayG awesome! Let’s do another video shootdown this year!about 2
  hours ago from TweetDeck
• @karlwireless indubitably #ces - here we come!about 4 hours
  ago from TweetDeck
• @LindsayG well good luck on that. See you next week at #ces ?about 4
  hours ago from TweetDeck
• I suppose to bed early. Tomorrow is a long day including looking at new
  camera for #CES backchannel. Don’t know if the #AIPTEK will sufficeabout
  12 hours ago from TweetDeck
• @JohnAtkinson Where the heck are you flying from to make Delta $1k? Holy
  Smokes! I only paid $350 round trip.about 12 hours ago from TweetDeck in
  reply to JohnAtkinson
• #Podcast Ep 119 – Last Show of the Decade! – Geekazine
  2010http://bit.ly/4FNV4sabout 12 hours ago from TweetMeme
• Day in Tech History Dec 30 – Facebook Takes Down Breastfeeding Pix -
  Geekazine 2010 http://bit.ly/8tlP5Nabout 13 hours ago from TweetMeme
• @dom @Scobleizer @levarburton @brettschulte I got my invite to
  @140tc should be funabout 15 hours ago from TweetDeck
• @LindsayG why you moving out?about 15 hours ago from TweetDeck
• @AndruEdwards well let me know what happens. Will be cool to catch up on
  stuff.about 17 hours ago from TweetDeck
• @benparr our schedules are starting to really pack. #ces is going to
  rock. Friday night at atomic will be really cool. Where u guys
  staying?about 17 hours ago from TweetDeck
• @AndruEdwards where are you trying to get into? Were at Monte carloabout
  17 hours ago from TweetDeck
• @jessflynn email me – geekaZine at gmail dot comabout 17 hours
  ago from TweetDeck
• SWEET! Just got my Invitation
  to http://www.itwontstayinvegas.comat #CES check out the nobles list:
  @140tcabout 20 hours ago from TweetDeck
• Santa Brought Me a New Phone, Part II – Geekazine
  2010http://bit.ly/5HQjZTabout 20 hours ago from TweetMeme
• #Podcast Ep 119 Going now. (Broadcasting live
  athttp://ustre.am/mD4)about 23 hours ago from Ustream
• #Podcast starting at the top of the hour. http://live.geekazine.com11:22
  AM Dec 29th from Ping.fm
• #POLL Is SEO/SEM getting useless for
  Websites?http://bit.ly/geekpoll10:59 AM Dec 29th from Ping.fm
• @andrewbrust Why would I unfollow you?10:36 AM Dec
  29th from TweetDeck in reply to andrewbrust
• Happy Blue Moon New Decade! Dorkazine Remembers the
  00’shttp://bit.ly/6F0HnM10:35 AM Dec 29th from TweetMeme
• @ToshibaLaptops did you email? Did I miss it?9:40 AM Dec
  29th from TweetDeck in reply to ToshibaLaptops
• @andrewbrust Sounds like fun. Myself, @geeknews and @axmchave a ton of
  stuff to take to #CES. Should do lunch next week. We all get in Mon9:26
  AM Dec 29th from TweetDeck in reply to andrewbrust
• I Hosted TPN Weekly Ep 37 – Year in Review – Geekazine
  2010http://bit.ly/8K9Keg12:55 AM Dec 29th from TweetMeme
• Day in Tech History Dec 29 – Commodore Sold Again – Geekazine
  2010 http://bit.ly/4ITRBp12:55 AM Dec 29th from TweetMeme
• Starting Live edition of TPN Weekly in 5 minutes. Come join
  me!http://live.geekazine.com5:11 PM Dec 28th from Ping.fm
• #CES peeps – Who is staying at the Monte Carlo? We should figure out a
  time to talk.11:22 AM Dec 28th from TweetDeck
• TONIGHT – Live recording of TPN Weekly – the TechPodcasts Network
  weekly #podcast. http://live.geekazine.com 8 PM EST10:45 AM Dec
  28th from TweetDeck
• @ToshibaLaptops We should set up a time. Email me at geekazine at gmail
  dot com for our cameras to stop by.10:44 AM Dec 28th from TweetDeck in
  reply to ToshibaLaptops
• @LindsayG I know what your talking about. Productive may be tougher
  today. Maybe some coffee would help (for me, anyway…)8:22 AM Dec
  28th from TweetDeck in reply to LindsayG
• Win a new Canon 5DMKII or $2700 of photo printing/product from
  @WHCCPro & Scott Bourne. Pls RT. Info: http://bit.ly/6Mtx9I8:21 AM Dec
  28th from TweetDeck
• Day in Tech History Dec 28 – Compuserve Blocks 200 sites – Geekazine
  2010 http://bit.ly/7cWZdo11:53 PM Dec 27th from TweetMeme
• @thekenyeung what hotel u staying at?11:01 PM Dec 27th from TweetDeck
• @thekenyeung but your going this year, right? Should be a blast10:23 PM
  Dec 27th from TweetDeck
• @thekenyeung did we meet last #ces at cntrstg?9:57 PM Dec
  27th from TweetDeck
• @MiranMaric email me at geekazine at gmail dot com and let’s talk about
  it.8:04 PM Dec 27th from TweetDeck
• Tomorrow 8 PM EST – Recording Ep 37 of TechPodcasts Weekly: Year in
  Review LIVE http://live.geekazine.com6:21 PM Dec 27th from Ping.fm
• RT @iPhoneLife: Writers and bloggers – opps for getting published in
  iPhone Life magazine, Booth 4642 #CES4:11 PM Dec 27th from TweetDeck
• #CES More cool news shaping here. Still have interview times available.
  geekazine at gmail dot com4:08 PM Dec 27th from TweetDeck
• @yogencharger Looks cool. Send me an email – geekazine at gmail dot com.
  Let’s figure out a time to talk next week.10:35 AM Dec
  27th from TweetDeck in reply to yogencharger
• 3rd Annual Geekazine and Friends 2010 #Predictions - Geekazine
  2010 http://bit.ly/8fGSSy10:32 AM Dec 27th from Ping.fm
• #CES TechPodcast Network will Decend on #Vegas Next Monday. Still have
  interview slots available. Who wants to be seen by 15 Million
  people?8:48 AM Dec 27th from TweetDeck
• @shopgadgetgirl Always like to meet new people. I’ll see you there!8:35
  AM Dec 27th from TweetDeck in reply to shopgadgetgirl
• @smaknews I read. He said idiot. Would it have been better to say
  foolish Bc its the same thing. Take your advice – focus from the
  begining12:26 AM Dec 27th from TweetDeck in reply to smaknews
• @Scobleizer don’t worry what @smaknews says. I agree on your article
  Besides -if you read her tweets you’ll see she’s not helping her
  cause.9:46 PM Dec 26th from TweetDeck
• @waltribeiro are you going to #ces? Let’s meetup!7:35 PM Dec
  26th from TweetDeck
• Posted ‘Win7 Tip – Resize windows’ to
  blip.tv:http://blip.tv/file/30163601:25 AM Dec 26th from blip.tv
• Day in Tech History – the $200 a share Apple – Geekazine
  2010http://bit.ly/7CbJDH11:36 PM Dec 25th from TweetMeme
• @StockTalker Well then, if they want, Im finishing up my 2010
  predictions. I would love to get a traders thoughts on what’s going to
  happen.5:53 PM Dec 25th from TweetDeck in reply to StockTalker
• Did anyone else notice that before the holiday weekend Apple’s stock
  jumped up? Is there a big rumor that I missed?5:33 PM Dec
  25th from TweetDeck
• I just ate a whole bag of Pistachios. They’re like crack to me. Now I
  need more…4:31 PM Dec 25th from TweetDeck
• Finishing up annual 2010 predictions. Any you want to share?2:43 PM Dec
  25th from TweetDeck
• @jrpowers Hey namesake. Great iPhone apps! Snapture will be used
  at #CES9:17 AM Dec 25th from web
• Day in Tech History Dec 25 – Y2K Compliance – Geekazine
  2010http://bit.ly/55vaag11:00 PM Dec 24th from TweetMeme
• @Norbtek you’ve been tweeting longer than I at this address – nov 8
  200710:13 PM Dec 24th from TweetDeck
• 5 Tech Things Ep 19 – 5 Tech Things You Should Get Yourself – Geekazine
  2010 http://bit.ly/4Osm4D3:49 PM Dec 24th from TweetMeme
• So if #pepsi is ditching the superbowl for social media, how long before
  my shows are sponsored by pepsi?3:33 PM Dec 24th from TweetDeck
• Posted ’5 Tech Things Ep 19 – 5 Tech Things you Should Get Yourself’ to
  blip.tv: http://blip.tv/file/30133342:50 PM Dec 24th from blip.tv
• Day in Tech History Dec 24 – Watch out for Werewolves – Geekazine
  2010 http://bit.ly/8q9Alv7:41 PM Dec 23rd from TweetMeme
• #Podcast Ep 118 – Jam Packed Show Before the Holidays! – Geekazine
  2010 http://bit.ly/7qJILk6:47 PM Dec 23rd from TweetMeme
• Day in Tech History Dec 23 – Santa Found via Google Earth – Geekazine
  2010 http://bit.ly/5c64726:47 PM Dec 23rd from TweetMeme
• Jailbroke the second iPhone for use at #CES - don’t worry. I also
  changed the SSH to avoid rickrolling…6:27 PM Dec 23rd from Ping.fm
• @dpolitis We should talk before then. I have some great opportunities.
  DM me or email geekazine at gmail dot com5:19 PM Dec
  23rd from TweetDeck in reply to dpolitis
• @caffination that’s ok. Neither do I. I’ll have to visit so we can have
  cheesesteaks7:02 PM Dec 22nd from TweetDeck
• #CES 2010 social stream using
  Coveritlivehttp://www.geekazine.com/ces/ces-2010-social-stream4:57 PM
  Dec 22nd from Ping.fm
• @dpolitis Ill be there. That should be fun.4:36 PM Dec
  22nd from TweetDeck in reply to dpolitis
• @samlevin Must be nice to be Tiger. I hope Nike gives $$ for 100 people
  that require plastic surgery and NEED the help.3:45 PM Dec
  22nd from TweetDeck in reply to samlevin
• After breaking the #HP Data Vault beyond repair (software wise), I
  erased all drives and did a full Recovery3:41 PM Dec 22nd from Ping.fm
• @caffination I’d get you one, but the shipping time would be horrendous
  and the PCS would be cold.1:48 PM Dec 22nd from TweetDeck in reply to
  caffination
• @TonyWalla Gotta love it, eh?1:48 PM Dec 22nd from TweetDeck in reply to
  TonyWalla
• @caffination Ahh. Didn’t that storm happen a few days ago? What is
  taking so long?12:26 PM Dec 22nd from TweetDeck in reply to caffination
• #Podcast starting in 30 minutes (Broadcasting live
  athttp://ustre.am/mD4)12:05 PM Dec 22nd from Ustream
• Fun #POLL this week: Is a Snuggie an Ugly Sweater (for those Ugly
  Sweater Parties)? http://bit.ly/geekpoll11:36 AM Dec 22nd from Ping.fm
• @caffination What’s wrong with Chinese food?11:24 AM Dec
  22nd from TweetDeck in reply to caffination
• @CaliLewis I come up to a blank screen on your link9:36 AM Dec
  22nd from TweetDeck
• I need the form of Holiday cheer in Coffee.9:25 AM Dec 22nd from Ping.fm
• @iizLiz It’s not about that. It’s about time tested material. With the
  Snuggie, you pay $30 and you have an “ulgy sweater”.8:58 AM Dec
  22nd from TweetDeck in reply to iizLiz
• @iizLiz It did get worn to one. I didn’t give bonus points. The way I
  see it, it’s like bringing a store bought cake to a bake-off.7:24 AM Dec
  22nd from TweetDeck in reply to iizLiz
• Bing! Bang! Bust! TM! – Geekazine 2010 http://bit.ly/8gRM3e7:05 AM Dec
  22nd from TweetMeme
• Day in Tech History Dec. 22 – the Euphonium – Geekazine
  2010http://bit.ly/5Qd8vk7:05 AM Dec 22nd from TweetMeme
• Is a snuggie concidered an ugly sweater?9:02 PM Dec 21st from Ping.fm
• #CES Just sent out invites to the TechPodcast Coverage. Didn’t get an
  invite? Email me at geekazine at gmail dot com – Subject: CES
  coverage5:05 PM Dec 21st from TweetDeck
• #CES #CES10 Making plans – who to interview. Want to be considered?
  Email me at geekazine@gmail.com w/ subject CES10 & well talk8:44 AM Dec
  21st from TweetDeck
• @kodakCB email me at geekazine@gmail.com and I’ll put it in my event
  planner8:42 AM Dec 21st from TweetDeck
• Posted ‘Happy Fricken Holidays’ to
  blip.tv: http://blip.tv/file/29975462:35 PM Dec 20th from blip.tv Continue reading “2009 in Twitter Posts” »

It’s that time of year again. The 3rd annual Geekazine yearly predictions are coming in. People are letting me know what they think will happen in 2010, along with my thoughts.

But before we get to 2010, we want to see how well we did for 2009. So here it is: Last years’ predictions and what actually happened.

Green Technology –Green IT will continue to be a focus for the enterprise, not only because of green issues, but also because of the cost of power. For the first time, businesses are really looking at their energy consumption and examining where they consume energy in the network. To reduce energy costs, enterprises will focus on virtualization in the data center and on Power Efficient Ethernet (PEE).

Metroethernet in WAN – We will see a move to metroethernet and managed services. This is already happening in EMEA but we will see the trend develop in North America. Service providers will have to look at how to generate revenue. In addition, the bandwidth scaling required by video,  SaaS, and cloud computing will drive organizations to demand new access solutions to enable these transformational technologies to be used effectively.

Social Systems in the Workplace – The adoption of IM and presence is opening the door to more social networking to enter the workplace.  Technologies once thought of in the “play” space such as virtual environments will begin to see adoption into the “work” world.  As the requirements for user acceptance are different, these new iterations of social technologies will be optimized for the work world.

- Phil Edholm, CTO Nortel’s Enterprise Networks group

Phil kept things general, and although the Green Technology is continually happening, I don’t think we reached the Metroethernet nor the Workplace Social Systems just yet. They are still in infancy, so these things will be true eventually. For now, we sit and wait.

Continue reading “Did the Geekazine 2009 Predictions Come True?” »