An Integrated Hardware/Software Approach
Over the last few weeks both Google (see Nexus Tablet and Nexus Q) and Microsoft (see Surface) have announced major hardware initiatives. In both cases, these hardware initiatives have been primarily focused on the mobile/tablet ecosystem. Even Microsoft’s recent software announcement – Microsoft SmartGlass – is targeting the growing tablet ecosystem. Both companies are taking a more hands-on […]
Tablet and eReader Ownership – How to Read Apple’s Numbers
Later today, Apple will report Q1 figures. We know much has changed in the tablet market over the last three months. Earlier this week, Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project reported tablet and eReader ownership (unsurprisingly) surged during the 2011 holiday season. This is consistent with what I expected (and subsequently reported) following Black Friday […]
eReaders Taking Over B&M Stores
The WSJ reported Barnes and Nobles is upping the ante on the Nook – giving it 2,000+ square feet of showroom in 40+ stores. That represents nearly 10% of the average store size.
the next mainstream phone sensor
One of the next sensors to become mainsteam on the phone will be a photoplethysmographic sensor.
Kindle’s move into Public Libraries
Last week Kindle announced their move into the libraries. You can read more here: (press release, NYTimes article, Kindle site on how it works). There has been much talk in the past how Kindle, and eReaders generally, will play an influence role in education. This move into libraries will serve as an important catalyst. It will be years before eReaders […]
What to Expect from the Moto Acquisition
The big news in tech today was of course Google’s acquisition of Motorola Mobility. Google dipped into it’s roughly $39 billion in cash and agreed to pay $12.5 billion (or $40/share) – a 60+ percent premium over Friday’s close. You can read some of the coverage here: Google’s blog post on the acquisition, TechCrunch, TechCocktail, […]
BBY, Connected TVs, and the Innovator’s Dilemma in Action
BestBuy recently announced they would launch a connected TV under the Insignia brand using the Tivo user interface. This is a great example of the Innovator’s Dilemma in action. The Insignia brand is one of Best Buy’s house brands. It (like other private label brands) is frequently used as the opening price point for devices. House brands tend to […]
Are Multi-function Devices Killing Single Purpose Devices?
IHS iSuppli recently projected sluggish growth for single-purpose consumer tech devices like MP3 players, PNDs, and digital cameras. At the same time they expect multi-function devices like smartphones and tablets to enjoy strong double-digit growth over the same horizon The IHS iSuppli statement quotes, Jordan Selburn as saying, The success of multipurpose electronic equipment, often coming […]
Toys“R”Us Picks-up Kindle
At the end of the month, Toys“R”Us will begin selling Amazon’s Kindle (see Retailing Today, Mashable, Reuters, LA Times). This is a natural extention of its existing non-Amazon retail strategy (which already includes Target, Best Buy, RadioShack and AT&T stores). More importantly, I think it targets an important segment of the population primed for an […]
When eReaders grow-up to be Tablets
What happens when eReaders grow up to be tablets? This morphing is already well underway. Barnes & Noble has always referred to the Color Nook as a tablet eReader – with tablet being the operative word. At their event this week. B&N claimed the Color Nook is the top selling android tablet in the market. […]
