Lighter Shades of Green…
Had an interesting conversation with a reporter earlier this week on the topic of “green tech.” Green tech has always been one of those loosely defined segments of consumer tech. Many want to box it concretely – but increasingly green is a story of relativism instead of absoluteness. Many (dare I say most) consumer electronics […]
Conduits of Content
In a few weeks I’m speaking briefly on a call with executives at Korn/Ferry – the world’s largest executive recruiting firm. My remarks will cover major trends in the consumer tech space and how the global search for talent will be impacted. For several years now, I’ve talked about companies reaching to create a 360 […]
Evolutionary Currents: Adding Context to the Nook Color Upgrade
This week Barnes & Noble upgraded the software running on their Nook Color e-reader tablets. Users can now access apps, have email pushed to the device and watch flash videos. There are a variety of reviews on the web (see: here, here, and here) discussing the anticipated update so here I’ll take a differ tack […]
on Kindle Pricing Part II
Last week I provided an estimate of the implied revenue Amazon expects to earn in advertising from the newly discounted Kindle with Special Offers. I happened to catch MG Siegler’s post on TechCrunch on the same topic. Siegler takes an approach I heard frequently immediately following the announcement, namely that $25 isn’t a strong enough discount. Amazon should have been more aggressive and marked the device […]
The Value of Advertising on the Kindle
Amazon recently announced they would sell a new Kindle with “Special Offers”version. Kindle with “Special Offers” has the same specs as their WiFi-only Kindle but will include advertisements as the screen saver and on the home screen bar. In exchange, Amazon will only change $114. In all likelihood Kindle hardware will one day be free (or close to free) because of cross subsidization […]
2011 CES Tablets
In October I said I expected 80+ tablet launches at 2011 CES. AS CES approached it was clear 2011 was going to be the year of the tablet and a few days before the show I said that my 80+ estimate was looking conservative. I updated my expectations and said I wouldn’t be surprised by 100+ tablet launches […]
The Revealing Insights of App Downloads and What it Teaches Us about Hardware
What apps are downloaded (or conversely not downloaded) tell us much about a given individual’s tastes and preferences. These metrics in aggregate tell us even more about the desired use-case scenarios of hardware. Last week Apple released their iTunes Rewind 2010 where they highlight the top performing apps for 2010. They did this in 2009, […]
Kindle v. iPad: Value Positions, and Why Selling Hardware on Specs Alone is Dead
On Monday Amazon premiered a new Kindle commercial during Good Morning America. The ad (above) portrays two individuals trying to read poolside – one on an iPad and one on the new Kindle. The essence of the commercial touts the relative readability of Kindle’s e-ink display in direct sunlight. Commentary (for example: here and […]
Rethinking the Context of Connectivity
Last week I spoke at that the Digital Media Conference where I shared some of the following thoughts on connectivity and Internet accessible devices. The number of devices connecting to the Web via cellular, wireless, or wired connections continues to proliferate. But many of these devices frame the value of connection within a historical context. […]
Long-run implications of the Death of Kin: Why Blockbusters must be Blockbusters Quicker
Much has been written about the “death” of Microsoft’s Kin (see: here, here, and here). The focus of these analyses has centered on what might have gone wrong. I’d like to focus on something slightly different. In the death of the Kin phone I think we see something that has greater implications for technology innovation. […]
