Mobile video and iPhones

Posted by matthew on Jun 27, 2007 in Web/Tech | 0 comments

I try to keep these posts short, mostly because I don’t like to read long blog posts online. In that spirit, this might be a two or three-part post.

Lost in all the iPhone hype, in my opinion, has been AppleTV. For content producers, I think this is the real killer app. The mobile research firm Telephia released a report that states 8.4 million people in the US subscribed to mobile video services in the first quarter. That is a 155% increase over 2006, but it only represents 3.6% of all mobile subscribers.

Watching any video that lasts more than 60 seconds becomes less about the content, however, and more about the experience. Is watching an iPod screen or telephone screen for 10, 30 or 60 minutes really the best experience? While there are certain circumstances where we make concessions (plane flights, commuting to work via bus or train, etc.), if you really want to dig in and enjoy some video, obviously this experience leaves a lot to be desired. This, I think, is where AppleTV comes in. While the major networks are continuing to lose their primacy in favor of podcasters, at the end of the day (literally), we all want to watch this stuff on the couch on our TVs. AppleTV makes this possible at a very high quality.

THAT is the killer app.

Our take on the iPhone

Posted by matthew on Jun 26, 2007 in Web/Tech | 0 comments

We get lots of questions about the iPhone: what do we think of it? Are going to buy one? What does it mean for cell phones in this country?

While 99% of the discussion is pure speculation until the phone hits the street on June 29, there is certainly tremendous POTENTIAL in the iPhone as a device. In the first place, the ability to have a great three-in-one device will certainly free up a lot of pocket or purse space. Everyone who has an iPod knows how great they are. Everyone who already has a Treo or Blackberry knows that the web surfing experience is not analogous to that of your computer. A phone, video iPod and powerful browser and e-mail tool could certainly be a welcome addition to those of us who wish all these things could be joined as one. The real proof will be in how well Safari works and whether it really does replicate the experience we all have when we’re online from our desktops or laptops.

Apple has a history of getting people very excited about products and, while there have been a few letdowns over the years, their track record has been pretty good. I heard one pundit refer to this as the "largest consumer product launch in history." Apple and AT&T certainly have a lot riding on its success, and naysayers will jump on the smallest glitch to say "I told you so."

Our attitude is basically "wait and see." I seldom jump on the first version of anything, but if it even lives up to half of what they are claiming, I think we might witness a real sea change in mobile communication. And why not? Are any of us REALLY in love with our phones?

If you’re dying for more iPhone news, we suggest giving a listen to our friends over at ApplePhoneShow.com.

Intention

Posted by matthew on Jun 24, 2007 in Culture | 0 comments

Many people fail in life, not for the lack of ability or brains or even courage, but simply because they have never organized their energies around a goal.
Elbert Hubbard

It is critical to act deliberately within the field of feelings, thoughts, words and deeds. The clearer we are about our purpose, or where we want to go, the easier it is to get there and to actually know when we have arrived.
 

Technology let us down…but we’re back!

Posted by matthew on Jun 23, 2007 in Weblogs | 0 comments

If you live by the new media sword…

Thanks to all of our subscribers who wrote in wondering why they had not received any e-mail from us lately. Seems as if there was a slight problem with our feed which prevented e-mails from going out. All is well now, but the problem came about at the worst time, so let’s recap:

We are proud to announce the launch of the Clearcast Digital Media blog en Español. Responding to the dearth of solid technology and new media communications information on the web, Fernando has taken matters into his own hands and is the author of a fantastically written, compelling and informative blog for those who prefer to get their info in Spanish. Please check it out and forward the link.

Also, we released another podcast episode featuring an absorbing interview with producer and webby award winner Chi Chi Pierce. She now teaches television production at a Turner Technical High School, and we spend some time talking about the role of new media across the generational divide.

Lastly, but not leastly, we have redesigned the blog to make it a bit more eye-catching. We hope you like it.

Please check in on the blog if you don’t hear from us for awhile. We try and post at least twice a week. And if you are not already an e-mail subscriber, go ahead and sign up. Same goes for our podcast- you can subscribe via iTunes. It’s all about staying in touch, and thanks again to those of you who wondered where we were. We haven’t gone anywhere, but sometimes the wires get crossed.

New media and education

Posted by matthew on Jun 21, 2007 in Podcasts | 0 comments

On this week’s podcast, we are joined by producer and educator Chi Chi Pierce. Winner of a Webby award and an Emmy, Chi Chi now teaches television production to high school students. It is a  fascinating discussion about the different roles new media plays across generations.

We are also very proud to announce the launch of the Clearcast Digital Media blog en espanol! For those of you who wish to follow new media trends in Spanish, sign up here.