Monday, March 24, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
You Tube Makes Lonely Girl Famous
Doron's Take:
What started off as a lonely girl's video diary ended up being revealed as a hoax created by a Hollywood talent agency. It could have backfired but instead led to fame and fortune and the cover of Wired Magazine and stories in NYT, etc. What does this say about our society and new media? It means the balance of power has shifted to us as Time Magazine said last year when it voted YOU the Person of the Year.
Read the story in Wired: "She is a high school girl with swooping eyebrows, boy problems, and a webcam willing to listen. The room behind her could be anywhere in America – there's a pink floral-print bedspread, a half-dozen stuffed animals, and a framed picture of a rose on the wall..."
What started off as a lonely girl's video diary ended up being revealed as a hoax created by a Hollywood talent agency. It could have backfired but instead led to fame and fortune and the cover of Wired Magazine and stories in NYT, etc. What does this say about our society and new media? It means the balance of power has shifted to us as Time Magazine said last year when it voted YOU the Person of the Year.
Read the story in Wired: "She is a high school girl with swooping eyebrows, boy problems, and a webcam willing to listen. The room behind her could be anywhere in America – there's a pink floral-print bedspread, a half-dozen stuffed animals, and a framed picture of a rose on the wall..."
Edelman Releases Trust Barometer: Who Do We Trust?
Doron's Take:
It's not a big surprise that we trust our friends and relatives for purchase decisions, etc. more than we do companies like Apple, Microsoft or Procter and Gamble and people like doctors or academic experts.
Edelman released a study that says: "Global opinion leaders say their most credible source of information about a company is now “a person like me,” which has risen dramatically to surpass doctors and academic experts for the first time, according to the seventh annual Edelman Trust Barometer, a survey of nearly 2,000 opinion leaders in 11 countries. In the U.S., trust in “a person like me” increased from 20% in 2003 to 68% today. Opinion leaders also consider rank-and-file employees more credible spokespersons than corporate CEOs (42% vs. 28% in the U.S.)."
It's not a big surprise that we trust our friends and relatives for purchase decisions, etc. more than we do companies like Apple, Microsoft or Procter and Gamble and people like doctors or academic experts.
Edelman released a study that says: "Global opinion leaders say their most credible source of information about a company is now “a person like me,” which has risen dramatically to surpass doctors and academic experts for the first time, according to the seventh annual Edelman Trust Barometer, a survey of nearly 2,000 opinion leaders in 11 countries. In the U.S., trust in “a person like me” increased from 20% in 2003 to 68% today. Opinion leaders also consider rank-and-file employees more credible spokespersons than corporate CEOs (42% vs. 28% in the U.S.)."
New Media Boot Camp
I'm in NYC this week for Eric Schwartzman's New Media Boot Camp. Hopefully I'll learn everything I did not know but that there is to know about blogs, search engine optimization, podcasts, RSS and social media.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Japan To Bail out America?
Doron's Take:
In a move to expand out of Japan, senior sources at the “big three” Tokyo megabanks told The Financial Times today that they had readied a combined cashpile of as much as $10 billion and were open to negotiation with any struggling Wall Street bank that approached them for a cash infusion. You might ask why Japan? I think the Japanese banks are smelling opportunity here to expand overseas operations after over 20 years of operating in the strict confines of Japan's domestic market after the bursting of the Japanese bubble.
In a move to expand out of Japan, senior sources at the “big three” Tokyo megabanks told The Financial Times today that they had readied a combined cashpile of as much as $10 billion and were open to negotiation with any struggling Wall Street bank that approached them for a cash infusion. You might ask why Japan? I think the Japanese banks are smelling opportunity here to expand overseas operations after over 20 years of operating in the strict confines of Japan's domestic market after the bursting of the Japanese bubble.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Oracle Buys BEA
Doron's Take:
Oracle continues on its buying spree. The acquisition of BEA propels Oracle ahead of IBM and makes them the number one player in middleware. Middleware is a general term for any programming that serves to "glue together" or mediate between two separate and often already existing programs. Middleware is typically used for messaging so that different applications can communicate together. Looks to be a great deal for both companies. Interesting to see what the two companies' customers think?
Oracle continues on its buying spree. The acquisition of BEA propels Oracle ahead of IBM and makes them the number one player in middleware. Middleware is a general term for any programming that serves to "glue together" or mediate between two separate and often already existing programs. Middleware is typically used for messaging so that different applications can communicate together. Looks to be a great deal for both companies. Interesting to see what the two companies' customers think?
Saturday, January 12, 2008
India Unveils World's Cheapest Car
Doron's Take:
For the same price as a high-end DVD player, India unveiled the world's cheapest car today. Read Jim's post on it here. I'm skeptical that it will really be a disruptive innovation. There's been a lot of innovative cars launched over the last 10 years, how many of them really caught on with the masses? Filling it up with gas for 6 months is about the same cost as the car. How useful is the low cost of the car if all the car's doing is sitting on people's driveways cause they can't afford to gas it up?
For the same price as a high-end DVD player, India unveiled the world's cheapest car today. Read Jim's post on it here. I'm skeptical that it will really be a disruptive innovation. There's been a lot of innovative cars launched over the last 10 years, how many of them really caught on with the masses? Filling it up with gas for 6 months is about the same cost as the car. How useful is the low cost of the car if all the car's doing is sitting on people's driveways cause they can't afford to gas it up?
Friday, January 11, 2008
Is Sun/Google Android fight overblown?
Doron's Take:
From what Jonathan Schwartz has been saying, it doesn't look like he's looking for a fight with Google! Read his blog post on the partnership here for more.
Sun/Google Android “fight” overblown by ZDNet's Ed Burnette -- Ever since Google kicked off the Open Handset Alliance and released the "gPhone" Android SDK for mobile devices, the blogosphere has been buzzing about a new conflict brewing between Sun and Google over the future of Java. But I'm here to tell you, it's all bunk.
From what Jonathan Schwartz has been saying, it doesn't look like he's looking for a fight with Google! Read his blog post on the partnership here for more.
Sun/Google Android “fight” overblown by ZDNet's Ed Burnette -- Ever since Google kicked off the Open Handset Alliance and released the "gPhone" Android SDK for mobile devices, the blogosphere has been buzzing about a new conflict brewing between Sun and Google over the future of Java. But I'm here to tell you, it's all bunk.
Facebook Founder Goes on 60 Minutes
Doron's Take:
Turn on your t.v. this Sunday at 7 pm for an interview with Facebook founder, Zuckerberg. I'm sure it'll be a worthwhile one. The reporter Stahl focuses heavily on the controversy surrounding Beacon, the advertising beacon used by Facebook. We all heard the story of the guy who bought his girfriend a diamond ring online and before he knew it his girlfriend and his entire Facebook network knew about it. Well, so much for the surprise proposal he planned for his girlfriend.
Facebook, one of the fastest growing sites online has 60 million users. Zuckerberg started Facebook while a student at Harvard and he's now worth $3 billion based on the Microsoft deal. But sounds like the $ hasn't gone to his head yet as he showed up to the interview in sweatshirt and sandals. :-)
Click here now for a preview, 60 Minutes interview with Zuckerberg. He'll speak to Beacon, the controversial advertising device many accused of invading the privacy of Facebook users.
Turn on your t.v. this Sunday at 7 pm for an interview with Facebook founder, Zuckerberg. I'm sure it'll be a worthwhile one. The reporter Stahl focuses heavily on the controversy surrounding Beacon, the advertising beacon used by Facebook. We all heard the story of the guy who bought his girfriend a diamond ring online and before he knew it his girlfriend and his entire Facebook network knew about it. Well, so much for the surprise proposal he planned for his girlfriend.
Facebook, one of the fastest growing sites online has 60 million users. Zuckerberg started Facebook while a student at Harvard and he's now worth $3 billion based on the Microsoft deal. But sounds like the $ hasn't gone to his head yet as he showed up to the interview in sweatshirt and sandals. :-)
Click here now for a preview, 60 Minutes interview with Zuckerberg. He'll speak to Beacon, the controversial advertising device many accused of invading the privacy of Facebook users.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Intel Leaves One Laptop Per Child Project
Doron's Take:
In reading the buzz around the below news today, it sounds like Intel didn't want to do what Negroponte wanted which was to stop selling its Classmate PC while it was part of the OLPC, which is currently shipping its XO laptop based on a chip from AMD.
CNET reports that after settling their dispute just 6 months ago, Intel and Nicholas Negroponte have parted ways. The two had joined forces in bringing PCs to children around the world.
Negroponte's One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project had brought Intel on board as a partner and a possible future supplier. Intel was the 11th member of the OLPC's board, joining other companies such as Google, eBay, Nortel and Intel's bitter rival Advanced Micro Devices.
In reading the buzz around the below news today, it sounds like Intel didn't want to do what Negroponte wanted which was to stop selling its Classmate PC while it was part of the OLPC, which is currently shipping its XO laptop based on a chip from AMD.
CNET reports that after settling their dispute just 6 months ago, Intel and Nicholas Negroponte have parted ways. The two had joined forces in bringing PCs to children around the world.
Negroponte's One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project had brought Intel on board as a partner and a possible future supplier. Intel was the 11th member of the OLPC's board, joining other companies such as Google, eBay, Nortel and Intel's bitter rival Advanced Micro Devices.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Apple's iPhone Voted One of Top Tech Disappointments for 2007
Doron's Take:
I don't own an iPhone yet but from what everyone tells me who does, Apple has had a few setbacks on this front. First, they reduced the price by $200 a few months after introducing it thereby affecting a core group of customers (early adopters) who bought it at the original price. Secondly, they forced people who were with Verizon, T-Mobile, etc. to switch to AT&T if they ever hoped to activate their phones.
Don Reisinger had an interesting post on the subject and why the iPhone is one of the top tech disappointments of 2007. PC World also voted it one of the top disappointments for 2007.
I don't own an iPhone yet but from what everyone tells me who does, Apple has had a few setbacks on this front. First, they reduced the price by $200 a few months after introducing it thereby affecting a core group of customers (early adopters) who bought it at the original price. Secondly, they forced people who were with Verizon, T-Mobile, etc. to switch to AT&T if they ever hoped to activate their phones.
Don Reisinger had an interesting post on the subject and why the iPhone is one of the top tech disappointments of 2007. PC World also voted it one of the top disappointments for 2007.
Verizon Rated Number One in Cell Phone Service Quality
Doron's Take:
I always thought AT&T lagged behind. They definitely outpace all the other providers in advertising and PR but that doesn't always mean you're #1, does it? Read the latest cell phone services rankings here.
I always thought AT&T lagged behind. They definitely outpace all the other providers in advertising and PR but that doesn't always mean you're #1, does it? Read the latest cell phone services rankings here.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Forbes Writer Comments on Rise of India and China
Jim has a link to an NPR interview with Forbes journalist Robyn Meredith. Did you know that the main chip for the iPod was manufactured in India? Click here to listen to how India and China led to the global iPod revolution and how they are leading the overall global economic revolution.
Gartner warns companies to slow social networking adoption
Doron's Take:
Companies need to adapt to new mediums of communication including social networking. Fear of spread of intellectual property should not be a deciding factor. Guidelines can be put in place so that employees are aware of their limitations. Employees will not necesarrily use the company's social networking platform buy may continue using one they are already familiar with whether that be linkenin.com or facebook.com. Read the CNET article here.
Companies need to adapt to new mediums of communication including social networking. Fear of spread of intellectual property should not be a deciding factor. Guidelines can be put in place so that employees are aware of their limitations. Employees will not necesarrily use the company's social networking platform buy may continue using one they are already familiar with whether that be linkenin.com or facebook.com. Read the CNET article here.
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
Disney to Launch Cell Phone Service in Japan
Doron's Take:
Disney's announcement today that they're going to jointly develop mobile phones and content could have interesting implications for the wireless industry.
It's interesting because Disney has already halted its U.S.-based phone service. The company has decided to target their efforts only in Japan instead. Disney and Japanese mobile phone carrier Softbank Corp. announced that the two companies would jointly develop mobile phones and content. The cell phone carrier services will launch in Q1 2008. Disney took a $30 million charge last year when it shut down another phone service, Mobile ESPN, which it ran on Sprint Nextel's network. It will be interesting to see how this deal pans out long-term.
Disney's announcement today that they're going to jointly develop mobile phones and content could have interesting implications for the wireless industry.
It's interesting because Disney has already halted its U.S.-based phone service. The company has decided to target their efforts only in Japan instead. Disney and Japanese mobile phone carrier Softbank Corp. announced that the two companies would jointly develop mobile phones and content. The cell phone carrier services will launch in Q1 2008. Disney took a $30 million charge last year when it shut down another phone service, Mobile ESPN, which it ran on Sprint Nextel's network. It will be interesting to see how this deal pans out long-term.
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