Now there’s a headline that could only be born in this one-to-many era.
It’s the British Ricky Gervais Show, and the podcast in particular was downloaded 261,670 times.
See the facinating story here.
Communications
‘Origami’ teaser. Will this be an iPod killer?
Microsoft is running a teaser campaign at Origami Project and this is the signal to a war we are going to see between the old rivals once again.
Lots of speculation on what this device will be, including Scoble’s cryptic post, and 102 reader comments. My guess is that it’s a portable media center aimed squarley at the iPod –or rather, where the iPod is headed.
Why? Microsoft has seen Apple unstoppable force in the MP3 revolution, and is not going to wait around for Apple to lead the wireless revolution as well. Expect a pre-emptive strike at the territory that the Apple designers are scoping out.
Podcasting picks up –sloooowly
How widespread is podcasting? It’s still a fringe media activity, because companies are still givibg it the blog treatment –waiting to see if it will be a passing fad.
MediaPost, an advertising and media portal reported in its January 06 conference how Whirlpool found podcasting to be a valuable part of its marketing mix. (Check the number of podcasts Whirlpool has available for download on its site.)
MediaPost puts things in perspective, noting that back in 2002, interactive and online advertising was not on the radar of most big name advertisers who "had to be coaxed, bribed, guaranteed, shamed, tricked and otherwise coerced into rediscovering the Internet."
Podcasting may prove itself faster, without the shaming and bribing.
Swiss Army Mp3 Player
For those of us who are tired of hearing the word ‘tool’ describe any feature or service, there’s relief. An Mp3 player with a voice recorder, a nail file and a pair of scissors!
It’s the Swiss Army Knife for the digital age, called the S.Beat. And for those wondering how the heck it will be allowed through airport security, there’s a travel-friendly version -with no sharp devices! Communicators will love this, um, tool.
This, of course follows, earlier versions from Victorinox that had a credit card sized device with a ball-point pen, and more recently the multi-purpose knife with a flash memory stick. What’s next? A built in digital camera?
Edgio has arrived
Just saw an invitation from Edgio to check the service. Basically it’s a listing service, and will work by trawling the Web looking for posts that have the word ‘listing’ in it. Whatever is listed is automatially added to the edgio database. Of course the sites must be RSS enabled.
So Edgio is a local listing service, with a difference –its services can be searched through a RSS reader. The edgio blog explains the business idea in more detail.
Chilling Effects –know your rights
In the current discussion of free speech, it’s good to see a project called Chilling Effects which is a collaboration betwen the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the big law schools: Harvard, Stanford, Berkeley, University of San Francisco, University of Maine, George Washington, and Santa Clara.
The purpose? The site puts it this way:
"to support lawful online activity against the chill of unwarranted legal threats. We are excited about the new opportunities the Internet offers individuals to express their views, parody politicians, celebrate favorite stars, or criticize businesses, but concerned that not everyone feels the same way."
And so, the Chilling Effects project is there to give people a better idea of their legal rights in respond.
Digital imaging overtakes film
This story, buried in the New York Times of 01/31/ (based on an AP report on 01/3006) :
"For the first time, the Eastman Kodak company is generating more annual sales from digital imaging than from film-based photography.
If you’re interested in trends like this, as I am, here are 2 more:
>Electronic payments in the U.S. overtook checks in 2003.
>Consumer spending trumped all the money dumped into advertising in 2005.
Evelyn Rodriguez in Sri Lanka
Thirteen months after the tsunami in Asia, you don’t see much coverage. Not surprising, if you understand the media news cycle, and the need to go after breaking news. The back story get’s tucked into special sections, or is occasionally picked up by NPR.
But there’s one person who’s making it her story. Take a look at Evelyn Rodriguez’s blog at Tsunami Anniversary as she winds her way through the countries affected by the tsunami. Terrific work.
Evelyn, a Silicon Valley-based writer on technology, marketing and grass roots media, is in Sri Lanka this week. As she tells me, she’s so busy swapping SIM cards, and experiencing the culture that the real writing will have to wait.
TV commercials, still entertaining
I often take to task the role of TV advertising in this age of so many other targeted media options. But to give credit where credit is due, some commercials still do a great job of telling a story in 30 seconds, making the product stand out as hero etc.
This spot for McDonald’s from what I occasionally call ‘analog agencies’, does just that, and nicely weaves in the importance of the digital age.
The scene: An elevator. "Shaffer, says a woman dressed in business suit and pearls, just joining him in the elevator, "I’ve been considering you to head up sales." She says this while eyeing his take-out bag of McDonald’s. Shaffer looks pained (plus, there’s a hint of a heavy laptop in a bag slung on his left shoulder.) He hands over his breakfast bag to the lady without a word.
They are joined by a senior management type, who now eyes the bag in the lady’s hands and says "Hansen, I’ve been thinking of you for that new board positon." She hands him the Mcdonald’s bag without a fuss. You wonder how much higher this can go –the seniority, not the elevator. The next stop brings in a slacker type in an ill-fiting jacket and T-shirt. He glances over at the bag and says loudly: "Sure hope I can fix someone’s email today…" The bossman, thrusts the bag into his hands. Close with his cynical smile, the McD’s logo, and tagline: ‘smile.’
I suppose the unspoken line is: Clothing maketh a full man. McDonald’s, a happy man!
Podcasts go to hospital —and college!
Portable lectures? Just like online universities, TV lectures, and homework on Blackboard, we have to assume this is what the digital age will bring.
Six universities are working with Apple, to get their lectures available via iTunes. See story here.
Likewise, here in Arizona, the Arizona Heart Institute & Hospital, a media savvy organization, is making available video podcasts through CVMD.Org, a medical information network it has created for patient education . See story here.
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