I wrote a blog on Zune media Player by Microsoft. Seems like Microsoft is taking one more step in becoming (Multi) media Hardware vendor. There is very interesting statement,
In response to: The software giant’s Zune people at the event were asked whether that was any indication Microsoft might evolve its media player into a cell phone at some point.
“We’re definitely exploring the possibilities,” Chris Stephenson, general manager of global marketing for Zune, told reporters.
What what we need to find whether Zune will have softphone capability or full functional phone. What does this mean,
-> Softphone capability: A software client will provided, which can be sold through current or new telecom operators or MSN Live service can be used as platform to provide end to end communications. In this case. Zune will take advantage of in built WiFi capability to connect to network.
-> Full functional phone: Sold through wireless operators channels and will have all the air interface support. This will need change in basic Zune architecture, as in that case it will be phone first (regulatory commitments) and media device as add on features.
But every thing will come down to one thing, whats the OS of Zune. As I wrote earlier, I am hoping, it will not be Windows. But I may be wrong (I am hearing some version of Windows Mobile is coming as part of this player).
Hey, I am waiting for iPhone now and seems like Nokia Internet Tablet is getting tough competition (what competition.. to me Microsoft can create market.. and Nokia will sell its product.
Most interesting thing all are missing is changing landscape of personal computing devices. In 90's Apple took the approach of Hardware + Software, and Microsoft used the open Hardware architecture to sell its software. After making lot billionaires, Microsoft strategy is nose diving (check 5 years stock prices). Apple is finally showing new Mantra in this new world. (Although I still think, Apple will make more money in from its OS than selling cheap but fantastically designed media devices). Microsoft eventual entry in media device (Zune) and already presence in Gaming platform (XBOX) has again put in direct fight with Apple.
Deja vu..
Cheers...
technorati tags:Microsoft, Apple, Zune, Nokia
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Its like a fashion these days to add 2.0 anything related to web. It all started with AJAX/Community driven concepts/sharing/Mash up.
In between all this, Music (lets talk about audio content only) remained same go either Apple way (cool player, great user experiance with affordable price for content) or every one else (from Napster to go to illegal downloading). In between Sony did biggest blunders, first launching digital music player without MP3 support and finally flawed DRM implementation in Music CD.
Microsoft was sitting at the back trying to put power in almost all non-Apple devices (with DRM and PC based software). Finally Microsoft is in the ring, not for boxing showdown, but for Sumo wrestling.
Microsoft finally launched Zune, its first entry into audio content device (Microsoft is already in gaming, XBOX).
Zune is really making music and content 2.0 in terms of downloading and distribution. Main specs of Zune are,
To me these functionality are going to make it distinctive from me too (lets keep Apple out of picture, that has cult following),WiFi, 30GB of HDD, built-in FM, a 3-inch screen and the basic music, pictures and video playback
-> WiFi connectivity: Its not just basic but peer-2-peer (P2P) support, which is key in future evolution. File sharing among communities, software updates to focussed services (catering audiophiles) will become key differentiators.
-> DRM control: Zune is taking mobile DRM approach (Distribution/Super distribution). Now the user can share the content to different parties, with/without using network. The receiver can use the content for 3 days, and after that can buy the usage licence online. This will fill the gap in the creating communities for music fans (we need to understand, biggest online communities are music focussed.. MySpace also started as rock band fans community, rest is history).
Thats why I am calling this: "Content 2.0" world...
Finally Microsoft is putting its home in order, I am hoping, Zune is not using Windows/DOS based OS. It will be shame, if they are using. Whatever people say, only other product Microsoft is able to seel (than Windows OS) is XBOX, and that is surely not Windows.
Next blog will touch this in more details...
Cheers...
technorati tags:MicroSoft, DRM, Web 2.0
Blogged with Flock
I was out of sight (blogging, of course) for a long time. Reason, My future blogs will tell.
I was adding tons of glass in my photography equipment. I am not millionaire, so can't buy canon L lens (luxury or what.. dont know for what it stands for). But I found a way to add top class lens in my bag, old manual focus prime lens from '50s and '60.
I will write in details about these in future...
in the meantime, you can see some results on my flickr site,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/asbalyan/tags/manual/
Cheers....
".....pepper ‘Dorset Naga’ is. But exactly what is it? It is certainly a Capsicum chinense selected from the Banladeshi ‘Naga Morich’, but beyond that, we’re not quite sure what we have."
"Two laboratories in the USA tested a sample of Dorset Naga which measured 876,000 SHU and 970,000 SHU respectively."
".......the Guinness world record for the hottest chilli is currently held by Red Savina, which was once measured at 577,000 SHU"What is SHU?
The Scoville scale is a measure of the hotness of a chilli pepper. These fruits of the Capsicum genus contain capsaicin, a chemical compound
which stimulates thermoreceptor nerve endings in the tongue, and the number of Scoville heat units (SHU) indicates the amount of capsaicin
present. Many hot sauces use their Scoville rating in advertising as a selling point.
"........70 years after King Gillette invented the safety razor for someone to come up with the idea that twin blades might be—or, at least sell—better........"
"Apple is working on “an iPod with phone functions” and could use Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Hon Hai Precision to build the device, says Johnny Chan, a J.P. Morgan analyst.... ...............ho declined to be identified said Taiwan Green Point Enterprises, which makes plastic cases for the iPod, is in talks with Apple for a role in the phone..."
This is the screen shot from Register.com.
And its all XML, if you want to integrate this map with Mars Crime data, go ahead. Its easy...
Waiting for more to come from these guys..
"The transmitters—which weigh 0.01 ounce (0.3 gram) and are about 0.4 inch (1 centimeter) long—are glued to the insects' undersides. A single wire antenna runs the length of the abdomen, and a tiny battery powers the device for up
to a week."
the owner of Equipment shall pay a royalty of $xx amount for each channel and for each individual user accessing the spectrum on the spectrum, only if,
This small legislation will kill all the hotspots as well as the plan by municipalities for deploying WiFi.
Good Luck Silicon Valley..
Any discussion of China evokes political reaction. I have written about that elsewhere. China also has language, IP protection issues buyers worry about.
However, India is a victim of its own success. Some bank auditors are already concerned about risk concentartion around IT systems with Indian firms. I have written elsewhere about wage/rate inflation and staff turnover and infrastructure issues in India. You would be naive to think a competitor would not harp on these weaknesses.
The overwheleming advantage is firms like Infosys have done over 20,000 global delivery projects - Chinese firms barely in the hnudreds. That discipline counts for a lot. But the Chinese have shown they can compete in many different markets on price. I can see a market where Indian firms move to the middle band and the Chinese get more of the bottom."