Technology meets people.

Featured Blog Posts – July 2009 Archive (9)

Round One in Over the Top Video Battle— Free(ish); Round Two— Not Free(ish)

Perhaps in a slip-up of judgment, last week Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger suggested that one day Hulu may charge to watch its content, which today is free but advertising supported. Mr. Iger’s comment makes one wonder whether this was part of the secret plan for Hulu all along, and the reason the company finally added its content to the Fox… Continue

Added by Brian Mahony on July 28, 2009 at 8:30am — No Comments

A New Application for Managing Diabetes: WellDoc System Promises Cost Savings

(Listen to the accompanying podcast: “Impact! A New Approach for Patients with Diabetes”)

Managing diabetes is a fulltime challenge that requires patients to track their blood sugar levels on an ongoing basis.

Typically, patients visit an endocrinologist once every three months for monitoring. But this approach has done nothing to stem the devastating results of the… Continue

Added by Joyce Pellino Crane on July 27, 2009 at 8:00pm — No Comments

The Honeymoon is Over. Time to Look at Our Relationship with the Apple iPhone 3Gs

Let’s face it, us technology people are a somewhat fickle bunch. We “oooh” and “aaaah” over our shiny new toys. We treat them better than most of our extended family. And then the moment a shinier newer toy is available, we grab it and then the cycle starts all over again.

Such is the case with our iPhone. We traded in that Edge model for the sexier new 3G. Once we grew tired of our slimmer & sexier phone, we were treated to the… Continue

Added by Jason Kren on July 23, 2009 at 4:12pm — No Comments

Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-verse at IPTV Forum: Over the Top Video Threat is Overblown

I have been in New York City this week attending the IP&TV Forum North America event. Many of the major telcos and cable MSOs are here, including Verizon, AT&T, Cox, Comcast, SureWest, QWEST, Orange (France Telecom), and Rogers. Though skewed towards players in the Pay TV/IPTV realms, there is also a smattering of over-the-top video (OTT) devices and services including Sezmi, Popcorn Hour, BeeTV and… Continue

Added by Brian Mahony on July 22, 2009 at 8:30am — 1 Comment

Sony Adds Netflix: OTT Video Catch-Up or Leapfrog?

Not to be outdone by rivals Vizio, Panasonic, LG, Samsung, and other HDTV manufacturers, as well as gaming consoles like… Continue

Added by Brian Mahony on July 13, 2009 at 8:30am — No Comments

RETAIL WAR-Walmart and Best Buy

With the close of Circuit City, Walmart and Best Buy are out to gain customers and market share in the consumer electronics market. Announced in the New York Times today, the retail battle is on with BestBuy announcing a partnership with TiVo, promoting a special version of DVR in Best Buy’s US stores in the US with Best Buy promoting to their customers TV’s on a special TiVo DVR and their Napster… Continue

Added by Ellen Veden on July 10, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

Revolutionary? No. But Chrome OS Could be Giant Evolutionary Step.

When I'm looking at an offering in the technology world aimed at the average end user, I often use this simple criteria in judging it's ease of use, "Would my mother be able to enjoy the primary benefit of this product/service/software without my help."

I know. I know. Sounds like I'm insulting Mom. I swear, though, I'm not.

She's a smart, intuitive, capable woman (of course she is - I'm her son!), but she likes her… Continue

Added by Jason Kren on July 8, 2009 at 7:00pm — No Comments

Home Computer Safety Basics – A Refresher

We pay taxes to fund the local Police who help insure our physical safety and keep the peace. It would be great if there were an online equivalent to the local police, someone that you could count on to catch the bad guys. The distributed nature of the internet would require much more international cooperation than there is today in order to really take a bite out of internet crime. However, there is actually an organization, funded by your tax… Continue

Added by Michael Whalen on July 6, 2009 at 9:39am — No Comments

FIRST Robotics Competitions: Can (Lots of) Kids in Braces Help Foster Consumer Adoption?

There are a few ways to increase the acceptance and adoption of consumer robots. One way is to build better robots. Another way is to educate consumers about what robots can (and can’t) do for them. Another is to create a diabolical army of robots that kill off all the humans so it won’t matter. Assuming the first two methods are more practical, one might want to focus on the next-generation of consumers and business leaders. You know, those sentient… Continue

Added by Brian Mahony on July 3, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments