The Internet is killing Print Media. The New York Times and others are relying more and more on advertising and giving away their articles free online. Local newspapers have become little more than AP wire distributors due to budget cuts. The people who actually buy and subscribe to newspapers are dying out.
Why not create a newspaper kiosk? Local newspapers could "syndicate" national opinion, news and sports content and provide local news as well. A customer could walk up to the kiosk, select the content they want, and have it print out at an a la cart cost. Additionally, they could create an online account and simply sign in to retrieve the content they're interested in. Celebrities could do "guest lists" of topics and authors of their choosing. It would be RSS feeds for the real world. Preferably, the paper would be printed on newsprint, to give an authentic feel that draws people to newspapers in the first place.
Environmentally it makes sense. You only use print the stories people want, there is nothing wasted. Staff time would be reduced. Advertising could still defray a large portion of the cost, maybe more with the addition of an online community. People who still want a physical copy of the paper would still be able to get one.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
How Wii Fit Could Be More Chatty
When you get used to doing exercises in Wii Fit, you get really tired of hearing, "This exercise is popular because it tones your triceps," over and over again. And then they ask you to count with them, but they don't count.
Since the Wii is connected via wireless to the Internet at all times, don't you think they could pull some weather or current event chit-chat? You could select which areas you're interested in and the Wii could tell you things like, "Boy, it's really cold out there today, huh?" Or, "Can you believe how slow Obama's inaguaration parade was?" I think it could be the next stage in Wii Fitness.
Since the Wii is connected via wireless to the Internet at all times, don't you think they could pull some weather or current event chit-chat? You could select which areas you're interested in and the Wii could tell you things like, "Boy, it's really cold out there today, huh?" Or, "Can you believe how slow Obama's inaguaration parade was?" I think it could be the next stage in Wii Fitness.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
How John Kerry Could Make a Resurgence
In the spirit of politics today, I've decided to give John Kerry advice on how to get his image out there more.
Here in Montana one of the things you see everywhere is grizzly bear chainsaw sculptures. I think having a John Kerry sculpture made with a chainsaw. It wouldn't be hard, and it would get him back in the public eye.
Here in Montana one of the things you see everywhere is grizzly bear chainsaw sculptures. I think having a John Kerry sculpture made with a chainsaw. It wouldn't be hard, and it would get him back in the public eye.
Monday, January 19, 2009
How DVDs Could Let You Pick Widescreen or Full Screen, the FIRST Time
I like to watch movies in Widescreen. Some people prefer Full Screen. But when you try to figure out which side is which you get a vague clue telling you that Side A is Widescreen. What does that mean? The side that is facing up, or the side facing down.
It would be easier to just say, Widescreen - This Side Up and mark the other side with a Full Screen message. That way there would be no confusion, and you wouldn't have to get up off the couch and let your snacks cool down or ice cream melt or however you enjoy a movie to flip the disc and sit through the FBI Warnings for a second time.
It would be easier to just say, Widescreen - This Side Up and mark the other side with a Full Screen message. That way there would be no confusion, and you wouldn't have to get up off the couch and let your snacks cool down or ice cream melt or however you enjoy a movie to flip the disc and sit through the FBI Warnings for a second time.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
How to Better Market Avocados
Avocados are a delicious addition to almost everything. I've even heard that avocado ice cream is pretty good. What it's missing is a great slogan.
"Avocados: the bacon of fruit"
"Avocados: the bacon of fruit"
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
How We Could Share TV Legally Without a Computer
Obviously, the power of the Internet allows us to share videos without much effort with friends and unknowns alike. There is a hurdle to jump through though; someone out there has to actually capture the video, upload it to the web, and make it available to whomever they want. Most of us don't want to spend the time setting all this up just to avoid having our ISP send us harassing letters about copyright infringement.
Instead, a cable company could allow their cable boxes (which are basically just single purpose computers) to share data with other boxes. Each box could have an identifying "name," exactly like Wiis do right now. You could add contacts (other cable boxes) and if you watch a particularly funny episode of Saturday Night Live, or catch the local TV anchor drop a Freudian slip, you could send the video to someone else.
The receiving cable box would look at the metadata from the video and determine if it had the rights to play the file. If both users subscribe to HBO, then I could send you the episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm that you forgot to record last night. Granted, most subscription services make their shows available on demand, but most normal channels don't.
Working out the specfics of the Digital Rights Management (DRM) would be tricky. But isn't DRM tricky to begin with? And someone is bound to strip the DRM from the files within a week of this service coming out. But most people won't bother, because the shared videos would most likely relate to inside jokes, personal relationships, or obscure late night channel surfing. Broadcasters would benefit by having more people watch their programs and advertisers would benefit from closer scrutiny of the ads for moments to share.
TV 2.0? Again?
Instead, a cable company could allow their cable boxes (which are basically just single purpose computers) to share data with other boxes. Each box could have an identifying "name," exactly like Wiis do right now. You could add contacts (other cable boxes) and if you watch a particularly funny episode of Saturday Night Live, or catch the local TV anchor drop a Freudian slip, you could send the video to someone else.
The receiving cable box would look at the metadata from the video and determine if it had the rights to play the file. If both users subscribe to HBO, then I could send you the episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm that you forgot to record last night. Granted, most subscription services make their shows available on demand, but most normal channels don't.
Working out the specfics of the Digital Rights Management (DRM) would be tricky. But isn't DRM tricky to begin with? And someone is bound to strip the DRM from the files within a week of this service coming out. But most people won't bother, because the shared videos would most likely relate to inside jokes, personal relationships, or obscure late night channel surfing. Broadcasters would benefit by having more people watch their programs and advertisers would benefit from closer scrutiny of the ads for moments to share.
TV 2.0? Again?
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
How to Split the Check in this Day and Age
It happens to everyone. You go out to eat with friends, have a good time, then sit around for another 20 minutes trying to figure out how to split the check.
"Let's see, you buy me beer later; you give me your $20 bill and I'll make you a sandwich to take home for lunch tomorrow; you give me those shoes of yours I like so much and I'll take you out one more time, then we'll just about be even."
How about this: a wireless credit card machine with a touch screen. The waiter brings it out and each person swipes their card, uses the touch screen to pick out what they ate/drank, adds a tip and passes it to the next person. The waiter checks it after it goes around the table to be sure the balance is at zero and tells you to have a nice day.
Problem solved.
"Let's see, you buy me beer later; you give me your $20 bill and I'll make you a sandwich to take home for lunch tomorrow; you give me those shoes of yours I like so much and I'll take you out one more time, then we'll just about be even."
How about this: a wireless credit card machine with a touch screen. The waiter brings it out and each person swipes their card, uses the touch screen to pick out what they ate/drank, adds a tip and passes it to the next person. The waiter checks it after it goes around the table to be sure the balance is at zero and tells you to have a nice day.
Problem solved.
Monday, December 29, 2008
How Everyone Could Enjoy Sports
These days, everything is about personalization. Why not bring this to the world of sports on television? When you are watching the big game, what's to stop cable providers from adding an audio channel option so you can choose who is commentating?
Hardcore fans could choose a version that offers in-depth stats, obscure historical facts, and expert analysis. Non-fans could choose a comedic version that would be like Mystery Science Theater for sports. Newcomers to the game could choose an version where the rules of the game are laid out explicitly. Obviously there would be multiple language options and a play-by-play version for the visually impaired.
The ultimate expression could be found in letting the viewers themselves add their own audio commentary that other viewers could tune in to. It could be bigger than podcasts, it would be live and it would have a community feel.
TV 2.0?
Hardcore fans could choose a version that offers in-depth stats, obscure historical facts, and expert analysis. Non-fans could choose a comedic version that would be like Mystery Science Theater for sports. Newcomers to the game could choose an version where the rules of the game are laid out explicitly. Obviously there would be multiple language options and a play-by-play version for the visually impaired.
The ultimate expression could be found in letting the viewers themselves add their own audio commentary that other viewers could tune in to. It could be bigger than podcasts, it would be live and it would have a community feel.
TV 2.0?
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