March 2006 Archives

What is the future of Internet TV?

The Patriot-News published an article yesterday based on a speech by Phil Swann, entitled "Video Without Borders."

Swann is publisher of TVPredictions.com, and his premise is that in the next few years, television will experience a revolution with the emergence of Internet TV. Swann predicts that viewers will be able to download thousands of shows and movies from the Internet directly to their TVs.

Swann also revealed his secret formula for making predictions about the television industry, a three-part test for how to evaluate new technology:

Forbes has the scoop on Sean Ryan's new venture, Meez, unveiled in the news today.

What is it? Meez enables a user to create a caricature of themself, then use the image of their digital self on chat boards and instant-messaging sessions.

How does it work? Meez is entirely browser-based, with no need to download additional client software. Just go online to Meez.com, and point and click your choice for gender, select a skin tone, add some hair, and add outfits and accessories.

I took it for a spin and the service was easy to use, although Meez caused my PC to freeze several times - and alas, my selected eyewear shows on the floor instead of on my face. Ah, the charm of Beta. This image is Meez's digital representation of me.

According to Forbes, Meez plans to make money by offering users the chance to let their digital characters wear licensed brands, like Major League Baseball and National Hockey League jerseys, and premium clothing designs for a fee. Pricing should be in the $1.50 to $2.50 range, similar to ringtones.

Will people use a service like Meez? As Forbes notes, some 68 million people use instant-messaging services and 60% of teenage instant-messenger users download free icons to represent themselves when they chat. How many people pay will pay for virtual clothing with premium features? Quite frankly, I think most users will not upsell to the paid options. But I also expect that the economics of the business are such that it doesn't take a large number of people to purchase to cover fixed costs.

Acording to Forbes, Ryan has raised more than $4.3 million in venture funding from Battery Ventures, Transcosmos Partners, Allen & Co. and other individual investors.

Ryan was previously CEO of Listen.com, where he developed the Rhapsody music service. After RealNetworks purchased Listen.com, we were co-workers for a short time. Sean cares a great deal about the consumer experience, and I expect he'll iterate from the current early beta experience to something really great.

I recently ditched the earbuds that came standard with my iPod, and upgraded to UE-10 (UE10) custom in-ear monitors from Ultimate Ears.

We're talking studio reference with a true 20Hz to 16k frequency range - you hear precisely what the artist intended.

I have "wow" moments every day with my UE's, hearing layers of music and instruments in my favorite music that I never even knew were there.

The triple driver configuration delivers what I like to call "high definition" for your ears. I'm blown away by how music sounds.

The UE-10's also provide 26db of isolation passive noise-cancellation - these are terrific for flying. Several people have asked me how the UE-10's perform vs. the very popular Bose Quiet Comfort 2 noise canceling headphones. In my head-to-head tests on multiple flights, I strongly preferred the UE-10's for noise reduction - and music was no contest, with the UE-10's far superior to the Bose Quiet Comfort 2.

The only thing more impressive than the technology: the people behind the product. While on a tour of UE's laboratory in southern California, I had the chance to meet Jerry Harvey, co-founder and inventor. Jerry struck me as being the consummate inventor, with great passion for the product. I've also had the privilege of getting to know Mike Dias, who handles artist relations and VIP customers. Mike is professional in every regard. In a world in which I rarely feel connected to the people who create the technology I use, my experience with Ultimate Ears has been exceptional.

This is one of the few products I've used where I can find no negatives about the product. The UE-10's deliver as promised. Perhaps the only negative I see is price - but if you can afford them, these are well worth the price.

What Others Are Saying:

1) Ultimate Ears UE-10 Custom Monitors

I recently upgraded my headphones to UE-10 custom in-ear monitors from Ultimate Ears. I listen to these daily walking to work, and I'm blown away by how music sounds. Perfection.

2) Rhapsody

The best digital music subscription service. I've discovered so much new music via Rhapsody - the product is a joy to use.

3) Treo 700P Rumors

Rumors of a new Treo 700P to be released May 28. My sources at Sprint PCS tell me late May or June. I'm in.

4) Mountain Hardwear

Very high quality outdoor gear. Used by high altitude athletes for ascents of all 14 of the world's 8000 meter peaks. More than good enough for a city dweller like me: my Gore-Tex shell kept me dry in Seattle on my daily walk to work; and my Absolute Zero parka with 800-fill goosedown and a Conduit SL laminate kept me warm and waterproof at Seahawks games.

5) The Art of Shaving

I always hated shaving, but not any more. These products have transformed my shave. Go for the Pre-shave Oil, Shaving Cream and After Shave Balm.

About My Blog

This is my personal weblog, where I write about innovation, technology, new media and the Bigger Better Deal.

The views expressed here are my own and not those of my employer. The comments on my weblog do not include personal opinion or factual information concerning business discussions where I work. None of my editorial and/or commentary on this weblog should be interpreted as endorsements, promotions or advertisements.

About Me

I am currently developing two Web 2.0/new media businesses... watch this space for details.

In addition to my entrepreneurial projects, I am CEO of Revolutionary Ventures, a privately held consulting company that helps businesses create new growth through innovation. Working with select high potential media and technology companies, Revolutionary Ventures focuses on strategy development, idea generation and evaluation, new product development, and deployment of scalable business plans. The company specializes in taking revolutionary ideas from the drawing board to market. Clients include Kleiner Perkins backed Zazzle.com, Ustream.TV and more.

Additionally, I serve on the board of advisors for companies including:YourSports.com; the Representative Journalism Network; and an innovative fitness/technology company (currently in stealth mode).

Previously, I was Vice President, New Product Development & Innovation at Turner Broadcasting (CNN, TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network) responsible for overseeing the development, evaluation and launch of new products across the Turner entertainment, news and animation divisions. While in Turner's New Products Group, I developed and launched PlayOn, an online sports network that broadcasts live games with the ACC, the Big Ten, the United Soccer League and more. I also evaluated and developed a variety of new product concepts, including an online entertainment network for producers of original shows created for the Internet.

Before joining Turner, I was Senior Director at RealNetworks Inc., overseeing business development, product management and strategy for Real SuperPass. While at Real, I led the breakout live online video hit "CBS Big Brother 24/7", invented the first of its kind online digital media marketplace, and developed live online sports broadcasts. I negotiated deals with CBS television, FOX Sports, Primedia, ESPN, CSTV, Conde Nast, Rolling Stone, McAfee and more.

Before joining Real, I was Senior Vice-President at Rivals.com, a 180-employee start-up private company funded by Intel, Softbank, Hummer Winblad and News Corporation (Fox). While at Rivals, I developed the Rivals.com branded sports news network destination, grew its audience from startup to 1.5 million users per month, and led the company's transition to paid online subscriptions.

Prior to joining Rivals, I was at IBM Corporation.

I have a passion for innovation, new product development, fitness and nutrition, technology, media, music and sports and consider myself an expert in the online paid subscription model. I hold an MBA from the University of North Carolina.

Additionally, in 1993 I founded InsideCarolina, a print magazine and paid subscription website covering University of North Carolina basketball and football. I developed what was in 1993 an innovative business model for "open source news reporting", a key to the longevity of the publication. Notably, the November 27, 2000 edition of ESPN Magazine named InsideCarolina as the top college basketball website. In 2000, I successfully sold the business and today Inside Carolina remains one of the top college sports publications in the nation, now associated with FOX. You can read a short history of Inside Carolina on Wikipedia.

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I have written articles for industry publications such as PaidContent.org. My comments and new products have also been featured in the news.