Why the Internet can be a scary place

Hey Everyone, I am sorry for not posting in a while. I wanted to share a strange experience with you guys. A few days ago, I typed in what I thought was a valid URL. It turns out, it wasn't. But instead of getting the IE 'Can't connect to server' error message, or a Google Search for the domain name, I wound up getting redirected to my ISP's search Page!

So I guess all of the money that I and others pay our ISP each month isn't nearly enough for them - that's why they need to hijack my browser and suggest alternative search results so I click on their advertising links. Yes, I can disable it, but that's not the point. It's just another way that the big ISPs can stick it to the little guy, with the ignorant not knowing that they're being watched.

What makes this really scary is that this can easily be done on their servers without our knowledge. Imagine if you will, a wi-fi network operator does this very thing - i.e. they force a redirect for not found pages and domains to their search engine. Yes, it's a nice way to generate some revenue to support a free network, but at the same time, as a consumer of that service, you need to wonder aloud if there are other things that they can be doing with your network traffic that you don't know about?

Finally the World Has Caught Up

A couple of years ago, I made a comment to the effect of how I was unimpressed with Ajax, to the extent that I had been working with some of the technologies that helped spawn AJAX as early as 1998. In those days (1997-2001) I was jaded, because I worked for a company called Knowledge Strategies Group, and one of my key responsibilities was to live on the cutting edge of technology and how to apply it to both the emerging e-commerce world, but also finding synergies that would tie the e-commerce world to traditional bricks-and-mortar stores. We had all kinds of crazy ideas - some which were ultimately realized, and some which were not, but the bottom line was that all of us working there, from the founders all the way down the totem pole, that it was only a matter of time before companies would create a viable business model to unite the two.

 

Fast forward 6 years later. I walked into Starbucks this morning, just like I do on many other occasions, but something was very different today. With my overpriced cup of coffee, I also received a little card. The card was good for a download on iTunes. Apparently as part of the new deal between Starbucks and Apple, each purchase at Starbucks will come with a free download from now until November. In addition, Starbucks is opening up its wireless access points to offer free access to the iTunes music store for Computers as well as the iPod Touch and iPhone. The premise of course is to use in-store displays to drive traffic and sales to iTunes. Starbucks has been selling music for quite some time, but can now do so with less production costs, and better support. In fact, I also noticed today that the in-store CD's that Starbucks has been selling for years, have now been replaced with cards to redeem those albums online. Yes, this is reflective of the paradigm shift in music listening patterns, but still, it is an amazing extension of the retail store to the online world, and a brand-booster for both Apple and Starbucks!

What's even more interesting, it seems that the service offered is location-aware too! In the sense that you can see what song is currently playing in-store, and/or purchase recently played songs using iTunes.

 

I hope that this program proves successful, as I know that it will be the first of many similar ventures coming our way.

And while we're on the topic of Video Convergence

Alienware (one of my favorite computer companies! - if anyone from Alienware is reading this, feel free to send me a laptop!) released it's Hangar 18 media center today. Granted, it is a lot more expensive than an Apple TV, but it is also a lot more full-featured.

Regardless of the flavor of your video, or TV-connected peripheral, it all points to convergence.

My local TV providers - YouTube and Apple!

A the D5 conference last week, Steve Jobs announced that AppleTV will soon release a plug-in to view YouTube videos on your AppleTV. My first thoughts were - big deal, who really cares. If I wasn't ready to plunk down $300-400 for a device that can play iTunes videos, adding little Johnny and Jane's foibles wasn't going to make an iota of difference.

But then today, the Boy Genius Report announced that YouTube is going to begin offering local TV. As I read this, I thought back to a post I made here, more than 3 years ago!

I can now buy an Apple TV, take it anywhere, and it has content on it, and can also access local TV! Its only a matter of time before people start to realize this, and as local TV becomes more available on line.

The Palm Foleo - and why don't like it.

Just a few short minutes ago, Palm's Jeff Hawkins announced the company's new Foleo - a mobile companion, if you will. Granted it's still early, but I just don't get it. In a video on the company's site in which Hawkins describes the vision of the Foleo, he states "It's not just an accessory". Personally, I can't see how it is anything more than just that.

As far as I can tell, the folio is simply a wireless keyboard and monitor for your smart phone (Palm or otherwise). Even if it works with 90% of the PDAs and SmartPhones out there (think iPhone, BlackBerry), I can't see it being successful, and here are the reasons why:

• It's Not Innovative - 4 years ago, I saw a presentation by microsoft illustrating how a PDA would go from someone's home, to their car, to their office. In the home, the PDA information was broadcast on the screen. In the car, voicemail playback was initiated, and information popped-up on an in-dash display. In the office, the PDA synced up with a Keyboard and a 3-screen wraparound LCD. I can already get bluetooth keyboards for most PDAs - Windows Mobile and Blackberry alike - how long do you think it will be before a group of PDA manufacturers come out with a device the size of a USB dongle that can connect to my PDA and allow me to use any standard Keyboard or Monitor of my choosing?
• Where does it fit in? - I'm not sure who this device is for. Is it for the corporate user who needs a bigger screen and keyboard, but doesn't want to lug a full laptop? There are so many thin and lights on the market today, that I can't imagine that group being large enough. While many users the world over can get buy with just e-mail attachements and web browsing, I can't see them dumping PCs for what is tantamount to an overpriced display and keyboard.
• Too easy to copy - Patented or not, within 6 months there will be taiwan knockoffs of this, and they'll work with Blackberries and iPhones.
  

I wish Palm well, but this doesn't seem like it will ressurect Palm from the dead.