Disrupting Television and Radio: Apple Will Use Podcasts To Revolutionize How We Consume Media (It Has Already Started)

Source: Yahoo.

Recently, there have been some chatters out what iTunes and the App Store means to Apple's growing ecosystem. What folks are not talking about is podcasting and what it could truly mean not only for Apple's future but for media in general.
The problem with podcasting is how it started and how folks have since come to see what it means.

I've listened to podcasts long beside Apple made it a household name. They were everywhere. Not like today but if you google audio broadcast for the Internet, you would have found something. Of course, things have changed. iTunes is very easy place to find a podcast on just about everything and every subject you want to listen too.

Tons on mobile tech, politics, entertainment. And now, video podcasting seems to be taking off. But the misnomer that this is amateur is still sticking. Obviously,for those I'd is who listen to them judiciously, we know that quality various. You've got TV broadcasts that are provided by networks as podcasts like CNN or MSNBC to broadcasts from NPR and other public radio apparatuses. Then you've got stuff that are produced cheaply out of out of people's apartments via Skype.

If you examine Apple's decision to pull podcasts out of iTunes and create a dedicated app for it, you can come to the conclusion that perhaps, there is a different media channel that Apple wants isolated from the rest of iTunes.

I suspect that Apple will eventually offer an iTunes model that will allow podcast producers to monetize their work not unlike what they've done for the TV show models, allowing users to purchase individual podcasts or subscribe to a set or season of podcasts.

This will be a whole different boom for entertainers, content providers, and individuals that the old media model that we are familiar with. This is simply a new shift that broadcast and cable/satellite providers will not be able to provide or keep up.

Suppose a band produces a series of performances, audio/video contents, and even exclusive music via a podcast subscription. This would allow them to connect with its fans in ways that music labels or even the iTunes Store can do.
Or even radio drama or NPR can release podcasts but for a little extra content, listens would be able to paid for a subscription for an extra hour of interviews or video.

And let's not forget ad-supported podcasts that I am sure you're already familiar with. Audible.com is a frequent sponsor of podcasts I listen to. I am sure free but audio supported podcasts will still exist when Apple moves the monetization of podcasting along.

And why not? We are likely talking about billions of dollars that are currently being left on the table for both Apple and podcast providers.

I get the feeling that this may be in part to what Steve Jobs was referring to when he said he cracked television. He's not necessarily talking about getting media owners to liberalize their content and unbundle their channels but empowering producers and other media providers to distribute their audio or video shows directly to consumers.

When this new podcasting dynamics take off, watch out. This will totally disrupt Hollywood in a big way and utterly destroy the current notions we hold about television and radio.

Social: POTUS Likely Lost Space Geek Votes (Not That He Needs Them Anymore)

Source:  Politico.

I have never seen a Star Wars fanboy agree with a Star Trek ensign agree on anything regarding their respective space saga.  Have you?  My guess is you probably never had both in the same room before.

I think it would take Starfleet armada to take on a Death Star but you never want to discount anything when guys like Kirk or Solo gets into the mix.  This is not about SW versus ST.  I know better than to go down that road.

This is about President Barack Obama’s “Jedi mind meld” in his sequester speech.

Wacom To Release Real Tablet (Probably With A Pen)

Source:  The Loop.

Wacom, the folks who made drawing pads, is looking to enter the tablet market.  I like to say that it'll probably be Android-based but we'll see if they surprise us with a Windows 8 version.

One this is for sure:  it'll have a pen.

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What if Pixel Was $999? Would You Buy It?

I’ve read a few blogs about how Google’s Chrome OS 12” netbook with “Apple-beating Retina” display that it was an awesome notebook except it was still more expensive than a fully equipped Macbook Air.  First, let’s get this out of the way.  No one is going to mistaken the Pixel for a Macbook in terms of features or apps.

Rather, Pixel is about the future when Web standards are so robust that webapps can do pretty much what standalone apps for OS X, Windows, Linux, iOS, and, heck, even Android are capable of.

Again, this is about the future.  For now, I have to agree with a lot of people who suggests that even if a price cut to $999, they still would not buy a Pixel.  I simply don’t have a grand to throw around and I’m very content with my Macbook Air.

However, who knows in a few years when Google’s innovative energy can allow a Web-based OS and laptop to begin to challenge the status quo in the PC market.

But note this.  I expect those who would buy a Pixel to be very innovative and resourceful people.  I can't help but feel that some kind of jailbreak or hack could allow the Pixel to do much, much more that may make it more enticing to mobile warriors.

For now, it's a pretty netbook with a lot of power but not much else.

Sounds Fishy: $330 4.5" iPhone in 2014? Sounds Like A Plant

Source:  Appleinsider.

There's an iPHone rumor going around today that I want to address.  Before, I get into it, again, I don't like traffic in rumors but I think it's okay to discuss in the context of what it truly means to me.

The rumor is that there will be an iPhone that will cost $330 that has a polycarbonate body.  If true, this is what I think the specs will be like.  It's likely a unibody with a 3.5" Retina Display like the current iPhone 4/4S.  It could have a body very similar to the iPhone 3G/3GS but less angular along the side.  The camera could be well be only 5MP because Apple like won't give anything more than that because if you want 8MP or more, you'll have to shell out money for the iPhone 5 or better.

When An Apple Product Goes Out of Stock, It Makes A Lot of Sound Even If No One Is Around

Source:  Appleinsider.

Every time something that Apple sells goes out of stock or low in inventory, it’s news.  The reason is because it’s cause for belief that something new is around the corner.  This time, it’s Apple’s Thunderbolt display.

It may well be just an update to the display is coming so it’s nothing to get excited about.  After all, it is just a display.  A FCC finding earlier revealed that a minor update to the Apple TV which was largely met with a “meh”.

You never want to discount anything though.  Yesterday, I talked about the lack of news about the next OS X version as well as anything new on iOS and iPad.

Still, keep your fingers crossed until we know more.

2013 Expectations: Where Is The New OS X beta and iPad Media Event?

It’s the second to the last day of February of 2013 already.  Fast does not even begin to describe how fast the year has gone by so fast thus far.  I have a couple of questions that don’t exactly fit into the 140 characters of the Twitter limit.

Where is the beta release for the next OS X?  Last year, a few lucky folks, Apple friendlies and journalists, were granted the privilege of playing around with the beta of Mountain Lion before everyone else.

Also, will Apple be holding its annual iPad media unveiling this year?  My guess is that this isn’t going to happen this time around.  Apple updated the iPad to a 4th generation in October of 2012 and just released its 128 GB version.

Right now, I’m leaning towards no new iOS information from Apple until the second half of 2013 – that includes Apple TV or whatever else that is mobile releasted.

If Apple does unveil anything new, it could be a new Mac Pro and updated Macbook Air with Retina Displays.