Week of December 3, 2007

AT&T: We're Open Too!

Friday, December 7, 2007

AT&T sent out a reminder press release and received coverage from USA Today about its current open standards. AT&T noted that you can currently use any GSM phone in the world on AT&T's network, with no other requirements. You just need to have the AT&T network sim card and you're good to go. This, of course, follows Verizon's announcement that it was opening its network to "all phones and all applications."

One bit of fine print: AT&T's open application framework is built either on its current java support (not the most robust application framework) or its future work with Google's Android system (not available for months). But the message is good, at least: As Verizon opens up, AT&T is paying attention and will be right there with them.

The importance of Messaging

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Facebook recently made a subtle change that underscores two important points: The primacy of messaging on the Internet today and giving consumers what they want. The Facebook change was simple: Now when someone sends you a Facebook message, the full message shows up in your inbox.

In basic terms, Facebook is now a webmail messaging platform. With the ability to contact millions of people via Facebook, this makes Facebook a compelling choice for people who were using LinkedIn or some other similar networking site. The idea of connecting people via chat, email, or even forums is the essence of messaging and the social Internet, and Facebook is right in the middle of it.

Facebook had facilitated this previously, but made it annoying for users in that if you received a Facebook message, you had to click on a link and read it in Facebook. Many users refused to do that. Now you can get the message directly in your inbox. Score another one for consumer convenience.

Elusive Cell Phone Streaming

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

For radio, one of the holy grails of reaching consumers is easy streaming via a cell phone. All of the services currently available are significantly limited in one way or another. Either they require a specific carrier or they don't work with some phones. Buzzwire is a good example. A service that allows streamed podcasts and even live streams via cell phones that is independent of carriers, it is limited by the fact that live streams don't work on Windows Media smart phones like the Samsung Blackjack.

Still, it is worth keeping an eye on these companies. With Google Android and Verizon's announcement that it is opening up its application system, it is only a matter of time before someone releases an application that will facilitate live streaming of radio that is simple for a consumer to embrace.

What's in a name?

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

At the recent NAB European Radio Conference in Barcelona there were many sessions on new media and radio, including Pollack Media Group's own Pat Welsh, who did a session called "Building A Multi-Media Brand." But the single technology that got the most publicity was podcasting, with an entire day devoted to the topic. However, among all the sessions about technical issues and monetizing podcasts, the most astounding piece of information was about the word podcast itself.

One UK broadcaster pointed out that after months of disappointing numbers for their podcasts, they made one change to their site that virtually doubled the number of users. And what was that change? They merely changed the name from "podcasts" to "downloads." Subsequent research confirmed that "podcast" confuses and intimidates many potential users. A substantial number of people still think that they can't access a podcast without an iPod or without using iTunes. Once again, simplicity rules.

Facebook Retreats

Monday, December 3, 2007

Faced with a user revolt over its new advertising plans, Facebook is retooling its ambitious plans. Facebook's new Beacon service broadcasts some of a user's purchases and website usage to their friends, much like movie and book reviews are. But after privacy concerns created a backlash, Facebook has announced that it would not send messages about users' Internet activities without getting explicit approval each time.

What does this mean for online advertising? How much of a setback will this really be? Will this make others think twice about automatic opt-in programs, or will the storm pass quickly? Google, AOL and Microsoft, among others, are going to be paying close attention.