Here are my concluding remarks and a few requests based on my excellent adventure to visit Microsoft and 2Wire...
I have come to the conclusion that TV as we know it is not going to
be around in about 3 – 5 years. I also think that the TV experience
in the future will be not only watching video-based content, but
creating it.
Sure, it’s going to take AT&T
and other service providers around the world time to deploy these new
services, but from what I was able to determine, it’s full steam ahead
with TV as we don’t know it.
And don’t just limit this to TV. Look at AT&T’s 3-Screen strategy. It’s TV, wireless (cell and notebook) and the desktop.
Here are some of my personal requests, some suggestions for not only Microsoft and 2Wire, but to other industry players.
To Microsoft:
keep doing what you are doing, and then come out with some end user
applications that will let me upload and create a family video channel,
a neighborhood channel, an apartment building channel, or so my kids
can create a classroom channel.
To 2Wire: your
hardware is cool looking and appealing enough to win over what I call
“the wife factor.” Open up your box and let me “pimp my RG”
(Residential Gateway) so I can buy accessories and add-on from companies that don’t even exist yet.
To Motorola, Scientific Atlanta (and other set top box makers): Ditto from my memo to 2Wire.
To AT&T: you have one huge competitive advantage over the cable companies: you have a retail footprint that they don’t have.
Once the Cingular stores turn into AT&T stores (again) take a cue from the Apple store model.
Don’t just schlep cell phones or ITPV services.
Turn your stores into education and community centers where
consumers, schools, colleges, or religious groups can learn to create
content and build community.
You’ll sell more services, more accessories, and more products from
companies like Microsoft who hopefully will come out with new types of
consumer applications that will help meet this vision.
And another thing, AT&T. Once the installation takes place,
invite the new customer to the local store. Take cues from BMW and
Mercedes….
Thank You Jim and Paul….
I want to thank Jim Brady from Microsoft and Paul Brunato from 2Wire who served as my hosts.
The very cool thing about both meetings is that when I left both
Jim’s offices and Paul’s house, there was no presentation. There was
no press kit. Nada . Not even a free T-shirt!
And that’s a good thing. It was the essence of what should come out in a blog: a conversation.
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