PLEASE tell me they didn’t just start as this article implies. That would imply that they have ignored the service complaints for months and months and months without making any publicly visible changes in many areas. Here in NC my signal is decent, but nothing at all to write home about, especially not for how much the service costs. In many big metropolitan areas, the complaints are much, much worse. Hopefully they’ve taken the profits they’ve been raking in to actually make their customers happy, but I simply hope they didn’t just start!

If you look at this chart over at Box Office Mojo, you’ll notice that Up is now the 4th most successful Pixar film to date (based on the box office) and it looks poised to hit number 2 in the next couple of weeks if all things remain steady. BTW, if you haven’t visited Box Office Mojo before go look around. It is a great site run by IMDb and it contains a wealth of information for movie geeks.

I take a certain amount of pleasure in this as previously the NY Times reported on toy retailers concerns that Up wasn’t commercial enough. Basically, there is no abundance of Up merchandise as they felt children wouldn’t “buy in” to a story with a 78-year-old man as the lead. Read the article, see if it sounds as idiotic to you as it did to me (not the reporter, but rather the business rationale). I was annoyed and frustrated when I originally read this and now I feel that the reality has proven the point successfully.

Pixar knows how to make “good” movies and the kids will come. Up has proven that yet again and I am always impressed with their output. I really look forward to introducing Ben to this great film in the future.

• Those who hate AT&T outright
• Those who think the new iPhone 3G S isn’t different enough
• Those who can’t understand why they’re not getting the lower $199/299 subsidized price

Well, first off, AT&T is a pain right now. That is true. They’re not yet ready to support MMS which is pathetic, but even worse they haven’t even announced pricing for MMS. They also haven’t given any pricing or timeframes for tethering. I would say all of this equates to complete failure for AT&T outright…and it does, but they aren’t any worse or better than ANY other US carrier. They all seem to be incapable of quality service or customer service in my opinion. I’ve had AT&T, Sprint, & Verizon at one point in time or another and they’ve all caused about the same level of pain. Simply put, our wireless carriers are WAY behind those in other areas of the world and this doesn’t show any signs of changing. I will say AT&T seems to have as good or better data service in this area compared to the other carriers based on the few tests I’ve read, but I do know that those in larger cities are feeling more of the pain here. Unfortunately, after using many other devices, no increase in service can rival the combined package purely due to the iPhone’s hardware. It is bar-none better than any phone I’ve ever used (Blackberry, WinMo, Symbian, etc.) NOTE: I haven’t yet tried the Palm Pre. Also, please try to keep in mind that AT&T’s exclusivity contract isn’t unusual (except for possibly its length). If you’re unhappy, give Apple feedback. That is the only way this may ever change.

Next, people are complaining that not enough has changed. The iPhone 3G merely refined the original iPhone with antenna friendly plastic casing, GPS, and 3G. This phone adds faster CPU & RAM (reportedly based on non-Apple sources), an improved camera, video capture (cool due to the camera’s improvements), video editing, compass (rather cool if you let it sink in), and voice control. Honestly, I would say the 3G S contains the bigger of the two product changes. Also, please don’t tell me some of that is capable with jailbreaking. I don’t consider that a good choice as you get in an arms race with Apple and honestly, Apple’s implementations always seem more polished. Now, I understand some of these features may not appeal to all people, so I can understand this complaint a bit more than the other two.

Finally, the complaints also focus on the upgrade costs. I am sick to death of reading that only “new” customers can get the $199/299 price. That isn’t true. It would seem that none of these individuals have ever upgraded a phone with a carrier before the iPhone. You get a new subsidized iPhone every new contract or every two years unless you fall into a category that allows for more frequent upgrades such as those who spend more than some set amount with AT&T each month. This is how all of the main US carriers work. The only reason the upgrading iPhone to iPhone 3G users got a pass last time around is that AT&T hadn’t subsidized the original iPhone at all. This is how all phone purchasing works in the US unless you purchase an unsubsidized/unlocked device.  It is the system that’s in place. Can it suck? YES! but they’re not punishing iPhone users. We’re just getting treated like the rest of the customers. I doubt this will change as none of the carriers have any incentive to shift on this issue. For whatever reason, the American consumer isn’t happy paying $500 for a new phone, but is quite content to pay $200, but be overcharged on voice/data/messaging for the next 2 years

I believe I will get the cheaper pricing as it will have been more than 16 months since I last upgraded, but if I don’t, then I’ll just wait. I won’t be happy about it, but I’m not being treated unfairly. It’s the contract I signed.

Just my thoughts on the whole subject. I hope AT&T improves. They really need to change how they handle data, voice, messaging, etc. but then, so do all of their competitors. Unlikely at best…

UPDATE: Well, it looks like AT&T posted an iPhone 3G S faq and they do say that MMS will be at no additional cost if you’re currently on a messaging plan. Still no dates for either feature.

Hands-on Review of the Palm Pre Shows They Don’t Get It

jkOnTheRun ran this story that I feel somewhat states the obvious, but still it is a topic that is discussion worthy. Palm/Sprint don’t seem to understand what is needed from the Pre at this point in time. Likely to see release soon based on the company’s own comments, they’ve not allowed for discussions of its capabilities and as such hampered the buildup of hype.

To break that down, much of the news cycle discussion of the Pre has died down with the exception of guessing as to the release date. No one is discussing any of the cool new features because Palm has claimed as no one has gotten to use any of these features and been allowed to talk about it. Videos on the site showing off the features aren’t enough, not with 6 months between announcement & release. Apple’s 1-2 month delay in new hardware (and successful track record) allows them a bit more secrecy, but 6 months for an unproven device is too much to ask. The Pre is almost like vaporware at this point as the features sound cool, but there’s no proof or basis for hype to build on.

Also coupled with this, the release date is too far from the announcement. Excitement abounded earlier this year, but with no real news and no release, there is a general malaise regarding the phone’s eventual release. The now rumored release date is to occur right before Apple’s WWDC which is expected to include specific details (or the release) of iPhone OS 3.0 and there is a rumor of a new hardware announcement. Now, truth be told, I love my iPhone and think it decimates the rest of the smartphone marketplace, but there are key things it doesn’t do or doesn’t do well well (some of these may be resolved with 3.0): multitasking, copy/paste, contact source integration, Flash, etc. I was hoping the Palm Pre would be serious competition to force Apple to innovate further, but only time will tell if that will be the case. Now, the problem here is that releasing right before or after Apple means the Pre will likely have an EXTREMELY short mindshare as Apple knows how to control the dissemination of information in ways Palm can only dream of.

Maybe Palm will surprise me and pull of an amazing device and launch, but at this point I am unfortunately doubtful.

How is that people still rate Blu-ray discs down on Amazon because it won’t play in they’re DVD player?

The marketing has been everywhere. Amazon has had the following on the top of each Blu-ray page for a VERY long time:

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This disc is a high-definition disc and is compatible only with Blu-ray players. It will not play on a standard DVD player.

Sometimes I just don’t understand people. Why is it so hard for average people to pick up on new technology? I know I’m not a “normal” consumer, but I’m curious what I’m missing here. Is it just that people don’t read before buying? The discs are freaking expensive enough that I know I’d read the details before blowing $20 without knowing if it would work.

Just confused and a bit frustrated…

Once again, tax payers are footing the bill to prop up a failing business model…

I doubt I would use this particular offering on the Kindle 2 (if I had one), but I tend to read most of my books via Audible (and yes, I did say read as listening or interpreting words on a page both constitute the absorption of the material). I doubt Mr. Blount’s hypothesis that in the near future, text to speech will rival truly quality voice talent and as such, the Kindle 2 hardly represents true damage to the audiobook market in it’s likely lifespan. I can see some of their concern as eventually text to speech will reach that level, but it will not occur on the Kindle 2 and truly, the growth is INEVITABLE. Standing in the way of this technology is not going to hold up the flood gates. Rather, the Author’s Guild will eventually be washed away with the flood.

It personally find it very frustrating when ANY company attempts stop the wheels of progress to prop up a business model. I would suggest that the Author’s Guild is acting no better than the RIAA or the MPAA and definitely isn’t acting in the best interests of book lovers everywhere. Technology is disruptive and that is a good thing. Learn to evolve, adapt, and improve or get out of the way…

WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH THE CONTENT PROVIDERS IN THIS WORLD???

Okay, stepping back. Hulu is removing the ability of Boxee to display any Hulu content. If we take them at their word, this is by request of the content providers. I really have just about had it with the TV, movies, and music industries. These events are likely not new to most readers of this blog, but I just find it absurd. We have spent YEARS educating the recording industry that the ways of the past are a failing concept and that they must embrace the new age where consumers want their content when they want it and where they want it. Now, after all of that fighting, we have services like Amazon’s MP3 Store and an iTunes store moving towards a DRM-free music model (I still always buy from the former nowadays).

If you make your content available in a way that consumers can absorb easily, at their discretion, and at an affordable price then piracy diminishes. If not, it thrives. This has been shown time and time again. I used to buy DVD sets of TV shows I liked. For the most part, I don’t do this any longer. I prefer high-definition content (where it makes sense) and I now understand that most of the content won’t be watched over and over. Therefore, I would purchase in Blu-ray or something like the iTunes TV store for shows I truly love. However, even that is a rarity as I think Blu-ray TV and the iTunes Store are (for the most part) VASTLY overpriced unless I want to own it forever. Also, the DRM is painful (more on the latter) as I like to walk the line between Macintosh and Windows and many formats don’t play equally nice on both (think iTunes videos under Windows Media Center – DRM FAIL). So, in many cases, except where I must have the content (rare), I just refuse to buy and stream on a site like Hulu. I don’t go to many other sites due to the forced software installation (I’m looking at you ABC) or ridiculously low amounts of actual full shows.

It’s getting to the point where I will either stop watching some content due to the pain of viewing it. Others will likely just resort to pirating it. The content providers need to understand that monetizing through pre-roll, overlays, banners, etc. need to be used, content needs to be fully available all shows, all episodes (for at least the current season if not more). Content Providers: get with it and do your damn jobs and in turn I will watch your content and maybe, just maybe pay attention to your ads. I will say I notice them on Hulu as their short enough that I don’t look away to something else. If Hulu is being honest, I hold them as innocent in this fight and will continue to use the service, but I wish they would out the idiots who requested this.

Sorry for the rant as I don’t even currently use Boxee, but this is just ridiculous!

Oh, and as always, my opinions and statements are mine alone.

UPDATE:

Okay, I calmed down and felt I could write a less venomous update, but then I saw this on Hulu (bolding added for emphasis):

Episodes 13-17 will be posted on Hulu the day after their TV broadcast. Subsequent episodes will be posted 8 days after their original broadcast date.

Season 4.5 episodes are available for 28 days.

Ugh! The final episodes which started Friday will be delayed for 8 days?!? What are they thinking? Why do the studios seem hell-bent on ensuring that people who want to see their content have very little way to legally?

Pathetic…truly pathetic…

Why, oh why, do people who probably have a hard time setting the time on their microwave (notice I didn’t say VCR as no one has one anymore ) get to decide how technology should be used/regulated to any extent. Yes, I do throw politicians, corporate executives, and others roaming the halls of power without a hall pass on this list!

• The government is treating this as if watching TV is a right. It isn’t. Be prepared or lose the option of watching television. People unwilling/unable to convert will either do so or will find other things to fill the void (Oh my God, they might … read a bo0k!)
• Each station can now switch any time between Feb. 17 and June 12 which will only add to confusion.
• The minority of people who haven’t gotten converter boxes will likely continue on as this group either doesn’t understand, doesn’t care, or is likely to procrastinate around the new date.
• The minority of people that they are worried about were only recently getting used to the looming date. Now, they will either become confused on the actual date or simply ignore it assuming it will be delayed again. After all, the government has not stuck to it’s plans and in turn has shown the public it is ill prepared to do so in June.
• Other uses of the freed analog bandwidth are being delayed unnescessarily.
• This switch will be painful for some no matter when you do it. JUST DO IT! This is a band-aid the nation must rip off in one swift motion.