MLB Goes After Slingbox

Here we go again. In the ever-continuing copyright debate, MLB is now frowning upon a nifty little device called the Slingbox, which allows users to “place-shift” video content from a connected source (like a set-top box) to their PC anywhere in the world where there’s a high-speed Internet connection. The organization is saying the Slingbox constitutes the “redistribution of content without MLB’s express written consent.”

So let me get this straight: providers of content fight for ways to increase the consumption of said content. In the case of sports, it might be via ticket sales to games, or through fans watching at home on TV. Enter the Slingbox. Here’s a way to provide your faithful fans with access to the World Series games while they’re stuck in Japan on business. And this is a bad thing?

Coincidentally, I was chatting with a few industry members about the Slingbox earlier today. We’re in New York City for a conference, and a few die-hard hockey fans raced to their hotel rooms after dinner to catch the play-off game (some routing for Anaheim, but many faithful Canucks crossing their fingers for Ottawa!) There's no access on the hotel’s cable. Darn. OK, let’s stream it online. Ironically, up comes a mocking notification that the streaming broadcast is only available in Canada. Argh. If I had only connected my Slingbox at home…

Imagine the horror: there likely would have been a group of Canadian guys hovered around my notebook in the hotel lobby actually (*gulp*) enjoying the game that they ended up not being able to watch at all.

I feel passionate about the fact that consumers need to access content when they want, and how they want. It’s completely understood that revenue is the essential part in any business model, whether it’s a broadcast network or a hot dog stand. It’s not time to stop the progression of technology; it’s time to change the business model.

No legal action has been taken by MLB, and, for the sake of continuing technological innovation, I hope it remains that way.

RIP Sam The Record Man

It’s no secret that sales of pysical CDs have been suffering at the expense of digital tracks from online services like iTunes, Puretrack, and, dare I say it, illegal peer-to-peer sites. We saw the iconic Tower Records close, and now downtown Toronto’s long-standing music retail store Sam The Record Man has seen its last days. As tough as it is to admit, we saw it coming.

The store will close next month. The CBC quoted Bob Sniderman, son of Founder Sam Sniderman, as saying: “Culture and society are changing. Our decision is a reflection on the state of the industry. We can't compete with what's happening in technology."

Other music retailers have taken steps to help offset the decline in CD purchases: Future Shop launched its own online music download service called Bonfire (powered by Puretracks) in 2004; while traditional music/DVD retailer HMV added video games, consoles, and accessories to its product mix last summer. The reality is, however, that digital will only continue to rise: with sites like iTunes, downloading a digital album will sometimes even provide you with the full CD jacket, including artist bios and song lyrics. Those who used the absence of these things as an argument against digital are certainly tight-lipped now.

If a music retailer wants to compete in cyber-world, here are a few suggestions. Cater to a specific niche market: offer tracks that haven’t yet found their way into the online arena. For example, a couple of my colleagues are hard-core classical music fans, and can’t find specific symphonies and performances through a music download site. These audiophile customers will remain faithful to the traditional retail model until they find a comparable alternative.

Another idea is to convert into a music café. I visited a Starbucks in South Beach, Miami last year, which was outfitted with really neat music listening stations that let you preview songs, and create your own custom-made CDs while sipping your latte. Speaking of Starbucks, I wouldn't be surprised to see one of those erected in the Yonge St. spot Sam currently occupies.

RIP, downtown T.O. Sam. Us Torontonians will miss ya.

Note: Two Sam franchise locations still exist: one in Belleville and another in Sarnia. I can hear the clock ticking…

SIMS: The Movie?

The Sims, a virtual reality PC game by popular video game creator Electronic Arts Inc., might see its way to the big screen. According to Variety, 20th Century Fox bought the movie rights for the popular game, which has been labeled the “best-selling PC game in history”. For those who aren't familiar with the game, Sims lets players build their own virtual world, acquiring things like jobs and friends, just like they would in real life.

Rod Humble, Studio Head at SIMS, summed it up best: “The Sims has done an interactive version of an old story, which is what it’s like to have infinite power and how do you deal with it.”

How Fox plans to approach a Sims movie adaptation is still yet to be announced. If the movie lives up to the game’s stellar reputation, this could mean another successful notch in the belt of Mr. Murdoch (head of media conglomerate News Corp.), who probably knows something or two about having near infinite power. In addition to several film, TV, and cable assets, News Corp. also counts popular social networking Website MySpace among its many properties.

I don’t even want to imagine what it would be like to have infinite power. I’d probably go insane. It reminds me of an episode of Malcolm in the Middle, where Malcolm becomes obsessed with a SIMS parody game called “The Virts”. He re-creates every member of his family following a “rating” system to define their characteristics (intelligence, and so forth). Naturally, he makes himself the picture of perfection. I think it ended with him depressed in a corner soemwhere because no one liked him. 'Nuff said.

Anime Invades T.O.

I attended a trade show last week that was taking place in the same venue as an Anime convention, and I must say, I got a little freaked out when I drove up to see swarms of people in colourful and strange costumes. Did I enter the Twilight Zone? I swore I took the right highway exit. Has October 31st come already?

I must admit I’m only vaguely familiar with what Anime actually is: according to Wikipedia, it’s an abbreviation of the word “animation” and involves cartoon-like characters from Japan. Several sources say the exact definition is debatable, but if you think Sailor Moon, you’re on the right track.

It was obvious a lot of work went into their elaborate costumes, as each person dressed as their favourite, er, character. Watching them prance around the venue, up and down the streets, and flood the lobby of a local hotel, I couldn’t help but wonder what their convention was all about.

Naturally, I “Googled” it to find out that it was called Anime North, and drew 14,000 attendees for a number of activities and events, including a panel discussion, screening of the 2006 anime series The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, and, I should have guessed, a party complete with costume contest.

Is this a case of life imitating art? Or are these kids stuck in a virtual reality that has made life become nothing more than a fantasy? Who am I to judge, I guess. Either way, it was interesting to observe, and it was a humorous contradiction to the eye-glass wearing, notebook clutching, custom A/V guys that were there for the CE show. Come to think of it, maybe the two groups aren't so different after all...

But as a sidenote, if security inquired which conference you were there to attend, I'd take another look at your wardrobe choices.

Canon Postpones SED… Again

As reported on our sister news and information Website, Canon and Toshiba have postponed the launch of flat-panel SED TVs…again. This is, to my knowledge, the third delay thus far.

I’m starting to wonder if this technology really exists, or if it's just a figment of my imagination. Had it not been for the fact that the editors of our two publications both got a sneak peek at SED during the 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show, I’d have stuck to my guns on the latter. For what it’s worth, they both described it as being “flat-out beautiful, with blacker blacks, great shadow detail, and more brilliant whites.” (Take into consideration, of course, that both plasma and LCD technology have improved tremendously over the past two years, so the differences might not be so pronounced today as they were back then).

Why the holdup? Canon cites prolonged litigation as one of the reasons. In January 2007, the firm that licensed SED technology to Canon (Nano-Proprietary Inc.) filed suit against the company, crying breach of contract, stating that Canon’s partnership with Toshiba was not part of the original agreement. As a result, Canon set forth to purchase all the outstanding share of SED Inc., and shifted around some employees to accommodate the change.

A second reason cited for the delay is “efforts to establish mass-production technology aimed at realizing further cost reductions.” Translation: the prices of flat-panel TVs are dropping so much, so fast, that now the company has to find a better, cheaper way to mass produce the sets.

Will we ever see this technology come to fruition? Who knows. But we’ve been on the edge of our seats for SED for so long, it would be nice to see something come of it.

Are Canadian Cell Phone Users Getting Hosed?

An interesting study conducted by Canadian research firm The Seaboard Group discovered that, of the developed countries, Canadians pay the most for their cell phones services. According to the study, the average cell phone user forks over 33 per cent more dough a month than even our neighbours to the south. This number rises to 56 per cent for those considered to be “heavy” users (1,200 min./mth.) This is due to high per/minute rates and long distance charges, as well as hidden (or not so hidden) additional feels, like 9-1-1 access, and that pesky service charge for which no one can really explain the purpose (really, what the heck does that cover?)

Because of this, Canadians are reluctant to jump on board the cellular wagon. Seaboard says that even though 58 per cent of Canadians own a mobile phone, we’re way behind other countries: America is at 75 per cent, while 86 per cent of Germans are chatting it up on-the-go.

How do we change this? Well, more competition would help.

We have, ultimately, four main wireless carriers in Ontario: Rogers Wireless, Fido Wireless, Telus Mobility, and Bell Mobility. Virgin Mobile uses Bell’s network; while youth-oriented newcomer Amp’d Mobile piggybacks with Telus’ EVDO network. GSM, the international standard for wireless technology, is only available through Rogers Wireless and Fido, the latter of which Rogers owns. It’s like choosing between apple pie made with granny smith or mcintosh apples. In the end, it’s just apple pie. Why don't we have some cherry, lemon meringue, and key lime? (getting hungry, yet?)

As they say, variety is the spice of life. Let’s get some in the wireless arena.

Kodak To Leave Entry-Level Digicam Market

Rumour has it that Kodak will leave the entry-level digital camera market: an odd decision given that this is the market for which the firm is probably most popular. This leads to the question: where will they go from here? The high-end digital SLR market is dominated by some very strong players like Canon and Olympus; while the mid-end is chocked-full of competition: everyone and their uncle is making a digital camera these days.

According to engadget, Kodak is developing its own five-megapixel CMOS sensor for use in a new digital camera model (of its own brand), as well as in upcoming Motorola mobile phones. Huh?! 5MP in phones??

This actually isn’t as surprising as it sounds. I discussed a few weeks back how cell phones are on their way to becoming the new entry-level digital cameras. This happening is likely far off in the horizon: there are still people who would rather use a phone as a phone, and a camera as a camera. Not to mention that built-in cell phone cameras are just beginning to scratch the surface of acceptable picture quality. But it looks like Kodak sees the writing on the wall, and is jumping out while it still can. It’s not a bad idea to start partnering with the cell phone guys now in an effort to be ahead of the game.