iPhone’s on its Way

I thought I’d wake up this morning to reports flooding the Internet of smiling customers with their nifty new iPhone. I was sadly disappointed to discover that it isn’t going to hit U.S. stores until 6 p.m. tonight. Wow, does Apple ever know how to drag out suspense: better than any reality TV show ever made!

For those who have to work their regular 9-5 job today, it’s good news. Or not. ABC News reporter Gene Lewis says he’s been in line at a NYC Apple store since yesterday, and is still only 53rd on the list. His last report as I write this, written at about 6 a.m. this morning, estimates that there’s about 180 people in line. I don’t even want to think of what the line will look like come 5 p.m. tonight! Apple says the purchase limit is two devices per person (why not one?); and, for the lucky few who get their hands on one, the company will hold free workshops on how to get the most out of the device starting tomorrow morning.

All U.S. Apple stores will remain open until midnight tonight; but my guess is this will serve little purpose, as the iPhone will probably be sold out before the stores even reach the end of their lines. In other words: don’t think you’ll be able to strut into an Apple store around 11:30 p.m. and magically grab one off the shelf!

ABC’s Lewis humorously refers to the iPhone as the “Jesus phone” in his play-by-play coverage (which is worth a read just to hear the reactions the people in line are getting from passers-by). This reminds me of a hilarious skit I saw on MAD TV a few months ago where cast member Mike McDonald portrayed Steve Jobs introducing the iPhone to a highly reactive, cult-like, audience. The idea was to make it look like Jobs was being worshipped as some sort of evangelist. It’ll give you a good laugh as we gear up for the actual introduction of this highly-anticipated device.

The 4 GB model will be available for US$500; and the 8 GB for US$600.

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.