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Can Zune Do it?

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In The Hive today, a member posed a question on the chances of Zune.

The following is my answer to the question.

Good question.

However, it is customary to attribute the origins of quotes to their authors, in this case, Andrew Orlowski in The Register here.

Back to it, and these are off the cuff:

• Soviet-style industrial design? How?

o Hardware: I don’t see many degrees of separation from any of the iPods. Actually, the screen is larger and better. This is an initial product building on the best aspects of the market leader, the iPod, whose design has revealed a form factor that is acceptable. While I hated the design initially, I realized, after giving it more thought, that familiarity and/or conformity with the market leader is required for the initial launch of the project. It would have been easy for Zune to be an esoteric design a la the Bang & Olufsen MP3 player, but why? Such a design, while eliciting a lot of oohs and aahs from the public would have meant death in the retail market for a heretofore-unknown entrant in that space. This design is right in that regards for an initial device. As the Zune becomes more of a force, then more exotic designs can be delivered. A good example is the Xbox->Xbox 360 evolution.

o Software: navigation, from what I can ascertain from pictures released is much more intuitive. Moreover, I own three iPods.

• “…and surely not from gimmicks such as disappearing, time-bombed songs. Or the fact it brings another incompatible DRM scheme to the public…” There isn’t a new DRM platform on the Zune, period. The songs do not disappear. Read here.

• “….while it may do more than the iPod, unless it does the basics very well or better, it'll suffer the same fate as Microsoft's phones.” If you’re familiar with Microsoft’s platform strategy, you would know that these products, while appealing to gadget-heads primarily, are used as reference designs to seed a market. When direction, and price points, have been established, Microsoft correctly exits the space so those who display better capabilities in that space get to continue along the lines they (Microsoft) drew with their reference designs.

Furthermore, Zune is not just a product, it is a platform. The seed about to be sown with this initial product is sure to germinate as a result of the weight of responsibility behind it: making sure Microsoft does not cede the PMC space to Apple, which, do doubt, would like to use the iPod/iTunes platform as an entrepoint into the digital home.

Have no fear – actually, as AppleFan, have a lot of fear- Microsoft has entered the market with a hardware/software/services solution and is here to stay!

$0.02 USD.

Finally, this is a shout out to The Beekeeper that we do need hands-on experience with the products in order to debunk myths and concerns of the public on forthcoming products. I also nominate myself.

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© 2005-2009, John Obeto for SmallBizWindows

Looking for Zune?

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Steroids, Bonds, Clemens, etc., etc.

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Can a brotha' buy a break?

How do you think though, that brotha's around the US, even those that really, truly dislike Bonds must feel at this time?

Clemens juiced! (allegedly)

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......

Pettitte juiced! (allegedly)

Snore.........

Tejeda juiced! (allegedly)

Whatever........

Thankfully there are still principled journalists out there, not alleged baseball 'purists' - rhymes with idiots!

One of those journalists is Bill Plaschke, of the Los Angeles Times.

In today's issue of the paper, Plaschke's column correctly reveals what is happening: that Clemens, Pettitte, Tejeda, et al will escape the type of scrutiny and scorn which is currently heaped on Bonds.

He makes visible heretofore unknown to me facts such as parallels in the careers of Bonds and Clemens, and their return to greatness from seeming declines in their physical beings.

Listening to sports talk radio today, the airwaves were mercifully free of callers tarring either of the stars allegedly juicing with the same brush as Bonds. On one show, the host announced that it would be premature to accuse Clemens since all the evidence wasn’t in.

This, the same moron who had been advocating that owners collude to keep Bonds out of baseball next season.

Wow!

In my post here, I had cursed out all those ‘purists’.

Now I ask if they are racists as well!

Bill Plaschke's column is here.

© 2005-2009, John Obeto for SmallBizWindows

Et tu, McAfee?

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All this time I thought McAfee would rise above the fray.

Alas, no!

Come to find out that Network Associates McAfee placed full page ads, in the form of an open letter in London's (UK) Financial Times.
The open letter, addressed to "Dear computer users around the world,", warns that Vista is likely to make security problems worse.

The letter says that the best defenders of Microsoft's operating systems have been third party developers and security firms. But for the first time with Vista Microsoft is stopping security companies accessing the "kernel" - the heart of its operating system.

The letter says: "For starters, customers should recognise that Microsoft is being completely unrealistic if, by locking security companies out of the kernel, it thinks hackers won't crack Vista's kernel. In fact, they already have...

"Microsoft's new approach is misguided in principle, bad for innovation and competion. Above all it is bad for users."

McAfee asks Microsoft to return to its previous collaborative approach.

Are you fucking kiddin' me?

You know more about the kernel than MSFT?

Homie, puhleese!

You all know where this is going next, don't you?

When the next earnings call for McAfee comes by, and projections and/or estimates are not met, we'll revisit.

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© 2005-2009, John Obeto for SmallBizWindows

Schumi Wins at SIC, China

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At the Shanghai International Circuit today, Michael Schumacher won his seventh race of the 2006 Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile Formula One season.

With this race, the antepenultimate in his career, Michael ties that guy from Renault with 116 points for the season.

As I blogged about here, the season wasn't a sprint, despite the mode of conveyance used, but a marathon.

And who best to win such a marathon but the best driver in the world?

© 2005-2009, John Obeto for SmallBizWindows

Mobile ESPN, R.I.P.

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Mobile ESPN (officially) bit the dust today.

What a shame?

For a while now, there were rumors of the device/service from ESPN, acting as a MVNO, but remained just rumors, as actual sightings of either the device or users were as rare as sightings of Coelecanths or live oarfish. Despite all the ads on the ABC/ESPN/Disney Networks.

Now comes the news that Disney has decided to pull the plug.

Why?

Just because ot cost them $2,666.67 for each of their estimated 30,000 users?

At that rate, the cost of 1-million customers would be well over $2.6-billion.

I guess that is why the adults came in to staunch the bleeding.

Brand extension my a$$.

© 2005-2009, John Obeto for SmallBizWindows

Getting closer to Zune

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Microsoft has set a date for the freeing of Zune: November 14.

A whole ecosystem of accessories will be released as well.

From the Microsoft PressPass:

REDMOND, Wash. — Sept. 28, 2006 — Microsoft Corp. is putting the social into digital music, starting this holiday. Today the company announced that the Zune™ digital media player and online service will be available to consumers in the U.S. on Nov. 14, 2006, just in time for the holidays. The Zune device will retail for $249.99 U.S. (ERP) and will create new ways for entertainment fans to connect and share media experiences device-to-device through the use of wireless technology and new software scenarios.

For $249.99, consumers will get an incredible entertainment experience right out of the box:

• 30GB digital media player will come equipped with wireless functionality for Zune-to-Zune sharing of music, pictures and home recordings; a bright, three-inch LCD video screen that works in portrait or landscape mode to view pictures and videos; and a built-in FM tuner. The device will be available in three colors: black, brown and white.


• A selection of preloaded content including songs, music videos and film shorts are installed on the device’s hard drive to help consumers discover new artists and entertainment.

Zune makes it easy to find music you love — whether it’s songs in your existing library or new music from the Zune Marketplace:

• Its dynamic music service will be continually updated with new content and experiences so there is always something to discover. The Zune Marketplace lets users browse and purchase songs individually.
• A Zune Pass subscription gives consumers access to millions of songs for $14.99 per month.
• Users can purchase songs individually using Microsoft® Points for 79 points per track. Similar to a pre-paid phone card, Microsoft Points is a stored value system that can be redeemed at a growing number of online stores, including the Xbox Live® Marketplace.

Pre-Loaded Content

Zune is a vehicle to explore new sounds and experiences. With that in mind, Microsoft pre-loaded each Zune device with a variety of songs and music videos from hot, new artists as well as some fun films and images. With something for everyone, the pre-loaded Zune content may just help you discover your new favorite band. Zune preloaded content includes the following:

Audio Tracks: ...nothing I like...

Music Video: ...crap...

Film Shorts:...no, thank you...

Images: ...maybe...• A variety of images to personalize a Zune device, including 12 classic rock posters from “Art of Modern Rock”

Zune Accessories

For entertainment fans who want to experience their media from anywhere, Microsoft will offer the following accessories:

  • Zune Home A/V Pack. The Home A/V Pack includes everything you need to amplify your Zune experience. This set of five products integrates Zune with your big-screen TV and the best speakers in your house. The wireless remote puts you in control from virtually anywhere in the room. When you buy the Zune Home AV Pack, you’ll get the AV Output Cable, Zune Dock, Zune Wireless Remote with Lithium Battery, Zune Sync Cable and Zune AC Adapter for $99.99.
  • Zune Travel Pack. The Travel Pack includes everything you need to travel with your Zune device in style. This set of five products is designed to keep you and your friends and family entertained while you travel. When you buy the Zune Travel Pack, you’ll get the Zune Dual Connect Remote, Zune Premium Earphones, Zune Gear Bag, Zune Sync Cable and Zune AC Adapter for $99.99.
  • Zune Car Pack. The Car Pack includes everything you need to hit the road with your Zune device. With AutoSeek, setup is easy, and you can enjoy your music on the go and charge at the same time. When you buy the Zune Car Pack, you’ll get the FM tuner with AutoSeek and the Zune Car Charger for $79.99.

Sold Individually

  • Zune AV Output Cable. ..$19.99.
  • Zune AC Adapter. ...$29.99.
  • Zune Sync Cable. ...$19.99.
  • Zune Car Charger. ...$24.99.
  • Zune Dock....$39.99.
  • Zune Wireless Remote for Zune Dock. ...$29.99.
  • Zune Dual Connect Remote....$29.99.
  • Zune FM tuner With AutoSeek. ...$69.99.
  • Zune Gear Bag....$29.99.
  • Zune Premium Earphones...$39.99.
© 2005-2009, John Obeto for SmallBizWindows

Off-Point: Shape-Shifting Goat II

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My friend, Noel O., a practicing attorney here in the US and also licensed to practice in both Nigeria and the UK, has this to say about my earlier post on this subject:

" I'm guessing your jurisprudential inquiry to the matter is a rather inefficient way of getting to the simple fact that he was probably delusional and therefore not guilty by reason of insanity. Because if you can in fact prove that he actually believed the goat to be his brother, who in turn placed him in apprehension of bodily injury or death, you would have established that by common parlance his is seriously kookoo."

I disagree strenuously!

Why discount his beliefs entirely?

If, we go with Noel’s line of defense, the idiot man would be found not guilty by reason of mental defect, but placed immediately under psychiatric care for probably the rest of his life; a situation akin to a life sentence.

An attendant consequence of an insanity defense is the untold amount of pain and suffering the man’s family would have to endure in their community, since insanity is viewed as a direct curse from the gods. Such a madman, with his strong beliefs in this bullshit his gods, would rather be executed than allow that to happen.

However, this is the easy way out for Christians in the community there.

You see, as a fellow Christian, we would like nothing better than to call a man practicing his beliefs that his brother is a shape-shifting goat nothing more than crazy in order to maintain the permanence of our own religion. That way, we disavow the existence of his god of shape-shifting or whatever the asswipe prays to.

For the sake of the madman’s family, we should stop our nod-nod, wink-wink derision of these lunatics pagans, and set him free.

Yes, free.

Free into the arms of his relatives, and the decedent’s family, who, no doubt, would like to hasten his journey into the spirit world in order to ask his brother for forgiveness.

© 2005-2009, John Obeto for SmallBizWindows

Off-Point: Shape-Shifting Goat

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From the AP News Service:

A Nigerian murder suspect accused of killing his brother with an ax told police investigators he actually attacked a goat, which was only later magically transformed into his sibling's corpse, officials said Thursday.
My take on this:

IANAL, but I don't see why it is not a credible defense in the murder trial.

If I was his Barrister-at-law, I would advocate that he should be set free with the Defense of One's Property rights enshrined in both Nigerian customary law, and English common law, in whatever Assizes, at which, I assume, he is being prosecuted.

You have to remember, he does not have to prove that the guy was a goat; he only has to prove that he thought the guy was a goat, and a magical deadly goat at that. This is an important point, and probably the most pivotal in his defense.

The most important point is that he thought he was in danger of losing his life. This is actually the crux of his defense: that he thought that he was in imminent danger of losing his life. The law allows you to take action, even using deadly force to repel such danger.

While it is doubtless not very relevant, the Deadly Force Institute here in the US, advocates the use of deadly force for the repulsion of all incidents of imminent personal danger. It is also the belief of both the NRA and Deadly Force Institute that these protections be extended to trespass against property as well. That is, however, a subject for another post.

Moreover, he should have as his witnesses, fellow Isseluku villagers who would attest to the fact that the decedent was, in fact, a shape-shifting wizard. This list should also include the head Baba ‘Llawo, or medicine man, who would also testify to the powers of the dead. It goes without saying the dead man’s victims should also be compelled to testify.

Apropos, such a defense, based on both parts of law, in all likelihood, will pass judicial muster even in Christian Southern Nigeria.

In closing, I should caution against the contemptuous behavior of us Christians against these morons pagans. Just because these rubes people believe in stupid, farcical absurdities in idol worship, does not mean that we, as Children of The Living God, should deride their beliefs.

It is, you know, not nice.

© 2005-2009, John Obeto for SmallBizWindows

Good help is hard to find

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Used to be, you hired someone for a job, they regarded themselves as artisans and created art.

No longer.

More and more do we hear news of people not taking pride in their chosen profession, masquerading as craftsmen when they are just pretenders.

Case in point is Saddam Hussain.

For years this yum-yum terrorized an entire subcontinent.

(Of course it did matter that the other so-called 'leaders' were sybaritic fraidy-cats as well.)

His public exposure as a coward, and subsequent expulsion from the Global Institute of Dictators, Despots, & Tyrants, popularly known as DIRTBAGs, was a direct result of his exposing other dictators as cowards as well.

See this post for more.

Alas, I digress.

In the news this weekend was the snippet of a 51 year-old nurse strangulating her would-be assassin.

Coming home from work, this woman was assaulted by a claw-hammer wielding man she thought was a burglar.

She then proceeds to strangle her assailant to death.

Are you freakin' kiddin' me?

Has this world gone mad?

She did not shoot him to death.

She did not stab him to death.

She did not bludgeon him to death.

She did not asphyxiate him to death with a (conveniently placed) electrical cord/belt/whatever.

She did not pepper-spray or mace him to death.

Heck, she did not even Taser him to death!

She strangled him to death with her bare hands!!!

If he was just a burglar as initially surmised, he could be forgiven for this lack of conditioning.

Turns out, he was an assassin!

Yes, an assassin! Hired by the woman's estranged husband to whack the broad.

Then the vic kills him? With her bare hands too!

I mean, didn't this guy have pride in his chosen profession? How can he walk the streets after such a debacle?

Oops! I forgot, he's D-I-D, DEAD.

Loser even in the afterlife.

© 2005-2009, John Obeto for SmallBizWindows

Kudos to Current Media Ho'

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"Google Moves into Business Apps", "Google targets enterprise.."
"Google Office takes On Microsoft Office"
etc., etc.

¿Que?

Can some of these people take a break before gushing?

Nothing in the Google offering is new, yet when Microsoft delivered, yes, delivered on most of the same products over the past few, no one came!

Just how do these media types live with themselves?

Props to Mary Jo Foley of Microsoft Watch, and Dare Obasanjo, aka Carnage4Life for pointing out the this really is fluff!

© 2005-2009, John Obeto for SmallBizWindows

Infra Dig: Apple WWDC

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That Grand Puba of the Sound Bite, Steve Jobs, was in full force this past week at Macworld Apple WorldWide Developer Conference.

Bereft of new ideas, and unable to further churn more Gold-pressed Latinum from the adoring cattle crowd, Jobs’ handlers took the time to come up with the totally boring phrases, “Leopard is Vista 2.0” and “Hasta La Vista”. While many right-thinking people might have thought it was infra dignitatem of Jobs, and by proxy, Apple, it was just the kind of catchy, meaningless nonsense, a sort of verbal masturbation if you will, that we have come to expect from Jobs when the cupboard is bare.

What’s next?

However, contrast Paul Thurrott’s dissection of the whole address with this breathless, gushing, front-running blog post from Jupiter’s Michael Gartenberg, on the subject of backups:

Gartenberg: “….Time Machine. This is huge and frankly, to understand how powerful this backup and recovery app is, you have to see it in action. It might be the coolest software interface I've seen in a long time. I can say this about it, when I saw the demo the first time. I smiled. Then I grinned. Then I laughed. Watching the audience during the Steve's keynote, you could see a similar reaction from folks. Backup is hard to do, and even harder to work with, that's why most folks don't bother. Apple has finally taken the onus on itself to provide consumers with the tool they need to protect their digital life. This one alone is worth the price of admission…..”

Thurrott: “…Time Machine. "With Mac OS X Leopard and Time Machine ... you can go back in time to recover anything you’ve ever backed up. Time Machine’s time-based browser [lets you] see a snapshot of how your entire system looked on any given day — file by file." Wow, neat. It was especially neat when Microsoft included it in Windows Server 2003 over three years ago and called it Volume Shadow Copy. And yes, Windows Vista has it too, built right-in. It even has the backup stuff. Obviously.…..”

¿Que??? All that fawning about a backup program?

Now you know why Jobs is the way he is!

The OS X releases from the intro of OS X to now have been many, four I think, and at a cost of $129.00 USD per ‘upgrade’, you then realize that the herd proletariat has been paying a monetary tribute to King Jobs while he has been feeding them his (really) tired jokes.

Meanwhile these so-called upgrades have been nothing more than eye-candy, security patches, and bug fixes.

If Microsoft had charged the same amount of money in the same period of time for such 'upgrades', can you imagine the fallout?

Go figure!
Copyright © 2006, John Obeto II for SmallBizVista.com®

© 2005-2009, John Obeto for SmallBizWindows

Windows Live Writer

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More from the team at Windows Live.

Was out for the entire weekend; didn't even touch a computer, read or use the 8125 to check email, no emails, no news, nothing!

Came back home to see that Windows Live Writer has been released.

I (really) like so far, especially the true WYSIWYG editing.

Nice!

Thanks, Steve Bink/Ryan Hoffman of Bink.nu for the link.

© 2005-2009, John Obeto for SmallBizWindows

Tiger & Alligator

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This clown, Yates, in NY,NY just had a suit he filed against the City of NY,NY tossed!

He, believe it or not, is pissed because the city entered his apartment without a warrant to remove his 10-ft, 400lb tiger, and 280lb alligator from his (public housing) apartment!

¿Que?

What an idiot!