Going Loco with my mate ApriPoko

I love my gadgets, and this one is cute as well as cool. Toshiba are developing a voice-activated robot called ApriPoko that learns how you use your infrared devices.

Lil’ ApriPoko, who weighs in at just over 2 kg and stands 11-inches tall, senses the use of an infrared device and learns by asking the user “What did you just do?” and then storing the user response. This then lets the user issue voice commands to activate and control infrared devices.

MyTake – Even PCs and Macs come with remotes these days, so you could in effect get ApriPoko to manage your content aggregation via a few simple instructions (OK maybe I’m stretching a bit there). But, the idea of having a learning bot that understands how you consume and interact with your infrared devices could spawn a number of highly individual uses for Lil’ ApriPoko, like the one mentioned above, or you could get him to turn the air conditioning on..and off….

Surfin’ Safari

Safari, for those not in the know, is the internet browser that comes as standard with all Apple Macs and has a pretty good reputation among Mac users. Until recently, only Mac users got to experience Safari, but that all changed with the announcement last year that Apple was going to make Safari available for PC.

Now that’s interesting and all, but the really interesting thing is the way that they (they being Apple) have distributed it. Jobs and Co came up with the light-bulb idea of delivering Safari as part of its latest software update as well as including it in its iTunes software. Now, I don’t need to tell you about the penetration of iTunes across both Mac and PC – it’s enormous.

MyTake – genius move by the boys at Apple, even if it is a bit of a Trojan horse. Distribution is everything when it comes to content, that’s why I am a firm believer that Apple is going to be a major threat to the likes of Blockbuster in the next few years. However, we have to remember that the power is in the content as well as the distribution model.

Broadcasters tune in

Another day, another digital first. Canadian channel CBC has revealed plans that it will make its new reality show available through BitTorrent, making it the first broadcaster to release an English-language, prime-time show without any copyright restrictions. The show, entitled “Canada’s Next Great Prime Minister” features contestants that battle it out with each other to come up with ideas to make the great country of Canada a better place. There’s been a lot of buzz around the use of BitTorrent lately, most recently with Nine Inch Nails releasing their new album using the technology.

MyTake – It makes sense for government/state funded TV to make a move like this, because its content is already “free-access”. By using BitTorrent, it opens up another channel and therefore more eyeballs. The interesting move is going to come when the advertising-funding or pay-per-view cotton on to it, but the question is – how do you give it away and still maintain its value? Teasers, free weekends?….time will tell.

I'll have an iPod with the lot, thanks....

Is Apple about to change the music game again? Jobs and co are apparently working on a deal to offer fee access to the entire iTunes music library based on a premium-purchase model for the iPod and iPhone. Basically, you pay a bit more cash for iPod/iPhone and you get the music for free…or maybe at a reduced cost. Details aren’t clear at the moment, but it seems to be similar to mobile phone plans as in the more you pay for you plan, the more free stuff you get.

Another rumour doing the rounds is that there could be a subscription model on the cards for the iPhone, again no details have been released, but it would make sense for them to extend their music model into that sector, which is largely dominated by the telcos.

MyTake – Is there no stopping the juggernaut that is Apple? These guys innovate like the rest of us breath. Once again, the power of the platform (iTunes) could breath new life into the record industry by opening another way for customers to purchase music. Companies are finally coming to terms with the actual worth of content and I think that this is something that consumers will welcome. At the end of the day, it’s about empowering us with choices and options, and the more choices and options we have, the more records you’ll sell.

No money for new Nails

Following in the footsteps of the likes of Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails have offered their latest album as a free download and also deliberately leaked it onto file sharing networks. The album, entitled Ghosts I-V, is available as a free download with an extended high-quality version available for US$5. On top of that, fans can also order the CD for US$10 or get tow "deluxe" versions with photography and a blu-ray disk for $US75 and $US300.

On his blog, lead singer Trent Reznor said “We believe BitTorrent is a revolutionary digital distribution method, and we believe in finding ways to utilize new technologies instead of fighting them."

MyTake - Not all content is created equal and the recording industry needs to understand this. By offering a number of different variants, the value of the content becomes clearer, you get why you are paying 5 bucks for the high-quality version, you get why you need to pay for the Blu-ray dick - because the content is worth more.

St Paddy goes virtual

The world loves to celebrate St Paddy’s day – usually with a few pints of Guinness. But how about celebrating with a few virtual pints? Tourism Ireland has hosted a virtual St Paddy’s day parade in Second Life featuring up to twenty floats and a treasure hunt around recreated landmarks such as The Guinness Brewery.

MyTake – great move and interesting content, they have really thought about the network and provided residents with something interesting to take part in. We’re seeing a lot more brands getting involved with Second Life, the tipping point can’t be far off.

Normal service will resume soon...

For those of you that regularly read my blog, apologies - I'm actually on holiday. For those of you that are new to it or just dip in from time-to-time.... it's usually a lot more interesting than this! 

I've just spent a brilliant week in the Hunter Valley and I am feeling chilled and ready to deliver some more Digiwedoness soon. 

As you can see from the picture (and for those of you familiar with the Hunter Valley) I made it to the Blue Tongue Brewery, very worth while! Also, for those wine enthusiasts out there, I can highly recommend Tranquil Vale as a place to stay and buy some wine.

Anyway, normal service will resume soon.