December 5, 2009
In no particular order–
Tessa Souter – Obsession
Bennie Maupin Quartet – Early Reflections
Gretchen Parlato – In A Dream
Chick Corea and John McLaughlin – 5 Peace Band Live
Darcy James Argue – Infernal Machines
Fred Hersch – Plays Jobim
Marcus Strickland – Idiosyncracies
Monterey Quartet – Live at 2007 Monterey Jazz Festival
Ramsey Lewis – Songs From The Heart: Ramsey Plays Ramsey
Sonny Rollins – Road Shows Vol. 1
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Digital Music, Entertainment, Jazz |
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Posted by battleblogger
November 15, 2009
In today’s ‘New York Times Sunday Magazine’, Nicholas Carr takes on the growing loss of profits resulting from the availability of free television and movie content on the web.
He discusses the growth of web-enabled technology, the ease of streaming content to a television, free content sources (Netflix, Hulu, You Tube, etc.), the F.C.C.’s embracement of “net neutrality” and the subsequent loss of communal viewing.
To his list of grievances, I would mention how the change in viewing habits resulting from the parsing of viewing platforms has resulted in a devaluation of the content. Because of its’ availability, the consumer has lowered their “respect” for the product. Technology has minimized television “Event” programming to live events. NBC’s long time Thursday night hold just doesn’t grab one when ’30 Rock’ and ‘The Office’ are quickly available online at no cost and sometimes with extra web-only content!
And it’s not just television and film that we see this in. The bloodletting in newspapers and magazines continues as their content is freely available online. Book publishers see their business models changing as Amazon reprices their product for its’ ‘Kindle’ digital reader. They need to learn the lessons of the recording industry.
Most egregious of all, has been the cheapening of content from the producers themselves. They are responsible for have freely releasing their product to the masses at no cost, with no profitable business model in place. On a variation of what Jay Leno once said to Hugh Grant — what in the hell were these guys thinking?
For a television network or film studio to promote a new release online at no cost, will always be an intelligent method of promotion, but allowing free tv and movie downloads is not promotion — it’s giving away expensive product to an audience already aware of its’ value and willing to spend the time to view it.
We all like free product and quickly become Pavlovian in our continued expectation of it. A lesson needs to be learned from the online version of the ‘Wall Street Journal,’ which continues to show profitability as premium subscription content. As for the free movies and TV shows that are already available on Netflix, Hulu, You Tube, etc., it’s too late. Technology has opened the Pandora’s box of content. Good luck getting it back in.
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Digital Publishing, Kindle, Online Entertainment, Television |
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Posted by battleblogger
November 2, 2009
An article in the Independent UK relates a study which concludes that illegal music downloaders spend more on music than those who claim not to illegally download.
With MP3 files less expensive than compact discs music and the convenience of purchasing individual files, I not only gladly pay for my downloads, I purchase more music in a larger range of styles, than ever before. I also admit to making copies for friends who more likely than not, are not acquainted with the tunes I send their way.
Forrester Research states that “We have a generation of young people who don’t have any concept of music as a paid-for commodity.” And unfortunately, there’s no reason to expect that to change.
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Digital Music, Entertainment |
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Posted by battleblogger
October 19, 2009
I was hoping Verizon was going to pick up the iPhone next year, and though it looks like my hopes have been squashed, I’m pleased to say that it’s not bothering me like I thought it would.
Verizon is showing allegiance with Googles’ entry into the mobile market with its Android OS phone, called the ‘Droid’. We will soon be learning about its’ multitude of features, but as a Google phone, one is not surprised to see a ‘Quick Search’ box located at the top of the browser, allowing users to search the web directly from the home screen.
Android’s free ‘Open Source Project’ platform, will be developer-friendly and insure an extensive quantity of applications. Google has even offerred $250,000 in price money for best new applications.
And if you think Verizon is being delicate about superiority to the iPhone, check out the ad
This competition will be interesting to follow, with the consumer the ultimate beneficiary.
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Android, Apple, Mobile, Smart Phone, iPhone |
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Posted by battleblogger