Dethroning the iPad from its place atop the tablet world will be no small feat. As our own Jill Krumsick documented early this year, Apple has a staggering lead in tablet market share. While competitors Samsung, RIM and Motorola have leveraged their experience and brought considerable marketing budgets to bear, they still find themselves falling far short. Nobody has even made a noticeable dent in iPad dominance.

Source: ChangeWave Research

Many people believe that where so many others have failed, Amazon will succeed. It could be said that Amazon’s current Kindle is already iPad’s stiffest competitor, even though it’s not technically an apples-to-apples comparison (pun intended). While Amazon tends to be tight-lipped regarding exact sales figures, many reported numbers as high as 8 million units during 2010. Compare that to just fewer than 15 million units for Apple, and it sure looks like a solid number two in the market to me. Really, Amazon doesn’t need to depose iPad. There is plenty of room with consumers for both products. The tablet pie will only continue to grow as more users decide to go mobile and leave their old PCs behind. Competition always makes products better, and Amazon and Apple will continue to push each other to innovate.

So what about some specs on this mystery product? According to sources, the upcoming tablet release will feature a 7-inch color touchscreen with a 10-inch version planned for 2012. The tablet does support multitouch gestures similar to an iPad. It is rumored to have a mini-USB port. Alas, no camera for all you shutterbugs out there. However, the real news is that while the device is based on a flavor of Android, Amazon has forked the open-source operating system and created its own version. The interface is branded Amazon and looks little or nothing like the Android interface of other tablets. This would make sense for Amazon, which wants to enter the market on an established platform. Android already has a thriving developer community and a catalog of apps for download. But the Amazon team wants to have more control over their environment, and that is exactly what forking Android does for them. All future releases of the Kindle tablet will be based on this new source code, and if Amazon decides to incorporate later releases of Google’s software, it will be on their terms and behind the scenes.

There are several reasons why this venture into tablet computing makes sense for Amazon. First of all, the Kindle has been a huge success as Amazon’s initial hardware offering. While content remains their primary business, they have found a way to make the hardware profitable as well. Sales for the device continue to top Amazon’s electronics category. Also, Amazon has learned a great deal from the Kindle about streamlining production costs. The entry-level price point for a Kindle has continued to become more attractive, dropping to $114, which is very reasonable for the average consumer. It would stand to reason that the e-commerce giant could expect similar sales from a Kindle-branded tablet device. Rumors abound regarding the expected consumer cost for the upcoming device, but some have it as low as $250. At half the cost of the iPad, it is attractive enough for serious buyers to take a long, hard look before making a decision on any tablet purchase.

Cost is not the true advantage for the Amazon tablet. After all, Samsung and other competitors have already entered the market with prices below Apple. The edge that puts Amazon above the rest is the existing content delivery infrastructure. The success of all Apple iOS products has been largely dependent on the integration of iTunes and the App Store. No other manufacturer has such a massive content network in place to support their hardware…until now. Amazon already has relationships in place with publishers of all media types. They have a massive user base already shopping over their network. And they now have a fully integrated Amazon App Store. Amazon is poised like nobody else to compete directly with Apple at every level.

Related articles:

• Is Amazon’s Knife Sharp Enough to Carve into the Tablet Market?
• Amazon App Store for Android Reportedly Live Outside U.S.
• Amazon App Store Opens to Australia, Canada, Europe, More
• New Amazon Kindle Tablet: A Threat to the iPad?
• Amazon Site Redesign Is Final Puzzle Piece for Kindle Tablet
• Amazon’s Kindle Tablet Won’t Be for Geeks
• How “Open” Will Kindle Tablet Be?
• Amazon to Launch 7? Android Tablet for $250 in November
• Kindle Tablet Thoughts and Wondering What It Means for Kindle 4

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The most important Internet-capable device in your life may very soon be your television. The Web is poised to invade your living room and revolutionize the way we consume media. Companies like Apple and Google have introduced products this year that transform the way we watch television. What these Internet-capable set-top boxes provide is what has always been the promise of the Internet, convenience. Traditional television is clunky and difficult to manage. It requires users to conform to the rules of the content providers. Who today has time to plan their lives around an 8:30 p.m. time slot on Thursday nights? Streaming video allows users control over their television viewing. People want to watch what they want and when they want it. People also want choice. Online video gives viewers this freedom in ways that traditional media can’t. Devices such as Apple TV allow users to stream online video instantly and on their own terms.

The company known primarily for search announced Google TV at this year’s Google I/O. It promises to be a very interesting addition to your living room media cabinet. As with their Android mobile operating system, Google has chosen to focus on the platform while allowing others to create hardware to run its new TV-centric software. Google TV provides streaming services such as Netflix and Pandora along with a TV-friendly Internet browser. You can already purchase devices running Google TV, such as the Logitech Revue or Sony Internet TV Blu-ray Disc Player, or even built into a standalone TV, such as the Sony Internet TV.

Apple, on the other hand, prefers to be the master of its own hardware with Apple TV. The Cupertino-based computer giant launched the second generation of its set-top box at their September Keynote. The software/hardware integration allows virtually flawless syncing with iTunes along with your iPhone or iPad. Also, Apple TV is running a version of Apple’s mobile iOS, which means we could be seeing an iPhone-like app store for the set-top box in the near future. This is a long way from the device that Steve Jobs originally called just a “hobby” for Apple.

Apple is in a slightly better position than Google to take advantage of this new streaming video reality. Beyond the obvious advantage of hardware compatibility, they have a history of working with content providers with products such as iTunes and iBooks. Networks are less skittish when dealing with Apple’s closed and controlled ecosystem than they are with Google’s open platform, with its promise of free online use. But Apple and Google aren’t the only players in this market. The Roku Player, while still relatively unknown, beat both of the Internet giants into the market and has a very loyal, if small, following. It also features extremely competitive pricing and a tiered system of hardware choices. And let’s not forget about the stealthy Internet-capable devices that you likely already have connected to your television. Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft have very quietly positioned themselves to compete in this new space with their gaming consoles. Reports show as many as 21% of Americans already use their video game console to watch television and movies, including streaming online content from providers such as Netflix. In fact, Nintendo has admitted that it sees Apple as its main competitor in the coming years.

With the ever-increasing availability of broadband connectivity, online streaming video has become more and more prevalent. Yet, major networks are already fighting to prevent these new devices from distributing their content. ABC, NBC and CBS have all made moves to block their otherwise free online content from being distributed over devices such as Google TV. However, if we have learned one thing from similar attempts by the record industry and publishers, it’s that the people’s will will be done. Apple and Google have both recognized the need for Internet platforms attached to your television. These channels will reach users across millions of devices that are not traditional computers or laptops as any of us currently know them. Picture a person browsing the Web while sitting on their couch. Perhaps they use a tablet to read online articles, search for the latest episode of their favorite television show from their phone and then use the phone or tablet as a remote to watch the video on the living room TV set. That day is already here and, as always, the technology is simply waiting on the content providers to catch up.

Despite hesitancy from some, it is a fact that streaming Internet video is the future of television. All that remains to be seen is how content providers react to the current trends. The smart ones will embrace the new shift in viewing habits and find ways to extend advertising and other revenue-generating models to online. In this sort of race, it’s very frequently those who act fastest that thrive. It’s also likely that we will see fresh and new content providers that are built on a sleek, low-budget model that is designed specifically for this type of environment. These newcomers will likely thrive in the new world of streaming video. Because of this drastic change in media consumption, marketers will have to act quickly to make sure their brands stay relevant in this space. Without a comprehensive digital strategy, it will be easy to get lost in the noise. Because if there is one thing that the freedom of the Internet also delivers, it’s parity. When everyone’s voice is heard equally, it’s much harder to stand out. Digital presence no longer just means a website, but exposure across multiple web platforms: blogs, social media, search, display ads, podcasting and, yes, online video.

I recently wrote an article for the Click Here Insights Blog describing the pitfalls of creating solutions based around using technology for technology’s sake. I used Wave as an example of this common mistake and for good reason. Google Wave utilized some revolutionary browser enhancements. So revolutionary in fact, that Wave never worked in Internet Explorer. Google handicapped it’s creation from the start by the simple fact that it did not work at all in the browser that over 50% of all people use to view the internet. Now, I hate IE as much as the next bloke, but when you want your product to be accepted by a wide audience then it might be a good idea to make sure that you aren’t limiting the reach of that product.

The argument for the lack of IE support is the advanced browser technology like being able to view others typing in real time. What follows is an example of the typical users reacting to real time typing.

“Wow, we can actually see each other typing in real time.” This was the immediate reaction which was invariably followed by the second reaction: “That’s really annoying, how do I turn that feature off?”

Of course you couldn’t do, although Google was kind enough to give us a grayed-out button just so we knew that someday in the distant future we would be able to turn it off. As if waiting to receive functionality that is actually the default behavior in hundreds of instant messaging clients wasn’t frustrating. Or perhaps the ability to remove someone from a wave? Such simple and most would say essential functionality failed to ship with the beta release of Wave. Yes it was beta, but let’s face it, the product was not in any shape to be released to public testing when invites started to go out last year.

And who can forget Dr. Wave? He was the annoying….err, I mean friendly mascot for Google Wave. He was so annoying….err, helpful in his tutorial videos that really didn’t explain much of anything about how someone should actually use Wave. I guess it didn’t really matter if the videos were helpful or not because any sane person couldn’t sit through the entire thing. Seriously, that guy made me wish for Clippy the anthropomorphic paper clip from Microsoft Office. Now that was a mascot that was worthy of all of my hatred and scorn.

At least once you got passed the broken or missing functionality, the lack of standard browser support and the super annoying mascot the user interface was intuitive right? Wrong! After using Wave for a year I still can’t easily navigate my way around the thing. Why must I browse for extensions in the same interface that I use for my inbox? How do I add a contact if they don’t have a Google account…or if I just don’t know what it is? Why do I continually click in the wrong place in a wave and then I’m only replying to one waver and not the entire distribution list? And when I do make this mistake why is it near impossible to delete my reply.

It’s not that Google Wave was a bad idea, if fact, I originally thought that the technology has some serious potential. I wrote an article after watching the I/O about how project managers could harness the new communication process presented in Wave to better collaborate with teams locally or spread out across the world. The problem was, like it is with so many of Google’s properties, that the tech giant did not support it. All of the issues I outline above could have been easily remedied if only Google had responded when users complained about them. Alas, Wave looks and acts today much as it did upon it’s birth just over one year ago. It’s major defects left unaddressed and it’s potential left unrealized. Personally I hope that Google incorporates some of the advances from Wave into it’s other web properties. Gmail, Google Reader and Google Docs could all benefit from the lessons learned from Wave. If Google can do that then this web tool need not have died in vain.

Let us all learn some valuable lessons from Google Wave. When the technology is so advanced that most users can’t operate it then it will make success more difficult. When one worries too much about what can be done and not enough about what should be done then users are likely to be confused by the product. Once mistakes are made, act quickly to correct them or users will just as quickly loose patience with the product. If Google had heeded these simple truths then Wave might not have died so young.

So without further delay I would like to officially say goodbye to Google Wave. So long, farewell, auf weidersehen, adieu. At least some of us will miss you. Now play him off Keyboard Cat!

photo by pamhule

Google and China are at it again. Google announced January 12th that agents hacked into their system and attempted to access information stored on Google servers regarding Chinese political dissidents. While Google has been careful not to make any direct accusations, it is very clear that they feel these acts were carried out by or on behalf of the Chinese government. Chinese officials continue to deny their involvement in the attacks even when the hackers have been traced to a prominent Chinese technical university and vocational school with ties to the Chinese military. Google has subsequently stated that if it can not reach an agreement with Chinese officials to operate its search engine unfiltered it will close down its operations in China. The government has made it very clear that they currently have no intentions of lifting any content restrictions and that if Google removes censorship there will be “consequences.” As the fastest growing economy in the world, the profits that are available in China should Google stay and compete are substantial.

If they pull out, Google sends a message to other companies that currently do business in China.  Corporations now have a responsibility to act with a conscience. China has a long and sordid history of human rights violations. Even as the country modernizes the government continues to cling to its oppressive cold war ways. During the 2008 Summer Olympics the world witnessed first hand what marvels the Chinese people are capable of, but often times the plight of the Tibetan people or even Chinese citizens who speak out against the government were swept under the table. Google finds itself in a unique situation. The service they provide is directly linked to self-determination. The internet is the greatest collection of information in the history of mankind and freedom to access that information unfiltered is a necessary human right in the digital age. With well over 400 billion queries per day, Google is the lens through which most people view this information. When Google dilutes access at the request of any government it is adding a bias and becoming a tool of that government rather than of the people.

“Don’t be evil” is the informal slogan of Google and its meaning is cast in sharp relief against the China dilemma. After the January 12th ultimatum negotiations have been slow. Google is understandably nervous about removing the censorship from its Google.cn site without the consent of the government, because doing so could endanger Google employees working in its China offices. However, the stonewalling of Chinese officials makes it more and more likely that Google will be forced to do just that or else close its offices for good. While negotiations are ongoing Google continues to hire for its China offices, so obviously losing its foothold in China is a worst-case scenario. Considering the millions in advertising dollars the company stands to loose, Google remains hopeful that it can operate free and uncensored. However, doing so is going to require cooperation from the government.  If Google can secure this cooperation not only will it be a victory for their business, but a milestone for free speech in a part of the world that has long lacked such liberty. It will also set a precedent for the free market’s triumph over oppressive regimes. The ball is in their court; the eyes of the world are on Google.

Some More Good Articles:

Read Write Web – What Will Google Do In China

The New York Times – China Issues Another Warning To Google On Enforced Censorship Of The Internet

Ars Technica – China And Google Playing Game Of Chicken Over Censorship

Ars Technica – China Warns Google Partners As Censored Results Leak Through

Financial Times – Google ‘99% Certain’ To Shut China Engine

Read Google’s Original Statement:

Official Google Blog – A New Approach To China

Photo by tanakawho

By now everyone is aware of the anticipated announcement tomorrow by Apple. Rumors are flying and it seems everyone has a “reliable source” that can confirm that the new Apple tablet will have a 10 megapixel camera powered by pixie dust. Wild speculation might be fun, but I will be abstaining in this article. Instead, I would like to focus on my wish list. The below are features that very well may not be included in the final design, but I feel would be invaluable in any computer with a touch-screen tablet form factor.

1. Accessibility to 3G/4G network – The true value of the iPhone is in having a computer available and connected to the Internet at all times. At least that’s the theory; AT&T isn’t exactly the most reliable network in the world. With only a wifi connection, any tablet would be severely handicapped. On the other hand, I’m not sure I’m willing to pay another monthly rate to a wireless carrier for connectivity. The tablet should follow the Kindle model and incorporate free wireless subsidized through content purchases.

2. USB port(s) - Apple will try to convince me that a 30GB hard drive is all the storage space I would ever need. They’ve been trying to convince me that I don’t need storage for years and I’m still not buying it. The ability to connect to an external hard drive is a must. I want to be able to have instant access to all of my media. A possible solution could be a polished streaming app that would allow me to connect to my external iTunes library, but until I see that app a USB port is a must.

3. Ability to pair with Bluetooth keyboard/mouse - 80% of all my interaction with any tablet would be through the touch screen, however there are times that I need to be able to quickly type up an article or create a complicated spreadsheet. In this kind of situation a virtual keyboard is still cumbersome and frustrating. I firmly believe that we will eventually move away from traditional keyboards as an interface device, but we aren’t there yet.

4. Removable battery - This one I can guarantee will not be included. Apple favors longer battery life over interchangeable batteries. Maybe they are right, but that doesn’t stop me from coveting my cake and wanting to eat it too. A removable battery unchains me from electrical outlets for a theoretically unlimited amount of time. Alternately, the internal battery should at the very least be able to stand up to a full day of moderate to heavy use without needing to be charged.

These are just the tippy top of my wish list items for this device. All I want, really, is for Apple to make all of my wildest dreams come true. That’s not too much to ask right? But seriously folks, Apple rarely gives users exactly what they want. In fact, what makes Apple so special is finding innovative solutions to problems that transform the way people think. I’m sure this new product will be no different.

Photo by cliff1066™

Social Networking has changed everything. Anyone who is still not convinced of this truth either has been hiding under a very large rock for the last 5 years…or they’re disagreeing with you just to be contrary. People communicate today in ways like never before. If the internet was the most important shift in communication since the printing press then social networking is the digital age’s equivalent of the first newspaper. It is difficult to understand exactly what the communication landscape is going to look like once all of the dust settles, but I think it’s safe to say that it will be vastly different than the static one-way communications of the twentieth century.

The things that tend to change the world are usually misunderstood or even taken for granted at the time. Social media is no different. The brilliance of Facebook and Twitter isn’t their complex nature, quite the opposite. The simplicity is what takes people by surprise. People don’t comprehend Twitter when they first sign up. “What’s the point” is the question I get most from friends registering for the microblogging service. These are intelligent people who simply don’t understand. I can’t blame them. I didn’t get it at first either. To be honest, I’d be lying if I told you I completely understand it now.

It’s okay not to fully recognize what social media means for the future. The common Virginia militiaman could not fathom how his actions and those of his countrymen would change the world in 1776. He was probably just mad at the redcoats for burning his crops and looking for a little payback. Only a handful of visionaries in Philadelphia had a glimmer of recognition.

Okay, okay…maybe Facebook and Twitter aren’t as important as the founding of a democracy that has survived for 200 years as a beacon of hope to the world (cue patriotic music), but it is undeniable that they have triggered a fundamental change in the way people interact with each other. History has a funny habit of changing things in ways we don’t expect.

Gowalla is a fun, location-based social networking game for your iPhone or other mobile device. With Gowalla, users can check in at each location they visit. This lets friends know where you are and also earns points towards pins which you can earn for both shear volume of check-ins or for visiting specific locations. The service can be connected to both Twitter and Facebook accounts. Whenever users check in they can also post status updates to their social networking service. Gowalla offers a limited number of developer created “trips” or pre-picked locations to visit. Some examples of “trips” you can take in Gowalla are the Fort Worth Zoo Safari or the Nashville Honkytonk Stomp. Another fun piece of the game is the ability to pick up items other people have dropped in any given location by swapping with something in your own pack. This adds a level of interactivity that is lacking in other location-based games lack.

Gowalla was launched on the heals of another location-based game called Foursquare, but it sure looks like Gowalla is gearing up for a showdown with their location-based big brother. In December the development house responsible for Gowalla, Alamofire, announced that Gowalla had raised $8.4 million in a round of venture capital funding. Unlike Foursquare that opens it’s application city by city, Gowalla crowdsources location information allowing users to create locations when none exist. This gives them the distinct advantage of being able to penetrate markets early as long as there are committed Gowalla users in the vicinity. Also, for you iPhone users, the Gowalla application provides a slicker interface. After using both of these applications I definitely prefer Gowalla, but it will be interesting to see how the battle plays out.

In an increasingly connected age, we live our lives in public. Location-based games are a logical step that adds a level of fun to the equation. Concerns may exist about sharing exact locations publicly. While this can be worrisome for those that value their privacy, an easy solution presents itself. Simply wait until leaving a location to check in. This way users can still share their location without sweating that stalker that’s been trailing you.  With more people carrying smartphones with GPS technology, Gowalla and Foursquare are gaining in popularity. These games allow users to express themselves by sharing their favorite hangouts. It also adds a new layer to social networking that is intriguing to say the least.

Movies are one on the only things that should be listened to in surround sound. When audio engineers sit down to record the sound track to a movie they spend a lot of time trying to make it feel as if you are immersed in the film. This can be done with little things that make a big difference, a bird chirping behind you, or a car driving by on a busy street passing from front to back. At the same time if this is over-done then it can be just down right distracting. One of the most common mistakes made when hooking up a surround system, just as often by a professional as a consumer, is turning your side and back speakers up too much. This will became more of a distraction then anything else.

Music should never be played in surround sound. If you are watching a live concert on Blu-Ray then you may be able to get away with this, but if there is no video to go with your music then never use the surround modes and under no circumstances should you ever use the BULL S@#* mode 5 CH stereo.When an engineer sits down in a studio with an artist his goal should be (notice I said should) to make as clean of a copy as he can that will also make the listener feel as if the music is being played right in front of them. Stereo is the way to pull this off. When you are listening to music on a stereo set up, it should sound like there is a third speaker in the center playing also. You should hear the main vocals if not directly in front of you, off to one side or the other just slightly, as if they were trying to make it sound like they stand when they are playing live.

This might sound like something that only high-end, high-dollar gear can pull off. It’s not, I have been able to get some stock radios in cars to pull off some amazing stereo effects If you just work with the settings a little and you are listening to a good recording. The recording is the most important part of this process. Most of the brand new stuff I have heard recently is not the best because of the iPod Generation. We have lost a lot in recording quality because, lets face it, we can’t get great quality out of a credit card-sized device. Some of the stuff I like to show off with is music from about 10 years ago. My favorite is Sister Hazels Somewhere More Familiar, look for Starfish at the end of the album. Also you can never go wrong with Counting Crows August and Everything After. For some cool stereo effects with the drums look into Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and their bonus track. Now dust off some of your old CDs, close your eyes, and just listen.

It seems there is no end to Twitter integration applications. As such,?Twalkin should come as little surprise. Twalkin allows users to schedule and moderate ?Twalks? or Twitter integrated teleconferencing. Complete with an iPhone application and an Android version soon to come, Twalkin has several practical uses.

1.Host a private Twalk: This allows you to have chats with only a select few users. It’s a neat feature, but I can’t see what advantages it might have over a typical conference call.

2.Host a public Twalk: This is the real social networking aspect of the app. This feature presents potential for voice forums or large scale crowd-sourcing. Since users are identified by there twitter user names it is possible for a moderator to follow tweets and unmute contributors as they tweet intriguing ideas.

3.Broadcast Twalk: Broadcast is perhaps the most interesting aspect of Twalkin. With broadcast it is possible to only allow a select few speakers while the rest of the public audience can join in listen-only mode. This feature is almost like a live telecast. Companies could use it for announcements that don’t warrant a press conference, but still need a human voice.

Leo Laporte and Amber MacArthur on?Net @ Night successfully tested the technology as a call-in solution for live podcasting. Obviously the technology has practical applications and great potential. As is the case with most social based software it is largely dependent on user adoption. Twalkin has done it’s part to ensure acceptance. The web application’s user interface is friendly, and the iPhone app is absolutely intuitive.

One day our phone book, email contacts and social network “friends” are going to be one in the same. That is one of many convergences that only lack timing and technology to be a reality. What is left to be seen is if Twalkin is a step in that direction or just a fun piece of technology that crosses over from social networking to telephony.

What is Twalkin? from Twalkin on Vimeo.