Advertising Officially Shifts To Digital From Print

From Yahoo U.S. Advertisers to spend more on digital than print for first time ever.

US companies will spend more this year on digital and online advertising and marketing than on print for the first time ever, according to a study released on Monday.

Outsell, which provides research and advisory services to the publishing and information industries, described the spending shift as "an industry milestone crossover event."


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Things That Make You Go Hmmm...

Headlines for this week.


Weight Watcher's labels McDonald's Chicken McNuggets healthy. Burger King is in talks with Jenny Craig for Whopper labeling.

Microsoft's Ballmer bets it all on this .

The mobile space must be starting to boom because the patents are starting fly. See who is suing who for what.

Apple sues for their "touchy feely" intellectual property.

Sony, a new player in the handheld device space? Will the WalkMan get another life?

Throw away your PC in 3 years.

YouTube launches auto-captions for videos. Expect new words to be added to Webster's.

Palm will be left to die, Microsoft not interested. Pioneer of the smart phone seeks bleak picture.

New service lets you invest in FaceBook, Twitter, before they go public.

For those too lazy to type a phone number, Google extends click to call for all advertisers.

Y2K bug knocks out PlayStation.

FaceBook is secretly planning an Internet wide payment platform. Should PayPal start to worry?

Airport scanners spreading across U.S..

Google unveils disaster recovery feature and replicates data in multiple servers and data centers. Can you say exponential memory?




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Could Apple Trigger The Cloud Computing Boom?

A major transformation took place when computing power moved from the PC/phone to the Internet.

The PC used to be the device that did the work and used the Net to deliver it. Now, the PC, iPod, cellphone are merely connection devices and the Net does the "work".

An example. Your home phone probably has a built in answering machine which jacked up the price for your phone. When the power goes out, so does the time and your recorded message. Your local phone company offers voicemail as a service option. For x amount a month they record and store your messages. Your phone no longer does the "work", your local phone company's server does.

This transformation is called "cloud computing" and it has disrupted the personal computing industry.

Consumers are maxing out their iPods and other digital devices. The next place to store their stuff is in the cloud.

I said a while back that Apple is sitting on a goldmine with iTunes.

iTunes could be a mobile commerce platform

Apple could introduce and iTunes browser.

iTunes represents a killer platform, it's only fitting that they lead the way to consumer cloud computing.

From C/Net Apple to store video in the cloud

By cramming digital songs, videos, and all manner of software applications on computers and handheld devices, there's some indication that consumers are maxing out hard drives, particularly on smaller mobile devices. That has led to speculation among Apple watchers that some consumers might slow their purchasing of new content, if they have nowhere to easily put it.


Now imagine being able to access ALL of your digital content from ANY device, regardless of your location? That is what Apple wants to do. Think of one password protected site that allows you to retrieve and play ANY of your digital content on ANY device....that is iTunes cloud computing.


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The End Of Physical Bank Locations?

It seems there's a new bank popping up on every corner, and I still don't understand it. With almost every financial transaction being enabled online, who needs to go into a bank..especially if they aren't making loans.

USAA, a company that provides banking and insurance for military veterans, has introduced innovative technology(remote deposit capture) that could literally eliminate the need to ever walk into a bank.

From Clusterstock.

Here's how it works. When you take a picture of a check, a computer that receives the image looks for the amount, the check number and the digits on the bottom with information on the check writer's account number and the bank's routing number. A photo of the back of the check verifies that it's been signed by the recipient.














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Facebook Overtakes Yahoo For Traffic

Oh how the mighty ARE falling.

If there was any doubt that social networking is the place for targeted advertising.

Yahoo used to have a great finance portal, but when they tweaked the settings, they lost my home page. News alerts are never timely. Some news from days prior shows as just occurring. They make you click 2 times (see expanded version) to see a story in their feedbox.

Word to Google, start focusing on your iGoogle site. That could be a powerful portal with some tweaks.

Think Microsoft is happy they didn't acquire them now? or will they get it even cheaper?

From TheNextWeb Facebook defeats Yahoo

The latest data in from compete.com, shows that Facebook has surpassed Yahoo as America’s second most popular website, leaving only Google in wait.




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The Next Search Engine?

From SF Gate.com Facebook Directs More Online Users Than Google

According to Web measurement firm Compete Inc., Facebook has passed search-engine giant Google to become the top source for traffic to major portals like Yahoo and MSN, and is among the leaders for other types of sites.

Some experts say social media could become the Internet's next search engine.

"People are spending less time navigating the Internet on their own and are now navigating the Internet based on their friends' recommendations or their friends' activities," said Dave Yovanno, chief executive of Gigya Inc.



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Google And National Security Alliance (NSA) To Monitor Internet

Too much "Big Brother", or a great idea?

Will Microsoft's search engine, Bing see a surge in use because of this?

Will IPv6 help?

From Washington Post Google to enlist NSA to help ward off cyberattacks.

The world's largest Internet search company and the world's most powerful electronic surveillance organization are teaming up in the name of cybersecurity.

The sources said the deal does not mean the NSA will be viewing users' searches or e-mail accounts or that Google will be sharing proprietary data.

Over the past decade, other Silicon Valley companies have quietly turned to the NSA for guidance in protecting their networks.






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Business Opportunity For Mechanics

How to create a business? Find a problem and solve it.

As I watch TV court shows like People's Court, there is one type of case that comes up repeatedly. It is the used car purchase and the inevitable "as is" sale. A problem occurs EVERY TIME, and a simple solution offers a great business opportunity

So many people shop on Craig's List for used cars to find a great deal. The Internet and Craig's list offers a terrific form of dynamic classified advertising. These people (litigants) usually go to the owner's home and buy the car without ever getting it checked out by a mechanic.

There are few reasons why.

1. Owner doesn't want a stranger to drive their car without collateral.
2. Used car buyer can't arrange a time for a mechanic to check out the vehicle.
3. Owner sometimes doesn't have insurance and car can't be driven
4. Auto shops are closed in the evening.

OK so here's the business opportunity for ANY MECHANIC.

Create a business/service where you meet the used car buyer at the owner's residence to inspect the vehicle. Charge by the hour, or by the appointment. You are a qualified mechanic that is willing to go to any location to inspect any used car.

This could be a full time job/service or something to do in the evenings/weekends.

If you decide to pursue this, all I ask is that you give me a shout out.

This is just one example of businesses formed by great ideas.
If you have a great idea and want to see how you can generate revenue with it..

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Wind Could Power 20 Percent Of Eastern Grid

From Reuters U.S. says wind could power 20 percent of Eastern grid

Wind energy could generate 20 percent of the electricity needed by households and businesses in the eastern half of the United States by 2024, but it would require up to $90 billion in investment.

How much did we spend to save the auto, banks and insurance industries?

$90 billion doesn't seem like that much after all.








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Smart Grid Companies To Watch In 2010

From Smart Grid News Readers Pick Smart Grid Companies To Watch

the list of Smart Grid Companies To Watch in 2010





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Parking Lots Capture Solar Energy

By adding a "second story" (solar panel overhang), parking lots are being turned into energy producers (more like capturers).

From WPIX Parking Lots Into Solar Ports

Suffolk would build solar panel carports at seven of its largest parking areas, Suffolk Executive Steve Levy said. "It's a win-win for everybody, as not only do solar carports generate clean energy, but they provide a convenient shelter from hot sun or inclement weather for drivers," said Levy.




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China Bans Indoor Smoking

Puff puff goes poof poof.

The nation which is the "future" of the smoking business, just dampened the growth prospects of Philip Morris.

On the bright side, maybe this disruption will alleviate the impending tsunami of health costs.

From 24/7 Wall St China Restricts Smoking Indoors

Sixty-percent of adult men in the People’s Republic are smokers.

The AP reports that China will ban smoking indoors in seven of the nation’s big provincial capitals.






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Procter Gamble...The First Of Many To Make The Shift Online?

From Yahoo News P&G Floats Selling Own Products Online

The biggest impact I see is retail pricing.

Is P&G "outAmazoning" Amazon?

Procter & Gamble Co plans to introduce its own website this month to sell goods directly to consumers and to work on improving its relationships with established online retailers such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc and Amazon.com Inc.

P&G's "eStore" will be owned and operated by e-commerce service provider PFSweb Inc, which will control prices, promotion, and distribution. Only U.S. shoppers will be able to buy the products.




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America Hits Its Obesity Tipping Point

(my apologies for making you look at that)

Under the category of "hey great news ,we can't get any fatter!".

The N.Y. Times reports that Americans, at least as a group, may have reached their peak of obesity, according to data the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released Wednesday.

68 percent of adults and nearly one-third of children are considered at least overweight, with a body mass index of 25 or higher




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12 Trends To Watch In 2010

The Electronic Frontier Foundation, the "defenders of freedom in the digital world" have their list of 12 Trends To Watch In 2010

I found 3 to be very "brain drainable". I see lots of services and applications that will come from them.

2. Books and Newspapers: .TXT is the new .MP3

4. Hardware Hacking: Opening Closed Platforms and Devices

5. Location Privacy: Tracking Beacons in Your Pocket
We know a company that is hiring




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Alt Energy Rates Power Efficiency Their Top Energy Efficiency Stock Of The Year

Over 2 years ago we discovered a tiny nanocap stock and their revolutionary eSave Technology, that was set to revolutionize the electric motor industry.

ESave’s digital technology is able to determine and deliver the proper amount of power necessary, making electric motors smart and efficient.This can eliminate billions of dollars of wasted electricity, excessive CO2 emissions, and brings the electric motor into the digital age.

We published a report titled Electric Motors Go Green. We were early, but I think we will be rewarded for our due diligence.

Today Alt Energy Stocks picked Power Efficiency (PEFF.OB) as their top energy efficiency stock.




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WalMart Uses Land Presence To Become A Cellular Provider?

In the category of "who'd a thunk it"?

Did you ever think WalMart could be a service provider?

This kind of reminds me Joe Nacchio's ingenuity to lay fiber along the railroads and what turned out to be known as Qwest Communications.

What a great idea. Sprint may be using the massive presence of WalMart stores to set up a cellular network. By merely adding a tower to a WalMart store, they are in a sense creating a cell network.

From AndroidGuys Sprint Working With WalMart For WiMax Rollout?

Our source tells us that the effort to grow the nationwide WiMax network includes placing place WiMax towers on the top of all Walmart locations. According to them, they were advised to consider how many stores overlap each other in a 30-50 mile radius. Essentially, this would be enough to cover a good chunk of the United States. Plus, this would not cost nearly as much as erecting towers and dealing with hassles like zoning permissions.

Can you think of other retailers/building owners that have a large enough presence to create a cellular network? What about highway signs, billboards?

What others can you think of?




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Could Bikinis And Barcodes Save The Print Industry?

Could bikinis and the infamous Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue be the catalyst for Physical World Connection?

Could mobile barcodes save the magazine and/or print industry?

JAGTAG the only 2D barcode system that does not require the consumer to download an application into their handset prior to requesting the brand's offering, will be placing 2d barcodes into the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

Print ads containing mobile barcodes will appear in SI and other print titles such as Time, People, and Fortune two weeks before the magazine hits newsstands, according to Mediaweek. The barcodes will also appear on Las Vegas hotel room keys, and in New York City subway cars.






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How To Create Jobs, Increase Taxes And Reduce Correctional Facility Spending

Get set for a huge transformation if this happens.

Planting The Seed For Legal Pot


Could this bail out California financially?


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Google Set To Change History And Add Another Dimension To Advertising

Did you ever think about all of the free advertising that occurs with Google's Street View?

Did the advertisers get "lucky" the day Google captured images on Street View?

I proposed how to get free advertising on Google a while back.

This announcement/patent, will either be a huge way to leverage online advertising, or it could cause a backlash amongst property owners. Google will essentially turn physical property (billboards, buildings, open land etc) into dynamic ads.

Would you rent your physical real estate to Google for online ads?

Does placing an online ad over or on top of a physical location captured digitally infringe on that owner?

Will land owners now be able to earn money using Google's Ad Sense?

This isn't much different than changing the ad behind the catcher in baseball (or outfield walls) to match with the viewer's interest.


From ReadWriteWeb Google Plans To Upgrade old BillBoards

This patent, which was originally filed on July 7, 2008, describes a new system for promoting ads in online mapping applications. In this patent, Google describes how it plans to identify buildings, posters, signs and billboards in these images and give advertisers the ability to replace these images with more up-to-date ads. In addition, Google also seems to plan an advertising auction for unclaimed properties.

What land or building owners would allow Google to place ads on top of their physical site online?

What is the highest searched/viewed "street view", will it command higher ad rate?

This will be an interesting legal issue. While you may own your physical property, do you own it digitally?

There are many business ideas from this, do you see them?






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3D TV...Hope Or Hype?

How many dimensions do we really need?

Isn't high definition TV good enough?

I guess I've never been a big fan of those glasses and the limited increase in viewing pleasure of 3D.

James McQuivey, from Forrester Research has some sobering input on 3DTV and says 3DTV Adoption Will Take Years

just because millions of people watched Avatar in 3D that they will all run right out and buy a $2000 3D TV set

people who really love sport, movies, and gaming, already have a massive flat screen in their living rooms

The picture is distorted unless you are looking directly at the set. That's fine for gamers or sports devotees, but not someone casually watching the evening news

How long for adoption?

If it took 10 years for HD to go from 1 home to reach more than half the US population, it will take 3D just as long



Personally I think that because most of the population just spent a pretty penny on a new LCD or plasma TV,and that 3D isn't for everyday TV viewing, the gaming industry will be the pioneer for this technology.




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Who Said The Internet Has No Boundaries?

This comes under the category, "if you can't create a better product, find a way to tax your competitor".

From FT.com France Proposes Ad Tax On Google

The French government is considering levying a tax on the advertising revenues of Google and other internet portals, in the latest sign of a European backlash against the activities of the US internet search group.

complaints from the French media that Google and other sites are generating advertising income using their news and other content.

On the flipside, I wonder how much income French websites, and French residents, generate FROM Google ads.





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Netflix Realizes A Nickel Is Cheaper Than 44 Cents

From NewTeeVee Netflix Everywhere

According to Netflix CEO Reed Hastings at NewTeeVee Live, the company spends about $600 million a year on postage for its mail-order business, but the cost of streaming a video title is much cheaper than delivering a DVD by mail — about 5 cents a gig for bandwidth — or about a nickel per movie.

The U.S.Postal Service should realize they will be losing a $600m client soon. I am curious as to how much the Kindle has reduced Amazon's(and others) mailing costs.

Other than the movie rental, music and book industry, what other industries will make the shift to electronic delivery versus physical delivery?

What other products can be digitized and delivered electronically?

Will there ever be a "Fedex of the Net"?

Would you pay for extra speed to have something delivered, and if so, what?




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Google To Buy And Sell Electricity

From C/Net Google Energy subsidiary considers clean power

Google took a step toward entering the energy business with the creation of a subsidiary called Google Energy and a request with a federal agency to buy and sell electricity on the wholesale market.

Google's Eric Schmidt once said "The opportunity to remake the (power) grid is not unlike the opportunities of the Internet and the PC".

The HAN, "Home Area Network" is the next industry set to explode, and this is the computing device for it

With Google joining the Smart Grid Coalition, and now they are expected to become an electricity broker, you can bet they will play a big role in the HAN Home Area Network.

Energy is the new data and the smart meter is the next PC.




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When Does Mobile Go To The Cloud?

Haven't we seen this before?

The shift went from the device to the Internet.


The PC used to be the device that did the work and used the Net to deliver it. Now, the PC is merely a connection device and the Net does the work. This transformation is called "cloud computing" and disrupted the personal computing industry.

We face that same transformation again, only this time it is with the mobile phone.

The mobile phone's initial function was to process voice communications. Text messages, email, web surfing came along and the mobile phone became more of a data processor.

As the mobile phone gets even "smart"(er) and there are more applications to load on it, at what point do all of these applications overload the mobile phone's processing power?

At what point will the applications be on the Net, instead of on the phone? Will it occur when mobile phones have true broadband capability and connection issues are no longer a factor?




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Airwaves....The Next "Land" Grab?

From Assoc. Press Mad Scramble For More Airwaves

As mobile phones become more sophisticated, they transmit and receive more data over the airwaves. But the spectrum of wireless frequencies is finite — and devices like the iPhone are allowed to use only so much of it. TV and radio broadcasts, Wi-Fi networks and other communications services also use the airwaves. Each transmits on certain frequencies to avoid interference with others.

Wait until the "physical world" gets connected.

Now wireless phone companies fear they're in danger of running out of room, leaving congested networks that frustrate users and slow innovation. So the wireless companies want the government to give them bigger slices of airwaves.

A ton of new "land" is available here



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The iPod Nano With Video..A Threat To YouTube?

The iPod Nano and iTunes...disruption ahead for the video industry.

Now that iPod introduced a Nano that is capable of recording video, is YouTube's business in jeopardy?

Will this feature allow users to make money from their content creation?..not just using their Nano but from other video creating devices as well? (phone, camcorder).

Almost everyone has some sort of iPod device and uses iTunes as their upload/download and storage portal. Once people start shooting video with their Nano, and storing on iTunes, wouldn't the next logical step be to earn advertising (and subscription) revenue from public uploads?

Would you take and upload more videos if you knew you could get paid for them? What type of videos would you take? What kind of videos would you pay for?

The Cell Phone, The New Computer

From Live Science Daily Text Messages Exceed 4 Billion Daily

During the first half of 2009, users sent about 740 billion text messages. That's about 4.1 billion per day, or nearly 17 texts per day by everyone with a data-capable phone.

That total was about double the number seen in the first half of 2008, when "only" 386 billion text messages were dispatched.

As texting rates rise, the average call length has been falling dramatically.

Morgan Stanley's Mobile Internet Report

Morgan Stanley just came out with their Mobile Internet Report.

One thing to keep in mind when they refer to the "mobile Internet" is that it will include more than just mobile phones. Think Kindles, MP3s, cars, billboards, appliances, RFID tags, barcodes....just about ANY physical object will be Internet enabled.


"the impact of the mobile Internet will be bigger than the impact of the desktop Internet, personal computer, minicomputer and mainframe"

"the mobile Internet has the potential to create/destroy more wealth than the prior computing cycles"

Here's a quote that caught my eye "winners of each new cycle often create more market capitalization than winners of prior cycles"

the past winners include Google, Microsoft, Cisco, eBay....what will be the Next Google for the Mobile Internet, and how much will it be valued at?

The Google Phone..Disruption In The Wireless Industry Ahead

If the phone isn't tied into a wireless provider, does this count as another example of cloud computing?

If there are no contracts, how will this affect the cell phone manufacturers with regards to rebates?

How long before the Verizon, Sprint etc stores are completely gone? Best Buy Mobile is doing a great job of taking traffic from local wireless stores due to pricing.

From CS Monitor Google Phone Upsets Mobile Industry

"Google could sell the phone directly to consumers without a contractual relationship to a cellphone service provider"

"consumers could use the phone on any service that uses GSM technology — that is, runs with a SIM (subscriber identity module) card.

Instead of being locked into AT&T or Verizon service, for example, consumers could take their newly purchased technology where they pleased, taking advantages of typically shorter or nonexistent contracts that companies offer when shoppers bring their own phone to the deal"

Installation Cost Is Now A Bigger Factor With Solar

 From Reuters,  Solar Companies focus on nuts and bots to cut costs.

That decline has put a spotlight on installation, which now makes up a greater share of the total cost, and has prompted installers, developers and even panel makers to look for low-tech tricks, like quick fasteners and predrilled holes.

Pondering Primate December Newsletter

Pondering Primate December 08


CNN pitches a cheaper wire service to newspapers, an alternative to The Associated Press
link

WalMart adopts wind power link

The new remote link
Wiimote, which is essentially a 3D mouse, and thus ideally suited for the speedy, point/click/drag navigation that a true big-screen Internet experience requires

FCC pushing free Web plan link

Credit card industry may cut $2 trillion of lines of credit link

Even cows being hit with greenhouse gas tax link

Advertisers tap another sense to pitch products link

Experiential marketing is also an acknowledgment that products and brands must offer alternatives to the interruptive model of peddling that has been the mainstay of advertising for more than a half-century, which disrupts what consumers want to watch, read or hear

The “phone book” for the Internet. New domain .tel link

Increased definition of “broadband” to Mbps by 2010
Telcos and tech companies issue “call to action” for national broadband strategy.
link

Tax breaks, low-interest loans to build out high-speed networks. link

Energy

F.P.L breaks ground on the first utility-scale solar investment in state (Florida)
link


Electrified walls and ceilings. While AC has huge advantages over DC for transmitting power, Patterson said, many of the devices in use in buildings today have to convert it into direct current, with resulting efficiency losses link

How much is the express lane worth to drive during rush hour?
From .25 to $2.65 tolls change according to traffic volume. link

Google teams up with Hallmark Channel for TV ads link

GE stops producing incandescent bulbs link

Should we watch oil stocks to determine economic recovery? (correlation of oil to economy)
link

RFID boarding passes..EZPass comes to airline industry link

Apple to sell $99 iPhone at WalMart? link

In-store price comparison using mobile phone and barcode comes to a halt at Target.
link
Will this lead to a boom in sales of cell phone jammers?

Facebook offers a universal ID (signon resource) and similar to OpenID. Facebook users will be able to log onto other sites connected with the service. When you view a TV show on Hulu, or read something on the Chronicle, it can show up in your Facebook News Feed, alerting your friends as to what you're watching and reading. Then they can click on it, too. Public cookies?
link

New fabric resists water like no other link

Power line networking
Power line networking chips (and the algorithms that go with them) essentially allow communication signals to travel on the same wires that go to the lights. As a result, rapid, finely tuned commands can be shuttled from a utility without worries that other radios or environmental disturbances will hamper it. link

New players in accelerometer space (the chip that detects motion in remote devices)
link

Keeping DNA samples from people with no criminal convictions is a breach of their human rights a European Court ruled. link

Several major cities will be without a daily newspaper by 2010 link

Google uses 16.5% of US consumer Internet capacity, expected to rise to 37% by 2010
link

YouTube launches high definition link

NBC to cut back number of hours it airs programming. link

Treasury Bills trade at negative rates for first time. link
Government can finance the stimulus packages with cheap debt.

Cancer to overtake heart disease as leading killer by 2010 link

Google wants preferential treatment for Internet traffic link

Obesity tax on non-diet soda link

New York State unveils new taxes ..including iTune downloads
link

Facebook the new lawsuit delivery service? link

YouTube accounts for 25% of all Google searches and now is the 2nd largest search engine. More searches done through YouTube than Yahoo.
link
Google’s $1.65B acquisition pays off.

Coupon websites fastest growing online properties

VHS era is winding down. The last big supplier of the tapes is ditching the format, ending the long fade-out of a product that ushered in the home theater. link

Airline passengers can buy carbon offsets link

Internet surpasses newspapers as main source for national and international news.
link

Websites to get cinema-style ratings. link

YouTube Is Now The 2nd Largest Search Engine

It's official, video is the new content.


YouTube Now 25 Percent Of All Google Searches

Video search on YouTube accounts for a quarter of all Google search queries in the U.S., according to the latest search engine numbers from comScore.

If it were a standalone site, YouTube would be the second largest search engine after Google. More searches are done through YouTube than through Yahoo.

Just recently YouTube launches a high definition version.

Things to ponder.

How long before video mail replaces emailing?

Your PC and mobile have an "email address", how long before your digital camera and video camera have one too?

How long before your video camera has its own IP address, or is Internet enabled (while power is on)

When will we see the ability to click on a hyperlink within a video? think interactive product placement within a video..the holy grail of Internet advertising

All of these upcoming features will increase Internet traffic exponentially.

Pondering Primate November 08

I am introducing a new service to the Pondering Primate. Each month I will offer a recap of headlines, mandates, events and breakthroughs that are worthy of pondering.

In order to act on these headlines, should this be offered on a weekly basis?
Email me with your thoughts, likes, and dislikes.

"All the news that’s fit to ponder"


Barack Obama wins Presidential election

A win for CleanTech link
What Obama presidency means for the Cleantech industry link

He is calling for a $150 billion investment in clean technologies over 10 years, aggressive targets for greenhouse emission reductions, and programs to promote energy efficiency, low-carbon biofuels, and renewable energies

Obama’s Energy Plan link

Will Obama’s clean coal plans bankrupt the coal industry?

Is this the right idea but at the wrong time? link

However, an E.P.A decision may give Obama what he wants link
Recession will allow lower carbon caps. link

The U.S. and European Union can afford to set tougher limits on emissions because slower economic activity will cut greenhouse gas output and lower emission permit prices.

Businesses are already expediting deals before new Obama tax rates go in effect:
Miami Dolphins owner rushes sale of team link
Signing bonuses before the first of the year for employment contracts link

Former U.S.Energy secretaries call cap and trade an “industrial manager’s nightmare”
link
T. Boone Pickens delays his wind farm plan. The biggest advocate of clean energy loses billions with drop in oil prices. link
He cited the fall in natural gas prices, a competing source of electricity generation, as a deterrent.
Biggest U.S. wind energy adopter cuts capital expenditures. link

Will drop in oil prices lead to another “deja vous” for CleanTech industry (remember the renewable energy buzz in the 70’s?).


The era that defined Wall Street is over link

How is New York City starting to cope with the downturn.
New York City proposes additional tax ideas.
Plastic bag surcharge link

Transit Agency sees higher fees link

Oil prices lose 60%…why did the price of oil drop so fast?
hedge funds have gone into commodities as investors, rather than arbitragers.

Like real estate, commodities permit a high degree of leverage — typically 10 to 1 — compared to stocks margined at 2 to 1. Because of this ability to “leverage-up,” and the fact that the supply-demand equation has been unusually attractive over the last two to three years, these “new speculators” have been encouraged to bid up prices to extraordinary and unsustainable levels
This trend service called it perfectly. link

Oil prices save consumers $270 Billion link

The International Energy Agency (IEA) warns oil will hit $200 by 2030 link
Mexico will soon be a net importer of oil and be forced to stop oil exports to U.S.(11% of our imports) link
Could this have any impact on NAFTA?

Brazil a new oil giant. Offshore drilling pays off big for both employment and oil. link

Could Brazil’s success and Mexico’s aggressive deepwater exploration force US to reconsider offshore drilling?

IEA says world energy use is “patently unsustainable” link
A revolution in the energy business is required to maintain economic growth

Congress proposes $50 billion auto bailout. Tough love could lead to tough times. link

Could conditions for bailout be the catalyst for “green cars”?

Fixed labor and healthcare costs prevent auto industry from adapting and competing. What happens to companies that don’t recognize or have the ability to change.

U.S. unemployment rate hits 25 year high link
Winners (armed services, temporary job services, collection agencies, job training, blood banks)
Losers (charities, high end retailers, restaurants)

Voters approve high-speed rail for California. link

Al Gore wants carbon-free electricity in 10 years link

Clean coal initiatives will force smart grid adoption

Will clean coal lead to more blackouts? link
Carbon policies will have to take into account the problems that will come with switching over from a coal infrastructure. The power grid will also have to be upgraded to allow electricity to be consumed more efficiently.

How much will upgraded grid cost, $2Trillion link

The plan could also help solve the country's economic crisis by creating "millions of new jobs that cannot be outsourced."

Renewable energy adoption goes mainstream when there is an efficient delivery method (smart grid).

Goldman Sachs invests in carbon-offset companies.. Carbon offsets are projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. link
These two deals show Goldman Sachs’ interest in the global carbon market.

An immediate solution to our energy crisis?

What has as much capacity as US wind, solar, geothermal and biomass combined? (and it exists today) link
This technology is equal to 29,000 megawatts of capacity during periods of peak summer demand--as much as all U.S. wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass power combined.

One of the largest energy user (Dept of Defense) adopts demand response. link


The “next generation” Internet

Energy is really just another form of data that travels across a network.
Google joins Demand Response and Smart Grid Coalition link

How will Google use the power of information for the energy industry?

Are smart meters the next generation PCs?

The grid is similar to the Internet. Instead of zeros and ones, megawatts is the new “content”. How will Google utilize (and monetize) the data created by the grid?

Smart grid startups merge link
Smart grid is required in order to meet booming electric car demand. link
Smart Grid will require $2 Trillion link

Demand Response Smart Grid Coalition seeks tax breaks for “Negawatts”. 21 policy recommendations for Obama.
link

Newly discovered energy is a huge source of untapped energy. Frozen natural gas could heat 100 million homes for 10 years. link

Could the smart meter be the “next PC”? link

Smart meter rollout and the effects link

Every home and building will have one and it too will be connected to the Net. It will provide energy efficiency and numerous revenue opportunities.


The Future Of Newspapers?

One of the oldest newspapers (Christian Science Monitor) ceases daily print publication and focuses on the Net. link

Will the New York Times adapt quick enough to changing viewing and advertising trends, or will it go under by May? link

Will newspaper extinction drive up online ad prices? Did Craig’s List (online classifieds) eliminate newspaper’s major revenue source….or was the drop in real estate (listings/ads) the final nail?

Yellow Pages Face Extinction link

They could have dominated location based advertising. Will the death of the Yellow Pages be a boom for Google’s local ad biz?

Here’s what the Yellow Pages could have done to be competitive. link
Even this link

Imagine if the Yellow Pages had offered a service for local merchants (Joe the plumber or Sal’s Pizzeria) to create a website quick and cheap (in addition to being placed in the book). Many of these small businesses didn’t have the time or knowledge to create a Web presence. This would have made the Yellow Pages the local search engine of choice.


US Postal Service considers layoffs..first time ever in history (another unionized industry facing obsolescence?) link

Internet services (online banking etc) are eliminating mail revenue.
More proof the government is not a business saavy.

Is the auto industry next? A sign that unionized businesses are antiquated?

Can you see me now?

Cisco sees Telepresence adoption in 12 months link

High-quality video conferencing systems are helping companies save on travel expenses and a consumer version would help people experience something closer to real-life meetings.

Citrix buys high definition conference call equipment player Vapps link

Will the set top box be the “server” for the home?

Cisco introduces new router that can help phone companies and cable operators deal with onslaught of video traffic link


A “M.P.G”. rating for computer hardware?

The Green Grid is hoping to have a new package of standardized metrics in place from next year that will allow firms to compare the energy efficiency of different servers, storage systems and networking equipment, in much the same way motorists compare the fuel efficiency of different cars. link

Virtualization energy efficiency software for servers?
Data center energy bills could be cut by 30% link

Virtualization software comes to mobile devices link next virtualization bonanza


One of the largest US electronic retailers, Circuit City files for bankruptcy. link
Could it be because flat panel TV sales have peaked link

Was there not enough room for two electronic retailers (Best Buy Circuit City)to survive? Could the same thing happen to home improvement market? (Home Depot Lowes)

First the PC and then the high priced high-def TV, what is the next high price electronic item that will save retailers? Hint, it’s already in your living room.

What’s China’s Economy Doing?

China reported its first decline in monthly electricity output in four years, one of the strongest signs so far that the country's economic slowdown may be worse than thought
link

What happens if to world economy if China’s economic slowdown is this drastic?

Chinese solar companies slowing production. link

What companies benefit from falling solar prices ? link

China takes steps toward a national emission trading platform. link


Google shares flu outbreak search results link

Privacy issues? Will people use alternative search engines for privacy matters? Will advertisers use specific search engines knowing this and choose ads based on specific search topics.

Is bandwidth the new oil?

The combined cost of broadband, home phones, cable or satellite TV and mobile phones can easily outstrip our energy bills, and our connected lifestyle is making these services essential. Is history repeating itself? Will our internet addiction become as costly and as dangerous as our addiction to oil? link


“Wi-Fi on Steroids” Gets FCC approval

FCC approves Google backed white space spectrum. Digital TV transformation represents opportunity for true broadband for America. link

Cheap broadband access represents a $100 billion dollar plus a year market. This spectrum will allow billions of devices and objects to be connected to the Net. With speeds up to 80Mbps, it represents a threat to fiber-to-the-premises solutions like Verizon’s FiOS networks.

One of the beneficiaries? GE announces Smart Appliance program link

It could also provide a network for the smart meter.

Dell incorporates white space radios into laptops link
A threat to the Wi-Fi, WiMax and mobile provider players?


No e-waste dumping in landfills or developing countries link

FedEx cuts aircraft emissions, increases fuel efficiency. link

One of the largest users of fuel takes steps to improve costs by eliminating “gas guzzler” planes, will other carriers too?
What airplanes are most efficient? Least?


Energy efficiency will shape US economic recovery.
“the cheapest and most available source of new energy is the energy we waste”. U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman


Information Technology (IT) members are urging lawmakers to keep big picture in mind when they create economic and energy legislation link

How does America waste over 50% of its energy? (you'll never guess) link

China merges electricity infrastructure with information technology. link

Project aims to reduce China’s energy consumption per unit.
China’s stimulus plan that focuses on increased investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy (smart grid) should be a wake-up call for the US.

IBM proposes a technology-fueled economic recovery plan. link

Sixty-seven percent of electrical energy, for example, is lost because of inefficient power generation and grid management.
Energy efficiency offers the highest return for our economy.
Grid management and power efficiency companies should be monitored.

IBM is also reviving an old idea, broadband over powerlines. link
Google also invested in this space link

Advertising Comes Into Digital Age

YouTube, otherwise know as the world’s second largest search engine introduces targeted advertising to video searches link

New online video site to match YouTube’s revenue. link

This proves media companies can generate revenues online without having to go through Google. (Apple’s iTunes controls the music industry). The end of Google's video monopoly?

Will they start to include consumer produced videos? A threat to Google/YouTube?

Search videos using text link
A search engine is able to search videos using closed captioning technology and image recognition technology.

Dynamic ad insertion for both linear and non-linear TV viewing (HUGE implications for advertising industry)
Targeted ads to be inserted before, after and during on demand content playback
link

Advertisers can now reach prime time and “my time” TV viewers link

Advertisers can now place targeted ads based on WHEN show is watched, not when it is broadcast. A reason for advertisers to love the TiVo now? TV morphing into PC.

Blockbuster enters the set top box market with an on-demand device. (dumb) link

This is just prolonging the inevitable death of this company and industry (retail video stores). Blockbuster failed to capitalize on movies/games being downloaded over the Net. They didn’t recognize that the physical items in their stores were being replaced with digital content online.


The TV remote comes alive with sensing technology.

The first type of ecommerce through the TV? (order pizza using TV remote control)
link

When Apple incorporated sensing technology (accelerometer) in the iPhone, they didn’t just disrupt the mobile phone industry, they disrupted the entire remote device space.
This sensing technology is transforming remote controls into PC mouses. What’s inside an accelerometer?…small micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS)

The new remote control.

Wii controller and a browser will reinvent the TV and viewing. link

Will the Wii be the new TV remote? Will hand gestures replace button pushing?

Will set top box manufactures incorporate this motion sensing technology (accelerometer)? What other devices will include this technology? The TV is morphing into a PC.

Biggest spam company shuts down link

Who does this affect? Viagra ( sexual and prescription drugs), email database companies. Will eliminating spam drive up the price of keywords at Google AdSense?

The eBay of working capital?

Recession and tight credit markets create a new way for businesses to tap cash. By selling outstanding receivables, much needed financing is available without resorting to vulture financing. link

How will this financing method What kind of impact will this financing method have on balance sheets? Will this put pressure on banks to lend, or will they too get into this business?

Philips develops “intelligent pill”… contains a microprocessor, battery, wireless radio, pump and a drug reservoir to release medication in a specific area in the body link

Intel gets into the home health care business link new laptop (computing device) will remotely sync patients with health care providers

File sharing Internet darling BitTorrent falls on hard times. link

Have .99 songs offered on iTunes AND the iPod eliminated this once Internet file-share darling? Or does geographical distance no longer matter for file delivery?

The rebirth of the barcode…a Physical World Hyperlink
Airline industry adopts mobile barcodes for boarding passes. link
Sprint enables mobile phones to scan barcodes for Internet connectivity. link

The 2d barcode represents a way for camera phones to link physical objects with the Internet. Can the barcode save the print industry?

Is Apple building a search engine? link

The end of phone landlines is near. link

Internet of things fights traffic jams. Cars with mobile sensors that pick up real-time information on the location and speed of the vehicles as well as the condition of the roads. The data are fed back to a central computer that calculates the traffic patterns and can predict the optimal route link

Search engine for sound wave recognition link

Streaming online videos to a high definition TV is next major boom.
So far there’s Apple TV but a new player has emerged link

New bulletproof tire is airless link
What other products could this material be used for?


October e-commerce slowest growth ever, 1%..lowest monthly growth rate since comScore began tracking data in 2001 link

Another form of physical content gets digitized and goes online. Is the end of book retailers fast approaching? link

Digital music finally surpasses compact disc sales. More than half of music sales in the United States are now from digital products, like downloads on iTunes and ring tones for cellphones.
link

While the losers are easy to see, such as retailers, packaging could it also include the management industry? If an artist can produce an album and get it online, what happens to the agency business?