December 24, 2011

My Bright Idea #13 - The Next Generation of The TV



My Bright Idea #13 - December 19, 2011
This "My Bright Idea" post is the unlucky number "13", but I think the idea may already be in the works with Apple's rumored TV project.  I think the next generation of television should change from the standard "over the air" style setup and be more like on-demand via high speed Internet.  This would mean you watch what you want when you want, without filling up your DVR or missing an episode of your favorite show due to a signal, DVR, or scheduling issue.  Logistically, I see the scheduling of shows and their episodes looking similar to today's setup, with an "episode air time and date".  This would be the "release time" for the shows' newest episodes.  But watching the episode would be completely different.  Instead of watching a show at its schedule day and time or setting up a timer in your DVR, this on-demand style set up would allow the viewer to stream the episode after it's release time.

Also, because the networks and producers of television shows need to make money, advertisements would be embedded in the stream and/or pop-up at the top or bottom of the screen, or before the stream started.  With advertising profits shrinking because of DVRs,and their commercial skipping or fast-forwarding features, this streaming option would force the commercials to be played, similar to Internet streaming now.

The hardware would need to be ready to grab a stream of the available shows (similar to Netfix's streaming setup), as well as, grab the over-the-air signal for live viewing.  The menu system would need to be similar to a TV guide, but with fully functional search features, including shows and their past episodes.  Each network could still have their different stations, as well as, local news and information specific to each network. While live viewing or searching a particular networks "channel" ads profits would benefit the particular network. The menus could be set up in such a way that each network can have the list of all their shows, combined with lists of all the available seasons and episodes, and even suggestions and social media elements for discovery options.

December 14, 2011

My Bright Idea #12 - Mircosoft and "The W"



My Bright Idea #12 - December 14, 2011
Microsoft should buy W.com and turn it into their cloud based storage service.  The W would Work with all Windows products for seamless storage and access to all the user's files.  It would compete with Apple's iCloud service, and offer Windows Phone users similar capabilities, but offer seamless integration with all of Microsoft's products and other services.

The W is for Windows, for the Web, for the World Where you Want it.

My Bright Idea #11 - iVoIP, The Apple Home Phone


My Bright Idea #11 - November 21, 2011
Apple needs to create a VoIP calling feature for Wireless network calling.  I call it "iVoIP".  It would be the Apple Home Phone and work with the iPhone, once it's on your home WiFi network.  Since so many people don't even have home phones anymore, it would be an awesome way to have your cell phone work on your home wireless network, saving valuable cell minutes, and in my case, provide a better signal and higher call quality.  It would also be cool if aftermarket companies designed home phone style docking stations that charged your cell phone, and allowed for a more conventional handset to be used throughout the house.  Retro styles, multiple handsets throughout the house, charging, music playing, etc. would all be cool aftermarket devices.