Archive for January 31st, 2007
Remember the post I made a little while ago?: Second Life Source Code launches new creative opportunities.
There was a comment in this post that went something like this: “I can see me dialling keys “SL” and being teleported into Second Life to test out a in-car communications and entertainment system. Enthralled by the experience I am ready to trade in my Pinto and need to speak to a dealer. The IVR system kicks in and I am given the choice to speak to my choice of Chevy dealerships or request an internet quote, promptly delivered to me by email or sms.”
I was therefore enthused to see a post come in about Scion launching new cars in Second Life. I am quoting from the original post by Master Penguin (avatar name I assume).
“Scion is continuing to build its virtual presence in Second Life by launching their new xD and redesigned xB in world at the same time as their unveiling at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show. Scion is on of the first Automakers to setup shop in Second Life, and it is always good to see them building their presence.
Currently you can buy an xA, xB, or tC in would for L$300. No word on if the new models will be available for sale after their unveiling on February 8Th.”
Posted by Elisabeth Bertrand -
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January 31st, 2007
A very interesting article about the convergence of IPTV and Telco’s, written by Johna Till Johnson who is president and senior founding partner at Nemertes Research. You can read it here but if you don’t have the time I have included a short summary below of the most important points she makes.
In a previous post I commented on an article from the FT regarding the same subject.
Our carriers have had to deal with a lot lately such as the Internet and VoIP services. Their profits from offering directory services such as the Yellow Pages have been eating away by the likes of Google or Yahoo!
According to Johna Till Johnson IPTV lets carriers reverse that trend by giving them a shot at selling something for which the market demand is demonstrably insatiable: content.
Exploring the benifits of IPTV versus other forms of DTV
” So what exactly is the benefit of IPTV? For one thing, it gives telcos a sustainable consumer offering whose margins aren’t eroding. And by doing so, it introduces competition into the content-distribution business”
Ah..of course competition so things will be getting cheaper for the consumer??Â
“What IPTV gives carriers is the flexibility to experiment with content offerings until they hit on the packaging formula that consumers will pay money for.”
In other words, I think what she means is no, we are going to be willing to pay for more personalized content.
So the trend towards having free content isn’t going to change anything?
“People don’t pay for content itself; they pay for content to be packaged and delivered to them in a form factor that’s convenient. Take music: If free services destroyed the market for paid services, satellite radio wouldn’t be flourishing.”
Posted by Elisabeth Bertrand -
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January 31st, 2007
As we speak there are over 14 volcanoes in code ‘orange’ and currently erupting on earth including Stromboli . There is also some light seismic activity across the globe but nothing to worry about with ratings at approximately 4,5 on the Richter scale and will not be affecting scheduled flights.
I am afraid to have to report that around 50 people, majority of them women and children, were injured today after the roof of a house collapsed while they were watching a Moharram procession in Pakistan’s Punjab province. The USA has also been seeing a share of technical disasters as at least 15 Shell Oil Co. workers were injured early Tuesday when a train collided with a bus carrying contract employees at the company’s Deer Park refinery in Texas.
South East Asia is on the map with most of the Chinese coastline is dealing with torrential rain and flooding today and North Korea reporting an epidemic outbreak of unknown origin. However we are glad to report that Malaysian farmers Kedah has issued an order for cattle in four villages to be quarantined after the veterinary services department have detected and are treating an area with an outbreak of 85 cases of foot and mouth disease.
However nothing compared to the mass of epidemic outbreaks we have seen in Africa during the past few weeks which even though light outbreaks are causing sickness and disease in both livestock and humans and can potentially bring a mass epidemic to the entire region between the Sudan en Zimbabwe. A mother and daughter, who recently died in mysterious circumstances in Lagos, have been suspected to have died of the deadly bird flu disease, thus, giving rise to speculations of a possible human-to-human infection of the disease in Nigeria. Health authorities in Azerbaijan are also treating a 14-year-old boy for suspected bird flu.
Meanwhile class 1 cyclone Dora continues to terrorize islands off Eastern coast of India with wind speeds recorded up to 165 km an hour.
For a complete update on your world disasters visit: http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/woalert.php?lang=eng
I am thinking about making this a regular podcast, any comments?
Just coming in: Fire breaks out in Moscow and in Hungry killing at least 6 people. Dutch Meteo KNMI releases statement January to be warmest on record, stating result of climate change.
Posted by Elisabeth Bertrand -
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January 31st, 2007
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