Hollywood2020

READING 10,000 YEARS FROM NOW -- WHAT IS COMMUNICATION?

WHAT IS COMMUNICATION? HOW DO YOU CREATE A SIGN THAT CAN BE READ 10,000 YEARS FROM NOW? A note in Slashdot.org linking to a newspaper story prompts this blogger to ponder -- what is communicaton? Will people read 10,000 years from now? "The Los Angeles Times discusses the problems with trying to leave a message for generations down the line.

MESSAGES TO THE FUTURE FROM THE PAST: 

One of the first thoughts that comes to the mind of this blogger, Joyce Schwarz, emerging media and entertainment consultant at JCOM (www.joycecom.com) is pictographs. Here is a sample of the pictographs used at the 2004 Olympics in Greece:          

Click on thumbnail to see the pictographs designed for the 2004 US Olympics.

PICTOGRAMS IN HISTORY: WHICH SOMEHOW REMINDED ME OF COURSE OF THE UPCOMING MOVIE: DAVINCI CODE:

According to Mesopotamia.co.uk: the earliest writing was based on pictograms. Pictograms were used to communicate basic information about crops and taxes.

The Mesopotamia site notes that, "Over time, the need for writing changed and the signs developed into a script we call cuneiform.   What I find so amazing as a high tech consultant is how much the cuneiform sketch on this site looks like a PDA in a hand! Is that what Apple's Newton used as a prototype?  

The cuneiform evolved over the centuries so that it could be used by various languages to explain not only symbols but sounds of words according to this website.

SYMBOLS: From that site I moved to www.symbols.com and found this symbol which was fascinating

Click on this symbol to see: Swedish hobo sign for here live angry dogs and brutal people

ON TO BARCODES & SHAPES...... Which took me on to the concept of barcodes and physical shapes in this case a zebra courtesy of an HP site in French....

And from the Barcode I linked to a book on text messaging -- reminding me that this is really another language created by the people of the people for the people in this century and in fact in the past decade!

TEXT MESSAGING: courtesy of : www.gillian-cross.co.uk/ images/bewareDH.jpg

: - (	unhappy
I - O	bored/yawning
O-Z-<	man running (whole body figure)
+	knight
:-D	happy
*<):O)	clown
LOL	laugh out loud
: ))	laughing

WHICH IN TURN LINKED ME TO SOCIAL TAGGING concepts...Technorati & beyond...

AND ON TO TAGALAG.com -- which is a mash-up including Google maps....

and on to Google earth-- would a picture convey what we wanted to know-- if you had a picture of what Stonehenge was really symbolizing would you understand it?

google earth-- does a photograph really tell 1000 words?

And on to metatags......

and from metatags I thought about how robots could express emotion and went to an Aibo emotion site.....

AIBO -- DEATH OF AIBO???? which took me to a note that I did not want to see -- it looks like AIBO IS DEAD???? Following the Sony Corporation FY05 3Q announcement, the production of AIBO Entertainment Robots will be discontinued as of end March 2006. As for the sales activity, we will discontinue the sales of AIBO once all remaining stock runs out.

Dear AIBO enthusiast

Thank you very much for your patronage of AIBO and the European AIBO website.

Following the Sony Corporation FY05 3Q announcement, the production of AIBO Entertainment Robots will be discontinued as of end March 2006. As for the sales activity, we will discontinue the sales of AIBO once all remaining stock runs out........The last set of AIBO Custom Datas for AIBO ERS-7M3 will be launched in March 2006. The download service on www.eu.aibo.com will continue after April 2006 for these new downloads as well as all existing AIBO Custom Data and other AIBO software. In addition the user guides library (documents available in PDF format) will also remain available.

Sony Entertainment Robot Europe

*As each AIBO model has a specific production discontinuation date, the service operation will be terminated model by model. Please click here to view a model-by-model breakdown.

Further research shows that: About 150 000 Aibos have been sold since they debuted in 1999. The Aibo had a strong following among fans - some of whom owned whole packs of the machines that retailed for $2 000. According to ZDnet: said in a statement. Alas, belt-tightening at Sony forced the company earlier this year to dispense with its robotics unit.

WHICH LEADS ME TO OF COURSE ONE OF MY FAVORITE BLOG POSTS -- PIXELCHIX -- don't ask just believe it -- Pixelchix is proabably Holywood2020's favorite blog post ever in one year of posting!   And can a 3d sculpture really convey concepts-- not unlike the pictogram is it? and so it goes...from writing to symbols to signs.....and shapes....will anyone read in the future...to be continued.

CYWORLD -- What do 15 million Koreans know about the future...US launch in beta

CYWORLD -- will SK Telecom rule online worldwide? Suddenly Korea's SK Telecom is in the news and moving forward on several fronts.

Korean social-network Cyworld is moving onto US land with a beta out of San Francisco. If you don't know about Cyworld -- you should! The Korean social-networking service has reached saturation among young South Koreans, with reports estimating 90% of late teens to twenty-somethings . A division of mobile wireless provider SK Communications, the company has already expanded into the Chinese and Japanese markets and now USA.

Welcome to Cyworld! (USA beta-site)

CYWORLD. ... CYWORLD，MINIHOMPY. MAIN. EMAIL. TOMEM. GIFTSHOP. us.cyworld.com/ - 2k - Cached - Similar pages

FROM THAT SITE: "Cyworld is a FREE online community that brings people together like never before. Family, coworkers, schoolmates, and best buds are all here -- playing, working and just hanging out. Our Minihome service is a fun way to express yourself while keeping in touch with your friends (and making new ones!) Post pictures, keep a journal and lots more… in style. Join one of our clubs (or start your own) to meet other people who share your interests. Whether you’re into cars, crafts or calculus, there’s a conversation happening right now."
BUSINESS WEEK STORY ON CYWORLD:E-Society: My World Is Cyworld

"If someone is to block Cyworld today, I'll probably have to sue the person." ... "I use Cyworld as the photo archive for my family," says Kim Joon, ... www.businessweek.com/magazine/ content/05_39/b3952405.htm - 51k - Cached -

Cyworld - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia -

Cyworld control room in Seoul, Korea. Operation of the site is monitored here by · Enlarge ... The main feature of Cyworld is the service called minihompy, ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyworld - 20k - Cached - Similar pages

Mashable* » Cyworld US Launches - Will It Topple MySpace?Cyworld US, the American version of the popular Korean social networking site, ... So how will Cyworld stack up against MySpace? Well, I get the sense that ...mashable.com/2006/03/30/ cyworld-us-will-it-topple-myspace/ - 52k - Cached -

RED HERRING | Cyworld to Annex the US

According to the private beta site, Cyworld US will be similar to the other global ... Cyworld could continue its global success in the growing US market. ... www.redherring.com/article.aspx?a=16327 - 37k -

Cached

Smart Mobs: Come and see me in my hompy

Cyworld's main feature is a blog-like "mini hompy," short for mini homepage. What differenciates Cyworld is the "mini rooms" that users can customize with ... www.smartmobs.com/archive/ 2004/10/01/come_and_see_me.html - 28k -

VIRTUAL BRANDED WORLDS HIGHLIGHT ADVERTISING AS CONTENT: BEYOND SECOND LIFE

Bold New Opportunities in Virtual Worlds by Joyce Schwarz, www.joycecom.com iMedia Connection, CA - Mar 9, 2006 Now boarding: ad flights to the new, new thing. Interactive leaders like Coke, Motorola, Wells Fargo & Co, Disney, and Hollywood  Virtual Magic Kingdom for Disney is celebrating its 1 millionth character. WHAT'S IT ABOUT? : . Interactive marketers are discovering the wonder of creating virtual worlds like Coke Studios, Mokitown (Motorola), Stagecoach Island (Wells Fargo), Virtual Magic Kingdom (Disney), Digital Deadwood (tourism destination Deadwood, South Dakota) 3D Plaza (What the Bleep movie) Stagecoach Island by Swivel Media. HIGHLIGHTS: *Wikipedia.com defines a virtual world as a "computer-simulated environment intended for its users to inhabit and interact with via avatars." *Tech features: Most of the virtual worlds today allow for multiple users and feature chat, texting and even audio messaging and ecommerce apps, enabling marketers to "sell" virtual or real world objects and apparel. *The greatest opportunity for brand expression may just be in the 'solo-branded' Virtual Worlds *Other options like co-branding or develop promotions or sponsorships within other brands' virtual worlds -- like Wal-Mart did in Coke Studios -- are feasible. Coke studios lets users create their own V-egos (virtual characters)(www.mycoke.com) *Sometimes called "adverworlds" by tech pundits, these worlds seldom use advertising in the traditional sense of pushing banners or commercials at the users. What's the appeal for the user? *Users get to shed their identities and escape RL (real life) if they wish. *Other users can choose to simulate real life (RL) environments and control their destinies --something they may not be able to do in RL. *Import buddy lists and chat (make new pals and keep in touch with current ones). *Discover and build a 'third-space" -- home away from home --that fits their niche interests from fantasy to gaming to horror films to sci-fi & others. *Because the brand underwrites the world, the entry fee is right -- free most of the time courtesy of the advertisers. TIPS FOR VIRTUAL WORLD CREATORS: *Hire the right developers that understand Virtual World social environments and design. *Make sure your game creators are savvy with what virtual world users (residents) want in terms of communication vehicles ie chat, IM, avatar customization, building tools etc. *Encourage user involvement and customization. Let them mod (modify) the world. *Continue to upgrade and organize events and promotions that increase loyalty and return visits. *Consider offline merchandising opportunities from the start. But be careful so that you don't alienate members/visitors (users) so that they see the world as 'too commercial". WHAT'S NEXT: *Social capitalism /social entrepreneurism is coming to Virtual Worlds to benefit nonprofit tie-ins. *Use of Virtual Worlds and/or MMORG's by Hollywood Networks & studios to promote upcoming film and television franchises such as Imagine's Xquest. *Globally recognized avatars such as GRAVATARS. *Using gamer apps such as Xfire (www.xfire.com) to connect Virtual World residents of similar interests. *SMS (mobile text messaging) interaction in Virtual Worlds to add mobile connectivity and enable ecommerce and in-world upgrades as incentives to RL (real life brands) Such as text messaging opps to get coupons or order products/services ie tickets to concerts etc. Joyce Schwarz avatar called Habbett on Habbo Hotel. What's next for Virtual Worlds-- someday it may lead the way to Holodecks like seen on StarTrek TV shows. . Link to full story on imediaconnection.com calledd " Bold New Opportunities in Virtual Worlds .

VIRTUAL PUPPETS NEW HOLLYWOOD CASTING OPPORTUNITY?

VIRTUAL PUPPET SHOWS SOLDIERS HOW TO READ NONVERBAL CUES....On the screen, computer-generated characters shrug, wink, nod, wave or cross their arms as they follow one’s every move with an attentive gaze but it's not a new Nintendo of Xbox video game, nor is it the next computer-generated animated feature!

IT'S NOT JIM HENSON'S PUPPETS:

It's not a Jim Henson puppeteer pulling the strings nor a Disney animator re-creating the expressions, instead its a USC-developed system module called “Social Puppet” pulling the strings.

BEYOND WORDS: -- understanding the non-verbal is life or death!

Once a given character is designed, a simple set of standard commands orchestrates a whole range of nonverbal expressions. The same commands work for any other character in the game.
Human communication is only partly verbal,” said Hannes Högni Vilhjálmsson of the USC Information Sciences Institute, who designed the game. He calls the software an “engine” to generate visual social behavior, and will present it at the AAAS annual meeting in St. Louis Feb. 16-20.

GAMES FOR MILITARY TRAINING: Vilhjálmsson is among the builders of a set of ISI-created videogames called “Tactical Language and Culture” that the armed forces now use to teach language and customs to soldiers. Hundreds of soldiers have trained with “Tactical Iraqi,” while a “Tactical Pashto” is being readied for Afghanistan.
SIMULATION -- control your own character: In the games, a person controls a figure representing themselves, who interacts with other characters animated by artificial intelligence, a specialty at ISI, which is part of the USC Viterbi School of Engineering.

NONVERBAL CUES IN DIFFERENT CULTURES:

“To introduce players to a culture that is unfamiliar to them,” Vilhjálmsson notes in his presentation, “it is important to have them both observe nonverbal behavior that reflects the culture and have them be able to perform … appropriate behaviors in return.”

GAMES GET SMARTER!Watch for more of this kind of intelligence to be built into mainstream video games and perhaps even in future animated features. Hollywood knows we want to talk back to Kermit or to Tom Cruise!

FOR MORE INFO: Tactical Language and Culture Training .

GIRLFRIEND X -- ONLINE CUPID TRACKS A GUY'S "CHICK Q"

GIRLFRIENDX JUST MIGHT BE THE PERFECT VDAY GIFT FOR GEEKS TO TRACK THEIR CHICK Q....

Ever dreamed of software that helps you win a woman's heart by sending her notes and remembering the little things, while graphing out her suitability? A computer "geek" calls it a reality, according to Douglas Brown, DENVER POST staff writer. 

In a recent article interviewing the founder of GIRLFRIEND X reporter Brown quotes GirlfriendX creator Rick Pierce who urges us to "Think of GirlFriendX.com as a personal assistant, one schooled in the art of romance and the science of the female condition, whispering in your ear as you navigate the dating world."

THE article on GIRLFRIENDXDenverPost.com - LIFESTYLES was so popular it got syndicated in Dayton, Ohio Newspapers and as far away as Arkansas. Here are some links to some of the other articles about GirlfriendX: So, mister, is that software in your pocket? and Dear (type in name), I love you.

WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT GIRLFRIENDX?  Reporter Brown explains "While the Internet offers a banquet of romance-related technologies, from ubiquitous dating Web sites to advice bloggers to programs that will store pertinent information about the women in mens' lives, GirlFriendX, it appears, is the first to tie it all together. Services even include calls to cell phones during dates in case you're not enjoying yourself and need an "out," and a "yield calculator." The calculator crunches numbers about various investments, her "maintenance" levels, sexual encounters and the degree to which you care about her, and comes up with a bar graph illustrating how the woman measures up, relationship-wise."

BOYFRIEND Y SET TO LAUNCH SOON....I caught up with Pierce during CES (Consumer Electronics Show) where he was swamped with press interviews including PLAYBOY, CANADIAN TELEVISION, NY TIMES and scads of radio. I asked Pierce about the debut of a Boyfriend X and he chuckled explaining no it will be Boyfriend Y (as in Y chromosone and x chromosone). Anyway, he promises that this blogger Joyce Schwarz can test out the Boyfriend Y software soon to hit the net. Meanwhile, I guess lots of Geeks will be able to test out GirlfriendX and sharpen up their "Chick Q" maybe in time for next Valentines Day!

VALENTINE 411 -- all of you guys can check out the details at GirlfriendX.com and after reading sign up for $19.95 per month. Who knows maybe you'll even throw out that little black book. Gals, it's a perfect gift for your favorite computer repair geek!  Check it out at www.girlfriendx.com and read more at www.gfxmag.com.  Personally, I think the concept is awesome, maybe a bit chauvinstic but then I can't wait to get my hands on the Boyfriend Y beta. Who knows maybe Hollywood will come knocking on Pierce's door and turn GirlfriendX and BoyfriendY into a reel-life reality show! But then again, maybe it's really the ultimate quiz show...what do you know about your lovers?

Camarsaurus Dinosaur Comes to Life: IS IT ANOTHER FURBY?

By Joyce Schwarz, author & Hollywood columnist, www.joycecom.com

MEET PLEO  ....a superb example of 'organic robotics' revealed at Demo 2006 www.demo.com.

See more about Pleo -- at www.ugobe.com or see it "live" at www.demo.com  Could it be the next FURBY...or is it really just the perfect house-broken pet to take to work?

Modeled after a week old Camarsaurus dinosaur, Pleo's chief inventor was also co-inventor of FURBY -- you remember that little fluffy, talk-bot that took the world by storm in 1998 and toted up more than $50 million in sales not so many holidays ago.

PLEO VS REAL DINOSAUR

Surprising, when this blogger Joyce Schwarz looked up info on Camarsaurus dinosaurs on www.enchantedlearning.com (one of our favorite sites for this kind of research) we found that they say: "Camarasaurus was a sauropod, whose intelligence (as measured by its relative brain to body weight, or EQ) was the among the lowest of the dinosaurs". In fact, on the chart that Enchanted Learning shows the Camarsaurus is below the crocodile in his/her EQ.

AUTONOMOUS EMOTIONS.....

But that's not the case with PLEO who according to creator Chung is the world's first autonomous life-form (note lifeform NOT TOY) who is capable of autonomous emotions that allow personal engagement. Is it a he/she? Bloggers keep calling Pleo "he" but I called up Julie Crabill, one of Pleo's PR flacks and she says there are no identifiable biological factors that determine if Pleo is a girl or a boy. AND there's no real reason for the name PLEO either. Julie mentioned that there is a dinosaur type with that name but actually when I looked it up it's spelled Pliosaur meaning near reptile.

PLEO FACTS AND TRIVIA: See him at www.ugobe.com According to their website, UGOBE's designers and engineers recreated Pleo's physiology from the fossils of the original. His height and weight are consistent with that of a one-week old infant camarasuarus. The site goes on to explain Pleo is an authentic Life Form. Treat him gently like any other living thing. Your Pleo will let you know how he feels at any moment. That's because he is capable of actual emotions including joy, aggression, sorrow, and fear. He can also yawn, sigh, sniff, sniffle, snore, cough, hiccup, and sneeze. Note UGOBE is pronounced "you go be" -- as in you can go and be what you want....hinting at what might come from this company in the future perhaps?

PLEO -- Sleeps and dreams....

When Pleo grows tired, lay him down and attach his 'dream cord' so he can sleep, dream, and gather energy for more exploration. BLOGGER NOTE -- hmm maybe they can sell dream cords for kids -- to encourage bed-time!!!

PLEO has its own REGENERATION BED so that it can sleep and dream...reminds this blogger of a little bit like a Borg rejuvenation chamber! Star Trek is calling Pleo!

PLEO IS DEMOgod and INNY WINNER

UGOBE was awarded the honor of DEMOgod and was also bestowed an INNY award at the DEMO 2006 conference this week in Phoenix. The Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose honors the INNY Awards to DEMO innovations that will impact people's lives and reinforce The Tech's mission to inspire the innovator in everyone.

SO WHO AND WHAT IS UGOBE? MAYBE THE QUESTION TO ASK IS WHO IS UGOBE?

Who is UGOBE is fascinating.  According to the press release, UGOBE's multidisciplinary team of robotics experts, animators, technologists, scientists, biologists and programmers are led by polymath toy inventor and Furby co-creator, Caleb Chung. Check out who's on the Board of Directors, it includes: Gordon Radley, former President of (what else) LucasFilms and Chauncey Shey, CEO/Softbank China Venture Capital and co-founder UTStarcom.

UGOBE'S ADVISORY BOARD: The Advisory board is equally as impressive-- it includes: Stephen Mayer, co-founder Atari Computer and Activision, Curtis Sasaki, VP Sun Microsystems and Phil Schlein, Partenr/US Venture Partners (USVP) and former president of Macy's California.

UGOBE -- NURSERY NOT A FACTORY.... according to Ugobe's press kit, they want us to think of the company's lab as a nursery for new life forms not a factory-- the firm is located in Emeryville and they say in their press materials that they are outside of San Francisco.

WHAT"S NEXT FOR PLEO? I saw somewhere that Pleo is going to do a debut at the San Francisco Zoo. Chances are the "life form" or at least his creators will show up at TOY FAIR opening next week. Pleo is set to retail at $199 about the same price as the Robosapien and other robotic wonders-- but I know Pleo is a LIFE FORM not a robot!!!

PALS FOR PLEO AT TOY FAIR? According to an Associated Press reports, lifelike robotic toys will be all the rage at the American International Toy Fair beginning Sunday in New York. The lineup includes a life-sized miniature pony that responds to touch, a Barbie doll that follows a child's dance moves and a robot made from a Lego building set that can be programmed.

Microchips have come down in price, so toy makers are able to make more advanced toys that are still affordable. At least 75 percent of the toys at this year's event will have some sort of microchip in them.

PLEO ON TV, BOOKS & MERCHANDISE? we saw no info on any licensing deals for Pleo --for TV, Books, movies etc-- but with board members and advisors from such firms as Sun, Macy's and Lucas Films -- Pleo may soon make his REEL debut not just his REAL premier.

TV2GO Joyce Schwarz Predictions from 2003

TV2Go -- TELEVISION ANYWHERE -- as noted in the previous blog Joyce Schwarz wrote one of the first articles for trade publication TV WEEK on the latest market for TV content-- streaming media to handheld and mobile devices back in April, 2003.  (Here are some old links but I can't promise they still work (I found on the MPEG forum)Delivering Television Anywhere [Television Week, 25 Apr 03]   Delivering Television Anywhere [by rafat] [by rafat] [Apr.16, 03] | Wireless |

Note the HIGHBEAM article link still worksTelevision Anywhere; Streaming to PDAs, Cellphones New Market for TV Content.(Converging Media)(new devices are going to change how television is viewed)

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TV WEEK ARTICLE ON TV ANYWHERE BY JOYCE SCHWARZ, APRIL 2003:

TV 24/7/365, is fast becoming the new reality as telephony and broadcasting converge to enable the next generation of PVP’s (portable video players) that will power “TV To Go”. While manufacturers of PCs,laptops, PDAs even some mobile phones are retrofitting to transmit and receive streaming video, new specs and new products are evolving for the next generation of ‘Screenagers’ who want their TV anytime and everywhere.

PICTURE MESSAGING BUILDING BLOCKS:

Picture messaging and mobile phone cameras are seen as building blocks for the yellow brick road to the ultimate electronic Oz of broadcast distribution of music, video and multimedia content including TV transmission to mobile devices. Previewed at the DVB 2003 conference in Dublin this month, a new technology combining Digital Video Broadcast and 3G mobile telephony, called DVB-X is a one-to-many broadcast system to transmit multimedia content to a large audience via mobile handsets. Goeran Wahlberg, Nokia’s director of concepts and technology told conference attendees that DVB-X will become a mandatory spec for handheld devices in the future.

BROADCAST TV TO PHONES:

“Broadcast TV to phones is still 12-18 months away,” explains Mark Desautels, Vice President of Wireless Internet Development for the wireless industry trade organization CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association). He says that his group is taking a number of steps to work with the entertainment industry to facilitate pre-eminent content to mobile devices and insure high quality reception for the user. Mr. Desautels states that DRM (Digital Rights Management) issues regarding video transmission are on the table and will be a priority in the next 3 months.

TAKEOUT TELEVISION:

Europeans meanwhile are getting the first taste of ‘takeout TV” as part of a video pilot to transmit Internet material to mobile phones. Sonera (Finland’s major communications operator)launches their beta video service this week that enable customers using the Nokia 3650 phone or other devices with RealOne Mobile Players from Real Networks to watch videos. Viewers will get their choice of MTV3’s morning news, Nelonen’s 4Pop (a pop-culture broadcast) and Kaista music videos.

CONTENT TO BE FREE AT FIRST:

RealNetworks, Ian Freed, vice president mobile products and services says that the Sonera pilot is just one example of how consumers are starting to use their phones in ways they never suspected a couple of years ago. “Audio and video on phones and PDAs is definitely here,” he adds. Mr. Freed explains that content providers and carriers are working together to develop new broadcast-type services. Content is expected to be free at first and then transition to subscription although air time will have to be covered by the consumer. Real Networks launched MLB Gameday Mobile last season and expect to offer it again this year to give baseball fans streaming updates before, during and after games.

BROADCASTERS WATCHING EVOLUTION OF 3G ACCORDING TO JOHN MARINO, VP, NAB.

Broadcasters are intently watching the evolution of 3G technology in the telecom industry according to John G. Marino, Vice President, Science & Technology, NAB (National Association of Broadcasters). “However at this stage, we are not sure if this new broadcast platform will be 3G (telephony) or Wi-Fi (a wireless radio transmission frequency); both of these of these technologies have the potential to offer consumers alternative ways to receive broadcast content”, he says. The annual NAB conference running in Las Vegas through April 11, labels itself, appropriately.’the world’s largest electronic media show’. Mr. Marino underscores that as new opportunities develop, such as broadcasting directly to cell phones, radio and television broadcasters will want to be the suppliers of program content.

VIDEO PLAYBACK DEVICES:

Meantime, the brightest star on the broadcasting horizon appears to be the launch of video playback devices. Stealing the spotlight is Microsoft’s Media2Go software platform, which is built around Windows CE.Net and developed by its embedded systems group. Microsoft began shipping Intel Xscale-based reference hardware in March. Aubrey Edwards, director of marketing for Microsoft’s Embedded and Appliance Platforms Group says that Media2Go is designed to be used as a playback device. “Media2Go provides consumers with the ability to not only choose when to watch their favorite recorded TV content but also where they watch this content”, Edwards explains.

PORTABLE MEDIA PLAYBACK GROWING:

Creative Technology, developer of the Nomad range of MP3 players is partnering with Microsoft to create a line of these portable media playback systems. A built-in hard drive holds music, video and photos, OEM partners can add varying screen sizes (from 3” to even 6 or 7”) and even integrated LCD panels. Microsoft is counting on users recording and storing content somewhere else, most likely a PC or any number of products that provide Personal Video Recorder support for the PC and then downloading it to their players using a method called ‘sync ‘n go’ The Media2Go systems will feature a 20GB hard drive and said to be enough to hold more than 8000 music files, 175 hours of digital quality video or up to 30,000 photographs by compressing almost 40GB of data onto the 20GB.

VIDEO QUALITY AND BATTERY PLAYBACK ISSUES:

The catch some critics say is that the video is VCR level quality and battery life is six hours for video and 12 for music but depend on the kind of batteries you use. Microsoft says that other OEM’s are joining Creative on this new mobile media bandwagon and by Christmas 2003,it may be possible to get your MTV and more to go. Of course, you first have to record it and download it and then store it on the device.

POSSIBLE VIDEO iPOD PREDICTION:

Microsoft is not first in this category though since other

MPEG-4 video playback systems are already on the market. Archos range of products now features 20 GB multimedia player that handles DIVX and MPEG-4 video playback and Korea’s Impactra device is already built on a Windows CE platform and a popular choice in Asia. Some Apple fans surveyed maintain that a Video iPOD device may launch this summer, Microsoft had no comment on that possibility. Be on the watch for other international companies like GoConnect Ltd (GCN), an Australian start-up who promises to launch interactive video subscription services for Pocket PC phones to the mobile industry within the next quarter.

INTERIM TV TO GO OPTIONS:

Until the new media playback devices and multimedia phones hit the shelves, consumers can get TV TO GO using interim options. Audio fans can listen to many of their favorite network and cable channels such as CNN and MTV on satellite radio systems in their cars or in new home versions of Sirius or XM Satellite radio systems. Pocket PC and Palm PDA owners can turn to websites such as www.Mazingo.net to download broadcast content to their devices and feature programming from Fox Sports, The Weather Channel, NBC and more. There are more than 600 choices offered under the Mazingo subscription service that you can begin to download today. Laptop lovers will find it easier than ever to find wireless connectivity on-the-go as such fast food majors such as McDonalds partner with carriers to offer Wi-Fi hotspots to link to the net where you can catch up with network and cable offerings from broadcasters like ABC.com and CNN.com. (BLOGGER NOTE MAZINGO DIDN"T MAKE IT TO THE NEXT STAGE AND IS NOW DEFUNCT)

TV To Go is here today, but soon it may be everywhere bringing up the challenge of whether users will want more “on-demand” programming versus appointment television. 

Joyce A. Schwarz is an author and emerging entertainment analyst/consultant who heads JCOM, www.joycecom.com. in Marina Del Rey, California. She is the author of CUTTING THE CORD: TECH TV'S GUIDE TO GOING WIRELESS, Macmillan Publishing and several other books including MULTIMEDIA: GATEWAY TO THE NEXT MILLENNIUM (HARCOURT BRACE).

GRAND CANYON TRIP -- REAL or REEL....REPLAYING EXPERIENCES

GRAND CANYON HOLIDAY TRIP -- REAL or REEL? Once upon a time, when I was a little girl back in Cleveland, getting ready for a vacation meant that you made sure you had film in the camera and that you had enough Polaroid film with you to take pictures of the highlights that you could treasure on the way home.  Our family didn't have a movie camera or a video camera so my life and vacations are chronicled in still photos and fading Polaroids of various consistency depending on what year the Polaroids were taken and what Polaroid camera was used. Decades later, a trip to the Grand Canyon over the holidays made me realize that life is now more reel than real.

Hollywood2020 Blogger Joyce Schwarz at the Grand Canyon over the holidays-- are vacations today more "reel' than 'real' that's the subject of her blog on January 15, 2006 at www.hollywood2020.blogs.com 

WHY MORE REEL THAN REAL? 

Ahead of time, I sent for a DVD from the Arizona tourism association but it didn't prepare me for the vastness of the Grand Canyon nor the experience on the great Grand Canyon Railroad. Digital cameras capture the essence of what's happening and are ready for viewing and reviewing instantaneously -- faster than a Polaroid-- yet there remains the biggest challenges -- printing out the photos along the way. Sure you can carry a small printer with you or you can go to the local Photo service or Drugstore photo service and download to a DVD or get prints in as little as an hour -- as long as you're in a big city or there are not 100 vacationers in front of you trying to do the same thing. Kodak and Sony kiosks are sprouting up everywhere-- but once again you have to be in a city where they are available. No such service at the Grand Canyon National Park.

But here are my reasons I think that vacations and experiences are increasingly becoming more "reel" than "real".

Inside view of the Grand Canyon Train -- what an experience in stepping back in time. A real experience caught on reel of course!

Banjo player on the Grand Canyon railway -- taking you really back in time!

WHY VACATIONS ARE MORE REEL THAN REAL TODAY......

1) Television -- especially PBS and the Travel Channel and National Geographic Channel make us feel like we've been everywhere. Yet, when I looked at the Grand Canyon I had no idea that the walls of it were pastel shades ranging from pinks to blues to outrageous mixtures beyond any photo I had seen before.

2) Screens are everywhere -- in museums, in visitor centers, in tour operator offices and of course in our cars and vans. On the way to Grand Canyon -- our tour van operator plays a DVD of the Grand Canyon so we can see what a Mule trip is like-- alas, we're not taking the mule trip. BUT we are signed up for the Grand Canyon Train -- no reel experiences of that before some of us get dropped off for the real experience.

3) Cameras are ubiquitous -- cell phones are used more for photos than for calls it seems on the road. I'm still not a cell phone camera freak. I prefer my HP Digital Camera. And if I had better way to display my video camera streams I would carry that with me. Everyone else seems more interested in recording the experiences via their cell or their multiple cameras -- I saw one husband and wife at the Grand Canyon with 4-5 cameras each wrapped around their heads and arms -- I don't think they ever looked at the Grand Canyon with their own eyes-- only through the lens of one of the many cameras.  Real is still best in my book. And reel is for remembering.

4) Phones ring everywhere-- phones ring, buzz, vibrate and zap out tunes from 50 Cents to old Rolling Stones tunes everywhere....people around you think nothing of breaking into your reality with their instructions for how to use a computer to an office pal back in New York or sweet nothings to their lover in Paris --even at the Grand Canyon. No one seems to be present. The reel is just more real than the real.

5) DVD and Laptops and iPods take you away from the present-- Have you noticed that the kids using DVDs and the execs using laptops and the teens using iPods never seem to leave home or the office -- they are connected by the reel to their real beyond the real of NOW -- the little girl from Montreal on our tour was quiet as a mouse but she was watching a portable DVD most of the time --several glances and I couldn't figure it out -- Jim Carrey doing something reel --not looking out at the real trip through the mountains. And when she was 'filming the real' with her reel camera she seemed more concerned about the settings than the scenery.

5) DO-OVER -- on the way back from the Grand Canyon our tour van was treated to the movie with Billy Crystal CITY SLICKERS and I thought about his comment in the film that you don't get a chance to "do-over" your life. So why is so much of our time spent in the reel world versus the real world? Which brings me to number 6

6) Simulated experiences -- Had I remembered about the mule trip in advance I might have signed up for that -- I had seen it once when Bill O'Reilly described his vacation earlier this year in USA TODAY -- but had forgotten about it until we got to Arizona. Now I want to simulate my whole vacation again....experience the banjo on the train, drink that spicey Bloody Mary, chat with the Brits across the aisle. Pick up the brochure on the Polar Express version of the Grand Canyon Railway experience for next holiday season and more. So how do I do that-- today it's still a disparate set of real options to capture the reel world. Flickr -- sure I could post my cell phone pix, Kodak.com -- sure I'll put up my digital pix in an album. Video-- I didn't take a camera but I'm sure digital video is around of the experiences I had somewhere on the web-- but how do I find them. Audio -- like to hear that Scottish lad giving our tour once more. Wish I had gotten in more of my photos. I want that "DO-OVER" Billy Crystal says is impossible to find-- I want to play it again Sam .....and in the next couple of months I'm sure it will be possible as I explore how to simulate real expereinces with reel tools. Happy New Year and I promise not to be gone so long again!!. Joyce Schwarz, January 15, 2006

HOW TO STUFF AN AIRPLANE INTO AN ELEVATOR: VIDEO IN PUBLIC SPACES

VIDEO IN PUBLIC SPACES is the topic of a new two part article by blogger Joyce Schwarz in the trade publication www.imediaconnection.com -- here's the official link: http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/7364.asp. See how a company called Captivate is actually putting airplanes (okay videos of them) in elevators around the world and how Times Square is now the major center of visual merchandising in the world....so much fun...so much change...Hollywood is now everywhere...oh and thanks to my pal Jack Olmsted, video blogger and reporter, you can also catch a mention on his blog: http://view-point.blogspot.com

HEIDI FLEISS STUD FARM FOR WOMEN -- REAL OR REEL

Heidi Fleiss is in the news again...this time she says she is opening a 'stud farm' for women. Is it real or reel? Reminiscent of the film "Deuce Bigelow" and "THE LAST MAN ON EARTH" Sci fi films it could or could not be true. Some bloggers say that it is simply a PR gimmick. One reporter I talked to today says that it is illegal in the town of her choice to have hookers (or studs) who are men> According to a report in the DETROIT FREE PRESS: Back in the business: But with a twist, former "Hollywood Madam" Heidi Fleiss. She says she'll set up a brothel in the southern Nevada desert in Crystal featuring male prostitutes serving female customers. A possible snag: County Sheriff Tony DeMeo said that because Fleiss is a convicted felon, she could be banned from the county's legal sex trade. THE LONDON TELEGRAPH says:Perhaps Heidi Fleiss can cure joblessness...Heidi Fleiss, convicted a decade ago of running a brothel in Hollywood, is back in business: she is recruiting "the sexiest men on earth" to staff a bordello in Nevada (no, don't write to me: I don't have her address).....This time Miss Fleiss will be within the law, since, in Nye County, prostitution is legal, and overseen by a brothel licensing board - which sounds like the ultimate need for the old punchline that "it's an ugly job, but someone has to do it". More details about the finances from "hecklerspray.com" :"The Hollywood Madam is looking for a few good men out there. It's going to be an oasis in the desert."And Heidi Fleiss' Stud Farm sounds like a bargain - instead of charging tens of thousands like in the old days, the men at The Stud Farm will be going for $250 an hour, split 50/50 with Fleiss. But will women want to spend money on sex? Heidi seems to think so: