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Posts from the ‘Microsoft’ Category

Jun 8

OS X Lion: At $29.99 Apple Applies Pressure to Microsoft

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Yesterday’s trio of announcements by Apple were like manna even for ardent Apple critics.    With new versions of OS X and iOS on the way, Apple also announced iCloud, a set of cloud based services meant to replace aging MobileMe.  There was a lot to like.  While comparisons between OS X Lion and upcoming Windows 8, and iOS5, Android and Windows Phone 7 are inevitable, I continue to be impressed with Apple’s focus on making life easier for its users.  All three initiatives (Lion, iOS 5, iCloud) are major steps forward.  Which bring me to an interesting point.  Pricing.

OS X Lion will be released via the Mac App Store for $29.99.  Yes, $29.99.  OS X users will remember that the current version of OS X, Snow Leopard (10.6) was also $29, but Snow Leopard was positioned as a minor update to Leopard (10.5).  Lion will be different in several ways.  First, Lion will only be available with the Mac App Store.  No disk based distribution.  Second, Lion can be installed on all home computers for $29.99–one, two, three, or ten, it doesn’t matter.  They all get Lion for a one-time charge of $29.99.  Third, Lion will ship as unified client and server versions.

If one is to believe the Apple marketing machine, the Mac continues to gain market share in the personal computing market–a market that shrunk by ~1% for maybe the first time ever.

This led me to think about the pricing pressure on Microsoft as they contemplate the next version of Windows, Windows 8.  The Apple model is different in two very important ways. One, every copy of Lion will be installed on a device built by Apple and on which Apple has earned margin.  Two, the Mac App store gives Apple a share of the revenue on many of the apps & applications which run on its OS.  Apple is moving the personal computing business model toward the wildly successful iOS/iPhone/iPad model.  Lion is the next step.

At $29.99, Lion should bolster Apple’s OS market position while applying a significant pressure on Microsoft to sell the next version of Windows for much less than it has historically.  This cannot come at a worse time for Microsoft.  Already facing pressure from Google in its core productivity application Microsoft Office, Microsoft now faces an OS challenge from Apple that like the threat from Google, applies downward price pressure, but more importantly changes the underlying business model.

Take the new app business model of Lion and bolster it with iCloud services and the way we think of operating systems fundamentally changes.  Apple is truly moving us into a post PC era and they aren’t afraid to cannibalize current products, profits and business models to get there.  Apple’s willingness to innovate on behalf of its customers is reflected in its current share price (AAPL) and market capitalization.

Nov 18

digitalblus
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Digital Copy Blu’s

Today we (my family) received a 3-disc special edition of Disney’s Wall*E, which includes two Blu-ray discs and a DVD with a digital copy of the movie in iTunes and Windows Media formats.  I was particularly excited to have the digital copy which can be transferred to a personal computer or iPhone for playback.  I popped the DVD in my MacBook Pro and was immediately greeted by a Disney application called Wall*E, which “activates” the digital copy before transferring to ITunes or Windows Media.  Oh no, DRM rears its ugly head.

In the Blu-ray case, Disney includes a leaflet with an activation code.  As I read the information contained on this leaflet, I was drawn to the fine print at the bottom.  Reading carefully, I learned the activation code expires one year from the date of release of the Blu-ray, so you must transfer your digital copy to a computer withing one year of release of the Blu-ray movie or you are out of luck. I wonder how many people will take the time to read the fine print?  I imagine there will be some very disappointed consumers who neglect to activate their digital copies in time.  What about the people that buy Wall*E after November 18, 2009?

My next thought was whether the activation code was single-use or multiple-use.  I thought, I better do some more research and understand all of the DRM rules before I transfer this movie to my laptop.  Fortunately, Disney includes links to online help which help explain the DRM rules which apply to the digital copy.  After, ignoring the Flash based demos of how to transfer the movie to my computer, I found a link with more information, including this FAQ.

Turns out, this is a one-time activation code.  This means, you can transfer the file to one and only one computer–EVER!  I don’t think my family, with multiple computers is out of the norm, so which one?   My laptop?  My wife’s? The kids iMac?  If I transfer it to my laptop, I can watch it when I travel, transfer it to my iPhone and iPod, but what about my kids?  What about their iPods?  They won’t be able to enjoy this movie without sync’ing to my iTunes library and erasing their content and playlists.  So, I could install it on the family iMac, but then I won’t have a copy when I travel.  So far, neither options seems like a good solution.

And herein lies two of the major problems with DRM.  First, confusing usage rights and second, incoveniencing the very customers who purchase legitimate copies of content.  I will include a portion of the Disney FAQ.

Can I use my code more than once?

No, you are permitted to use your unique code only once.

How many times can I transfer my DisneyFile Digital Copy?

For the Windows Media version you can only transfer your DisneyFile Digital Copy to your computer once. After you transfer the movie to your computer, you can then transfer the movie to your compatible portable device. For the iTunes version, standard iTunes usage rules apply.

What types of portable devices will my DisneyFile Digital Copy be compatible with?

For the Windows Media format, portable devices must be Windows Media PlaysForSure compatible or Certified for Windows Vista compatible. For the iTunes format, portable devices must be an iTunes video-enabled iPod, iPhone or Apple TV.

What happens if I delete my DisneyFile Digital Copy from my portable device? Is it possible to transfer it again?

For the Windows Media format: Yes, as long as you did not delete the Windows Media file from your computer.

For the iTunes format: Standard iTunes usage rules apply.

I followed the on-screen instructions and the movie did not transfer. What do I do?

Please call 1-800-723-4763 (US)/1-888-877-2843 (Canada) for technical assistance and/or customer service.

I live outside the United States and Canada. Can I transfer the DisneyFile Digital Copy?

No, at this time, the DisneyFile Digital Copy is accessible only in the United States and Canada (excluding Quebec).

Does the unique code for the DisneyFile Digital Copy expire?

Yes, the unique code expires 12 months from the initial release of the DVD or Blu-ray disc. The unique code for The Nightmare Before Christmas will expire on August 26th, 2009.

Can I give my DisneyFile Digital Copy to someone else?

No, your movie is non-transferable and is tied directly to your computer and will not play if transferred to other computers.

How much space does the DisneyFile Digital Copy use on my hard drive?

DisneyFile Digital Copies take up to approximately 2 Gigabytes of free hard drive space. This number can vary and it is best to check the minimum requirements on the packaging.

If I delete my DisneyFile Digital Copy from my computer, can I transfer it again later?

For the Windows Media format: No. When you transfer your DisneyFile Digital Copy, to your computer you use your unique code. Codes can only be used once. Therefore if you delete your movie from your computer and attempt a second transfer, the unique code will not work. Disney strongly recommends backing up files to avoid losing your DisneyFile Digital Copy.

For the iTunes format: Standard iTunes usage rules apply.

If I cannot connect to the internet, can I still transfer my DisneyFile Digital Copy to my computer?

No, in order for the DisneyFile Digital Copy code to be verified, you must be connected to the internet. However, you only need to be connected when you first transfer the movie to your computer, not each time you watch your DisneyFile Digital Copy.

Do I need the DisneyFile Digital Copy disc every time I want to watch the movie?

No, once the transfer is complete you no longer need your DisneyFile Digital Copy disc and can enjoy your movie whenever you like.

How many times can I watch my DisneyFile Digital Copy?

You may watch your movie as much as you like, there is no limit to the number of plays.

How many computers/portable devices can I transfer my movie to?

If you select Windows Media format, you can transfer your movie to one computer and one Windows Media compatible portable device as set forth in the end user license agreement (Terms & Conditions). If you select iTunes format, standard iTunes usage rules apply.

Part of this dilemma could be resolved with a home media server with lots of storage, but I still wouldn’t be able to transfer the movie to my laptop or iPhone for playback when I am on the road.  But it does not alleviate the fact that DRM is restricting the legitimate use of content I purchased.

Two simple ideas to allow fair use

Two simple ideas to alleviate the DRM restrictions and allow fair use.  First, link the activation code to an iTunes account and allow multiple uses by that account.  Second, allow families to “aggregate” iTunes accounts under a master account.

Link activation code to iTunes account

By linking the activation code to an iTunes account, content owners could be assured that the same consumer is using the activation code and it is not being passed around the Internet.  Because Apple requires a legitimate address and each iTunes user must provide a credit card, the risk of fraud is greatly reduced.  If the content owner becomes aware of fraud, they could appeal to Apple to investigate and if fraud has occurred, the iTunes account could be deactivated–rendering the content disabled.

iTunes master account

Aggregation of iTunes accounts under a master account structure (think .Mac and MobileMe Family plans), is an idea that makes sense for a number of reasons including alleviating the restrictions of DRM.  By aggregating accounts, content I purchase on iTunes could be synchronized by family members under the same account.  This includes the digital copy of Wall*E and other Blu-ray digital copies.  Account aggregation allows us to use the digital copy in the exact same way we use the physical copy (Blu-ray disc).

This post started as yet another rant against DRM. However, since most content owners haven’t seen a DRM scheme they don’t like, I don’t believe DRM is going away anytime soon.  So, what do you think?  Would my two proposals make DRM more palatable?

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Mar 26

Leopard Puts Vista To Shame In Corporate Satisfaction Survey

Corporate users of Apple Inc.’s Leopard operating system are more than five times more likely to say that they are “very satisfied” with the OS than business users of Microsoft Corp.’s Windows Vista, a research firm said Wednesday.

In a February survey of 2,200 U.S. corporate computer users, 53% of those using Mac OS X 10.5 reported that they were very satisfied with their operating system. Of those using Windows XP or Windows Vista, however, 40% of the former and only 8% of the latter said they were very satisfied.

But while Apple shows some sales strength even as the general pace of U.S. corporate computer sales looks to slow in the next quarter, it remains a minor player in the market, reported ChangeWave. More than half — 53% — of the computers companies plan to buy in the second quarter will be equipped with Windows XP, the survey said, compared to 20% with a version of Windows Vista and just 8% with Mac OS X.

“Apple continues to set the standard for corporate customer satisfaction,” said Paul Carton, director of research at ChangeWave Research. That, and the fact that corporate buying plans for Macs remain at historically high levels, indicate that users like what Apple’s doing, continued Carton.

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Mar 26

2015 Laptop

Hello, gorgeous! Meet the laptop you’ll use in 2015

2015 LaptopCheckout this March 2008 Computerworld article (online) describing the laptops we’ll all be using in 2015.  I love these futurism articles. Does anyone go back and see how close to reality they were?  I’ll set my alarm clock and watch and come back to this article to see just how much they got right!  Only 7 more years to go!

A lot has changed in the 20 years since the first laptop computers appeared, including gigahertz processors, color screens, optical drives and wireless data. However, one thing that has stubbornly stayed the same is the conventional clamshell format with its hinged display lid that opens to reveal a mechanical keyboard.

That’s about to change. The rules of notebook design and the components that go inside are being rewritten to make the road a better place to work and play.

The CPU’s front-side bus will likely disappear by 2015. The bus acts like a traffic cop, sending data to the different parts of the system at a slower speed than the computational core. In its place will be an integrated controller that makes this distribution of data much more efficient by operating faster.

Currently, adding 64GB of solid state capacity to a notebook’s hard drive runs an extra $1,000. By 2015, the typical mainstream notebook could be outfitted with a 2TB hard disk drive, which should be plenty of room for even the biggest data hog, the experts speculated. For smaller and lighter machines, look to having something like 250GB of flash memory at your disposal, but it will likely come at a small premium.

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Feb 24

End of the line for Netscape

It is hard to say goodbye. I don’t remember the date, but I still remember the first time I saw or used a web browser exactly. I know it was NCSA Mosaic running on a UNIX box in a computer lab at BYU. Having been an avid Compuserve users (and trying AOL) I do remember thinking, this thing is going to change the world. I wish I had known how. For those of you as nostalgic for cyberculture, here is some more history about Mosaic (from Wikipedia).

Scholars consider Mosaic to be the web browser which led to the Internet boom of the 1990s. Robert Reid underscores this importance stating, “while still an undergraduate, Marc wrote the Mosaic software … that made the web popularly relevant and touched off the revolution” (p.xlii). Reid notes that Andreessen’s team hoped:

to rectify many of the shortcomings of the very primitive prototypes then floating around the Internet. Most significantly, their work transformed the appeal of the Web from niche uses in the technical area to mass-market appeal. In particular, these University of Illinois students made two key changes to the Web browser, which hyper-boosted its appeal: they added graphics to what was otherwise boring text-based software, and, most importantly [sic], they ported the software from so-called Unix computers that are popular only in technical and academic circles, to the Microsoft Windows operating system, which is used on more than 80 percent of the computers in the world, especially personal and commercial computers.(p.xxv).

There is more history of the Netscape browser and the company.

Also, evolt.org has a browser archive with almost every known version of every browser ever released. You must check it out. I think I am going to download Mosaic and try to run it on XP under Parallels on my MacBook Pro (is that legal?).

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Feb 11

Microsoft succumbs to Apple envy, buys Danger

SidekickMicrosoft was too busy to read its rejection letter from Yahoo this morning, as it announced its intention to buy Danger, the maker of the popular Sidekick smart phone. The move suggests that the Redmond Giant plans to compete with its partners in the handset business.

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Nov 27

Ship crashes in Antarctica, check out the name and the irony…

I cant possibly spoil this by telling you any more……

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Oct 22

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Imagine the Sony PS3 as a digital media center

As Brier Dudley from the Seattle Times points out in his latest article,

A lot of people who bought fancy TVs over the past year or two have been looking for ways to get more digital content on their screens. They’ve been waiting for high-def player prices to fall, and for a resolution to the format war between the Sony-backed Blu-ray and the Microsoft-backed HD-DVD.

I have been thinking about this a lot lately. My repsonse: You bet they do, but not just from Blu-ray or HD-DVD discs, more and more they want to get content online. Blu-ray is great and I enjoy watching HD movies on my PS3. But more and more, I would really like to be able to access online content.

Dudley continues,

That’s where Sony is releasing an add-on TV tuner that turns the PS3 into a TiVo-like video recorder. It’s also where Sony is talking up plans for an online video and music store, similar to the ones operated here by Microsoft and Amazon.

Cool, I can watch and record TV and even download videos and music directly from Sony. Sounds great, doesn’t it? What about my iTunes library, YouTube, Flickr and all the other content available online? Will I be able listen/view that content? What about online content like Hulu? Will Sony make all that available and stream it to my PS3? Well, it’s too early to say for sure, to my knowledge Sony hasn’t been specific about online content for its PS3 platform, but based on the past behavior let’s say–I doubt it.

Dudley asks the pivotal question,

Will we keep using PCs to download and store this stuff, or will some computerish consumer-electronics gadget emerge as the new home-entertainment hub?

With game consoles in over 40% of US households and with most of the consoles in broadband connected households, the PS3, XBox 360 and Nintendo Wii, could play a pivotal roles as an entertainment hubs. The problem is each of these companies has a vested interest in building an ecosystem around their platform and only their platform. Call it an “insular ecosystem”. So when Sony builds their online content service, it will serve PS3s and only PS3s. Microsoft will counter with an expanded 360 content platform serving only 360s. And lest one forget, the PS3 (and the 360) as game platforms first and foremost.

While both Sony and Microsoft have become more comfortable with the “give away the razor, sell the blades” economics of game consoles (I am sure they would both vehemently state their hardware businesses are profitable–sure they are, because they can dump much of the costs into another category on the P&L), content and services will be rolled almost exclusively as a platform differentiator. In other words, they will view online content and services as a marketing expense to sell more hardware to sell more games.

As long as Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo create insular ecosystems, the game console as a digital hub will never take off.

For now, it is great to see the online connectivity options enhanced on the PS3. I am certain there will be more to this story.

Sep 28

XP Reprieve: Microsoft Gives OEMs Five More Months

Microsoft allow OEMs and retail outlets to sell PCs with Windows XP as customers continue to balk on upgrading to Windows Vista.

Microsoft had high expectations for customer adoption of Vista, and claimed the launch would be one of the most successful in Windows history. Unfortunately for the company, those predictions so far haven’t panned out, and in July, Microsoft lowered its projections for customer adoption of Vista. The company had said the split between XP and Vista sales in its fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, would be 15 percent to 85 percent; now the company is saying the split will be 22 percent XP and 78 percent Vista.

According to some, that may even be optimistic. Paul Ghysels, a custom system builder who owns the Neighborhood Computer Store in Moraga, California, said that Microsoft has “really blown Vista.” He said he’s not surprised Microsoft extended the availability of XP for OEMs. “I figured Microsoft would have to come up with something because Vista is so unprepared for the market right now,” Ghysels said.

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Sep 26

Arithmetic Is Hard–To Get Right

Yesterday, a nasty little bug was identified in Excel 2007. Try multiplying 850 * 77.1 and Excel returns 100,000. Well the answer should be 65,535! Any calculator should get this right, so why not Excel.

AppScout had the following explanation:

It all boils down to the fact that you can’t represent an infinite group of non-integer numbers using a finite number of bits. In fact, Excel can store “only” about 9 quintillion distinct values. The numbers going into your calculations may be infinitesimally different from the number displayed, and for two calculations that nominally have the same answer the result may be infinitesimally different. Excel generally manages just fine in dealing with these tiny differences, but in exactly 12 instances out of the 9 quintillion possibilities it goes completely bonkers.

Wolfram research has an interesting blog entry explaining the potential causes for arithmetic errors and he discusses the impacts.

These days reliability is an increasingly important component of numerical computation. Machines have become so fast that people are doing huge numbers of numerical computations all the time. And now what’s critical is to get them right all the time–because if there’s a fringe case that’s wrong, it’s now going to be noticed.

Enjoy and double check those Excel sheets!

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