I have to agree with Lucas, the future of all media will be as downloadable files or streaming media. The concept that any of us owns the music on a CD or movie on a DVD is of course incorrect.
We purchased a license to enjoy whatever recording, and according to fair use clauses in the license, can enjoy that media either in a traditional player or a digital player. Of course there is examples of media companies and the RIAA ridiculously going after their customers , and individuals engaging in media piracy .
Now the key to all this is a common “fair use” policy that allows us to enjoy any media in a venue we prefer, using a player or format that we choose. In return, we consumers need to agree that there is some type of accommodating digital rights management (DRM) technology to thwart piracy.
In the future, George is right on the money. Whether its a computer, wireless media player (Zune or future iPods), home media center, etc… we will likely not have to worry about where the movie/song is located, we’ll simply select it from a catalog of our preferred online media service and enjoy.
With a mass market, the scale of economies kicks in and for some reasonable charge per month, we’ll have access to huge volumes of recorded works. The differences in these online media services is their pricing, and the type and quality of value-added services they offer. That may simply be an extended library, or maybe conversion of a DVD to an old Beta videocassette that is mailed to you (who knows).
This will be the next generation of media enjoyment.
As expected, T-Mobile today announced that their 3G UMTS rollout was already underway. With 50% of New York already completed, T-Mobile has obviously been active in the background working ahead of the spectrum acquisitions to get a jump on the 3G market.
With a completion schedule into 2009, and service to be available to customers next summer, the rollout is quite accelerated. BetaNews also mentioned the spokesperson changes, new plan options, and the UMA WiFi-based services announced late last month.
It seems eWeek and the::unwired are suggesting that T-Mobile USA will be holding a press conference on Friday (10/6/2006) in New York to announce the carrier’s move into UMTS (or 3G) services.
T-Mobile will utilize the 1700MHz and 2100MHz bands in North America, which are not the same bands used elsewhere in the world. This will require handset makers to incorporate multiple UMTS bands in their devices if they are to be able to roam on any UMTS service.
This news is not surprising due to the recent spectrum purchases that T-Mobile was able to win in the last FCC Auction. You can find some pricing speculation at the::unwired, and more strategic analysis at eWeek – links below.
Cingular has finally completed the integration of the AT&T Wireless network. Its been two years since Cingular purchased the aging network, and they have had several challenges in merging the two companies together.
This is ultimately good news for Cingular’s customers, as the company can now focus those energies on other opportunities such as expanding their 3G networks!
Looks like my favorite mobile service provider is updating their service offerings and positioning themselves for future service growth. After several years with the same look & feel, they’ve udpated their site, added new calling plans, changed their corporate tagline, and changed their spokesperson.
@MAC_Arms Pay taxes when you make your money, pay taxes when you spend your money, pay taxes when you successfully invest your money, pay taxes when you save enough taxed money to afford a house, pay taxes to live in your house, pay taxes when you sell the house that you paid taxes on to
Yup, taxes are criminal and we need serious reforms. I've always said that if you want to see a tax revolt, make withholdings illegal and have Americans write a tax check every payday. They'll revolt for sure. You don't miss what you never had.
Sen. @berniemoreno says voter ID and proof of citizenship are simply common sense.
“We’re talking about a very low threshold — identify who you are and prove you’re a U.S. citizen when you register to vote. I think we’re getting closer to