The Coolest Interactive Ad I Have Seen -- Please Try This at Home

Want something new and different (and very very cool)?

Check out this new interactive ad by telecom Swisscom -- the marketing angle is very very subtle. But the overall impact is not.

Trust me on this one. If you have a Facebook account, then you can do it. Click on this link and prepare to be dazzled. This is the power of social media marcomm.

LG Sparks Yet Another Major Sorenson Partnership

Yet another major Sorenson Spark codec partnership to report -- this time with CE giant LG. Details here in our press release that just hit the wires -- click here.

LG is the latest global powerhouse to recognize Spark's key role in unlocking the widest world of Internet video on mobile devices. Over 1 billion videos on the Internet have been encoded with Spark -- and those videos need Spark on the decoding side to enable playback for consumers.

LG joins a long list of major Spark partnerships announced just in the past year (several of which are mobile partnerships). These include: Qualcomm, Samsung, Lenovo, Verizon, Pantech, VeriSilicon, RipCode, VisualOn, Imagination Technologies, Ittiam, Chips&Media, and NXP Semiconductors. Why? In the words of a top executive at Pantech, "Sorenson Spark is recognized in the mobile device market as a leading provider of complete mobile packages ... that help to deliver an even more full video experience to our customers."

Congratulations to Doug Cebik of our Sorenson team who continues his long line of successes in forging successful partnerships.

The Perils of Short-Term Thinking -- A Sad Cautionary Tale for All Businesses

One of my recent favorite books is "Drive" by Daniel Pink -- a must-read in my view. Pink writes about what motivates us, and many of the answers will surprise you. One critical conclusion: customary so-called "if-then" rewards (i.e., if you do this, you get this) not only sub-optimize performance, but more disturbingly also can directly lead to unethical behavior.

Case in point: the sad story of Dell just reported in today's Wall Street Journal. In this case, the absolute unfiltered drive to meet and beat quarterly financial targets -- and thus steadily increase its stock price -- led to a 4 year period that the SEC concludes amounted to ongoing accounting fraud.

Specifically, The Wall Street Journal reports that Dell -- during the years 2002-2006 -- improperly hid massive payments from Intel in an attempt to inflate earnings and mislead investors into thinking that its direct sales strategy and production efficiencies led to its success. Without admitting guilt, Dell has agreed to pay a $100 million fine.

According to the SEC's complaint, without Intel's payments, "Dell would have missed Wall Street analysts' profit estimates in every fiscal quarter from 2002 to 2006." The SEC's complaint cites, among other things, that Intel payments "amounted to more than $720 million, or 76%, of Dell's operating profit" in the first quarter of the 2007 fiscal year.

This sad chapter should give everyone running a business (including boards of directors) pause -- it is a cautionary tale. "Think Pink" (as in Daniel Pink) and read his book "Drive." Long-run performance and success are what it's all about. Ask yourself -- do the ever-growing obsession with -- and pressures of -- meeting and beating quarterly numbers lead to the results you want? Or, do those pressures instead cause questionable short-cuts -- and, worse, unethical behavior (including, in some cases, outright fraud)?

The Non iPad iPads Are Coming ... But Will Anyone Care?

So, HP's new Windows 7 tablets (the "Slate 500s") are coming this fall after all. All hail the onslaught of non-Apple tablet computers!

But, will consumers care?

If past is prologue -- and in this case, my prediction is that it will be -- then the answer will be a resounding no. Consumers will continue to care about the iPad ... and very little else. Sorry HP -- it's not your fault. The simple truth is that consumers don't just care for the iPad -- they covet it! And, that means that, rightly or wrongly, all other tablets (non-iPad iPads) likely will be met with yawns. That goes for HP's Slates, Dell's tablets, Sony's tablets ... and on ... and on.

Now, don't get me wrong -- consumers will buy non-iPad iPads -- but they will do it for utilitarian reasons (and primarily because of lower cost). And, even when they do, most of them will leave the store with an "it's not an iPad" look of resignation on their face. Not because the HP Slate, or the Dell tablet, or the Sony is a lesser tablet in function (in fact, they may out-perform the iPad). Rather, simply because it is not an iPad -- in their minds, it is not as sexy -- it is not as cool -- it is not an Apple. And, let's face it -- we are in an era where everyone wants to have everything Apple -- even when Apple gets it wrong! (witness Antenna-gate, which has done little to slow the feeding frenzy). Hey, I am one of 'em -- I have had my blackberry for 10 years, and I now plan to head over the Apple store to pick up my reception-challenged iPhone 4 in the next week.

The iPad scenario -- and the steady drumbeat of followers like HP with its Slate -- feels an awful lot like 7 years ago when the iPods first came out. The iPod knocked it out of the park with consumers -- everyone wanted one ... no, NEEDED, one. And, then all the non-Apple guys followed with the promise of better iPods.

Except they weren't.

Well, that's not quite right. They may have been "better" -- but they weren't better in the minds of consumers who had been hype-notized by the Apple marketing machine and overall design aesthetic and simplicity.

So, fast forward to now. Like I said, things "feel" the same to me in relation to the iPad -- and iPad competitors (like the HP Slate).

Sorry HP, it's not your fault, but you face an uphill battle. Life isn't always fair ... especially as the population of the Apple faithful explodes.

Pandora -- "Show Me the Money!" -- I Want to Believe!

Online music streaming service Pandora is a TechCrunch darling -- featured once again today amidst the news that the service just crossed the threshold of 60 million registered users. That certainly is a great feat -- and it is to be congratulated (although, let's not forget that "registered" users is not the same thing as "active" users -- there is a world of difference -- signing up to use a service is not the same thing as actually using that service).

And, let's further not forget that sheer growth in registered users does not a viable business model make -- and, despite TechCrunch's persistent plaudits for purported profitability, I have yet to see any real revenue and operational numbers that lend credence to that claim. In fact, online music pioneer Michael Robertson recently conducted his own financial analysis of Pandora and concluded that the company was not profitable -- in a word, he debunked.

As I have written several times before, I too have serious doubts that Pandora is profitable -- i.e., that its business model works.

To be clear, this does not mean that I don't want it to. As I always write, I like Pandora. I follow the company closely for a variety of reasons: (1) I am one of the few paying subscriber (the vast majority of users stream music for free in an ad supported model); and (2) I simply respect online music services that "work" and previously served as President & COO of online music pioneer Musicmatch (which was acquired in 2004). But, I still don't see much of a difference between Pandora and a plethora of other providers.

Bottom line -- "Pandora, show me your bottom line! Show me the money! I want to believe. But, I ain't George Michael, I gotta have more than Faith!"

Sorenson Sparks Yet Another Major Mobile Partnership - This Time with Korean Powerhouse Pantech

Score another major mobile partnership for Sorenson Media -- this time with leading Korean mobile phone manufacturer Pantech. Pantech has joined the ever-growing list of global mobile phone powerhouses to license our Sorenson Spark video codec -- in Pantech's case, to power video playback across its family of mobile devices. Pantech is the latest mobile company to have recognized the pivotal role Spark plays in the global video eco-system. Click here to read today's official press announcement.

In a prepared statement, Pantech's executive vice president Joon-Woo Lee said that "Sorenson Spark is recognized in the mobile device market as a leading provider of complete mobile video packages." He further indicated, "As we continue to incorporate the best software and other services into our products, Sorenson Spark was a good fit in helping us deliver an even more full video experience to our customers."

Congratulations to Doug Cebik and his team for yet another big partnership win.

Expect more several other significant Sorenson Spark-related announcements very very soon ....

Blackberry -- I Am Part of a Dying Breed

In one of my last posts, I gave myself a "Sophie's Choice" -- i.e., after 10 years of being a loyal Blackberry user, was it finally time to switch to another smart phone (and, in particular, the iPhone)? My conclusion? Yes -- the iPhone 4 it will be (I mean, how can you resist it when you get a free case to make it work?).

Looks like I am not the only one.

A recent heavily publicized research report, Blackberry smart phone sales continue to slide while the iPhone's stock continues to be on the rise -- with both holding 34% of smart phone market share.

And, it is doubtful in my view that RIM can reverse this slide -- momentum is simply not on its side.

YouTube v Viacom -- Why Google's $100 Million in Legal Fees is Just the Beginning

Yesterday, Google reported in its earnings call that it has paid out $100 million in legal fees in its epic copyright battle with Viacom. And, those lawyers earned their money, right? Google did recently "win" after all, did it not? The case was dismissed. Google's long legal nightmare is all over!

Or is it?

Of course not -- in fact, the case is ripe for going on and on and on ... much to the chagrin of Google, but much to the delight of all lawyers involved.

You see, the judge overseeing the case threw it out on what is called "summary judgment" -- which means, the judge did not let the case go to trial (in essence, the judge took the case out of the hands of the jury and decided it on its own -- without the benefit of live testimony -- and on the basis only of documentation (including deposition testimony)). Let's be clear, summary judgments are granted only in a small percentage of cases -- and those rare rulings are always appealed. And, those summary judgments are frequently reversed on appeal -- particularly in a complex case like this -- precisely for the reason that the lower court judge took the case out of the hands of the jury and did not give them a chance to judge the live testimony and credibility of witnesses.

So, the case is far from over. The appeals process itself will be extremely costly -- given what Google has spent so far just to get to the summary judgment phase, it may be $10 million or more. And, then what?

If the case is, in fact, reversed on appeal, then the case will be sent back for trial. And, the fees associated with a trial may actually dwarf the $100 million number!

Even if Google wins on the inevitable appeal, that does not mean the case is over. At that point, it would not be surprising if Viacom appealed once again to the highest court in the land. And, it ain't cheap to have the privilege of doing that.

So, here we are -- Google's legal fees -- $100 million and counting. Let's not forget Viacom's own legal fees -- at the same order of magnitude. And, the scores of lawyers on this case continue to bill -- likely in 15 minute increments -- the clock keeps ticking.

Yes, this is our system of dispute resolution -- this is what we have. But does it make sense? Is value being created for this massive expenditure of legal fees (not to mention the overall distraction to business resulting from litigation)? Of course not. Wouldn't it have been better simply to resolve this matter out of court? Of course it would. Everyone would be happier, right? Of course ...

... not! The lawyers like our system of dispute resolution just fine.

(NOTE -- I am a former big firm media lawyer myself -- I don't bash lawyers or the legal system lightly -- and I understand the forces that drive cases on and on and on -- but, this case is extreme and ridiculous -- it makes absolutely no economic sense at all to any of the parties to the lawsuit.)

Quoth the Dudas, "Nevermore" (Blackberry) -- GO iPHONE!

So, in walks VP Product Development and resident self-actualized guru David Dudas into my office today, after having read my earlier post about my own personal "Sophie's Choice" -- i.e., Blackberry, Droid, or iPhone 4.

With not an ounce or scintilla of hesitation, as if he were a paid Apple employee himself, the Dudas issues are resounding proclamation -- "GO iPHONE young man!"

And, so I must. Barring any announcement of recalls tomorrow, I have no choice -- all signs around me are pointing toward one path and one path only -- I-5, Palomar Airport Road Exit, right on El Camino Real, and into the Forum Shops where the fruit of the poisonous (dare I say, "cultish"?) tree awaits.

I then may actually be able to clutch the coveted device in my own mere mortal hands -- blessed to be joining the Apple iPhone 4 faithful (who sneer at Consumer Reports and all other doubters ....).

Amen Dudas, amen!

To Switch (to the iPhone) or Not to Switch, THAT is the Question

Okay -- back to non Sorenson Media-related promotional posts (forgive me, the last two days have been busy ones).

Here's my dilemma. I have been a loyal Blackberry user since the early adopter days 10 years ago. I find the device to effectively serve my basic business needs (primarily mobile email), and I like the keyboard.

But, everyone around me -- literally almost everyone -- is cajoling me to finally make the switch, cross the chasm, into the wonderful world of Apple and its iPhone. (My wife already has surrounded me with Apple products throughout our home for years -- and was an iPhone and iPad user from day 1). Let's face it -- the Blackberry (at least my model, which is about 2 years old now) looks like a device from a bygone Soviet era when compared to the iPhone. Blackberry is all function -- whereas the iPhone sports a nice form.

Now, I may have found the iPhone feature that finally puts me over the edge and into the land of the Apple faithful -- that feature is Apple's new FaceTime live mobile video chat. As some of you know, prior to Sorenson Media, I served as CEO of SightSpeed, widely regarded to offer the highest quality consumer-focused video chat service (the company was acquired by Logitech in 2008 and now operates the SightSpeed consumer service under the brand name "Vid"). While at SightSpeed, I wrote several times about the promise -- and inevitable rise -- of mobile live video chat (together with its 1-way companion, "See What I'm Seeing"). Obviously, I am a believer -- the power of live mobile video will be overwhelming. And, I want that power in my hands right now. Hence, the iPhone 4 ...

BUT, hold the phone for a second! Not so fast! Two big problems weigh on me and have held me back for the time being: (1) AT&T -- I am a long-time Verizon subscriber and I have heard many horror stories about AT&T's service (particularly in areas near where I live here in North County San Diego); and (2) Apple itself -- the new iPhone 4, of course, is under tremendous scrutiny -- and rare backlash -- for its antenna problems (here is the Consumer Reports story that confirms that these hardware problems are, in fact, real -- notwithstanding Apple's assertions to the contrary). Is a recall coming? Will Apple finally get bitten itself for rushing its product out the door? Stay tuned -- Apple just scheduled an unprecedented press briefing about the iPhone 4 for tomorrow, Friday, at 10 am Pacific.

So, "To Switch, or Not to Switch, THAT is the question!"

I am on the fence right now -- with my current thinking being to hold off on switching to the iPhone 4 until the next version comes out (which undoubtedly won't be too long given the recent negative press). BUT, in any event, I likely will ditch my BlackBerry after 10 years. If I do that, my interim solution will be to stick with Verizon and buy a Droid phone (but this will be painful for me without a native seamless live mobile video chat application).

Shutterfly & Sorenson Media Partner to Pack a Powerful 1-2 Video Punch

Today, on the heels of yesterday's big Q2 news, we are very pleased to announce a significant strategic development -- i.e., our new partnership with personal publishing and social sharing site Shutterfly, THE industry leader hands down. We, at Sorenson Media, are proud that Shutterfly selected our new Sorenson 360 online video platform over all others to exclusively power all of its video services. Let's face it -- all OVPs wanted this one. We feel honored to be the chosen one.

How did this partnership happen?

First, the two companies have a long legacy of -- and shared commitment to -- quality, innovation and customer service. Both have trusted brands and are proven, established, rock solid, successful -- each innovating in their respective spaces for nearly a decade or more.

Another reason? Both companies understand the meaning of "partnership" in every sense of the word. That is not just a line. That makes a difference. And, many companies simply don't know how to partner successfully.

Here's another reason for me -- one much more personal. I have been a loyal Shutterfly customer since 2002 and personally can attest to the company's absolute commitment to quality and customer service. I am selfishly thrilled to know that my family videos -- our prized cherished (yet vulnerable) video memories -- are safe, secure and in the best possible hands for quality. You only have one shot to do it right with your family memories -- you need to make sure you are entrusting them with the right service -- that the service will "be there." I know Shutterfly. And, I know our video solutions (and the unique talent behind them). I know this is the best service possible. And, I know we will be here.

Click here to read the official press release announcing our deal.

Obviously, this has been a very eventful week here at Sorenson Media. Today, Shutterfly. Yesterday, we announced our Q2 results -- a "three-peat" -- i.e., third straight quarter of 40+% revenue growth year-over-year.

And, we're just getting started ...

It's a 3-Peat -- Sorenson Media Finishes 3rd Straight Quarter of 40+% Revenue Growth

We just closed the books on Q2 2010 at Sorenson Media. And, I am pleased to report that we finished Q2 with 40+% year-over-year revenue growth over Q2 2009 -- this marks our third straight quarter of 40% or more year-over-year revenue growth. And, I can tell you this -- we finished this past quarter with growth well over 40% from the prior year -- and with continued growth across all product lines, including Sorenson 360, Sorenson Squeeze, and Sorenson Spark.

I am proud of the team's many other accomplishments this past quarter as well -- including:

(1) the long-awaited launch of 360 v2, our first enterprise-grade online video platform and total video solution;

(2) our unprecedented day 1 support of the new Google-supported WebM format across all of our product lines (whereas other OVPs announced eventual support, rather than actual support on day 1);

(3) our day 1 support of the iPad;

(4) our break-neck pace of mobile solutions development, including our new "Sorenson Smash" app specifically developed for the iPad;

(5) we now also have direct untethered video uploads to Sorenson 360 and local video management on and sharing from the iPhone;

(6) several significant new partnerships (including Google/WebM, Amazon AWS, ProKarma, SEO.com, Digitaria, etc.);

(7) continued significant expansion of our Sorenson Spark licensing partnerships;

(8) the long-awaited announcement of Squeeze Server Edition (and our new and fast-expanding beta program for Squeeze Server -- suffice it to say, that demand for Squeeze Server is outpacing our high expectations);

(9) our continued hiring in both our San Diego and Salt Lake City offices to address the unprecedented demand we are seeing for our overall services; and

(10) continuing visibility to and understanding of our company's unique role in the online video eco-system by the press, including USA Today.

Here is a link to our official press release.

Yes, we are pleased with Q2 -- it is the result of outstanding dedication, passion and innovation by an outstanding team. The talent and expertise at our company are truly remarkable.

Are we having fun and do we love what we do? You bet.

But, are we satisfied? No way. Never. There is so much more to do ... this is just the beginning ...

OVPs & Why Long-Term Profitability & Viability Matters

Hot off the presses: just announced that HP/Snapfish is acquiring the technology -- and only the technology -- of video platform provider Motionbox. Motionbox itself will shut down as a service as of August 10, leaving its 2.8 million customers without a service (click here to see Motionbox's home page announcing the deal and the impact on customers). There is no joy in reporting this, as I feel for employees of Motionbox (assuming they have no home at Snapfish), as well as for confused customers.

This is the latest example of the perils of partnering in the highly volatile OVP space. Amid the 80 or so OVPs, my G2 confirms that none of them -- that's right, NONE -- are profitable (sure, one or two may have accomplished a few months of cash-flow positivity, but that is very different than actual profitability). Only one -- Sorenson Media -- not only has a decade plus legacy of innovation, but also -- and this is very important -- a legacy of long-term profitability and viability. And, I can tell you this -- we have an extremely healthy balance sheet. We are in no need to raise capital -- how many other OVPs can say that? And, that is a critical question and consideration for potential enterprise customers, particularly in these extremely challenging venture capital market conditions. Put simply -- you need to know that your OVP will be here not only today or next week -- but next year and beyond. After all, you are entrusting your prized video assets to your chosen OVP -- you need to feel confident that they are safe and secure.

And, what happens when your OVP shuts down? Look no further than the Motionbox reality -- in the precise words of Motionbox's home page, "Videos hosted on Motionbox.com will not be available on this site after August 1oth." In other words, customers, download your hosted videos now -- or they are lost forever.

Now, THAT's pain -- lots of pain. And, it's a real world issue that we have seen time and time again in this volatile OVP space. And, we will keep seeing it over ... and over ... and over again.

Businesses and enterprises simply can't -- and shouldn't -- have to deal with such pain. There is no time for it. They have no resources for it (and, even if they do, they must painfully take resources off other priorities to address the disruption to their video services). OVPs should be there to take away the pain -- not create it.

Let's be clear -- all OVPs want to help -- but they are struggling to find business models that work. And, these VC-backed firms -- with no profits in sight -- are not given the lee-way for patience. In this environment, funding dries up -- and, this makes partners and customers very vulnerable. As cliche as it sounds, being in good hands really does matter.

Sorenson Media indisputably has a unique story of trust and long-term profitability, viability and stability. Among OVPs, we also have a uniquely diversified product portfolio with multiple revenue streams. We are told by our customers that such peace of mind means a lot to them. A lot.

And it should. It really should. Think about it.

Apple's FaceTime Mobile Live Video Chat -- And To Think There Are Doubters

Prior to Sorenson Media, I had the good fortune of running SightSpeed, widely considered to offer the highest quality consumer-focused video chat service. The company was acquired by Logitech in the fall of 2008. During my tenure, I predicted the massive potential of mobile live video chat -- here is one of my posts from several years back.

Well, here we are in July 2010 -- and here Apple is with FaceTime, its live video chat for the iPhone 4. Once again, Apple is changing everything by putting mobile live video chat front and center in the minds of consumers. The latest example? All four of Apple's new iPhone 4 commercials feature FaceTime.

And, to think there are doubters of this massive mobile live video chat opportunity ...

Apple's 8 Lessons to All Digital Media & Technology Entrepreneurs

Apple is a well oiled machine. Among other things, what it has done on the PR side is incredible -- i.e., all of us advertise Apple all the time (case in point -- this post!).

Apple -- and Professor Jobs -- have schooled the biggest and the baddest. Microsoft anyone? Just a few years back, it was unthinkable that Apple would surpass Microsoft's market cap. Well, think different -- they just recently did. iPod. iTunes. iPhone. iPad. FaceTime.

How did -- and does -- Apple do it time and time again?

Digital media and technology entrepreneurs -- take note. Follow Apple's 8 step "paint by numbers" approach (click on this link for a compelling slide show) -- and heed the lessons well.

5 Billion Mobile Subscriptions Worldwide! Imagine the Mobile Video Opportunity

Ericcson -- the technology and services provider for carriers -- now estimates that there are 5 billion mobile subscriptions worldwide -- and 2 million new mobile subscriptions each day! That's nearly one mobile subscription for every man, woman and child in the world -- absolutely mind-boggling.

These are not all smart-phone related, of course. Nonetheless, imagine the scope and magnitude of the mobile video capture opportunity in the years ahead as these subs migrate over to next-gen mobile hardware and faster networks (a migration that is accelerating exponentially as we speak). The iPhone 4 represents a paradigm shift in this tidal wave opportunity -- I wrote about this yesterday (here is the link).

And, imagine the need for both consumers and business users alike to archive, manage, and share those videos from the Cloud -- easily -- and with the highest quality. Now, THAT's an opportunity we can sink our teeth into. And, we already are ...

Those Loony Minnesotans -- "The Internet is Over", Proclaimeth Prince

Ahh, my home state -- the land of 10,000 lakes -- the land of those heart-breaking Vikings -- the land of underdogs (Minnesota Twins -- 2X World Series Champs with no payroll) -- the land that chose, of all things, a burrowing rodent (the gopher) to be the mascot of my alma mater ... the land mocked by its own in the movie "Fargo" don'tcha know (interesting side-note: the Coen Brothers' father was my Econ teacher at the U of M). Our state bird is the Loon for god's sake -- how appropriate is that for the loony schizophrenic legacy we have? The State, my state (I grew up there), definitely dances to the beat of its own drummer ... as Kramer says to Seinfeld, "We're Out There Jerry, and We're Loving It!"

Just think about it ... Jesse "The Body" Ventura as Governor, comedian and SNL alumnus Al Franken as Senator, bodysnatched pod person Barbara Bachman as Congressperson ... and on ... and on .... Who are these people? Who is this State? First, Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale ... and now Jesse and Barbara and Al? Oh My!

And, now this. Our beloved Prince. The Purple one himself. The man who single-handedly put Minnesota on the map in terms of music. He now doth proclaimeth that "the Internet is Over!" Tell me oh Purple one -- what do you know that the rest of us don't?

Fellow Minnesotans ... what will we do next? Finally Win the Super Bowl? You betcha'?????

Not if those Purple People Eaters -- our beloved Vikings -- follow the prognostications of purple power mogul Prince ...

I'll go out on a limb ... the Internet still has some legs ...

The Coming Mobile Video Explosion & Massive Need for Video Management & Private Sharing

Yet again, Apple is changing everything ...

Mobile music via the iPod ... check.

Smart phones via the iPhone ... check.

Tablets via the iPad ... check.

And now, mobile HD video capture and playback. Welcome to the world of the iPhone 4.

Yes, others have done it before (they usually do). But, in the immortal lyrics of Carly Simon, "Nobody Does it Better." Apple is the game-changer. And, Apple is changing the game both with mobile video capture and live mobile video via FaceTime; my post is about the former.

If you think we have lots of UGC video around us now, you ain't seen nothin' yet. Even before the iPhone 4 launched in June, 34% of mobile phone users in the U.S. used their "phones" for video capture -- nearly double the 19% number from the year before! And, YouTube just announced that over 100 million videos per day (yes, day!) are played back on mobile phones.

And, now Apple comes along with mobile HD video capture. Now, the "all in one" smart phone that you carry with you at all times is there for "point and shoot" spontaneously, anytime, anywhere. Just think of the volume! The growth of consumer video capture will hockey stick exponentially (yes, "hockey stick" is intended to be a verb here) -- not linearly. Make no mistake -- easy-to-use HD mobile video capture represents a paradigm shift. This is huge. I rarely say this -- but, this is an absolute certainty.

This presents a huge problem for consumers -- and huge opportunity for those in the mobile eco-system to problem solve -- i.e., the absolute need to auto upload those HD videos into the cloud for private (PRIVATE is critical here) archiving, management and sharing (and sharing on all platforms, including in the living room and on the big screen). Without that kind of private solution, consumers will be simply overwhelmed the cacophony of videos. (Note the emphasis of "private" here -- YouTube is not enough -- consumers will not want the majority of their videos publicly viewable by the whole world.)

I am pleased to report that we at my company, Sorenson Media, already have solved that problem as part of our Sorenson 360 video platform -- direct mobile video publishing, management, sharing, with the highest quality (our hallmark) in the Cloud. More on this need -- and our solution -- in my next post.

Stay tuned -- and don't be afraid to capture video from your handset -- your solution is here and now.

Apple v. Google's Next Epic Battle? The Cloud

Apple's long-predicted move to the Cloud with iTunes is coming soon, according to several reliable sources including TechCrunch. I have written about cloud-based iTunes several times -- and why that move is both necessary and inevitable. Local storage simply does not work in a word of proliferating premium content, which includes HD video.

Of course, Google already lives in the Cloud -- and, it too soon will launch its own Cloud-based entertainment service -- Google Music. Both services apparently will enable intuitive wireless untethered syncing with devices. Cutting the cord, if you will.

So, once again, the epic battle between Apple and Google accelerates -- and with Microsoft nowhere in sight. Who will win? Apple certainly has a tremendous head-start with iTunes and its existing millions of users (is tremendous the right word here? Or, is it insurmountable?). But, Google is Google ...

... I may buy stock in both.

Move Networks' Cautionary Tale -- Oxymoronic Schizophrenic Focus

IPTV company Move Networks seemingly had everything -- great differentiated technology (adaptive bit-rate streaming), great blue-chip investors (including Microsoft and Cisco), great blue-chip customers (many major media companies), experienced name CEOs (including most recently the former President & COO of DirecTV), and a ton of capital (it had raised $90 million overall). So, what could go wrong?

Schizophrenia, that's what.

Move never could decide what it wanted to be. First, it wanted to be an enabler of online video -- providing back-end streaming technology. That didn't work. Then, it shifted gears to become an IPTV back-bone company. That didn't work. And, most recently it decided it wanted to compete directly with its own customers by delivering premium online video "television" content itself. And, not surprisingly, that hasn't worked (I anticipated this several months ago when the company announced its new strategy).

The result? Move is pulling a Veoh. It has fired its high profile CEO. It has laid off a majority of its employees. And, it has just announced that it is "evaluating strategic alternatives, including a possible sale" (read the official company press release here). In fact, it strangely first announced this latest sad chapter in a Tweet which, to me, is unbelievable and trivializes the impact of this most recent "Move" on its employees' lives.

Move is a cautionary tale to all companies. The problem was that Move never stuck to one "Move." It seemingly tried to be everything -- it changed business models incessantly -- it confused its own customers (heck, it competed with its own customers!) -- it had a revolving door of CEOs -- it didn't focus on its "Good to Great" hedgehog (its differentiated adaptive bit-rate streaming).

There is no joy over this -- this is a sad tale. Many lives have been impacted. Other companies take note. Yes, it is good -- in fact necessary -- to throw spaghetti against a wall to see what sticks in this fast-paced ever-changing technology world. But, be careful that your bowl of pasta is not too big -- that your eyes are not too big when you eat it -- and that you have the patience to eat it slowly over time ...