New tech we should consider from CES and Macworld
In an effort to keep this post from getting too long, I am going to link to several other blog posts that report or review the new devices/technologies announced at CES and Macworld this past week. This list is specifically focused on the tech announced this past week that I believe the local church needs to be considering as a way to extend globally. This is a “what” post…we can discuss more about “how” in the future.
Some are shipping, others will not be available for several months.
Some are ready for content from your church, others might be in the future so I listed them.
Here is the list (not ranked but categorized):
Definite opportunities:
- SlingCatcher from Sling Media
- Apple TV from Apple [official website]
- Digital Entertainer HD from Netgear [official website]
Possible opportunities:
- MediaFLO by Qualcomm and Verizon
- BRAVIA Internet Link by Sony
- IPTV on the Xbox 360 by Microsoft
- DSM-750 MediaLounge Wireless Media Player by D-Link
And a comprehensive cell phone wrap up from Phone Scoop that shows the new phones introduced last week including the iPhone (if it keeps that name) from Apple. There is a growing trend for short and possibly even long-format video/audio on cell phones and most of the devices are designed specifically for that.
I personally am most interested in the Netgear Digital Entertainer HD followed by the Apple TV. I’m sure I missed some things…you are welcome to correct and add.
Outside of the announcements this past week, there are many other new technologies that we should be looking at…we’ll discuss several of those in the coming weeks.
Visit 
Are you going to purchase a SlingCatcher?
I’ll probably get one personally to play around with.
I just came across a cool post by Seth Godin on the I-phone…Seth makes the point that people really never make a new cell phone…they just combine and reorganize old ones…he then lists the things that would be cool for a new phone…
I found it interesting because the majority of churches never come up with something original; they just add new bolts to an old system…
Here is the link to Seth’s Blog http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2007/01/inventing_a_new.html
The more common impacts of new media technologies recently seem to be not in their reinvention but in their evolution (maybe why Jobs said the iPhone is (r)evolutionary.)
For example, although the telephone isn’t new, what may be an improvement/evolution is our ability to have video capability when we make calls. Same with WiFi, VoIP, etc. Evolutions of existing technologies frequently include mashup elements (ie - phone iPod) of several existing technologies.
I’m also just as interested in the evolution of the uses of technology as I am in the technologies themselves. That maybe where we see the most innovation.
Phil -
I absolutely love Seth and his blog. What is funny to me is that I don’t think that all of his suggestions are actually “reinventions” themselves.
I completely agree with your statement about the church, but I don’t know that the goal should be new. It is completely true that much of the “innovation” that takes place is not truely innovative(new/original)…BUT it doesn’t always have to be in order to be effective. I’ll probably put together a post on the topic because it is definitely worthy of more discussion. Thanks for bringing it up.
Cynthia -
I agree with you as well…I too am intersted in the evolution of use as much as the underlying tech. This plays into the “effective” term I just mentioned.
Why wait for IPTV on the Xbox 360 by Microsoft? Media Center, and through the Xbox as a media extender, already offers Online Spotlight. It would be awesome for lifechurch, or other churches, to offer an online spotlight channel.
While I love the potential impact that comes with these new technologies, I have a question. One of the coolest things about the LC internet campus is its interactive capabilities. Bobby, to your knowledge, does the Sling Catcher technologies enable 2 way interaction or is it just a means of streaming info from the web to your tv?
Chris,
None of the products mentioned in the post except possibly the IPTV for the Xbox 360 (which we simply do not know yet) do not currently appear to offer the interactivity that you are describing. The online spotlight feature of Media Center (that mitchell mentioned) does allow for the creation of interactive elements.
There are several other technologies that we are looking at that do have this capability as well. One that is pretty interesting is “The Venice Project” which we are currently beta testing.
Bobby,
I go to watch the 1:30 hour presentation of the iPhone and I believe that it is going to transform the way people communicate and work. It has incredible wi-fi and bluetooth technology. iPod capabilities. Visual voice-mail where you can pick and choose which ones to listen to. Maps, pictures, videos, light sensors to maintain battery life, and over 200 patents just for the iPhone alone. They’re goign to be selling for $499 4G and $599 for the 8G. Did I mention that there are no buttons. The entire thing is touch screen. I think it’s going to take over the cell phone business.
I’m super-excited about the iPhone, because I think the possibilities for new ways of delivering Bible translations, study guides, podcasts, etc. for this thing are going to be a major benefit for the Christian community. The iPod’s screen is just too dinky to read stuff on it comfortably, but this screen looks like it could be quite usable. The only wrinkle is that Apple says that third-party apps and services for the iPhone will have to be specially licensed and distributed through Apple. Hopefully they won’t be discriminatory!