Random Thoughts

Greetings! Its been a while since my last post so I offer these random thoughts on industry news and events.

Apple iOS 7 is out.  I have no issues with this update and rather like it.  And unlike others, I do not have a problem with the 3D effects.  Pretty cool in my opinion.  Still waiting to see the Apple TV solution.  Can any clues be found in the latest iOS and "smart" devices launched?  They key is in the iOS, I believe.  Remember, Apple builds closed systems whose devices effectively communicate with one another.

Waiting for the next move by poker player extraordinaire Charlie Ergen.  You just know he is up to something.  He holds most of the chips (read - bonds) for Lightsquared so will most likely end up with that company's wireless spectrum.  And if reports are accurate he personally stands to make a chunk of change on the deal.  The real question is with whom will he partner, or try to acquire, to combine his TV assets with a mobile phone play.

Speaking of TV and cable, it appears Intel's OnCue OTT cable solution is struggling, according to reports.  Apparently they have yet to land any major content deals with major partners and have reached out to the likes of Amazon and others with little success.  I am still not sure why Intel thought this was a great idea.  They could have just called their competitor Qualcomm and asked them how that MediaFlo project ended.  Answer?  In a shutdown.  Sold the spectrum to AT&T to recoup their investment.  Best vertical strategy would be to invest in developing markets (e.g automobiles) that need your chips, and what mobile market does not need chips?

Some of the coolest innovation I have seen in some time is in the developing app space in tele-healthcare.  Specifically in the creation of smartphone attachments that allow an individual or trained professional to perform diagnoses away from a medical professional's office.  Many have geo-social functionality to permit the images or data created to be transmitted to a doctor for evaluation.  Big implications for Tele-Care and Home care, let alone military applications.  I am trying to help one such venture connect with funding sources at this time.  Google Dr. Eric Topol if you want to see some cool stuff.  Khosla Ventures has also invested in a number of ventures in this emerging space.

I watched the brief video of Steve Ballmer's final all-hands meeting at MSFT.  Steve's a crier, for sure!  I'm sure its a melancholy time for Steve as he begins his departure.  I doubt that he will be far from the helm for some time though.  Worse case, they drag him to sales meetings or company retreats to work the crowd into a frenzy.  I must say though, if Dirty Dancing is Steve's favorite movie, this says volumes about why MSFT TV was not successful.

And finally, the government shut down today.  It really seems like government has failed to function as the framers of the Constitution intended.  It seems the country has become very polarized and unable to find common ground in the middle.  One thing is certain, the government's penchant for spending has to be reined in and debt levels reduced or this healthcare debate will be only a blip on the radar.  If you want a good overview of how the government system was intended to function, I suggest reading America the Beautiful, Rediscovering What Made This Nation Great, By Dr. Benjamin Carson, M.D..  The early chapters provide a great refresher as to the rationale behind the formation of the Government into three branches, the system of checks and balances and the desired intent to have people from all walks of life participate, but not for life.  Its a great read!