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Loving the Summer, Leaving the Tech Behind
by Paul Thurrott
In New England, the winter lasts longer than I'd like it to, but one of the wettest and coldest Mays on record has finally given way to more seasonable and sunny weather. With that, my thoughts inevitably turn toward summer activities such as beach trips, barbeques, landscaping, and family vacations. You'll notice that none of these activities lend themselves, per se, to technology. But there's a reason for that. Although technology can often enhance our lives, too often it distracts from what's really important. So, I'd like to present a few general thoughts about the coming summer months and the ways you can make sane uses of technology at a time when you should be thinking about more important things. [ GET MORE!] | | | | | 
by Paul Thurrott, Keith Furman, and Jason Bovberg
Nintendo DS Outsells PSP ... and PS2 ... Combined
Yikes. Despite great press and user enthusiasm, there's a growing worry that Sony's first foray into portable gaming--the PlayStation Portable (PSP)--is doing horribly in the market. The most dramatic proof comes from Japan, where the PSP is being handily outsold by the less technically impressive Nintendo Dual Screen (DS). In fact, the Nintendo DS is selling so well in Japan that it actually outsold both the Sony PSP and PlayStation 2 (PS2) combined in 1 week. Analysts say Nintendo is seeing a sales resurgence thanks to the recent release of Nintendogs, a cute new DS title. But this data begs a thought: Maybe Nintendo really is on to something with its new "games first" mantra. Are impressive technical capabilities really that unimportant? [ COMMENT IN THE BLOG]
Laptops Outsell Desktops for First Time
For the first time ever in the United States, the number of laptops sold in a calendar month was higher than the number of desktop PCs sold, according to research firm Current Analysis. The trend shows that more people are embracing mobility as laptops improve and come down in price. Laptop sales accounted for 53 percent of the PC market in May, which is up 46 percent from the same period last year. Price played a large role in the increase of sales: Laptop prices fell 17 percent during the past year, whereas desktops saw only a 4 percent decrease. Improved laptop features are also a driving force behind laptops' increased popularity. Consumers no longer have to make as much of a performance and feature sacrifice when purchasing a laptop, thanks to advances in laptop computing power and multimedia features, along with better battery life and improved wireless capacity. As wireless hotspots pop up all over the place, the appeal of having a portable computer increases. We don't expect desktops to disappear anytime soon, but portability is certainly becoming more and more important. [ COMMENT IN THE BLOG]
21 Million American Homes Sharing Rich Media Wirelessly in 2009
Within 18 months, consumers will be able to buy consumer electronics devices and PCs that will permit sharing of rich media content between devices in their digital home networks. Now, with arrival of interoperable digital rights management (DRM) technology, the consumer will also be able to share content with friends, legally. According to a new report by independent market analyst Datamonitor, DRM in its most complete form will manage the rights of a piece of rich media content throughout its lifetime, thus enabling 'super-distribution' in which a consumer is an end-user as well as a node of distribution. Furthermore, Datamonitor expects the availability of such technology to spur the deployment of home wireless networks. Datamonitor expects that by 2009, 21 million US homes will be accustomed to exchanging audio/video content, boosted by the lower prices of networkable devices and DRM improvements. [ COMMENT IN THE BLOG]
Recycle your iPod, Grab a Piece of the Settlement
Apple Computer is encouraging iPod users to recycle and, in the process, upgrade--to a newer device, of course. The company has announced a new program that allows customers to bring in their old iPods to Apple retail stores for free environmentally friendly disposal. As part of the program, customers will be eligible for a 10 percent discount on a new iPod purchase on the day they drop off their old device. The new program is in response to environmentalists complaining that the company wasn't doing enough to encourage recycling. Apple's iPods contain lead and other toxins and aren't particularly landfill-friendly. Apple isn't the first company to address the increasing need for old-electronics recycling. Recycling is becoming a major concern. Research firm Gartner estimates that 133,000 PCs are retired or replaced each year. The firm estimates that 400 million devices will be thrown out by 2010. In related news, Apple announced a settlement to several class-action lawsuits regarding iPod battery life. The company is offering extended-service warranties and $50 store credits to customers who complained. Newer-generation iPods that come with dock connectors and were purchased before May 31, 2004, will have their warranties extended from 1 to 2 years. If the batteries die in those devices, the company will replace either the battery or iPod for free, or provide a $50 credit toward an Apple online store or retail store purchase. For customers with older iPods who have experienced battery failure, the company will offer a $50 store credit or $25 in cash. Customers who already have paid for battery replacement within 2 years of ownership are eligible for a $50 refund of the $99 repair charge they already paid. [ COMMENT IN THE BLOG]
 | |  | | | | | |  Kim Paulsen - Group Publisher
Karen Forster - Editorial Director
Paul Thurrott - Features Editor
Keith Furman - News Editor
Jason Bovberg - Senior Editor
Juliann Feuerbacher - Senior Editor
| | | | © Penton, 2005. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part with the written permission of the copyright owner is prohibited. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to a friend.
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