Sideloading, the future of downloading

I have to give credit to Amazon and Michael Robertson for this idea. I say Michael Robertson because he created the SideLoad website which is where I draw inspiration from for this concept. I also mention Amazon because I've read articles in the past about how they are or were wanting to allow customers to keep a digital copy of all their purchases online. This will gain more relevance to Amazon as they move more and more of their inventory to digital content.

Overall the concept is simple, you go around the internet and save your purchases to a storage space in the cloud (as everyone likes to say). The difference is that this more easily enables you to share things with others to see. In some ways this conflicts with my idea that everything should be available via an unlimited subscription model. However, I'm gonna stay on the safe side and anticipate that they'll still be a strong demand for people to feel like they have some sort of personal ownership.

Does Sony's PS3 movie service really need the other movie picture companies?

There has been some talk that Sony's plan to add movies to the PS3 is in trouble without the other movie companies on board. For instance, this was mentioned on the The Game Reviews blog where they state "it is obvious that Sony will need their support in order to give the service any real weight." I have to laugh at this type of concern. The reason is simple, look at all the other online movie services (ex. MovieLink, CinemaNow). If Sony can guarantee that their whole archive of movies will be available in HD (720p at least) over the internet, they won't need anybody else's archive of movies. Then the other movie companies will be desperate to get their content onto the system just like with iTunes.

However if this is going to be another half-baked service, then yes they need other companies to offer their own half-baked archive of movies too.

Access vs Ownership

In grade school kids often make a big deal about the things they own or think they own. The same goes for some adults as well. However, the future should largely rule this argument irrelevant. I'm betting the future will consist of content distributed based on access rights instead of ownership.

Movies (example: Netflix)
Renting and buying movies will likely no longer exist in the future. Netflix currently has the best example of the future model. If you subscribe to Netflix you can get unlimited access to movies online. Yes that's unlimited just the way it should be. This also means that streaming is the best solution, it also helps cut down on the illegal distribution problems. The only problem is that there aren't enough movies available at the moment, which I blame on the ignorant MPAA and the old-fashioned movie rental businesses like Blockbuster.

Games (example: OnLive, Gakai)
These services are still somewhat unproven but both present the best examples of the future and of what to expect years down the road.

Music (example: Rhapsody, Napster, Kazaa)
Most music retailers are moving to a DRM-free model, which is great and I totally appreciate the change, but in the end I still feel an unlimited-access subscription-based model will be the best bet. Even TechCrunch wisely states, "Streaming music may be the way of the future - especially when reliable and fast wireless technology becomes ubiquitous" which is totally in line with what I've been preaching.

Magazines / Newspapers
This is probably the only thing that doesn't really need streaming but the unlimited-access subscription model certainly still applies. In the case of magazines/newspapers, digital copies of all back issues should be available to subscribers and should also be easily searched. To this day Zinio is one of the most complete digital magazine services I've used.

Advantages of Streaming
- No worries about having enough storage space
- No worries about people stealing (sure I can record my computer screen but for games that's never gonna pass)
- Fewer worries about customers having the appropriate hardware
- More environmentally friendly
- If unlimited, no worries about usage issues

Companies back from the dead

Not to sound like a jerk but I really am surprised that these businesses are coming back to life. I tend to wonder what brings some businesses back to life, after all they failed don't most people like to throw insults and dance on the graves of failures? So anyway I know there are a couple other businesses that have risen from the dead recently which I can't remember (I'll add more as I come across them). So here are the ones that I can remember. The only reason I know Bolt is back again is only because they emailed me, otherwise I haven't heard any of the usual blogs (TechCrunch, Mashable) say a thing.

Nau
This company makes a lot of well designed apparel using environmentally friendly methods/materials. While their designs were great I always questioned their pricing. Perhaps now it'll be a bit different this time around. One other problem from before was the over-use of Flash for their website design, and unfortunately they are still over-using it on the new site. Seriously people stop with the Flash. I have always felt that Flash was great for promotional purposes and I still do. However, using it for your whole website is just crazy unless your website is some sort of elaborate Flash-based application (example: Pandora).

Bolt
Overall Bolt never really offered anything that amazed me much. Nothing really distinguishes it over other networking sites. Why does that matter? I'd say because there are already several good general-interest networking sites like MySpace and Facebook. I only get excited these days when I find a well done networking site that is focused on a niche that I care about.

Sharper Image
The brick-and-mortar stores annoyed me, but their website has actually been a regular resource for me to find things I'm searching for. If they stick with just the website this time around they should do fine but the stores were tacky. Now if only Brookstone would drop their retail act. (Oops nevermind Engadget is already reporting that they will live on as just a brand. Which is practically the worst possible thing they could do.)

Moviebeam - ADDED July 14, 2008
I was kind of happy when this company went under, mainly because it required purchasing another practically useless set-top-box. These things still use wires, ya know. I'd say the only set-top-box worth buying is either an Xbox or PS3, which are game consoles that double as many other things. What gets me though is that people are still trying to make money off boxes you plug into your TV. Talk about re-inventing the wheel, there's a box that already does everything it's called a computer. If more companies would integrate software like Splashtop, then I'd hear even more people agreeing with me.

Webcam Gesture Control & Security Software

These days almost everybody has a webcam integrated into their mobile computer, so why not find more uses for it right? Below are some great tools for using your webcam as a sort of mouse-like tool. Most of the programs will track your head movement, some track eye movement, and others (like CamSpace) track any object you tell it to.

So far I haven't tried any of these but as soon as I do I'll be sure to elaborate more on their functionality. So far I've signed up for the CamSpace beta, but haven't been invited yet.

GESTURE:
- CamSpace (in beta stage)
- EyeTwig
- Handsfree 3D
- Kubree - Virtual Viewpoint
- Mgestyk
- uMouse
- VR-Wear

SECURITY:
- Crime Catcher
- Dorgem (how-to)

Application Shortcuts (Windows Start menu, Mac OS X dock)

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that all operating systems have inefficient ideas about accessing applications.

Windows Start menu:
Take a look through the Program Files folder on your C: drive. Now take a look through your Windows Start menu Programs folder. Is one really any cleaner or more functional than the other? How could this be fixed? My belief is that the Start menu should access the Program Files folder directly. This means no more ridiculous shortcuts. Another possible solution is a kind of option that just searches your computer for any and all .exe files. I've had multiple occurrences where the Start menu shortcuts created more problems than they solved.

Mac OS dock:
Sure it's convenient, but only if it has just a few apps on it. Once you start adding shortcuts to everything you start making it's purpose redundant. Why not organize your apps folder into categories, which happens to be more easily done in Mac OS than it is in any other OS. Then put those folder/app categories in your dock and just like that no more shuffling stupid dock shortcuts. If you install a new application, guess what? You don't have to add another shortcut, hooray!

Overall my argument is about redundancies. Why recreate data or content constantly when you can just pull that data from somewhere else? After all it can't be any worse than out-right copying other's content.

Current Trends in Play

Below are just some of the technologies getting a lot of attention recently. Some things like GPUs are in a tight spot because of how the market is changing. Intel wants in on everybody else's turf (SSDs, WiFi/WiMax, GPUs) by bundling their own technologies with their processors. Meanwhile, companies like NVIDIA are getting pretty angry and firing back by partnering with competing CPU companies like Centaur Technology (owned by Via Technologies). NVIDIA may very well buyout Centaur Technology, so don't be surprised if some day your computer has "NVIDIA Inside" instead of Intel.

TRENDS:
- Alternative energy solutions
    - Algae fuel
    - Cellulosic ethanol
    - Solar concentrating PV
    - Solar thermal
    - Waves
- All-in-one (audio+GPU+CPU+physics) chipsets
- External GPUs
    - ATI - XGP
    - ASUS - ROG XG Station
    - MSI - Luxium
- High-Performance-Computing
    - NVIDIA - Tesla
    - ATI - Stream Computing
    - FASTRA
    - ClearSpeed
    - Tilera
    - SpursEngine
- Mobile GPU chipsets
    - ARM - Mali
    - ATI - Imageon
    - NVIDIA - Tegra
- Mobile gaming
    - StreamMyGame
    - Vollee
- Multi-Communication Processors
    - ASOCS
    - NXP - Nexperia PNX6910
- WiFi PAN
    - Ozmo Devices
    - TransferJet
- Instant-on / Web OS
    - Google - Chrome OS
    - Jolicloud
    - Moblin
    - Phoenix - HyperSpace
    - Splashtop
- Opensource smartphone OS
    - Android
    - OpenMoko

SecondLife on smartphones (Vollee, Second Life, StreamMyGame)

As of now, if you're lucky enough to own the right cellphone (darn no iPhone, oh like I care), you can play SecondLife on your cellphone simply by installing Vollee's client. If your skeptical, don't be this is using technology that has been tried before and really isn't that difficult to understand. Basically Vollee handles the rendering and processing while your cellphone or random mobile device acts as a client. No big deal, hell if you're really excited and don't own one of the phones required you can still try screwing around with another similar technology called StreamMyGame. The difference though is that with StreamMyGame you own the required equipment to offload the processing and you have to have already purchased/installed the games you want to play.

DOWNLOADS:
- Vollee - SecondLife Client
- StreamMyGame

What Microsoft should add to Windows 7

As usual, I'm just gonna list these things.

FEATURES:
- Applications should be managed in layers (example: Sandboxie)
- Windows Lite install option without: Windows Mail, Windows Calendar, etc. (example: vLite)
- Virtualized browser security (example: ZoneAlarm - ForceField, TrustWare - BufferZone)
- More complete Add/Remove software utility (example: Microsoft - Windows Installer CleanUp Utility)
- Advanced multi-core support and management options (example: SMP Seesaw)
- Disable the wake via mouse feature on mobile computers (by default)
- Improve the User Account Control system (example: Norton - User Account Control tool)
- More dynamic/intelligent screensaver options (example: Electric Sheep, Twingly, Beautiful Earth Wallpaper and Screen Saver)
- PrtSc key should create screencaptures (example: Purrint)
- Stop forcing restarts (example: ShutdownGuard)

(REGISTRATION KEY / SERIAL CODE) RETRIEVAL:
- Easy Microsoft serial code / product key retrieval (example: Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder)
- Easy game key retrieval (example: Game Key Revealer)
- Easy software key retrieval (example: SoftKey Revealer)

DESKTOP / WALLPAPER:
- Panoramic wallpaper options (example: 360desktop)
- Earth wallpaper options with weather (example: Beautiful Earth Wallpaper and Screen Saver, Desktop Earth)
- Animated wallpaper options (example: Stardock - DeskScapes)
- Simplified user-friendly ejecting of USB drives (example: USB Disk Ejector)
- Auto-mounting of external-drives on the desktop (Mac OS already has this, example: Desk Drive)
- Wallpaper rotation, RSS subscription options (example Desktoptopia, NuonSoft - Wallpaper Cycler)
- Integrate a smart desktop option, not another "Active Desktop" please (example: uvLayer, BumpTop)
- Add the option to display desktop icons in small list mode (example: IconLayOut)

SHELL:
- Advanced scroll-bar options (like how Mac OS has jump-to, so wherever you click is where the scrollbar repositions, example: Popup Scrollbar Concept, WizMouse)
- Enhanced look & functionality (example: Cairo)
- PDF print save option (example: CutePDF Writer)
- Unified system font (example: Chris Pirillo's (Segoe Font) Registry Patch)
- Volume adjustable via mouse scrollwheel (example: NirSoft - Volumouse / VolumeTouch)
- Automatic window resizing (example: PowerResizer, AeroSnap)

WINDOWS START MENU / TASKBAR:
- "Start" menu should access the real "Program Files" folder
- "Start" menu should have an organizer tool (example: Winstep Start Menu Organizer)
- Minimizing windows should reduce them to the tasktray, unless minimized by clicking the application on the taskbar (example: XNeat Windows Manager, ShellEnhancer)
- Similar taskbar & tasktray items should be auto-grouped (example: XNeat Windows Manager, Taskbar Shuffle)
- Taskbar & tasktray items should movable (example: Taskbar Shuffle)
- Tasktray items should have the option to be hidden without creating any noticeable difference (example: SysTrayX)

UPDATES:
- Automatic system-wide software updates (Linux already has this)
- Automatic system-wide driver updates (example: Driver Detective)

WINDOWS EXPLORER:
- Quick-and-easy disabling of the Windows Media Player integration
- Stay-on-top window option (example: XNeat Windows Manager)
- Tabbed Windows Explorer interface
- Open-with suggestion guide for unknown file formats (example: Openwith.org)

RELATED NEWS:
- OSNews - Rethinking the Taskbar
- CNET - E-mail, photo programs stripped from Windows 7
- GadgetZone - 20 things Windows 7 MUST include