According to the creator of the blockbuster video game Final Fantasy, Hironobu Sakaguchi, tablets offer a similar opportunity as consoles for developers in video games. Final Fantasy had 80 million users and was among the most popular game in the 1990's. Sakaguchi bets on mobile and tablets as the formats of the future. He gave an interview to El Pais.
Question: How do you envision the future role of video games?
Answer: The graphics and sound will continue to evolve. Not only in this format. We will see more and more advanced phones.
P. Do you think the tablets and phones can compete with the consoles?
R. The hardware offers similar architecture. For example, PlayStation Vita, coming out next week on sale in Europe, has some very similar to the iPhone. The tablets will have a similar power to home consoles. I think as a developer, it proposes an interesting scenario.
P. Do you think Sony and Nintendo will succumb to this phenomenon and stop making consoles?
R. That's a business decision. The fact is that the devices increasingly look more technically. In the future there will be much difference between supports. Soon we will see games made for television. The important thing is what the content send on the support.
P. How has meaning to re-direct 'The Last Story' after 20 years?
R. The role of producer and director is more diffuse than before. In Final Fantasy VI said goodbye to the address, but I stayed close to each creation. After, the Last Story, I took a year to think about new ideas. I realized I had to be getting involved and above all the process.
P. The critical stress games how to leverage the Wii graphics, do you think has peaked?
R. The graphics are complex.I always try to look after the maximum artistic aspect, but I think the limit is imagination.
P. One of its hallmarks is the characters, how is the process of creation?
R. Tactfully and making clear to the player who is who. Sometimes you come up with details, other times with conversations between them or commenting on aspects of the scenario to create some mystery and awaken interest.
P. In all his titles the characters have suffered some trauma vital, why?
R. All human beings have some kind of trauma. The important thing is to make it a motivation to do something, change things, brand personality.
P. Despite this depressing and very personal air has allowed users to customize to your liking, is to be projected on them?
R. The designer did not agree with me in doing something so open. It seemed to me very important that users feel closer and identified with a character with which they will live a long adventure.
P. The Last Story was released in Japan last year and has now reached Europe. Why is America? Is there much difference between these three regions?
R. The decision to take him to the U.S. is Nintendo of America. I hope so. I have great confidence in its success in Europe. I do not think that is both a cultural issue as to find the right niche audience. Depends on gender, age, interests ... When I create a new title I don't put the focus on a particular market.
P. The latter title is a renewal of the genre of role-playing games on consoles. What is the perfect combination of strategy and action to be successful?
R. I wish I had the recipe. I try always, with varying success.
P. Do you plan to create a game of this style to 3DS?
R. I have no plans for this platform. Instead I am making three games for IOS for both iPhone and iPad.
P. For five years is almost impossible to find a great production to dispense with an online version and a cooperative mode, how do you prepare for this format?
R. It is one of the most difficult aspects of the creative process. The whole team together, we discussed and we took it as an adventure completely different from zero. We have differentiated in the way of communicating because many games have the voice chat feature and I hate to use foul language. We decided that they would be used in the game dialogues themselves, which are written to communicate between players. In Japan it worked great. I hope that in Europe also like this integration.
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
A blog on the convergence of info-communications industries: communications, computing, electronics, entertainment, publications and education. Strategic, technological and financial analysis. English and French blog. Cette chronique traite de l’évolution des industries de l’information et des communications et couvre des aspects stratégiques, technologiques et financiers, comme l’économie du savoir et de l’innovation. L’auteur est Associé principal de Infocom Intelligence.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
The world of smartphones at Mobile World Congress
The Mobile World Congress (MWC) is actually in Barcelona, Spain. In a world where data is growing, SMS, short message provides 14% of the income of wireless operators.
But now is the time of the proliferation of data on smartphones: What's App and social networks are killing the SMS. Moreover, the future of any business depends on its adaptation to the smartphone and its connection to the Internet.
Smartphones grew 53.5% in 2011, 432 million of these devices were sold worldwide, 34% of the total. At year end there will be a billion humans with a smartphone in their hands, according to Telecoms and Media. The smartphone is not, as predicted a couple of years ago, a luxury, but a necessary good. Within the next four years, the penetration of these devices will be multiplied by nine in Pakistan, by six in Indonesia, five in Japan and Nigeria, three in China and Brazil.
Penetration exceeds 50% in Spain, creating a new economy. Half of their owners used to make purchases, according to research from ComScore, among other activities.
The rapid expansion of mobile phone is no stranger to the business the ability to exploit someone else to operators and manufacturers. It is an income source for everyone from the automotive industry to public health. The smartphone saves routine visits to the doctor, permanent driver serves our vital signs, medication or view monitors in its early stage disease.
At the fair of Barcelona, the spotlight is going to lead to spectacular new phones, but the most important thing is not: are operating systems, with news W8 Mozilla and Microsoft - and especially the chips becoming more and more quick and ready. The quad-core Qualcomm (Snapdragon 4) and Nvidia (Tegra 39), born for the smartphone are able to get along with computers and television sets, connect to social networks, make payments or play real-time events and HD. All at once, in a single chip, and using less energy; an essential step for the nightmare of any owner of a mobile phone: the battery life, an area where progress is not enough for physical reasons.
In 2011, the biggest mobile sectors were: mobile games (31.5% of all admissions), music (21%) and applications (16%), but in four years it will be payments and applications.
Mobile users are taking advantage of broadband and connectivity in every corner. While traffic has tripled with just pictures, the application was multiplied by 15, by 13 for publications and video by 22. Telephone traffic will grow by 62% each year until 2016, the minority will be voice.
New mobile opportunities emerged: a computer is a company,and can be an application developer. Major events in the world today have not taken more than half a dozen people, as is the case of the most successful mobile game in the world: Angry Birds, which is only possible with a smartphone. It is the rule of smartphone.
Source: El Pais
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
But now is the time of the proliferation of data on smartphones: What's App and social networks are killing the SMS. Moreover, the future of any business depends on its adaptation to the smartphone and its connection to the Internet.
Smartphones grew 53.5% in 2011, 432 million of these devices were sold worldwide, 34% of the total. At year end there will be a billion humans with a smartphone in their hands, according to Telecoms and Media. The smartphone is not, as predicted a couple of years ago, a luxury, but a necessary good. Within the next four years, the penetration of these devices will be multiplied by nine in Pakistan, by six in Indonesia, five in Japan and Nigeria, three in China and Brazil.
Penetration exceeds 50% in Spain, creating a new economy. Half of their owners used to make purchases, according to research from ComScore, among other activities.
The rapid expansion of mobile phone is no stranger to the business the ability to exploit someone else to operators and manufacturers. It is an income source for everyone from the automotive industry to public health. The smartphone saves routine visits to the doctor, permanent driver serves our vital signs, medication or view monitors in its early stage disease.
At the fair of Barcelona, the spotlight is going to lead to spectacular new phones, but the most important thing is not: are operating systems, with news W8 Mozilla and Microsoft - and especially the chips becoming more and more quick and ready. The quad-core Qualcomm (Snapdragon 4) and Nvidia (Tegra 39), born for the smartphone are able to get along with computers and television sets, connect to social networks, make payments or play real-time events and HD. All at once, in a single chip, and using less energy; an essential step for the nightmare of any owner of a mobile phone: the battery life, an area where progress is not enough for physical reasons.
In 2011, the biggest mobile sectors were: mobile games (31.5% of all admissions), music (21%) and applications (16%), but in four years it will be payments and applications.
Mobile users are taking advantage of broadband and connectivity in every corner. While traffic has tripled with just pictures, the application was multiplied by 15, by 13 for publications and video by 22. Telephone traffic will grow by 62% each year until 2016, the minority will be voice.
New mobile opportunities emerged: a computer is a company,and can be an application developer. Major events in the world today have not taken more than half a dozen people, as is the case of the most successful mobile game in the world: Angry Birds, which is only possible with a smartphone. It is the rule of smartphone.
Source: El Pais
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
The vast majority of smartphones and tablets at work are owned by employees
According to new data from Forrester Research, 73% of smartphones and 66% of tablets being used at work are bought and owned by employees. Surveying almost 10,000 workers across 17 countries, the findings revealed that half of laptops are also employee-owned.
But with this Bring Your Own Device trend seems to come perhaps too many net devices. Forrester says that three-quarters of workers wield two or more devices and over half wield three or more.
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
But with this Bring Your Own Device trend seems to come perhaps too many net devices. Forrester says that three-quarters of workers wield two or more devices and over half wield three or more.
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
New article on Seeking Alpha about 5 best stocks expected to gain from tech trends and growth areas
Our new article about 5 tech stocks expected to gain from tech trends and growth areas is now available on Seeking Alpha.
http://seekingalpha.com/article/384841-5-tech-stocks-expected-to-gain-from-tech-trends-and-growth-areas
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
http://seekingalpha.com/article/384841-5-tech-stocks-expected-to-gain-from-tech-trends-and-growth-areas
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
Social gaming will reach around 5.5 billion in 2015
The US social gaming market will blow past $5.5 billion in 2015, according to a new report by BI Intelligence. The social games market, including smartphones, will more than double from last year, where BI estimate it was $2 billion.
-Social games will disrupt the traditional gaming industry, by turning gaming into a service and making it free-to-play.
-Social games will break into the mainstream, as new kinds of games appeal to new audiences beyond today's, including hardcore gamers.
-Monetization will improve as more people pay and as social games advertising becomes valuable.
Zynga is well positioned to benefit from this growth, but it will face better competition.
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/the-social-gaming-market-will-explode-to-5-billion-by-2015-2012-2?nr_email_referer=1&utm_source=Triggermail&utm_medium=email&utm_term=SAI%20Select&utm_campaign=SAI%20Select%202012-02-22#ixzz1n8yuQKu5
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
-Social games will disrupt the traditional gaming industry, by turning gaming into a service and making it free-to-play.
-Social games will break into the mainstream, as new kinds of games appeal to new audiences beyond today's, including hardcore gamers.
-Monetization will improve as more people pay and as social games advertising becomes valuable.
Zynga is well positioned to benefit from this growth, but it will face better competition.
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/the-social-gaming-market-will-explode-to-5-billion-by-2015-2012-2?nr_email_referer=1&utm_source=Triggermail&utm_medium=email&utm_term=SAI%20Select&utm_campaign=SAI%20Select%202012-02-22#ixzz1n8yuQKu5
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Tech sector is now 20% of the S&P 500 index
For the first time since the tech bubble popped back in 2000, technology companies represent now a 20 percent weighting in the Standard & Poor's 500 index. The peak was 34% in March 2000, before the krash. Since the current sector classification was introduced by S&P in 1989, only the financial and tech sectors have ever reached a 20 percent index weighting.
It also helps that the five highest-weighted tech stocks are all up double-digits since the S&P 500’s 52-week high. Notably, those five names make up 10 percent of the S&P 500 (or half of the tech sector’s 20 percent weighting):
The S&P 500 tech sector has been down just four times this year and is currently leading the gains in 2012, up 12 percent, followed by financials, up 11 percent.
Source: CNBC
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
It also helps that the five highest-weighted tech stocks are all up double-digits since the S&P 500’s 52-week high. Notably, those five names make up 10 percent of the S&P 500 (or half of the tech sector’s 20 percent weighting):
The S&P 500 tech sector has been down just four times this year and is currently leading the gains in 2012, up 12 percent, followed by financials, up 11 percent.
Source: CNBC
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
Monday, February 20, 2012
Social, Mobile And Deals Categories Led US 2011 Private Tech Investments.
According to the CrunchBase, a venture capital database of TechCrunch, Social, Mobile And Deals Categories Led 2011 Private Tech Investments. (Courtesy of Alexey Tolkachiov at BuzzSparks.org.)
421 Companies with the “social” tag in CrunchBase raised a total of $5.2 billion over the year. Out of this, Facebook alone was $1.5 billion; out of the 1,941 companies that were included in this analysis, Facebook alone raised 7.3% of the $20.5 billion total.
A few other social companies, including Twitter, Zynga, LivingSocial, Kabam, along with Chinese sites 55tuan and Lashou, count for another $2.29 billion. We’ll see how this category looks in 2012 — that is, look for a drop in private funding considering that so many of the leading companies in the category have already raised late-stage capital.
Some of these companies not only social but also deals sites, or game developers. This analysis in some cases double-counts ones that could fit in more than one category. The goal in doing so is to show how companies that are in multiple areas area impacting each of those areas. In any case, this type of categorization problem exists with any such data set.
Moving along… “Mobile” comes in second, with 393 companies raising a total of $2.3 billion. The fundings are relatively less concentrated at the top — InMobi, Square and Rearden Commerce all raised above $100 million, but that’s it. The third-largest category, Deals, is even more unbalanced than social. Groupon alone makes up more than half of the $1.9 billion total.
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: Infocomanalysis
421 Companies with the “social” tag in CrunchBase raised a total of $5.2 billion over the year. Out of this, Facebook alone was $1.5 billion; out of the 1,941 companies that were included in this analysis, Facebook alone raised 7.3% of the $20.5 billion total.
A few other social companies, including Twitter, Zynga, LivingSocial, Kabam, along with Chinese sites 55tuan and Lashou, count for another $2.29 billion. We’ll see how this category looks in 2012 — that is, look for a drop in private funding considering that so many of the leading companies in the category have already raised late-stage capital.
Some of these companies not only social but also deals sites, or game developers. This analysis in some cases double-counts ones that could fit in more than one category. The goal in doing so is to show how companies that are in multiple areas area impacting each of those areas. In any case, this type of categorization problem exists with any such data set.
Moving along… “Mobile” comes in second, with 393 companies raising a total of $2.3 billion. The fundings are relatively less concentrated at the top — InMobi, Square and Rearden Commerce all raised above $100 million, but that’s it. The third-largest category, Deals, is even more unbalanced than social. Groupon alone makes up more than half of the $1.9 billion total.
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: Infocomanalysis
John Frankel is the head of FF Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm that includes some of the web’s hottest startups in its portfolio, including Hashable, Klout and IndieGoGo.
Below is a 6 minutes interview with Frankel to learn what motivates him as an investor, why he’s so attracted to early stage companies and his thoughts on where the next tech bubble will manifest. This Venture Studio Classic was originally released on October 24, 2011. According to Frankel, we are seeing a bubble in later stage private tech investing and IPOs: such as Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin.
http://mashable.com/2012/02/14/frankel-video/
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @Infocomanalysis
Below is a 6 minutes interview with Frankel to learn what motivates him as an investor, why he’s so attracted to early stage companies and his thoughts on where the next tech bubble will manifest. This Venture Studio Classic was originally released on October 24, 2011. According to Frankel, we are seeing a bubble in later stage private tech investing and IPOs: such as Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin.
http://mashable.com/2012/02/14/frankel-video/
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @Infocomanalysis
Forrester Research forecasts 1 billion smartphones and tablets by 2016
According to Forrester Research, smartphones and tablets consumers will reach a billion global consumers by 2016.
"Mobile is not simply another device for IT to support with a shrunken website or a screen-scraped SAP application. Rather, mobile is the manifestation of a much broader shift to new systems of engagement. These systems of engagement help firms empower their customers, partners, and employees with context-aware apps and smart products. To remain vital in this business technology reformation, CIOs must step up and work with other executives to establish an "office of the chief mobility officer" to implement an enterprisewide mobile strategy. This team will coordinate the business and technology investments under a "design for mobile first" mantra that delivers four immediate benefits:
1) fuel profitable growth with stickier offerings and mobile self-service;
2) move faster along the mobile learning curve;
3) aggregate mobile project budgets to fund needed engagement technology; and
4) grow from an IT group focused on systems of record to a business technology group focused on systems of engagement".
Infocom Intelligence covered the Canadian wireless market in a 2007 report, analyzing technologies and strategies. The report is available online for US$85 (with taxes). For more information see http://www.infocomintelligence.com/newreports.htm
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
"Mobile is not simply another device for IT to support with a shrunken website or a screen-scraped SAP application. Rather, mobile is the manifestation of a much broader shift to new systems of engagement. These systems of engagement help firms empower their customers, partners, and employees with context-aware apps and smart products. To remain vital in this business technology reformation, CIOs must step up and work with other executives to establish an "office of the chief mobility officer" to implement an enterprisewide mobile strategy. This team will coordinate the business and technology investments under a "design for mobile first" mantra that delivers four immediate benefits:
1) fuel profitable growth with stickier offerings and mobile self-service;
2) move faster along the mobile learning curve;
3) aggregate mobile project budgets to fund needed engagement technology; and
4) grow from an IT group focused on systems of record to a business technology group focused on systems of engagement".
Infocom Intelligence covered the Canadian wireless market in a 2007 report, analyzing technologies and strategies. The report is available online for US$85 (with taxes). For more information see http://www.infocomintelligence.com/newreports.htm
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
A map of new emerging technologies
here is a map of emerging technologies according to Michell Zappa of http://envisioningtech.com/
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
Apple is becoming more important than ever in the S&P 500
With a stock price over $500, Apple is now becoming more important than ever in the composition of the US market index S&P 500.
Apple's share of the S&P 500, is 3.8%—more than Exxon Mobil's 3.3%, Microsoft's 1.9% and International Business Machines' 1.85%.
Source: http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB10001424052970204062704577223513581427728-lMyQjAxMTAyMDEwNTExNDUyWj.html
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
Apple's share of the S&P 500, is 3.8%—more than Exxon Mobil's 3.3%, Microsoft's 1.9% and International Business Machines' 1.85%.
Source: http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB10001424052970204062704577223513581427728-lMyQjAxMTAyMDEwNTExNDUyWj.html
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
Mergers and acquisitions outlook for 2012
Here are the mergers and acquisitions outlook for 2012, according to Ennovance Capital LLC:
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
M&A Outlook 2012
View more PowerPoint from Ennovance Capital
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
A quick overview of Pinterest
Here is an infographic overview on Pinterest, a fast growing social network.
Source: http://mashable.com/2012/02/14/pinterest-daily-users-are-up-125-percent/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Mashable+%28Mashable%29
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
Source: http://mashable.com/2012/02/14/pinterest-daily-users-are-up-125-percent/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Mashable+%28Mashable%29
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Internet usage predictions for 2012
Here are some Internet Usage Predictions for 2012 [Infographic]
Source:
http://www.slotsofvegas.com/entertainment/internet-usage-predictions-for-2012-infographic-3587.php
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
Source:
http://www.slotsofvegas.com/entertainment/internet-usage-predictions-for-2012-infographic-3587.php
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
Friday, February 17, 2012
14 best Google Chrome Apps
Here are the 15 best Google Chrome Apps according to BI Intelligence.
1-PadMapper makes apartment hunting tons easier.
PadMapper leverages Google Maps, Craigslist, Apartments.com, and Move.com to make for an immersive apartment hunting application
2-Springpad keeps track of everything you need to remember.
Springpad keeps track of notes, pictures, bookmarks, recipes, to-do lists, and more, and it syncs across all of your computers and mobile devices.
3-Offline Gmail gives you the flexibility of Gmail, even without an internet connection.
Gmail is the email service and email client of choice for millions of people, yet if you're left without an internet connection, it's easy to feel helpless.
The Offline Gmail app for Chrome downloads your mail to a local folder on your computer and enables you to send and compose emails without an internet connection. Pretty convenient.
4-AdBlock is one of the most popular Chrome apps ever
AdBlock does one thing, and it does it well: remove banner ads from the websites you visit, including popular destinations like Facebook and YouTube.
5-Cryptocat is a private chat room for you and your friends
Cryptocat is an ultra secure encrypted chat room for you and friends. In order to join your conversation, friends need a unique code identifier.
Cryptocat even works on your Android or iPhone.
6-Here's the best way to read on your computer.
Kindle Cloud Reader is your gateway to reading all of your Kindle books on your computer.
The user interface is great, and the app even saves the entirety of the current book you're reading for offline reading.
7-Access great 60 Minutes videos with this app.
The 60 Minutes app includes all the segments you see on TV, plus interviews and behind-the-scenes commentaries.
8-Aviary is like Photoshop, but free and in your browser window.
Aviary can make Chrome a little bit sluggish, but considering it's a free Photoshop alternative that lives inside your browser, it's a must-try. Most of the photo manipulation tools you've come to know and love are all here.
9-Scratchpad stores little notes and pictures you want to remember.
Scratchpad hangs out in the bottom corner of Chrome and stores every little thing you need to remember, like pictures, to-do's, and more. It syncs with Google Docs.
10-SlideRocket is like PowerPoint but in your browser.
Like Aviary, SlideRocket takes a desktop staple application and sticks it in your browser, proving that you don't need a powerful computer to run productivity apps. SlideRocket is a new take on slideshow creation. It's a modern version of PowerPoint, and even lets you export slideshows for easy viewing on mobile devices.
11-Take a look inside your body with this app.
BioDigital Human takes advantage of new WebGL 3D technology to let you peer inside the human body and learn about what you're made of.
12-The New York Times even has a Chrome app.
The New York Times' Chrome app turns browsing your favorite newspaper into a fresh and new experience. There are even keyboard shortcuts to help navigate pages.
13-Write Space gives you a distraction-free writing environment.
Looking for a distraction-free writing environment on your computer? Write Space is a full-fledged text editor that requires no internet connection and saves your document every time you type a new letter. It saves the document to your computer, so you don't have to worry about losing it somewhere in the cloud.
14-Weather Underground's Chrome app is both useful and handsome.
Weather Underground's Chrome app combines some of the most accurate forecasts with beautiful high definition (if not necessarily relevant) images from around the world
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/best-google-chrome-apps-2012-1?nr_email_referer=1&utm_source=Triggermail&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Tools%20Select&utm_campaign=Tools%20Select%202012-01-05#weather-undergrounds-chrome-app-is-both-useful-and-handsome-17#ixzz1mgeOWiI7
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
1-PadMapper makes apartment hunting tons easier.
PadMapper leverages Google Maps, Craigslist, Apartments.com, and Move.com to make for an immersive apartment hunting application
2-Springpad keeps track of everything you need to remember.
Springpad keeps track of notes, pictures, bookmarks, recipes, to-do lists, and more, and it syncs across all of your computers and mobile devices.
3-Offline Gmail gives you the flexibility of Gmail, even without an internet connection.
Gmail is the email service and email client of choice for millions of people, yet if you're left without an internet connection, it's easy to feel helpless.
The Offline Gmail app for Chrome downloads your mail to a local folder on your computer and enables you to send and compose emails without an internet connection. Pretty convenient.
4-AdBlock is one of the most popular Chrome apps ever
AdBlock does one thing, and it does it well: remove banner ads from the websites you visit, including popular destinations like Facebook and YouTube.
5-Cryptocat is a private chat room for you and your friends
Cryptocat is an ultra secure encrypted chat room for you and friends. In order to join your conversation, friends need a unique code identifier.
Cryptocat even works on your Android or iPhone.
6-Here's the best way to read on your computer.
Kindle Cloud Reader is your gateway to reading all of your Kindle books on your computer.
The user interface is great, and the app even saves the entirety of the current book you're reading for offline reading.
7-Access great 60 Minutes videos with this app.
The 60 Minutes app includes all the segments you see on TV, plus interviews and behind-the-scenes commentaries.
8-Aviary is like Photoshop, but free and in your browser window.
Aviary can make Chrome a little bit sluggish, but considering it's a free Photoshop alternative that lives inside your browser, it's a must-try. Most of the photo manipulation tools you've come to know and love are all here.
9-Scratchpad stores little notes and pictures you want to remember.
Scratchpad hangs out in the bottom corner of Chrome and stores every little thing you need to remember, like pictures, to-do's, and more. It syncs with Google Docs.
10-SlideRocket is like PowerPoint but in your browser.
Like Aviary, SlideRocket takes a desktop staple application and sticks it in your browser, proving that you don't need a powerful computer to run productivity apps. SlideRocket is a new take on slideshow creation. It's a modern version of PowerPoint, and even lets you export slideshows for easy viewing on mobile devices.
11-Take a look inside your body with this app.
BioDigital Human takes advantage of new WebGL 3D technology to let you peer inside the human body and learn about what you're made of.
12-The New York Times even has a Chrome app.
The New York Times' Chrome app turns browsing your favorite newspaper into a fresh and new experience. There are even keyboard shortcuts to help navigate pages.
13-Write Space gives you a distraction-free writing environment.
Looking for a distraction-free writing environment on your computer? Write Space is a full-fledged text editor that requires no internet connection and saves your document every time you type a new letter. It saves the document to your computer, so you don't have to worry about losing it somewhere in the cloud.
14-Weather Underground's Chrome app is both useful and handsome.
Weather Underground's Chrome app combines some of the most accurate forecasts with beautiful high definition (if not necessarily relevant) images from around the world
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/best-google-chrome-apps-2012-1?nr_email_referer=1&utm_source=Triggermail&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Tools%20Select&utm_campaign=Tools%20Select%202012-01-05#weather-undergrounds-chrome-app-is-both-useful-and-handsome-17#ixzz1mgeOWiI7
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Tablets and e-readers will surpass PC by 2015 according to BI Intelligence
Tablet sales will reach around 500 million units a year by 2015, according to a new report by BI Intelligence. It appears, that global tablet sales in 2015 could exceed the number of PCs currently sold per year (~360 million) and make tablets a $100+ billion market. The forecast includes e-readers, and it predicts that tablet sales will grow at better than a 50% compound annual growth rate over the next few years. The growth will be driven mainly by falling prices combined with tablet penetration in the enterprise and education markets, as well as emerging markets.
Some highligths of the report:
-We really are in a post-PC era. Smartphone unit sales passed PC sales last year. Tablet sales will follow in a few years. As Steve Jobs said, PCs will become like "trucks" and tablets like "cars": PCs will still be around, and they'll still be a big market, but they won't become the most common way people do their computing anymore.
-Tablets are a disruptive technology relative to PCs: Not as good at some things (spreadsheets and the like), but much better at other things (browsing the web, apps), cheaper, and improving all of the time.
Here's what will be the biggest drivers of the growth in tablets:
-Lower prices. The Kindle Fire has been a smashing success, showing the pent-up demand for a good, sub-$500 tablet. We think Google will use its Motorola acquisition to come out with a cheap, subsidized tablet a la Amazon. And we think Apple will lower prices, most likely by selling older models at a lower price point like it did with the iPhone. And we think e-readers (in light blue in the chart below) will remain a big market as their price drops near to zero and they work as loss-leaders for digital publishing.
-The enterprise. Though tablets won't work for a lot of business applications, it's undeniable that they're making headway in the enterprise. We see this accelerating.
-Education. iBooks was just the start. This is a sector that is crying out for disruption and for a useful, lightweight computing device.
-Emerging markets. A billion more people are coming online, and most of them are going to do it through mobile. A lot of them will also do it through tablets, which are cheaper and more convenient.
Furthermore in a recent survey, 80% of the tablet users said that the device help them for the balance between work and private life.
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/tablet-sales-2012-2?nr_email_referer=1&utm_source=Triggermail&utm_medium=email&utm_term=SAI%20Select&utm_campaign=SAI%20Select%202012-02-15#ixzz1mU6dZgxU
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligemce.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
Some highligths of the report:
-We really are in a post-PC era. Smartphone unit sales passed PC sales last year. Tablet sales will follow in a few years. As Steve Jobs said, PCs will become like "trucks" and tablets like "cars": PCs will still be around, and they'll still be a big market, but they won't become the most common way people do their computing anymore.
-Tablets are a disruptive technology relative to PCs: Not as good at some things (spreadsheets and the like), but much better at other things (browsing the web, apps), cheaper, and improving all of the time.
Here's what will be the biggest drivers of the growth in tablets:
-Lower prices. The Kindle Fire has been a smashing success, showing the pent-up demand for a good, sub-$500 tablet. We think Google will use its Motorola acquisition to come out with a cheap, subsidized tablet a la Amazon. And we think Apple will lower prices, most likely by selling older models at a lower price point like it did with the iPhone. And we think e-readers (in light blue in the chart below) will remain a big market as their price drops near to zero and they work as loss-leaders for digital publishing.
-The enterprise. Though tablets won't work for a lot of business applications, it's undeniable that they're making headway in the enterprise. We see this accelerating.
-Education. iBooks was just the start. This is a sector that is crying out for disruption and for a useful, lightweight computing device.
-Emerging markets. A billion more people are coming online, and most of them are going to do it through mobile. A lot of them will also do it through tablets, which are cheaper and more convenient.
Furthermore in a recent survey, 80% of the tablet users said that the device help them for the balance between work and private life.
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/tablet-sales-2012-2?nr_email_referer=1&utm_source=Triggermail&utm_medium=email&utm_term=SAI%20Select&utm_campaign=SAI%20Select%202012-02-15#ixzz1mU6dZgxU
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligemce.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
The ITC venture capital sector in Canada for 2011
The ITC sector (information technologies and communications industries) attracted most of the funds in venture capital in Canada for 2011. In total 1.51 billions of dollars were invested in 2011 versus 1.13 billions in 2010 (34% increase). The best performance was in 2007 ($2.1MM). VC firms have partnered with 444 companies vs 357 in 2010. The average size of investments was $3.4M vs $3.17M in 2010.
Investments in the ITC sector was $692M in 2011 vs $491M in 2010 (41% increase). 162 ITC firms got VC funding mainly in the Internet ($236M) and software ($201M) sector.
The Canadian VC Assocation (CVCA) attributes the increase in funding by the growth of entrepreneurship in Canada, the role of tech incubators and accelerators and good incentives for research and developement.
Source: http://www.directioninformatique.com/DI/client/fr/DirectionInformatique/Nouvelles.asp?id=66104&cid=79
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
Investments in the ITC sector was $692M in 2011 vs $491M in 2010 (41% increase). 162 ITC firms got VC funding mainly in the Internet ($236M) and software ($201M) sector.
The Canadian VC Assocation (CVCA) attributes the increase in funding by the growth of entrepreneurship in Canada, the role of tech incubators and accelerators and good incentives for research and developement.
Source: http://www.directioninformatique.com/DI/client/fr/DirectionInformatique/Nouvelles.asp?id=66104&cid=79
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Some tech firms are not well diversified
This graph of splatf demonstrates that some tech firms rely too much on one product or service. They are not well diversified in terms of revenues.
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
Capital de risque au Québec en 2011: forte reprise
Les investissements en capital de risque au Québec ont augmenté de 50% en 2011 par rapport à 2010, beaucoup plus qu'aux États-Unis, et qu'ailleurs au Canada. Après avoir mieux traversé la crise que ses voisins, le Québec rebondit donc maintenant avec davantage de vigueur qu'eux. Une bonne nouvelle pour les entrepreneurs.
«Il y a vraiment de quoi se réjouir. Le fait que la hausse ait touché tous les secteurs et que tous les acteurs du marché aient augmenté leur contribution nous faire dire qu'il s'agit de quelque chose de solide», dit Geneviève Morin, présidente de Réseau Capital, l'association du capital-risque québécois. «On voit enfin une lumière au bout du tunnel, et ce n'est pas un train», lance Mme Morin.
Avec des investissements de 164 millions, les fonds de travailleurs (Fonds de solidarité FTQ, Fondaction CSN et autres) ont mis le plus gros du magot, une augmentation de 21% par rapport à 2010. Les fonds de capital-risque privés ont aussi été très actifs l'an dernier, misant ensemble 114 millions dans 64 entreprises. Il s'agit d'un bond considérable de 74% par rapport à 2010.
«On récolte le fruit des efforts faits en 2006 et 2008, quand plusieurs fonds ont été créés au Québec. Ces fonds arrivent aujourd'hui à maturité», dit Mme Morin, qui souligne cependant qu'il faut renflouer ces fonds dès maintenant si on veut qu'ils continuent à investir.
Les investisseurs étrangers, surtout américains, ont aussi été nombreux à risquer leur argent sur des entreprises québécoises. Ils ont injecté ensemble 126 millions, soit 45% de plus qu'un an plus tôt.
Les entreprises du secteur de l'internet, de l'électronique et du logiciel ont été les secteurs les plus populaires, avec 33% des sommes.
Les technologies vertes, un secteur en plein boom sur la planète, ont aussi connu un investissement record au Québec avec 97 millions. De ce nombre, la part du lion, 90 millions, est allée à Enerkem, une entreprise montréalaise qui fait couler beaucoup d'encre avec son projet de transformer les ordures en carburant.
CAPITAL-RISQUE AU QUÉBEC: LES GROS INVESTISSEMENTS TECHNO DE 2011
- Enerkem (technologies propres) : 90,3 millions
- Enobia Pharma (biotechnologies) : 40,8 millions
- Beyond the Rack (internet) : 36,6 millions
- Lumenpulse (éclairage) : 16 millions
- Milestone Pharmaceuticals (biotechnologies) : 12,4 millions
- Acquisio Canada (logiciel) : 12,1 millions
- ProSep (technologies propres) : 11,1 millions
- Utilicase (technologies propres) : 10 millions
Source: http://lapresseaffaires.cyberpresse.ca/economie/201202/14/01-4495643-capital-risque-le-quebec-poursuit-sur-sa-lancee.php?utm_categorieinterne=trafficdrivers&utm_contenuinterne=lapresseaffaires_LA5_nouvelles_98718_accueil_POS16
Louis Rhéaume
Infoocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
«Il y a vraiment de quoi se réjouir. Le fait que la hausse ait touché tous les secteurs et que tous les acteurs du marché aient augmenté leur contribution nous faire dire qu'il s'agit de quelque chose de solide», dit Geneviève Morin, présidente de Réseau Capital, l'association du capital-risque québécois. «On voit enfin une lumière au bout du tunnel, et ce n'est pas un train», lance Mme Morin.
Avec des investissements de 164 millions, les fonds de travailleurs (Fonds de solidarité FTQ, Fondaction CSN et autres) ont mis le plus gros du magot, une augmentation de 21% par rapport à 2010. Les fonds de capital-risque privés ont aussi été très actifs l'an dernier, misant ensemble 114 millions dans 64 entreprises. Il s'agit d'un bond considérable de 74% par rapport à 2010.
«On récolte le fruit des efforts faits en 2006 et 2008, quand plusieurs fonds ont été créés au Québec. Ces fonds arrivent aujourd'hui à maturité», dit Mme Morin, qui souligne cependant qu'il faut renflouer ces fonds dès maintenant si on veut qu'ils continuent à investir.
Les investisseurs étrangers, surtout américains, ont aussi été nombreux à risquer leur argent sur des entreprises québécoises. Ils ont injecté ensemble 126 millions, soit 45% de plus qu'un an plus tôt.
Les entreprises du secteur de l'internet, de l'électronique et du logiciel ont été les secteurs les plus populaires, avec 33% des sommes.
Les technologies vertes, un secteur en plein boom sur la planète, ont aussi connu un investissement record au Québec avec 97 millions. De ce nombre, la part du lion, 90 millions, est allée à Enerkem, une entreprise montréalaise qui fait couler beaucoup d'encre avec son projet de transformer les ordures en carburant.
CAPITAL-RISQUE AU QUÉBEC: LES GROS INVESTISSEMENTS TECHNO DE 2011
- Enerkem (technologies propres) : 90,3 millions
- Enobia Pharma (biotechnologies) : 40,8 millions
- Beyond the Rack (internet) : 36,6 millions
- Lumenpulse (éclairage) : 16 millions
- Milestone Pharmaceuticals (biotechnologies) : 12,4 millions
- Acquisio Canada (logiciel) : 12,1 millions
- ProSep (technologies propres) : 11,1 millions
- Utilicase (technologies propres) : 10 millions
Source: http://lapresseaffaires.cyberpresse.ca/economie/201202/14/01-4495643-capital-risque-le-quebec-poursuit-sur-sa-lancee.php?utm_categorieinterne=trafficdrivers&utm_contenuinterne=lapresseaffaires_LA5_nouvelles_98718_accueil_POS16
Louis Rhéaume
Infoocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
Thursday, February 09, 2012
New article on Seeking Alpha about Facebook
Our new article about Facebook's competition is now available on Seeking Alpha.
http://seekingalpha.com/article/355141-facebook-now-has-competition
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomnAnalysis
http://seekingalpha.com/article/355141-facebook-now-has-competition
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomnAnalysis
Personalization will drive e-commerce
“Personalization was really important in enabling Amazon to differentiate itself and grow in past ten years,” David Selinger, CEO and co-founder of RichRelevance. Selinger also was Amazon’s Manager, Consumer Behavior Research and helped build some of the site’s personalization features a number of years ago. “Personalization will be the differentiating factor in e-commerce and digital commerce going forward, especially for multichannel retailers and new entrants online.”
Amazon and Netflix represent the first wave of personalization. I believe that we are going to enter into the next wave of a more personalized e-commerce experience as retailers and e-commerce sites move towards mining data to improve sales and conversions.
It’s highly likely that you have helped boost Amazon and Netflix’s conversion rates on movies, books, or other products thanks to personalized suggestions of items that you may like based on your previous purchase data, other consumers’ purchase history and more.
In a previous blog post we mentionned a quote from eBay CEO who said that in the next 3 years there will be more changes to online shopping than in the last 20 years. eBay has also been personalizing the marketplace experience with recommendations of similarly viewed or bought items for some time, and is looking to expand personalization efforts with PayPal and the recent acquisition of Hunch. eBay will leverage data mining. For most retailers, the toughest hurdle is to have enough data on an individual to actually help personalize the experience. For the majority of buyers who purchase from a specific site once every few months, or even less frequently, a retailer may have no real sense of direction on how to present similar products.
Getting these data points is the biggest challenge that retailers face. But retailers do have significant data for the small amount of regular, routine customers for an e-commerce site, including clicks, purchase history, shopping cart information, shares and Likes, and more. Retailers face challenges on how to store and organize this data, and then turn this into personal recommendations.
A store owner or shop keeper would engage you in a conversation when walking into a store and looking for something open-ended, such as a birthday gift. One way to do this is to present a personalized item suggestion but ask the consumer (in a Pandora-like fashion) if the recommendation sucks and how they can make the shopper’s life better “People want to help the system and love to correct things,” according to DJ Patil of Greylock Partners. And similar to Pandora, people become more invested in a platform that knows their preferences and will be more likely to return.
Patil draws an interesting comparison with how grocery stores have been able to structure their layouts to provide serendipity and useful discovery. “When you go to the supermarket, the stores know you are definitely going to milk aisle, so they often put it in the back of the store, so you can find serendipitous stuff on the way. Online retailers need to replicate that on e-commerce sites.” In the end, the goal is to be able to deliver personalization without being predictable.
Social
Social data (i.e. the Facebook Likes of products, what products people are recommending on Facebook or Twitter) is going to be a big part of personalization for retailers in the future. Already plenty of retailers are using Facebook social plugins and Connect integrations to leverage Facebook data to show visitors what friends bought or shared, what products relate to their Likes, and which friends they might want to invite. The problem with this data is that much of it is unstructured, and there is really no one who has effectively nailed social personalization in the commerce arena the way Amazon was able to do with data from purchase behavior.
David Selinger, CEO and co-founder of RichRelevance, thinks that mining social data for ecommerce may lose steam before it takes off, drawing the comparison to email. “In 2007, if you were to walk into VC’s office with an idea about ecommerce and email, you would have been sent out the door,” Selinger says. But he explains that while there is an inherent enterprise value in this social data, it will take a long time to take off, similar to the way it took awhile for personalized email and commerce models to enter the market. “When someone figures out how to do it and do it well, it will grow really quickly,” he maintains.
The challenge for retailers is making sense of the Facebook news feed — i.e. streamlining recommendations, attaching brands and tags to this data and then serving this to shoppers in a useful, personalized format. Basically, your social network can become your Consumer Reports.
The challenge for the data mining community, explains Patil, is actually figuring out the intent in much of the unstructured data that is posted about retail products and brands on Facebook. And it’s important to keep in mind that some of this data from Facebook users is private.
So consumers both on Facebook as well as on retail sites will have to be more willing to give up key data like purchase history, Likes and other social actions, and even location in order to get a more personalized shopping experience on retail sites.
The key will be getting consumers to understand that more data will improve their shopping experience, and making the choice of opting-in a no brainer.
Source: TechCrunch
Fore more information on infomediation players you can read:
http://www.infocomanalysis.com/2011/11/new-article-on-seeking-alpha-8-fast.html
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
Amazon and Netflix represent the first wave of personalization. I believe that we are going to enter into the next wave of a more personalized e-commerce experience as retailers and e-commerce sites move towards mining data to improve sales and conversions.
It’s highly likely that you have helped boost Amazon and Netflix’s conversion rates on movies, books, or other products thanks to personalized suggestions of items that you may like based on your previous purchase data, other consumers’ purchase history and more.
In a previous blog post we mentionned a quote from eBay CEO who said that in the next 3 years there will be more changes to online shopping than in the last 20 years. eBay has also been personalizing the marketplace experience with recommendations of similarly viewed or bought items for some time, and is looking to expand personalization efforts with PayPal and the recent acquisition of Hunch. eBay will leverage data mining. For most retailers, the toughest hurdle is to have enough data on an individual to actually help personalize the experience. For the majority of buyers who purchase from a specific site once every few months, or even less frequently, a retailer may have no real sense of direction on how to present similar products.
Getting these data points is the biggest challenge that retailers face. But retailers do have significant data for the small amount of regular, routine customers for an e-commerce site, including clicks, purchase history, shopping cart information, shares and Likes, and more. Retailers face challenges on how to store and organize this data, and then turn this into personal recommendations.
A store owner or shop keeper would engage you in a conversation when walking into a store and looking for something open-ended, such as a birthday gift. One way to do this is to present a personalized item suggestion but ask the consumer (in a Pandora-like fashion) if the recommendation sucks and how they can make the shopper’s life better “People want to help the system and love to correct things,” according to DJ Patil of Greylock Partners. And similar to Pandora, people become more invested in a platform that knows their preferences and will be more likely to return.
Patil draws an interesting comparison with how grocery stores have been able to structure their layouts to provide serendipity and useful discovery. “When you go to the supermarket, the stores know you are definitely going to milk aisle, so they often put it in the back of the store, so you can find serendipitous stuff on the way. Online retailers need to replicate that on e-commerce sites.” In the end, the goal is to be able to deliver personalization without being predictable.
Social
Social data (i.e. the Facebook Likes of products, what products people are recommending on Facebook or Twitter) is going to be a big part of personalization for retailers in the future. Already plenty of retailers are using Facebook social plugins and Connect integrations to leverage Facebook data to show visitors what friends bought or shared, what products relate to their Likes, and which friends they might want to invite. The problem with this data is that much of it is unstructured, and there is really no one who has effectively nailed social personalization in the commerce arena the way Amazon was able to do with data from purchase behavior.
David Selinger, CEO and co-founder of RichRelevance, thinks that mining social data for ecommerce may lose steam before it takes off, drawing the comparison to email. “In 2007, if you were to walk into VC’s office with an idea about ecommerce and email, you would have been sent out the door,” Selinger says. But he explains that while there is an inherent enterprise value in this social data, it will take a long time to take off, similar to the way it took awhile for personalized email and commerce models to enter the market. “When someone figures out how to do it and do it well, it will grow really quickly,” he maintains.
The challenge for retailers is making sense of the Facebook news feed — i.e. streamlining recommendations, attaching brands and tags to this data and then serving this to shoppers in a useful, personalized format. Basically, your social network can become your Consumer Reports.
The challenge for the data mining community, explains Patil, is actually figuring out the intent in much of the unstructured data that is posted about retail products and brands on Facebook. And it’s important to keep in mind that some of this data from Facebook users is private.
So consumers both on Facebook as well as on retail sites will have to be more willing to give up key data like purchase history, Likes and other social actions, and even location in order to get a more personalized shopping experience on retail sites.
The key will be getting consumers to understand that more data will improve their shopping experience, and making the choice of opting-in a no brainer.
Source: TechCrunch
Fore more information on infomediation players you can read:
http://www.infocomanalysis.com/2011/11/new-article-on-seeking-alpha-8-fast.html
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
GigaOM Acquires PaidContent
GigaOM has purchased ContentNext, paidContent’s parent company, from the UK’s Guardian News & Media. The exact terms are undisclosed, but it is reportedly about $8 million. The Guardian Media Group paid for ContentNext and paidContent in 2008. As part of the deal, Guardian Media Group also becomes a minority shareholder in GigaOM.
“Technology and covering technology is a global endeavor, and you need to be in all the major centers,” GigaOM CEO Paul Walborsky told Wired, pointing to paidContent’s footprint in London and New York. “We’ve been following paidContent from the beginning, and we’ve always thought it was great journalism. Not only were they breaking news, they were analyzing news. They’ve followed how the media is changing and evolving. We thought if you combined that conversation with our knowledge of technology, and how technology has changed media, you would have a very powerful editorial base to work from.”
Talent and resources from both organizations will also be pooled for GigaOM Pro, the company’s premium business analysis publication service, as well as events spanning both companies, starting with paidContent 2012 in March.
“When you find a company with great coverage and credibility in these industries, that can be leveraged across all our businesses,” said Walborsky, “it makes more sense to partner or acquire than to build the resources from scratch.”
“If you really want to understand how media is going to change, you really need to understand where technology is going,” Walborsky said, when asked about the increased importance of technology in media coverage and vice versa. At GigaOM, we view our business not as building pageviews but building relationships with an audience over time. So we’ve seen first-hand how important it is for businesses to understand how media helps to build those relationships today.”
It’s a business that’s increasingly knotted and complex. Malik is a partner in the VC firm TrueVentures, which in turn is an investor in GigaOM, a media company that covers the technology and media industries. Since GigaOM was founded in 2006, it’s acquired mobile blog jkOnTheRun and The Apple Blog. It generates a remarkable amount of revenue from its events and the Pro version of its site. Now it owns paidContent’s own network of web sites, conferences and newsletters.
The perspective of GigaOM
The main reasons for the acquisitions according to GigaOM are the good quality of its writers, location (offices in New York and Europe).
“The question that mass amateurization poses to traditional media is ‘What happens when the costs of reproduction and distribution go away? What happens when there is nothing unique about publishing anymore because users can do it for themselves?’ We are now starting to see that question being answered.”— Clay Shirky
Shirky’s observation means that we are in a time of chaos where the very idea of media is being questioned. And as a Chinese proverb says, from chaos emerges opportunity. GigaOM founder Malik believes that the best is yet to come for media.
"Over the past few years we have started to see the transformation of media by new technologies, new methods of distribution and newer ways to consume information. Mathew Ingram has been writing about these disruptions on a regular basis, and now we are going to double down on what we think is a great new chapter in the media industry.
I have always believed that we’ve got to stop thinking of media as what it was and focus on more of what it could be. In the world of plenty, the only currency is attention and attention is what defines “media.” Zynga is fighting Hollywood for attention (and winning). Instagram is taking moments away from other media. They have attention. There are old companies that are dying and new ones that are being invented. We’re eager to expand our coverage of social and digital media editorially, in our research and at our events. paidContent is the best chronicler of the media industry, and by blending their coverage with ours, we hope to watch this fast-changing industry ever more closely."
Source: http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2012/02/gigaom-acquires-paidcontent/ and
http://gigaom.com/2012/02/08/why-we-are-buying-paidcontent/
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
“Technology and covering technology is a global endeavor, and you need to be in all the major centers,” GigaOM CEO Paul Walborsky told Wired, pointing to paidContent’s footprint in London and New York. “We’ve been following paidContent from the beginning, and we’ve always thought it was great journalism. Not only were they breaking news, they were analyzing news. They’ve followed how the media is changing and evolving. We thought if you combined that conversation with our knowledge of technology, and how technology has changed media, you would have a very powerful editorial base to work from.”
Talent and resources from both organizations will also be pooled for GigaOM Pro, the company’s premium business analysis publication service, as well as events spanning both companies, starting with paidContent 2012 in March.
“When you find a company with great coverage and credibility in these industries, that can be leveraged across all our businesses,” said Walborsky, “it makes more sense to partner or acquire than to build the resources from scratch.”
“If you really want to understand how media is going to change, you really need to understand where technology is going,” Walborsky said, when asked about the increased importance of technology in media coverage and vice versa. At GigaOM, we view our business not as building pageviews but building relationships with an audience over time. So we’ve seen first-hand how important it is for businesses to understand how media helps to build those relationships today.”
It’s a business that’s increasingly knotted and complex. Malik is a partner in the VC firm TrueVentures, which in turn is an investor in GigaOM, a media company that covers the technology and media industries. Since GigaOM was founded in 2006, it’s acquired mobile blog jkOnTheRun and The Apple Blog. It generates a remarkable amount of revenue from its events and the Pro version of its site. Now it owns paidContent’s own network of web sites, conferences and newsletters.
The perspective of GigaOM
The main reasons for the acquisitions according to GigaOM are the good quality of its writers, location (offices in New York and Europe).
“The question that mass amateurization poses to traditional media is ‘What happens when the costs of reproduction and distribution go away? What happens when there is nothing unique about publishing anymore because users can do it for themselves?’ We are now starting to see that question being answered.”— Clay Shirky
Shirky’s observation means that we are in a time of chaos where the very idea of media is being questioned. And as a Chinese proverb says, from chaos emerges opportunity. GigaOM founder Malik believes that the best is yet to come for media.
"Over the past few years we have started to see the transformation of media by new technologies, new methods of distribution and newer ways to consume information. Mathew Ingram has been writing about these disruptions on a regular basis, and now we are going to double down on what we think is a great new chapter in the media industry.
I have always believed that we’ve got to stop thinking of media as what it was and focus on more of what it could be. In the world of plenty, the only currency is attention and attention is what defines “media.” Zynga is fighting Hollywood for attention (and winning). Instagram is taking moments away from other media. They have attention. There are old companies that are dying and new ones that are being invented. We’re eager to expand our coverage of social and digital media editorially, in our research and at our events. paidContent is the best chronicler of the media industry, and by blending their coverage with ours, we hope to watch this fast-changing industry ever more closely."
Source: http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2012/02/gigaom-acquires-paidcontent/ and
http://gigaom.com/2012/02/08/why-we-are-buying-paidcontent/
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
Top 20 investment blogs according to VURU
Here are the top 20 investment blogs according to VURU:
1. Aswath Damodaran
Not only is Aswath a Professor of Finance at the Stern School of Business at NYU, he can also wield a metaphor like no other, using unlikely scenarios to teach investing lessons. Out of all the investment blogs, his is especially worth reading for its detailed analysis of diversification, books he’s read, valuation, assessing management, break up situations, investment ideas and more.
2. Greg Speicher
Greg is a businessman at heart and it shows with his practical approach to investing. He’s laser-focused on beating the market, because if he can’t (as he says) he might as well buy an index. The same goes for you. That’s why he culls the best ideas from the world’s greatest investors to help you beat the market and also provides an extremely useful investment framework. In particular, he’s got a great series with tips on how to beat the market that’s well worth a read.
3. Geoff Gannon
A prolific investment blogger, Geoff splits his writing between two main outlets: his blog and GuruFocus. In either place, he’s constantly taking the time to explain his thought process when analyzing a stock, really making each analysis a teaching moment. He also provides tutorials and answers reader questions on his investment blogs.
4. Adam Sues
A professional poker player turned value investor, Adam always provides an interesting take. For the most part, he discusses his investments or ideas he’s considering. Either way, he digs deep analyzing companies’ valuations, management performance, risks, catalysts and more.
If you’re looking for well thought out stock analysis, be sure to check out his blog. You can also see his investment philosophy here.
5. Jae Jun
Jae Jun is a prominent member of the value investing community online. His spreadsheets have been used by thousands to validate and invalidate investment ideas. What’s more is that not only is his product solid, but so is he. He writes a great blog that includes how-to guides for different types of valuations, analysis of a variety of stock picks and insights from the greats.
6. Richard Beddard
Richard is a UK investor and he runs a couple investment blogs. Through it, he details his purchases of what he calls the “Thrifty 30″. In it, he holds up to 30 value investments and continually writes about what went right, wrong and where he could have improved with his investment choices. Also, he’s written a strong four-part series on how to begin value investing. It’s definitely worth checking out, even if you’re a seasoned investor.
7. Jacob Wolinsky
Jacob has contributed greatly to educating and informing investors, through his site ValueWalk. Visit it to brush up on current events, learn about your favourite investors, get high quality analysis and use the variety of value investing calculators they offer.
8. Saj Karsan
Saj provides his thoughts on potential investment ideas, stocks that haven’t performed for him, books he’s reading and general tactics for approaching your investments.
Additionally, Saj founded Karsan Value Funds, where he puts his value investing knowledge to work. He also sometimes pens guest posts for investment blogs like ours. Here’s his post: “How to be a Value Investor“.
9. Sanjay Bakshi
Sanjay is a professor at MDI, Gurgaon, and runs his own boutique value investing firm in India. In his blog, he writes about interesting observations from his journey as a teacher and value investor. Definitely check it out.
10. Joe Koster
While Joe’s blog is called Value Investing World, it definitely doesn’t seem like it. He seems to focus on culling the wisdom of famous investors through interviews and excerpts from their books, and I love it. There’s nothing better than digging into the minds of some of the greats and quite frankly, learning their key principles is useful for every investor whether or not you agree with them.
11. Joe Ponzio
Unfortunately, Joe’s blog F Wall Street is no longer that active, but the content is top notch! He has excellent sections on How to Value a Business, How to Think about Stock Prices, How to Think about Investing and How to Search for Opportunities.
12. Frank Voisin
Frank constantly provides well-written book reviews and analysis on value investment opportunities.
13. Toby Carlisle
Toby unearths deeply undervalued stocks with a catalyst to help unlock the value and includes other stocks relating to deep, absolute-return, value investing.
14. John Hempton
John runs Bronte Capital, an Australian and USA licensed global fund manager. He writes his blog to explore investment ideas in the hopes of striking up strong discourse with readers.
15. Whopper Investments
Whopper is a deep value investor focused on micro-cap stocks. He also has a couple sections dedicated to helping investors beat the market and identify their own investment style.
16. Adib Motiwala
Adib is the founder and president of Motiwala Capital. Visit his blog to learn his current investing ideas, how he feels about the current economic climate and which of the greats inspire him most.
17. Above Average Odds
Above Average Odds is written by Ryan O’Connor, who is a managing partner at Whetstone Capital. The goal of the blog is to show the average investor that there’s a “better way” to protect and grow their wealth over time.
18. Jonathan Heller
Jonathan is a deep value, classic Ben Graham investor and maintains his own Cheap Stocks Net/Net Index, which has performed strongly.
19. Daniel Sparks
Daniel is passionate about bringing value investing to the masses. Check out his blog for insights on Buffett’s investing strategy and general investment philosophy.
20. George from Fat Pitch
George is a self-taught investor that details his personal finance discoveries in his blog. He also runs valueinvestingnews.com, which is full of great content.
Read more at: http://www.vuru.co/blog/2012/01/25/the-top-21-investment-blogs/#ixzz1lpNnM6dX
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
1. Aswath Damodaran
Not only is Aswath a Professor of Finance at the Stern School of Business at NYU, he can also wield a metaphor like no other, using unlikely scenarios to teach investing lessons. Out of all the investment blogs, his is especially worth reading for its detailed analysis of diversification, books he’s read, valuation, assessing management, break up situations, investment ideas and more.
2. Greg Speicher
Greg is a businessman at heart and it shows with his practical approach to investing. He’s laser-focused on beating the market, because if he can’t (as he says) he might as well buy an index. The same goes for you. That’s why he culls the best ideas from the world’s greatest investors to help you beat the market and also provides an extremely useful investment framework. In particular, he’s got a great series with tips on how to beat the market that’s well worth a read.
3. Geoff Gannon
A prolific investment blogger, Geoff splits his writing between two main outlets: his blog and GuruFocus. In either place, he’s constantly taking the time to explain his thought process when analyzing a stock, really making each analysis a teaching moment. He also provides tutorials and answers reader questions on his investment blogs.
4. Adam Sues
A professional poker player turned value investor, Adam always provides an interesting take. For the most part, he discusses his investments or ideas he’s considering. Either way, he digs deep analyzing companies’ valuations, management performance, risks, catalysts and more.
If you’re looking for well thought out stock analysis, be sure to check out his blog. You can also see his investment philosophy here.
5. Jae Jun
Jae Jun is a prominent member of the value investing community online. His spreadsheets have been used by thousands to validate and invalidate investment ideas. What’s more is that not only is his product solid, but so is he. He writes a great blog that includes how-to guides for different types of valuations, analysis of a variety of stock picks and insights from the greats.
6. Richard Beddard
Richard is a UK investor and he runs a couple investment blogs. Through it, he details his purchases of what he calls the “Thrifty 30″. In it, he holds up to 30 value investments and continually writes about what went right, wrong and where he could have improved with his investment choices. Also, he’s written a strong four-part series on how to begin value investing. It’s definitely worth checking out, even if you’re a seasoned investor.
7. Jacob Wolinsky
Jacob has contributed greatly to educating and informing investors, through his site ValueWalk. Visit it to brush up on current events, learn about your favourite investors, get high quality analysis and use the variety of value investing calculators they offer.
8. Saj Karsan
Saj provides his thoughts on potential investment ideas, stocks that haven’t performed for him, books he’s reading and general tactics for approaching your investments.
Additionally, Saj founded Karsan Value Funds, where he puts his value investing knowledge to work. He also sometimes pens guest posts for investment blogs like ours. Here’s his post: “How to be a Value Investor“.
9. Sanjay Bakshi
Sanjay is a professor at MDI, Gurgaon, and runs his own boutique value investing firm in India. In his blog, he writes about interesting observations from his journey as a teacher and value investor. Definitely check it out.
10. Joe Koster
While Joe’s blog is called Value Investing World, it definitely doesn’t seem like it. He seems to focus on culling the wisdom of famous investors through interviews and excerpts from their books, and I love it. There’s nothing better than digging into the minds of some of the greats and quite frankly, learning their key principles is useful for every investor whether or not you agree with them.
11. Joe Ponzio
Unfortunately, Joe’s blog F Wall Street is no longer that active, but the content is top notch! He has excellent sections on How to Value a Business, How to Think about Stock Prices, How to Think about Investing and How to Search for Opportunities.
12. Frank Voisin
Frank constantly provides well-written book reviews and analysis on value investment opportunities.
13. Toby Carlisle
Toby unearths deeply undervalued stocks with a catalyst to help unlock the value and includes other stocks relating to deep, absolute-return, value investing.
14. John Hempton
John runs Bronte Capital, an Australian and USA licensed global fund manager. He writes his blog to explore investment ideas in the hopes of striking up strong discourse with readers.
15. Whopper Investments
Whopper is a deep value investor focused on micro-cap stocks. He also has a couple sections dedicated to helping investors beat the market and identify their own investment style.
16. Adib Motiwala
Adib is the founder and president of Motiwala Capital. Visit his blog to learn his current investing ideas, how he feels about the current economic climate and which of the greats inspire him most.
17. Above Average Odds
Above Average Odds is written by Ryan O’Connor, who is a managing partner at Whetstone Capital. The goal of the blog is to show the average investor that there’s a “better way” to protect and grow their wealth over time.
18. Jonathan Heller
Jonathan is a deep value, classic Ben Graham investor and maintains his own Cheap Stocks Net/Net Index, which has performed strongly.
19. Daniel Sparks
Daniel is passionate about bringing value investing to the masses. Check out his blog for insights on Buffett’s investing strategy and general investment philosophy.
20. George from Fat Pitch
George is a self-taught investor that details his personal finance discoveries in his blog. He also runs valueinvestingnews.com, which is full of great content.
Read more at: http://www.vuru.co/blog/2012/01/25/the-top-21-investment-blogs/#ixzz1lpNnM6dX
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
Tuesday, February 07, 2012
Top 10 richest people in USA
Here is the top 10 richest people in USA according to Forbes and Business Insider. 3 are in tech: Gates, Ellison and Zuckerberg.
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
Louis Rhéaume
Infocom Intelligence
louis@infocomintelligence.com
Twitter: @InfocomAnalysis
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