Changing the Face of TV

The new Apple TV may revolutionize what we watch on television and when.

For about $300, Apple TV wirelessly syncs your iTunes library from any computer in the house and broadcasts the content through your television or home theater system.

For people with an iTunes library filled with music, podcasts, video podcasts (vodcasts), television shows, movies and photos, this means you can enjoy all your digital media in HDTV widescreen from the comfort of your living room.

Burgeoning Content

Many podcasts, vodcasts and major network television shows are available for free download, and some major studio releases can now be purchased through iTunes Music Store. Look for more big budget as well as independent movies and television shows to become available in the future.

And best of all, Apple TV allows you to watch a veritable smorgasbord of media whenever you want to watch it.

For now, it won’t replace your DVR or cable box, but as more content becomes available, it may develop into a must-have component for your home theater system.

See Apple TV specs for more information.

A moment of silence just emerged from 1963.

Literally.

This newly released film (at right) shows a happy President and Mrs. Kennedy motoring through Dealey Plaza just 90 seconds prior to the President’s assassination. The 40 seconds of silent footage was recorded by photographer George Jefferies. The film segment was donated to The Sixth Floor Museum this past President’s Day by the photographer’s son-in-law, Wayne Graham.

Remarkable.

And just like that the footage has become socially networked and made part of the Web 2.0 lexicon. Here it is, posted in this blog article replete with Wikipedia references, supporting hyperlinks, a YouTube video embed and available for RSS delivery.

Marketing, information and journalism tools as unlikely in 1963 as landing on the moon or the Kennedy saga itself.

From HGTV to Wired magazine, everyone is talking about DNA 11, a Canadian company that turns your DNA into high design.

It’s as easy as taking a cotton swab sample from the inside of your cheek and selecting a color scheme and print size. In just a few weeks you’ll have a one-of-a-kind DNA portrait.

One of the first things consumers respond to in any advertising or marketing campaign is the imagery. The color, style, mood, lighting, and subject matter all describe the brand—your brand.

The Internet affords instant access to excellent stock photography from around the world—photography that would take weeks to scout, cast, prop and art direct to shoot it yourself. And, these websites do it all for a remarkable price. In most cases, usage rights to a high-resolution digital image cost less than $500.

But do you run the risk of paying a much higher price for stock photography? You don’t actually “own” it; even after you buy an image, it’s still available to anyone who’d like to purchase usage rights.

So, what happens when your competitors use the same stock photography websites to find images to sell comparable products or communicate similar messages? Sometimes they select the same imagery, diluting your advertising and diminishing your brand.

Clearly, stock photography is useful and convenient, but there are potential risks. Consider campaign longevity, distribution and market. Your brand essence is a big price to pay to save a few dollars.
(photo: Selva Morales)

Please indulge the recent rash of mechanically-enhanced art piece postings. However, after reading “Kinetic Structure Changes With the Wind,” a fellow wind-driven enthusiast directed us to this eco-friendly contraption on EcoGeek. We just couldn’t resist a .think post on the machine, which was featured in a BMW television commercial. Dutch artist Theo Jansen’s machine is so cool we’re sure BMW will forgive him his delivery vehicle of choice, a late model Volvo.