Apple iPad and Newspapers - Return of the Jedi

{3:19}The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers,

{3:20} The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the Tablets, and the earrings

Isaiah 3 vs 19 and 20

The Apple iPad, (which is a Tablet PC or eReader as I had christened it, being in use even in the Old Testament!!) is truly the savior of Print Media indeed, specifically Newspapers as stated in the video “Publishers See Signs iPad can Restore Ad Money” by Mark Hameric, The Associated Press as I had postulated in my blog article entitled “The Future of the Humble Newspaper”.

Thus the MAJ (Media Association of Jamaica) concerns about “press freedoms” and other such esoteric qualms seems strangely unusual in light of the fact that as Management, they are operating in an inefficient manner, as they are yet to achieve DSO (Digital Switch Over) as stated in the article “Slow road to Digital switch-over  - Cable groups mum; Flow ahead but Network coverage behind”, published: Saturday  August 15, 2009 by Mark Titus, Gleaner Writer, The Jamaica Gleaner.

Currently the Broadcasters, namely the Big Three (3) in the form of the RJR Communications Group, the CVM Communication Group and LOVE TV/Radio still broadcast in NTSC standard for television and FM (Frequency Modulation) and AM (Amplitude Modulation) for Radio, despite recent upgrades to their recording and production equipment as TVJ wishes to claim, which are misleading.

Thus, although they produce, record and edit using files record in Digital formats on their Main Servers in formats such as AVI, MPEG-4 and the various permutations of MPEG-3 (MP3), they still broadcast in NTSC standard

This means that older version television sets can receive their transmitted signal, the obvious evidence that they still broadcast in the spectrally inefficient NTSC standard which waste a whole 6 MHz of bandwidth, the same bandwidth which can carry 512 720p HDTV channels, each channel being able to carry at least 100 such radio stations. Thus John Public is not buying into the idea of thinking that their broadcast is Digital.

They still have not gone Digital in terms of Transmission, only in production, recording and editing. In light of this fact, as well as the fact that the Chinese Broadcasters from the China Radio International and China Central Television, despite assurance that they will not be competing with the Big Three (3) local free-to-air television Broadcasters.

Namely they are Television Jamaica, CVM TV and LOVE TV, numerous cable providers both legal and illegal, one (1) all Digital Triple Play cable provider, FLOW and nearly twenty (20) local free-to-air radio stations as stated in the article “Chinese Media proposal troubles local interest group”, published: Tuesday April 6, 2010, The Jamaica Gleaner,

It seems that the Newspapers, the grandparents of the lot of the “Media Darling”, are now finding that they are the ONLY Media outlet that has successfully made the transition fully to the paperless, Digital, if only now in the United States of America.

CVM TV and Television Jamaica use of Twitter on Television Jamaica and CVM TV now appears to be rather lame usages of the real-time interactive Social Networking concept based on SMS and bulletin board that was spawned from proposals I had written and emailed out as far back as 2002 while still a Network Maintenance Technician at the then C&W………..ideas “purloined” from the genius megamind of Grace Silvera from Red Stripe………..but that is a topic for another article.

For Broadcasters, interactivity is required, and a DSO (Digital Switch Over) to HDTV is the obvious answer as now under consideration by the Broadcast Commission as stated in the article Slow road to Digital switch-over  - Cable groups mum; Flow ahead but Network coverage behind”, published: Saturday  August 15, 2009 by Mark Titus, Gleaner Writer, The Jamaica Gleaner, as the delaying the inevitable via reality shows that only guarantee seasonal financial returns is not a wise long term strategy.

Already Google has debut its Google TV challenge to the still alive and kicking Apple TV as stated in the article “Google and partners seek TV foothold”, published April 17 2010, New York Times as mentioned in the video CNET Loaded, aired April 17 2010 by Natalie Del Conte, CNET News.

Google is further cementing its foothold in the HDTV market with Google Android as the OS on their TV as stated in the article “Report: Samsung interested in Android-based TVs”, published April 27, 2010 11:20 AM PDT by Erica Ogg, CNET News - Circuit Breaker, as Samsung being the largest seller of HDTV’s does help Google, as it means that their reach is extended into the living room, where people have already begun to use their HDTV as computer screens while surfing the Internet.

The Big Three (3) Broadcasters can go DSO with a Receiver Box subsidized via the introduction of a Radio and Television Tax running Google Android OS by basically modifying the hardware to accept both HDTV signals directly and broadband via either a RJ-45 jack connected to a ADSL or Cable modem or a built in wireless modem for either 3G from Telecom Provider LIME or Telecom Provider CLARO or WiMax 4G Mobile (IEEE 802.16d) from Telecom Provider Digicel, effectively a Universal Receiver Box.

Thus the RJR Communications Group and CVM Communications Group would have the option to piggyback their HDTV signals on the Telecoms Providers Network of choice and have the set top box decode the HDTV signal carried in the wireless broadband signal.

It is then down converted so as to be able to show on a regular NTSC Standard Television as well as rebroadcast the radio stations in their original frequencies for a distance up to 100 feet, thus making it unnecessary for Television and Radio set owners to have to change their devices.

Next time a fifteen (15) year old, such as the Morgan Stanley intern Matthew Robson, writes a  research note, which he authored in 2009, entitled  “How Teenagers Consume Media: the report that shook the City”, printed by the Guardian Newspaper, Monday 13 July 2009 10.23 BST, The Guardian, it would be good to pay attention

Alas, I guess grown-ups do not believe the ramblings of a fifteen (15) year old as opposed to waiting on the overdue, outdated, understaffed and unscientific ramblings of the MRSL as stated in the article “'Jamaica to the World' via the Internet”, published Thursday March 25^th 2010, by Marcia Forbes, The Jamaica Observer

Add to that their now oh so late report overstating that which had already been relevant from the Liberalization of the Telecommunications Sector in 2010 by then Senator Philip Paulwell, Minister of Telecommunications: the Internet is changing how we consume Media.

Already John Public can see applications as it relates to Behavioral Targeted Marketing interwoven with Social Networking, where Social Networks Profiles can be used to target users with ads tailored to their tastes, somewhat reminiscent of the Tom Cruise movie “Minority Report (2002)”.

Research by the NAI (Network Advertising Initiative) reveals that targeted advertisements have a 6.8 % success rate of turning a browser into a buyer as opposed to 2.8 % for non-targeted advertisements, as stated in the article “Study: Like it or not, behavioral ad targeting works”, published March 24, 2010 9:01 AM PDT by Caroline McCarthy, CNET News – The Social.

Thus, in the eyes of young people there is no need among young people for the archaic Broadcasters and their Radio and Television stations and newspapers, whose shows are not relevant to them and whose advertising is not tailored to their likes or dislikes.

A general trend now captured for the first time by the 2009 MRSL All Media Survey, which has now begun capturing information on Internet usage, though not on the use of Web TV and Streaming Radio, Downloaded Podcasts and Videos and online publishers.

This is now urgently needed, as suggested by Marcia Forbes in her article “Twitter, Twits and Tweets”, published Thursday 22^nd April 2010 by Marcia Forbes, The Jamaica Observer. The Apple iPad, the game changer and the future of computing and even video gaming as intoned by Hideo Kojima, the creator of the Metal Gear Solid series game saga of video games that began in 1987 in the article “Japan’s video game visionary: the console is dying” published Wednesday April 7, 8:44 am ET by Kevin Krolicki, Reuters, Yahoo! News, is doing just that for Newspapers……..making it more interactive and relevant.

With the Apple iPad already saving Newspapers in the United States of America, such as the New York Times and allowing for the revival of Marvel Comics as stated in the article “Comic Book Publishers Plot comeback via Apple iPad”, published Wednesday April 7, 2010 By Douglas MacMillan BusinessWeek - DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT

This brand of course being owned lock, stock and barrel by Walt Disney as stated in the article “Disney to Buy Marvel for US$4 Billion”, published August 31, 2009, 10:10AM EST By Ronald Grover, BusinessWeek - Entertainment, which ironically has CEO Steve Jobs as a sitting Board member.

The initial aim of CEO Steve Jobs device was actually a eReader device, as the device was originally devised and later scrapped by CEO Steve Jobs back in the early 1990’s as stated in the article “Apple's Jobs says iPad idea came before iPhone”, published Wednesday Jun 2, 2:35 am ET by RYAN NAKASHIMA, AP Business Writer, Yahoo! News, it seems that Newspapers prayers, at least in the United States of America, are answered.

The nice little advantage gained over advertisers with regards to the pricing of premium, high end, eye-grabbing advertisements is possibly the best reward, not to mention the revival of their sagging business model, which in the past involved giving away content for free and making up revenue from the ever declining click metrics of online adverts. John Public smells money…………..

Now the phrase Content is King can once again be uttered with reverence, but this time with a price tag, as the Apple iPad, being the new delivery Platform for newspapers, is giving newspapers an advantage in terms of pricing advertisements,  curiously enough following a trend among Telecom Provider AT&T in terms of pricing previously free services such a Skype as stated in the article “Skype for iPhone now support 3G, but free ride's ending”, published June 2 2010,by Ben Patterson, Yahoo News.

There was also Hulu as stated in the article “Hulu to soon charge for content”, published June 9, 2010 9:53 AM PDT by Lance Whitney, CNET News - Digital Media and other services that were previously free via Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11n) on the Apple iPad’s sister device, the Apple iPhone, both of course, being subject to the recent introduction of capped Data Plans from Telecom Provider AT&T as stated in my blog article entitled “AT&T and Capped Data Plans - Skype is no longer Free”

Thus John Public, who mostly lives on the Internet, is awaiting any word from local Telecom Providers here in Jamaica as it relates to their support for the Apple iPad, be it the Apple iPad Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11n) and the Apple iPad 3G + Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11n).

Either of which would require the Telecom Providers to include a 3G-to-Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11n) Router in the case of Telecom Provider LIME and Telecom Provider CLARO or 4G-to-Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11n) Router in the case of Telecom Provider Digicel, most likely in a Contract Plan bundle with the Big Three (3) Newspaper Companies, namely The Jamaica Gleaner, the Jamaica Herald and The Jamaica Observer.

So why the foot-dragging from the Broadcasters to embrace the increased efficiency as well as the increased windfall revenues from DSO, being as they are now the ONLY Major Media format awaiting the change to a Digital interactive format?

Even among the Telecom Providers, the winds of change is sweeping through their establishment, as customers are now demanding more transparency in terms of billing as is now the case in the United States of America as stated in the article “FCC says consumers are 'bill shocked'”, published May 26, 2010 9:41 AM PDT by Marguerite Reardon, CNET News - Signal Strength.

Thus, for Telecom Providers in the United States of America, in short order, there will be the coming of SMS (Short Messaging Service) to alert people just as they are about to exceed their Minutes (On-Network, Cross-Network, International), SMS (On-Network, Cross-Network, International) on their Voice Plans and Modem Megabytes Data Caps on their Data Plans.

The FCC also plans to force Telecom Providers to simplify its Voice and Data Plans by revealing to Customers hidden cost and more transparent billing to aid Customer navigate the confused myriad of choices that now exist among Customers.

Coincidentally, the OUR, or at least its cousin the Telecommunications Appeals Tribunal in Jamaica, has taken actions that appear to be a pre-cursor to either the impending MNP ruling or the MRSI implementation request by Senator Dwight Nelson, Minister of National Security and Justice as stated in the article “CLARO Backs Cell Phone Tracking Plan; Digicel, LIME in Wait-And-See Mode”, published Sunday May 16, 2010 by Mark Titus, Business Reporter, The Jamaica Gleaner.

The Telecommunications Appeals Tribunal have spoken as stated in the article “Digicel loses appeal, call rates could fall”, published Wednesday, June 02, 2010, The Jamaica Observer.

Standing by the 2004 ruling by the OUR stating that all Telecom Providers can be seen as dominant, a ruling that Telecom Provider Digicel had appealed at the time, more signs about Telecoms Provider’s concerns being only about making money as explained in detail in my blog article entitled “CLARO and MNP - Happy Birthday and no more stones and snakes”.

Great news for consumers, as this means that lower calling costs are on the horizon, if not the Flat Rate Calling that would be the result under an implementation of MNP. If the MNP proposal being put forward by the OUR is implemented by December 2010, it will begin to look a lot more like Christmas.

2010 being the best Christmas in a long time, free Blackberry’s, 3G capable Netbooks and 3-D HDTV with 3G support on a thirty (30) day Data Plan in exchange for Mobile phones, Laptops and old Television sets respectively not withstanding.

Like I said, its beginning to look a lot like Christmas 2010 being the best Christmas ever, Novia’s Fashion Night Out being in the mix for Telecom Provider CLARO sponsorship……..but that is another article…….currently in the works.

Boom time for sellers as well readers of books, magazines and periodicals such as the Apple iPad app for Wired Magazine, Senior Editor Brian Tong’s self declared “App of the Week” as shown in the video CNET The AppleByte, aired Thursday June 3 2010, by Brian Tong, Senior Editor, CNET News  as now the Apple iPad, which has no other game on equal footing.

Save of course, for similar eReader devices based on Google’s Android OS such as the Dell Streak as stated in the article “Dell's Streak readies for battle with iPad”, published May 25 2010 by Jim Finkle, Yahoo! News.

Then there is the Dell Streak as stated in the article “Dell's Streak Tablet headed to UK first”, published May 25, 2010 8:12 AM PDT, by Erica Ogg, CNET News - Circuit Breaker.

Just one of several Tablet announcements since the hurricane Apple iPad blew through Silicon Valley. Not bad for a device used as far back as the time of Moses and Isaiah, returned to save us from ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) as stated in the article “'The Shallows': Is the Net fostering Stupidity?”, published June 3, 2010, 5:00PM EST, by BusinessWeek - The Stack

There is also a lack of interest in live, non-interactive television and radio broadcasting as stated in my blog posting “Piracy Solution via MNP, DSO and Legislation. It might just be what the Jesus used while driving around Jerusalem in his Honda Accord with his thirteen (13) disciples as suggested by Mavado in his song “Gyal a Mad Ova”………..but that too is a topic for another article.