Amazon plans full-length feature film streaming

"Online retailer Amazon.com is preparing to enter the digital download space this spring with a service that will likely marry digital video streaming to DVD sales, reports Variety.com.

Unlike Apple's iTunes service, which so far offers only short films and television programming, Amazon's plans call for full-length digital of feature films.

The retailer is reportedly working to convince indie studios, including Image Entertainment, Ardustry Home Entertainment and First Look Entertainment, to provide digital content for the service."

Page shows Google.com may get makeover

ITworld.com - "Some Web users are reporting seeing a reformatted Google Inc. results page that has the links to specialized search pages listed in the left-hand column instead of placed horizontally across the top of the search box."

It appears that Google has become a high visibility example for people to point at as a usability leader. It will be interesting to see how they handle the addition of complexity and services. They have yet to really tie in some of the peripheral services like Videos tightly into the fold. Remember when amazon.com used to be king of the UI - able to fit all its departments on a single line of tabs. Then we got to watch it outgrow the tab metaphor in a rather clumsy way, and today their use of tabs seems like a very user-unfriendly clinging to the past.

The Search Is Over: Google Wins in 2005

brandchannel.com releases 2005 Reader's Choice Awards Results:

"In 2005's results, Google took the lead from Apple in what is shaping up to be a back and forth contest through the years for these two innovative tech companies. Each year one out-does the other, and this time it is Google's turn to shine."

Photoshop not Universal until next version?

"...there are rumors that Adobe has no plans to make their current offerings into Universal applications (ones that run natively on both PowerPC and Intel based Macs). If this is true, and at the moment this is pure conjecture, then that would mean Photoshop pros will need to pony up the cash for the upgrade if they want to run Photoshop on an Intel Mac."

Interactive Trends to Watch in 2006

"Browse and Search Converge Even Further,
E-Commerce Continues to Grow Beyond the Browser,
Redefining Success in Non E-Commerce E-Mail Marketing,
Customer Loyalty Programs Become Smarter"

Dreamweaver Update 8.0.1 Released

This update fixes a few bugs, among them the one I encountered on first launch with the Files Panel - "The update fixes a problem on the Macintosh where Dreamweaver would take a long time to resize the Files panel or display the Assets panel when it contained a lot of image files."

Adobe unveils new After Effects 7.0 with FLV Export

"Adobe's $3.4 billion purchase of Macromedia is starting to have an impact on the software giant's product line. The latest version of After Effects, unveiled by Adobe Tuesday, includes Flash Video export among its new features..."

The initial studio and CS bundles were a necessary out of the gate move, but here's the first real indication of a merged company.

Website Submission

SiteProNews: "Many of you have heard of submitting your website, but what does this really mean? What places should you really submit your website? What about submitting to thousands of search engines and directories through some website promotion service?"

This article does a very nice job at summarizing and prioritizing free site submission, and also ranks some entry level for-fee strategies.

TuneCenter - Griffin Technology

TuneCenter - Griffin Technology: "Attach TuneCenter to your television and stereo for viewing photos, watching video, listening to your iPod music library or internet radio. With the included 14 button remote, TuneCenter turns your iPod into a complete Home Media Center. Just dock the iPod into TuneCenter, and let the entertainment begin."

Well, I guess the rumor was right about a video dock, they just got the manufacturer wrong ;-)

Technology Predictions for 2006

SiteProNews: "Top 10 Winners Predicted for 2006:

Cyber Security
VOIP
Attention Data
RSS/Syndication
Copyprotection
Credibility
Privacy
Alternative Energy (reusable fuel, clean energy)
Content Filtering
VideoTunes (iTunes with Video)"

GookBox

"The first musicail application. Plays and stores music in your google mail account. You now dont need to duplicate or recreate your music collection when you relocate or travel."

Wow, like an iPod shuffle online ;)

Google Video now offers iPod Video Downloads

Nice!

What if Apple Announced iLife 06 for both OS X Macs and Windows PCs?

So the Macworld Expo rumors are flying, and iLife 06 is being widely anticipated. But what if, in addition to feature upgrades and the possible addition of something called iWeb, it was also shipped for BOTH OS X Macs and Windows PCs?

Now that would be interesting. Kind of like a 'Double Halo Effect': first the iPod/iTunes combo, then the much celebrated iApps. It might be just enough exposure, to all that is Apple, to tempt more 'switchers' over to the new Intel Mac platform when their $499 Dell gets too slow to be useful at the end of the year.

Anyhow, I love the rumor mill that surrounds these events, so I wanted to add my own speculation to the mix. See you at the download-keynote web page on Tuesday...

P.S. If the forthcoming Intel Macs can bootup multiple OS's that will change everything.

Extensis Tries to Clear the Confusion with "Suitcase Fusion"

"Fusing the power of Font Reserve with the award-winning usability of Suitcase, Suitcase Fusion is the next-generation professional font manager..."

Extensis finally makes sense of why the heck they had two separate but equal font managers: Suitcase, and FontReserve (from acquisition). They've thankfully merged the too, but I wonder if it is too late to hold off the competition, especially when Linotype's FREE FontExplorer X is gaining some traction.

Adobe Labs - Project: Lightroom BETA available for Mac

"Lightroom Beta lets you view, zoom in, and compare photographs quickly and easily. Precise, photography-specific adjustments allow you to fine tune your images while maintaining the highest level of image quality from capture through output. And best of all, it runs on most commonly used computers, even notebook computers used on location. Initially available as a beta for Macintosh, Lightroom will later support both the Windows and Macintosh platforms."

Looks like Apple inserting some healthy competition benefits all. Adobe is positioning this rival application against Aperture's high-end system requirements. This is a smart move, as many digital photographers spend more money on thier cameras than their computers...

Kodak unveils new logo

"Event marks the company's first such change in more than half a century"


2005/6 marks the use of the friendly sans serif. They've thankfully kept the proportions of both "K"s. But I'll miss the K-block icon.

Google Pack is live

Google is offering "A free collection of essential software"

Survey finds marketing chiefs plan to increase online ad budgets by 30%

"In another indication that online advertising is poised to take off, nearly half the chief marketing officers responding to a recent survey said they plan to increase their online advertising budgets by 30% this year, according to a report released by Credit Suisse First Boston."

Announcing the Flash Lite 2 Update for Flash Professional 8 Preview Release

"You've probably heard us talking a lot about Flash Lite 2 for some time. Now we're making the bits available to you: Flash Lite Player 2, Flash Lite 2 Update for Flash Professional 8, and developer resources."