Posts Tagged ‘Television’

Fast Company:

It’s only a matter of time before someone releases a dedicated gadget for Tweeting. And now an IBM patent has surfaced implying that soon your TV remote control will do your microblogging for you.

The network-enabled smart remote control would send out a digital message to initiate a blog post whenever you choose to watch a TV show.

Because your interface with the remote is pretty limited due to its form factor, and because you are probably more interested in watching the show than sending out Tweets, the system’s strength is automation.

IBM is trying to push this debate onto social nets via the most convenient device–the remote you’ve just used to switch channels. But, of course, it’s not really as fluffily altruistic as all that: It’s actually all about generating buzz about what’s on TV by driving up the viewer interaction…and that will push up viewing figures and thus potential revenue.

Whether it’s neat, crazy, or whether it’ll actually be used if it ever makes its way into a real device is anyone’s guess.

But it’s one of the strongest indicators yet that social networking and your devices are going to marry up in ways you’ll be surprised by.

Photo by romexico.

From Business Opportunities Weblog.

Entrepreneur:

If you’ve ever watched cable television late at night or early in the morning, you’ve seen these “ads.” Favorites seem to be weight loss programs, exercise equipment, secret health cures and wealth-generating systems. However, I’ve seen everything from knife sets and car-cleaning cloths to tools.

Here are five steps to help you avoid a costly mistake when considering direct response advertising:

1. Ask who pays for the television production, you or the company. Note how difficult it is for you to get clear information about the company’s terms. If you hang up and realize you don’t really know what you’ll be paying, that’s a red flag.

2. Insist on two inventor references: one that was successful and one that was not. Then speak with the references yourself.

3. Examine any contract very carefully and be leery of exclusivity clauses, especially when you are footing the production bill.

4. Ask if the organization is a member of the Electronic Retailing Association. You can look the company up online too.

5. Contact ERA to confirm the company’s membership and ask if there have been any complaints. And if you’ve had a negative experience, report your complaint to Katy White at the ERA at (703) 841-1751.

Photo by Photofunia.

From Business Opportunities Weblog.

The Cary News:

WiSpots CEO Kevin Flannery was mauled by sharks on TV, but he has since licked his wounds, ready to jump back in the water.

Flannery recently got a chance to pitch his Cary company, which sells wireless devices for physicians’ waiting areas, to billionaire investors on ABC’s new show “Shark Tank.” The ruthless investors, or sharks, were quick to dismiss the concept and essentially told Flannery not to waste any more time or risk any more money.

Since the show was taped mostly in January, Flannery has known for months that the outcome would sting.

“They didn’t listen, and they didn’t really give me a shot,” he said. “But I also know that [millions of] people saw me and my products.”

The former Marine has been busy since the taping. In June, he agreed to merge Wi-Spots with Worthington Healthcare of Raleigh.

The combined company, WiFiciency, will sell a range of technology to doctors, including digital transcription products and electronic medical-records software. The company also will sell WiSpots’ “Patient Interaction Centers” for physicians’ waiting rooms, with gadgets known as WiPads that allow patients to surf online for free.

WiFiciency will collect fees from physicians. It will also make money by selling digital advertising and giving doctors a cut.

Photo by ABC-TV.

From Business Opportunities Weblog.