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12.23.2010

Cutting the Cable cord: Boxee Box Experiment (overall a fail)

by John Calian | Link to this article
Topics: | |

I have been a big fan of Boxee for quite a while now, as it is the gateway tool for all the files you have on your PC/NAS/Home Server. It does a fantastic job of organizing your media (specifically your TV shows and Movies), and gives you instant access.

I had been using my MacBook Pro as the device hooked to my flat screen TV for over a year, but had to pull it out of the A/V cabinet every time I wanted to use the MBP as a laptop... drag.

So, I had been wanting to purchase a simple device to connect my library of ripped videos to the flatscreen.

The Boxee Box seemed like the right device, since I am hooked on Boxee and love the software.

Ordered at Amazon, arrived two days later. hooked up that same night.

Overall, the device is OK, but it failed in 3 big ways and was returned to Amazon the next day.

Three fails:

  1. The device would go on sleep or something, and could not be woken up. Had to manually reboot over 4 times in one night of use. This was the biggest fail by far.
  2. The shape of the box. What at first seemed interesting quickly became challenging to fit into the A/V cabinet. Big fail on the design department at DLink.
  3. The Boxee UI was not the same as the one I was used to running on my Mac. It felt more limited, and even after an update remained the same.
So, the day I returned the Boxee Box I ordered a first generation Apple TV for just $129 (normally over $200). After overnight delivery and a couple hours, I had the ATV configured with Boxee and humming along just the way I expected the Boxee Box. A review of that to come soon.

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9.06.2010

Cutting the Cable cord: One year anniversary

by John Calian | Link to this article
Topics: | | | | |

It's been 12 months without Comcast cable, and we are still alive. Before this past year, we paid Comcast over $140/month for all the HD channels they had, HBO, Jon Stewart, sports galore, etc. At most, we watched 2-3 hours a day, 4-5 days a week. (6 month checkin is here).


Comcast has a great service, and all the content available covers everything you could want. But really, we only consumed so little of what was offered. So, we decided to cut the cord, and rely on Over The Air (OTA) programming and what the internet had to offer. Lots of folks have done the same thing, and companies like Hulu, Boxee, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, etc, are paying attention.

Certainly there are some days we miss Comcast, such as when we need a Jon Stewart fix, the French Open or some other sports event, or watching a series on HBO and hating to wait the extra day to pay for the episode on Amazon or iTunes (for whatever reason, you cannot download an episode the day it airs on cable; I would love for this to change). Yet, we have refrained from turning it back on, and stuck to our guns.

But, we have some new conclusions I will share.

First, I'll explain the setup we had:

Hardware
  • HDTV (previously a Samsung Plasma, currently a Sony LCD HDTV)
  • TiVO HD receiver
  • HD OTA indoor antenna
  • Macbook Pro laptop
  • wired internet connection (using Comcast as the ISP)
  • iPhone as a remote
Software
  • Mac OSX
  • Boxee
  • Netflix**
  • Amazon
  • TiVo
  • Bittorrent
  • iTunes
  • Logitech iPhone remote keyboard and mouse
  • Boxee iPhone app
**After around month 8, we stopped paying for Netflix. We simply did not use it much, and spent most of the time simply browsing their site. Lastly, the selection is just not that great, and you cannot get new TV shows.

Conclusions:
One time or Season pass purchasing with Amazon and iTunes. Amazon has a great service and we have purchased movies and shows with little issue. Plus, the new Sony TV we have has the ability to stream Amazon (and other content) right to the TV.

iTunes (until very recently) forced you to download items before viewing, Amazon does not with the right hardware. And, everything runs thru iTunes... which is OK, but I prefer Amazon as it doesnt make me feel so glued to its client software, its more about the content.

TiVo HD box works great, Amazon, Blockbuster and Netflix are all integrated now. But, you have to download shows/movies first, then watch. It costs $14/month for the recording of shows. You dont need to pay this for Amazon, etc.

OTA HD (using the antenna) content is fine, plenty to watch, and using the TiVo to record this works great.

Bittorrent allows you to download anything you want, and occasionally we use it, but it tests your ethical limits :)

Hulu is OK, ESPN 3 is OK, and other internet content providers are OK.

Boxee is great software, very sophisticated, and really the only perfect way to watch what you collect from Bittorrent (or any other method to grab content from the abyss). Of all the things I've learned this last year, using Boxee has been the best experience. Its free software (not sure how they plan to make money...) and I will be happy to grow with their evolution. I run Boxee on the Macbook Pro (and if I ever get an Apple TV, I'll do the same)

iPhone as a remote is OK at best. There is more often than not lag when using the Logitech App, and maybe its just the app. The Boxee App is very good. A dedicated device like the Logitech Mini Dinovo would be sweet.

Bottom Line: You cannot duplicate the Comcast (cable) experience; but if you want to save money, you can and still have a wide choice of entertainment. And saving money is what it comes down to. Without cable television, we still have MORE THAN ENOUGH content to watch; using Amazon or iTunes we can rent movies and television shows, with Bit torrent you can download at your own peril, and Over The Air free TV still works, perfectly, in high definition.

Added bonus: I have read more books this year than in the previous 5 combined.

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7.27.2010

iPhone + Google Calendars (Ins and Outs)

by John Calian | Link to this article
Topics: | |

Through some trial and error, I have figured out a few things when it comes to syncing my iPhone with Google Calendars:

  1. There is a difference between regular gmail and gmail for domains
  2. Use Exchange for Gmail, not just 'Gmail' when adding to iPhone
  3. There is no 'one button' magic to make it all work
  4. You have to use a 'secret' method to add additional calendars
There is a difference between regular gmail and gmail for domains
For regular Gmail users, you can setup Exhange service for Gmail on your iPhone quite easily. Simply fill out hte screen on your phone and you are good to go. However, for Gmail users who use 'Apps', ie they have their own domain name using Google services, there is one step you have to take first: enable this service for your mobile phone.

  1. From the Dashboard of your Google Apps account, click on 'Mobile'
  2. Check the box to Enable this service

You will then follow the normal procedure

Use Exchange for Gmail, not just 'Gmail' when adding to iPhone

When setting up your Gmail account on your phone, in the Settings app, under Email, Choose 'Microsoft Exhange' rather than 'Gmail' to setup your Gmail account

You simply get better functionality and features. For instance, you get better PUSH functionality, where all your folders (Sent, All Mail) can be selected to be kept up to date, rather then fetching them whenever you want to see an updated view.

For full instructions on adding Gmail (or Google Apps Gmail) to your iPhone, take a look here.


Tips from Google before you start

1. Google Sync is only supported on iPhone OS versions 3.0 and above. You can check your current version by going to Settings > General > About > Version.

2. Perform a sync with iTunes to ensure that Contacts and Calendars from your iPhone are backed up to your computer. Learn more about backing up your Contacts and Calendars.

3. If your business, school, or organization uses Google Apps, your administrator will first need to enable Google Sync before you can take advantage of this feature.

There is no 'one button' magic to make it all work
It took some searching and trial/error to get everything working correctly. Remember to search for your problems when setting all this up in Google, you are certainly going to find others with your same exact problem.

You have to use a 'secret' method to add additional calendars
So, you have added Gmail to your iPhone, you go to the Calendar app, and you only see the default Calendar! But, what about the calendar you created for family events, sporting events, or calendars you imported? Well, there are 'secret' steps to take to add these to your iPhone:

Regular Gmail, follow the steps below:

  1. Open the Safari browser on your device and go to http://m.google.com/sync.
  2. Sign in with your account and select your device from the list of devices you've set up for Google Sync.
  3. Bookmark this page so you can return to it easily.

Gmail for Domains, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Safari browser on your phone and go to http://m.google.com
  2. Click on Google Apps user? at the bottom of the screen.
  3. Enter your domain name (e.g., yourdomain.com).
  4. Click the Sync icon in your domain area (this section has a green background).
  5. Sign in if required.
  6. Select your device to configure Calendars.
You can find these at Google's site here.


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6.15.2010

Android Fragmentation, a Problem

by John Calian | Link to this article
Topics: | |

Back in the day, it was widely accepted that Windows, Intel and the multitudes of box OEMs won the PC war over Apple. I believe that this still holds true. One of the reasons for the dominance was the fact that Microsoft built only the operating system, not the hardware it ran on, unlike Apple. Because of this, many hardware OEMs built systems to run windows, and the market became saturated with the machines running Windows, driving down price and making them ubiquitous. Fragmentation won this war because the PC machines came in at a much lower price point; the closed system lost due to its high cost and limited distribution.

Is the reverse going to happen in the mobile world, will fragmentation hurt rather help?

Apple once again has a closed system, but this time around price is not a factor (today, at least); and today its not just Windows providing the competition: its Google that is actually bringing the strongest challenge with a fragmented offering.

A recent post by a manager at Google argues strongly that Android is not fragmented. But, the facts speak for themselves:


  1. Google has released numerous versions of its Android OS, to different OEMs for different devices (6 versions exist today)

  2. Each OEM has numerous smartphones running Android (over 60 devices today)

  3. Each OEM uses different hardware (screens, GPUs, CPUs, memory)


IMHO, that is a fragmented distribution, and the net result is a failure to keep up with Apple in terms of market presence, developer saturation and overall customer satisfaction. The story here is simple: without strong developer support, the apps platform has not taken off, which leaves customers less satisfied, and in turn the market story is not strong.

A mobile app developer who writes code for Android needs to consider that there are many different OS versions (check out the graph depicting current distribution of the OS below) AND many different hardware configurations. One smartphone might have one hardkey; another could seven; and still another could have zero. Writing code now becomes more complex as one would need to account for all the variations in software and hardware. This is the downside of fragmentation, and a big reason I think the developer community has not exploded like it has for the iPhone.

Android Platform Distribution, by version number

Because there is not a strong app store presence for Android, consumers do not see the choices in front of them, they don't feel that 'there is app for them' around every corner.

Overall, though, I think it is the lack of a strong marketing story that has hurt Android the most. Apple is everywhere, Android is not.

Bottom line: there are lots of Android phones being sold, more than Apple on most days. And this makes sense, since only one OEM is building iPhones, and many OEMs are building Android based phones. But who is making the most money? Who is winning the hearts and minds of consumers?

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4.07.2010

Thoughts on the Apple iPad

by John Calian | Link to this article
Topics: |

I stopped into the local Apple store today to mess around with an iPad. I would like to buy one, and when I bring it up with my wife she says "you dont need another toy". And she has a point, its like a new toy. And I say this because I have truly found it hard to justify why I need one other than that I want to play with the device. I have an iPhone, a Macbook Pro and my work laptop, not to mention access to our family iMac.

So, why do I need an iPad? I dont, I simply want one. But it will be hard to argue my point, even though I think this device is a first step in the next evolution of computing.

Later this evening, my friend posted me this "Johnny, i want one because it is shinny, new and from apple. But I can't make out why else. There is no USB port, no camera, phone, etc. Movies and such will look better on my MacBook - or at least just as good. I guess for the books it might be cool, a little lighter, but I just can't think of when I would use it. Thoughts?"

My reply:

hmm. I get the part about it being shiny and agree, I like my gadgets as shiny as the next guy. but would argue you dont need USB ports. USB port necessity infers you want to plug things into it, and I ask, what do you want to plug into it? And what Im really saying is, its not meant to have no stinkin things plugged into it.

Seriously, this device is a first generation attempt. It is shouting out 'no more wires people'. If you want to print, print wirelessly. If you want to transfer pics and movies, do it without wires (think bluetooth from your iPhone and such). What else do you need to plug in?

And its also shouting out 'touch me all over, my purpose in life is to be used as an exclusively touchable device for some serious computing'

Furthermore, its not meant to be a phone, but I love the idea of my friend walking around chicago with that thing up against his ear talking loudly into it. Or, taking pictures with it. haha. Its not meant for either.

I could, however, actually use it for my job: corporate email, word docs, excel, powerpoint -- all work on this device and all can be created and edited. In case you dont know me, a majority of my day is filled with building, editing and talking about power points documents.

Bottom line: simply think of this as the first step towards computing without a keyboard or mouse. Its not perfect, but its damn cool and its truly a great first attempt. And remember, peeps thought the iPhone would bomb.

And I will stand by this answer to anyone asking.

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2.11.2010

Living without Comcast Television Service

by John Calian | Link to this article
Topics: | | | | |

Its been 6 months now, and I can comfortably say I rarely miss having 800 channels of television pumped into the HDTV via Comcast. We moved into a new house last August, and my wife and I made a deal to swear off paying Comcast $140/month for the TV service. Though we fretted a bit that we would be missing out on Bravo, ESPN, HBO, etc, the real issue we faced was: could my wife deal with my solution for our new alternative TV reality: running everything thru a Mac onto the HDTV. Plus, some over the air via a HD antenna.


With Comcast + TiVo, there was one remote that was fairly simple to use, one interface to master (TiVo), and more than enough programming. But, it cost more than the value we thought we were getting.

The solution: Macbook + HDTV + iPhone as remote + Hulu + Netflix + TiVo + Over the air antenna + BitTorrent + Boxee

The results: Overall, we are very satisfied. Quite a few programs we like are free over the air (in HD) and we pay TiVo ($14/mo) still to record. Netflix has LOTS of streaming content, and at $10 bucks a month we get good value and utility there. Hulu works very well, even the HD content. And you will find shows you never knew existed. I still miss ESPN, but espn360.com makes up for part of that by streaming live and replays of some sporting events. Add in the content we get from bittorrent, and we have an overabundance of video to watch.

As far as accessing all the content, using Boxee is fantastic, it does a great job of organizing the locally access content, Netflix and Hulu (though we often just go to Hulu.com). And accessing over the air content via the TiVo box is status quo.

And the iPhone remote capabilities are not perfect, but more than passable.

So, we save some money and are living in the IPTV world for the most part. Its not a bad place.

Next, its time to finally cut off the terrestrial telephone...

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2.01.2010

Can I Jump from Apple to Google?

by John Calian | Link to this article
Topics: | | |

With the coming tide of Android devices, and the promise of Chrome OS, it appears Google will have ability to offer consumers a new choice in operating system platform allegiance. Interesting.


I have been an Apple convert since 2006, and seriously love my iPhone + MacBook Pro setup (not to mention the iMac in my kitchen and Airport Express' running speakers in the house). But, it does cost a lot to maintain the Apple allegiance.

However, there is a compelling reason to change over to an Android phone + Chrome OS Setup other than price: network reliability. ATT has been underperforming (I know they think otherwise, and also promise to make things better), and the amount of dropped calls I experience (problem amplified since my wife has an iPhone) is ridiculous. Not to mention that when I attend a sporting event or something of that magnitude, the data connection is a complete failure due to ATT's network caving to the overload.

So, feeling pressured to buy a new gadget (no, not the iPad), I am eager to investigate a wholesale move to Google once the OS is released. At that point I would run the OS on a current machine I own, and move over to an Android smartphone. The entry cost is not that big, and I could run the device on TMobile to compare if their network is any better. No, I dont trust any of my peers to tell me otherwise.

As for running Chrome OS instead of Mac OSX, well, most of what I do for personal reasons can be done thru a browser. And I am a fan of Chrome (the browser) on both Mac and PC.

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