#IanMorris

[superfunnacho-blog]

What’s interested me though is the Star Trek: Discovery “Demand Expressions” or, better known as the number of people talking about a show. According to Parrot Analytics - video below - Star Trek: Discovery has more than 53 million people talking about it in the US. That beats The Walking Dead which has around 46m expressions. Netflix’s Stranger Things also has a staggering 33m of these within the US.

[jerseydeanne]

While Porn Hub and Twitter took swift action against deep fake AI porn Reddit was slow to follow. However today the company deleted the groups associated with sharing the content on its site.

OMG! 

You never be too sure, most of what I see is fake, heads are photoshopped on. 

Thanks anon

[alecridings27]

Comcast Debuts Limited Internet Streaming Service For $5 a Month

As Comcast’s slogan implies the well accepted media and technology company is “Ready to Work” as they have entered into a pool of streaming video wars with other popular streaming websites such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. This new device and streaming service that will be introduced by Comcast is called “Xfinity Flex” as it will not only give customers “flexibility” on how and where they can watch their favorite shows but provide them with a new way to rent shows and movies outside of Comcast’s traditional set-top box.

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/21/comcast-announces-flex-streaming-product-and-platform.html

As a longtime user of Comcast’s cable service, I believe the idea of adding a streaming service to their industry is brilliant. In today’s society individuals have grown accustomed to products such as the Amazon Fire Stick and Roku streaming media; ultimately, making cable television seem as though it is an antique service. I believe Comcast’s decision to reposition their brand and add this streaming service will make consumers perceive their brand in a different manner in the future and help them avoid a significant decline in their television service if their new streaming service is properly handled.  

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ianmorris/2017/06/13/netflix-is-now-bigger-than-cable-tv/#5ee48144158b

While Comcast’s new streaming service “Flex” seems enticing at first glance, the service unfortunately offers limited unique content and capabilities which are key in making new media services successful. Similar to Apple and Roku, Comcast’s “Flex” allows users to connect to their TV’s, use a voice-controlled remote and access mostly free online video services at a reasonable price of five dollars monthly. While this sounds remarkable, Comcast’s “Flex” lacks a significant amount of content from Comcast’s NBC Universal unit which owns popular cable channels and contains an innumerable number of commercials when being used.

http://www.nbcuniversal.com

Comcast’s new streaming service “Flex” is also not consistent with most of their advertising as its most comprehensive promotion is through the internet only. Outside of their internet webpage, the advertisements for Comcast’s Flex do not spread much further as they have restrained from showing commercials about their new service and did not take advantage of the impact social media can have on any brand. In order for Comcast to convince individuals to subscribe to “Flex”, I believe they first need to expand their market segment and not aim their new streaming service at just a “certain segment of their internet customers”. As a millennial, I believe that Comcast needs to make “Flex” target all millennials to stay relevant as the television industry is experiencing a historic transformation with no more cords.

https://www.techhive.com/article/3330692/cord-cutting-in-2019-what-to-expect-in-a-pivotal-year.html

Comcast has the tools to come out on top of this movement as they possess brand equity and brand awareness as consumers are familiar with their brand and it comes to consumers’ minds when they think about telecommunication companies. By correcting their brand positioning and communicating to consumers about how their brand differs from competing brands and how it is superior in their advertisements Comcast’s Flex will receive more users and subscribers in the long run. Along with brand positioning, Comcast can also stress the functional needs and product related attributes of “Flex”. This can be done by conducting advertising through a television commercial where Comcast can provide solutions to consumer’s about how “Flex” is more convenient for people and how it is easier to use then other streaming platforms. In the same commercial, after appealing to the most prevalent brand benefit positioning strategy, Comcast can then talk about product related attributes whether that involves features of the “Flex”, exclusive content that is provided on their platform only, or any other attribute as they are virtually endless. This video in the link below shows how Comcast’s competitor, “Amazon” effectively managed their streaming service product the “Fire Stick” boosting its sales tremendously in the process.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkhqwLQmv2c

In my opinion, Comcast should consider more mass advertising in the form of commercials and social media promotions for their new product the “Flex” because it will allow them to reach more consumers and prevent them from falling behind Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu. As it currently stands Comcast’s “Flex” is limited to its internet users only, making a change necessary if Comcast wants consumers to rave about their product to their friends and family. In order to prevent a missed opportunity to increase consideration and preference for their brand through mass media advertising, Comcast should consider taking Hulu’s idea of generating excitement around their brand by having popular sports figures promote their streaming service through both commercials and social media. Unfortunately, this idea seems highly unlikely as  Comcast prefers to keep their streaming service in-house and will not allow it to be available nationwide or to any non-Comcast customer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUKC2rvSZmo

[evan-horvath96-blog]

Apple Turns Up the Volume on Wireless Headphone Sales

In a recent Statista report, it was revealed that Apple has become wildly successful in the US wireless headphone industry. Apple’s decision to acquire Beats in 2014 is paying off in a big way as their overall market share has increased to nearly 50%, and their overall unit sales account for over one quarter of industry totals

https://www.statista.com/chart/7993/headphone-market-share/?utm_source=Infographic+Newsletter&utm_campaign=e9f1edfd4e-All_Camp_InfographTicker_EN_pm_00041&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_666fe64c5d-e9f1edfd4e-295461685

Apple’s recent success can be partially attributed to the releases of The Solo 3 Wireless on-ear Headphones and Powerbeats 3 workout headphones. However, the manner in which Apple products are promoted also proves to be a cornerstone to their success. Click the link below to view Apple’s 60-second ad entitled “stroll”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvVvwh3BRq8

As part of Apple’s ongoing “Practically Magic” campaign, this advertisement for AirPods produces a reverberating impact on many levels in the hierarchy of effects. Apple accomplishes three communication objectives through this ad. First of all, it increases consumer awareness of the product. Secondly, it increases consumer knowledge of the AirPods through creative demonstration of some of its features. For instance, convenience through freedom of movement is succinctly communicated through the absence of wires and the freestyle dancing of Lil’ Buck. Furthermore, Apple creatively demonstrates that AirPods will not hinder your daily activities, regardless of how you move. To reinforce the message that AirPods will not impede your lifestyle, Apple shows Lil’ Buck defying the laws of physics. Noise cancellation is another product feature that is successfully communicated to the consumer. Near the end of the ad, Lil’ Buck removes the AirPods from his ears to hear the sounds of his surroundings for the first time. He then puts the headphones back in his ears and is seemingly able to tune out the rest of the world. Finally, Apple accomplishes the objective of increasing consumer liking of the product by using Lil’ Buck to help promote the brand. 

The graphic shown below demonstrates that Apple was also successful on the basis of increasing online sales. Since the launch of the AirPods, Apple’s share of the wireless headphone market increased to 26%. Part of the reason for this sudden increase is the functional benefit positioning used to convey that the consumer was better off if he/she bought AirPods in conjunction with the new iPhone 7. Unfortunately, the increase in Apple market share led to a crowding out effect of one of Apple’s subsidiaries. Beats, acquired by Apple in 2014, experienced close to a 10% reduction in market share as a result of AirPod’s launch.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/ianmorris/2017/01/13/haters-gonna-hate-but-apples-airpods-are-a-huge-hit/#9132490c2f93

In addition to successfully completing a wide array of objectives, “stroll” makes use of a variety of positioning strategies. Product attribute positioning is utilized through the depictiion of the color, size, and design of the product. This strategy works well in conjunction with functional benefit positioning because the product attributes of being wireless reinforce the reasons why the consumer is better off after purchasing the AirPods. Experiential benefit positioning is also critical to the effective positioning of the AirPods in this ad. Lil’ Buck appears to be liberated in expression when he uses these headphones. Furthermore, his disobedience of gravity conveys the message that AirPods provide the user with a magical experience.

http://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/ad-day-lil-buck-defies-gravity-apples-first-big-tv-spot-its-airpods-175581/

Apple has a storied history of masterful execution of Integrated Marketing Communications, so their domination of the wireless headphone industry is not in the least bit surprising. 

[somewhatclever]

Something to chew on:

[muho]

[utrph77004]

Google isn’t to blame for the specific problem of out-of-date Android installs, the device manufacturers are, but that doesn’t stop it being a blight on the OS. via Pocket

[bichela3]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L95p6oQQubI) Links to news articles supporting my video statements. https://digiday.com/marketing/advertisers-rethink-youtube-influencer-strategies-youtube-cuts-small-creators/ This is not published byAdweek but this was the  video i mentioned specifically in my bcasthttp://www.huffingtonpost.co.za/luke-waltham/youtube-changes-have-led-to-a-sad-state-of-affairs_a_23331569/https://digiday.com/marketing/advertisers-rethink-youtube-influencer-strategies-youtube-cuts-small-creators/http://www.adweek.com/digital/chris-pavlovski-rumble-guest-post-youtube/ Here is the actual adweek article.https://www.forbes.com/sites/ianmorris/2018/01/31/youtubes-new-rules-will-stop-the-next-david-dobrik-casey-neistat-or-philip-defranco-making-it-big/

[vincenzabartl]

Nvidia Titan Xp Star Wars Collectors Edition Unboxing: Hands-On With The Jedi Order Card

If you love Star Wars and PC gaming then you're probably going to have an expensive month. Meet Nvidia's new Titan Xp GPUs in its special Jedi Order flavour. from Forbes Real Time https://www.forbes.com/sites/ianmorris/2017/11/17/nvidia-titan-xp-star-wars-collectors-edition-unboxing-hands-on-with-the-jedi-order-card/ via IFTTT

[haaziqhamid1-blog]

Apple iPhone 8 Plus Early Review: A Big Leap Forward With A Great Surprise

By : Ian Morris 

The iPhone 8 Plus / @ianmorris

I haven't had the iPhone 8 Plus for long, so I'm not fully reviewing it yet. I did, however, think it was worth looking at it from the perspective of someone who didn't attend the Apple launch and this year, for the first time in ages, didn't watch the live stream. So when I unboxed the 8 Plus, it was my first time seeing the phone.

The iPhone 8 Plus loan sample I'm using was sent to me by UK retailer Direct Mobiles so I didn't get a choice in colour, however, I'm quite pleased to have the Gold device for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it's enabled me to see how much of the Rose Gold colour there is here and secondly, it's much nicer to have a bold colour for photos than either Silver or Space Gray. Anyway, the Gold is excellent and Apple's done a really good job blending the bold colour of the metal with the rear finish.

So what's the surprise?

Wireless charging. Honestly. I expected an experience that mirrors the ones I've had with Android devices. Competent at best, but often frustration at putting the phone down and it not picking up the charger. A slightly sluggish start to the charge cycle is also common on other phones too. Not with the iPhone 8 though. Using my Samsung wireless charger I was thrilled to discover that the iPhone 8 Plus immediately starts the charging cycle and feels a lot more snappy than other phones.

This is, to me, a good example of what Apple does best. It's not always first with technology and wireless charging is nothing new. But if you want "normal" consumers using a tech like wireless it has to be seamless and easy. I feel like Apple has managed that when others have struggled. I don't know how it managed it either, but the experience felt better.

I do wish Apple had put a wireless charger in the box, but this is just a fantasy - that wouldn't happen with Apple and probably wouldn't with any other mobile firm either.

How does it feel?

TouchID stays on the iPhone 8 Plus / @IanMorris 

I expected the 8 Plus to feel different. The glass back is nice, but it doesn't make as much of a difference as I would expect. I think the iPhone 8 is a lovely device, but coming as I am from a 7 Plus it doesn't feel all that different. It is heavier though, and I feel like it's quite noticeable in the hand.

The big question I had going in was "will it be slippery" and I'm pleased to say that it's actually not. Well, it is but not enough more than the metal on the iPhone 7 to worry me much. Like most phones it accrues fingerprints at an alarming rate but I bought a job lot of microfibre cloths on Amazon to deal with this exact problem.

I suppose if I wanted to be super-critical of the iPhone 8 I could say that it doesn't feel different enough to the iPhone 7. I expected the glass back to have a more distinctive feel, and the truth is that Apple has just done what it does best, which is producing a product that feels like it has always existed.

It's worth it for the screen

The iPhone 8 Plus screen is a joy. / @IanMorris 

One of my favourite features is the True Tone display. Since Apple launched the original iPad Pro 9.7 with this tech I've loved how it adapts to the ambient light. The idea is that this phone should always have a display that's sympathetic to your environment.

There's no resolution boost here from last year, so pixel counters will need to wait for the iPhone X to satisfy their need for higher resolutions. But as always, the iPhone's display is beautifully crisp, with a wide colour gamut to produce accurate colours.

But the True Tone means that when you're inside, under artificial light, the display isn't pushing a blue tint at you. This feels a lot more natural to use and paired with Apple's subtle automatic brightness the iPhone 8 is always giving you an image that feels comfortable. It should also help with colour accuracy too, matching the on-screen image to the ambient light you're watching in.

Camera and video gets a massive boost

The cameras are tweaked and video is a huge improvement. / @IanMorris 

Apple is using HEVC to record 4K at up to 60 frames per second and, amazingly, slow-motion at 240 frames per second in 1080p. I realise for most people the technical achievement of this is somewhat lost, but I promise you these features are pretty staggering in a smartphone.

Although the iOS 11 update to how photos are handled also works on older phones, I do feel like it's a massive improvement overall. Being able to loop Live Photos and generally have more control over filters feels like it's going to be significant.

There have been other upgrades to the camera and processing but I've not had enough time to fully test them yet - I will do so for a full review later.

Should you upgrade?

First thing's first, if you're an iPhone 7 Plus owner, I suspect you're going to want to hold fire on the iPhone 8 Plus. Last years phone is so good I've never got bored of it, or felt I needed to upgrade. This might not be what Apple wants to hear, but I suspect the big upgrade for current 7 Plus owners will be the iPhone 9 Plus next year. Or perhaps jumping to the iPhone X.

Personally, I think the people who should upgrade to the iPhone 8 Plus are those with any of the smaller iPhones or the 6 or 6S Plus. The dual camera is so good that if you're not using it, moving on to it will be such a massive leap forward for you that you'll be blown away.

For Android users, it's almost certainly a good time to switch. My feeling though is that anyone defecting from Android would probably want to go for the iPhone X, with its interesting features.

Obviously, people who can't live without a headphone jack, or cope with an adaptor should avoid too - but the world is changing around you, it's time to move on too.

If you are upgrading, there's something important to remember

David Phelan pointed this out in his recent article, and I was blown away by the simplicity of how it works. If you're moving from an older Apple phone that can support iOS 11 it's worth upgrading before you switch to the new phone. The upgrade process for those who do this is so simple it's amazing.

Very early verdict

It's easy for us writers to forget that normal people don't usually upgrade their phones every year so even if the iPhone 8 was only a small update it would still be a big change for a lot of users. However the iPhone 8 is a surprisingly big update over last year's iPhone 7. Camera tweaks, new video options including a more efficient video codec and that glorious True Tone display mean that this is actually a pretty big update. It's certainly more significant than the usual "S" increment on odd years.

It will be interesting to see how popular the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus turn out to be against a backdrop of the more expensive, but more desirable iPhone X. I'll be honest here, if I was buying I'd go for the X. The real truth is that I've been considering pre-ordering the X when it's available.

But if you were hesitating over the iPhone 8, don't. There are some changes here that make the new iPhone a joy. Wireless charging is a really nice touch and the incremental improvements to the camera are always worth having. If you're coming from an iPhone 6 or 6S and you want this larger device, I heartily recommend it.

You can also read David Phelan's early review of the smaller iPhone 8 if you're on the fence about which device to buy.

[justinmoore25]

Remarkable New HTC Vive VR Standalone Gets Named In Trademark Leak

HTC has already announced that the Vive is getting a standalone version but thanks to LetsGoDigital we know that it could be called the HTC Vive Focus. The system will be built around Google’s Daydream, which is confusingly the same brand it uses for the … Powered by WPeMatico

The post Remarkable New HTC Vive VR Standalone Gets Named In Trademark Leak appeared first on Dr. Kianor Shah - Professional Speaker, Dentist, Implant Surgeon, Fintech Expert, Entrepreneur.

from https://www.forbes.com/sites/ianmorris/2017/09/15/remarkable-new-htc-vive-vr-standalone-gets-named-in-trademark-leak/ from https://dentalentrepreneur.tumblr.com/post/165638202797

[dentalentrepreneur]

Remarkable New HTC Vive VR Standalone Gets Named In Trademark Leak

HTC has already announced that the Vive is getting a standalone version but thanks to LetsGoDigital we know that it could be called the HTC Vive Focus. The system will be built around Google’s Daydream, which is confusingly the same brand it uses for the … Powered by WPeMatico

The post Remarkable New HTC Vive VR Standalone Gets Named In Trademark Leak appeared first on Dr. Kianor Shah - Professional Speaker, Dentist, Implant Surgeon, Fintech Expert, Entrepreneur.

from https://www.forbes.com/sites/ianmorris/2017/09/15/remarkable-new-htc-vive-vr-standalone-gets-named-in-trademark-leak/

[digitaliafm]

Netflix Is Now Bigger Than Cable TV - http://ift.tt/2roFQGx