Spark Armada by Nir Ofir

The Future of Media consumption – Creative exercise

Recently I found myself taking a part in few conversations about the future of TV and the video entertainment industry of tomorrow. Those conversation where made with people from the Mobile phone, TV, and internet industries. All of them agreed that the today's TV is changing in different ways and that Mobile entertainment and Internet usage as an entertainment tool are increasing on the account of TV (and Cinema).

These conversations made me want to make a mind map of all aspects (I found) of TV,  Mobile and internet as entertainment arenas for the end user. After doing the mind map I gathered the information in a magic table. This magic table can make every one (Yes! you too) an inventor of new formats, experiences, models or content packages for tomorrow's entertainment era.

All you have to do is to pick an Item from every column in a random way. Then, try to think of a TV/Internet/Mobile show, Contest, event etc that is using all the elements. It's not an easy creative exercise but it is fun. Don't give your self discount, Invent something crazy that will not sound reasonable to you.

This is my take on the magic table:

I picked randomly these Numbers: A 3, B 2, C5, D 1, E 8, F 4

I need to create a concept for a Reality Mobile show in which will be delivered in streaming format. This show will be watched while going out. I will charge a monthly fee and will have to use Celebrities or stars in it. Mmm that’s an easy one :-)

This streaming mobile show will be aired every weekend night time and it is designed for people that are hanging out in the clubs and bars areas at that time. This reality show will follow 5 random people that are randomly selected every weekend in this club area and their prize in this reality show is dating a celebrity. The viewers of the show will be able to watch and help those 5 guys with their mission that involves: Drinking lots of alcohol and doing crazy things. One of the viewers will have the chance to win the same prize too.

What is your future media show format?

Tagging my desktop

I am searching for files in my computer every day. Mostly, I use (God save the) “Google desktop” that, somewhat changed the way I use my computer.

When I talk on the phone with my clients or partners I Google their names in “Google desktop” and find past email conversations and Documents.

Storing and finding information in your own computer is a complicated issue. Some prefer the “Database approach”: lets put it someplace and try to search for it in the future. Others prefer the “Hierarchic approach”: lets put everything in Hierarchical folders and find it using the “drilldown path” through the folders we made. I can say about my self that my desktop is a mess. I do not have any strategy or rules of storing stuff in my computer (Same thing for my closet at home…ask my wife).

I believe (and hope) that tagging my files will be the next phase in Desktop search/ organization software. Think about the problems with the above approaches and how tagging will help preventing them:

1. When I use folders, I can never know which is the best place for my files. I can put an article about RSS in “my articles” folder or in a folder I made for “RSS stuff”.
2. Most people do not save emails in windows folders; they just leave them in the email software folders.
3. Naming files with the same names is a problem

Tagging any kind of files, emails, bookmarks etc’ can create two bridges, one between the database approach and Hierarchic approach and another one Between saving files in folders or leaving the them on email software, IM software and P2P software.

Introducing: The RingDong

Ring Dong
Open your mind

Last week I showed you an image of the Gizmo I created (on a 3D software). The idea came to me when I was at my parents house and had to hear their terrible door bell (It sounds like and ancient, sick, angry bird). This is when I decided to create the first personalized door bell, Doorbell you can personalize by changing the ringing sound the way you want.

The ringing sound can be changed by Recording your favorite sound from files stored in your computer, your stereo system, Radio or by using your own voice. I also planned a cool web site that everyone can share the RingsDongs they made...and maybe some celebrity RingDongs (Bono, do you volunteer to be the first?)

This is the promotional flayer I made (with the help of Oren Fait):

BTW, the face plates can be changed and the installation is very easy.

Ginger number 2?

From time to time I have an idea that can be a great Gizmo. Usually I loose my interest in it and leave it hanging just before the manufacturing phase. I guess I need help from retail and manufacturing experts (anyone?).

Guess what is this Gizmo. I will reveal the secret exactly in a week from today (It is a good time to introduce my RSS Feed with your favorite RSS aggregator)