Posts by Andrea Wood (bio)

Andrea Wood | September 11, 2006, 08:38 AM
The Implications of Handset Naming Conventions

The Implications of Handset Naming Conventions

In a world where handsets are released weekly, it gets hard to keep track of all the numbered models. I sometimes confuse model numbers, but always remember names like Rokr, Pebl and Chocolate. While memorable, these naming conventions can also be value laden. Handset names can easily attract a certain demographic, or even repel it. Take LG’s Chocolate phone. It sounds like the most decadent and smooth phone on the market. The Pebl sounds like a small, solid phone. Now, what consumer group will be attracted to decadence? Which group seeks durability and small size? These names can also become a sales burden. Perhaps a numbered system would be better….

Andrea Wood | September 08, 2006, 09:07 AM
The craze for photo sharing

For some vendors it makes sense to offer an online photo sharing service. However, I question the value of every website offering a photo sharing function. The LA Times recently launched Your Scene. The service allows anyone to upload photos to a site linked to LATimes.com, and is powered by myCapture. Your Scene allows the newspaper to monetize photo sharing; consumers can buy any photo they view on the site.

When does photo sharing stop making sense? I understand why people post photos related to news stories in the LA Times, or even of the city where the paper is published. It does not make sense to assume people will share all their photos from their newspaper’s webpage. There are so many other photo sharing sites with a huge range of features and benefits. The market for photo sharing services is reaching saturation. Consumers are overloaded with the number of choices to share photos. It’s what my colleagues Joe Wilcox and Michael Gartenberg call feature overload - there are so many choices available that consumers throw their hands up with dismay instead of making a decision. It’s great that websites are allowing consumers to realize the potential of their digital cameras. However, the choices are starting to confuse consumers!

Andrea Wood | September 07, 2006, 09:58 AM
Despite an Increase in Online Sharing, Camera Vendors Still Offering High-End Photo Printers

JupiterResearch survey data shows that the number one reason consumers don’t print photos at home is cost. They’re concerned not only about the cost of supplies, like photo quality paper and ink, but the cost of a printer itself. Despite these concerns, and the rise in consumer interest in online sharing, camera vendors continue to produce high-end photo printers. You can’t blame them, really. As long as consumers are taking digital photos, some will want to print at home. Some vendors will steer clear of the printing market because of a lack of consumer mass, but others will become the dedicated printing providers.

What is truly surprising is the willingness of camera vendors to branch out to printing. Companies that have long provided both imaging and printing devices, such as Canon, can justify offering high-grade photo-quality printers. However, when a camera-oriented vendor enters the printing game, it seems like pure folly. The at-home printing market may not be shrinking, but it certainly isn’t huge. To enter the printing market, vendors must prove that they have mastered printing technology in order for consumers to buy their products. To establish a name as a capable printer vendor take times. Unless the device and supply price are so low that consumers can’t help but be attracted to the brand, new entrants to the at-home photo printing market are in for a hard slog.

Andrea Wood | September 06, 2006, 10:25 AM
If it works for the office, why wouldn’t it work in schools?

In many offices, employees are issued with key cards to access the premises. In more secure locations, personnel are required to scan a fingerprint or an eye. So, if offices require such extensive security, why don’t schools? A local primary school requires parents to deliver their children to the door monitor each morning. The door monitor checks the child’s name on a list, and allows the child to enter. A friend once asked once the school didn’t issue RFID tags so the kids could simply scan themselves in and out of the school’s care each day. I laughed, but it doesn’t seem that far fetched anymore. A Georgia-based school system introduced a fingerprint scanning system not for security, but as a payment mechanism. Children scan their fingers to access their pre-paid account, and avoid the time-honoured tradition of bullying for lunch money.

A fingerprint scanning system could certainly increase the security of a school and its students. The same system could also replace the need for passwords on the school computers, and track PC-use activity. Sure, bullying could lead to misuse of accounts (a child could be forced to scan a fingerprint so a peer can get up to trouble), but a fingerprint scanning system in a school could really unify the electronic experience. Of course, those pesky consent issues will prevent a simplified system like this from working.

Andrea Wood | August 23, 2006, 03:07 PM
If the Parents are Footing the Tab, Don’t Forget to Sell Innovation

The National Retail Federation claims college-aged students plan to plan to spend $8.2 billion on consumer electronics this year. While the Holiday season represents a major sales period for consumer electronics, the back-to-school season also presents companies with many opportunities to target and serve a wide-ranging student population; from primary scholars in need of PCs for their homework to college students looking to outfit their first apartments. The must have products these days are far from simple. And the demand for consumer electronics simply isn’t limited by function. CE products that save space and simply look cool sell with this demographic. Think flat screen monitors and stereo systems that integrate with iPods that also save precious space. Our surveys show that consumers between 18 and 24 are more likely to own the latest and greatest devices, and plan to buy new devices more often. This discretionary spending represents a pretty remarkable audience for vendors to target - especially if parents are contributing to the purchase. While the students may be interested in a new game system or camera phone, the parent’s flexibility and income is key. So, extending marketing to parents – to show them the value of new technologies in the back-to-school season - is key to increasing sales.

Andrea Wood | August 17, 2006, 10:06 AM
Could a new innovation kill the QWERTY keyboard?

I spoke with Doug Naimo, founder of Triggerfinger yesterday. He and his team have come up with software that can eliminate a QWERTY keyboard from many devices. A cell phone would use a joystick-like input device accompanied by several buttons for text input – an approach similar to text messaging. Media Center PC owners could, in theory, replace a remote and keyboard by introducing a game-controller like device for all-in-one input functionality.

Triggerfinger’s approach seems innovative and interesting, but like in many instances the biggest obstacle to adoption is consumer perception. Consumers will have many questions, and some folks will give it a try. The key to testing market flexibility and interest when introducing a new concept is education and patience. Vendors of new products, like Triggerfinger, must show consumers how a device or software will change their lives. Simply expecting that the market will understand the product is not enough. Willingness to change also takes time. While a few early adopters will be eager to try a product, the mass market may need a little extra urging over a longer period of time to even think of testing a product. Triggerfinger’s innovations will not win out over existing input devices in the short term, but the products are garnering attention from major players in the US software and hardware sectors. Only time will tell what battles these products might incite.

Andrea Wood | August 03, 2006, 10:46 AM
Motionlingo: Is a GPS System Required for Outdoor Sports?

I was recently wowed by the growth of Garmin's GPS systems: sales of automotive units rose 153% in a year, while sales of fitness/outdoors devices rose about 25% in the first half of 2006. Over the past few years, I’ve tried a number of GPS systems. They come in handy from time to time, but I’ve never felt that I’ve absolutely needed a GPS device. That being said, I’ve been testing the Adeo motionlingo for the past few weeks. It sure is nifty.

The motionlingo is billed as a ‘personal fitness companion’ – a GPS device that plugs into a portable media player to provide audio queues and updates while exercising. It’s pretty impressive, and non-intrusive if I’m already carrying a music player. I simply stick the two devices in my running belt, and off I go. As an active sportsperson, it’s been a fun little device to work with. It took some time to get up and running when I first had it out of the box, but it was eventually able to adapt to the new environment. I live in an urban area with pretty dense tree cover, so triangulating with three satellites is sometimes difficult. When I took the motionlingo through some flat, open farmland and to a remote and rocky area of the Canadian shield, I had a good clear signal the entire time.

When the device is working, it’s great to have audio cues announce distance, speed, pace, calories burned, and more. A recorded voice provides frequent updates depending the program I set, lowering and raising the volume of my music ever so slightly to provide the updates. When I return home, I can synch the motionlingo with my PC, use the provided software to track my performance and peg my mileage on a Google map. It took some getting use to the software interface, but certainly wasn’t a challenge that would prevent me from using the system.

The buttons on the motionlingo bugged me, though. They are scattered on all sides, and a bit difficult to get used to. While I am somewhat coordinated, with the ability to run and fiddle with a device, I repeatedly had to stop and look at the device to figure out which button to push to change the program or get an update. It was a bit of a pain, and something I couldn’t really practice when you are sitting at home. This is Adeo’s first stab at an audio GPS device, so I speculate the next production run will resolve this layout issue.

The motionlingo sells for $149 US, and is a pretty cool device for those active folks who don’t want to check a wrist-worn device to analyze performance. So while I may not need GPS when I’m outdoors, it’s a novelty that can enhance the sporting experience.

Andrea Wood | July 27, 2006, 10:01 AM
Drawing the Line Between Necessary and Complimentary

The Indian Ministry of Education’s decision to pushback on the One Laptop Per Child initiative should serve as an eye opener for marketers. While the initiative is altruistic, there is also profit motive (however slim it may be). Once a market is open for business, there is unlimited opportunity to create and sell products. However, just because a project is altruistic does not mean it will be accepted with open arms. Unfortunately, some nations are so poor that hard choices must be made – effectively closing the opportunity to expand into a new market. Sure, access to a computer certainly enhances childhood education and prospects for future well being. India’s Education Secretary told the press "We cannot visualize a situation for decades when we can go beyond the pilot stage. We need classrooms and teachers more urgently than fancy tools." There’s no way Indian children can benefit from the one laptop project until basic education requirements are met. Unlike the developed markets, where nifty new products are introduced on a regular basis, the developing market can’t bare too many unnecessary innovations. Much more basic steps must be taken to open a market up. Initiatives to introduce educators to would be a good first step, though admittedly straying from most technology company’s core competencies. Bill Gates’ Foundation could easily provide funding for a project of this nature, which would ultimately create growth opportunities over time. That way, both the developing nation and the tech company win. It’s just not going to be very easy to achieve.

Andrea Wood | July 26, 2006, 09:39 AM
Simple deception by a ‘leading’ name

I was duped when reading a news story about Sony's bookshelf audio system this morning. Skimming the headlines, I inferred that Sony was releasing a dedicated e-book playback unit. While nifty and not much of a stretch for Sony, I was a bit confused. I’d never heard of a unit for the mass market that read e-books aloud. That’s when I realized my error: Sony wasn’t using the term ‘bookshelf’ literally. The stereo simply allows access to a collection of music from a variety of sources, including Bluetooth equipped devices. I guess ‘music shelf’ doesn’t have the same ring, even while it is more accurate.

Andrea Wood | July 25, 2006, 10:48 AM
A giant step in computer-assisted cooking

Years ago, just after the release of the Palm Pilot, a friend decided to abandon cookbooks altogether in favor of storing his recipes in his Palm Pilot. That way, he could check ingredient lists in the store, and cook on demand. (Only problem was he worked as a developer and spent far more time coding than he did cooking. But that’s beside the point.) My friend is also a avid gamer, and is equally intrigued with the recently released-in-Japan DS Cooking Navigator. Instead of demanding the cook to constantly check the recipe, the DS uses voices prompts to queue the next step. For those ambitious enough to try cooking but not trusting of their abilities, photos of each step are also provided on screen. It’s a foolproof approach to cooking - so long as the user doesn't stray from instruction.

Andrea Wood | July 07, 2006, 10:57 AM
Language Evolution and Technology Go Hand in Hand

Word has it that ‘Google’ and ‘spyware’ are official additions to the latest edition of the Merriam-Webster dictionary. It’s about time! There is a set of rules about the use of a term before it is officially considered for publication in the dictionary. However, they aren’t completely clear. While ‘Google’ is frequently used socially and on TV, and the term ‘spyware’ is known by most everyone with a computer, some of the tech-based additions are just silly. Like ‘mouse potato’. Perhaps I don’t pay attention. But the press release from Merriam-Webster was the first time I’ve heard the term!

Andrea Wood | July 07, 2006, 09:34 AM
If only the “Click” Phenomenon Could Work for Home Automation

Adam Sandler’s latest movie, Click, introduces a remote with the power to control the entire universe. If only home automation were as simple. So many solutions require in-wall wiring, massive outlay in terms of time and money, and users may well face device integration obstacles. The idea behind the solutions is so simple: a single control center for anything in the home. However, vendors often totally overlook the key to success: simplicity. If installation and use of home automation systems is a challenge, the solution isn’t worth it. We just finished a report studying a new potential market for home automation solutions. Like in years past, consumers seem interested in home automation. But year over year, they fail to implement the systems. Get in touch to understand why, and how home automation can be made a reality in more consumer households.

Andrea Wood | July 05, 2006, 02:00 PM
Will Changes in ISP Privacy Rules Increase Churn?

A few weeks back Bell Sympatico, Canada's largest Internet service provider, changed its privacy policies for consumer accounts. Now, Bell may monitor use of the network to supply information pertinent to government requests. Many observers and subscribers to the ISP believe this is the first step in disclosing information without a court order. Others believe this step is merely in anticipation of change to government access legislation expected in the fall.

No matter the reason, some of Bell’s subscribers are surely reconsidering their service provider. Bell isn’t the only high-speed ISP in the country; there are more than five dominant players and hundreds of smaller providers offering service throughout the country. These players are watching and learning as the media unleashes its fury on Bell. They are planning new pricing packages, their own privacy policies and campaigns to convert subscribers. They’ll promise to protect subscriber’s rights, and will wisely capitalize on this incident. The rate of churn, however, may be relatively low. Many consumers are happy with their ISP service, as Bell’s high-speed pricing is quite competitive. Other subscribers don’t feel their online activity warrants concern about monitoring. So, while some consumers will consider a change, the hype around the privacy rules isn’t anticipated to cause massive churn.

Andrea Wood | July 05, 2006, 10:23 AM
What’s New About Hot Laptops?

Over the years, we’ve heard a lot about hot laptops. Some reports attribute the problem to malfunctioning batteries, others to poor ventilation or smaller laptop size. There’s no doubt that overheating is truly a problem. But it seems like users forget the rules of use in many instances. An article in the Globe and Mail over the weekend focuses on a child who left his laptop unattended on carpet, which led to a fire. Sure, the laptop shouldn’t have gotten so hot that it burst into flames. However, the child and his parents could’ve taken steps to prevent the carpet fire and subsequent $15,000 damage. The owner’s manual for most laptops states that devices must not be left on plush/soft surfaces. This family is considering a lawsuit, but you’d think the manufacturer would be somewhat safe with the fact that the kid overlooked one key use suggestion.

Andrea Wood | June 21, 2006, 10:22 AM
Wal-Mart Serves Up Roadside Tech Education

While Wal-Mart certainly isn’t known for selling the most sophisticated CE products on the market, the chain presents CE vendors with a massive distribution channel. The tech road shows the store has planned in cooperation with Intel, Microsoft and a few others combines the power of reputable brands to educate consumers about the options available in standard household technologies. This tour presents Wal-Mart with an opportunity that many vendors would die for: to provide info about their products in a hands-on setting, and to demonstrate a range potential uses in everyday life. Wisely, the road shows will target students and teachers. Teachers decide what is used in the classroom, ultimately influencing what technologies are used, and how. Kids often debrief their families about the latest and greatest, are quick learners and tend to be early adopters. Who better to influence household buying behaviors? While Wal-Mart isn’t the first place many people would look for CE products, most consumers would not overlook the savings presented by the chain. It won’t take long for consumers looking for a PC for their child to use for schoolwork, or basic home theatre set-up, to check Wal-Mart’s pricing when doing price comparisons.

Andrea Wood | June 16, 2006, 11:24 AM
When Being Late to Launch Isn't a Bad Thing

Sony always seems to be the last CE company to launch products that have been in the field for absolute ages. For once, this isn’t such a bad thing. Today the company announced the imminent launch of pick-up points for online prints in Longs Drugs locations across the West coast. This isn’t Sony’s first foray into photo kiosks - that deal was with CVS. Sony’s late launch comes at a time when more and more consumers are going digital. JupiterResearch data shows that digital camera ownership reached 60 percent of online consumers in 2005, up from 52 percent in 2004. So, there’s a pretty good chance that Sony has an opportunity to really increase market presence and awareness with these kiosks.

Andrea Wood | June 16, 2006, 08:11 AM
After Bill is Gone….

As Michael Gartenberg suggests, Bill Gates' decision to step down is no big surprise. While I’m relatively new to following the space compared to Michael, even I can recognize patterns set in place by Gates. His way of thinking is so firmly enmeshed in the organization I don’t expect we’ll see a huge shift in the way the company approaches product development, licensing issues or general management. We mustn’t forget that he’ll still have the ability to make decisions as the largest shareholder. So, Bill’s decision really indicates that he is confident that the company will remain strong, and that he has selected the best possible management team.

Andrea Wood | June 15, 2006, 10:36 AM
A Lower Cost Way to Develop User Base

In an effort to attract cost-conscious and techno-savvy student set, Vonage Canada is offering a $1000 scholarship to five lucky Canadians. But wait – there’s a catch! The kids must sign up to Vonage to be entered into the contest. As further incentive, the company is offering a complimentary cordless phone and one month of free service. Not unlike many other contests aimed at developing a new network of potential users, the chances of winning increase for those students that supply the email addresses of five friends. So, Vonage is spending $5000 on scholarships, and some more on on advertising and complimentary service. Pretty sweet deal considering just how many names and email addresses the company can target after the promotion is complete. While the ideas isn’t new, it really preys on the student desire to save money. It almost seems wrong. But then again, so do the uber-expensive handbags I see many McGill undergrads carrying these days.

Andrea Wood | June 05, 2006, 10:59 AM
Mass confusion: Consumers Can’t See the Difference Between TiVo and DVR

Over the weekend a columnist in the Montreal Gazette discussed the DVR service provided by a local cable provider, and mistakenly stated that Americans refer to the DVR service as TiVo. For some time, we’ve known that some consumers use the term ‘TiVoing’ to refer to the act of recording/pausing living TV. I’ve heard it in conversation with friends, on TV and in magazines. However, neither all Americans nor all Canadians refer to DVR as TiVo. There’s certainly no international divide over the issue. Like some people use the term ‘kleenex’ to refer to facial tissue, some consumers use ‘TiVo’ interchangeably with ‘DVR’. This can either help or hinder to brand, depending on your perspective. It definitely helps raise awareness about DVR capabilities, but dilutes the TiVo brand to some extent. Imagine the trademark suits that could ensue if TiVo actually chose to act on all the misuses?

Andrea Wood | June 01, 2006, 09:35 AM
Re-learning text messaging

Bang & Olufsen’s Serene Mobile phone is nifty. To look at. However, the design looks like it would make standard mobile phone activity a little challenging. The circular keypad, for instance, would make it difficult to text message. I first assumed the phone was intended for those folks who wanted access to telephony alone. The website clearly mentions ‘discreet messaging’ on the phone. To learn to text on this funky keypad you’d either have to a) have no experience on a traditional keypad, or b) really care about aesthetics to forgo function.

Andrea Wood | May 31, 2006, 11:11 AM
Will Marketing Impact Consumer Perception of the Media-Centric PC?

In addition to marketing campaigns by Microsoft, various computer manufacturers and Intel, AMD recently announced plans for a unique branding campaign for the entertainment PC. Will all these initiatives make a difference in consumer adoption?

These campaigns are all great to raise brand awareness. If done well, consumer understanding of the entertainment PC will also increase. However, information overload can also occur. Like in many cases, too many options can be just as bad as too few. With only 12 percent of consumers reporting they own a PC with a TV tuner or Windows Media Center Edition, there’s lots of room for growth. Initially, I’d bet these campaigns will either go unnoticed by most consumers, or will be a little confusing. In the end, consumers will only care if the computer can handle their tunes, videos and photos, and that they aren’t paying an arm and a leg for the functionality.

Andrea Wood | May 30, 2006, 11:09 AM
A Different Form of Mobile Gaming

Over the weekend, I participated in a brevet throughout the western part of Quebec. At one point mid-day Sunday, we stopped at a schoolyard in a tiny village called Saint Colomban. This was one of the nicest schools and yards I’ve seen in years. It also had some pretty interesting games painted on the paving. My personal favorite was the 4 x 6 cell phone complete with screen showing time, a keypad, mouthpiece and ear piece and signal emitting from the antennae. I’m not entirely sure how one might use the game. It was located between the hopscotch and king’s court set-ups. Perhaps the school was just reminding kiddies that this is no longer an analog world?

Andrea Wood | May 26, 2006, 09:30 AM
Canada North Poses a Special Challenge to Technology Adoption

Canada’s north faces a number of obstacles to technology adoption. Incomes aren’t sufficient to cover the cost of a computer, or the service to power the Internet. Plus, actually getting equipment can be a challenge. A government of Canada website states that “Transport can only be accomplished by ship in the very short ice-free season between June/July and September.” So devices and service are either too expensive, or very hard to get.

Despite these realities, a new WiFi service is being offered to Iqaluit’s 7,000 strong population. The service is available for free, but doesn’t really pose a threat to paid service. (The signal is apparently so weak that it can’t compete with paid broadband service for consumer dollars.) Free service is great. It provides a population with limited opportunity to access the Internet a chance to experience a technology that is widespread in the south. Better yet, the service is helping residents get access to banking. There’s massive physical distances barring many residents from using a bank. Only three of twenty-five Nunavut communities have a teller. Can you believe that? Residents resort to various storage mechanisms around the home. How safe.

Wireless access to banking could really change the way residents can bank. Better yet, online banking could be customized to local language (there are several written variations), which could encourage more residents to get/maintain a bank account. Now to ensure that these residents have access to WiFi enabled computers…This is one ambitious, but important effort.

Andrea Wood | May 25, 2006, 10:26 AM
Who Will Win the DVR Wars?

For several years, there’s been some jostling between the cable and satellite service providers as they introduce DVR service, and ongoing death watches for TiVo and Replay TV. In general, ownership of all DVRs is on the rise, including for the PC-based DVR. 5 percent of consumers said they didn’t have a DVR service, but they configured their PC as a DVR. PCs as DVRs make sense. At least for those consumers who own a PC with TV tuner or MCE. These consumers don’t need to pay for service, and can amass all their music and video content in a single location. We’re releasing a DVR forecast very shortly, including cable, satellite and standalone DVRs and PC-based DVRs. Stay tuned for more details.