My Summer Vacation
As many of you know, I was in San Diego this week, and visited
e.digital on wednesday. I have discussed most of what I could remember in chat, but I know not everyone joins in chat. This is a brief synopsis of the hour+ that I spent with Robert Putnam.
1. The company has grown considerably since the last time I was there, about 16 months ago. They also have options on more space, and
from Robert's phrasing, I assume they will need it.
2. Jim Collier's office is the first one you pass, once yoou get by the receptionist. I did not meet him, but peeked in as we went past. He was very busy, and struck me as a definite asset. Sorry, tried to eavesdrop, but to no avail.
3. The place was very busy, and everybody appeared glad to be there, did not see anyone "going through the motions" of work. The attitude is very upbeat.
4. Robert showed me the "lab" thru a keyhole window, would not let me in, as you would imagine. I had the same view of the lab last trip in, but it is much larger and "fuller".
5. Once in Roberts office, he gave me a Treo, MP2000, IBM microdrive, and Dataplay disc to examine. After a quick test of the MP200 and Treo, I gave them to my daughter to test. She had no problem with either one, and wants both. The Treo was extremely easy to navigate thru the folders, to find what I wanted. It was organized according to Genre, then Artist, then album. Absolutely awesome to play with. The MP2000 was crystal clear, and also a snap to learn. If you have not seen the IBM microdrive, you should make a point of it, the sucker is truly tiny, and thy have a 1GB version now. The Dataplay disc was cool, just wish I had something to play it in.
6.Lanier/Platinum/Cquence- I asked about the plans Platinum has for Cquence, and Robert told me it was still pending further announcements. He also mentioned that Platinum kept the Lanier management team in place, FWIW.
7. I asked the nature of the strategic partner, and when we would hear from them. The timing of the release is in the hands of the partner, and their role is what was stated before. Did not get any gems there, was hoping for more "clues".
8. Cellphone accessory - Nothing new on the release of this item. I get the impression it's a DAP device though.
9. Silicone solutions/embedded. Nothing I'm willing to put on the general board, but I thought I saw a reaction when I mentioned a certain company. Purely my opinion, and something I would rather kick around in the chat room.
10. Dataplay - Robert has a very "upbeat" personality, but when I brought up Dataplay, he went up several notches. We are working all the time with Dataplay, and they with us. I get the impression that we send personnel back and forth with them on a regular basis. The labels have very high hopes for DP, and so do the CE companies.(they like the idea of all new product lines) Of course Robert would only give me the generals, nothing as specific as I wanted. I also mentioned the ITRU/DP deal, and got nothing we don't already know.
11. Satellite Radio - Robert also perked up on this topic, but I did not get anything about EDIG's involvement.
12. Telematics - I mentioned telematics, and Robert immediately mentioned the Voicenav Jukebox. The auto companies would like nothing better than to have it as an option. They feel a device that can go from your car, plug-in to your home unit, and be portable, gives them something special to offer. For DD on telematics, check cksla's posts.
13. EPAC status, not dead, but not supported by Lucent. Lucent right now is a free-for-all, with each department out for itself(paraphrasing Robert). He thinks it's a goldmine of patents, but disorganized.
14. Set-top boxes/video - "later" The largest problem here is broadband. The sacred "last mile". Although there is a glut of BB around, it does not extend into enough houses at this point. The baby bells have the industry by the throat, and until that changes, BB is somewhat stalled on growth.
15. I brought up competition, and Robert said we are way ahead, but what else would he say?
16. Bang & Olufsen - I asked what type of products we might see from B & O, and Robert said that would not be revealed until product is ready. Same with other OEM's. Our OEM's all compete with each other, and are reluctant to tip their hand early. They do not want to clue in the competition. It apparently took some effort to get B & O to announce their alliance this early, and that same effort is underway with other CE's. Robert said they are anxious to let us all know who we are working with, but it is on the OEM's time. After all, it's their product, ultimately.
17. MSFT-AOL/TimeWarner - The labels are afraid of both gorillas, for obvious reasons. They will not allow WMA as a de-facto standard, but understand the value of including it. He agrees with most of us on the need for a fair, affordable subscription model. We both had points about Napster that we loved, and a few we disliked.
18. I asked for xerox copies of all contracts, sorry, no-go on that point.
19. I mentioned the rubber-hose and bamboo shoots that some suggested I bring, he smiled.
20. I did not ask when, because the answer would be "soon". (duh)
21. Economic downturn - Works for and against us. Comapnies want new product, but are slow to bring it out. On the upside, they don't want to spend in-house manpower, as most are downsizing. They want turn-key solutions.
22. Uploading to the Treo (special request demo)- easiest part of the whole thing, no worry.
I'm sure there is more, I remember things in conversatiion with others here in chat, but this is the meat and potato(e)s version.Feel free to ask any questions. -berge
P.S. I was a buyer thursday morning, based on what I "felt" about my visit, but I don't have the cash to cause what happened since. (damn)
AI
