Evo Terra's Blog, page 2
April 15, 2014
Clever packaging!
My #Range devices from Supermechanical arrived yesterday in terribly obvious and...
Clever packaging!
My #Range devices from Supermechanical arrived yesterday in terribly obvious and terribly cool packaging.
But unfortunately, I'm in the middle of packing for the move this weekend, so will force myself not to play with them until next week. [sigh]
Hooray for #gadgets ! Here's where you can buy yours: http://supermechanical.com/
My #Range devices from Supermechanical arrived yesterday in terribly obvious and terribly cool packaging.
But unfortunately, I'm in the middle of packing for the move this weekend, so will force myself not to play with them until next week. [sigh]
Hooray for #gadgets ! Here's where you can buy yours: http://supermechanical.com/
April 11, 2014
Amazon Fire TV Review
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C...
I'm a junkie for set top boxes,...
Amazon Fire TV Review
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CX5P8FC/
I’m a junkie for set top boxes, I’ve got them all: Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, Ouya, Xbox 360, etc, etc. So I just had to get my hands on an Amazon Fire TV when it came out.
As a Canadian, this is particularly difficult, since it pretty much won’t work in our country yet.
But I happened to be visiting friends in the US this week, so I ordered a Fire TV and had it delivered to my friend's house, so I could play around with it.
For starters, my Canadian Amazon account left it totally baffled, but fortunately I was able to use their account, and get access to everything.
I’m going to give you the short version of the review: it’s fast, it’s pretty, the voice search works (for Amazon purchases), it does games (didn't try them).
But here’s what’s totally wrong with it.
The Amazon Fire TV is the most wonderful way of accessing the most expensive content on you possibly can on Amazon.com.
The box makes you feel like Amazon is constantly trying to screw you, which is one of the worst sins a company can make.
In other words, search for Avengers, and the suggestion is to drop $19.99 to buy a copy. You have to dig down into submenus to find out if it’s on Prime or not for free.
This is insanely laborious, and makes you feel like you’re dealing with a sneaky salesperson the whole time.
Do a search for action movies, and then drill down into each one to find out if it’s available on Prime or not. Which almost none are.
Even when you go into the Prime-focused menus, they’re still trying to drive you into purchase and rentals.
Why would I want to pay for a show when it’s available free? Why? Seriously, why?
Try to use the voice search within any app like Netflix, and you jump right back out to Amazon purchase carousel. Then you have to navigate yourself back to where you left off with Netflix. Arrrgh.
Fix this and the Amazon Fire TV will be the one box to rule them all
If Fire TV knew what shows were available across all services, including Netflix, Prime, Hulu, etc and understood my purchase status with them, it could provide an intelligent search process.
If Fire TV’s unbelievably amazing voice search system worked across the entire device, it would be astounding.
If I could say “play a melancholy song”, like in Her, and Pandora would kick open and start playing melancholy songs, well, now we’re really cooking.
The Amazon Fire TV can absolutely do this
The power, speed and accuracy of the Fire TV is astounding. It clearly can absolutely do everything I’m describing. This is a short-term thinking business decision, not a long term value to owners.
My recommendation
Don’t buy it. Yet.
Unless you’re looking for a device to side load XBMC on, then definitely buy it. It kills the Ouya.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CX5P8FC/
I’m a junkie for set top boxes, I’ve got them all: Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, Ouya, Xbox 360, etc, etc. So I just had to get my hands on an Amazon Fire TV when it came out.
As a Canadian, this is particularly difficult, since it pretty much won’t work in our country yet.
But I happened to be visiting friends in the US this week, so I ordered a Fire TV and had it delivered to my friend's house, so I could play around with it.
For starters, my Canadian Amazon account left it totally baffled, but fortunately I was able to use their account, and get access to everything.
I’m going to give you the short version of the review: it’s fast, it’s pretty, the voice search works (for Amazon purchases), it does games (didn't try them).
But here’s what’s totally wrong with it.
The Amazon Fire TV is the most wonderful way of accessing the most expensive content on you possibly can on Amazon.com.
The box makes you feel like Amazon is constantly trying to screw you, which is one of the worst sins a company can make.
In other words, search for Avengers, and the suggestion is to drop $19.99 to buy a copy. You have to dig down into submenus to find out if it’s on Prime or not for free.
This is insanely laborious, and makes you feel like you’re dealing with a sneaky salesperson the whole time.
Do a search for action movies, and then drill down into each one to find out if it’s available on Prime or not. Which almost none are.
Even when you go into the Prime-focused menus, they’re still trying to drive you into purchase and rentals.
Why would I want to pay for a show when it’s available free? Why? Seriously, why?
Try to use the voice search within any app like Netflix, and you jump right back out to Amazon purchase carousel. Then you have to navigate yourself back to where you left off with Netflix. Arrrgh.
Fix this and the Amazon Fire TV will be the one box to rule them all
If Fire TV knew what shows were available across all services, including Netflix, Prime, Hulu, etc and understood my purchase status with them, it could provide an intelligent search process.
If Fire TV’s unbelievably amazing voice search system worked across the entire device, it would be astounding.
If I could say “play a melancholy song”, like in Her, and Pandora would kick open and start playing melancholy songs, well, now we’re really cooking.
The Amazon Fire TV can absolutely do this
The power, speed and accuracy of the Fire TV is astounding. It clearly can absolutely do everything I’m describing. This is a short-term thinking business decision, not a long term value to owners.
My recommendation
Don’t buy it. Yet.
Unless you’re looking for a device to side load XBMC on, then definitely buy it. It kills the Ouya.
Mining power from the sea.
I love the concept of harnessing energy from ocean currents, and this Kickstarter...
Mining power from the sea.
I love the concept of harnessing energy from ocean currents, and this Kickstarter project looks interesting. But the ocean is a pretty corrosive environment. I didn't see a lot (read: any) on how they'll address this issue without having to constantly replace parts.
Or maybe that's a bunch of hype and it's not as bad in their as I've been led to believe. Can I get an oceanographer or marine materials scientist to weigh in?
I love the concept of harnessing energy from ocean currents, and this Kickstarter project looks interesting. But the ocean is a pretty corrosive environment. I didn't see a lot (read: any) on how they'll address this issue without having to constantly replace parts.
Or maybe that's a bunch of hype and it's not as bad in their as I've been led to believe. Can I get an oceanographer or marine materials scientist to weigh in?
Put on your thinking caps, Google+! I'm looking for two syllable words that end with the long O sound...
Put on your thinking caps, Google+! I'm looking for two syllable words that end with the long O sound.
Real words. Made up words. Proper nouns. Silly sounds. As long as it has only two syllables and ends with the long O sound, I want it.
For inspiration, here are three:
* Loco
* Rico
* Hero
Show me what you've got! Use the comments (or email me) and list as many to me as you can think up!
Real words. Made up words. Proper nouns. Silly sounds. As long as it has only two syllables and ends with the long O sound, I want it.
For inspiration, here are three:
* Loco
* Rico
* Hero
Show me what you've got! Use the comments (or email me) and list as many to me as you can think up!
Well we had a productive day at the new office. Desks, chairs... it's like a real place to do some business...
Well we had a productive day at the new office. Desks, chairs... it's like a real place to do some business!
More coming next week. For now, we need (more) beer.
More coming next week. For now, we need (more) beer.
April 9, 2014
You don't REALLY need a marketing strategy.
Oh, boy. Is that going to ruffle some feathers. And it ...
You don't REALLY need a marketing strategy.
Oh, boy. Is that going to ruffle some feathers. And it flies in the face of conventional wisdom. But so what? A one-size-fits-all approach never fits everyone. And evidence trumps three years at Confab.
Taking the Lean approach to content marketing can work. Probably. Assuming you know how to measure, test, and learn. I doubt it'll put many content marketers of a job. But hopefully it makes them move a little quicker.
Oh, boy. Is that going to ruffle some feathers. And it flies in the face of conventional wisdom. But so what? A one-size-fits-all approach never fits everyone. And evidence trumps three years at Confab.
Taking the Lean approach to content marketing can work. Probably. Assuming you know how to measure, test, and learn. I doubt it'll put many content marketers of a job. But hopefully it makes them move a little quicker.
April 8, 2014
You know you're a real company when...
Well, the cat is (somewhat) out of the bag. We're getting real...
You know you're a real company when...
Well, the cat is (somewhat) out of the bag. We're getting real mail now at +Big Bounce! Stick with me for more teasing until we make the full announcement!
Well, the cat is (somewhat) out of the bag. We're getting real mail now at +Big Bounce! Stick with me for more teasing until we make the full announcement!
Minimalist wallet. Maximal beer opener!
Mad props to +C.C. Chapman for introducing me to +Adam Leidhecker...
Minimalist wallet. Maximal beer opener!
Mad props to +C.C. Chapman for introducing me to +Adam Leidhecker of Portsmith Company. Now I'm the proud owner of and total convert to the Fulcro and CNCH. Great products, crafted just like my beer!
#craftbeer
Mad props to +C.C. Chapman for introducing me to +Adam Leidhecker of Portsmith Company. Now I'm the proud owner of and total convert to the Fulcro and CNCH. Great products, crafted just like my beer!
#craftbeer
Comic Neue is a free version of Comic Sans MS that can be used anywhere without attribution issues. ...
Comic Neue is a free version of Comic Sans MS that can be used anywhere without attribution issues. Just what the world needs.
