Is The iPhone Really A Computer?
I’ve had this thought in my mind for a while now. While I don’t believe the iPhone will replace computers, I do believe it is more computer than phone. Here’s 9 reasons why:
- It runs on an operating system.
- It often freezes and requires a restart.
- You can add software.
- It costs as much as a laptop; well the no-contract cost does.
- It has wireless internet access capabilities.
- Every year there’s a newer, faster, better version.
- You can check your email.
- You can access the web via a browser.
- Often it’s cheaper to replace it than it is to repair it.
Despite all of those features and similarities, I just don’t see it ever replacing my laptop or desktop. That said, I have been able to get by for a couple of days on just my iPhone and no laptop. This of course begs the question what upgrades would the iPhone need to become a true replacement for the computer?
For starters it needs a MUCH longer battery life. With hard core usage, my iPhone lasts maybe 6 hours before needing to be recharged. Additionally, you need to be able to author content, not just read content. For example a Word Document or Powerpoint Presentation. With those two additions the iPhone makes a quantum leap toward becoming a viable computer replacement.
What do you think?
Transparency And Credit
You hear it everywhere: we’re operating in a world of transparency. Agencies have really glommed onto this concept and are spouting it to clients every chance they get. Recently it dawned on me how hypocritical we are as an industry. With one hand we preach the need to be honest and transparent. With the other we rarely give credit to the partners and people doing the actual work.
This is a practice that’s been going on since the beginning of time. But, recently, it’s gotten ridiculous. Last year things really came to a head, but when BBDO captured a Gold Lion for “their” HBO Voyeur campaign. The word “their” was in quotes, because in truth, it was Big Spaceship’s work that won for BBDO. In short, BBDO “partnered” with Big Spaceship to execute the work. Regardless of how small or large the partnership was, Big Spaceship was never given any credit for their contribution by BBDO or the judges.
Fast forward a year later and we’re seeing more of this type of behavior. Several agencies captured awards or took credit for “their” recently launched initiatives without actually crediting the partners who were involved. Doesn’t that seem a tiny bit backwards and out of sync with all this talk about “transparency.”
It’s time for our industry to walk the walk and talk the talk. If we’re going to preach transparency, then we need to actually be transparent. Does your agency have the stones and the integrity to do it?
Lists
I keep lists for just about everything. One of the things I learned early on was that lists need to remain in constant motion. You can’t just create a list in 1999 and assume it’s going to remain the same in 2009. There’s too many factors that will impact your list. My lists remain fluid. I’m always adding to them, re-evaluating them, and measuring myself against them.
My favorite list to keep is my schedule. Now, a schedule by nature is boring. There’s no denying that fact. But, to keep my schedule interesting I letter grade each and every meeting I have. Each meeting has an objective and I measure myself against that objective. At the end of each day I reflect back on my schedule, look at the letter grades, and figure out why I didn’t have A’s for every meeting.
Yeap, lists are great. I love them. But, I learned a long time ago, that a list needs to be fluid and capable of being evaluated, if it’s going to provide value.
C-Level Executives Are Finally Embracing Interactive
Forbes and Google got together to conduct a study of C-Level executives. The study was called The Rise of the Digital C-Suite: How Executives Locate and Filter Business Information. It focused on how executives are interactive, engaging, and getting their information. Sure, everyone is different and everyone business situation is unique. However, the report surfaces up an interesting data point – there’s a massive difference in the use of interactive tools and platforms like twitter between those executives over the age of 40 and those under the age of 40. The report dubs this audience, Generation Netscape.
My take-aways from the report were:
- Companies are getting smarter and those with C-level executives that are embracing interactive are the ones that will be here in the long run. There’s a reason Ford and BMW are still around, while GM and Chrysler aren’t.
- Companies wanting to work with these companies will need to adapt their communication style and overall approach to communication. We’ve already seen the first RFP released on twitter and that’s a sign of things to come.
- In about 5 years we’re going to see clients not only being as “smart” as their agency counterparts in the interactive space, but their organizations will also have more depth. Instead of one person really getting “it” they’ll have dozens that do. This should help everyone. Agencies won’t spend 80% of the time educating and selling; they’ll now spend 80% of their time DOING. That’s going to be nice.
- It’s not about twitter or Facebook or youTube or 1 platform. Nope, it’s about ALL of them. The expectations from executives are that you have an understanding and presence across many platforms.
Check out the report. There’s some great data and insights to help you push the ball forward at your organization.
Just Because You Can Doesn’t Mean You Should
We’re in a golden age of technology and innovation right now. Truly, we are. Every day it seems there’s something new, bright, and shiny for us to salavate over. From augmented reality to QR codes and from gesture based navigation to location aware service we are seeing innovation happening everywhere.
The tough thing is sifting through all of these new bright, shiny, objects and figuring out which ones matter. It’s not a simple task. Each client, each brand, and each situation is different. Something like Facebook connect could be the perfect solution for brand X, but overkill for brand Y. I was in a meeting the other day where I was asked where are all the social media thingies for this plan? By social media thingies, which is clearly a scientific term, they meant:
- OpenID
- A Blog
- iPhone App
Here’s the problem. That client we’re talking about sells multi-million dollar pieces of hardware to other businesses. They’re a B2B company that makes roughly 10 sales a year. Adding just 1 extra sale is a win. Those tactics and approaches just don’t work with this business situation.
There are always constraints. Often we face a time and a budget constraint. In this situation, it was no different. Given the budget, we had to make a decision. Invest X dollars in twitter, Facebook, OpenID, a Blog, an iPhone app, and a host of other trinkets or redesign the site for maximum conversion.
All the bright, shiny, objects in the world are irrelevant if you haven’t covered the basic block and tackling and addressed the items capable of having the maximum impact – you lose. It’s that simple. Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should. Just because you can develop your site in Flash, doesn’t mean you should. Just because you can develop an iPhone app, doesn’t mean you should. Just because you can crowd source, doesn’t mean you should.
Folks, I urge you to pause for a brief second and think about what the real objectives are. Then prioritize the potential solutions based on their impact and their feasibility (relative to budget and time). If you don’t you’ll just end up doing a bunch of things that while “cool” and “trendy” don’t solve the core problem.
The SEO Checklist
Absolutely love this little discovery.
John Rocking Out To Some Tunes
Gotta love this…
Happy Father’s Day
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there. Rather than me try to write something prophetic, I thought I’d just share some words from Cat Stevens. These are the lyrics to his song, “Father And Son.”
Father
It’s not time to make a change,
Just relax, take it easy.
You’re still young, that’s your fault,
There’s so much you have to know.
Find a girl, settle down,
If you want you can marry.
Look at me, I am old, but I’m happy.
I was once like you are now, and I know that it’s not easy,
To be calm when you’ve found something going on.
But take your time, think a lot,
Why, think of everything you’ve got.
For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not.
Son
How can I try to explain, when I do he turns away again.
It’s always been the same, same old story.
From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen.
Now there’s a way and I know that I have to go away.
I know I have to go.
Father
It’s not time to make a change,
Just sit down, take it slowly.
You’re still young, that’s your fault,
There’s so much you have to go through.
Find a girl, settle down,
if you want you can marry.
Look at me, I am old, but I’m happy.
(Son– Away Away Away, I know I have to
Make this decision alone – no)
Son
All the times that I cried, keeping all the things I knew inside,
It’s hard, but it’s harder to ignore it.
If they were right, I’d agree, but it’s them you know not me.
Now there’s a way and I know that I have to go away.
I know I have to go.
(Father– Stay Stay Stay, Why must you go and
make this decision alone?)
And hear’s me with my kids.
I’m Done With Northwest
I read a blog post the other day that talked about need to be short and to the point when writing. With that in mind, here’s how I feel about Northwest/Delta.
Thanks for trying, but ultimately failing to make sure I didn’t make to Minneapolis to see the birth of my second child, John Paul. Never, again will I fly Northwest/Delta. It’s Southwest all the way.
I should have learned by lesson after this event, but I didn’t. I mistakenly assumed that things would change after the Northwest/Delta merger. They changed alright, but for the worse. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
The Soundtrack Of My Life
I love music. Music can “take you back” and conjure up a forgotten memory. Music is truly powerful. I can remember what was playing during my first real kiss, when I got my first speeding ticket, during the “first dance” at my wedding, and when Cora and John were born.
Music can make or break a movie. I think part of what made Titanic such a blockbuster movie was the musical score by James Horner. Ditto for Reservoir Dogs, Forrest Gump, Wonder Boys, The Blues Brothers, and Almost Famous. This got me thinking. If someone were putting together a movie about my life, what would the soundtrack look like. I spent the past few days looking back and reflecting on the events in my life and the events I’ve not yet encountered. After much deliberation, here is the soundtrack of my life.
- Eric Clapton – Hoochie Coochie Man
- James Brown – It’s A Man’s World
- Simon & Garfunkel – The Boxer
- Neil Young – Heart Of Gold
- Led Zeppelin – Stairway To Heaven
- Peter Frampton – Do You Feel Like We Do
- Otis Redding – Hard To Handle
- Elton John – Tiny Dancer
- Peter Gabriel – In Your Eyes
- Cat Stevens – Father And Son
- Rolling Stones – You Can’t Always Get What You Want
- Stevie Wonder – Superstition
- Johnny Cash – I Won’t Back Down
- Steve Miller – The Joker
- Van Morrison – Crazy Love
- Journey – Don’t Stop Believing
- Paul McCartney – Maybe I’m Amazed
- U2 – I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
- Frank Sinatra – My Way
- Guns N’ Roses – Live And Let Die
- Bruce Springsteen – Glory Days
- Bob Dylan – It’s Not Dark Yet
- The Beatles – In The End
Clearly this would be a double album.