November 11, 2022 — Published by: Mark Stuart
All Posts in technology
May 29, 2019 — Published by: Alice Simpson
8 tips for PR success at tech trade shows
June 11, 2014 — Published by: Drew Benvie
Sony enters the streaming media market with PlayStation TV
For media and entertainment companies, the streaming media market is very attractive and with good reason. Recent research from Park Associates reported that 20% of U.S. Broadband Households now have a streaming media player. Google Chromecast is the current market leader with Apple TV and Roku not too far behind.
However the current state of the streaming media market may change as another entertainment company is launching its own streaming media service which could potentially disrupt the market. At this year's E3, the largest annual trade show for the computer and video games industry, Sony announced that it was introducing its streaming box for its PlayStation 4 console aptly named "PlayStation TV."
Already out in Japan but launching in the U.S, Canada and Europe this autumn, Sony's PlayStation TV streaming box enables users to stream content from any device onto their TV set as well as play games on any television set as long as they have a controller at hand.
People's television viewing habits have changed dramatically since the introduction of streaming media. The fact that Playstation TV allows consumers to stream content onto any TV set in a household and Sony is producing exclusive content for the platform indicates that Sony's streaming box could not only disrupt the market but potentially usurp Apple TV and Google Chromsecast as the market leader.
The revolution, in this case, will be streamed, not televised.
September 18, 2013 — Published by: Drew Benvie
Is Apple resurgent following iOS 7, iPhone 5s and 5c announcements?
Three or possibly even two years ago, depending on how you look at it, Apple was unquestionably the champion of the smartphone industry. By 2011, it had left Nokia in the dust to claim the title as the largest mobile handset by revenue in 2011. Poor Nokia never recovered and ended up being gobbled up by a giant named Microsoft. IPhone was the undisputed king of the smartphone mountain.
But as Game Of Thrones illustrates, every king will be challenged for his leadership. Enter worthy challenger Samsung and its Galaxy S range. Before you could say “Candy Crush”, Apple found its dominant position in the balance as Samsung outsold Apple handsets globally. To add insult to injury, Apple was being accused of no longer being innovative or, even worse, cool. When the iPhone 4s and the iPhone 5 were met with less furor than their predecessors, one had to wonder if the late Steve Jobs’ company, once the epitome of cool technology, had lost its Midas touch.
Yet it seemed Apple were unperturbed about all this-as if they had something hidden that would cement their position as the quintessential smartphone. In its recent announcements, Apple may just have revealed its trump cards.
This year, Apple announced two new additions to the Apple familia: the wallet-friendly iPhone 5c and the slick iPhone 5s. Additionally, Apple also announced a brand new operating system; the iOS 7, which gives the usual Apple interface a much-needed makeover. Whereas consumers were indifferent towards the gimmicky addition of Siri, the fingerprint identity sensor - the Touch ID for iPhone 5s - has been hailed as a truly revolutionary feature that will change the way consumers use their iPhone.
So far, reviews for the iPhone 5s have been unanimous: the iPhone 5s is glorious. Like most great Kings, Apple may have successfully fought off those who wish to usurp it. Then again, the smartphone industry is one that is constantly innovating and we have no idea what Samsung, Microsoft (and Blackberry, yes, I am serious) have brewing in their kitchens. Only time and astronomical sale figures will determine if Apple still sits on the throne.
March 22, 2013 — Published by: Drew Benvie
10 technology trends and how brands will use them in 2013
Only half of the things connected to the web are people. The other 50% are 'things'. This is according to Forbes magazine's feature: the top 10 strategic technology trends for 2013. Forbes says that by 2020, over 30 billion things will be connected to the web, up from 15 billion just over a year ago, powered by smart sensors and image recognition.
How are brands going to tune into the data and insights given off by the internet of things? The full article is worth a read. It includes trends such as cloud, big data and enterprise apps.
How brands adapt to the burgeoning internet of things will be crucial to their ability to gain customer insights, plan engaging communications campaigns, and gain a competitive edge. This is a theme we will come back to regularly on this blog throughout the year so stay tuned.
