AOL milks the cow; plus Amazon vs. Sony

Meliza Solan Surdi · August 29, 2009 · Short URL: https://vator.tv/n/a3b

What am I Missy, Episode 32 - AOL, the Kindle vs e-Reader, Smule's competition

This episode is brought to you by our sponsor Smule, the creators of  iPhone applications like Ocarina, has a cool "Feel the Love" contest running. Users who have Leaf Trombone can register to win $500 at https://www.smule.com/. You just need to sign-up, and get as much love from your friends as possible.  They can listen to your registered performance, and send you love using Leaf Trombone or Leaf Trombone Lite- which is free!   Whoever gets the most love wins! 

AOL might be re-focusing on its dying access business. This three years after Time Warner Chief Dick Parsens said AOL was transitioning to an ad-supported business. Today, according to ad age, Jeff Levick, president of Global Advertising at AOL said, " We have a renewed perspective of the value of this group of people." Apparently, AOL sees an opportunity to get some good behaviorial data from them. And, AOL's subscription access business is still a good cash cow. According to Citi Investment Research, nearly 90% of AOL's EBITDA comes from its Internet access business. So it is not a surprise that AOL will try to continue milking it.

Giant electronics maker Sony plans a big marketing campaign this Fall for its E-reader. This is to gain market share against Apple's Kindle, which is the E-reader of choice these days. You have to wonder whether any company can be the killer innovator in electronics anymore. After all, Sony's built a mega-business around innovative electronics notably the transistor radio more than fifty years ago and the walkman back in 1979. Now, it has been beaten by an online retailer. How does this happen? The lesson is that anybody can create a gadget these days. Watch for the Missy Book Reader - coming soon.

 

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Smule develops interactive sonic applications for the iPhone and other technology platforms.   Smule is developing the new sonic network, connecting users across the globe through expressive audio.  Smule's Ocarina, I Am T-Pain, and Leaf Trombone have set the standard for iPhone applications, combining innovative uses of the hardware with compelling social experiences.