Dave Zatz

Microsoft Announces New Media Extenders

After a few year drought (just ask Chris Lanier), Microsoft is re-entering the media extender space via hardware partners with Vista-compatible devices. The new extenders will feature: Various form factors including dedicated set-top boxes, DVD players, and television sets Some devices with integrated N-flavor WiFi DivX and Xvid playback (!) HD-capabilities Hooks into online content … Read more

Vonage Not Dead Yet, Invades The Mall

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I made a brief mall detour this AM to spend a few minutes with Bose QuietComfort headsets and see if Apple has those new iPod on display (nope). While there I noticed a Vonage booth going in. The cabinets are bare and the store rep is still waiting for his broadband connection, but it was pretty interesting (and surprising) to see them making this retail push. If you’re familiar with the DC area, Vonage plans to have a presence in Montgomery Mall (above), Tysons Corner, Potomac Mills, and White Marsh.

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Digeo and Monster Partner… For Something

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Digeo and Monster have announced a strategic partnership:

The collaboration will allow Digeo and Monster to combine the premium entertainment experience delivered by Digeo’s Moxi products with the superior quality and broad product line-up offered by Monster. It also brings Monster a step closer to their own expanded business strategy of creating an ecosystem of plug-and-play connected entertainment and home control devices. Together, the companies will also examine other compelling digital services and business development opportunities.

While at the Get Connected event in July some Monster folks I was chatting with indicated they’re planning to expand/enhance their Digital Home unit offerings. Though I would have never guessed a partnership with Digeo. I’ll be interested to see what this relationship produces with the upcoming Moxi retail push… beyond the obvious co-branding opportunities.

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TiVo Founder Leaves Board

TiVo co-founder and former CEO Michael Ramsay has moved on according to the SEC paperwork filed yesterday: On August 30, 2007, we accepted the resignation of Michael Ramsay as a member of our Board of Directors. Mr. Ramsay has been named to the post of Venture Partner at New Enterprises Associates, a leading Silicon Valley … Read more

NBC Content Lands on Amazon Unbox

Amazon Unbox is serving up NBC video: NBC says up until December you’ll be able to download programming from iTunes. But after that you will have to turn to other download distribution channels for NBC content including Amazon.com’s “Unbox” service […] NBC wanted iTunes to jack the price of its TV shows to $5 an … Read more

Massive Sony Video Download Service On The Way?

The Wall Street Journal tips us off to the obvious: “People familiar with the situation” have indicated Sony’s getting into the video download business. Not really a big surprise considering they’re a studio and they’re selling video Walkmen, PSPs (already announced video service), PS3s, and network-connected televisions.

Om Malik writes:

While that is a good move, it also leaves Sony playing in a highly commoditized market, and its best bet to make money from video downloading is by selling hardware.

It’s yet to be seen just how commoditized video downloads are… Heck NBC (may have) dumped Apple’s iTunes and others like HBO don’t have online offerings (yet). An era of exclusivity could be upon us. Perhaps NBC is reserving content for their upcoming Hulu portal. Additionally, Sony has more leverage as a movie and television studio. Given the whole Blu-ray/HD DVD debacle, I could see Sony limiting their content to their services and hardware.

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