Article: Printed Books Will Stick Around - Response: Opportunities in eBooks BECAUSE of slowing growth

A couple of notes/thoughts on this article:

  • In the current model, I prefer to read some books in print, and some books in digital format.
  • Because of the different types of screens, people prefer to buy a gadget that could conceivably be used as a reader (tablet, etc.) and then when they realize they don’t like reading on it, they stop buying ebooks.  At that point, they’re so distracted by their new toy (tablet) that they read less overall.  The tablet might not just slow growth of ereaders, but of reading in general!  Were you able to follow that?
  • I was interested in this: “The fact that an e-book can’t be sold or given away after it’s read also reduces the perceived value of the product.” — That will change eventually, won’t it?
  • That leads to another point.  What has to change about the current model for eBooks that will help to once again increase the growth.  First, e-ink screens need to be able to accomodate other content.  Will this ever happen?  I’m not sure.
  • Second, what has to happen to allow eBooks to be sold or given away after they’re read?
  • There are interesting opportunities in the eBook market, BECAUSE of slowing growth.  Thoughts?

Source: The Wall Street Journal

We aspire to be a place where people can have uncluttered, meaningful connections. Communication is important. Like in the real world, context is important…. It’s never fun to be late to a market, but it does afford us the opportunity to talk to users to see what needs aren’t being met, what they like and don’t like,
Bradley Horowitz - Google+ Product Manager

Source: CNET

This little device has so much potential.  If it comes in at the right price point and integrates with the best services in elegant, minimalist, and useful ways I could see them selling a ton of these.  Stocking stuffer? 

For those of you not interested in reading too much into this, it’s a printer that uses heat to print (like the printers that print your receipts at the grocery store).  These little guys won’t use any ink and will print very fast.  

Away on business and want to leave your wife a hand-written note?  Access the printer remotely and send something.  Want your Google to-do list printed daily for you to stash in your wallet?  Easy!!  Seems fun.  If it were $50 or less, I would consider.

Source: bergcloud.com

Anybody using IFTTT.com for automating web tasks yet?

Would love to hear about any experiences using If This Then That.  I’m very interested in seeing how robust this service can get.  What are you using this for?  What will you use this for?

Source: ifttt.com

Personal Analytics and Google

I’m fascinated by the prospect of being able to track more and more of my personal data.  I see this as a growing industry that will one day see us waking up to a personal dashboard of our health, activity, goals, finances, etc.

Just as CEOs have data at their fingertips regarding a vast number of details on their business, we will one day have an incredible amount of personal data at our fingertips.

Source: readwriteweb.com

Want to make a billion dollars? (Step by Step Guide)

I’m not sure how I feel about the fact that so many of the new companies that are being formed are striving to fill these “social needs”.  Are we heading for another tech bubble?

Other posts for reference:

Chris Dixon’s thoughts on solving more meaningful problems:

http://cdixon.org/2012/04/18/meaningful-startups/

Harvard Business Blog on Solving Problems:

http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/01/to_find_happiness_forget_about.html

Paul Graham on the Ambitious Ideas - The Startups we need:

http://www.paulgraham.com/ambitious.html

Source: steveblank.com

Steve Blank - The Epiphany

This post has so many applications and transcends startups, business, and technology.  I prefer to use the term revelation, and I think it’s important to not remove God from the equation.  I believe that all epiphanies come from God as He is the source of all light and truth.  Giving him the credit and thanking him for the insight can only increase the frequency of these epiphanies - whatever area you are seeking to apply it in. 

Source: steveblank.com