- Posted using MobyPicture.com

Recently, I spotted the following forum threads with people discussing upcoming features or changes to existing British Satellite TV Broadcaster Sky’s own set-top TV box and internet router.

Sky TV HD box changes

• Boxes in UK to have “anytime+” renamed as “on-demand” or “catch-up”.
• All set-top boxes to provide all UK on-demand players such as those from BBC, ITV, C4 and C5 with new UI.

New Sky Broadband router called Sky Hub

• New device being tested which may provide all your net based entertainment / media needs inc content streaming, cloud storage, ultra fast broadband access, multi device control/connectivity etc

As a quick aside, all this will not be helping YouView’s cause much, and I suspect this is the way all ISP’s and subscription TV providers will be going shortly.

All this got me thinking and I started to imagine what the world of home entertainment and Social TV would be like in the near future. I doubt much of what i say ahead is earth shatteringly new to those into tech and social, but hey! In no particular order, I had the following thoughts…

Goodbye TV schedules?

I envisage use of a dish / tuner / aerial for TV reception will becoming redundant in the years ahead, as I see all TV viewing being schedule-less, all on-demand and self selected, and delivered via set-top box or built into TV’s with web connection pulling in feeds for content via high-speed broadband. This will lead to far less household wiring or the need for multiple boxes in multiple rooms, as TVs or Tablet’s / Smartphone’s would access all hub content and functions wirelessly around the home. Also, no “remote control” as we would be using our Smartphone or tablet as a 2nd screen or controlling device – already seen in recent updated Sky TV apps and Zeebox plans.

I imagine schedules would be replaced by user-generated playlist of shows taken from the cloud, or content provider “smart mixes” or playlists of popular or recommended blocks of viewing. These may be built in conjunction with programme makers or advertisers, or based on individual users viewing preferences or habits (intelligent self-created playlists).

I see cloud based storage for all “recordings” will also lead to no need for built-in hard drives for set-top boxes for recordings. Users would “tag” shows they want to store or retrieve to a new “virtual recordings planner”, and then they will pull the same single cloud stored version of show that all users will get, into their box for streaming. So that would mean smaller, quicker, quieter and cheaper set-top boxes in that case, but a massive amount more servers required by content providers?

Platform wars – Apple vs. Google…Again?

I started to wonder if this would all lead to fully fledged Apple TV vs. Google TV platform war. Will users end up trying to choose between an iOS type interface and eco system or an Android equivalent in a new system war for the TV world?

Will people want a user interface and apps from Apple or from someone else? Will Sky or others buy in to the Apple or others UI and build it into their boxes, or will they adopt their boxes for all customers?

Apple likes to have control over its end to end product line e.g. iPhone (hardware), iTunes (Content), iOS (software). Will they want to partner with someone like Sky to offer set-top box or software/UI for use with customers, or will they become a fully fledged content provider selling channels and shows via own boxes exclusively, competing with Sky etc? If rumours of an Apple set-top box are true, then we may already have some idea?

Convergence

Also, will such a convergence of technology lead to a more integrated piece of hardware that does it all – stream all media content from all channels, act as a fully fledged broadband router or media hub, provide access to cloud based hub of all on demand content, connect to other devices such as laptop or Smartphone, allow user to install apps and browse web, integrate VOIP and / or land line telephony and voicemails, allow for control / access remotely and via other devices (via apps or web) etc?

I can see how all of this would reduce gadget clutter, and pull together a series of related and connected tools for home based entertainment and communications, but even then it won’t really need to just be home based. It would allow for access and viewing anywhere anytime via connected app or website login.

One thing I’m unsure of, and still seems undecided is whether all of this will be integrated into full-fledged ‘Smart TV’, or will the separation of set-top box and the device used to view/control content remain separate or blurred? I think slave devices or 2^nd screens may win out here.

New opportunities – Wireless frequencies and ‘TV Apps’

A question I asked myself was would the freeing up of broadcasting frequencies and satellite channels (if an all on demand/cloud based distribution model), lead to interesting new opportunities for wireless communications such as those seen for 4G rollout etc? Maybe don’t tear down the masts, dishes and aerials quite yet, but it’s an interesting thought?

I also started to get excited by the potential for the sorts of Apps developers may go on to create in this new eco system where an entertainment hub or portal in a person’s home exists in this way.

Imagine the clever things people would create, such as content mash-up apps, content management apps, social TV apps and utility type apps? Zeebox and Sky are already travelling down this route and stealing a march in this area with their recent partnership. With full connectivity and device integration, the truly social TV experience will go mainstream.

Also, what about apps that are non-content related, but make use of hub box and viewing screen such as a random idea i had of an app that links to family members Smartphone’s so users watching at home can have a widget or alert that tells them another family members current location/distance from home on a mini map (with ETA), whilst having content (TV show) showing full screen at the same time? Or is this one of things Robert Scoble would label as being ‘over the freaky line’?

If we combine this new home entertainment world and all its new tools and features, with the ability to wirelessly connect to home appliances and other systems via hardware and software already in existence (e.g. Nest), the truly connected home really is closer than we think?

Would it also open up the possibility for new entrants into the market? The likes of TNW would have less barriers to entry in the setting up and broadcasting multimedia content to a mass audience (with ease and at low-cost), via an “App Store” or similar. Content creators could produce items that users could subscribe to via their set-top box or new app.

Trouble ahead for some?

One thing is for sure, in this new entertainment content provider world, advertising and advertising models will need to change if all content is on-demand with no schedules.

Perhaps an increase in forced viewing of adverts like for on-demand programming on YouView, will occur more often, or maybe we will see more in-show advertising? How will this new landscape I am picturing be exploited and invaded to serve the needs of the advertiser?

Also, what about the barriers to entry into British broadcasting? The need for access to a frequency or a channel would reduce. Content providers such as Fox, HBO, NBC and others would have fewer hurdles to physically reach consumers.

Would there be more competition for viewers through increased access content by consumers? Would this also impact the release dates of globally popular programming where UK vs. US consumers see shows launch at different times (typically seen first in US).

Would hardware manufacturers also be affected in a positive or a negative way by such a new device and business model?

Who will win out in the end?

In my opinion, the USP’s that customers will be looking for, or home entertainment distributors such as Apple, Google or Sky TV will be:

• Access to a wide selection of content from all sources (TV shows, movies, apps),
• High quality of service (buffering, streaming, low amount of service down time)
• Simple and elegant user interface (ease of use)

The one with the widest selection of popular programming in high-definition at a good price point delivered fully on-demand with simplicity will win out.

Final Thought

A lot to ask? Maybe not, since most of these things exist via individual providers, but it’s just not joined up and served up by 1 single provider. And with 4G speeds rolling out soon, and ever-increasing broadband speeds and access to these speeds, it’s fast becoming a realistic proposition.

I have not been at all good at keeping this blog up to date! I put that down to a mixture of reasons including a whole host of dull things that i wont bore you with here.

Lets get down to my current favourite 3 tools, apps or websites that i have been playing with recently. A mixed bag, but all are useful and hopefully will be fun for you to play with too!

Let me know what you think and leave of comment about other tools you like to use that i may not be aware of?

Matt

Twitonomy - A comprehensive Twitter dashboard type tool with plenty of ways to slice and dice data about who you follow, who follows you, tweets, retweets and everything in between.

Retranstwitter - A simple but possibly useful tool to some. It allows you to set up a unique URL to promote to followers who can click it and auto retweet all of your tweets, or selected ones based on a filter.

Smarterer - A fun little beta where you can take or submit tests on webby/techy/geeky topics like social media. It scores you and you can then promote your score via your blog or elsewhere. See my scores on the right hand column of this blog.

;

Over the years, I have tested, tried out, and sometimes kept using literally hundreds of social media tools and apps. Some are good, and a few of them are great, but a lot are pretty useless or pointless!.

To save you the trouble of having to hunt down the top tools around, I have produced this list of what I think are the best tools and apps available right now. They offer a mixture of features and functions including things that monitor and alert you to mentions of your brand/organisation anywhere online, social media analytics, auto publishing/posting/tweeting, Facebook Page apps and much more besides.

I have used these tools extensively, so can vouch for their usefulness when needing to manage an organisations social media accounts. This list is far from exhaustive, and I will look to add more useful links as I find them.

Feel free to get in touch if you need help in using any of them or if you have any items I have missed of this list or you think I (and others) may like to know about.

I hope you find this list a useful resource, and remember the best bit…these are all FREE (or have are free to use basic plan).

The FREE Social Media apps and tools list – Jan 2012

Twitter analytics tools

1. www.twittercounter.com - Simple but highly useful tool I like a lot to gauge growth of twitter account + see how we compare with other similar orgs
2. www.tweetreach.com – This helps you track reach/impressions of twitter hashtag campaigns, individual key tweets, spot who retweets us and how much impact it has had. I use it a lot.
3. www.klout.com - A tool to help benchmark/monitor our social media impact and influence (am starting to use less as think it’s more for fun than real measurement)
4. www.peerindex.com - As like Klout
5. www.kred.ly - A tool like Klout, but newer
6. http://tweetlevel.com/ - A simpler tool like Klout
7. www.twitalyzer.com - Same as Klout, but more comprehensive in parts
8. http://www.tweettronics.com/home – A simple Twitter analytics tool that lists mentions, retweets, reach etc
9. http://twoolr.com/ – A good Twitter analytics tool I use
10. http://twittergrader.com/ – As it says, grades your account on Twitter to help you improve how you use it or present it
11. http://trendsmap.com/ – A cool Twitter trends mapping tool that can zoom anywhere in world to see what’s trending at country/city level + lots of stats
12. http://tweepi.com/ – A Twitter follower/cleaner tool. Helps you choose who to follow, stop following and get discovered

Twitter sentiment analysis tools

1. http://twitrratr.com/ – The best Twitter sentiment tool that measures how positive or negative comments are that mention you online (use with pinch of salt)
2. http://twittersentiment.appspot.com – As above
3. http://www.tweetfeel.com – As above

Social media monitoring / Auto posting tools

1. www.tweetdeck.com – An app that helps monitor and schedule posts on social media accounts
2. www.hootsuite.com - As Tweetdeck but has better functionality for scheduling Facebook Page posts
3. http://twitterfeed.com/ – The best tool to get your websites RSS feed auto-posting to Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn/Google+ etc + lots of control & customisation
4. www.socialmetion.com - A good tool that searches all over web inc blogs, tweets, Facebook, RSS etc to find keywords or your orgs name or social media mentions + gives a score on reach
5. http://www.cotweet.com/ – A Social media monitoring + auto post scheduling etc
6. http://topsy.com/ - This tool allows you to set social media alerts that email you if you/your org is mentioned online or keywords mentioned online

Facebook Page apps

1. ContactMe Facebook Page app: http://www.facebook.com/add.phpapi_key=4ec949726780745d5e2391002f010b7a&pages. A great FREE app to have a contact us function on your Facebook Page -
2. AddressMap Facebook Page app: http://www.facebook.com/add.phpapi_key=8b2d867eae91be3ed2cab51e97f7777b&pages=1 - Another free app that lets you put a map function showing office location on your page.
3. Involver Facebook Page apps: http://www.involver.com/utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=FreeApps&utm_campaign=Free%2BApplications - These free apps including the ability to have your orgs YouTube channel and main video on your Facebook Page.
4. JobCastNet Facebook Page app: http://apps.facebook.com/jobcastnet/install - This free app lets you have a recruitment jobs listing function on your Facebook Page.
5. RSSGraffiti Facebook Page app: http://apps.facebook.com/rssgraffiti/ – Facebook specific RSS feed auto posting tool
6. SocialRSS Facebook Page app: http://apps.facebook.com/socialrss/ - Same as RSSGraffiti

Google+ tool

1. http://gplus.to/ - Free tool takes your URL for Google+ page that’s long ugly URL with numbers, converts to vanity URL like http://gplus.to/(yournamehere)

Matt Navarra

The Social Marketeer

An award nominated dynamic & proactive digital marketing (inc social media) professional with first-rate communication & creativity skills. Ahead of the curve in digital engagement.

A strong project manager with very good organisation & planning skills, who understands & interprets strategic vision into operational campaigns, seeking to maximise ROI for all campaigns.

With good business acumen, an understanding of the value of stakeholder management and cross-functional involvement.

Adopts a consultative leadership style, encouraging involvement & commitment to each project. Always seeking innovative solutions to maximise effectiveness. Experienced in both the public & private sector.

Recent successes

• Digital Strategy – Set up & developed UK Government Patent office’s social media and digital communications strategy paper (From 0 to 4,000+ Twitter followers in <2 years)
• Project Management – Lead communications manager to launch the UK governments Peer to Patent pilot using multiple online communications channels
• Digital Strategy / Project Management – Key role in the planning and implementation of the digital engagement strategy, for the UK governments Intellectual Property & Growth Review led by Prof. Ian Hargreaves
• Stakeholder Management / Project Management – Project manager for the IPO’s ongoing collaborations with BBC Dragons’ Den show

Specialties

>Communications / PR
>Digital & Social Media Strategy
>Digital Marketing Campaign Management
>Online Community Building
>Marketing Strategy
>Media Handling / Media Management
>Copy Writing

Testimonials

“Matt and I have worked together within the Government Communication Network (GCN) in Wales. GCN is a voluntary group that works to encourage communication collaboration within the public / private sector in Wales. He’s a very knowledgeable advocate for the use of Social Media as a way of engaging with online audiences.

He’s been influential in IPO adopting a great Social Media strategy, and what Matt doesn’t know about Social Media, is probably not worth knowing about.

Katherine Smith-Mace, Internal Comm & Media Co-ordinator, Companies House

“I’m very happy to recommend Matthew. I met him via LinkedIn and have seen his work for the IPO and how avidly he uses new media to keep people up to date with their work. He uses Twitter to its full potential and look forward to reading more about his work and the IPO itself.”

David Beal, Senior Business Relations Officer, Conservative Party

“Matt ran the social media aspects of the Review of Intellectual Property and Growth, which ran from November 2010 to May 2011. He did a great job scouring the blogosphere at all times of day and night to make sure the review team knew what was going on and was full of good suggestions about how and when to post. Highly energetic young man with excellent inbuilt communications radar and a good level of respect among his own colleagues at IPO.”

Ian Hargreaves, Professor of Digital Economy, Cardiff University

“In my experience of working with Matt, I have found him to be a thorough and creative individual who has been very successful in marketing communications projects that he has worked on. He is an energetic and creative professional with whom I have enjoyed working. His knowledge and capability in his area of expertise is first class, and I am sure others who get the chance to work with him will experience the same degree of skill and success which I have observed. He thinks well outside the box.”

Alun Davies, Honorary Secretary, Cardiff Business Club

“Matthew is an inspiration within our mutual areas of work and has always been helpful and enthusiastic in our collaborations. His knowledge of IT is remarkable.”

Gilli Cliff, Gilli Cliff, Freelance Food and Cookery Writer

“Matthew has proved to be a reliable and informative source of information which is both precise and concisely delivered. He has an original and inventive mind – always looking for new angles to the stories he has and in this way captures the imagination of those he talks to and deals with. I feel sure he is an asset to his employer and an inspiration to those he works with and it is a pleasure to be able to say this about him.”

Robert Jones, MediaWales, Journalist

“I have known Matt for over 12mths now, and in the time we have worked together i have found his work to be of a high standard. His approach to marketing communication has been highly creative, pro-active and professional. I have no hesitation in recommending him and offering my endorsement of Matt being a strong communications manager. He has a wealth of experience (here and in his previous 10 years as a marketing communications expert), and has proven himself with various successes recently at the IPO.”

Andrew Smith, Policy Officer, UK Intellectual Property Office

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Matthew over the past few years. Matthew is an exceptionally dedicated, focused individual who relentlessly pursues solutions to exceed his business objectives. Matthew is very quick to understand business needs and delivers spot on solutions. He builds great relationships at all levels and is extremely conscientious. He has an excellent knowledge of marketing and delivers time saving solutions to any problems. He will be a valuable asset to any organisation.”

Michael Stachurski, Campaign Marketing Manager, Lloyds Banking Group

Honours and Awards

ComputerWeekly Social Media Awards 2011

ComputerWeekly UK – November 2011

• Best use of social media in the Public Sector – Shortlisted

PublicTechnology.Net Digital Awards 2011

PublicTechnology.Net / E-Goverment National Awards – September 2011

• Best use of social media in the public sector – Nominated
• Best citizen engagement – Nominated

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