hahnfeld.net

Ferrari GT.

One thing is certain: marketing is always cooler when done by companies which don't need to market themselves.

New "entry level" Ferrari coming to market. The Ferrari GT.

It's opposite day!

Same day.

Cablevision announces it's going to spend $300+ million over the next 2 years to build-out Wi-Fi across its service area. It's impossible to overstate this announcement when you consider the bad vibes Muni Wi-Fi has been dealing with for the past 12 months.

Meanwhile... a mere 94 miles away... EarthLink is making its final moves to exit the same business and completely ditch its network in Philadelphia, as-in totally walk away from the sunk investment.

OK, I realize that EarthLink doesn't enjoy the same physical and network assets as Cablevision, hence their economics of offering the same service are worse. But, at a macro-level these two events are just in direct opposition to each other. Somebody is dead-wrong.

Hilarious comment of the day definitely goes to Valleywag. Regarding Cablevision's plan "Along with its bid for Newsday, the local newspaper, this completes its strategic plan to enter into as many outmoded businesses as possible."

Wimax megaco.

More fun wireless news coming today with the announcement of the Clearwire tie-up with all the likely suspects. FYI - Craig McCaw is THE MAN - this guy crafts the best possible situation for himself every single time.

Here's the thing which confuses me about this deal. Many of the comments credit how "far ahead" this joint-venture will be vs. AT&T and Verizon. Example: "Analysts say the venture, valued at more than $12 billion, will have a two year head-start on rivals Verizon Wireless and AT&T Inc., which are just beginning to sketch out plans for their next-generation wireless networks."

This seems like a real stretch to me. First off, isn't Clearwire's existing network Fixed WiMAX (802.16d)? There is no mobility that I'm aware of, no handsets... it's a DSL alternative. Second, XOHM really never put anything into production either, did they? A few pilot networks although I'm sure some real network engineering has been done. The other players have exactly zero wireless assets. How does this equate to a 2-year head start?

I just don't see it. To think AT&T and Verizon won't make similar progress with their chosen 4G technologies seems unlikely to me. (update: researching more on this, it all relates to WiMAX's headstart vs. LTE at the standards level. I'll still take $5 that Clearwire enjoys no material advantage from a timing perspective when all is said and done)

sour grapes.

Google is whining to the FCC with concerns that Verizon will not honor the spirit of the open access provisions set in the 700 MHz auctions.

There has to be some ulterior motive at play here on Google's part - doesn't there? Google cannot be this naive.

Verizon and AT&T are the foremost experts on bending, shaping, changing, and generally gaming rules set by any regulatory body to their favor. These guys fight wars, not battles. The history of the '96 act is a clear enough guide on this.

If Google is really surprised that Verizon, now victorious in the auction, will do anything other than begin the "rule shaping process" immediately - then I'm not quite sure what to say. Likewise, if they think petitions crying foul will accomplish anything.

Amen.

A while back I was joking with co-workers on the topic of religion, wondering if VC's ever get pitches to start new ones. I suggested it was a great play for those who can see past the "spiritual issues" and acknowledge that some simply treat religion as a business. I can't think of a more profitable enterprise - neither can this guy.

Shortly after this, GodTube - a YouTube clone for Catholic content raised a few million bucks. No big deal, we have all seen off-the-wall web companies get funded before.

But, just in case that didn't confirm the opportunity - the same company just raised another $30 million at a reported $150 million valuation!

OK, it's not a new religion. It's clearly a social networking play targeted at Catholics. But, that's an incredible amount of money and awesome valuation for any web start-up. Unless, of-course, there's a ton of revenue and user traction. Little doubt that's the case...

The flip.

Here's a cool gadget which everyone should own. The Flip Video Ultra.

This thing is awesome. An hour of good quality video in a simple to use, all digital package. No recharging (uses standard AA's) & No more Tapes! You just shoot your video, plug into USB and download MPEG files. Then you can choose to burn them to DVD, put them up on YouTube... whatever. Best of all, this thing sells for only $140!

Nothing not to love here, it works great - your camcorder will continue to collect dust forever.

Break your web shyness.

I saw this great definition the other day on Urban Dictionary's Word of the Day.

Web Shy: Unwillingness to expose one's thoughts, feelings or identity on the web, knowing that doing so means freaknobs from Baton Rouge to Bangladesh will know everything about you.

It got me thinking - 'web shyness' is a big difference between the generations of Internet users (generation not necessarily meaning age, but rather how far along the user has continued to progress with the web).

A progressive population of users, far more comfortable being transparent and open on the web, has definitely emerged. This includes a large population of professionals - including senior executives - which are now really using the tools available on the web to create visibility, promote and differentiate themselves, and build a strong network of people with similar interests.

I think it's an absolute that this trend will continue to strengthen. If the "real you" is not online, your visibility overall will diminish (thinking about this mostly from a professional standpoint). Let's face it - anyone interested in finding out more about you can do so pretty easily, regardless of if you have a blog.

Danica's F1 Test.

OK - not to belabor a point, but Autosport is now reporting that Danica wants an F1 test and Honda is interested in giving it to her. Great for her.

But here's the money quote: "I was asked to do a demonstration lap at Indy in 2005, and I said, 'No way. You're making me a show. That's embarrassing.' But I would say that a real test is absolutely something I would do."

That's right Danica, you should never agree to be a spectacle or agree to do something embarrassing,  (ahem... see below).

Who do you want to Jott?

I have been using this free service called Jott for a few months now. It is insanely great and useful. A true coming of age story for a few of the different technologies behind it.

For me, what makes it useful is that it fixes a real problem. I have never really found a system which works to "take quick reminder notes" when I am on the move and make certain they really get noticed & reviewed later (the notepad in the car, stayed in the car... with the all important notes scribbled on it).

Jott lets me place a voice call to its service from any phone - tell it where I want the Jott to go (me = email, to-do = my task manager, even directly onto my calendar!). Then, I simply speak whatever it is I am trying to remember (call mom and wish her a happy birthday) - the service then translates & interprets this and posts it to where you directed, with superb accuracy.

Give it a try.

Pathetic.

Did they really need to add the hooker heels? What are they supposed to portray about her triumphant victory?

Next she'll be complaining about how she "doesn't get any respect from the international driver community". I wonder why...

If Danica wants her image to remain credible, she should reject stupid requests like this.

FYI - you can click the image for full-size.