Niall Kennedy's home on the web
The Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits in Germany (yes, the MP3 and AAC people) is working on an RFID system for soccer balls and jerseys. The chip embedded in the ball has been worked down to the size of a fingernail. The biggest problem right now is suspending the chip in the middle of the ball to measure acceleration and protect against being pummeled as part of the outer skin. An article in German is available here, or you can use Google for the English translation.
This technology would be a great coaching tool. Right now in pro soccer there is a person with a set of binoculars sitting next to a person with a laptop computer in a skybox. The observer notes who touched the ball and where, and the computer operator enters that data point. Very tedious and expensive. Now imagine detailed data on where your plays develop, the speed and acceleration of different players, and even the strength of an injury causing tackle. You could also track the ball’s trajectory and your player’s ability to handle a ball from different angles. Very cool.
Scoble is wondering what Microsoft could do to evangelize Windows XP to users of Windows 98. My comment entry was getting a bit long, so I will post it here instead.
Ask the average user and they have no clue when the support life of Windows 98 ends and why that might matter to them. I assume that Windows 98 users are mostly home users. The real question is will my stuff still work, how much will it cost me, and is all this change worth the chance that my stuff will not work as it is supposed to?
What are the Windows XP sales channel breakdowns? Home vs. Pro? OEM versus retail?
I would target families wanting better control of individual experiences on their shared computers. Everyone has their own accounts, you can set up quotas, only the parents can install new applications, etc. With multiple logons you can keep one person’s connection alive while still taking care of something else in your own space. Windows XP allows for a more complete entertainment experience to keep your kids happy even with the lockdowns. Play on the fact that this OS is frequently kept up-to-date and expanded by service packs that are really like an OS upgrade.
Most people find it annoying that Windows Messenger is there by default and asking you to associate yourself with a .Net Passport. How many people register their copy of XP after they activate? What about this distrust leads you to believe they want to sign up for a Passport too?
Assume the upgrade user takes a trip to Best Buy and looks for more information on the upgrade. What reasons are you giving him to spend his $90 and take the chance of everything not working the way he wants? Common tasks, visual cues, music jukebox, movie maker, redesigned Start menu. Nothing overly compelling. How does it make my computing experience more reliable relative to the old ways? What does it bundle that saves me money and hassle of integrating other apps?
Windows XP makes me more secure, reliable, and gives me the most current features. Emphasize the new more secure underbelly. Offer a family pack like Apple. I would also like to see a Windows XP Home + Office for Students and Teachers bundle at a discount, similar to the desktop license for a business.