Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Leading up to the Paris Motor Show. I have no idea if we'll see anything good here, but I expect we will.

I'm pretty sure it will add videos to the play list as they become available.

Monday, September 29, 2014

Why Apple TV is a BAD idea also supports the idea of PicoP

Read the article. With PicoP, Apple could truly revolutionize television.

http://seekingalpha.com/article/2528355-why-an-apple-tv-set-is-still-a-bad-idea

Summary

Hardware margins are terrible for TV vendors. Except for Samsung, almost everybody is losing money. Consumers can't tell the quality difference for modern TV hardware. Price wars are common.
The living room space is very crowded. I predicted in the past that it will be more worthwhile for Apple to launch new products in wearables rather than TV.
TV sets are a commodity and only exchanged when they break down; longevity adds to margin problems. Acquiring exclusive content is very expensive and balkanized as the Netflix example demonstrates.
Since the real differentiation is in software and user interaction (Primesense acquisition), Apple can likely achieve better results with an updated Apple TV box instead of producing giant TV sets.

Friday, September 26, 2014

TouchScreen Kiosks - Where Microvision can be disruptive.

From Kiosk Marketplace

Touchscreen kiosks

The most important difference between digital signage and touchscreen kiosks can be summed up in a single word: INTERACTION. Enticing a visitor to interact with your message is a universal business goal.

A touchscreen kiosk will provide you with all that digital signage can offer, but with an added layer of ENGAGEMENT. Touchscreen kiosk software applications are as diverse as their developers’ talent, but some key ingredients to success are:

Remote management – the ability to edit, order, and upload in the cloud
Attractive design – to gain attention and invite interaction
Appropriate placement – to maximize usage
Intuitive user interface – to ensure that once users are engaged, they stay that way until they have gotten what they need from the interaction
Tracking software – the ability to monitor usage so that you can tailor your presentation to meet the interests and activities of your users over time
Hardware that works – it must be reliable and rugged enough to handle your traffic needs, 24/7
Security – both physical (to prevent device theft) and internal (to prevent unwanted access outside of the device’s intended usage)

A touchscreen kiosk works for literally anyone who has a story to tell and an audience to engage. A kiosk is more like a conversation in that it requires both the message and the visitor who drives the experience by consuming only the information they want to connect with.

Pros:

Tracking data can help you understand what your most popular kiosk content is – something that’s impossible to measure with digital signage. Depending on the kiosk software, tracking data can be exported for analysis so you can understand how many users you are connecting with over time, what content is being viewed and for how long.

Higher engagement levels: As the Chinese proverb states, “What I do, I understand.” By giving visitors the opportunity to interact with your message, they are more likely to remember and retain, and therefore return.

Cons:

Touchscreen devices are typically more expensive than equivalent-size digital signage monitors. In addition, the deployment of an interactive touchscreen kiosk requires a more in-depth design and development phase, so the software pricing can also be higher.

* * * * END OF KIOSK MARKETPLACE ARTICLE * * * *

A touchscreen Kiosk Company

Replacing the touch screen with PicoP would be a much more cost-effective means of doing the same thing.

So I've done some pricing of touchscreen monitors:

Professional 70" NEC display: $4860

Sharp 32" Touch Screen Monitor $4,182

In Focus 55" display $4,899

PicoP? Although I'm not sure precisely what they would charge per projector unit to a company making this kind of equipment, it would certainly be far less than $4000/unit.

Thanks for the suggestion Tom T!!

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Older Apple TV article with interesting clues

http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/apple-itv-to-launch-in-2013-201304042824.htm

Apple iTV To Launch in 2013 with iRing Navigation Device

By Mike Wheatley 4 April 2013, 8:52 pm BST

Apple’s ambitions to take over the living room and redesign the way we experience TV are no secret, and we have seen plenty of rumours over the last year or so about how and when they might do so.

Apple iTV to launch in 2013 with iRing navigation device

Up until now, Apple has always refused to confirm or deny speculation that it’s working on a TV set – the so-called iTV, if you believe the rumours. But today saw the emergence of the strongest evidence yet of Apple’s intentions, with Topeka Capital Markets analysts Brian White revealing in a note to investors that “a full blown Apple iTV will launch in 2013”, pointing to recent meetings Apple has held with tech supply chain companies.

According to White, “the iTV eco-system will be a major innovation in what is now a $100 billion a year Smart TV industry, one that promises to revolutionize TV viewing experiences forever”. The analyst added that the device is likely to be feature a 60-inch screen, although he speculated that 50-inch and 55-inch options may also be available.

But as always with Apple, it has to go one step further to truly revolutionize whatever niche it enters, and it has a trick up its sleeve to do just that. Enter the “iRing”, a wearable miniature device that slips onto the end of a user’s finger, acting as a kind of “navigation pointer” that controls the iTV, enhancing motion detection controls and potentially even doing away with the need for a remote control.

Readers may well be imagining scenes of bedlam in their living rooms as family members argue over who has the right to wear the iRing during prime time, but White says that this won’t be the only accessory for the iTV. The analyst suggests that Apple’s rumoured iWatch will also be compatible with the iTV, and it doesn’t take a giant leap of the imagination that the company would bring out iPhone and iPad apps to compliment it.

Another feature of the iTV is what White calls a “mini iTV screen” that can receive content directly from the iTV, allowing viewers to carry it with them as they move around the home, ensuring they don’t miss any of the on-screen action. White says that this device will be somewhat similar in design to the iPad, although it’s capabilities will be much less.

And how much will all of this cost? Well, Apple’s products aren’t exactly known for being some of the most budget friendly, and White speculates that the device would set buyers back something in the region of $1,500 to $2,500 (£900 to £1,600) for an iTV, an iRing and one mini iTV.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

HomeKit Update Makes An Apple Television More Likely

John Archer @ Forbes

Below are part of the article, the full article is available at the link above.

With all the hoo-ha surrounding the launch of Apple’s new iPhones and Watch last week, another potentially massive bit of Apple news almost slipped under the radar. As reported by Forbes, Apple also apparently rolled out last week an update to its Apple TV boxes that enabled them to support the brand’s HomeKit app. And it seems to me this has the potential to be bigger news than any mere new phone generation..............

"However, to me it’s also the point where Apple TV feels like just a fairly basic starting point in what could evolve into a much wider Apple home product range that could – arguably even should – include a TV set."

Despite all this, prior to the revelation about HomeKit being sneaked into the Apple TV box the many rumours about Apple working on a TV have seldom if ever sounded convincing......

The arrival of HomeKit onto the Apple TV box, though, changes everything in an instant. It proves that Apple is no longer just about making conduits that simplify your access to the computer and online worlds. Rather than keeping the home at arm’s length, Apple now seems to want to get deeply involved in almost every corner of your house and almost every part of your domestic life.

There’s Apple. Right in the middle of everything going on in your home…

As soon as I read about HomeKit hitting the Apple TV box it struck me as supremely ironic that most TV brands have a concept of how active a role a TV could play in a smart home environment but little clue of how to make that concept a reality, whereas Apple is now well down the road to delivering a mass-market smart home environment but has no central screen to show it on.

Barriers to entry

Cynics will likely be hollering at this point that Apple doesn’t NEED its own screen to show it on, as the Apple TV box can make any screen the sort of hub device I’m talking about. Or else you could argue that the enormous rise in ‘second screening’, where we use our phones and tablets at the same time we’re watching TV, shows that we’ve moved beyond using the TV as anything other than a strictly passive device.

Plus there are substantial practical hurdles to be overcome before the possibility of finding an Apple-branded TV in our living rooms becomes a reality. Where might Apple source TV panels from, especially given that current key screen production partner Sharp is reportedly already aggrieved at how much of its production capacity it has to devote to Apple? Could Apple really make an Apple-branded TV either affordable or so desirable that people will pay far more for it than they would spend on a ‘normal’ TV? How comfortable would Apple be suddenly having to woerk in areas – tuners, AV picture quality, TV interfaces etc – that it’s relatively unfamiliar with?

Credit: AP Photo/Apple

None of these arguments or obstacles, though, alters the fact that if ever TV has suddenly regained the potential to become much more than just a screen you stare slack-jawed at, it’s now that HomeKit has started to make the Smart Home concept look like an irresistible force. Which means in turn that there’s also never been a better time for Apple to feel comfortable about being able to bring something genuinely new and unique to a TV marketplace which, to use Apple CEO Tim Cook’s own recent words, is currently ‘stuck back in the 70s’.

Follow me on Twitter @bigjohnnyarcher, or read my other Forbes articles via my profile page.

Gene Munster on Apple's Next Moves

@ Street Insider

September 24, 2014 2:35 PM EDT

Now that Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) has announced its bigger and better iPhone and Apple Watch, speculation from investors, fanboys and critics will ultimately turn to "What's Next?" Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster provided his thoughts Wednesday on what's next for the tech titan.

First, Munster believes a television is likely the next new product category Apple will tackle. Despite being admittedly wrong about the timing over the past several years, Muster said don't dismiss their insistence of the television. Munster notes that as recently as 9/12 on Charlie Rose, CEO Tim Cook said that the TV is a category in which Apple has great interest in, given the experience is "stuck in the 70s." Cook also noted that Apple has "taken a stab" at TV with Apple TV and claimed that it is an area Apple continues to look at. Munster also points to the acquisition of Primesense, a motion capture technology company used inMicrosoft's Kinect. Apple historically leverages its acquisitions directly into products, he said, citing AuthenTec in iPhonebiometrics security as an example. On timing of a TV, Munster notes that Apple's focus in on the Watch in 2015 so it is unlikely until 2016. "We believe Apple still has work to do in terms of developing content relationships and developing a gaming platform. We also believe that ultimately the television can become a home hub as the connected home evolves. Thus the next step for Apple with regard to the television may likely be the introduction of an updated Apple TV box that includes some gaming and possibly Siri."

Next, Munster expects Apple to continue to evolve in wearables. The analyst highlights the company's "fashion" related executive appointments over the past year. While presumably the hires are to support the launch of the Apple Watch they will also drive Apple as a fashion brand. Given this, a parlay into glasses could make sense. "We believe as the company refines its watch product, which has moved it squarely into fashion, the company could eventually revolutionize the glasses category with stylish glasses vs the current market offerings," he said. "If Apple were to enter this category, we believe it would be at least 2-3 years away."

Lastly, while less likely, Apple could enter the car market. Munster recalls last year's speculation that Apple could acquire Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA). While Apple could afford to buy Tesla, with a $30 billion plus market cap it would not be likely given Apple's biggest acquisition in its history was Beats for ~$3 billion. " We believe that despite synergies around the usage of lithium ion batteries in Apple's electronics and Tesla's vehicles, it would require a significant jump for Apple to make a splash in the car market. While we believe at this point it is unlikely that Apple would enter the car market, we believe that beyond consumer electronics, cars may be the only other market viable for Apple to enter over the long-term (10+ years)."

@ Seeking Alpha

If you're out there, I have a question or two for you Mr. Munster!

Monday, September 22, 2014

MEMS pricing and Sony Announcement

I'm stepping out on a limb here, but I think in understanding Microvision's current situation this is an important consideration.

(If anyone thinks I got anything wrong in here, please send me a challenge!)

Last week, Microvision announced a deal with Microvision for $1.9 Million in components from it's Global 100 customer. (Which we know is Sony, but they are still unable to say this.)

The key word is "components."

Microvision has stated in no uncertain terms that they will have three separate revenue streams:

Components
Licensing
Royalties

It is my analysis, that the reason the components are part of this picture is to insure that Microvision can retain rather tight control over its technology. In which case there isn't a business reason to price the components at a high price -- which would mean that the component sale is a very small part of the revenue in this deal with the global fortune 100 company.

EVERYTHING BELOW is based on a SWAG

I expect that the component order is for the MEMS (or "secret sauce") of Microvision's PicoP. This $1.9 Million in components very likely represents significantly more in ultimate revenue to Microvision.

I do NOT know how much MEMS components would be sold for. As a licensing deal, I would assume that Microvision isn't going to be trying to make as much as possible on each MEMS unit,
but more on the licensing portion & hopefully something on the royalty portion.

It is very difficult to know what MEMS prices may be. There are many many vagaries and unknowns. I have perused a number of meme manufacturer sites for pricing the target is huge, and again, there is a lot of unknown.

I have seen prices for MEMs as low as $0.14 each to up to $5.00. The $5 numbers were on smaller quantities of more complex MEMS. After reviewing a number of those sites a $1 price tag for MEMS seems like both a reasonable and somewhat conservative price. The link just below opens a site that I've used as my "middle." (if you have better information, please share.)

Given that a million units was quoted as the break-even point for Microvision. (Stockholder meeting June 2014) We can expect that the income per PicoP will be at least $12 when all is said and done.

If the mems are $1. I expect that conservatively, the Global Fortune 100 order was for at least 1.9 million PicoP units. Which should mean approximately $23 million in total revenue to Microvision.

Price of Specialty MEMS -- $1each

Press Release @ Micro vision

Sunday, September 21, 2014

More on Range Rover Heads up Display

Jaguar Land Rover has improved the appeal of its head-up display (HUD) technology, by ditching current methods in favour of lasers.

The Range Rover Evoque will be the first model to feature the new laser HUD, and the technology will make its public debut at the upcoming Paris Motor Show.

It won’t be an ‘ordinary’ Evoque showcasing the HUD however, but rather theSW1 special edition designed to celebrate the UK’s Union Jack flag.

The technology differs from regular HUDs in that virtually any information relevant to the driver can now be projected onto the windscreen, but Land Rover is taking a ‘conventional’ approach at first.

Road speed, navigation instructions, traffic updates, gear selection and more will be available via the laser HUD for now, but the British carmaker will be monitoring the technology’s success (or lack thereof) before deciding what to add in the future.

2015 Range Rover Evoque SW1

Aside from the limitless information stream potentially available from future laser HUDs, JLR claims the image itself is brighter and clearer than current projection methods.

While the technology will make its public debut at the Paris Motor Show, it is available to order now for Range Rover Evoque customers in the UK as a £1000 (AU$1825) option.

Future HUDs from JLR could utilise the entire windscreen, with the ability to project changes in the road surface on the screen, inform the driver if the vehicle is too wide to fit through a narrow gap and even add a ‘virtual’ competitor during track days for the driver to chase down.

Other stars for JLR at the Paris Motor Show include the recently-unveiledJaguar XE sedan and the Land Rover Discovery Sport.

Article at source

And From a different Article...

Smart Windscreen Revealed

JLR has also unveiled what it believes is the future of headlights, instrument displays and windscreens.

The carmaker is working on a ‘virtual windscreen’ which uses the entire screen area as a head-up display, along with new guidance and lighting systems powered by laser technology.

The experimental system can project changes in the approaching road surface on the windscreen to warn the driver of bumps and potholes – or automatically adjust the suspension - and warn the driver if the vehicle is too narrow to fit through a particular space.

Indicating may also benefit from the laser tech, as the system can project an arrow image onto the road surface to alert other drivers and pedestrians of your intentions.

JLR is also experimenting with laser headlights, joining the likes of Audi andBMW who plan to offer the technology to customers this year.

For fans of track days, future JLR models can even project virtual ‘competitors’ onto the windscreen, eliminating the risk of colliding with ‘real’ competitors.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Range Rover available to Order with Laser Heads up Display

No confirmation that this is Microvision will update when we can

Full Press Release Here

Head-Up Display

Range Rover Evoque is now available with an advanced integrated laser Head-Up Display (HUD). The secondary driver information display projects useful information directly onto the vehicle's windscreen and into the driver's field of vision. In a world first, the Land Rover system features laser holographic techniques, resulting in superior colour saturation, brightness and contrast compared to rival systems, and all in a small, lightweight package. The innovative laser system is more robust against issues such as "washout" - the effect that the glare from sunlight has on inferior LED-based systems.

A further addition to the Range Rover Evoque's suite of innovate technologies, HUD allows drivers to maintain a clear view of the road, while simultaneously receiving key driving information such as road speed, gear position, turn-by-turn navigation, traffic sign recognition, the cruise control set speed and the Automatic Cruise Control (ACC) status, including warnings. The system is fully configurable and customisable all functions can be switched on or off, brightness can be increased or decreased and the vertical position of the display can be adjusted from the cluster menu.

"Jaguar Land Rover's HUD system is an innovative driver information tool, which really pushes the boundaries of advanced laser projection technology. It borrows from military technology - which, until now, has been unheard of in the automotive industry." says Murray Dietsch, Director Land Rover Programmes "Land Rover is commited to preventing the risk of accidents by reducing driver distraction. By presenting key driver information in this way and removing the need for the driver to look away from the road ahead, HUD is an important step on the journey to delivering Land Rover's vision of the intelligent car of the future."

Available to order now on the Range Rover Evoque, HUD functionality will vary to ensure an optimal customer experience. HUD is now available as an option in almost all markets.