As I was watching TV on my iPad last night, I was struck by two things:
- How far hardware and software have come over the last few years.
- How far media distribution still has to go.
Media distribution will be broken until it reaches one single and very simple objective: anyone should be able to watch or read anything at any time on almost any device. What's interesting about this objective is that it's 100% achievable today in terms of technology; it's media distribution that makes it laughably unrealistic.
As much as I like my iPad, I just don't find it all that useful because of the incredible lack of media options. First of all, I think we call agree that the iPad is designed primarily for media consumption rather than creation. Yes, you can do some creative things on the device, but for the most part, if you really want to make something, most of us are better off using our computers or cameras or whatever it is we use to create. But for media consumption — reading, watching video, and playing games — the iPad is fantastic.
In theory, anyway. In practice, it's hugely lacking. Rather than watching and reading the books and shows I'm interested in, I find myself having to pick from very limited selections carefully designed not cannibalize other revenue streams. A good example is my recent interest in Modern Family (the show which recently set a new standard in product placement and shilling, but which is a good show nonetheless). I got into the show very late in the season which means that I've missed about ten episodes, and there's no practical way for me to get caught up. In the year 2010, while surrounded by some of the most advanced devices on the planet and having massive amounts of bandwidth at my disposal, the only options I have available are:
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