Marc Theermann

10,000 new start-ups funded in 2008 (not!)

On average GM burned through $88 million each day of last year. That means that 44 start-up companies could have been funded with $2 million each day. This is around the total number of total start-ups funded each year by the entire Boston VC community. It also means that instead of funding the smashing Buick Lucerne and his brothers and sisters, over 10,000 innovative start-up companies could have been born in 2008.

March 06, 2009 | Permalink

Birth announcment: Kogan (next Android phone)

iPhone and Dash are now proud parents of Kogan.

After a long an traitorous labor we welcome Kogan to the world.

2.5-inch touchscreen (320 x 240), 3G networking, full keyboard.

The parents are anxious to see their little one grow up, and have a better life then they had.

Check it out here: Kogan

February 22, 2009 | Permalink

Hamburg Hafencity

Hamburg has been planning the revitalization of its harbor for many years already. The cleverly named "Hafencity" (Harbor City) is now one of Europe's largest urban renewal projects. The first phase is pretty much completed, and folks are moving in. Last weekend we walked around the various buildings and I was truly amazed. Living in a conservative city like Boston perhaps even underscored the though-provoking architecture even more. I can highly recommend anyone to check it out.

w this photo

View this photo

February 22, 2009 | Permalink

Reid Hoffman on Entrepreneurship

Reid Hoffman (founder of Linkedin):

“Entrepreneurship is like jumping off a cliff, and assembling the parachute on the way down!”

February 05, 2009 | Permalink

Years it took to reach a market audience of 50 million:

Radio: 38 years

TV: 13 years

Internet: 4 years

iPod: 3 years

Facebook: 2 years

February 05, 2009 | Permalink

Skype legend Morten Lund bankrupt

In case anyone missed Mike Butcher post on TechCrunch about Morten Lund here is the link again.
The video in particular is fabulous (once you get through the disastrous introduction).

This guy is optimistic despite having lost $10 million and having his house repossessed.

TechCrunch Video

http://uk.techcrunch.com/2009/01/14/as-raw-as-it-gets-startup-legend-lund-bankrupt/

Marc

January 19, 2009 | Permalink

Rak Jebel Al Jais Mountain Resort, UAE

Pretty amazing what OMA (The Office for Metropolitan Architecture) is envisioning in the UAE. Rather than domesticating these baren slopes into the standard environment of a traditional resort, this project aims to create a resort that exploits their true natural conditions.

The resort proposes a path that deliberately navigates the mountain to connect the most dramatic points, capturing a diverse range of conditions. Development clings to the path allowing the majority of the site to remain untouched, preserving the natural integrity of the mountain.

Crazy.

November 09, 2008 | Permalink

Yes we can!

November 05, 2008 | Permalink

More bars in more places

Our town voted against another cell tower, so I never really had great coverage in my house.
When ZDNet gave the new Zboost wireless extender an awesome review, I went out and got one.

It works great. My ATT iPhone went from 0-1 bars to 2-3 bars.

Great product!

Check it out at www.wi-ex.com or buy it at Amazon.

By the way, South Beach also has more bars in more places...

November 04, 2008 | Permalink

Weblin takes on Twitter & Co.

Many of you already know that I am currently on sabbatical from the mobile world. For most of this year, I have been working with weblin. Weblin is social browsing software that makes users visible on the web. If two surfers are on a particular website, they can see each other and interact.

The company recently received awards from Always On, Red Herring, Business 2.0 and CNN. It is growing faster then most other social networking sites or virtual worlds, and has some amazing products in the pipeline. What makes weblin so disruptive is that fact that it does not cut into your “Facebook” or “Techcrunch” time. Weblin is always with you, across multiple sites.

We are now looking for media companies and agencies to get involved. So just get in touch.

Here is a great article by Mark Gibbs that outlines the concept:

http://edge.networkworld.com/newsletters/web/2008/091508web1.html

Of course you can check it out at www.weblin.com or get a glimpse of the concept with the download free avatar version: http://lite.weblin.com/

September 23, 2008 | Permalink

Dead Man Walking

Whatever you do, do not (Do Not) use the data functionality of your iPhone when traveling overseas. Having heard horror stories from various friends, I called AT&T before my trip and added “World Connect”, “World Traveler” and “International Data Roaming” to my existing account. Together these features add over $40 to your monthly bill, but are supposed to turn your

US centric phone into a cosmopolitan world traveler. However, after spending a few weeks in

Europe, I just received my first 4 digit cell phone bill. Guess all these “world-services” turn an insanely expense service, into a pretty expensive service. Well, the carriers need to take these charges while they can. Three years from now we will be done with usage charges like that.

Wait, what are the carriers supposed to make money on then?

September 09, 2008 | Permalink

Power Anyone?

I don't mean to go off on a rant here, but am I the only one that needs external power supply when traveling? Power outlets at American airports are as rare as profitable mobile companies, and trying to locate a power outlet in a Starwood hotel is more tedious then navigating a mobile carrier deck.

September 09, 2008 | Permalink

Mobile Banking

Many mobile executives and venture capitalists are getting increasingly exited about mobile banking. The thought of doing to “cash” what the iPhone has done to “entertainment” is tantalizing. With a penetration approaching 100% in many countries, the mobile phone is the perfect candidate to replace cash. YellowPepper is making amazing in-roads in South America, and they are quickly becoming a thought-leader in the wireless financial services space.

August 08, 2008 | Permalink

iPhone Battery

Many of my friends told me that my beloved T-Mobile Dash did not always pick up. Which is true - after almost 3 years in dedicated service it became a bit spotty and started randomly rejecting calls. Now I am proud owner of a new iPhone, which makes me always available. Except after 5.30pm. That’s when the battery is empty.

July 27, 2008 | Permalink

The hottest topic in mobile: Analytics

To any mobile executive it will not come as a surprise that mobile analytics is quickly developing to be the hottest topic in mobile (the rest of the world doesn’t know, because they don't care about mobile entertainment – sad, but true).

The absence of mobile-specific traffic analysis means that the mobile content industry is currently flying blind. This is a huge problem, because publishers can not identify unique visitors, analyze their traffic, or predict user behavior. This means they are not able to accurately market to their users, nor attract advertisers who require precise audience analysis.

As a result, mobile analytics will become the hottest mobile topic in the next 12 months. A few
companies are already in the space. They include: AdMob, Biscotti Mobile, Bango, Amethon
Solutions, Mobilytics, TigTags and Wapalizer.

Peggy Anne Salz from http://www.msearchgroove.com/ has been following the space, and recently wrote an amazing article about it, which you can find here:

http://www.msearchgroove.com/2008/05/06/customer-information-is-power-mobile-analytics-space-heats-up-as-admob-stakes-its-turf/

Another great article was written by Bryson Meunier you can find it here:

http://www.brysonmeunier.com/the-mobile-seo-s-guide-to-mobile-analytics

May 22, 2008 | Permalink

OBG (Oldie But a Goodie)

Mobile hardware is really more of a beer-garden topic, but let me just rant for a second. Yes, the iPhone is amazing, but the lack of a keyboard rules it out for me. Blackberries are interesting, because of the superb email functionality, but let’s be realistic: the phone quality stinks, features are lame, and the devices freeze up all the time. So my solution is still the T-Mobile Dash (or The HTC S620). I have had mine since the winter of 2006, so it’s getting to the point where I am embarrassed to put it on the table. However, despite the fact that it is well beyond its recommended expiration date I still like it. Great form factor, full keyboard, good camera, and flawless synchronization with outlook. Let’s just hope that they come up with a new model soon- otherwise I might have to hide mine in a brown bag.

May 21, 2008 | Permalink

Recap CTIA Spring 2008

Spring CTIA 2008 was an amazingly energetic event that saw the real participation of many entertainment start-ups, handset manufactures, and even some carriers. Many of the first generation mobile companies have graduated from the mobile entertainment pavilion, and now show some real booth presence. Hopefully this increased spending was kicked off by some real revenues. To me it seemed that this CTIA marketed a true shift from a B2B (infrastructure) conference, to a show that conveys the excitement of an infinitely customizable consumer product.

Brands, advertisers, and media companies were present and involved. This might be the first sign of involvement beyond experimental budgets. Certainly this would ignite the next wave of innovation.

To me the most important companies to watch are:

- Skyfire - New type of mobile browser that truly displays all kind of content

- Buzzd - Premier mobile, local search service. Provides real-time information for bars, clubs and restaurants on any mobile device. See what’s happening at any venue right now and connect with friends and people in the area.

- StarCut - Brings your media company into the mobile environment, and helps you develop monetization strategies. Best new implementation: zagat.mobi

- Greystripe - Free, ad supported games. Huge catalog. Games are circulated through many independent distributors, the company’s own portal, and carriers.

April 03, 2008 | Permalink

Combined revenues of all mobile marketing companies around $35 million

Nielsen just reported that 23% (58 million) of all U.S. mobile subscribers say they’ve been exposed to advertising on their phones in the past 30 days, and half (28 million) of those say they responded to a mobile ad in some way.

If that is in fact true then Nielsen puts the combined revenues of all US mobile marketing companies at roughly a $36 million.

60 million eyeballs x CPM of $20 x 12 month = $14 million

Plus

Generous estimated that 1/3 of all clicks were also (and this is a stretch) monetizable through a 20 cents CPC in 12 months = $21 million.

Total: $35 million

Yes, yes. The accountants among you will not be happy with my simple calculations, but if you talk to folks over a beer you get to a similar number.

April 03, 2008 | Permalink

Android

If you have not seen this yet, check out this video about Google's Android platform.

To infinity and beyond:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4m73NXn7hY

March 18, 2008 | Permalink

The world's 50 most powerful blogs

From Prince Harry in Afghanistan to Tom Cruise ranting about Scientology and footage from the Burmese uprising, blogging has never been bigger.

Check out this amazing list:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/mar/09/blogs

March 12, 2008 | Permalink

Hamburg

Hamburg certainly is one of Germany's most charming cities, but recently I made it out there in Feb.
Of course it was cold, but on a beautiful Sunday the entire town took the ferry boats to nearby Altona. It is only about 10 minutes from downtown, but with its little sandy beach (yes), old boats, and small row houses it is absolutely amazing.

March 02, 2008 | Permalink

Google turned search advertising into the most profitable media business on the web by following the basic principle that advertising must create value for consumers. Search advertising is so powerful because the ads are relevant and USEFUL.

The most successful new advertising models will be those that create huge value for consumers, not those that manipulate users or violate their privacy.

(by Scott Karp)

From Publishing 2.0

February 18, 2008 | Permalink

The plot thickens:

A.) Microsoft agreed to buy cellphone software maker Danger. Danger, a Palo Alto, Calif.-based company, builds Web browsing, messaging, social networking and other software for mobile devices. The vast majority of its revenue comes from selling its technology to a single client — T-Mobile USA for its Sidekick phones. In a Silicon Valley twist, Danger was founded by Andy Rubin, who went on to start Android, which Google acquired in 2005.

B.) Mobile phone manufacturer Nokia is getting deeper into the advertising business with the launch of the Nokia Media Network, which claims to bundle mobile ad inventory from over 70 publishers. To assemble its new network, Nokia has lined up partnerships with Discovery, Reuters, Hearst, Sprint and others in an effort to offer advertisers access to premium inventory across numerous mobile sites, said officials.

February 12, 2008 | Permalink

Mobile Marketing

Why are so many players entering the wireless market, when the consumer is not yet involved? The answer is the invisible elephant on the table: advertising.

The wireless desktop remains the illusive next generation of advisements. Imagine the following: A large cell phone carrier has 40 million users. Let’s assume that 50% of them look at their cell phone once a day. 30% look at their cell phone 4 times a day. And 20% look at it 10 times a day. As a result they have more than 148 million eyeballs per day, and more than 4 billion eyeballs per month. In comparison, the season finale of American Idol receives 30 million viewers. It becomes clear why so many folks are so interested in the wireless adverting world.

February 12, 2008 | Permalink

The iPhone

Yes, it is true that America’s network operators should open up their networks, but at the same time it is not impossible to create consumer based applications for today’s infrastructure. One reason why wireless applications have not gone mainstream yet, is that fact that consumer are not at the table yet. More that more than 90% of the North American population has regular phones and they exclusively use their phone to do phones calls (voice calls). All the hype in the business press about applications, wireless entertainment, business applications, and even wireless marketing is confined to the business community. As a result there is not real consumer pressure to “open up the networks” because consumers just don’t care.

Enter: the iPhone

For everyone that has ever played with an iPhone it becomes blatantly obvious what they had been missing all these years. Within second entertainment, songs, traffic, weather, and headline news are at your fingertips. The internet is readily available, and easy to navigation, and email message appear magically.

The iPhone has shown the world what is possible when it comes to wireless entertainment, and they created what the industry has been trying to achieve (and been talking about) for years. This has woken up the giant Google, and they quickly announced a new operating system, and a potential Google phone.

In 2008 the US government is licensing more wireless spectrum to the world through an auction process, and many believe that Google has the ambition and deep pockets to win the bid. If they do, they will be able revolutionize the way we use mobile phone. If they rely on their existing business model, they could give away the minutes (data + voice) for free, and charge a minimal amount for the hardware. All revenues would come from advertisements to the wireless desktop.

Within 2 years Google could easily become a very relevant player in the market.

February 12, 2008 | Permalink

You have got to be kidding me.

This is the homepage of our beloved portal: Boston.com.

However, on November 26, 2007 you do not get the regular homepage, but you get this:

a one page advertisement for AT&T. If I want to see AT&T, why not go to their homepage?!

November 26, 2007 | Permalink

Renovated 1755 farm house in nothern Germany

Friends of my family just renovated a 1755 farm house. It truly came to live when the kids got married there a few weeks back!

October 25, 2007 | Permalink

Let the media revolution begin!

On the quest for revolutionary content I connected my Apple TV to my stereo. My stereo to my computer, my computer to my TIVO, my TIVO to my Amazon account, my Amazon account to my credit card. My credit card is also used by my premium ( I get suckered into those) LinkedIn account. My LinkedIn is naturally embedded into my website, from which you can (of course) reach my Facebook account, which is loaded with (you guessed it) my personal blogging service from Typedad, and complemented with my mobile twitter content. My twitter is regularly updated with breaking news (e.g. “I am currently on the train”) from my cell phone, which syncs with my computer. On the way home from work, I use my cell phone to tell my computer to program my TIVO - which by the way totally gets me, and just recommended a 10 year old Seinfeld re-run.

So on Thursdays I now watch Seinfeld. Well, pretty much like always I guess, but now the rest of the world knows about it.

Oh brave new world.

Where is the media revolution?

October 25, 2007 | Permalink

Ali, Andrew, and Sid at Ono in NY

October 24, 2007 | Permalink

Meatpacking District NY

The NY meatpacking district has got to be one of the hippest places in NY. Of course insiders have know about it for years, but for the rest of us now is a great time to go. Tons of amazing restaurants, two amazing hotels, and superb clubs. The scène is like St. Tropez, just replace the ocean breeze with a bit of dead animal smell.

October 24, 2007 | Permalink