Did you know that the death of analog TV is only 413 days away?
Here’s the scoop, straight from the US Government:
What is the digital television transition?
At midnight on February 17, 2009, all full-power television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100% digital broadcasting. Digital broadcasting promises to provide a clearer picture and more programming options and will free up airwaves for use by emergency responders.

Sweet promises of a better digital tomorrow from our elected representatives.  I’m sure that’ll work out great.  But what …

After a year in the business of selling downloads Wal-Mart decides to get out.
Wal-Mart shut down the download site after Hewlett Packard Co discontinued the technology that powered it, Walmart.com spokeswoman Amy Colella said in an e-mail. She added that it will not look for another technology partner.
Wal-Mart will continue offering physical DVDs for sale at its stores and online, but would not continue the online downloads business, said Colella, who declined to disclose the number of downloads sold on the site.

I’ve never really understood what the big box …

David Pogue points out that there’s a crushing generational wave coming:
Recently, however, I spoke at a college. It was the first time I’d ever addressed an audience of 100 percent young people. And the demonstration bombed.
In an auditorium of 500, no matter how far my questions went down that garden path, maybe two hands went up. I just could not find a spot on the spectrum that would trigger these kids’ morality alarm. They listened to each example, looking at me like I was nuts.
Finally, with mock exasperation, I said, …

One of my mantras for digital media is that “The content is the marketing.”
Here’s a great example of that idea in action:
The latest installment in the Jackass Movie franchise, “Jackass 2.5″is to be released exclusively first online and will be free to view. The move by Paramount pictures is being hailed as “the first studio-backed feature film to have its premiere online.”

Of course, in typical Hollywood style, the hype is greater than the reality.
Jackass 2.5 (trailer above) cost $2 million to make and is a one hour long compilation of …

While it’s easy, and often fun, to beat up on the big boys for their wrong headed and confrontational view on digital media, it’s also easy to feel some sympathy for them. These companies are used to making a lot of money by owning massive chunks of the market, and no matter how long they may be able to hang to their massive niches through litigation and sheer bluster, it’s pretty clear that there business model isn’t going to be the way things get done in the future.
So, as a …