05-08-2003, 09:30 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Mobius Day Four: Last Day in Geek Paradise
Hardy Poppinga presented on the second day of Mobius, and his topic was Media2Go. Media2Go is a software reference platform based on Windows CE .NET. OEM partners like Viewsonic, Samsung, Sanyo, and Creative Labs are making devices based on this platform that Microsoft has created. The focus of Medis2Go is digital media: video, music, and photos. The base reference spec uses a 20 GB hard drive, and battery life is up to six hours � four 90 minute movies or 120 songs. Synchronization is accomplished using USB 2.0, and they�ve used the same cable for re-charging the device, which is superb. It's nice to see the USB camp has learned a few things from the Firewire camp.
Figure 1: An early prototype of a Media2Go device. It was pretty heavy and chunky, but Hardy assured us that final hardware from OEM partners will be much nicer.
When it came to deciding who to target the Media2Go platform at, Microsoft did consumer surveys asking people where they would use the Media2Go device. The top two scenarios were public transit and during periods of relaxation. Other scenarios include using it while shopping, riding a bike, driving, and exercising. I don�t quite grasp why driving would be on that list, because even listening to music with headphones while driving is extremely dangerous, so perhaps they meant "as a passenger in a car". I hope.
Figure 2: The Media2Go interface.
Figure 3: The Media2Go interface with album art displayed
Media playback supported includes MPEG4, Windows Media Video, Windows Media Audio. I asked about MP3 support, or other media support, and he wasn't sure. This was a bit of a shock, because media support would seem to be a key feature. I'm willing to bet that it supports MP3 though, and that they're using a variation of the 9 Series Windows Media Player for the Pocket PC. Of course, going against this point is the fact that Media2Go supports the Plus! Sync 'N Go, which doesn't support MP3 at all (a frustrating limitation). So, really, I'm just guessing because no one seems to know for sure. Speaking of those files, meta data is critical to listing the audio and video files � without the proper meta data, listings won�t be accurate.
The reference design uses a 3.8� touch screen, and both video (composite RCA) and audio (composite RCA stereo). Hardy spoke about Microsoft�s desire to see integrated Bluetooth, and with the platform being based on Windows CE .NET, they�ll have Bluetooth driver support right out of the box. The real question is whether or not the OEMs who are building these devices will include Bluetooth. With a maximum throughput of about 80 KB/s, that's pretty slow to transfer gigs of data. Bluetooth headphones would be a killer scenario though!
They expect to see partners shipping Media2Go products for the Christmas 2003 season.
City Without Wires
Next up we had Steven Berlin Johnson giving us a presentation dubbed "City Without Wires". It�s difficult to summarize what Steven talked about � he's one of those guys who's great to listen to (much like Clay Shirkey). He talked about the importance of filtering being applied to collective intelligence. A good example of this is the system that eBay has in place � their feedback system, by and large, is an effective way of gathering millions of opinions together, and applying filters to those opinions. He also talked about micro-communities connecting in real space (ie: the real world) assisted by online tools like www.meetup.com. This site organizes local interests group. People identify themselves from virtual communities, then geographically, and when enough people with the same interests and in the same location are brought together online, they can connect in the real world.
Figure 4: Steven Berlin Johnson
I had exactly the same idea for Pocket PC User Groups.com almost two years ago � I wanted to create a system whereby people could come, register, and indicate they were interested in starting a user group in certain geographic area. After the system recognized that 'x' users in the same area were in the system, it would contact them all and create an online usergroup for them. So many good ideas, so little time and programming skill. ;-) Steven has a brilliant mind, so I've added a few of his books onto my Amazon wishlist. Great stuff!
Wrap-Up
We had a few more discussions as a group, including some great brain-storming sessions about mobile blogging, then Mobius was over. The conference lasts for a day and a half, which is sort of a pity considering how long some of us travelled to get there. Still, I wouldn't trade it for anything � I always enjoy Mobius events. They're very mind-expanding because I get to talk to other platform enthusiasts like myself, and I can understand why they've chosen their particular devices to champion.
And that's it for Mobius! I've included here a few snapshots of my trip - enjoy!
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05-08-2003, 10:16 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 302
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Re: Mobius Day 4: Last Day in Geek Paradise
Media2Go is looking cool. I think that it has real potential, if Microsoft doesn't screw up what it formats it can read. It seems like standards like DivX and all of the various MPEG standards should be readable too, or no one will buy it. It would be a cool feature if it could mount and read DVD images from the HD, without users having to do anything but stick the disk in to their computer, start up WMP, and click "send".
By the way, what are the hardware specs (processor type, number of colors on the screen, etc.)? Also, will the devices use hardware to do the decoding, or will it be all software?
__________________
�Sometimes I think the surest sign of intelligent life out there is that none of it has tried to contact us.�
�Calvin & Hobbes
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05-08-2003, 10:28 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 399
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Now that I've almost completed the sale of my Toshiba...these babies look very good.
Does anyone know how they will stack up against the Lyra Audio/Video player introduced at CES?
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05-08-2003, 10:36 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 302
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Sheynk
Does anyone know how they will stack up against the Lyra Audio/Video player introduced at CES?
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Lyra A/V player? Does it have the same encryption as my Lyra2? :evil:
__________________
�Sometimes I think the surest sign of intelligent life out there is that none of it has tried to contact us.�
�Calvin & Hobbes
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05-08-2003, 10:40 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 399
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WMA...mp3 mp3pro i think
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05-08-2003, 10:49 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 88
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presumably for the driving use, they would mean some sort of dock/mount that would play music through the car speakers...
anybody ever used those FM radio transmitter things with success?
-Steve
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05-08-2003, 11:06 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 302
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Sheynk
WMA...mp3 mp3pro i think
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Those are not encrypted, but encoded. I mean the way mp3 and g2 files get encrypted into the .mpx format that only the Lyra can play. WMA is left alone, and can be played on the Lyra without being encrypted. That means that with WMA you don't have to mess with all of the junk software (Musicmatch, RealJukebox) that is supplied to move your music, you can just drag and drop. Plain mp3 files cannot be played by the Lyra2. (I hope that Media2Go lets you drag and drop, synchronization is just a pain for this sort of device.)
Could you post a link to the device you are talking about? I havn't heard of a Lyra video player.
__________________
�Sometimes I think the surest sign of intelligent life out there is that none of it has tried to contact us.�
�Calvin & Hobbes
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05-08-2003, 11:24 PM
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05-09-2003, 12:13 AM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 90
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Sheynk
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Thanks.. That looks very cool.
Robert
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05-09-2003, 12:37 AM
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Pupil
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 15
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star dot 2(N) GO
Wow another 2GO media solution for a PDA. It's getting so crowded it looks like they re running out of names. Real Networks even has a PocketPC solution now. Mazingo sure has it's work cut out for it.
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