[LINK] Will Google?s Deal with TiVo Push More Video to the Web?

[Tom Worthington]

Ivan Trundle wrote:
> On 26/11/2009, at 11:30 AM, Marghanita da Cruz wrote:
> ... Tivo's subscriber base is diminishing. ...

The Tasmanian government is handing out free TiVos for citizens to
try video on demand. But this is not new technology (Transact have been 
providing it for years in Canberra). In my view there isn't anything 
the Tasmanian government will learn from such a trial and this is a 
waste of public money:

"Premier David Bartlett today joined Hybrid TV CEO Robbee Minicola to
launch Hybrid SmartStreet to a national audience. The project is the
first of many involving the State Government, which will demonstrate the
value of the National Broadband Network to Tasmanian families and
businesses. ...

Hybrid SmartStreet is primarily a research project. Participants will be
given a TiVo media device which in addition to providing access to high
definition TV, will allow access to existing broadband services via
Hybrid TV’s CASPA portal. ...

Under the terms of the MoU the Tasmanian Government has committed to
covering the access fee for Tastel customers (within the TasCOLT
footprint) to participate in the trial, plus the cost of installation
and support services.  Up to $100,000 has been allocated from within the
Department of Economic Development’s existing budget. ..."

From: Premier launches Hybrid SmartStreet, Media Release, Tasmanian
Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts, 25 November
2009:
<http://www.development.tas.gov.au/economic/news_and_publications/news/2009/november/premier_launches_hybrid_smartstreet>.


-- 
Tom Worthington FACS HLM, TomW Communications Pty Ltd. t: 0419496150
PO Box 13, Belconnen ACT 2617, Australia  http://www.tomw.net.au
Adjunct Lecturer, The Australian National University t: 02 61255694
Computer Science http://cs.anu.edu.au/people.php?StaffID=140274