2011-2-14

I had a dream last night, about a marina I had opened out by Airport Road West. This location, less than a mile from Sainsburys and B&Q, and a bit further from an IKEA would be ideal. And with decent catering would provide somewhere nice for local companies in Sydenham Business Park. This then prompted … Continue reading “2011-2-14”

I had a dream last night, about a marina I had opened out by Airport Road West. This location, less than a mile from Sainsburys and B&Q, and a bit further from an IKEA would be ideal. And with decent catering would provide somewhere nice for local companies in Sydenham Business Park. This then prompted me to look at the Belfast Harbour Commission web site upon waking. Anyone want to loan me a few million quid?

2011-2-13

This morning I watched some RSA Animate videos in bed. And Arlene thought it was an opportunity to take my photo. Related posts: London, City of the Future Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) Education should not be an assembly line at a factory The Hub of 21st Century Enlightenment

This morning I watched some RSA Animate videos in bed. And Arlene thought it was an opportunity to take my photo.

2011-2-12

Devastation. Last night we went to the Mourne Seafood Bar in Belfast. Between the two of us, we cleared goats cheese fritters, chili crab claws, a pot of mussels, queen scallop linguini and puy lentil dahl with cod fillet. Then we went home and watched “Never Let Me Go” on the Apple TV. Which was … Continue reading “2011-2-12”

Devastation. Last night we went to the Mourne Seafood Bar in Belfast. Between the two of us, we cleared goats cheese fritters, chili crab claws, a pot of mussels, queen scallop linguini and puy lentil dahl with cod fillet.

Then we went home and watched “Never Let Me Go” on the Apple TV. Which was a powerful, emotive, thought-provoking movie.

NOKIA just became SGI. But it’s not all bad.

Today Microsoft and Nokia announced their strategic partnership which will put the Windows Phone 7 operating system onto NOKIA devices. I’ve been waiting for this for a while now – NOKIA has had multiple chances to fix things in-house (renovating Symbian, Maemo, Meego, adopting Android like virtually every other OEM) but this deal needed to … Continue reading “NOKIA just became SGI. But it’s not all bad.”

Today Microsoft and Nokia announced their strategic partnership which will put the Windows Phone 7 operating system onto NOKIA devices. I’ve been waiting for this for a while now – NOKIA has had multiple chances to fix things in-house (renovating Symbian, Maemo, Meego, adopting Android like virtually every other OEM) but this deal needed to have a massive press release.

We didn’t see similar fanfare from other WP7 licensees (Dell, Garmin-Asus, HTC, LG, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Toshiba and Qualcomm) but then this is more than just a new OS licensee, this is the death-by-attrition of both Symbian (now accurately described as legacy) and Meego (formerly Maemo and Intel Moblin – and I wonder how Intel feels about this). In theory, this is a return to the norm, before Nokia decided to dabble in operating system licensing itself.

So, Nokia becomes “just another Windows Phone 7 licensee”. Microsoft were very careful to note that this was a non-exclusive license for Nokia and that they would continue to supply operating systems to other mobile device manufacturers.

In other words, NOKIA just became SGI.

And I get to be the Armchair CEO for one of the most successful mobile companies in the world.

NOKIA had a legacy of great hardware. From the Matrix, we had the 7110. There was the oddity but lustworthy Nokia 9000 Communicator. The relentless onslaught of the 5100-series, the ubiquitous 6310, the first candy-bar 3210. We can only hope that they make some amazing hardware (No, I don’t rate the N8) for the new WP7 NOKIA phones.

They should be aiming to be at the top end. Designer no-seams-and-screws hardware, engineer-wet-dream internals. Rock-solid construction, good quality capacitative touch screens (unlike Android cheap-phones), amazing aerials and, what the heck, offer a SatPhone version. You have the technology.

They need to pivot their entire software development teams into making amazing NOKIA-branded apps – and make them available on Marketplace to all phones – not just NOKIA devices. Make great software your greatest asset and best advert.

The Immortals

From Communication Nation, by Dave Gray: The Connected Company Back in the early 1980’s, right after the revolution in Iran, Shell Oil was concerned about the future of the oil industry. What might Shell look like after oil, they wondered? So they commissioned a study with some very interesting parameters: 1. First, they looked only … Continue reading “The Immortals”

From Communication Nation, by Dave Gray: The Connected Company

Back in the early 1980’s, right after the revolution in Iran, Shell Oil was concerned about the future of the oil industry. What might Shell look like after oil, they wondered? So they commissioned a study with some very interesting parameters:

1. First, they looked only at large companies with relative dominance in their industries, companies similar to Shell in that regard.
2. Second, they looked only at companies with very long lifespans – 100 years or more.
3. Third, they looked at companies who had made a major shift from one industry or product category to another.

In other words, they looked at the immortals: the companies that didn’t die

Fascinating article (and a couple of links which will likely make it to your Amazon wishlist). Observations on the importance of ecosystems, identity and listening to the market. On the limitations of the ‘org chart’ (the divided company) and the importance of ‘hub people’.

Some of the comments are also worthwhile:

this is the type of macro-level thinking that creates a “corporate culture” worth working in.

Every venture I have been involved with has involved other people. Finding roles for everyone is sometimes difficult and not just because you may have difficulty slotting them in, but because they themselves may have difficulty with your culture. Knowing your role in the world is important.

Now that we know who you are, I know who I am. I’m not a mistake! It all makes sense! In a comic, you know how you can tell who the arch-villain’s going to be? He’s the exact opposite of the hero. And most times they’re friends, like you and me! I should’ve known way back when… You know why, David? Because of the kids. They called me Mr Glass. – Elijah Price, Unbreakable

Freedom within a company involves responsibility, not only to yourself to deliver back to the company more value than they are paying you in salary but also the need to pay back the costs of those who are yet to come. At your big software company, you’re working now to pay for the hapless new graduate to walk in the doors and spend 6 months annoying you. For those in the public sector, we all toil to make sure you and your successors continue to perform the work that society needs.

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2011-2-10

I find this view to be somewhat sombre, almost morbid. The death of an industry. And maybe the hope of a phoenix arising? Related posts: On Death We want to do more. A Physician completely refutes Plandemic LTEC

I find this view to be somewhat sombre, almost morbid. The death of an industry. And maybe the hope of a phoenix arising?

2011-2-9

I’ve posted this one a little late. I’m really not doing too well at the “do X at midday” thing I tried to start. But posting an image a day does focus the mood. Related posts: Focus Windows is shit. Sorry. Great design creates new data. People Pay More For Design

I’ve posted this one a little late. I’m really not doing too well at the “do X at midday” thing I tried to start. But posting an image a day does focus the mood.

2011-2-8

Flying is amazing. That is all. Related posts: Second Life: the gateway to 3D UI? Um, no Ted. Blizzard just made $2M selling a pony 9/100 How I Find Blogging Ideas Microsoft: what we want, when we want it.

Flying is amazing. That is all.