And Microsoft Confuses Us Again

To put this in context – Apple is releasing their new OS Snow Leopard for $29. There are no other versions – just the OS for $29. Okay.

Now you’d think Microsoft would have learned from the marketing debacle that was Vista. Here’s the pricing info for Windows 7, announced today.

These estimated retail prices for upgrade packaged retail product of Windows 7 in the U.S. are:

• Windows 7 Home Premium (Upgrade): $119.99
• Windows 7 Professional (Upgrade): $199.99
• Windows 7 Ultimate (Upgrade): $219.99

And the estimated retail prices for full packaged retail product of Windows 7 in the U.S. are:

• Windows 7 Home Premium (Full): $199.99
• Windows 7 Professional (Full): $299.99
• Windows 7 Ultimate (Full): $319.99

Confused yet? So am I.

I have a MacBook and a PC. I’ll definitely be upgrading to Snow Leopard. But there is no way I am $220 to upgrade my Vista Ultimate machine to Windows 7 Ultimate – if that’s even the right upgrade path. But if you want to – it will be available on October 22!

Oh Microsoft haven’t you figured out that less is more? Why so many choices? At least the case is easy to open.

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Google AdSense For Mobile

Google has opened AdSense for Mobile applications – open to application developers at this time.

AdSense for Mobile Applications allows developers to earn revenue by displaying text and image ads in their iPhone and Android applications. For our beta launch, we’ve created a site where developers can learn more about the AdSense for Mobile Applications program, see answers to frequently asked questions and sign up to participate in our beta. Advertisers can also learn about the benefits of advertising in mobile applications.

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The Future of the Web – A Paid System

Barry Diller says the future of the web – within 5 years – is a paid system. He says the only thing missing right now is a streamlined billing system – like Amazon’s “one-click” buy now option (which is actually patented by Amazon).

Barry Says

“I absolutely believe the Internet is passing from its free days into a paid system. Inevitably, I promise you, it will be paid,” Diller said in a keynote discussion opening up the Advertising 2.0 conference held at his company’s futuristic glass building alongside the Hudson River in Manhattan. “Not every single thing, but anything of value. “

The fact that content and services on the Internet so far have been largely supplied for no charge is “an accident of historical moment that will be corrected,” he said, in an era of “creative chaos” that will span the next three to five years.

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A Message To Hotels On WiFi

It’s nice to know I’m on the same wavelength as Jeremiah Owyang. You see I had this post in the oven a couple days ago and he drops a post on the exact same topic – “Hotels: Don’t Charge Us For Internet Use“.

I am traveling the rest of this week and need to get some work done – but I am dreading the $10/day WiFi charge that is likely to await me at the hotel. Jeremiah makes some good points on why your hotel should provide free WiFi. His first point is that providing free WiFi will likely keep him on the property longer, which means he’ll spend more money and have more meetings there. The second point is even better – free WiFi will encourage guests to rate, register, etc your hotel and surrounding areas – which will only help your presence and reach on the web.

For some that’s not enough ROI and for that I have two additional suggestions. First off, have your guests opt-in to an email newsletter before granting WiFi access. By having them opt-in to your email marketing campaign you get something in return for the added value of free WiFi. You can now send them permission based promotions, deals, coupons, and “sponsored attractions” (see below).

Another option is to send the free WiFi surfer to a landing page before they are “let out” onto the internets. On this page you can sell advertising placement to surrounding restaraunts, bars, and attractions. This will more than pay for the free WiFi.

So if just being a good host doesn’t give you enough ambition for providing free WiFi – here are some real business reasons for doing so. Now go – take down the walls.

For fellow travelers – here’s a Guide To Hotels With Free WiFi (and a list of of those that have fees)
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The Year The Media Died

Following on the success of the Wall Street Meltdown parodies, I wrote Mad Avenue Blues. Like Wall Street Meltdown and WSM Redux (both on YouTube), the new video takes a popular song and substitute…

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