Darla

Is Execution More Important than Vision?

TiVo has a brillliantly designed, simple-to-use product that is headed for obsolescence. The dual tuner functionality of TiVo--which makes it so useful -- is being disabled as cable providers are quickly migrating to digital-only service. Dual (or triple) recording can only be achieved at present when there is analog reception. The DVR can simultaneously record one analog and one digital channel, or two analog channels. Two digital channels can't be recorded at once. Satellite is all digital and cable companies are changing over at a rapid rate to have more room for more income-producing channels. TiVo needs to address this. TiVo is selling hardware up front and then a subscription to access guide information and other features, but they need to figure out an answer to the loss of hardware functionality.

More content that duplicates what is available elsewhere is not enough. TiVo needs to come up with another technological breakthrough to lure new customers. Most of its extra services have been eclipsed by smartphones and computers: weather, traffic, music and podcasts. TiVo access to these features is cumbersome. TiVo's "search" is excellent, but desperately needs an updated interface. Using their photo service is cumbersome. Perhaps TiVo ought to look at improved games. TiVo's download service (Amazon) for movies and tv has to compete with Hulu which is free, and Netflix which has no time constraints. TiVo also has dragged its heels in supporting Macintosh computers, despite its growing share in their own target market. They have promised Mac compatibility in TivoToGo for years, but Mac owners are still required to purchase expensive 3rd party software to achieve the same thing PC owners get for free.

TiVo's customer satisfaction surveys both via phone (after an interaction) or their extensive questionnaires are very poorly designed, so they are not getting the feedback that would help them.

Smartphone Apps Score: Pandora 4, Sirius XM 0

Pandora is free. It's a lot less complicated.

Sirius is probably waiting for OS 3.0 to be released so they can charge subscription fees within the app.

Target Shoppers Heading to Wal-Mart in Droves

What am I missing? Wal-Mart has about 4300 stores in the US. Target has about 1600. More locations, more customers.

25% of respondents said they were going to spend more at Target in 2009 than they did in 2008. Sounds good for Target. Don't count out the potential former higher-end customers who wouldn't be seen dead in a Wal-Mart, but for whom Target has a positive image.

Wal-Mart's "low" prices are pretty sketchy on staples. There are loss leaders, store brands and dirt cheap, poor quality clothing, but check out a 24-roll package of Charmin, a box of Cheerios or brand name cosmetics and the story is often different. Prices are not the same from one store to another. Savvy shoppers are comparing prices.

I think Wal-Mart is going to make out very well in this economy, but Target will, too.

Apple Wins Over Analysts Following Impressive Q2 Earnings

"We underestimated Apple's "VIP," investor willingness to look beyond near-term challenges, focus on iPhone leadership and the stability of cash and belief [that] Apple will continue to out-innovate peers."

As Tonto said, "What do you mean WE, white man?"

Does It Pay to Charge for iPhone Apps?

Maybe the return rate has something to do with how useful the app is. Even the apps I've paid several dollars for will be deleted if it's just hogging real estate. The App Store is unfortunately filled with useless garbage, and we have to keep trying and discarding items.

It's like trying to find real gems in a landfill. They're there, but it takes a lot of effort and there's not much of a system in place to discover them right now except old-fashioned digging.

Apple's Problems - Bad to the Core?

Sensational headline not supported by the story. Okay, I "bit" and clicked.

Nothing to see here. Move along.

Disclosure: LONG on both stock and products.