One year ago last week, gap intelligence’s Market Intelligence reports included an industry news brief revealing that two thirds of all former Circuit City customers planned to go to Best Buy and Walmart for their future electronics purchases.  An understandable, but still immense, 55 percent of Circuit City shoppers planned to make future purchases at Best Buy, while a respectable 11 percent of shoppers expected to direct future CE purchases to Walmart locations.  Assuming that a similar portion of former CompUSA shoppers were already transitioning to Best Buy and Walmart, 2009 stood to be a banner year for the retail giants’ consumer electronics sales, regardless of the economy.

Although Best Buy and a number of other retailers certainly benefited from the recent channel consolidation, the redistribution of Circuit City and CompUSA’s sales has been far from one-to-one.  It turns out that much of Circuit City’s $11.7 billion 2008 revenue and CompUSA’s $4 billion-plus 2006 revenue was also consolidated – leaving surviving retailers and CE manufacturers searching for where at least $5 billion in annual electronics sales went.

One could easily attribute 2009’s reduced electronics spending to the ongoing recession and they would be at least partially right.  However, I believe Systemax CEO Gilbert Fiorentino has tracked down this missing electronics demand, and interestingly enough, it appears that it never left – it’s just not being addressed at the same rate as before.  In a recent retailer roundtable discussion Mr. Fiorentino cracked open his Marketing 101 textbook and explained this phenomenon in the simplest terms.  With the exit of CompUSA and Circuit City went $800 million in annual advertising, roughly 25,000 relatively knowledgeable sales associates, and nearly 800 retail locations, all of which in their own way spurred demand.  To borrow Staples’s long-retired slogan “It’s that easy.”

The good news for CE manufacturers and retailers is that the potential electronics spending ceiling just increased significantly.  It’s just a matter of creating a need in the minds of consumers, providing inviting and convenient locations to shop, and staffing these locations with a knowledgeable and incentivized sales staff.  These are not new ideas and can certainly be done again.

So now the question is: Who is going to go out and make this happen?

Gilbert Fiorentino

Said this:

“You know how important advertising is - people think they need what they are told they think they need.  It wasn’t just pent-up demand in a world where a guy woke up in the morning and said, “I want to go buy a laptop” or “I want to go buy a TV.”

Don Draper

Said this:

“The most important idea in advertising is “new.” It creates an itch.  You simply put your product in there as a kind of calamine lotion.”

They are both right….

I have long been bullish on the impact that the smart phone / device industry would have on printing.  Many, many of my counterparts believe that the iPhone, anDroid, iPad, and Microsoft’s upcoming Digital Journal will eliminate the need to print.  I, on the other hand, honestly believe that we are not installing hundreds of millions of smart phones across Earth, but we are actually installing hundreds of millions of little computers that will one day need to print.  The need to print from a smart device will come naturally, much like how printing developed around 5 - 8 years after the birth of the personal PC.  Early personal computer users were first in “shock and awe” around their new found device (like your iPhone) and it took some time for users to generate printing needs for software developers to address.

They just haven’t found a need to print……yet.  It will come.

Take for example Microsoft’s new Digital Journal, a product coming out later this year that I really, really, want.  The journal will replace my $1.50 composition notebook that I take to meetings.  Questions:  Where is the opportunity for me to generate prints with my composition notebook?  Where are the opportunities for me to generate prints with my Digital Journal?  I agree.

Microsoft - send one here please.

Armin Heinrich’s short lived iPhone app called “I am rich” did nothing. The app didn’t give you directions, offer up a trivia game of any kind, or play music. Armin’s app did just one thing – display a jewel on your iPhone at a cost of $999.99. Essentially the app existed to be a simple way for rich people to show off wealth – dropping a cool grand on an app that does nothing but tell the world that you can drop a cool grand on an app. The “I am rich” app was removed after Apple received complaints and after about eight people (fools) bought it.

gap intelligence is proud to announce that the company has its own app called the (you guessed is) “gap app”. The “gap app” is not about to go to the iTunes stores (not yet, at least), therefore it’s not available to the public. Our iPhone / iPod app is actually being put into the field and used by our army of data collectors when visiting retail stores. In short, the gap app is our new data entry device that allows our collectors to record product pricing information, in-store promotions, and capture pictures of merchandising displays across the country. Using our “gap app”, data collectors can input pricing into their iPods and then wirelessly transfer the data from field, to our servers in the clouds, and down to our Systems Operations team here in San Diego (all wirelessly). Long term, the gap app will be deployed globally – as we can use the device in our retail store collections from Florida to China, Moscow to Dehli.

Though not immediately available to the public, copies of the gap app can be ordered individually for $999.99. Please make checks payable to “Gary Peterson” at 701 C Street Third Floor, San Diego, CA 92101.

Just to recap, gap intelligence is a market intelligence company that helps manufacturers of imaging and printing products stay on top of their markets. We function as the “eyes and ears” in the marketplace for our clients and follow products, pricing, promotions, advertisements, specifications, end-caps, and POP stickers in every possible channel.

Through our first seven years, gap intelligence has stuck to the imaging and printing industries, following everything from ink tanks, paper, laser printers, digital cameras, and walk-up copiers. 2010 marks a significant change in our coverage as we have expanded outside of the printing and imaging space.

To kick off the New Year, gap intelligence was thrilled to announce the launch of its e-Reader market intelligence service. We are the very first research firm to employ a dedicated analyst following the small nuances of the e-Reader market – capturing tactical marketing intelligence information, finding insight and strategy from the data, and presenting our information in very usable formats. If you haven’t heard, e-Readers have quickly become a mainstream consumer electronics item and may do to the book industry what the iPod did to music. Our constant market tracking and intelligence services will guide e-Reader makers to make smart decisions now to thrive in what will be a highly competitive and turbulent market.

For the second quarter, gap intelligence is thrilled to announce its first market intelligence services that cover the mobile computing industries. We are now tracking notebooks, netbooks, and tablets in all shapes and sizes – desktop replacement, thin and light, touch enabled tablets, and even Apple’s iPad. For those of you in the computing industry who may not have heard of gap intelligence, I say to you “Congratulations!” You can now see your market in detail never before offered and receive support from a team of analysts who will give you the insight needed to make smart business decisions.

For you lucky mobile computing manufacturers, you now have access to the service and support that gap intelligence delivers on these product categories:

Mobile Computing

- e-Readers
- Digital Frames
- Projectors
- Inkjet Printers
- AiO & Fax Machines
- B&W Laser Printers
- Color Laser Printers
- Ink & Photo Supplies
- Print Media
- Digital Cameras
- Copier / MFP
- Total Cost of Ownership
- European Price Monitoring
- Brazil, Russia, China Price Monitoring

It is absolutely inexcusable that I have not told you about the 2009 Hirooka Awards (third annual) – a night filled with celebrity, style, and fashion! The Hirooka Awards is the night for gap-ians to celebrate our accomplishments both as a team and highlight those individual achievements that helped make the year so great.

The 2009 Hirooka Awards were hosted last December (should have been blogged a long time ago) at the glamorous House Blues in downtown San Diego, California. Our celebrities walked down the red carpet, talked to the hordes of curious press, and posed for thousands of paparazzi snaps along the way. The evening started by some special “gap university” awards – for those whose experiences through 2009’s global economic downturn earned them a MBA. Master’s of Business Administration degrees to Tom Foster, Sarina Dahukey, Jake Fishman, Michelle Cowan, and Chris Barnes!

While everyone at gap is a winner, here is a break down of this year’s Hirooka Award winners!

Rookie of the Year: Gurpreet Kaur (Market Analyst)

PT Players of the Year:
Deron Kershaw (Research Analyst)
Taryn Popplewell (System Ops)
Christine Abuyen ( Research Analyst)

Quote of the Year: Laurel Popplewell (System Ops)

Writer of the Year: Sarina Dahukey (Senior Analyst)

Presenter of the Year: Jake Fishman (Senior Analyst)

Leadership Award: Katie Hess (System Ops)

Can’t Live Without You Award: Nicole Manko (Market Analyst)

Crawl to Sprint (fast learner): Joshua Stone (Research Analyst)

Smells Like Team Spirit Award: Laurel Popplewell (System Ops)

The Sarina Dahukey Most Organized Stamp Collection Award (most organized desk)
Erin Vogelsanger (System Ops)

Best Dressed: Nicole Manko (Market Analyst)

Nickname of the Year: Gurpreet “Goopie” Kaur

People’s Choice: Michelle Cowan (Systems Manager)

Most Valuable Player: Michelle Cowan (Systems Manager)

Congratulations to our Hirooka Award winners and good luck to our 2010 nominees!

Smokey the Bear has the summer to worry about forest fires. Accountants are currently enduring their 7 day work week that runs through April 15^th. Gary has camera season. Camera season is a twice annual event when every single digital camera maker launches, unveils, bows, discloses, reveals, and make public their latest and greatest digital cameras. The year’s first camera season starts at the Consumer Electronics Trade Show and runs through the PMA Trade Show - usually January 1 through March 1. The first two months of the year is marked by chaos, turmoil, and very little blogging by this guy.

Think that interest in photography has diminished during this down economy? Through the first 8 weeks of 2010, I wrote about 285 new cameras. Yes, 285. I wrote A LOT. The cameras came in small shapes and big lenses. There are cameras that can be dunked underwater, that can be dropped in the snow, and can be thrown in the mud. There are green cameras and champagne cameras, there are pink ones, and another that comes with a backpacking strap. Pentax’ Optio W90 looks like it was designed by the guy who makes Coleman lanterns and General Imaging’s new camera line was crafted by fashion designer Jason Wu – who’s gowns have been worn by Michelle Obama (I researched this).

All of these cameras have kept me from blogging. So, much like Stephen King’s excluded cabin tucked away in the New Hampshire woods, I have taken to the sludge of Lake Arrowhead to catch up on some blogs. However, before I recap the 2009 Hirooka Awards, announce the new categories that we have launched, and show you the world’s first gap app, please humor me by reading through “Gary’s Camera Season Part 1 Award” winners. This is the first time I have hosted a Camera Award show, probably my last, and the awards themselves are coveted by absolutely no one.

In the spirit of Four H Ribbons handed out at the State Fair:

Third Place – Yellow Ribbon

Sony Cyber-shot TX5. Sony’s first waterproof camera, the $249 Cyber-shot TX5 can be dropped in the shallow end, can take movies of VERY slow moving fish, and can be kept frozen in a block of ice – in case your in an avalanche. More than what the camera can do on the outside, it’s more about what the Cyber-shot TX5 can do on the inside that matters. The camera ships with a back-lit CMOS sensor that gives it 10-fps shooting speed, adds Sony’s very cool sweep panorama shooting mode, can record high definition video, and is operated by a touch screen display.

Second Place – Red Ribbon

Olympus SP 800UZ. For those who, like me, prefer to do their stalking from a distance, Olympus’ SP 800UZ is the Zoom King. The model is headlined by its 30-times optical zoom lens that has few equals (FujiFilm FinePix HS10). Outside of capturing long range subjects, the SP 800UZ can record high def video, ships with Olympus’ very clever Art Filters (see movie), and includes 2GB of memory – enough storage for a full day of prowling. Best yet, while other cameras with weaker lenses and less features are offered for as much as $499, the SP 800UZ is quite the bargain at $349.

First Place – Blue Ribbon

General Imaging Jason Wu Series. Why does a simplistic camera from a small camera company win my Blue Ribbon? It’s not what the camera does, but how the camera was developed. General Imaging’s Jason Wu series is the first camera I can think of that has completely rethought the way a camera is packaged to the customer. Apple rethought packaging with its iPhone – giving the product such an elegant casing that it made customers feel like they just bought something very special. General Imaging’s Jas Wu series takes a page from Apple’s playbook and comes in an elegantly crafted box that would shine in the jewelry case at Nordstrom’s.

With its focused aimed squarely at Mom’s and gift givers, General Imaging designed the Jason Wu camera to be as simplistic as possible. The Jason Wu camera is fitted with just three buttons, on, shutter, and video, includes 4GB (no need for memory cards), and ships with a built-in USB plug that both transfers images and charges the camera. Flip turned the camcorder market on its ear by being the first to include a USB plug, expect the rest of the camera market to follow General Imaging’s lead. Trend setting packaging, fashion plate brand name, and truly innovative features – esteemed fashion designer Jason Wu gets my 4H Blue Ribbon. I am sure he is thrilled.

What’s up blog fans, my name is Keenan Thomson and I recently joined on as Gap’s new Market Research Assistant. I’m originally from Cape Cod, MA, and I spent my time through high school and college in the New England area. I graduated from Babson College in ’08 with a degree in Business Management, and I’m especially interested in business development. Over the years I have helped family and friends start or grow their own businesses, and I’m excited to apply my entrepreneurial passion here as well.

I moved to San Diego at the beginning of February in need of a change and better weather. I enjoy anything that involves the outdoors. I’ve played lots of different sports throughout my life, and yes, I am a fan of any team from Boston.  Currently I’m playing for a local rugby club and I want to learn to surf; however, my real passion is fishing. During my last year in Boston I started my own business fishing for giant bluefin tuna (that’s the good stuff for you sushi lovers). I have yet to go out on the west coast, but I hope to make time this summer. My goal is to land a black marlin, Cabo anyone?

When I’m not working or enjoying time on the ocean you’ll find me tasting fresh dishes, watching a classic movie (Anchorman included), or looking for something new to try. I love sharing what I’m excited about and learning new things from others.

I feel extremely lucky to have found such a great place to work in a new city.  This isn’t just because it’s a really productive and fun place to work, but I’ve taken my love of burritos to the next level thanks to Deron, and my interest in surfing San Diego is finally a reality thanks to a loaner board, complements of Jake.  I really look forward to getting to know my fellow Gappers better.  Everyone has made me feel at home, and I’m eager to help Gap continue its success!

We’ve all been sold on the notion of globalization for the last decade, and for good reason.  Here at GAP we just recently launched our B.R.I.C. services to satisfy the global demand for information.  China is the world’s most populous country and fastest growing of all the G-20 economies.  Thus, operating in China is essential to any company that wants to operate globally, especially those based in America.  This is what I have been led to believe.  Yet, Google Inc., arguably America’s most respected company, is threatening to end its Chinese operations.  The search engine giant has apparently had enough of China’s extensive censorship and is claiming that the Chinese government hacked into Gmail accounts belonging to a number of human rights activist.

While Google is a great company and much admired here at GAP, the first question I had to ask myself was whether or not this was a tactical statement.  Could Google really leave China without a knee-jerk reaction by its stock-holders?  The answer appears to be, so far, yes.  China, even though it has the most internet users in the world, only accounts for 1% of Google’s revenue.  The day Google made the announcement, 1/12/09, its shares traded for only 2% lower at the end of the trading day.  Two days later, on 1/14/09 the company’s stock closed 5 points higher than what it opened for on 1/13/09.  Either stockholders do not think Google will bolt, or they do not think it will matter.  Only time will tell.

One reason Google wants to leave might be because it is losing the battle for market share in China.  China’s own state run search engine Baidu currently owns a 62% share of the market compared to Google’s 30%.  Controlling a third of the largest market in the world seems relatively successful, but not so much when you compare it to the 68% share it controls in the U.S.  I do not think Google considers itself second best at anything, and undoubtedly they believe that the censorship is the cause.  It only seems obvious that the Chinese people would prefer to use a Chinese search engine, particularly, one that is state run such as Baidu.  It is this fact that I believe to be the most influential to Google.

When Google launched its Chinese search engine, Google.cn, in 2006, they had no problem with China’s censorship policies and were willing to adhere to their view of propaganda discipline.  At the request of the Communist Party of China, Google even agreed to censor information about the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests along with information from countless human rights groups and dissenters.  Google agreed to all of China’s terms while operating under their motto of “Don’t Be Evil.”  For Google.cn, however, the motto seemed to be “Search No Evil.”

Free speech and human rights activist are heralding the news as a victory for their respective causes, and there is no doubt that Google is taking all the credit.  In fact, we should all applaud any champion of free speech, but Google.cn has been the exact opposite of that for several years now.  If we read between the lines, it becomes clear that Google is like many of the companies around the world.  They keep quiet and turn a blind eye to human rights violations as long as there is money to be made.  There has not been a lot of money in China for Google, and now they can no longer stand the tyranny of the Chinese government.  Coincidence?  I can’t say for certain.

Whatever Google’s motivation is for leaving China, one thing is for sure, it takes powerful organizations to tear down obstacles like the ones the Chinese people face.  I believe it is possible that Google can actually do more for the people of China by bolting than if they continued to conform.  Watching Google strive to become acceptable to the Chinese government, especially during the 2008 Olympics, was like watching an older sibling impose their will on their younger counter-part.  This is not meant to insult the company, but it is simply how Beijing works.  They do not take kindly to any highly publicized, theatrical throwing down of the gauntlet.  In fact, just like in Tiananmen Square, they tend to squash their foes before you even hear about them.  Facebook and Twitter are banned in China, and does anyone remember a public showdown between them and Beijing?  It is far more likely that Beijing will ban the company before Google pulls out.

American’s love Google and the Chinese people made it obvious that they support Google by going to the company’s Chinese headquarters last week and leaving flowers, lit candles, and signs of encouragement.  The impact of Google on this generation is incalculable, but do you believe Google is as heroic as the news is leading you to believe?  Or do you think they are simply avoiding the losses and hassles they would incur by staying?  They did not stand up courageously in the beginning when they thought there was money to be made.  Now, however, Google is willing to stand up for itself, and hopefully, the Chinese people will also have the courage to do the same.  As the old saying goes, “Better late than never,” but I can not help wondering if its courage on Google’s part or is it cowardice.

Regardless of their motivations or tardiness, one thing is certain, it feels good the have Google fighting for the good guys.  I have always considered Google to be one of the corporate good guys, especially in an environment consisting of Madoffs, Enrons, bailouts, and bonuses.  We will have to wait to see how everything plays out in the coming weeks or months, but rest assured readers, GAP is in China, GAP is staying in China, and GAP will continue to provide the most accurate, uncensored market intelligence from China.

During my store visits a couple of weeks ago, I came across a new highlighted product category that is available in most stores—yes, you guessed it right – eReaders.  eReaders are one of the hottest product categories this holiday season and promotional displays are currently seen at most consumer electronics and mass merchant stores.

One common theme across the channel is that Sony is heavily investing in eReaders as a future growth category.  The eReader display is the first thing that you notice when you are in Staples and the most prominent stand in Best Buy’s mobile device section.  Sony has placed so many eReader displays in retail that it is easier to count the chains that do not promote the technology.  Displays for Sony’s eBook reading devices feature informational videos and comparison charts highlighting the key differences between competing eReaders.

Following Amazon’s private label lead, Barnes & Noble also made a foray into the market with the ‘nook’.  The retailer has created a separate section in the middle of its stores managed by a dedicated in-store representative to educate people about the ‘nook’, provide a demo, answer any questions, and pre-order the device.  Yes, it is still only available for pre-order!!!  Let’s hope for Barnes & Noble’s sake that it gets the ‘nook’ out before President’s Day!

Sony and Amazon currently dominate the eReader market largely due to brand recognition as well as the availability of these products.  Out of the ten stores selling eReaders in gap intelligence’s retail panel, Sony is available at eight and enjoys a competition-free presence at seven of them.  Although the Kindle is limited to Amazon.com, given the ubiquitous reach of the internet and lack of holiday lines, customers would have no trouble ordering a Kindle.  Unfortunately for Barnes & Noble, pre-order sales of the ‘nook’ exceeded current production levels and the device has yet to be made available for an immediate purchase.  Barnes & Noble continues to change its shipping and in-store availability date (the last time I checked it was Feb 1st, phew!!).

Several companies are beginning to push their products including Astak’s jetbook, Bookeen’s Cybook Opus, and Foxit’s eSlick, with placements limited to Fry’s.  Amazon has already inked partnerships with major universities to test run the Kindle and also partnered with publishers to ensure text books are available in a compatible format.  Google on the other hand, is already working on building the ‘world’s largest’ ebook library and is unfortunately also quickly becoming a part of the ‘world’s largest’ and perhaps the biggest copyright battles.

According to estimates by Forrester Research, eReader sales are expected to double from 3 million units in 2009 to 6 million units by 2010, with almost one third of the sales taking place during the holiday season.  To capitalize on this expected growth, manufacturers must ensure that all production issues have been addressed sooner rather than later.

eReaders currently sell for over $150 and ebooks carry a $10 average price.  Due to lack of competition, pricing has been relatively stable in this small, but quickly expanding category.  Sony’s ‘Pocket’ and ‘Touch’ editions sell for $199 and $299, respectively, at all retailers except for Walmart where they are cheaper by a buck each, in line with Walmart’s lowest price guarantee.  eReaders are also finding more placements in retailers’ weekly circulars.  Although instant saving incentives are the most common promotion type ($40 average), the product sometimes also sells with a free leather case.

Vendors are positioning eReaders not only as a useful device for college students or business professionals, but also as ideal holiday gift items.  eReaders can prove to be exceptionally useful small devices to anyone who is an avid reader, has run out of space to store more books, or is tech savvy.

The eReader market is expected to go though a sea change in 2010 with a significant increase in the number of brands and product availability (both online and retail).  The category will also see aggressive price competition and possibly adaptations to its sales model and echo system.  Stay tuned for more on eReaders!

It is no secret that blogs have become a go-to source for topical news and entertainment in recent years.  As both print and online media outlets struggle to monetize their products, the targeted insight provided by some blogs has changed the way that many people, including myself, find their news.  Below is a review of my favorite industry blogs.

MFP Solutions

The print4pay Hotel MFP Solutions Blog embraces the entrepreneurial spirit and channel-eye-view of its writer and creator, New Jersey area dealer Art Post.  I’ve been reading the MFP Solutions blog since I first became gap’s MFP-Copier and Production Analyst and contacted Art for an informational interview as soon as I decided to launch the Gap Dealer Partnership Program.  Without even knowing me, Art sat down and answered all my questions regarding the dealer community, what they want, what might deter them, and it certainly helped me nail down a game plan for launching the program.  Perhaps the best lesson that he gave me on what motivates dealers ($) came at the end of our conversation when he tried to sell me ad space on his blog!  Still mulling that one over Art…

This regularly updated blog provides a variety of content ranging from industry news, product reviews, dealer sales tips, and editorials by both Art and a field of guest writers.  Even a few gap intelligence Pico Letters have made it on there.  One of the most unique aspects of the MFP Solutions Blog is the level of interaction that it allows.  Art regularly creates and posts surveys on major industry events and backs his entire blog with a network of closed message boards.  The dealer-only (primarily) P4P Hotel Message Boards allow members to discuss events, compare pricing, share industry beliefs, and rip their vendors in a closed setting.  Perhaps most noteworthy, the level of vitriolic posts on the P4P boards is far lower than any message boards that I have ever seen.  Backed by his closed message board, Art is provided with an infinite number of nets to capture the pulse of the channel and get early scoops on product and industry news to funnel to his MFP Solutions blog.

This Ain’t Your Father’s Office

There are many qualities needed to run a weekly competitive intelligence service, but two requirements that continue to stand out are establishing a routine and becoming completely immersed into a category.  There is no doubt that KMBS rep Neal Petermann applies both of those qualities to his “This Ain’t Your Father’s Office” blog, which is updated each Monday without fail and features very concise overviews of just about everything that happened across the industry that week.  It is basically a print-focused New York Times for the twitter age:  All the news that’s fit to print, but small enough to read.

The Death of the Copier

Leave it to an HP salesman to create a blog called “The Death of the Copier” right?  Readers of The Death of the Copier of course know that this blog is not meant as a condemnation of copier technology (just the sales methods), and is instead intended to tout the benefits of Managed Print Services and selling solutions, not hardware.  Through a combination of excerpts from industry news publications, brief insights and editorials, and very heated debates in each post’s comment section, the DOTC provides very useful insight into MPS and the direction of the industry.

With the exception of certain consultant blogs with a vested interest in the success of Managed Print Services, The Death of the Copier is about as pro-MPS as they come.  So, depending if you’re drinking the new MPS “Kool-Aid” or consuming the same old hardware-centric “coffee”, opinions of writer Greg Walters can range from being a visionary to being dangerous.  Regardless of the various opinions, Greg should at least be commended for finding so many pictures of women with copiers or women with fish (why fish?) to go with each and every post.  He’s got to run out some day.

Plus he starts posts in ways that always crack me up.  This one is classic:

“A couple weeks back, while off the grid, I had an epiphany of sorts.”

You can’t make that stuff up and I am sure he was serious.  I’ve never spoken to Greg, but I can’t help reading that line in a Christopher Walken voice/cadence.

Tough Love for Xerox

I don’t always know what the heck Tough Love for Xerox writer Michael Josefowicz is taking about, but there is no doubt that this 37 year industry veteran is completely focused on the future of production printing.  Especially a future where page growth is driven by personalized newspapers, the “Printernet”, expanded connectivity, and ongoing technological innovation.  No looking back to the good old days on this blog, unless your talking about the stock prices of the companies in Michael’s “Printernet IRA”.

People in the print is dead crowd should add Tough Love for Xerox to their bookmarks.

The Connected Copier

The Connected Copier blog is run by Canon dealer Vince McHugh and features very passionate and lengthy posts on two main subjects, slamming IKON/Ricoh and touting Canon technology.  For those at Ricoh/IKON that are trying to gain an understanding of how Canon’s dealers are going about targeting IKON’s Canon MIFs, The Connected Copier is certainly a good place to start.  Gap Intelligence’s weekly MFP-Copier Market Intelligence Report is good too.  Of course the Connected Copier also covers other major industry events and absolutely makes up for its bias with thorough, insightful, and passionate posts.

Digital Picture Frame Review

Consolidation of digital frame blogs has mirrored levels of digital frame vendor contraction in recent years, making Digital Picture Frame Review the only independent DPF blog in existence.  Good thing for industry players and end users, the team at DPFR produces very good reviews.  Reviews on this blog go way beyond the press release and spec sheet, as the writers actually use frames and evaluate the device’s core features including design, display modes, menu, memory sources, and overall usability to provide very insightful reviews.  Beyond reviews, the site’s content is basically limited to reposted press releases, but it is called “Digital Picture Frame Review” after all… what did you expect?

Bill Simmons / Sports Guys World

My wife likes to remind me that I do not actually know Bill Simmons even though when I quote him I call him “my buddy The Sports Guy”.  What does she know.  I’ve been reading my buddy The Sports Guy for over a decade and I’ve seen him go from absolutely destroying every deserving 1990s Boston sports personality from his one man blog to becoming today’s most influential sports personality.  He is on the front page of ESPN.com, has the number one sports podcast on iTunes, boasts over a million twitter followers, and his new 700-page book, “The Book of Basketball”, is number 14 on the NYT non-fiction list.  Unlike other successful entertainers (Dane Cook, Padma Lakshmi, Kings of Leon, Glenn Beck, etc) it is easy to understand why my buddy The Sports Guy is so popular.  Bill writes like a fan (not a critic), includes pop culture commentary in his content, and has harnessed the power of lists and footnotes to help break-up his articles and concisely prove points.  Simmons may not write about copiers or digital fames, but he has had a greater influence on my writing (at least for blogs) than anyone.

Honorable Mention:

Change Forge
Digital Printing and The Pirates that Sell it!
InfoBlog
Imaging Industry Wall Street Insider
Adventures in Office Imaging