NETWORK WORLD KEITH SHAW'S SOHO LIFE 11/10/04 Today's focus: When a slip prevents a stumble
Dear [EMAIL PROTECTED], In this issue: * Sonos delays debut of its high-end audio system * Links related to SOHO Life * Featured reader resource _______________________________________________________________ This newsletter is sponsored by Cisco Systems Special Report: Bridging the Gap; Enterprise ROI IT professionals today don't indulge in the latest-greatest technology for their own sake; instead they concentrate efforts on projects that are most likely to help achieve business goals. Read about the challenges and opportunities when IT starts 'bridging the gap' and directly contributes to enterprise ROI. http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=87985 _______________________________________________________________ SECURTIY SUMMIT: CAN SECURITY BE A COMPETITIVE EDGE? Recently 23 prominent IT executives and academics gathered at Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH for a daylong roundtable to address such questions. CIOs and VPs from some of the largest and most well-known companies in the US shared with peers their security fears, goals, frustrations and challenges. Find out more: http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=87926 _______________________________________________________________ Today's focus: When a slip prevents a stumble By Keith Shaw Here's a plot twist: Sonos last week announced the delay of its Sonos Digital Music System until mid-January - missing the 2004 holiday shopping season entirely. The reason? Sonos needs to fine-tune system performance, the company said in a statement. Given retail vendors make the lion's share of their annual revenue from holiday sales, Sonos' decision must hurt. The Digital Music System consists of an audio player with an amplifier that connects to external speakers, and a wireless handheld controller. You connect the ZonePlayer audio player to your music content - living on a Media PC or network-attached storage box - then stream music to multiple ZonePlayers around the house via wireless mesh technology. In a recent demo, I was impressed with the system's ease of use, and amazed at how perfectly it synched music among rooms (either the same song or different songs at the same time). But Sonos says the system's not perfect, it's not ready, and it won't ship until the company's certain it'll make a positive impression. While I'm disappointed, I have to applaud Sonos for the decision, and for announcing it Nov. 1. Because the Sonos Digital Music System is a high-end product (the basic system will cost about $1,100), it needs to be perfect to create a loyal fan base. Good thing the private company's not subject to performance pressure from shareholders and (apparently) can afford the luxury of time. Too often companies ship half-baked products to make the holiday rush. I've seen it a gazillion times in the gaming industry, in which PC games often need patching just a few weeks after they ship. In fact, many now include "Updater" applications that check the company's servers for the newest patched version and download it to the owner. Consumers are more forgiving of companies such as Microsoft and Linksys, which have a track record and are sure to be around next year. Start-ups like Sonos can't afford to strike out their first time at bat. RELATED EDITORIAL LINKS Soos http://www.sonos.com/ _______________________________________________________________ To contact: Keith Shaw Keith Shaw is Senior Reviews Editor at Network World. In addition, he writes the " Cool Tools <http://www.nwfusion.com/columnists/cooltools.html> " column, which looks at gizmos, gadgets and other mobile computing devices. You can reach Keith at <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. _______________________________________________________________ This newsletter is sponsored by Cisco Systems Special Report: Bridging the Gap; Enterprise ROI IT professionals today don't indulge in the latest-greatest technology for their own sake; instead they concentrate efforts on projects that are most likely to help achieve business goals. Read about the challenges and opportunities when IT starts 'bridging the gap' and directly contributes to enterprise ROI. http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=87984 _______________________________________________________________ ARCHIVE LINKS Archive of the SOHO Life newsletter: http://www.nwfusion.com/net.worker/columnists/ Breaking telework and SMB news: http://www.nwfusion.com/net.worker/ _______________________________________________________________ FEATURED READER RESOURCE NEW! Website dedicated to Networking for Small Business now available The editors of NW Fusion and PC World have combined all their expert advice, authority, and know-how into a powerful new tool for small businesses, the new Networking for Small Business website. Get news, how-to's, product reviews, and expert advice specifically tailored to your small business needs. Find help with Security, Broadband, Networking, Hardware, Software, and Wireless & Mobile technology at: <http://www.networkingsmallbusiness.com/> _______________________________________________________________ May We Send You a Free Print Subscription? You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered at your fingertips each day. Now, extend your knowledge by receiving 51 FREE issues to our print publication. Apply today at http://www.subscribenw.com/nl2 International subscribers click here: http://nww1.com/go/circ_promo.html _______________________________________________________________ SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World e-mail newsletters, go to: <http://www.nwwsubscribe.com/Changes.aspx> To unsubscribe from promotional e-mail go to: <http://www.nwwsubscribe.com/Preferences.aspx> To change your e-mail address, go to: <http://www.nwwsubscribe.com/ChangeMail.aspx> Subscription questions? Contact Customer Service by replying to this message. This message was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please use this address when modifying your subscription. _______________________________________________________________ Have editorial comments? Write Jeff Caruso, Newsletter Editor, at: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Inquiries to: NL Customer Service, Network World, Inc., 118 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772 For advertising information, write Kevin Normandeau, V.P. of Online Development, at: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Copyright Network World, Inc., 2004
