It’s funny how sometimes you can easily forgive and then other times you can’t for what is really the same fault.

I downloaded the iPad BBC iPlayer app 2 months ago and while the interface is slick enough with it’s big touch friendly images of the shows and the quality of streaming is very good, in all honesty I wasn’t blown away. It gave me nothing that the iPlayer app on my laptop or even on my Nintento Wii didn’t already provide.
Ok, the app is free and the level of content is impressive. But as I’m a UK TV licence payer I would have been more than a little annoyed if those two boxes hadn’t been ticked.
The EPG style channels listing which fades in smoothly and scrolls effortlessly across the screen is a beautiful thing, but still I had a problem with this app. The ability to save favorites and even have shows recommended for my style of viewing didn’t stop me thinking why oh why have the BBC overlooked just a few features that would have made this app fantastic. A real gem. A contender for the best iPad app available.

Why had the BBC, or at least the agency commissioned to develop their app not realised that by including airplay would have made this app stand out from the crowd in terms of media streaming apps.
Why also had they not incorporated something that I have been expecting from the iPlayer on other platforms for a long time; social media sharing functionality. It didn’t have to be Facebook, it just needed the ability to set up a profile and allow sharing of your favorite shows. Two very popular discussion topics on Facebook is tv shows and films, so it doesn’t take a genius to realise that this would have been a popular feature within an iPlayer app.
The BBC could have also used the dicussion topics around their broadcasts to encourage futher interactivity. Something that in this digital age is becoming more and more important.

The annoyance at the airplay omission was more down to the fact I own an Apple TV, so I can understand if not everyone shares this view. But the social aspect, who wouldn’t see that this would make an average media player into an outstanding one?

2 weeks ago, I downloaded another media player app. Crackle.
This app is by Sony and provides streaming of some of their back catalogue of films as well as a select number of TV shows. The interface is nice while not being quite as slick as the iPlayer app. It’s also a free app that streams it’s media effortlessly giving a high quality output. Rather than being able to add to a favorites list you can Queue items up, or if you’re watching something that’s also available in itunes, touch a simple button to whisk you over to itunes for info and reviews on the show.
The content is again impressive with trailors for new films as well as many full length films and complete TV series. I think it’s worth it for just being able to watch Dilbert!

I thought Crackle was fantastic. I was so impressed that within 30mins of downloading the app and viewing an episode of Dilbert, I had shared my new discovery (through a “share this” button within the app!) on facebook.

Although I have been quite gushing in the praise for Crackle, what you will see I haven’t mentioned is the airplay functionality and the ability to set up your Crackle profile for it’s built in social media platform. That’s because neither exist. Again these two aspects were neglected from the app. I just don’t know why this time I was so easily able to forgive this oversight and praise the app?

Like I said at the outset. Sometimes you easily forgive and sometimes not, even for the same faults.

Ever since groupon launched in November 2008 “discount” sites have sprung up here there and everywhere. Not surprising considering recession has hit the globe and everyone is looking for a way to continue the lifestyle they have become accustom too.

Groupon was an instant success with the unique concept of a deal a day which was “on” or not depending on the number of buyers. The discounts were big, or at least appeared to be and the site was slick. So it didn’t take long for Google to sit up, notice Groupon and slap a $6 billion offer on the table. Not bad for a site that had been in existence for 2 years.

When Groupon turned down Google it was as sure as the iPad2 selling out on launch day that Google would set about developing their own version of the discount site. This is to be called Google offers.

Google Offers BETA is starting in Portland, Oregon and punters can get 50% off or more at the “places” they love. Places being the operative word. Google have developed their Places feature integrated into their search and maps, to enable companies to offer discount.
The difference for google this time is the emphasis is not just on the company to set up the deals using an online form. This time to compete with Groupon Google will have to actively work with companies to set these deals up.

The daily-deal concept requires a large sales force, which talks to businesses, sets pricing strategies and plays a role in setting up the discounts. Groupon has 2,600 employees working in sales all of which are by now honed at setting up these deals.

Never one to be left behind now-a-days Facebook also feels it has a role to play in the let’s-get-money-off landscape.
Facebook are going to leverage their “check-ins” feature to enable Facebook deals.
My first reaction to Facebook entering this arena was here we go again. Can’t Facebook leave anything alone? But after a bit of thought, I actually think Facebook has the best model which has the ability to offer something a little unique.

Facebook deals will open up a more flexible discount system, where the likes of a local pub could offer discounts if you check-in yourself and 10 other friends. This boosts sales at local businesses, encourages people to get together to take advantage of the offer and means you can take advantage of the discount there and then. No waiting, noloo signg your voucher and no deal expiring.

I don’t think Google offers or Facebook deals will be the end of Groupon. Groupon has the head-start in this sector and its dedicated to offering the best discounts and that’s it. It’s not trying to be a jack of all trades, it’s just trying to be a master of one.

The size of both Google and Facebook mean they can set up devisions dedicated to their discount dealings. But what doesn’t change and will only get harder and harder as both these giants grow is the flexibility and ability to change and adapt to the market that a smaller company has.

I believe Facebook’s offering is more unique and will prove successful in the long term. But this doesn’t mean the death nail for Groupon as there is room for both. Facebook for the more spontaneous discount deals and Groupon for the more planned discount treats.

The one offering I can’t see coming out on top is Google offers. It wasn’t first to market and it’s just not unique enough.

Maybe you should have bid $8 billion for Groupon eh Google?