Point and click TV

Disclaimer:   I know these things are in the works in some capacity and people are already talking about this but I’d like to know why it’s not here now.

I’m watching the Angels/Twins game on ESPN Monday evening and Joe Mauer is up to bat.   In typical sports television fashion, his stats for last year are flashed on the screen, below the video feed.  And I’m annoyed to see this.

Cut to a commercial break anywhere in the United States.  This weekend the iPad came out to the usual Apple and media fanfare.  It looks great and has so much potential.  And I’m annoyed to see this.

Here’s why I am annoyed.  It is 2010 and I want a little more from my “digital” cable.  Why the hell can I not point my remote, let’s even say a Wii-like remote if were going to get bold here, and click on Joe Mauer and see his stats load in the left hand of the screen?  (Another disclaimer, we are one of the last families in the world without a flat panel television.)  With those stats, I can interact and see his up and downs last year, perhaps commericals that he’s starred in or better yet the products he plugs.  And I can buy them!  I can buy MLB endorsed and licensed products from my television  Being a baseball fan and on top of that an Indians fan, I can help support the team from my home.  Do you hear that Larry Dolan?  I can give you some money so you don’t have to let two, yes two, Cy Young winners go back to back to other teams for some kids who may or may not even be on the major roster later this summer!

So why am I annoyed about the iPad?  Well, I’m not really mad about the device but more about the fact that there are large segments touting it as a game changer.  I think it is for newspapers and magazines a game changer.  In fact, they should be sending Mr. Jobs a few gift baskets in appreciation of him throwing them a lifeline.  And I think it’s a smart device.  However, that device is for a small segment of the world’s population at this time.  It may become entrenched in the market at some point but it will take time.  Television, on the other hand, is ubiquitous, especially in the United States and other developed countries.  It is in millions upon millions of homes who are also pulling their feed from a digital channel.  This could be a big game changer in my opinion.  To take a medium that was simply a consumption medium and give the user population the ability to interact with it on a new level would be a massive disruption.  That is powerful and so doable that I’m annoyed I don’t have it now.

Here are a couple more ideas for this concept.  If you’ve got some more, well,  add them to the comments.

American Idol – I don’t watch it and don’t care about iu, but for those that do, if you heard a song that you like and want to download it, well click on the “button” next to the soon-to-be star and it’s yours.  But wait, “it’s not up to snuff, I heard it live just 3o seconds ago.”  Ok smarty pants, give me 10 minutes to clean it up.  Ok, it’s on your DVR and email.  Next!

Movies – this came from the ever intelligent @hartless(Brian Hart).  Executive: “So cheap budget movie, how are we going to make money?” IT/Director: “Well, we can use product placement and let users click on various items in the movie and order them from “said” warehouse and supplier.”  Back to exec: ” So? What do we get out of that?”  IT: ” Oh, we structured a contract to take .02 of the cut.  In other words, we financed a chunk of this horrible vampire-zombie love story.”  Exec: “Well…. I love it!”

Cooking channel – “Bamm! Buy my ingredients and spice mixture that I’ve combined and said it’s my own and that  I use on this show every day.”  Get it?  Good.

Sports/betting – oh no, controversy.  Well, guess what, people bet on sports.  A lot.  So here we go.  Announcer: “Basketball star is up to the line.   He’s a 33% free throw shooter. ”    Gambler:  ”Not today.  80% , he’ll make it. $5″ and click bet.   Announcer: “It’s in!  Looks like he’s on a roll.”  Good?  Bad?  I don’t know, but either way it puts you in the game.  Betting = bad.  Ok, how about this?

Announcer, “Basketball star is up to the line.   He’s a 33% free throw shooter. ”    Social network annoying person “Not today.  80% , he’ll make it. Do you hear my @friendofannoyingsocialnetworkperson?”  @friendofannoyingsocialnetworkperson “Whatever, he won’t make it.”  Announcer: “It’s in!  Looks like he’s on a roll.”  Social network annoying person “Face!”

C-Span – Ever watch Washington Journal on a Sunday morning?  I have.  I don’t want to call in on the Republican, Democratic or Independent line.  Let’s chat right there, right now!

These are but a few minor examples.  Again, probably others are on their way and talking and planning.  But it’s 2010 and all my remote can do is suck down a previously recorded movie or purchase one.  Pick it up!

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