BlogBert

Big tree uprooted

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:17:04 -0400

Big tree uprooted

Tree across road

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:17:04 -0400

Tree across road

The Future of Browser Plugins. Hint: Let's Call Them Apps!

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:42:46 -0500

At Union Square Ventures we have backed a couple of companies that use browser plugins at the core of their services (Adaptive Blue, Zemanta). We have always been concerned about the potentially lower sign-up rates from requiring someone to install a plugin. The installation process on Firefox required an onerous restart (even for updates to already installed plugins!). In fact, our concern has been so significant that we have passed on a few opportunities that had plugins as central to their strategy.

I believe that this could change dramatically in the near term. First, Chrome has an extension architecture that does not require a restart and allows for dynamic updates to plugins. Second, people seem to have no problem with installing apps on their phones.

So what’s missing is a change in terminology - let’s call plugins browser apps - and a marketplace. The latter can help not just with discovery but also with ratings and safety. Now before anyone can even start to mention HTML5 - yes it’s great, but a plugin, I mean app, can still do more because it is user centric, not site centric. For instance, extension.fm can deliver its experience only because it sees music on all sites I go to!

Blind folded martial arts in Madison Square Park

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:41:00 -0400

Blind folded martial arts in Madison Square Park

Smoke in the Munich subway station

Sat, 24 Jan 2009 09:59:59 -0500

Smoke in the Munich subway station

Small Palestinian demonstration in Munich

Sat, 24 Jan 2009 09:59:56 -0500

Small Palestinian demonstration in Munich

Annual Father Daughter Square Dance

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:19:24 -0500

Annual Father Daughter Square Dance

Finished with the Sella Ronda!

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 09:19:52 -0500

Finished with the Sella Ronda!

Second pit stop Jimmy Huette

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 08:19:49 -0500

Second pit stop Jimmy Huette

On the other side of the Gruppo Sella

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 07:19:48 -0500

On the other side of the Gruppo Sella

First pit stop - Spaghetti Bolognese at Refugio Sas Bece

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 06:19:49 -0500

First pit stop - Spaghetti Bolognese at Refugio Sas Bece

Taking the kids on the Sella Ronda

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 05:19:49 -0500

Taking the kids on the Sella Ronda

Checking out the annual snow sculpture contest in Wolkenstein

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 11:24:41 -0500

Checking out the annual snow sculpture contest in Wolkenstein

Peter with Omamma in the Rifugio Emilio Comici

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 06:22:52 -0500

Peter with Omamma in the Rifugio Emilio Comici

Twins in front of the Dantercepies

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 06:12:20 -0500

Twins in front of the Dantercepies

Arrived in the Dolomites

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:36:24 -0500

Arrived in the Dolomites

Ritual stop before Austrian border to pick up toll sticker

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 05:51:22 -0500

Ritual stop before Austrian border to pick up toll sticker

Munich’s awesome soccer stadium lit up early in the...

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 01:51:18 -0500

Munich’s awesome soccer stadium lit up early in the morning

Enjoying the superb community indoor pool near my parents

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 06:31:04 -0500

Enjoying the superb community indoor pool near my parents

Opera with friends and their kids - sitting in a box above the...

Sat, 20 Dec 2008 13:30:45 -0500

Opera with friends and their kids - sitting in a box above the Orchestra pit