Platforms and Tollbooths

Everything in the media world seems to be in flux as we move into 2010.

News organizations don't know how or where they should be delivering news. Cable companies face a significant challenge from the Internet. Users are trying to decided where they want their media to appear. On their phone, on a TV, in an e-book?

I want everything on every tool. Why not? My iPhone gives me a lot on a single small screen. Photos, news, video, books, podcasts and even phone calls.

But users can't have that because the companies that own the means of communication don't want them to have that. They want tethered tools. Amazon only wants the Kindle to buy from the Amazon store. Ditto for the iPhone and the Nook.

Daniel Lyons in Newsweek says he only keeps paying his cable bill out of force of habit. That's what's keeping old media organizations in business. But as 2010 gets under way all that ground seems to be beginning to shift dramatically. Well, that's my feeling.

The Times reports there's a tablet from Apple on the horizon. Perhaps due for unveiling on Jan. 26. Google's phone is here and will attempt to break into what has been an iPhone business.

It's a struggle of platforms, channels and tools, and it could be a turbulent and exciting year.