Ok after doing a lot of work last night...
Got more information on what was talked about.
Basically it was a recap of what was announced at CES and a talk about the progression they have made since then.
A good amount of time was talked about DISH Explorer and it's voice recognition feature.
They talked about the Wireless Joey and mentioned it would be released on June 13th. (I want one!)
I am told that a lot of time was spent talking about DISH's new Smart Box which will be used for commercial installs such as hotels. We actually saw this at CES, but didn't really talk about it because its not anything a consumer will ever have in their home and the box there was just that.. a box there was no demo.
They talked about Home Automation using the Hopper, we did a video of this at CES and were very impressed. I am told that the crowd in Nashville was impressed as well. For me though I hope DISH does not screw this up by charging a monthly fee to use this feature. To me this is a feature which will help keep a DISH Network customer... a DISH Network customer. I have NO problem with DISH charging people to go out and set this up for customers, to sell them the equipment needed to make it work and to install it. But make it a free Hopper feature, charging a monthly fee for it will prevent a lot of people from using it and could actually drive people away from DISH. There is no reason in the world that DISH has to tell customers that system uses standard Z-Wave devices, instead they should focus on... "did you know we can turn your hopper into a home automation system? We would be happy to come install new locks on your doors so you know when your kids come and go, security cameras which you can watch on your smart phone, plus a lighting system which will let you dim, turn on or off lights in your house all from your couch. And because the Hopper Automation service uses your existing in house broadband there is no additional monthly fees! Plus we have worked to get special prices on the modules needed to make this work, just select the modules you want for your house (heating, door monitoring, lighting, etc) and we will send one of our certified Hopper Automation professionals to your house to install everything for you!"
Of course only the smart folks who read SatelliteGuys will know they can buy and install this stuff themself. But for others who are not technical savvy or do not read SatelliteGuys would welcome a service like this and have a pro installer come put it in for them. And think of the word of mouth DISH will get from these folks... when they have people over their house they will be excited to show their friends what their Hopper can do. It will help bring DISH new customers when they realize that by switching to DISH they will be saving money as they no longer need to pay for home automation and they get a Hopper which besides Home Automation already does more then any other DVR can do. Thats my 2 cents on things anyways.
They then talked about the World Cup and if your watching the World Cup and are not watching it on a DISH Hopper how your not seeing all of the World Cup. A demo was given of the World Cup including taking advantage of the Multi Channel View feature. Many retailers were VERY excited by what they saw and think this alone will drive in sales. Soccer fans are very passionate about the sport and only DISH is bringing fans here in the US all of the World Cup.
They also talked about the SEC Network and how important it is for DISH to be the College Sports Leader. (Which makes me sad... as DISH does not carry SNY which is the home of the Men and Womens NCAA Basketball Champions... The UCONN Huskies! (Can you tell I have a son who goes to UCONN?))
I hear the interview with Charlie Ergan by Neil Covuto was really good. If you ever have a chance to go see Charlie talk go see him.
And really that was about it from yesterdays show.
Again my humble apologies for our coverage, it was not what we had planned. But we can not control the airlines or the weather. Thank you again for being SatelliteGuys!
Don't forget next Wednesday Night on Satellite Nation, Vivek Khemka will be joining on on Satellite Nation to talk tech! Thats next Wednesday at 8PM on Satellite Nation which airs exclusively on SatelliteGuys Radio.
So far all of the information I have been receiving from Dish at Team Summit has been retailer oriented. The only things for customers I have seen are the Wireless Joey and the new promotion that will be coming up.
If I hear anything new I will post it here or send it to Scott.
