Category: Apple

Categories
Apple Google Microsoft

Ballmer on Tablets

CNN Money: “The CEO claimed that Microsoft needs to take its time to get its products just right to compete in the intensely scrutinized tablet space. He said that chipmaker Intel (INTC, Fortune 500) will be coming out next year with a tablet-specific processor called “Oak Trail” that will help manufacturers make better tablets that run Windows 7.”

I find it interesting that Intel is now making tablet specific chip sets, after Apple ships a highly successful device. Ballmer also states that the Windows based devices will likely be cheaper than the iPad.

I guess we’ll see. I hope they’re good because that’ll just push Apple and others to make better devices, which makes things better for all of us.

I’d also expect to see some Android based devices hitting the market pretty soon.

Categories
Apple

Apple vs. Magazine Publishers

All Things Digital: “So what happened? The Time Inc. insiders I talked to don’t have a clear answer, presumably because they can’t get one from Apple itself. One theory: Apple is concerned about the publisher’s plans for the consumer data it would collect with each subscription. A darker one: Steve Jobs loves the idea of digital magazines and wants to control the market for himself.”

This has antitrust written all over it.

Categories
Apple

New Mac Goodies

Mashable: “Video pros will probably be excited to see the new Mac Pros, the strongest of which now sports a drool-inducing 12 cores (that’s 24 virtual cores if you count Intel’s hyper-threading technology). If you’re so inclined, you can bump up your Mac Pro with a 512 GB SSD, as well as ATI Radeon HD 5870 with 1GB of memory. If you have to ask, the price starts at $4,999.”

Emphasis is mine. I’m pretty sure most folks will be talking about the Magic Trackpad today, so I thought I’d go right for the power hungry gear head in you. I think I could find a use for 12 cores, like compiling code. Heck, that’s so fast the code would compile before you clicked the button.

Categories
Apple iPad

iPad, on the road

Jerry Fahrni: “This is where things with the iPad didn’t work out so well. While I found the device a pleasure to use for reading, playing games, dealing with email and using social media, I found it difficult to use for any serious work productivity. The iPad just isn’t designed to take the place of a laptop. Typically when I have downtime I can generate a blog or two or work on something that I’ve been sitting on for just such an occasion. No luck with the iPad. The onscreen keyboard is good, but not that good. In addition the simplicity that makes the iPad such a wonder also creates some problems when it comes to doing a lot of the things I’m used to.”

Bottom line: the iPad is great for consuming content, not creating it.

Categories
Apple

Apple sells computers?

Fortune: Between a Steve Jobs keynote in June that ignored it and media feeding frenzy in July that had nothing to do with it, one might almost forget that Apple (AAPL) makes a line of computers called Macintosh.

Ah, yes, Apple does sell computers. I’d almost forgotten.

Categories
Apple iPhone

Did Jobs Know?

Mashable: “When did Steve Jobs first know that the iPhone 4 might have issues with its now infamous antenna design? According to a report out this morning, in the “early design phase” – an accusation that’s likely to add to the growing criticism currently surrounding the device.”

I’m a fanboi, I admit it, but, from everything I’ve ever heard about Steve Jobs it would be hard to imagine he’d allow something like this slip by him, if he knew about it. He’s involved down to the pixel on a lot of decisions.

I’m not sure he knew.

Oh, and if you want to get rid of your iPhone 4, I’ll take it off your hands. Send me a note: rob.fahrni@gmail.com and I’ll give you a couple of bucks for your “horrible” piece of hardware, and you can go purchase a KIN.

Categories
Apple iPhone

iPhone 4 issues, the bottom line

Apple: “As a reminder, if you are not fully satisfied, you can return your undamaged iPhone to any Apple Retail Store or the online Apple Store within 30 days of purchase for a full refund.”

I chose to share this particular paragraph from the letter because it gets to the point. If you don’t like your iPhone 4 stop your griping and just return it. I’m sure someone, like myself, would love to purchase your bright, shiny, refurbished iPhone for a discounted price. Your loss is my gain.

While this has been a PR nightmare for Apple, they’ll be fine. It’s not like people are going to stop buying iPhones. Who complains the most? People with iPhones. Do they stop buying them? NOPE.

It’s fun to watch the Android crowd talk about how stupid the iPhone crowd is, it really is. But, the iPhone is still the better consumer device. It’s the one everyone can use, including my grandmother. Android is now firmly in second place, and gaining ground, but it has a bit of a battle ahead of it. The competition between Apple and Android OS are great for us, the consumer, it gives us alternatives.

Categories
Apple

The Murky Waters of the App Store

ShiftJelly: “I see now why people are so angry at the ‘murky’ nature of the App Store, and I’m starting to agree with them. My Frame was approved by Apple 3 times (once for each version we released), and then now, at version 1.2 they decide it’s to be removed?”

As an App Developer you have to get it while the gettin’s good. Hopefully Apple never decides Pharmacokinetics Calculators are bad for the store. 🙂

Categories
Apple Google Uncategorized

Pogue on Android

New York Times: “Last November, you might have been tempted by the Motorola Droid, “the best Android phone on the market.” A month later, the HTC Hero was “the best Android phone on the market.” By January, “the best Android phone yet” was the Nexus One. In April, “the best Android device that you can purchase” was the HTC Incredible. In May, “the best Android phone on the market” was the Sprint Evo.”

Go read the entire article, it’s a good read, too many quotable paragraphs to include here. He makes some great points about the choice between Android based phones and the iPhone. The bottom line: iPhone is a better choice, and experience, for everyday folks. Android is a good choice if you’re more technically inclined.

Categories
Apple iPhone

The iPhone is coming, the iPhone is coming!

SFGate: “June 29 (Bloomberg) — Verizon Wireless, the largest U.S. mobile-phone company, will start selling Apple Inc.’s iPhone next year, ending AT&T Inc.’s exclusive hold on the smartphone in the U.S., two people familiar with the plans said.”

Again, more good stuff for the smart phone market. There are a bazillion screaming Verizon customers clamoring for iPhones. It’ll be a good start to 2011 for Apple, and Verizon, if the rumor is true.