Apple Netbook, is it a possibility?

Have you heard about the latest craze in laptop computers? Its the Netbook. It all started with a small company that wanted to make a simple computer which could access the internet with minimal capabilities and sell for $100 so that people all over the world would be able to afford it. Well it cost a little more than $100, more like $250-$300 but it sold like hotcakes and not just to third world customers.
This caught the eye of the big computer manufacturers and now almost all of them have a version. It has a low power Intel chip called the Atom, no hard drive only a flash drive (about 8GB) and can connect to the internet. The market has grown to the point that about 12% of all laptops are now these Netbooks. The computer is very small with a 7in diagonal screen and a miniature keyboard.

A lot of people like them because it is an inexpensive way to connect to the internet, and with a lot of applications now running off the internet gives you an inexpensive computer. The first ones were Linux based to keep costs down, but MS has released an XP version.

Apple has yet to get into this market, but it could be said that the iPhone and iTouch are almost a Netbook only smaller. Maybe Apple will release a larger iTouch to compete in this new market. The problem is that the margins are low for this type of device. Kind of like the entry level car market.

MacFan is now a Touch owner!

It was a complete surprise when I received a new iPod Touch with 32 Gb of memory. I honestly was not expecting it, and let me say I am truly in mobile computing heaven! Stitch, it's absolutely awesome. It kicks butt as an iPod, I can check and manage email easily and on the go, most web sites I like have mobile versions, and it goes on and on. I feel absolutely blessed to have this wonderful device.

And with the coming if iPhone OS 3.0, it will get even better. Stitch, life is beautiful!

Uproar over new Shuffle

So, what do you think of the new Shuffle? There is an uproar over the relocated controls to the earbud cord.

I don't understand why people are so upset. Apple routinely make design changes to appeal to their customers. For the vast majority of us who use shuffles (that includes myself and the wife), the notion of using a simple three button controller makes sense. It's always oriented in the same way if it's on the cord, and I don't see it as difficult to use! One click for play and pause, two clicks to advance. It's simple! And I think we are unnecessarily looking down on the general population to think they can't easily learn how to use the voice over feature.

I do understand the complaint about having to use the earbuds. But Apple and 3rd party manufacturers have already said that there are solutions coming out.

I just don't get it. You buy the shuffle so that it will be as out of the way and simple as possible - not to hook into your stereo! What's your take?

Woz on DWT stars?!

Is it true that Steve Wozniak is really going to be on Dancing with the Stars TV show?

Apple Announcements

What do you think of Apple's announcements today? New versions of everything, just about. I think this was just an update, and it was not meant to reveal anything earth shattering. The new Mac mini is great, but it's still the same machine without any new ground breaking features.

I have the feeling something amazing is in the works. I just think Apple will wait until they get it right. What's your take on the announcements?