Ping!!

Stitch, I have mixed feelings about Ping. I'm just not sure people want yet another online social networking tool. And yet, I want it to be successful. I haven't tried it for the same reason other folks might be hesitant - do I want to be checking and interacting in yet another online venue? What do you think, Stitch?

New Apple TV

Stitch, I'm dying to find out what you think of the new Apple TV. The price point is outstanding at $99, and by all accounts, streaming is the wave of the future. I'm not as familiar with current pricing as compared to the new Apple TV service pricing. Does it have the makings of a hit? I am seriously considering buying this iteration.

The New Nano

Well, Stitch, I will put forth a suggestion that the most unexpected modification of the iPod lineup was the nano. I still have my first generation iPod nano, and it still works, and I want this one too! Robin and I were both drooling over the new multi-touch design. Apple is really integrating multi-touch everywhere! This is really a creative way to re-invent the nano - it's super small (as Jobs always says), but awfully fun at the same time. It's functional, it's cool, it clips on! And on and on! Were you as taken as we were with this new diminutive device?

The G4 Cube

Stitch, did you see the retrospective on the venerable G4 Cube?

G4 Cube

It's amazing that 10 years have passed since it was introduced, and 9 years since it was discontinued. I would have to agree that it just wasn't priced for the intended market. Sure, they sold a few, but those were the folks who loved cutting edge technology and are willing to spend bucks to get their hands on it first.

I still love the look of the Cube. I loved the entire concept. And those who own Cubes say it was a robustly operating computer. I love the engineering so that it was fanless. But if you notice, I'm not writing this email on a Cube!! Too expensive for me! And I think that's the point.

As an aside, the Cube was released when there weren't any Apple Stores, and you could still boot into OS9!! Ah, nostalgia...

A New Look to Macnight?

Have you seen the new template feature? I think this is a nice theme. What do you think?

Le gets a Mac

Just so you know, Le bought a new Macbook Pro last night. And he also received a new printer and an iPod touch for $100 through a special program. We celebrated last night this momentous occasion! Naturally I assured him that I am there for assistance with any issues at any time! He is now a kindred in ownership as well as spirit!

Antennagate

Stitch, I watched in horror as one of the greatest products Apple has ever released faced a perfect media storm over the antenna attenuation. I genuinely thought that Apple did the right thing in explaining how all smart phones are susceptible to attenuation, and how the data simply did not support the problem it was made out to be in the media. Even for those who are unhappy, Apple is giving free cases, and a free return policy. It made sense to me.

But I'm wondering what your take on it is? I know I'm biased. Just last night we were at the Apple store, and I just cannot believe how awesome that phone is. The screen is miraculous!

Where is the Love?

For the new iPhone 4 that is. It seems to be another leap forward. Apple doesn't just sit on its laurels. (Is that spelled right? What are laurels anyway?) HD video editing on an iPhone. You gotta be sheeetin me. WOW!! The video calling is super cool too. The problem in the past with companies that tried to make a video phone is that no one you knew had a video phone to call. Self killing market. But the iPhone will be self fulfilling. People aren't just buying this for the video phone capabilities, but as soon as enough people have this capability, it will be mainstream. Then Apple can sell home video phones too. The money train just doesn't stop chugging for Apple. I bet the next innovation at Apple will be something to do with TV's. They are way past due for fixing TV. Especially the internet TV. Google TV needs a competitor. And hey, Google just does something to get more Ads in front of your face. I would like to see an open market place for internet TV from Apple where the cost of programs are dynamic. Forget this everything the same price crap. Let the market decide what a show should cost. Pleeeeeese Apple. Anyway, the new iPhone is impressive. Not a minor upgrade. Once again Apple, well done.

Apple worth more than Microsoft

Did you hear that Apple just recently overtook Microsoft in market capitilization? It is hard to imagine that having a very successful portable music player and cell phone can rocket you ahead of Microsoft. Sure Apple still sells computers, but supposedly it only accounts for 1/3 of Apples income. Only Exxon has a bigger market cap than Apple. Sure market cap is not the same as having more profits, but it shows that investors are tending to think of Microsoft as a has been, and Apple as the future as far as growth is concern. And for good reason. Not many company's tend to have one home run after another. But still, what can come after the iPad? The iFridge? Not quite as marketable, but it would have a touch screen door to interface with. The iCar? Hey why not? There are so many computer chips in cars these days that it is the software which makes it all work more so now than the actually hardware. Similar to computers. Don't get me wrong, I would love to see Apple make everything in our lives better. They are one of the few companies which can join style and function in the same device. I love it when the Apple haters diss Apple for making their products too pretty. I don't get it. Is it possible to have too cool of a product design? Just like it is not possible to be too young or too rich. Anyway, keep going Apple. Keep making our lives a little bit cooler. I am starting to feel like we are entering the age of the Jetson's thanks to Apple.

Android overtakes iPhone?

Stitch, the headlines have recently screamed that this is the first quarter that Android based phones sold more that iPhones. But consider the following article:

Android v. iPhone

The author suggests looking a little deeper into the statistics and the incredible deals the carriers have put out to spur sales. In a way, it may make the iPhone a more desirable phone. As the article also suggests, let's wait a little longer to see what happens when Apple releases the iPhone 4G.

One Million iPads!

Stitch, if there is a greater measure of success, then I don't know what that would be:

1 Million iPads

It's the dollars and cents that come in from massive sales that tells the story in this case. But how that can happen is the result of attention to detail and quality. More importantly, Apple takes the older Tablet idea and takes it into uncharted territory, as they often do. Sure, it's a tablet, but in a way that no previous tablets were!

1 Million!

The End of an Era

Well Stitch, Sony will cease production of the floppy disc:

Floppy Demise

I still remember inserting the good ol' floppy into the Macs of old. My G3 has the floppy drive. And I still remember what a leap it was when Zip drives came out! It just looked like a floppy on steroids.

But at this point, especially as online computing and storage takes hold, lots of portable media will be disappearing. I admit to a little nostalgia - I'll miss the era of excitement as we all realized what personal computing could do, and portable media was an essential part of that!

Would you like to share some of your thoughts and feelings?

Let the Ball roll no further!

I must say that Sunday night Robin and I did indeed go to the Apple store and handle the much coveted iPad, and I must say it is every bit as magnificent as they say! Leave it to Jobs to tell it like it is - you have to HOLD one to truly understand its magnificence. For the first time, I heard Robin say that this was definitely a product we should consider buying.

Stitch, it truly is a fast machine, and there is no other experience like surfing the web on it. Now I'll reserve judgement for the iWork applications, bit my limited exposure was very positive! I'm a huge fan of the new calendar implementation - it's just like a real classic desktop calendar where you flip the pages effortlessly. Apple really thought through the software!

I admit I am consistently annoyed by the deluge of copy cats out there who just can't seem to create original products. I know I am biased, but I truly believe that Apple leads the pack with innovations, an most everyone else comes into the market with their "me too" stuff.

Stitch, should I stop being annoyed, and just accept it as a part of our world?

Where are the iPad accolades?

I am amazed how MacNight has dropped the ball on the iPad hype. The release has come and went with not a peep from the following. I personally am also responsible too. I have yet to touch one in person yet, so a full review is not possible at this time. I hope we can revive the enthusiasm for MacNight, and the iPad might just do it. Even thought women don't really care for the name.

Multi Tasking on iPhone

Stitch, rumor has it that multi tasking will be a feature of iPhone OS4.0. It seems like a logical next step. Given the way cut and paste evolved, it seems like a reasonable assumption. I just wonder how they got around the drain on battery life? How necessary is it really? Sometimes I wonder. What do you think?

Our Sentiments Exactly!

Stitch, here is a great article on the iPad:

iPad

It mentions some of the complaints about the iPad. For example, wouldn't everyone love to have handwriting recognition! Unfortunately, nobody does it so it's really useful for most people! He says Apple didn't put it in because they want it to work extremely well, not just acceptable!

Check out the article, tell me what you think!

iPad Comments

I have viewed the Keynote and the iPad design video and even without seeing the device, I think it will be a hit. The key is the personal interation. Apple tried to run this home by having Steve Jobs sit on an easy chair and use the iPad. It is amazing at all the bad reviews it has been getting. All the complaints of no camera, small storage space, no hard drive, yada yada yada. If you put everything in the device then you either have to use low quality parts or price it through the roof. The iPad is not meant to be used to take pictures, be used for heavy workload work, or do video editing. It is to use casually as a personal media viewer. Look at pictures, video, eBooks, eMail, and surf the web. Yes you can do games too, and it does have iWork too. But I think these are misplaced. Are you going to edit your presentation on an iPad, or write a paper on an iPad? It does have the capability to be developed into whatever developers can imagine. The interactive painting program is a perfect example of a good fit with the iPad. The creative process does not work well sitting at a desk. An iPad gives you freedom to move whereever inspiration can be found. Apple stock tanked after the iPad announcement but I think Apple always gets backlash whenever they try to define a new paradigm. By leaving things out of the design, Apple has allowed for the inclusion of better components and a polished device at a reasonable price. I am amazed how much tunnel vision so many of these tech writers have. Everything is compared to what currently exists. In this environment, Apple will always get the short end of the stick. Many people cannot handle devices on the cutting edge. It is too bad, but they eventually come around and later say that they knew this device was good from the start. Ha.

The iPad Revealed!

Well, Stitch, I think this is the most significant announcement from Apple since the introduction of the iPhone in 2007. Like many people, what took me by surprise was the pricing of the device and the 3G pricing that comes with it. At these prices, it's enough to entice a tightwad like myself to buy!

I had mentioned before it's possible Apple was distinguishing itself on this product by including its proprietary chip (since it bought PA Semi) in the device. I would think this is one of the reasons they thought that this device wouldn't be as easy to copy as the iPhone. The performance and battery life appear to be outstanding on first glance, and that apparently is due to the chip!

A4 Chip

At these prices, and with the ability to run all these applications that are already written, it seems like a home run. What do you think?

The iPad!

Stitch, we will finally be introduced to Apple's new creation:

iPad

The word is it will possibly use ATandT or Verizon's network, which is really something! Should have e-reader capability as well, and if rumors are to be believed, has been in development for some time. Jobs wanted this to be right! I am very optimistic. How about you!

iPod Dominance

Stitch, you may have read the Macworld article by Christopher Breen about CES:

Consumer Electronics Show

He attended the CES and found that MP3 players were not much on display. A PR person said that they still sell Mp3 players, but really no one can compete with the iPod. He found almost no major competitors trying to display their MP3 players. When you think about it, and the more I read online, it seems future devices may be more geared toward accepting streams of music rather than downloaded tracks. I read another article which basically said the future will have music in the 'cloud' and all of us paying to have access to anything in the cloud. That may be true for many people, but I think I may be too old for living in a cloud!