macnews.net.tc
2009-08-03
The tablet is an iPod is a MacBook is a Newton...
What many a blogger and PC magazine writer out there doesn't seem to get is that Apple's choice isn't simply to either go "big iPod touch" or "MacBook gone tablet". If you thought the iPod would be "just another MP3 player" before it came along in 2001 or if you thought Apple would create something similar to a SonyEricsson T610i with the iPhone, yes then there are only these options.
But Apple wouldn't be Apple if they weren't all about the whole user experience. The current interface of Mac OS X (as well as the changes coming with Snow Leopard in September) aren't enough for a tablet-style computer to work well. You'll at least need a nice keyboard overlay of some kind, but even so, the standard OS X menubar doesn't make much sense in a touch device, one of the reasons why we don't see such a feature-filled menubar on the iPhone (merely a statusbar). On the other hand, just scaling the iPhone/iPod touch interface to a bigger tablet isn't enough either. If you simply fill a huuuuuge 10" home screen with dozens of apps, it's not a very clever interface anymore. Four or five rows of three or four apps are the most you can view at a glance, I'd say. (But Apple has that covered with Spotlight, anyway.)
Then there's talk about media. That's the easy part, really. Quicktime X looks as if it were made for such a device. How you handle video and music on the iPhone works _very_ well on a 10" tablet. The bigger screen would simply make it more enjoyable. Similarly, iPod touch style gaming would surely be very enjoyable on a larger touch-screen.
But what about productivity apps? There certainly _are_ things such a tablet could accomplish. It's big enough for touchtyping much faster than on an iPhone, although I believe I'll still be at least twice as fast on a real notebook keyboard, just because I can handle it blindfolded, whereas a virtual keyboard is much more dependent on eyesight. Just think about how Mobile Safari or Safari would work on a tablet: It would be wonderful.
Video chat could also be a big feature for such a device. It's not been talked about much, but it would certainly beat a similar experience on an iPhone with iChat AV.
If, right now, you simply think a 600-900 dollar tablet would not find a market, think again. Because people thought similar things about the iPod as well as the iPhone. I've been hearing over the past several months that a "larger iPhone OS device" would enter the market in September, along with new versions of the iPod line. And I believe Apple will enter the holiday season with a bang. - posted by fryke @ 23:15 [article link] 1 comments
But Apple wouldn't be Apple if they weren't all about the whole user experience. The current interface of Mac OS X (as well as the changes coming with Snow Leopard in September) aren't enough for a tablet-style computer to work well. You'll at least need a nice keyboard overlay of some kind, but even so, the standard OS X menubar doesn't make much sense in a touch device, one of the reasons why we don't see such a feature-filled menubar on the iPhone (merely a statusbar). On the other hand, just scaling the iPhone/iPod touch interface to a bigger tablet isn't enough either. If you simply fill a huuuuuge 10" home screen with dozens of apps, it's not a very clever interface anymore. Four or five rows of three or four apps are the most you can view at a glance, I'd say. (But Apple has that covered with Spotlight, anyway.)
Then there's talk about media. That's the easy part, really. Quicktime X looks as if it were made for such a device. How you handle video and music on the iPhone works _very_ well on a 10" tablet. The bigger screen would simply make it more enjoyable. Similarly, iPod touch style gaming would surely be very enjoyable on a larger touch-screen.
But what about productivity apps? There certainly _are_ things such a tablet could accomplish. It's big enough for touchtyping much faster than on an iPhone, although I believe I'll still be at least twice as fast on a real notebook keyboard, just because I can handle it blindfolded, whereas a virtual keyboard is much more dependent on eyesight. Just think about how Mobile Safari or Safari would work on a tablet: It would be wonderful.
Video chat could also be a big feature for such a device. It's not been talked about much, but it would certainly beat a similar experience on an iPhone with iChat AV.
If, right now, you simply think a 600-900 dollar tablet would not find a market, think again. Because people thought similar things about the iPod as well as the iPhone. I've been hearing over the past several months that a "larger iPhone OS device" would enter the market in September, along with new versions of the iPod line. And I believe Apple will enter the holiday season with a bang. - posted by fryke @ 23:15 [article link] 1 comments
2009-08-01
The future is already here
One important difference between the evolution of earlier smartphone platforms like Nokia's Communicators and Series 60 (Symbian) and the iPhone platform, to me, is that the development of the iPhone is actually _ongoing_.
I remember very well having the Nokia 9110 at some point. It was a great communicator, and for a while, it looked like future upgrades and additional software from 3rd party developers would make it an even greater communicator. Sure, a lack of GPRS or even HSCSD was a hardware-based problem that couldn't be solved in software, but the users expected to see more and better software features in the future. But Nokia didn't look at it like this. Nokia, after a while, simply abandoned the 9110 (after releasing the 9110i) and focused on the development of the 9210 (9290 for US citizens) - hardware- and software-wise. This meant that all that was left were a couple of hobbyists developing for the 9110 and 9110i, which basically meant that the platform was going nowhere. As with *every* communicator release, the 9210 was a move forward (colour screen, HSCSD) as well as a huge step back (slower GUI). And when it was released, it was already outdated without GRPS/EDGE support. When the 9500/9300 arrived, the 9210 platform was abandoned for the new Series 80 series communicators. But those again were left in the dust when the Nokia Communicator e90 arrived, which brought it to the Series 60 platform, which again was a step forward as well as a step back. Nokia wasn't and isn't offering software upgrades for the communicators to newer versions. Bugfix releases, yes, but software upgrades to really newer versions: No.
The 1st generation iPhone, however, runs 3.0 beautifully. Sure, the iPhone 3G brought along new hardware features like 3G connectivity and GPS, the 3GS brought a compass and a much speedier processor, but software-wise, the original iPhone can still keep up with (most) newer functions. Sure, they screw with their users as well (no MMS for original iPhones, what's up with that?), but not in a general way like it happens with the other platforms.
I'm sure some version (4.0, 5.0?) will leave the original iPhone in the dust, but by then most users will have moved on, anyway, and the others will either have bought their iPhone second-hand inexpensively (and probably won't expect every future update to work with their handset) or will be content with what they have, because after all, they've been using the great handset for _years_.
I've bought my first iPhone in late 2007. Some Swiss company imported AT&T iPhones on quite a big scale, and we jailbreaked and unlocked them using one or the other software that was around, so we could use it on Swisscom, sunrise or Orange Switzerland's networks. I then moved to the iPhone 3G when it became available with Orange Switzerland, my network of choice. Luckily, Orange offers one-year contracts for a bit more money than the usual 2-year iPhone offerings, which allowed me to move to the 3GS when it became available, and this _will_ allow me to move to the next iPhone next year, which is going to be great, I'm sure.
We'll probably see similar things happen to Android handsets. It doesn't seem like the users will be forbidden, somehow, to upgrade to newer versions of the operating system. And that's a good thing for smartphone users all around the world (or at least where the iPhone and Android handsets become available).
You can cry "lock in strategies" all you want, I never felt really "free" with the Nokia platforms or SonyEricsson platforms. Usually, those meant that you bought a device with a particular OS, and you were locked into _that_ until you bought a new handset.
With the iPhone I'm as free as I want to be. The jailbreaking community gives us options where Apple's a bit restrictive, but I must say I haven't been using jailbreaks on my 3G and 3GS, because the apps I needed and the functionality was available. (Other than push-notification, which only came about in recent weeks.)
I still wish the iPhone would go true multitasking (and I'm sure still missing one or the other additional feature), but I guess that'll happen with newer hardware and OS 4.0, or maybe with even newer hardware and OS 5.0 in 2011. - posted by fryke @ 16:22 [article link] 2 comments
I remember very well having the Nokia 9110 at some point. It was a great communicator, and for a while, it looked like future upgrades and additional software from 3rd party developers would make it an even greater communicator. Sure, a lack of GPRS or even HSCSD was a hardware-based problem that couldn't be solved in software, but the users expected to see more and better software features in the future. But Nokia didn't look at it like this. Nokia, after a while, simply abandoned the 9110 (after releasing the 9110i) and focused on the development of the 9210 (9290 for US citizens) - hardware- and software-wise. This meant that all that was left were a couple of hobbyists developing for the 9110 and 9110i, which basically meant that the platform was going nowhere. As with *every* communicator release, the 9210 was a move forward (colour screen, HSCSD) as well as a huge step back (slower GUI). And when it was released, it was already outdated without GRPS/EDGE support. When the 9500/9300 arrived, the 9210 platform was abandoned for the new Series 80 series communicators. But those again were left in the dust when the Nokia Communicator e90 arrived, which brought it to the Series 60 platform, which again was a step forward as well as a step back. Nokia wasn't and isn't offering software upgrades for the communicators to newer versions. Bugfix releases, yes, but software upgrades to really newer versions: No.
The 1st generation iPhone, however, runs 3.0 beautifully. Sure, the iPhone 3G brought along new hardware features like 3G connectivity and GPS, the 3GS brought a compass and a much speedier processor, but software-wise, the original iPhone can still keep up with (most) newer functions. Sure, they screw with their users as well (no MMS for original iPhones, what's up with that?), but not in a general way like it happens with the other platforms.
I'm sure some version (4.0, 5.0?) will leave the original iPhone in the dust, but by then most users will have moved on, anyway, and the others will either have bought their iPhone second-hand inexpensively (and probably won't expect every future update to work with their handset) or will be content with what they have, because after all, they've been using the great handset for _years_.
I've bought my first iPhone in late 2007. Some Swiss company imported AT&T iPhones on quite a big scale, and we jailbreaked and unlocked them using one or the other software that was around, so we could use it on Swisscom, sunrise or Orange Switzerland's networks. I then moved to the iPhone 3G when it became available with Orange Switzerland, my network of choice. Luckily, Orange offers one-year contracts for a bit more money than the usual 2-year iPhone offerings, which allowed me to move to the 3GS when it became available, and this _will_ allow me to move to the next iPhone next year, which is going to be great, I'm sure.
We'll probably see similar things happen to Android handsets. It doesn't seem like the users will be forbidden, somehow, to upgrade to newer versions of the operating system. And that's a good thing for smartphone users all around the world (or at least where the iPhone and Android handsets become available).
You can cry "lock in strategies" all you want, I never felt really "free" with the Nokia platforms or SonyEricsson platforms. Usually, those meant that you bought a device with a particular OS, and you were locked into _that_ until you bought a new handset.
With the iPhone I'm as free as I want to be. The jailbreaking community gives us options where Apple's a bit restrictive, but I must say I haven't been using jailbreaks on my 3G and 3GS, because the apps I needed and the functionality was available. (Other than push-notification, which only came about in recent weeks.)
I still wish the iPhone would go true multitasking (and I'm sure still missing one or the other additional feature), but I guess that'll happen with newer hardware and OS 4.0, or maybe with even newer hardware and OS 5.0 in 2011. - posted by fryke @ 16:22 [article link] 2 comments
2009-04-06
Now what: iPhone G3? 4G? 3.0?
With calling last year's model the iPhone 3G, Apple brought a bit of trouble into the naming schemes. With iPods, we just called the generations 1G, 2G, 3G etc., the iPod classic is the iPod 6G, although it's rarely called that. The current nano is the iPod nano 4G. The current iPhone (the "iPhone 3G") is actually the iPhone 2G, the second generation iPhone. They can't well call the next iPhone the "4G", since the 3G's moniker stems from the 3G networks it's using, and there simply aren't 4G networks around just yet.
An iPhone Pro was mentioned in several rumours, which might mean that the 3G would stay on the market, at a lower price. It would be an interesting option, although it doesn't seem very "Apple". I personally hope they'll just call it the iPhone again. We'll call it 3rd generation or 3.0 or just "2009", but the standard iPhone model should just be called iPhone in my opinion, like the iPod was before the arrival of the "classic" (which basically meant that it was a dying breed, you don't call anything "classic" if it's not about to die).
But what about the other models? If there really is going to be a larger format tablet and an iPhone mini or nano, we'll certainly have to forget about the generation naming scheme again. - posted by fryke @ 23:01 [article link] 3 comments
An iPhone Pro was mentioned in several rumours, which might mean that the 3G would stay on the market, at a lower price. It would be an interesting option, although it doesn't seem very "Apple". I personally hope they'll just call it the iPhone again. We'll call it 3rd generation or 3.0 or just "2009", but the standard iPhone model should just be called iPhone in my opinion, like the iPod was before the arrival of the "classic" (which basically meant that it was a dying breed, you don't call anything "classic" if it's not about to die).
But what about the other models? If there really is going to be a larger format tablet and an iPhone mini or nano, we'll certainly have to forget about the generation naming scheme again. - posted by fryke @ 23:01 [article link] 3 comments
2009-03-17
The iPhone platform
Its OS is simply called "OS X", removing the "Mac" moniker. It's going to be the platform for the iPod touch, the iPhone, the iPad maybe, Apple TV... But as long as we're talking iPhone, mainly, what feature upgrades does the iPhone really need? The following are the most heard criticisms and feature-wishes for the iPhone, but I don't think Apple actually will bring them to the platform, at least not all of them at once...
1.) MMS
People who were using MMS extensively before going iPhone _are_ missing the feature. But it really _is_ just an expensive (at least in some places) replacement for real E-Mail. The iPhone does E-Mail really well. Adding MMS would basically mean to invest development hours into a vanishing technology. So I'm saying: No need, really. iPhone apps allow you to use Facebook and other platforms to share your pix online. If your contacts only have older phones that _don't_ do Facebook and/or E-Mail well, they should get a better phone. May I suggest an iPhone?
2.) Copy & Paste
Many people call it "cut" and paste, but actually cutting isn't required, it's copying that's required. (You don't "cut" a number from an SMS, you copy it.) Apple's been trying to get on without such a feature on the iPhone. I think they've done well in some places, but bad in others. So I hope the rumour comes true, finally, with the news about OS 3.0 tomorrow.
3.) Flash
Seriously? Well, I guess some websites depend on it, so the addition of Flash would certainly help make a point of the iPhone OS giving you the "full" web experience Apple always talks about. I don't see it as survival-necessary, and if Apple adds it (with Adobe's help), I sure hope it's a _full_ version of Flash and a mature one at the same time. We don't need more Safari-hangs or crashes on the iPhone, and I suspect any 3rd party plugin has the ability to really fuck things up.
4.) Search
Actually, I haven't heard this call too much. But really, with Apple always talking about how great Spotlight is on the Desktop, it *is* curious how the iPhone does _not_ have a search function at all. We got one in Contacts, but the iPhone really needs Spotlight. I want to enter a person's name, for example, and see his contact information, messages, appointments etc. all on one page, so I can select and open from there without having to open the correct application first. With a lot of E-Mail messages, for example, it's really difficult today to find a text blurb you remember having read in a mail message earlier. Search, I find (heh!), has to make it into 3.0.
5.) Background apps/background push notification
When Apple first talked about how many smartphones weren't all that smart, really, I had to state that the iPhone really just didn't cut it as a smartphone. It was a smart phone, but not a smartphone. One reason, of course, was that smartphones had exactly that differentiation from dumbphones. On Series 60 and Series 80 phones like Nokia's Communicator series, I could have my messages app open, my IM app open and some other stuff, and notifications were a breeze. Going to the iPhone meant that leaving the IM app meant logging out automatically and not being informed about new incoming messages. Not so smart indeed.
The worst thing about this is that Apple *really* got my hopes up when they were talking about the OS 2.0 software and its implementation of push notification. It seemed like a really smart idea. They wouldn't have to actually keep the apps running in the background, but notifications would still work, which was the main one of my gripes with the OS. But OS 2 came and push notification just didn't happen. A broken promise. One that, imho, has hurt Apple's image a bit. I mean: Whatever they promise us on Tuesday - will they actually deliver? Or will we buy into the "this'll come later on in OS 3" and end up wishing for OS 4? It needs to be solved. One way or the other.
6.) Bluetooth
The iPhone has a bluetooth chip. It doesn't, however, have Bluetooth features. It supports some headsets, and that's it. They have to be mono, too.
But I want to push contacts, photos and other files via BT. I want to use my iPhone as a BT modem for my MacBook Air. I want to use my Apple Wireless Keyboard for entering text on my iPhone. I could leave my MacBook Air or lenovo S10e hackbook at home then. It's not about acknowleding that the onscreen keyboard is bad. It's quite good actually. I'm quicker on it nowadays than on my Nokia Communicator keyboards, which is quite a feat. But I'm not comfortable writing three or four pages of text on that keyboard, something which I *would* be able to if I could use the wireless keyboard. It runs OS X, I'm sure it can be done quite easily in fact.
I'm quite nervous about the news in a couple of hours (well, about 15-20 hours, I'm guessing...). I want OS 3 to wow me in a good way. But I don't want to just hear about 2 great new features that try to wow me but forgetting about the stuff that users are actually asking for. Giving us things we didn't even _know_ we wanted is great. It's always nice when Apple's able to do that. But giving us required stuff is important as well. (I'm still very thankful I'm finally able to turn off auto-correction without having to do a jailbreak.) - posted by fryke @ 00:09 [article link] 0 comments
1.) MMS
People who were using MMS extensively before going iPhone _are_ missing the feature. But it really _is_ just an expensive (at least in some places) replacement for real E-Mail. The iPhone does E-Mail really well. Adding MMS would basically mean to invest development hours into a vanishing technology. So I'm saying: No need, really. iPhone apps allow you to use Facebook and other platforms to share your pix online. If your contacts only have older phones that _don't_ do Facebook and/or E-Mail well, they should get a better phone. May I suggest an iPhone?
2.) Copy & Paste
Many people call it "cut" and paste, but actually cutting isn't required, it's copying that's required. (You don't "cut" a number from an SMS, you copy it.) Apple's been trying to get on without such a feature on the iPhone. I think they've done well in some places, but bad in others. So I hope the rumour comes true, finally, with the news about OS 3.0 tomorrow.
3.) Flash
Seriously? Well, I guess some websites depend on it, so the addition of Flash would certainly help make a point of the iPhone OS giving you the "full" web experience Apple always talks about. I don't see it as survival-necessary, and if Apple adds it (with Adobe's help), I sure hope it's a _full_ version of Flash and a mature one at the same time. We don't need more Safari-hangs or crashes on the iPhone, and I suspect any 3rd party plugin has the ability to really fuck things up.
4.) Search
Actually, I haven't heard this call too much. But really, with Apple always talking about how great Spotlight is on the Desktop, it *is* curious how the iPhone does _not_ have a search function at all. We got one in Contacts, but the iPhone really needs Spotlight. I want to enter a person's name, for example, and see his contact information, messages, appointments etc. all on one page, so I can select and open from there without having to open the correct application first. With a lot of E-Mail messages, for example, it's really difficult today to find a text blurb you remember having read in a mail message earlier. Search, I find (heh!), has to make it into 3.0.
5.) Background apps/background push notification
When Apple first talked about how many smartphones weren't all that smart, really, I had to state that the iPhone really just didn't cut it as a smartphone. It was a smart phone, but not a smartphone. One reason, of course, was that smartphones had exactly that differentiation from dumbphones. On Series 60 and Series 80 phones like Nokia's Communicator series, I could have my messages app open, my IM app open and some other stuff, and notifications were a breeze. Going to the iPhone meant that leaving the IM app meant logging out automatically and not being informed about new incoming messages. Not so smart indeed.
The worst thing about this is that Apple *really* got my hopes up when they were talking about the OS 2.0 software and its implementation of push notification. It seemed like a really smart idea. They wouldn't have to actually keep the apps running in the background, but notifications would still work, which was the main one of my gripes with the OS. But OS 2 came and push notification just didn't happen. A broken promise. One that, imho, has hurt Apple's image a bit. I mean: Whatever they promise us on Tuesday - will they actually deliver? Or will we buy into the "this'll come later on in OS 3" and end up wishing for OS 4? It needs to be solved. One way or the other.
6.) Bluetooth
The iPhone has a bluetooth chip. It doesn't, however, have Bluetooth features. It supports some headsets, and that's it. They have to be mono, too.
But I want to push contacts, photos and other files via BT. I want to use my iPhone as a BT modem for my MacBook Air. I want to use my Apple Wireless Keyboard for entering text on my iPhone. I could leave my MacBook Air or lenovo S10e hackbook at home then. It's not about acknowleding that the onscreen keyboard is bad. It's quite good actually. I'm quicker on it nowadays than on my Nokia Communicator keyboards, which is quite a feat. But I'm not comfortable writing three or four pages of text on that keyboard, something which I *would* be able to if I could use the wireless keyboard. It runs OS X, I'm sure it can be done quite easily in fact.
I'm quite nervous about the news in a couple of hours (well, about 15-20 hours, I'm guessing...). I want OS 3 to wow me in a good way. But I don't want to just hear about 2 great new features that try to wow me but forgetting about the stuff that users are actually asking for. Giving us things we didn't even _know_ we wanted is great. It's always nice when Apple's able to do that. But giving us required stuff is important as well. (I'm still very thankful I'm finally able to turn off auto-correction without having to do a jailbreak.) - posted by fryke @ 00:09 [article link] 0 comments
2009-02-25
Safari 4 will continue the "we don't adhere" mantra...
Apparently, Apple simply doesn't care about their own UI guidelines when it comes to iLife apps and Safari. The newest offender is of course Safari 4's "tab bar inside the window titlebar". It's very inconsistent, and sadly, you can only grab tabs from the top right corner of each tab. Grabbing the title, as before, will result in moving the whole window. Many people tend to arrange their windows. Me personally, for example, I like my windows to be hooked top-left. A couple of pixels below the menubar and to the right of the left display edge. Grabbing the tabs at the wrong place results in me constantly having to put the window back where it belongs.
Of course, you can solve the problem by typing "defaults write com.apple.Safari DebugSafari4TabBarIsOnTop -bool NO" without the quotes into a Terminal window and hitting return after that. Restarting Safari will then show you tabs the old way. (Do the same with "YES" to restore the new default-functionality.) But I don't want to have to hack my systems whenever I set them up. Nowadays, I have to restore a 2D dock via such a command, and now I have to restore a decent tabbing behaviour to Safari. Of course I also have to install LaunchBar and other utilities, but that's something I've come to terms with since, I guess, around Mac OS X 10.1. But to me, a couple of tabs in the window titlebar of Safari just looks kinda messy. I find the old way more logical.
Of course the new way reduces the vertical footprint of Safari windows, which could mean good things for a netbook. (Hint?) - posted by fryke @ 13:34 [article link] 0 comments
Of course, you can solve the problem by typing "defaults write com.apple.Safari DebugSafari4TabBarIsOnTop -bool NO" without the quotes into a Terminal window and hitting return after that. Restarting Safari will then show you tabs the old way. (Do the same with "YES" to restore the new default-functionality.) But I don't want to have to hack my systems whenever I set them up. Nowadays, I have to restore a 2D dock via such a command, and now I have to restore a decent tabbing behaviour to Safari. Of course I also have to install LaunchBar and other utilities, but that's something I've come to terms with since, I guess, around Mac OS X 10.1. But to me, a couple of tabs in the window titlebar of Safari just looks kinda messy. I find the old way more logical.
Of course the new way reduces the vertical footprint of Safari windows, which could mean good things for a netbook. (Hint?) - posted by fryke @ 13:34 [article link] 0 comments
2009-01-25
AppleTV Take 3?
Christian Zibreg notes 5 "main" features of AppleTV Take 3 on tgdaily.com (link goes to second page, where the list of 5 points is). But I have to say no to at least a couple of those five...
5.) Full HD and DVR capabilities.
This just shows a badly written article. Why do you combine those _two_ features as one feature request? One has nothing to do with the other, and quite clearly, Apple has _no_ interest whatsoever to bring actual OTA/OTC TV to AppleTV. The whole point of AppleTV is to bring us content _directly_ over the net. When we want it, without ads, at a price.
I of course agree that 1080i/1080p is a logical next step for the device or the software. Currently, AppleTV can put out 1080i, but it really just extrapolates 720p and lower quality to 1080i.
4.) Built-in digital TV (ATSC) tuner.
No. It simply isn't Apple's goal. Apple wants you to get your media from the iTunes Store (whether it be free podcasts, paid movies/shows or rentals). A TV tuner and DVR would maybe expand ATV's appeal to customers, but Apple has a clear goal here. So: No. Very simple.
3.) Built-in Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme.
Would be possible, feasible and certainly on my wishlist. Since it doesn't distract from Apple's main goal with AppleTV, I'd say this one's okay.
2.) Premium TV channels via iTS.
The way Christian describes this, it sounds like he's talking "live TV" again. That's simply not what AppleTV is about. Whether they add higher-priced premium content to the iTunes Store: Who knows. It would make sense.
1.) The App Store.
Games on the AppleTV would've been a better title. Of course it's an option. But the hardware is only up for "casual gaming" so far, i.e. it wouldn't really be a competitor for Wii, XBox 360 and PS3. Since you couldn't very well play iPhone games on the AppleTV without an actual iPhone as a controller, it would mean completely incompatible, separate development. And since AppleTV isn't the hit the iPhone is, so far, I don't just see it. It could be interesting, but it'd also distract from AppleTV's main goal.
And that's the main thing that bothers me about the article. It ignores Apple's main goal. Just keep in mind that Apple wants to
1.) have you as a returning iTunes Store customer.
2.) sell you content on top of what you're getting for free (podcasts and the likes).
3.) be the _next_ thing.
With these three points in mind, it becomes very clear that any OTA/OTC TV tuner stuff and DVR capabilities are _not_ part of the AppleTV plans. See: iTunes doesn't let you buy an FM tuner and record it to AAC/MP3. It gives you free streaming radio instead. So _if_ there'll ever be "live TV" on iTunes/AppleTV, it'll be some sort of streaming stuff. But even that just isn't a goal for Apple. With streaming radio, Apple could simply "add support" for an already established service. There's no such thing for TV on the 'net. (Except video podcasts, of course.) - posted by fryke @ 10:39 [article link] 0 comments
5.) Full HD and DVR capabilities.
This just shows a badly written article. Why do you combine those _two_ features as one feature request? One has nothing to do with the other, and quite clearly, Apple has _no_ interest whatsoever to bring actual OTA/OTC TV to AppleTV. The whole point of AppleTV is to bring us content _directly_ over the net. When we want it, without ads, at a price.
I of course agree that 1080i/1080p is a logical next step for the device or the software. Currently, AppleTV can put out 1080i, but it really just extrapolates 720p and lower quality to 1080i.
4.) Built-in digital TV (ATSC) tuner.
No. It simply isn't Apple's goal. Apple wants you to get your media from the iTunes Store (whether it be free podcasts, paid movies/shows or rentals). A TV tuner and DVR would maybe expand ATV's appeal to customers, but Apple has a clear goal here. So: No. Very simple.
3.) Built-in Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme.
Would be possible, feasible and certainly on my wishlist. Since it doesn't distract from Apple's main goal with AppleTV, I'd say this one's okay.
2.) Premium TV channels via iTS.
The way Christian describes this, it sounds like he's talking "live TV" again. That's simply not what AppleTV is about. Whether they add higher-priced premium content to the iTunes Store: Who knows. It would make sense.
1.) The App Store.
Games on the AppleTV would've been a better title. Of course it's an option. But the hardware is only up for "casual gaming" so far, i.e. it wouldn't really be a competitor for Wii, XBox 360 and PS3. Since you couldn't very well play iPhone games on the AppleTV without an actual iPhone as a controller, it would mean completely incompatible, separate development. And since AppleTV isn't the hit the iPhone is, so far, I don't just see it. It could be interesting, but it'd also distract from AppleTV's main goal.
And that's the main thing that bothers me about the article. It ignores Apple's main goal. Just keep in mind that Apple wants to
1.) have you as a returning iTunes Store customer.
2.) sell you content on top of what you're getting for free (podcasts and the likes).
3.) be the _next_ thing.
With these three points in mind, it becomes very clear that any OTA/OTC TV tuner stuff and DVR capabilities are _not_ part of the AppleTV plans. See: iTunes doesn't let you buy an FM tuner and record it to AAC/MP3. It gives you free streaming radio instead. So _if_ there'll ever be "live TV" on iTunes/AppleTV, it'll be some sort of streaming stuff. But even that just isn't a goal for Apple. With streaming radio, Apple could simply "add support" for an already established service. There's no such thing for TV on the 'net. (Except video podcasts, of course.) - posted by fryke @ 10:39 [article link] 0 comments
2009-01-06
MWSF, The Keynote by Phil Schiller, Part 007
(continuing the previous post...) Next up: iTunes Music Store. There's new pricing. Older songs (6+ years) are now 0.69 USD, new ones (0-6 years) are 0.99 USD, starting April 1, 2009. Some songs, however, will be priced at 1.29 USD. All songs will be DRM-free. (No, this is *not* an early April Fool's joke.)
Additionally, you can now get the iTunes store over 3G on the iPhone. Same experience, just a tad slower. You get the same music, of course (not lower-quality) and can synch back to your iTunes library. It's simply an addition of 3G to the mobile version of iTunes Store.
Tony Bennett on stage for the retro-outro. This is it, folks. No new iMacs, no new Mac mini, no new Cinema Displays, no iPhone nano. And still: It wasn't the most uninteresting MWSF keynote ever. What do I take from it? I want an eight to ten-hour battery in a MacBook Air. But I guess that has to wait 'til later in the year or next year. Until then, my 1st gen MacBook Air will have to do... - posted by fryke @ 19:28 [article link] 0 comments
Additionally, you can now get the iTunes store over 3G on the iPhone. Same experience, just a tad slower. You get the same music, of course (not lower-quality) and can synch back to your iTunes library. It's simply an addition of 3G to the mobile version of iTunes Store.
Tony Bennett on stage for the retro-outro. This is it, folks. No new iMacs, no new Mac mini, no new Cinema Displays, no iPhone nano. And still: It wasn't the most uninteresting MWSF keynote ever. What do I take from it? I want an eight to ten-hour battery in a MacBook Air. But I guess that has to wait 'til later in the year or next year. Until then, my 1st gen MacBook Air will have to do... - posted by fryke @ 19:28 [article link] 0 comments
MWSF, The Keynote by Phil Schiller, Part 006
Moving on to hardware: The 17" MacBook Pro. Features the same 1920x1200 pixel display at 700:1 contrast and 60% greater colour gamut. It has a 50 USD anti-glare option!!! Like rumours mentioned, the battery is not user-replaceable. But it lasts 8 hours (!!!) and should be rechargeable a thousand times. The notebook has a 2.66 GHz processor (plus CTO options), up to 8 GB of memory (4 GB standard), same graphics as the MBP 15", 320 GB HD standard, 256 GB SSD option, 3 USB ports, FireWire 800 (1 port), ExpressCard 34 slot, Ethernet, Mini DisplayPort, basically what we're used to. Same glass trackpad as MB/MBP.
The battery is talked about rather longishly in a tech demo video. Apparently, it's Lithium Polymer, takes on strange forms and has on-battery chips that adjusts currents, so the battery life (over its lifetime) can be as healthy as it can. (Instead of failing just as the warranty runs out.) I guess we're seeing the future of MacBook/MacBook Pro batteries here, so expect the next iteration of 15" and 13" models to also not have user-replaceable batteries. The RDF is in place, I'd say. Looking at it as they're putting it, it makes sense. It'll get slammed on forums and in the press, though, I guess, if the RDF ain't good enough... Shipments start at the end of January '09. - posted by fryke @ 19:15 [article link] 0 comments
The battery is talked about rather longishly in a tech demo video. Apparently, it's Lithium Polymer, takes on strange forms and has on-battery chips that adjusts currents, so the battery life (over its lifetime) can be as healthy as it can. (Instead of failing just as the warranty runs out.) I guess we're seeing the future of MacBook/MacBook Pro batteries here, so expect the next iteration of 15" and 13" models to also not have user-replaceable batteries. The RDF is in place, I'd say. Looking at it as they're putting it, it makes sense. It'll get slammed on forums and in the press, though, I guess, if the RDF ain't good enough... Shipments start at the end of January '09. - posted by fryke @ 19:15 [article link] 0 comments
MWSF, The Keynote by Phil Schiller, Part 005
(continuing the previous post...) Pages '09. There's a full screen view that lets you focus on your writing. (Very important, I'm a writer after all.) There's the obvious new templates frenzy, but more importantly, Pages '09 includes MathType and EndNote. Scientists, engineers and students will appreciate these. "And that's Pages '09."
Numbers '09. More powerful formulas. Over 250 functions, all colour-coded. Very nicely done. (I'm sure there's new templates, too, but I won't mention it, even if it's specifically mentioned. I'm no fan of ever-more templates.)
iWork '09, btw., is shipping today! Apple will offer a 169 USD package (Mac Box Set) with Mac OS X 10.5, iWork '09 and iLife '09 for those who haven't upgraded to Leopard yet. (I guess Snow Leopard won't be mentioned, then, until it's suddenly released in Spring or Summer, now there's a ploy to milk the Leopard...)
One more thing with iWork: iWork.com. This service lets you publish your iWork documents and share them with contacts from AddressBook.app easily. Automatically shares documents in various formats (iWork/Office/PDF). Sign up for a free beta today, but later on, it'll cost a fee, so it's separate from iWork and separate from MobileMe, which is a pity, since that would have made a great MobileMe extension, I find. (So let's move on to the actual "Mac" stuff, as in hardware, please?) ;) - posted by fryke @ 18:59 [article link] 0 comments
Numbers '09. More powerful formulas. Over 250 functions, all colour-coded. Very nicely done. (I'm sure there's new templates, too, but I won't mention it, even if it's specifically mentioned. I'm no fan of ever-more templates.)
iWork '09, btw., is shipping today! Apple will offer a 169 USD package (Mac Box Set) with Mac OS X 10.5, iWork '09 and iLife '09 for those who haven't upgraded to Leopard yet. (I guess Snow Leopard won't be mentioned, then, until it's suddenly released in Spring or Summer, now there's a ploy to milk the Leopard...)
One more thing with iWork: iWork.com. This service lets you publish your iWork documents and share them with contacts from AddressBook.app easily. Automatically shares documents in various formats (iWork/Office/PDF). Sign up for a free beta today, but later on, it'll cost a fee, so it's separate from iWork and separate from MobileMe, which is a pity, since that would have made a great MobileMe extension, I find. (So let's move on to the actual "Mac" stuff, as in hardware, please?) ;) - posted by fryke @ 18:59 [article link] 0 comments
MWSF, The Keynote by Phil Schiller, Part 004
(continuing the previous post...) still on GarageBand '09. Apart from the beginners' instructional videos done by "Instructor Tim", you can also learn "real" artist lessons: John Fogerty, Colbie Caillat, Patrick Stump, Sting, Sarah McLachlan, Ryan Tedder, Norah Jones and others (more will be added) teach you their songs. Very impressive.
iLife '09 will be released in late January. Same pricing as before, and of course new Macs will come with it preinstalled once it's available.
Now, on to iWork '09. First up: Keynote '09. One new feature is "Magic Move". You set up your slides, and the feature does the animation of the various objects on one click. This is Apple's Core Animation implemented, of course. They've shown us similar stuff when Leopard was new.
More importantly: There's Keynote Remote, i.e. you can use your iPod touch or iPhone to remote control your presentations like you can do with a dual monitor setup, basically. This is nifty. Jokingly, Phil Schiller says: "You can see we've already given it five star reviews." - posted by fryke @ 18:47 [article link] 0 comments
iLife '09 will be released in late January. Same pricing as before, and of course new Macs will come with it preinstalled once it's available.
Now, on to iWork '09. First up: Keynote '09. One new feature is "Magic Move". You set up your slides, and the feature does the animation of the various objects on one click. This is Apple's Core Animation implemented, of course. They've shown us similar stuff when Leopard was new.
More importantly: There's Keynote Remote, i.e. you can use your iPod touch or iPhone to remote control your presentations like you can do with a dual monitor setup, basically. This is nifty. Jokingly, Phil Schiller says: "You can see we've already given it five star reviews." - posted by fryke @ 18:47 [article link] 0 comments
