There may be no greater tribute to Steve’s success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented.
How many CDs must you burn before the price of an iPod/iPhone interface kit would have been worth spending?
iPad, iPod, iPhone Killers
Developing a Windows-based alternative to the iPad is a “job one urgency” at Microsoft, company chief Steve Ballmer said today during the annual Financial Analysts Meeting.—from electronista
The problem with trying to develop a [Product] Killer is that you’ve already chosen to race your competition’s taillights.
This is particularly difficult if those taillights belong to Apple because they’re not in a race with you, they’re in a race with their own ideas. They don’t even know you’ve got a car.
I updated my phone to iOS 4.0.1 this morning and I haven’t seen my signal at 5 bars yet.
iMac Boot Problems
My parent’s new iMac won’t boot. I can’t get any of the dozen startup key strokes to work including “T” to get to target disk mode to pull off their data. My dad has booted it as late as Wednesday but it locks up after 10 minutes. Once it is shut down I meet a a gray screen without the Apple logo.
I believe it is a hardware issue but I’m holding out for someone out there to have a final suggestion. Help me!
I have a backup of their data so I don’t feel too bad. The worst feeling is pushing them to get a Mac for years and their first one failing them. My plan is to take it back to Nashville, get it fixed, and bring it back up in two weeks.
They only the 13” model available now but its only $60!
Gizmodo - This Is Apple's Next iPhone
I’m excited to see a squarer form factor. I was telling coworkers last week how I preferred holding my old iPod than my iPhone because the square edges feel more secure in my hand.
My parent’s new iMac
Apple - Downloads - System/Disk Utilities - MagicPrefs
“Improve the functionality and configuration options of the Apple Magic Mouse.”
This OS X application for binding gestures is much better than the last. It also increases tracking speed.
Jeff Croft's iPad thoughts
Jeff shares great thoughts. Some crossed my mind but I didn’t mention last night.
Multi-tasking is vastly overrated. But multi-user support is a killer app no one is talking about.
The Amazon Kindle DX (the current model with a 9.7” screen) is $480. FOUR HUNDRED AND EIGHTY BUCKS. In other words, it’s a hopeless pile of shit that looks like joke next to an iPad.
Avoiding the Announcement
I decided this morning that I would avoid watching feeds from the announcement. My typical method of consumption is to have a handful of streams open watching shorting blurbs and photos come across all while debating points with Alex. I think I have been following Apple announcements since I started working at DxR in Carbondale.
The keynote takes 1-1.5 hours and then I usually spent time afterwards reading in-depth reviews and discussing it over and over with coworkers. I always felt dirty wasting so much time and frankly didn’t enjoy following streams. So today I decided to resist my own consumption and inform my coworkers of my decision. I’m amazed my plan worked for the most part. I kept my nose down in my work all afternoon by not checking Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, Digg, RSS feeds, etc. It really felt good to eliminate all of that. In fact, I need to do it more often; I have a bad habit of losing focus for a second and immediately bringing up a random website.
Most of my coworkers respected my decision. Our new designer, Russ, even told his friend on the phone he couldn’t talk about “it” because of my decision. I appreciated the effort even if it wasn’t necessary. My boss, who was working from home, sent me a few instant messages while I was at lunch about “it”. His messages were very cryptic and generic incase I wasn’t paying attention. I appreciated that consideration. At the end of the day a woman from the other side of the building came over to ask me a question. She acknowledged my sign and then proceeded to tell me about the pricing and storage sizes. I didn’t mind.
I watched the whole presentation video tonight from the comfort of my leather chair. I enjoyed watching the actual reveal but I can’t stand the extended demos. For example, I already know how to browse the New York Times website using my iPhone. The iPad is just bigger so there isn’t a need to spend 5 minutes marveling at the blank boxes where the Flash advertisements would be. I skipped through most of these, especially iWork.
I think I’ll probably skip the live feeds in the future. Reading an article afterwards is much more rewarding.
I’m very excited about the iPad. I was worried I wouldn’t have a place for it in my life. As a fanboy that would crush me. But I told Beth tonight that I could see this device replacing the laptop that gets passed around in the living room. I also think Beth would enjoy reading books from an electronic device.
I also hoped that this device could cover everything my parents need a computer for. It covers everything but photo storage. I knew it wouldn’t and believe it shouldn’t. It’s a shame that it comes so close.
EDIT: There will be a Camera Connection Kit but even 64GB isn’t enough for a long term storage solution.
Shhhhhhhhh
I am now entering the cone of silence. Please do not send me any messages about the Apple announcement. I like to wait and stream the replay after it’s posted.
I’m thinking about doing the same.
Apple’s Tablet: The Ultimate Red Herring
My prediction is that Apple will announce a tablet of some sort tomorrow, probably with really innovative touch screen technology. But that’s the small part. The piece you’re missing is that the tablet will be connected to something much larger: a fully integrated digital media and home networking environment.
Ben has great points about an angle for the rumored table. His thoughts about the tablet being part of the home media scene excites me more than the traditional thoughts.
