AI, Mobile, and Eveything Around the Cloud

According to Gizmodo, folks with iPhone and still use ATT services (not T-Mobile) should be able to access ATT hotspots again, like at Starbucks. This is terrific news.  And it's about time.  There have a Jekyll-And-Hyde thing going with ATT giving iPhone owners access to hotspots. Let's hope this time, it sticks. Also, if you're an iPod Touch owner, and you feel left out, Starbucks offers a couple of hours of free service if you buy coffee or use your Starbucks card.  And also, if you have DSL through ATT, you also get free access to ATT hotspots. Things are looking good once again. Via Gizmodo Note:  G1 owners also get access to T-Mobile's hotspots for free.  Well, it's part of your service.

It's traditional for cell phone makers to drop the price of their devices over time as costs come down.  For the iPhone, I think we'll see a $150 before $99. But Apple has surprised me lately with moves I didn't think they had the DNA to formulate the behavioral characteristics to make.  Gone are the days of "my way or the highway" approach.  Sometimes. Take the $200 drop on iPhone just this July for the iPhone 3G.  A younger Jobs might have stuck to his guns.  Now, it's Apple talks about sacrificing near term margins to leave no umbrella room for competitors. But the impact of a $99 is mind-boggling.  If adoption rates increase 2-3 times, it truly leaves very little room for competitors to move. Link:   Crunchgear My only question is what happens to the iPod Touch.

Here's a fun thought:  Apple buying Yahoo.  Here's the thing. Apple won't have to offer Yahoo the premium Microsoft was paying for.  After all, Apple stock has a better upside potential than Microsoft at this moment with the iPhone sales leading the way and Macbooks flying off the shelves.  Essentially, Apple would be saying to Yahoo, "we'll buy you with a small premium and you'll be very thankful for it later". With Android now a competitor to Apple's mobile platform, despite bloggers love using products from both companies (myself included) who try to walk a fine line on that matter in their posts, Google and Apple are on a potential collision course for mobile supremacy. Now, Yahoo doesn't want to go under Redmond's sphere of influence.  It'll tolerate Google.  But I think the ranks and files of Yahoo would be very excited about a change of leadership to Cupertino.  Of course, this is only a speculative scenario on my part. However...

For those of you joining us from Onxo , welcome to these benchmark intepretations.  Previously, we talked about Apple's new benchmark numbers and we have been eagerly waiting for independent ones from Macworld.  Here's here. Macworld is kind enough to bring us additional gaming numbers for the new Macbook.  But in general, it speaks to the wise move Apple made in going with Nvidia.  So, anyone who says Apple don't care about gaming, Steve Jobs appreciate a little apology. Here goes.  I've eliminated some numbers such as the iMac and new Macbook Pro's 9400M because they were essentially the same as the Macbook's own 9400M numbers. How does the Macbook stack up against the MBP with 8600GT ?  Pretty much along the same line as what Jobs said.  The 9400M numbers came in about 62% of the 8600GT.  This is a huge improvement over the X3100, and certain the X4500 had Apple gone with it instead.   How is the Macbook 9400M compared to the new ...

RIM sold 5.4 million phones.  Valued at $2.1 billion.  Their best quarter.  This comes out to $389 per handset.  That's very good. But  Apple  sold 6.9 million  iPhones  valuing at $4.6 billion.  I'll let you do the math...no wonder RIM is getting killed.  As good as the Storm is, Blackberries have not been able to hold serve since the iPhone 3G came out.   One more thing...Apple stock was about to tank when the guidance looked bad but then Jobs show up during the financial call and stock jumped 10%...ended the extended session up 13%.   Look at the analysts who commented on the  iPhone    before it came out. Also of note for Apple fans: Wired reported the Android Marketplace, which I found virtually abandoned yesteryday and today, should be stock up with 50 apps by tomorrow.  the iTunes app store came ready with 500 at launch.    The iPhone app store has ballooned 11X from when it debuted ba...

Macworld has been busy.  I didn't think they would be this fast but they've got benchmarks up for the new Macbooks.  It's ready for your consumption. I just want to point out some things about the benchmark as it relates to the new Mac portables. The 2.4Ghz MB more than held its own against the Macbook Pro.  Of the nine tests, it won four of them.  Adobe PS Suite, MPEG encoding, iTunes, and zip archive. With it's dedicated Nvidia 9600 GPU and larger cache, the new MBP won the Speedmark 5, unzip archive, and, obviously, the Quake 4 frame rate with 59 FPS. The 2.4Ghz MB achieve a wonderful 39 FPS in the Quake 4 test, coming at 67% of the MBP number. The 2.4Ghz MB with 39 FPS in the Quake 4 test is more than 5X the early 2008 Macbook.  The new 2.0Ghz MB also bested the early 2008 Macbook more than 5X. The new white Macbook bested the 2Ghz Macbook in 4 of the 9 tests, likely because of the higher clock rate. Personally, I'm still leaning towards the 2...

In keeping the white Macbook, we'll call it WMB, Apple has effectively created two lines of Macbooks along with the Aluminum Macbook, AMB. Why the two?  This is simply beyond making Macbooks more affordable for the general public.  In fact, Apple may now finally have a corporate strategy, if only based on looks. You may not well go into a client meeting with a WMB but going in there looking fresh with an AMB is definitely a plus.  Furthermore, corporations has already begin to realize the benefits of using Macs in their environment.  But Jobs did something brilliant in going after the corporate market. How?  Steve Jobs said in the Macbook event, you can buy into the aluminum case, LED screen, and much improved graphics experience for $700 less for the low-end AMB and $400 less for the high-end AMB.  Just like Jobs is asking a lot of the boardroom-friendly Macbook Air, he is doing the same with the AMB. On the other hand, the WMB will still appeal to...

Thee are a lot of rumors going around the Internet that we will not see a low end Macbook lower than $999. I have to say that this is more consistent with Apple's behavior. They have crunched the numbers and this is the optimal scenario for them. For those who might be disappointed with this news, I am going to throw this out there. The lack of change increases the chance that there is a better chance of "one more thing..." Why do I think that? Consider this. Folks are now expecting what we already know. Nothing new will be offered, or so we think. We'll know in a few hours. The word is that the some portable Macs will not be upgraded and the eventual upgrade may happen at Macworld. So this leaves Jobs something to talk about at Macworld and today to dazzle us with something totally new. Posted with LifeCast

Whether it's $799, $899, or no change in the price of the entry level Macbook, we are in for another big shift in the underlying technology along with OS X that may change computing once again for Mac users.  Well, we should be in for a change.  Nothing is certain until Steve Jobs makes it so. Tomorrow.  10AM PST.  The follow sites are offering live blogs since Apple issues press passes and has stopped webcasting their events eons ago. Macrumors - via Twitter Engadget - excellent.  If one of the other sites don't work, you can always rely on them. Macworld - you get the bone.  They provide the meat later through the day after the event and into the next day.   Gizmodo - excellent.  The best live site for Mac and other Apple events CNet - it's good to keep in mind.  But they're generally one of the worst Ars Technica I think those live blogs are good enough.  There are many others and if you think I should include them, let me ...

Not evidence.  We said momentum. As you know, there is going to be special Apple event next week to introduce new laptops. We can be sure that Apple will try to keep up with competitors using Intel's latest Centrino 2 mobile chips.  Beyond, that, it's all rumors and guesses. We are feel that's valid to talk about the potential use of Nvidia video cards in Macbooks to offer more powerful graphics and game play, something that many critics have felt Apple failed to address since Apple introduced the Macbooks using Intel chips. So, this is a welcoming news to me as a potential customer who feels it's time to upgrade.  I have been unable to find information that we average users can use to help us decide what to get, I did find this old post from CNet that offers the breakdown of these Nvidia chips. Performance  GeForce 9600M GT GeForce 9600M GS GeForce 9500M G Mainstream GeForce 9400M GeForce 9300M GS GeForce 9200M GS Value GeForce 9100M G I'...

With the Mac back in the news today.  Oh, sorry.  You heard right.  The Macbook is back to headline once again after ceding media and blog attention to its smaller mobile cousins, the iPod Onxo Updates: Pole Position for iPhone   Can Apple make America read again? Need a  better way to blog  on the iPhone. Mac Hybrid Onxo  on the best non-Apple Macbooks. Hand crank  to charge the iPhone or iPod Podcaster  via Jailbreak Onxo  feels iPhone games should contain more depth. iPhone-iPod Update: iSmashphone  on iNotes for the iPhone. TUAW  on Street View and special features for Japanese iphone users.  Emoji should have been on the iPhone to start with.  Next step, make it easier for people to read enovels and comics, Jobs. Touch Arcade  on $10K prize for best iPhone/iPod game. Small Wave  talks about App Store. iLounge  on contract free iPhones in Mexico. Macworld    reports owner...

This just from Appleinsider. There will be a special event on the 14th to unveil the new crop of Macbooks.  Special secret product or just Macbooks. We'll know in 120 hours! Source: Appleinsider

Hardly.  Technologically, the iPhone is still the only game changer in town.  But I'm very glad Blackberry, finally somebody, sought to challenge what no one else has done since the iPho came out about 15 months ago. This is why Apple does not have to worry.  Storm, with all its wonders, is missing a lot of things the iPhone has.  And some of these things are not likely to come to the Storm if ever. No Wi-Fi.  Seriously? 1GB - in this day and age?  This is the same complaint I have got with the G1.  (15 more days till I get it!) It's bulky.  It's something some executive or manager might like but the bulk of the consumer will still prefer the sleek form factor. Ease of use is still something Apple dominates. Mind set.  Teenagers, college students still identify with the iPod.  That is translating into iPhone.   Innovation.  Innovation.  Innovation.  Apple is the only company today to change the landscape of t...

We did not post a lot of Mac updates last week because there really was not a lot to write about and I don't want to waste your time for the sake of clicks. Just to recap a bit from last week, Apple finally lifted their nondisclosure agreement for iPhone developers. I can't call it the right move.  It was just "a move" that really should have been done.  Apple really screwed up by not communicating with the iPhone community on this issues. Also today, NDP stated the iPhone took command of the smartphone market with 17% of total units moved.  It's possible Apple has already broken through the 10 million mark it set for itself for total 2008 sales. Onxo Updates: Pole Position for iPhone   Can Apple make America read again? Need a better way to blog on the iPhone. Mac Hybrid Onxo  on the best non-Apple Macbooks. Hand crank  to charge the iPhone or iPod Podcaster via Jailbreak Onxo  feels iPhone games should contain more depth. iPho...

The buzz this morning is the NDP data point to a dramatic change in leadership in the smartphone sector.  Who are the top sellers? iPhone Blackberry Curve Blackberry Pearl Palm Centro Here are some statistics to chew on: 30% of people who bought iPhones were new customers to ATT versus industry numbers 23% customers switchers 47% - nearly half of new iPhone owners came from Verizon 24% - nearly a quarter of new iPhone owners came from T-Mobile (I'll be staying with T-Mobile for the G1 experience) 19% of new iPhone customers came from Sprint 11% of smartphones sales were iPhone before iPhone 3G intro.  17% after iPhone 3G was made available.  About a 55% increase. NDP surveyed 150K customers for this report Related links: Virtual Press Office Gizmodo Macsimum News : Cult of Mac :   Cult of Mac :  Numbers suggest big sales for iPhone.  A little analysis. BullCross :  Use of IMEI numbers to track iPhone sales (via MacDaily News ) Macnn ...

It's been widely known that when approached about ebooks, Jobs said Americans just don't read anymore. I initially took offense to that until I realized there might be some truth to that. I don't know if reading is now an elitist thing to do but I was at Borders last night and I did see a good crowd there.  I was at a different book store last week and I saw quite a line at the checkout counter.  So I think it isn't that folks aren't ready anymore. The truth is, people aren't reading ebooks.  Ebooks have been around for quite some years now.  And digital growth for books are not growing as fast as other media like music. Can Apple Make America Read Again?  Maybe.  According to Forbes, Apple may have overtaken Kindle with respect to the number of folks using iPhones to read ebooks.  I encourage heading over to look at it a bit. I don't like the flippant use of download numbers to suggest that more folks are using iPhone to read books t...

You might know from Onxo or else where that Fring, an IM/VOIP, app was made available yesterday for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Now, it looks very straight-forward.  I'm asking my friend if he can give a try.  I'll get back to you with our own results. Here is the Youtube link .  If we have an opportunity to post our own instructions, we'll let you know. Via Macrumors You can download from iTunes link here.

I'm in the market for a new Macbook.  Possibly a Macbook Pro.  I make it a point to check out the competition to see how the specs fair and like most mobile warriors, I check out the prices as well. I've been taking a hard look at  the newly introduced HP DV3500t 13" LED with a dedicated GPU for $1100 (I added $100 because I would want the LED option) and Sony's Vaio SR series ($1200).  But are competing with the Macbooks and whatever upgrades Apple will be offering. But these three looks to offer serious competition going forward.  All things being equal, it's a no brainer for me to pick the machine that runs OS X and, if needed, Windows. However, HP has upped the game with a GPU that allows serious gaming.  Hope we'll see the Macbook follow up or come up with a major price drop. Look-wise, the dv2500t, well, it's a standard PC laptop.  The Macbook we're familiar with.  Sleek.  Well designed.  Looks great to work on.  Th...

Like a lot of folks, we're waiting Apple to release the next generation of Macbooks.  Word on the steets (Internet Drive) is middle of October.  Well, apparently someoneis not willing to wait that long. Meet MacWind. Wired has been writing a series on hacking and installing OS X on MSI's Wind.  You can check it out below.  In fact, there are now fixes and drivers to make this baby easier to use.  In fact, with some Wi-Fi issues, there will be new genuine OS X drivers from Realtek as well. Also check out our post  on the best non-Mac Macbooks. Impact:  This is becoming more than jus tone guy's obsession.  Wired has legitmized OS X hacking with these posts.  I can't help but wonder if Apple is secret monitoring the situation.  It may well create a deeper and more obsessive cult than the general mainstream Apple fanboys. Also, we may see more OS-hack-friendly netbooks in the future from the likes of Asus and other Asian...

Oh, you didn't know Podcaster was still available, did you? Well, not officially since Apple killed off any sanctioned avenue for Podcaster's developer to get it on the iPhone.  Fortunately, iPhone owners' got a lot of smart developers who brought us tools for jailbreaking and unlocking.  And that's how I found Podcaster.  I clicked on Cydia on my iPhone and "wow, podcaster!" Well, here's the catch.  It'll cost $5.  Not a bad price for an app that let's you directly access, download, and listen to podcasts.  Traditionally, Apple wants you to hook up the iPhone or iPod Touch to iTunes to access any podcast you may subscribe to.  (Control?  Yes.) Here's the thing.  You don't have to do that.  In some instances, you can access the podcast directly from the podcast website.  So along came Podcaster and it made much easier to access your podcast. Podcaster was seen as an attempt to cut the umbilical cord between iTunes and A...

You probably already know unless On Apple is your sole Mac and iPhone information but Apple withdrew their NDA. And just as we wonder why they continued to implement the NDA, we now switch to why withdraw it now?  Their claim:  competition.   But it does make sense since all their main competitors, including Android, is out on the market or soon will be.  There won't be any need for Apple to hold developers hush-hush.  Although, I just have to wonder though.   Since anyone can download the iPhone SDK and have a peek around, what why would the NDA be an issue?   We had speculated on why the NDA was so important to Apple but we were right when we said it wouldn't go on forever. iPhone-iPod Update: Yesterday, the biggest news was Adobe making a boneheaded announcement about Flash for the iPhone pending Apple's approval.  With the NDA lifted, Adobe should be able to say more about it.  No word.  Wouldn't bet in it happen unles...