AI, Mobile, and Eveything Around the Cloud

People are all over the place when it comes to what sercet product, if any, will Apple be introducing that require them to warn investors of lower margins in future quarter? Some Apple fans think Apple will merely be lowering prices but others think Apple will actually introduce a brand new product that will cause panic and pandemonium among its competitors.  TUAW reportedly received information that points to changes among Apple TV marketing material and a September 30th webcast. Pure speculation.  Simply rumors.  It'll be a couple of slow weeks between now and mid-October, when Apple is most likely to offer new Macbooks.  But for speculative purposes, it would make sense for Apple to merge it's "hobby", the Apple TV, which has been met with limited success to be it kindly and the Mac in creating a consumer-class Mac that let folks use it as a computer, gaming machine, and as an Apple TV. What would be the sole purpose of the "Mac Hybrid". (Apple, ple...

As many games as there are on the iPhone and the iPod Touch, Apple's newest mobile sensation is no closer to being a contender to even be consider a threat to DS or PSP.  In fact, we posed the question whether iPhone gaming may ruin mobile games because of the low prices and dropping prices that developers may not think it worthwhile to develop for any system if iPhone's pricing precedent takes hold. Now, I love my iPhone and I'll be getting the new iPod Touch in days.  However, as much games I've got on for my iPlatform devices, most are by small parties, and they're excellent games.  Still, we are still being pitted as casual mobile gamers, not hard core portable gamers as DS and PSP gamers may be called. Where are the Final Fantasies, Sonic Chronicles, and sports games like Madden and NHL.  Where is Capcom and Konami? I'm expecting a Harry Potter game from WB but I won't hold my breath on that. $10 cap.  That's why.  And the games that TUA...

Biggest news in the last couple days is the unlocked iPhones that went on sale in Hong Kong.  Between $700-$800.   Not a bad price consider that you'll be able to use them with just about any service and network.  Almost.   We're probably looking at a $100 lower price for the US market if it ever makes it to the US.  We don't know what kind of deal Apple and ATT has but you can bet ATT wants to make sure no one can use the new iPhones with T-Mobile. Also, a beta version of iPhone 2.2 has been making rounds.  Looks like they're up security and stability issues being resolved this go-around.  Still looking for cut-and-paste.  I know, that's getting old. iPhone-iPod Update: Wired reports iPhone battery lawsuit dismissal. Yahoo News reports Visa plan may not work. MacDaily News reports on Mass and Apple to make iTunes accessible to the blind. TUAW on app pricing dropping very quickly.  Apple wins.  Us too.   Go here...

This is the blogging app for Google's Blogger service that I have been waiting for. And guess what? It's free! From LifeCast I had hoped that Google would come out with a future version of their Google app with blogging functions (there is not direct way to do it on the Web either). Leave it to third parties seems to be the mantra Google has taken with their Web apps and their first Android phone. So far, there are two blogging services available for posting with LifeCast. Tumblr and Blogger. I have scanned the comments and there is a demand for for other types of blogging services. Also there is a beta 1.2 that I hope to participate in. Hopefully, there will be more functions like tagging and picture attachments. This is what this version can do now: create multiple timelines use with Tumblr and Blogger attach pictures from iPhone library expanded support coming The best feature? It can easily support multiple blogs within a service. I am able t...

No rumors.  It's a promise but this post from Appleinsider is a bit more concrete.  You'll understand why this is important. Appleinsider informed the world that there are now six additional placeholders in Best Buy's Futureshop computers up in Canada.  Four points to make of this: New Macs are coming.  Like the usual suspects:  3 Macbooks, two 15" Macbook Pros, one 17" Macbook Pro.   No Macbook Air update - MBA would take up two spaces all on its own. No iMac updates - this is more obvious.  iMacs would take up three place holders all on its own. No iBrick or any game changing device that will be coming with the new Macbook updates. Again, we believe Macworld is when we'll see anything new if at all.  However, given the margin statement by Apple's CFO during the last round of financial call, it's still possible to see a drop in Macbook prices, maybe even iMacs.   I was so hoping for a new mini Mac tower.   iPhone-iPod Update: St...

I was looking to see if there is a hand crank out for the XO (OLPC's laptop) when I came across a link that takes you to a page where there is instructions on creating a hand crank to power your iPod. Geek Technique has a very interesting way to go about it.  That post was from 2005.  Since then, there have been other more modern ways to go about it. I also recommend going over to Brookstone at your local mall and check out their own solutions.  You'll see one of the flashlights used in GT's demo as well. I also like this Bodyguard Survivor  .  It's McGyver-approved.  It has 13 functions with a hand-crank to charge up the internal battery.  And more importantly, it'll charge your phone or iPod. However, you will still need to create a link between the proprietary iPod connection and theses devices.   Of course, you can save yourself the trouble with the self-powered weather radio  .  It already has a connection for iPods. I ...

I came across a neat way to secure passwords involving a couple of handy programs and Dropbox. I currently use 1password which works fine on just my Powerbook. I also use a notebook at home where I write all my passwords and secure it in a safe place. But for mobile warriors like yourself, here is better way involving the cloud.  Please head to Onxo for this mobile tip.

You may know by now, Google has released G1, the first Android phone with partners HTC and T-Mobile.  For some quick notes about it, head on over to On Android for my thoughts and concerns. Now, how does this affect us, iPhone and iPod Touch users?  Well, competition is good.  No doubt about it.  But for some Apple mobile warriors, should be concerned this new upstart will such up all the air in the room and make iPhone, for the first time in its short history, fight for the media lime light? Not a chance.  Not yet.  The G1 is a good mobile device.  It's a platform device much like the iPhone is in that it's not a smartphone but a device built on top of a mobile platform.  Blackberries and Nokia phones are smartphones, phones with computing features.  Nothing more. So, how does our competition look like?  Well, it's got a built-in compass.  A physical QWERTY keyboard.  Removable battery.  That's a big plus for me. ...

Initially, only one major even took place today.  Android.  Then the Windows Mobile delay.  And now?  Apple apparently addressed it making rejection letters a part of the NDA.  Nice.  Classy.   This is why Apple is doing it and the sooner folks realizes this, the better (or worse).  It's not about Podcaster duplicating an existing function but Podcaster making the podcast part of iTunes irrelevant just as if Amazon were to develop an app for it's music store, it'll take away from users having to rely on iTunes, or Apple for that matter.  In certain instances, it's more about locking iPhone and iPod Touch to iTunes. It is also entirely possible that Apple may allow podcasts to be downloaded over WiFi in future OS revisions. I'm not saying what Apple is doing is right.  In fact, I think this heavy-handed tactic may backfire.  But from Apple's perspective, they make a few developers upset, three by my count (Podcaster...

So, as a police officer, you figure you have your badge, nightstick, whistle, and your trusty six-shooter.  That was yesterday.  Today, you gotta have your iPhone and Panasonic Toughbook!  At least the police officers in DC, according to Wired, carry those in their cruisers. Please head on over to Onxo to find out more.

While this is wishful thinking on my part but I've seen 3GB offerings on some Windows laptops in the last few weeks since we started tracking laptop values on Onxo .  So hopefully, an 18% drop in DRAM futures in two weeks will result in Apple offering at least 2GB on the low end Macbook model and 3-4GB on the higher end ones, particular the black Macbook. I mean, c'mon, 2GB, Jobs?  Seriously.  As someone who is seriously considering the next refresh of the Macbook Air, I really would have to see 4GB on that baby.  Knowing Apple though, we'll probably on see 3GB. Still given the dearth of details on the next Macbook updates, we'll just have to wait and see.  According to Macworld, the lower DRAM prices offered PC makers to differentiate themselves with from others by offering memory upgrades for a nominal fee or simply as a free option. Love to see those iMac and Macbooks buffed up memory-wise. Note:  Tomorrow would be a great time for Appl...

I wrote a letter to Santa . On behalf of all iPhone and iPod users, I asked for a Hulu app. What do you think?  Will we ever see anything like that? It's amazing how little Youtube has progressed since Google took the helm.  Supposedly, they've found a way to monetize it but it's nothing like Hulu where it actually has TV and movies. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy watching user generated videos.  Often. What I can't find on iTunes, I can sometimes find on Netflix or Hulu.  So, I would be great to have apps for these two great services. With Android phones supporting Flash on the horizon, I think there's a possibility that it might even allow us to watch Hulu and native Youtube videos right on the Webkit browsers.