AI, Mobile, and Eveything Around the Cloud

In 2007, Apple introduced to the iPhone. The original iPhone which I still use. Many people still use. The thing is at that time, there was no app store. No apps to download at all. So meet OpenAppMkt. It's a website with depository for webapps. Honestly, why would anyone create this just now? A new months ago when Steve Jobs and Adobe got into a spat over Flash. Flash no good, cumbersome and a lot of bugs. Also a security risk, Steve Jobs said. So Steve said, HTML 5 is better. Essentially embracing Web. I've used webapps that are recommended from Apple's webapp site from time to time. I'll be honest. Most of those apps are subpar. A few are quite good. And more and more, with innovations in HTML and Apple's Web framework, I can really see a lot of improvements over the next year or two. Oh, and Google is probably better at developing webapps than anyone else. So I also expect great things from Google Anyway, keep Apple's webapp site and OpenAppMkt i...

Techcrunch thinks Apple should buy Infineon because Intel is about to move on the 3G chip company. The reasoning in their post is sound. However, there might be a good reason why Apple won't go there. And the answer could be staring at us the whole time all these years. The iPod Touch. What lead me to start thinking about this is when Apple released the iPad with 3G access without the need for a contract. It was practically unheard of. So, why can't that be done for the iPod Touch. Then yesterday, the whole tech world got wind of Sprint's alleged plan to release a case for the Touch. And it's no ordinary case. It has its own battery. And it's no ordinary battery case. It also has its own 3G or 4G wireless modem, providing WiFi access for the iPod Touch. Sprint Peel. The main question is whether Sprint's plans has Apple's blessing and what of the standard 30% cut Apple gets any time someone wants to make accessories for the iOS devices. Let's start ...

This is the first post I am using through ScribeFire using the Safari Extension. This is, of course, nothing new for many bloggers or writers who have used ScribeFire through Firefox or Chrome. But for many Safari users like myself, this is new and exciting. Two issues can really make things interesting for mobile users. Of course, many are still on Macbooks or Macbook Pros and like me, you'll be able to download one of a number of extensions currently available from Apple. However, what does that leave the iOS devices? Yeah, I would like to be able use this on the Safari on my iPad. It's nearly identical to the OS X version. I would like to see extensions available some day. And I imagine it'll likely be sooner rather than later. Extensions for Safari is based on HTML 5, being pushed hard by Apple as an alternative to Flash, and Javascript which the iOS already supports. Perhaps, we might see this once iOS 4 for the iPad becomes available. At the very least, we should...

The newly refreshed iMac today is unlike anything on the market. We've seen tons of iMac killers come and go over the years and the iMac still reign supreme as an all-on-one computer. And why? It offers no compromises. So this is why I think the best combo for a mobile warrior who needs power is an iMac with an iPhone or a 3G iPad for mobile needs. Let's face it. If you can afford a Macbook along with an iMac, great, but most folks I know can't. Let's not get into the Magic Trackpad yet. That's story for another post on how I think it can be improved. But the iPad and iPhone can double as a great trackpad with a number of 3rd party apps in the iTunes store. The one main compromise is that while on the road, mobile computing is entirely restricted to the iPhone or iPad. For 95% of what you'll need to do, Apple's iOS devices including the iPod Touch is provides everything you need. The only issue is whether you'll need cellular Internet o...

Seriously did not see this coming. The Library of Congress has ruled that jailbreaking and unlocking is legal. So all those hacking and unlocking that voids warranties, right? Those days could be numbered. So this still developing and we’ll find out more about this. There are a lot of questions. For instance, if the FTC didn’t have the power to make this happen, how the heck does the Library of Congress have this much power? Also, did the wireless providers and platforms anticipate this at all? But wait. More than that, circumventing DMCA efforts to curtail consumer freedom seems to be the key here. There are six classes of works specified. I’m going to paraphrase because it’s the government and they’ve got a lot of lawyers. And through law school, they lost the ability to speak like normal human beings. Lawfully acquired movies like those on DVD Mobile apps Software on computers Specifically mentioned computer games Computer programs protected by dongles – like w...

Apple negotiated with Chinese wireless providers and only China Unicom came away with the prize. But because of the crippled version of the iPhone (no WiFi), CU hasn't managed to sell all that many iPhones. And they're God awful expensive compared to the iPhones being sold on the black market. Most of the Chinese who have an iPhone opt for unofficial version because they are unlocked (if from Hong Kong) and they all have WiFi. And yet, Apple has not been allowed to sell a version of the iPhone for China that can compete with those on the black market. For Apple, they're fine regardless of who buys the iPhone. But the Chinese wireless providers with subscribers numbering in the hundreds of millions are losing out Why is that? With so much money to be made, why are the Chinese so stubborn? The iPad went on sale in Hong Kong yesterday and sold out within an hour. SF Gate has a post about dealers who are quite content with any delay in official Apple product release...

The iPad is being pushed for the education market. Personally, I think things would have gone much better for me at school if I had the iPad waaaay back then. But there are two things I think would help the iPad really take off for school. Printing and Microsoft Office.

I don't do rumors on this site but I do need to address one particular rumor that was the rage for a full 36 hours or so before it died down. First, I love rumors but OnApple, I don't like spreading them. Here, I'm going to get into this a bit because I don't want people to get their hopes up. Well, there is hope and I'll explain in a bit. First, Cult of Mac reported that a highly placed source within T-Mobile has informed them that the iPhone has an 80% chance of being available for sale in the 3rd quarter, July through the end of September, of a traditional financial calendar. That means sales in the next 70 or so days. Does that make sense? Okay, CofM also said that a deal isn't finalized but close to being signed. Still, if it's that close, only a mere 80% chance of the iPhone coming to T-Mobile USA? Fine, it might be 75% or 90%. It's subjective. However, from my understanding, wireless providers who signed agreements with Apple all di...

I can’t wait for mobile payment through my iPhone or Android device and it looks like Starbucks is making that possible even more. In the coming months, Starbucks will expand payment for drinks and other products with the iPhone app to other stores. A couple of days ago, I misplaced my wallet at a supermarket and, luckily, it was found with my two dollars still in side. I was coming back from the gym and my shorts didn’t have pockets. I had in my hands the keys to my car, wallet, and my G1. I suppose losing my wallet meant my G1 was more important of the two. It would have been a great hassle had I not gotten it back. DMV, credit card companies, and the bank would have all heard from me. So you see why I can’t wait for a digital replacement for my wallet. Starbuck’s move is a small one in that direction. I’m sure all the major credit card companies as well as dozens of other firms are trying to find a way to capitalize on the coming revolutionary change in how we pay for...

Those of us who are fortunately enough to have relatively unlimited wireless Internet, and I say relative because our definition of unlimited is not the same as those of wireless providers, we need to remember these days when we tell our grandchildren about them. Because like ATT, Verizon Wireless (VW) is looking to rid themselves of us freeloaders and institute a similar pricing and limitation on data like Ma Bell. How will this play out? More at Onxo .

I think not. Well, not likely. That's the answer I've got to the question to the title of this post. This subject came up in today's Apple earnings call when an analyst asked about what Apple think about potential cannibalization of the Macs by iPads in the future, since today's report showed no sign this is going on. But a statement by Apple's Tim Cook, COO, seems to have set off a storm in this regard. "Our guts tell us that this market is very big...if it turns out that iPad cannibalizes PCs, that's fantastic for us because there is a lot of PCs to cannibalize..." was what he said. However, it was merely an off the cuff statement and nothing more. But is the iPad really capable of cannibalizing PCs?

When Verizon Wireless launches its LTE network, far ahead of any plans ATT, Apple currently and only iPhone partner in the United States, has for its own 4G network. The question for iOS fans is will Apple be on the LTE network? Yes would be my answer. The next question is "when?". This is how I think it will go down when Apple releases an iPhone for Verizon customers.

I have an iPad. I also have many drawing apps including the wonderful app, Brushes. Alas, I don't have the talent for what you're about to see next: A drawing, portrait if you will, of the gang from Toy Story 3 done entirely on an iPad and Brushes for the iPad. It is done by artist, Kyle Lambert. I don't know how it took him but he's definitely got the mojo for this kind of stuff. Gotta see the video for yourself. It's just amazing! Now, that you've seen it, e-mail or leave comments if you've got your own work created on the iPad you like to sure with the rest of us. More at Pixar Blog , Kyle Lambert

As an Apple fan, I should be coming to Apple’s defense about this whole antenna thing especially after Consumer Report said they can’t recommend the best phone on the market to you, the consumer. Now, the best phone part isn’t my conclusion. It’s Consumer Report’s conclusion. The issue they have is the alleged design flaw of the antenna. Again, it’s their word that the iPhone 4 is the best phone on the market. I only want to say that personally, I haven’t been able to duplicate what CR and other blogs are talking about. One, it’s probably because ATT is so crappy in my area but I have gone to other places where ATT’s coverage is pretty good and even there I had no issue with the “grip of death” phenomenon. However, Apple did issue an confusing statement of how they calculate signals and I’ll leave the details to those who know more what they are talking about. Personally, I am waiting to see just how Apple plan to patch up the signal issue. There is obviously a hardware i...

Over the weekend, I spent a lot of time with my nephews. As always, it's a memorable experience and I am reminded that I am not made of parental material. Visiting them I brought my iPad. And to entertain (distact) the babies, I made sure to load up on a wide range of apps for their enjoyment. A few observations. First, the 3.5 year old is already pretty good at navigation around the iPad. I've heard stories about how even one year olds know how to use the iPad. Well, kids like buttons and the iPad is pretty much devoid of them. But the multi-touch feature is excellent for just this purpose. My nephew loves the app Drawing Pad. There are an assortment of drawing tools and cut-outs that he can pick and display on screen. And to be honestly, it's a lot less messy as well. Another thing I like about the iPad is that it isn't a television. There are interactive and educational values if parental or an adult supervision is involved. Sure, I could have just pu...

Many bloggers and reviewers are wondering why Apple chose to use glass for the back of the iPhone 4 instead of plastic or metal? After all, the iPhones of previous generations from the 2G to the 3GS were all doing fine with plastic backs. I think there's more to it than just aesthetic. While hold the iPhone 4 this week during typing and gaming sessions, my fingers were absently gliding over the smooth glass back. My first thought was that the iPhone 4 was sturdy and the industrial look was a good change from the previous physical forms.

I have had a chance to play with the new iPhone 4 for a week now. And while all the thousands of posts and news articles singing its praises and condemning it for the antenna problems were all compressed into a matter of a week or so, it does feel like it’s been out for a long time already. While I’m ready to move on to other Apple products, I can’t help but feel sad that I’m going to have to give it up today. See, I was testing out the iPhone for a week until I give it to my aunt. It’s actually a gift from my cousin. I suppose in the end, he felt the gift basket of wine and treats from Costco wasn’t enough to compensate his parents for standing in line for 9 hours to get his reserved iPhone for him (my cousin had to go out of the country). I don’t want to go into a full on review here. I just want to note a couple of things.

One developer of an LED flashlight app has hit it big on day one with almost $1400 in revenue generated from iAds. Suffice to say, he's pretty happy. And though the jury is still out on iAds, well, we're looking at the tip of the iceberg in this mobile ad scheme that Apple has going on here. Here's a sample iAd that is currently running with Nissan's Leaf, its new awesome 100 miles per charge electric vehicle. So far, click through is 5 times higher with iAd than with Admob for one developer.  Guess who's app and Web developers are gonna want to go with if this keeps up? More at 9-to-5 Mac .

I’ve spent a lot of time in the last couple of days play “We Rule” on the iPad and the iPhone. On the G1, I am playing another one of these games where you have to nurture and build your little domain. It’s called Pocket Empires. I am still trying to figure out the right strategy for it. In my attempts to cheat, I found out that you need a live 3G or Wi-Fi connection to the game servers to fully load. Heck, I even thought I could just tweak the time on my iPhone and it’ll speed up the growth and gathering of my farms. No go. Still, there are two elements these these games. One, you need to stay connected and two, the games almost require constant supervision depending on what’s going on in the game. But the fun thing about these games is that it doesn’t require so much thinking that it consumes your time while at the same time, it offers a bit of depth in that you can choose what to do with your credits and what to grow or buy. And unlike some of the more brain-dead games ...

Yesterday, I was reading about the declining revenue source the iPod line would be for Apple. And it's likely going to be the case with each passing year. And with each passing year, uni-purpose devices like the iPod and GPS will cease to exist, giving way to more useful and powerful devices like the iPhone. At the same time, game consoles like the DS will also be discontinued or it will evolve into something more like the iPod Touch. This isn't a pro-Apple post but rather what I see as a reflection of how consumer electronic devices are changing to adapt to the mobile needs of the users. When I go out, I still see kids holding tightly in their hands their DS or iPod but I also see a lot more now with an iPod Touch. I also see older kids with mobile devices than just a MP3 player that they are constantly texting with. In a case, I envy this generation and the next ones going forward given the amount of mobile technologies that is available to them, provided these dev...

Got an original iPhone that you're not willing to give up yet or got it as a hand-me-down but you still want the multitasking and folders features of the iOS 4? Yesterday, I would have said "too bad" but today, if you're like me with an original 2G iPhone, we might be in luck. Meet Whited00r . The creators of Whited00r are trying to use the previous iOS 3.13 to create a modify iOS with many of the features iPhone users hsve only received from Apple with this year's iOS. However, if you try to upgrade your original iPhone or the first generation iPod Touch, you were met with a message telling you that your hardware is past its prime. Personally, I think the 2G iPhone is a fantastic piece of engineering and I can get another year out of it or at least until Apple spreads the iPhone love to another wireless network other than AT&T. What I haven't been able to find out is if these iOS 4 features are taken from the latest iOS and added to the iOS 3 or whether...