Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Good Post On Why DOJ's Suit Against AT&T And T-Mobile Merger Is A Good Call

I'm pro-biz.  Rather I'm pro-competition.  Merger are good if they create value for the market, meaning us the consumer.  However, AT&T and T-Mobile merger never made sense for me from the start.  It's why I support DOJ's lawsuit against the merger.  And This Mercury News article is one of the better articles on this matter.

Bottom line:  

  • Eliminate choices.
  • Proposed economic benefits is uncertainty. Using jobs as reason for merger but vague on how much it'll lay off due to duplications.
  • T-Mobile prides itself on offering value.  Without a competitior with 33-million users, AT&T and others have no reason to compete on value.
  • There are cheaper ways for AT&T to build out its network without buying T-Mobile. AT&T has already said it'll spend less than $4 billion to expand coverage from 80% to 97% of US population, much less than the $39 billion cost of the merger.
Take all that together, you come to one conclusion:  the merger is about killing competition and imposing more crummy customer service and shady billing practices.  Plain and simple.  

Honestly, we've all seen AT&T's practices over the year.  And suddenly, it wants to convince the American public that it's got our best interests at heart. Whatev...

Source: Mercury News.

Apple Will Be Able to Fix iOS Devices Remote Via iTunes or the Web


Apple is no doubt an innovator.  And this next example shows just how far ahead it is thinking about the whole mobile system beyond what its competitors are doing.

Just after a patent application by Apple was published last week regarding diagnostic tools that could remotely fix a device, we’ve read today that such tools already exist and is probably in use in limited capacity if not wide-spread.

Mobile: Apple Lost Another iPhone Prototype - Two Years In A Row

No.  Your eyes have no deceived you.  Apple has indeed lost another iPhone, an unreleased prototype. And what makes this that much more bizarre is that it also happened in a bar.

I've gotta say.  I don't know why people need to drink to unwind or have fun but I get whoever lost it probably was drunk and I hope he or she loses the job over this.  

According to CNet, this happened in late July in SF.  It doesn't sound like Apple has recovered the device.  More to the story if you click over...

Sigh...

Apple Inadvertently Confirmed New iPhone 5 Design

Via Cult of Mac, they pointed out that Apple might have a new iPhone 5 design for us.

Through the upcoming Photostream app, an icon showed an iPhone with a bigger screen and a home button with a different shape.


Okay, I'm pretty excited by this...


Sprint Increases Early Termination Fee to $350 from $200; iPhone and Galaxy S II To Blame

According to Cult of Mac, Sprint is increasing the early termination fee to $350, in line with its competitiors AT&T and Verizon Wireless.  

I figure this was coming with the next iPhone and the Galaxy S II due to hit within weeks of each other.  Android dominates Sprint's landscape so it'll be hard to figure if Sprint is doing this because of Apple or Samsung's device.  

Bottom line is that it sucks but that's how we roll here in in the US.

Next Mobile Revolution: Making Tech and Gadgets Without Hurting the Environment

The next mobile evolution is not going to be coming out as a new gadget.  It should be about green components.  Like chips, CPU, and screens.

Today, a bunch of Chinese environmental groups unfairly accused Apple of poisoning China.  Ah, guys...look to Beijing.  The Chinese government is okay with it.  I don't agree with them but that's how their government guys do business there.  However, I am glad they brought up the issue.  It's how it was brought it up that I have an issue with.

This has been an on-going issue since the industrial revolution.  And now, I think tech giants, car companies, and others should invest their billions in trying to develop green manufacturing process and green components that do no harm its customers or the environment.  

And I know with certainty that it can be done.  It'll take money, research, and the will to make it happen.

In science, nothing is impossible.  Coming from someone who has a science background, take my word for it.  this isn't some blind faith.  I should say that "almost" nothing is impossible.  Any scientist on TV who gets interviewed about a certain theory or study and arrogantly dispute it is doing one of two things.  Forcing the issue to meet the highest standard of the scientific community or a buffoon riding on his past success and PhD.  

Trust me, I've dealt with them in the past.  Many of them I like too.

Back to green components and gadgets.  It's doable.  I'm sure we'll get there but someone like Apple, Sony, or Intel will have to take the lead on this.






Rejoice! DOJ Says "Nu-uh" To AT&T and T-Mobile Merger!!!

Just in a bit ago.  On Anti-competitive grounds, the US Department of Justice filed a lawsuit to stop the merger between AT&T and T-Mobile.  

Whether AT&T saw this coming or not is something we will know in the coming hours.  Probably days.  Folks will be coming out to talk about this.  You know, people with "special knowledge" of AT&T's thinking.  

This is probably going to make AT&T give up a lot of stuff.  But I hope the US gov is serious about this.  AT&T has not provided sufficient reasons why it needs T-Mobile.  In fact, a leak memo showed that it needs far less spectrum and resources to build out this LTE network.  

This is a great way to start off the morning.

Source:  CNBC.  

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Do-No Evil Side of Google Offers Troops Free Call Home

Google is offering service men and women free calls home when they use the calling function in Gmail.

You have to provide your military e-mail address to your Google account.  Install the plug-in and you're done.  Call home any time.  For free.

I think this is a great service that Google is offer.  Provide it does something extra more special for the troops.  Don't sell their info to the highest bidder.  Seriously, you gotta protect their privacy.  By linking their military e-mail to their gmail account, Google basically know who has served the country.

And should their accounts be hacked ,well, you have to protect them.  I know Google is doing a great service to the country by providing this free calling.  I want to believe this is the good, do-no-evil side of Google.  But sometimes, the "anything goes, no privacy, get a second-identity" Google will pop up and mess things up.

Source:  Google.

Note:  A close family member was a part of the military and was deployed overseas for war.  We used Skype then.  it was sketchy but it was nice that they had this.  He and his friends would love what Google is doing now.  However, I would worry about the privacy part.  Still, I'm glad it's Google offering this and not Facebook.

Let's Start Over: iTunes Match Does Stream Music

Alright, let's start this all over again.  

iTunes Match does streaming your music library to your iOS device.  Earlier posts of mine suggested otherwise.  A good samaritan on Twitter pointed me to this MacTrast link.  I'm gonna make you go over and check it out.  They've got a youtube video showing it working.

This information is also confirmed on Macrumors.  

It all comes down to semantics I guess as far as how Apple wants to definite "streaming".  It's like wireless carrier's definition of "unlimited" or Google's definition of "open"

Apple Has License For Music Streaming But Due to Weak Wireless Networks, Apple Doesn’t Care To

According to Appleinsider, Apple has acquired the license to stream music but chose not to because it fears that the wireless networks would not be able to handle the load.  And given Apple's experience with AT&T, who would blame Apple.

This is how Apple works and why it'll always have its core fanboys – and by most reckoning, it is a bigger number than ever before.  While other companies don't have this problem about preserving quality for its customers, Apple would rather forgo the revenues if a service doesn't provide a certain level of quality.  Personally, I'm pretty easy to satisfy.  I've tried Rdio and it seems fine to me.  

And I rather own my music than "rent".  I think a lot of people share this opinion  Now, when it comes to video, that's a different story.  I have both Netflix and Hulu Plus.  So, Apple, if you want to offer a video streaming service with a big library, I'm ready to sign up.

Source:  Appleinsider.

iTunes Match Lets Users Download the Music Locally, No Streaming, But We Already Knew That

Suddenly, there are a lot of posts about iTunes Match.  It's Apple's service that matches the music you have on your local drive and provides you with those from its own library.  And the music that Apple doesn't have, well, it'll up load them so you can download them to your other devices when you want.

However, iTunes Match doesn't provide streaming.  However, we already knew that.  So I don't get why suddenly, people became confused all of a sudden.  I know, I know...it's how folks try to generate traffic for blogs.  I've been guilty of this. I admit but not with stuff we already know.

So, let me clear things up once and for all:  Apple doesn't do streaming.  Period.  

Someday?  Maybe.  Maybe video too.  Someday.  But not today.

iPad Sales Gain More Because Competitors Fail To Show

If you want an iPad, get them when they're in stock.  Apple still run out of certain models from time to time.  The demand has just been crazy.  

And now, it looks like iPad sales will accelerate simply because there isn't no alternative at the moment with the strength of the hardware, software, and the whole ecosystem.  

Honeycomb tablets like Samsung's Tab is very good but it lacks the backing and mind share of the average consumer.  HP's Touchpad is selling out because of a $400 price drop down to $99.  

A lot is counting on Amazon to stop Apple or at least slow down the iPad.  

The bottom line is this:  the iPad works.  It simply does.  And its has a lot of apps to go along with it.  And unless someone can some around and provide the same experience, Apple's iPad will continue to flourish, whether there is competition or not.

Furthermore, don't hold your breath for an iPad.  I've said this before.  Apple is just keeping up with demand now.  There is no need to push out iPad 3.  They'll likely save all that excitement for 2012 when Apple's competitors renew their assault on the tablet market.  Joining Android will be Windows 8 tablets.

However, I still am holding out hope that we'll see a 5-7" iPod touch.  

Source:  AllThingsD.  

HP Rethink Plan To Kill Off Web OS And Tablet

Okay, something isn't quite right at HP.  In spinning off the PC division 12 to 18 months from now, they now believe Web OS will also be a part of those plans, which includes Web OS hardware like the Touchpads.  However, I get the feeling they're not talking about the same Touchpads we are.

See, the Touchpad went on sale about two months ago and performed poorly.  So bad in fact, that HP lowered the price for the 16 GB model from $500 to $400 and eventually gave up and started a fire sale at $100. And at $100, even I wanted one.

But I get the feeling the delusional HP guys are thinking "wow, they're popular all of a sudden".  Ah, guys.  they're popular because they are at $99.  Granted, they're also good first tablets.  But raise the price back up to $500 and you'll see interests in them go away.

I want Web OS to be a viable mobile platform.  But in HP's inept hands, it'll never have a chance.  And given their plans not to sell off Web OS separately but fold it into the PC part of a sell-off or spin-off, it'll never have a chance.


Source:  Cult of Mac.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Mobile Weekend


I spent the weekend basically out of the house because of the heat in Los Angeles.  I know it’s nothing like what my mobile warrior readers on the east coast went through with Irene.  I’m glad it’s mostly over but you guys still need to be careful about the flooding.

Anyway, I left earning morning on Saturday because I had an appt with City of Hope so they can milk my platelets.  I took my iPad.  It was the beginning of my mobile weekend.

How did the devices hold up?

Sunday, August 28, 2011

White iPod Touch But May Not Sport Newer Specs


I've said in the past that I don't like rumors but my own speculations seem to conform with the latest chatters on the Internet.  And I've concluded it's safe to say that certain Apple products are on the way.  It is a matter of when, not if.

First, there are now while iPod touch parts in circulation.  And it seem like the new iPod touch, will sport pretty much the same design.  However, there is one difference.  We could see white iPod touch this time around.

I recently cracked the screen on my iPod touch so I reckon I'm in the market for a new one.  However, I have to wonder what the specs will be.  I'm looking for better battery life above all else.  Consider just how think the touches are.  Oh, Apple, if you make one as think as the iPhone but add all the extra space with battery...I know that's wishful think.

As for other specs, Appleinsider has pointed out something important.  Supplies of iOS devices are still in great demand and we are probably looking at iPhone 5 constraints with such a late release (and being so close to Christmas).  Key supplies could be used for the iPhone and iPad instead of the lower margin iPod touch.

But  a new end white iPod touch would be very enticing to a whole lot of folks.

Source:  Appleinsider.

Mobile To Take on Cable

Is there really a need for cable or satellite TV any longer? No. And old TV is preventing users from embracing the future as it is meant to be.

Right now, TV and studio producers and execs are very afraid of the future. Mobile, particular iPhones, iPads, and the half a million Android daily activations are putting their old business model into disarray. They're holding onto to it with their dear life but they should.

In fact, they should embrace the new mobile reality and slowly get themselves ready go move away from the old ways.

There really is no need to be afraid of Apple or Google at all. Already, some cable companies realize this and have apps that allow current cable subscribers to view certain channels on their mobile devices.

CNN is allowing cable users to watch live broadcast on their tablets.

In 2012, we'll see more of these kinds of moves go embrace mobile. More and more of these artificial barriers to watching live broadcast on mobile fall away.

Furthermore, new tech will hasten the process. Netflix and the new owners will broaden their reach and expand their libraries. This may include original contents. Apple's Airplay has already extended iTunes' video lead in 2011. And Google TV will soon have apps that could also mean new video ways to watch TV.

The traditional ways of watching TV is slowing being pecked to death. And so is the current paid TV model. If you don't believe this, ask yourself this.

Why aren't any of the tech giants buying the vulnerable cable or satellite companies?


- Posted using Mobile

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Sony's Clamshell Can't Be Called A Tablet But Offers Mobile Excitement And Possibilities

Of the two upcoming Sony devices, I am most excited about the dual 5.5 in screen clamshell device. Before we go on, let's not call this a tablet. Honestly, I don't know that to call it.

Courtesy of Engadget, we know the official name is now Sony Tablet P. It'll sport a Tegra 2 chip, 4 GB with a 2 GB memory card, and weigh in at 190 grams versus the iPad 2 at 601 grams, the Sony Tablet S at 600 grams, and the Xoom at 730 grams.




A couple of things about this.

Phishing Scam Targets Eager MobileMe Users Who Want iCloud

Okay, folks. Mac users may not have viruses to worry about much but they have to content with phishing scams. There is one going around that is telling MobileMe users that they can upgrade to iCloud.

It looks legit but it ain't from Apple. After clicking through the link in the email, it takes you to a site that looks like Apple's own.

Mobile: The iPad's Superior Battery Life Makes A Writer's Weekend Productive, Fun, And Wooy Free About Power Use

I have the iPad 2 doing the computing duties for the day. The MacBook Air is at home charging and being backed up via Time Machine. However, this isn't the first time where my iPad has taken the place of my laptop. As you might recall, I spent a lot of time with the iPad on the move with the late-2007 unibody MacBook at home.

The reason is simple.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Steve Jobs' Private Jet

So now that Steve isn't CEO anymore, you have to ask this question: who gets his Gulfstream?

I figure that 60-hour old CEO Tim Cook probably gets the ride.

99 Cent Rentals Gone From iTunes - What's Next?

As you may well know by now, the ill-advised 99-cent scheme that Apple created from about a year ago is now gone.  Good thing too.  I've never rented a show.  It doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

People either want to watch their TV shows for free or to buy the whole collection for a set price.

So, what's next?  This is like red meat for me since I love speculating about this.  And with the next Apple even less than a month away, one such as myself can only hope that something else has been in the works to replace this.

Subscription video like Hulu or Netflix?

Steve's Resignation: What Did Woz Mean At The End Of This Post

9to5Mac had a good post show excerpts of an interview with former founders of Apple, Steve Wozniak and Ron Wayne.

At the end of the post, I wonder what Woz meant at the end about e-mailing Steve to get a product back.  

Plus, I wonder if Woz will get more involved at Apple.  I know his philosophy today doesn't quite jive with the larger Apple vision but he could still be an important part.  Morale-wise, he could be a difference.  


Mobile: Is Touchpad Or Last Gen Tech Good Enough? Let's Start With the Battery Life


I love the Triumph but I returned it for personal reasons.  I've got got my other mobile devices running at top efficiency.  My Android stuff, iOS stuff, and my laptops.  So I need to upgrade to anything at all for another year?

That was what I proposed in my theoretical post a couple of days ago.  And in a series, I'm gonna get more specific about apps, form factors, and, my favorite subject, battery life.

Let's start this post off with battery life.

Mobile: Which Company Should Apple Buy?

For some reason, people are speculating that without Steve Jobs at the helm, Apple will suddenly start making deals and spending its cash.  Wait, what?

Now, I am about big deals as much as the next guy, whether it makes sense or not just because it gives us something to yap about.  Google buying Motorola Mobility or something like that.  :But ultimately, we want that deal to make sense.  So, it's not going to happen just because Tim Cook is there in the CEO's office.  

It isn't as if Tim Cook was just brought on board like yesterday.  He was there for years with Apple and his loyalty to it and the vision that he helped created with Steve Jobs isn't just going to get thrown out the windows in weeks or months.  

But if Apple wanted to deal, who do you think they should go after?  What kind of tech do they need?  How would it help with their whole mobile vision?

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Gaming: This is What The Future of Gaming Console Looks Like

I don't know if there is much more for me to say other than to watch this video.  It's Airplay mirroring in the forth coming iOS 5.

What you'll see is whatever shows up on the iPad is displayed on the TV via the Apple TV module.

Whatever you want to do with it, it works.  Presentation?  Sure.  Watching videos?  Definitely.  Gaming? Of course.

This folks, is the future of the gaming console and set-top box all in one.


I can't wait until I get my ones on it.

Mobile: Voice could Be the Next Killer App

Voice is about to be the next killer app. And I know Android users have had better voice command features than on another mobile platforms. While they're nice to have, they're not nothing like the computer on "Star Trek".

But that could be about to change.  According to Minyaville, search shows that voice on Google's Android has yielded some promising new features in the future. Meanwhile, Apple bought Siri last year, an intelligent app that allows users to speak into the app to get results back.

Here is a infographics from Medical Transcription that shows us just how all this will happen.

Microsoft Has a 4-Core Windows Tablet?!


According to Electronista, Microsoft has something really sweet here.  It's a four-core tablet running Windows 8.  I suppose it makes sense to try to leap ahead or at least keep up with the next generation Android tablet.  and iPad next year.

It's likely using Tegra 3 from Nvidia that is slated for release later this year.  And with Windows 8 tablets going to be big at CES in January of 2012, Redmond might as well use the latest and greatest.  But actual release is not going to happen until spring of 2012.

This gives Android and the iPad a lot of time to further entrench the tablet market.

Flipboard Continues To Impress - To Have Movies And Videos Soon

If you've got an iPad, you simply must go and download Flipboard now. Essentially, it's an app that works the way you expect content to be displayed on a tablet.

I cannot imagine anyone else coming up with anything more novel than Flipboard.

And now, we learn that FB will soon feature videos and movies. According to Electronista, we should see this happen by the end of the year.

Furthermore, there will be an iPhone and iPod touch version coming in weeks. Right now, I use Pulse and I find it very useful but it is very different from Flipboard.

Also, it sounds as though FB wants to be the next digital store the way Barnes and Noble is now as a brick-and-mortar as it hopes to eventually sell books.

Seriously, you have to download this for your iPad or your iPhone when it's available in a few weeks.

Source: Reuters.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Today In Apple

There isn't a whole lot of news out there today other than Steve Jobs this or Steve Jobs that.  I suppose the biggest news is that Steve's new authorized biography will be edited to add a section regarding his resignation.

Rumors, news, and just about everything seemed to have trickled to a slow drip when it concerns Apple.  And typically, Thursday are already slow news days to start.  But there are a few interesting news if you're an Apple fan.
  • Steve Jobs went to work at Apple yesterday and put in a full day. (Appleinsider)
  • Steve Jobs will still have people to yell at; he'll continue working on future projects.  (TUAW)
  • Tim Cook write an e-mail to Apple employees and promised more of the same.  And for all those folks who claim that CEO Cook will mean a nicer Apple, you can forget about it.  It's full speed ahead on the innovation front and the patent war as well. (German court affirm Galaxy Tab ban in Europe).
And Tim Cook has already shown that he is a capable CEO given that he's taken over the company since Jan of this year, possibly even longer.  He understands the game.  He knows what makes Apple tick.  So, no worries about him.

Now, if you really want to know more about Tim Cook, here's a video from a commencement address he gave.  It really shows what Tim is like, what he thinks is important, and what he has brought to Apple and will continue.


So, while there are many posts about Tim Cook and the unnecessary votes of confidence from Wall Street firms, the real question is who will be the next COO of Apple.  Now, that guy really has big shoes to fill.  I reckon it'll be an in-house guy.  Apple will look around but who else would know what to do other than someone on the inside who knows just what Tim Cook would want.

And for those out there who doesn't think this Tim Cook is a visionary or imagination, think again.  If he passes Steve Jobs' mustard, he's got what it takes to continue to put in a world of hurt on Apple's competitors and give us new products year after year.  




Mobile: Will Not See iPhone 5 Fight Galaxy S II Fairly This Fall Because VZW Will Not Carry the Galaxy

According to the Silcon Alley Insider (via WSJ), Verizon is not going to carry the Galaxy S II?  WTF, right?  However, Samsung's best selling Android flagship phone will appear on the other three major US networks this fall.

The reason?  It's hard to say.  I'm guess the two companies could not come to some sort of financial terms.  And with the iPhone 5 launch coming around the same time, Verizon probably used it as leverage which Samsung did not take too kindly too.  

It's going to be awesome seeing the iPhone 5 go head-to-head with Android's premiere device.  Samsung has already sold millions of these in Asia and Europe and it'll find a huge market here as well.

It's too bad.  it would be nice to see the two giants fight it out of all four networks at the same time.  However, while it's been confirmed that the iPhone will start available to Sprint's customers this October, the rumors about T-Mobile also getting the iPhone are still just that, rumors.

Very Powerful SF Chronicle Frontpage On Steve

Very powerful...


Source: BI.

Without Much Native App Support, Playbook And Touchpad Users May Be Accidental Webapp Pioneers


For those of you with Playbooks and Touchpads that do no have a whole lot of native app support, you could be accidental pioneers of a new kind of mobile experience.  Web only.  That is you get all of your experience through the browser.

Well, you typify what the future could be headed.

Gaming: sonic CD Coming To Mobile! Sega, You Rock!


Sonic CD is coming to iOS, Android, and WP7.  What more is there to say?

I think we'll see more of these older video game properties make their way onto today's mobile platforms.  And these mobile phones are tomorrow's console.  Makes sense for studios to leverage all those games.

Lots of money in it.  Lots of great memories too.



Source:  Pocketgamer.

Tim Cook Will Keep Pressure On Competitors, Innovation At Apple Will Not Slow

I don't know where analysts get their information but they are worse and worse each year.  Apple has essentially locked down information in Steve Jobs' era at Apple and Tim Cook isn't likely to relax that policy any time soon.

However, this post from 9to5Mac suggests that with Tim Cook at the helm, Apple would suddenly abandon years of behavior and work.  For instance, it suggests that Cook would try to come to an understanding with its Android foes.

Apple's products are unique in their designs and how they work.  It's why you probably have an iOS device or a Macbook instead of a Blackberry, Android tablet, or a Windows laptop.  To give that unique away in any sense would dilute whatever makes Apple so special.

Not gonna happen.  Apple will keep the pressure on its competitors through protection of its intellectual properties and innovation.

Source:  9to5Mac.

Capital's Mobile Networks Failed During 5.8 Magnitude Earthquake


During Tuesday's 5.8-magnititude earthquake, the wireless networks failed our nation's capital at a time when they were most needed to be working.  DC citizens were unable to reach 911.  Worry though, no?  We are more than ten years from September 11th and technology has improved dramatically in those years.

What is going on?

In a bigger national emergency, well, this could get really ugly fast.

More at Greenjava.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

If There Are No New Hardware Tomorrow, Will You Be Fine With Your Mobile Gears?

I love mobile tech but I’m also suffering a bit of mobile fatigue.  Technology is moving pretty fast and, as a mobile warrior, I am loving it.  As a human being, I can use a break.  Appreciate what I've got.  Here’s how the rest of this post goes.

I’m writing a book.  Well, an online novel really.  It’s for children.  And I was thinking of a scenario and one thing led to another while I was watching 28 Days Later, and then it hit me.

What if for some reason, all the ships and the planes in the world had to stop and there are no new gears being shipped?  Maybe it’s a zombie infestation that resulted in a continent sized quarantine, a primate revolution that resulted in the apes taking all the new iPhones for themselves, or alien invasion that destroyed all the new hardware because they're afraid we'll upload a virus onto their mother ships and crash them simultaneously.

Or maybe one day, we ran of out those rare earth elements that are so critical to our technology today.  China cannot longer supply us with our mobile gears – phones, laptops, Android devices, Blackberries, or iPhones and iPods.  You’re stuck with the iPad you now have.  There will be no iPad 3 or Xoom 2.

What you got in your pocket, backpack, or home, that’s it.  Are you going to be satisfied with that?

Steve Jobs' Retirement Doesn't Mean the End of iOS Devices Or Macs - Apple Had Succession Plan As Well As Plan To For World of Hurt For Its Competitors

For those of us who have watched Steve Jobs year after year, keynote after keynote, this is going to be such a weird feeling if we don't see him make at least a cameo on stage of whenever Apple's next event is going to be.  Presumably, that will be the unveiling of the next iPhone.

On top of that, there is a feeling of sadness.  The child in me worries about the future, Steve's health, etc.  But the adult in me knows that Apple has the whole mobile market licked.  It's got products in the works years out.  Tim Cook has been running Apple since Steve Jobs went on his second medical leave.

So, here's the bottom line.  Apple had a succession plan for the CEO.  It also means that Apple has a long-term plan for the mobile market as envisioned by Steve Jobs which will dish out a world of hurt for its competitors for many, many years.

  • Patent wars will continue.  Apple wants its patents unique to its products and services.
  • iPhone 5 will be out in a matter of weeks.  iPhone 6 presumably in 2012 though there probably isn't a need since the iPhone 5 will take the market by storm.
  • iPad 3, a nonexistent product, will launch in 2012.
  • iPods will get refreshed.
  • Macbook Airs will be restocked at 3rd party resellers as soon as Tim Cook can get Foxconn to make enough of them to satisfy demand.  And Apple's own stories has enough of them.
  • iPad 2 is the tablet market in 2011 and iPad 3 will be the tablet market in 2012.  
  • Mac sales will continue to outpace PC sales.  Acer lost $7 billion because if its bad bets on netbooks and unwillingness to innovate.  While Acer thinks the iPad effect will go away, they should check in with HP - the tablet effect is real and it's called the "iPad".  
As for keynotes in the future, here's how it'lll go assuming Steve Jobs doesn't anchor it at all.

  • Tim Cook will do the intro and let folks know how Apple products are kick the collective behinds of its competitors.
  • Then he'll bring on Phil Schiller to be the MC.
  • Then Phil will bring up whoever is needed to talk about the products and the right third parties to do the demo.
I'm only concern is on a personal level.  Steve's health, not Apple's.  I wish Steve and his family the best and continued guidance in all things Apple for years to come as Apple's chairman.  

Apple's Press Release: Tim Cook Made CEO And Steve Jobs Elected Chairman of Apple

Apple's Board of Directors today announced that Steve Jobs has resigned as Chief Executive Officer, and the Board has named Tim Cook, previously Apple's Chief Operating Officer, as the company's new CEO. Jobs has been elected Chairman of the Board and Cook will join the Board, effective immediately.

"Steve has made countless contributions to Apple's success, and he has attracted and inspired Apple's immensely creative employees and world class executive team. In his new role as Chairman of the Board, Steve will continue to serve Apple with his unique insights, creativity and inspiration."

"Steve's extraordinary vision and leadership saved Apple and guided it to its position as the world's most innovative and valuable technology company," said Art Levinson, Chairman of Genentech, on behalf of Apple's Board. "Steve has made countless contributions to Apple's success, and he has attracted and inspired Apple's immensely creative employees and world class executive team. In his new role as Chairman of the Board, Steve will continue to serve Apple with his unique insights, creativity and inspiration."

"The Board has complete confidence that Tim is the right person to be our next CEO," added Levinson. "Tim's 13 years of service to Apple have been marked by outstanding performance, and he has demonstrated remarkable talent and sound judgment in everything he does."

Jobs submitted his resignation to the Board today and strongly recommended that the Board implement its succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO.

As COO, Cook was previously responsible for all of the company's worldwide sales and operations, including end-to-end management of Apple's supply chain, sales activities, and service and support in all markets and countries. He also headed Apple's Macintosh division and played a key role in the continued development of strategic reseller and supplier relationships, ensuring flexibility in response to an increasingly demanding marketplace.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced iPad 2 which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.

Steve Jobs' Resignation Letter To Apple

To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:

I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple's CEO, I would be the first to let you know.

Unfortunately, that day has come.

I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.

As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.

I believe Apple's brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.

I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.

Steve

Source:  WSJ.

#apple STEVE JOBS JUST RESIGNED AS CEO OF APPE....CNBC

This just came to me via CNBC....

6" or 7" iPod touch - Not Even A Rumor Or Wild Speculation

The tablet market is predominantly iPad.  That's it.  Some might be as far as to call it the iPad market because there really isn't a tablet market at this time.  Nevertheless, there could be a time when Apple and its fans will have to live with the fact that the iPad has to share the market with other devices running on Android, Windows, or Web OS.

And pricing is going to be a big big factor in just how Apple can retain its dominant share in the tablet market.  And you can get that Apple isn't willing to cede it to anyone else.  

This is why despite Steve Jobs say that there won't be an iPad with a  smaller than 10" screen, it is a given that Apple will have to release an iPod touch with a bigger screen.  

7" tablets running on Honeycomb as on their way here.  And they can cost from $250 to $350.  It's likely that Apple can lower the iPad price down to $400 some day but the $300-$350 price range will be all Android or possibly Windows 8 territory if Apple doesn't do anything about it.

Just like in the MP3 player market, Apple just covered just about every price point.  $50, $100, $150, and up.  The iPod touch can be had for as low as $199.  But it still is just an iPod touch, not a tablet.

Apple may need to compete at the $300 price point with a touch and a screen size that is much bigger than the 3.5" currently on the touch.  Perhaps even a 5" or 6" and 8 GB at $330 and 16GB at $400.  Such a device could be enough to beat back anything that its competitors can come up with. 

It's not only a fan boy who wants this to happen but Apple will have no choice but to make this happen.  And I think it is going to happen.  In the forthcoming iOS 5, an user can split the keyboard so that its easier for one to thumb-type.  

That is pretty powerful evidence that this super-sized iPod touch is coming.  When it does, I'll be in line for one.
 

Note:  Yeah, I know.  I am still holding out for Web OS to make a comeback.  Until we know for sure what HP is going to do with it, there's still hope.

Mobile: Samsung Not Interested in HP's PC Biz; What about Web OS - Apple, You Want It?

Samsung has publicly declared itself out of the running for HP's business. And it's a very smart move.  It also puts an exclamation point on the state of the PC market.  What that statement is, that's for you to decide.

Samsung has found great success in the Android realm with the popular Galaxy S.  However, just today, a Dutch court ruled Samsung violated some Apple patents and will result in the banning of Galaxy phones in Europe.  Ban or otherwise, the handset business is obviously more profitable and has a higher margin than the PC business for the giant Korean tech company.

However, I'm Sammie made an inquiry or two regarding the future of Web OS.  Samsung has shown interest in licensing Web OS.  Perhaps, it might be interested in buying it from HP.

iPhone Coming to T-Mobile Too!

This is very spotty at this time but a MacTrast, a site that seems to be on a roll of late, is saying that the next iPhone will also be made available for T-Mobile and can run on its 3G network.

While yesterday's report regarding Sprint getting the iPhone omitted this, it stands to reason that Apple will try to make its iPhones to run on as many networks as possible.

Too bad it's too late for some folks.  I've already gone to Verizon and hopefully, I'll be able to grandfather in my unlimited data plan with a LTE iPhone in the future.

Personally, I would like to see Apple make the iPhone 5 available to the pre-paid market as well in addition to the lower end iPhone 4 that will be out in a few weeks.

Source:  Cult of Mac via MacTrast.

Android, Via Samsung Galaxy Phones, Banned In Europe - Yes, That's What Apple's Going For

Apple got Samsung's Galaxy S II banned in Europe.  A Dutch court ruled Samsung violated three of Apple's patents.  It will go into effect in the middle of October.  We should see what this means for the mobile landscape in the coming weeks.  

According to Apple's attorneys in the past, they have tried to talk to Samsung about this but were rebuffed.  However you have to really understand that Apple isn't suing Android makers for royalty payments.  It's suing them because it wants unique mobile experience exclusive only to its iPhone and iPad.

I'm sure this isn't over.  

The current ban is actually Europe wide but there are legal rooms for Samsung to maneuver.  The issue, however, goes beyond Samsung and strikes at Android itself.  This gives Apple a very big club to go after other Android device makers selling in Europe.  All the other blogs seem narrowly focused on the Galaxy devices.  They're wrong.

It'll be interesting to see just how this might impact us here in the US if at all.

So, if you're in the market to get an Android phone, now's the time to do it.  

If you want the gory details, please visit FOSS Patents.  Florian Mueller, the author, explains in ways that even a dodo like me can understand.

What Are Your Reasons For Getting a Macbook

You've got a Macbook?  Maybe you do but you like to upgrade?  Or trying to convert someone over to the Apple's side of mobile computing?  Or trying to get one for work?

eWeek, via MacDailyNews, has some compelling reasons why people should be buying Macbooks.

I couldn't put it better myself.  I'll let you chick through to read it but personally, I like the security, the heart and soul Apple poured into making my Macbook Air, long battery life, and the elegance of the OS X.

On top of that and it's not just me but others as well, many feel they're more creative and productive when they're using their Macs.  I certainly don't feel that way with my Dell.  Forget about Steve Jobs' reality distortion field.  Apple products just seem project their own creativity field for the users.

What's your excuse for wanting or getting a Macbook?

Source:  Macdailynews, eWeek.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

TheStreet.com Bait Click With Faulty Claim Of Free iPhone

Earlier, we shared with you s Reuters report that has some "exclusive" information on the next iPhones.  Plural.

One will be an eight GB iPhone 4 and another will be the higher end model.

Thestreet.com reports that it means its a free iPhone.  Well, maybe but probably not.  Keep in mind that Apple and AT&T typically offers a lower end iPhone.  Currently, it's the iPhone 3GS.  and the year before that it was the iPhone 3G.

So, this newer model iPhone 4 with less storage falls in line with that kind of thinking.  There is absolutely no proof that Apple will price it low enough that carriers can subsidize the whole device and make it free.

There is one possibility.  If this newer iPhone 4 can be sold around $400, then that could happen.  Remember that Apple will be going after the post-paid market as well.  A $400 iPhone could be just what is needed but it is still pretty expensive compared to the Android devices that cost $200 to $300.

Can this newer iPhone 4 be free?  Only if it retails for $400 and wireless providers are willing to cover that cost.  Otherwise, look for $100 to start, just like how much the iPhone 3GS costs when the iPhone 4 came out.

Source:  The Street.

HP's Touchpad Fire Sale Provides Two Key Lessons

Did you manage to buy a Touchpad for $99?  If you did, I truly envy you.  I really do.  It says quite a bit about you.  Okay, you're smart.  Brilliant, really.

I'm sure the mobile device makers already know that.  Some bloggers do too but most generally assume that you aren't too savy when it comes to tech.

And the fire sale of the Touchpad provided two very valuable lessons for those who would try to convince to buy their tablet.  For some like RIM and Motorola, it could already be too late with their current offerings.  They'll make another effort.  But for some just getting ready, like Amazon, learn from this.

iPhone Coming To Sprint!

According to WSJ, the iPhone will be coming to Sprint this fall, the third major US wireless network to join AT&T and Verizon.

For years, AT&T was the exclusive iPhone carrier until Verizon Wireless offered the CDMA version of the iPhone 4 this Feburary. 

Sprint will begin to offer the iPhone 5 in mid-October.  The article also suggests that the iPhone will not be offered at the same time as AT&T and Verizon.  Weird, no?

Also, it said that Sprint should get the iPhone 4 along with the next iPhone, presumably the iPhone 5.  No word on T-Mobile's chances.  

Source:  Macrumors via WSJ.

13" Macbook Air - Demand Very High, You May Need To Play A Premium

We knew that the iPhone and iPad are very popular devices and generally sell out for weeks or months. That’s what we are used to.  But a special model of Macbook selling out? That’s really something special.


The 13” Macbook Air is difficult to find at resellers.  And the situation has gotten so bad that some retailers have added a premium on top of the retail price.

However, Apple seems to be okay with as far as their own supplies are concerned.  I am not surprised by this.  A company favoring its own retail chains?  Shocker.

No matter how you see it, it’s fantastic news for Apple and Mac fans.

Source:  TUAW.

Reuters: Apple to Release Two iPhones At End Of Sept


Apple will release two models of iPhones.  Reuters along with other news organizations have been getting into the Apple product speculation game, WSJ, Fox, Associated Press, and it looks like they just might have something more meaty than we can expect from a news organization.

Obviously, we need to take them with a grain of salt until Apple does what it does and we find out if Reuters is correct.

The gist is that Apple will release two models of iPhones.

Monday, August 22, 2011

iPhone With Dual CDMA And GSM Modes Detected

According to MacNN, an iPhone with both CDMA and GSM modes have been detected.  According the original link, Techcrunch, an iPhone was detected using both AT&T and Verizon networks.  However, this isn't surprising given the rumors for months that the next iPhone will be able to work on both more networks using one iPhone model - both GSM and CDMA.

Although that was expected, it seems a bit late in the cycle for just such an iPhone to appear.  Considering, this should be have seen a while back.

However, such an iPhone does mean that it will most certainly not support LTE.  You can't have it both way, apparently.

Source:  Techcrunch via MacNN.

Mac Sales Outpaces PC; iPad Foot Still On Netbook's Neck

Lion has blurred the line a bit between the iPad and the Macs.  And judging by the news via Macdailynews that the Mac sales continue to rocket, Apple's OS X changes may be a hit.

First, Apple's mobile strategy is a bunch of moving pieces.  It's complication and Apple's ability to wield it so effortlessly is probably why PC guys are very afraid of where things are going.

So, 6.5X Mac growth over PC growth can be very scary.  And while the iPad cannot replace a laptop yet, it is cannibalizing netbook sales.  And aren't netbooks just smaller and underpowered PC laptops?

Tablet: Is the $499 the New $999?

Apple has no Mac for sale below the $999 price.  Previously, it was the white polycarbonate Macbook and now it's the 11.6" Macbook Air.  And during the short lived era of the netbooks, analysts and a few a pundits argued that Apple has to sell some netbook like device below the $999 price.  Apple responded that they could not make a $500 laptop that was no a piece of junk. That was a couple of years ago.

Fast forward to today.  the iPad and other Android tablets like the Xoom and Galaxy Tab start around $500 when they went on sale.  However, as Apple went from the iPad to iPad 2, some tablets have begun to be priced lower.  Let's forget about the Touchpad.  Xoom (currently $489 at Buy.com) is sometimes be yours for $400.  The Asus Transformer is consistently at $386 at Buy.com and had gone down to around $350 at times.

I also figure that by Black Friday, many tablets could drop as low as $300 on a consistent basis - especially as competition among Android tablets heat up.  Furthermore, the 10" versions will also feel pricing pressure from their 7" brethren starting out around $300 from Chinese makers.

With Apple probably holding the iPad starting at $500, I wonder if $300 to $350 for tablets will be the equivalent of $500 is for PC laptops.


Tablet: Amazon's Kindle Tablet To Be Called "Kindle Scribe"?

I like it.  I like it a lot.  It looks like after Amazon registered the domain names for kindlescribe.com and Kindlesribes.com, we can expect Amazon to called its Kindle tablet "Kindle Scribe".  

I highly doubt that it could be for anything else.  Now, it is entirely possible that this could be a touch-based e-ink Kindle.  

If this is happening now, we could be weeks away from an unveiling.  Just a couple of months before the iPad was introduced, there was a couple of URLs that Apple bought (admittedly, turned out to be nothing).  

This is very exciting.  Amazon is looking to duplicate Apple's ecosystem with its own assortment of media stores.  It's got books, muisc, and video.  Now, all Amazon needs is an Android-based tablet.  The Kindle Scribe is a rather handsome and respectable name


Mobile: Apple and Starbucks Expand iTunes Song Giveaways To iBooks, Apps, and Video

First, there was the pick of the week song on iTunes that you can redeem when you visit Starbucks.  I like to think it was a success and now it looks like Apple and Starbucks are working closer together for other give-aways.

Now, we can expect iBooks, TV shows, and even iOS apps that are given away on a regular basis.

I find this kind of symbiotic relationship among vastly different companies (maybe not their philosophies) that can come together and make some magic.

But if you consider just how deeply in tuned both companies are in mobile, you cannot help but not be surprised.  Maybe Apple should so something and forge an even closer relationship with something like the iPod touch or the iPad.  Go to any Starbucks and you'll find it difficult to not see an iOS device or a Macbook at the coffee tables.  In some areas, they outnumber even PCs.

This has the feeling of something that Starbucks pursued and Apple quickly see value in this.  You want to drive traffic and free content is definitely something that will work.  These days, apps, music, and video are the bulk of media consumed on mobile devices.

On top of that, if your user can pay $4 for a drink a few times a week you want those kinds of customers come back for more.  

For Apple, this is a very important step to further step into the mobile mindset of the average user.  And this is particularly important with iBooks selections.  So far, they'll be offering excerpts from iBooks.  Maybe this is what the future bookstores are about?  Go into a coffee shop to browse books.  

Source:  Mashable.

Social: Reason For Apple Working with Twitter Instead of Facebook

Here's a must read post on why Apple added Twitter into iOS 5.  Apple really really thinks Mark Zuckerberg is a major (you fill in the blank but must be something negative).  

With the rise of Google+ and the threat it possess, I wonder if Facebook will mellow out a bit and try to try to work with other companies like Apple.  Yes, I did purposely write "try to try". 

Google will stop at nothing to come after Facebook.  And by working with another successful company with a strong mobile following like Apple, it provides an insurance policy of sort.  Facebook will stumble and fall.  At least by working with the likes of Apple, Facebook at least has some real friends.  

Or at the very least, not make an enemy of a company that has a very vindictive CEO.

The implications of the previous Apple-Facebook over iTunes user data has left Apple's Ping without a link to the outside world.  With Twitter, things will change for iOS mobile warriors.

There are also signs of thawing between the icy relationships between the two companies.  On the online Apple stores, Apple appears to be experimenting with Facebook and Twitter updates.  

Mobile And Social Media To Drive Education And Play Big Roles

Huffintgon Post has listed 7 innovations that are driving education right now in school.

I'll let you guess what they are since they're mostly what we talk about here.

Yup, mobile tech and social media.  They mentioned iPads and smartphones but they could have just as easily replace "iPad" with "tablets" to be more politically correct.

Smartphones definitely should have a place in the market as well.  Consider the Atrix from Motorola.  Instead of a backpack, students can carry their smartphones to school.  Then dock the device into a station at school and you're off learning new stuff.  Then take that smartphone home and dock it into your station at home and you're off doing your homework.

I'll let you click through to see what else they think are driving learning in schools today.  I can say I agree with one in particular.

Here is what I want now. To be able to go back to school now.  What a time it'll be to be learning with these tech and social tools.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Mobile: GroupMe Bought by Skype, Is This Another Mobile Arms Race

Is this the start of another mobile arms race? CNet reports that Skype bought mobile messaging service GroupMe for an undisclosed amount. And by default, it is Microsoft that bought GroupMe since Microsoft bought Skype earlier in the year for $8.5 billion.

Is this possible we are at the start of another arms race and this time the weapon of choice is SMS like messaging services that will eventually spell the doom of the era of mobile providers gauging its users for texting plans that require little to no bandwidth.

I have to say messaging would not be my choice of service if I want to arm my company's mobile services. Honestly, I think location-based services like check-in companies Foursquare or Gowalla offers more opportunities for commercialization than group messaging.

Facebook already made their move with Beluga. Apple already has iMessage that will be forthcoming with its next iOS update. Google has, well, a bunch of homegrown services at its disposal. Gtalk and elements of Google+ like Huddle comes to mind. So I find it difficult any of the major mobile platforms would be interested in snatching up their own messaging company.

It's possible some carriers might be interested in their own messaging services to prepare for the demise of texting.

We'll see over the next two weeks where this goes and why Skype and Microsoft wants GroupMe. Skype already has an IM feature as does Microsoft.


- Posted using Mobile

Top HP Execs Were Not Told of Move To Kill Web OS Hardware; What Now For Former Palm Guys

According to All Things Digital (via Gizmodo), Todd Bradley, head of personal systems group at HP and Jon Rubinstein of Palm were not informed of HP's decision to gut Web OS until the Sunfay before HP made its announcement to that effect and looking at options to spin off the PC arm of the company, which has been seen as a drag on the company as a whole.

ATD's post gave a good examination of what questions remain and what options are there foe the men who were tasked to lead the assault on the mobile market on HP's behalf.

This is important as it could determine the fate of Web OS and who will end up owning it and the patents HP now possesses through last year's $1.2 billion Palm buyout.

HP will have to determine if it'll get more out of Web OS if it leverages the OS and the mobile patents as a separate entity either through a licensing agreement or a Nortel like auction that may or may not include the talents that created them.

Or it could bundle Web OS as a part of a new company should it decide to spin off a PC company. It would certainly sweeten the pot for investors or potential buyers.

However, such a buyer would have to be someone who wants to get into both the PC market and own its OS instead of licensing one from Google or Microsoft.

What HP wants will determine what happens to Web OS and the patents and who gets it.

At this time, I am certain many companies have approached HP to get a feeler for what HP is leaning. Samsung has been a popular choice on the blogs for acquiring Web OS and the patents even though it already has its own OS, Bada.

I think Lenovo is a strong candidate. It was Lenovo that bought IBM's PC business and this think outside of the box attitude could also make them a prime candidate. Plus, if they should be interested, they may well also be interested in HP's PC business as well. There might be some huffing and puffing in Congress about a Chinese company owning suh a big PC share but I am sure Lenovo's lobbyists and attorneys will take care of that once the initial outcry dies down.

Then there is Apple. No one has said much about this but don't discount Apple as the company that might walk away with Web OS.

What no one has addressed is what'll happen to the small but dedicated legion of Web OS users. A couple of Palm friendly blogs, like parents late at night at the dinner table worrying about bills, have tried to keep up an optimistic front. But even they may go the way of the Web OS unless miraculous event happens and Web OS finds a happy home.

Mobile's Next Revolutionary Leap? Maybe Microsoft Is Right (Their Commercials At Least)

In thinking about mobile and how we are always so engaged with our phones and looking down on them instead of looking up and around our environment. So I started to wonder about this and the next mobile revolution.

Could the next leap in mobile be about taking mobile experience to the next level. Allowing us to not miss life while still being kept up to date on out social media updates, news, and other mobile computing tasks that some in our society are labeling as distractions.

This is what is going on now. You see lots of folks, especially kids, who almost text continuously a few years ago, now migrating to busily updating Their Facebook and Twitter feeds, or getting updates from friends and families.

Consider waiting in line for rides at amusement parks like Disneyland. In the past, kids and their parents has to wait patiently in line. Even among friends. They are forced to chat, take in the sights, or simply complain about the 90 min or so wait.

Today, kids are immersed in their handheld gaming systems, parents are looking at their mobile phones, friends who are literally standing inches from each other conversing on Facebook!

Perhaps Microsoft's Windows Phone commercials were right. Less is more. Less time on the mobile devices means more time for other things.

We know Microsoft did not create those commercials with what I've pointed out here in mind. But they may have just stumbled onto something.

I am not sure they would really know what I am talking about here. Maybe not Apple. Perhaps it'll be a startup that gets it and is working on solving this issue and leading us to make next mobile leap forward.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Green: Mobile Games That Help Emphasize Green Efforts and Conservation

Do games help change our behaviors in real life? There are a lot of debates about that. They are ongoing and subjective to interpretation based on one's philosophy on the matter.

But I believe green games can help in ways children's games help teach certain learning skills.

Take for instance the games mentioned in this Sci Tech Today post. They teach about recycling, saving mythical whales, learning about a delta ecosystem, or knowing what to price to set at a yard sale based on what can be reused. Those kinds of games are valuable to teach aspects of conservation and what is involved in green living.

Fate of the World puts the player in charge of a full city dealing with 200 years of near real world scenarios of population growth, food management, and other socioeconomic issues.

Okay the last game might be a bit far fetched but nonetheless brings attention to problems we deal with outside of the confines of a virtual earth.

All of these are excellent topics for gaming developers, especially mobile ones, to consider working on.

- Posted using Mobile.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Privacy: Apple Removes Access To Unique Device Identifier; For End Users, No Diff Will Be Noticed But Ad Guys Might Not Like It

Privacy is a big big deal for me.  It's why I detest Facebook and I have virtually stopped using it and why I am hoping Google+ will act as a good counterweight.  So, when I read that Apple has removed the unique device identifier (UDID), I initially did not pay much attention to it until I realized that this could be a preemptive move to protect user privacy.  At worse, give Apple an advantage over other networks and developer.

So, what is this UDID, what is used for, and why did Apple remove access to it?  Privacy concerns, to gain an unfair advantage over others on the iOS devices, or both.

Why Apple Will Not Release The iPad 3 This Year - It Has Nothing To Do With Retina Display Yields

All along, I believed that Apple will not release another iPad this year.  Certainly, not another 10" iPad, as some would call it, iPad 3.  However, I still do hope out hope for a larger screened iPod touch.

Why am so sure?  iPad 2.  And iPhone 5.  But there's also a third reason.

Should Apple Buy Web OS From HP? Web OS Ran Faster As Webapp On iPad 2 Than on Touchpad

I don't remember where I read this but before HP finally bought Palm, Apple was reported interested in Palm. If this is true, I wonder if Apple would still be interested in Web OS and its own treasure trove of patents.

Considering that Palm has its own zealots, it would not br a bad idea for Apple to own them as well.

Furthermore, there are multiple reports today that Web OS ran faster on the iPad than on the native Touchpad hardware. And that was running Web OS as a Webapp.

So what do you think? Apple hooking up Web OS to iOS? Oh, man...

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

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Analyst Upgrades RIM Because HP Abandoned Web OS; Shows Wall Street Doesn't Get It

Via Bloomberg, a Wall Street analyst upgrades RIM, maker of Blackberry and Playbook, because HP decided to end its mobile experiment and kill of all Web OS development.

This really shows just how much brilliance it takes to work on Wall Street. Which is to say none at all.

RIM's problem isn't HP. Nor was HP's problem in the market blackberries specifically but rather it's the iPhone and the legions of Android devices out there.

Right now, everyone's problem in the tablet market is the iPad. And the only mobile platform out there that will challenge Apple's iOS is Android.

RIM's dismal performance in the tablet market isn't that Touchpads were outselling Playbooks. Now, I know that just maybe RIM might begin to pick up some disenchanted Web OS users but I doubt that'll be enough to suddenly vault the company back to a rate of growth that puts it on par with iOS or Android's growth.

The analyst might just as well be ready to upgrade RIM should ever decide to change the name of Playbook to something that can be taken more seriously be enterprise users.

Source: Bloomberg.

- Posted using BlogPress

Thursday, August 18, 2011

HP Admits "iPad" Effect Is Real; Which Dell Announces Shortfall, Is the PC Market In Trouble?

According to HP, the tablet effect that Microsoft and other PC makers tried very hard to ignore is all too real. While HP doesn't specifically mention the iPad, no one thinks HP is referring to its own Touchpad, Playbook, Xoom, the Tab, or other Windows-based tablets. Obviously, with the iPad controlling a majority of the tablet market, consumers as well as some businesses are buying iPads and not buying laptops.

 Last quarter, even Apple admit that the iPad has cannabilized some Mac sales. The only thing is there is a way bigger chunk of PC market for the iPad to cannibalize. What's funny is that data companies like Gartner, which refuses to admit that the iPad is a computer but rather categorize it as a media tablet, never admit that the iPad was affecting PC sales.  Now that the world's biggest PC maker admit the "iPad" effect, I wonder what will these firms say the next time they release their PC data.

 And speak of the biggest PC maker in the world, HP may not be the biggest computer maker after all.  Apple would be the biggest computer maker in the world by volume if iPads were counted along with the Macs.  It means Apple shipped 13.6 million computers to HP's 9.7 million.  And to make matters worse, Apple has over 30% in operating margin while HP was pulling in less than 6%

So, what is going on here?  Is the PC market in trouble?  It's is difficult to say.  While Microsoft and others refuse to admit it public, they know that the iPad is killing them.  Microsoft's Windows revenue shrank last quarter just as Apple sold over 9 million iPads.

Furthermore, Dell provided a lower guidance this week when it reported its quarterly earnings but it did not mention the tablet market.  However, given today's HP news, it is not a difficult leap to believe that Dell also was affected by the iPad and anticipate rough waters ahead.

Meanwhile, in western Europe, Apple's Mac share increased to 7% from 5.6% a year ago.  And how did the other PC makers do?  On a while, the PC market shrank nearly 19%.  How much of that is because of tablets in general and the iPad specifically?

Microsoft promises Windows 8 for tablets next year.  We may see a reversal of the PC makers' fortune in 2012.  However, there is also the issue of the global economic condition.  At this time, things are not going well.

And given the economic risks and failure after failure of non-iPad tablets in 2011, Windows 8 tablet rollouts may not be as robust.  Keep in mind that Apple isn't done yet.  The iPad and Mac sales in Asia, especially Greater China, is continue to outpace the market by a wide margin.

Even with home field advantage, Apple's revenue in China is now bigger than Lenovo's own - $3.8 billion to $2.8 billion.  And that's before Apple's iPhone and iPad are being offered on other major carriers' networks.  Furthermore, Apple's retail reach is not as extensive as those as Lenovo.  Just wait until Apple opens up more stores.

It'll be interesting to revisit this issue in a quarter, in six months, and a year from now.  I wonder if we'll be able to recognize the PC market as we remember it today.


 Source: Light Reading, Appleinsider.


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Back To School Apps? Some of Them Overlap With Work Ones Too

Pretty soon, you'll see some very good back to school apps posts all over the Internet.  And you know what?  If you're a student and you are lucky enough to have an iOS device, like an iPod touch or iPad that you'll be taking to school with you this fall, you could be arming yourself with some pretty neat apps.

Here are some from iSmashPhone.

And if you're not a student, you might think this doesn't apply to you.  But it does.  Evernote is one of the apps and sevices recommended.  And it's definitely not build with students in mind but definite has its uses across multiple disciples:  school, business, or just our plain old lives.

Dropbox is the other app that is recommended, which, too, has uses beyond school or work.

Growing up, I sometimes thought of school as work.  You don't get paid but you go anyway.  Obviously, as a kid, you don't appreciate some of the good times (and awkward ones) that go on until you're out of school and joined the workforce.

So, I recommend any journal app that you can use to record your thoughts as you go through your school years and get ready for life outside of textbooks, finals, and Friday night football.  Personally, I like Momento.

And like Dropbox and Evernote, Momento works even if you're not going back to school this fall.

Any app you would recommend that has uses for both school and work?

AT&T Forces Users To Go With All or Nothing Texting Plans – Desperation Shows As Billions In Revenue In Jeopardy


So, AT&T decides to screw its users by going with an all-or-nothing texting plan.  And yeah, they call it streamlining but those of who have been watching AT&T closing since 2007 when the iPhone went on sale call it “desperation”.  How are they desparate?

Simple.  The days of texting as a revenue are coming to an end and AT&T knows this.  According to Daring Fireball and Paris Lemon, it has to do with iMessage that will be on any device running iOS 5 and the Macs.  That’s tens of millions of users who will be moving beyond texting.

Personally, I’ve given it up a long while back.

What will the other carriers do?  Well, here’s the interesting part.  They may follow AT&T and do the same thing.  Furthermore, I think something else will happen.

Soon, carriers will need to bundle texting into their voice plans just to keep users.  If rumors about pre-paid iPhones are true, you can see the iPhone running on Virgin Mobile or MetroPCS.  Their prepaid plans generally include unlimited texting.

Not only will the major carriers have to compete with new iPhone carriers in the pre-paid market but they’ll have to contend with cheaper plans.  No way Verizon and AT&T can compete with $50 or $60 unlimited talk, texting, and wireless Internet access.



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HP Will Abandon Web OS Development


Ouch...HP is having a really bad day on a generally bad day for the stock market.

HP trading was halted as news reports confirm that it was getting rid of its PC business via a spin-off.  And just now, HP announced it will cease Web OS development and find other means to optimize the $1.2 billion Palm buyout.

Can you say patents? HP's statement is that it will ""continue to explore options to optimize the value of webOS software going forward."

Any guess who will pick up the pieces?


Source: MarketwatchStatement on WebOS (multiple sources)


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HP To Spin Off PC Biz; What about Web OS?

Looks like HP is doing what IBM did a few years back when it sold its PC business to Lenovo.

While there is no word if Web OS will be part of the spin-off but I hope they're smart enough to keep it in the mother ship 

Source:  Bloomberg.



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LTE (And 5G) iPhone Is Coming. But I Rather I Have Better Battery Life


We all know there is going to be an LTE iPhone some day.  A true 4G iPhone.  And we also know that there will be a 5G iPhone as well.  Of course, it’s a matter of when.

Recent posts from popular Apple sites have clues that points to LTE but they don’t tell us when that’ll be.

As someone who loves things go fast, it isn’t easy for me to say this.  I rather have Apple build the next iPhone to last.  By that, I mean I want it to have longer battery lives.  I want what I’m getting on the iPad on the next iPhone.

It will not be HSPA+ or LTE support that I care about.  Keep in mind that there are pockets of the US where they don’t have broadband.  And there is an even larger portion of the world without access to high-speed Internet.  So I think I can chug along on my CDMA 3G speed.

Plus, without unlimited access plans anymore, any increase in wireless speed only that you’ll reach your monthly limit faster.  After that, you either get throttled or be forced to pay more.

So, it won’t be LTE or 8MP camera or a bigger screen that will make me upgrade.  Those are nice to have.  But an iPad-like battery life is a must for this mobile warrior.


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Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Mobile: Yes, Motorola Squeezed Google For $12.5 Billion, So Who Has A Better Set of Patents? What’s Next For Google?

Here's an interesting post on the continuing saga surrounding Monday's announcement of Google buying Motorola Mobility.  Forbes (via MacDailyNews) pointed out what we all know:  how Motorola put the squeeze on Google and forced Google to cough up $12.5 billion.

Honestly, $12.5 billion isn't a lot of money to the likes of Apple, Google, or Microsoft.  And these guys are the ones fighting the vast majority of the patent war.  

So, how did Motorola walk away with an over 60% markup to its market value?

Mac Sales Are Down. No! Mac Sales Are Up! We Shall See

In another he said, he said (or she said) scenario surrounding Apple, one institution has Apple having a poor back-to-school Mac sale while another sees the Macs doing very well despite rising living and educational costs.

So, who's right?

iPhone 5 - September 12th? Not Gonna Happen

While I love to be wrong about this, TechRadar UK is tipping the next iPhone to come out on September 12th.  And yesterday, the general consensus among Apple blogs is that the release date is actually October 7th.  So, who's right?

Well, this is one of those things I like to iCal can come back later and see just who's right and who's not.  Me? I'm sticking with the Apple blogs on this one.

And it goes to show that while general tech sites do sometimes receive rumors about Apple plans, they generally report them without knowing that they're mostly wrong.  I know it's a click-bait thing (kinda what I'm doing now?), but if they do a bit of a research, Apple almost never release a product in an early part of the week.

Now, TR could be almost right about one thing.  September 12th, which is a Monday, could be a good day for Apple to hold a media event to introduce the iPhone 5 and refreshing the iPod line.  Then again, I reckon it'll probably be a Tuesday or Wednesday rather than a Monday.

I'll let you go over the TechRadar to read how they came about this date.  I am putting very very little stock on this date though I hope they're right.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Mobile: Tablets Require Touching, Which as Babies Show, Is Something Very Innate And Simple

Before tablets, the closest things had have to gestures and touching on a computer are trackpads that have become ubiquitous on laptops.  Especially Macbooks.  My first laptop was the Powerbook 500, the first laptop that I know with a trackpad.  It was awesome to see folks marvel at it and lamented how their trackballs would lose traction or require cleaning.

Since then, Apple and other PC makers have improved on the trackpad, but especially Apple. And then came the multitouch features of the iPhone. And today, we now have the iPad.  Of course, there are dozens if not hundreds of other devices out there that have similar features.  

Interestingly, by watching babies, they seem to be more at ease with screens that respond to their touching.  An author gave a Blackberry to 20 different babies and they instinctively went to touch the screen.  Obviously, nothing happened.  This The Unofficial Apple Weblog suggests that perhaps Apple simply has tapped into the innate response we already possess when we see something new.  

We want to touch it.  And with the iPad and other tablets, perhaps we are only at the very tip of what we can make our tablets do.  And I've seen it with my nephews.  I recall the older one ways trying to touch the screen of my Macbook to make things move.  And now, he's more apt with his hand-me-down iPad than my mom is with hers.

And his brother, who is going to be two soon, already knows his way around the iPad as well.  All by touching.  

Amazing.  And perhaps this is the key to success that Apple has found where others have floundered.  It's not about adding more features which add to the complexity of the device but rather to keep it simple so that the device can do what it was mean to do.

There's a running joke among Apple fans that Steve Jobs and Apple consistently create new products and features that we did not know we needed until they showed it to us.  Maybe that's not the case at all.  Maybe Apple is just better at showing us "hey, look, this works.  And its easy to use".  


Source:  TUAW.




Multiple Sources Points To Next IPhone Going On Sale On October 7th; Pre-Order On September 30th

This is it. A bunch of sites are independently reporting the next iPhone, call it iPhone 5 or iPhone 4S if you like, will go on sale October 7th and should be available for pre-order starting on September 7th.

What's interesting is that earlier, most speculation has the iPhone going on sale by the middle of September to late September but then a couple of news sources moved that to October.  But this October 7th date seems more genuine than what we've been reading earlier in the summer.

So far, we have 9to5Mac pointing us in this direction.  Part of the reason is that ramp up has been going along nicely (thank you, poor poor factory workers).  (Also, TIPB has some information on the iPad 3 - don't read if you're waiting for one this fall, you're going to be disappointed.)

Here is what we don't know.  Will the next iPhone pre-order be like the last iPad situation?  I certainly hope not.  While I did get my iPad 2 on a timely basis, there was this "waiting" that I did not like.  Unlike the previous iPad launch, we could pre-order and pick it up in the store.  Same for the iPhone launches as well.

If these dates stick, we can expect a media event from Apple in early September.  Late August, early September, or middle of September, who cares.  I'll be ready.  Here is a post of just how I prepare for these Apple events even while holding down a full-time job.  


Mobile: Laptops With Security Tracking? Time for PC Makers To Include This Feature In All Laptops

An Apple Macbook Pro that was stolen during the London unrest created by criminal opportunists was recovered and the thief is headed to an extended vacation at the taxpayers' expense.

Right now, there is only one way to get security for your laptop that allows you a chance to recover it.  You buy a software and install it yourself.  A future version of iCloud should have a feature that will allow users to locate Macs as well.

In this case, the man in London used an open-sourced software that he later upgraded to a paid service to get more frequent reports and to track down the perp  He was able to eventually obtain very detailed information on the thief and gave that information to the police.

It's a great story and not the first we've heard of this.  Nor will it be the last.  

Perhaps, it's time that PC makers (not wait for Microsoft) do more to protect their customers' investments.  Again, Apple will have its Find My Mac feature working once iCloud comes out of beta.  It'll be interest to see just how well that works.  But at the same time, with the economy the way it is and more people desperate, it's just good to be prudent.

Plus, these days, most cars come with an alarm system.  It is Lo-Jack but better than nothing.  And it probably won't cost PC makers to include this in their laptops, especially those sold to business users.

This is an incredible must read story (Macworld). And it also serves as a reminder.  If you use your laptop or Macbook to work on sensitive information, best you consider one of these security options.  Tens of thousands of laptops are lost or stolen each year.  You do the math.

Anway, glad the good guys won.

Using Generative AI Has Given Me A New Appreciation For Siri and Excited For The Future of Apple Intelligence

I used generative AI this week to find the dimensions of a refrigerator based on the model number. I googled first because of muscle memory ...