How Microsoft, Nintendo, And Sony Will Bring Portable Gaming to Mobile Computing Market

Some quick thoughts about mobile gaming in the age of app stores, casual gaming, and diminished support for portable gaming consoles, is it time to give thought to how Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo will go on. I see a merger of platforms, birth of new ones, and a salad of old tech mixed with the new.

Which is better?

More at Onxo.

"Not Quite HD" Zune HD Means Great News For iPod Touch Fans

Please indulge me while I get into what the Zune HD is. Zune HD is Microsoft's stunning answer to the iPod Touch with a well built body, interface, and OLED screen. There is not much more go to on at this time as a lot of information are still lacking and demos are limited to a special few (Gizmodo has a video).

A few points about the "first" impressions from Gizmodo as mentioned in Appleinsider's post.  I'm looking at my iPod Touch here and I don't see how the Zune HD has a better looking form than than the Touch.  Far from it.  First of the all, the Touch body is has nice curves, no screws, and quite responsive.  The Zune HD as it is now has screws, thicker body, and it's got that original aweful brown hue.

First of all, let's get this out of the way. HD for the Zune HD doesn't mean the video is HD quality.  It's got HD radio.  Done.  Let's move on.

Now, this is the first looks anyone has is very subjective and Microsoft showed them only what they wanted the blogger to report.  Admittedly, Microsoft said this is not an iPod Touch competitor.  Why?  Because it doesn't have an real mobile OS.  Think of it more as the iPod Classic with a screen like the Touch and a browser.

I have a theory on Zune HD.  We know it's dying and Redmond is looking to come up with an answer to the iPhone and the mobile market in general.  Windows Mobile 7 is still 6-9 months off.  Advances with Zune was made in the last year for integration with WM hardware.  A prototype was made and a marketing guy said, "hey, let's sell this prototype until WM with Zune support is out in 2010" and Zune HD was born.  Essentially, this explains why Zune HD is a media player with no real OS.  Plays video, music (HD radio), IE from WM 6.5.  Won't do more.

Now, on to how this is great for iPod fans.  I don't expect Apple to totally revamp the iPod Touch in light of the Zune HD news. Apple has charted a course for its mobile hardware years ahead. If anything, plans might be accelerated. Features that we probably won't see until the 4th or 5th generation iPod Touch might make it into the upcoming iPod Touch in the fall.  At the end of the day, I doubt Cupertino is worried one bit.

As usual, I love competition because we mobile warriors win out in the end.  New features. Bigger storage. Lower prices. So fear not, Apple fans.  Apple needs to be challenged but Jobs and company created this segment of the mobile market.  I don't know what the 3rd gen iPod Touch will have.  Apple's got lots of tricks (innovations) it can pull out when the time is right.

Tons of iPod Touch rumors flying around and I have to say that they all sound plausible.  And even if only half of them turn out to be true, we're in for another very iPod shopping season this winter.

Source: Appleinsider, Engadget Impression, Gizmodo

Note:  Sony has it on their Walkman video play and Microsoft will have it on their Zune "HD" and Apple will put OLED on the iPod Touch.  It's all about product cycles and timing.  

Onxo: Zune Not Dead

Engadget has given us a late Friday excitement by way of a potential update to Zune.  We've always believed that Microsoft wouldn't just abandon Zune and relegate it to an app to simply sit on top of Windows Mobile 7.

Zune Touch?  Perhaps but we'll let you be the judge of that.

Well, it looks like it's time for some analysis and speculation as to what Redmond may be trying to pull here.  Please visit Onxo for updates.

Then come back to On Apple later this weekend and read up on how this may impact our believed mobile platform from Apple.

Interest in Mobile Computing Saved Apple's Christmas

Without Apple's redesigned unibody Macbooks (which I have and love) and the refreshed iPod Touches, and certainly the iMacs were no help, Apple stock price could have end up much lower.  The record quarter revenue and profit did stunt any effort from Jobs not being at the helm, at least until June.

But with Macbooks selling really hot, let's not forget the iPod Touch.  the iPhone had a great quarter but nothing like the 7 million sold in the previous quarter.  So, let's focus on the iPods.

It's unfortunate that Apple doesn't break out individual numbers for the different iPods but I'm willing to believe that the second generation iPod Touch did a lot to exceed analyst expectations (from Wall Street to Internet bloggers/analysts). 

I got the 2nd gen 8GB iPod Touch and it's just absolutely incredible.  I have the iPhone as well and this design is just incredible.  More than just the design, it's what it represents.  It's a mobile computing platform.

A mobile computer.  A gaming machine.  A lot of people think that iTunes is why the iPods are selling so well and I agree.  But it's these new functions that makes iPod Touches stand out.

• 36 Hours of play time - I'm getting around that much.  In fact, I think I'm getting closer to forty hours.
  
• I'm getting 6-7 hours of Internet use.  8 hours of just writing.  Gaming varies depending on how graphic intensive the games are.  Generally, great battery life.  I don't watch video on it like I do on my iPhone because I have more room on my iPhone (16GB).
• Mobile Internet.  E-mails. 
  
• I love the touchscreen keyboard.  No doubt about it.  I never got used to the physical keyboards on the Blackberries and I'm only getting used to the one on my G1.  
• $199.  Cheaper with some online oulets.  Even cheaper with refub units from Apple.  
• Don't have to deal with a wireless contract.

I'm sure a lot of mobile readers who own an iPod Touch have other great features they love about their iPod Touch but the above features comes to mind.   Again, Apple doesn't have numbers for us but I'm sure the 8GB iPod Touch model was very popular this Christmas.

What does this mean?  Well, no new iMac or Mac mini and Apple still had a great quarter.  I'm thinking a change on how we do computing and expectations as far as mobile entertainment comes to mind.  As a society, we're increasing wireless affording us greater freedom from our home or office.  Macbooks aside, Apple has introduced a great mobile device in the form of the Touch.

The iPod Touch doesn't do spreadsheets or many other office functions but it does allow for mobile warriors to take data, e-mail, and perform simple word processing.  Kids can do some homework on the go or where there is Wi-Fi, go onto the Internet. Again, gaming.

I think the impact of devices like the iPod Touch is only beginning to be felt.  There simply is no other device like this.  I know there are devices like the Nokia N800 series but nothing as integrated a far as computing functions and entertainment values as the iPod Touch.

Personally, I can wait until the third generation and updated software features.  

Note:  Microsoft did not have a great quarter.  In fact, Zune revenue was down $100 million.  I've only seen Zune in the wild like twice.  But I hope Microsoft doesn't exit the market because even if Zune does sell as well as the iPods, it's a competitor to the iPods and competition, everyone knows, is good for innovation and, ultimately, consumers.

Mac-iPhone Update for October 9, 2008

With the Mac back in the news today.  Oh, sorry.  You heard right.  The Macbook is back to headline once again after ceding media and blog attention to its smaller mobile cousins, the iPod

Onxo Updates:

• Pole Position for iPhone 
• Can Apple make America read again?
• Need a better way to blog on the iPhone.
• Mac Hybrid
• Onxo on the best non-Apple Macbooks.
  
• Hand crank to charge the iPhone or iPod
• Podcaster via Jailbreak
• Onxo feels iPhone games should contain more depth.
  

iPhone-iPod Update:

• iSmashphone on iNotes for the iPhone.
• TUAW on Street View and special features for Japanese iphone users.  Emoji should have been on the iPhone to start with.  Next step, make it easier for people to read enovels and comics, Jobs.
• Touch Arcade on $10K prize for best iPhone/iPod game.
• Small Wave talks about App Store.
• iLounge on contract free iPhones in Mexico.
• Macworld  reports owners very satisfied with their iPhone despite problems.
  
• iLounge reports on iTunes store for Russia in 2009.  New Cold War is free market friendly.
• Indy Star reprints Bloomberg article on iPhone in biz.  MacDaily News reports first Japanese corporate customer.
• Keep an eye on this.  Judge allows lawsuit against iPhone ties to ATT to go forward.  Possible this may impact other devices and carriers.
• iPhone Atlas reports French Iron Man Blue-Ray copy has iPhone features.
• Macworld reports Norway demands Apple drop DRM.
  
• Apple Matters explains App Store as a prison.
  
• iPhone Atlas on take your iPhone overseas.

Mac-iPhone Update For October 6, 2008

We did not post a lot of Mac updates last week because there really was not a lot to write about and I don't want to waste your time for the sake of clicks.


Just to recap a bit from last week, Apple finally lifted their nondisclosure agreement for iPhone developers. I can't call it the right move.  It was just "a move" that really should have been done.  Apple really screwed up by not communicating with the iPhone community on this issues.


Also today, NDP stated the iPhone took command of the smartphone market with 17% of total units moved.  It's possible Apple has already broken through the 10 million mark it set for itself for total 2008 sales.


Onxo Updates:

• Pole Position for iPhone 
• Can Apple make America read again?
• Need a better way to blog on the iPhone.
• Mac Hybrid
• Onxo on the best non-Apple Macbooks.
  
• Hand crank to charge the iPhone or iPod
• Podcaster via Jailbreak
• Onxo feels iPhone games should contain more depth.
  

iPhone-iPod Update:

• iSmashphone on iNotes for the iPhone.
• TUAW on Street View and special features for Japanese iphone users.  Emoji should have been on the iPhone to start with.  Next step, make it easier for people to read enovels and comics, Jobs.
• Touch Arcade on $10K prize for best iPhone/iPod game.
• Small Wave talks about App Store.
• iLounge on contract free iPhones in Mexico.
• Macworld  reports owners very satisfied with their iPhone despite problems.
  
• iLounge reports on iTunes store for Russia in 2009.  New Cold War is free market friendly.
• Indy Star reprints Bloomberg article on iPhone in biz.  MacDaily News reports first Japanese corporate customer.
• Keep an eye on this.  Judge allows lawsuit against iPhone ties to ATT to go forward.  Possible this may impact other devices and carriers.
• iPhone Atlas reports French Iron Man Blue-Ray copy has iPhone features.
• Macworld reports Norway demands Apple drop DRM.
  
• Apple Matters explains App Store as a prison.
  
• iPhone Atlas on take your iPhone overseas.
  

Mac Update:

• There are some rumors flying about.  We won't be getting into it.  But one of them is feature specific in the sense that it's missing from current Macbooks.  A dedicated GPU.  Let's hope we see them finally in Macbooks.
• Esquire on Jobs and his legacy
  
• Computerworld on no need for Jobs.
• Net Applications on Safari growth - 6.65% for Safari, IE drops big time.  Include Chrome, Webkit share rises to 7.4% - striking distance of Firefox.  
  
• Net Applications on OS Share - scary thing, OS X within striking distance of Vista.  It will depend on Apple's plans but can happen.  Snow Leopard to gain Exchange support and we will certainly see Windows 7 delays.  Let's meet in 18 months.
  

Mac-iPhone Update for October 1, 2008

You probably already know unless On Apple is your sole Mac and iPhone information but Apple withdrew their NDA.


And just as we wonder why they continued to implement the NDA, we now switch to why withdraw it now?  Their claim:  competition.  


But it does make sense since all their main competitors, including Android, is out on the market or soon will be.  There won't be any need for Apple to hold developers hush-hush.  Although, I just have to wonder though.  


Since anyone can download the iPhone SDK and have a peek around, what why would the NDA be an issue?  We had speculated on why the NDA was so important to Apple but we were right when we said it wouldn't go on forever.


iPhone-iPod Update:

• Yesterday, the biggest news was Adobe making a boneheaded announcement about Flash for the iPhone pending Apple's approval.  With the NDA lifted, Adobe should be able to say more about it.  No word.  Wouldn't bet in it happen unless Adobe makes a lot of concessions to Apple.
• Cult of Mac does not think Apple will close the iTunes store if the copyright review board decides to increase royalty to publishers.  Now Apple shutting down iTunes in Norway, that's another story.  
• CNet's take on the copyrights fee.
• RCR Wireless reports on CBS's iphone app and finds that news is in the eye of the beholder.
• iPhone Atlas on take your iPhone overseas.
  
• Phone Arena reports no LTE network on ATT for another 5 years.  Maybe we'll have the iPhone on WiMax or another network by then.  Don't think Verizon. They're sharing their next gen network with ATT.  And Sprint has been evil  with plans to be stingy with WiMax .
• Onxo feels iPhone games should contain more depth.
  
• 9To5Mac believes unlocked iPhone 3G is a way to get into China with accepting China Mobile's terms.
• Macworld  reports owners very satisfied with their iPhone despite problems.
  
• Mobility Today says Pay and Go iPhone available in the UK - will cost you.  But no contracts is very attrative.

Mac issues:

• Onxo on the best non-Apple Macbooks.
• Onxo on our "Mac Hybrid".
  
• Ars Technica on impending Snow Leopard releases.
• Applelinks provides an overview of Adobe's new suite of creative programs.
• MacObserver  on new GIMP, open-source Photoshop-like program.
• Macworld  reports Netflix will allow Mac users to view video by the end of the year.
• Appleinsider reports one in five laptops were Macbooks.
• Net Applications on Safari growth - 6.65% for Safari, IE drops big time.  Include Chrome, Webkit share rises to 7.4% - striking distance of Firefox.  
• Net Applications on OS Share - scary thing, OS X within striking distance of Vista.  It will depend on Apple's plans but can happen.  Snow Leopard to gain Exchange support and we will certainly see Windows 7 delays.  Let's meet in 18 months.

Mac-iPhone Update For September 30, 2008

The biggest news, although it's really a non-news, is an Adobe director announcing that a Flash player would be available pending Apple approval.

Just to chime in, I doubt it is the case and if we do see Flash on the iPhone, it will not be in the form that we are used to seeing on the Internet.

As with all things Apple, time will tell.  But don't hold your breath.

The other big news today is the availability of IBM's Lotus Notes available on the iPhone as a web app.  I'm glad for three reasons.  One is that now iPhone users have another enterprise mail option and the iPhone also becomes an option for 140 million Notes users. Secondly, this reinforces the iPhone's place in the enterprise.  And lastly, I'm glad develop on the Web front continues.

• TUAW
• InfoWorld - IBM had two customers participate in testing iNote Ultralight and they love the implementation.  However, they do wish that eventually, iNotes would become a standalone app.

Speculation before the release of iPhone 3G was that Lotus Notes would be incorporated into the iPhone instead of Exchange.  Either way, it's a welcoming news that IBM's subscribers now have a choice of using the iPhone.  Welcome, new iPhone mobile warriors.

iPhone-iPod Update:

• Onxo wonders if Flash would really come to the iPhone.
• CNet News on Apple shutting down iTunes.  Game of chicken with the copyrights board.  Macsimum News reports Apple may have to increase prices.
• Macworld reports owners very satisfied with their iPhone despite problems.
• Onxo feels iPhone games should contain more depth.
• The iPhone needs a better way for blogging.
• Taking your iPhone overseas ?

Mac Update:

• For the last couple of days, analysts tussle over whether Apple is doomed in light of the economic woes hitting Main Street mobile warriors.  
• Onxo on the best non-Apple Macbooks.
  
• Onxo on our "Mac Hybrid".
  
• eWeek reports Macbooks account for $1 of every $3 spent on laptops.  But feels Apple needs to reduce prices to capture more marketshare.  (Via Cnet )

Mac-iPhone Update for September 29, 2008

Once again, the dominant story in Cupertinoland continues to be the iPhone related issues. First, Apple, who has opted to remain quiet through this developer revolt (I rather think that Apple is up to something brilliant during this period of silence) about app rejections and outcries about NDA. Nevertheless, work continues to be made on the app store.

• Now, if you don't buy an app, you can't provide reviews.  Finally!
• A minor step back.  You can't simply find free apps with a click.  Someone will have to provide that link in a blog or something.  Why do that, Apple?  My guess:  trouble with revs from developers as everyone downloads mostly free apps.  
• Apps are now ranked by release dates, not app updates.

TUAW thinks there are specific reasons for this, depending on how you feel about Apple and the iPhone.

Posts on changes to app store:

• iPodnn 
• World of Apple 
• Appleinsider 
• Touch Podium
• Silicon Alley Insider 

The other major news is the 17% drop in Apple stock today.  Heck, if hedge funds can no longer short bank stocks, let's short tech stocks!  Morgan Stanley and RBC Capital both provided short-sellers with a gift in a double downgrade today.  However, Piper Jaffray thinks there is nothing to prove that Apple will suffer from a slowdown...yet. 

Here's the thing, Apple keeps opening up new stores.  If things are bad, then what the heck are they doing?!  Well, check out where they are opening these stores.  

iPhone-Ipod Update:

For those looking hard at the iPhone or iPod Touch but have hear a bit here and there about T-Mobile's G1, Macworld (via PC World) has some facts related to these two devices.  It sounded pretty fair to me.  (For the record, I am an iPhone user and has pre-ordered a brown G1.  Yeah, brown.  What the heck, right?)

• Apple Matters explains App Store as a prison.
• Macworld reports Norway demands Apple drop DRM.
• Touch Arcade on a new Kroll game.  I suppose I'll get nothing done tonight.
• Macnn on Spreadsheet, the app, for the iPhone.
• iPhone Atlas on take your iPhone overseas.
• Onxo thinks the iPhone is not a gaming machine yet.  We're at least a year or so away if the iPhone/iPod Touch ever comes to term as a serious portable gaming machine.
• Macworld feels Apple should reset App Store review.  I disagree with a do-over but I think those "one-star I'm not paying for this" review should be taken out at the very least.  In fact, do a simple database check and take out reviewers who did not buy the app they supposedly "reviewed".

Mac Update:

• Esquire on Jobs and his legacy
• Onxo on the best non-Apple Macbooks.
• Onxo on our "Mac Hybrid".