iPhone And iPad Taking Spotlight from Macbooks

It used to be that any time Apple introduces a new Macbook revision, it was cause for celebration in the blogosphere. These days, unless we get something extraordinary, you hear it for a day, maybe two, and it's back to iPhones, and now, iPads.

What does this say about the state of mobile computing? How about our expectations of of a digital mobile life?

Arguably, we are more excited about the next iPhone that we just were with the last Macbook Pro refresh and today's Macbook update. And believe me, the 2.4Ghz speed increase and a 43% uptick in battery life to 10 hours ain't nuthin' to sneeze at.

I am sure the Macbook will be a huge hit with the fans and anyone looking for a first rate laptop. Still, it isn't the huge attention draw it once was.

I do foresee a day when Apple blurs the line between the iPad and the low-end Macbook. How? Adding more traditional Macbook features to the iPad, such as camera and mouse support while simply killing off the Macbook all together.

iPads will be able to compete effectively with the low-end Windows laptops and the assortment of netbooks on the market. Furthermore, it will help Apple solidify its position as a provider that offers a range of mobile solutions based on the users specific needs.

What it does say about mobile computing is that we demand mobile to put a light device with a long battery life for consuming. While the iPad and iPhone are not perfection solutions for productivity in areas where you need a keyboard, Apple does offer solutions on that end.

I imagine the iPads to be more modular - Apple and 3rd party accessory makers will be able to offer modules to enhance users' needs. This may be the same for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Macbooks and Macs remain integral parts of Apple's line-up but for now and likely from here on out, the iDevices will dominate the spotlight.

Don't despair, my fellow mobile warriors, this is a good thing. Perhaps this is why in a recent e-mail spat with Gawker, Steve Jobs said PC guys are feeling like things are slipping away from them.

Steve is right.

My Tweets About Apple, AT&T, and the iPhone

This is today’s blog-tweets on the iPhone. It’s incredible how stories on Apple suddenly have a life of its own.

But that’s because Apple is a beloved company that came out with product after product that changes the computing and mobile experiences. Most of us, mobile warriors, like it.

Of course, there are those out there will unwilling or unable to accept it. If even you aren’t fine with how Apple does its business (which is to make money), you have to at least appreciate what they’ve done to shake things up.

The latest story is Apple’s contract with AT&T and that has provided the Internet a lot of posts, clicks, and ads. Fine with me.

Now the tweets:

iPhone: lots of reports on Apple_AT&T contract. Engadget found court documents declaring the contract was for 5-years, through 2012. (part 1)

iPhone: USA Today previously reported contract ended in 2009 but AT&T negotiated extension. No one will know for sure. . (part 2)

iPhone: 5-year old contract between Apple-AT&T might be old and things could have changed in between. Opt-out clauses. . (part 3)

iPhone: Speculation that the great iPad data plan from AT&T was a concession to Apple to extend iPhone exclusivity. . (part 4)

iPhone: Maybe AT&T will get newer iPhone while other carriers will have to wait 3-6 months down the road to avoid mass exodus. . (part 5)

iPhone: Could be Jobs hate VWso much that they’ll never see the iPhone. Could be true if Sprint & T-Mobile gets it first (part 6)

iPhone: Based on the past, we are less than 2 months away from seeing the 4th gen iphone. Not an iPhone based on 4G wireless (part 7)

iPhone: Gizmodo’s exposure of the next iPhone could have accelerated 4th gen iPhone launch (part 8)

iPhone: there is a video of 4th gen iPhone assembly that looks like the one exposed by Gizmodo http://bit.ly/dzQHf5 (part 9)

iPhone: New iPhone should be out for $199 base. Hope to see iPhone 3G for $49 or free, iPhone 3GS for $99. (part 10)

iPhone: I still believe we’ll see the iPhone on T-Mobile before VW or Sprint (part 11)

iPhone: Crunchgear sayz VW is working on their iPhone ad campaign for later in the summer http://bit.ly/94asKd (part 12)

4th Gen iPhone Assembly Footage

I just stumbled across this video on The Unofficial Apple Weblog that shows some guy assembling the next generation iPhone.

For the most part, I don't like trafficking in rumors but given the similar looks between this device and the one Gizmodo uncovered (bought, stolen), it's a lock. It's not a rumor.



The only thing that matters really is when we'll see this device. Any guesses?

more at TUAW.

Mobile Rights - Tethering

If mobile has its own version of the Bill of Rights, tethering ought to be like the third or fourth amendment guaranteeing this right.

Seriously, right?

Look at the lack of tethering for iPhone users on AT&T while users on Sprint and Verizon Wireless probably find it strange how backward that sounds and, yet, iPhone users pay over to AT&T a bigger bill than their compatriots from other wireless providers.


-- Post From My iPad

Can A Best Seller Be Written on an iPad?

I do a lot of writing on my iPad. Emails. Docs. Blogs. The most I've ever written is four pages.

So it got me thinking about novels. Can a best seller be written on the iPad?

The biggest issue to me would be typing. After more than a month of the iPad, there is a lot of getting use to with the onscreen keyboard. I have realized that I need to watch my finger placements. However, if one is motivated enough to this, I don't see this as a problem in the long term just as I am determined to write the bulk of my blogs on the iPad.

But there are other aspects to writing a story or novel than just hacking it out on a keyboard or screen. On the Mac, there is the Storymill that works for some writers. And in fact, about half a dozen such applications for the Mac. When it comes to the iPad's bigger siblings, there is no shortage of creative applications.

I guess what I am saying is whether there are enough tools for the iPad that can allow a writer to do his or her work on an iPad. The reason I am bringing this up now is because tablets are here to stay. They will go with us wherever we go and if a writer has a suddenly creative inspiration, the iPad needs to be ready.


-- Post From My iPad

Mobile Tip -

What's cool about mobile devices is the ability to do a majority of the what we consider to be daily Internet and some computing tasks. And to even more resourceful users, much more can be done.

Watching videos, that's another matter. Sure, if you're on Android device, iPhone, or most other devices with Google links, chances are that you have Youtube. Well, we don't have Hulu yet and the iPad just got Netflix. So where does that leave everyone else and everything else?

Youtube. The problem with mobile Youtube is that it is difficult to find anything beyond a lot of user-created materials. I had hope to see a lot of TV and animation shows but it has been hard to "search" for them.

No longer. I just stop. What I did find the shows on Youtube that I want to watch on my G1 or iPhone, simply copy and paste the URL from YouTube to a mail and send it to yourself. After you received it, click on the links and most videos will play. I haven't had issues with any shows except Star Trek which I wager is still in Flash.

Another way to do this is by adding the shows to your account. That ought to work just as well if not better than using the email method. But this way, you will need to create a google or youtube account.

As for Flash videos, you're gonna be in luck as Adobe is racing against time to provide Flash in Android to fight against Apple's anti-Flash efforts by pushing open standard HTML 5. You will be able to access a lot of online videos like Hulu.

Of course, we will have to see if Adobe comes through and if the quality is as good as we have come to expect watching videos from laptops and desktops. However, Adobe is about 18 months late with Flash Lite so while I am hopeful, I am not holding my breath.

Note: I support the open standards push but until HTML 5 replaces Flash, Adobe is the only game in town for videos.


-- Post From My iPad

Mobile Ads - FTC Should Just Watch

Apple's iAds should worry people in both good and bad ways. Apple is shaking up the mobile market while it is limiting choice. On the other hand, Google is the beast in the ad arena and this is why the FTC is asking around wondering if the $750 million deal for AdMob would go through. Word is that the FTCisnt keen on approving the deal.

The question for me is why. The mobile ad market is young and, in dollar amount, insignificant. It will be years of innovation and shakeout before we know how the mobile ad market will look like and whether we are still looking at banner ads or ads that are more interactive like standalone apps. Maybe there's even more creative means to deliver ads.

However, I do want to see the Feds keep their nose in things to make sure things are on the level and that no one is leveraging their position to wipe out competition.

I want to see iAds flourish and others trying to keep Google host. The mobile market is big enough for multiple platforms. It is also big enough for multiple mobile ad companies.

-- Post From My iPad