Touchpad Versus the iPad 2 (And Other Tablets With Lots More Apps) - Some Perspectives After a Week's of Use

This is an email I've sent Dave the Mobile Sage this morning:

One of the most interesting thing about the iPad over the Mac is that I don't have as much distraction as it is on the laptop. Not that there is a death of apps. It's the the fundamental change in its use. Maybe it's the switching back and forth between apps.  


And in using the Touchpad over the last week, I find the distraction on the Touchpad even less than on the iPad. That is because it is because of the dearth of apps.

Well, I'm sure this was not HP's intention to begin with.  I've been able to write my novels, write blogs, communicate with friends via the IM app, and surf the Web and keep up with what's going on around the Internet.

What I cannot do is play a lot of the games in the iPad when I'm don't have it with me.  What I cannot do is watch many of the videos on Hulu or Netflix.  What I cannot do access a lot of the tablet-ready apps for my workflow.  I have had to figure out new ways to access information that was easier to do on the iPad.

It is the lack of distraction on the Touchpad I find more interesting.  And I owe it all to the lack of apps.  I'm not saying that is a good thing.  It's actually a bad thing because the Touchpad has a lot of potential.

Not "had".  I still like to think that someone like Amazon will take Palm and Web OS off HP's hands and turn it into something great again.

Regardless of whether you're an Apple, Google, or Microsoft fan, the more competition we have in the market, the better.  Up next is Android 4.  I have high hopes for it, just like I did for Web OS.

Well, back to my distraction free Touchpad when I out for my coffee run tonight.

Apple's Chip Gamble Could Yield Great Benefits

Apple is dedicating hundreds of thousands of man-hours and a lot of engineering resources to develop its next generation of mobile chips, hoping to put some more space between itself and its competitors.

So far, Apple's A5 chips have an advantage in generational operations while maintaining up to 7x in graphics operations.  But Nvidia has some wonderfully nasty quad-core chips that are due out in a couple of months.

Apple's own answer to that chip is likely months away but will it be something that we can be willing to way for?  Apple's working on chips in new innovative ways that may mean a core-war but it could always mean Apple trying to make sure its mobile lead continues with tighter mobile integration.

Source: Greenjava.

Why I Want To Get The iPhone 4S - Video Promo

I've seen this video twice already. And I'm happy I ordered my iPhone 4S and won't regret it.

And when you see the video, you'll agree. First, Siri won't judge you. And second, the camera!

Apple And/Or Disney Should Buy Rights To Steve Jobs Biopic

Sony is paying for the rights to Steve Jobs movie based on the upcoming authorized biography, Steve Jobs, by Walter Isaacson.

I think it would be more appropriate for Apple to produce the movie and offer it through iTunes only. Or even have Disney do it.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sprint To Kill Off WiMax And Go LTE - This Could Hurt

When Steve Jobs came back to Apple, he did a few things that were considered unpopular at the time.  He looked off products – including the popular Newton PDA and eMate, good products that were not selling well.  Today, Sprint did something similar – it killed WiMax and in its place promised to build out an LTE network of its own.

What will happen to all those WiMax devices and hotspots?  Well, it's like they'll be able to keep using their WiMax wireless access for some time, at least until Sprint can finish its LTE network.  Sprint has said it will stop selling WiMax devices after 2012.  

http://old.news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111007/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_sprint_network

And Sprint had no choice.  And things might get worse before it gets better.  Therefore, it's why it has placed a huge bet that the iPhone will help ease the pain.  Interestingly, it has not said anything about the millions of Android users on its network with a WiMax device and what will happen to them after that.

They can likely fall back on the slower 3G CDMA network.  However, that isn't going to make them very happy once WiMax services ceases.  It's possible that Sprint could offer them LTE equipment upgrades in two to three years.  

Let's hope that Sprint is able to deliver and make the transition as smoothly as possible.  

Note:  I wonder why now.  Why not six months before or a year ago?  

Siri Alone Justifies Upgrading to iPhone 4S - You Get a Personal Assistant, Who Wouldn't Want One?

Let me get right to it.  I stayed up until 3 AM to order a white 32 GB Verizon iPhone 4S.  It seems exactly like the white 16 GB Verizon iPhone 4.  Why?

Siri is the main reason.  As a mobile fan, I want to experience what I believe is the next revolution in mobile computing and social experience.  Sure, the 8 MP camera is going to rock as is the two core A5 chip with what I assume will be much faster speed operational wise and 7X the graphics.

But it's Siri and the accurate dictation.  By next week, I hope to be able to dictate these blog posts and updates on Google+ and Twitter.  I hope to send out messages and e-mails while I drive.  This past Wednesday when I was on the freeway to meet some friends for dinner and to pick up my awesome new Touchpad, I got a few messages about changes in plans and inquiries about where we were meeting.  I could have used those features.

On top of that, I'm pretty stoke not only by what is available with Siri now but what updates Apple will give us throughout the year until iOS 6.  

These devices are tools that are meant to broaden our horizon and Siri will do just that.  This Forbes post (via 

Macdailynews) wisely see the virtues of Siri.  The author believes Siri will permeate throughout the Apple ecosystem and make its way onto the iPad.  I think it'll also make its way to the Mac.  It only makes sense for this to happen.  

So don't be surprised when Apple periodically update and broaden how Siri can interact with us but future OS X updates that also bring Siri to the Macs.

Imagine asking Siri for TV times and asking it to put on movies and music through the Apple TV when you're at home - through the iOS devices or the Macs.  Or asking Siri what vegetables you should plan because Siri knows where you live, the environmental conditions, and which plants would do best.  

Siri is an assistant. Apple is giving each and everyone of us a personal assistant.  Who wouldn't want that?

Google And Samsung Postponed Event For Its Nexus Prime Phone and Ice Cream Sandwich

Under the circumstances, it appears that Google and Samsung did the right thing and posted their next Android event, previoiusly scheduled for October 11th to another date to be determined.  The reason appears to be the 11th will be the day Steve Jobs' family and friends bury the iconic figure.

Is this the right thing to do?  Humanity never ceases to amaze me even when we are locked in as competitive a market as the mobile market.  

It shows that what's going on in the market, the war of words, patent wars, and others showed that none of that is personal.  I'm sure our readers all realize that as well.  After all, Android versus iOS versus anything else has always been what sports is like for sports fans.  UCLA versus USC (Bruis rock!) or Starbucks versus Coffee Bean.  

I think those companies did the right thing and I like to think that Apple probably would have done the same.  

Source: The Droid Guy.