Batman: Fan Flick Faces The Dark Knight Against Bane and Jokers (Yes, Plural!)

Source:  Blastr.

First, you can never get enough of Batman, especially the latest Dark Knight Rises.  Seriously, you just cannot.  So, some fans decided to take it upon themselves to make a short using action figures (fine...collectibles.  Happy?) and punched some a most excellent video.

See for yourself.  Actually, after watching this, I'm more enticed to want to go back out this weekend and watch DKR again.  You just can't get enough of it.

Did I already say they did a great job?!

Mobile: Square And Starbucks Team Up - Will Benefit Android and iPhone Users And Just Start Mobile Payment In General

Source:  Square.

Starbucks is going to be working with Square, you know those guys with the mobile payment reader, and even investment some large sum in the company.  Just what they'll be working on together is something that I am not too sure about just yet.

It's not like Starbucks needs Square's credit card reader because Starbucks already have those and even mobile apps for users to charge their drinks on.

However, Jack Dorsey, founder of Square, specifically mentioned that Starbucks will integrate a directory to allow local businesses with Square support to be listed.  Interesting and it remains to be seen just how effective this will be.

In fact, I had always thought of Square a company that builds the credit carder for the iOS devices.  However, I didn't know that they have an app for consumers as well.  Though I've never used it, I suspect it's a lot like Starbucks' own app or even more simple to use.

And judging the all the attention this is getting on Twitter and Google's search, I suspect this is a very big deal - could be the thing that dislodge the conundrum of mobile payment that Google Wallet and other mobile payments have not been able to get users to use.

And what's awesome is that whatever Square and Starbucks are planning, we should see this on most of the major platforms - namely, Android and iPhone.

Also, Starbucks' current payment system will still exist only that Square's own will be added on top of that.  Choices for consumers - what a grand innovative concept (being sarcastic here).

Still how does it work?  Mother Nature Network has a decent write-up.  I'll let you click through to it. What I like most about the Square app is the ability to leave a tip, something that is woefully lacking on Starbucks' own app.  And by using Square's app, you can get rewarded if the businesses you frequent offers them.

Man, I can't wait.

iPad Market In China: Android Second But Watch Out For Surface

Source:  Appleinsider.

So far, it looks like it's an Apple's iPad market in China.  In the last three months ending July with Apple only beginning to sell the iPad 3 in late July, the iPad has a 72% market share compared to everyone else with mainly Android tablets bringing up the rear.

It'll be interesting to see where Surface sits when it begins selling in China.  Windows is very popular there so it's possible that Microsoft could have a shot at second place down the line.

Regardless of what happens, the iPad isn't likely to have such a dominating share as other tablets with newer devices like cheap 7" versions hit the market.  However, the Chinese market is huge so there is plenty of pie for everyone.

The question is where devices like the Nexus 7 will fit into all this and if Google, Microsoft, and Lenovo can afford not to take some risks to gain sales quickly.  Let's see how Surface or a variant from an OEM does there against the Android tablets.

Mobile: Apple's Range of Products and Pricing Suck Up Demand From Mobile And Laptop Competitors

Tim Cook is a master of the supply chain as many attributed Apple's ability to move quickly to new technologies while managing to scale relatively quickly to meet demands and keeping its profit margins high.  But Apple's long-term strategy to provide mobile warriors with a wide selection of devices covering a a range of prices could be what will lead the company to eventually dominate the mobile market - and I'm talking about mobile devices like tablets as well as laptops.

Here's is some of why this could happen as discussed in this CNET post.  The gist is that Apple has the high-end covered with the Macbook Airs and the current price range of the ultrabooks of $800-900 occupied by the ultrabooks also sits the high-end iPads.

Obviously, ultrabook buyers will go with the Intel-based laptop because they need something that is more traditional than just the tablet but the iPad is increasingly gaining traction as a producitvity device.  And sales of Windows laptops are affected by the rising waves of iPad adoption at work, home, and school.

On the low end where $200 tablets remain unharassed by the iPad, it likely won't be when Apple does release a device to compete in that $200-$300 range.

Personally, I am quite content with my late-2010 Macbook Air and the only reason I'll have to upgrade in a couple of years is if OS X moves beyond what my little workhorse can handle or there are few features in new Macbooks that I absolutely need.  Oh, and longer battery life.

Until then, I'll likely look to upgrade my iPad and pass my old one onto some lucky relative.

So, it is becoming very clear that Apple has build a system of apps, media, and hardware that are so closely knitted together that once you get a foot in the door, you will find it hard to pull back.  And Apple has price things so perfectly that it provides for the need of a wider range of consumers while making it very hard for competitors to complete.

Mobile: Patent War Fatigue - Almost Over? And Why Not Just Innovate

Pull to refresh is a feature that we can't live without on our mobile devices.  Also, inertial scrolling.  Boy, is that useful.  And double tapping a screen to zoom in?  Awesome.  I use this feature everyday.

As a matter of fact, I use all of the three mentioned features above on my mobile browser and apps just about every time I hold up my phone or tablet.  And yet, Apple down the patents for the latter two features. And this is also the issue among a few that is going on now between a patent lawsuit between Apple and Samsung.

Last week, Google said that some of Apple's more valued (by Apple) should be open for all to use, maybe with a small licensing fee.  Obviously, Apple disagree.

I'm kinda torn about this.  On one hand, I'm not sure about patenting features like these.  On the other hand, some very smart people did figure out what the best touch UI features that they feel work best and it doesn't necessarily mean it is more natural.  I am sure with a population of 7 billion on this planet, there are folks out there that will one day figure a better way for scrolling or tapping to zoom.  Even better UI than pull to refresh.

Also, given the charges Apple has levied against Android hardware makers, I wonder what features Apple copied and why they haven't been sued for it.  The pull-down menu for notification comes obviously to mind.

Anyway, the patent war rages out but we could have some resolution soon.  I'd say no one copy anyone and we should be okay going forward.

Curiosity's Successful Landing On Mars Explained: iPhones, iPads, And, Of Course, Macbooks

Aside from the hard work and dedication of the scientists and engineers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern Calfornia that accounted for the successful landing of the Curiosity rover on late Sunday night, there is another factor for it.

Apple gears.  And just about every device was well-represented inside the control room.

The pic says a lot doesn't it?  Now, I'm wonder just what future rovers would look like if Apple's world-class designers and engineers were to be asked to design the next generation of rovers and spacecrafts and how Samsung would try to copy that.

Source: Appleinsider.

Friday Movie: Starship Troopers Invasion

One of the better scifi movie that came out of a book that was also better than the book was Starship Troopers.  You might disagree with me but I think the movie took the idea and did one better than the author.

Since, the first movie, we have seen others that followed up.

And on top of that, was was a computer-generated cartoon version that was quite awesome for its time and even today.

Now, get ready for Starship Troopers:  Invasion.  I've already pre-ordered it.  You can see for yourself why.

Release is mid-August thereabout.  I can't wait.  Maybe if this movie does well, we'll see a new series for TV or even mobile games for the iPhone and Android.  Obviously, there is a large contingent of fans who can't get enough of these bugs and their human exterminators!