Saturday, February 23, 2013

Lighter iPads Coming. Meanwhile, Go To The Gym And Work Your Arms

I think it's same to say that the next Apple update for the 9.7" iPad will including the fifth generation iconic tablet shedding weight. How much? It would be nice to see it closer to 1 pound. Right now, the current iPad stands at weighs in at 1.44 pounds for the wifi only version while the 3G comes in at 1.46.

If the next iPad does indeed shed about a third of its former weight, we would be looking at another engineering breakthrough from Apple. What's more, it'll like be faster and exhibit the same awesome battery.

Of course, only Apple knows when we'll see the next iPad.


Even now, I continue to use my original iPad from 2010, "Steve's iPad" I call it, and for some issues with memory, I love it still.

Until then, for those who whatever reason wanted to find something to complain about the iPad and they come up with its weight to talk about, all I can say is "really?".

Go to the gym and work on this weak muscles in your arms.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Friday, February 22, 2013

150 Video Clips of Steve Jobs Together on Youtube

No Netflix or Hulu?  Not even willing to shell out for iTunes?  But you've got a lot of time this weekend?

Well, you can spend it watching this Youtube channel that has 150 videos of Steve Jobs.  I've seen one version or another of his most famous ones - Mac unveiling, iMac, iPod, iPhone, iPad, etc.  Still, I think there are some gems in there.

I'm not a die-hard fan but just a regular Apple enthusiast.  But if you are...

Source:  Macobserver.

Google And Microsoft (Mostly Google) Move Into Hardware Is For Profit - Could Be Bad for Samsung



Source:  Cult of Android.

If you look at the chart below, you'll begin to see why perhaps Google is getting into the hardware business.  So far Google has done a fantastic job on Android but it has seen its subsidiary Motorola stuck in the mud while Samsung, its partner and future rival, reap in all the money and glory.

googleprofitvssamsung

I still believe Google's move into hardware is more about setting things up for the future, regardless of who makes the hardware (though I'm sure Google prefers we buy theirs) as long as it remains the backbone for our searches, purchases, and apps.

Maybe Microsoft sees the value of hardware sales too but it's most likely interested in making sure it stays relevant in the mobile and post-PC era.

For Android poster-boy, Samsung, the talk about moving over to Tizen in the future, becomes more and more urgent.  The trick is to one day install a non-Android OS on its Galaxy-class hardware and convince people they won't lose a beat when they move away from Android to Tizen or Bada.  It'll be hard but if anyone has shown resiliency and willingness to take risks, it's Samsung.

I think Samsung could take a hit but it won't go away.  How bad will depend on the Tizen game plan and excecution.  For others like HTC, Dell, HP, etc, boy, things don't look too good.  And if you're wondering about Apple, it'll be alright in the short-term.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

LEGO Michael Jackson Dances!

Source:  Mashable.

This could be the start of something new using Lego pieces to create dance routines.  But first up, my man, the King of Pop, Michael Jackson!

Woohoo!!!

Hey, Apple: Macbook Air with Retina Display Coming? Google Kinda Has One Already

Source:  On Apple.

Okay, so Google released the best chromebook that anyone has ever seen on the market, including HP's.  What's so different about Pixel, the name Google gave it, is that it has a higher resolution display than anything on the market coming in at 2560x1700.

While a comparison between Pixel and Apple's Macbook Air makes no sense given the OS, specs, and Apple's app store ecosystem, it'll happen because that's what most pundits and bloggers will want.  It's unfortunate but I do want to point out one thing.  If Google can release a Retina caliber display for a netbook, why can't Apple for the Macbook Air?

MacBook Pro


We know it’s only a matter of time before Apple releases a Macbook Air with a Retina Display and eventually do away with non-Retina displays for the Macbooks.  Obviously, sooner would be better than later for Apple fans.  So, where are we now with the resolutions?

  • Chromebook Pixel: 12.85" -ish display with 2560x1700 
  • Macbook Air: 11”  1366 x 768
  • Macbook Air:  13”  1440 x 900
  • Macbook Pro With Retina Display:  13.3”  2560-by-1600
  • Macbook Pro With Retina Display:  15.4”  2880-by-1800


Somehow, Google has managed to get more pixels per inch into its chromebook than Apple right now.  I’m still on my late-2010 Macbook Air with the 1366x768.  I’m definitely not going to be switch just because the Pixel has a Retina Display but I do know this.

Apple would be wise to release its Retina Display Macbook Air sooner rather than later even if it’s at a premium over the Pixel.  After all, we are talking about a Mac, OS X, and apps that the Pixel may never see.


Source:  Google.

Wow...just, wow...I did not think this was going to happen this quickly.


More thoughts on it later...for now, know that it's main competitor is Apple. Specifically, the Macbook Pro with Retina Display.  Here are the more important specs:

  • 13" -ish display with 2560x1700
  • Touchscreen - not even Apple has that. However, you may never see a Macbook with touch display. 
  • 3.35 lbs
  • Intel Core i5 running at 1.8Ghz, HD 4000 integrated graphics - same GPU as those on Apple's Macbooks (those without dedicated GPU).
  • 4GB, 32 GB onboard storage, 1 TB cloud storage for three years
  • 5 Hours of battery life - Apple's are closer to 7 or 8 hours.
  • 100 MB of wireless data via Verizon.
For now, we know who Google is gunning for with this - Apple and Micrsoft.  At $1,299, I wonder who its target audience is.

Theory: Better Quality Apple Devices In the Future Because Foxconn Has Higher and Happy Returning Workers


Source:  Cult of Mac.



Interesting theory on why Apple’s Foxconn factories are hiring less workers this quarter.  The reason is, according to CNN, is that more workers are returning from their Chinese New Year break than previous years because of better treatment by Foxconn as mandated by Apple.

If you’ve got happy workers, it could also mean they are happier about their work.  And that probably will translate to higher productivity as well as quality.

If the 2025 iPhones Get 12 GB of RAM, Why Not the iPads?

I'm going to go ahead and make a prediction: the upcoming iPad Pro with the M5 chip will be upgraded to 12 to 16 GB of RAM. This is base...