AI, Mobile, and Eveything Around the Cloud

How do you like them iPhones?  Pretty good?  With each OS update, we get more features.  And for free.  Gotta love that. What happens after the second year of ownership?  What about it, you ask? If you're an iPod Touch owner, you know that each time Apple comes out with a major upgrade, you're forced to pony up $10 a pop.  For iPhone owners, there is no cost associated with upgrades.  This is because of the difference in how Apple chose to account for sales of the iPod Touch differently from the iPhone. For the iPod Touch, sales are recorded in the financial quarter sold.  However, the iPhone sales is spread over two years.  I appreciate anyone to correct me if I'm wrong on this.  Anyway, this is why there is no associated upgrade cost for the iPhone OS. But what happens after two years of ownership?  Suppose Apple releases iPhone 3.0 after two years of ownership or for reasons related to accounting, will I, as a first generation ...

Back in late October, while the whole of Internet was abuzz with Steve Jobs' cryptic words about netbooks and that the iPhone is the perfect netbook. The dude was not kidding.  Jobs was telling us what Apple is working on.  It was right there in front of us.  Onxo believed and continues to believe that Apple's new netbook won't be a netbook.  So, I'm going to repost it here. Why?  Because it came to my attention that Barclays Capital believes just such a device is possible.  They think it'll come in around $600-700.  I think $700-800.  Dude,  this is Apple after all.   I don't think we have long to wait.  Macworld 2009 is just around the corner and that is likely when we'll see the "not-a-netbook" netbook from Apple.  So, while we have no idea what it will look like or what it will be capable of, we took the liberty of speculating just for the fun of it and then we try to back it up based on Apple's past behavior and wher...

According to CNet, Apple has made an unusual move by announcing that there will be no additional new products for this Holidays. They're done.  Game.  Set.  Match. I'm glad Apple has done this.  In fact, there have been rumors flying around that Apple will be showing off new iMacs and Mac Minis next week.  And like any other Apple related rumors, it has already started taking on a life of its own. So, what should you do if you want to get an iMac or Mac mini?  Well, easy.  If you need it now, get it now.  If not and you can wait until Macworld 2009, that is what I suggest you do. Note that over at Onxo, we have been saying there will not no new product like a tablet or any of the crazy (but fun) rumors for 2009.  As is it not in Apple's DNA to make crappy computers, it's not in Apple's DNA to make this kind of announcement. Alas, we ARE disheartened that Steve Jobs did not prove us wrong.  Oh well... So, once again:  No ...

For anyone interested in the iPhone 3G but have been turned off by the battery life.  More specifically, the short battery life, this is the device for you. Obviously, it's not meant for your pocket or mine.  But since I've migrated to the G1, I've mainly used my iPhone for music, watching video, surfing the web, and blogging to On Apple whenever possible.  So, it's a perfect a device for me to use.  And I think it's perfect for a lot of folks as well. So, how much more power will it provide your iPhone?  Here are the specs: External Battery Charging Unit Up to 24 Hours of Talk Time Up to 72 Hours of Audio Playback Up to 21 Hours of Video Playback Up to 750 Hours of Stand by Time Flash Light for Emergency Use and Low Light Photos USB Port for Multi-Charging Purposes Lower Dock Connector for Charging How much is it?  $79.  It is a bit steep but given the amount of untethered power, it's is well worth it.  Alas, until Apple designs an iPhone that allows us...

According to Gizmodo, folks with iPhone and still use ATT services (not T-Mobile) should be able to access ATT hotspots again, like at Starbucks. This is terrific news.  And it's about time.  There have a Jekyll-And-Hyde thing going with ATT giving iPhone owners access to hotspots. Let's hope this time, it sticks. Also, if you're an iPod Touch owner, and you feel left out, Starbucks offers a couple of hours of free service if you buy coffee or use your Starbucks card.  And also, if you have DSL through ATT, you also get free access to ATT hotspots. Things are looking good once again. Via Gizmodo Note:  G1 owners also get access to T-Mobile's hotspots for free.  Well, it's part of your service.

It's traditional for cell phone makers to drop the price of their devices over time as costs come down.  For the iPhone, I think we'll see a $150 before $99. But Apple has surprised me lately with moves I didn't think they had the DNA to formulate the behavioral characteristics to make.  Gone are the days of "my way or the highway" approach.  Sometimes. Take the $200 drop on iPhone just this July for the iPhone 3G.  A younger Jobs might have stuck to his guns.  Now, it's Apple talks about sacrificing near term margins to leave no umbrella room for competitors. But the impact of a $99 is mind-boggling.  If adoption rates increase 2-3 times, it truly leaves very little room for competitors to move. Link:   Crunchgear My only question is what happens to the iPod Touch.

Here's a fun thought:  Apple buying Yahoo.  Here's the thing. Apple won't have to offer Yahoo the premium Microsoft was paying for.  After all, Apple stock has a better upside potential than Microsoft at this moment with the iPhone sales leading the way and Macbooks flying off the shelves.  Essentially, Apple would be saying to Yahoo, "we'll buy you with a small premium and you'll be very thankful for it later". With Android now a competitor to Apple's mobile platform, despite bloggers love using products from both companies (myself included) who try to walk a fine line on that matter in their posts, Google and Apple are on a potential collision course for mobile supremacy. Now, Yahoo doesn't want to go under Redmond's sphere of influence.  It'll tolerate Google.  But I think the ranks and files of Yahoo would be very excited about a change of leadership to Cupertino.  Of course, this is only a speculative scenario on my part. However...