AI, Mobile, and Eveything Around the Cloud

First, I just want to say that I don't get a penny of this bring this Mac bundle promotion (just check the link).  It's just my daily Web surfing and I came across it.  In fact, I intend on buying this tonight and installing the ones that I need. Macpromo has a Mac Security Bundle for $49.99 for us right now.  Twice or thrice a year, Macpromo has bundles that Mac users can get for dirt cheap.  And to be honest, for most bundles, half of them are pretty good while the other half, not so much. However, this one looks very good.  Look, Mac folks, the Mac isn't immune from Internet attacks.  And if you're a regular user like myself, we have no idea how the inner workings of the OS X work and why we seem to not be suffering from the constant barrage of security holes, viruses, and other darker elements of the Internet.  Perhaps it's because the Mac install base is still small and not worth the efforts of the hackers and virus writers. But the day will come when the Ma...

Okay, as strange as it sounds, Starbucks, superbook stores, and malls aren't the only place that offers Wi-Fi access to patrons. Car dealerships and oil change places like EZ-Lubes also provide Wi-Fi.  You're asking why anyone would want to go there just to access the Internet.  Ordinarily, you wouldn't.  I'm not a big car guy.  But once in a while you have to take it down to the dealership for some maintenance work.  Sometimes, it's 30 minutes.  Other times, it could take a few hours especially if you don't have an appointment. Still, there are times when you're there with your spouse, family, or friend looking to buy a new car.  The dealing and haggling can take a few hours.  I was once there for more than half a day.  Could I have used Internet access then?  You betcha! Plus, some dealerships also have fast food joints and coffee houses for patrons that had to spend hours there at a time.  It's actually quite brilliant for ...

To our British readers, you are so frakking lucky!  You not only get one choice.  You not only get two choices.  You're going to be getting three choices of iPhone carriers! The mobile world, specifically the Apple mobile fans, will be watching to see what this means for them. You're going to get competition for your hard-earned money.  Perhaps more features.  Perhaps just lower monthly rates. But I reckon you'll get more features and lower rates.  For us on this side of the Pond, folks, it feels like we're looking into the window of a rich family whose kids are playing with new toys.  It's a bit of a downer. A while back, there was news that some Canadian carriers are looking to bring the iPhone to their networks so Rogers don't get all the fun and continue to charge users the crazy rates. Again, what about the mobile warriors in the States?  Conventional wisdom is that We're stuck with ATT until the LTE network from Verizon is built. ...

Appleinsider is report both Mac Minis from Apple now have a 2-3 weeks waiting period while iMacs are also experience longer than usual shipping period.  Why am I mentioning this and how does this relate to Apple mobile? Events.  See, there's a lot of moving parts with Apple's mobile strategy.  Not just app stores and iPhones.  There's music, movies and televisions.  Also with Apple TV.  See, Apple is very good at making money by creating a viable self-sustaining ecosystem.   Almost all of Apple news these days are about the iPhone.  For instance, take the news yesterday about Apple buying a mapping service company .  Immediately we think iPhone but it could be that they also want to provide additional geo-tagging or overlay services for the Mac. So, events.  If there is an event this October or November, chances are it'll be more than just refreshing the Mac hardwares.  It may involve Apple TV which has been stagnant and just recently received a price cut. An Apple ...

We didn't get Google Voice for our iPhone and iPod Touch.  See, things aren't too good between Apple and Google at the moment. Regardless, that's not our problem, right?  So long as Apple, Google, and others continue to innovate, we're really the folks in the driver's seat. So, Apple acquired a map service company called PlaceBase.  It is to replace Google Maps on the iPhone or to provide better services and features for the Mac? Remember, there's a tablet on the way.  Maybe Apple is doing something special for it.  Regardless, so long as we get whatever Apple has up its sleeves sooner rather than later, that's all good to me. More about Apple's strategic map buy and possibility of Apple unveiling its own search engine at Onxo .

To those who are interested in Hulu and Netflix apps for the iPhone or iPod Touch, I think a little optimism is in order. mSpot, an online rental company, somehow slipped their app that allows streaming movies into the iTunes app store.   Does this mean Netflix and Hulu apps aren't too far behind?  It's difficult to say at this point.  But be prepared to pay for access.  I think Netflix users should be allowed free access to the library of online shows and movies because they already pay for it through their regular Netflix service.  Rupert of Fox, Hulu partner, has indicated Hulu will begin charging for access. So be prepare to pay for streaming should these two apps become available.  I don't see that as a downside so long as there aren't commercials.  I'm just happy mSpot is in which means Hulu, Netflix, and others can't be too far behind. More at MacRumors and Techcrunch . Note:  There are already apps that allow video streaming in the App Store.  I...

I'm keeping a close eye on the Motorola Cliq for T-Mobile very closely.  I've got iphones, iPods, and a single G1.  But I wonder as far as mobile uses go, if Apple is missing the boat on this one.   I can see it now.  In about a decade or so, when the books are out about this era, t will be said that Apple underestimated the importance of social app integration with the iPhone and lost the initiative much the same way Microsoft dismissed the World Wide Web. Of course, I'm only worried about Apple position.  But this is the nature of the beast.  Innovate or be killed off.  Still, Palm has done something pretty neat with the WebOS and it doesn't seem to do anything affecting the iPhone or, for that matter, Blackberry's position in terms of sales. Still, I've started wondering what kind of "skin" Apple may be deploying in the future.  So far, we have not see anything that shows what Apple may be offering to answer the challenges posed by WebOS and MOTO...