January 09, 2007
The iPhone is Amazing
After years of rumors building up expectations for the Apple iPhone to a level that could never have possibly been met in reality, Apple has finally announced the product and it is as good, if not better, than the rumors predicted.
This device has everything. No really. Everything. Take the functionality of a conventional phone, add a stripped-down version of Mac OS X, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, audio and video playback, web-browsing, Google Maps, widgets, a 2.0-megapixel digital camera that can process video too, and a 3.5-inch multi-touch display. Wrap all this in an 11.6mm super-sleek case composed of pure Apple-ness and you've got the iPhone (tech specs here).
Now, to decompress a bit from my iPhone-induced Apple fanboy state, there are a couple things that the device is lacking. The most notable of these is expandable memory, followed by true 3G wireless data rates (through EVDO or something similar), and finally the ability to purchase and download iTunes Store content to the iPhone directly via Wi-Fi.
That said, the iPhone is really an incredible milestone in mobile technology. Check out some of these photos as well as some of the ones on Apple's site if you don't believe me. As an added bonus, take a look at this graph of Apple, RIM, and Palm stock prices today... notice a trend?
The iPhone will be Cingular-exclusive and retail at $499 for the 4GB model and $599 for the 8GB model. Unfortunately, it looks like we're going to have to wait until June for it to arrive in the U.S., but at least there's the Apple TV and new iTunes Paramount content to look forward to for now.
Posted by Alan Joyce at 09:07 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
July 06, 2006
OS X and Longhorn Developers Panel
I was reading David Pogue's weblog and he pointed out a very interesting recap of a panel at South by Southwest. The panel consisted of an Apple OS X and a Microsoft Longhorn design team leader sharing insights into the development process for each system. It's amazing to see the vast differences in the creative processes of Apple and Microsoft, and the recap is definitely worth a read.
Posted by Alan Joyce at 03:10 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 07, 2005
iTunes Music Store Adds NBC, USA, and Sci-Fi
If you haven't already noticed, the iTunes Music Store is now offering content from NBC (including what they call "Vintage NBC" content), USA, and Sci-Fi in addition to the ABC and Disney Channel content that they already had in the TV show section of the store.
The new content includes several current NBC shows (The Office, Law & Order, etc.) as well as vintage shows like Dragnet and Knight Rider. USA has provided iTunes with episodes of Monk and Sci-Fi has done the same with Battlestar Galactica.
Although there are still many other shows and many other networks that would be nice to have on the iTunes Music Store, this is definitely a big boost for Apple in terms of branching out into the portable video market. The only problem is, they may be branching out at a price point that's a bit over what most consumers would expect.
This new price model means that a one hour episode of Late Night with Conan O'Brien will set you back $9.99 while you can get 5-15 min. clips for $1.99. The Tonight Show offers the same types of short clips for $1.99 and leaves it at that. Other than these two oddly-priced additions, most of the new content is sold for the usual $1.99/video model, which is a relief considering that at $9.99 an episode you could be paying for TiVo service several times over and forgetting iTunes altogether.
So, overall, what does this mean for the consumer? It means the future of downloadable video content and portable video media is going to cost a whole lot more than ever expected if the networks have their say.
My advice is to buy what is reasonable for you. If the convenience of one hour of Conan delivered straight to your iPod is worth $9.99 to you, then go ahead and make the purchase. However, if you're like most people and think that this price point is just a little too high for the content that is being offered, simply refrain from buying, wait for Apple to let NBC know that their show has been downloaded a grand total of five times globally, and let the situation attend to itself.
Posted by Alan Joyce at 07:26 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
October 19, 2005
New PowerMacs and PowerBooks
In what could be one of their last updates before the switch to Intel, Apple's PowerMac and PowerBook lineups are now a little more powerful. Here are the major changes:
PowerBooks
- Still G4s processors, 12-inch: 1.5GHz, 15/17-inch: 1.67GHz
- All models come with SuperDrives
- 15- and 17-inch PBs now have 5.5 hours of battery life, 12-inch now has 5 hours
- 15-inch now has 1440 x 960 display, 17-inch now has 1680 x 1050
- 80GB hard drive in 12- and 15-inch models, 120GB on the 17-inch
- Built-in optical digital audio output on 15- and 17-inch models
- 128MB VRAM graphics cards for 15/17-inch PBs
- 512MB memory standard on all models
PowerMacs
- New "Quad-Core G5" with two dual-core 2.5GHz G5 chips, four processors in all
- PCI Express expansion slots
- New graphics cards with as much as 512MB of VRAM
Posted by Alan Joyce at 06:38 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 26, 2005
The REAL New iBooks
In addition to giving the Mac mini built-in wireless and 512 MB RAM, Apple has released new iBooks in accordance with the rumors. The new models were not, however, widescreen like the moderately convincing photoshop job we saw yesterday. Here is the new banner, which can also, of course, be found on the Apple website.
Posted by Alan Joyce at 09:39 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 10, 2005
Dual-Core PowerPC Chips
As if to show Apple the PowerPC chip still has potential, IBM recently described two additions to its PowerPC chip lineup.
The first chip is a dual-core version of the PowerPC 970FX, which is currently used in PowerMac G5 computers. The new dual-core version will be called the PowerPC 970MP, and will be released along with the second chip, a low-power variant of the PowerPC 970FX that runs at 2.7GHz, but requires less than 20 watts.
The possibility of dual-core, dual-processor G5 desktops, and lower-power G5 laptops is certainly enough to leave any Mac fan questioning Apple's decision to switch to Intel. An Apple representative chose not to comment on the new chips, and it is unclear whether Apple is even considering using them in its new computers.
Posted by Alan Joyce at 02:58 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 23, 2005
iPodderX for Windows
I can hardly believe it, but August and Ray from Thunderstone Media have just announced a Windows version of their popular Mac podcatching client, iPodderX. The Windows version will still have all the features us Mac users enjoy, and will be available as a public Beta in the coming weeks.
They also took the opportunity to introduce Sean Jackson, a new addition to Thunderstone Media, who has been hard at work porting iPodderX to Windows in recent weeks.
"iPodderX has long been thought of as the best podcasting client for the Mac," said iPodderX developer August Trometer. "We couldn't be more excited to bring iPodderX to the Windows platform."
Posted by Alan Joyce at 05:47 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
June 15, 2005
HP 64's the Pavilion and Presario
HP today announced an update for the HP Pavilion and Compaq Presario lines that now includes the option of an AMD Turion 64 processor for 64 as well as 32-bit application support. The update will affect the Pavilion dv1000, ze2000, zv6000, dv4000, zd8000, as well as the Presario M2000, R4000, V4000, and V2000 series PCs. It's no surprise for the PC industry to see more 64-bit processors entering laptops, but maybe it will put just a little bit more pressure on Apple to get that Powerbook G5 (or Mactel Powerbook M) out there.
Posted by Alan Joyce at 06:09 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 13, 2005
Quad-Core Processors by 2007
AMD has announced plans for quad-core processors to be implemented in personal computers by 2007. The company also has plans for chips with up to 16 cores in the future. AMD says its new processors will make the most out of 64-bit technology, and eventually even be able to smoothly run multiple operating systems simultaneously.
Posted by Alan Joyce at 08:53 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 12, 2005
One Dollar Windows
Looks like Microsoft has finally reached a deal with the Indonesian government, which reportedly uses thousands of pirated copies of Windows on its computers. The new amnesty agreement allows the government to legalize its pirated copies, and avoid a lawsuit from Microsoft, for just one U.S. dollar a piece along with the promise that they will buy legal copies in the future. Yes folks, it seems Windows IS getting more worthless by the day.
Posted by Alan Joyce at 07:57 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
June 09, 2005
160 GB Notebook Hard Drives
Drive manufacturer Seagate has recently announced a new line of high-capacity hard drives, including one 2.5-inch 160 GB model. The drives are intended for use in laptops and small form-factor PCs, and implement perpendicular recording technology, which allows for large increases in data storage by aligning the bits upright instead of flat on the disk. The new hard drives are expected to be available in the first quarter of next year.
Posted by Alan Joyce at 08:57 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 07, 2005
Sticking Behind the Tablet PC
Microsoft seems intent on rescuing the Tablet PC from it's not-so-popular reputation, and is backing up this intent with the new IBM/Lenovo X41T Tablet Series. Steve (Ballmer not Jobs) was trying to build excitement for this new line at the TechED conference earlier this week during his keynote. The new Thinkpad re-thought will come with Windows XP Tablet Edition 2005, a 12-inch rotatable screen, up to 8.5 hours of battery life, and 802.11 a, b, and g wireless support.
Posted by Alan Joyce at 09:35 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 04, 2005
Get Some Money From Microsoft
If you are a California resident who bought Windows, Microsoft Office, or other specific Microsoft products between 1995 and 2001, you are entitled to rebates on future technology purchases. Go to microsoftcalsettlement.com and fill out a claim form for a voucher. You can then buy a non-Microsoft technology product and send the voucher in along with the sales receipt for the product to get a rebate of $5 to $29. You can also call 1-800-960-5660 for more information. The deadline is Saturday for all claims.
Posted by Alan Joyce at 09:32 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 10, 2004
1950s Futuristic "Home Computer"
 (Click to Enlarge) | Could it be? A 1954 prediction of what a home computer could look like in 2004? Well, look just a little closer... Wondering why the prediction model has a steering wheel and pressure gauges? This should clear things up. |
Posted by Alan Joyce at 10:23 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack