tech

Steve Jobs is a Jedi

Now it should be no secret that I hate the iPad. I can ramble on and on about how stupid it is, but at this point you should all know that. I for the life of me could not figure out what the point of this device is. Steve Jobs said at the keynote address that the iPad would fill the void between a smart phone and a laptop. I’m sorry I didn’t know there was a void, gap, or even a crack of space between the needs of the two. If i need to check something on the go like e-mail or play a game, I’ll pull out my iPhone. If I want to go online and do all the functions of a computer… I’ll pull out my laptop. And guess what, despite being a little big a laptop is portable too! This rational logic has led to me hating the iPad and thinking it is a big waste of money. I don’t get the point of having this over sized iPhone.

(What the iPad should have been… and can be)

I just really wish it had an operating system so you can do more than just live off apps. Then I found a video on Youtube of a person using this app called Remote Desktop. My mind was blown. Remote Desktop is an app that allows you to access your computer from anywhere, granted your main computer is on and no one will mess with it. You basically control your computer from anywhere and see it on your mobile device. Now Remote Desktop is available for the iPhone but since the screen is so small, it hasn’t been too useful. Until now. Remote Desktop will work for your iPad and has thus turned this once useless device into a full touch screen, easily portable, app using – computer. And it will use Flash. And as much as I’ve hated and bashed this device so much, over and over again… I kinda want one now. So damn you Steve Jobs and your Jedi mind tricks that make us want this devices.
tech

A Real Apple Tablet.

Unsurprisingly, in the last few days since the iPad has been introduced, the media coverage of the new device has gone from mostly positive, to mostly negative. Now that the iPad is under the microscope, we can see it for what it is and for all it’s faults. Many people have been having issues with their iPad connecting to WiFi, over heating, taking a long time to charge, and I can’t say I’m that surprised. It is a first generation device after all, and Apple’s first gens do have a way of disappointing. I was thinking about it today, and understood that I am mostly disappointed because I wanted the iPad to be more like this…

If you are not familiar, this is the Axiotron Modbook, a real life full fledged Mac Tablet, and it has been available for years. Inside is a real working Macbook that has been manipulated into tablet form. This is what I was hoping Apple would create, albeit in a slimmer, more visually pleasing form.
Now, the Modbook isn’t perfect, it isn’t a touch screen like the iPad. Instead you can use a pen to write on the screen of the tablet. But not for long. Axiotron has also announced a new device they are working on call the Modbook Pro, which is a modified Macbook Pro with a dual touch and pen sensitive screen.

Although these modified Macs are pricey, they are exactly what many Mac users want from a tablet. A device like this is perfect for professionals in the art and design world who want to use their Macs to sketch and edit by hand but without the hassle of external devices. It is also perfect for business professionals who are always on the go, when carrying a laptop from meeting to meeting is too cumbersome. Finally, it is also perfect for the wired consumer who wants the convenience of mobile computing without having to stop to find a table to sit out just to whip out their laptop to compete a few tasks that aren’t possible via their smartphone.

I definitely think tablet computers are the wave of the future and a far more functional portable computing platform than netbooks, but instead of dumbing them down to do a few key things well, they should be able to do everything necessary to keep a mobile life, well, mobile.
The Pink Mac

Hands on with the iPad.

Today was the big day! The official launch of the iPad (WiFi edition only) in Apple and Best Buy stores around the country. I, of course, did my due diligence and went to visit the iPad, excited to be seeing the device in person and half expecting to leave the store with one. Sadly, however, I was underwhelmed by the device. Underwhelmed isn’t even the right word for it, devastated is probably more appropriate. There was no doubt that the device was very pretty, but from the moment I picked it up I found problem after problem.
First of all, the thing is a heavy hunk of metal. Now, I know, it is thin and small and light in comparison to a laptop, but this isn’t a laptop, it doesn’t go on your lap or on a desk even. It is meant to be held in the hands, and really one hand, but as the gentleman sitting next to me at the Best Buy store said “after a few minutes holding it, I found myself switching hands.” Now, I have never held a Kindle, or any eReader in my hands, but from what I know of their weight, they are considerably lighter than the iPad, which really throws a hard blow at the iPad as an eReader. Another problem with the iPad as eReader concept is the glossy screen. Sure, the text looked great on screen and was more than readable, but it was hard to ignore the glare of the lights around me reflected by the glossy screen.
The next problem I found with the iPad was that the speaker seems to be located in the back of the device and caused a vibration in your hand as you held it to watch a video. With a smooth metal backing, it was disconcerting to be holding such a heavy device as it vibrated in your hand- I almost felt like after a while I might just drop it! Speaking of the speakers, they were also pretty low. I know we were in a loud store, but the speakers were just so muted even on the highest setting.
The final major problem I found with the iPad was that it had an issue with apps failing to launch as you can see for yourself in my YouTube video below. This fact was a big disappointment as it really pointed out the fact that this device is a glorified iPod Touch. It’s operating system is that of an iPod touch or iPhone and therefore it is subject to the same annoying issues, such as failure of applications to launch. I have to say, the operating system part of the device must be the thing I am finding it hardest to swallow. If this is supposed to be a device that fills the gap between laptop and smartphone, why is it a sub-notebook size, but running a smartphone operating system? Why not something slightly more advanced, and less prone to the daily defects of smartphones. I’m not saying the iPad should have a fully functional OSX operating system (although it wouldn’t be a bad idea in my opinion) but it should have something that is more blended and less one sided.
Well, I know I wasn’t the only person to take a look at an iPad today, so if you did or do check one out, let me know what you think. And if you have one, let me know if you agree or disagree with my observations.
The Pink Mac

Thanks Verizon and BlackBerry!

I have great news for you all! Finally, after nearly 8 months of using a third party application to connect my BlackBerry to my Mac as a modem to power an internet connection, BlackBerry has put out the 5.0 software update for the Tour (which I have just spent nearly 5 hours downloading) that works with the updated VZAccess Manager! I am now connected to the internet via my BlackBerry and just in time for my trip home for Easter weekend!

I will update later- I need to test out how well this connection works over Bluetooth. I might finally be able to take my Mac to work now and use it during my breaks!
The Pink Mac

The eReader that could change everything…

I want an eReader. I will admit that I was not initially a fan of eReaders because, to me, they seemed like a glorified waste of money. I say glorified because it seems to me that people frequently believe, or would like to believe, that they read, when in fact they don’t. Plenty of people like the idea of reading, but many of those same people usually end up watching American Idol instead of entertaining themselves with a book. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think that there is anything wrong with watching American Idol instead of reading a book, but I think spending $250 on an eReader when AI is your preference is wrong. There is this whole market for eReaders that to me felt like a waste of money. Think of all the things $250 could buy you that would be so much more useful! But I digress. The point of the matter is that since the inception of eReaders to the literary market, the price has been to high for too little. That is, until now. May I now have the pleasure of introducing to you, the Kobo. The Kobo is an up and coming eReader (taking pre-orders online) with the simple yet clean style of a Nook, and the utility of a Kindle, but at almost half the price. Both the Nook and Kindle retail at $259, while the Kobo is priced at $149! Even the sub-eReader Sony Pocket costs more at $199.

How can this be? Why such a dramatic price difference? Well, it seems to me that the Kobo’s features are simplified. First, there is no 3G connection, just USB and Bluetooth to get your books on the device. Bluetooth maybe a new term associated with eReaders, but the Kobo solves the problem of syncing books on the go by connecting to a mobile phone (also equipped with the Kobo software). The Kobo also slims down on size. The screen is the same 6″ diagonal the Nook and Kindle share, but, the Kobo is thinner and lighter. It also slims down on random functions, for example, instead of the 6 font sizes available on the Kindle, the Kobo has 5; and instead of a grey scale level of 16 like the Nook and Kindle, the Kobo has 8. To me, all these little details are trivial. Who cares how many different colors of grey are used to read the black and white electronic pages, you can read just as well with 8 as you can with 16. The Kobo also reads more formats than the Kindle, although still less than the Nook, but it uses one of the most popular, ePub, as well as PDF’s and Adobe DRM.

The Kobo seems to have started something. It has slimmed down on superfluous features and drilled down on the few things it needs to be a useful eReader. For a dedicated device, I think this fact is a crucial one. Why pay over $100 more for features you might never use, or wouldn’t even miss? I wouldn’t, which is why the Kobo has finally opened me up to the idea of an eReader. Until I make my final decision, however, I will have to stick to reading eBooks on my Mac.
The Pink Mac

Please, let this be true!

I just read this article from The Wall Street Journal about Apple creating a new iPhone for Verizon. I WANT THIS TO BE TRUE!

I know, I know, we have been hearing these rumours forever, but look what happened with the iPad! Maybe geek dreams can come true, and perhaps this summer, the iPh0ne will come to Verizon, hopefully looking like the above mythical model. Now I can stop thinking about the iPad and start dreaming of the Verizon iPhone instead!
lifestyle tech The Pink Mac

Three Years Too Late

With the iPad coming out soon, a lot of people are lining up to get this revolutionary device that they have not touched, seen, or tested in person. Steve Jobs will do that to you. He says what an amazing and advanced product something is and people flock to go out and get it for themselves. I won’t be following you all. See, unlike all the Mac fan boys and girls I just cannot wrap my head around what the big deal is with this iPad. I cannot see myself spending over $500 dollars on a device that only kinda does what my other devices already fully do. Sure it would be easier to have an iPad on my lap while I’m in bed surfing the web… but what’s the point of surfing the web when half the content isn’t available because you don’t have Flash? Yes, it could be an amazing eReader, but if I wanted to read a book I’ll spend the $10 bucks at a store for a real actual book. And yes, the games on it could be amazing, with more surface area to swipe and tap it could lead to a wave of new and exciting games, but there is no way I’m spending $500 for a gaming system when I can get an Xbox or PS3 for under $300.

At this point my ramblings aren’t going to change your mind, because you have most likely already decided if the iPad is something you need in your life. But what fascinates me is to wonder just what would have happened if the keynote at Macworld on Jan 9th, 2007 was about the iPad instead of the iPhone. The newness of all the touch capabilities in a tablet computer would have rocked every tech geek to the core. “Whoa, did you see that thing! He is surfing the web with just his finger tips, and whoa look at that game! I’ve never seen anything like that!!!” The euphoria that would have come with seeing this whole new device would have been mind boggling and changed the way we thought of computing. Then, in January of 2010, instead of the iPad being announced, Steve comes out and gives us what looks like a mini iPad that can fit in your pocket and make phone calls!!??? You’ve got to be kidding me! Steve Jobs is a genius!

But alas, that didn’t happen. Shame too because I honestly feel that if the events had been different Apple would have had two killer procuts instead of one killer and one okay-maybe. But don’t worry Steve, when you invent a time machine (iTime?) you can go back and redo that one… or at least decide to let the iPad support Flash. I mean seriously, come on.

The Pink Mac

Could I use an iPad?

As a proudly proclaimed Apple Fangirl, I admit that I willingly allow Steve Jobs to convince me that the latest and greatest Apple product is the thing I can’t believe I have been living my life without. You may think it foolish of me, but my blind faith in Apple products is something I like to endulge because I am fortunate enough to do so and I have yet to be disappointed. However, the iPad has been a conundrum to me; I can’t decide whether or not I actually want one. Usually, when Apple releases a new product I rejoice and immediately begin working out the math for financing the purchase, but with the iPad I haven’t had any of those thoughts or feelings.

For a long time, I didn’t believe there would be an iPad. I had gone through the motion of too many false starts at various Apple events where the tablet was said to be announced. Then, when the news was finally true, I was under whelmed. Do I want a device that is larger than a phone but smaller than a laptop? Certainly. Do I want to navigate said device with the swipe of a finger? Sure. So, I sat down and set to work thinking about all the things I could use the iPad for if I were to own one.

Surfing the web (in bed or on the go…)


As much as I love my Macbook Pro, I do end up contorting myself into the oddest positions while attempting to surf the web in bed. The iPad would be a relief to my neck and back in this department, as well as a great travel companion for quick trips, or to bring to work in lieu of my laptop.

Collecting inspiration from the internet


Most of my online time is spent reading websites and looking at pictures for inspiration and ideas that can be incorporated into my life, home, and blog. So, the ability of the iPad to copy and paste pieces of webpages and images for me to collect along the way is a major necessity.

Reading eBooks


Although I once shuttered at the idea of dedicated ebook readers like the Kindle or Nook for their limited abilities and large price tags, I think that I could enjoy ebooks on the iPad. Although an electronic device is probably the furthest experience to paper and ink in your hands imaginable, I think the pure fact that I could read one handed in bed without losing the tactile motion of page turning could be appealing.

Playing games


One of my greatest secret desires it to own a handheld gaming device such as the Nintendo DS or other similar handset. I haven’t done so thus far because I try to avoid dedicated devices as much as possible and because I am not a fan of carrying game cartridges around on my person. I do use my iPod Touch to play a few games, but eventually give up on them because the touch is too small to act as a screen and the control panel, in my opinion. The larger size of the iPad remedies this issue however, as there is more space for seeing and swiping simultaneously.

Administrative tasks


Despite the fact that I have owned an iPod Touch for a few years now, it has been a much longer time since I have used a PDA device on a regular basis. In high school I used various models of Palm or Handspring PDA’s to handle my finances, to-do’s and calendar appointments, but I have since lost the habit. If I could get myself back into the habit, I think the iPad would be a wonderful aid in organizing my personal and work life with its good size and array of applications.

{Well, I guess now I should do the math and work out my finances to see if an iPad purchase is even feasible for me this quarter. The answer to that could be a make it or break it for my internal thought process!}