How Apple Could Screw Android By By Using Its Own Open Based Development Tools

Engadget recently did a post that raised a rather interesting and far-fetched idea. Namely that RIM was considering giving, to its PlayBook Tablet, the ability of also being able of running Android apps in addition to its own!

The one thing that both Android and that iOS have, of course, over that of the PlayBook, is their huge library of apps, now measuring in the hundreds of thousands. However, by incorporating Google's own Dalvik Virtual Engine, or something similar, this could, as Engadget points out, suddenly make RIM's app-starved PlayBook all-the-more compelling over that of any Android tablet out there, or maybe, who knows, even the iPad itself.

Even though Android lacks as many, and, for that matter, the high quality of apps that iOS offers, I have to agree that havng the ability to run Android apps would be a very big plus for the PlayBook. Not only that, but, at the same time, they would be able to screw the hell out of Google's Android platform in the process, and to a lesser degree even iOS, as well!

As far-fetched as the idea of RIM being able to run Android apps goes, I think I know of an even more far-fetched idea whereby iOS could do the same......... screw the hell out of both RIM and Android by adopting a similar strategy.

Despite the fact that Android only has few quality apps that would probably benefit iOS, there are still nonetheless a few and therefore, my dear two or three readers, you've read my mind....... yes, if RIM can use Google's own Dalvik engine to its own advantage, then so too could Apple!

Some, of course, would ask: BUT WHY? Well, I say .... WHY THE HELL NOT?

Yes, even though Android is nowhere as FREE or as OPEN as Google falsely claims that it is, it's still probably open enough to allow Apple, or another party, to easily use Dalvik, or a similar engine, to give iOS the ability to not only run Anroid's large library of apps, but, in addition, give Apple the opportunity to dish out some serious payback to Google for ripping off its own iOS platform in the first place!

Yes, iOS can always brag that it currently now has the largest quality and number of apps of them all, but just think: if iOS could also run every other stinking Android app inaddition to its own, then what advangtage would Android have over iOS other than the myth that it was open and free, while iOS wasn't? In other words: WHY EVEN BOTHER TO THINK OF BUYING AN ANY ANDROID DEVICE IF AN iOS DEVICE COULD NOT ALSO ONLY RUN ALL OF ANDROID'S INFERIOR APPS, BUT, AS WELL, ALL OF iOS'S OWN SUPERIOR APPS TO BOOT?

In conclusion, even though Apple has every reason to detest Android for ripping off everything from its own ground-breaking iOS platform, by using Dalviik, or a similar engine, Apple could easily have some real fun getting back at Android while using its own so-called free and open platform development tools in the process!

Ah, revenge, how sweet it is, how sweet it is, indeed!

And that's my 2 cents 4 this Monday, February 28, 2011

Flurry chart via: Engadget

GeekBenching The New MacBook Pros: Impressive, Indeed!

With the new MacBook Pro official announcement now over, and with the dust beginning to settle, what we are now beginning to see from Apple's new crop of laptops is quite impressive, quite impressive indeed.

For starters, 9to5Mac just published some dang-tooting impressive GeekBench marks for the new gizmos, with scores hitting around the 10,000 mark. For crying out turkey-lips..... now that's what I call impressive indeed!

Of course, it's not just those screamingly wicked fast Sandy Bridge cpu's, or the more powerful AMD chips that help to give the new 2011 MacBook's a heaping performance edge either. Intel's new fanged Thunder Bolt technology, which gives Apple a year long head start over its competitors, should also help to significantly boost the MacBook Pro performance over anything that Dell, HP, Acer, Asus, Lenovo and others can either hope or dream of offering. At least until early next year that is!

When it comes to Thunder Bolt, Engadget recently did a great post that not only helps to explain just how Intel's amazing new technology actually works, but it also includes a great video of it in action, on a newly minted MacBook Pro. After watching it, I must say, it all looks pretty exciting and impressive indeed.

Another performance booster for the new MacBook isn't quite ready yet, but should be here in a few months time. This performance booster is called Lion OS X, Apple's next major OS upgrade, that should not only be adding an even greater performance boost, but, in addition many new and exciting features as well.

In conclusion, I can't wait to get my sweaty little paws on one of these performance monsters soon, be it either the 15 or 17 inch models. It'll probably blow my budget, but then again, for me that's unfortunately something I'm getting used to doing these days anyway.

And that's my 2 cents 4 this cloudy, but mild, Friday, February 25, 2011

They're HERE: The New MacBook Pro's

They're here!

Yuppers, the 2011 MacBook Pros are finally here and they are doozies! They include: Intel's new State-of-the-art Intel processors, Sandy Bridge; Thunderbolt. The next generation of I/O, also known as Light Peak; Game-changing graphics, but only on the 15 and 17 inch models, and, last, but not least FaceTime finally goes HD with triple the resolution of the previous built-in cams!

Unfortunately, as of this writing, the Apple Store is offline while they update the page, so the exact prices I can't give you, but, however, AppleInsider provides the following pricing:

The new 15-inch MacBook Pro is available in two models: one with a 2.0 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7, AMD Radeon HD 6490M and 500GB hard drive starting at $1,799 and one with a 2.2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7, AMD Radeon HD 6750M and 750GB hard drive starting at $2,199.

The new 17-inch MacBook Pro features a 2.2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7, AMD Radeon HD 6750M and 750GB hard drive and is priced at $2,499.

Configure-to-order options include faster quad-core processors up to 2.3 GHz, additional hard drive capacity up to 750GB, solid state storage up to 512GB, more memory up to 8GB DDR3, antiglare and high-resolution display options and AppleCare® Protection Plan. Additional technical specifications and configure-to-order options and accessories are available online at www.apple.com/macbookpro.

As you can see from the opening photo, taken from Apple's MacBook home page, the new models look pretty much like the previous models, but it's what's under the skin that matters. Intel's Sandy Bridge processors are a major advance over those of its predecessors and Light Peak, or is that Thunder Bolt, is unlike anything else out there. In the future, Thunder Bolt promises to radically change the landscape when it comes to interconnectivity, offering as it does two-way communications starting at 10GB per second and later scaling up to 100 GB per second! Whoah.... baby, now that's what I call bloody, screaming fast!

The addition of the built-in High-Definition Cam is a welcomed bonus, but for me what really counts is that not only is the Intel processor up to twice as fast as the older ones, and the graphics are now three times faster, plus the revolutionary option of Thunder Bolt technology, but we now have the option of a 512 GB SSD drive to boot, boot into that is!

Even though I was personally interested in getting a 15 inch model MacBook Pro before, after buying a 17 inch HP with an Intel i3, I'm not too sure I can except anything less, so I may end up buying the 17 inch version, if, of course, I can afford it! As nice as the HP is, neither it, or any other laptop for that matter, and as far as I'm concerned, can now come anywhere near Apple's new 2011 MacBook Pro models.

In conclusion, all I will say about the new MacBook Pro's can be sumed up in two words: They're HOT!

And that's my 2 cents on the new MacBook Pro 4 this Thurdays, February 24, 2011

Leaked Photos Of New MacBook Pro Featuring Thunderbolt (Light Peak)

Various sources, such as AppleInsider, Gizmodo and Engadget, among others, are now revealing so-called 'leaked' photos of Apple's upcoming new laptops featuring, as seen below, the first of Intel's new Light Peak connectors, which apparently will be renamed "Thunder Bolt", and who's icon you can also see on the side and looking rather spiffy, if I do say so myself.

AppleInsider has also posted, listing in good-old German, the photo below, showing the various specs from a new 13 inch MacBook Pro.

They include the following:

- 2.3GHz Core i5 Processor
- 4 GB DDR3 @ 1333 MHz
- 320 GB HDD
- 13.3-inch display @ 1280x800 pixels
- Intel HD Graphics 3000 with 384 MB shared memory
- FaceTime high-definition camera
- Thunderbolt connector supporting High-Speed-E/A and MiniDisplay-Port devices
- SDXC, Firewire 800, and two USB 2.0 slots
- Backlit keyboard
- 2.04kg weight

As AppleInsider pointed out, unfortunately, for the 13 inch model anyway, it doesn't appear to feature a discreet graphic card , which is something that I would have personally prefer to see. Hopefully, however, the 15 and 17 inchers will either come with discreet graphics included, or at the very least, offer the option of doing so.

In conclusion, we don't really know for sure if the above photos are fakes or not, but they do look to be the real deal, therefore, I'm betting, more-or-less, that they probably are.

Personally, as far as the suspected change name, from Light Peak goes, then Thunderbolt is as good as any. What ever they call it, I can't wait till tomorrow to find out if its all true. If it's not, then I'm going to be really, really bummed out, so here's hoping.

And that's my 2 cents 4 this sunny mild and gorgeous day, but I still would rather be in Baden-Wurttemberg, Tuesday, February 23, 2011

Photo via: AppleInsider and Engadget, via, fscklog.com

Tablet Wars: Can Any One Take On The iPad?

While Mary-Jo Foley, over at ZDNet, is reporting that Microsoft could be introducing a beta of Windows 8 for tablets at this coming September's PDC, there are now rumors that Apple's much anticipated iPad 2 could be delayed until this coming June.

This is in stark contrast to earlier reports that stated that the iPad 2 had already begun production. If any delay is true, of course, it would be a real bummer for all of us who are eagerly awaiting its immediate arrival. It was only Monday that speculation was prompted that the iPad 2 would be immediately forth coming after T-Mobile and Orange, in the U.K., lowered the price of their iPad's 16GB models in anticipation of the newer model.

Of course, the sooner the iPad 2 is released, as far as I'm concerned, the better. Yes, despite the fact that apparently, for various reasons, no other tablet, it seems, will be able to match the iPad's lower price points, you can bet your last peanut butter and sardine sandwich that the competition will be doing their earnest to steal as much of the iPad's thunder as they can.

In fact, two of the tablets that have at least some real chance of taking on the iPad are HP's new Touch Pad and Motorola's Xoom, with the former possibly being release this April, and the later reported to be going on sale this month.

Both the Xoom and the Touch Pad, along with others such as RIM's Play Book, are all compelling tablets, but the question is: are they compelling enough to take on the iPad?

Well, that depends on who you ask I guess. Obviously, the various people behind all of the other tablets are going to tell you that not only can, but they invariably will. Then again, talk is cheap. One thing is certain, that if they do, it won't be easy and it probably won't come quick.

The big problems facing any potential killers is the simple fact that the iPad has a lot of 'killer' features itself, and ones that should make it harder to kill off than what some would have you believe. These include trying to compete with Apple's massive PR machine that is backed by Apple's equally impressive mountain of cold, hard cash -- over $60 B!

This means that Apple can pre-purchase most of the critical components needed before hand in order to build a successful tablet, thus leaving the competition scrambling for the fewer parts left over, while, at the same time, paying higher prices for them! These include the critical components for memory, and probably the most important of them all, high quality touch screens.

Another huge problem for iPad wannabes is software, or the apps. Here the iPad not only shines, but its library of tablet specific apps, some 60 t0 80 thousand of them, and growing, is going to be hard, very hard if not impossible to overcome. After all, what is any computing device without apps to run on it? Not much more than a fancy curio, if you ask me.

On top of the above hurdles for other tablet providers, another disadvantage for them is the simple fact that the iPad has the first place advantage. Yes, there have been other tablets out there before it, but their form factor was a far cry from the iPad's, the one tablet that every other tablet is now modeling itself on. Simply, being the first of its breed, the iPad now has the mind share that no amount of marketing, or amount of money, can overcome. Its already being used by over 80% of the Fortune 500, and trying to catch up with the iPad is clearly a daunting task, though not necessarily impossible.

In conclusion, with Apple's marketing, massive cash reserves, brand name recognition, mind share, its huge and rapidly growing app library and its strangle-hold on components and pricing, I'm sure glad I'm not one of the iPad's wannabees, because no matter how fine-and-dandy their tablets might be, the best they that can probably do now is to try and take the lion share of the iPad's crumbs, while the iPad takes the icing on the cake.

And that's my 2 cents 4 this Tuesday, February 22, 2011

The New 2011 SUPER MacBooks Are Almost Here!

The new 2011 MacBooks and MacBook Pro's are almost here.

In fact, they could be announced this very week, so you can almost smell and taste em, and if recent rumors are indeed true, then they're beginning to smell and taste mighty tasty too!

The reasons they're so tasty is simple: these are not your average every day, run-of-the-mill, little, itty-bitty revision. No sir, these babies are looking to be quite the major upgrade indeed, and one that will include not only Intel's latest and greatest silicon, Sandy Bridge, but just as exciting, if not even more so, is the very real possibility that they will be among the very first to employ Light Peak, a revolutionary new high speed fiber optic interconnectivity technology that for a little while, anyway, will see the MacBooks scream past every other laptop on the market. In other words: this is the future of computing that were talking about, and you can read even more interesting facts about this amazing technology here.

CNet was one of the first to report that Apple will be announcing Light Peak, and they noted:

"Apple is expected to adopt this technology in the near future--but likely use a name other than Light Peak, a source familiar with this aspect of Apple's plans said. Intel has said in the past that the first products using Light Peak should appear in the first half of 2011."

Well, regardless of what Apple may end up calling it, one thing is for damn sure...... you won't be calling it slow! That's because this baby starts at 10 gigabytes per second and will be able to scale up to 100 gigabytes in the future so this is one technology that probably isn't going to be surpassed any time soon, if ever! You can get a better idea of just how capable and just how cool Light Peak is by viewing these additional videos, here and here.

Another exciting possibility is, that like the MacBook Air before them, the next MacBooks should be getting the option of forgoing its traditional and much slower mechanical hard drives with speedier, sturdier and lighter SSD's. At least that's what I'm hoping for and that I'm fully expecting and, if true, then they'll be some damn tasty indeed!

In conclusion, with Apple about to announce what could be one of its biggest hardware upgrades yet, well, this guy, for one, let me tell you, is now totally and completely psyched out and is about as excited as a church mouse let loose in a Swiss cheese factory.

And that's my 2 cents 4 this cold and sunny Monday, February 21, 2011

Does Apple Really Need An iPad 2?

CNet's Crave tech blog recently posted that, despite the incredible specs of some of the iPad wannabees now beginning to enter the market, Apple really doesn't even need an iPad 2 in order to compete with them!

For the most part, the reasoning is simple: the rapidly growing 60,000 plus iPad apps! Of course, there are other reasons that they also point out, including movie and TV downloads; the iPad's desktop snyc software; its vast accessory suport; the sheer number of gaming titles; its device ecosystem and the iPad's phenomenal battery life.

As far as their post goes, the new Xoom by Motorola, among other Window and Android based tablets, may indeed look rather enticing at first glance, but Crave's post contends that without apps, well they're all pretty much useless.

I tend to agree, but only to a point. To say that Apple doesn't need to come out with a better and richer spec iPad 2 simply because of the sheer number of its apps, well that's a little too simplistic if you ask me. Yes, as far as their post goes, apps are probably the most critical component in order for a tablet to succeed, and the greater the number the better, but those numbers are not, by any means, the only critical component.

This is because the higher a tablet's hardware specs go, the more features and usability that app developers can build into those very same apps, and, quite frankly, most people would rather have a few good apps than a lot of bad or crappy apps.

Certainly, it may be also true that it will be extremely hard for any Android or Windows base tablet to catch up to the sheer number of apps available for the iPad and any time soon, but as we have already seen with Android, it won't necessarily take all that long to build up a smaller, but still very sizable, number of apps either. And apps that will be better able of taking advantage of all of their better, faster, more powerful cpu and graphic chips that the current iPad simply can't compete with. For that reason alone Apple has really no choice but to come out with a more capable and higher spec iPad 2, and the sooner the better!

The iPad, in conclusion, has been one of the biggest and best ideas to ever come out of Cupertino, but if Apple ignores the competition it will do so at its peril. It really has no choice but to come out with a more powerful and richer spec model, and for that reason alone, you can not only expect to see a new iPad 2, and very soon now, but you can expect one that will match, or, most likely, even succeed the competitions specs, both on the sofware and hardware side.

And that's my 2 cents 4 this rainy Friday, the 18th of February, 2011

Is Steve Jobs Dying?

Barely one day after it was reported that Steve Jobs, appearing healthy, was spotted on the Apple campus smiling while chatting on his phone, now comes a report that he is terminally ill with as little as 6 weeks to live!

According to The National Enquirer, their photos, as seen above, supposedly show Steve entering the Standford Cancer Center. Personally, even though it could be Steve, the man in the picture appears to be far older, plus his hair is considerably longer so I personally have my doubts. Then again, terminal illness's tends to make one look older.

Of course, the question is: whom do we believe? The National Enquirer, a bloody gossip rag, or numerous people who claim to have seen Steve on various occasions not only on the Apple campus, but all over Cupertino ?

What really makes me suspect the information coming from the Enquirer is the report that Steve will soon be meeting, along with Eric Schmidt Mark Zuckerberg and other Silicon Valley executives, with president Obama in San Francisco.

Surely, for goodness sakes, if Steve really was on his deathbed, would he be traveling to meet with the President? I can think of a lot of things that I rather be doing if I ever were that ill... like spending as much time with my family and friends!

Personally, I can only hope that Steve is NOT anywhere near as sick as the Enquierer makes him out to be, and I must say that I'm a little baffled by all of the various and conflicting reports regarding Steve's health. It's bad enough that he and Apple choose to remain silent on the matter, but the worst part is that others are not keeping quiet.

It seems that some are deliberately going out of their way to get the false message out that if, or when, Steve dies, so dies Apple! That is, of course, a lot of bunk, but people nonetheless continue to pump it out.

In conclusion, Apple has already proven, time and time again, that it can function more than well enough with or without Steve. Yes, Apple is better off with him, but Tim Cook, Jonathan Ive's, Phil Schiller and the rest of Apple's executive team are some of the most capable professionals that you'll find anywhere, and all of them now trained to think and act like Steve himself, so Apple should do fine, just fine, Steve or no Steve.

In the meantime, get better Steve.

And that's my 2 cents 4 this Thursday, February 16, 2011

New MacBooks: Besides Sandy Bridge, What Else Can We Expect?

According to one of the greatest Apple sites around, AppleInsider, the new MacBooks are already in production, and further more the Sandy Bridge flaws that Intel was having, apparently, won't be effecting the release of the next MacBooks which could be here as early a March!

AppleInsider has also reported that Apple is not only uneffected by the latest Intel flaw, but that it is actively increasing its notebook shipments for the first quarter of the year.

As interesting as all that is, what I really want to know, besides having Intel's new Sandy Bridge silicon onboard, is what else might the new MacBooks also include that might be different and, hopefully, better than the current crop of MacBooks? That, like most other people, is something that I don't really know and I will have to wait and, like everyone else, see what Apple delivers, but, in the meantime, what I'm hoping to see is:

- Liquid Metal bodies

- SSD drive replacement instead of traditional hard drives

- Retina Display, or AMOLED screens

- Multi-Touch display,

- Beefier graphic chips

- Wireless external accessories such as SSD, mechanical and DVD drives; mice, trackpads, etc.

- Multi-Touch trackpad with built-in display

- Completely programable keyboard similar to the Optimus Maximus

- Lower prices

Obviously, I can`t expect to get em all, but I`m hoping that we'll get some of them, starting off with Apple's recent purchase for most of the patent rights to Liquid Metal, something that could make any new MacBooks much more stronger, lighter and well put-together that its competiton could ever dream of achieving.

As the recent MacBook Airs have proven, SSD drives, though more expensive than traditional mechanical ones, are definitely the wave of the future. They`re not only faster and more reliable then mechanical drives, but SSD boot times are almost instant to the point of being almost mind blowing since there are fewer and virtually no moving parts.

A computer`s screen is, of course, the most important part of any computer, desktop or laptop. Already MacBooks use IPS LED screens that are among the very best to be found anywhere, but an AMOLED or Retina Display would be a great improvement and very desirable.

When it comes to multi-touch monitors, Apple`s multi-touch track pad, I feel, is a superior solution for most things, but not all things. There are times, like when manipulating a 3D globe for instance, is just a hell of a lot more fun.

When it comes to on board graphics, however, Apple`s notebooks, and desktops for that matter, have always been somewhat disappointing when compared to their Windows counter parts. Sure, Mac`s graphics are great for most things, but considering the higher costs of Macs in the first place, I think that we deserve a little more graphic goodness under the hood. A little bragging rights in that area would be nice for a change. Superior software and other hardware features might be nice and all, but I, as a Mac user....... I want it all!

As far as rumors that the next MacBooks will be going the route of the MacBook Airs, namely losing their built-in DVD drives, I welcome it. When I think of it, it has been literally months since the last time that I used my built-in DVD drive, so why bother including one, especially in a mobile device? Of course, there are those occasions when you'll need it, so having a wireless, or wired, DVD that you can simply plug in is an absolute necessory. Most of the time, however, you don't really need one, so why lug one around with you all of the time? Having wireless external drives, speakers, mice, etc. is great, so the more, the merrier I say.

I love Apple's built-in multi-touch track pad, it's by far the best track pad that I've ever used period. However, having a programable display built into the track pad, and keyboard, is a fantastic idea and one I've also dreamt of having for ages now. Apple is, apparently, according to one patent, already considering putting a display into a mouse, so it should be no problem to include one into the track pad itself as well, sort of like Acer's new Iconia laptop.

When it comes to lower prices, well, we can always dream, can't we?

In conclusion, I, like most people, won't know exactly what the new and upcoming MacBooks will, or will not, have, but I believe that they are going to be more, a lot more, than just another refresh offering minor bumped up specs. I'm not sure, but I have a gut feeling that much like the MacBook Air, the new MacBooks are going to be a lot different and a lot better than most think they'll be. At least that's what I'm hoping.

And that's my 2 cents 4 this Wednesday, February 16, 2011

UPDATE: FastCompany is reporting that Intel may have ialready nadvertantly outted the new MacBook as seen in the openning image, via FastCompany. ALSO, MacTrask.com claims to have exclusive information on the new Macs, such as being 15-20% lighter, having longer battery life, etc.

LG Optimus Pad Kicks Steve Jobs In The Face!

Apparently LG isn't bothered by the idea, no not one bit, of kicking a good man while he's down, and, yes, even if that man also happens to be the founder and CEO of one of LG's largest customers...... and while he's yet on medical leave!

As you can see in the above video, about a minute into the clip, there is a spoof of the popular game "Street Fighter" which they renamed "Spec Fighter." Renaming the game is clever enough, as is renaming the iPad the APad, but having a young street fighter, representing the Optimus Pad, take on a very obvious and older Steve Jobs, representing the iPad, and kicking him in the face to show how superior the LG's new Optimus Pad is to the iPad is not only a cheap and low down trick, but it's also downright rude and crude! Since Android tablets, compared to the iPad, are hardly what you would call a bargain, it's especially interesting to note that the Optimus Pad, despite its so-called better specs, isn't exactly getting the best reviews, these days.

In conclusion, and as far as I'm concerned, the above video makes LG comes across as a big 'scum bag' , and a company that is devoid of any sense of class or humanity. They might claim that the Optimus Pad sets the standard for all others, but what they are saying in reality is: "that we suck, and we suck big time!" After all, what company, man, woman or child would ever even think of kicking a man while he's out on medical leave? Not anyone with any sense of compassion, respect, humanity, deceny, ethics, taste or any sense of class.

Shame on you LG!

And that's my 2 cents 4 this sunny Tuesday, February 15, 2011

At $1,199 Is The Motorola Xoom Doomed?

A lot of people seem to really like Motorola's new, but unreleased Xoom tablet. What they didn't like, however, was its then rumored and very un-iPad like price, a whopping $800 or so.

Apparently, it's now being reported that Best Buy has already pre-released the latest and official Xoom's price, an incredible and mind-boggling $1,199! At least that was the price they listed on their official Xoom pre-order page, which, by the way, has since mysteriously gone missing!

Well, if $1,199 really is the Xoom's price, then the general thinking now seems to be that the Xoom really is doomed!

At that price at least Motorola is really going to have a tough time on their hands convincing anyone to buy it. At that price, roughly twice that of the iPad, one could easily get themselves a cool little 13" MacBook. In in other words: maybe the Xoom really is Doomed after all!

Meanwhile, in beautiful Germany, the one country that I especially love so much, LG has a new tablet called the Optimus Pad, which, if you don't count the VAT, is being released for around $100 less than the Xoom! However, if you ask me, $1,075 is still way, way too much to compete with the iPad, and that's no matter how nice its software or hardware might compare to that of the iPad's.

In conclusion, it's kind of funny, but the argument about the so-called Apple tax, or that its hardware is so much more expensive than others seems to be completely switched around here, because apparently Apple is not only setting the standards for both tablet hardware and software these days, but apparently it is now also setting the low cost standard as well!

And that's my 2 cents 4 this snowed-in Monday, February 14, 2o11

The Mobile World March's On To Apple's Beat

While Microsoft and Nokia announce their big partnership, the sales for the iPhone 4 on Verizon have been described as being healthy, but hardly what you would exactly call a blowout. One reason for that could possibly be, as AppleInsider pointed out, due to the massive pre-orders which saw Verizon selling more iPhones than for any other single phone, on their first day, in its history, and all in a mere two hour period!

Meanwhile, there are now reports that Apple is about to hit the rising sales of the patented plague Android platform with a newer, smaller, and considerablly cheaper, unlocked version of its ground-breaking iPhone. Some are already calling it the 'iPhone Nano' and say that it will sell for around $200.

Speaking of Android's patent problems, at least as far as Oracle's Java suit goes, there is now an attempt to bypass any legal issues with a new project known as 'IceRobot'.

As far as its potential success goes, Engadget reported that, "It's a tall order, and the devilish little Android has already gained a healthy amount of tech industry skepticism, but we're interested to see if these guys can make it work."

Of course, Google's Android platform has a lot more than just Oracle to worry about, it also has Apple's proxy suit against HTC to consider. Both Oracle and Apple have the potential, if they win their cases to, more-or-less, send the highly fragmented Android platform completely back to the drawing board, if not completely out of business!

HP, the new owners of Palm, was also recently busy and people are now expecting to see its new Pre 2 and Pre 3 models come up for pre-order soon. So far, despite a lot of people thinking that it would kill off the iPhone, WebOS so far has not gained any real traction in the marketplace. Some have even considered it to be irrelevant, but now with HP behind it, not only on smartphones, but soon also tablets and even PCs, that situation could possibly change, but there are certainly no guarantees.

The one thing about all of this recent mobile news is that it's easy to see that not only does it marches on, but that it marches on to a beat and rhythm set by Apple. Virtually every mobile company, it seems, nowadays, is pushing products that have been inspired, in one way or another, directly either by iOS, or OS X.

However, the big question now is, of course: can they do to the iPhone what Microsoft did to the Mac?

In conclusion, I certainly think that it's possible, but also think that it would be extremely hard, if not even impossible, considering Apple's early and huge lead, but, then again, you never really know, you know?

And that's my 2 cents 4 this 'thank God it's Friday, February 11, 2011

'IceRobot' logo via: Engadget

HP TouchPad Keyboard Copies The iMac Keyboard

Some people are already thinking that HP's new iPad clone may be a little too late to take on the iPad. However, whether it is, or is not, and I personally don't know, but the one thing that I do know is that if you look closely at the new TouchPad's keyboard, as seen above, then you can't help but notice just how strikingly similar its design is to that of Apple's iMac keyboard, as seen below.

The similarities between the TouchPad and that of the iPad doesn't stop with their keyboards either. No, if you look even closer at the TouchPad's new email app and that of its browser, than you also can't help but notice how the TouchPad also mimics the iPad's own email app and browser. I noticed the similarity the second that I first laid my eyes on them, and no doubt many others have as well. The TouchPad's keyboard looks just like someone simply spray painted the iMac's black and then slightly altered a few keys here and there, and, as well, slightly modified its stand!

Yes, of course, there are other differences between the two tablets, but it's quite obvious where not only the TouchPad, but for that matter, all of the other upcoming tablets have gotten their design inspiration from. Personally, I actually prefer the WebOS home screen to that of the icon infested iPad's, but that should be a very easy UI element for Apple to rectify in the near future and, hopefully, it could even be one of those UI enhancements coming with the iPad 2 which is expected almost anyday now.

In conclusion, as far as I'm concerned, just as HP copied the look of the MacBook Pro design for their Envy laptops, so too are they doing exactly the same with the TouchPad. Yes, their new tablet might look very nice and all, but its still only a nice looking iPad clone, and as far as most clones go, well, they are rarely, if ever, a better deal than the originals and I expect that this will be the case with the TouchPad as well.

And, while dreaming of being back in Germany, that's my 2 cents 4 this sunny, but cold as hell Thursday, February 10, 2011

Steve Jobs Defends The World From The Twin And Dasterdly Compact CD Man And Zune Man

Obama Pacman is a great Apple blog with some really great posts, including this one which features a really funny clay animation (seen above) of Steve Jobs defending himself and, of course, the world, from the scourge of the ever so evil twin villains better known as the dastardly Compact CD Man and the oh so, so Zune Man. And who do you think wins the day? Yuppers, CD Man and Zune Man, those evil scumbags of technology, didn't have a fighting chance against the world's most brilliant CEO.

As Obama Pacman points out, this funny video comes from the brilliant minds of the producers of the Cartoon Networks Adult Swim/Chicken Robot Show, a show that I must confess that I've never seen before, but, obviously, must check out one of these days.

In conclusion, Obama Pacman is a great Apple blog and the above animation is indeed a very funny video to be sure.



And that's my 2 cents 4 this Wednesday, February 9, 2011

In A Class By Itself: The Dual Screen Kyocera Echo

As you can see in the above video, Kyocera's new Android based phone, the Echo, delivered an industry first recently, namely its the very first mobile featuring dual screens. The Echo comes with some pretty darn tooting spiffy specs to boot a well, as you can see here.

According to Kyocera's press release, they state:

"Until now, a single screen on a smartphone could only be used to complete one task at a time, even with limited multitasking capabilities available on some smartphones. Kyocera Echo's second screen provides the ability to do two things at the same time and get more done – send an email on one screen while surfing the web on the other, watch a video on one screen while texting on the other, comparison shop online with one web site on each screen and so much more.

In its closed position, Kyocera Echo is a pocket-friendly, single-display smartphone. When opened, Kyocera Echo reveals a revolutionary new platform for wireless multitasking and gives customers a new level of versatility in Android. Its innovative hardware and optimized software enables consumers to use the touchscreens in four unique ways: Single-Screen Mode with all the functionality of a single-display, touch-screen smartphone. Simul-Task™ Mode with two of the phone's seven core apps (messaging, e-mail, Web browsing, phone, gallery, contacts and VueQue™) running concurrently but independently on the dual displays – e.g., reading e-mail on one screen and opening a text message on the other; checking Facebook® via the browser on one screen while looking through a photo gallery on the other; or even searching the Web on one screen and checking email on the other."

You can see more photos and videos of the Kyocera Echo here, but as great as the Echo seems to be, I'm not really sure that I personally like it. Sure, all of that real estate that you get is great and all, but I'm not sure that I like the idea of having my viewing interrupted by the separation between the two screens, or the idea, at least in my mind, that those hinges holding those two screens together could be easily broken, and without much effort.

The Echo is currently only available on the Sprint network, and, in conclusion, and at the very least, I have to admit that the Echo is totally unique and is in a class all by itself. I'm just not sure, however, that I really care to be in the same class.



And that's my 2 cents 4 this snowy Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Is HP Coypying Apple, Or Is Apple Copying HP?

A little while back, there was a post on a new Apple patent for a multi-touch iMac, as seen in the above illustration. Even more interesting, as you can see below, are the two photos below for a new mult-touch HP TouchSmart all-in-one computer, a computer with a ergonomic design that looks amazing much like the one in Apple's own patent filings!

So, who's copying who here? Is Apple copying HP, or is it the other way around? I don't know, but despite some slight differences between the two designs, they are indeed so similar in appearance that it has to make me question whether one is copying the other. Even though Apple didn't publish anything about its design, others certainly have done. Thanks to them, Apple's idea has been out there for some time. On the other hand, this is the first that I ever heard of HP's similar design.

The big problem with using a large multi-touch device, is of course, using it in a vertical position, which can prove to be both painful, cumbersome and possibly medically risky over extended periods. Small vertical devices, such as an iPhone or iPad are perfectly fine, as are large horizontial devices like Microsoft's Surface. Apple and HP's designs are, however, the best of both worlds, since they can be used both vertical for most things, or in a horizontal position when using their multi-touch capabilites.

In conclusion, I really don't know who's copying who here, or if HP and Apple are on a collision course when it comes to their respected designs, but I do know, that when it comes to extended use of multi-touch on a large device, using it in a horozontal position is the best and only way to go.

And that's my 2 cents 4 this sunny, mild and glorious Monday, February 07, 2011

Apple illustration via: Cult-Of-Mac

HP SmartTouch 610 and 9300 via: Dvice

The Verizon iPhone 4: Already Kicking Android And Blackberry's Butt!

If anyone had doubts on whether the iPhone 4 on Verizon would be a hit need only check out Engadget's latest headline...... Verizon breaks first day sales record with iPhone 4 pre-orders -- in only two hours!

Personally, if I were RIM, Nokia or a big wig in Google's patent plagued Android platform, well I got to think that headline would spell, with a capitol T....Trouble, big, big trouble. That goes especially after USamp's "highly profiled online panel" recently found, in a recent survey, that up to a whopping 54% of Verizon's Android and Blackberry customers are interested in dumping them for the iPhone!

Sweet, very sweet, if your Apple, that is!

AppleInsider is also reporting that the rate of Blackberry customers planning on switching, some 66 percent, is somewhat higher than the 44 percent for Android users planning on switching. As far as potential switchers go, AppleInsider posted:

"uSamp's survey also found that men are more likely to switch to the Verizon iPhone: 32 percent of males compared to 20 percent of females. As expected, younger respondents indicated they were more willing to wait in line on launch day, as well as more likely to switch overall. According to the report, among Verizon BlackBerry and Android smartphone owners, 71 percent of respondents aged 18-24 and 60 percent of those aged 25-34 are planning to switch."

Various surveys have also shown that anywhere from 16 to 26 percent of AT&T customers are also considering ditching their present iPhones for the Verizon model, largely due to AT&T's perceived and infamous problem of dropping calls, which inspried the rather pointed Verizon ad, seen below.

Apparently, the notion of many, that Android's phenomenal success in the U.S. was due primarily because it acted, more-or-less, merely as a place holder for the day when the iPhone was finally liberated for use on other networks may indeed have a lot of validity to it. This is especially so when considering that Verizon broke all of its previous daily sales records for any other single device in its entire history, not only in two bloody hours, but also in the dead of night, and for pre-orders only that were restricted to current Verizon customers!

In conclusion: the iPhone is already kicking Android and Blackberry's butts on Verizon, so just imagine in a few months time after the iPhone 5 comes roaring out?

And that's my 2 cents 4 this sunny and mild Friday, February 4, 2011

Shocking Mobile Facts

The NextWeb did an interesting post on some really shocking mobile phone usage for the past year. This includes the shocking fact that in 2o10 Americans alone sent some 200,000,000,000,000 text messages!

Wow..... now that's not 200 billion were talking about, my dear two or three readers, that's a whopping, and I mean a really whopping..... 200 trillion!

A large part of that mind blowing number, no doubt, can be directly attributed to teens, who on average sent some 3,399 text messages each, per month! That's an increase of some 566% over the past two years, which is in sharp contrast to the only 631 monthly voice minutes that they used.

In stark contrast, adults only sent a measly 32 text messages per month and an even more measly 398 minutes in actually making voice calls.

It was also reported that some 83% of people used their phones to take pictures; while 60% used them for music; 46% for games; 32% for exchanging videos; 27% for surfing the web and, last but not least, 23% of cell users used their devices for social networking. Personally, I surely would have thought that the number would have been higher for web usage, but what in hell would I know... I don't even own, let alone use a cell phone!

One of the most interesting, and yes even shocking facts, however, was the number of mobile apps that were downloaded, some 300 million of the little suckers in 2009, but get this, that number mushroomed in 2010 into an unbelievable five billion! For crying out pizza with Anchovies, now that's what I call really shocking growth!

And now, in conclusion, an even more shocking fact was that out of those 5 billion downloaded apps it was Apple, no not Microsoft, nor Nokia, Motorola, Palm, and no, not even mighty Google that was responsible for most of those downloads. Yes, not only was it Apple, but get this....... incredibly, Apple was responsible for a whopping 99.4% of them all! Android fanboys and girls can brag all they want, but it is clear that they can't hold a candle to the iPhone when it comes to mobile apps.

And that's my 2 cents 4 this sunny, but cold, Thursday, February 03, 2011

Chart via: The NextWeb

Cool iPhone Apps: Air Stream

As cool as the iPhone 4 coming, on February 10, to Verizon is, it's not the only cool news about iOS as you can see in the above video. Yes, in addition to AirStream and StreamItToME, there's another iOS app that will allow you to turn your trusty iPhone into a nifty and cool set top box for your TV. Its called Video Stream and this newly updated $3 app comes with a free trial version, so if your interested, you can download it directly from iTunes.

Personally, I rarely watch television, but if I did this looks to be the perfect companion to compliment your TV viewing. According to Gizmodo:

"Video Stream, like AirVideo or StreamToMe, is an app that streams video from PCs and Macs to iOS devices with the help of a companion program installed on the main machine. It'll re-encode on the fly to make virtually any format play nice with Apple's fussy gadgets, and you can choose to download those re-encoded copies to your device for local playback. Nice."

In conclusion, it's apps like Video Stream that help lift the iPhone and other iOS devices above the likes of their competition. There are certainly some cool apps for the various other copy cat iPhone and iPads, but nothing quite like the breath and quality that you find for the iOS platform.

And that's my 2 cents 4 this Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Tablets: Dell's 7 Inch Streak Strikes Out

Mind you, Samsung is really a great company, but those so-called great sales of some 2 million Galaxy Tabs that they were boasting of, well they were not really that great after all! The actual truth..... they were really quite small! No wonder, that compared to the iPad's measly 2 percent return rate, the Galaxy Tab's return rate is a whopping 16 percent.

Considering the Galaxy Tab, you would think that other companies would be a little more careful when trying to build their own iPad killing clone. No, unfortunately, some of them just don't seem to have a clue, like Dell In fact, the great tech blog Gizmodo listed 10 things that one shouldn't do when building an Android tablet and guess what? You got it.... Dell, apparently, went out of its way to include them all when building its new 7 inch Streak, seen in the above video. Gizmodo's 'don't do list,' that Dell, of course, promptly did, include the following:

1. Use a middling, low-res screen with crummy viewing angles.

2. Use out-of-date software designed for a phone.

3. Halfway cover up said out-of-date software with a custom interface that is only mediocre—like covering a tiny face stretched across a giant head with a ski mask made out of wet flannel.

4. Make something with the heart of a cheetah—the Tegra 2—occasionally respond so slowly that a crippled turtle drowning in a meteor-sized ball of laffy taffy would move with greater speed.

5. Make sure that your pokes are ignored at least one quarter of the time you try to touch something on the screen.

6. Get rid of the search button without a good reason. (Was there not enough space? I do not think so.)

7. Require a two-year contract to buy it, tethering its money-draining corpse to you long after it's obsolete.

8. Turn the apps screen into a version of Minesweeper called, "App or Crapware?" (I am looking at you, BrainPOP.)

9. Design a paperback-sized device—that is still almost as much phone as tablet—around the idea that it'll primarily be held in a landscape position.

10. Pull all calling functions out of your giant phone-tablet.

Well, well...... screw you Dell and your new 7" Streaker! As far as I'm concerned, that two-year contract would be more than enough, even if it was a great tablet, which its not, for me to avoid the Streak like it was some kind of plague. I agree with the great Giz, because as flawed as it is, the Samsung Galaxy Tab is a better deal. An even better deal, of course, would be to buy the real thing in the first place... the iPad. Why settle for an inferior clone when you could have the real deal, and now even more so with the iPad 2 on the near horizon.

In conclusion, as far as the Streak goes... it strikes out!

Yes, even though I'm sure that future Android based copy cat tablets like Motorola's Xoom and RIM's PlayBook will be better than what we have seen from Android thus far, and despite the fact that some of them may look enticing, something tells me that actually buying one of them would kind of be like buying an American Cadillac when you could have easily paid a little more for a much more superior German built Mercedes. Germans might make the best cars, but when it comes to high tech no one does it better than those clever Americans. Americans not only make the best tech, but the best of the best are those that, often or not, comes directly from Apple and not from some patent infringing Android, or some copy cat WebOS or Windows based table either.

And that's my 2 cents 4 this Tuesday, February the first already, 2011