BBCWatcher
Jun 10, 10:46 PM
Bleh... The only provider that has a chance at delivering worse service for the iPhone than AT&T....
Perhaps, but T-Mobile's major problem is coverage rather than saturation. (Although T-Mobile has filled in its gaps primarily with AT&T coverage agreements.) There aren't all that many people competing for AWS 3G service right now, even in places like New York and San Francisco, and that's precisely where the AT&T-only iPhone needs help.
That's why I tend to think an Apple MVNO approach would make a lot of sense, to stitch together T-Mobile, AT&T, and perhaps some smaller regional carriers into a single "best service available" iPhone/iPad network. An MVNO could better manage coverage gaps and high demand areas across carriers.
Perhaps, but T-Mobile's major problem is coverage rather than saturation. (Although T-Mobile has filled in its gaps primarily with AT&T coverage agreements.) There aren't all that many people competing for AWS 3G service right now, even in places like New York and San Francisco, and that's precisely where the AT&T-only iPhone needs help.
That's why I tend to think an Apple MVNO approach would make a lot of sense, to stitch together T-Mobile, AT&T, and perhaps some smaller regional carriers into a single "best service available" iPhone/iPad network. An MVNO could better manage coverage gaps and high demand areas across carriers.
ChazUK
Apr 17, 03:07 PM
The biggest reason why Android will not overtake the iPhone in app sales is that the iPhone is consistent in its OS revisions.
Are we not forgetting that the market for apps is going to start to fragment come OS4? With 1st gen iPhone and iPod touch owners stuck without an update and iPad owners stuck on 3.2 until "Fall", development for iPhone may start to become a pain soon if you want to maximise customer base. I'm not sure how backwards compatible an app developed for the iPhone and OS4 would be when running on the iPad if it uses API's not available on 3.2.
Then we have the potential of 3 different OS4 capable phones which may vary in features come the next gen iPhone. 3G can't multitask and will undoubtedly mis some OS4 features, the 3GS will do everything Apple has shown so far and I expect the next iPhone to have some more features over the last two.
Android's open-ness which is a strength is also its biggest weakness. As a developer its a small nightmare to test and develop for it because of so many unknowns.
Are we talking software or hardware wise here?
It must be a pain in the arse developing for Android and working out things like, does it have a trackball or D-pad, what processor & how much RAM the device has, what size screen does it have, which OS revision is it using....
So far as unified hardware goes, the iPhone has been king so far, I agree. :)
Have you got any Android projects currently in development?
Are we not forgetting that the market for apps is going to start to fragment come OS4? With 1st gen iPhone and iPod touch owners stuck without an update and iPad owners stuck on 3.2 until "Fall", development for iPhone may start to become a pain soon if you want to maximise customer base. I'm not sure how backwards compatible an app developed for the iPhone and OS4 would be when running on the iPad if it uses API's not available on 3.2.
Then we have the potential of 3 different OS4 capable phones which may vary in features come the next gen iPhone. 3G can't multitask and will undoubtedly mis some OS4 features, the 3GS will do everything Apple has shown so far and I expect the next iPhone to have some more features over the last two.
Android's open-ness which is a strength is also its biggest weakness. As a developer its a small nightmare to test and develop for it because of so many unknowns.
Are we talking software or hardware wise here?
It must be a pain in the arse developing for Android and working out things like, does it have a trackball or D-pad, what processor & how much RAM the device has, what size screen does it have, which OS revision is it using....
So far as unified hardware goes, the iPhone has been king so far, I agree. :)
Have you got any Android projects currently in development?
MacRumors
Sep 25, 10:25 PM
http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)
A recent apparent cease-and-desist letter (http://blog.wired.com/music/index.blog?entry_id=1561308) sent to Podcast Ready (makers of a software product called myPodder) by Apple has lit a firestorm in the blogosphere and online community. According to Eliot Van Buskirk at Wired.com, the cease-and-desist letter claimed that both the company's name and software infringed on Apple's trademarks.
While Apple's attempts at safeguarding its trademarks is nothing new, the move is striking fears that Apple is trying to take over the term "podcast". ZDNet's Russel Shaw posts a good summary of recent trademark attempts (http://blogs.zdnet.com/ip-telephony/?p=1252) by Apple to register such terms as iPodcast.
Indeed, MacRumors' own research has found evidence that Apple has attempted to further the reach of its existing trademarks. The following describes a change Apple proposed to its existing iPod trademark (http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=78653661) (change applied for 06/18/05, final denial 05/22/06):
A full line of electronic and mechanical accessories for portable and handheld digital electronic devices for recording, organizing, transmitting, manipulating, and reviewing text, data, audio and video files; electronic docking stations; stands specially designed for holding portable and handheld digital electronic devices; battery chargers; battery packs; electrical connectors, wires, cables, and adaptors; wired and wireless remote controls for portable and handheld digital electronic devices; headphones and earphones; stereo amplifier and speaker base stations; automobile stereo adapters; audio recorders; radio receivers; radio transmitters; image scanners; video viewers, namely video monitors for portable and handheld digital electronic devices; and, electronic memory card readers; a full line of computer software for portable and handheld digital electronic devices for recording, organizing, transmitting, manipulating, and reviewing text, data, audio, image, and video files; computer application software for recording and organizing calendars and schedules, to-do lists, and contact information; computer game software; and, computer software for clock and alarm clock functionality; carrying cases, sacks, and bags, all for use with portable and handheld digital electronic devices for recording, organizing, transmitting, manipulating, and reviewing text, data, audio, image, and video files.
Currently, Apple's existing iPod trademark (http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=78089144) is much more restrictive.
Portable and handheld digital electronic devices for recording, organizing, transmitting, manipulating, and reviewing text, data, and audio files; computer software for use in organizing, transmitting, manipulating, and reviewing text, data, and audio files on portable and handheld digital electronic devices
In addition, Apple has an open trademark application for "pod" (http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=78459101):
portable and handheld digital electronic devices for recording, organizing, transmitting, manipulating, and reviewing audio files, and peripherals for use therewith; computer software for use in organizing, transmitting, manipulating, and reviewing audio files on portable and handheld digital electronic devices
Currently, the "pod" trademark appears to be encountering some resistance, as a request for an extension of time to file an opposition to the trademark has been filed with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. It was not immediately clear who is asking for the extension.
Of additional possible relevance, it appears a few enterprising individuals have already attempted to trademark the term "podcast". In both cases found by MacRumors, non-final action has been mailed by the U.S. trademark office, which either indicates a initial refusal or a request for additional information. Currently, no corporation or individual appears to hold a trademark (in the U.S.) to the term "podcast."
A recent apparent cease-and-desist letter (http://blog.wired.com/music/index.blog?entry_id=1561308) sent to Podcast Ready (makers of a software product called myPodder) by Apple has lit a firestorm in the blogosphere and online community. According to Eliot Van Buskirk at Wired.com, the cease-and-desist letter claimed that both the company's name and software infringed on Apple's trademarks.
While Apple's attempts at safeguarding its trademarks is nothing new, the move is striking fears that Apple is trying to take over the term "podcast". ZDNet's Russel Shaw posts a good summary of recent trademark attempts (http://blogs.zdnet.com/ip-telephony/?p=1252) by Apple to register such terms as iPodcast.
Indeed, MacRumors' own research has found evidence that Apple has attempted to further the reach of its existing trademarks. The following describes a change Apple proposed to its existing iPod trademark (http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=78653661) (change applied for 06/18/05, final denial 05/22/06):
A full line of electronic and mechanical accessories for portable and handheld digital electronic devices for recording, organizing, transmitting, manipulating, and reviewing text, data, audio and video files; electronic docking stations; stands specially designed for holding portable and handheld digital electronic devices; battery chargers; battery packs; electrical connectors, wires, cables, and adaptors; wired and wireless remote controls for portable and handheld digital electronic devices; headphones and earphones; stereo amplifier and speaker base stations; automobile stereo adapters; audio recorders; radio receivers; radio transmitters; image scanners; video viewers, namely video monitors for portable and handheld digital electronic devices; and, electronic memory card readers; a full line of computer software for portable and handheld digital electronic devices for recording, organizing, transmitting, manipulating, and reviewing text, data, audio, image, and video files; computer application software for recording and organizing calendars and schedules, to-do lists, and contact information; computer game software; and, computer software for clock and alarm clock functionality; carrying cases, sacks, and bags, all for use with portable and handheld digital electronic devices for recording, organizing, transmitting, manipulating, and reviewing text, data, audio, image, and video files.
Currently, Apple's existing iPod trademark (http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=78089144) is much more restrictive.
Portable and handheld digital electronic devices for recording, organizing, transmitting, manipulating, and reviewing text, data, and audio files; computer software for use in organizing, transmitting, manipulating, and reviewing text, data, and audio files on portable and handheld digital electronic devices
In addition, Apple has an open trademark application for "pod" (http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=78459101):
portable and handheld digital electronic devices for recording, organizing, transmitting, manipulating, and reviewing audio files, and peripherals for use therewith; computer software for use in organizing, transmitting, manipulating, and reviewing audio files on portable and handheld digital electronic devices
Currently, the "pod" trademark appears to be encountering some resistance, as a request for an extension of time to file an opposition to the trademark has been filed with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. It was not immediately clear who is asking for the extension.
Of additional possible relevance, it appears a few enterprising individuals have already attempted to trademark the term "podcast". In both cases found by MacRumors, non-final action has been mailed by the U.S. trademark office, which either indicates a initial refusal or a request for additional information. Currently, no corporation or individual appears to hold a trademark (in the U.S.) to the term "podcast."
guzhogi
Jun 18, 03:39 PM
I wonder what the IO performance of the reader is and what a 64GB drive might manage.
Something I'd like to see is a rackmount SDXC RAID array. Think how many sd slots would fit in a 1U array. I know, probably won't happen, but still interesting to see.
Something I'd like to see is a rackmount SDXC RAID array. Think how many sd slots would fit in a 1U array. I know, probably won't happen, but still interesting to see.
more...
jessica.
Oct 27, 02:38 PM
Why spend the money if there is no market?
MattSepeta
Mar 29, 11:37 AM
oh man.. why does this thread have 3 pages???
Easy answer in a paragraph: EF lenses are designed with a full-frame camera in mind. EF-S lenses are designed with a Crop (1.6x) camera in mind.
Differences between them? Very little. Example: I used my 11-16 EF-S on my 5DII until I got a EF UWA. Drawback? I could only use the 16mm of it if I wanted to avoid a wild vignette, because the EF-S lens was designed for a CROP camera, one that would crop the outer edges of the image, thus eliminating the vignette.
If you put a hypothetical 50mm EF-S and a 50mm EF on any given camera, assuming the mounts worked, the image would be exactly the same.
however, if you put a 50mm EF (which work on both FF and crop cameras) on a FF vs a crop camera, the images will be different. On the FF you will have a true 50mm FOv, whereas on the crop camera (1.6x) you will have essentially an 80mm FOV, because the crop camera crops the image to result at 1.6x the size of a FF cameras FOV.
something like that.
So: The lenses are not any different really.
Easy answer in a paragraph: EF lenses are designed with a full-frame camera in mind. EF-S lenses are designed with a Crop (1.6x) camera in mind.
Differences between them? Very little. Example: I used my 11-16 EF-S on my 5DII until I got a EF UWA. Drawback? I could only use the 16mm of it if I wanted to avoid a wild vignette, because the EF-S lens was designed for a CROP camera, one that would crop the outer edges of the image, thus eliminating the vignette.
If you put a hypothetical 50mm EF-S and a 50mm EF on any given camera, assuming the mounts worked, the image would be exactly the same.
however, if you put a 50mm EF (which work on both FF and crop cameras) on a FF vs a crop camera, the images will be different. On the FF you will have a true 50mm FOv, whereas on the crop camera (1.6x) you will have essentially an 80mm FOV, because the crop camera crops the image to result at 1.6x the size of a FF cameras FOV.
something like that.
So: The lenses are not any different really.
more...
DanielK
Oct 16, 04:37 PM
Hmm... I've held off on buying both a new phone and a new iPod for a while now, assuming that I'd want whatever phone Apple eventually comes out with, but the mention of battery life issues concerns me. If the battery goes dead on my iPod, no big deal, I don't listen to music until I charge it again. But if the battery goes dead on my phone, I could miss an important call. And if I have to monitor how much music I listen to to ensure that I can still receive calls, that might be a problem. Ideally, they could address this concern by having some software that told you well in advance that if you stop listening to music now, you still have so much time left on your phone.
bmustaf
Apr 5, 10:27 AM
I'm a *total* Apple fan. I love everything from my MBP, iPhones, iPads....but the Xoom is a *damn* good device. I mean, seriously good.
It's not ready for the masses yet, but if you know even the slightest about tech (in its use, not in more technical aspects), it *really* is a superior device at the moment.
There are a few software quirks, but a sw upgrade or two and those are gone. Besides, the list of "quirks" in iOS/iPhone OS is still large :).
I own all of them and by business develops & deploys our services for the iOS platform, but the Xoom was given to me to convince me to port at least a UI of our backend service to the Android by a partner - and I'm *VERY* impressed by where the Android 3 platform and the Xoom is going. Enough to consider putting dev resources towards building an Android port.
Apple better watch out, they're flying high and iPad 2 is good, but Consumer Reports is right, the Xoom is good, and it won't take much more to make a good competitor. iPad 3 and iOS 5 better be a *huge* leap forward (and shed some of this Jobsian hubris he has from his ego, I love the guy and what he's accomplished, but his ego gets in the way sometimes, and I see it becoming more and more troublesome for AAPL).
Motorola Xoom?
It's not ready for the masses yet, but if you know even the slightest about tech (in its use, not in more technical aspects), it *really* is a superior device at the moment.
There are a few software quirks, but a sw upgrade or two and those are gone. Besides, the list of "quirks" in iOS/iPhone OS is still large :).
I own all of them and by business develops & deploys our services for the iOS platform, but the Xoom was given to me to convince me to port at least a UI of our backend service to the Android by a partner - and I'm *VERY* impressed by where the Android 3 platform and the Xoom is going. Enough to consider putting dev resources towards building an Android port.
Apple better watch out, they're flying high and iPad 2 is good, but Consumer Reports is right, the Xoom is good, and it won't take much more to make a good competitor. iPad 3 and iOS 5 better be a *huge* leap forward (and shed some of this Jobsian hubris he has from his ego, I love the guy and what he's accomplished, but his ego gets in the way sometimes, and I see it becoming more and more troublesome for AAPL).
Motorola Xoom?
more...
tvguru
Sep 25, 10:44 AM
Update price: For existing customers the update is free.
NICE :D :cool:
NICE :D :cool:
Cougarcat
Apr 27, 09:15 AM
Yeah, lack of incremental updates for the Mac App Store in particular is a bit of a problem.
Software Update is still in Lion. Even though you download it from the app store, incremental updates are handled as normal.
Software Update is still in Lion. Even though you download it from the app store, incremental updates are handled as normal.
more...
Eye4Desyn
Apr 1, 11:37 AM
I was so angry last night to find out there was no longer any Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, or NatGeo :mad:
Quite frankly, I just don't see the difference between what is being offered in my home from the box or from my iPad other than screen size. If the big networks feel as though by pulling their channels from this app is another way for them to figure out how to create revenue, than that sucks. Seems as though they may see some sort of HuluPlus opportunity here. As it was, there were already ads/commercials in the TWC iPad app to begin because it's live TV programming streamed to the iPad.
Quite frankly, I just don't see the difference between what is being offered in my home from the box or from my iPad other than screen size. If the big networks feel as though by pulling their channels from this app is another way for them to figure out how to create revenue, than that sucks. Seems as though they may see some sort of HuluPlus opportunity here. As it was, there were already ads/commercials in the TWC iPad app to begin because it's live TV programming streamed to the iPad.
Blue Velvet
Sep 13, 09:17 AM
Well, surgeons make me feel comfortable - or at least, it's easy to open up to them.
I know -- just a few minutes with them and they'll have you in stitches.
I know -- just a few minutes with them and they'll have you in stitches.
more...
AppliedVisual
Oct 10, 05:40 PM
I think the Mini and Macbook will go C2D at the same time and this will be at the same time or just shortly after the Macbook Pro. With MBP line, I would expect the slowest CPU offering to be the 2.16GHz with an option of a 2.33GHz upgrade and the 2.33 will probably be standard on the 17". The Mini and Macbook will probably get the 1.6GHz and 1.83GHz C2D chips with an option to upgrade to the 2GHz C2D. At the 2GHz mark, it's still Core 2, but has half the cache and still a notch slower than MBP offerings. MBP may also have a 2GHz offering, but it will be the 4MB L2 cache chip.
pianojoe
Jul 6, 02:30 AM
This brings up an interesting question for me:
Since the Mac mounts Windows FW drives no prob, couln't you just move the PC's HD to a FW enclosure, and connect it to the iMac?
Just guessing...
Since the Mac mounts Windows FW drives no prob, couln't you just move the PC's HD to a FW enclosure, and connect it to the iMac?
Just guessing...
more...
AxisOfBeagles
Mar 2, 10:15 AM
The purpose of the Challenge is to provide a venue where photographers of all skill levels can work to improve their craft by shooting along a common topic for two weeks - one fortnight. Helpful comments and critiques are key to reaching the intended goal - better photography.
About Your Photos
Shoot for the topics listed on the schedule. You may shoot for upcoming topics, but post photos only to their matching Challenges.
You may post as many photos as you wish for any one Challenge.
About Your Comments
Comments are critical to the success of the Challenge. If you post a photo, add a comment to another one. If you are only viewing, please add your comments, too.
Comments should be meaningful, something that the photographer can use to improve his/her work. Explain why you like or dislike a photo. Spend a moment looking at a photo before commenting on it. Try to answer the question "I like this photo because�" It really helps the photographer.
The Topic Schedule is:
Contrasts March 2 - 15
Upcoming Topics:
Beauty in Unexpected Places (March 16 - 29)
About Your Photos
Shoot for the topics listed on the schedule. You may shoot for upcoming topics, but post photos only to their matching Challenges.
You may post as many photos as you wish for any one Challenge.
About Your Comments
Comments are critical to the success of the Challenge. If you post a photo, add a comment to another one. If you are only viewing, please add your comments, too.
Comments should be meaningful, something that the photographer can use to improve his/her work. Explain why you like or dislike a photo. Spend a moment looking at a photo before commenting on it. Try to answer the question "I like this photo because�" It really helps the photographer.
The Topic Schedule is:
Contrasts March 2 - 15
Upcoming Topics:
Beauty in Unexpected Places (March 16 - 29)
ijimk
Oct 10, 03:04 PM
do you think these updated macbooks will have a true video card and not an intergrated one? :confused:
more...
derrickearl
Mar 23, 01:33 PM
This would support why Apple TV never made it in the top navigation bar on Apple.com like the other iOS devices. They'll also license AirPlay video for all receiver manufactures. Then DVD player will disappear and manufactures will sell a box like APple TV that also serves up solutions from other software companies. Changing the source will be like changing the channel - see what Apple has on, see what Google has on, see what Netflix is playing, see what's on Red Box and so on. Thoughts?
iGary
Sep 9, 09:17 AM
I've driven through Valle Crucis (http://www.vallecrucis.com/) a couple times, but never stayed. It's a gorgeous, isolated N.C. mountain town. May be farther than you're willing to drive, though--I'd guess about 8 hours from Maryland.
Tha looks tempting, WM.
I'm also thinking of packing up my dusty collection of new, but long-unused fly rods and heading to Pennsylvania for some trout.
Tha looks tempting, WM.
I'm also thinking of packing up my dusty collection of new, but long-unused fly rods and heading to Pennsylvania for some trout.
netdog
Oct 27, 01:45 AM
First of all, it isn't $99 unless you insist on paying full price.
Secondly, it is worth every cent. So much more than email, and fantastic for those who own more than one Mac.
Secondly, it is worth every cent. So much more than email, and fantastic for those who own more than one Mac.
thepogues
Apr 28, 04:24 PM
I will be buying an 11 this summer. I am assuming the SB i5 ULV is a given and the 3000 graphics will be more than enough for me so...
1) 128gb ssd standard (unlikely because ssd prices probably haven't fallen enough...yet)
2) 4gb ram standard
3) more battery life (maybe just to 6 hours, but hey its an improvement)
4) Backlit keyboard (for aesthetics more than functionality)
5) Thunderbolt (last because I don't really do much file transfer in the first place)
oh and include the 11 in the back to school free ipod touch deal.
1) 128gb ssd standard (unlikely because ssd prices probably haven't fallen enough...yet)
2) 4gb ram standard
3) more battery life (maybe just to 6 hours, but hey its an improvement)
4) Backlit keyboard (for aesthetics more than functionality)
5) Thunderbolt (last because I don't really do much file transfer in the first place)
oh and include the 11 in the back to school free ipod touch deal.
speedfreak007
Feb 18, 10:32 AM
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPod; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; nl-nl) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C148 Safari/6533.18.5)
Get better for the sake of mankind, mr jobs!
Get better for the sake of mankind, mr jobs!
deanooh
Jan 9, 10:37 AM
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/532.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0.5 Mobile/8B117 Safari/6531.22.7)
Not a good move. I travel around the us and for rural (Ennis, TX 2G or none) or too many users , not enough bandwidth areas (south beach, Miami ) this would be a disaster. I'll stick with my navigon. Not to mention overseas when you shut off your DATA access to not get billed $1000 for data usage. MTS
Not a good move. I travel around the us and for rural (Ennis, TX 2G or none) or too many users , not enough bandwidth areas (south beach, Miami ) this would be a disaster. I'll stick with my navigon. Not to mention overseas when you shut off your DATA access to not get billed $1000 for data usage. MTS
Enigma55
Mar 20, 02:52 PM
I'm not sure if many of us have grasped just how significant this product really is, and equally how important it is that it succeeds.
Yes, this is obviously the case for Apple. I would contend that they're betting a huge proportion of their reputation, and therefore Apple's future success, on the iPad's success.
But it's equally important for the rest of us. For decades MS has had a virtual monopoly in large areas of education sector. This hasn't been good for education and it surely hasn't been good for students.
Apple need to get it right. And pricing is a part of that. The deal is a part of that. But it will be the nature of the whole package that makes or breaks iPad. And in the case of education, it's the deals Apple signs with text book publishers that will make all the difference.
We buy iPods because the interface is great and buying music through iTunes is easy. [Yes, I know it's not the only way to get music on an iPod].
We buy iPhones because the interface is great and buying apps through the App Store is easy [Yes, I know you can jailbreak an iPhone], and getting on the net is easy.
We will buy iPads because the interface is great and buying books through iBookstore will be as easy as music and apps.
When Steve Jobs said "We're standing on the shoulders of Amazon�s Kindle..." he wasn't kidding.
In as many ways as the Kindle is revolutionary [the screen, the process of buying books etc], it is also equally crippled and retarded. The absence of colour makes it useless for text books. Books were printed with colour plates over 100 years ago. Imagine trying to study the use of colours in a artist's work, or studying anatomy... in B&W!
No, Apple have to drown the Kindle before Amazon perfect colour. It's a race in which Apple already have a head start, and a serious competitive edge, in the form of their OS and entire business model, which is much more diverse and competent and than Amazon's.
But we shouldn't ignore the other options:
15 years after Amazon revolutionized the way we buy books [and arguably saved reading books as an idea], in 2009 Barnes & Noble finally started to catch on and announced it is to Launch a Kindle Competitor... in Color! And Fujitsu is set to release its Flepia color e-book reader in Japan with a $1,000 price tag.
Whilst these are not competitors for the iPad in the real sense, they are indicators of how their market could be dinted, and where the technology might be going.
Apple's are not the only fruit, but the iPad is looking increasingly like the most credible education companion. We need to get beyond the package pricing and examine the real benefits of a ubiquitous Apple device in the education sector.
I agree. You people just don't get it. What is good for Apple is good for America. We need to support them and help Apple change the world through this magical product. Buy it!
Yes, this is obviously the case for Apple. I would contend that they're betting a huge proportion of their reputation, and therefore Apple's future success, on the iPad's success.
But it's equally important for the rest of us. For decades MS has had a virtual monopoly in large areas of education sector. This hasn't been good for education and it surely hasn't been good for students.
Apple need to get it right. And pricing is a part of that. The deal is a part of that. But it will be the nature of the whole package that makes or breaks iPad. And in the case of education, it's the deals Apple signs with text book publishers that will make all the difference.
We buy iPods because the interface is great and buying music through iTunes is easy. [Yes, I know it's not the only way to get music on an iPod].
We buy iPhones because the interface is great and buying apps through the App Store is easy [Yes, I know you can jailbreak an iPhone], and getting on the net is easy.
We will buy iPads because the interface is great and buying books through iBookstore will be as easy as music and apps.
When Steve Jobs said "We're standing on the shoulders of Amazon�s Kindle..." he wasn't kidding.
In as many ways as the Kindle is revolutionary [the screen, the process of buying books etc], it is also equally crippled and retarded. The absence of colour makes it useless for text books. Books were printed with colour plates over 100 years ago. Imagine trying to study the use of colours in a artist's work, or studying anatomy... in B&W!
No, Apple have to drown the Kindle before Amazon perfect colour. It's a race in which Apple already have a head start, and a serious competitive edge, in the form of their OS and entire business model, which is much more diverse and competent and than Amazon's.
But we shouldn't ignore the other options:
15 years after Amazon revolutionized the way we buy books [and arguably saved reading books as an idea], in 2009 Barnes & Noble finally started to catch on and announced it is to Launch a Kindle Competitor... in Color! And Fujitsu is set to release its Flepia color e-book reader in Japan with a $1,000 price tag.
Whilst these are not competitors for the iPad in the real sense, they are indicators of how their market could be dinted, and where the technology might be going.
Apple's are not the only fruit, but the iPad is looking increasingly like the most credible education companion. We need to get beyond the package pricing and examine the real benefits of a ubiquitous Apple device in the education sector.
I agree. You people just don't get it. What is good for Apple is good for America. We need to support them and help Apple change the world through this magical product. Buy it!
asphalt-proof
Oct 18, 08:09 AM
This was the funniest thing I've read all week.
I've been in insurance training, and in addition to financial people, there's been some, uh, "Desparate Housewives" getting their insurance licenses, and I'm picturing them passing around a poor phone and a bedazzler during class now. :eek:
I've been in insurance training, and in addition to financial people, there's been some, uh, "Desparate Housewives" getting their insurance licenses, and I'm picturing them passing around a poor phone and a bedazzler during class now. :eek:
