iPhone Haptic Feedback Patent

When people choose to buy an all-touch handset, they have forfeited the idea of feeling physical keys under their fingertips. So I guess it makes sense that Apple wants to bring back the “feeling” of keys to iPhone, and most likely iPod Touch, users but is it a priority?

Apple would slap a bunch of actuators across the iPhone’s screen. Then, as you slide your finger around the screen, you’d be able to “feel” the different area of the screen. The top half is more bumpy, while the bottom half smooth as silk.

Other than an interesting technological curiosity, I don’t see this improvement as practical. Practical would be enabling the iPhone to multitask now that the handset can finally capture video and has a better camera that can auto-focus. There were also a karaoke app and fingerprint identification patent mentions, so maybe Apple just files these patents as if to say, “We were here first!” Instead of making them any kind of a priority, or at least, we can hope.

Source: MobileCrunch.com

           

Waiting for September

September is already looking like a hot time in the gadget biz, with several major releases tipped to be happening in or around the beginning of autumn. This makes a lot of sense since most products hoping to make a splash in holiday shopping will want to be on shelves by October, which means a September release is very important. September is also the hot time for back to school/college buying, which always is a big time for notebooks, netbooks and MP3 players.

So, what’s on the agenda for the fall of 2009?

• The new Zune, the Zune HD, has been reliably rumored all over the place to be set for release on September 8th. The device, featuring a OLED multi-touchscreen, HD Radio and a Tegra chip for superior video quality, has a good chance to be a major hit with students looking for an all-in-one media machine for those long nights in the dorm room. If the price is right, this could be the first really big seller in Microsoft’s Zune line and solidify their Number 2 position behind the iPod in the MP3 market.
• The Second generation iPod Touch was released last September, so the rumors that the third generation will be released THIS September sound reasonable. On top of the history, I think that Apple will need to respond in some way to the Zune HD as well as to Touch users complaining they didn’t get any of the 3GS goodness. What new features will we see? No clue yet, beyond general speed and performance improvements in line with the iPhone 3GS specs. However, I would not be surprised if Apple didn’t go after the one glaring gap in the Zune HD feature set and added full Bluetooth A2DP to the iPod Touch allowing VoIP as well as wireless syncing, maybe skipping the wired earbuds in favor of a wireless Apple Bluetooth set..or perhaps activate FM transmitting. Whatever way they go, I am sure the leaks will begin mid summer.
  (Note: Eric noted to me below, quite accurately, that OS 3.0 DID activate the broadcom BT chip in the iPod Touch, but it is only for stereo, no two way with Bluetooth headsets)
• The Apple “netbook” rumors are still swirling this time saying that Apple will be releasing a “large form” iPod Touch in the early fall, featuring a 7 to 9 inch touchscreen. We do know that Apple has been buying up touchscreens in that size range all over Asia, and the fall would be the right time to roll out such a product. Of course, this is still relatively wild speculation, but I could easily see Cupertino turning out a premium PMP/Internet device, heavily integrated with the iPhone and MacBook Air to steal some Zune HD thunder (Steve, you bully). They would be going for college students and the same high end market that Sony touches with the Vaio P “Not a Netbook”. Such a product would be just the sort of thing Steve Jobs would love to use as a solid “I’m BBBAACKKKKKK” kind of statement.
• Phone wise, I am pretty sure the much hyped BlackBerry Storm 2 will be appearing in September, along with a whole slew of new Android phones. I would also not be surprised to see the next Palm WebOS device appear in the fall, and a number of the talked-about Snapdragon based “Smartbooks” from Samsung and other vendors.

Whichever way these rumors go, I am already saving up my gadget money for September. I have a feeling this is going to be a VERY interesting autumn for tech buyers.

           

To Hackintosh or not to Hackintosh

In a bold move, Dan Frakes over at MacWorld has decided to see what all the fuss is about, and bought himself a Netbook (A Dell Vostro A90 to be exact, one of the most hackinsoshable of the current Netbook crop) in order to see what running Mac OS X on a device that small would be like. For Frakes, it was clearly and somewhat predictably a mixed bag.

Regarding software he had this to say…

I’m able to use most of my favorite Mac programs on the HackBook, although some apps, such as GarageBand, won’t launch because the laptop’s screen is too small (not that you’d ever want to run GarageBand on the A90). I didn’t test Microsoft Office; in fact, I didn’t even install it, knowing how much memory Office apps use. Apple’s iWork, on the other hand, works just fine. In other words, when I use the HackBook as a netbook—for Web browsing, e-mail, word processing, and other basic tasks—it works well. I’ve been especially impressed by the performance of Safari 4.

He was less pleased with the hardware side of things however, and came to the following conclusion, along with some insights into Apple’s strategy…

On the other hand, a tiny laptop like this isn’t for everyone. In fact, for many people, a netbook—even one running Mac OS X—is an exercise in frustration. It’s just not what most people expect from a "laptop." (This is why I don’t see Apple ever making a netbook in the current sense of the word. Indeed, Apple continues to denigrate the idea of a small, low-cost Mac laptop, specifically citing small screens, cramped keyboards, and poor performance. We’re more likely to see a device closer to an oversized iPod touch.)

I have run Mac OS X on my Gigabyte M912M with some success (though now I restrict it to Vista and XP Dual boot) and I am actively considering buying a second Netbook, maybe an HP 2140, just for hackintoshing. However, it would be as much a mistake for someone to expect a hackinstoshed Netbook to give them the full Apple experience as it would be for them to expect a Netbook running XP to give them the full Windows experience.

Netbooks do what they do extremely well, as Frakes said, light office work, email, net browsing, chatting. If you prefer that sort of machine to run OS X, then have at it, but don’t expect it to become a miniature MacBook…it won’t. You shouldn’t expect at Netbook to replace your main PC full time, no matter what OS you are running on it. Choose the right tool for the task.

Read all of Frakes’ interesting views on the subject HERE

           

Sprint Shoots At 1st-gen iPhone Users

Sprint recently put out the following ad.

They claim that you can save a lot of money and get better service if you choose them and the Pre instead of AT&T and the iPhone.  This seems to be targeted at people using the original iPhone, because if you think about it, around this time two years ago the original iPhone appeared.

So Sprint is here claiming that the Pre is better than the original iPhone.  It’s a good campaign, but I wonder if it will work.  Many things the original iPhone was missing are now here in the new iPhone 3GS.  It got MMS, video shooting, tethering, among other things.  The claim about the iPhone not multitasking is pretty much true though.  The closest it comes is saving where you are when you close an app.

The iPhone does have a lot of upsides to it, though.  One thing is the app store.  Apple’s app store has over 50 thousand apps in it’s catalog while Palm’s only has about 10 or so.  The iPhone also has voice dialing and a compass app (which I had a blast with).

All the Pre seems to have over the iPhone is a physical keyboard.  But I have also never played with the Pre so I don’t know too much there.

The iPhone seems to have a lot that’s better than the Pre.  That money claim, however, seems like a good fight.  I did a little math here and came up with the following conclusions for a 900 minute plan:

• iPhone – 900min, unlimited text, Data = around $2839
• Palm Pre – Sprint Simply Everything plan with 900min = $2359

Though the solutions aren’t exact, you’ll probably save a couple of hundred dollars when buying the Pre.

Sprint seems to have a decent campaign going.  I wonder how AT&T will respond.

 

via CNET

           

Apple and Verizon Sitting in a Tree?

K I S S I N G? Maybe says the USA Today. Wasn’t Verizon very critical of Apple earlier? In fact, wasn’t there a rumor with wings that said that Verizon rejected Apple initially? Oh well.  I don’t use Verizon, but I do think it would be great for Apple to get into the CDMA users hands too.

Verizon and Apple are discussing the possible development of an iPhone for Verizon, with the goal of introducing it next year, people familiar with the situation say.

It would mark the first time Apple has produced a version of the iPhone for a CDMA wireless network, which is different from AT&T’s GSM technology. Vodafone, co-owner of Verizon Wireless, already sells the iPhone in Europe.

The New York-based telecom entered into “high-level” discussions with Apple management a few months ago, when CEO Steve Jobs was overseeing day-to-day business, these sources say. They declined to be named because they aren’t authorized to speak publicly.

What do you think? I think ultimately, it would be great for consumers and Apple to allow all the carriers to have an iPhone version once their exclusive with AT&T is up.

Source: USA Today (via)

           

AppStore: 1 Billion Downloads in 9 Months

Following the previous post with the 1 million figure, here’s something with 1 billion!

Few days ago the 1 billionth download from the Apple App Store was done, which means this number was achieved in just nine months.

The total number of applications is 35,000 at the moment (and bare in mind that there are other apps outside the app store), which is definitely an amazing number.

(I tried to see how many of those icons actually exist on my iPhone and found quite a few…)
 

What about Windows Mobile?

The OS which exists for more than 9 years and had the title of having the largest number of applications has, according to a report that was published few months ago, around 20,000 applications.

If those numbers are true, than the iPhone knocked off nine years of Windows Mobile applications in just nine months. How symbolic.

On the other hand, since there’s no centralized store for Windows Mobile, it may be that there are far more applications and mainly freewares which probably were not counted in the report.

           

We don’t make that kind of S…

That’s my translations of the words of this Apple Spokesman: 

When I’m looking at what’s sold in the Netbook market, I see cramped keyboards, junky hardware, very small screens, bad software. Not a consumer experience that we would put the Mac brand on. As it exists today, we’re not interested in it nor would it be something customers would be interested in the long term. We are looking at the space. For those who want a small computer that does browsing/email, they might want an iPhone or iPod Touch. If we find a way to deliver an innovative product that really makes a contribution, we’ll do that

Basically they are repeating what they said about two years ago when they were asked about UMPC. Apple’s Price formula is very simple: Cost + 200% (Minimum) = Price, now take $500 + 200% = $1500. Would you pay 1500 dollars for a netbook? I won’t.

And sorry, the iPhone and iPod could be very good emergency tools for browsing the web but they do not even support flash so I find the comparison with the real navigation experience that you can get using a netbook… Stupid.

Via: GottaBeMobile.com

           

Skype is now available for your iPhone

I don’t have an iPhone but I do use Skype; it is an invaluable resource for me in my everyday Windows Mobile routine especially when I am in Maine where cell signals are often rare at the shore.  There has been a lot of discussion that it was coming but it is here.  Skype has released their iPhone client for download from the Apple App Store.

The ability to use VOIP calls on Wi-Fi (as well as Skype Chat) will give you that extra added flexibility with your device that is often needed.  If you want it then head over HERE.

           

New video “I’m a PC”

Microsoft has passed from innocent videos to more aggressive videos directly attacking Apple.

<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&amp;playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:0bb6a07c-c829-4562-8375-49e6693810c7&amp;showPlaylist=true&amp;from=shared" target="_new" title="Laptop Hunters $1000 – Lauren Gets an HP Pavilion">Video: Laptop Hunters $1000 – Lauren Gets an HP Pavilion</a>

A clear message to Apple, what can I say.

           

“Not cool enough for a Mac”

Looking at the newest commercial to come out of Redmond, following up on the recent kid based “rookie” ads, it appears that Microsoft may finally be finding the gaps in Apple’s armor.

The new ad features a cute, likable, easy-to-relate-to woman named Lauren hunting for a laptop that can do what she needs it to for under 1000 bucks. She looks for a Mac, but concedes that she just doesn’t think she is “cool” enough for a Mac, and doesn’t want to pay twice her budget for a 13 inch machine. She doesn’t dis the machine, just the price and “elite” nature of the marketing. She finally finds the machine for her in a sea of options at Best Buy, running Windows of course.

Perhaps MS is finally realizing that their three best points against Apple in this market are variety, price, and the impression that the “I’m a Mac” ads have created that Macs are for the self-assuredly young and hip only. I am not saying that is the truth, I am sure many of the Mac users reading this blog are old and lame just like the rest of us, but Apple has certainly worked hard to make Macs a lifestyle choice of the “hipper-than-thou” John Mayer generation and that is how many people perceive them. It looks to me that this ad could be a winner for Microsoft, especially in the current economy. The Apple Tax just may be a luxury most people can’t afford to pay right now.

           

iPod Shuffle or Sansa Clip?

Are you in the market for one of these small little players? Before you jump on the newly announced iPod Shuffle, look at it in comparison to the Sansa Clip…

PRICE

• 4GB Shuffle is selling for $79.99 (1,000 songs)
• 4GB Sansa Clip is only $49.99 – almost the half the price on buy.com and amazon.com (1,000 songs) – 8GB Sansa Clip is $20 more and twice the capacity than the 4GB Shuffle, coming in at $99!

FEATURES

• Shuffle – new voiceover feature for song, artist and metadata info – have to press a button to hear
• Sansa Clip – an OLED screen for artist, song and other metadata – always on, easy to see
• The Sansa Clip also has a FM Tuner and a voice recorder – two bonus features that the Shuffle doesn’t have.

BATTERY LIFE

• Shuffle battery – 10 hours (per the press release)
• Sansa Clip battery - 15 hours or more per tests (50% more)

WEIGHT

• Shuffle – less than a ½ ounce: .38 oz
• Sansa Clip – less than 1 ounce: .92 oz

Verdict… Toss up… Ok, not much help there, but I can’t give you a winner. They are too close in comparison and I haven’t had a hands on with the Shuffle either.

           

Windows 7 Taskbar vs Mac OS X’s Dock

I’m not a Mac user so I can’t give a fair opinion on this one but apparently Gizmodo Australia can ad they say that the task bar from Windows 7 is a lot better than MacOS’s Dock.

The challenge of learning a totally new Windows behaviour is the cost of getting this huge step forward in UI. The superbar makes Windows way more conducive to running tons of applications, since it’s actually possible to find apps and precisely the window you want in a second, no matter how bad the shitstorm on your desktop is. In this sense, it’s a better application manager than the Dock, from which, generally speaking, you can’t do much more than jump to open applications or close them.

Giz Explains: Why the Windows 7 Taskbar Beats Mac OS X’s Dock - Gizmodo Australia

           

Apple Releases the 3rd Generation iPod Shuffle

Yep, Apple has released their 3rd Generation of the iPod Shuffle and they’ve done it in a very weird way… UNLEAKED? Or was this leaked previously and nobody cared to notice? Either way, it’s hard to image anything coming out from a major company to make it without some sort of leak these days.

 

Apple today introduced the all-new iPod shuffle. The world’s smallest music player, the 3rd-generation iPod shuffle is nearly half the size of the previous one. To control it, you use the new earphone cord. Best of all, it talks to you. Thanks to the new VoiceOver feature, iPod shuffle speaks your song titles, artists, and playlist names. Available today in silver or black, it holds up to 1,000 songs and costs just $79. 

Source: Apple

           

Lawsuits Pre-mature, PalmOS Pre-sumed Dead

Palm CEO Ed Colligan spoke to investors in Palm’s new Pre recently, and made several very illuminating comments.

First and I feel most importantly, he lowered the level of rhetoric with Apple over any patent suits connected to multitouch. He made clear that Palm has more then enough of it’s own patents (1500+) to be able to innovate without infringing on Apple and clearly inferred that Palm would rather not get into a long legal battle, always preferring compromise and settlement over patent infringement and litigation. This is a great change from the saber rattling between Apple and Palm as recently as last week. What’s changed? That is not clear..perhaps the lawyers on both sides decided that there are no good grounds for a suit, perhaps some settlement money or agreements have changed hands between the two companies. Perhaps both Apple and Palm realized they can benefit more from at least passive cooperation then they can from PR battering lawsuits. Time will tell.

Other interesting news from Corrigan included the following:

• He confirmed that there will be a Pre-focused App Store, as already announced, up and running at launch. More importantly, there will be ways to load third party applications on the Pre that don’t come from the App Store…in short, the phone will be effectively Jailbroken right out of the box. Good call Palm!
• International carriers for the Pre are already lined up, with Sprint exclusivity in the US apparently running out sometime in 2010.
• Despite Sprint’s well-documented problems, Palm went with them for the first release since they have 50 million subscribers and the largest concentration of PalmOS Smartphone users
• Important Palm based applications will have Pre versions ready at launch, including the medical favorite Epocrates.

And lastly and most bittersweet, the much beloved and previously believed to be immortal PalmOS is dead. Colligan drove a stake through it when he announced Palm will not be releasing any more devices for it. Instead they will release consumer products with WebOS and business devices with Windows Mobile. PalmOS was what first turned me onto handheld devices and I will certainly miss knowing it is around. I am now sorely tempted to go out and buy a Palm Tungsten E2 or T|X while I still can…just for old times sake.

I wonder if my Tungsten C will still charge?

Oh, by the way, sorry about the title, but you will have to get used to it. Pre-posterous titles are this years iPuns.

(Source – PreCentral)

           

Cube Cheater iPhone app solves Rubik’s Cube.

From Gizmodo…

Um, I am way too dumb to understand HOW this is happening, but apparently it is for real. Just watch the YouTube clip, it says it all.

If you were someone like me (who could only ever get one side of the cube completed)  then this app is for you!

REVENGE….. IS MINE!!!!!