Verizon is selling the iPad starting October 28th. There is nothing new about the iPad itself, it’s really just a bundle of the iPad with a Verizon MiFi device but the pricing is attractive all the same. PCMag has the details at http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2370745,00.asp
Category: News
In other words, we have nothing
When asked how Microsoft plans to the extended battery life and instant on capabilities of the iPad Ballmer had this to say
“I think probably the things of tomorrow are best left for tomorrow and the things of today are best discussed today,” he said. “So today, I will focus on Windows Phone.”
Or in other words, “we have nothing.”
iPhone drops to 23.8% smartphone market share, Android jumps to 17%
iPhone drops to 23.8% smartphone market share, Android jumps to 17%: “New data shows Apple, RIM, and Microsoft continue to lose ground to Google in the U.S. smartphone market.
(Via AppleInsider.)
Interview with “The Man Who Makes Your iPhone”
Interesting interview with the guy who runs Foxconn, manufacturer of least one part in what ever eletronic device you have in your home. http://www.businessweek.com/print/magazine/content/10_38/b4195058423479.htm
Office 2011 for Mac has been released to market as well
Office 2011 is on track for its late October release as the MacBU is reporting they have signed off on final testing.
UPDATE: If Amazon is to be believed then Office 2011 is set to be released on October 26th – Amazon leaks Oct. 26 launch of Mac Office 2011
The Apple TV
I’ve been reading reactions to Apple’s latest major event and so far this piece on techcrunch has been the best I’ve seen yet. It hits all the points.
Today Apple will demonstrate why they don’t need flash for video
Apple announced yesterday that they will be streaming their September 1 event live. The catch? It’ll only work in Safari on Mac and on iOS devices. So in other words, only about 9/10’s of the internet will be able to view the live stream.
But that 9/10’s of the internet will be able to enjoy the exact same video stream no matter what device they are on, be it laptop or the tiny iPod touch. No need for a desktop optimized version and no need for a mobile optimized version. The same stream will play on any sized device.
Make no mistake, this is a giant stab at anyone who is arguing that flash is needed on Apple’s devices. If you need any further information about the state flash on Android you need only watch the video here and then read the comments. People love to rail on Apple while completely missing the point that having flash at all doesn’t mean flash works and a half-assed flash experience is not what Apple is willing to allow on their devices. Reading through the comments you’ll find a few people who argue that “at least it is there” and that “it doesn’t matter that flash sucks today because there are better phones coming out tomorrow.” That makes no sense.
More evidence of a forward facing camera for 4th gen iPod touch
AppleInsider has photos of what is believed to be the screen for the upcoming iPod touch. Photos show an opening for a front facing camera which too isn’t much of a surprise with the recent release of FaceTime. THe idea here is anyone with a WiFi connection, email address and compatible iPod/iPhone would be able to place calls to each other. It’s really nothing overly revolutionary except that unlike before where you’d need a full computer to do effective video chatting you can now use a much more portable device.
ASUS will be shipping fewer netbooks because of Apple’s iPad
AppleInsider is reporting that ASUS will be shipping fewer netbooks in the third quarter of 2010 because of strong competition from Apple’s iPad. Anyone who has been reading this blog or following me on Twitter knows what I think of netbooks so this is hardly a surprise to me.
More evidence towards new iPhone and iPad models
It’s being reported in a number of places, including Engadget, that some code has been found in the most recent firmware allowing a development phone to bypass the activation routine in iTunes. Some are thinking this is in reference to the rumored CDMA (Verizon) iPhone. Evidence is also there to support that a new type or updated version of the iPad is also in the works, though that should hardly be surprising.