Posted on Saturday, July 31st, 2010 at 4:51 pm
It's not perfect. I absolutely love Apple products, and I buy them because in my eyes, they're perfect for me. I was really looking forward to the iPhone 4, but the stupid antenna problem makes it not perfect. It's disappointing for a company like Apple to have overlooked something like this. To be honest, it kinda puts a dent in their reputation in my eyes.
I doubt Apple would fix this problem with their manufacturing process and offer replacements to the current iPhone 4 users. They might pull it off with the white iPhone 4, but I don't know if I'd like the color. I could really use the extended battery life of the iPhone 4, and the awesome camera, too.
It's cool that Apple is offering free cases to all iPhone 4 users, but I don't want to get one because I HAVE to! Oh well, I guess I'm gonna have to wait until the following generation iPhone 4S.
What's your reason? If you own one, why? Respond in the comments below.
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Posted In: General Stuff, Technology
Posted on Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 at 12:42 am
After getting a sneak peak of the iPad app store, I was disappointed to see more expensive versions of existing apps on the iPhone. I am a proud owner of "Flight Control," a piloting game that costs a buck for the iPhone/iPod Touch. The "HD" version apparently will cost $5! The game better bring some great additions on top of the real estate enhancements, or $5 is just crazy.
Other companies are and will be guilty of doing this. Just as the iPad offers greater screen size and performance, so should companies offer a greater experience, if they want to charge more. A bigger screen means you can do more at the same time, but if this "more" doesn't bring anything new to the table, a bigger price tag isn't justified.
We WILL notice a general increase in app prices because more apps will be fully featured, whereas a lot of existing apps are cut down due to limited screen space. I'm cool with paying more for apps that are worth my time, and more than just a simflified solution.
The iPad's 9.7 inch screen allows for more complex apps to be designed. Everything from multi-touch gestures to content discovery and interaction has to be adapted, which translates to new and unique experiences. Apple redesigned the iPhone native apps from scratch, with a completely different user experience in mind. Check out the Guided Tours to see what I'm talking about. Some 3rd party apps are already shaping up to provide awesome experiences.
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Posted In: Technology
Posted on Thursday, January 28th, 2010 at 11:37 am
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Apple device everyone's been waiting for has finally landed with pinpoint precision. We were all expecting a bang, but most of us found the new iPad a pleasant surprise. As I predicted, Apple devoted their energy towards creating an amazing user experience, rather than a hardware phenomenon.
User Experience
It's designed to be what it is. It doesn't try or promise to do anything it's not supposed to do. This is the sole reason of why Apple's products are so successful. Would you run Photoshop on a device that's not designed to handle it? No, because you won't have a good experience. This is what Apple keeps in mind at all times - thus, why people always find things lacking in Apple products.
It's not designed to be the next revolutionary piece of hardware that will pop a piece of toast out its speaker holes, but rather to give users the experience they can't get on an a smaller and less powerful version of the same device (iPhone/iPod Touch). If you watch the iPad video on Apple.com, you will see the level of interactivity this device achieves is not really possible on a smaller screen. More after the jump...
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Posted In: In the News, Technology
Posted on Friday, January 22nd, 2010 at 3:06 am
Apple's "Come see our latest creation" event (Jan 28, 2010) is less than a week away, and rumors and soaring higher than ever. As with any other major Apple announcement (read: iPhone), rumors soar to the point where you don't know what to believe any more. The revolutionary iSlate device is supposed to change the market, as the iPhone did. Given Apple's track record of successful products, this will be one them (especially in the multi-touch department).
iPhone on Steroids
Nobody REALLY knows what Apple's hiding up their sleeve, but it most likely has to do with eReaders, portable computing beyond the Mobile Phone level, and a completely new way of consuming media.
An article from the Business Insider reported that Apple has had talks with NYT, WSJ, Conde Nast, Harper Collins and so forth about content distribution. On top of readable media, Apple's also interested in mixing video into the picture, which may be great for those on the go, provided there will be fantastic battery life. And as you may figure, Apple's definitely dabbling on the gaming side as well, teaming up with EA to show off what it can do.
Now, this is starting to sound a bit familiar, right? Yes, the iPhone. Just like how the iPhone introduced a new wave of portable computing and data consumption, Apple is aiming to do the same with the iSlate. They already have an established App Store, a fantastic base of developers, and a loyal user base. There's no better time to try and pitch a new product to those looking for the next greatest thing.
I read somewhere a long time ago that the display technology for this device was going to be revolutionary. If Apple is targeting both traditional media AND digital media consumers, they better have a screen that works superbly well for both tasks. It's one thing to introduce a fantastic new way of interaction with a device, but if you can't look at what you're doing for a long period of time, it goes to waste. Read on for more...
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Posted In: In the News, Technology
Posted on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
A few weeks ago I learned that Adobe Flash CS5 will have the functionality to create native iPhone applications. I thought to myself, "Holy cow, this will allow anyone who knows Flash to create iPhone apps!" I've always wanted to make iPhone apps but the lack of Objective-C programming skills prevented me from doing so.
If Flash CS5's iPhone application authoring does what it promises, the future of app development is in for treat. This means that anybody with ActionScript skills can make iPhone apps/games. The average user will become the "average developer" very quickly. It appears that this will erase the dividing line between design/development professionals and the average Joe.
Click here to view the Adobe Labs page for iPhone Apps.
Despite the high chance of crap-output from developer-wannabes, this will give people an opportunity to create quality products. From what Adobe Labs has shown so far, it proves that this model works. In the meantime, I'll be boosting my ActionScript 3 skills, learning to make some awesome apps.
Feedback: Does this make you want to develop for the iPhone, or will this saturate the App Store with even more fart apps?
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Posted In: Design & Code, In the News, Technology
Posted on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 3:27 pm
It's been confirmed that the latest OS X 10.6.2 build nixes support for Atom processors. This means (for now) that you won't be able to update your OS and continue running your Hackintosh Netbook. Apple's fight to keep iTunes exclusive to products whose names start with an "i" has been strong (read: palm pre).
Apple hasn't had a problem with supporting the Atom processors, but all of a sudden they're picky about it. To me, this can only mean one thing - Apple's shutting out competition. I think they're cooking something up of their own that might be a little "Netbookish." Some rumors say that they're building a device that will completely change the way we consume media on the go.
Something like this is probably since Apple has a history of reinventing existing products and concepts -- iPhone, Mac mini, Mighty Mouse, iMac, Unibody Macbooks, etc. They also have a history of being involved in media consumption with iTunes music, movies, and TV shows. Books and magazines, with an eBook reader of their own, may be a logical target. Would you be interested in a revolutionary $599 iReader?
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Posted In: In the News, Technology
Posted on Thursday, August 6th, 2009 at 11:38 am
By now, you have probably heard all you think you need to know about Twitter, and you either love it, or hate it. There are a million and one ways of approaching and using a service like Twitter. Some of the obvious ones are:
- Staying in touch and up to date the minute with your friends
- Following big-time celebrities like Oprah, Jimmy Fallon, Al Gore, Britney Speakers, and you name 'em!
- Keeping up with the news way faster than traditional print and TV media (ie; Iran Elections).
What I'm trying to get at is that Twitter is a lot more than what the average person thinks it is. It is not only a social networking service, but a tool for business, professional networking, resource mining, and virtually endless knowledge.
Since I am in the Graphic and Web Design field, I will be talking about its relationship with Twitter and all of its benefits. More after the jump...
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Posted In: On the Web, Productivity, Technology
Posted on Friday, June 12th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
I intended to write about Apple going green when they launched the new Macs earlier this year, but I felt the urge to wait, and so I did. Apple has truly done it this time with their entire line of MacBook Pros and the iPhone 3GS.
The MacBook Pros are the greenest Macs Apple has yet to deliver. All models of the machine (13, 15, and 17 inch) are EPEAT Gold rated and meet the Energy Star 5.0 requirements, which isn't even out yet. This makes the machines consume less electricity, and easier on the environment.
Speaking of the environment, both the MacBook Pros and the iPhone 3GS are made mostly out of earth-friendly materials, which are also easily recyclable.
- Highly recyclable aluminum and glass enclosure
- Mercury-free LED-backlit display
- Arsenic-free display glass
- BFR-free
- PVC-free internal cables
The iPhone 3GS shares a lot of these features as well. All of Apple's products ship inside of much smaller packaging which is great for several reasons: Easier to ship more units per airplane, easier to carry, easier to store, less garbage in the dumps. Everyone wins.
It would be amazing to see companies utilize more environmentally friendly materials. This is a great start, and I am glad that Apple is trying to pioneer being fully green, or as green as they can be. Which other companies, other than the ones that specialize in green tech, actually manufacture products of similar nature? Post in comments below, please.
I predict that some day, we will have a way to teleport technology we buy straight to our homes. No jetplane delivery, no fumes, no packaging garbage.
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Posted In: Green & Environment, In the News, Technology
Posted on Tuesday, April 7th, 2009 at 3:09 am

In a little under 20 hours from the time this post was published, your chance to get your hands on this amazing app bundle will be up. First thing's first, click the link below to view the MacHeist page with ALL the information.
Yes, I have purchased this myself and strongly believe that it's steal, not the mention that 25% of every sale's proceeds goes to a charity of your choice. Whether you're a designer, blogger, an online show host, or an advocate of all things cool, in this package you will find something that greatly impresses you.
For $39, it's probably the best investment I have ever made! Well, what are you waiting for? Check it out already!
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Posted In: General Stuff, On the Web, Productivity, Technology
Posted on Sunday, April 5th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Just before the iPhone 3.0 software was announced, I was ready to publish an article saying how the Palm Pre was going to give Apple a lot of trouble. Then, I realized how wrong it would have been if I had done so. Now I will tell you why I think the iPhone is here to stay, and push the competition out of the way.
The Palm Pre, for the longest time, had the biggest chance to put a little fear in Apple. And so it did. Just a couple of weeks ago, the iPhone 3.0 software was revealed and most of the iPhone's nuances have been eliminated. I actually believed that if the Pre kept up its game, it would force me to switch, but thankfully, that is no longer the case.
Palm has claimed that OS X on the iPhone is not a true mobile platform, thus it will never be as speedy and sleek as what they are cooking up. I respectfully disagree! Let's just put it this way; Smooth scrolling and seamless portrait/landscape transitions is not what makes a great device. Yes, the Pre certainly competes in the visuals department, but that will only take the device so far.
More after the jump...
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Posted In: Design & Code, On the Web, Technology