People whose use of the iPad is not above 20 hours a week are probably people who are willing to use laptops, desktops, and netbooks. Apple may have been able to push its share of the sales in these markets, but the early adopter behavior may not keep the momentum there.
And, there is another piece of good news for Apple competitors–only 13 percent of iPad owners surveyed bought an iPad instead of a PC.
Category: Apple
The Future of the Apple TV
Also, set-top boxes are expanding to embrace streaming Internet content—Netflix, Hulu, Pandora, Amazon, CinemaNow, MLB.com, Rhapsody, Napster, and MOG. The incorporation of Netflix on the Apple TV is terrific, but it hardly overshadows the Apple TV’s focus on the iTunes Store. And that continued focus means that viewers remain subject to the whims of the movie and TV studios. For instance, on the new Apple TV you’ll find TV rentals from only three networks—Fox, ABC, and the BBC. I’m certain Apple would love to add every other network found on your cable or satellite box (including the premium cable channels), but Apple doesn’t have the power to make that so. At the same time, the company is reluctant to provide alternate paths to this content, as those paths don’t lead to media sales.
Moleskine Releasing iPad, iPhone Cases
Moleskine introduces two new hybrid tools designed for making it easier the simultaneous use of paper, phone and internet utilities: a Smartphone Covercompatible with iPhone 3G and 3GS, and a Tablet Cover, iPad compatible. Both Covers are combined with blank notebook pages. They are conceived as analog-digital ultra-portable workstations for the contemporary nomads.
This is cool; Moleskine products are excellent. I keep a large ruled notebook in my bag at all times for quick notes, thoughts or doodles. I can’t wait to see one of these cases in the wild.
Colorware Grip for iPad Reminds me of the Clamshell iBook G3
Old Reliable
David Caolo, the latest interviewee in Shawn Blanc’s “Sweet Mac Setup” series:
My main computer is a well-worn, 2GHz Intel Core Duo MacBook Pro with a 15″ display. This machine has been in 5 US states and three countries; it’s missing three keys and the bottom is badly scratched. It’s also the most reliable workhorse I’ve ever owned. I’ll continue to use it until it dies or refuses to run essential software, whichever comes first.
On Macworld
What a joke Macworld has become over the past few years. When I can find Mac Developer websites with Google faster than I can by clicking a link in an the article talking about said developer, then I think as a publisher you should be damned ashamed of yourself.
Woz on the ‘Big Bang Theory’
Kill Ping Pop-up in iTunes
John Martellaro at the Mac Observer has the glorious Terminal command:
defaults write com.apple.iTunes hide-ping-dropdown -bool TRUE
Be sure to close iTunes first.
‘Apple and the Open Web’
While I know I probably sound like a Gruber fanboy, his recent talk at Web 2.0 Expo 2010 really was great. Check it out.
On the new Apple TV
Joshua Topolsky, in his review of the new device:
The video and audio quality of the Apple TV is to be lauded, the company is making a lot of high quality titles available right off the bat, sharing from your current computers is a snap, and if you’re a Netflix user, the inclusion here is perfectly seamless. The question is ultimately about ease versus options – right now it’s hard to whole-heartedly recommend the Apple TV even at its $99 price point given the thin list of partners Apple has courted. If you just want a dead simple movie rental box and you’re not that picky about content, the Apple TV is a no-brainer. If, like us, you’re looking for options good enough to make you can the cable, Apple’s new box still feels a lot like a hobby.
‘Just Plain Wrong’
Ben Brooks, on seven inch tablets:
This small size sounds great if you think about it, surely it will be lighter and more portable. Seven inches is a huge difference though, you lose almost 3 inches off the iPad size and for what? Well you get a smaller device that still doesn’t fit in your pocket and doesn’t have the screen real estate to be really great.
The problem isn’t that tap zones become much smaller, the problem is the onscreen keyboards get much smaller.
The New 27-inch LED Cinema Display
9 to 5 Mac has some photos of the new beast. I can’t wait to I have one on my desk at work.