Ben Brooks Reviews the RIM Playbook

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Ben Brooks:

The screen is amazing on this device, there is absolutely no glare, it has a very paper like quality to it. It doesn’t matter what kind of light you have it in, no reflections or glare. That though is a major problem because this device needs some light – well a lot of light. In the model that I am testing the backlight either is broken or eludes this testers ability to turn it on.

The resolution of the scree is also very poor, the pixel count looks high (print[er] quality even) but the graphics look like an iPhone app running at 2x mode on the iPad – just not good enough.

The whole thing is genius.

The NeXT Years

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Randall Stross for The New York Times:

Kevin Compton, who was a senior executive at Businessland during the Next years, described Mr. Jobs after returning to Apple: “He’s the same Steve in his passion for excellence, but a new Steve in his understanding of how to empower a large company to realize his vision.” Mr. Jobs had learned from Next not to try to do everything himself, Mr. Compton said.

It took 12 dispiriting years, much bruising, and perspective gained from exile. If he had instead stayed at Apple, the transformation of Apple Computer into today’s far larger Apple Inc. might never have happened.

[via TUAW]

iPad Claim Chowder

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Douglas A. McIntyre:

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.

The tablet does not appear to be killing off the netbook and other PC products, which means that the may still stage a comeback against Apple.

I’m sure netbook sales will rebound, buddy. Any day now.

The Future of the Apple TV

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Chris Breen nails it:

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.

Coming full circle then, is the new Apple TV more than a hobby? For the time being, probably not. Its continued reliance on iTunes and the iTunes Store make it a less-than-universally-desirable device.

Of course there’s always the possibility that we’re seeing just the first step in The Bigger Plan—the one where the Apple TV embraces its iOS roots and becomes the iPad for TV, allowing you to install any app you like (including games as well as media apps). Should that day arrive, goodbye hobby, hello necessity.

Even with the spiffy new hardware, the device continues to feel hollow.

Moleskine Releasing iPad, iPhone Cases

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Moleskine:

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.

Be sure to check out the company’s MSK project as well. They have templates you can print and paste into a notebook, offering flexibility to what would normally be a static product. Pretty nifty.

Old Reliable

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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.

When it’s on my desk, it rests in a Radtech Omnistand and connects to a 17″ Viewsonic display, a Mighty Mouse and an old Apple Extended Keyboard II with the help of a Griffin iMate.

I’m thrilled to see another Extended II user. It’s the best keyboard ever made.

Update: Kevin Lipe is right about the Extended being bigger, but I stand my by statement.

On Macworld

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Ben Brooks:

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.

Xmarks Speaks Out on Paid Services

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James Joaquin, Xmarks’ CEO:

We’re revisiting the idea of Xmarks as a premium service. We’ve set up a Pledgebank page where you can sign up if you’re willing to pay at least $10 a year for Xmarks. No credit card is required, but please only pledge if you are genuinely willing and able to pay.

[…]

Hopefully you can see that, for us and our investors, we were aiming for a different business, and staffing at a different level, than what it is likely appropriate for a freemium model. For a new company taking a fresh start with Xmarks, a freemium model could be really compelling. The overwhelming positive user support from all of you, combined with strong interest by companies looking to take over Xmarks, means that the service might just find a ninth life. Please stay tuned.

Joaquin claims in the post that Xmarks cost over $2 million annually to run, and has already had $9 million invested. Declaring the end of your company, just to share the actual numbers days later sure seems like a strange way to sorta imply your company could be for sale. Weak.