So on the one hand we have the simple theory that AT&T’s network stinks, especially in large metro areas, and extra-especially in New York City and San Francisco.
On the other hand, we have the theory that AT&T’s network is just fine because two network consulting companies say so, even though a Consumer Reports customer survey says otherwise, and it is the iPhone that is flawed, but the flaws are for some reason worse on AT&T than other carriers around the world, and just happen to be worse still in some cities than others, and Apple has been unwilling and/or unable to address these flaws in three model years.
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Tablets Set to Kill Netbooks?
Netbooks suck for typing. Believe me. I’m a professional. One problem is that the keyboards are too cramped. But the other is that tiny netbooks force you to have the screen too close for comfortable reading.
A touch tablet is also a netbook. Just add a kickstand to prop up the screen and add a Bluetooth keyboard. The best part is that you can add the keyboard of your choice, not the one that happens to match the netbook’s screen size.
Apple Delaying 27-inch iMacs?
Apple has delayed shipping new 27-in. iMacs until it can figure out the cause of flickering screens and other display problems, according to reports from authorized resellers.
The move came just days after a Web designer created a site that tallied issues with the 27-in. iMacs, including screens broken in shipment, on-again-off-again flickering displays and screens that showed a jaundice-yellow tint.
[…]
Earlier this week, Apple changed the shipping status on its online store for both 27-in. iMac models from “Ships: 5-7 days” or “Ships 7-10 days” to “Ships: 2 weeks.” Although high volume sales could account for the change, Pronych said he had been told by some users that Apple had pushed back the projected ship dates for their already-ordered iMacs.
On Syncing Android and the Mac
Mac|Life has put together a nice little guide to syncing Android-powered phones with built-in Mac apps like iTunes and iPhoto.
’8-BIT CHRISTMAS’ Brings Retro to the Holiday
Rush Coil has put together an album of Christmas music inspired by classic video game music. You can listen to the whole thing online, but hey, it’s only $4 for the album and for a good cause.
‘Batman: The Animated Series’ Guidelines Uncovered
Batman is the best superhero ever. Don’t write me and try to argue this one.
iPhone Apps, Dashboard Widgets and the Mythical Apple Tablet
Last week, I wrote this regarding what OS should run the tablet:
Maybe the strongest option would be a hybrid between the Mac and iPhone OS. I imagine this as a device running Mac OS X, but also having the ability to run apps purchased from the App Store in some type of environment like OS X’s Dashboard. That way, the tablet is both the most portable Mac and the largest iPod touch on the market.
MagicPrefs Adds Flexibility to Magic Mouse
MagicPrefs is a free menubar application for OSX which aims to improve the functionality and configuration options of the Apple Magic Mouse. It features the ability to bind a variable number of finger clicks and taps to functions like Middle Click, Hold Down Both Mouse Buttons, Spaces, Expose, Dashboard etc. Tap Sensitivity implements a advanced algorithm that impacts a number of factors used to determine taps , all controllable by a single slider. Tracking Speed adds the ability to increase the maximum available speed by a extra 25%. And to top it all off it features a real-time display of the fingers touching the surface of the mouse that you can enable to test and monitor the way the mouse sees your input.
Leaving the Age of the Dinosaurs
NPR:
In 1983, Mockapetris developed a protocol that associated strings of numbers with an easy-to-remember name. For instance, the IP address 216.35.221.77 is npr.org. You can type either one into your Internet browser and get NPR’s Web site, but it’s much easier to remember npr.org.
Mockapetris’ system is referred to as the DN — the domain name system —and it’s one of the fundamental building blocks of the Internet.
[…]
Google Testing Android Hardware
We recently came up with the concept of a mobile lab, which is a device that combines innovative hardware from a partner with software that runs on Android to experiment with new mobile features and capabilities, and we shared this device with Google employees across the globe. This means they get to test out a new technology and help improve it.
Huh
Randall Stross for the New York Times:
Roger Entner, senior vice president for telecommunications research at Nielsen, said the iPhone’s “air interface,” the electronics in the phone that connect it to the cell towers, had shortcomings that “affect both voice and data.” He said that in the eyes of the consumer, “the iPhone has the nimbus of infallibility, ergo, it’s AT&T’s fault.” AT&T does not publicly defend itself because it will not criticize Apple under any circumstances, he said. AT&T and Apple both declined to comment on Mr. Entner’s assessments.