Posted by The Blogging Desk on Wed, Sep 01, 2010
Pause the episode of True Blood so we can talk about much more important things. No, not Glenn Beck's fashionable reading glasses, I'm talking about Flash on the iPad. Let's get into it.
Recently, several tech pundits have blogged that they are getting sick and tired of hitting pages that include Flash. These important pages include, but are not limited to: press releases, bike trails, and movie trailers. Ah, not press releases!
I use my iPad as a consumption device about 98% of the time. Mainly Instapapering, Google Reading, Tumblring and reading comics. I literally cannot think of one instance where I went, “Dammit, I with this had Flash.” Sure, it would be nice to be able to watch Hulu on a mobile device, but even Android devices with it do not allow for Hulu.com to work. (Also, the Hulu+ selection is worthless.)
The one instance I can think of getting annoyed regarding Flash would be looking up a restaurants website and finding that their page is entirely in Flash. This isn’t an annoyance that the iPad cannot display it, but more often than not it’s because the website looks terrible once I walk over to my laptop. Have you even tried looking at a menu from a website like that? Chances are you need to download it as a PDF. Did we lose a war?
It sucks that press releases and movie trailers would be in Flash, but I know I never come across them when I use my iPad. That’s just me. In fact, who sits down to watch movie trailers? Or even press releases, to be honest?
I tried commenting on the pundits page about what sites he visits on the iPad that require Flash, but apparently most of the people commenting were out of line, and mine were quickly deleted. Ah well.
I guess it's not OK for Apple to block Flash from their iPad, but it is OK to deleted and lock comments from your own blog.
END RADICAL FASCISM! (or something.)
Posted by The Blogging Desk on Mon, Aug 30, 2010
Apple jerks across the east coast will no doubt be taking their breaks inside of their dark, depressing offices so that they can follow the live-blogs that will be uploading nerdy pictures and text for the frothing masses.
Sure, you can include me in “the frothing masses”, but at least I can admit it. And so what if my frothing towel has my initials on it? I’m in the IT Support field, so get over it, poindexter.
Rumors are once again swirling to tornado-like levels relating to just what Steve Jobs will announce in two days in California. So sit back, sip your overpriced Frappé, push your Wall Street Journal aside, and close that SEO Webinar taking place on your sweet Toshiba ThinkPad. Here are my predictions/hopes.
To the tech nerds, like myself, that have an average of 400-500 new Google Reader items per day, it’s pretty much a given that Apple will unveil a new iPod touch with FaceTime capabilities. Sweet, right? FaceTime looks to be Apple’s new big thing in iOS and they will be pushing it pretty hard. You won’t even need an actual phone to contact other people on iPhones for video chat. The new beta of iOS 4.1 includes making FaceTime calls via phone numbers AND email addresses. Not only does that open things up for an iPod touch, but it looks to open things up for Mac OS X computers as well.
AppleTV is being heavily rumored to be getting an iOS upgrade, but would they do so at an Apple “music” event? The invitations that were send out were of a guitar without mention of anything else. It’s possible this could be Job’s, “one more thing” announcement at the very end. I’m hopeful for an iOS AppleTV with its App Store. Though, if that’s the case, it would still be a long ways off as they would have to push out the beta SDK for such an item long before it would hit the masses. That would be the same reason I’m skeptical of the iPad getting iOS 4.1 any time soon. There has been no beta for the iPad in….forever?
And what about iLife? Apple has a suite of apps designed for digital creation ranging from creating your own website, DVDs, movies and also music. I’m going to guess that Garageband will be getting a significant update, maybe even an iOS app? Oh man, just the thought of recording a podcast on my iPad just made me spill my Frappé all over myself.
So an iPod touch w/ FaceTime, AppleTV announcement, iPad 4.2 beta SDK, and an updated iLife suite are my hopes.
If those don't happen, I'm gonna be, like, so mad.
Posted by Matt Kolowski on Tue, Aug 24, 2010
Previously, I had wondered how an iOS i/AppleTV would be controlled. Perhaps via the new Magic Trackpad? Maybe your iPhone or iPad would control things. But, how would that work and would it do?
Our favorite curly haired Apple writer, John Gruber, spoke about the AppleTV on his podcast, The Talk Show. He surmised that the new iOS powered device would have its own store, and not run iPhone or iPad apps. Very astute. If it ran those apps, how would you control them out of the box, would you be required to buy a Magic Trackpad? Silliness.
The current AppleTV model comes with a small remote capable of 4 directions and a home or “menu” button. MacBooks used to come with a similar remote, I have no idea if they still do. It’s my best guess that the new AppleTV will be controlled by that same remote.
Let’s think about it - let’s assume Gruber is right and that the new model will have its own App Store. Presumably, it would need its own store because the input methods would he drastically different, at least at its base. How would you even begin to navigate around a home screen without being able to touch it? You’d need apps that would not need scrolling or swiping. Perhaps just one touch?
An Apple remote would be capable. In terms of viewing video, you’d be more than able to go right or left to select a film, fast forward, etc. You could double-tap right to switch screens. But would there be games?
I say yes, and these games would be controlled by an iOS device. Why not have a game that syncs with your iPhone and turns the screen into a controller, and reacts to the motions of it? The app could be universal and upon launching, would become aware of its AppleTV brother and switch to a different mode. Essentially, it would be a buttonless Wii-mote. I know, that would make people freak out and say, “I’m not paying $199+ for a controller!”
Do you realize how many people have an iOS device these days? I can totally envision reading in an AppleTV store, “this app requires an iPhone, iPod touch or an iPad.
It’s not that crazy.
The rumored hold-up is that studios don’t want to be forced into a 99c price point in the store. The Talk Show also mentioned this possibility: why wouldn’t NBC just release their own app and charge a monthly fee to stream? An AppleTV and its own store has the chance to fully realize the potential Hulu hasn’t.
A world where you could literally release yourself from your cable bill, and pay the stations outright for their services. An ESPN app? Hold me - an NHL app for streaming games?
Out of the box, the best chance to ditch cable. If you have an iPhone, something much more. At $99 a pop, this would be pretty stunning.
(Note: this was written entirely on my iPhone using the app, “Elements”. Grab it.)
Posted by Christopher Lyons on Fri, Aug 20, 2010
Fighting words.
LG's VP of Marketing, Chang Ma, came out and said LG's new Android based tablet, the LG Optimus, will be "surprisingly productive" compared to the iPad - which he believes is more focused on consuming content.
That's quite the bold prediction, Ma-man.
The iPad already has many advanced productivity apps on it - and while it is largely used for content consumption, it can definitely hold its own as productivity tool. LG has a fight cut out for themselves with this one.
On top of that, though, HP is confirmed to release a WebOS tablet as well as a Windows 7 tablet in the coming months.
There's a curveball for you, Chang Ma.
Apple's iPad has already solidified itself into a nice niche market, and it isn't going away anytime soon (no matter what new tablets come out). But if LG is going for the "productivity angle," will their Android tablet even be able to compete with a Windows 7 based tablet in terms of productivity in the business world?
While I don't think Windows 7 makes for a great tables OS, you can't compete with Windows in terms of business productivity. Windows is business computing. Plain and simple. We'll see what happens, but if the HP Windows 7 tablet is successful, I think it will easily intertwine itself into the business world.
Posted by Christopher Lyons on Tue, Aug 17, 2010
A pig just flew by my window.
What's even more bizzare, though, is that he was carrying a note that had information on it regarding Microsoft and Apple. Apparently, Microsoft will be brining Mac support to its Small Business Server software and to Windows Home Server software.
What in the...?
That's right, folks. This is all in testing, but Microsoft will be brining Mac Support to both Small Business Server software and Windows Home Server software. In terms of SBS software, not only will there be Mac compatibility, but there will also be some sort of focus on cloud-based features.
As for Windows Home Server software, Windows and Mac based machines will be able to play nicely together in homes such as mine - which contain Mac and PC users.
Crazy things are happening in the IT Support world...
Posted by Mark Sarro on Tue, Jul 20, 2010
Well, I have had the Apple iPad for a few months now. I initially waited and got the one with the 3G service from AT&T, and I am glad that I did. Slowly but surely, the iPad has replaced my need to use a laptop for internet browsing, checking email, and keeping up with the social web portals etc while I am at home. On the rare occasion where I need to write a lengthier email, I may still get on the PC to do so, but more and more that need is waning.
From an IT support and business perspective, I don’t see it replacing the laptop. It doesn’t have the tools to compete with a good work PC or laptop, but I am sure that as the next generations come out there will be more features available for it.
Here are the things I really like about it: A single click and it’s on; Done! No boot time or waiting for it to load, hit the button, slide to unlock and you are on! Internet browsing is easy! There was an instance where I did use it at work, while working on a client problem, to search for articles related to the issue. My laptop, at the time, was being used remotely by an assisting Microsoft engineer. The apps for it are decent, and I have come across a few that I really enjoy. Others, within a few days, I have removed from it altogether. Overall, the basic functionality and operation of it is solid!
Here are few things that I don’t like or wished that it could do: No built-in camera, for something that is being touted as a multi-media device etc… Where is the camera? I am sure the next version will have a webcam on it. I am a little disappointed by the stance that Apple took against Adobe Flash, but it looks like vendors and sites are slowly working their way around that. Multi-tasking doesn’t really exist on the iPad, unless you consider iTunes playing music while browsing the internet or checking email as multi-tasking. However, the new iOS for the iPad comes out this fall and that should take care of that issue like it did for the iPhone. Other than that, the iPad doesn’t really fit on the docking station if you have it in a case, the angle just doesn’t work and it’s not wide enough to allow it to seat properly.
Overall, I am very happy with it and I have no regrets in purchasing it! I look forward to new apps and features for it as time moves on.
Posted by Matt Kolowski on Thu, Jul 15, 2010
If you read the most recent article from our resident red-headed analyst, Jon Pentecost, you would think that an iPhone 4 recall would be on the table. A recall that, according to certain reports, could cost Apple $1,500,000,000.
Rumors and videos had circulated where one could touch the black bar on the lower left of an iPhone to dramatically affect your phones signal. Depending on your location, it could affect it to the point where you would have no signal to speak of. This horrifying situation is called, “The Death Grip”. The situation worsened when a customer emailed Steve Jobs himself about it, and Jobs retort was to hold it differently. Wohwoh.
Consumer Reports, the magazine that helps indecisive old people make purchases, had originally come out saying the antenna issues were not enough for them to not recommend it. But, later, after completing their testing, they were able to replicate the Death Grip in their special sealed labs, not out in the open like the rest of the world. As such, they could not recommend the iPhone 4.
Notably, the iPhone 4 is still the highest rated phone available, according to Consumer Reports. It is also still a great mobile IT solution.
Apple has come out to say that a software update will more accurately show the kind of signal you have. My take is that if you have terrible service, it will more accurately say so. So that if you touch the antenna with 2 bars, it won’t go down. Whereas before, it would have told you that you have 5 bars, and then gone down to 2 upon touching the left corner.
The Death Grip, if you encounter it, is quickly remedied by using a case. Or, you know, you could return it and get your money back.
Posted by Jon Pentecost on Thu, Jul 15, 2010
For anyone that has any passing interest in Apple, and more specifically with the newest iPhone to hit the market, they have heard about the signal issues if holding the iPhone a particular way. According to an article I read, if you hold the iPhone in a “death grip”, the cellular strength of the phone decreases. The issue apparently is due to the connection between two external antenna segments that have a gap between them that cause the signal degradation. If a piece of tape is placed over the area, that remedies the situation, but who wants to have a brand new iPhone with duct tape over the front of it?
In another article, even Consumer Reports does not endorse the newest iPhone due to the flaw. They suggest that if Apple recalls the phone or provides a free fix to consumers, they can then recommend the iPhone 4. So if Consumer Reports does not endorse it, will that prevent you from purchasing the newest iPhone?
So what do you think Apple should do? Should they recall all iPhones that have been sold that contain the flaw or should they provide (free of charge) a solution such as a case that will cover the affected area on the phones? As an Engineer at an IT Support Company, I believe that Apple could overtake the IT Mobility market with the iPhone 4 if it plays its cards right.
Can we help you implement technology that will allow you to make your organization more mobile? Contact us today at 1-888-494-TRIGON or by email at solutions@TrigonIT.com.
Posted by Christopher Lyons on Tue, Jul 13, 2010
My blogs are biased, I’ll unashamedly admit it. I talk an awful lot about Apple, sing their praises, and flaunt the fact that their mobile technology products are changing the game. Well, pretty soon, with the help of Google, there’ll be a new game changer in town; you. You’ll become your own game changer, optimizing everything for yourself and for your business.
“How”, you ask?
Simple.
I first came across this factoid in the New York Times. The article states that “Google is bringing Android software development to the masses.” Starting yesterday, Monday, July 12, 2010 – Google will be offering a tool that allows for the easy creation of apps for Android phones. Need an app that will help you optimize your business processes, or maybe one that will help you stay up to date with the meetings your sales team members are currently at? If so, there’s an app for that…potentially, if you create it.
The article states that, “The free software, called Google App Inventor for Android (http://appinventor.googlelabs.com/about/), has been under development for a year. User testing has been done mainly in schools with groups that included sixth graders, high school girls, nursing students and university undergraduates who are not computer science majors.” Sounds like it can’t be too hard to use.
Don’t believe me?
Well you should, because later in the article it’s mentioned that some of the apps can be created in just a manner of minutes.
According to the article, “The goal is to enable people to become creators, not just consumers, in this mobile world,” said Harold Ableson, a computer scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who is on sabbatical at Google and led the project.” Mr. Ableson then goes on to say, “The Google project is intended to give users, especially young people, a simple tool to let them tinker with smartphone software, much as people have done with computers.”
I don’t know about you, but I like the way Mr. Ableson thinks. Having the ability to create apps that you need, when you need them, will truly be a blessing. In terms of IT Support and IT Mobility, there is so much that can be done with apps that will improve each individual business and its daily processes.
Welcome to the world of game changers (at least in my one-sided mind), Android.
Posted by Christopher Lyons on Tue, Jul 13, 2010
Does anyone care?
Maybe.
Steve Ballmer, at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference, announced that Microsoft Windows 7 slates are coming this year. Well, I’m glad Microsoft caught on and realized the iPad/tablets aren’t going to fade away. Finally.
Anyway, ol’ Ballmer mentioned that Microsoft and some of its partners, including Asus, Dell, Samsung, Toshiba, and Sony will all take a crack at Windows 7 slates. There will be a lot of variation amongst slates, and they will vary in price and features.
Seeing that the majority of the world’s businesses run on Windows, it would be interesting to see how a Windows 7 based tablet would compete with the iPad and Android tablets in the workplace. The iPad, based on my experiences, is great for personal use; however, I don’t see it catching on much with business. A Microsoft tablet could definitely steal the thunder here, and would fit in nicely. It would more likely than not be supported by IT support departments and companies over any other type of tablet, and could have a major effect on business.
Here’s the catch: is Windows 7 a tablet OS? Probably not. I have fallen in love with Windows 7 on my PC. It’s great, truly. However, will it hold up on a tablet? I’m not thinking so. It’s too intricate, too in depth, and nowhere near simple enough. It's not streamlined like iOS. One article I read, on ZDnet.com, put it nicely “…there’s more to a slate than just the physical form factor. If there isn’t longer battery life, instant on/off and some kind of app store with not just the usually business apps, but also consumer-focused apps and games, I’m not so sure users are going to bite…”
Anyway, whether these Windows based slates will be relevant or not in the marketplace, it will be interesting to see how they’ll affect business, IT Mobility, and maybe the use of PCs. I’m not going to say that I couldn’t care less, but the idea of a slate with Windows 7 does not excite me, and I don't think it can compete with the iPad.
Hopefully, I’ll be made to look stupid.
C'mon, Microsoft, in a weird way, I'm pulling for you...