swingerofbirch
Jul 30, 01:10 AM
I've been eligible to upgrade my Verizon phone for a while now (new every 2), but have held off because the phones all seem so gimmicky. I like Verizon call quality, but I feel like their phones (all cell phones) are dictated by what the service providers want to be able to sell (Vcast, etc).
So they add cameras and EVDO etc to make more money from the associated services they offer.
The only two feature requests I ever have from a cell phone are: better reception and better battery life.
I have never cared about the other features, because I prefered carrying devices that specialized in those areas, ie a separate digital camera and an iPod.
However, it seems that Apple's major competition going forward will be from cell phone carriers who sell songs (albeit at 3.99/each) directly to cell phones.
The cell phone carriers have the advantage in that a lot of people will be buying these devices whether they want MP3 players or not. You have a cell phone, you've got an MP3 player. And not only that, you don't need a PC to buy music, you do it right from the phone.
Going forward the quality of phones as Mp3 players and cameras and the phones' music store experiences will improve, and Apple obviously realizes this will be their competition (more so I believe than a Wifi enabled Zune).
Perhaps Apple's wild-bet will be a device that is a master of all trades. They could combine iPod with Newton PDA a cell phone and a decent camera (iSight?).
I would imagine that to offer a device like this and not have it hobbled by terrible software and keep it fairly open, Apple will need to create their own wireless network. They do have 9.5 billion.
:)
I think it's where the future is headed. But it's a big bet. But in business it's also a bet not to take a big bet sometimes.
So they add cameras and EVDO etc to make more money from the associated services they offer.
The only two feature requests I ever have from a cell phone are: better reception and better battery life.
I have never cared about the other features, because I prefered carrying devices that specialized in those areas, ie a separate digital camera and an iPod.
However, it seems that Apple's major competition going forward will be from cell phone carriers who sell songs (albeit at 3.99/each) directly to cell phones.
The cell phone carriers have the advantage in that a lot of people will be buying these devices whether they want MP3 players or not. You have a cell phone, you've got an MP3 player. And not only that, you don't need a PC to buy music, you do it right from the phone.
Going forward the quality of phones as Mp3 players and cameras and the phones' music store experiences will improve, and Apple obviously realizes this will be their competition (more so I believe than a Wifi enabled Zune).
Perhaps Apple's wild-bet will be a device that is a master of all trades. They could combine iPod with Newton PDA a cell phone and a decent camera (iSight?).
I would imagine that to offer a device like this and not have it hobbled by terrible software and keep it fairly open, Apple will need to create their own wireless network. They do have 9.5 billion.
:)
I think it's where the future is headed. But it's a big bet. But in business it's also a bet not to take a big bet sometimes.
TalonFlyer
Nov 20, 08:55 PM
It works, it's expensive and it's NOT a great value!!!
I have used my new car kit for a few days and I'm a little disappointed with a few aspects of the device. My iPhone snaps in fairly well and it's easy to rotate. The articulation of the mount is not as desirable as it appears in the advertisements. The rotating lock that suctions it to the window is fairly good. The over all feel and quality of the device seems fair to good, however it should be priced about $30-$40 less to be a good value.
The hands-free works, however it appears that it is not duplexed so road noise and vibrations seems to be causing the device to VOX (switch off the speaker when you are talking). I have mixed feelings with the few calls I have made so far. Looking like it may not be a good hands-free device.
It uses Bluetooth to connect the hands-free and not the GPS. I was hoping to be able to use the bluetooth to connect the GPS to other devices and apparently that is not possible. I was also hoping that I could use the hands-free if not docked. You can't, must dock to connect the bluetooth hands-free. Does not make any sense.
Also, they forgot about the voice control that can be activated with a bump of the answer button on most headsets. The volume button, if you push it, sometime brings up the voice control, however it is well behind the iPhone and not easy to hit while the phone is docked. Why is this not more accessible?
Would have been nice to have a button to start and stop music, like my 5 year old bluetooth headset. Maybe next to the other missing button.
When in horizontal mode the weight of the iPhone and the slightest bump in the road or touching the device will cause it to rotate almost vertical. This is because the swivel is not centered and the iPhone is side heavy. Seems that the resistance force of the swivel is a few ounces to light. You also must remove any cover you have as there is no room for anything except the iPhone itself.
They don't support the iPod touch and now they are coming out with a iPod specific mount, it has even less value because I can't use both devices on the same car kit.
Here is how I grade the Car Kit (1-10):
Mounting: 8
Rotation: 7
Articulation: 3
Hands-Free: 4 (Weak, speaker is facing away from you, VOX'ing problem)
GPS: 6 (Only very slightly better that the built in GPS)
Compatibility: 3 (Can't use iPod Touch)
Bluetooth: 2 (Phone will not pair until docked, can't pair with other devices)
Overall it's a $79.00 retail mount with a questionable hands-free, only a small incremental change in GPS accuracy and a useless bluetooth implementation. I'll give it a generous 5 out of 10 for now.
Cost: 119.00 plus Tax, $40 is a donation to the cause.
That's my 2 cents worth that cost me a Benjamin and then some.
Update: I tried the car kit in different vehicles and in different Major cities with the same result. After exchanging my car kit and found no improvement with the hands-free, I decided to return it for a full refund and wait for the Magellan and see if it is any better. I called TomTom and it took over an hour to get someone on the phone and they were no help at all.
The service rep said "Well it appears that your unit is still in warranty", after I stopped laughing I asked her if she was familiar with the product. This just shows that TomTom does not have it together at all for the US market and I am so glad I didn't waste a hundred bucks on the APP.
My new rating is a 3 because the iPhone looks great when mounted.
TomTom = RunRun!
I have used my new car kit for a few days and I'm a little disappointed with a few aspects of the device. My iPhone snaps in fairly well and it's easy to rotate. The articulation of the mount is not as desirable as it appears in the advertisements. The rotating lock that suctions it to the window is fairly good. The over all feel and quality of the device seems fair to good, however it should be priced about $30-$40 less to be a good value.
The hands-free works, however it appears that it is not duplexed so road noise and vibrations seems to be causing the device to VOX (switch off the speaker when you are talking). I have mixed feelings with the few calls I have made so far. Looking like it may not be a good hands-free device.
It uses Bluetooth to connect the hands-free and not the GPS. I was hoping to be able to use the bluetooth to connect the GPS to other devices and apparently that is not possible. I was also hoping that I could use the hands-free if not docked. You can't, must dock to connect the bluetooth hands-free. Does not make any sense.
Also, they forgot about the voice control that can be activated with a bump of the answer button on most headsets. The volume button, if you push it, sometime brings up the voice control, however it is well behind the iPhone and not easy to hit while the phone is docked. Why is this not more accessible?
Would have been nice to have a button to start and stop music, like my 5 year old bluetooth headset. Maybe next to the other missing button.
When in horizontal mode the weight of the iPhone and the slightest bump in the road or touching the device will cause it to rotate almost vertical. This is because the swivel is not centered and the iPhone is side heavy. Seems that the resistance force of the swivel is a few ounces to light. You also must remove any cover you have as there is no room for anything except the iPhone itself.
They don't support the iPod touch and now they are coming out with a iPod specific mount, it has even less value because I can't use both devices on the same car kit.
Here is how I grade the Car Kit (1-10):
Mounting: 8
Rotation: 7
Articulation: 3
Hands-Free: 4 (Weak, speaker is facing away from you, VOX'ing problem)
GPS: 6 (Only very slightly better that the built in GPS)
Compatibility: 3 (Can't use iPod Touch)
Bluetooth: 2 (Phone will not pair until docked, can't pair with other devices)
Overall it's a $79.00 retail mount with a questionable hands-free, only a small incremental change in GPS accuracy and a useless bluetooth implementation. I'll give it a generous 5 out of 10 for now.
Cost: 119.00 plus Tax, $40 is a donation to the cause.
That's my 2 cents worth that cost me a Benjamin and then some.
Update: I tried the car kit in different vehicles and in different Major cities with the same result. After exchanging my car kit and found no improvement with the hands-free, I decided to return it for a full refund and wait for the Magellan and see if it is any better. I called TomTom and it took over an hour to get someone on the phone and they were no help at all.
The service rep said "Well it appears that your unit is still in warranty", after I stopped laughing I asked her if she was familiar with the product. This just shows that TomTom does not have it together at all for the US market and I am so glad I didn't waste a hundred bucks on the APP.
My new rating is a 3 because the iPhone looks great when mounted.
TomTom = RunRun!
ViviUO
Apr 21, 04:09 PM
Good bye expandability, hello cooling issues!
Seriously, why not just keep the xserve and leave the MP alone? Where are we supposed to stuff our upgrades into such a small form factor? Sounds really stupid.
Seriously, why not just keep the xserve and leave the MP alone? Where are we supposed to stuff our upgrades into such a small form factor? Sounds really stupid.
radio893fm
Nov 22, 10:14 AM
Mr Palm, Apple fan boys:
The perfect smart phone has already been created and is out in the wild: SONY ERICSSON P990.
Wifi, location free, 2 mp camera with flash, keyboard, MP3 player, videos, etc. Now if only Apple would open the iTunes so it can sync with some other devices than the iPod would be very nice...
The perfect smart phone has already been created and is out in the wild: SONY ERICSSON P990.
Wifi, location free, 2 mp camera with flash, keyboard, MP3 player, videos, etc. Now if only Apple would open the iTunes so it can sync with some other devices than the iPod would be very nice...
matthewHUB
Nov 26, 04:24 PM
Too many buttons - if there were any more I'd think it was a Microsoft product. :D ;)
lol my point exactly... and look at the status lights! What a joke. Was this mock-up meant to be a joke, or was it actually serious? Kind of lacking in the apple-ness department (OSX aside)
Anyway... thank god at least for a new rumour. Was getting annoyed abotu having to read the 'thanksgiving sale confimed' BS.
give me an ultraportable... interface is up to steve.
lol my point exactly... and look at the status lights! What a joke. Was this mock-up meant to be a joke, or was it actually serious? Kind of lacking in the apple-ness department (OSX aside)
Anyway... thank god at least for a new rumour. Was getting annoyed abotu having to read the 'thanksgiving sale confimed' BS.
give me an ultraportable... interface is up to steve.
Coolerking
Sep 11, 09:05 AM
I think its fair to assume at this stage no macbook/pro updates will be shown tomorrow. All they do is distract from the media/ipod announcements. best you can hope for is a quiet refresh towards the end of this week.
M.
Or later today. Although with 9/11 being at the forefront of the news I doubt it.
Early tomorrow would be best.
M.
Or later today. Although with 9/11 being at the forefront of the news I doubt it.
Early tomorrow would be best.
meanmusic
Sep 15, 04:36 PM
2.16 and 2.33 Merom options
Magnetic latch
MacBook style keyboard
New video card (Nvidia?)
160GB hard drive option
IMO, these are the least that Apple can do to keep up with other high performance notebooks in the market. I think new MBP's will arrive one the same day as Photokina although they may not be highlighted at the event.
Please don't mess with the keyboard. The Macbook keyboard wouldn't suit the Macbook Pro.
Magnetic latch
MacBook style keyboard
New video card (Nvidia?)
160GB hard drive option
IMO, these are the least that Apple can do to keep up with other high performance notebooks in the market. I think new MBP's will arrive one the same day as Photokina although they may not be highlighted at the event.
Please don't mess with the keyboard. The Macbook keyboard wouldn't suit the Macbook Pro.
eb6
Sep 11, 08:39 AM
Why is it so hard to believe Apple will add movies to iTunes? They already added short films and TV shows.
aohus
Apr 18, 04:01 PM
Look's just like an iMac! :eek: almost... Stupid patents... Good for Xerox, too bad that playing fair is not helping these days...:mad:
you mean the iMac looks just like the Alto.. other way around :P
Alto was released in 1973. Macintosh in 1984.
you mean the iMac looks just like the Alto.. other way around :P
Alto was released in 1973. Macintosh in 1984.
Watabou
Apr 9, 08:32 PM
So your math teacher is telling us that Mac OS X is giving us a wrong answer...You might need to watch waiting for Superman.
Spotlight is giving me 288.
Spotlight is giving me 288.
myca
Apr 5, 02:09 PM
This makes me sick to the core. And very very angry
WHAT RIGHT DOE"S APPLE HAVE
to act like big brother and control what another company does?
Steve Jobs started off with Apple to fight "the man" yet he is the man.
Microsoft would never do this, they know better because thousands of Apple fans would be on the internet with Safari posting the most vile crap you would ever want to read....
Not to burst your bubble, but isn't the 360 a closed system, over 32 million sold and if you are found hacking it to play pirated games your account is locked/cancelled and you can't play online anymore?
Apple aren't the only company who see the benefits of a closed system, right or wrong most other phone/console devices have some system in place to stop the user from having total access to it, even Android phones can be closed systems when the phone carrier/handset maker makes it so.
I do agree with having the makers of the software and hardware putting these systems in place, but I also think that the user (if they are smart enough) should be allowed to hack/jailbreak or whatever without fear of reprisals. But as I said earlier, if you do hack/jailbreak one of these closed systems and you brick your device it should be on your head
WHAT RIGHT DOE"S APPLE HAVE
to act like big brother and control what another company does?
Steve Jobs started off with Apple to fight "the man" yet he is the man.
Microsoft would never do this, they know better because thousands of Apple fans would be on the internet with Safari posting the most vile crap you would ever want to read....
Not to burst your bubble, but isn't the 360 a closed system, over 32 million sold and if you are found hacking it to play pirated games your account is locked/cancelled and you can't play online anymore?
Apple aren't the only company who see the benefits of a closed system, right or wrong most other phone/console devices have some system in place to stop the user from having total access to it, even Android phones can be closed systems when the phone carrier/handset maker makes it so.
I do agree with having the makers of the software and hardware putting these systems in place, but I also think that the user (if they are smart enough) should be allowed to hack/jailbreak or whatever without fear of reprisals. But as I said earlier, if you do hack/jailbreak one of these closed systems and you brick your device it should be on your head
DakotaGuy
May 6, 12:20 AM
This seems like an inevitable move in the convergence of iOS devices and Mac computers. They will eventually be the same thing. Powerful, robust, thin, power efficient, easy to use touch interface. Lion is moving in the direction of the iPad and iOS in general. The iPad has been gaining more Mac-like features and robust applications. I think the time tables are probably off. I don't see this happening for 4 to 5 years at the earliest.
So basically what you are saying is that in a few years Apple will make everything an iDevice and if you want a computer that is actually a Personal Computer you will have no choice but to buy a Windows PC? Goodbye Thunderbolt. Hello Apple 30 pin connector!
So basically what you are saying is that in a few years Apple will make everything an iDevice and if you want a computer that is actually a Personal Computer you will have no choice but to buy a Windows PC? Goodbye Thunderbolt. Hello Apple 30 pin connector!
crobi
Apr 23, 04:42 PM
And what about a big resolution to support big TV screen. With an airplay like to output the mac screen to the plasma, LCD, LED or DEL TV.
Eidorian
Aug 11, 10:11 AM
Are there any benchmarks for the Core 2 Duo chips? What would we be getting from the upgrade?Merom or Conroe?
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2808
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2795
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2808
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2795
geese
Nov 22, 04:27 AM
[QUOTE=Macrumors;3080145"We've learned and struggled for a few years here figuring out how to make a decent phone,'' he said. "PC guys are not going to just figure this out. They're not going to just walk in.'' .[/QUOTE]
I remember the head of Atari saying something similar about Sony's Playstation.
I remember the head of Atari saying something similar about Sony's Playstation.
glassbathroom
Aug 3, 04:02 AM
I'm expecting to get frustrated with the quality of streamed video of the keynote. Yes Steve, I am sure that it is "cool stuff", but it all looks like frog spawn to me!
Rodimus Prime
Apr 10, 10:38 AM
i think we can leave it at 'bad style'
IMHO it proves again that mixing on-the-paper-notation (leaving out the multiplication sign) and computer notation ( '/' instead of the paper notation) simply leads to confusing situation and needs to be avoided
yes the answer is mathematical clear but why write it down that way in the first place ?
I would not call it bad style but pretty clear that people all over the world suck at math.
I can not even remember the last time I used the paper notation over '/' in my work. That paper notation is harder to write and read for me as it can easy be confused with '-' if the dots are missed or poorly put in place.
The correct way to read 48/2(9+2) is (48/2)*(9+3) no other way about it. I would write it 48/2(9+3) because that is clear what it should be and under the rules that is exactly what I was aiming for. If I wanted it to be 48/ ((2*(9+3)) I would write it that way or have the 48 above a longer line and the 2 (9+3) completely below it.
IMHO it proves again that mixing on-the-paper-notation (leaving out the multiplication sign) and computer notation ( '/' instead of the paper notation) simply leads to confusing situation and needs to be avoided
yes the answer is mathematical clear but why write it down that way in the first place ?
I would not call it bad style but pretty clear that people all over the world suck at math.
I can not even remember the last time I used the paper notation over '/' in my work. That paper notation is harder to write and read for me as it can easy be confused with '-' if the dots are missed or poorly put in place.
The correct way to read 48/2(9+2) is (48/2)*(9+3) no other way about it. I would write it 48/2(9+3) because that is clear what it should be and under the rules that is exactly what I was aiming for. If I wanted it to be 48/ ((2*(9+3)) I would write it that way or have the 48 above a longer line and the 2 (9+3) completely below it.
Multimedia
Aug 7, 06:36 PM
Just ordered with the X1900 upgrade, memory upgrade, and Bluetooth. Says three to five weeks to ship.
If I check the order status twice a day, will that make my system ship faster? :)Two 1 GB Sticks are only $386 from Third Parties. (http://www.wiredzone.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=32003196&source=froogle)
2x1 = 2GB = $386 vs Apples 4x 512 NOT 6x 512 = + $386 Plus the One GB from Apple for total of 3GB.
4x1 = 4GB = $772 vs. Apple's $990 Plus the One GB you get base from Apple for total of 5GB.
I think you really should change your order to base ram and add TWO 1GB sticks for only $386 for a total of 3GB to begin with for only $116 more than the cost of TWO from Apple taking up only 4 slots. :)
When you buy 2 GB (4 x 512) from Apple you are paying Apple $270 for ONE GB (because you get ONE GB Base anyway) Instead of $193 per ONE GB from Third Parties plus the ONE it comes with no matter what.
$386 MINUS $270 = $116 for that first GB it comes with. See?
If I check the order status twice a day, will that make my system ship faster? :)Two 1 GB Sticks are only $386 from Third Parties. (http://www.wiredzone.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=32003196&source=froogle)
2x1 = 2GB = $386 vs Apples 4x 512 NOT 6x 512 = + $386 Plus the One GB from Apple for total of 3GB.
4x1 = 4GB = $772 vs. Apple's $990 Plus the One GB you get base from Apple for total of 5GB.
I think you really should change your order to base ram and add TWO 1GB sticks for only $386 for a total of 3GB to begin with for only $116 more than the cost of TWO from Apple taking up only 4 slots. :)
When you buy 2 GB (4 x 512) from Apple you are paying Apple $270 for ONE GB (because you get ONE GB Base anyway) Instead of $193 per ONE GB from Third Parties plus the ONE it comes with no matter what.
$386 MINUS $270 = $116 for that first GB it comes with. See?
poppe
Aug 4, 12:13 AM
AnandTech to the rescue!
heisetax
Aug 2, 02:14 PM
macbook pro? imac core duo? intel mini? macbook? :confused:
mac pro, xserve intel, leopard previews, maybe cinema displays, maybe something like a tablet that we haven't heard about.
no updates to imacs, macbooks, macbook pros, or minis. Those are minor speed bumps that will be done quietly over the coming weeks and months, not something to trumpet in a keynote.
But minor speed bumps is all they have to talk about. Some say that going from shipping a 2.16m2.0,1.83 GHz to shipping just a 2.16 & 2.0 GHz models is a speed bump. How can that be a speed bump when the max speed is still 2.16 GHz.
Other than a OS 10.5 demo I have no expectations for WWDC. I believe that Steve Jobs is too smart to bring out a new Intel PowerMac & have people see if he will promise that they will be up to the 3 GHz speed in a year. Or did he say 2 or 3 years or was that 2 or 3 processor changes before that happens.
With Photoshop, Quark, MS Office & other Mac productive software not yet able to run natively on an Intel Mac much of the excitement for the developer & Pro user is not there.
Apple has gone too long with waiting a year for updates that anything sooner than hat will take them awhile to do again.
The only thing I'd like to see is an easy to shange hard drive & optical drive in the Intel MacBook Pro 15" & 17" models. My PowerBook will last a long time, so I can wait. I may have to do all of my operations with an external drive. I always changed my hard drive for a newer drive once or twice a year. Sometimes I just wanted a different set of programs. My 15" TI PowerBook was easy to open & change hard drives. The new Intel MacBook seems to have a good answer for this problem. Let's see if Apple can do this in the Intel MacBook Pro line as well.
Bill the TaxMan
mac pro, xserve intel, leopard previews, maybe cinema displays, maybe something like a tablet that we haven't heard about.
no updates to imacs, macbooks, macbook pros, or minis. Those are minor speed bumps that will be done quietly over the coming weeks and months, not something to trumpet in a keynote.
But minor speed bumps is all they have to talk about. Some say that going from shipping a 2.16m2.0,1.83 GHz to shipping just a 2.16 & 2.0 GHz models is a speed bump. How can that be a speed bump when the max speed is still 2.16 GHz.
Other than a OS 10.5 demo I have no expectations for WWDC. I believe that Steve Jobs is too smart to bring out a new Intel PowerMac & have people see if he will promise that they will be up to the 3 GHz speed in a year. Or did he say 2 or 3 years or was that 2 or 3 processor changes before that happens.
With Photoshop, Quark, MS Office & other Mac productive software not yet able to run natively on an Intel Mac much of the excitement for the developer & Pro user is not there.
Apple has gone too long with waiting a year for updates that anything sooner than hat will take them awhile to do again.
The only thing I'd like to see is an easy to shange hard drive & optical drive in the Intel MacBook Pro 15" & 17" models. My PowerBook will last a long time, so I can wait. I may have to do all of my operations with an external drive. I always changed my hard drive for a newer drive once or twice a year. Sometimes I just wanted a different set of programs. My 15" TI PowerBook was easy to open & change hard drives. The new Intel MacBook seems to have a good answer for this problem. Let's see if Apple can do this in the Intel MacBook Pro line as well.
Bill the TaxMan
Tonsko
Jan 12, 09:49 AM
Talk to GGJStudios about point #3. He will rip your head off and call you unprofessional :D
marksman
Apr 25, 11:10 AM
No, he said "the info circulating". "THE" info includes the info about the database.
The question specifically asked about Apple tracking this person. That is the question he was answering.
The question specifically asked about Apple tracking this person. That is the question he was answering.
ehoui
May 5, 09:45 PM
I don't know that it does.... I was merely rebutting the point that learning the Imperial measures gave US kids a competitive edge.
I don't think it matters. If you are in an Science or Engineering, unit conversions are the least of your worries. That was my point. Metric or not-metric in our daily lives have little bearing on those in rigorous math-oriented disciplines. I might be wrong, but I'd like to hear why.
I don't think it matters. If you are in an Science or Engineering, unit conversions are the least of your worries. That was my point. Metric or not-metric in our daily lives have little bearing on those in rigorous math-oriented disciplines. I might be wrong, but I'd like to hear why.
jholzner
Aug 11, 09:03 AM
This is good news for future Macbook owners. I'm interested in when the iMac will get Conroe. A friend of mine is switching from Windows and wants the iMac but is waiting for Conroe in the iMac. I only hope they go with the desktop processor in the iMac and not Merom since he's not interested in the mobile processor in his desktop.
Why would they give the Macbook that but leave the iMac with the original Core Duo? Doesn't make sense. I would think all three would get it or just the Macbook Pro.
Well, hopefully the iMac will be updated sooner than the portables. Conroe is out and available in quantities now where as Merom won't be as available in quantities until the end of this month.
Why would they give the Macbook that but leave the iMac with the original Core Duo? Doesn't make sense. I would think all three would get it or just the Macbook Pro.
Well, hopefully the iMac will be updated sooner than the portables. Conroe is out and available in quantities now where as Merom won't be as available in quantities until the end of this month.