“You don’t need to invent anything, you just have to do traditional research where you look at history and then compliment that with scientific research where you’re trying to do something new. That can lead to a lot in the business and technology sectors these days” – Bill Buxton
A chat with Microsoft Principal Researcher Bill Buxton, Part I
1. No Multitasking
This is DISSAPOINTING. This was meant to compete against netbooks but without multitasking? Not even close. You cannot even download music from iTunes while browsing the web or using an IM app while listening to your music. Sorry, I will wait for iPad 2.0
2. No Camera
No words can describe or explain the lack of a “tiny” camera on this thing. Perhaps it is related to the multitasking issue? or it is because of the huge load to the new Arm processor? We will never know for sure
3. No Flash
No Hulu? What about those millions of websites with full flash elements? I’m pretty sure Apple was thinking on all of us – users – when decided to let this one out…yeah right!
I have received this interesting posting regarding the applicability of a possible iTablet from Apple in the medical industry:
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Rumors of a Mac Tablet have been circulating around the Apple blogosphere for the past few months. While speculation escalates about the opportunities for an “iTablet” in the consumer market, we can’t help but muse on its applicability to medical records.
There is a seemingly endless amount of medical applications that could be developed for a Mac Tablet. However, we think it would be the ultimate interface for electronic medical records (EMRs). Ease-of-use has been a primary barrier to EMR adoption, so Apple – known for intuitive design and usability – would be welcomed by physicians.
So here we ruminate on the possibility of a Mac Tablet and present ideas on its use with EMRs.
Source: CrunchGear
Source: Software Advice
Apple and Twitter are in serious negotiations over a possible $700 million sale of the social networking site, with the deal set to be announced in June if successful.
Of course this is all based on speculation from a source close to ValleyWag, which states that he’s been recruited by Apple and says the two are locked in talks over a potential sale.
The figure of $700 million comes after Twitter turned down $500 million plus shares from Facebook in the past, but apparently a source close to Twitter says Apple’s offer would be hard to turn down.
The question would obviously remain, no matter who buys the company, how would it make any money? Twitter still has to define a business model that would generate the significant income a 6 million user base and over 1,300 per cent growth should be bringing.
The only likely option would be for Apple to integrate the Twitter model into its iPhone / Mac services… although given the plethora of options available for both those models already, it’s hardly like it would be bringing a huge new fan base to those machines.
Too much cash
But on the other hand, given Apple has a reported $30 billion in cash these days, buying Twitter would be nothing more than small change for the company really, so in reality Jobs could just buy it in order to have Twitter stickers put all over Apple HQ’s walls.
This isn’t the only company Apple’s linked with at the moment, as it apparently also has videogame manufacturer EA in its sights according to rumours.
Given the amount of chat we’re hearing from sources about Apple’s sudden interest in using the iPhone as a gaming platform, this isn’t outside the realms of reality, especially as the likelihood is that games will soon be delivered in the same manner as iTunes provides music and TV shows at the moment.
Via ValleyWag, GameBizBlog and Techradar
Rumors of Apple’s forthcoming netbook have been given another little piece of solidity by a Taiwanese touch panel manufacturer confirming it is supplying larger panels to Apple, with shipments set to start in the second half of the year.
The ‘Apple netbook’ rumors are starting to get as boring as the iPhone 3G / Nano / Flip / whatever rumblings that go on for ages, but it appears Apple is doing something with larger touchscreens, and a netbook seems the most likely.
Striking a deal
According to Commercial Times in China, the company has confirmed it has struck a deal with Apple, with Quanta Computer lined up to make the units themselves.
The rumors will have to be taken with a pinch of salt, before diving into a massive pile of the same substance, given that Tim Cook has previously stated: “We think the products are inferior”.
He also stated that the current netbooks have “cramped keyboards” and “small displays”, which might sound like Apple is not coming out with such a device.
But it could perhaps be taken as Apple gearing up for an assault on another market, and given its computing prowess you certainly wouldn’t bet against the Macbook mini taking on the incumbents and winning.
Source: Techradar.com
Tags: Applenetbook, touchscreen apple
As well as new Mac Pros, Apple has announced updates to its consumer desktop line, including a new iMac and an energy-efficient Mac mini with far better integrated graphics.
All the machines have faster Intel Core 2 Duo processors up to 3.06GHz and there’s twice the previous amount of memory for all iMacs. The memory is also DDR3 but the upgrade prices for more memory are extremely expensive as usual.
Apple claims the relaunched Mac mini is the world’s most energy efficient desktop, drawing less than 13 watts of power when idle.
The Mac mini now has the same powerful Nvidia GeForce 9400M integrated graphics as the new MacBook line. It’s available in two main models and combines a 2GHz Core 2 Duo chip with 4GB of memory and up to 320GB of storage.
Both also add-in dual display support with Mini DisplayPort or DVI connections.
What about the iMac?
The iMac line starts with the 20-inch model for £949 and features a 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB memory, a 320GB hard drive and the 9400M integrated graphics.
The top line 1,920×1,200 24-inch model starts at £1,199 and features a 3.06GHz chip and 4GB of memory. It can also be specified with a 640GB or 1TB hard drive. The iMac also has a Mini DisplayPort connector.
And, as well as the 9400M, other options include the GeForce GT 130 or ATI Radeon HD 4850. As you’d expect, all ship with iLife ’09 and Mac OS X Leopard.
Apple has also dropped the news that its AirPort Extreme 802.11n Wi-Fi Base Station and Time Capsule are now dual-band, with simultaneous 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks for HD streaming. Other manufacturers such as Netgear and Linksys already have these models on the market.
Source: Techradar.com
Apple has just released the new Safari 4 in Beta version. This new version took and improved some cool features from its competitor – Google Chrome.
According to apple, Safari 4 is over four times faster than Safari 3. One of the most interesting things around this new version, is its full support for Windows fans, including Windows XP and Vista skins in order to keep a “Windows-like” environment.
Some of the features include: Top Sites, Cover flow, Tabs On Top, Full History Search, Smart Address Field, Smart Search Field, Full Page Zoom, and more …
There has been some buzz for quite long around the Dell mini netbooks. Even more now when Dell has launched the new Dell mini 10″ with tons of new features and at a decent price.
I had the chance to test one of these babies. Paid $289 for a Dell mini 8.9″ at BestBuy (Canada).
Quick Review:
Pros:
- Aesthetics: These “little creatures” are unbelievable nice. The finish and details are top notch
- The screen is one of the best. I could say that they are at an Apple level. No dead pixels or defects whatsoever. The view angles are really good.
- The netbook is super quiet. You cannot even tell if it’s on.
- The ones I got came with XP. They were white (only top cover)
- Boot up was super fast
- Wireless, SD and USB slots work flawless.
- VGA and Ethernet ports
- Everything works under OSX from the beginning.
- All packaging was perfectly designed.
- It is “really” a mini Dell (mini laptop from dell)
- Traditional Trackpad (buttons at the bottom)
Cons:
- No Webcam (these is supposed to be standard now)
- 8Gb SSD is insufficient. If you want to install Windows 7 or OSX, you will need to spent some time figuring it out. IT is not as straight forward as it should be.
- No HDD led. Sometimes, you don’t know if it is doing something
- Battery tops 3 hours max (4 cells)
- Keyboard is not as good as HP or Asus.
- Some glare outdoors – bearable.
That pretty much sums it all. Hope it helps on your decision.
Detailed Specs from Dell:
Processors
- Intel® AtomTM Processor (1.6GHz, 512KB L2 Cache, 533MHz FSB)
Operating System
- Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition SP3
Memory
- Up to 1GB 533MHz DDR2 SDRAM.
Chipset
- Intel® 945PM / GS Express Chipset
Graphics
- Intel® Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 950
LCD Display
- Glossy 8.9 inch LED display (1024X600)
Audio and Speakers
- One external speaker
Hard Drives
- Up to 16GB configured with a Solid State drive.
Optical Drives
- None
Ports
- USB 2.0 (3)
- Integrated 10/100 LAN (RJ45)
- 15-pin VGA video connector
- Audio jacks (1-line out, 1 mic-in)
- 4-in-1 Media Card Reader
- AC adapter connector
Power
- 4-cell 32WHr Li-Ion Battery
Camera
- Optional 0.3MP or 1.3MP webcams
Wireless
- 802.11g mini-card
Bluetooth Options:
- Bluetooth® Internal (2.0) mini-card
Ports, Slots, Chassis
- USB 2.0 (3)
- Integrated 10/100 LAN (RJ45)
- 15-pin VGA video connector
- Audio jacks (1-line out, 1 Mic-in)
- 3-in-1 Media Card Reader
- AC adapter connector Dimensions & Weight
- Width: 9.13″ (232mm)
- Height: 1.07″ (16.8mm) front / 1.25″ (31.7mm) back
- Depth: 6.77″ (172mm)
- Weight: Starting weight of 2.28 lbs. (1.035 kg)3(8.9″ display, 4 cell battery). Weights will vary depending on configurations and manufacturing variability.
Everything you need to know about the upcoming new OS from Apple. From Launching dates, to features and new add-ons. It is a really good article that gives us an idea of the inevitable war between Windows 7 and Snow Leopard – hopefully, occurring this year 
Tags: SnowLeopard, new OS X, Apple, Windows 7, OS X 10.6, 10.7
According to the site Techradar.com, it seems tht recent Apple trademark filing suggests the company could be planning to re-enter the console gaming market.
9to5Mac reports that Apple has been working on a home media server to access your iTunes and other files anywhere you have internet access. The site compares it to HP’s just updated Media Smart Server which offers a centralized location for backup, storage and file delivery to your computers locally as well as remotely:
Your music, photos, videos and other media are part of your life — but they’re scattered over multiple computers, disk drives, CDs, DVDs, and MP3 players…. Macs and iPods too. The HP MediaSmart Server centralizes all your files, from all your home computers, in one place so you can grab them anywhere you have an internet connection and share how you want.
Apple’s take on the system would reportedly expand out Time Capsule’s functionality from being a single drive backup system into a more robust multi-drive backup server. In addition, tie ins would be made to Apple’s MobileMe services to deliver access to your files and media from anywhere on the internet.
9to5mac suggests that media could also be shared to your iPhone and iPod touch, providing full access to your media while mobile. The device could also serve media files to other computers at home as well as to your Apple TV.
Source: Macrumors.com
Tags: Apple, Media Server, Home Media Server, MobileMe, MediaSmart, HP, iPhone, iPod
