I just stumbled on what appears to be a browser wrapped in an iPhone shell, perfect for seeing applications created for iPhone in. They plan on making it open source too!
http://www.marketcircle.com/iphoney/
Just one more iPhone thing and it’s still eight days away? I think I’m spending 2 hours a day related to iPhone news right now, I really need to cut back. Just launch it already.
I did it, I had to. I had been waiting for the bump for the Macbook Pro, and it happened a few weeks ago. There is also the fact I will be heading to Alaska for a couple of weeks to put on HomeSkillet Fest. From what I hear, the brightness in daytime settings is phenomenal. And if Alaska has anything in the Summer, it is a lot of daylight.
I opted for the lower end model, because I really couldn’t justify such a big price bump, from what appears to be a video card and hardrive (correct me if I am wrong). After an upgrade to the 160gig hardrive, it comes out to about 2k or so. I’m very excited. I’ve been borrowing Jeff Reynold’s G4 Powerbook, which in its day, was a mighty fine machine.
Anyhow, I thought I would let on, my second Mac purchase is on its way. Now, I will just keep following the 12 Days of iPhone (you didn’t notice they are releasing new untold features every day now? The screen, the battery life, youtube! I spot a brilliant marketing plan in the making). On the 12th day, June 29th, I might have to get in line.
I have to say, there isn’t anything more frustrating when the tools you use to work, just won’t work. I can’t imagine if I was building a building and the crane I was using just wouldn’t budge. I guess those workers are being paid on the hour, and are probably getting paid regardless if it’s working or not. Bad analogy.
Anyhow, what I am getting at is a few gripes I have with some of my tools. Today’s culprits are The Mighty Mouse and Firefox. When I first got The Mighty Mouse I fell in love with it. The mini scrollball and the elegance of two buttons in one were both big hits with me. However, as time goes on, I am starting to fall out of love with this piece of hardware. Firefox, when I first got it, had me singing its praises to anyone who would listen, however this too is falling by the way side.
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I just read the new tracks in iTunes are more expensive, have no DRM, and are available at a higher quality than the DRM tracks that were previously there. All of this has been known for sometime, but what was new to me is the name of the new tracks:
iTunes Plus
This is brilliant. While all of us tech geeks know why the new iTunes tracks are better for all of the reasons listed above, it comes down to the average consumer having to make a decision. The terminology “plus” means the addition of something extra. And for a measly $.30 most consumers will pony up. And what happens when consumers start ponying up for plus? All of the other music labels will get in line to sell “plus” versions of their tracks. And then no more DRM.
It’s brilliant I tell ya.
I’ve been a big fan of Jeff Han and his Multitouch technology videos since they started appearing on YouTube. Apparently Microsoft has been too, or at least has been developing their new computing platform in conjunction with Jeff Han. Part of me says, “oh cool!”, yet part of me is skeptical that Microsoft will somehow botch this.
I didn’t see a date to start selling these, just a price. It could be vaporware for all we know. Apple is on the eve of dropping the first real multitouch screen device on the market, and this could be Microsoft’s attempt at stealing some thunder. It’s not like we haven’t seen this strategy before. Either way, the concepts behind the device are cool, I just wish their end user was the consumer, and not the retailer.
There have been rumors of Apple switching all of their displays to MultiTouch technology, we will see when Leopard comes out if their is any truth to it. If there is, this is another product that turns into a yawn, but if not, way to go Microsoft.
Last night I went up to Seattle for a Seahawks game, which was a miserable defeat, but I had a chance to meet some good people. I have never met anyone that works at Microsoft, then suddenly last night, I meet two. While both individuals were very smart, as you have to be to work at Microsoft, I didn’t get the feeling they loved MS, it’s just where they work.
The gist of the conversation I remember, the rest was lost in a bit of a haze, so please forgive the generalizing without examples. Essentially what I got was this, yes, we work at Microsoft, there are some good things here, but Google/Firefox/Opensource/Apple/Web Standards are awesome! There is something troubling in this thought pattern.
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Creating a “switch” post is starting to seem a bit cliche. Generally speaking, the overall tone of all “switchers” is a very positive one. When XP came out half a decade ago, I would have hoped reading all of these posts, they would all be negative. Now I can say, almost fanatically, I will never go back to a Windows PC and all of these switchers are right, it feels very nice. What entails is my background in computers, the road leading to the switch, and the time post-switch.
Background
I grew up playing around on my Mom’s old DOS machine and didn’t learn a dos command.Well actually, I learned one: win. A computer was used to type papers and play solitaire. Not much else was needed.
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After watching Michael Buffington’s presentation of Ruby On Rails, I decided it was time to start learning. I had quite a few obstacles in getting everything up and running. There are three key components – Following a tutorial, getting YourSQL, and following a tutorial.
I was able to create a simple cookbook app in very short order. If I ignore all of the technical hang-ups I had due to my lack of attention to detail, then it would have been 5X as fast. Here is a brief overview of my system:
2.0 Ghz iMac Intel Core-Duo
2 gigs of Ram
OSX 10.4.7
Previous local webserver/apache/mysql experience: Many failed attempts
Recovering PC addict – 5 months
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peddler of ideas and all things that are good
I am a digital geek; equal parts designer, builder, and ideator. I am the co-founder of a interface design shop in Portland, Oregon called We the Media. We do amazing stuff running the gamut from systems design to application development to interface design. If you would like to work with us, drop me a line.
We recently started a new company around a product we're calling Opal. It's a way to build company cultures around delighted employees.
At this blog you will find stories about business, life, web design, & culture. You will also find a stream of what I find interesting on the web. Enjoy.