OVERVIEW: This article links to several resources that will help your new computer go from the box to maximum usefulness as fast as possible.
2009 Was OK, But Things Can Get ALOT Better
2009 is almost over and I’m making my technology wish list for 2010. Being that it’s a “WISH” list, I decided to shoot for the stars. in order fro 2010 to be the best year ever in tech, here’s what I want.
The iPhone plays a huge role in my IT infrastructure. It bridge the gap between the VitaminCM global headquarters and the vast wastelands that lie outside my door. Sometimes I actually have to go out and mingle with the great unwashed hordes. Gasp! While there are so many things to love about my trusty companion, here is what I desperately wish for:
I have been a heavy Windows user for the last decade or so (HP UNIX before that). I bought a 15 inch Macbook Pro to use at home exactly six months ago. (Still use an XP machine at work.) Over the last six months I have been adjusting to the Mac Operating System with mixed results (mostly good). My biggest challenge was learning which application to use to do things. Again, this has been a mixed bag of results.
Today, Google finally announced on their blog that it will be going to war with Microsoft, Apple, and Linux by releasing their own Operating System. There have been rumors and speculation about Google building their own Operating System for years now, so this in not really any big news.
What actually is news (to me any way) is that they are basing this new Windows/Mac killer on their Chrome browser. This had to make the folks in Redmond and Palo Alto breath a sigh of relief.
What exactly is the selling point of this new OS?
Thanks, but no thanks. Have you seen the Chrome browser? What does it do that’s any good? It doesn’t any of the cool features that Firefox fanboys brag about. None of the cool ideas that Opera features right out of the box. It doesn’t have the polish or flair of Safari on a Mac. Before you say, “At least it’s better than Internet Explorer”, that’s almost a moot point. First of all, I’m not convinced of that (I.E. 8 any way). Second, anyone who is either too lazy, in the dark, or boring to still use Internet Explorer will NEVER switch to some bleeding edge operating system.
What is the hallmark “feature” of a the Chrome browser? Simplicity, cleanliness, speed? What does all of that crap even mean? It doesn’t have extensions. I know, I know it sort of has some jive-ass extenstions that are a headache to hack together. I mean real extensions that just install in a few clicks and provide “real” gamechanging enhancements.
Is this what their operating system is going to be like. None of the ubiquity of Windows and none of the polish of MacIntosh. Buying and renaming a rabble of applications (Picasa and Google Earth), and services (Blogger, YouTube, and Voice) is not the same as building an integrated, useful operating system. Microsoft, Apple, and Linux have been at this thing for decades and there are a million annoying things about each of their offerings. How exactly is Google’s product going to be a usable computing experience?
First of all, I use and love a ton of Google’s products, so I do think that they can build, buy, and/or steal some great stuff. Second, I can see a way in which they can possibly make a thin client that floats on top of a linux kernal. They could bundle some of their existing and future desktop applications with the build. Then, they could embed heavy hooks into their own (and other people’s) web applications and services. If anyone can tie this all together into a usable, if not minimalist package it just might be Google. But I would bet against it.
The previous scenario that I just mentioned already exists. It’s called an iPhone. If Apple get’s a hint of any possible success for this type of thing, they’ll slap a keyboard and bigger screen on an iPod touch in about 10 seconds.
In summation, starting from scratch with a small toolbox and trying to take down three goliaths who have decades of experience, millions of hours of code, and about a TRILLION dollars of a warchest does not seem like a recipe for success.
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The iPod Touch
Well, there has been a full hardware upgrade released and several firmware releases since then. So how has Apple done to address my laundry list of wishes?
| Wish List | Actual | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Realistic Storage | Slight Upgrade (Not even Close to enough) |  |
| GPS | Yes |  |
| Bluetooth | It’s there, BUT Apple has purposely made it unusable. | |
| Third Party Applications and Games | Free and Paid through iTunes Store |  |
| Skype | Available with Fring Application | |
They’ve done a mediocre job of addressing some my big concerns, but what issues still need addressing?
I read all of the rumors for the last few weeks about the funny looking Nano, the iPhone 2, and every other thing. I secretly hoped that I would get what the iPhone made me really want. A world class Portable Media / PDA / Internet Tablet all in one. (NO PHONE, I hate the idea of that thing as a phone!)
Well what did the sultan of the mock-T give me? The Finger A big, beautiful touch screen iPod that is just about useless as a Portable Media Device. The PDA part is pretty close to what I wanted and the Internet Tablet is still a “Walled Garden” of Safari disappointment.
Useless Portable Media Device? How can that be, it’s an iPod, and you almost tried to marry your current iPod? Well, here it is; The thing only has 16 gigs of storage. My third generation, black and white, music only iPod had 40 gigs back in 2003. Now, this thing has that gorgeous, huge screen that cries out for two things: High Quality Video and Lucious Photos. What do those two things have in common – You guessed it, BIG FILE SIZE. So now, I have the need for MORE capacity and I’m given LESS. All to say that it is thinner than Nicole Richie after she refunds her lunch. Was anyone’s iPod Video just way too fat? I don’t know, mine seems perfect. I’d even settle for a few more millimeters if they were packed with Songs, Movies, Photos, and Useful Applications.
Useful Applications, let’s talk about that for a minute. You really don’t need that much storage for applications, because YOU STILL CAN”T LOAD ANY REAL SOFTWARE onto this miracle of modern technology. So now I have a Ferarri that is not allowed to drive on the highway. Thanks! Open up the damn platform and let me put some cool software on the thing. It could be like a Palm Pilot with an attractive interface.
Another thing that I would allow a few more millimeters of girth for is GPS. It fits in the tiniest of cell phones, how much room could it take up? That would be great, plop it up on the dashboard of my car, let the music play through my stereo while magical turn-by-turn directions danced across the screen, all the while being charged by my car’s battery. Sorry, not gonna happen.
Now, listen to me Steve, roll up the sleeves on that mock-T and get to work on building me something usefull. When you’re done, I just might genuflect and kiss your ring. Until then, don’t schedule another one of your useless Dash-My-Hopes-Again dog and pony shows.
Update: I guess Scoble agrees with me, Check out his Open Letter to Steve Jobs.
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I keep seeing all of these headlines for “iPhone Unlocked” on every blog in the lands.
Am I missing something here? What is the benefit of unlocking the iPhone? It only works on GSM networks and the last time I looked (U.S. only) there are two AT&T and T-Mobile. So what have you achieved? Well, sure, you could cancel your AT&T contract and move over to T-Mobile.
Here’s the catch: You still have to buy out of your AT&T contract ($175 early cancellation fee). You still have to pay for a new contract with T-Mobile. ($29 – $79 a month + Voice Plan)
Apple already got paid when you bought the phone.
AT&T got paid when you signed the contract.
You pay cancellation penalty to AT&T and they don’t have to provide the service.(Get money, don’t provide service, sounds pretty good.)
T-Mobile gets paid.
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