Tag Apple

Entries 40 Total Description

One of the hottest design companies. Seemingly morphing into a consumer electronics company thanks to the successes of their iPods, iPhones, iPads, iMacs, iTV devices, and Macintosh laptop and desktop computers.

Google+ on iOS: The Strategy

Jul 16, ’12 3:52 PM

In war its called a inserting a mole or 5th column, in the movie “Social Network”  a main character called it “The Little Big Horn” strategy. Google has turned to it  as a way to to pull in iPad and iPhone users to Google+ slow starting  Google+ service before it becomes a non-starter. They are probably thinking that If it didn’t fly as first planned then you must go where they are.

Google can always snatch up OS dependent Android users as you need but by pre-emptively snaring Apple users Google can establish through an app their brand as cool and in essense beat Apple to the game.

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Apple in the Enterprise? YES!

Jul 9, ’12 3:46 PM

Several years ago business computing was almost entirely the domain of Microsoft and its thunderous legion of OEM manufacturering adherents foreign and domestic. MS certifications and .Net programming were your virtual ticket to jobs and opportunities . Computer Sciece degrees ignored everything else until Apps and social media became the passport to high paying jobs and million dollar opportunities. Back then one need consider Macs or MacOS in the enterprise let alone make space for mobile devices other than Backberries.
Fast forward to today.

Things have indeed changed! App, Cloud and moble security developers have become the positions most in demand.
Apple has actually managed to a limited extent to insert itself into many businesses and educational institutions by showing up well in the pockets and pouches of culture concious young tech execs worldwide. Windows fragmentation has managed to frustrate and confuse almost everyone including so-called Windows experts and network professionals.

Most companies have been content to just tread water and limp along as if things remain the same. Aggressive and forward thinking IT departments have steeped into the breach to include and support Linux and BYOD mobile devices.

We are only at the early phases of anything like platform ubiquity. (the Holy Grail of corporate computing). As Apple invades the enterprise via iPhones and iPads and Web apps lessen our need for Office Suites we should soon see a different ecosystem develop that is a bit more platform agnostic and manufacturer neutral.

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Apple Stalls Samsung S III U.S. Release

Jun 9, ’12 11:41 AM

Apple is suing Samsung in a last ditch effort to block sales of Samsung’s highly anticipated Galaxy S III smartphone in the United States.

Apple is hoping to be granted injunction against Samsuing on the grounds that the Galaxy S III infringes on at least 2 cherished Apple patents.

The complaint filed in a California court past week asserts that the Galaxy S III infringes on data-tapping and unified search technologies owned by Apple.

Apple’s complaint claims “it is clear that infringement can be shown with respect to these patents based on the current record.”

Samsung sees it differently. “Samsung believes Apple’s request is without merit, We will vigorously oppose the request and demonstrate to the court that the Galaxy S III is innovative and distinctive.”

Apple’s move to block sales of the Galaxy S III in the United States is the latest in a long line of patent disputes between the two companies. In May, Apple filed a motion against Samsung over their Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet.

It is curious that these two particular companies are in some select ways partners or clients. Even more so, a  recent attempt to sit down and negotiate and resolve these disputes failed miserably so here we are in the throes of a struggle that could determine the future of the leaders in the smartphone battle.

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is Apple’s real future competitor Intel?

Jun 2, ’12 4:10 PM

Intel seems content to just lie quietly in the backgroud away from all the noise appearing to be content to develop enhanced plans to build a platform for future Ultrabook development and production. This new era of Ultrabooks bring the glitz and power to attempt knock out Apple’s AIR and MacBook Pros down a peg.

Soon Intel will release their own smartphone aimed of course at competing with Apple’s successful and popular iPhones. Intel’s announced developments are just the tip of the iceberg. Intel like Google and other like Dell have seem the future as charted out by Apple and naturally they want their piece.

Unlike smaller players Intel has  the power, innovation expertise and capacity to do what others can only do in part. They could even update the model that got them there. Build a hardware/software platform to offer to the many PC makers that are struggling to find their way in the emerging marketplace driven by the mobility imperative.

With Motorola in Google’s pocket and desktops and laptops floundering in the market. New opportunities aboundespecially in the world of tablets and Ultrabooks and Intel would be seriously naive to pass them up.

If I were on Apple’s board I would urge the company to look over our shoulder. Even though highly recognized Asian companies such as Samsung, Nokia, Lenovo and others are strong well-positioned rivals the real fox in the henhouse may turn out to be that smiling next door Silicon Valley neighbor with deep pockets and a stong desire to sustain and thrive.

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Google Telecasts Moves

May 23, ’12 9:09 AM

After Google’s recently approved acquistion of Motorola + and X-box designer company Mike & Maaike, what do you think is Google’s grand plan with these revealing pieces in their hands?

My guess is they truly desireand are taking all necessary steps to pick up and take off just where Steve Jobs unfortunately left off in his ultimately successful retooling of Apple. It took him years Google is hoping to do it in months.

For Google watchers this mainly means Google becoming a diverse company that can easily morphand merge industries from software to online, and into hardware as they see fit, with really modern minimalist design as the key to unlocking market demand. So far they have made some very wise if not always ethical nor honorable choices.

Google is rapidly becoming an agile company built more in Apple’s mold than anything. This lesson could have been better learned by all those quickly falling and ultimately failing companies that been content to rest on their laurels and past glories.

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iPad 3 Rumors Abound

Feb 17, ’12 3:36 PM

It seems we are close to the next version of the industry leading Apple iPad 3.

Having created the category Apple is having to re-establish authority. Amazon has jumped in the game and there are tons of also-ran players none really much of a threat to iPad dominance.

This means Apple has a chance to distance themselves from competition by introducing a stellar and truly innovative device.

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Apple granted patent on using apps during calls.

Dec 21, ’11 9:09 AM

 

U.S. Patent Office

U.S. Patent Office

 

Apple was just granted a game changing patent for using apps while also on a call. This patent covers the process of switching between a call and an app and then back again on the popular iPhone.

It won’t be impossible for other manufacturers to develop other methods for switching between a call and apps that don’t violate this patent, but the existence of the patent will make it much harder for their solutions to be as smooth and elegant. It is believed by mobility industry watchers that this is a big deal that is certain to impact andslow the development of Apple’s competition in the smartphone market space.

At first glance this patent seems specific, while in fact it is actually pretty broad. Competitors will surely get busy working up alternative methods and creative workarounds but this particular patent is but another hurdle that may impede and stimey many of the leading iPhone challengers.

It seems that the new tactical business strategy is to build a whole wall of patents around hot new products to forstall and trip up competitive attacks.

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Fringe Companies in 2012

Dec 20, ’11 8:39 AM

Big companies like Apple, Microsoft, Motorola, Samsung and Google have a good idea where their future rests, but what about the thousands upon thousands of smaller marginal companies that operate just outside hot, glitzy, and trendy niches and market segments? These are the bedrock suppliers that make many of the essential external and add-on accessory products that enhance or perfect the capabilities of the dearly acquired computers and mobile devices we own, love and use.

How are these players making it these days? If they are smart and agile they should have their ears to the ground and stay busy studying the latest innovative technologies for openings and sizable gaps representing openings and opportunities to keep their development labs working on products that address those gaps and lead to profitability and sustainability.

Examples:

These are only a few of the worthy cable, hard disc, monitor, bag and case makers now joined in competition for hard fought consumer dollars by a great many newly hot app builders.

It would be fortunate if these two segments came together to innovate and develop products missing from our current range of selections. After all the direction og our times is making everything intelligent by embedding technology into things that do useful stuff.

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Apple hands HTC a minor setback

Dec 19, ’11 5:16 PM

Cupertino scored victory over Taiwan’s HTC by winning a patent victory. Apple claims HTC’s phones illegally use patented features found in the iPhone. Depending on how this plays out in court HTC may face an import ban at could have been the worst possible time.

In what is seen as a limited legal victory for Apple, the U.S. International Trade Commission ruled that HTC violated only one of Apple’s, Calif.-based company’s patents. But that may enough to slow up the train but not derail it.

HTC responded quickly by agreeing to remove the feature in despite from all upcoming HTC phones soon. This means that ITC’s ruling will have very little practical effect.

ITC’s imposed import ban on only some of HTC’s products won’t take effect until April 19, 2012, giving HTC, Google, and partners a window of time to remove certain features or figure out technical work-arounds that don’t infringe on the patent.

Apple filed a complaint alleging that HTC violated 10 of its patents. In a preliminary ruling in June, an ITC administrative law judge found only two violations, and this latest ruling narrows the violation to only one of the original 10 patents.

Industry watchers believe that all of this will actually cause little or no disruption to HTC’s business in the U.S.”

HTC states this particular patent is a small UI experience (data tapping) and HTC will completely remove it from all of our phones soon.
This recent development is but a minor blow to HTC and may be a bit of a green light to other Android manufacturers. This may be an early round of an extensive litany of patent suits and counter suits among numerous parties. The outcomes of these skirmishes may determine the future of mobility as we know it.
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The Era of Voice is Here!

Dec 18, ’11 7:54 AM
Voice Command

Voice Command

Over the last couple of decades Dragon stuck to the vision of voiceinput and eventually delivered on the promise of voice command and entry on the desktop.
Then In 2011 Apple’s Siri on the iPhone 4S lead the charge in the mobile world and now every manufacturer is likely busy preparing and positioning to keep up with the market leader. Certainly there were a couple of also ran voiceproducts on the Android platform but now voice has gotten serious. More importantly, Users are now aware that there is a better way than thumbing tiny virtual keyboards and that by speaking they can do their work all they need to do is select a smartphone and OS that supports voice command and entry.
If I was young computer science and communications student these are the niches I would seriously explore and consider diving into.
We are still in the early days but I predict that some day very soon we will see a major development either in hardware (A Voice chip) or software that capitalizes on, perfects and delivers a superior level of voice capability for mobility that is undeniably better than what we have now.
Voice Capability:
  1. Command
  2. Text entry
  3. Memo
  4. Messaging
  5. Control
  6. Access
  7. UI
  8. Response tones (the device understands).
Audio cues and controls are being built into new cars and many other complicated devices leading to a voice controlled embedded world of no more clocks blinking 12:00:00 forever.
Your devives are listening and are ready to activate to your commands.
Sound familiar? That is the future we knew was coming but now we know it is near if not already here.
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What’s Next? Changing of the Guard!

Dec 15, ’11 1:25 PM

It was just a short bit ago when the tech world was dominated by Microsoft.  Research In Motion seemed to  have theworld of mobility squarely in its pocket, then suddenly something happened.

Today Apple and Google rule the roost with Twitter and Facebook becoming forces. Who knows who will step forward tommorrow?

CES2012 might go a long way provide some strong clues or indications of who the real players might be in coming times but if history is any indicator whomever it iswill slowly emerge from the clutter and noise with a product or service most of us cannot live without. We will all wonder what the heck we did before it came into our lives. Theimitatorswill scramble to clone, reverse engineer or under price whatever it turns out to be. Companies will rise or fall. Pundits will tear it apart or extol it.

Consultants will try to figure out how to pimp andmonetize it, users will scratch their heads trying to figure out exactly what to do with it, innovators will attempt to figure ways to integrate enhance, extend or mash it with.

I predict that we will all meet back here (Lord willing) at years end and wonder, what’s next?

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Recording Studio in your Pocket

Nov 22, ’11 2:16 PM
Tascam im2 on iphone

Tascam im2 on iphone

TASCAM’s iM2 turns your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch into a high-quality stereo recorder. It is in its essence a pair of condenser microphones, delivering the same high quality as TASCAM’s best-selling DR-series recorders. iM2 plugs directly into the dock connector of Apple devices.

The microphones are adjustable over 180 degrees for the best sound placement. The uni-directional elements are arranged in an AB pattern for detailed stereo imaging while capturing the ambience of your room.

Best of all the iM2 contains its own microphone preamp and analog-to-digital converter for low noise and great audio quality.

Other mics generally use the built-in iPhone preamp, whereas the iM2 can handle up to 125dB sound levels to capture the loudest concerts and instruments without distortion.

Full-featured recording

What makes it a studio? The iM2 has a stereo limiter to control sudden loud sounds and audio. Microphone levels are also adjustable from a knob on the side, so it it quick and easy to adjust.

iM2 is powered through the dock connector so thankfully no battery is required. A USB input is provided to charge your Apple iOS device for overly long recordings, either through a computer or TASCAM’s PS-P515U power adapter.

The iM2 works great with just about any recording app, including a built-in video camera. You can record stereo sound while you capturing hi-def video on your iPhone.

iM2 is a must for all levels of musicians who want to capture their world on iPhone or iPad without sacrifices in quality.

I have been a professional radio announcer, musician, voice-over talent, and studio engineer for many years and in my carefully considered opinion the iM2 is just about the perfect recording accessory for musicians at all skill levels coming in at a nice affordable price. Plus, you just known we all love our iPods, iPhones and iPads, not to mention Apple’s Garage Band and many of the great available apps.

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Apple as Patent master

Nov 17, ’11 9:08 AM

U.S. Patent Office

Apple has recently emerged as a Patent ownership master. A score of new patents have been awarded to Apple that places the highly innovative company in the virtual cat-birds seat of mobile technology.

  • Virtual SIM Card
  • 3D Motion
  • Heat dissipation in computing device
  • iPhone Interfacing Portable Media Devices and Sports Equipment
  • Low EMI capacitive trackpad
  • System for authentication using shared table and sorting exponentiation
  • Ultrasonic bonding of discrete plastic parts to metal.
  • Magic Mouse TV Remote/Gamepad with 3D Capabilities
  • Intelligent multi-output adapter

Many thanks to Patently Apple for content materials. If I was a technology developer/manufacturer I would immediately bookmark and diligently monitor the Patently Apple site for product hints and market direction indicators.

 

 

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The Lesson of the iPhone 4S

Nov 4, ’11 11:39 AM

Lesson1

Until your competition actually forces your hand I think that Apple decided that they shouldn’t pull the trigger and move to improve what isn’t really broken and still leaves plenty of room for improvement?

So, even though Apple’s iPhone 4S is in general identical to last year’s iPhone 4, pundits have bitterly complained because there was no new iPhone 5.

Most would agree that Apple’s iPhone 4S does tun out to be an improvement on its predecessor, with improvements that go further than just the addition of the impressive Siri voice control technology, certainly a key feature that places the new iPhone somewhat ahead of everything else out there.

Questions linger about battery life, and its ability to transfer from one carrier to another.

But compared to its predecessor, the iPhone 4S is a good start. The iPhone 4S looks much like the iPhone 4 being identical in form and though a bit heavier.

The major difference is that Apple’s engineers have redesigned the antenna of the 4S.

So, what else is different?

  1. Improved Video Quality: Image stabilization makes videos on the iPhone 4S more attractive.
  2. Edit Photos on iPhone: Ability to edit photos on the device.
  3. Manufacturing Problems Solved: Users won’t have to wait for Apple’s suppliers.
  4. Looks Aren’t the whole Story: New imaging features and location services make the iPhone 4S stand out by finding local services
  5. Key feature: Siri voice control technology without a workaround allowing Siri to run on earlier devices is currently limited to the 4S.
  6. Mirrored Video Playback: iPhone 4S can output HD video up to 1080p. Wired and wireless media streaming are mirrored on iPhone 4S and connected devices.
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Apple’s Infrastructure Strategy

Oct 16, ’11 11:56 AM

Apple has in essense quietly built a system of infrastructures and support systems around all of the devices and products it produces.

This to me is exactly what I think Apple’s competitors have failed to either notice or respond to. These are also important and essential elements that engender the tremendous customer loyalty and confidence Apple now enjoys, and why other companies have such a hard time going up against Apple.

It is like a football team with the best training facilities, coaches, stadium and fans. They win games they should on paper lose and pack their stadium year after year with adoring fans that spring for season tickets. The city wins wins, as do the players and their agents, area vendors and businesses all profit as a result.

Examples:

  1. ITunes is the Infrastructure for iPods, iPhones, iPads and media on Macs.
  2. iCloud is set to become the infrastructure for itunes and those same devices.
  3. Apple stores are the retail infrastucture and consumer interface supporting everything Apple.
  4. Apple’s Developer network is the infrastructure supporting the many developers building great apps and software solutions.
  5. MacWorld though not an Apple production also supported the juncture of customers, developers and media.

Its all interconnected and self-supporting. Competitors can’t easily rally to pick off and compete against one disconnected part. It is almost as if Apple has circled their wagons and geared up for what is to come.

 

 

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First Day iOS 5 Update Issues

Oct 13, ’11 9:44 AM

Some users seem to be seeing problems in upgrading to the latest version of  Apple’s iOS.

Some users are reporting issues with downloading the new version of the iOS software. Some are getting a “3200 error”, including a message stating that an “internal error” has occurred, and the upgrade process was canceled.

Other users see related problems after successfully downloading the update, iTunes brings an error message as the file was extracted and is downloading slowly.

Again, this is another warning sign to would-be first-day upgraders to be patient and tread carefully before diving in. This was the lesson I learned by moving to OS X Lion on the first day and experiencing over 250 crashes and freezes that I had to do a hard restart from. This is getting to be a statement for better testing prior to release.

On the issue of iOS 5 below are some direct links you can use to make it happen hopefully successfully.

Hold Alt (Windows) /Option (Mac) and click the “restore” button in the iTunes iOS device summary screen, then point to the file matching your device. This will wipe your iOS device back to factory settings, so be sure to back up your device in iTunes first.

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Steve Jobs: Mastermind

Oct 8, ’11 9:22 AM
Mastermind

Mastermind

For over three days I have been given to meditating on the life and example of Steve Jobs. There is one word that sums him up for me. MASTERMIND.

He was beyond a doubt a prototype of what a corporate leader could and should be. When Scully snatched the reigns of Apple from him we saw what mediocrity let loose could lead to. On Steve’s return we saw that we could believe in recovery and second acts as he landed on his feet and then some.

Yes, Steve did have his faults. We all do. He also had his rough edges and tough streaks, however under his diligent guidance his product teams at Apple were driven to create greatness.

Steve Jobs was the one that shepherded Apple to some of the world’s leading devices for decades.

No other technology leader that I know of has been nearly as effective. With Steve’s passing many of us are quietly fearful for our technology future and possibility horizons without him.

Will or can anyone fill his shoes or fit his mold? If not, what will we be left with?

As we set up altars to him and laud heaps of praise upon the many products and companies he brought to us, we should begin to carefully examine, study and practice exactly what he taught us and what we learned from him.

To be sure, not every Apple product produced under his reign were winners, but the ones that succeeded set the bar high. Starting with the Apple II in 1976, then the Apple Macintosh in 1984 and finally the iPad tablet in 2010.

It would benefit us to personally adopt his “Think Differently” mantra as we begin each and every task and project we take up.

That for me would be the very best way to honor his memory.

He did not contenance mediocrity nor tollerate the type of stupidity and incompetence that is all too prominent these days.

Think Different

Thank you Steve!

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iPhone: The day after

Oct 5, ’11 9:31 AM

The shear dissapointment is so palpable you could cut it with a knife. The backset commentary is rife throughout the whole Internet. Every pundit and tech reporter is tripping over their own feet trying to come up with new ways to say something unique or different about everything that went down at Apple HQ yesterday.

To sum up Apple’s conundrum, they did a really poor job of managing everyone’s expectations and this may present an opportunity for competitors.

Apple still has the opportunity to blow the smartphone world away in the near future by actually introducing a new iPhone 5, it is just that they didn’t come through with one yesterday.

Yes, they did do a song and dance around new iPhone 4 versions, features and pricing and talked up a free 3GS (with 2 year contract).

Read my report on the event here.

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No iPhone 5! A 4S and “FREE” 3GS?

Oct 4, ’11 9:01 AM

Let’s Talk iPhone EVENT WRAP UP

Last Tuesday October 4th the morning streets of San Francisco were uncharacteristically empty on the very day of a major Apple event. By mid afternoon techie types were headed back into the city from the Apple iPhone Event.

So what did we learn? No iPhone 5 yet!

New iPhone 4S:

  1. Dual-core A5 chip
  2. 8MP camera and optics
  3. iOS 5 and iCloud

Apple may have made a super blunder or bought themselves a little more fudge time to come up with a truly superior competitive device to debut around the holidays and CES and MacWorld. With everyone and his brother expecting a brand new iPhone 5 to be unveiled today Apple in my opinion under-whelmed everyone with a couple of lesser devices with a few interesting features.

Among the revelations:

  • A Free iPhone 3GS
  • Siri Voice Assistance
  • An updated iPod Nano with new watch faces & fitness watch

Everyone is having their say about what went down at today at Apple’s HQ in Cupertino.

My take is:

The event had little of the glitzy super-sized announcements that we have become used to and that usually brought adoring crowds of Apple sycophants and “fan boys” to their feet.

New CEO, Tim Cook was surely no Steve Jobs, and  the actual presentation seemed to be mostly marketing hype and statistical ”aren’t we just great” chest thumping and bragging.

Apple’s “Let’s Talk iPhone” Event, was expected by most to be Apple’s best opportunity set Apple’s future in the post Steve Jobs era and establish in the minds of millions of consumers the  direction for their high-flying market leading iPhone line, but with no new iPhone 5 announced this day that certainly did not happen however hard we might have wished. I can hear all the many Android smartphone competitors breathing a deep sigh of relief and cranking up their manufacturing and development engines trying to “capture magic in a bottle”.

Regardless, Apple’s iPhone remains easily the leading smartphone in the mobile device market space all around the World, but the iPhone 5 has yet to make an appearance and one can bet their last money that Samsung, Microsoft, HTC and others are getting real busy attempting to strategically and tactivly exploit this possible stumble and Apple’s apparent failure to manage expectations.

Of course there were other issues addressed at the event including iPhone 4S, a soon to be free iPhone 3GS,  iCloud, iOS5, Siri Voice navigation/assistant, Sprint getting iPhones, a few updates to the iPod touch and Nano, but the future of the iPod Classic was not revealed nor its demise declared.

Every mobile technology and news site had eagerly accumulated long detailed lists of leading iPhone 5 rumors and imaginings. Most assumptions were profoundly wrong or way off target.

There were numerous live sources for blog coverage but strangely there was no real time on-site video available save a few select excerpts. There are a few additional newsworthy items revealed that I will detail a little later, but let me stop here and get some rest and decompress, have some lunch and a short nap.

If I sound a little disappointed, that is true! it is just that I really thought the time was right for much more than we got. That actually seems to be a feeling echoed and shared throughout our rather spoiled technology media, but then again, we always expect much more than we actually receive and do not hesitate to complain about whatever it is we get.

Reduction in prices: (Preorder 4Ss – Oct. 7th)

  • 16GB – $199
  • 32GB – $299
  • 64GB – $399
  • iPhone 4 $99 (2 year contract)
  • iPhone 3 – free (2 year contract)

New iPhone 4S specs:

  1. Dual-core A5 CPU
  2. Antenna Reworked
  3. Camera resolution upped to 8-MP – 1080p video
  4. Siri Voice Assistant
  5. More choice in service providers
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235 OS X Lion Crashes and Hard Restarts Later…

Sep 24, ’11 11:14 AM

235 OS X Lion Crashes and Restarts Later

I would not have believed Apple would have subjected me to this much pain and agony, and without warning nor recognition of the problem. In my daily web searching I can easily see that others are also having some similar issues.

Initially all I really wanted to do was to upgrade and all I needed was to keep my system up to date, those similar desires have become perhaps one of the worst possible decisions I have made in all of my 23 years of computing experience.

Each time it happens I lose approx. 12 to 15 minutes or more recovering for each crash and restart (2400 total minutes, or close to 60 hours). That does not include my productivity or momentum and the impact on my work.

It has even crashed twice whileI have been attempting to write this brief post.

I am close to giving up checking on System Updates in the hope that Apple may have sussed out the problem and found a resolution to it.

Help! Mac OS X Lion is eating me up!  This is unacceptable!!!

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