Chris Farley would be proud
Steven Frank of Panic fame evokes the ghost of Chris Farley for his iPhone 3GS unboxing video.
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Posted: June 29, 2009 / Category: Blog Watch
Microsoft promotes IE 8, albeit strangely
I’m no fan of Microsoft, but I will give them credit when it is due. First of all, they gave Dean Cain a job, and second, they are trying to convince the luddites still using IE 6 (or gasp, older) to upgrade to IE 8.
While I would rather people ditch IE altogether, I’m a realist and understand that many people will stick with whatever piece of crap Microsoft shoves down their gullet. And IE 8 is a lot less crappier than IE 6 or 7, so I’m all for this. Go ahead Microsoft, knock yourself out.
Posted: / Category: News
Macbook Pro 13 inch review
With the most recent Macbook Pro updates, Apple has finally extended the “Pro” to a Macbook with a screen smaller than 15″. Apple’s previous diminutive pro machine, the Powerbook G4 12″, was discontinued years ago, but many fans of the machine clamored for something smaller than the 15″. With the Macbook Pro 13″, Apple has given these fans something to be excited about.
Of course, the new Macbook Pro is very close in appearance and features to the Macbook 13″ Unibody machine it replaces. The big additions come in the way of Firewire 800, Backlit Keyboard, SD Memory Slot, and of course, the built-in 7 hour battery. Additionally, Apple bumped the CPU speeds and memory/hard drive capacity, all while lowering the prices. In short, Apple has really out done itself with this release of portable computers.
Posted: / Category: News
Fake Steve Jobs is Back
In case you missed it, Daniel Lyons, writing as the Fake Steve Jobs, is back. Now that Jobs is back to work, Lyons has resumed posting under the Fake Steve moniker. As Fake Steve himself says, “I’m back bitches, deal with it.”
Sure, it’s satire. But it’s incredibly insightful, funny, and more often than not – truthful.
Posted: June 27, 2009 / Category: News
iPhone USB Tethering for free
While AT&T tries to figure out what it wants to screw, er, I mean charge its customers for iPhone tethering, some enterprising young person has figured out a way to enable it on your iPhone for free, for many different carriers. Configuration appears to be drop dead easy, requiring you only to point your iPhone’s browser to http://help.benm.at/, selecting your carrier, and connecting your iPhone to your computer. That’s it.
Of course, don’t blame us if your carrier finds out what you are doing and decides to charge you for it.
Posted: / Category: News
iPhone 3GS dropped in the pool while recording video
You’ve got to see this video of an iPhone 3GS recording a lazy day by the pool, and then becoming the story itself when it accidentally gets dropped in the pool – and continues recording video while it is fished out of the pool.
Not sure if this is legit or not, but as someone who has had his iPod Shuffle run through the wash, I can tell you that if you take steps immediately to turn off a web iPod, and let it fully dry before powering back on, they usually survive getting wet. (more…)
Posted: / Category: News
Aforementioned article brings …
Aforementioned article brings up good point – that app store reviewers may be offshore personnel. Would certainly explain a lot if they are.
Posted: June 13, 2009 / Category: News
Great post about the problems …
Great post about the problems with being an iPhone developer. http://bit.ly/w4sxl #wwdc #iphone
Posted: / Category: News
Palm Pre Hype: Here we go again
From C|Net’s Ross Catanzariti comes an article with the headline:
“The Palm Pre Will Be an iPhone Killer”
OK. So you would assume that Mr. Catanzariti has used the device and can speak to how it compares to the iPhone. You would assume wrong. Third paragraph in:
“Although we haven’t yet had a chance to get our hands on this hot new smartphone, the reports coming out of the US have been largely positive so far. In particular, the webOS operating system is reportedly intuitive, easy to use and visually appealing, and looks like the closest competitor to the iPhone yet.”
Look, the Pre might be an iPhone killer. I certainly hope it does well, as competition can only push Apple to make the iPhone better. But if there’s one thing the Blackberry Storm has taught us, it’s that stock photos and hitting key “features” is not enough to make a phone that will dethrone the iPhone. Before proclaiming a certain product a “killer” you may want to have at least used it first and formed an opinion based on usage, not on a press release.
Posted: April 3, 2009 / Category: Opinion
Idiocy from USAToday
Leslie Cauley, writing for USAToday:
Apple’s (AAPL) unique treatment of the new Skype Internet calling feature on the iPhone — the free app works only on Wi-Fi, not the cellular or 3G network — is raising concern among public-policymakers and consumer advocates.
They say it’s a clear example of AT&T (T), the sole carrier of the iPhone in the U.S., trying to handicap a direct competitor.
First of all, AT&T is a wireless provider. Skype is a (psuedo) wireless provider. Why should AT&T be required to allow access to Skype over it’s 3G network? AT&T has every right to deny Apple and Skype the ability to route VoIP calls over it’s 3G network.
Leslie’s article quotes acting FCC Chairman Michael Cops:
“In the fast-changing world of technology, you have to constantly revisit the rules and regulations to make sure they’re in accord with the real world.”
The one thing missing from the article – which qualifies it for idiocy – is that there is no mention of the iPod Touch.
You see, you can completely bypass AT&T by using a 2nd generation iPod Touch with Skype. Of course, you are still required to make your calls over WiFi, but you also don’t get locked in to a long term AT&T contract.
Of course, citing that fact would have made all of the whining in the article seem childish, so I can fully understand Ms. Cauley not bringing that fact up.
Posted: April 2, 2009 / Category: News