Apple Announcements: First Impressions

(Also posted at abrickoncesaid.blogspot.com)

Steve Jobs, in a black turtleneck and jeans, made a number of big announcements today. Being the fan-boy that I am I thought I would give you my first impressions

• iPod Shuffle - Nothing really big here... no real feelings
• iPod Nano "Fatty" - I think this is pretty cool, but the form factor to me does not make nearly as much sense as the original Nano. Here is the thing, the Nano was small, really really small. It was also long, rather than wide. I think the new fatty leave an opening in the iPod lineup. I honestly do not expect this version to do nearly as well as the previous Nano. Time will tell.
• iPod Classic (aka the old iPod) - This was a nice refresh. I still think Apple should follow their other products in the line by adding colors. The bigger hard drive is always nice (though I still have not filled my 30gig, so 160 is just insane). As for the Name, I am ok with it.
• iPod Touch - This was the announcement that everyone was waiting for. The interface for the iPhone is great, so this was a no brainer for Apple. The fact that they included safari and WiFi are nice touches. I think this is going to be the default iPod for alot of people. I think the amazing part is the thickness. I would actually worry about snapping this in half.
• iTunes WiFi - This is a HUGE deal. It looks like the integration has been done very well. Hearing something on the radio, or seeing something, and then being able to get it pretty quickly from the store will be great. I think this is going to be a killer app for the iPhone and a nice inclusion for the iPod Touch
• Apple + Starbucks - Yeah.... don't really care.
• IPHONE FOR $400 BUCKS - This is actually the biggest announcement made today, and it got the shortest amount of time. It makes me wonder a couple of things. First, is the 4GB version cancelled. Second, is there a major revision coming. If they are selling so well why would Apple drop the price. It makes me feel good about waiting until version two before I get mine.

Overall I think this was a pretty big day for Apple. Good Job Steve (see the pun).

Think I am right, think I am wrong, let me know. Post a comment.

Living on the leading edge on a long tail budget

So there are few things I like better then opening up a new electronic and seeing how it works, how it will improve my life, how it will make me happy, but there is a small problem with that, I cannot afford my own tech fetish. Don't get em wrong, I don't deny myself, but I do need to do some thinking before I make some bad decisions about the things that I want.


I only buy the latest and greatest when I really think I cannot live without it. Now, I know what you are thinking, "How can an early adopter also have the restraint to know what electronics he needs in his life?" and this is a fair question. I look at each item in three ways. First, will the device make me more productive, will it help me relieve stress, or can I see myself using it everyday. Not always the easiest thing to measure, but you know it when you see it. Secondly, will the device give me enjoyment. Will I like to use it, as opposed to it becoming a chore. Finally, do I know anyone else who has it and do they like it. I am not saying that i am going to take their thoughts as the be all and end all, but maybe i can hold it, see how it feels in my hand, or at least see how they use it.


If the product is entertainment based I also look at whether or not it will take all of my time or not. I like to be entertained, but i also like to turn things off when i want/need too.


With all of that said, here are some of the products that i love in my daily life.

1. An iPod - You all know, they are great... Great I Say!!!!
2. My Cell Phone - I am actually in the market for a new one, but I am holding out to see the iPhone. My current phone is a simple little Nokia, without all of bells and whistles... I want some bells and whistles.
3. Tivo - So my Tivo may break a couple of the rule above, I am kinda a slave to it, but it has changed the way I watch TV and has made me more efficient. For the efficiency, I DO NOT WATCH COMMERCIALS. That alone saves me an average of 8 minutes for every half hour I watch. As for changing the way I watch TV
4. Video Games - While this is not limited to a single device, they can be very relaxing. I am a fan of more casual games, like Peggle, a DS game called Puzzle Quest (think of an RPG with Bejewelled) and I am still a madden fan. But there is a caveat for Video Games. I don't get the latest and greatest in terms of systems. I am still working with an Xbox, which I have not played in a while, a PS2, and Old PC and my DS... which may be my favorite.

Honestly, I think I know about technology that I don't have yet, but there will come a day when the budget's tail gets much closer to the mind's leading edge.

What I want out of the new iPod

There has been lots of speculation about newest reincarnation of our favorite little mp3 player, the Apple iPod. Widescreen, see through interfaces, touchscreen... all have been mentioned in relation to the sixth generation of the Pod, but there are some features that I have not heard about that could really help the improve the iPod:

• Better Battery - This is the most important feature that they need to figure out with the next iPod. If this will really be the true "video" iPod, it needs to last longer than the 5 minutes that my current 5th Gen does
• Integrated Radio - I have never owned the handy-dandy iPod tuner. If you have an iPod you shouldn't need one, but there are times where it would be helpful, particularly at sporting events or when you need to get some news. The fact that this is an addition as opposed to integrated means I won't get it, and won't use the iPod to its full potential.
• Better Sound Quality - You would never guess this, but the best sounding iPod is.... the iPod Shuffle. From what I understand this is due to the small components that are used in this tiny form factor. The emit less interference than the components that are in the larger Pods. Hey Apple, give me the best quality for what i am paying.
• Some other Colors - I think Steve and the crew have done a great job with the shuffle and the colors, but for the other lines, could we get a little color. Honestly the advertising is colorful, but the device is just Black or White.
• Wireless connectivity - While I think there is a great opportunity with downloading songs or accessing the net from your iPod, what I really want is some wireless headphones that are still stylish and have controls on them. They also need to have some decent quality.

Really, I don't think it is to much to ask. Make My Pod Better.