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Archive for January 9th, 2007
The iPhone fallout
January 9, 2007Larry Dignan has a great post on the implications of the iPhone.
One thing I have not seen covered is the impact of the iPhone on mobile apps development. Expect a Xcode update with mobile development built-in, while everyone else is stuck with Java, Symbian, Windows CE, or whatever limited platform floating around. This is going to turn phone software design and deployment upside down.
Anything happen today?
January 9, 2007Cult of Mac has a review of some new phone:
Jobs’ hugely entertaining hyperbole corresponded to the iPhone he showed off. As he said, the iPhone seems to work “like magic.” Watching Jobs resize photos with his fingers and reorient web pages by flipping the phone on its side really was like watching magic at work.
In the press section, reporters actually gasped in awe a couple of times, or laughed at the delightful feats of technology Jobs was showing off. I’ve rarely seen this. Tech reporters have usually seen it all before. Not this time.
The Big Picture waxes poetic:
“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” -Arthur C. Clarke”
Yes, magic: A drool worthy piece of techno candy, and All I can say is I want one.
Scoble harumphs about the Apple TV (but graciously concedes that the iPhone is “cool”. Gee, thanks, Scobelizer. What a swell guy:
Everything Apple does is innovative. Even if Microsoft’s stuff is better (and three years earlier).
Like the Tablet PC?
Meanwhile, the rest of the world put up with this:
Microsoft Patches 4 Holes, 3 Critical
SF Chron Macworld and Oracle Openworld coverage differs
January 9, 2007Evidently, when Oracle shuts down streets around Moscone, it’s a good thing:
Oracle OpenWorld, which started Sunday and runs through Friday is so huge that, days before it even opened, the event was already drawing attention after organizers shut down a section of Howard Street at Moscone where some of the convention activities will be held.
The mammoth gathering, which is open only to registered attendees, is expected to generate $60 million in revenue for the city’s economy in the form of spending on hotels, restaurants, shops and tourist attractions, according to the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau. That would top the $42 million generated by the Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International in July 2005.
But, when Apple holds a convention it “disrupts” local traffic even though local authorities don’t think so, and the local economy remains unaffected:
Macworld will draw some 40,000 enthusiasts, plus thousands of people working for 400 exhibitors, to Moscone Center, where all three of the convention halls will be in use. Today is expected to be the biggest draw, with Apple Computer co-founder and chief executive Steve Jobs giving a much-anticipated keynote speech at 9 a.m. at Moscone West.
San Francisco parking and traffic officials are also expecting crowds, but aren’t anticipating gridlock.
More predictions
January 9, 2007Daring Fireball acquiesces:
iPod Mobile Phone — Even just a few days ago, I did not expect to see Apple announce a phone this week. But over the weekend I flip-flopped, and I now think it’s more likely than not. Not a VOIP phone that depends on Wi-Fi or anything like that, but an honest-to-god mobile phone. It seems like there has to be some sort of “Wow, I thought maybe Apple would announce a phone but I didn’t think they’d do it like this!” factor, but damned if anyone knows what it is. My wild unlikely-but-wouldn’t-it-be-cool-as-shit guess: that it’s not an iPod phone, but rather introduces a new mobile device OS.
I have a couple of items to add to DF’s list:
Absolutely Nothing That Involves the Word ‘Virtualization’
Absolutely Nothing That Involves the Word ‘Gaming Device’
and I will go out on a limb here; unlike CES where Gates & Robbie Bach felt compelled to make snide remarks regarding Apple:
Absolutely Nothing That Involves the Word ‘Vista’ or ‘Microsoft’
Robbie Bach: Apprentice
January 9, 2007Damn! I am in a surly mood.
Reuters interviews Robbie Bach where he proceeds to trash Apple:
Historically, working with partners hasn’t been a strong point for Apple, so maybe it will find a way to work around those relationships,” he said.
Yep. That Microsoft partnership has been a difficult one in particular. I wonder why.
Robbie Bach, uber designer, shares his thoughts on design philosophy:
“You have to find out what it’s great at. Is it great as a phone or is it great as music player? If it’s great as a music player, then it’s just another iPod trying to be a phone,” said Bach.
OK, Mr. Zune. Is the Zune great at sharing music or great as a music player or great at playing video or just another inferior knock-off? STFU Robbie Bach.
