4 posts tagged “apple”

While catching up on the latest gadget posts on CrunchGear, I came across this funny video of Steve Jobs battling against Bill Gates.  Considering the fanaticism with these companies, I think everyone can find something humorous in this skit.  Boot up!

Alright, listen up geeks.  If you follow gadgets, you've most certainly heard the rumors circulating about the mythical Apple "iPhone".  The rumors have been slating the product launch for like the last two years, but no delivery yet to date.  However, the rumor activity has been increasing to a feverish pitch since July about a possible launch in January 2007.  Patents have been filed by Apple for various phone technologies and there have been some filings with the FCC which lends more credibility to these rumors. 

Last week, Kevin (Rose) and Alex of DiggNation gave their weekly videocast.  Interestingly enough, Alex was able to prode some top-secret information out of Kevin about the iPhone.  Kevin Rose, founder of Digg and all-around Apple fanatic, is a pretty reliable source when it comes to all things Apple due to his celeb status in the tech community and proximity to the Cupertino campus.  Hopefully, he didn't compromise a source at Apple with his statements.  Diggers quickly pushed the story to the top of Digg.

So here's the skinny if you don't have time to watch the video.  Apple iPhone to be launched in January 2007.  Models will be available for all North American network carriers (GSM, CDMA, TDMA).  Unclear if the initial handsets will support EV-DO or other broadband protocols.  There will be two models, 4Gb and 8Gb.  Pricing will be $249 and $449 respectively.  iTunes will be integrated into the device...did you really expect it not to be?  The device will have a dual-battery system.  One battery will power the media player and the other phone operation, so if you run down the battery with the iTunes, you're phone will still function.  The phone will offer a slide-out QWERTY keypad.   No word on OS X integration or additional functionality.

Personally, I have to agree with Alex (DiggNation).  The phone will need to sport more than basic phone functionality and iTunes to be successful.  I would like to see integration for email via POP3/SMTP, mobile Safari browser, and calendar/contacts synchronization with the desktop at the minimum.  However, regardless of these features, the product will be a big hit with Mac fans as there is limited compatibility for the Mac with current smartphone handsets (Treo, Blackberry, Palm, Symbian).

I've included the video of the November 30 DiggNation videocast for your viewing pleasure.  Enjoy and lets get those rumormills-a-churning!

Note:  There is some cursing and drinking in the video but nothing too risque or beyond PG-13.

Wow!  I got a surprise today when I opened my e-mail inbox.  The great guys over at CrunchGear, mentioned in an earlier post, launched a new Commenter Appreciation program/contest.  Blake Robinson dropped me an email to say that I was the first to be awarded in this new program.  Yes, my handle is webonics on the CrunchGear site.  I've been sent a new 1Gb iPod Shuffle 2nd-Generation and got a nice little post on the blog.  It seems a little weird since I just bought a Microsoft Zune, but the compact size of the iPod Shuffle will be fantastic for my workouts.  And the 2nd-Gen has a sweet new redesign.  Since I work on a Mac most of the time at work, the Shuffle will work great with my ever growing iTunes library.  Hopefully, I won't have to break-up any domestic disputes with those playas. Just wish I could move tracks from player (Zune) to player (iPod) easier.  But there's always 2007..lmao.

Basically, the CrunchGear crew select a community member for the award based on their participation and commenting on the site.  During a contest last summer, CrunchGear had a competition for making the 2000th comment on the site.  I didn't win.  But I apparently posted more than any other contributor.  Yeah, I tried to win then but it is a good site.  I think the site was at around 13,000 RSS subscribers then and its now over 33,000 subscribers after just a couple of months.  As with any blog or forum, there are some naysayers in the community that like to bitch-and-moan about everything.  I tend to post positively on the site and about the site...otherwise, I'd leave.  Apparently, the frequency of my posts and support for CrunchGear landed me the prize.

So, I'd like to thank the guys over at CrunchGear for their gift and recognition.  Crunch on.

Damn Paparazzi...just kidding, I really am humbled. :-)

Coming soon:  iPod Shuffle - 2nd Gen review.  Stay tuned.

I am very excited for the next gadget in my technology collection.  I have placed my pre-order with Amazon.com for the new Microsoft Zune.  I chose the brown version.  Some have mocked my love of the Zune and in particular, the brown model.  But I'm no fan of the iPod.  I use Apples at work in addition to PCs and while I like both systems, I've never been that enthused by the iPod.  The advanced features in the Zune with FM tuner, WiFi, song sharing and FM transmission as well as the competitive price of $249.99 made me decide it was the player best suited for my needs.  Now, regards to the brown color, brown is in, baby.  As any good designer will tell you...Mocha and Chocalate are the hot colors this year.  Green still is popular too.  And well, my family name is Brown.  So I found the brown Zune with Green trim to be my favorite option.  I'm sure I'll get some slack for the decision but I don't feel the need to conform to others tastes.  The Zune will be launched on November 14 and I expect it to be a hot item for the holidays.  Dare to be different!