JohnMassie.com

Well, here it is folks – The Apple iPad. Did it meet some of the things I asked for? Yep. Did it miss the mark on a few things… Yep. Let’s break it down:

What’s wrong with the iPad:

• Most Obviously – No Camera?
  • This was a shocker for me. Apple seemed to becoming obsessed with cameras. There is a camera on every laptop, every iMac, the new Apple 24″ LED LCD Display, iPhone, and now the iPod Nano… yet we can’t have one on the iPad. Now, I know many people were arguing the use for a camera on the iPad based on what the designed intention of the iPad is but personally I think it would be handy for snapping quick pics of yourself to upload while you blog or on Twitter – maybe even the possibility of video conferencing in the future. If a $149.00 iPod Nano can have a camera I don’t see why a $499.00 iPad can’t.
• Device Connectivity
  • Well, I would have hoped for something besides a dock connector. USB would have been nice but seeing that is runs on the iPhone OS I can understand the lack of the port. Maybe in the future there will be some accessories for the dock connector that can help with these issues. (Yes, I already know about the Camera Kit which accepts USB from your camera). I could honestly care less though about HDMI like many people are whining about. I don’t see myself plugging this device into my television any more than I would see myself plugging my iPhone into my TV to watch movies. Also, if any display connectivity was going to show up on the device… it would be Mini-Display Port as this is clearly the direction Apple is going.
• Flash Storage
  • If I am going to be able to use iWork on my Tablet can I also use it as a flash drive to store files on the go? I know there are iPhone apps that do this but I’d really like it to just plug into my machine and have disk use available. I assume part of the problem here is the file format that the partition would be in since the Apple UNIX File System isn’t really “Windows Friendly”.
• iPhone OS
  • I assumed that this was going to be the case but it leaves me feeling a little lacking. Though iPhone application development is huge and on-going I’d still have some reservations about leaving my laptop behind and using this as a primary device in some situations. If anything the laptop would stay in the bag in the trunk in case of an emergency. I was hoping for a more modified OSX but I understand the direction and why the iPhone OS was chosen.
• No Flash…
  • I can’t see this completely replacing my laptop because THERE IS NO ADOBE FLASH SUPPORT. Now, most web developers have gotten over the fad of programming their entire sites in Flash but there are a few still out there. Hopefully HTML5 will help this out but I still think this is going to cripple this device unless Adobe and Apple can come to terms and get this resolved.

Now Lets Talk About What It Does Do

• Kindle – It Was Nice Knowing You
  • I think the iBook Store as well as the fact that this device only costs $10.00 more than the similar sized Kindle will be the death of the Kindle. I’m very excited that this is going to be an awesome e-reader and will sync with my iPhone for reading when my iPad isn’t handy.
• New ‘Default’ Apps
  • The new apps that are made for the iPad are awesome. Coming from someone who lives in a schedule and e-mail this looks like it will be a great device for me. As I’m going from client to client and meeting to meeting it will be nice to have a device that can be instant on/off and last over 10 hours on one charge.
• NO CONTRACT 3G
  • It was like not only did Apple hear me about the “Not Required” 3G but also they went a step further and made it NO CONTRACT. For me this is awesome. When I know I’m going to have months where I’m going to be working in an office that has wireless then I won’t need 3G but when I know I’m traveling I can just pay for one month of service and go along my way. I just wonder with the 250MB plan what happens after 250MB… shut off or auto-billed for overage.
• iWork for iPad
  • This will help me leave the laptop behind. Being able to create and view documents on the go will be nice and not have to have a huge laptop to lug around. For someone who invests heavily in paperless environments I can see this being huge for my company and I’m sure others will adapt as well.
• Business Potential
  • I’m sure I’m not the only person that is thinking how we can fit this into business models. The best part is the price point – $499 for entry level. In a lot of scenarios that I can think of this base device would fulfill a great number of possibilities.
• Sexy Factor
  • From what I can tell on the internet it seems to be a love/hate relationship with the design. Personally I am a huge fan and think that it looks very nice. I think it lives up to the typical Apple design that they’re capable of producing.

The question: Will I Buy One? Answer: Most likely, yeah.

I think that I can make a big justification in business for this device and as more applications and accessories are being developed I’m sure the usability will be expanded. As I’m sure you can tell by my post, I will be getting the 64GB WiFi+3G.

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.

Later,
- J

Apple Tablet – iSlate – iPad

Well, I’m not really sure what to think here. From all the rumor sites I’ve been reading I’d like to think that the device isn’t going to be an “iPhone on Steroids” like many say. I can’t see myself running out to buy one if it does exactly what my iPhone does except on a 10″ screen. I also thought I’d never have a use for a smart phone or thought that Facebook would catch on so I guess time will tell maybe an iPhone on steroids would be something I’d use.

As for my wishlist I’d like to see a cost-effective (read: CHEAP) device that bridges functionality between iPhone, eReader,  Netbook and a Macbook. I would like it to have the capability of a Smart Phone with 3G data connectivity (but not required), App Store and Mobile Phone usage, Netbook like portability and basic functionality and some basic laptop functions as well.

There are many days where a tablet device would fit my everyday lifestyle and my laptop would sit on my desk and be used for things like graphics design, video editing, photo management and chatting with a physical QWERTY keyboard and large screen. I think that in business we could see the tablet fulfill many roles that we’re attempting to fit laptops and smartphones into. Also, the ability for it to also be an eReader and eliminate me having to carry a Kindle or like device around as well would be nice.

Multi-Carrier in the US for the iPhone

It was only a matter of time before every carrier in the US had the iPhone. If this rumor turns out to be true then I’ll welcome the change. Now, you won’t see me moving from AT&T but at least all the AT&T haters can return to the networks that they’ve sold their souls to in a previous life. Right now the biggest thing I hear from my friends is, “If the iPhone comes to Verizon – I’m getting one” or “I’m switching back”. It will free up congested AT&T networks for people like me who chose to stay.

Let me remind you of one small thing – though the iPhone is an amazing device – Verizon and Sprint still has a CDMA crippling network that doesn’t allow DATA AND VOICE AT THE SAME TIME. Now, you might say, no big deal. Really? As a heavy Verizon BlackBerry user before switching to an AT&T iPhone let me point out some annoyances that a supposed Verizon iPhone would have

• Slower Data
  • Sure, if we take your Verizon iPhone out into the middle of nowhere and my AT&T iPhone you’ll have EVDO and I’ll have Edge to use for data. You win the speed advantage there. However, as we drive back to the city you’ll still have EVDO and I’ll have 3G – now I win. Since I spend 99% of my time in 3G enabled areas I’d say for me having faster coverage where I spend most of the time is important – not having somewhat fast speeds in no-mans-land.
  • One other thing to think about is how data intensive the iPhone can be. Most of my applications rely on data to function and it is nice to have mobile broadband speeds when using such apps. These same “quick” transactions will be noticeably slower with EVDO.
• No Simultaneous Data and Phone Usage
  • When I had a Verizon BlackBerry I didn’t think this was a big deal – until I started using apps and tethering. There was nothing more annoying than me trying to tether so I could use my Laptop and miss 6 phone calls because I was using my BlackBerry as a data device. Then as I would stream data onto the phone and I’d end whatever application and get 3 voice mails. I also hated being on a call and needing something that requires data on the phone and having to either “call back” or do without.
  • I’m sure you’re sitting there shaking your head saying, “How much does that really apply?” Well, I can’t count how many times I’ve been on a conference call where someone says, “Let me e-mail you this doc” and I pull it up on my iPhone for viewing… while connected to the call. I am all the time talking to people who need directions and I use the Map app to find out where they’re at and give them directions. I often talk on the phone while playing an online game or multitasking in some fashion with an app that uses data. Bottom line is that once you’re used to doing data and voice at the same time – going without would be difficult.
• Worldwide Coverage?
  • Will the Verizon phone have CDMA and GSM capabilities such as the BlackBerry World Phone edition? If not then a CDMA phone would be lacking for international travelers but then again if you’re on Verizon this may not be a huge issue for you.

As for what else will be revealed tomorrow I’m not sure. New software for the Tablet, new iPhone OS, who knows! I’m exicted and plan on doing a “Post-Release Blog” to see how my predictions and thoughts added up. Feel free to comment!
Later,
- JM

Well, I’ve decided that I’m going to make it my goal to bring back blogging into 2010. I was silent for most of 2009 and it was a crazy year. Retrospectively I wish I would have written about things going on and maybe things that were on my mind and things that mattered to me. I used blogging as a way to “share life” with others who I don’t see all the time (and some who I do see all the time) but really it’s also a great way to take a walk backwards and look down memory lane to see what years past have held.

I’ve been recently encouraging others around me to either revive their blog or maybe return to blogging by starting a new blog. Today I got my friend Scott setup with his new blog/website – www.ramblinscotzman.com. So, you should check it out.

As I left a comment on his first post on this new site it occurred to me that my own blog still had a post from 2009. I think that this year blogging should make a comeback. When blogging was “popular” among my friends it served as a great way for us to share opinions, ideas, thoughts and just life. It make this giant world feel a little smaller when I could read about what my friends are thinking or doing. Some people would argue with me that this is what Facebook status updates or Twitter is for but I’d personally like to know what is on my friend’s minds beyond a sentence or two.

So if you have a blog that you’ve been neglecting why don’t you make it a point to update it this year and return to writing. I will be “rebuilding” a blog roll so if you have a blog (that you update) and would like it added, send it my way. I’m formally going to make a point to blog now so lets hope I can keep it up. Who knows if I can keep this up I might even do that redesign I’ve been talking about for years… LOL. We’ll see…

Night,

- John