As I Drift Off - Talking bollocks (sporadically) since 2008
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June 14, 2010
 

And here we go again...

iPhone 4 preorders start tomorrow. All the unclarity of non-U.S. pricing seems to be very un-Apple though.

And then of course we have this to contend with:

~ SirFFW

Filed under  //   Tech  

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May 3, 2010
 

Google Acquires BumpTop

For a reported US$35-40m apparently. I have to question why though. This is not the future of computing. At least I hope not, as the last thing I need is for my computer to start looking like my desk,  i.e. messy.

~ SirFFW

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April 19, 2010
 

Biggest Apple Leak In Recent Memory?

Gizmodo is reporting further today on a purportedly leaked next generation iPhone that was discovered in a bar in San Jose. They suspect it has been out in the wild with an Apple employee for testing and left behind by accident (alcohol has that effect!). The images and video are very convincing and I'd frankly be surprised if it wasn't at this point.

Interestingly John Gruber is reporting that this phone may not have been lost and that Apple considers it stolen though. Makes you wonder what hot water Gizmodo may find themselves in if true, as John goes on to say that Gizmodo purchased the phone and knows a bit more regarding its acquisition than they're letting on.

Either way I'm sure Steve is beyond mad at this point!

~ SirFFW

               
Click here to download:
Biggest_Apple_Leak_In_Recent_M.zip (304 KB)

Filed under  //   Tech  

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April 17, 2010
 

Worst Cable Mess Ever?

"A network cable is unplugged"
Fuck...

~ SirFFW

Filed under  //   Tech  

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January 27, 2010
 

So Apple's iPad Then...

Well you can't really avoid hearing about this today. The hype has been frankly quite silly but understandable given its development and release has been rumoured for 10 years or so. Unfortunately as expected it is running iPhone OS 3.2 and in my opinion is a bit underwhelming. There's obvious reasons for this of course, mainly the cost budget they set to hit the US$499 entry price point. Anyway, here's my initial take on the good and the bad.

The Good:

  • Small and lightweight.
  • As a competitor to the netbook market it is clearly better at tasks such as web browsing and email.
  • Don't have to re-buy apps already purchased for iPhone/iPod Touch.
  • 3G is optional -- it's easy to forget that it could have been forced on everyone and increased the cost whether you wanted it or not.
  • 3G models are network unlocked and there's no carrier contract requirements.
  • Seemingly lots of media vendor support.
  • Custom Apple A4 processor appears to be very fast.
  • IPS display -- I don't think IPS technology has ever been used in a device this small.
  • 10 hours battery life -- although that probably means more like 8, it's still impressive.
  • Great looking UI.
  • Accessories -- actually useful for a change.
  • iWork applications -- managed to pull the keynote back up a little.

The Bad:

  • iPhone OS X, not Mac OS X -- closed operating system.
  • No multi-tasking ability.
  • No front-facing camera for video chat (iChat AV, Skype etc.).
  • Seemingly still no Adobe Flash support in Mobile Safari.
  • 16GB entry storage capacity is too low in 2010, especially when you're pushing the media capabilities of the device.
  • An extra US$100 for another 16GB of storage and an extra US$200 to upgrade to 64GB is crazy pricing.
  • An extra US$130 for a 3G card. Really?
  • OK so you get GPS with your 3G too for that extra US$130, but why no GPS in the Wi-Fi model?
  • MicroSIM cards for 3G -- why not regular SIM cards?
  • Screen-size is not 16:9 for TV and movie content.
  • Can only dock in portrait orientation.
  • General lack of any connectivity -- couldn't even add a standard USB2 port?
  • Naming -- iPad? iBooks? Really couldn't have come up with anything better Apple? iPad sounds too much like a sanitary towel, sorry.
  • Still have to dock and sync with a Mac or PC.
  • Other than iWork applications, general lack of any new software support from Apple.
  • No handwriting recognition or annotations? How are student's going to make notes in those text books from iBooks?

Overall I think I'll wait to see what the next revision brings or see if Apple builds on this technology to bring out a Mac Tablet Pro for those willing to pay more for more.

~ SirFFW

Filed under  //   Tech  

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January 21, 2010
 

That Apple Tablet

Yes the Apple tablet, iSlate, iPad, or whatever it will be called, will inevitably be shown off next Wednesday after years of speculation, and no doubt development over at Cupertino. However I can't help but feel a little underwhelmed by it all. I hope I'm wrong and Apple goes and proves all of the rumours wrong because if it's just a larger iPhone/iPod Touch "on steroids" then it's really not the device I want.

I was hoping for a smallish portable device that runs OS X. That's what I want when I'm on the road away from my Mac at home. Something like this mock-up basically.

I'm still expecting something impressive; Apple rarely disappoints. But sadly all signs lead to this running a version of iPhone OS or a derivative of it. We'll see soon enough.

~ SirFFW

Filed under  //   Tech  

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November 19, 2009
 

Chromium OS

So Google announced today that it was open-sourcing its Chrome OS project to allow any interested developers to contribute and offered up some new information and videos about the project. Tagged Chromium OS, I'm finding myself quite intrigued the latest Google project. Here's Google's pitch:

I've been quite wary of Google of late and of cloud computing solutions in general but I can certainly see this as a positive step and I can also see the benefit of this type of OS on a secondary device. I'm actually someone who doesn't like notebook's as a primary device. Despite the fact that sales are obviously indicating that's what most people want, I still like my desktop computer and I won't give that up at home. I do however see the benefit of a secondary portable device and have long considered buying a netbook for this. What's put me off is the fact that nobody, in my opinion, has got this device right yet. It needs to be light and easy to carry, yes, but it also needs to offer usability improvements too and the Windows and Linux systems currently offer nothing innovative for this type of device. Maybe those much rumoured Apple tablets will bring this (and that would be great) but if not then maybe this project will.

I like the UI concept and I want a device that boots up in 7 seconds and gets me online that fast. What do you want to use a secondary device for that isn't using the internet anyway?

~ SirFFW

     
Click here to download:
Chromium_OS_tags_Tech.zip (316 KB)

Filed under  //   Internet   Tech  

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November 16, 2009
 

Pro-Ject 1 Xpression Mk. III

Picked up one of these relatively cheaply at the weekend. For the price, I'm really happy with it although the stock Ortofon Alpha cartridge is a bit weak. Will be getting something like the Denon DL-160 for it soon.

(sorry the pictures aren't great; used my iPhone for quickness)

~ SirFFW

       
Click here to download:
Pro-Ject_1_Xpression_Mk._III.zip (243 KB)

Filed under  //   Music   Tech  

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