RIP Brother Steve

Jan 27th Apple Hopes and Dreamz

Just putting my thoughts out there about tomorrows Apple event.

Hopes:
1. Apple tablet/slate/wtfe -- not because I've just gotta have but because I am sick of all the conjecture. Even Windows Weekly talked almost exclusively about the possible tablet.

2. New iLife -- just makes sense to come with a new media rich product as a way to semi-create content

3. iPhone 4.0 -- I mean it is time guys it is just a question of whether Bro. Jobs will announce it now or at WWDC

Dreamz
1. iPhone on Verizon Wireless.....in February lol -- ok seriously I do hope it will migrate by June or July of this year.

2. New xgrid features with full HPC support -- ok I just hate configuring xCAT and would love to see apple's approach to HPC. alright specifically I would like to see the interface

3. Deal with huge production houses to make a Apple on Demand cable service

4. A true 42" - 65" Apple TV with Hulu support -- hells yeah that will be the day lol

5. Oh yeah ... Tablet price $499.00 -- ah but it is only a dream... I know that bastard is gonna be around $800.00 minimum.

Last minute WWDC Guesses/Wishes/Predictions

1. Give me a freggin tablet already lol.
2. iPhone for Verizon
3. 3.0 software ships today
4. Snow Leopard release date.
5. Brother Jobs makes an appearance.

So they are my picks lets see if Brother Schiller and Brother Jobs can deliver!!

Oh please Apple gods smile down upon us lol

Apple iPhone 3.0 event tomorrow might reveal a tablet

Seth Weintraub Apple Ink

The Apple iPhone 3.0 event tomorrow might have more surprises than are immediately apparent. Especially in relation to a tablet. Here's my hypothesis why:

I've got a pretty good idea that Apple is going to be releasing more iPod touch/iPhone platform devices. Why? Well, for one, they've said so in a job posting at the end of last year.

The software developed by the networking team runs on a broad spectrum of platforms, including Macs and Windows, and from servers down to a growing number of embedded devices including iPhone.

So, that "growing number of embedded devices" I think will be a ten inch tablet. The ten inches figure I get from the three different reports out of China that Apple is developing a touch screen in the 9.5-10 inch area for release in Q3 (summer).

I don't think Apple is going to try to compete with the Netbook market directly. Apple has a big lead in touch technology and probably needs to innovate in other ways rather that release a similar type of product to a mature market.

The timing? Well, if this thing has to be put on a device in late Summer, Apple will probably want some software to run on it...probably even an App Store. If so, developers will need at least a few months to get their apps to run on this new little device. That means they should probably start right about now.

Then there has been the persistent "premium app store" rumors. Paying $20 for an iPhone app seems silly to me with so many great $5-$10 apps all around. But if an Apple tablet can handle hi res 3D gaming, it might make more sense. Current App Store apps should also run on it but in a resolution independence type of mode. This type of app would also be able to play on a new AppleTV OS with App store as well.

I think Apple's devices (even if not a tablet) will be based on the ARM Cortex A8 architecture like that of the Palm Pre. The video card will be from Imagination and will hopefully use some of that OpenCL Apple has been touting in its desktop Snow Leopard OS.

If not tomorrow, then soon hopefully.

Apple shows no love to Math Geeks

Because I'm an Applied Math major I obviously have to type a bunch of crap using a slew of equations. Now as yall know I am a Mac head, well between you and me Apple continues to disappoint on the Math front with continued lack of support. Microsoft Office for PC has had Equation editor built in for years but no love on the Mac side even in Office 2008. So during the keynote this year one of the feature included in Pages in iWork 09 was finally an equation editor well, that was a bit of a stretch. What they really meant to say is it supports MathType, if you freggin buy MathType separately for $99 (or $57 for academic pricing). I am usually all about defending Apple like Equation Editor not being a part of Mac office being Microsoft's fault, but this Pages crap is completely on Apple. And dont give me that crap about using LaTeX which is opensource because Apple is supposed to be better than that. So on behalf of Math Geeks everywhere that have to deal with lack of support from Apple, Brother Steve, please do something to correct this!!! Now!!! (Ok as soon as you get better)

I am all set for the new Mac Laptop announcement

Well I guess this is my last chance to make any predictions for the event today. Unfortunately I will not be able to watch any of the live text streams because of class but you can bet your LCII that I will be reading what happened the minute I hit my office. So here are my picks

• The new case will have the beveled edges of the Macbook Air
• There will be a new Macbook Air
• Full Multi-touch trackpad
  
• A sub $1000 entry laptop
• Glass screens with LED backlight for the Macbook Pros
• BlueRay burner option

As much as I would like to say a touch screen I really feel they will be saving the tablet for Mac World. I envision a Star Trek looking pad and I so can't wait for that to become a reality. So that is what I have my money on. Lets see what happens!!

BTW here is a link to the live events:

http://skemez1.posterous.com/live-video-and-audio-for-apple

Playing with my emotions lol

I guess this is understandable but still.....DANG IT!!! lol

Thank you Brother Steve, thank you lol

See, he does listen lol. (I wish there was a [Hell Yeah I wanna Learn More] button lol)

I want my 2.0 upgrade dang it!!

Last night (the night before Jebus Phone part 2) I saw the new iTunes was available. I'm thinking great, I can go ahead and purchase the new software for my iTouch right!!!,,,,,Wrong. It is currently 11:12am here in Greenland and the freggin software hasn't released yet. I mean WTF. te bad part is I already purchased Super Monkey Ball and grabbed a couple other freebee apps in anticipation. Come on Brother Steve let me bask in the glory of the 2.0 software with the app store and enterprise management. Let the Apple love flow down lol. It is already bad enough that I couldn't stand in a long line to get my iPhone with my fellow fan boys. At least let me have my upgrade. I am watching the live covereage of the lines, that shoudl count for something lol.

New iMacs Whoot!! I'm so getting one --or 10--for the lab lol

So I was watching the text feed from the Apple Summer Press conference on Engadget. (I'm an Apple fan boy, what can I say lol) Brother Steve decided to revamp the entire iMac line. Now why this is so important to me is because I just got my boss to sign off on purchasing a few new 17" iMacs. Well brother Steve must have heard my prayer because he axed the 17" model and replaced it with a 20" model at the same rice point with improved specs!!! The other cool thing is the look. Aluminum and glass, I should repeat it like a Chinese monk aluminum and glass--aluminum and glass lol. The new iMac is the hotness and I'm getting one. High-ho diddly!!! Thanks Brother Steve and all hail Apple lol.

My iPhone Diary--well David Pogues Diary (the bastard lol)

I love the way this Dave does his reviews. I can't wait for his Leopard review.

iPhone Contest

So I am rolling up to VA listening to Mac Break Weekly. I knew it was going to be all about the iPhone that I can't have for a while when I hear Scott Bourne drop a plug for his Apple Phone Show web site (www.applephoneshow.com). He let out the news that he was going to attempt to purchase 12 iPhones on release day for testing, breakdown and (drum roll please) a conest. Holy mother of Steve Jobs I was all over it. A chance for my broke asphalt to get a free iPhone. Now I could tell you what I have to do to participate in the contest, but quite honestly I don't want you to do it, becasue I want that phone lol. So Scott, please for the love of all things holy please give me that phone. I tell ya what, I will give you my three (3) Commodore 64's , one (1) Commadore 128, a TRS 80, and a TI-99A with the rare peripheral upgrade back pack for one of those phones. I mean come on man I am desperate. I have no problems providing photos to prove I am serious. Please man, help a desperate geek out!!!

With Love

Jeaime

Brother Steve and Brother Bill at All Things D

Linux in Mac OSX

Mac now has another OpenSource project to help users get rid of Vista. With the installation of the Finkle Project, Mac OSX can now run Linux binarys and apps natively. This is actually a pretty big deal because of the One laptop per child project, and the Windup computer project. Linux is going to grow in market share fairly quickly in 3rd world countries. Unless Microsoft wants to start giving away Windows, the new generation will grown up on Linux-based systems. With Finkle, the Mac users of the world will be able to tag along for the ride.

So now lets take count of what OS's the Mac can run natively.
1. Mac OS
2. UNIX
3. Windows
4. LINUX (Just Added! lol)

Apple WWDC '06 Keynote Introduction Video

Get ready guys Steve Jobs Day coming Soon!!

Patent app hints at iPhone controlling Mac, iTunes

Okay, so we've heard using an Apple Remote whilst trying to fool no one into believing it's an iPhone, but apparently, the patent pumpers in Cupertino are getting serious about executing that equation in reverse. According to a recent filing, Apple engineers explain how a mysterious "mobile phone" could be used to control your Mac (and specific applications like iTunes) via built-in Bluetooth, and the wording even mentions specific software that would be tailored to the Mac and handset in order to make it all happen. More specifically, consumers could "use the directional controls on the mobile phone to change listing volume, skip forward and backward, play / pause, etc.," and while no mention of the forthcoming iPhone is directly made, the allusion here is fairly clear.

Referenced from: Engadget
Posted Apr 15th 2007 7:17PM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment

Gates vs. Jobs w/C64 cameo

ok last one for today lol.

Die DRM Die!!

Ok I know this is all over the place but I just wanted to give the quick quick version of what Brother Steve is responsible for and saying about changes in iTunes and online music in general.

• EMI is allowing their full catalog of music to be downloaded without DRM protection starting in May (Artist included such as Norah Jones, ColdPlay, Beetles, Beatie Boys, David Bowie, Duran Duran lol Duran Duran)
  
• DRM is technology that limits the use of music on multiple platforms (In the case of iTunes only iPods will play their stuff or for Windows Media Player only the Zune will play those purchased songs)
• The new songs will cast $1.29 instead of $.99 but will also go from 128bit sound to 256bit sound.
• For audiophiles that is a biggie to get near CD quality sound
• You can still get the files with DRM for $.99 at 128bit
  
• If you have any titles already from EMI you can upgrade them to the DRM free, 256-bit versions for $.20
• Lastly the CD compilations will remain the same price for DRM free verisons.

Viva la revolution Brother Steve!!!

~J

I think I'm going Mac Schizo

I think Macintosh is actually making me schizophrenic. This morning I decided to quietly watch an episode of Enterprise before I headed to work. I decided to watch it on my windows PC because it was already on and I could watch it on my 19” monitor with my speakers. Now I know I know Mac brethren, I could have easily hooked them up to my laptop but I was lazy. It was morning for craps sake lol. Ok so I was sitting back in my comfy computer chair watching my episode when my screensaver kicked in. Somewhere in the recesses of my brain a little mac Jamie popped out and said, ”My mac is smart enough to know that when I am watching a movie to not turn on the screen saver automatically.” Just then a windows version of Jamie popped over and said “I’m sure there is a feature to have the screen saver come on” and so I looked. Sure enough deep within the bowels of the programs preferences setting blah blah blah I found a setting to disable all screensavers while playing video. Mac Jamie popped out again and said “That was and automatic feature on my mac.” Windows Jamie said “we give our users a choice.” So I keep watching when all of a sudden my energy saver kicks in and turns off my monitor while I can still hear the show playing. Mac Jamie goes “see there” lol. At this point I pop up and say I’m trying to watch the freggin show you two shutup when it hit me that I was talking to myself. What the hell?? Lol I am now arguing with myself about the subtle differences between mac and windows. You know I think I need some quite time in the woods lol.