- iPod Touch 4 - 32 and 64 GB models will be updated with iPhone 4-level hardware (A4 chip, Retina display, Facetime camera). The 16 GB model will be the same specs as the current models. Same prices as the current lineup (and the storage sizes will not increase this time around)
- iOS 4.1
- iTunes X (no idea what the new features will be)
- iTV (née Apple TV) running iOS
I don't think there will be any mention of the iPod Classic or Shuffle. In fact, I'll go out on a limb and say they won't even mention the Nano. I think everything announced will be based around iOS.]]>
Here's how it'll go down:
- First, a recap of how the iPhone 4 has been Apple's "most successful" product launch
- Then, they'll acknowledge the reception issue, but downplay it by saying that it only affects a small number of people
- If you're affected, come in to the Apple store for a free bumper case
- In a few weeks/month's time, a silent "rev. B" iPhone 4 will be released with a small glass/plastic piece covering the antenna gap
]]>I like the Reader. Oddily enough, it seems to spawn a weird sort of window that prevents the screenshot from working right. It wants to either grab a shot of the regular window, or just the reader.
Edit: Just realized that it actually obtained the second page of that article automatically. Nice.]]>
While there are some carry over from the iPhone UI such as the apps on the home screen and dialogs, the actual apps themselves definitely are a huge step up from their iphone versions. Definitely more than "just a big ipod touch". I now think it was a very smart move to build the iPad on the iPhone OS (according Steve Jobs, the iPad begat the iPhone so I guess you could say that the iPhone is just a small iPad).
The experience of different tasks such as browsing the Internet or checking email is so much more enjoyable. Pinching and zooming in on pages is just fluid that it blew me back. It must be A4 processor. I am running into the page refresh issue a lot and it can be annoying. Hopefully it is fixed in software update or I am going to have to look into downloading one of the other web browsers (I hear Atomic browser is pretty slick).
Typing is a little awkward as I keep trying to type like I do on my iPhone. I think it will just take some time to adapt to tit as it did for me initially with my iPhone (which I am now pretty fast on).
Reading eBooks is also very nice. I don't know why so many people are complaining saying that it makes a horrible eBook reader. They must not actually own one. The screen isn't too hard on the eyes at all and everything from the layout to the text looks beautiful.
Complaint time…
As you know me by now, I am never satisfied and always looking for greater perfection so while I am amazed by my iPad, I do have a list of complaints…
1. Apple needs to do more tweaking around the UI elements on the iPad. Some of the buttons in dialogs and app toolbars seem smaller than they should be. With the iPad's bigger real estate, there is no reason to keep the buttons at the same size they are on the iPhone. Also, confirmation dialogs and password dialogs should be bigger as well. They feel as if they are the same size as displayed on the iPhone. Additionally, the translucency makes it difficult to easily read the text and buttons. Making them a little more solid would go a long way.
2. Needs to have some system-wide document manager. I am fine for using iTunes to sync up files, but allow them to be accessible from one central location on the iPad so that I can open them in any app I wish. Create a special iPad version of the Finder to handle lite file management. To be able to download documents from the Internet to my iPad and then have them synced over to my computer the next time I sync with iTunes is something that should have been there from day one and would make the iPad more practical for those who wish to use it as their main computer while they are out and about.
3. Should not have to connect to iTunes to activate. The iPad should not require a computer to initially setup unless you plan on syncing it. Again, I think this device would be perfect for those as their only computer. But without an actual computer, you can't use it [shakes head]
4. Have some way of connecting to external storage. Whether it be an SD card, USB keychain, or external hard drive, the lack of being able quickly connect and grab files off of another storage device is a real annoyance. For example, what if you are away from your computer and need to look at a file on your USB keychain drive. Without a computer, you can't. I am fine with Apple not adding an SD card slot or USB port to the case. However, come out with an attachment like the photo kit one (or rebrand it for external device storage connecting). Of course, they would also need to implement item #2 for this to work effectively.
5. The iPod app needs to have the ability to connect to other iTunes libraries on the same network. This way I can stream to my iPad without having to first sync to that user's iTunes library.
6. Need to retool running iPhone apps. All my existing apps run great on the iPad. I even enjoy few of my game apps more on the iPad due to the increased screen real estate. However, there are just some things that still feel awkward and not polished. First, when doing any input, a iphone keyboard displays instead of the iPad. Why? I am using the iPad, not the iPhone. Second, when the apps run in their native mode, they just look so awkward with the giant black border surrounding them. I think Apple should overlay them on the user's home screen as it would nicer. Third, when running the app using the pixel double, things are just a little too rough around the edges. I can forgive images being a little jaggy or pixilated, but text and app controls should scale better. I thought Apple UI elements for the iPhone OS were resolution independent.
7. Allow me to connect my printer. I don't want to have to download an app from the app store to do something as simple as printing to my printer. Why not provide a way so that the user is asked by the iPad what printer they have and a driver is then downloaded to their iPad from Apple. This way Apple doesn't have to ship a bunch of printer drivers with the iPad and can supply the functionality on-demand.]]>
With iTunes approaching the big 10 (or X), one would think Apple would use this marketing opportunity to release an overhauled new iTunes.
So what do you think Apple should do to improve iTunes? Should they do what they did for iMovie and start over and build it up, again, slowly? Should they redesign the entire interface?
Note: Please no posts saying only "optimize it". That's already a given
---------------------------------
I'll get us started...
1. Rewrite in Cocoa: A solid application needs a solid foundation. With iTunes being Apple's flagship software, they should move away from Carbon so they can enjoy the more modern benefits of Cocoa. While I am sure Apple has optimized iTunes as much as they can, Carbon was always meant as a transition platform. Apple needs to embrace Cocoa across the board.
2. Use Native UI objects: Rather than trying to trying to make iTunes stand out, Apple should be using native UI objects on both Mac OS X and Windows (especially Windows) to make it more unified and not having to call custom objects which just bulks up code.
3. Remove the feature bloat: There is so many options and little features that have been shoved into iTunes over the years that it's just silly. It crowds up dialogs and menus and just makes the UI more intimidating to new users. One of my favorite examples of feature bloat is in the iTunes preferences dialog. There is an actual drop down menu for the background color of the grid view (white or black). It's just extra bloat. I am sure there are other features that I think could be axed.
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So far a lot of units have been pre-sold and there seems to be a lot of developer attention gaining strength. However, I do see a popular consensus that a lot of people don't see the need to purchase one which could affect the iPad's long-term sales.
Myself, I am actually disappointed in the iPad. I think Apple took a lot of wrong directions with it. I am not talking about using the iPhone OS as its operating system. I am completely for that and think it makes the most sense. This device needs to be even more mobile than their notebook line and a mobile OS would serve it the best. Frankly, I think trying to weave a full operating system into a tablet factor is just short-sighted. It makes sense for the device to have it own custom UI that works best for its apps and easy for the users to use.
Here are some areas where I think Apple missed the mark...
Users are forced to use the iPad as a supplemental computer
From what I have seen, Apple is pitching this device as a means to use it as supplement to your existing computer. That's perfectly fine, but what about those who don't have a computer yet? This could have been the perfect started device for those who have been afraid to get on the digital bandwagon.
There's no way to save or browse documents/files (like the files you would create from the mobile iWork apps or attachments you would like to save from emails).
Photos are another example. Their iPod app is like a mini-itunes letting you create playlists to organize your music, but the photo app doesn't appear to offer any way to organize your photos. I would think they should make it like a mini-iphoto.
No way to add files from external devices
While Apple does sells a camera connection kit, what about those who would like to add files they have on a SD card or USB keychain? Apple should have at least added a USB port.
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The screen on this thing is massive, it's so bright, the colours are so vivid and there's just so much space, it's amazing! Performance too, I haven't done anything processor intensive yet but everyday tasks happen at the speed of light.
If you're thinking of buying one of these, jump in, spend the money because it's worth every cent. I still can't get over how big it is, it's magnificent.]]>
When it was released, a lot of people said that developers could potentially make improved drivers for the Magic Mouse so it could perform extra gestures and advanced things like that. There have already been a few utilities that extend the functionality of the Magic Mouse but I've found one that actually does a good job, so far.
MagicPrefs is yet another application that sits in the menu bar (as if I don't have enough of those!) It adds support for extra clicks and gestures, I haven't fully explored all the options yet but there's an option for middle click, two finger clicks, three finger clicks, three finger swipes, you can even program functions to the Apple logo at the end of the mouse.
The coolest feature of MagicPrefs is an image of the Magic Mouse, when you touch or click the mouse, an overlay shows where your fingers are in real time!
So far MagicPrefs is pretty good, I've only got middle click enabled but I haven't activated it by accident yet, everything seems to be working as it should.
Anyway, check it out, play around. It's free so you can't loose.]]>
Weird, right? I figured there was a reason why it did that and thus wasn't something that could be changed. But I installed the update on my wife's MacBook, and lo and behold, when you wake the computer from sleep now it's dead silent. Nice!
Did anyone else get this update? Is it only for 10.6, or only for Intel machines, or both? Didn't show up on my PowerBook.]]>