Ok, sure, I’m a bit biased, but here are some pointers as to why the Apple iPad is not going to be a huge success.

First off, “iPad”, really?!? What kind of name is that. I remember looking at early “renditions” of the fabled Apple Tablet with names including iSlate and iPad. At some point, there was a Borders survey that mentioned and iPad, and I immediately scoffed at the name.

For all this time, people were imagining some amazing device that would be somewhere in the field between smartphones and laptops, not just a huge iPod Touch.

Really, I don’t see why you would spend $499 or more on a device that basically does what an iPod does, but with a larger (multitouch) screen which is supposed to make reading book, browsing the web, and the such easier.

You could buy a netbook for a cheaper price and it would come with a keyboard as well as more functionality. Not to mention you could get one with a touchscreen as well.

Granted, the iPad does have some good points such as weighing 1.5 lbs and a 10 hour battery life, but really that is about it. Look at how stupid the device looks in Steve Job’s hands, being just a huge iPod:

You’ll be able to run all the iPhone/iPod apps on the iPad. Though there is still no multitasking, giving further reason as to the little benefit between the iPod Touch and iPad.

People who want to have an excellent on the go reading device should get a Kindle (which gives you a very paper-life experience), those who want to get a great multimedia device, get something along the lines of an iPod (I’m only saying this to prove a point), if you want to have a cheap portable computing device, get a netbook. So tell me, why would you get an iPad?

So, $499 for the 16GB model, $599 for the 32 GB model, and $699 for the 64GB model. 3G adds $130. The Wi-Fi only model will come out in 60 days, and the 3G one in 90 days.

Images from Apple.Com and Engadget.com

Gizmodo article: http://i.gizmodo.com/5458292/apple-ipad-everything-you-need-to-know

Gizmodo has a great guide to all the rumors that sprung up regarding the Apple Tablet:http://gizmodo.com/5434566/the-exhaustive-guide-to-apple-tablet-rumors

Specs: http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/

Engadget Article: http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/the-apple-ipad/

Engadget Apple Tablet History: http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/26/the-apple-tablet-a-complete-history-supposedly/

The Standard (agrees with me!): http://www.thestandard.com/news/2010/01/27/early-ipad-reaction-its-just-giant-ipod-touch?source=nlt_weekly

After being picked on a lot by Apple with its “I’m a Mac” ads, Microsoft is now getting back with its “I’m a PC” ads. These are nowhere the same as the Mac ads. They focus on destroying the stereotype that Apple has created and show how easy to use Windows is, rather than pushing down its competitors.

Here are a few of them. You can check them all out at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/watchtheads/

Also, Microsoft did the Mojave Experiment where they told people that Mojave was the new Windows, where in fact it was Vista to show people that what they thought Vista was isn’t actually true.

There are also a few other ads with Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates in them which are funny, but I’m not sure they are very good ads:

Yeah, I know. You guys already know all about the new iPhone. Yeah, it does have 3G, GPS, and that evil $199 price tag which will take over the world (I’m already having nightmares about everyone in the world having an iPhone and Steve Jobs controlling the minds of all of them). July 11, 2008 is the dreaded day when it comes out. And that new ad for it is driving me nuts (see here)! Oh and what is worse is that everyone will get an iPhone now (wait, did I say that already?)

Okay, Kevin, I know, blah blah, you don’t like Apple products. Stop your rant and get on with the details!

Fine, I will. See, you people are obsessed! So the new iPhone is almost just like the old one (Now dubbed the iPhone EDGE) in terms of design, except for the slightly different back side of the phone. (see more photos here) As you probably already know everything there is to know about the old iPhone, I’ll just talk about the new features here. I’ll begin with the most anticipated feature, 3G. I think the best part about it (which means worst) is the fact that you get a shorter battery and talking duration. On the iPhone 3G, you get up to 5 hours of 3G talk time. The “3G-ness” of the new iPhone will allow you to surf the web around 2 times faster than the iPhone EDGE.

Google Maps with GPS

Next, GPS. Yay, now you can get rid of that Nuvi and TomTom GPS system that you just bought! The iPhone 3G uses assisted GPS, meaning it uses normal GPS tech combined with the triangulation techniques of the iPhone EDGE. After you combine the power of Google Maps (traffic functions) with this new GPS, the device is almost irresistible.

The App Store

The App Store. This is what really gets to me. As soon as Apple had opened the iPhone for application development, all the developers flocked the the SDK and made really cool software. This includes some games like “Super Monkey Ball” where you can use the accelerometers of the iPhone to control this money in a ball through a complex course.

Top and Bottom View

Other new features: now business users can use Microsoft Exchange for their company’s email. Also, there will be a 3.5 mm headphone jack, so you can use your own normal pair of headphones with the iPhone 3G. Also, the iPhone come in an 8GB model that will only be in black and a 16GB model which will come in white and black.

The Back of the iPhone 3G

Yes, now my most favorite part: what is wrong with the iPhone 3G. There still is no copy-and-paste function on the phone. I would imagine that users would really appreciate this function. Also, there is no multimedia messaging, so you can’t send your photos to your friend’s phone, only email. Video recording, is not an included function, still. I can’t believe how Apple is ignoring this too. (That is why Apple is evil!) And what makes me pull at my hair is that people will still buy the iPhone 3G even with these crucial omissions.

iPhone Physical Specs

So, I hope this short little tidbit about the iPhone 3G has given you a good picture of the device. Yes, I agree it is a good phone and piece of tech, but I still have that “anti-apple” feeling inside me. But it is your decision to get it or not (even though I say “don’t get it”). Just remember to activate your iPhone right to avoid getting a 300 page bill from AT&T.

For more info see:

• iPhone 3G Tech Specs
• iPhone 3G on Apple.com
• Steve Jobs’ Keynote
• iPhone 3G on CNET.com (it is all over the homepage)
  
• Wikipedia Article on the iPhone
• and search on Google!

I don’t have an iPhone, but I can say this is a pretty crucial part in the “iLife” of the iPhone. Apple also released the news that they will be providing an “App Store” (No more “jailbreaking”) as a part of the iPhone firmware. Here a developer can sell apps for free or for a price. If you are selling it, you get to keep 70% of your earnings and 30% goes to Apple. Otherwise, if your app is free, you don’t have to pay Apple anything. You will be able to download apps in June of this year.

iPhone App Store Icon/Logo

For now, you can download the SDK at http://developer.apple.com/iphone/program/
for free. Apple also gives you the option of joining their “iPhone Developer Program” which for individuals is $99, and for enterprises $299. This program will allow you to have access to a bunch of resources on their site and “code-level” support from Apple engineers.

Also, Apple has set up an “iFund” (ooh, very creative name. Just like the others iPhone, iPod, iMac, in other words, “i” EVERYTHING) which will fund 100 million dollars to iPhone developers (not one, obviously), and is managed by KPCB. Other than that, I don’t know much more about it. It also will act as a way for more people to get into developing iPhone apps which will not only make Apple happy but also iPhone users. But not only that, it’ll cause more people to buy the iPhone and use it.

So if you are one of those iPhone owners, you should be excited as this means you could play backgammon, Spore (yes, that intriguing life form game), or do whatever else you want (if you know how to code) and what others want.

For more info. check out CNET’s iPhone SDK Articles (here) and Apple’s iPhone Website (here). Remember, Super Smash Bros. Brawl comes out on Sunday and if you go to Gamestop, they’ll be having a midnight release of the game and I might go to it.

Well, the iPhone came out quite some time ago, the GPhone (Google Phone) has its rumors and there are also rumors for a phone from Microsoft (No, not the ZunePhone). But what if Funknowledge came up with a phone. So here I’ll talk about what features are rumored to be on the “upcoming” phones and what the iPhone and other smartphones could have done better. I might also over the next few days make a little diagram of it. This is supposed to be a discussion and a time to reflect. So anyone who wants to, post a comment, or email me at funknowledge@gmail.com.

Although stupid, it is pretty funny
(From Mac4ever.com) <= Oh, really.

We’ll start with what the iPhone didn’t do well. First of all, which is one of the most evil: the tight integration between iTunes, you have to activate it through that, download stuff through that and do everything else through that! I hate Apple’s enclosed circle of its products. Also the no stereo Bluetooth and 3G, is kind of disappointing even though it is a pretty expensive phone.

The recessed headphone jack is pretty annoying too, especially if you bought a set of expensive earbuds (or headphones), and you can’t use it along with your $399 iPhone.

There are also numerous features missing like no flash or editing on photos, no video, no self portrait mirror, no external memory card slot, and low volume.

The good things on it we like. The sleek design and interface we loved. The picture quality and additional apps (Youtube, Google Maps) were nice. Even the battery life was good when used normally. So we’ll take those into consideration.

Next, the business people Blackberrys. These are actually not that bad. Although they are not great “fun” devices, they are the preferred device for many companies as they can surf the internet, use third party apps, and are good for emails. But, we’ll want to make “our” phone a little more friendly for the average customer.

The Blackberry 8800 (Courtesy of Phonesreview.co.uk)

Now, the Windows Mobile Based Phones. These mainly come from HTC. The Touch (Not to be confused with the iPod Touch) is a Windows Mobile 6 based phone. It also features finger control (TouchFLO, and it can’t be used in landscape), but you can also use a stylus (which you can’t on an iPhone). TouchFLO features a 3D cube where you can easily access all your basic stuff. The phone also has a modified Home screen that has a lot of basic information (Time, Weather, and a Schedule) and you can also access some programs through this. The Touch uses the normal Windows Mobile keyboard which is small and cramped, only fit for a stylus, making it slow and a pain. The SIM card and MicroSD slot are also hard to get to.

The HTC Touch (From Intomobile.com)

The camera on this phone is 2.0 megapixels, but the picture quality was only OK, but it does have a self portrait mirror and video.

The GPhone (Google Phone) will supposedly use a Linux based operating system and have Java based applications which is said to be very responsive. The thing is that Google hasn’t been denying the GPhone exists, so it could actually be coming. Also back in 2005, Google bought a Android, a phone software producer, further confirming this theory.

A possible design of the gPhone
(From SciFi.com)

With the GPhone it probably won’t be a shiny and good looking as the iPhone. They’ll most likely be focused on usability. It might even have ads so you can have lower priced service, but I’m not sure what the public would think of that. It is said also to have a large color screen and a predictive Qwerty keyboard so you can type faster. It is likely if it is made that the maker will be HTC.

Another gPhone mockup
(From SciFi.com)

Although the iPhone has Google Maps, it isn’t really useful unless it has GPS, and the GPhone might do just that.

One more mockup of the gPhone

Microsoft doesn’t really have too many good rumors on making a phone, but they have some ideas on phones and calling in general. Bill Gates believes that calling should be moved the the computer and the internet. This in fact is a good idea but will not likely actually happen for quite some time. The VoIP thing although works well, isn’t as reliable as normal phones, and until it becomes that, not everyone will make the switch.

So what will the Funknowledge Phone be like? Well, we want to combine the good ideas and get rid of the bad. So help us design it and we can come up with a phone that will be sleek, at a reasonable price, easy to use, and innovating. So post a comment or email me at funknowledge@gmail.com.

Well, it is, sort of. It is what you would call a “watered down iPhone”. It looks like one, acts like one, but isn’t one. It’s the iPod Touch. I know, I know, It looks JUST like the iPhone, without all the extra menu buttons and a speaker above the screen. Also, keep note that this “iPhone” has a 3.5 mm jack, so you can use your normal headphones without an adapter. Today, during the Apple conference they announced the new iPods, which includes updated versions of the Shuffle, Nano, and “Classic” (In other words, the original iPod). The iPod touch will sell in two versions: an 8GB one for $299.00 and 16GB one for $399.00.

The iPod Touch in its dock.

The Back and Side of the iPod Touch

The iPod Touch Box

Steve Jobs announcing the new iPods (Left to Right: Shuffle, Nano, Classic, Touch, iPhone)
Image courtesy of Cnet News

All other images courtesy of Apple Corporation.

Not too many days left until the release of the highly anticipated iPhone. On June 29th, 2007 the iPhone will be sent out into the world, probably at 6:00 pm. This is what PC World said about the release day of the iPhone: “On June 29, the day the Apple iPhone goes on sale, AT&T-owned stores will close early at 4:30 p.m. and reopen at 6 p.m. to sell the iPhone for the first time. Some Apple stores I spoke with said they were not planning a pre-6 p.m. shutdown before the iPhone goes on sale. Still, other Apple stores did say they were going to shut down as they got ready for the onslaught of want-to-be iPhone customers to fill their stores.

“At least one AT&T-owned store in the Boston area said it was going to be handing out bracelets to customers at 10 a.m. on June 29 when the store opened. The customer service representative I spoke with said that those customers could return at 6 p.m. and show their bracelets which would hold their place in line to buy the iPhone. That store was the exception. All the other Apple and AT&T-owned stores I spoke with said the iPhone would be sold on a first come first serve basis with no exceptions starting at 6 p.m. on June 29.

“People wishing to be the first to get their hands on the iPhone will only be able to buy the iPhone at Apple stores and AT&T-owned stores. The Apple Web site will also be accepting orders on June 29. And AT&T says it will offer iPhones through its Web site some time in the future. Authorized AT&T resellers will not be selling the iPhone on June 29. Many resellers I spoke with said they expected iPhones sometimes in August.

“One thing that was unclear from the Apple stores I spoke with was whether the Apple stores would be equipped to activate the iPhone for AT&T wireless services at the time of purchase. Apple didn’t get back to me with the answer to this question.

“Store hours for all the AT&T-owned stores have been extended to 10 p.m. and many Apple stores I spoke with said they would also stay open late to accommodate iPhone customers.”

(Read the article here)

Some of you might have heard that the iPhone may not have Flash, and will not have Java. So many of you will be disappointed not being able to watch your Youtube videos, but wait, the iPhone will come with a built-in Youtube application! Apple describes it as:” iPhone has a special YouTube player that you can launch right from the home screen. So now you can access and browse YouTube videos wherever you go. And when you find a video you want to send your friends, iPhone can even create an email with the link in it for you.” (See this).

This is the technical specifications of the Apple iPhone:

(Credit: Apple Corporation)

If you want more iPhone info, I recommend visiting CNET, or the Apple website. And if you are one of those people planning to get an iPhone, then good luck. You might not be able to get your hands on one, the first day.