Computers in the kitchen

I love this old Apple ][ ad. Shows how far we’ve come in our thinking. If you asked folks back then, a lot would have predicted the kitchen as a natural place for the personal computer. Turns out computers and food don’t go too well together after all. Still love that ad though! Stock market is probably about where it was on that screen as well :)

 

iPhone 3.0 – First Take

When Apple took stage today, it was to start the momentum going for version 3.0 of the iPhone platform and that involved a combination of new features for end users along with a 1,000 new APIs for developers to take advantage of. In terms of new features, most of what was shown was table stakes, stuff that users have been asking for since day one. Yes, it’s nice to have cut, copy and paste and MMS support but that’s not what’s going to drive the next wave of user adoption for either the iPhone or the its cousin, the iPod Touch. Those features are more evolutionary and were required to keep Apple in the game.

The real important news was the new APIs and the time Apple spent during the presentation showing what was capable with them. I’ve argued in the past that operating systems as a core purchase driver don’t matter nearly as much as applications do. Especially now in the mobile space where everyone supports basic features such as push email, PIM sync and good web browsing experiences. At a time when all platform vendors are getting the message that it’s the extensibility of the platform that’s important, Apple showed off some revolutionary new capabilities that will help raise the bar. The breadth and depth of the apps that Apple demoed showed capabilities that would simply be impossible on other devices and platforms at the moment. In addition, by providing new revenue models for developers, Apple shored up support for new applications and ISVs entering the eco system. We know the mantra of developers, developers, developers well and Apple today set the stage for the next generation of app functionality.

The iPhone isn’t just about a platform or applications. It’s also about hardware as well. It will be interesting to see what else Apple has planned in the summer to take advantage of the platform and APIs.

iPhone v3.0 – what in and what’s not

In a crowded room on Apple campus (which reinforces why Apple doesn’t need to do product launches at venues like Macworld) Apple announced version 3.0 of the iPhone platform. Presented by Apple execs, Greg Joswiak and Scott Forstall.  Here’s the quick rundown.

First Apple noted some stats, there were 800 million app downloads and the apps that applied to be in the store had a 96% acceptance rate. 13.7 million sold in 2008. Overall pretty impressive specs.

First up was the SDK. Apple’s got a 1,000 new APIs for developers to build on, they showed a few today in demo applications. What’s interesting is that most of those applications shown would be virtually impossible for developers to create on other platforms.

Peer to peer connections over Bluetooth for games and other types of sharing, such as business cards

Support for subscription services, as well as in-app purchases (great for games for additional levels and content providers)

Support for embedded Google maps and turn by turn directions (bring your own maps for the latter)

Apps can now connect directly with hardware. Think of Docks with integrated controls right on the iPhone or iPod Touch

Push notification but no background processing apps

Built in support for streaming video and audio that can automatically be adjusted for bandwidth

Apple shifted from there to end user features. Most of these were features that users have been looking for since the iPhone was introduced and in that regard Apple met expectations

Cut, copy and Paste. Note, only Apple could get applause for cut, copy and paste as a feature

MMS

A2DP Bluetooth audio support

Spotlight integration, universal search across Calendars, Contacts, Mail and will even search your Exchange server if not local

Support for CALdav and .ICS calendars

Voice memo app

Updated stock app with more features and landscape mode

Landscape mode for all apps

Still missing?

Flash – We know it’s coming and the biggest reason for Flash, namely YouTube is already supported
Video recording – This one’s important
tethering – Apple says support is there on the client side and it’s about working with carriers to enable it

Adamo, right machine but wrong time?

I’m looking at the new Adamo released by Dell today after a long teaser campaign. Overall machine looks nice but I’m wondering how well the specs match up with the price and how much consumers are paying for design. Yes, Dell has done a good job of design but a 1.2 ghz core 2 duo and a four pound weight at $1,999 make this less desireable than some netbooks. Some of the features are downright amusing. While Apple has long refused to sticker or mar the underside of their PCs with the various markings found in their PC cousins, Dell had tried to emulate that aesthetic with the Adamo. How theuve fone it in this case is amusing. Microsoft for some arcane reason requires Windows licensees to incorporate a Windows sticker on each box. In this case, Dell complied and then created an odd magnetic cover that seems to serve no other purpose than to cover said sticker. Does it get sillier then this? Vendors spending time and money to build a hardware feature to cover up a Windows sticker. That exercise alone tells you why Dell doesn’t quite really understand why Apple has been successful marketing to consumers.

Don’t get me wrong, the Adamo looks very nice (although Dell’s going to be challenged getting consumers to see the Adamo up close and personal) but there’s more to a PC than looks. Take off that magnetic cover and you realize that underneath, you’ve got an expensive Windows PC with average specs. At a time when consumers are looking for value in every dollar spent, Adamp might be the right machine but at the wrong time.