You want to make changes to Android all willy nilly? Google says NO!

Microsoft is just a waste of space.

Rumors of both a smaller and larger iPhone abound and they don’t make any sense. Also, everyone talks about 7” tablets and why Apple needs one - this also makes no sense.

First video of 2011. What happened so far and predictions for the year.

I meant to have this out before the new year hit, but alas, the hectic schedule of the holiday season got the better of me.

1. 3D TVs have been all the rage lately, from the perspective of the manufacturer. The price of the TVs, price of the glasses, limited content and the fact that you even need glasses have put a damper on sales. The good news is that the proliferation of 3D TVs have driven down the price of standard LED TVs.
   Prediction: 3D disappears this year until the technology is more affordable, usable and universal.
2. Microsoft capitalizes on the success that is the Kinect (the motion based gaming style for the Xbox 360) and ushers in a new era of gaming (that the Nintendo Wii barely scratched the surface of). Sony releases the Move for the PS3 which gives users something to hold, like the Wii but it is more precise than the Kinect. Users of both platforms are going nuts for these (especially the Kinect, due to its freedom).
   Prediction: More Xbox games show up in the purple case and the entire gaming experience moves towards hands free. You do what? Hold a controller still? Oh, and Steve Ballmer keeps his job.
3. Users are not only playing with the Kinect; they are ripping it apart. Scores of videos are appearing all over the web showing new uses for the camera/sensor system. Some are recreating images in live 3D renderings and others have created Minority Report style interfaces.
   Prediction: Tom Cruise and a pre-cog run through your backyard while you effortless copy files to pieces of glass with your hands. Interactive displays become a reality.
4. Apple’s release of a desktop app store shows 1 million downloads in the first day. Their photo editing program, Aperture, sells for $80 as opposed to the $199 retail price on the shelf.
   Prediction: A desktop app store shows up for Windows as well. Software inventories in retail locations begin to thin like the hair on Ballmer’s head.
5. Tablets are everywhere. First it was the iPad, followed closely by a slew of Android based devices. The battle is now over platform, operating system, and size. 
   Prediction: Many Android based tablets disappear leaving only the cream of the crop. Apple releases iPad 2 in the spring of this year.
6. Every year since 2007 Apple has shown us a new iPhone. 2007 and 2010 were the 2 biggest iterations. It nearly goes without saying that iPhone 5 will be announced at Worldwide Developers Conference with the release to follow in late June or early July.
   Prediction: The jump in feature set is better than from 3G to 3GS but not nearly as rich as the jump between the 3GS and the iPhone 4.
7. We are generating more and more data on a consistent basis. Storing and securing that data is becoming more difficult, even with the huge hard drives. Everyone needs redundant backups and accessibility.
   Prediction: Companies and products like Drobo, Netgear ReadyNas and HP MediaSmart drop in price to give redundant RAID arrays for home users and websites like Mozy and Crash Plan become more popular around the web.
8. Facebook is trying to hold onto its key players. It has been giving out tons of private stock options. The SEC requires them to stay below a certain number of people and shares before forcing them to disclose more details about their finances. Facebook has been holding just below that number.
   Prediction: Facebook can’t afford to stay there anymore. They break the cap, disclose their info, hold an IPO.

Verizon had a national and global data outage last night. All 3G service went dead for at least 6 hours. Verizon simple acknowledged the issue and its resolution without going into detail as to what caused it directly or the factors surrounding it. Speculation says this is alongside the upgrade procedures to the 4G LTE network.

The outage is not what is really important. The timing is what seems more relevant. Just days ago Glenn Lurie who is AT&T’s head of emerging devices sat with Walk Mossberg on the stage for All Things Digital’s D: Dive Into Mobile conference. When asked about  the possibility of a Verizon iPhone (which we all know will happen at some point), he said “We’re not concerned about it at all.”

AT&T has come under fire about the quality and stability of its network over the last 3 years. Users have cited experiences where the network could not keep up with their demands. AT&T has experienced a 5,000% growth in data consumption since the arrival of the iPhone. Verizon, like any other carrier, has not experience this explosive growth.

AT&T, as a brand, has suffered as users remain frustrated, however the exclusive ownership of the iPhone all this time gives them an edge. Lurie’s most important quote was “We’ve managed a massive amount of data on our network for several years. Many of our competitors have not.”

1. If Verizon got the iPhone in 2007, would they have suffered the same slings and arrows of outrageous data consumption and be seen the way AT&T is?
2. Will they go through the same growing pains when they do get the iPhone?
3. Having an objective viewpoint watching AT&T, has Verizon been given an advantage of preparation that AT&T did not have?
4. Will the iPhone split over multiple carriers mean a less outrageous jump in usage?
5. How has effect has the proliferation of Android devices had on easing into the new mentality of ubiquitous, constant, massive amounts of data?

I’ve seen AT&T’s issues since day 1 of iPhone in 2007. I had an iPhone 2G that day and each successor on launch day. It has changed the way we do business and AT&T has struggled under the weight of the success of this device.

Every day, I try to keep in mind that they had no roadmap for success. They could not possible expect the response to be as great as it was. For a company flying blind, in uncharted waters under unprecedented strain, I feel they have adjusted well. With $18billion invested into their network this year and last year, it’s obvious they are working at it.

I hope Verizon users do not go through what AT&T users have, but I won’t fault Verizon if it happens. This is a major time for wireless technology and growing pains are to be expected. They are signs of amazing advancements.

Keep all of this in perspective before you scream about a dropped call on AT&T’s network, if you can.

 It’s that time of year again. Let’s take a look at the Top Ten Tech Toys that everyone wants under the tree on Christmas morning. 

1. Kinect for Microsoft Xbox 360. This new motion-based addition to the Xbox is sweeping the console gaming market. It is more precise than the Nintendo Wii and doesn’t require you to hold anything while you play. Plus you can interact with the entire console by moving and speaking. Microsoft has clearly redefined its role in the console market with this additional piece. Price: $149.99
2. Apple iPad. Many people were waiting for news of a second-generation tablet from Apple, although that was always unlikely. In the meantime, the device has recently been updated to support wireless printing, streaming of audio/video to other devices and, of course, multi-tasking. The latest update takes it from a novelty gadget to serious productivity device. Price (range): $499 - $829 based on size of 16, 32, or 64 gb and with or without 3G capability
3. Speaking of streaming audio/video, AppleTV was redesigned this year. It fits in the palm of your hand and requires two wires. One is for power and the other is HDMI (it does not support composite or component connection). You can rent movies and TV shows from iTunes in full 1080p resolution. Additionally, you can connect to your Netflix account, YouTube, Flickr and more. Share movies from your computer or stream from an iPhone/iPad using the new AirPlay system. Price: $99
4. Samsung Galaxy Tablet. If you haven’t adopted Apple products into your life or simply love the Android platform then one of the new Android tablets may catch your eye. The Samsung Galaxy seems to stand out among the rest. At 7” it is portable although there is discussion about the usability of something that size. The spec sheet reads: Cortex A8 1 GHz processor, 512 MB of RAM, 16 (or 32) gb of internal memory with upgrades via SD slot, 3-megapixel camera w/ flash and front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera, WiFi and 3G connectivity. It does things the iPad doesn’t do but has it’s limitations as well. Be wary of the Android 2.2 (Froyo) operating system it runs. Google claims it is not meant for tablets but seems stable so far. Price: $599
5. GoogleTV. If you’re in the market for a new TV, Sony is making models with Google TV embedded. If you are not, you can buy a stand-alone unit with built-in Blu-Ray player. GoogleTV resembles AppleTV except it incorporates full web browsing and specific content from network stations formatted for the environment. The UI is slow and not very responsive and the content is not being delivered as q quickly as Google had hoped. It definitely has room to grow. Price: $399
6. Sony Bloggie Touch. This 12.8-Megapixel digital camera measures 2” by 4” by half an inch. It sports a 3” touch screen and will hold up to 2 hours of HD video and will connect directly to your HDTV with a mini HDMI output. Bloggie software uploads directly to sites like Facebook and YouTube. Price: $179
7. iPod Nano. Earlier this year Apple redesigned their iPods but the most drastic change was the Nano. It is now a small, sleek, square with a multi-touch touchscreen that resembles an iOS device. In fact, it runs a special version of iOS. It is roughly 1.5” square and weighs less than an ounce with a built-in belt clip. This device is meant to be taken with you on runs without letting you know it’s there. Price: $149 (8 gb) or $179 (16gb)
8. Samsung 3D TV. The 55” 3D LED TV has amazing picture quality and provides better 3D experience than I have found in movie theaters - there is none of that blurriness at the edges. In the box comes this less than 1” thick TV but no glasses so be prepared to shell out more money to use the 3D functions. In the meantime, enjoy 1080p 240Hz crystal clear motion. This is also Internet connectable giving you access to YouTube, Napster, Facebook, and BestBuy’s own CinemaNow (online rental service). Keep in mind that in addition to the glasses, you’ll beed a 3D Blu-Ray player, and high speed HDMI cable at a minimum. Price: $3299
9. Samsung LED TV. For the non-3D lover, the Samsung 6300 is the best LED deal out there. The screen is 55” (54-5/8” to be exact) with 120Hz refresh rate and a 4,000,000:1 contrast ratio. It is also Internet connectable. This is the TV I have had my eye on for personal use. 3D TVs have dropped the prices of these standard LED models significantly. Price: $2500
10. Last but not least, the hottest new laptop to arrive this year - the MacBook Air. I recently had the pleasure of using one. The solid state drive inside makes it turn on instantly (much like an iPhone/iPad). The 13” has the same 1440x900 resolution of a 15” MacBook Pro. It is small and light and really performs with a Core 2 Duo processor and 2 gb of RAM under the hood. Battery life seems to be about 5 hours on the 11” and 7 hours on the 13” model. The 11” may be a little too small to be truly usable for more than the purpose of a netbook and a netbook is a third of the price, but the 13” is beautiful. Price (range): $999 - $1599 (plus customization if needed)

Happy Holidays!

What’s up Apple’s sleeve?

If you’re in the market for a tablet, right now you’re going to get an iPad. In the near future, there are going to be tons of other options out there for you from WebOS based devices from HP to a slew if Android powered ones put out by a multitude of companies. Be careful of who you give your money to. HP, LG, RIM, Apple, Microsoft, etc are all well known, large, reputable companies dumping a bunch of money into tablet design and trying to keep the cost down. The iPad still comes in at $499 for the cheapest version.

So what if I said you could have a tablet that looked identical to the iPad in all ways, ran Android, had better hardware specs and was only $155? You’d tell me that I’m crazy, lying, confused or about to get ripped off. And you’d probably be right on more than one of them. A company called wiped (no connection to Nintendo) is putting out tablets, according to their website. All of the above that I mentioned are the things they claim. Whether they are true or not, I don’t know. Their website is full of discrepancies that make me think the whole thing is a sham.

Front page shows a Visa, MasterCard and PayPal logos. Under the payment tab of the site they say that they only take PayPal. That’s minor. Here is their “About Us” page:

About us

Wiipad.us is supported by Wiipad Technonogy International Limited who is specilized in consumer electronics technology for years.

We hold the faith:

Quality,Innovative,Responsive,Passion

We are planning in the near future new tablet PC  with capacity touch screen and 10.2” inches screen and upgrade google android 2.1 system and faster speed. It is You that can choose the parts and signature and optional design.

Something was lost in the translation - like grammar and spelling. I’m fairly certain they are based in China.

If you go to the shop tab you have 4 products. 3 of them are identical to the iPad and if you look closely, the images appear to be taken directly from apple. One of them even shows the standard OS 3.2 home screen that ships with the iPad, complete with default apps. They claim, however, that it runs on Android. All devices seem to ship with Android 1.6 at the moment. The NENO is their newest model that parts of the website say is here and parts say is coming soon and that it ships with 2.1. No responses to questions about 2.2 in their forums.

The Wiipad Slim 7” model claims it has a TFT screen with 800x480 resolution, 2GB of NAND storage, 2 USB parts and a variety of other specs that are unclear.

Check out the rest of the details at http://www.wiipad.us. Look for the pictures that show Apple products.

I’m not sure if it is a scam, a poor product, re-worked iPads or what. I do know that I wouldn’t send them any of my money though.

This is one example of a knock-off product out there and a prime reason why you should only deal with reputable companies who will make quality hardware and stand behind their product.

Today was a big day. Apple held another keynote. This time it was to announce iPhone OS 4.0. This update has been speculated about for a long time as it was expected to bring major changes.

The list of features looks like this:

- Multitasking

- Spellcheck

- Bluetooth keyboard support

- 5x digital zoom for the camera

- Tap to focus for video (like on the camera now)

- Playlist creation

- App folders for sorting apps (also means the 180 app limit is up to 2160 now)

- Enhanced mail (unified inbox, threaded conversations, and in-app attachment viewing)

- iBooks (same as is on the iPad)

- Enterprise wireless app distribution

- Game Center (social media gaming like Xbox Live)

The list of new items to be used by developers is even longer which means that existing apps or new apps will have added functionality as well.

For users of smartphones on other platforms, much of this may seem old hat. Others wonder why Apple hasn’t shown up with these features already. True to form, Apple had to do it on their own terms.

It was announced today that 64% of mobile device web surfing comes from mobile Safari. All other date (Blackberry, Android, etc) combined makes up the remaining 36% which is only half what Safari uses.

Those numbers would not stay that way forever. With limitations of the iPhone and other manufacturers catching up in capabilities, it is a matter of necessity for Apple to update and keep the status quo.

The release of this update comes on the heels of the iPad release and before an announcement of the next generation iPhone hardware. Apple has booked the Worldwide Developer’s Conference at the end of June and a hardware announcement is expected then.

Whether or not a new phone will debut in June, this OS update is very important for the popularity of the phone in the wake of troubles with AT&T’s network and rumor of the iPhone showing up on Verizon as well. AT&T’s network was discussed during the Q&A portion of the keynote today and Steve Jobs is convinced that multitasking will not affect performance negatively.

Other issues such as battery life were addressed. Apple said they found a way to incorporate multi-tasking without a negative effect on battery life as well.

The ship date for the new OS is June of this year with iPad rollout in the fall. Now it is a waiting game once again. The only reported downside is that the 3G will not benefit from all parts of the update as well as older generations of the iPod Touch.

In sum, the iPhone 3G S will be getting the iPhone OS 4 update in June which will enable the most requested and talked about features since the advent of the app store and the iPhone will once again meet or exceed the expectations of consumers and offerings of competitors.