Assuming most hardware announcements are out of the question. Here’s my top 5 wants for iOS / TV / OSX and other updates from WWDC this year.
5. Siri Fixed. What a mistake it was to release. What a demo it was. Never again. And coming out in 2012 the way it should have been, is the least they could do. This is #5 because I’d be baffled if they didn’t bring it to “release candidate” status, if the prior release is considered beta.
4. Improved Mail app on iOS. I don’t actually expect this to happen. But honestly it takes way too many steps to access my mail. I could use Sparrow but why should I have to spend money on an app that should be a given? I think Apple realizes this is out of date.
3. Apple TV UI. Not expecting hardware but am expecting the UI to be showcased if only as a video demo. But then again, if they are “double downing” on secrecy I feel like anything less than a full fledged hardware demo would go against that. Why would they say “here’s what we’re working on!” I don’t think Tim Cook wants proof of concept in Apple’s public culture.
2. OSX Roadmap. OSX only has 2 numeric versions left until what, OSXI? OS11? OSU? The last one is Operating System Unity. I made it up:-) Thinking that mobile and desktop will be the same eventually. A pretty robust roadmap for iOS was publicly laid out in 2008, as I recall. Considering that OSX has increased to 10.8 within a year, I think showing off the ready to deliver Mountain Lion and seeing where OSX is going after that (macro level) seems not only possible but likely. I fantasize that Apple has figured out a way to make x86 software work harmoniously on ARM architecture like Rosetta but amazingly better. And make this OS native. Also, they are running out of felines. Lion is supposed to be king, right?
1. Native Turn by Turn Navigation with Siri Integration. I’ve seen and read the rumors about the new non-google iOS 6 “Maps.” The biggest divider (from a driver’s perspective) between Android and iOS is that amazing turn by turn Navigation app that’s native for Android. Some of the third party iOS apps are ok. MapQuest being the best in ability and value. But when I was rocking an Xperia Play hands free, I asked my phone to “navigate to Layla’s Falafel Stamford, CT.” It sent out a google search, found the address and began directing me to Layla’s Falafel within seconds of my request. All of this while having two hands on the wheel. It felt like an iOS experience in how cleanly and easily it worked. Except after 5 years nothing on iOS comes close! If they don’t fix this then I’m done.
Btw, everyone stop saying double down. That’s a KFC sandwich and it’s gross.
So I’ve been trying to keep this blog up at a weekly rate to no avail. I’ve had several pieces I’ve been working on:
1. A critique on Hulu policies and business trends
2. PS Vita and the handheld industry
3. My gripes with the new Sony Mobile
4. An article on gun control and alternative home protection solutions
and a few others that I don’t want to reveal yet. The more I get into these topics the more I realize that I don’t have the time for the research to do a good job. Between running NPeaches and my work at The Brand Gallery, there isn’t much time for research pieces.
I do, however, have a lot of down time on trains, in waiting rooms and other artificial purgatories. A lot of fan fiction ideas run through my head while I wast away in limbo. What if Sliders had a better conclusion? What would Deep Space Nine Season 8 be like? What was John Cavil like when he was first switched on? Not all of these are SciFi but a lot are. I’m thinking maybe some short story pieces and some screenplay hybrid pieces. By the screenplay hybrid is just what I call it. It’s a blend of prose style description where action would normally be in a screenplay but built in screenplay structure. You’ll see.
I’ve found that the ScriptsPro app for iOS to be pretty handy. So I’m going to start getting these ideas down and working on this fan fiction. Stay tuned, I’ll let you know what I come up with.
Wow. It has been quite a while since I’ve made a post. I’ve been busy with my work at NPeaches.
I’m going to promise myself here and now that I stick to at least 1 post a week.
I’ve got a few ideas in mind. I’m planning on making a post before the end of this week.
See ya then!
Sometimes when I need to take a break from work, I still find enjoyment using the tools I use for my job (FCP, Photoshop, cameras etc). Gotta love what you do right? Well, one of my downtime (geekout) hobbies is making fan art. I’ve made fanart for DVDs, Super-8 digest/extract films, bootleg albums, PSX games even obscure stuff like Minidiscs.
As someone critical of commercialization of art, I think fancy packaging for media is a way to justify an inflated price for a product. But I’m a bit conflicted because I’ve seen some pretty creative art for album covers, DVD box sets etc. I don’t think that covert art is fundamentally wrong but just like anything else, it can be commodified and made cheap to serve the whims of corporate greed. That’s why I love fan art! It’s about the love of the aesthetic of the packaging and not what’s cheapest to produce at top dollar.
So I’m going to post fan art from time to time. Here are my first two to share. They are my latest.
These are NES cartridge labels for a couple of unofficial games for NES. They are for two ROM hacks of Super Mario 3 and the Legend of Zelda. The Legend of Zelda: Outlands is one of the most popular unofficial Zelda games. The second, Mario Adventure, has been arguably considered the best Mario game on the NES console. Quite a statement!
Some of the fan art I make is from scratch but others are remixes of work I’ve put together. This is the latter. The Mario Adventure paperwork is by botjira and the illustration of Link is by uniqueLegend.
Cool! Ubuntu on your TV. Have a look at The Verge’s hands on video:
As mentioned in the video, it’s at a proof of concept stage right now. What I’m wondering is, will this be only available as a package with a TV or could we potentially install this as an HTPC OS. It’d be pretty cool to have an OS that is stripped down with just what you need for entertainment.
I’d still rather have a set top box that I built instead of a TV with the OS built in. Looking forward to seeing what develops here!
I’ve had a PSP for a while now. I pretty much used it for music so my phone can be free to be a phone. I listen to music on my phone but I don’t want it set up playing on shuffle at a party when I get a call.
It’s only been until recently that I’ve realized the other abilities that the PSP can do.
The PS Vita or PSP 2 is coming out soon. It’s priced pretty decently at $250. It’s a Quad Core CPU, multitouch, improved controls, touch screen. So what’s the point in getting a PSP? Here’s my Top 5 reasons to either stick with the PSP or get one for the first time.
5. Physical Media-Something is lost when you allow the content provider to sell you downloaded version of movies and games. It gives them too much control. The games and movies need to be activated and registered to a certain device. UMDs (the PSP format) are discs that can be shared from one PSP to another. There is no way to track them. You can also get them cheap from a store, a flea market, a tag sale. You can’t buy a bargain download at a tag sale. If you can hold the media in your hand then you can trust that it’s yours, no one can take it away from you and you can give it away or sell it without any moderation from papa bear Sony. PS Vita will have downloads and a new proprietary media format to replace UMDs but they are certainly not going be cheap and likely, are going to be more locked down.
4. Memory Storage-This is a real head scratcher. In a time where even Android phones are headed the way of dedicated flash storage, the PS Vita will have removable storage. The least they could have done is stick to a standard like microSD Cards. Nope, they are not even using Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick series, they are inventing a whole new card to jack up the prices yet again! Memory Sticks have been around long enough that they are finally coming down in price. And PS Vita is creating new ways to spend money just so you can store the stuff you bought. Imagine having to buy a new closet every time you bought a new outfit.
3. Video Output-This would be #1 for me. I love the idea of video output for sharing movies when I go to someone’s house, or for a presentation etc. It can output at 480p and there is an HDMI adapter for HD digital output. The PS Vita does not have HDMI out and Sony has said there are no plans to make this possible. This seems like a no brainer in this day and age. Cheap-o Abdroid tablets even let you mirror the display via HDMI.
2. Generational Development and Stability-The PSP has come a long way. There have been a lot of firmware updates, there are four PSP iterations released since 2005 and it is now extremely stable. The PS Vita was recently launched in Japan and has seen a massive amounts of hardware failures. Random shut downs, unresponsiveness, touch screen issues and more. The problem here is that it’s not a small percentage but a high volume of users. Sony recently issued a response explaining that they are aware of the issues but they cannot handle the volume of calls they are getting. Not exactly my idea of $250 well spent.
1. Value-This was an easy one but an important one. Prices for PSPs are dropping everywhere. Games, movies, accessories and systems. Moreover, the PSP has been around for a while so you are likely to get some really good pre-owned deals. Not to mention that even though we are stuck with those Memory Stick Pro Duo’s, they ar at least coming down in price.
One more thing that didn’t make it to the Top 5 but really pisses me off. The UMD Passport program. The PS Vita has no way to support UMDs so as consolation, Sony has created this UMD Passport Program. UMD owners need to register their UMD and then Sony will allow these users to get their games as a download at a reduced cost. Reduced cost? I’m getting something less tangible and you want me to pay for it? Besides why are you asking me to buy my games yet again? I already bought them!
The PSP is definitely behind the times in screen resolution and graphics but it’s really not that bad in my opinion. I mean it’s pretty much a Playstation 2 in your hand. The PS2 is no slouch. Personally, for portable gaming I’m not looking for much more than what a Game Boy can do. But the PSP match that, can beat that, can movies, an play music, can display comics, can remotely access your PS3 and there’s a whole array of things if you’re willing to hack it. The Bottom line, when you enter the PSP you’ll find a large library of games waiting for you, a reliable system, great value and endless features. With the PS Vita the most you’ll find is a high credit card debt and waiting for the games you really want to trickle out over the next couple of years.
Consuming with Sony is a real loyalty test. They play around a lot with consumer loyalty especially during a time when folks are going to their smart phones for casual gaming.
I’m a little late on this so it’s not a report. Recently Louis C.K. sold a taping of his show for $5. The download is DRM free and available via torrent. Also, it’s available in evil old MP4 H.264 and in righteous young Ogg Theora.
The release has reeled in 500k and has seen 200k in profits. The sheer volume of that number suggests that you can have a better response from consumers if you treat them with respect. I think C.K. just brought back the piracy crowd.
Props to C.K. and I hope others follow in this trend.
Successful root, GApps installed and now CM7. Things are looking good for this $200 tablet. Don’t break your commitment to Amazon’s ecosystem just yet. The touchscreen isn’t working quite well and there are probably a few other things that need fixing.
It’s in very early stages but it’s still very promising. Huge thanks to JackpotClavin at XDA for making this happen!
Some photos:
Source: Kindle Fire at XDA
My film production company, Divine Comedies, just ordered the Synology DS411 server for local editing and remote access to assets. It’ll be a great solution to protect our film projects, increase productivity and make project sharing a breeze.
I’m going to try and write a review soon – maybe a video review.
Anyway, I’ve been really busy and hope to get a new post in next week. See you then!
