Now that the actual iPad specifications are out, what is your opinion of this new device? Is it a stripped down Mac that is basically a fancy netbook, or is it a beefed up iPhone that will bridge mobile device and personal computer? Maybe something else entirely? I would love to hear your thoughts.
Personally, I will be doing what I always do with all new tech; sitting back and let the early adopters shake out the bugs.
Watch CEO Steve Jobs introduce the iPad:
I admit it. I am totally geeking out today and following the Apple announcement of the new tablet device live on the internet. Leo Laport is there live with his phone, laptop and Skype broadcasting on Ustream. I am also following on Engadget.com to get a breakdown in pictures. It fells like I was watching a news broadcast from the 50’s or 60’s when the announcer would describe the event while random pictures flashed on the screen.
Looking forward to bringing you details later.
The great thing about Apple is there is always an interesting rumor floating around about an upcoming gadget or event. As I noted in an earlier post, Apple is rumored to announce a new tablet device based on its popular iPhone format. Now it is rumored that Apple will halt it’s exclusive partnership with AT&T.
A post today on Apple Insider reported that another site, HotHardware.com, has information from an “anonymous inside source” that AT&T will lose their iPhone exclusivity on Wednesday, when Apple is also expected to introduce its long-awaited touchscreen tablet. The article indicate that AT&T may lose it stranglehold on the service for the device, it is also tired of the iPhone being a data-hog and continually causing problems to the cell provider’s network. Since the sources are anonymous, please read the articles yourself and make your own decisions (Apple Insider – HotHardware.com).
Even if all of the rumors are wrong, you have to admit that Steve Jobs and the folks at Apple are always keeping people guessing about what’s next. I know I will be watching the announcements closely.
When I say pirates, I don’t mean the swashbuckling type – I mean those individuals that sneak camcorders into the local cinema and record movies or distribute “cracked” copies of DVDs on the street or over the Internet. For years, Hollywood has claimed that “pirated” movies would ruin the industry and keep people out of theaters.
A recent article from the Electronic Frontier Foundation suggests that the cries of studio executives are blown out of proportion. The article says that Star Trek, the most downloaded movie of 2009, still made a net profit of over $100 million. The article also states that in a year when “internet piracy” was at its highest, Hollywood broke records at the box office.
As 2009 comes to a close, there is no evidence out there that “Internet piracy” is leaving us with fewer creators or fewer copyrighted works, even if you limit yourself to considering works being created by “professionals” employed by movie studios. And once you factor in all the new, noncommercial or semi-pro creators who have been empowered by the very same Internet technologies that Hollywood is blaming for “piracy,” well, it seems clear that creativity is alive and well, and that Hollywood’s demands for drastic overhauls of copyright law and broadband policy are disconnected from reality. (Full article).
Don’t get me wrong. I am NOT suggesting that anyone go out and record movies and post them on the Internet or try and sell bootlegged DVDs out of the back of a car. What I would like to see is a less draconian approach to digital rights management (DRM). There is no reason people should have to violate the law just to make backup copies of movies or music that they own.
What are your experiences with DRM? Tell me about it.
The above photo is an artist’s concept. NOT A REAL MAC!
Media outlets are buzzing about the idea of a new Apple tablet computing device. Rumors have increased that Apple will release this new gadget at the end of January. The Wall Street Journal reported that it could start shipping as early as March. Here is a link to one of the WSJ articles. Here is an AP article.
The idea of an Apple tablet device has been around for a while. The image above is just one artist’s idea. Here are some more cool concepts.