apple

Software Shouldn’t Scare

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I was upgrading some routine stuff on my MacBook today when I got this message.  

Yikes. 

I think that messages like this are what scare people.  They imply, whispering in your ear, "If you mess this up you can ruin your computer.  Have a nice day."

I think that software should be made in such a way that is really hard to mess up.  For example detect if the power cord is in and refuse to update until that requirement is met. 

It's time for some friendlier, gentler software. 
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iPad – yes and no

So I got to try out the iPad. It is fun to use. I lived the book feel and just the fact that it is a huge iPhone. I had no trouble typing on it. I am used to the virtual keyboard from the iPhone but I found it quite natural to type with all my fingers not just the thumbs.

Yes – want one and am probably going to buy one.

No – it is not just a huge iPod touch. The iPad fits somewhere between a laptop and an iPhone.

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Josh

Posted on by admin

iPad – yes and no

So I got to try out the iPad. It is fun to use. I lived the book feel and just the fact that it is a huge iPhone. I had no trouble typing on it. I am used to the virtual keyboard from the iPhone but I found it quite natural to type with all my fingers not just the thumbs.

Yes – want one and am probably going to buy one.

No – it is not just a huge iPod touch. The iPad fits somewhere between a laptop and an iPhone.

PhotoPhoto_2Photo_3

Josh

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Too many Updates! – the need for a unified updater

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It may be noted that I am not quite the typical iPhone or Mac users.  I download just about any App that looks interesting.  But this is getting ridiculous.  I can not go a day, without getting prompted to update or download an update.  So I decided to track which apps and when I was prompted to update.  

The stats are this.  One month. 39 updates.  Over 1 a day.  

I don't know what the solution is but something has to happen.

I propose an integrated platform for all updates.  I can then once a month view all the apps (iPhone and Mac included) that need updating and can approve all at once any and all updates.  

For the curious here are the apps and days.

Jul 16 skitch   Foxmarks for safari
Jul 17 iPhone
Jul 19 tweetdeck
Jul 21 safari and Java for mac os 
Jul 22 – for iPhone
Animoto
Evermore
Shazam
Aroundme
Facebook
Taptap2
Enigmo
Midomi
Things
June 29 – TweetDeck
June 30 skype 
topple 
loopt 
remote
July 3 backgrounds
Goodfood

July 4th adobe indesign cs4
July 5th dictionary
Evermore
Lose it
Requall 
Tap tap 2.6
Things
July 6 istat pro
July 9th tweetdeck
July 10th rescue time
July 12 tweetdeck ihandy level
July 17th evermore
Mormon channel
Tunepad
Banner
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Why Apple Really Bought Lala

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Apple changed the online music industry with their "99 cents download and own" policy with the launch of the iTunes Music Store.  Since then, iTunes has come to dominate the online music industry with up to %90 of the market share. (http://www.ipodhacks.com/article.php?sid=2191) 

Apple of course wants to maintain this position.  They are realizing that the market is now moving away from "buy-download-own" to "stream-listen-move on" model.  I recently started using Lala, and Spotify, and my musically tastes are far larger and diverse when I don't have to worry about paying 99 cents for each song.

Apple purchased Lala to integrate it with the bare bones web iTunes they currently offer. (http://joshuadance.com/itunes-preview-apple-missed-the-boat)  By offering a dual buy-or-stream model, they can keep their cash cow of 99 cent downloads and still stay on top of the rapidly expanding streaming services.
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iTunes Online Gifts on Facebook

Interesting.  Kind of a cool idea.  I love it when Apple does anything in the social media category.  

Available in the US only, you can now purchase iTunes Online Gifts through Facebook.  

You pick your theme, pick your amount from 5 to 50 dollars and an electronic gift card will be posted to your friends wall, and to their email.  

This is powered by Gift Card Mall, and of course, Facebook.  

Interesting idea.  I would love to get one, am it makes a lot of sense for friends and family that don’t live close.  

(edited) Apparently, they take 4 hours to deliver.  Not exactly instant, but close. 

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Posted on by admin

iTunes Online Gifts on Facebook

Interesting.  Kind of a cool idea.  I love it when Apple does anything in the social media category.  

Available in the US only, you can now purchase iTunes Online Gifts through Facebook.  

You pick your theme, pick your amount from 5 to 50 dollars and an electronic gift card will be posted to your friends wall, and to their email.  

This is powered by Gift Card Mall, and of course, Facebook.  

Interesting idea.  I would love to get one, am it makes a lot of sense for friends and family that don’t live close.  

(edited) Apparently, they take 4 hours to deliver.  Not exactly instant, but close. 

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