Posted in Commentary with tags Apple on October 30, 2012 by itnerd
The biggest news in the tech world is the fact that the Sr. Management level at Apple got re-organized. Among the biggest changes are the immediate departure of retail chief John Browett and a 2013 exit for iOS chief Scott Forstall. Sir Jony Ive, Bob Mansfield, Eddy Cue, and Craig Federighi are all taking on increased responsibilities. Ive now heads Human Interface teams in addition to his role as head on Industrial Design. Cue has responsibility for Siri and Maps. He currently runs Internet Software and Services as well. Federighi will lead both the iOS and OS X teams. Finally, Mansfield will lead a new technologies group focused on innovation in wireless technology and semiconductors.
The word on the street is that Forstall was the dude behind the epic fail of Maps and was made to walk the plank because of that. Here’s what the Wall Street Journal had to say about that:
It is being said that Forstall didn’t get along with Jony Ive. The knighted designer won that battle. Apple named him the chief of all “human interface” on Monday. Reading between the lines, that means software in addition to hardware. Design lovers hated the paper “shredder” that Apple introduced with its Passbook product. Ive, a fan of minimalism, must have hated it too. Watch for Apple to kill it.
I also heard that Forstall refused to sign the letter apologizing for the mapping fiasco, sealing his fate at Apple.
If I’m a betting man, I bet Google is going to giving him a call.
As for Browett, he ran Apple’s retail arm. He had not worked for Apple that long (8 months is what the Wall Street Journal said), so read into that what you will. I’m guessing he didn’t fit in.
So, I think it’s safe to say that Tim Cook is making Apple his own. We’ll see how well that works out for him.
Rogers sent me an e-mail today to say that the Nokia Lumia 920 will be available at certain select Rogers stores today. Also a limited number of devices were shipped today to some lucky Rogers customers who had pre-ordered using their reservation system. This makes Rogers the first to have this phone for sale.
The Nokia Lumia boasts an amazing camera. With PureView technology, this device is capable of taking in five times more light than competing smartphones without using a flash. It also offers a complete cross-platform Windows experience powered by Rogers LTE network.
So now that Windows Phones are actually available, would you get one? Post a comment and share your thoughts.
I posted a story about Digital Backpack a few weeks ago. Their idea is that they have a secure way to share corporate info in an easy to manage way that doesn’t require the company to actually take control of the device. To understand why I think this is such a big deal, let me explain the business need.
More and more companies are employing a “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) policy when it comes to smartphones and tablets. It sounds like a good idea until you consider the fact that in most cases the company has to take partial or complete control of the device in question. That opens up a pile of privacy, security, and legal issues. This article describes most of them, and if you’re in charge of a BYOD strategy, you should be concerned.
Not only that, what if the employees bring in different devices? After all, some are going to like the latest Android device and Apple will have the hearts of and minds of some users with iOS based devices. That’s a management circus waiting to happen.
Now the question becomes, how do you support a BYOD policy without opening up a legal minefield? Or using multiple tools to manage them?
The solution as described by Digital Backpack’s CEO Mike Sommer is simple. Install an application on the user’s device that acts as a “backpack.” The organization has a web based dashboard that allows you to easily put content into the backpack in a transparent manner to the user. The user then has access to the data that they need when they need it. If the person leaves the organization, the contents of the backpack can easily be deleted. Apps, rich media, PDF’s can all be in the backpack. All of this without having to touch the device in any significant way. Mike was kind enough to give me a demonstration of this late last week and all of this is very easy to do. In fact, you don’t need IT to do any of this. People in individual departments could do this with very little instruction. To top it all off, it’s platform independent. So who cares what device your employees have? They’ll all have the same content.
Here’s a video that illustrates this:
This solution is ideal not only for corporate environments, but for schools as well. Think about it. A teacher could give students their homework assignments via this method and the students couldn’t use the excuse of the dog at my homework.
The application that you install on the smartphone is currently available for Android at the moment and an iOS version is coming. One plus is that Digital Backpack is a small company who is nimble enough to enhance the app to fit the needs of any customer. Plus they’re Canadian, which as frequent readers will know is a plus for me.
So, if you’re looking at implementing a BYOD strategy in your environment, I would highly recommend that you look at Digital Backpack. They have the right idea about how employee owned devices should be handled.
Posted in Commentary with tags LG, Telus on October 25, 2012 by itnerd
I just got an e-mail from Telus who are quickly competing with Rogers to be my “best friend” with the news that the LG Optimus G smartphone is coming to the Telus network on November 13. I don’t currently have any pricing details as of yet, but I’ll pass them along as soon as I get them. Powered by Android, it has an ultra-clear 4.7″ TrueHD IPS+ display protected by Gorilla Glass 2, a Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core processor, 4G LTE connectivity, and 2GB of RAM. It should be a fine addition to the Telus lineup.
Posted in Commentary with tags Sony on October 24, 2012 by itnerd
If you’re one of those extreme types who needs a phone to keep up what you do, Sony might have the phone for you. The Xperia go is a new Android based phone that as a scratch resistant mineral glass display and meets the IP67 ratings for protection. Other features include:
3.5” Reality display5 powered Mobile BRAVIA Engine gives razor-sharp clarity
Up to 8GB internal memory and the option to add up to 32GB external (microSD) memory.
5MP fast capture camera goes from sleep to snap in just over a second
Scratch resistant mineral glass display with wet screen control
Highest level of dust and water resistance in a smartphone (IP67 rating)1, 2
Launching on Google Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
As an added benefit, simply sign-up or access Box from your Xperi go to grab 50GB of file storage from the cloud – free, for life. That makes the 5GB that iCloud offers seem small.
It will be available on Fido as well as in Sony Stores in a unlocked flavor.
Posted in Commentary with tags Apple on October 23, 2012 by itnerd
Today was another one of those days where Apple had one of their famous media events. Here’s what they announced:
The MacBook Pro 13″ with Retina Display dumps the optical drive to limit thickness and weight. But it adds a new 2,560 x 1,600 pixel retina display. It’s 20% thinner and weighs 3.57 pounds. Inside there’s flash storage (up to 768 GB), Intel dual-core Ivy Bridge processors, and Intel HD Graphics 4000. The starting price is $1699 and you can get it today.
The new iMac is a major change. It’s much thinner computer with a brand new Fusion Drive that combines flash storage and a traditional disk-based hard drive to maximize both speed and capacity. Speaking of drives, there’s no optical drive on this computer as well. It will come with both 21.5-inch and 27-inch displays.
The Mac Mini gets bumped with new processors, including quad-core chips on the high end, as well as new build-to-order RAM options of up to 16 GB. Pricing remains the same as the prior generation Mac Mini models, starting at $599. The interesting thing is that you can get it with Apple’s new Fusion Drive technology, which seamlessly integrates a traditional 1 TB hard drive with 128 GB of fast flash storage for both speed and capacity. Pricing remains the same at $599 to start.
There’s a new iPad with a faster A6X chip and the new Lightning connector that is on the iPhone 5 along with LTE and better WiFi. You’ll get 10 hours of battery life. The Wi-Fi configuration will begin shipping November 2, with the LTE configuration following 2 weeks later in the US, and then following in other countries. The starting price is $499. To add to that, there’s the iPad Mini which comes with a 7.9 inch display, a dual-core A5 processor, a Facetime HD camera on the front and a 5-megapixel camera on the rear, 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi connectivity with an option for LTE. You still get 10 hours of battery life in a much smaller package. Starting price is $329. This should add to the 100 million or so iPads that they’ve already sold.
One minor point. iBooks 3.0 was also announced today as well. IT now supports more than 40 languages and features a new “continuous scrolling” reading option for those who prefer scrolling over page-turning. There’s iCloud support which not only syncs your page turns, but all your purchased iBookstore books over your various devices. It should show up in the App Store soon.
So, what will you be running out to get? Post a comment and let us know.
This week there were two seperate updates to the Apple supplied Java that’s on most Macs. But what was interesting was the fact that the updates actually removed something. If you’re running Lion or Mountain Lion, any versions of Java before version 7 gets removed automatically. If you’re running Snow Leopard, the update will configure Web browsers to not automatically run Java applets.
Now why would Apple do that? Oracle now supplies Mac users with Java. Thus it makes sense for Apple to exit from the responsibility of having to update something it doesn’t make. Therefore if there’s another Flashback Trojan, Apple can always point the finger at Oracle. Interesting strategy. But it doesn’t make OS X any safer. That’s really what matters. It would be really nice if security was the focus rather than optics.
I had a poll up a while ago where 34% of people chose “other” rather than RIM (0%), Android (31%) or Apple (34%). Perhaps some of the “other” category are waiting for Windows 8 phones? If so, Rogers announced yesterday that they are adding Windows 8 phones to their lineup:
Rogers Communications Inc., Canada’s leading diversified communications and media company, announced today it shares an alliance with Microsoft and is the preferred Canadian wireless partner for the launch of Windows 8. Rogers will be the only mobile carrier in Canada to offer the Nokia Lumia 920, Windows Phone 8X by HTC (8GB) and the Samsung ATIV Smart PC tablet. Rogers will also retail the Windows Phone 8X by HTC (16GB) and the Samsung ATIV S Smartphone in Canada on its LTE network, the world’s fastest wireless network technology.
Beyond the press release was a post on RedBoard with some details on the devices:
Nokia Lumia 920: Offered exclusively from Rogers in black, the Nokia Lumia 920 Windows Phone 8 captures the best pictures and video ever seen on a smartphone. The Nokia Lumia 920 makes it possible to take clear, bright, professional-looking pictures and video indoors and at night.
Samsung ATIV Smart PC and ATIV S Smartphone: Samsung is releasing a line of Windows 8 OS devices including a tablet – the ATIV Smart PC (available exclusively to Rogers customers) and the ATIV S smartphone. The ATIV Smart PC was designed with a classy, sleek finish, and you’ll get the same Windows 8 experience you’re used to on your PC with the portability of a tablet. The S™ smartphone is a high performance device with a range of content sharing and productivity options.
Windows Phone 8X by HTC: Available from Rogers in a Blue 16G and exclusively in a Black 8G, the Windows Phone 8X by HTC offers Beats Audio™ technology provides authentic, studio-quality sound whether you’re listening to music, playing a game or watching a video.
So, given the iPhone 5 and the plethora of Android phones out there, will you take a look at Windows 8 phones? Post a comment and share your thoughts.
I guess that RIM was stung by the New York Times story that I told you about yesterday. That was made clear by this posting that claims that BlackBerry users are “Black Sheep By Choice.” Posted by RIM’s Donny Halliwell, the post plays on the New York Times article by playing up the underdog role. It uses social media to generate support which is clever. It ends with this:
“We remain steadfastly devoted to each of you, appreciative of your support and honored to share what’s to come,”
One wonders how many of us are left seeing that people who I know that have had BlackBerry smartphones now have iPhones and Android phones. I have to admit that I’m thinking of joining them.
Posted in Commentary with tags Ooma on October 17, 2012 by itnerd
I’ve written about Ooma in the past and they have a very unique VOIP service. Today they announced the all new Ooma HD2 Handset and Ooma Linx remote phone jack. First, let’s talk about the HD2 Handset:
The new cordless Ooma HD2 Handset adds smart phone features to the home phone via the Ooma cloud-enabled platform and taps the full range of features offered by Ooma’s home phone service. The HD2 Handset boasts a two-inch colour screen which allows users to see the picture of a caller in the user’s contact list when the phone rings. Pictures and contact information can be imported from Facebook, Google, Yahoo, LinkedIn, Outlook and Mac AddressBook.
The combination of the Ooma Telo and new Ooma HD2 Handset provides cutting-edge HD Voice call clarity by capturing twice the voice data to double the fidelity of standard phone calls, for richer, more natural-sounding conversations. The cordless handset offers superior security and range afforded by the latest DECT technology without interfering with home Wi-Fi networks or other home electronics. Up to four handsets can be used with each Ooma Telo.
One-touch voicemail access lets users check messages anywhere in the home and there’s an intercom to talk between handsets or transfer calls. The handset’s speakerphone and headset port keep hands free for multitasking during calls. Another useful feature is the ability to configure a handset so it can be used as a baby monitor.
The new Ooma Linx wirelessly connects phones, fax machines or other telephony devices around the home to the Ooma Telo using the latest DECT technology. It also gives users the convenience to install their main phone anywhere in the home if the Ooma Telo is installed in a remote area of the home. For Ooma Premier subscribers, the Ooma Linx provides access to a second phone line without using the Ooma Telo HD2 Handset.
Apple Blows Things Up At The Sr. Management Level
Posted in Commentary with tags Apple on October 30, 2012 by itnerdThe biggest news in the tech world is the fact that the Sr. Management level at Apple got re-organized. Among the biggest changes are the immediate departure of retail chief John Browett and a 2013 exit for iOS chief Scott Forstall. Sir Jony Ive, Bob Mansfield, Eddy Cue, and Craig Federighi are all taking on increased responsibilities. Ive now heads Human Interface teams in addition to his role as head on Industrial Design. Cue has responsibility for Siri and Maps. He currently runs Internet Software and Services as well. Federighi will lead both the iOS and OS X teams. Finally, Mansfield will lead a new technologies group focused on innovation in wireless technology and semiconductors.
The word on the street is that Forstall was the dude behind the epic fail of Maps and was made to walk the plank because of that. Here’s what the Wall Street Journal had to say about that:
It is being said that Forstall didn’t get along with Jony Ive. The knighted designer won that battle. Apple named him the chief of all “human interface” on Monday. Reading between the lines, that means software in addition to hardware. Design lovers hated the paper “shredder” that Apple introduced with its Passbook product. Ive, a fan of minimalism, must have hated it too. Watch for Apple to kill it.
I also heard that Forstall refused to sign the letter apologizing for the mapping fiasco, sealing his fate at Apple.
If I’m a betting man, I bet Google is going to giving him a call.
As for Browett, he ran Apple’s retail arm. He had not worked for Apple that long (8 months is what the Wall Street Journal said), so read into that what you will. I’m guessing he didn’t fit in.
So, I think it’s safe to say that Tim Cook is making Apple his own. We’ll see how well that works out for him.
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