Where does the iPad fit?

Steve Jobs today has introduced a apple product that fits in between an iphone and laptop.   The iPad has it is called, looks like a giant iPhone.   In fact it uses the iPhone OS, has its operating system.   In many ways the iPad has borrowed allot of technologies that were developed from the iPhone.   Multi-touch, proximity sensors, single button panel, to the fingerprint resisting oleophobic coating  the similarities are remarkable and intentional.   The iPhone did so many things right, and it was something that no one expected; revolutionary.   The iPad was well predicted and it continues the revolution of the iPhone device in more of the evolution sense.   The iPad is the next big step in computer products being more consumer friendly.  In fact its the new product niche of tablet computers, that will be the next big thing.

Has we have seen Apple products evolve since Jobs has taken reigns has CEO, it has become apparent that Apple is willing to experiment with new ideas and to "think different".  Their  new product line which includes laptops, desktops, smartphones, and now tablet computers all have a certain style and consistency to them.   Has Steve Jobs puts it, Apple is at the "...crossroads of technology and liberal arts".   For allot of people who just look at the technical specifications of a product this is certainly something that they will be missed completely.   The Apple lineup has it is now, is entirely consistent in it's form factor.  Jonathan Ives, who is the SVP of industrial design at Apple, has really created artworks and pieces of inspiration in the Apple product lineup.



The form and design is just one piece of the equation which are all designed in house at Apple.  The software engineering and hardware engineering are the 2 other pieces to the puzzle.   Scott Forstall, SVP of the iPhone OS, has done an amazing job with the iphone OS and its future roadmap. There some things that the iPhone OS gets wrong, however it does evolve and correct itself over time. It currently gives the developers command over the hardware through some great APIs.

 Apple in its software department, since Jobs took office has used Objective C and C, now which are at the heart of the iPhone OS. The iPad uses iPhone OS 3.2, and has we will learn in the next few days the new API's and features made exclusively for it.  It is backward compatible with the iPhone in terms of the applications that can be used on it, and of course syncs to iTunes just like the iPhone.  The new iPhone SDK now lets you create apps which are both iPhone/iPad or iPad only.

iPad just brings in more real estate to work with, it's nearly 10-inch LED IPS (yes the same screen that the current macbook pros and iMacs use) fully capacitive display, brings a level of touch never seen before for a device of that size. Touch matters allot to the end user experience, if the UI isn't has responsive has I need it to be, how can I use it to get the job done.    After all an iPad is just merely a tool, that we use to enhance and enrich our lives. The tool should fit to my need and not the other way around.

The software applications that are available for the iPad out of the box are huge. It sits on the big shoulders of the App store and  iTunes.  There is also a new iBook app and iBook store, which allow viewing and downloading of books in ePub (a open book format http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EPUB) format.   

The creative and innovative applications that can be developed on the iPad with its improved custom processor and relatively huge display, can be immense.   Do you remember Start Trek with the tri-corder concept, imagine your doctor using an iPad, to help him/her operate their practice with full efficiency.   Imagine your aunt or grandmother using one and just "getting it" cause the UI is just intuitive.    Starting at $500 dollar, many analyst and investors are saying the 'price is right'.   After all if you don't need the full power of a laptop or desktop and primarily use a computer device for reading, surfing, music,e-mail,  a laptop might be over-kill.  Of course allot of us do need a laptop for the power, just because we are running some computational expensive or memory intensive applications that requires it.   This device definitely fits the tablet/netbook niche very nicely and will probably be the best tablet/netbook you can buy.

So today, Apple in house, designs its own software, and product styling (industrial design), but what about the hardware.  It does that as well.   The iPad is the first device that uses an Apple custom microprocessor called the Apple A4.  Not much is known about it yet, but information will soon start to emerge about the new processor.   A processor which touts a high performance low power rating (the iPad is rated at 10 hours of battery life).  Apple made sure its hardware is nothing but top notch, and of the utmost quality.  Apple really puts energy in making sure the hardware/software/style just works and are in sync, and if you ask  computer makers, they'll tell you its no easy task.   Apple's vision is not only to create a tool, but it is to create the best tool, and a tool that brings out the best in creativity in its users.

In summary the tablet computer is the computer of the future.   Low power machines that are portable.  Coupled with web services like Google, a tablet computer need not be very computationally powerful, has most of the computationally expensive task (such as web search) will be done through web services.  If your having been looking for a perfect tablet/netbook computer go for the iPad.  If you need to upgrade your laptop and you use basic functionality, then go for it.  If your an Apple enthusiast or gadget lover, then go for it. :)  

It comes out in 60 days for wifi only version (available worldwide as well) and 90 days for 3g and wifi.

Be sure to check out all of Apple's videos on the iPad and check out the iPad homepage at Apple.


Apple video discussing the design,software,hardware components of the iPad
http://www.apple.com/ipad/#video


Technical Specifications
http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/


Main Page
http://www.apple.com/ipad/


Note*:, this devices isn't meant to compete with the Kindle directly, if all you do is just read e-books, Amazon's kindle is the best device for that.

Dynamic books via the Apple Tablet

Just started thinking, if someone was gonna spend that much money for a tablet (I don't know the pricing  yet but the apple tablet is not gonna cheap from historical perspective of Apple products).  The premium content on it such as books {textbooks,novels, etc}, should have more dynamic elements.   One such being the ability to choose variations on the ending of the book, for example.  The UI should really be simple where the dynamic elements just flow, it shouldn't feel like a computer program.  It really be amazing if Apple introduces a rich type of book format with premium dynamic elements.   Current pdf file allow you to navigate and search the text more easily.  How about while reading the book and clicking on a link that plays a movie perhaps or a textbook that tests your knowledge after you read a section.

All of this is current possible on most platforms.  Its just not smooth enough for people to use.  Hoping the tablet can change that.

Android: Google's Endeavor To Conquer Mobile Search

On November 5, 2007, google unveiled Android to the world.  Since then the Android platform has grown into this massive open source  platform that google is fiercely pushing.   A open source mobile operating system which has  the linux kernel embedded in it and uses a java virtual machine to run application on it.   Android is truly innovative idea if not from a only technological perspective, but a business one.

Why would a company like Google invest millions in the development and promotion of such a platform.  A platform where the source code is out there in the open, and then turn around and help design a flag ship product like the Nexus One with a partner.   Why is Google have a web store where you can buy mobile phones.   The Nexus One will not be the only phone Google helps design, it is the first of many "superphone".  What does that mean?

One can say to understand Google is to understand search.  Search is where it's main bread and butter is.   Over 90% of its income is coming through search.  So why is a search company investing in operating systems and platforms.   The answer might be as simple as driving up its search traffic.  You see smartphones or "superphones" are the future of mobile cell phone growth.  And if fact, mobile cell phone growth worldwide outpaces any other type of device growth out their.    More people in the world have and use cell phone than a computer by a massive landslide.   Worldwide computers are still not affordable for the majority of people.

Cell phone growth by itself, won't help Google.   Google needs the smartphone share of the cell phone market to grow significantly.    Smartphones in 2009 are about 16% percent of the market worldwide according to a report from Pyramid Research.  In 2014 it is estimated to grow at 37%.   If google take advantage and accelerates the smartphone market penetration of the overall growing cell phone market,  it will increase its revenue significantly (through its ad programs). 

So what is the best way to increase smartphone penetration.  How about building a open source platform that any manufacturer can use.    That might convince many manufacturer's who don't necessarily want to spend the time and money to develop there OS, to have one they can readily use and understand.  Bill Gurly writes, "Android gives every Korean, Taiwanese, and Chinese manufacture whoever wanted to approach these markets a huge head-start."  Secondly since it give more and more manufacturer's the ability to enter the smartphone market, the competition will increase.  Driving down the price of the average smartphone, thus making it more accessible to more people worldwide.  Due to a price reduction (think about the current state of PC computer prices),   the smartphone penetration will significantly increase. 

As Android share increases more and more people will have access to Google's services through the devices.   Google's second strategy is to make the people focus on the smartphones instead of the carrier's.  Now we have a platform that everyone can use,  the smartphone manufacturer's will compete for customers through pricing and features.   The google web store which currently has Nexus One will have more and more phones that are carrier agnostic.   Now if phone is available to multiple carrier that carrier now have to compete based on their pricing plan, features and services more so.   So has there data plan rate costs are driven down, more people will be able to afford the option to have data service with thir cell phone plan.

In the end, Google's Endeavor to conquer mobile search is a long term strategy that leverages a open source platform to its fullest potential.   With more and more companies using android and thus using Google's services, googles future mobile search and services revenues is all but guaranteed.    Just as Google said the Nexus One is just the beginning...

Matcha, Premium Green Tea

So I ordered this premium type of green tea called matcha. It is different from the your typical green tea in that it is in a powder form and "finely prepared". There of course is a wikipedia article on it http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matcha.

So why drink matcha? Well it seems to have all the great benefits of green tea, except in a more concentrated form. Rich in antioxidants, and having cancer fighting properties, it is also has energy boosting benefits.

I have been drinking matcha for about one week now and you if you like green tea, then you will like matcha. In the office, drinking matcha gives you the alertness and energy you need throughout the work day, with the added benefits of being rich in antioxidents, and cancer fighting ECGC. I have been drinking matcha in a glass of hot water, however there are special ways to drink it (please see the wikipedia article). I would describe the taste as strong and vegetal.

If you would like to try matcha, I would suggest getting it through Amazon. I will keep this blog updated as my matcha experience continues.