Apple's Tim Cook In China: Expect More Of These Visits By Execs

Tim Cook was spotted in China via a Weibo account (TechNode via Appleinsider).  Weibo is China's version of Twitter.  As I said before, China's growing mobile use will have influence on mobile development and directions app developers take in the future.  And the influence won't just be isolated to Apple.  Others like Google and Microsoft will be impacted as well.


While the linked posts focused on the iPhone, you have to know that there is more to it than that.  Apple recently added to its Mac OS a few social and video sharing features native to China, like Weibo



In the past, there were talks that a major hangup between Apple and China Mobile was largely due to CM's request to add apps and revenue sharing for apps which Steve Jobs has explicitly ruled out.  So, the direction of iOS development could be influenced further as Apple has staked its future in the Middle Kingdom.


How about other mobile players like Google and Microsoft.  Microsoft realized its large following could be key to getting back into the mobile game while forked versions of Android are pretty popular right now.  Google and Beijing has had a chilly relationship but Google has maintained a sizable research and development outpost in China.


For Apple, it finds its iOS following somewhat behind.  With the potential addition of China Mobile as a carrier in a year or so from now, Tim Cook and his team could be in a for a real challenge trying to meet demand with the next iPhone.

President’s Meeting With Tech CEOs Will Produce Nothing And Here’s Why

While I’m optimistic about our future in general, that I’m just that type of a kid, I don’t find that anything will come of the meeting between President Obama and the tech giants in Silicon Valley tonight.

Many of these guys are his supporters to start. And while this makes for a nice photo op and probably to solidify his support for 2012, President Obama is even more constraint in what he can do. The coffer in the national treasury is still pretty barren and he now has to contend with Republican majority in the House that are plotting to make sure he doesn’t win re-election in 2012 and a population that showed its impatience with the Democrats in 2010.

But like I said, I’m optimistic. I am, however, keeping one eye on reality. For instance, many firms will like to see a tax holiday for corporations to bring back overseas profit at a much lower tax rate.

As the average mobile warrior who’s got bills to pay and such, I think its probably pretty simple. I think this is likely to find bipartisan support and while much of the cash will go back to shareholders, I think even if 5-10% is reinvested would be positive in the current economic climate.

I’m certain the President will get great advice and ideas on education and innovation (Steve Jobs will be there, who better to ask about that) on tech and green initiatives, the layers upon layers of aides seem to only stymie any genuine effort by the President to keep America as the envy of other nations.

Perhaps, the best option is something that was born in the aftermath of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Red telephone. It served as a direct link between the Washington and Moscow. Perhaps, Steve Jobs should give the President an iPhone that only works to serve as the direct link between the White House and nest of innovations that is Apple, Google, and other tech companies in California.

Apparently, that Blackberry the President has been carrying around for the last couple of years hasn’t helped.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod touch

Steve Jobs' Disney Has Sold More Than 1 Million eBooks on iOS.

Disney reported that it has pushed out more than one million ebooks to iOS loving children.  And adults I'm sure.  I cannot underscore the significance of this enough.  In a previous post I published on December 29, 2010, I had suggested that perhaps, Apple should create release a SDK with a subset of tools for the iBooktore.

An iBookstore SDK.  This will provide a more enriching experience for writers and publishers for the readers.  After all, the iOS devices can do so much more than read books.  If you want to do just that, the Kindle or the Nook would suffice.  

And interestingly, these one million books are not ebooks.  Rather, they are iOS apps that are books that provide text and rich media like sounds, pictures, and video clips. The sales volume from Disney is a testament to this idea.  I created book using Shutterfly for my nephew last Christmas.  If there was a tool to easily create an interactive ebook, I have all the materials I need to do just that.  Heck, I might even be able to sell it on the app store if there was a easy way to create what I am talking about.

So, Apple.  Time for you to step up and seize this moment.  I have a suggestion how Apple can do this easily.  And there are two routes Apple can do this:

1. iWorks.  Pages has all that we need in terms of layouts.  And Keynote provides a page-by-page presentation.  The combination can be used to create an interactive ebook app.
2. iAds tool that Apple released for develops is a great opportunity for users to create apps running.  From what I understand, it is an even easy tool to use than the iOS SDK.

Obviously, creating an iBookstore SDK that can publish to both the iBookstore and the app store would be idea.  And this would be a golden opportunity for Apple revolutionize the book industry and, more importantly, how contents are created and consumed.  Let text readers have their ereaders.  For anything else, there's the iOS devices.

More on Disney's 1 million book app sales at TUAW.

 

Samsung Tab Sighted In Public

I saw my first Samsung Tab. And in public. Not at a store but I really should go see one. No, I saw one at Borders in Pasadena where I was trying to get some work done.

And this is how it went down.

I did not notice it at first as I was busy hacking away on my Macbook, trying to promise myself that I would finish my nanowrimo project. For those who know what it is, I know, I know, it's already December 22nd. But better late than never.

But I felt someone staring in my direction. I looked up and saw a father standing in line with her daughter for their drinks. When the little girl walked away from her dad so she can get a better look at desserts, in the father's hand was a tablet.

I noticed that he was staring at the iPad that was on my table. I stared back. What was that thing? It was no iPad because the size of the thing was much smaller. The man was able to hold it like a big-sized paperback. And it had a wider-screen than the iPad.

And I know there is no iPad mini. Steve Jobs said so. No 7" iPad!

The staring ended when it was the father and daughter's turn to order. But after they got their drink, they walked towards my direction. I made a point to burn the image of the device into my mind.

Then there was a bit more staring. And I noticed the 3G signal on the screen as he walked by.

After they had walked behind me and I could no longer see the device, I googled the Tab. Then a couple of the other more well known Android tablets. It was the Tab!

So what do I think? I can't say much about it since I did not get to play with it or have it lay next to my iPad. I don't think the man would have agreed to anyway. Believe me when I tell you that his stares were icy.

But I noticed that he would tap on the screen with one hand. Specifically, with one finger. I tried to imagine myself doing that on the iPad. Easily done. I probably would type on the on-screen keyboard than tap at the keys in landscape model.

Then I imagine trying to type on the 7" screen of the Tab. I could probably do it by using my index fingers just like I already do now on the iPad in portrait model. But whenever I try that, I quickly tire and go back to the landscape model.

That's all for now. Oh, and the man was mostly reading from it. I think it was through the browser and not an ebook reader app or another reading app.

Again, just reporting on what I saw. I really should go into a Best Buy or visit one of the carriers to check it out. Anyway, I just thought I share my first Tab sighting. I'm not saying whether the 7" screen is adequate or not or whether Samsung jumped the gun by using Android 2.2.

Over all, it was pretty cool to see someone else using a tablet that did not have the Apple logo on it.

Steve Jobs To Japanese Airport Security: Those Ninja Thingies Are for Larry

You may have heard by of the great journalism exhibited by Bloomberg in quoted a Japanese equivalent of the supermarket tabloids which had reported that Steve Jobs was caught trying to sneak ninja stars onto his private plane. Apparently, he was unable to convince the Japanese customs and airport security that it doesn't make sense for him to hijack his own plane.

Anyway, Apple responded by saying that Steve Jobs is not a ninja. Sure, Steve. The black turtle neck. Total dead giveaway, dude.

Anyway, it's what happened after Steve's plane lands in the US that we learned what really happened.

Upon landing, Steve calls Larry and said, "I'm never doing you any more favors. 'Hey, 'bring back me some ninja stars, Steve. It's totally gonna be okay...everyone in Japan carries one in their wallet...just like everyone's got an iPod in their pocket'. Frak you!"

Don't ask me where I got that recording...okay, you got me. I'm a ninja too.

Video Clips Of Steve Jobs At D8

I've put together some videos released by D8 folks from last night's Steve Jobs interview.

Nothing juicy as far as we know. We find out that Apple was working on the iPad before they realized the technology they developed worked better on the iPhone. I suppose Steve wasn't a believer in the handset market as everyone always thought from the beginning.

Plus, Steve will not going into search to compete against Google but will bring a whole new concept of virtual personal assistant to the mobile experience.

Also, Steve explains why he's not allowing 3rd party analytics into the App Store right now and why he's pissed off at one particular one. But will talk to them once he's calmed down.

More at On Apple.

Steve Jobs: Future Is Virtual Personal Assistant

At D8, Steve Jobs was asked about competition with Google. Steve Jobs said Google went to mobile to compete with Apple. And that Apple will not go into the search business to go after Google.

While that is technically correct with search as we know it, I believe Apple's recent purchase of Siri represents a direction which no search engines will be able to follow. Apple will be going one step (many steps as a matter of fact) beyond search and into virtual personal assistant (VPA).

With a VPA, it will reside on your mobile device and basically do things for you that no calendar or search engine along can do. I never had a chance to play with the Siri app but with a sophisticated AI system, it will help the user provide a richer mobile experience and, over time, it gets better with use as it learns the user's habits and needs.

And should you ask your VPA to do a few searches, well then, it'll just have to search. Maybe it'll involve Apple creating its own search engine or pass that off to Bing or Google. However it's done, the VPA can do more than just search.

Here is a video demo of the app in action before it was bought by Apple:


KEYNOTE: The Game Changer: Siri, a Virtual Personal Assistant from Semantic Universe on Vimeo.

I am sure we'll hear more about this from Apple pretty soon. Yes, I am very very excited about the prospect of an AI keep my live in order. Too bad, it doesn't vaccum...

More at Macrumors.

D8 Video: Steve Jobs on Flash, iPad

This is a clip just released from tonight's D8 event from Palos Verdes, California with Steve Jobs.

It's about Flash and the iPad.



I am sure a full video of the interview with Steve Jobs will be available over the next few days through All Things Digital or iTunes.

Steve Jobs Leave of Absence Till June

This just in.  

Steve Jobs of Apple Inc will take a leave of absence citing distraction his health situation has created.  In the letter, Jobs indicated his health situation was more "complex" than initially thought.  

Tim Cook will take over day-to-day duties.

Source:  Yahoo News (AP)

Note:  After Jobs initial explanation a couple of weeks ago, many doctors were quoted in the media wondering if Jobs' cancer had returned.  Then, a hormonal issue as stated by Jobs was easily remedied. 

Wish you the best, Steve.  See you in June!

Steve Jobs Is Fine: Just Hormones

I just received a notification (5:45am PST) that Steve Jobs in a letter to the Apple community that he's fine.  He'll undergo treatment for hormone imbalance that has caused weight loss.  His doctors believe he'll regain his weight by Spring.

He'll be continue to be the CEO of Apple.  Great news for mobile warriors even if you're not an Apple fan. Expect full-on innovation from Cupertino and leaving no breathing room for competitors.  

Best of luck on your recovery, Steve!  

Expect "iDiet" by WWDC in June.  Just kidding.  More on the open letter. This quote says it all:

So now I’ve said more than I wanted to say, and all that I am going to say, about this.

Basically, Jobs is saying to Gizmodo: Shut the f@#$% up!  Here is the letter:

Dear Apple Community,

For the first time in a decade, I'm getting to spend the holiday season with my family, rather than intensely preparing for a Macworld keynote.

Unfortunately, my decision to have Phil deliver the Macworld keynote set off another flurry of rumors about my health, with some even publishing stories of me on my deathbed.

I've decided to share something very personal with the Apple community so that we can all relax and enjoy the show tomorrow.

As many of you know, I have been losing weight throughout 2008. The reason has been a mystery to me and my doctors. A few weeks ago, I decided that getting to the root cause of this and reversing it needed to become my #1 priority.

Fortunately, after further testing, my doctors think they have found the cause -- a hormone imbalance that has been "robbing" me of the proteins my body needs to be healthy. Sophisticated blood tests have confirmed this diagnosis.

The remedy for this nutritional problem is relatively simple and straightforward, and I've already begun treatment. But, just like I didn't lose this much weight and body mass in a week or a month, my doctors expect it will take me until late this Spring to regain it. I will continue as Apple's CEO during my recovery.

I have given more than my all to Apple for the past 11 years now. I will be the first one to step up and tell our Board of Directors if I can no longer continueto fulfill my duties as Apple's CEO. I hope the Apple community will support me in my recovery and know that I will always put what is best for Apple first.

So now I've said more than I wanted to say, and all that I am going to say, about this.

Steve 

What Jobs Will Really Announce Tomorrow At the WWDC

While mainstream Mac sites are reporting pretty much the same thing, there are a few dissenters who believe that that things will not be as Apple fans are hoping for.

Plus, it's hard to argue against dissenting opinions when every single line of the iPhone firmware is examined and even every word that is omitted from a banner is scrutinized and debated over.

I love it! But I also think there is also a time when we'd want to come back and take a deep breath and realize that we're not going to get everything we want. Eventually we may get some or all of our wishes by Cupertino but certainly not all at once.

Some realistic announcements. Remember, we're talking about a keynote that is about two hours at most. The bulk of that will be dedicated to reported the great success that OS X Leopard has achieved and maybe a jab or two against Vista. He'll show a new commercial or two with our lovable PC and Mac characters. He'll probably do the same with the new iPhone 2 operating system. He'll probably brought out a couple of high profile geeks, I mean, CEOs whose companies have developed software or games for iPhone 2.

So, it doesn't leave a whole lot of room of different announcements. Like one web pundit who took a leap and ventured to surmised that the new iPhone may not be announced at all. He argument is that this is a conference for developers, not really a forum for new product launches. While I think he does have a point, a very good point in fact, I think it would be a mistake for Apple to talk about the new features for the iPhone without a new iPhone.

Will another even take place the week after or two weeks from the WWDC? I doubt it. Money's on the new 3G iPhone making a grand entrance.

In fact, I will go as far as to say that Jobs will tease us with all the features he'll give us now and make them better via the reality distortion field. Then behind him will be a slide of the world of the map where he'll list the territories where deals are in place where the iPhone will be introduced (dates optional but not likely. You'll see why in a bit). Then he'll brought out a couple of developers, maybe the same folks. Maybe a couple of new ones.

Then to bring it home, there will be one or two CEO's from a Fortune 100 company whose companies has secretly participated in a limited deployment of the 3G iPhone in the field and crow about how great it is and how much more productive it is than anything else they have ever seen.

He'll thank them. Then he'll thank the iPhone team again if he has not already. Then "one more thing". After a dramatic pause and allowing a buildup of angst from the developers and bloggers providing live text feed, he will say, "it's available now. Including the UK and Canada. The rest of the world next week (or something like that)." (See why he can't bring in the availability dates earlier when he rolled out the map of the world now?)

And as much as I would like for it to happen, we'll not see a Mac tablet. Not until Macworld 2009 if that.

I love to be wrong about this.

I am praying for a "before you go, there's something else I want to show you. Remember how upset some of you were when we discontinued the Newton? Well..."