Current State of Mobile Computing: Tablet or Laptop

Depending on who you talk to you and who you believe, the netbooks, perhaps even lsptops, are taking a sales hit because of the iPad.

Perhaps. Then there are those who are not so sure this is happen on a large scale. Given the potential that Apple may be on the verge of a $20 billion quarter and cuts on orders by dorm laptop and netbook makers, it has industry and mobile observers such as myself very excited.

Is this the beginning of the end of mobile computing as we know it?

More at Greenjava Mobility.

Google Tablet: Android or Chrome OS

It's going to be very confusing if Google doesn't clear up which OS it favors for its slate and tablet strategy. Right now, most hardware developers are working on Android tablets to challenge the dominance od Apple's iPad. However, word is getting out that there are also Chrome OS-based varieties as well.

Well, I for one will be forced to wait and see where this leads before I get one or the other. Deep down, Google would love for users to embrace Chrome OS for netbooks and slates. When Google introduced it to the world last year and updated us again earlier this year, it was in a netbook format. Since it is only a toss and a skip to the tablet form, don't be surprise to see Google trumps it as its favorite OS choice for tablets.

The problem is that we do love out apps. And Google is going to have to reset everything all over again to get the Chrome OS webapp store stocked up to the level of the iPhone app store or Android's marketplace.

So even if Google picks Chrome OS, Android fans might not flock to it. Only the most die-hard of Google fans are likely yo support it out of the gate.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

iPad: How It Will Improve My Mobile Experience

I'm less than 3 days away from totally changing my mobile habits. And with good reasons. First, unless you've been living on a part of the planet Earth where with no means of outside communication for the last couple of months, then you know that we're fast approaching iPad Day as I like to call it, April 3rd.

Bright and early Saturday morning, I'm gonna head over to my Apple store (yes, I own a couple of shares of AAPL so I like to think I own at least a couple of screws that's holding the place together) and with a large coffee in hand, wait until 9am for my reserved 32GB iPad.

Here’s how I envision my mobile life changing because of this:

• No longer worry about the 4-5 hours I’m limited to on my Macbook. I can now safely work through the day on the 10 hours of battery life on the iPad. It’s no Macbook but it’ll do 80% of what I need done.
• If I’m at a coffee shop or Borders, I’m going to be fine sitting somewhere without tables. The small footprint on the Macbook has always worked for me. And like the iPhone, the iPad will do just fine as I cradle it in my hands.
• Wi-Fi. It’s everywhere now. I can only think of three places I frequent that I don’t have access to the Internet. But that’s fine. I’ll have my G1 or iPhone with me. Plus, I can tether with the G1 that will soon support HSPA 7.2.
• iPhone 4.0. I know there is no concrete information about 4.0 but I think it’ll find in a lot of holes and silence critics who live out their days only to complain about things. I don’t know what new features iPhone 4.0 will have. Knowing Apple, we’re going to be happy about it. Plus, competitive pressure from Android is enough to light a fire under Jobs.
• On some occasions, I’ll need my Macbook but I think I’ll be carry the iPad around more. With the Macbook coming in 4.5 lbs and the iPad at 1.5 lbs, my backpack will be a whole 3 lbs lighter.
• VOIP. I’ll initially have the WiFi only version of the iPad. I’ve also placed an order for the 3G version. Just this morning, Goober announced that they’ve got VOIP solutions for users. I’ve got a few months left on my T-Mobile contract. Depending on how robust whatever VOIP I go with, I just might get rid of my phone contract.
• Sitting. As I’ve said above, being able to hold the iPad up is a plus given its weight and small foot print. If you watch Steve Jobs sitting there hold the iPad, you can actually improve your posture, instead of bending over your laptop.
• The iPad is always on. The Macbook I’ve got I can put to sleep but waking up, while it’s quick for the most part, can take a while depending on how much applications I’ve got open. If I need to show someone something or look up stuff quickly, I merely have to press the home button and I’m there. Instantaneously.
• 32GB.  I'm currently limited to 16GB on my iPhone and 1GB on my G1.  Wow, the space.  What will I do?  Movies.  Check.  Special apps for the iPad?  Check.  How about a few episodes of my favorite TV or anime shows?  Done.  I only went with the 32GB because I'm sure I'll upgrade once a version of the iPad comes out with a frontal camera so there's no need to go with the 64GB now.  Plus, the 16GB would be too limited for my current needs.

I think I’ll likely modify and augment my mobile experience further once I’ve had some time to play with my iPad. I’m also looking forward to see what hardware developers come up with using Android.

What I really want to see if Chrome OS. So far, the demos for Chrome OS has been lame but I’m confident that Google has learned quite a bit from the iPhone and their experiences developing for Android. We’ll know later this year if things pan out as I hope.

Starting Sat morning, be prepared to be bombarded with iPad picture, news, and analysis. Not just from me but everyone else as well.

Google And Verizon Set To Make An Announcement

A lot of announcements are likely this week.  New Macs?  Maybe new carriers for the iPhone in Canada.  But keep an eye on this one.

Google and Verizon Wireless will be making an announcement prior to an wireless industry show.  There are speculations as to what this joint news conference will be about.  Search?  Well, that was settled a while back.  Android?  Likely.  I don't expect blue worn jeans and black turtle necks but I hope there will be more than just Verizon Wireless looking forward to carry Android phones.

Frankly, I'm looking for new Android hardware.  I'm talking about faster Android devices.

There is an outside chance that we might see a Chrome OS device outfitted with mobile data plans.  If that's the case, it would mean that Google-backed devices will beat the rumored iTablet from Apple to the market.

That would be something cool to see happen.  We'll know in a few hours.

More at CNet.

Google: Webapps Is the Future

App stores are numbered. Soon, they will go the way of the dinosaurs and only webapps will exist. That's Google's position on mobile, and, perhaps, even for desktop OS.

When the iPhone came out, Steve Jobs said developers can create for the iPhone. Webapps. There were grumblings. A lot of grumblings. The Safari, then and now, simply could not support the level of sophistication and graphics that the native iPhone apps now have.

But webapps are the future. Do I agree? Sure. After writing about it over at On Android, I decided to give Apple's webapp directory another look. I picked out a few that allow mobile warriors to be substantially productive and even have fun as there are many Web-based games.

I suppose the main issue is timing. When will webapps truly mature to the point that allow users to feel comfortable spending the bulk of their mobile computing within a Web browser. And can webapps as well as native apps co-exist? Perhaps what Google failed to address is how will developers be paid for their apps on the Web?

Currently, there are not too many consumer oriented Webapps that charge users for use. I've downloaded tons of games from the iTunes app store. Can such an experience for free and especially paid games be duplicated within the browser as it relates to the cost of purchasing the game?

I'm sure there are tons of people out there with the right pay-grade who are thought all this through or are in the process of working it out. Until then, games, utilities, or productivity apps, I think it wise for folks to start getting used to treating their browser as a platform.

Source: On Android

Mobile Tip: Chrome Short Cuts And Control, Shift And N

As you may know by now, Google came out with their own browser, Chrome.  What you may not know it likes to display your history for all to see.  This could be particular trouble some if you want to keep your data private.

But there is a feature that allows you to go dark on your computer.  It's called "incognito".  The keyboard shortcut is Control+Shift+N.  Oh, I just did it.  Simple.  Remember that one.  Now, it stops recording history on your PC but where you go in the Web is still tracked and recorded.  That's life for you.

Here is a list of Chrome shortcuts from WebUpon.  Use your new powers wisely.

Chrome is only available for Windows.  Linux and Mac versions are forthcoming.  Google said its embarrassed about it.  I think its about going after Redmond first.

Second best Chrome shortcut is control+tab.  Try it.  It works on other browsers too.

Note:  Chrome even has its own comic book.

Google's Chrome on Android

That was quick.  And inevitable.  So, Google's Webkit browser, Chrome, will be coming to Android.  Just not right away.  Cnet News reported that although Google developed Chrome and Android separately, so the two projects were not tied together, Chrome or Chrome-like features will be gracing Android at some time in the future.

So far, what I've seen does not sway me one way or another.  It is still rough and, if this follows the footsteps of other Google projects, it'll be in beta for a while.

Furthermore, Sergey Brin, Google co-founder, does not seem sure when it'll happen and how different the current Android browser, also Webkit-based, is going to be from mobile Chrome.

So, why is this important?  Webkit.  That is why.

Google is a big supporter of Firefox and likely will continue to be a sponsor despite having their own browser now.  However, potential increases in popularity of Webkit-based browsers, including Apple's Safari, may come at the expense of Firefox's rate of adoption.

At the present time, we can't say how mobile warriors may be affected by Chrome.  Google Gears for Safari was just released and certainly with Chrome, the ability to access data offline is a boon for mobile workers and growth may accelerate.  But it remains to be seen if Firefox will continue to receive the same attention as Chrome from Google.

And the ultimate browser to be affected by Webkit browsers is Internet Explorer.  Any loss in market-share by IE is going to come from Firefox and, maybe, Safari until Chrome is out of beta and ready for users.  Nevertheless, those who are looking to make a break from Microsoft even if they're on a Windows machine will not have another choice.

Who would have guessed there would still be a browser war today. Isn't competition grand?