OpenAppMkt: Webapp Despository

In 2007, Apple introduced to the iPhone. The original iPhone which I still use. Many people still use. The thing is at that time, there was no app store. No apps to download at all.

So meet OpenAppMkt. It's a website with depository for webapps. Honestly, why would anyone create this just now?

A new months ago when Steve Jobs and Adobe got into a spat over Flash. Flash no good, cumbersome and a lot of bugs. Also a security risk, Steve Jobs said. So Steve said, HTML 5 is better. Essentially embracing Web.

I've used webapps that are recommended from Apple's webapp site from time to time.

I'll be honest. Most of those apps are subpar. A few are quite good. And more and more, with innovations in HTML and Apple's Web framework, I can really see a lot of improvements over the next year or two. Oh, and Google is probably better at developing webapps than anyone else. So I also expect great things from Google

Anyway, keep Apple's webapp site and OpenAppMkt in your bookmark. I have a feeling a lot of us will be using webapps more and more.

Note: One of the key to webapps will be offline access and storage. iOS 6? I don't see this coming for iOS 5 just yet. Also, many of us are used to mobile versions of some websites but iPad might complicate things some what.

More at Apple and OpenAppMkt.

Kindle Sold Out - What Now?

Kindle is no longer for sale on Amazon or anywhere else for that matter. So, What's next?

I'm sure the question will be answered in due course. Probably in the next few days or in the next few weeks. It is after all back-to-school season.

I'm sure the natural progression for Amazon is to release Kindle 3. Do you think it's possible that Amazon may pull a surprise and come out with a tablet?

Zune HD A Taste of What's To Come For Windows Mobile

Over at On Apple, we posted a "don't worry" opinion on what Zune HD means for iPod Touch developments and Apple fans.

However, it's not like we're saying Zune HD isn't a great hardware.  We just don't think it's the right comparison with the iPod Touch given Microsoft's own admission that Zune HD doesn't have a full-blown mobile OS and we've yet to see what else it's capable of doing, storage capacity (thought we think it'll be between 16-32GB), and how long the battery life will carry an user through the day.

We firmly believe that Zune HD, though a potentially formidable video player to be sure, is merely a taste for mobile warriors of what's to come from Redmond.  If you visit Gizmodo's first impression with the pictures and video, you'll see that Microsoft's risky decision to integrate Zune with Windows Mobile or even Microsoft's zPhone (Zune phone) later on may work out better than anyone believe (let's not kid ourselves.  A Zune phone is forthcoming).  In the past, Onxo wasn't sure that it was that integrating Zune and Windows Mobile was a move Microsoft need to make nor one that was likely to work out well.

Whatever Microsoft's answer to the current mobile offerings in the market (Android, Blackberries, iPhone, and Pre which has yet to be released), it's obvious that a lot of work was put into this.  There's no doubt that Zune HD has elevated mobile video entertainment to another level with the OLED screen.

What remains to be seen is what Windows Mobile 7 can hold up its end of the bargain in this two-prong OS.

What I'm curious about is the roadmap that Microsoft has laid out for mobile computing, mobile entertainment, and, lastly, Windows or the Xbox.

First the mobile realm.  The iPhone has garnered  a lot of attention with the surprising move into casual gaming, I'm still a year or two away from really believing that Apple's mobile platform has the staying power in gaming against entrenched veterans.  So the iPhone gaming may not be Microsoft's concern.  Rather, its foes Microsoft is more familiar with:  Nintendo and Sony.  It's a good bet that mobile gaming devices from Nintendo and Sony will make leaps with their next upgrades.  We've not heard anything yet regarding Zune HD's gaming capability and we might not until Windows Mobile 7 is out.

It's safe to assume that all three video gaming giants will have gaming stores for wireless downloads like Apple's iTunes app store.  Microsoft will have an advantage in that its OS is a mobile platform whereas Nintendo and Sony's platforms are largely gaming in nature.  We'll have to see if Microsoft does go with a dedicated gaming device at the end of the day, like the DS or PSP, or modeled Zune/WM's gaming potential after Apple's strategy.

If Microsoft does decide to stress Windows Mobile's mobile computing capabilities and relegate the integrated Zune capability into the role of a sidekick, then it's natural who it's competitors will be.  In this case, we won't know until Microsoft has phones and mobile devices with WM 7 installed in the market.  WM 7 maybe going up against Android 2, iPhone 3.0, WebOS 1.0, fall 2009 Blackberries if it comes out early 2010.  Closer to the middle of 2010, the comparisons will be totally different at that time.  At that time, Zune's media capabilities will be at a disadvantage.  Also, keep in mind that Apple is pretty good at upgrading the iPhone OS every two or three months with new features.

I've also wondered if Microsoft will aligned a Zune gaming device (likely powered by Windows Mobile) closer with Windows or the Xbox.  Or neither.  Microsoft can make Zune Marketplace open to all of its proprietary platforms and provide users the choice of deciding if they want to play their music over the PC or Xbox.

A bit confused?  Yeah, me too.  Most folks have left the Zune for dead but months later, Microsoft surprises us with the Zune HD (did I mentioned that in the case of Zune HD, the "HD" is for the HD radio and has nothing to do with video?).  It is proof that Microsoft has finally decided on a strategy for its mobile platforms.  For Zune and WM fans, and mobile users in general, the mobile computing, and maybe gaming market is going to get really exciting in 2010.

Note:  In Microsoft's press release, there were a lot of missing details.  Maybe I'm an optimist but I hope Microsoft purposely left out information for competitive reasons and it is saving it all for a final announcement a la a special Zune event in the fall.  Love to hear more about its current functions (unannounced ones, I hope), storage, battery life, and pricing.

Source:  On Apple

Dear Game Developers

Hello.

We're fans of mobile technology, its way of life, and we are also gamers. And we're writing you this letter because we want to let you know what the mobile warriors Onxo represent, the ones who also like to play games on their Blackberries, G1s, and iPhones, and others, want from you.

Traditionally, you develop for the Nintendo's DS (now DSi) and Sony's PSP. Both great platforms. Millions of fans. Including a lot of us by the way. You've given us hours of fun and, in turn, we've made you rich (billions in capitalization). And over the years, we've grown together.

Now, there is a tech evolution going on with smartphones and mobile devices that are capable of a lot of computing and graphic crunching powers. And increasingly, folks are playing games on them. This is very evident with the iPhone platform where games dominate the app store. Apple recently released a list of top downloaded apps. Wanna guess what kind they are? Games. All games.

So, going forward, we like you to consider this when you develop games for us. Give us quality games. Don't short change us. Here are some pointers to start you off with:

• What you give the platformers, we want it too. EA, let's use you as an example. Spore is pretty good on the iPhone. But we would love the depth you've given for the DS version. It got boring after a while. Still a great game and I go back to it often enough. Depth.
• Don't use your flagship names to sell watered down games. Here's why. A lot of mobile users are new to the gaming scene and may for the first time be introduced to your titles. And with a dumbed down game like Metal Gear Solid for the iPhone, it makes the whole franchise look bad. Needless to say, the game got a little boring for us.
• Charge us more. If it's a great game, we'll pay for it. Honest. One of you give it a try. You'll see.
• But don't rob us either. Digital distribution is nothing like having to deal with the packaging, memory chips, plastic covers, and printing. There was a rumor going around that Apple might offer a premium gaming section. It's not happen. Make compelling games and we'll buy them.
• Releases. Simultaneous releases would go a long way in tell the mobile warriors I represent that you care. And in turn, you'll have earned our respect.
• Be innovative. Some smartphones have buttons. That makes it easier for you. But like the iPhone where there are no button, it might drive you a little crazy. Well, that doesn't seem to stop the two-man teams from coming out with great schemes for controls.

Listen, take it from Gameloft. They're developing more and more sophisticated games and they're making tons of money. I know you can do it. A lot of your developers are mobile gaming fans just like us - so set them free!  The mobile market is ripe for rich, sophisticated, and fun mobile games.  

Soon, there will be like, you know, a lot of different app stores. Build good games for them and the sky'll be the limit.  That means "$$$$$".

Regard.

PS. Keep up the good (generally) work on the DSi and PSP. And really wow us with the stuff you've got cooking for DS2 and the PSP2 when the time comes (later in 2009).

iTunes Store - Apple's Threat to Copyrights Board

It's amazing how some companies believe if they make a threat, they'll get their way.  Like a kid who threatens to run away or take the ball home because he doesn't like the rules or he doesn't get to be captain of the team.

I don't know if it's like that with Apple and the potential increase in royalty fees that the Copyrights Royalty Board may dish out today.  But if the increase 66% increase in fee (9 cents to 15 cents) sought by the National Music Publishers' Association does go through, Apple will find it difficult to operate iTunes without a loss and would rather shut it down.

We'll know today how this will go.  It could be a ploy for the labels to force Apple to increase the 99 cent cap as well.

It'll be very interesting to watch.  Guess if that happens, mobile warriors can head over to Amazon or back to when we used to get it for free, by other means.

In related music news , Congress authorized further negotiation between Internet radios like Pandora and AOL Radio and SoundExchange to reach an agreement that won't kill the struggling Internet radio industry.

Apple's Plan For Economic Bumps

If you don't already know by how, Apple stock got hammered with a 17% drop with a couple of downgrades.  It has since received 3% but the market has not closed yet as of this writing.

But with banks failing, housing bubble bust, huge slowdown in consumer spending, companies should be reining in costs, circle the wagon, and, in some cases, cut their workforce.  But not Apple.

As of August this year, there are about 240 stores with about 70 more future stores to be opened.  It like I hear a new store open every week.

In the past, Apple had stated they were going to innovate their way through of economic troubles.  I guess they failed to mention the expansion part too.  At the time, it sounded like just talk.

Thinking back now and with questions about Apple's $20 billion in the bank (good banks I hope), they stand to do a lot of things some of their competitors, even big ones with smaller amount of cash on hand, cannot do.  last week, HP and Dell both announced intentions to cut notebook R&D for the coming fiscal year.  That's the typical response I would expect from corporate entities that are trying to get past economic turbulence and hope for brighter days.

Now both HP and Dell will weather any problem in the near term because they both have a lot of cash and lines of credit but they also have a lot of moving parts, a lot more than Apple.  There, Apple can poise to position itself to expand even during dark financial days for the rest of its competitors.

• Has the cool factor - still make gears and mobile devices like the iPod and iPhones that everyone wants.
• With cash and more every quarter, Apple can afford to expand and plan for long-term growth, if it may mean at the expensive of short-term margins.
• A good analogy is that Apple Stores are like embassies and Geniuses are good-well ambassadors who help you with Macbook or iPhone questions.
• Increased visibility.  With 2,000 ATT store locations, 240 Apple stores, and about 600 Best Buy locations, the iPhone can be in places where it naturally isn't like Verizon or Sprint retail locations.  The increase footprint gives Apple added exposure.
• Added retail locations offer Apple a better fighting chance against Samsung, Nokia, and Blackberries that are just about everywhere you go.
• If you want something done, do it yourself.  Apple presence in the past was stunted by sales people untrained in Apple-ware and have zero or little knowledge about its software and hardware.  By training its own people at Apple stores and Best Buy locations, it stands a better chance of provider potential customers the right information (propaganda?).
• Apple's pull.  Having an Apple store is a good thing.  It draws retail traffic.
• Location, location, location.  In southern California, you've got stores - South Coast, Pasadena, Manhattan Beach, Century City, Beverly Center, The Grove, and Newport just to name a few.  You can't get more retail shelter from economic woes on Main Street than these "bling bling" locations.  I'm sure it's like that everywhere else.  

I wonder if Apple knows something we don't about consumer spending and their growth prospects. While I don't claim to know anything about their plans, take a look at where they've got the stores and you'll find economic bullet-proof.  It stands to gain a lot when the economy turns around.

Still, I really am looking forward to these innovative new products Mac blogs keep advertising about.

Source:  Wiki Apple Store (there's like a wiki entry for everything) and info Apple Store

Mac Hybrid

People are all over the place when it comes to what sercet product, if any, will Apple be introducing that require them to warn investors of lower margins in future quarter?

Some Apple fans think Apple will merely be lowering prices but others think Apple will actually introduce a brand new product that will cause panic and pandemonium among its competitors.

We'll know between now and Macworld 2009, when we think Apple will truly introduce a new product.  In the mean time, we analyze a bit about the Apple TV situation and came up with the "Mac Hybrid".

What is the Mac Hybrid?  Please read at On Apple to find out.

Mobility Changes How We Stay Updated with Sports

Sports involve action, sweat, intensity, and the roars of fans.  That means sound and video.  So far, this is not available to the majority of mobile devices.  I've tried keeping up with scores on my old Samsung Trace and it just is not the same.

Obviously, unless you've got them of them fancy gizmos that does TV and make phone calls, you're relegated to keeping up with your favorite team or sports through Internet-enabled apps.

The screen shots of these iPhone apps almost provide a video game feel to it.  I've not provided screen shots for other platforms because iPhone for the moment provides the rich apps in mobility.  That'll likely to change, I'm sure.

But with charts, videos, sounds, and updated blogs with social networking, it can't get any better than to use your mobile device to connect with your favorit teams and fans.  I decided to bring this up because I'm not able to keep with all the games on Saturdays and Sundays.  But with the iPhone (hopefully the gPhone in a couple of weeks), I'll be happy to have highlights, play-by-play updates, and commentaries from fans.

I did not follow baseball on my mobile device even though it was easy to do.  The drama just isn't there for me this year.  I'm sure I'll start once the Fall Classics start.  But I really like to see someone from the teams interact with fans during games.  Maybe a designated blogger who can provide news and drama from the sidelines as the game progresses.  Heck, maybe a benchwarmer or two can chat with fans as well.  That'll be neat.

Regardless, rich media apps are making fans very happy who cannot be at games or watch it on TV.  Of course, some games can be downloaded like on iTunes.  But if you're stuck somewhere with Internet access but not a radio or television, a mobile app that provides constant updates will help you feel close to the game.

And speaking of radio.  It would be nice (even for a fee) to be able to listen to games through the app.

New 2008-09 Zune To Go On Sale Soon

The 120GB Zune appeared on Amazon for $250.  Also, Gizmodo has the specs on the $150 Blue 8GB Zune.  There are a lot of new features.  Just to highlight a few that are uniquely different from anything Zune in the past:

• Zune Pass - subscription
• Wireless sync
• Buy from FM by tagging songs you may have heard on the radio.
• Games
• 8GB, 320 x 240

Now, there are other features mentioned that you go to Gizmodo for.  However, I didn't think they are work mentioning simply because we already know they exists from previous models or that the features simply are not widely used.

However, the Zune 120GB is no longer on Amazon's website but Pocketables did a wise thing and took a screen shot of the page.  We are likely to see similar features as with the 8GB Zune.

How does this compare to the iPod lines?  We'll don't know.  On Tuesday, Apple will be debuting their 2008-09 iPod line.  We'll make that comparison then.  But if we must, the current 8GB iPod Nano costs $30 more than this yet to be released 8GB Zune model.

As Pocketables mentioned and Onxo did a few weeks ago, Archos 5 and 7 offer greater flexibility with a bigger screen than either Zune or the iPod Touch. However, we are also reserving comparisons between Archos and the new iPods until we know the specs.  From a purely storage standpoint, Archos have that all to themselves.  But with Internet access and support in terms of entertainment materials, iPod-iTunes combo cannot be matched.

So, come back after Tuesday morning and we'll let you know what we think of Zune, Archos, and iPod.  

T-Mobile App Store

T-Mobile is reported planning to create it's own app store to compete with Apple and iTunes.  How will this work?  And how this will impact the wireless dynamics in the market?

First, this many settle put some rumors to rest.  There have been speculation in the past that Apple could be teaming up with T-Mobile sooner than expected.  It looks like this may not be the case, not that Onxo put any stock in it. 

Already, many are speculating iTune like stores from Google, RIM, Microsoft, and Nokia.  But exactly like Apple's app store?

It will vary quite a lot.  And this should impact purchasing decision to a large degree.  Whether a buyer's decision is based largely on one's perception of Apple or the iPhone, the app store is a boon for developers and app buyers as it is largely independent of the carrier (see note below).

We may think that Apple is able to freely operate its app store but that is not the case.  For example, Netshare, a tethering app, was recently added, pulled, then added, and finally then pulled permanently for the last time.  While ATT has stated the app store is operate by Apple, a technically correct statement, how Apple operates the store is subject to prior agreement between ATT and Apple. Also, VOIP app will not be allowable over the wireless network but the iPhone may use WiFi to make VOIP calls.

So, for others who are currently setting up their own app store, it will owe largely to the cooperation of the carrier.  Google's win in getting the 700Mhz winner, Verizon, to open the network for use with outside devices will likely be messy and we'll likely see a lot of fighting going on to define what "open" access means.

And with Verizon Wireless pledging an open network, it probably means it the network is open so long as certain conditions are met.  

Regardless, Onxo is betting the conditions are likely stricter than the agreement between Apple and ATT.

It'll be interesting to see how T-Mobile's app store concept will work and how phone makers fit in with their plan.  If anyone cares to wager how it'll work, let us know.

Controlling iTunes Remotely May Mean Home Remote Soon

An Apple patent documented by Appleinsider indicates the ability for the iPhone and iPod Touch to remotely access iTunes from anywhere.  This is a feature iTunes users have been requesting for years. 

It is not known if this feature is only available for the Apple's mobile devices.  iTunes libraries can currently be accessed by computers in the same network.  Also, Apple's app Remote allows the iPhone and iPod Touch remotely control iTunes library but no streaming of content from the iTunes library is possible.

This is a very interesting development as the integration between home appliances and the PC will share a network in which appliances can be monitor and controlled through the computer. 

How long before see anything like this?  It's anyone's guess but it can greatly increase efficiency as smart appliances become available on the market.  Imagine a refrigerator with WiFi access to the home network.  The temperature may be controlled remotely through the PC or by a mobile user half way across the country for greater power efficiency. 

Of course, that day is still years away but this does not prevent companies from dreaming up with new ways in made this integration happen one household electronics at a time.  Think of the Slingbox that allows users to remotely access content remotely on a laptop or handheld device.  That has taken pace for years. 

So, why not the house's power grid, temperature control, and lighting?  Through a centralized panel, an user would be able to monitor the use and power consumption. 

Napster to Apple and Amazon: Take that and that!

Why…won’t…you…die?

                    

Once the bane of the music industry, Napster has been shut down, given a second chance at music scene, then put on virtual life support, and now it’s back again.

Millions of DRM-free MP3 songs are now for the taking (after paying 99 cents for each song.  Then it’s for the taking).   Six million songs to be exact. 

While Amazon has had a lead in the DRM-free MP3 for months, it has done well but yet to catch Apple’s music store due the ease of use of iTunes and iPod’s dominant position in the portable music device market. 

However, Napster, the former MP3 bad boy, could have the name recognition in music that Amazon does not have.  Only time will tell if Napster can still matter but with more players in the market, it’s a big win for music lovers.  Some details:

• 256Kbps encoding
  
• Album art
  
• No software support for importing into iTunes (Amazon has support for iTunes)
  
• Watermarks
  

Could this also put a dent in piracy and loosen iTunes’ hold on the legal downloadable music market or will this be a battle for second with Amazon?

Here’s what others are saying:

• ·Wired – details about watermarks
  
• ·CNet – some information for current Napster customers
  
• ·Electronista – Napster leads with 6 million DRM-free songs, followed by Amazon at 4.5 million and iTunes trailing at 3 million.
  
• ·Apple-friendly sites believe Apple is being punished for not accepting terms more friendly to the music studios, thus only half the available DRM-free music of Napster is offering.  Apple still boasts the largest online music store for downloads.

Where do you buy your music?