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?

Bill Gates to OLPC: Meet Windows

The worst kept secret in open source laptop, One Laptop Per Child (OLPC), is finally official. It wasn't really a secret as working on getting XP to install in the XO received a lot of attention from OLPC enthusiasts. The XO laptop can now happily boot into Windows XP and happily endorsed by Nicholas Negroponte and OLPC program.

CNet (newest member of the CBS family)

Wired

OLPC News

NY Times (A lot more details)

While it remains to be seen just how this will impact deployment of XO laptops and what flavor most nations/organizations will go with, Microsoft's participation is an endorsement of the effort to bring affordable technology to children in third world nations.

So far, deployment of the XO laptops in its current form has fallen short of expectation given the high profile attention granted OLPC when it was initally announced in 2005. Saddled with delays and rising costs, it was finally settled at less than $200, more than twice the lofty goal of $100 laptops. Nevertheless, the XO laptop is a great engineering achievement for a nonprofit organization and its stringent guidelines.

The success of the Give One Get One (G1G1) was also a testament of the viability of this concept. In late 2007, the G1G1 gave users in North America the opportunity to purchase an XO laptop at $400, included a tax-deductible contribution of $200 as donation of another laptop to a child. (However, G1G1 was marred with numerous delays and avoidable mistakes)

Details are still not clear what the drama is that finally led to this. Negroponte is not known to be Microsoft-friendly. It is possible that Negroponte realized the state of OLPC as not as promising as he had hoped and having Windows XP could change all that. Perhaps, it also explain the exodus of OLPC executives in the last six months.

OLPC News (headline "Windows XP on the XO Laptop - Microsoft Buys Out OLPC") was blunt in its criticism of this development while others took it more in stride, perhaps waiting for more details from OLPC. Microsoft has indicated XO laptop with Windows XP will start rolling out of factories in June.

Sugar Versus XP. Sugar, the Linux OS that is being replaced with Windows XP was part of an open source project with the participation of many developers who proudly strove to make it a success. In a sign of appeasement to original adopters and developers who would certainly feel slighted by this latest development, OLPC said future XO laptops will have the ability to dual boot into Windows XP or Sugar.

If history is any indication, Sugar will receive less support over time but a core group of devotees will make a stand and continue to support it even without official acknowledgment.

In the end, the face, or rather the interface, of the XO laptop will be changed forever - only time will tell if this new alliance between OLPC and Microsoft will have the effect that Negroponte hope for. For the sake of its intended target, if this does not work, it would be a considerable blow to bring affordable technology to children in third world nations.

Facts:

• Microsoft will receive $3 for each copy of Windows XP deployed in an XO laptop.
• Production of XO's installed with XP will begin in June.
• There will be additional cost added to the final cost of the XO due to hardware changes to run Windows XP.
• Some information from laptop.org on working with Micrsoft. Porting was done entirely by Microsoft.
  
• Original promise battery life for the XO was 24 hours.
• Hardware specifications
• Current news on the state of the OLPC project
  

Mac Touch or iPhone X2?

Original Source:  ZDnet Germany

ZDnet Germany  has quoted Intel’s German chief confirming Apple will be using the upcoming Atom chip from Intel in its new iPhone.  A quick spin around the Web realed this story was picked up by a quite a few sites but not as much as one would expected for a story of this magnitude.  Perhaps, it points to the improbability of an Apple product announcement that did not come from its messianic CEO. 

Gizmodo

The Unofficial Apple Weblog

Macworld UK

  Appleinsider

MacRumors

So, what’s being reported.  A device larger than the current iPhone with higher resolutions is being fitted with the yet to be released mobile Atom chip from Intel.  Please visit Appleinsider for a mockup.  Given the rumors swirling around the design change of the new 3G iPhone, it is anyone’s guess what the final form factor will be like.

Knowing Apple’s almost close attention to detail on designs in the past, the form factor of this new device, iPhone X2 (that’s what I’m calling it), will need to work hand-in-hand with the features.  The design that works for the iPhone or the iPod Touch does not mean it will work for the iPhone X2. 

So,  there is it.  Directly from Intel Germany.  Not Apple itself. 

 

Different takes on it.  When Apple releases this device, it will not be just another iPhone that’s supersized.  It may simply be called Macbook Touch as it is possible that it will include more advanced features than the iPhone. 

 The Atom chip will afford Apple the opportunity to inject functionalities that the ARM chip inside the iPhone is too underpowered to do.  Multi-tasking, more multi-touch abilities, and even a real desktop environment that makes it more of a Macbook than an iPhone. 

 As far as the media and consumers are concerned, exciting things are being cooked up by Cupertino with whatever chip ingredients Intel can supply Apple.  Regardless of which this new device more closely resembles, iPhone X2 or Son of Newton, there have too many rumors and innuendos to not believe Apple will be developing a competitor to the UMPC's with their new mobile platform.

 But this device will not be coming on June 9 when Steve Jobs delivers the keynote for the Worldwide Developer Conference. 

 

Roughlydrafted’s Take from yesterday.  Only yesterday, Roughlydrafted pointed out the unlikelihood of another Apple device this year.  Some of the arguments makes sense.  You’re already coming out with the 3G iPhone.  Apple likes to make sure their product launches do no overshadow those of another.  One except was the launch of the Motorola ROKR phone that supported iTunes.  Even then, that was overshadowed by the iPod Nano.  It was not difficult to surmise that Jobs did not care for that particular crippled phone. 

This is the year of the smartphones, specifically, the iPhone and the “iPhone killers”.  For business users, close attention will be paid to the 9000 model for an August launch and the unnamed/unannounced/rumored full-screened Blackberry.  Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 is one to watch for consumers.  It’s been a bit quiet from Nokia and Motorola lately on this front.  Palm has not made much noise either and will likely continue to bleed cash until 2009.  

Please visit and read their article.  It also pointed out how we will not be seeing a console from Apple (because it already has.  It’s called Apple TV).

What my take it.  What I want to see if this is true.  I don’t just want a super-sized iPhone.  It doesn’t do it for me.  It’s limited in scope and knowing the attention to detail and easy-of-use Apple will demand out of such a rumored device, it will not simply be a bigger version of the iPhone, iPhone X2.  

Apple does not need any advice from the media or users such as myself but here is it anyway:  take your time as you always do and make it right.  Jobs, terrorize your people.  Make them cry.  Make them miss their dinners.  Kids’ soccer games.  Church.  Just kidding.  Seriously, we want it today but it’s not going to happen.  We’ll be waiting just the same.

It will be telling when we do find out what Apple is going to be calling this new device.  A lot can be said in a carefully crafted name by Apple and where it sees this device taking the mobile computing industry.  To be sure, this iPhone X2 or Mac Touch will fit neatly between the different lines of Apple products and its launch carefully choreographed in the media and the minds of the consumers.  I’m sure the word “tablet” will not having anything to do with it.

So, it’s all conjectures on the part of everyone.  That’s what makes it so fun.  One thing about this tablet (oops!) is whether it exists or not:  the battery is not user serviceable.

Will I be getting one if by some miracle, Apple introduces iPhone X2?  Does the Earth go around the Sun?  

Summary:  Apple isn’t about to overshadow the 3G iPhone and launch of application store with the product of every gadget lover’s wet dream.  Sorry, everyone.  I want one too but I just don’t see it happening.  WWDC 2009, maybe.  Even Macworld 2009.  As an Apple fan and AAPL stockholder, I hope I’m wrong!

Lesson:  Unless its from Macworld, Worldwide Developer Conference, the usual one or two special media events, or Apple’s website (unless it’s been hacked.  To date, that has never happened), nothing is confirmed.  And if it sounds too good to be true, it always is when dealing with unconfirmed news about Apple.

Update:  Macrumors has posted a denial from Intel.  Told you so.  Their source came from Fortune. 

New Full-Screened Blackberry?

 Original Source:  The Boy Genius Report

This BGR rumor has been circulated by dozens of Internet sites from Wired to Apple-centric rumors/news sites.  So, it’s why there was no real update on mobile phone units yesterday. 

 Basically, RIM is rumored to be developing a full screened Blackberry.  Verizon Wireless will be the initial carrier.  No word on what consumer-focused features or how much memory it will have.

 Oh, I’m sure that when this happens, there’ll be something in the press release along the line of  “we decided to have a full screened phone and our customers love the bigger screen.  And someone will ask about the keyboard and we’ll get some baloney.  Just be honest.  You are playing catch up with the other players and realize there is a place in the Blackberry lineup for a full screened smartphone.   

Anyway, please visit Boy Genius for the specs.  I don’t’ want to list it because it’s his/their great work.  And in case you don’t read that article through the end, they’ve noted the big mockup of the Blackberry 9500 is a mockup.  Oh, I already said that by calling it “big mockup.

In our segment I like to call, Wishful Thinking Unless We Find Out Later  It’s True, Swisscom will has set up a page for the iPhone!  Here’s the wishful thinking part.  Le Matin Online has “concrete” features that will be included in the iPhone.  Video conferencing, GPS, and TV.  Yes, I too am doing my share of wishful thinking.

Mobility War

        VERSUS     

In the ongoing Mobility War, LiMo Foundation added Verizon Wireless as one of their newest members and will be sitting on the board of directors.  Could be that Verizon is looking to expand the number of OS’s that their phones run on and not really a diss against Android.  But it probably is.  It does say a lot about who they think their biggest problem in a year or so from now is going to be.  Palm, Blackberry, and Windows Mobile has so far done everything asked to do by the wireless giants.  So, the chess game continues.  Press release here and here.

This came after Google listed their round 1 winners of the Android Developer Challenge.  Here’s the same list but with a bit more description for some of the winners.

Okay, coffee breaks over.  Go back to work.

Mobile News/Rumors Today

RIM Blackerry 9000 and new iPhone Rumors



Already bets are being placed on whether the Blackberry 9000 has what it takes to keep RIM on top of the smartphone segment of the mobile industry. I'll let you get into it right away.


Here are today's articles from mobile pundits so far:

Blackberry Press Release
InfoSync
MSNBC
Crackberry early review
Gizmodo has a summary of the specs and also the press release
PC Magazine - hands on

So far, AT&T is confirmed to be the initial carrier of the new phone. So, how does it stand up to the iPhone or the rumored specs of the 3G iPhone? It doesn't nor does the iPhone stand up to this Blackberry. So far, the iPhone is geared towards the consumers and until iPhone 2.0 comes out, let's chill and see then.

The iPhone is great at a lot of things the Blackberry can or can't do. But most business users are used to having their trusted Blackberries with them so it's up to the iPhone to break into the Blackberry's home turf.

So, what is with this new iPhone? No one knows. My guess is as good as any overpaid Wall Street analysts as any other writers. What we do know is that it's 3G and it's coming in May, June, or July. Yeah, that about covers it. And it's already in Steve Jobs' front left pocket.

So far, we know it's 3G 16GB (maybe 8GB or 32GB model as well), no idea what the prices are, may or may not have GPS, support for video conferencing, be in differen colors (white or black), or solve our lack of a national energy policy. I'm less sure about the last part. Okay, I made that part up.

Now over the weekend, Apple confirmed over online stores in both the US and the UK are completely out of iPhones, leading lots in the Mac and gadget-centric online media to speculate new models could be closer to be introduced than initially expected. Only time will tell.

Then, this morning, the buzz, according to switchtoamac.com, a friendly source inside Apple has indicated a May launch for the 3G iPhone and a new device is slated for launch at the WWDC 2008. NOTE: SWITCH TO A MAC WAS CORRECT ABOUT THE LEOPARD DELAY PRIOR TO OFFICIAL APPLE ANNOUNCEMENT. (Steve Jobs has been confirmed to keynote the main event.)

While still a rumor, I would love to see a tablet-sized iPod Touch. Intel has stated Atom chips will be in short supply and given the close relationship between Apple and Intel and past favoritism Intel has graced Apple with new chips, I wouldn't be surprised if Apple is the cause of the shortage.

We shall see!

For unconfirmed pictures of the 3G iPhone:

MacRumors
winandmac.com
weiphone.com

Update (May 13, 2008):  Roughlydrafted thinks another device from Apple this year isn't likely to happen.  I agree.

Miniblogs

Twitter is a great service that I have started learning to use in recent months. In fact, thousands of bloggers swear by it.  I use it to keep friends updated on political events, daily happenings, and enlighten them with my personal gibberish.

Like anything on the Internet, if there is one, there are others.

For example, consider my favorite miniblog, Meblog from Cirqo.  Still a work in progress, Chieh Cheng, one of my closest friends since high school, and I have worked on Cirqo for over a year now.  We are proud of the great accomplishments with Cirqo. More just a web-based IM service, we created Cirqo to be defined by the users.
(Chieh does all the heavy lifting and I beg for features I find useful.)

In the next few years, Twitter and Cirqo's MeBlog will play an even larger role in mobile communication as the proliferation of smartphones such as the iPhone and Sidekick become more common.  Already, Twitter's impact has been felt on the international stage during the arrest of James Karl Buck in Egypt.

Setting up your own Twitter or Cirqo account is quick and very easy to use.  When you do, drop me a line.  Feel free to follow my Twitter or Cirqo Meblog as I will follow yours.

Also, we are more than happy to field any questions/suggestions regarding Cirqo.com.

G1G1 '07 Lessons for 2008

G1G1 2008

Let's be honest. The success of last year's program, G1G1 2007 was unprecedented despite receiving very little coverage in the mainstream media. After all, how many products out there can compete with the iPod, Wii,Xbox 360, and PS3?

So, what do we want to see this year? How can the whole program be improved to avoid the pitfalls of last year?

Hits and Misses

I don't want to get into the negatives too much. Rather I want to sumerize the misses and hope that the lessons of those have been learnt and OLPC will embark on an improved G1G1 2008.

The program was announced in October of 2007 and on day one, November 16th, ordering started as XO-philes poured into the site (personally, I didn't participate until December 17th). The program was to end on December 31, 2007. Initially, the enuthiasm of a Christmas Day XO opening enticed many to beat the rush. Everything was set to make sure the XO would be in the hands of thousands of children (of all ages) by Christmas Eve.

Millions of dollars were donated. Expectation after so many years of e-commerce experience may have allowed users such as myself to expect a timely ordering process. Unfortunately, the entire experience was far from perfect.

Missteps soon took hold. Delays in the manufacturing surfaced and demand was greater than anyone at G1G1 expected. A plethora of complaints were posted on various sites ranging from simple neglect, lost orders, changing personnels, and incorrect shipping dates and addesses.

To top it off, in January, a G1G1 spokesperson pleaded for more patience as they reportedly found additional unfilled orders. Keep in mind, most if not all of the funds for the donations have been collected. Paypal accounts and credit cards were charged. Mine was charged on December 31th, probably to make the 2007 donation deadline for tax reporting purposes.

Eventually, mine arrived in February, about two months after the order date. There were donors who were provided March shipping dates.

No one seem to have a clear picture of what was going on behind the scene. If anyone claims otherwise, I would take it with a grain of salt. I don't even think the G1G1 volunteers themselves know. However, I do commend their effort and time in making G1G1 possible.

Now, what does the G1G1 have to do to make sure 2008 will not be like 2007? I have a few suggestions.

Communicate. Communicate. Communicate. Most of the donors are enthusiastic about the laptop. We can be very understanding. We were giving very little information until January, and most donors relied on media speculations and rumors that ran rampant in the rumors.

OLPC has had a successful G1G1 despite having all of the problems I described. Instead of giving us specific dates, be more conservative with the number of units that can be shipped and more liberal with the leadtimes.

One thing you have to say about Apple, whether you're a fan or not, is that they don't ship anything until they're Steve Jobs ready. We are fans of gadgets, education, or whatever the reasons donors are excited about OLPC and the XO laptop, we will wait. Do more testing before making any kind of announcements.

Build up a little inventory for 2008. Now, you're certain there is a lot of demands for it. It might be smart to introduce the XO to more donor nations.

Also, how about G1G1 Summer 2008 instead of late fall? The program can shoot for the back-to-school rush. Then, there won't be a preceived deadline like Christmas Eve was.

Sell accessories. I'm in the market for another battery. Maybe another AC adapter. Buy one battery, donate another?

Also, how about $300 instead of $400? G1G1 was a terrific idea. Hats off to whoeveer thought of it. Now, it'll be another year before G1G1 2008 happens again. Most financial experts don't think the economy will improve until 2009. Times are tough. I think even donating half a laptop is a deal. Plus, it could bring in a whole lot more donors. $100 is a big deal.

I've got other ideas for G1G1 2008. Now, I am sure there are other great ideas out there on how OLPC can expand and make the XO an even greater success.