Tech Journalist Mike Elgan recently published an article on the Google+ social network titled Is Google+ becoming a hostile place for Apple customers? Should it be?
All in Apple
Apple, Samsung, Design Patents -- and Textile Design Piracy
Before folks jump all over Apple on the Apple vs. Samsung design patent case, read some background on design patents. You might find it amusing.
Mike Elgan’s How Smart TV Will Change Your Living Room is one of the better “future of TV” articles I’ve read. His view of the changing role of TV is straightforward:
It’s not unusual to find myself when I go back to a browser based application from an iPhone app I’m struck by the messiness and clutter, despite the added functionality.
Yesterday Apple announced the new iPad. I like the new iPad and really think I would enjoy it as a way to manage and manipulate my nature photographs.
I want one!
Google’s announcement of its Chromebook is more evidence of the shifting nature of technology-supported computing & communication ecosystems. It signifies more than just a continued “movement to the cloud.”
Sometimes a phone is just a phone and a web site is just a web site...
I’ve been researching which smartphone to buy after my current Verizon agreement (and its associated dumbphone) expire. I’m not interested in broadcasting my whereabouts to everyone (no Foursquare for me) but I do recognize the value of mobile maps, search, and occasional email on the go.
I’ll probably buy an Apple iPad, but not because I’m an early adopter.
Harsh Realities of Windows 7, "Standalone" Devices, and Cloud Computing
Ed Bott’s Windows Activation Technologies: an unauthorized inside look is a look at what happens when Windows 7 automatically gathers and sends encrypted data describing your Windows 7 installation back to Microsoft so Microsoft can see if you are running an authorized copy of Windows.
Before you get too excited about Apple’s recent decision to give up DRM on its iTunes music service, be sure to read Apple Shows Us DRM’s True Colors by Richard Esquerra which appeared January 7, 2008 on Electronic Frontier Foundation’s blog. Esquerra lists all the remaining uses of “DRM” being made by Apple.
So you’re still reluctant to curl up with a nice, cute, cuddly electronic book? Does the Kindle leave you cold? Are your kids developing backaches while laboring under 50+ pounds of graphics-intensive textbooks in their school backpacks?
Apple, iPods, and Personal Data Portability
I've been busy lately. My blogging has suffered. I've tried to update my blog's "daily notes" (located on my home page and archived here) but that's about it. I'm working offline on some longer white papers, I'm starting a new client project next week, I've been involved in a non-stop series of proposals and statements of work, and I've had to keep my plants watered during the drought here on the U.S. East Coast.
Meanwhile, there are some really interesting "tech" things going on.
We met again last night at a downtown DC bar, a group of policy analysts, bloggers, lawyers, activists, and geeks. I reported on last month's discussion here.
Last night's conversation covered several topics:
A couple of nights ago we had dinner out on our deck overlooking the yard we have been landscaping over the past few years. It was a beautiful evening. We enjoyed the breeze, the bird songs, and the conversation. As darkness fell, I brought out some kerosene lamps to provide some gentle illumination. My son brought out his laptop and entertained us with selected YouTube videos streamed from the house's wireless system.