Tag: editorial

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Do not take this iPhone to the Genius Bar!

Apple’s “Let’s talk iPhone.” event is just a few days away while rumors and speculations run rampants. Would it be iPhone 4S or iPhone 5? Could it be both? All will be revealed soon.

Please take this story with a grain of salt.

Back in December 2010, a source who claimed to be not Phil Schiller told me about the next iPhone that wouldn’t be released in June-July 2011. I did ask what the “iPone 5” would be like. The answer we get was “the next iPhone” wouldn’t be out as everyone expected. Came March 2011, shortly after I bought an iPad 2 the same source reaffirmed that there wouldn’t be iPhone announcement on WWDC 2011. I tweeted this:

There will be no #iPhone5 announcement at #Apple #WWDC 2011. It is all about Mac OS X Lion. September 2011 for iPhone 5 in time for Holiday.

One little mistake I made was mentioning “iPhone 5” even though the source only said “the next iPhone”.

In May 2011, I mentioned this about the next iPhone based on what the sources “not” telling me, wink wink:

  • No, it will not be a “teardrop” design.
  • No NFC
  • No LTE

John Gruber seems to think that teardrop design is not so Apple-like design. Gruber also mentioned:

Preface: I don’t know what the new iPhone looks like. I don’t even know whether there’s only one new iPhone. The only thing I know is that there existed, months ago, “N94” prototype iPhones that looked like the iPhone 4, but which contained the iPad 2’s next-gen A5 CPU. That proves nothing, however, as I believe Apple was just as likely to build iPhone 4-lookalike prototypes whether or not they ever intended to bring them to market. Testing new internal components in disguised exteriors is an obvious strategy for a secretive company.

I truly believe that the iPhone I saw was a test unit, which looks like an iPhone 4. I assume the bumper hides the changes in the steel band. One of the iPhones below is a test unit, I won’t tell you which one though. One seems to run faster than the other. Care to take a guess?

Jokingly I asked my source if I could use the test unit and got the following reply:

Sure, you must never reveal what this iPhone is in any way. Always keep the bumper on and do not take this iPhone to the Genius Bar! By the way, you need to sign the NDA.

I was not sure if my source was joking or serious. So I told my source that I would not take the offer but I might mentioned the existence of the test unit to some select people. My source then said:

Without physical evidence, no one would believe you anyway. They are only rumors.

I realized that my source is right. I do not want the responsibility.

Until October 4th, 2011 at 10:00 A.M. Cupertino time.

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Did Microsoft really sell 1.5 million of Windows Phone 7 devices in 6 weeks?

Did Microsoft really sell 1.5 million of Windows Phone 7 devices in 6 weeks?

If you are Microsoft or Paul Thurrott, then you would say yes. If you are not either of them, you might have more questions about the number. If you are Paul Thurrott then you would argue that Microsoft did sell 1.5 million of Windows Phone 7 devices in 6 weeks.

In Windows Weekly 188, Paul Thurrott simply defends Microsoft’s sales number using some salesperson language. To paraphrase:

“Well, a sale is a sale. Microsoft does not sell any Windows Phone 7 phone to end consumer. Microsoft sells Windows Phone 7 licenses to phone manufacturers, It is obvious that Microsoft sells more than 1.5 million of Windows Phone 7 licenses. Phone manufacturers have sold 1.5 million Windows Phone 7 phone to retailers. So don’t you dare dispute Microsoft’s sales numbers! So sayeth Paul Thurrott, Microsoft P.R. Person.”

I might have taken some poetic license in paraphrasing Thurrott. Listen to Windows Weekly 188 and you’ll sense the tensions between Leo Laporte and Paul Thurrott talking about the subject. In the end, Leo Laporte took a step back and let Thurrott have his words.

Based on that, I am certain that there are a lot less Windows Phone 7 devices sold to end users than what Microsoft and Paul Thurrott want everyone to believe.

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Anodized Black Aluminum MacBook Pro

Editorial

No, this is not some kind of rumor or leak from Apple’s Tuesday “The spotlight turns to notebooks” event. Long before, Apple has been anodizing aluminum with colors and they look great. Wouldn’t it be worth spending an extra $150 for an anodized black MacBook Pro?

Well, I love the anodized black MacBook Pro, but $150 extra? Apparently the matte black MacBook was worth $150 extra. Come on Apple, $25 is enough for the anodized color.

On Tuesday, Apple will unveil their new line of notebooks. The new MacBook Pro is unlikely to have tapered sides, because it would be to hard to access the port without compromising the aesthetics.

(MacBook Pro Late 2008)

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Editorial: 3G Wireless in MacBook Pro, You Must Be Crazy!

Computerworld’s Seth Weintraub wrote about what to expect with the upcoming MacBook Pro. While it is somewhat entertaining to read for a minute or so, he is expecting Apple to include some kind of 3G Wireless technology built in the MacBook Pro. Weintraub elaborates that Apple now has the experience thanks to the iPhone 3G, and Dell has done it.

Now, let’s see. Apple has been getting a lot of criticsm for choosing AT&T as their “partner” for the iPhone. Now, if the MacBook Pro should be equipped with some kind of 3G Wireless technology, that means the service would be tied to certain carrier. HSDPA or EVDO? AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, or T-Mobile?

Why would you want your portable computer tied to a service provider? Make it an add-on, so people would have the options for the carrier. Doesn’t matter which partner Apple chose for 3G Wireless support, people will complain about it. Even if Apple would support all the major 3G Network protocols, they would have to be tied to a service provider.  Not to mentions there would be the seemingly idiotic person would find a lawyer to sue Apple for saturating the 3G network.

Please stop asking for built-in 3G network in your computer, the business model still disadvantages end users.

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iPhone 3G in Best Buy. Why Oh Why?

Best Buy will be selling iPhone 3G starting September 7th, 2008. With stellar customer service and The Geek Squad support, Best Buy is expecting to exploit make a killing with the iPhone 3G craze.

When you think buying a computer is not painful enough at Best Buy, wait till you are buying iPhone 3G and having Geek Squad services shoved down your throat.

“Bring your computer so The Geek Squad can sync your newly purchased iPhone 3G to your iTunes.

Wait a minute, the Geek Squad can optimize your computer for a little fee, and we will sell you softwares you don’t really need.

We also offer in Home service so that you can connect your newly purchased iPhone 3G with your computer. Don’t worry, the Geek Squad will optimize your iPhone home screen for a little fee.

By the way, this iPhone is not an open box item even though we’ve already opened it and optimized it.”

Seriously, Best Buy might have the presence in many places, but their service is horrible. How much money does Best Buy throw at Apple to have the opportunity to sell iPhone 3G and screw provide service to more customers?