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Can MacWorld Really Survive Another Year?

geek — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:21:31 +0000

I made the trek – not too far mind you – to MacWorld 2011 and found myself wondering whether MacWorld can survive another year and more importantly, after so many came back from CES disappointed, whether the technology trade-show itself can survive. Seriously, how many different iPhone cases does that average trade-show attendee really want to see? Considering how many Blackberry and Droid phones I saw, my inclination would be far fewer then were really there.

Of the products that were there, many seemed to be “coming soon,” and far less than ever before was really available to buy at the show. Overall, I walked away most of the cash that I came with, a couple of stickers, and a feeling of disappointment. I told my wife via text message that MacWorld was a lot like going to Fry’s, same size as the store, a lot of stuff that you would never buy, and shelf space showing stickers for stuff that you really wish you could buy.

So, what did I buy? Two items:

The “glif.” <link> The Glif is a simple iPhone 4 accessory with two primary functions: mounting your iPhone onto a tripod and propping up your iPhone at various angles. One of my favorite blogs had praised their design and after seeing it in person and realizing that it really is small and really useful. The only downside is that it doesn’t work with any case, but the added functionality more than made up for any downside. On the plus side, it is reported to be recyclable, made in the USA, and the packaging was minimal and some of the best that I have seen in a long time. At the show price of $18, this seemed like a good deal.

The other “item” that I purchased was actually more of a kit, and that’s the Modulr <link> case for Apple’s iPad. For $75 (show price), I purchased the modulr case and cover, slim mount, quick stand, shoulder strap, refrigerator mount (magnets) and hand strap. Yes, that is about everything they offer at this point in time, but if I can get it all setup the way that I want it, I’m envisioning a lot of flexibility with how I use my iPad. What I would say, like so many of the products out there today, the modulr case seems cheap to me. Not in dollars, but in build quality. It’s not terrible, but I consider the iPad an accessory and a piece of art. I want whatever I am using with it to accentuate the product itself, even if I have to pay more for it. That said, it fits well and does what it’s supposed to do. We’ll see how well it holds up to use and if the practicality makes it outlive my beloved Apple case.

And that about sums up my experience at MacWorld 2011. Too many cases. Too much vaporware. Not enough maturity in the market. I sure hope for next year to be better, but I’d bet money that unless Apple decides to come back and pick up the show, it won’t be any more than another Fry’s store.

~geek

More Late than April – iPad 3Gs are Prepared for Shipping

geek — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 19:52:03 +0000

When Apple says “late April” – as in their project delivery date for the new Apple iPad 3G + WiFi – they apparently mean much more of the late and much less of the April, with deliveries and availability expected on April 30, 2010. Appearing almost everywhere today are messages from people like me that the status on their order has been changed to Prepared for Shipment, leading me to believe that the promised Friday date will be met. What time Friday is yet to be seen, although I’m not holding my breath. At least people that haven’t pre-ordered already know that they may be able to buy one in the retail store after 5:00PM.

Not sure how I feel about that, either, as it would seem to me, as is so often not the case with Apple, that people that took the time to pre-order and offer up their first born and credit card should get some benefit of having ordered before the masses. If that’s simply that Federal Express shows up at some point early in the day on Friday… I’m not sure that’s enough for to truly consider pre-ordering in the future. Of course, I really feel sorry for people that are using the Apple store to order today with an anticipated delivery on the 7th of May at the earliest, then knowing that they can probably go buy one in the store after 5:00PM.

Did you pre-order your iPad? Do you have any more information? When are you expecting your new iPad to arrive on Friday?

~geek

Apple Cuts it Close with Late April Deliveries

geek — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 18:40:46 +0000

When I originally ordered my 64GB WiFi + 3G iPad from Apple’s online store, I wasn’t too worried about the “late April” ship date, assuming incorrectly that the release of the WiFi only models meant that those with 3G couldn’t be all that far behind. My mistake was assuming that late april meant sometime after the 15 – not the last day of the month as Apple has just announced.

Am I disappointed? Frankly, I am, even though I guess I don’t really have the right to be. I’m just left wondering, what in the world is going to happen to my order if they don’t make that delivery date? After all, part of the reason I even chose to wait was because the delivery date was as early as it is. If I had known that it would truly be months I might have considered other options.

I’m wondering, how do others feel about this hail-Mary delivery promise from Apple?

~geek

Is the Gizmodo iPhone 4G Real or Marketing?

geek — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 17:49:48 +0000

Honestly, I am not sure what to believe. On one hand it’s highly likely that an engineer got drunk on his birthday and left his next-generation iPhone at the bar for some ~~unscrupulous~~ lucky soul to find and release to the world. At the same time, it’s very likely that this is Apple’s PR/Marketing machine trying to learn how the world will feel about their possible changes to the phone that has nearly spawned a religion.

There, I said it, Gizmodo may have found the holy grail or created the best marketing stunt ever known, and it is likely that we, the consumers, will ever really know the truth. In the meantime, I recommend trotting over to Gizmodo.com and reviewing their review of what may well be the next iPhone available to the masses.

~geek