New iPod Shuffle: “WTF is this?”

Steve Jobs leaves for six months and this thing comes out?

Seriously Apple, no buttons?! What’s next? No, seriously I have no witty remark, no guess as to what could be next? Oh wait, it talks to you? Wait, so does my Nano…and that has a screen, and buttons! Apple is taking this simplicity shit to a whole new level. Eh, what am I saying? Of course I am going to buy this. I am an Apple nerd, and just because Dear Leader is recovering at home, doesn’t mean I should stop now. 

This thing is…I guess…pretty cool. Though I really don’t like the fact that it puts all of the control in the headphones, basically forcing people to use Apple’s headphones instead of the ones they prefer (*cough* Bang & Olufsen A8’s). But it’s nice to see that for only $80 you too can have the most overly simplified flash MP3 player on the market. A think digital screen would have been nice…but hey what can I say? Apple likes to fool you with “implied simplicity” sometimes. Let’s see…

Macworld 2009 Rumor Run Down

It’s that time again for a new Macworld Expo to begin. This year’s expo is already under the community’s spotlight as it is not only Apple’s last event, but the famed Apple Keynote Address will not be given by the big cheese Steve Jobs, but by the moderately smaller cheese Phil Schiller. The rumors are already flying left and right. Let’s see what we may or may not see at the show this year:

iPhone nano

Supposedly Apple is planning a smaller, EDGE only version of the iPhone to sell for about $99. Where normally I would laugh at this, reports are flying in left and right that third party case companies are already manufacturing cases for an “iPhone nano”. This would be very cool, and would no doubt make investors smile. Apple needs to keep the iPhone fresh, and releasing a new model every year keeps it competitive, and keeps that hype factor up. I won’t be surprised to see this, nor will I be surprised to hear Schiller tell us it will be available in July.

New Mac Mini

This one seems like a sure thing. Refreshed Mac Mini, looking a little bit like the Time Capsule, with a new SATA slot loading drive that can be swapped for a second HDD for the mini home server types. I would love to see some sort of HDMI out on this that would be great. I definitely think the Mac Mini can be so much more than just a mini desktop. It has the potential of being a killer home theater computer, and until Apple TV has Safari and bluetooth for a keyboard and mouse, I’ll be wanting this a lot more.

Bigger iPod Touch

This one seems a little farfetched but it would be welcomed none the less. Word on the street is that Apple is working on a version of the iPod Touch, with a bigger screen, 7 to 9 inches to be exact. I guess this would be the perfect balance between an iPod and a netbook. But I am definitely throwing this one in the “maybe” pile.

iWork ‘09 Goes the Way of the Web App

This one makes sense, in order to compete with Google Docs, but I don’t know. I have iWork and currently I find myself using MS Office for Mac a lot more. Sure having it as a web app may be convenient in a pinch, but people still appreciate the reliability on installed software. Then again…having Keynote online would be sweet.

If I am missing anything or you want to add something…comment below. I’ll see you on the day of for the post-keynote analysis!

Is Steve Jobs Dying?

Photo Source: Albert Watson

With the recent announcement that Apple will withdraw from MacWorld Expo after this year, and the fact that Senior VP of Product Marketing Phil Schiller will be giving the final keynote instead of Steve Jobs, all signs are pointing to something I have thought to be true for a long time, that Apple’s fearless leader is not doing so well.

According to Gizmodo, a [very credible] source is claiming that Apple is withholding the real reason for their withdrawal from the MacWorld Expo. Originally they cited  that they prefer to do in house product releases, such as the “Let’s Rock!” event or the Macbook/Macbook Pro announcement held at Cupertino, because they didn’t need the event anymore. According to the source

Steve’s health is rapidly declining. Apple is choosing to remove the hype factor strategically vs letting the hype destroy apple when the inevitable news comes later this spring.

This strategic loss will be less of a bang with investors. This is why MacWorld is a no-go anymore. No more Steve means no more hype. Saying they are no longer needing [MacWorld] is the cover designed by the worldwide “loyalty”

Normally I don’t comment on rumors too much, especially when it’s in regards to Apple, who is better at misinformation than the CIA. But this time around I am more inclined to believe this. Frankly with Steve’s fading physical appearance and sudden weight-loss, the writing has been on the wall for a long time.

Some feel that this is Apple deliberately misinforming the public and in particular the investors. Steve has been very clear that his health is his business and no one else’s. Frankly, shortly after his bout with pancreatic cancer, for which he underwent the Whipple procedure to attempt to correct, I knew that this would be the eventual outcome. Steve’s health has been the center of debate amongst the community for some time now, and frankly the doubt amongst loyalists and investors is evidence enough that there is something going on behind Apple’s iron curtain.

Does this spell doom for the company that Steve Jobs built? I don’t think so. Steve Jobs may be the fearless leader of Apple, but in the end, Apple has become more than just Steve Jobs. I know that if/when the time comes that Steve will no longer be able to serve as Apple’s CEO, Apple has someone in mind who will continue to push the envelope, continue to drive Apple in the way Steve has done (and that man I hope is Tim Cook).

What makes this so troubling is not regards to the future of Apple, because that is secure, but in regards to the man himself. I always get excited for keynotes because I know something awesome (or mildly cool) will be released. And in the four years or so that I have been following Apple, I have grown a sort of admiration and respect for Steve Jobs. It’ll be sad to see him go, and it will be even sadder to see him really go, but I am not worried that Apple’s mojo will go with him.

What My iPod is Blastin’ This Week: 9/26/08

Ok, so here is what I can’t stop listening to this week:

First off, of course, Kings of Leon Only By The Night. I love this album, can’t put it down. Use Somebody is such an epic song. These guys deserve to be big in America so badly, and I definitely think that this album will push them over and make them huge here. 

This one caught me a bit by surprise. I have kept Adele’s 19 on my “Must Listen CD stack” for a little while, but I finally got around to it and it’s great. I am addicted to Hometown Glory and Chasing Pavement, she has such a great voice, and it’s really refreshing to see her style coming back. She is like a more chill Amy Winehouse. 

The All-American Rejects new single Gives You Hell is GREAT. I hate these catchy tunes that get stuck in your head all day, but this one is just a guilty pleasure. Definitely give it a listen.

Finally, the new Cold War Kids album Loyalty to Loyalty. I’ve only gotten past the first 4 tracks, but so far what I hear is awesome. I love this band (and I want the street cred for calling their awesomeness before they got big.) So definitely check that out. 

Apple’s New iPods: They’re Kind Of New…Sort Of.

I give today’s Apple event a resounding yawn. Though some of the upgrades were very nice. The event as a whole was a bit bland. And Phil Schiller playing iPod Soccer was such an obvious time filler. As was Jack Johnson. 

The Good

New iPod Nano

 

Photo Source: Engadget

I like the new nano a lot. I think the fact that the iPhone/iPod Touch’s features are bleeding down to the nano is a great thing. Though the new features are nice in regards to the nano, they are things we have already seen. All in all a decent upgrade for the second littlest iPod.

Photo Source: Engadget

The colors are nice too. I am totally feeling the orange one. 

 

iTunes 8 & Genius

Photo Source: Engadget

 

I am glad they updated iTunes. They are really pushing this Genius thing pretty hard in my opinion. I have yet to download the new iTunes, but I just hope this isn’t some BS feature that I will soon forget about. I will jump back on later and give you an idea of how Genius feels as soon as I use it. Browsing on iTunes 8 looks real nice, though being someone who has a large amount of music, I would most likely stick to the standard view. That grid view looks like it’ll take forever for me to scroll through…again we’ll see.

Photo Source: Engadget

 

The Bad

iPod Touch Update

This one is pretty straight forward. New, curved look, cleaner interface, blah blah. Comes preinstalled with the App Store (fortunately they aren’t making you pay for that update again). But I was expecting some price cut and was let down. I mean $399 for 32GB’s is still a bit much IMO. The built in Nike+ is great, however I still think this is hardly worth an upgrade from the original. 

iPod Classic Update

OK, this one really has me scratching my head. Apple bumped the 80GB Classic to 120GB and eliminated the 160GB all together. I love the 160GB iPod and honestly have about 40GB of free space on it. Now I have to worry if my iPod breaks, that I will be forced to downgrade to a 120GB. People who buy the classic, buy it because it has the space that the other models lack. I’d love to have an iPod touch, but unfortunately it doesn’t accomodate my needs. In the end, when if my iPod breaks, I’d rather go with a 32GB touch. If I am going to be forced to leave some things out, I’d rather leave some more things out and have a touch. All in all a disappointing move in regards to the Classic line. 

iPhone 2.1 Update

Steve was VERY vague about this update. He mention it would fix bugs, issues with dropped calls, and app crashes. That’s It. He didn’t mention anything about the Notification Server being part of it, or even anything about anything else expected. Either we will be dazzled on Friday when the update hits or the update doesn’t contain anything we didn’t expect (Copy & Paste) or anything we did expect (Notification Server). The Apple shroud of secrecy still covers this a bit. I guess time will tell, though it seems with the iPhone it’s always a waiting game. “Here is what you want, it’s ready but we won’t give it to you until the end of the week.” Apple no doubt probably testing to make sure it’ll work.

Let’s Rock: Apple Event September 9, 2008 @ 10 A.M. PST

Engadget just broke a new story about an Apple event for the 9th. I always like to write something up before the event, and make some predictions and see if they come true one week from now. This is what I think His Steveness will bestow upon us next Tuesday:

The Expected

A New iPod Nano: This is I think a no brainer. The net has been a buzz with leaked photos and case designs for the new nano. The shots show the alleged new nano going from the chubby short version (that I once hated until I held it in my hand) to a longer, narrower design with a vertical wide screen. It is almost a little Zune like. I doubt they will hold more than 8GBs.

Refreshened iPod Touch: This I think is coming too. The new iPod Touch would probably refreshed a bit to maybe jive with the iPhone a bit. Most important, rumor is Apple is going to debut the 2.1 update on the touch first…then on to the iPhone, so definitely pay attention for that. I would like to see a large capacity iPod Touch (64GB or higher). Though the only way I would consider an upgrade is if it exceeds 160GB (my current iPod Classics’s capacity) which I doubt highly. I do expect however, the Touch will see a major price drop (along with the nano and iPod Classic)

The Not So Expected

iTunes Subscription Service: There has been some buzz on this. I am still sitting on the fence whether I think this will be coming or not. For every reason I think Apple might go for this, there is a reason I think they won’t. At the same time, having access to the iTunes store would be great, I like to keep my music. And I HATE DRM subscription services. I think a lot of Apple users feel the same way, so this may not be so popular.

New MacBooks & MacBook Pros: These are highly expected, though I don’t think they’ll pop up tomorrow. Again, they might so they can take advantage of the holiday season, however I would think to save this for a MacWorld Expo type event. However, if they did debut tomorrow they would be welcomed. I think they will jive to match their new sibling the MacBook Air (my preferred daily driver). I guess only time will tell.

One More Thing…

Steve is notorious for dropping something crazy on us. I have no idea what it could be. It may be the new MacBooks, the subscription service, or maybe even an Mac Tablet (hmmmmmm)? Anyway, if you’d like weigh in. I’d like to see what you all think might go down on Tuesday.

P.S.

One more quick thing. I am in math class so I am typing this out on my iPhone so forgive the typos. I am pretty optimistic that the iPhone notification server will show itself in some way on the 9th. It might not go live but I think we definitely will be getting some details and a hard release date. That would be great…AIM sucks without it.

Stuff I can’t stop listening to…

My iPod is rockin’ lately. I have been pretty hooked on a some good stuff:

I am a huge Ray LaMontagne fan. First time I heard him was when they used his song “Burn” on Denis Leary’s tv show “Rescue Me”. He did a cover of Gnarl’s Barkley’s “Crazy” that is beyond superb. I would link you to where it is on iTunes, but it’s not on iTunes, which means you will have to dive deep and do a little hunting on the internet. But trust me when you find it, you’ll know why it’s worth the extra effort.

I have listened to Dispatch’s album “Bang Bang” a couple of times already. I love this album, bummer that these guys broke up. Chad Stokes is with State Radio, if you have a need for Dispatch that must be satisfied check out “Us Against The Crown”, it’s my personal favorite album from their catalog so far. Anyway, song’s to check out on “Bang Bang” are “Out Loud”, “Drive”, and “Here We Go”.

The Cinematics are another band who I have been solidly listening to lately. Their album “A Strange Education” is such a great album. I like to have this playing in the background during get togethers and stuff. Songs I like are “Race To The City” and “Strange Education”. But it’s all good.

To mellow things out a bit, a friend of mine gifted me City and Colour’s “Bring Me Your Love” on iTunes about 2 weeks ago. It had been on my “Albums to be Heard” pile for quite a while now. Though I must warn you the CD is a bit dark and very centered on death and endings, but profound and well written none the less. “Sleeping Sickness” and “What Makes A Man” are must listens.

Because I could actually go on for a while, I am going to end it with this one. Recently my friend was asked to do a video for a band called Kiddo. Well, they rock. I picked up their EP on iTunes and it’s fantastic. Proof that there is so good stuff across the pond in the UK.

Peace Out!

P.S.
Fiction Plane’s album “Left Side Of The Brain”… friggin’ awesome. iTunes it ASAP. Ok, thats it I promise.

R.I.P. Jorge’s 160GB Black iPod (a.k.a. "The Bat Pod")

I had sent my iPod in for service after it was having trouble connecting to iTunes. Normally this would surprise me, but this time…I saw it coming. I had really given this iPod a beating, more of a beating than any other. I had chipped away at it’s painted aluminum in a few places, and I even dented the casing here and there. It was by far the most resilient one I had, we had been through many wars together. Many washed cars, many falls, many good times listening to good music. It had serenaded many girlfriends, it had entertained many family members during long road trips. But now, it’s time for you to rest. My unusual amount of abuse, and your predisposition to break in crazy ways has finally led to your demise. I have missed you…for the 10 minutes it took the rude Best Buy customer service rep to look up my extended warranty and give me a new…silver one. Peace Out Bat Pod.

Geek Squad is holding my iPod hostage…

It has been 7 to 10 days since my iPod was given to Geek Squad to “fix”. Last time my iPod broke it took them a month to call me and tell me I was getting a new iPod. This is a travesty. I use that thing everyday. I am going through withdrawals. I am using my mom’s Nano, but it’s not the same. Going from 160GB’s to 8GB’s means painful music deletion. I miss having all my stuff with me. Heed my warning Geek Squad. I am working a half day on Thursday. I will be on my way to collect my iPod, or a shiny new one (in silver). If I have to camp out and stage a non-violent, Gandhi style protest, I will…you bet I will.

I’ve dropped my iPod five times today…

The sound it made against the pavement (the first three times) was all too familiar. Then the sound it made on the linoleum floor of the copy room was a little different. Then when it landed in the grass while I was walking the dog it was a bit better. I think I got all the ants and grass out of it. I am pretty sure my iPod has 2 weeks of joyful music playing before it suddenly stops working and gives me that frustratingly vague sad face that it gives you when it has taken it’s last figurative breath, and all you have is a paper weight. So then I must send it away to Best Buy where a month later they will confirm what I already know and grant me a brand new iPod. Oh well…

The woes of my iPod…

 

My iPod though has been stuck on “emo” for the past couple of days. I like to put it on shuffle but it’s probably thinking “Hey, let me pick only the songs that will throw Jorge in to a tailspin of depression!” Needless to say after Air Supply’s “All Out Of Love” I was on my way to Publix to pick up a bag of puffy Cheetos and lament on past relationships. A marathon of Futureweapons on the Military Channel cleared that right up. I think it’s better though, I just played through Journey’s Greatest Hits. Not only are they not emo but I have this need to go jogging to “Only The Young”.