Spectre’s Sayings

Apple Adds New iPhone & iPod touch Models

I don’t know about the Kindle, but it’s rather difficult to get one’s hands on one of the other dedicated eink ebook reading devices, such as the Sony Reader (PRS 505):

or the Bookeen Cybook:

When they’re all out-of-stock or back-ordered, that tells me there is a lot of demand for these types of devices.

OK, so my predictions were both right and wrong. I was wrong about the “air” moniker. It actually did refer to a new computer, the MacBook Air. But they did upgrade Apple TV. And of course, I didn’t expect any handheld, and had my expectations met.

MacWorld 2008 starts tomorrow at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, and the rumors are running wild about the gear that Steve Jobs is going to unveil during his keynote address. Last week, Apple fueled the rumor-mill by releasing updates to its MacPro and XServe lines. Further fueling the fire is the tag line on banners raised by Apple at the convention center. It reads, “2008. There’s something in the air.”

Many geeks and fanboys have taken that enigmatic tag line and tried to figure out what sort of hardware it refers to. Hence, ideas about the “MacBook Air,” a sub-compact laptop.

I think they’re on the wrong track.

I don’t think “air” refers to a new moniker but an old one. Apple already has a couple of products with “air” in their names. Those are the AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express base stations. And what would be the something which is in the air? Data.

I think Apple is going to announce some sort convergance between its wireless routers and the AppleTV, which will include updated AirPort stations. WiFi, WiMax, and streaming HD video are some of the features I expect.

On the other hand, I’d love to see an ultramobile Mac. Having a form factor of the iPhone’s big brother, this handheld computer would feature the full version of MacOS X, and include a multitouch screen. That would rock, but I’m not getting my hopes up, because it’s rather unlikely.

Amazon has released a new competitor in the ebook-reading device market. Dubbed the Kindle, this device features the ability to download purchased ebooks wirelessly over a cell phone network, so no wi-fi hotspots are required. Amazon is covering the costs of cell connectivity, so you don’t need a contract, or a computer. This is a killer app.

You can put stuff on it via a USB cable from your computer, if you want to. I just wonder if it’s compatible with ebooks purchased from other sellers.

I’m still leaning towards getting a Cybook, but this will certainly make me do some comparison shopping.

Update: Popular Mechanics reviews the Kindle here.

Gigi Reynard posted a review of her Cybook here, just in case you were as interested as I was.

Oh, I forgot to mention that Bookeen’s new third-generation Cybook electronic book reading device went on sale over the weekend. It uses e-ink technology, rather than an LCD screen. I want one, but I’m not sure how I’ll be able to cover the cost.

Story here.

Buy it here.

Update 10/30/07: Well, it appears Cybook demand is overwhelming the supply.

Bookeen posted a picture of the upcoming Cybook’s packaging on their blog. Link here.

Apple promises goodness:

Third Party Applications on the iPhone
Let me just say it: We want native third party applications on the iPhone, and we plan to have an SDK in developers’ hands in February. We are excited about creating a vibrant third party developer community around the iPhone and enabling hundreds of new applications for our users. With our revolutionary multi-touch interface, powerful hardware and advanced software architecture, we believe we have created the best mobile platform ever for developers.

It will take until February to release an SDK because we’re trying to do two diametrically opposed things at once—provide an advanced and open platform to developers while at the same time protect iPhone users from viruses, malware, privacy attacks, etc. This is no easy task. Some claim that viruses and malware are not a problem on mobile phones—this is simply not true. There have been serious viruses on other mobile phones already, including some that silently spread from phone to phone over the cell network. As our phones become more powerful, these malicious programs will become more dangerous. And since the iPhone is the most advanced phone ever, it will be a highly visible target.

Some companies are already taking action. Nokia, for example, is not allowing any applications to be loaded onto some of their newest phones unless they have a digital signature that can be traced back to a known developer. While this makes such a phone less than “totally open,” we believe it is a step in the right direction. We are working on an advanced system which will offer developers broad access to natively program the iPhone’s amazing software platform while at the same time protecting users from malicious programs.

We think a few months of patience now will be rewarded by many years of great third party applications running on safe and reliable iPhones.

Steve

P.S.: The SDK will also allow developers to create applications for iPod touch.

Sounds like good news. Should have said that on the launch of the iPhone, instead of coming up with his web-app scheme.

Well, we found out what Apple had up their sleeves.

Apple is holding a media event today. That is, they invited members of the media to come and cover an announcement. So what is Steve Jobs going to announce? Well, that’s the big mystery, isn’t it? The consensus is that he’s going to announce a refresh of the iPod line with an emphasis on a new touchscreen interface a la the iPhone. I think he probably will. Plus something surprising. We’ll see when it happens.