The Tech Bench

You can now pre-order the iPad from Apple. There are 6 different models to chose from. Which one is right for you?

There are two main models. One with Wi-Fi connectivity and one that comes with both Wi-Fi and 3G. Each of these comes in three different storage capacities.

If you want to get your hands on one April 3rd (the first day they’re available) you’ll want to go with the Wi-Fi only model. The 3G models ship in late April.

If you already have an iPhone and laptop and are getting the iPad to try out the form factor and will be primarily using it at home or the office, the Wi-Fi is the way to go. This will probably be the most popular option to start out.

If you’re looking to use the iPad for travel, or to replace your iPhone/Touch for on the go web browsing, the 3G model may be right for you. No contract plans from AT&T start at $15/month and go up to $30/month for unlimited data, not bad.

As far as storage capacity, both iPads come in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB. If you’re an early adopter who will probably upgrade when the new iPad comes out, the 16GB is probably the best option for a first gen device. The next iPads will probably offer a lower cost per GB. Unless you’re looking to really embrace the iPad as your primary mobile device, the 16GB should be fine to start off.

As for me, I’ve ordered a 16GB Wi-Fi only (I have a 32GB iPhone and 17″ MacBook Pro.) I plan on using it at home to start out and maybe bringing it on some flights/trips. If I find I’m really wanting 3G access because I’m taking it everywhere, I’ll upgrade when the new iPads come out and then go for more storage. Save your box, if you decide to upgrade to new iPads when they come out, it’ll help you get more for your old one when you sell it on eBay.

[ Apple iPad ]

Apple has announced that the iPad will arrive April 3rd. Like a lot of Apple fans, I’ll be placing my order on March 12th, the first day for pre-orders.

A lot of friends, family and customers have asked what we think of the new iPad. Will it be a niche product or change the personal computing landscape? A lot of compaines are betting one way or another and there’s been no shortage of opinions for and agains the iPad.

I think it will come down to this. How often will people that have multiple Macs use the iPad?

Which ones will get used the most?

I use a MacBook Pro as my primary computer, have an Apple TV at home, and carry an iPhone. Each of these devices has their place in my day and don’t overlap too much. The iPad aims to combine the strengths of these devices, but will it be a jack of all trades and a master of none?

If I find myself using the iPad at home to surf the web, consume media and connect with email and other social networks instead of using my laptop, then the iPad may be a winner. If I only find myself using the iPad on trips or as a spare, the iPad may be more of a niche product.

Not all consumers will of course want multiple Macs so the iPad may be a good fit (both economically and functionally.) For someone who already has a lot of Macs, I’m not sure that there’s room for another Mac in my day, but I can’t wait to find out.

New evidence in the latest iPhone SDK makes mention of a front facing camera which could mean that video iChat could finally making it’s debut in the next iPhone.

Bandwidth requirements more than software development or hardware costs have probably been keeping this feature out of the iPhone. If AT&T can’t keep a phone call from dropping, how could they handle 2-way video chat? With recent investments in their infrastructure, maybe AT&T is ready to allow this type of communication (in exchange for more iPhone exclusivity?)

Wether or not video chat finally becomes part of our day to day communication will come down to the quality of the experience.

One of the ways video chat could be improved is to get rid of the separate camera all together and integrate the camera sensor into the display itself. This way, the display will act like a true window (or mirror) and help people make proper eye contact (no looking at a camera.) This tech is in development but no word on when this will make it way into consumer devices.

The ability to switch the video feed the other user is receiving from your front camera to the back camera would also be pretty useful. If you’re witnessing an event or want to show someone something, you can both share in the experience.

If there’s a company who can make mobile video chat work, it’s definitely Apple.

With the purchase of music streaming service Lala and the continuing investment in large scale data centers, Apple appears to be building the infrastructure necessary to support a cloud based iTunes.

A cloud based iTunes could mean that your actual media files (music, movies, etc.) are stored on Apple’s own computers and are steamed to your web connected devices as you need them.

Let’s take a quick look at some pros and cons.

Pro – Storage Efficiency

Storing the same music file on your laptop, Apple TV, iPhone and iPod is an inefficient waste of storage space. For all of the millions of copies of a popular song that get purchased and stored locally across iTunes devices around the world, that same file could just be stored once (on Apple’s computer) and streamed to the owners as they need them. This would decrease the total storage needs of user’s devices significantly.

Pro – Access

With a cloud based storage model, iTunes users could access their media files from other computers and devices all around the world. With a quick login on Apple’s website, you would be able to access your playlists and pickup your movie right where you left off.

Con – Bandwidth & Internet Availability

If you don’t have internet, you don’t have your media. This is one of the biggest current limitations to cloud based computing initiatives. As wireless coverage starts to continues to improve, this may not be much of an issue in the future, however currently there are plenty of places (subways, buildings, my commute, etc.) where wireless coverage is spotty.

Con – The Ownership Issue

People like to own and control the things that they buy (even in digital format.) Innovation that make users feel connected to the media that they own in the cloud will really help sell the concept.

The move to the cloud is already well underway. Facebook is a perfect example of a cloud based service that has succeeded in making their users feel ownership of their non-locally stored data. Google and Amazon are already pushing the envelope of creating apps and services around the cloud model.

Apple is smart to be investing (and innovating) in the cloud space, while at the same time continuing to keep one leg in the current, locally stored model. I see them first providing the could based access as an add-on to the current model to test the waters and improve the service before transitioning away from locally stored media.

Google has announced via their blog that they are no longer willing to sensor search results on Google.cn

This move was due in part to evidence of Chinese (read Chinese govt.) hacking of Gmail accounts of pro human rights activists.

When Google went live with their Chinese version of Google in 2006, they agreed to sensor some results (i.e. Tiananmen Square) arguing that the greater good of Google search in China was worth some moral concessions.

A lot of U.S. companies have played nice with the Chinese government in order to gain access to their large (and fast growing) consumer base. Google has now stated that they are willing to shut down operations in China to stand by their principle of free search.

If Google is willing to stand up to the Chinese govt. and risk the loss of the Chinese market, will other tech leaders follow?

Google is not exactly hurting for revenue and can afford to take the moral high road more than other companies, but this move could inspire others to stand up. While Google does not have the majority of the search market in China, the loss of Google search and other services could very well hamper China’s economic development.

As more and more devices (i.e. Smartphones) continue to access the web and interact with web service like Google, the pressure may be more on China to open up to take advantage of the technology rather than tech companies to sensor in order to gain access to the market.

USB 3.0 hard drives have been popping up at CES this week and the question for Mac users is when will we get 3.0 support?

Intel has dragged their feet a little on releasing USB 3.0 chipsets and has stated that they will not support the standard until 2011. We may see PCI cards for Mac Pros before we see native support in iMacs and portables. With the standard in place and peripherals on the market, we should see OS X support (or 3rd party drivers) by the end of the year.

So what’s so great about USB 3.0?

USB 3.0 runs about 10 times faster than USB 2.0 or FireWire 800 (up to 4.8 Gbit/s but usually runs at 3.2Gbit/s.) It uses an new cable which can supply more power to devices (one of the former advantages of FireWire over USB) yet is still backwards compatible with USB 2.0 devices.

One of the reasons FireWire has been on the decline is that they completely changed the form factor of the port and cable when moving from FireWire 400 to 800. There are two new FireWire standards (FireWire 1600 & 3200) coming out that will use the same port and cables as FireWire 800. The new 3200 spec will run at 3.2Gbit/s and is designed to compete with USB 3.0.

Apple has always been a big proponent of FireWire (they helped develop the standard) and have kept the ports in their pro line. With USB 3.0 providing more power and speed, it’ll be interesting to see if Apple continues to support the standard or if everything will just mover over to USB. Time will tell.

Here is a list of our top 5, non-tablet Mac technologies we would like to see come out in 2010.

1. Touchscreen iMacs / MacBooks

We already have glass panels covering the displays of most of the Mac line, so let’s make them touch sensitive. While the keyboard and mouse may still be the preferred method of control, the ability to manipulate OS X via touch would be great.

2. Updated Apple TV

A faster interface, 1080 output, SATA hard drives and more content. If Apple can work out a subscription model to deliver network and cable shows through iTunes, then I’d happily say “adios” to Comcast.

3. Updated iPhone / Touch Controls

More memory, higher resolutions screens, faster speeds. While these are all good, there is plenty of room for improvement on the control side of the iPhone. Especially for gaming, the Touch and iPhone can use some better controls. An analog stick (or touch sensitive) home button, or the ability to sense thumb movement would help deliver a better gaming experience to the devices.

4. Camera/Display Integration

One of the technologies I’m most excited about is the ability to integrate a display and camera sensor in one. So the whole LED not only outputs video, but captures it as well. The technology works by filling the space between screen pixels, with light sensors (like those found in a digital camera.) This would allow true video iChat on the iPhone without the need for a separate front facing camera and allow screens to look more like digital windows.

5. Digital Wallet

Plastic credit/debit cards are the new checks, cumbersome and out dated. Let’s ditch the wallet once and for all and integrate payment via an iPhone. No form of payment is ever 100% secure, however there are plenty of techs out there to make paying with your phone fast and secure.

We’ve been big fans of the accessory maker LaCie since we started using their external hard drives in the early 2000’s.

LaCie, a french company with offices in the U.S., is probably best known for their well designed storage products but also make displays and other accessories.

Like Apple, LaCie makes both visually interesting products (like their lego inspired brick drives) and functionally relevant products (like their rugged line of mobile drives.) The look of most LaCie products match well with the Mac aesthetic while adding their own design twist.

The quality of case materials and choice of higher end internal components helps LaCie stand out in a crowded market of storage manufacturers. They are quick to deliver the latest (biggest and thinnest) drive technology and offer unique case applications like a safe hard drive with fingerprint access built in.

If you appreciate design’s role in technology (and by using a Mac you most likely do) we highly recommend checking out LaCie for your next external hard drive.
[ LaCie ]

Yes, this product is real.

One of our FaceBook fans sent us the info on the Laptop Steering Wheel Desk available from Amazon.

Although they recommend not to use this while driving, you know someone will. The customer “reviews” are pretty hilarious and worth a read.

If you know someone with a laptop, a car and a death wish, this $20 item may make the perfect present, otherwise DO NOT give this gift.

Thanks Chris!

[ Laptop Steering Wheel Desk ]

Yes, it's still happening.

With Apple’s decision last year to no longer exhibit at the Macworld conference in San Francisco, the first question became, when and where can we exect those flashy new product announcements we’ve all grown to love?

The answer in part was that Apple beefed up their own WWDC conference to include top level keynotes and product announcements, combined with smaller press events to announce new iPods and other devices throughout the year.

With CES and Macworld conferences overlapping in the past, some thought the Apple may just switch to the CES venue for their early year announcements, however Apple is not listed as an exhibiter for this year’s conference.

While Apple can easily rally the press for a special event to show off and announce new hardware, nothing quite builds the excitement and word of mouth as a trade show. Yes I know trade shows may be a dying breed, but the mixture of different vendors and the general public (fans) can add a lot to the hype of a product announcement, which translates into early sales (a la iPhone.)

So while we all know they are going to be some exiting Apple tablets products on the horizon next year, the question is when and where will we first get to see them?

My guess is that Apple will continue to make their own special events grander (live streaming video already) and maybe tie in some working demos of “coming soon products” inside of select Apple Stores. That way, people all across the country can check out the latest wares and feel part of the announcement.