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WePad presentation in Berlin
Apr 12th
Right now I’m sitting in a train rolling towards Berlin, where this evening at 17:00 (local time) the neofonie WePad will be presented.
I’m very curious about the device which has been announced not long ago and has since then rumoured through the net as a possible opponent to Apple’s iPad.
Tonight from 17:00 we all will know more, like the release date, price and the way of distribution.
Look here and on youserbase.org for updates.
With 2009 Gone What Are Predictions for 2010-What Will the Year Bring?
Jan 2nd
But First: An Overview of 2009
THE Year for Great Mobile Tech
2009 was THE year of Mobile Technology in general. Between Smartphones, Netbooks, Tablets and anything else mobile tech related, 2009 was a great year for mobile tech. The way smartphones took over is a great feat in itself. The Netbook was supposed to take off and it did-at first. But it didn’t gain the ground it was supposed to. Then came the 7″ Netbook and that was where the consumer drew the line in mobile technology and its getting smaller. I mean, who in their right mind is going to want such a small computer? For something better, you might as well get the XP Phone-when it finally comes out anyway… At least it would be worth its smallness.
So 2009 being the year of mobile tech, it makes sense that smartphones took over the world. The battle between iPhone and Android-any Droid phone-took off. And it is still going strong. And now with the upcoming release of the Google Phone-The Nexus One-it remains to be seen if iPhone will finally die, or if Google is just a lot of hot air trying to masquerade as something bigger than it really is. Android as w hole, or as a separate being, so to speak could really be the iPhone killer, but not as the Nexus One. There is nothing good enough-or different enough-about it to compete where others have failed to do so.
So What Will 2010 Bring?
Well, so far as the world knows, it’s supposed to be bringing us many things. Here is my take on a few that are supposed to be out in the first quarter of 2010.
It’s hard to say , really. People are adamant the Apple Tablet will appear, finally, but I don’t think so. Think about this, how many years have people and analysts alike been saying the Apple Tablet is “On its way” or “Apple Tablet Imminent?” It’s been a promise-No a threat- by Apple for over a decade and has yet to materialize. Doesn’t anyone get it? Or am I the only one who sees the promises and failures to release-or even announce-the tablet, for what it really is? A marketing ploy a diversion of something bigger and better. Or that is what it looks like anyway. Just look at all the hype and excitement over something that does not even exist. And then take a look at how much money is being made off of the rising stocks every time someone even whispers the words Tablet or iSlate or iblah blah.. It doesn’t matter what the word is, but it doesn’t exist and probably never will. Give it a rest already!
The Google Phone will not be everything it says it’s going to be. That’s a given already. It hasn’t even been released yet and people are moving on to bigger and better things. If it was all that it was cracked up to be then they wouldn’t have given in to the subsidized plan crap that is T-Mobile and all the rest of the carriers with their contracts for a free or reduced price smartphone. If the Google Phone was really special, it would have been a straight up unlocked phone. Period. No gimmicks, no marketing ploys, just the great power that is Google and Android. But it’s not, and may never be.
Windows Mobile 6.5.3-Probably the biggest joke of the smartphone world coming. What should have been a great half point release (6.5) was an utter failure, making Vista look like an angel. So what could this new one on the horizon have to offer, unless it’s gonna fix all the past mistakes? Nothing. Enough said. They should have put their efforts into WinMo 7 instead of 6.5m then maybe the screw-ups would have only been half as bad.
The Final Word & The Verdict Is?
This year is already looking like a failure. With all the mobile tech coming out in the first quarter, it's surprising that this is all we have to look forward to. It is disappointing, really. With the greatest technological minds in the world working for these aforementioned companies, it is really sad and surprising that they can't do any better. So, I have pretty much given up hope for he first half of the year, and I hope the second half will be better, but as of now, it doesn't look like it. I mean, with all the hype going into the products mentioned above, it doesn't look like anything else is going to happen i these areas.
The only thing I can see happening that will blow people away is the iPhone making it to another carrier. Just not the one that everyone thinks it will. We all think it will be T-Mobile or Verizon, but I am not getting that vibe. I think it will be more like Sprint, maybe. I mean, the irony would be the iPhone jumping form one crappy network to another, wouldn't it? It would be just like Apple to do something like that, wouldn't it…
If anyone has anything to add, drop me a line and let me know. Is there anything you think should get some recognition?
For more great articles and user ratings and reviews, please visit the home page @ Youserbase.org
Check back tomorrow for more of the latest in the mobile phone industry. If any if our readers have any suggestions as what to review, or something you think needs to be talked about, feel free to leave a comment and I will see what I can do. Til then, happy phoning!
The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of Youserbase.org’s executive staff, and Youserbase.org as such hold no liability of any damages arising from any opinions expressed by the author.
Apps and Rulings and Rumors-Oh My!
Nov 15th
It’s Been a Hell of A Week For Apple
What’s the Deal?
Apple has had a hell of a week, alright. There was the ruling in the copyright case, the overturning of the decision of the app for the Bobble Heads. So lets re-cap, shall we?
The Copyright Infringement Case
Apple originally sued PsyStar, a supposedly Miami Based Company, for Trademark Infringement, Trademark Dilution, Copyright Infringement, among a host of other things. The history of the case is as follows, as reported by News.Cnet.com: The suit was filed in 2008 after PsyStar started selling clones of MAC’s computr with OX XLeopard pre-installed on what PsyStar called an “Open Computer.” Apparently PsyStar sold the computers under the guise that it could run MAC software, even though it was not an official MAC. This might have been ok, except that the end user license agreement of the software specifically states the it is only allowed for operation on official MAC branded machines.
A ruling was handed down Friday by District Court Judge William Alsup in part stating:
“In sum, Psystar has violated Apple’s exclusive reproduction right, distribution right, and right to create derivative works,”
The rest of the ruling by Alsup, according to the story originally on CNet, also contained some explanation as to the ruling that smacks down PsyStar. The company screamed “fair use” and “first sale” and also filed a counter suit claiming that Apple was misusing their copyright and the license agreement was too restrictive. Judge Alsup screamed that the company:…”does not even attempt to address the four factors used to determine fair use.”
Judge Alsup also rejected the “first sale” claim because fair use only pertains to legal copies of the software, not the bootlegged software PsyStar was using. As for the counter suit? Rejected as well. For the same reasons. And, according to Engadget, PsyStar took the code and modified it to their liking, therefore making Apple’s case for infringement.
The two companies will still go to court on the other issues, trademark infringement and dilution. as there is a hearing scheduled on December 14th 209 and a trial date is set for sometime in January.
The Bobble Head Debate
It started with the Bobble head of nancy pilasco being denied and ended with the bobble heads of the US Congressmen being denied as well. But within a week of the last denial, the app is now up and running. Cartoonist Tom Richmond was commissioned to develop an app that would allow users to be able to use GPS to locate their elected congressmen and women. According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Apple in turn denied the app stating:
.because it contains content that ridicules public figures and is in violation of Section 3.3.14 from the iPhone Developer Program License Agreement which states: “Applications may be rejected if they contain content or materials of any kind (text, graphics, images, photographs, sounds, etc.) that in Apple’s reasonable judgement may be found objectionable, for example, materials that may be considered obscene, pornographic, or defamatory.”
The full rejection letter can be read on Tom Richmond’s Blog. tom himself, in that same blog post Tomstates:
The really sad part is that here is an app that might get people interested in who represents them in Washington, especially kids and young adults, and connects people to their senators and representatives via fun and PARTISAN FREE way. Yet Apple has decided it’s not appropriate. There needs to be more of that in this world of right versus left, especially as that applies to young kids who are being raised to consider politics the public equivalent of professional wrestling. Ray’s documentary “I Want Your Money” is distinctly right wing (and my own political views are mostly left of center) but the app is totally partisan neutral
Wow, not only did Tom slam Apple, but much of the world did too. There have been news stories all over the place about this and then finally, Apple relents. The app has been approved. And it is available on iTunes for only $0.99. Have fun and make use of it cause it took a lot of ranting and raving to get it there…
More Tablet Rumors…
And for a finally, there are more rumors on the long awaited and much fabled Tablet by Apple. According to the Us Trademark & Patent Office, Apple’s full patent is available , and was filed on the basis of : “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING AND ORGANIZING INK INFORMATION IN PEN-AWARE COMPUTER SYSTEMS.” This is sparking more rumors of an Apple Tablet, which is highly expected to be officially announced within the beginning of the coming year. But, according to Network World, they better hurry up. Microsoft apparently has one in the works and “…is leaking and hinting at details of an innovative small tablet device, Courier, now in development.”
And the Verdict Is?
Well, first of all, Apple has got the upper hand in the case with PsyStar. And, even though I often am against what Apple stands for, they deserve this one. Apple has every right to make their end user license agreement any way they want. that is why it is called “proprietary code” in the first place. PsyStar can’t change that so the judge was right in this case to side with Apple.
As for the Bobble head thing, Apple is having a real tough time with apps lately, denying them left and right, almost like they have a new found morality or something. Yeah, ok. And the most likely reason they overturned the rejection of the Bobble Head app in the first place is because of all the bad press they have been getting lately. I mean, come on… It’s not like the apps were violent or pornographic or anything! Apple deserved to get slammed, and Go Tom Richmond and his fan following to get it back up and running. I’m with you buddy!
And the Tablet? I give up on it and Apple on this one. It’s been rumored for many years now and has never surfaced. IMHO they are just playing a game with consumers kind of like Microsoft does. They are getting everyone’s hopes up because of a possible new release, which in turn gets them more revenue and market share. Then- A BIG NOTHING… EVER… I am actually hoping Microsoft will get them on this score, coming out with their version first. And we all know how much I don’t like Microsoft and their antics. But I have to give credit where credit is due, anyway… It would serve Apple right for playing with their customer’s heads…
For more great articles and user ratings and reviews, please visit the home page @ Youserbase.org
Check back tomorrow for more of the latest in the mobile phone industry, as well as the weekly list. If any if our readers have any suggestions as what to review, or something you think needs to be talked about, feel free to leave a comment and I will see what I can do. Til then, happy phoning!
The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of Youserbase.org’s executive staff, and Youserbase.org as such hold no liability of any damages arising from any opinions expressed by the author.
MOTO Releases First AMD Tablet
Nov 6th
And its Not the Last to Come…
What’s the Deal?
That’s right, MOTO, a company hardly heard form in a very long time making E-Readers has released tthe very first hand held AMD Tablet. And it is not the last to come. Amazing I think, Apple still can’t seem to come up with tablet of some sort and the MOTO company jumps right on it. See what happens when you don’t use proprietary code and software? Technology actually means something to the world.
So What’s Under the Hood?
Well, to be honest, it’s almost just like a smartphone, but without the phone part. To start, the one released today has a 5 Inch capacitive touchscreen, Either of the OLED or LCD varieties, 8 megapixel camera and 720p video. Then it’s also using a CPU from Texas instruments and a 3000mAH battery for power. integrated accelerators and GPS, Bluetooth capabilities and 802.11 b/g/n integrated Wi-Fi . Wow… That’s a tall order. Oh, and I can’t forget the reason I am writing. It of course has the Android 2.0 running.
So, you are probably wondering, where can you get yourself one of these? You can’t. Unless you are a developer or a company, it is not available to the general public just yet. And ther is still no pricing for it as well.
And the verdict is?
Well, this Tablet is a pretty little thing. Once it releases to the general public, I think you should scoop one up as soon as possible. But them again, there are two others planned for 2010, a 3.5 Inch and a 10 Inch, So if you are not sure about he first one, you could always wait for those.
I really think Apple needs to step up its game in the Tablet department. I mean, despite all the rumors of them producing one for the last Lord knows ow many years, they never have. And admist all the rumors leaked over the last few weeks about one for the coming year, there is still no confirmation.
With the not-so-great reviews of the new iMac and the iPhone having so much viable competition, especially considering the iPhone is pretty much keeping Apple alive, they need to shape up or ship out. If they would have had a Tablet ready to go this holiday season, maybe it would’ve been ok. They used to be light-years ahead of everyone else, not they are struggling to keep up…
For more great articles and user ratings and reviews, please visit the home page @ Youserbase.org
Check back tomorrow for more of the latest in the mobile phone industry. If any if our readers have any suggestions as what to review, or something you think needs to be talked about, feel free to leave a comment and we will do as you ask. Til then, happy phoning!
