Way behind on things that I'd like to blog, so I figured I'd hit a few real quick.

Apple iPhone:  Cool.  I'm a big fan of my Motorola Q, but there are many things about the iPhone that made my geek sense go all tingly.  The full touchscreen is awesome.  I share the same concerns as others about the lack of tactile feedback, but I've never been able to use my Q's keyboard without looking, so this probably wouldn't be too bad.  Other than that, the thing is just pretty.  Now I'm not sure I'd ever want to fork over the money that Apple wants for the iPhone, but the innovation that this is going to drive into the smartphone market will be welcome, considering the most innovation we've seen lately is new hinge designs and endless Treo clones.  For those who seem to be down on the iPhone as a mobile web platform, consider yourself outside the target market.  I browse the web on my Q, and want the UX for this mode to get better, not go away.

Apple TV: Maybe cool.  I'm not sure on this one yet.  Really all I want is a generic way to push PC-based content to my TV.  Yes, a really lond S-Video cable would do this, but I like the idea of a simle browsable interface that has a remote control.  Not sure if it's worth $299, especially when the functionality is a subset of most new game consoles.  If the price came down by a third, and it had a totally open interface, then it might be compelling.

Windows Home Server:  Anyone who is a longtime reader of my blog knows that this is one of my favorite ideas.  I'm not sure how much it will live up to my original hopes, but it's a good step in the right direction.  My main questions right now are about how much it integrates user and security management, and how good of a job they have done managing data, and if they have included email, im, and other user data that is typically profile dependent (in anything other than a backup scenario).

Now for some really old stuff:

Mac OS X to feature portable user accounts: In my mind, the nirvana for any OS is for all of my user data to be able to be saved to a thumb drive, or to online storage, and for me to be able to take it with me wherever I go.  Music, email, contacts, favorites, RSS subs & read status, wallpaper, program settings.  Everything.  The current mode where my "data" is spread accross multiple directories, registry hives, config file, etc. is unacceptable.  While I'd hate to be on the comittee, it'd almost be worth taking a couple of swipes at developing an XML schema that would encompass the generics of "user data", with extensions for different OS's and programs.  Then the challenge of coming up with a Sync implementation would seem more managable.

New Media is going to kick the mainstream media’s ass (or perhaps it already is)

Hotmail Is Not Push Mail - Why?: I think this is coming with the new G2 client.  Can anyone confirm?

Monday, January 15, 2007 8:42:37 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)      Comments [0]  Apple | Microsoft | Quattro

Historically, I've been a pretty solid Microsoft supporter.  I'm a big fan of the platform.  I've taken the time to get MCSE, MCSD, MCDBA certifications, and I work day in and day out with Microsoft tools, Microsoft servers, and a Microsoft language (C#). But today, I watched Apple's WWDC keynote.  And I liked it.  Actually, I read the Engadget play-by-play earlier, and this evening, I took the time to watch the keynote, even though I had to install Quicktime.

The Microsoft jabs were bit over the top, but at the same time, the Mac team is getting it done.  With the exception of their "we don't get viruses" claims, almost everything had a ring of truth in it.  That's why it hurts.

I've been questioning my exclusive focus on Microsoft technologies for a while.  I've delved into Linux and Perl in the past, but for the most part, my expertise is tied to Redmond.  But the tides seem to be turning a bit, and while I don't think Microsoft is going away, I think it might be time to diversify my skillset.

I had already decided that I was going to learn Ruby on Rails after I finish up my MBA classes (6 days left!).  Now I'm starting to think about picking up a cheap Mac and getting my feet wet there as well.

Microsoft needs to wake up and realize that no matter how good the products they build are, if they can't ship compelling software, and ship often, they are going to be left in the dust.  The phrase "compelling software" is the key here.  It's got to make me excited about using my computer.  While I'm loving the Vista beta for the times that I have to use my computer, it doesn't make me want to use it more.  Unless you can figure out how to use your resources better to make products customers will love, you may find yourself forced into implementing a certain anonymous blogger's vision.

Monday, August 07, 2006 8:27:13 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)      Comments [0]  Apple | Microsoft