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May 31, 2007
Quite the unexpectedly...
... big day from the tech industry. Either that or these folks have finally learned to keep a secret. Microsoft gave us a rather cool table that is far too cost inhibitive for the average household. It's aimed at business. A table that is essentially touch sensitive and intelligent that acts as an interface for computing. I can see uses for it on a consumer level, but I don't think it's really ideal for ALL computing needs. For instance, I can't imagine word processing on it.
Apple finally gave us DRM free music in the iTunes store. There are quite a few big bands amongst the DRM free ranks. I noted that most of the Smashing Pumpkins, Pink Floyd, and Rolling Stones albums are there. There was also quite a bit of newer music like the Gorillaz work up there.
Apple also got loose-lipped about a 160gb AppleTV that allows you to watch YouTube videos. Despite my general despise for YouTube, there's really no way of getting around the fact that it's pretty much the most popular Web 2.0 video site around. It's a good direction for Apple to go in. Much like the DRM free music, focussing on content with fewer restrictions.
Apple, or Steve Jobs... same difference... also revealed that they are working on a way to bring 3rd party software to the iPhone while still maintaining it's security. Thats quite the ambitious goal.
Palm released what appears to be a laptop... still wrapping my brain around that since it kind of defeates the purpose of a Palm device.
HTC produced a sleek new multi-touch device. HTC is more widely known in the US under a variety of brands. They are the makers of the T-Mobile Dash, Wing, MDA, SDA... the Cingular 8525. 8125... basically any phone that's carrier branded is made by HTC. They have probably a dozen devices on the market currently, including some of the highest rated Windows Mobile devices. They also have the only 2 Windows Mobile 6.0 devices available in the US on the market. So that's pretty big news in sheep's clothing. I happen to like HTC... and it'll be a pitty to see it devoured by the iPhone.
Like the Apple fanboy I am... I upgraded the portion of my iTunes library that was eligible to DRM free status. It cost less than 10 dollars and upgraded 26 of my tracks and 1 music video??? Not bad price-wise as I can now use them on any MP3 player... Which I subsequently realized was a stupid idea since the only audio device I own is my iPod. LOL You win some you lose some right?
Still, perhaps my early adoption of DRM free tracks will help Apple recognize that it is moving in the right direction. It's a pretty big risk for Apple to sell tracks that can be used on any device since the iTunes store isn't really profitable, it's more a vehicle they use to push iPods. Of course, with over 80 percent marketshare, I'm sure they don't have a lot to worry about.
Well, that is my very slanted view of the biggest of today's news in the tech world... oh yeah... and Bill Gates and Steve Jobs agreed to sit down and have an open debate... did I miss something? It's apparently chilly in Hell these days.
Posted by Decemberice at May 31, 2007 12:33 AM