mvytem.com

(Leaked photo of prototype Apple Tablet, code name "K48")

(iPhone resting on supposed Tablet, image fits the rumored design "bigger iPhone".  Note he iconic "Home" button on the Tablet, similar to the Home button on our iPhones.)

A friend of mine on Facebook excitedly posted a status that the release of this supposed Apple Tablet would cause a major change.  Little to no surprise, there were many nay sayers as per usual.  Typical cynicism, stating that Apple isn't all that it's "cracked up to be".  Here was my response to a particular reply:

RE: "retarded, nothing apple makes will change the world" 

Maybe not change the world but surely creates/leads innovation in the industrial sectors which they bravely ventured into. 

Digital Music Player a.k.a. mp3 players. Owned 6 before ever buying an iPod (2nd gen). They were all based on flash memory (memory sticks, cards etc.) that could only store 32-512mb at a time. I owned the worlds first mp3 player Rio Diamond: 8 songs max. The core value and innovation of the Apple iPod, MASS STORAGE (hard drives able to hold GBs vs. MB= hours of music). It wasn't until this change that other companies decided they'd give a try at it and use mass storage, e.i. Creative Lab's "Jukebox". Hence forth the copy cat/killer effect. 

Same principle with the iPhone: now everyone (cell phone manufacturers) all of a sudden has their "touch screen" "iPhone killer" phone with a half-assed "app store". If you pose yourself as a "Apple killer", you've already shot yourself in the foot and become a "Mr. Me Too".

Beyond creating a handheld device, whether it be iPod or iPhone, they've created new markets behind those devices: iTunes store and App store which have revived and monetized the industries respectively.

Point being, a company that was solely a computer company delved into other markets, brought forth innovation and changed how the game was played.

Thanks for reading this till the end. 2 cents for you.

Apple quietly releases their 4th gen iPod shuffle.  At this rate, it shouldn't be a surprise that they've once again refreshed their product with a new rendition.  Available in a 4gb Silver and Black model (I won't be surprised if they release an 8gb next month).

We've all come to terms with the Shuffle not having a screen. We've all come to terms with the iTouch and iPhone not really having much of buttons.  And with this refresh, Apple has combined the two the two concepts, no screen & no buttons,with the aide of "VoiceOver".

They stripped the third generation (which I believe was an awesome form factor, and just the right size) of it's buttons, while remaining screenless.  Now the question is... how the heck am I supposed to navigate through my music?  Apple has entrusted all forms of navigation through their control capsule found on their previously released in-ear headphones (you know, the small little control buttons on the actual wire of the headphone). What does this mean for the consumer? This means if they want to control over their music, they HAVE to use Apple headphones.  It's a over-kill in terms of proprietorship, but I guess it makes sense to continually push the iconic white ear buds, part of branding.

Lastly, the new function of "VoiceOver" will tell the user the names of playlists or song information while the song plays, no interruption-- at the click of the button (...on the headphones).  This is Apple's effort to combat the complaint of yet another lacking screen.  That's great and all, but I think it'd be best to stick with screen or no screen... nothing in between, such as this "VoiceOver".  Although, I do give them credit for the creativity.  I'm sure developing the technology cost next to nothing, and was hell of a lot cheaper than implementing millions of small displays.

I'm a big Apple junkie, and I'll always be a fanboy... but I'm not too sure about this one. Watching the Guided Tour, I almost felt like I was watching an SNL or MADtv mockery of Apple's products.

What do you think? Leave a comment!

Update on Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 11:34AM by mvytem

Here's a great unboxing/hands on gallery of the shuffle brought to you by Engadet.com

http://www.engadget.com/photos/new-ipod-shuffle-first-hands-on/