Tuesday, June 9, 2009

BT-1: Bluetooth webcam for the Mac

Just saw this over at Ecamm's network.  This would be useful when you're video chatting, and you have to show something to the other person.  Instead of bringing the thing or paper to the camera, you can take the camera over to the thing you want to show.  Nice.  


This could work nice with Delicious Library, where you can take the camera and scan your books and stuff. 

It charges via a mini USB.  This brings up the only thing I don't like about Bluetooth accessories, the necessity to charge everyone of them.  I have enough things I need to charge - ie., phone, cameras.  And more Bluetooth accessories means more stuff I have to plug to charge.  Luckily this camera uses a mini USB so you don't need to use a plug or another USB port (assuming you have another device that uses mini USB to charge).  

Link:

Monday, June 8, 2009

5 features iPhone 3G owners WON'T get with 3.0

No autofocus with your camera.  

Ok, I can understand this one.  The camera is not good enough.

No video recording.
Umm... I could see how this could rely and need a faster processor.  I'd just like to say... but, jailbroken phones could record video.

No voice control.
I guess this could require a more powerful phone consider this thing needs to run in the background most of the time.  

No digital compass.
Can't help this one.  It's new hardware.

No Nike+ iPod.  
According to what I can learn from Apple's site, new iPhone 3G S will come with a Nike + iPod app.  Doesn't seem like iPhone 3Gs will get this app with the 3.0 upgrade.  Doesn't seem like it's hardware dependent.  If not, at least, they should make this available on the App Store.  

Nevertheless, I think the iPhone like the iPod touch is too big to run with.


If you have need the above features, you might want to consider buying the 3G S.  As for me, that digital compass is tempting me...




Source: Apple

iPhone 3G S vs iPhone 3G: To upgrade or not

If you have patiently waited and resisted from getting an iPhone, your patience has been awarded.  As you know, the iPhone 3G S was released today, and it has almost everything a standard phone should have - copy and paste, video recording, MMS, and voice dialing.  It even has a digital compass to beef up your map and navigation experience.  If you have considered getting an iPhone, the latest version is definitely the one to get.  


BUT, what about the existing iPhone 3G owners?  Should we upgrade?
Other than the increased size and improved process so you can hold more stuff and have a smooth experience, here are the primary differences between the 3G S and 3G.

A better camera: 
An improvement from 2 megapixels to 3 megapixels.  It also now has the ability to autofocus.  So here are somethings to ask yourself:
  • Do you take a lot of pictures?  If you take a lot of pictures with the existing iPhone, this is one reason to get the new iPhone.  
  • Do you take a lot of pictures UP CLOSE?  A better cameras mean you can also snap business cards and magazine articles.  (We'll have to wait until someone tries and see how good it is)  Seems like it might enhance business and productivity workflows.  Another reason to get it.
Built-in video camera with editing:
Frankly, feel this is a nice to have to me.  However, I never really tried recording video with a portable device.  This could be kind of cool.  You can capture all these short moments, and easily edit them together on the computer with iMovie.

Hmm... I'd say this is not a big reason to get the new iPhone unless you already have the habit of recording short videos with your existing phones.

Voice Control
The Apple implementation of the Voice Control is definitely nice.  If you drive or find yourself in a lot of situations where you can't take out your phone and tap on it, this could be a big reason.

Since I use the train, this is not a big reason for me.

Compass
If you used Google Maps and you're fine with it, the compass is not a big reason for you.  For me, I still got lost with GPS and Maps.  The compass will probably make Maps much usable for me.  Another reason for the new iPhone.  (I don't like where this is going...)

Nike+ iPod
If you run with your phone, here's another reason.  I think the iPhone is too big for running.  I'd still prefer a Shuffle or Nano.

And my verdict...
So with in the 5 features above, 2 features are reasons for me to get the new iPhone.  In other words I would buy the new iPhone 3G S so I could:
  • take prettier pictures
  • take snap shots of business cards and magazine articles
  • not get lost as often
Hmm... not very sure if I can justify this purchase.  Really like the compass though.   I shall have to wait to see.

If the above aren't reasons for you, then I'd recommend waiting as well.  Within a week, your iPhone 3G will come packed with new features again!  

Let me here what you think and thanks for reading!


Source: Apple

What new features will existing iPhone 3G owners get?

New features
  • cut copy and paste
  • horizontal keyboards in Apple's apps (i.e. Mail)
  • MMS (coming soon in summer from AT&T)
  • search across your iPhone
  • Internet tethering (for certain carriers only)
  • push notifications

Apps related
  • Notes syncing with computer
  • Voice memo app

Music 
  • stereo Bluetooth
  • shake to shuffle

iTunes
  • buy and rent movies, buy TV shows, music videos, and audiobooks from the phone

MobileMe features
  • MobileMe: iDisk app - access your iDisk files (finally!!!)
  • MobileMe: Find your iPhone - You can find the location of your iPhone on Me.com. You can have it play a sound so you can locate it. If you lost your iPhone and someone has it, you can send a message to the iPhone to tell them to return it.
  • MobileMe: Remote wipe - wipe the iPhone clean remotely. Hope I'll never have to use it, but it's nice to know that it's there.

Highlights of Apple WWDC 2009 Keynote

iPhone 3GS
  • faster (2 times, to be exact)
  • 3 megapixel camera, with auto focus
  • built-in digital compass - an application would be maps which would reorient itself according to your direction.  Useful if you're bad with maps like me.
  • video recording and editing
  • voice control - use voice to call and control your music (say an artist name to play their music)
  • Nike+ iPod app (looks like the app that's on the latest iPod touches)

For iPhone and iPod touch owners - 3.0 features
  • old iPhone 3G is now $99 in US in 8GB model
  • cut copy and paste
  • horizontal keyboards in Apple's apps (i.e. Mail)
  • MMS
  • search across your iPhone
  • Internet tethering
  • voice memos
  • stereo Bluetooth
  • buy and rent movies, buy TV shows, music videos, and audiobooks from the phone
  • shake to shuffle
  • Notes syncing with the computer
  • MobileMe: iDisk app - access your iDisk files (finally!!!)
  • MobileMe: Find your iPhone - You can find the location of your iPhone on Me.com.  You can have it play a sound so you can locate it.  If you lost your iPhone and someone has it, you can send a message to the iPhone to tell them to return it.
  • MobileMe: Remote wipe - wipe the iPhone clean remotely.  Hope I'll never have to use it, but it's nice to know that it's there.


MacBook Pro Line
  • 13 inch - The existing aluminum 13 inch MacBooks are now in the MacBook Pro Line.  Built-in battery.  More vivid display.  Up to 8GB of memory.  Backlit keyboard and 800 FireWire.  Starts at $1199
  • 15 inch upgraded - More vivid display, built-in battery like it's 17 inch brother and SD card slot are the most noticeable features.  
  • 17 inch upgraded - better specs

MacBook Line
The white MacBook is back in the spotlight in the MacBook line at $999.  With the MacBook Pro 13 inch at $1199, seems like MacBook Pro is a better buy.  Personally, the price difference is too little.  For $200 bucks more, seems like you get a lot of stuff over the $999 MacBook.   Wouldn't it be great if they price this at $799? Or even $899 would be nice.

Snow Leopard (Next OS for Mac)
  • Takes up 6GB lesser than Leopard  
  • New Expose features (in particular, integration with the Dock) - As an avid user of Expose, looking forward to this one.
  • support for Microsoft Exchange
  • $29 dollar upgrade for Leopard users!!! $29!!! That's incredible!
  • Available September
Other
  • Safari 4 is released today

Video of Apple WWDC 2009 Keynote Address

Watch the iPhone 3GS, new MacBook Pros, and Snow Loepard at Apple's website here.  Enjoy!  



Sunday, June 7, 2009

2009 WWDC predictions - new iPhone, cheaper iPhone, no camera iPod touch, no tablet

With the WWDC happening within the next 24 hours, I decided to give a shot at predicting the announcments.  Also be sure to check out the last minute rumor updates from Gizmodo.  Besides an in depth look and a official release date for Snow Leopard, here are my iPhone, tablet, iPod touch predictions.

New iPhone
Features:
  • faster processors, and more storage - in particular, a 32GB model

  • a slightly improved camera - In additional to a better camera,  I'm hoping they'll tag a front video chat cameras.  Not only can you make video calls, you'd be able to video chat on via other applications.  

  • magnetometer - this would make Google Maps even better!

  • buy and download iTunes TV and movies straight from iPod

  • new Apple app for MobileMe so you can FINALLY access files on your iDisk

  • record and edit videos

A cheaper iPhone
  • Roughly about the same size.  Screen size is the same because if it was different, apps would have to be changed.

  • No camera and no GPS.  Imagine an iPod touch + phone.  

No tablet
Think it's going to be saved for a future event when Steve Jobs is back.


iPod touch 
  • No new iPod touch model with cameras - Don't think the current price will have a camera.  Adding a camera will increase the price substantially.  

  • Peripherals enabling iPod touch to become a camera - Since the iPhone 3.0 software allows for add ons through the dock connector, I'm boldly predicting there will be an camera accessory for the touch.  You simply hook the accessory to the iPod touch, and it will instantly turn your touch into an camera as well. 

That's all for my predictions.  We'll find out soon enough.