End User

Bites from the Apple: iPad Gets Official Release Date

Apple officially announced today that the iPad will be available for sale starting on April 3--about a week later than its promised delivery back at its unveiling--with pre-orders to starting next Friday (March 12). Well, that's April 3 for the Wi-Fi edition of the iPad, with the 3G version becoming available by the end of April. TUAW also notes that the iBooks e-reader app (with attendant iBookstore) will be available as a free download from the App Store starting on April 3, with the iWork apps for the iPad to follow shortly thereafter.

Stuff.tv has hoovered up a video of Penguin and Dorling Kindersley book publishers showing off the interactive potential of the iPad--from basic kids' books (which I'm really looking forward to) to travel books (could really use that Paris title on an iPad for an upcoming trip) to a GPS-enabled book on the stars that tracks your location and provides real-time star positioning:

In other semi-related iPad news, books are now the largest category in Apple's App Store (beating out games) and AppleInsider reports the iPad has supplanted Amazon's Kindle as first choice for likely e-reader buyers.

• Who says the iPhone doesn't multitask? Well, a number of folks. But with the 2010 version of MLB At Bat iPhone app, TUAW reports that the app's developers have exploited a trick (previously used by ESPN Radio) that allows a modicum of multitasking. In the app, you can select to push an audio stream through the Mobile Safari Web browser--enabling you to open other Mobile Safari windows and surf, check email, etc.

• Chatting with Dan Frommer over at Silicon Alley Insider, Apple COO Tim Cook says that its Apple TV set-top box "hobby" hada 35% bump in year-over-year sales last year (without giving specifics).

• In other Apple TV-related news, the ATV Flash bundle of Apple TV workarounds has just released a new version (4.1) with expanded support for 5.1-channel surround sound audio from a wider selection of video file formats (via MacNN). I bought and installed ATV around the holidays, and it's made my Apple TV so much more useful. Wonder if the uptick in Apple TV sales has had anything to do with its hackability?

• CNet reports that Apple is now trying to convince movie studios to allow iTunes users to access video purchases on Internet-connected mobile devices from cloud-based storage, which comes a month after it was reported that Apple tried the same sales job on major record companies. AppleInsider reminds us that they originally reported on this Apple initiative when it was being developed with the iTunes Replay name.

• The new iLuv Vibe Plus (available for pre-order) offers a new twist on the standard alarm clock-style iPhone/iPod dock--an included mouse-like bed shaker that you can place under a pillow to vibrate for waking. It also includes a speaker and volume control (via Gizmodo).

• MacHeist is at it again, bundling 7 applications for the Mac that would normally go for a total price of $260 for just $20. This second nanoBundle includes the RipIt DVD ripper, the RapidWeaver Web site create and the MacJournal blogging/journaling tool. It's available through March 10, and as a bonus MacHeist is donating a quarter of the purchase price to your choice of charity (from a pre-selected list 11 charities).

• Wondering we haven's seen any Core i7-powered MacBook Pros yet while Windows 7-based PCs have been touting that processor since January? Seth Weintraub over at 9to5Mac has a few thoughts, which center on operability issues between the Intel processor and Nvidia graphics cards as well as Apple's entry into the processor chip business with its A4 chip for the iPad.

• And finally... an Apple-ized version of the awesome Old Spice ad shown during the Super Bowl via Cult of Mac (for more on how the original one-take ad was made, check out Leo Laporte TWIT interview the two ad guys behind it):

--Agen G.N. Schmitz

Verizon and Motorola DEVOUR Lower-Cased Letters with New Android Phone

Following up on the success of the DROID, Motorola and Verizon Wireless have partnered for a second Android-powered smartphone--the DEVOUR--which, like its sibling, has no need for your puny lower-cased letters. If you were watching the Super Bowl earlier this month, you might remember seeing its classy extruded aluminum case being handled by Megan Fox:

The big difference between the DROID and the DEVOUR is that the newbie runs the same social networking-centric MOTOBLUR overlay found on the previously released Motorola CLIQ for T-Mobile, which places updates from Twitter, Facebook and MySpace into customizable bubbles on the home screen so you can easily track your friends and favorite Twitterati. It also runs the Android 1.6 OS underneath MOTOBLUR, rather than the DROID's 2.0 OS feature set that includes the new Google Maps Navigation app with built-in turn-by-turn navigation. Instead, the DEVOUR relies on Verizon's subscription-based VZ Navigator service.

The DEVOUR has a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, which SlashGear calls "almost a complete improvement over the DROID; the buttons are hard and slightly domed, easier to press than the older phone's flat layout." It also offers a 3.1-inch capacitive touchscreen that's complemented by a thumbpad that CNet calls "part physical control and part optical mouse:"

You can use it to select options by pressing down (the control actually moves and you hear a sound), and you can move between home screens and menu selections by swiping your finger over it. It does take some acclimation because of its small size, but we were hooked once we got the hang of it. It's easier to use than a trackball or a toggle.

For more on the DEVOUR, check out this video review from MobileTechReview:

Check out the DEVOUR over at Amazon Wireless.

--Agen G.N. Schmitz

Bites from the Apple: Slight Return

I'm playing a bit of catch-up as I've been unhooked from Apple news for the last couple of weeks, so let's get right down to it.

• When it was announced, Steve Jobs promised that the first Wi-Fi-only tier of iPads would be released within about 60 days (or late March). Cult of Mac reports on a rumor from AppAdvice that pre-orders might start late this week for a live selling date of March 26 (a Friday, which 9to5Mac notes is a favored day to start selling new items).

• Are you tempted to pull the pre-order trigger on the iPad? While I talk a good game of staying put with my current gaggle of Apple goodies, there's a little voice inside that would love to get one and bring it along on our family's European vacation this spring (as the Wi-Fi-only version will be available before our departure). I'm less interested in the 3G version of the iPad, but this Dear Aunt TUAW post makes the case for it with the included GPS and ability to get on AT&T's 3G cellular network without having to tie yourself to an annual contract.

• Everyone's talking about the iPad... Danish newspaper Information seems to be a fan of the coming iPad, which as wrapped its front page headline article (arguing for online distribution and micropayments; Google translation here) within an image of the device (via TUAW).

• In the time that I've been out of the Apple loop, Steve Jobs' war on Adobe's Flash plug-in has continued, with Jobs reportedly telling the Wall Street Journal that Flash is obsolete technology that's also a security risk and a CPU hog (and I can certainly attest to that last point as my MacBook Pro is currently revved to maximum fan RPMs to cool things down after visiting loads of Flash-embedded news sites). For more on this tête-à-tête, check out this AppleInsider article on the lack of Flash in the upcoming Apple iPad, which covers the history of Flash and what are the alternatives to it.

• While the next version of Microsoft Office for Mac (version 2011) won't be released until later this year, Microsoft's Mac business unit is still promoting Office 2008 for the Mac by giving away custom-colored MacBook Pros (specifically in the colors of Mac Office icons--purple, blue, green and orange) if you follow them on Twitter. Pocket-lint dubs them "ugly as sin," but as a bit of an orange officianado, I would love to sport a blazing orange MBP even with its Mac Office logo-emblazoned cover.

• Roger Ebert, one of my favorite writers, has been relying on the text-to-speech capabilities of his MacBook Pro since the loss of his ability to speak due to numerous surgeries (for more, see this recent Esquire profile). But Cult of Mac reports that he might be able to upgrade his Mac's text-to-speech feature with his own voice instead of one of the stock voices that comes with OS X via a company called CereProc, which can build custom voices for clients.

• The BBC will be offering its own dedicated iPhone apps later this year--one for news and one for sport (the latter to be ready in time for the World Cup on June). Currently, the only app-dedicated way of accessing BBC content is through third-party developers who grab the Beeb's HTML content (such as World Mobile News). The international version of the apps will be free, but supported by ads.

• One of the most important programs that I own and run is the 1Password online password and wallet manager, and while there's an iPhone app (in pro and lite versions) that connects to your desktop 1Password application, Agile Solutions is developing an iPad-specific app.

  Weirdly, 1Password has been on my mind a bit lately because of the reason for my recent online absence--the death of my father-in-law (who was the truest, most humble Southern gentleman I ever met). He was an engineer and as such had many back-up systems in place for dealing with the little things in life (such as bank and utility accounts), and I started to think about the added complexity of all the online accounts that fill up my life.

  With 1Password, I already store the vast majority of online account log-in information in the software, but I wasn't tapping into all of its features. I've since started to go through my accounts and add tags--such as which accounts have credit cards associated with them--as well as adding a number of secure notes where I'm consolidating information like our bank/retirement accounts in one easy-to-find spot.

  And to ensure that my wife has access to this information, I've given her password keys to 1Password (as well as my MacBook Pro). I'll also be setting up a synchronized share of my 1Password data that she can access on her own MBP via this tip from Rob Griffiths at Macworld on using Dropbox to sync 1Password across multiple Macs. I think my father-in-law, who was a meticulous engineer in all things in life, would approve.

--Agen G.N. Schmitz

Microsoft wants to know if your Windows 7 is pirated

Attempting to stay a step ahead of software counterfeiters, Microsoft this month plans to release an update for Windows 7 that will scan computers for evidence of the latest tricks being used by tech pirates to fool the company's software-activation technologies into thinking counterfeit operating systems are the real thing.

As in the past, the channels of distribution will include the operating system's Automatic Update mechanism. That practice has gotten Microsoft in hot water in the past -- including a recently dismissed lawsuit that accused the company of using its security-update pipeline to quietly distribute what amounted to spyware.

However, the company is making the update voluntary this time, and it's making a point of announcing it publicly in advance. In addition, if the new check determines a user's Windows 7 copy to be pirated, the repercussions are less severe. Windows no longer removes access to features in those cases, but instead turns the background black and takes other steps that essentially amount to nagging.

"Over time, we have changed our approach, mostly based on customer feedback," said Joe Williams, general manager of Microsoft's Genuine Windows initiative, in an interview. "We’re just a lot more open and transparent about what our business methods are."

Williams announced the plan in a blog post this morning. It's the latest step in the company's long-running effort to cut down on piracy and boost sales of genuine Windows copies. Microsoft also says it's trying to protect customers, citing studies showing that pirated systems can come chock full of traditional spyware and other malicious code.

In the interview, Williams said the company says doesn't collect "personally identifiable information" from computers as part of the anti-piracy scan. However, as noted in this privacy policy, the company does collect, temporarily, the IP address associated with a machine. One of the most interesting aspects of the recent court case was the judge's ruling that IP addresses didn't qualify as personally identifiable information.

"We do collect the IP address. We do not keep it," Williams said. "Where we have a machine-specific item, we convert that to a hash, so we don't keep the particular item. But it helps us to understand when that unique PC visits us or revisits us."

The new update will scan systems for two tactics being used by counterfeiters to trick the company's Windows Activation Technologies into thinking pirated systems are genuine -- manipulation of registry settings, and a modified "bootloader" that intervenes when the operating system is loading.

The company plans to make the update available for download from its website starting Feb. 16. Later in the month, the update will be available through the Windows Update system as an "important" update (as opposed to the higher ranking of "critical"), which means that people who have their Windows 7 machines set to receive those updates will receive them automatically as if they were getting a security patch. The update will also be uninstallable if a user finds out later and wants to remove it.

After installation of the update, the system will check back with Microsoft's server every 90 days for further updates, and if they're available, it will scan the system again to see if it has been pirated.

"For most Windows users in the developed world its impact will be nonexistent; on a system with a properly activated copy of Windows, it will make an initial validation check, update itself every 90 days, and never make a peep," writes Ed Bott, an independent Windows author and blogger, in a post today. "What’s noteworthy to me is the degree to which Microsoft is going out of its way to disclose the details of this update and to allow anyone who is skeptical of it to opt out with no negative consequences."

People whose systems are determined to be pirated will be given an opportunity to buy a genuine Windows copy at a discounted rate. There will be deeper discount if they help Microsoft identify the source of the counterfeit, Williams said.

At the same time, people who continue to run systems identified as pirated won't be able to use free software from Microsoft, such as its Microsoft Security Essentials program.

But why bother distributing an update such as this as voluntary? Won't people who know they're running pirated copies just skip it? The answer is yes, but the company says it believes many people who bought pirated systems from questionable sources have been tricked into thinking they're running a real copy, particularly as counterfeiters get better at making high-quality installation discs.

More coverage: Paul Thurrott, Mary Jo Foley, and Ina Fried

Read more of Todd Bishop's posts at TechFlash.com, and follow him on Twitter @toddbishop

Nikon finally fills some gaps with a 24mm f/1.4 prime and 16-35mm f/4 VR

There are certain thing every camera user likes to ding their system of choice over: Canon users can complain about the flash system or AF of some bodies, Sony uses complain about high-ISO, yadda yadda yadda. But the howls and yelps from Nikon users for years have been there: Where are the fast primes? Where are the lighter, cheaper f/4 zoom lenses?

Well, Nikon just took a major stab at making its users happy with the 24mm f/1.4 and the 16-35mm f/4 VR, both lenses made to fit full-frame cameras (but will of course work on DX models).

How big is this? These aren't merely updates with new technology: The last time Nikon made a 24mm f/1.4 was … never. There has never before been an autofocus Nikon lens faster than f/2.8 and wider then 28mm.

And the last consumer-aimed constant f/4 Nikon zoom (not counting the exotic 200-400)? I'm going to go with the 70-210mm, released in 1986.

Of course, the question that remains to be seen is "Are these any good?" and "Are these a sign of future Nikon lenses that more people have been asking for, like a 35mm f/1.4, 70-200mm f/4 or 300mm f/4 VR?" The short answer is "Who knows?" But we can take a good guess until I test both models. They both feature nano crystal coating, and while you could put that coating on a poorly designed lens, all such Nikon lenses released so far have been exceptionally sharp and contrasty. The 24mm prime focuses down to 25 centimeters, which isn't bad for such a fast lens. The real trick will be to see how accurately it autofocuses, particularly at distance -- this can sometimes be a trick for wide, fast lenses because you're mixing limited depth of field with big frames of view, getting lots of different junk in front of AF sensors.

Another question is how useful VR will be in a lens that goes as wide as 16mm, and thus doesn't need very fast shutter speeds to begin with. Of course you can turn it off, but that will keep the street price from being too low. Of course, this sample Nikon photo, taken without a tripod at a 1.5 second exposure, shows that there may be some value.

I will test both of these as soon as they are available. I have been using the Sigma 24mm f/1.8 — a very good lens as long as you have a camera with focus micro-adjust to fix Sigma's poor quality-control — and it will be interesting to see how they stack up.

Of course, you pay for all this, and it ain't cheap. The 24mm f/1.4 clocks in at $2199, and the 16-35mm f/4 VR is $1259.

Bites from the Apple: A Quick One

Some quick bites of Apple-y goodness to start your week out right and before we get into the Apple-less Macworld Expo starting on Tuesday (which, unfortunately, I won't be attending this year).

• Now that Apple has selected the iPad as the monicker for its new game-changer, the iTablet name is fair game. And X2 announced that it will be releasing a tablet device with just that name in April, with specs including Windows 7, a 1.6 GHz processor, and 250 GB hard drive.

• If you want to see tech-heads Walt Mossberg, David Carr and Michael Arrington pundit-izing on the iPad's release from last week's Charlie Rose Show, head on over to All Things Digital. And yes, Mossberg did call the iPad "wicked fast."

• Based on some benchmarks caught in the wild, we could be seeing a new MacBook Pro in the near future sporting a screaming Core i7 processor.

• If you've wanted to learn more about the power of Mac screen sharing (a great resource for controlling multiple Macs in your home, or if you've got a family member who's a Mac newbie and you're their dedicated, though remote IT resource), Take Control e-books has released a new title dedicated to the subject written by my colleague Glenn Fleishman.

• Watch out VLC, there's another jack-of-all-codecs video player that's starting to pick up some steam. Movist is the new kid on the block (via John Gruber), and it be worth checking out if you've been having trouble playing MKV files though VLC.

• I'm rather enjoying the kerfuffle brewing between Apple and Adobe over the latter's ubiquitous Flash software. Yes, Flash has brought the wonders of streaming video to our webby world, but it can also be a lazy way to bring "spice" to a site as well as THE biggest resource hog that bogs down my MacBook Pro. Hence, my use of the Flash-blocking plug-ins Flashblock for Firefox and ClickToFlash for Safari.

• Steve Jobs has been making the rounds this last week to show off the iPad to big-time publishers such as the NYTimes and Wall Street Journal as well as Time Magazine.

• And finally... if you can't wait for an iPad, you can make your own DIY version out of paper thanks to these plans from John Chow:

  
  

--Agen G.N. Schmitz

Something for the Weekend: Pushing the HD Video Limits of DSLRs

Here's a little eye candy to help you slip out of the workweek and into full-on weekend mode from cinematographer Philip Bloom, who was asked by some folks at Lucusfilm to come out to George Lucas' Skywalker Ranch and show them how to push the limits of today's HD video-equipped DSLRs (via Motionographer; hat tip to my colleague Jeff Carlson). Here's the video that he produced after working at the ranch for five days using a Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Canon EOS 7D--both of which can capture video at 1080p HD resolution:

Skywalker Ranch from Philip Bloom on Vimeo.

Bloom's blog post about is a fun read even if you're not a lens-head, and it provides a hint at why he was asked to come out and play with producer Rick McCallum and post-production head Mike Blanchard:

Lucasfilm had just finished principle photography on “Red Tails”, a WWII film about an African American fighter squadron. They filmed this in Prague and needed to film pick ups early next year. Much of this was going to be intimate in cockpit stuff and flying shots. They shot the movie on the Sony F35 but this is a beast and utterly impractical for the cockpit stuff. Hence the Canon DSLRs. They were also looking at new ways to shoot the much anticipated “Star Wars” live action TV series. So they wanted to see how well the 7D and 5DmkII stood up with this in mind.

--Agen G.N. Schmitz

Olympus E-PL1 brings micro-4/3s prices into fixed-lens territory

2010 has seen a staggering wave of point-and-shoot camera updates, with more than 100 new models released this month from the major manufacturers alone, including a swath of releases just yesterday from Nikon and Fuji. But one of the biggest stories in the consumer market is the squeeze these cameras are feeling, from essentially free camera phones on the low-end, to the new Electronic Viewfinder Interchangeable Lens cameras on the high end (yes, the acronym is EVIL.) These offer the advantages of larger sensors and interchangeable lenses without creating giant-sized cameras. Now Olympus has released the new E-PL1, and at $599 with a kit lens, it's right in the same price range with some upper-level fixed-lens cameras.

Price is a major factor here over the E-P2, but it also adds some new features, mainly an on-board pop-up flash. Where it saves the money is in a more plasticky body, including no manual dials. So if you hate diving into the menus, you may want to look at the pricier models.

Taking a cue from Pentax, perhaps, the E-PL will be available in a variety of colors, from standard black and silver to blue, white, and red, depending on the region.

Basic specs: Weight: 296g with battery (compared to 335g for the E-P2), 12.3-megapixel sensor, dust-reduction, 720p video capture at 30 fps, live view, 3-stop built-in image stabilization, ISO range 200-3200.

In addition, Olympus announced two new lenses for Micro 4/3s, the 9-18mm f/4-5.6 ultra-wide zoom and the 14-150mm f/4-5.6 wide-angle to telephoto superzoom. As with any 4/3s cameras, you'll want to multiply the focal length by 2x to get the same approximate field of view as on a 35mm camera.

Creative's World of Warcraft Headsets Ready for Pre-Order

Back in my geeky heyday (high school in the mid-1980s), all we needed for a weekend of fun was a Dungeon Master's Guide and a 20-sided die. But now that the whole D&D experience seems to have shifted to the massively multiplayer online world of Azeroth, the gear has definitely been upgraded. Today Creative announced a pair of Sound Blaster World of Warcraft headsets--one wireless and one wired--that feature THX TruStudio surround sound technology and a noise-canceling, detachable microphone that, according to Creative, will ensure "everyone can hear your shout of 'Heal Me! Heal Me!' in all of its resonant glory." And depending on your allegiance, you can sport either Horde or Alliance colors and artwork via the glowing interchangeable side panels on the large, cushioned ear cups.

The wireless headset uses 2.4 GHz transmission and its internal battery is rated for up to 9 hours of continuous gaming (charging is carried out via USB). Other features include Windows and Mac compatibility, headset audio controls, and custom World of Warcraft-themed voice presets that allow you to alter the way you sound to other players. Both the wireless and wired headsets are available for pre-order now.

--Agen G.N. Schmitz

Ghost-bustin' New SideWinder X4 Keyboard

Microsoft today introduced its new gaming keyboard, the SideWinder X4, which Microsoft boasts provides "more control over their gaming experience with the industry’s most advanced anti-ghosting technology." For non-gamers, a keyboard ghosting effect cuts out the signal from the keyboard when multiple keys (such as 4 or more) are pressed at once and thus frakking up your cool gaming moves. The Razer Tarantula was once at the top of the heap with anti-ghosting capabilities up to 10 keys pressed simultaneously, but the SideWinder X4 stomps on that with the ability to press up to 26 keys at once. Now that would be a maneuver worthy of the Olympics.

Other features include macro recording that enables you to string together multiple moves into one key press, adjustable backlighting, and profile switching that can be customized for different games and users. The SideWinder X4 is currently available for pre-order.

--Agen G.N. Schmitz

Wacom Intuos4 Graphics Tablet Goes Wireless

Less than a year after introducing its Intuos4 line of graphics tablets, Wacom announced today that it's cutting the cords with a new Wi-Fi-enabled version of the Intuos4. About the size of the medium version of the Intuos4 line, the Intuos4 Wireless has a slightly different form factor that's slightly smaller than its predecessor (according to Gearlog) and it provides an 8 x 5-inch active area. It's powered by a replaceable battery that charges via a USB connection, and the battery life is rated up to 18 hours. CNet's Crave also notes that it offers several power-saving features, including a sleep mode after 30 minutes of non-use.

The Intuos4 Wireless also features the same grip pen that was introduced with the wired Intuos4 line last year, and Macworld offers some details:

The pen offers users near-zero (one gram) starting pressure and has 2048 levels of pressure to enhance feedback and control in applications that support pressure sensitivity. The Grip Pen also features a pressure-sensitive eraser and two customizable side switches that can be set for commands such as double-click and right-click.

Lori Grunin at Crave has done some preliminary tests with the Intuos4 Wireless, and says that it "operates just as smoothly" as the previously reviewed medium-sized wired Intuos4 and "without a lot of the glitchiness and hesitation I experienced the last time I tried Bluetooth mice and keyboards." The Intuos4 Wireless is currently available for pre-order.

--Agen G.N. Schmitz

Palm Pre and Pixi Come to Verizon in Plus-Sized Versions

After their debut launches on the other CDMA network in the U.S., Palm's webOS-powered smartphones--the Pre (at right) and the Pixi (left)--have now launched on Verizon Wireless as the Pre Plus and Pixi Plus (and Amazon Wireless has them both). And like the original Sprint models, they feature fast 3G connectivity, the Palm Synergy all-in-one view of contacts and messaging, and GPS turn-by-turn navigation (now powered by Verizon's VZ Navigator Service). Additionally, both models have had their internal storage capacities super-sized to 16 GB (hence the Plus monicker), but that's not the most intriguing bonus feature.

Both the Pre Plus and the Pixi Plus can be turned into a Wi-Fi hotspot that can serve Verizon's 3G cellular broadband connectivity to up to six different devices--from laptop to iPod touch to cameras loaded with Wi-Fi-enabled Eye-Fi SD cards. There are other solutions that provide link together cellular broadband connectivity with Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities--such as the 3G Novatel MiFi (available in Verizon and Sprint flavors) and the 3G/4G hybrid Sprint Overdrive, but this is one of the first instances of a mobile phone offering this feature.

And according to David Pogue, it sounds easy peasy:

You download a free app. You open it, name your hot spot, make up a password if you want one, and tap On.

Now nearby neighbors suddenly see the hot spot, and (if they provide the password) can surf it at 3G speeds, just fast enough to watch videos without skipping. Each time someone connects, a note on the Palm’s screen to let you know -- a nice touch.

MobileCrunch also offers a more in-depth look at the feature, and they also come away impressed with its speed and ease of use. The 3G hotspot feature is an additional service that's priced at $40 a month for up to 5 GB of use (with an overage charge of 5 cents per megabyte).

--Agen G.N. Schmitz

Bites from the Apple: Magical! Revolutionary!! Blah.

Rejoice! The iPad is here! Well, almost... While Apple's long-awaited/rumored/gossiped-about/lusted-after tablet device was formally announced on Wednesday by Steve Jobs, availability of the iPad is still 60 days away for the Wi-Fi-only models and an additional 30 days until the 3G/Wi-Fi models are added. (Amazon has all six models--with your choice of 16/32/64 GB storage capacities--on the site, and you can sign up to be notified by e-mail when they're ready for pre-order.)

And unless you were one of the lucky members of the media invited to Wednesday's event (like my colleague Jeff Carlson, at the right), you won't get your chance to fondle an iPad at an Apple Store until the end of March at the earliest. But that's not stopping the gadgetosphere punditry (those who touched it at the event and those nowhere near San Francisco) from pronouncing the iPad as a disappointment. Here's just a quick list of the major gripes:

• No multitasking.

• No cellular voice capabilities on the 3G models--just data (although that's going to be relieved somewhat by Apple's backtracking on VoIP over 3G).

• And 3G is served by the reviled AT&T for the love of Pete!

• Still no support for Adobe Flash, the Web's main streaming video application. So no Hulu, no Netflix, and no personal videos stored on social networking sites.

• The 9.7-inch screen has an old-school 4:3 aspect ratio, which will bring back the black bars of old when watching widescreen, HD-quality video (via TUAW).

• No GPS in the Wi-Fi-only models.

• Did I mention... no multitasking!

The lack of multitasking is a big deal killer for those who wanted the iPad to be provide even a modicum of true work productivity features. Or, frankly, even just those who wanted the ability to stream some Pandora radio while going through your e-mail inbox. And I do have to say that with the speed of Apple's homegrown A4 processor, it's disappointing that it's not included. But for the customers that Apple is directing the iPad at, multitasking and some of the other lacking features won't matter. After contemplating the iPad for a few days, I think this passage from Gizmodo sums it up very nicely:

We can sit here in our geeky little dorkosphere arguing about it all day, but as much as Apple clearly enjoys our participation, the people Jobs wants to sell this to don't read our rants. They can't even understand them. My step-mother refuses to touch computers, but nowadays checks email, reads newspapers and plays Solitaire on an iPod Touch, after basically picking it up by accident one day. That's a future iPad user if I ever saw one.

And I'll throw this bit of wisdom in from John Gruber of Daring Fireball:

Apple doesn’t talk much about the technical details of the iPhone. They never talk about CPU speed or the name of the chip being used. They don’t tell you how much RAM is in there. Part of their vision for moving computers from technical culture to popular culture is about getting away from defining these things by their technical specs.

My Mother has been using Windows-based PCs for some time now, and she has expressed interest in moving to a Mac at some point. But the thing that's stopped her is the hurdle of having to relearn computing with a new UI, something that she's told me she just doesn't have the time or will for. She also isn't techno-spec savvy enough to understand the differences between processors or USB versus Apple dock connector, for that matter.

However, when I purchased my iPhone 3GS last summer, I gave her my OG EDGE-speed iPhone and she's been lapping it up--it's one of the last things that she puts down before going to sleep at night. And now that she's learned the basics of the iPhone OS, I think she'd be much more amenable to moving to an iPad for her mobile computing device (she has a notebook in addition to a desktop, which is her main repository of grandchild photos and the like). The iPad offers her just what she needs in a mobile device--access to calendar and e-mail, ability to surf the Web, and--most importantly--show off both photos and videos of my toddler to everyone she comes across (and believe me, she will).

I also see the iPad as the first computer my toddler will call his own. It won't be any time soon (as he's just about to turn 3), but perhaps in another year or two. He's a master of navigating the UI, and it's become both a great toy and a learning tool. (And frankly, it'll be a way for me to get my iPhone back. Just the other day, the boy turned the tables on me, saying, "Papa, if you're helpful and cooperative, I will give you my iPhone.")

So, perhaps the Apple iPad isn't as magical and revolutionary as master pitchman Steve Jobs would have us believe. But I do think it's the first step toward a new way of mobile computing devices (which is really about 9 years late, according to Arthur C. Clarke and the Newspad he envisioned in 2001: A Space Odyssey). However, it will take some time for things to shake out to determine whether this will be a success in iPhone terms or a disappointment in Apple TV terms (i.e., a niche product).

Before I go, a little something for the weekend: Pee Wee Herman taking on the iPad (and for those who enjoy a bit of NSFW humor, Hitler also has some gripes about the iPad using this well-worn clip from the movie Downfall).

Pee-wee Gets An iPad! from Pee-wee Herman

--Agen G.N. Schmitz

iPad Rising: The Dawn of the Apple Tablet

Hang with us this morning as we follow Steve Jobs and his reveal of a "magical and revolutionary product"--one that will finally get a name. While we wait through some congratulatory numbers (great quarter, 250 millionth iPod, etc.), here's a little musical interlude for you:

[10:10 am update] And the official name is... iPad!

[10:12 am update] An image of the iPad from the Gdgt blog:

[10:15 am update] And one from Gizmodo, showing the onscreen keyboard:

[10:22 am update] Another one from Gdgt showing Steve Jobs (who is looking healthier) reclining with his iPad:

[10:27 am update] Interesting tidbit picked up from a couple of sources--it seems that the iPad is not immune from the dreaded black bars when viewing widescreen video due to the more squarish nature of the screen and device.

[10:30 am update] Jobs has finished demoing the iPad and is going through some of the specs: 9.7-inch full capactivie multi-touch display, 1.5 pounds, up to 64 GB of memory, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1. And it's powered by Apple's own processor chip--a 1 GHz Apple A4 chip.

[10:33 am update] More specs: 0.5 inches thin, accelerometer, compass (sounds like no GPS), a single 30-pin connector (as opposed to dual connectors as had been rumored), up to 10 hours of battery life.

[10:36 am update] Now onto apps--your old iPhone/iPod touch apps will work on the iPad. From iLounge's live feed: "Can run pixel for pixel accurate black box in the center of the screen, or pixel double to run the apps in full screen. Facebook can run in the center of the screen with a glossy frame around the image. You can hit a 2X button to scale application up to full screen."

And starting today, the iPhone SDK now supports development in the iPad.

[10:45 am update] The New York Times is on stage now, discussing their iPad-specific app. Looks like the future of newspaper publishing is pixels (image via Engadget):

[10:55 am update] And now comes the challenge to Amazon's Kindle--the iBooks app (below) and iBooks store. Starting off with five of the world's biggest publishers with more to be welcomed in.

[11:05 am update] They've redone the iWork interface to work with the multi-touch iPad. quote from Engadget's live feed: "We don't know about you, but using iWork wasn't one of our fantasies when we thought about what an Apple tablet would be like. This is nice... but it's iWork."

[11:07 am update] iLounge counters that iWork sentiment with this assessment of the Keynote presentation application: "To call this a "basic" version of Keynote would be unfair. It's been cut down a little, but it's obviously very sophisticated by iPhone OS standards - the next evolution of creation tools on a simple device."

[11:15 am update] Here it comes... 3G cellular connectivity is built-in. Two "awesome" plans, says Jobs, for the iPad. One for up to 250 MB of data -- $14.99 a month. Unlimited plan is $29.99. Both from AT&T, which is throwing in free Wi-Fi at its hotspot locations.

[11:17 am update] Jobs impresses on all the impressive features of the iPad before revealing the price... starting at at $499. Wow. That's for the 16 GB model. Add in 3G connectivity, and it's $629. Top-of-the-line 64 GB goes for $699 (and $829 for 3G connectivity version).

First availability will be for the non-3G models in 60 days, with 3G-included models following about 30 days after that.

[11:30 am update] Some Apple accessories for the iPad: standard dock; keyboard dock with full-sized mechanical keyboard; a folio-like cover that presents the iPad in book format, with the cover folding back to present the iPad like a picture frame.

[11:33 am update] Jobs sums up the "magical and revolutionary" third way for Apple, and that's a wrap:

We'll cover the iPad more in depth later on Friday in our weekly Bites post after all the specs and wonderment sink in. My first impression is that, as I suspected, I don't need the iPad right now. I certainly want it... desperately. But I don't see it fully fitting into the flow of my family's technology needs and usage. We are currently all stocked up on Macs and iPhones (one each for my wife and I) and it just doesn't seem to fulfill a need.

However, I can see some possibilities for it down the line. Where I once saw a netbook as my three-year-old's first computer (not yet, but in a couple years), I now see an iPad in his future. The way of computing for this young generation is the touchscreen, and the iPad will lead the way to even further adoption of this more natural input method.

But the biggest temptation for me will be an upcoming family trip to Europe in the middle of April--definitely within the window for release of the non-3G models. The iPad also looks like a great travel computer--powerful enough for some work if needed with the added benefit of excellent e-book and multimedia entertainment features--and it could be especially useful for entertaining a certain toddler during all our plane and train travel. With that in mind, it's going to be hard to keep me and my credit card away it, and I will try to stay strong. For as long as I can.

Do you have the strength to withstand the Apple magic? Let us know in the comments.

[One Last Update for now] The six different iPad models have been added to Amazon, and while they're not currently offered as pre-orders, you can sign up to be notified by e-mail when they do become available for ordering.

• 16 GB Wi-Fi only
• 32 GB Wi-Fi only
• 64 GB Wi-Fi only

• 16 GB 3G + Wi-Fi
• 32 GB 3G + Wi-Fi
• 64 GB 3G + Wi-Fi

--Agen G.N. Schmitz

Windows 7: It All Comes Back

I’ve been using Windows 7 since early betas, so I have come to take some of its great features for granted. Recently I was reminded by a friend who just switched from XP to Win7 about one of the nicest “little things” that makes the new OS such a joy to use. The power went out and he had to quickly shut down the computer – right in the middle of a big project he was working on. He had almost a dozen web sites open that he was using as a source for his research. It had taken him a while to hunt them all down. He also had an open Word document and a few PDFs. When the system shut down, he was just sick at the thought of how much time it would take to find all those web sites again, and wondering how much of the doc he’d lost.

When Windows 7 booted back up, he was amazed. All of his windows opened right back up to where they were before, and he was able to pick up where he left off and go back to work without missing a beat.

Of course, just switching to IE8 on XP would have helped him a lot in this situation, since IE8 “remembers” your last browsing session and will reopen the browser to those pages. But he’d been using XP with IE7, so all of this seemed truly miraculous to him.

 
The ability to reopen your previous browsing session is one of the nice features of IE8

Of course, there are scenarios in which this could be a security issue. Maybe you want to ensure that someone else can’t come along and reopen your last browsing session (and thus discover where you were browsing). In that case, you can disable this feature via a registry edit. See the January 28 edition of Win7News, “How To” section, for step-by-step instructions.

To conceal your browsing history, also remember to clear the cache (Tools | Delete Browsing History).

- Debra Littlejohn Shinder, MVP
  deb@shinder.net   www.debshinder.com

Bites from the Apple Bonus: (Mostly) Non-iTablet Edition

And, as promised, some (mostly) non-iPad/iSlate/iTablet/iBook Apple-y goodness...

• David Carr in the NYTimes writes the typical pre-reveal-of-an-Apple-potential-gamechanger article with a focus on Apple's tight-lipped message discipline and Steve Jobs' showman qualities, but it's got a good quote from Daring Fireball's John Gruber. And for a reminder that Jobs has been doing his showman shtick for some time, here's a video of his reveal of the original Macintosh back on January 24th, 1984 (love the floppy disk flourish). And he's wearing a bowtie!

• According to a rumor from an "inside source" via Hot Hardware, AT&T might be losing its exclusivity on January 27--the date of the Apple tablet event.

• The next version of the iPhone OS could be announced at Wednesday's gathering, and TUAW has been eliciting comments from readers on what they'd like to see in the new software rev. The latest installment focuses on Apple's core iPhone OS apps, like Calendar, Maps and Notes.

• Speaking of the iPhone OS, app tracker Flurry Analytics has noticed a certain mythical device getting tested around Cupertino that is running the iPhone OS 3.2 (the current official version of the OS is 3.1.2).

• The MacBook Air hasn't been refreshed since last summer, and ApplieInsider reports that Apple might be delaying its next rev until June due to a delay in the release of Intel's low-voltage Core i5 UM processor. However, CNet's Nanotech blog counters that low-voltage versions of Intel processors always come after their regular wattage hog older siblings, and that this isn't a delay at all.

• Another hot rumor has it that Apple's purchase of online music streamer Lala.com will bring an "online locker" for your iTunes library that will enable you to access your music collection "either through a web browser or through an Apple handheld like the iPhone, iPod or rumored tablet" (via Electronista).

• Remember the old Apple vs. Microsoft wars? Well, the corporate warfare might be heating up again, but this time pitting Apple against Google--with the latter introducing its own branded Nexus One and the two companies competing to acquire new online advertising entities. And now comes the rumor that Apple may turn to its beleaguered old foe Microsoft to replace Google search on the iPhone with the Bing search engine.

• Patrick Hunt over at The Apple Blog wonders if he created a monster when he gave his original iPhone to his 3-year-old. From my own experience (and from Hunt's summation), I'd say no. I've been letting our nearly 3-year-old use my iPhone (which I've loaded with toddler-focused apps and the occasional music video--our boy is a fan of this Duckworth Lewis Method video) for about 15 minutes a day. And I'm on the lookout for a nicely priced used first generation iPod touch as we'll be taking a multi-week trip to Europe this spring and it will help with the traveling. Like Hunt, we've found the use of the iPhone to be a good carrot-and-stick tool for moderating behavior. But it's also been great to watch him learn touch computing skills, improve his finger control, and just generally have a ball.

• And finally... Steve Jobs with his take (circa 1997) on what Apple means (via Gizmodo). And he's wearing shorts!

--Agen G.N. Schmitz

Bites from the Apple: Something Tablet-ey This Way Comes

With this week's official confirmation that Apple will unveil something big and game-changing and seemingly splattered with color, we can finally breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the end is finally in sight--much like the final resolution-producing season of LOST. But much like that show's myriad storylines and uncertain futures (or pasts) for its characters, I'm certain that there are sure to be disappointments as not everything that we've been hoping to learn and understand about Apple's new tablet device will get wrapped up in a tidy bow.

Most assuredly, there will be oohs and ahhs and gasps of delight on the day of the reveal, followed by the traditional gadgetosphere kvetching that Apple tripped over itself by not including a coveted feature. But we'll ultimately be left hanging wondering what impact the iSlate/iPad/iBook/iSlab will really have on us everyday technology users and, on a macro level, the tech/publishing/entertainment industry.

It will take some time to decipher whether the world (and in particular tech consumers with pinched wallets) is ready to splash the cash for a new gadget paradigm. And the answer to that will also stem from how willing consumers are to embrace pixels over paper, as it's looking like Steve Jobs and Apple are working in overdrive to do deals with trade and educational book publishers as well as newspapers--an arena that Amazon has owned up till now with its Kindle.

Will you be one of the "tens of millions" forecasted to purchase a tablet device (or NetTab) in 2010, and in particular an Apple tablet? Do you see it providing a tech niche that you've been hankering for? Let us know what you think in the comments. We'll continue on some more tablet-related news for the week, and check back later in the weekend as we'll have another edition of Bites that will be (mostly) tablet-free.

• It was revealed this week that Apple has applied for a trademark for the name iPad, though it's got a fight on its hands with Fujitsu, the original holder of that trademark (which brings back memories of the falderal over the name of the iPhone, since it was already used by Linksys for a VoIP phone). And iPad has become the new frontrunner for Apple's new device--though I'm saddened the iCan't believe it's not a newspaper monicker isn't getting better traction (via 9to5Mac).

• AppleInsider reports that this Flickr fanboi concept image (seen above) is said by unnamed insiders to be the closest to what the final Apple tablet will look like--or as AI says, "largely redolent of a first-generation iPhone that's met its match with a rolling pin."

  

• The Register muses that the heart of Apple's new book/newspaper/music/TV "consumption device" will reside in Apple's new data center in Catawba County, North Carolina, slated to be finished by the end of the year.

  (Apple) wants you to continue to buy (or rent via subscription services) tunes, videos, apps, games, and other content from its ludicrously successful iTunes Store [...]. And it wants to serve ads to you while you're blissfully enjoying your iPad entertainment. Witness Wednesday's rumor that Apple is in talks with Microsoft about a deal to ditch Google and go Bing--a search engine with a graphic-heavy style that's a natural for the iPad.

• While it will be the centerpiece of the January 27 event, the iPad probably won't get into your hands until June due to "minor issues" of battery life and durability (which, really, don't sound that minor).

• The Boy Genius Report notes that AT&T is said to be prepping its network " compensate for unannounced devices and also future devices that will use 'heavy data.'" And Fox News (via Electronista) has reported that Verizon is also in final discussions to carry and service the Apple tablet.

• 9to5Mac reports that the iPad looks to be using Apple's homegrown battery technology--the same kind used in its most recent crop of MacBook/MacBook Pro lineup.

• iLounge dug up some interesting tidbits, including the fact that the tablet will have dual dock connectors (enabling both portrait and landscape charging) as well as having enough room to fit in a faster Wireless-N (802.11n) Wi-Fi antenna.

• And finally... a look at what how proposed Apple tablet with 10.1-inch screen stacks up in size against the iPhone and the Newton MessagePad 2000 from Gizmodo's Jesus Diaz. Also be sure to check out Jesus' mini history of the tablet computer and what he feels Apple needs to do to make its tablet a broader success where previous Windows-based tablets became a niche.

  
  

--Agen G.N. Schmitz

Five Simple Gadgets: Low Tech in High Tech Times

I remember having a conversation with my dad in the late 80s, just as cordless phones became all the rage. You know the ones I'm talking about: those brick phones with telescoping antennae and batteries that never lasted long and were insanely expensive to replace. That day, dad was waxing poetic about what he imagined technology would be like in the future. Having grown up in the 50s and 60s, steeped in early sci-fi culture, he had only dreamed that such things as cordless phones would exist. I countered, imagining that we'd have… video phones by the time I was an adult! How far we've come.

But I find, in this day of smart phones and slate computers, that it's easy to forget that there are gadgets out there that, by virtue of their simplicity and ingenuity, have stood up to decades and, in some cases, centuries of use. So, for a look at simple tech, I've put together a list of some of the gadgets that, in spite of advances in technology, have yet to be outdone.

• The French Press (at right) - If you follow me on Twitter, you may notice I have an affinity for coffee. Every morning is a ritual for me. And if I'm not pulling shots of espresso, I'm making a French Press. Having been lucky enough to visit Scotland in 2000, I came back with an obsession when it comes to coffee made with this method. The French Press dates back to the mid-19th century but wasn't patented until 1929, by an Italian designer. Unlike brewed coffee, the cafe press works by virtue of lower-temperature brewing, since you add just-boiled water (i.e. around 209-210). The resulting beverage is both bold and lower in acid, not to mention infused with antioxidants (which many commercial filters strain out). Super bonus? Since you can also brew tea with a French Press, it's a total multitasker. Personally, I know of no better cup of coffee! Our household press is the Bodum Chambord, but there are a variety of other versions including the Frieling Stainless Steel Press and the Bonjur Hugo Unbreakable Press.

• The Good Pen - While it may be difficult for some of the gadget-heads among us, there are those of us in the world who still love a good pen. Conversely, there is nothing so bad as an awful pen. While I don't write by hand as much as I used to, my favorite pen I ever had was a Cross pen I received as a Christmas present when I was still in high school. Sure, some are proponents of the more refined ink varieties—some which can set you back a few hundred dollars—but the Cross versions are my personal favorites. Since pen selection is extremely subjective, I recommend you try a wide variety of pens and see what works best for you; slender or chunky, ball point or fountain, gel or felt-tipped. Some pens to try include the Lamy Safari Fountain Pen and the truly luxury priced MontBlanc Classic Ballpoint.

• The Leatherman. There can never be an app for this. Simply put, the Leatherman is the king of multitaskers, and really, the best bang for your buck when it comes to all the remarkable stuff it can do. Sure, there are Swiss Army knives, too, but in my experience nothing's got the job done so well as the Leatherman. The company really is a labor of love, started in the early 80s by Tim Leathermen. (And no, it's not a pocket knife—it's a Pocket Survival Tool™, or PST). The Super Tool 300  (at right) has a staggering 19 tools in one, and never needs to plug in to charge. For the truly elite, and those who can afford to drop that sort of money, Leatherman has also released a gorgeous collection called Argentum, with prices ranging from $240 to $40,000.
  

• The Moleskine. Sure, sure, I know what you're saying. A notebook is not a gadget. However, no other notebook (and I don't mean computer notebook) has ever inspired so many gadget-like uses as the Moleskine. Be it art or organization, something about the Moleskine just inspires creativity. Personally, I think it’s related to its size, which is certainly similar to other pocket-organizers on the market today, albeit much lower tech.  For portable note-taking, nothing beats the Moleskine, either: remarkably durable, far more affordable than a netbook, and extremely sleek, this is one of my favorite examples of simple tech.

• The Watch. I don’t know if it’s because I grew up in the 80s, but I have an absolute knee-jerk hatred for digital-faced watches. I mean, to me, it might as well be a calculator watch. Ugh. However, when it comes to a beautifully crafted pocket watch or wristwatch, my heart is all a-patter with the shiny loveliness. Believe it or not, the pocket watch dates back to the 16th century and was the primary method of personal time telling until after WWI, when the whole wristwatch thing became a la mode. And while there have been some significant advances in the mechanisms (especially the development of batteries) the aesthetic, especially in pocket watches, has remained very much the same. I really like the idea of a gadget that stands the test of time, something that can be given to the next generation (you can't say the same for your iPhone, I bet). I've always had a thing for Fossil, and recently like a lot of the quirky designs from Betsey Johnson.

How about you? Any simple tech gadgets out there that you use every day that you'd like to share? Let us know.

--Natania Barron

 

Cell, Cell, Cell: Sprint Makes the Push to 4G

Just when you were starting to get comfortable with the 3G cellular landscape, it's time to start thinking about moving onto the next new new thing--4G. While Verizon and AT&T are still in the midst of building up their version of 4G connectivity called LTE (which will start rolling out on the two networks starting later this year for Verizon and in 2011 for AT&T), Sprint has a headstart in the 4G game thanks to its merger with 4G WiMAX provider Clearwire (now called Clear). And at CES this year, Sprint unveiled two new 4G-enabled devices that are ready for action--as long as you're in one of the current 27 markets that Sprint offers 4G service (check Sprint's coverage page, and be sure to click the "Sprint Devices with 4G" tab under the Data, Email and Multimedia section).

Getting the most attention was the Sprint Overdrive (seen at left), a hybrid 3G/4G mobile hotspot that connect up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices simultaneously. Because of its dual mobile broadband connectivity, the Overdrive is a good bridge between Sprint's current robust 3G network and its ongoing 4G rollout. The Boy Genius Report is a fan of the device:

Overall, the new device is ridiculously easy to use and speeds are blazing fast. If you travel a lot or are always in areas with no Wi-Fi, you can’t go wrong with the Overdrive, especially with the WiMax speeds.

And Andrew Berg at Wireless Week gave the Overdrive a workout at the crowded data spectrum of CES and came away pleased:

Just last night, I saw it running video on an iPod touch, while two Microsoft Zunes played a game of wireless checkers, and another guy searched the Internet on a netbook at a pretty good clip. Right now, I have both my netbook and my iPhone connected. While other iPhone users are walking around, holding their phones to the sky, I'm able to at least get e-mails out on the go.

Along with the Overdrive, Sprint also debuted its U301 USB modem (seen at right), which also offers hybrid 3G/4G connectivity for laptops. And as the 4Ginfo site points out, the U301 is Mac compatible (where Sprint's previous U300 hybrid modem was not).

Both the Overdrive and U301 are currently available for order and are shipping (with the Overdrive including a nice Amazon instant discount).

--Agen G.N. Schmitz

Console Battle Heats Up Between Wii and XBox: Netflix, ESPN Rumors Up the Stakes

While games themselves certainly influence the console competition—notably with the XBox 360 making big news last week with the top-selling game of 2009 in spite of the Wii's heavy presence in the top ten—as we turn the corner into 2010, the situation is heating up in new and intriguing ways.

Both the Wii and XBox have generated a good deal of buzz so far this week, but not with game titles as you might expect (though XBox's Rock Band Network has gone into beta). It appears that both companies are making strides toward re-imagining their consoles as multi-media gadgets, pushing their usability far beyond the game realm. While initially the Wii and XBox have influenced very different demographics—the Wii for family-oriented gaming and a certainly advanced approach to gameplay, and the XBox to the more hardcore gamers—the line between the two is starting to blur.

First up, the Wii. From the outset, one of the biggest complaints about Nintendo's Wii has been that--though it can simulate a variety of sports, help trim your waistline, and even tackle classics like Mario Kart--it has no DVD playing capabilities to speak of. As a result, consumers have been forced to view the device primarily for games. And it's good at games, which is not a bad thing.

However, in spite of its 3-year presence as a gaming console and subsequent success in sales, Nintendo announced today that it's partnering with Netflix to offer streaming video on the Wii, much the same was as the XBox has done since 2008. The service will be free for Netflix subscribers with $9 or more monthly plans, and will require a CD update. It's definitely a new direction for the company.

Speaking to the Times, Reggie Fils-Amie, president of Wii America, indicates that new ventures such as the Netflix partnership have always been a part of the long-term plan, however, and that it's "a continuation of an effort to bring more and more entertainment to consumers who interact with the Wii."

But there are a few drawbacks, and skeptics are already voicing their trepidation. The Wii doesn't support high definition, unlike both the XBox and the Playstation 3. And while Nintendo has seen impressive sales numbers, it's unclear if people will be willing to sacrifice better quality for accessibility. To get an expert opinion on the subject of adoptability, IndustryGamers.com went to Michael Pacher of Wedbush Morgan, and he is far from optimistic:

In our view, only a small percentage (likely fewer than 20%) of Wii owners have connected their consoles to the Internet, which is required to activate the Netflix service.  In contrast, we believe that more than 75% of Xbox 360s are connected to the Internet, and more than 80% of PS3s are connected.

Pacher expects a gradual growth, but nothing astronomical. In spite of the fact that the Wii is the number one selling gaming console, with over 26 million in the U.S. according to IndustryGamers, it's likely that consumers simply won't make the jump from gaming to media center, especially with the lackluster standard definition option.

XBox, however, does not appear to be chasing the tail of any other console, although the New York Times does report they're planning to release motion-based gaming technology akin to the Wii in the near future. Instead of following trends, the XBox is making them, and taking on bigger competition than ever. According to the New York Times, Microsoft is working to make XBox Live, their online subscription service, closer to "entertainment on demand" rather than just games. Netflix has already proved a successful partnership with the console, but how about streaming TV to sweeten the deal? The buzz is that Microsoft is already in talks with the Walt Disney Company about streaming ESPN through XBox Live.

The rumors aren't surprising. The XBox has recently added Twitter and Facebook support, as well as streaming music from Last.fm. That it would stream videos and television, like any PC can with Hulu, seems like a good tactical move. It certainly shows what the console is capable of, moving far beyond a simple gaming device and to something more akin to a multimedia center.

Says Marc Whitten, general manager of XBox Live: “I don’t think there’s a real difference between a game and ‘Lost.’ Or a game and ‘American Idol.’ They’re all ways we spend our leisure time… these narrow swim lanes — games, music, movies, etc. — will dissolve.”

Either way, it looks like if the Wii is going to compete as a multimedia platform, it's got a lot of laps to make before it can catch up.

--Natania Barron