One app that has been missing from my iPad's arsenal is a good blogging app. But the search goes on. If anyone has a blogging app they use and recommend, please leave a comment.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Thoughts on the iPad 2
I was excited about the original iPad, and purchased one shortly after the 3G units became available. It's become my go-to portable machine; since I've had it, my trusty Toshiba notebook has been used only a handful of times.
(Background: In the real world, I design web-based software systems, and use a powerful desktop system with multiple flat-panel displays, an ergonomic keyboard, and fast multi-core processors. But when I'm computing for pleasure, the iPad is my most-used device. It's fantastic for web surfing, catching up on e-mail, watching video, listening to music, reading books and magazines, browsing photos, tweeting, facebooking, and looking up information from Wikipedia, IMDB, or other sources.)
I've been pleasantly surprised by the capabilities my iPad has gained from the plethora of apps I've downloaded from the App Store. Every week or so I find a new app that really grabs my attention and becomes part of my regular usage.
Since I've had my iPad, I've noticed a parade of competing tablets that are trying to compete, with little or no success. From the Samsung Galaxy Tab to the RIM PlayBook to the Motorola XOOM, I've read about these competing products, but I've not seriously considered any of them. The XOOM is the first one that I thought might actually have a chance to get some traction, but now I have my doubts.
Why? The iPad 2.
In the tablet arena, I honestly don't think it's about specs, but about capability. Most users don't care about RAM, or processor cores, or screen resolution. They want to listen to music, or watch movies, or surf the web, or write a letter, or create music. For them, Apple's seamless ecosystem and vast selection of apps trumps any sort of specsmanship that Motorola or Samsung could play.
But some users focus on specs. (Witness the megapixel race in compact cameras of a couple of years ago.) And some product marketers target these folks with specs that sound great on paper, even though they may or many not actually result in a better experience for the end user.
But the iPad 2 addresses the specsmanship, too. Dual-core processor? Check. Front and rear cameras? Check. In theory, a salesman could tout one of the other tablet's specs as being superior to the iPad's... but now that advantage has gone away.
As an iPad user, I see little reason to upgrade to the iPad 2. The camera would be nice for videoconferencing, and faster is always better. But my iPad is such a superb tool as it is that these hardware improvements don't draw me in.
But if I were shopping for a new tablet, there's even less reason to consider a competitor. As I see it, here are the advantages for the different platforms:
iPad 2
(Background: In the real world, I design web-based software systems, and use a powerful desktop system with multiple flat-panel displays, an ergonomic keyboard, and fast multi-core processors. But when I'm computing for pleasure, the iPad is my most-used device. It's fantastic for web surfing, catching up on e-mail, watching video, listening to music, reading books and magazines, browsing photos, tweeting, facebooking, and looking up information from Wikipedia, IMDB, or other sources.)
I've been pleasantly surprised by the capabilities my iPad has gained from the plethora of apps I've downloaded from the App Store. Every week or so I find a new app that really grabs my attention and becomes part of my regular usage.
Since I've had my iPad, I've noticed a parade of competing tablets that are trying to compete, with little or no success. From the Samsung Galaxy Tab to the RIM PlayBook to the Motorola XOOM, I've read about these competing products, but I've not seriously considered any of them. The XOOM is the first one that I thought might actually have a chance to get some traction, but now I have my doubts.
Why? The iPad 2.
In the tablet arena, I honestly don't think it's about specs, but about capability. Most users don't care about RAM, or processor cores, or screen resolution. They want to listen to music, or watch movies, or surf the web, or write a letter, or create music. For them, Apple's seamless ecosystem and vast selection of apps trumps any sort of specsmanship that Motorola or Samsung could play.
But some users focus on specs. (Witness the megapixel race in compact cameras of a couple of years ago.) And some product marketers target these folks with specs that sound great on paper, even though they may or many not actually result in a better experience for the end user.
But the iPad 2 addresses the specsmanship, too. Dual-core processor? Check. Front and rear cameras? Check. In theory, a salesman could tout one of the other tablet's specs as being superior to the iPad's... but now that advantage has gone away.
As an iPad user, I see little reason to upgrade to the iPad 2. The camera would be nice for videoconferencing, and faster is always better. But my iPad is such a superb tool as it is that these hardware improvements don't draw me in.
But if I were shopping for a new tablet, there's even less reason to consider a competitor. As I see it, here are the advantages for the different platforms:
iPad 2
- Widest range of apps
- Widest range of music
- Widest range of video
- Best design
- Best construction
- Best price
- Best support
XOOM
- Open source. That should generate a lot of apps, right?
PlayBook
- Ummm...
In short, I don't think the iPad 2 is a compelling upgrade if you've already got an iPad. But if you're considering a tablet, Apple has taken away almost every competitive advantage that the other tablets had. Before any of the competing tablets got any traction at all, Apple cut them off at the knees with the iPad 2.
Due to this situation, I'd be surprised if any competitor could crack double-digit market share in tablets by the end of the year. Time will tell if this prediction is correct.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Welcome to Houston TECHsas
My name is Albert, and I'm a geek.
Confession: I've been a geek for a long time. I love reading about technology, playing with it, and talking about it. So I decided to create this blog, sharing what I learn.
Professionally, I'm a partner at Binetix LLC, the Houston-based web development firm. We create web sites for clients such as Tony's Restaurant, the Houston Racquet Club, the Houston Ladies Tennis Association, and other great organizations.
I've been designing websites since there was a web, and before that, I designed systems and software for the PC industry. Way back when I designed and developed a PC program called PathMinder, and am amazed every few months when someone contacts me about an update; the program is now 27 years old.
More about me: Favorite toy as a kid? Legos. First computer? Commodore PET. (Extra points if you remember this.) First PDA? Original Sharp Wizard. First tablet computer? Convergent Technologies Workslate. (I worry about you if you remember this.)
I'm a geek by trade, and a writer because I enjoy it. I've been writing about food for years, first in Austin, and later when I moved back to Houston. Some of you may read my food blog, H-Town Chow Down. I love to eat, but I'm far from an expert about food. I've got considerably more expertise in technology, and now I'll be sharing it on this blog.
The focus will be on personal technology - stuff that anyone can buy and use. As you might guess, I play with a lot of technology in my work and at home. I don't have allegiance to any particular brand, but I'm most impressed by gadgets that work as advertised, are well designed, and don't have to be hacked to be used.
So thank you for stopping by, and please drop in from time to time. I'll do my best to keep things interesting.
If you have any questions or comments, please don't be shy.
Confession: I've been a geek for a long time. I love reading about technology, playing with it, and talking about it. So I decided to create this blog, sharing what I learn.
Professionally, I'm a partner at Binetix LLC, the Houston-based web development firm. We create web sites for clients such as Tony's Restaurant, the Houston Racquet Club, the Houston Ladies Tennis Association, and other great organizations.
I've been designing websites since there was a web, and before that, I designed systems and software for the PC industry. Way back when I designed and developed a PC program called PathMinder, and am amazed every few months when someone contacts me about an update; the program is now 27 years old.
More about me: Favorite toy as a kid? Legos. First computer? Commodore PET. (Extra points if you remember this.) First PDA? Original Sharp Wizard. First tablet computer? Convergent Technologies Workslate. (I worry about you if you remember this.)
I'm a geek by trade, and a writer because I enjoy it. I've been writing about food for years, first in Austin, and later when I moved back to Houston. Some of you may read my food blog, H-Town Chow Down. I love to eat, but I'm far from an expert about food. I've got considerably more expertise in technology, and now I'll be sharing it on this blog.
The focus will be on personal technology - stuff that anyone can buy and use. As you might guess, I play with a lot of technology in my work and at home. I don't have allegiance to any particular brand, but I'm most impressed by gadgets that work as advertised, are well designed, and don't have to be hacked to be used.
So thank you for stopping by, and please drop in from time to time. I'll do my best to keep things interesting.
If you have any questions or comments, please don't be shy.
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