Apple

My 5th generation iPod nano had a firmware update waiting for it when I synced it over the weekend. Here's what's new in the version 1.0.2 update...

- Fixed audiobook playback setting so Normal, Slower, Faster works for audio podcasts.
- Resolved issue where Genius Mixes did not work when using the Nike + iPod Sport Kit.
- Accessibility setting for Mono Audio is now working
- Fixed bug so VoiceOver menu items are no longer skipped when using headphone + and - volume buttons to navigate

Here's a pair of requests to Apple for their next iPod nano update.

1. The iPhone and iPod touch can play a sequence of podcasts from the same source (say a daily news podcast) one after another. I'd like to be able to the same on the iPod nano
2. The iPhone and iPod touch can sort podcasts from the same source (agaion using the daily news podcast example) from oldest to newest podcasts. Again, I'd like to be able to play podcasts in this sequence on the iPod nano

I'm trying not to discuss the rumored mythical Apple tablet. But, actual findings seem like fair game. And, this one from unwiredview.com made me chuckle...

Apple patents improved digital ink recognition techniques for pen-aware tablet

Why did it make me chuckle? The word "improved" was the cause. Apple doesn't have any current product that performs digital ink recognition. So, although the word is probably used in context of the entire universe of digital ink recognition outside of Apple, I thought of the old Apple Newton Messagepad (of which I am still a proud owner). I was amused to think that something like the Newton might make its way back into the Apple product line (I should note that I really enjoyed using my Newton durings its day in the mid-1990s).

Having spent the past couple of days using my new Asus Eee PC T91MT touchscreen netbook running Windows 7, I can say that I really like and enjoy having a larger device (larger than my iPhone and iPod touch) with a touch screen. It is a very natural and easy way to interact with a computer. And, this is despite the fact that most software applications are not touchscreen aware themselves and have touch imposed on them by Windows 7's interface.

I'm a great believer in following useful rules of thumb. Here's one of my favorites: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. The experience of buying something in an Apple Store is clearly something that is not broken. It is, in my personal experience, generally a relatively quick, painless, and accurate experience. Apple's biggest problem with this experience has probably been the fact that they use a device running Microsoft Windows Mobile. They're in the process of "fixing" this. And, AppleInsider has an excellent article with lots of photos detailing how it works...

Exclusive look at Apple's new iPod touch-based EasyPay checkout

I wonder though, if something will break in the process of fixing it. Switching to a completely new system of any kind is often filled with pain points. Will we see those pain points as Apple tranitions to their iPod touch based solution approaching the key holiday buying season?

One of the things that puzzled me was how people were going to sign for purchases on the finger oriented iPod touch. I imagined people struggling to sign their name with the tip of their index finger. I wasn't sure how that would work given my own long last name. Apple solution is to use the third party Pogo Sketch Stylus for this task. FYI: The Pogo Sketch Stylus has a retail price of $14.95. But, I found it at Amazon for $10 with free shipping.

If you go into an Apple Store and complete a purchase by having a store employee use a mobile POS (point of sale) device, take a close look at that device. It is Microsoft Windows Mobile based device from Symbol. You can see a photo of the device used to complete my purchase of an iPhone 3G last November. Many of us (or least me) expected this Windows Mobile based POS to be replaced by an iPod touch based system right after the iPhone 3GS and iPhone OS 3.0 was released. However, it looks like it took a bit longer than expected. AppleInsider reports that this migration to an Apple-based system is in progress now...

Apple stores upgrading from Windows-based EasyPay to iPod touch

So, look for an all-Apple based sales solution in your local Apple Store this holiday shopping season.

You know that more than gadget geeks are hoping the Apple tablet rumor is true when you see the same info-slip from New York Times Executive Editor Bill Keller in both Gawker and Engadget...

Gawker: Bill Keller: Apple Tablet 'Impending'

Engadget: Apple Tablet rumor roundup: NYT speaks of 'impending Apple slate,' new SIM tray leaks (video)

The bit everyone is quoting is Keller listing "the impending Apple slate" matter of factly as one of the devices that the NYT's Time Reader will run on. Does this make the Apple tablet rumor any true-er than before. Perhaps.

But, honestly, I wanted to note it here just to add one more data point to Apple's tally of people who really would like to see an affordable category shaking product like an Apple tablet under $800 and NOT tied to a mobile carrier (no contracts!).

Photo courtesy of iFixit.com

The new "white" MacBook was announced yesterday...

Apple Updates MacBook With LED-Backlit Display, Multi-Touch Trackpad & Built-in Seven-Hour Battery

...and iFixit.com has already bought one and taken it apart for our viewing pleasure...

MacBook Polycarbonate Unibody Teardown

Here's a couple of things iFixit noted during their teardown process...

- More battery capacity than previous model (60 vs. 55 watt-hours)
- No Infrared port for remote control
- No Firewire

If you want remote control and Firewire, you need to buy a MacBook Pro model instead.

I often wonder how professional financial analysts get those numbers predicting recent sales figures and projecting earnings per share. I'm sure other people are wondering the same thing after listening for days and weeks about how weak Apple's iPhone and computer sales have been. These analysts projected Apple would have to hit at least $1.62 to $1.65 per share in earning or else suffer dire consequences. The actual result? As AppleInsider put it...

Apple profits surge 46% on record sales of 3M Macs, 7.4M iPhones

Yep, record sales and $1.82 per share profits. Analyst estimates weren't even in the same ballpark.

Then, BetaNews asks...

The new iPod nano: A flop?

This is based on the first generation iPod nano being introduced on September 9, 2005 leading to spectacular sales while the 5th generation iPod nano did not do the same after also being introduced on September 9. There are a couple of differences though...

1. The 1st generation iPod nano was actually available for purchase the day it was announced (I went to buy one). The 5th generation nano was difficult to find for up to a week later. That's when various Apple stores including one near me finally got their shipment in.
2. The 1st nano complete replaced the older iPod mini and provided quite an upgrade moving from a hard disk based system to a flash based one and providing a color LCD able to display photos. The 5th generation nano replaced a very similar 4th generation model that most people didn't feel the need to replace.
3. The iPod mini replaced by the first nano was Apple's best selling iPod at the time. The iPod touch has been the best selling iPod for a while now. And, if you look at Apple's top sellers list on the web Apple Store page, the iPod touch is #1 while the nano is #2. No surprise.

iPod nano 1st (left) & 5th (right) generation models

Thanks to PC World for noting this one...

Apple Acknowledges IPod Nano Overheating in Support Doc

If you have a 1st generation iPod nano like the one pictured in the photo above (left), check uot this Apple support item...

iPod nano (1st generation): Rare cases of battery overheating

Apple has determined that in very rare cases, batteries in the iPod nano (1st generation) sold between September 2005 and December 2006, may overheat and prevent the iPod nano from working and deform it.

Apple has received very few reports of such incidents, and the issue has been traced to a single battery supplier. Additionally, there have been no reports of such incidents with any other iPod nano model. If your battery shows signs of overheating, such as discoloration or deformity, stop using the iPod nano immediately and contact AppleCare as soon as possible for further assistance.

DigiTimes, which has become a primary tech leak site it seems, says...

Foxconn said to be tapped to make Apple tablet PC, shipments expected to begin in 1Q10

The one specific piece of information in the report bothers me though. DigiTimes reports that the Apple tablet will have a 10.6-inch display. That is just too big and bulky. Not, too heavy, mind you. But, it is too big to throw into, let's say, a typical gadget bag or purse. And, this is important if the Apple tablet is supposed to be something expected to go everywhere without special considerartion.

The Kindle DX (with its 9.7-inch display) and typical netbooks (10.1-inch displays) are in the same category: Too big to take "everywhere" without thinking/planning. I'd prefer a device with a 7 or 8-inch display. This would be large enough to see easily, probably have a large enough touch keyboard (though I still dislike virtual keyboards) but still small enough to throw in a gadget bag and head out the door.

DigiTimes quotes "sources" as saying this tablet will be more of an ebook reader than an music device. I don't think it makes sense for Apple to compete with Amazon's Kindle though.

I don't normally write much about executives moving in and out of firms. But, as an old Apple Newton owner, I had to mention this item from the New York Times...

Apple Rehires a Developer of Its Newton Tablet

Neither the NYT nor Apple is saying what Michael Tchao will be doing at Apple. But, the article does note that he most recently worked for Nike Techlab which builds gear like the Nike+ iPod products.

Some people (including the author of the NYT piece) calls the Newton a failed product. I don't agree. The Newton itself was a fine piece of hardware with software features that still have no been equalled today (the "scrub" erase remains an awesome design achievement that is still easier to use than anything else I see in the mobile device market). Its failure was its lack of ability to easily sync with the then (and still) dominant Micosoft Windows platform. And, believe me, I went through virtual contortions to get data moving between the Newton and my PCs back then.

FYI: That's my Newton Messagepad 130 sitting under my iPhone 3G in the photo above.