It's uncrackable - you hear me, world? UNCRACKABLE! You'll never, EVER be able to unlock and free your new 3G iPhone. Mwah hah hah hah HAH!
After this, we're taking bets on how quickly any group manages to strip out the whole O/S and install a running version of mobile Linux.
After all, Apple's serious, user-focused software and total integration is what user's want. Fun is for the weak.
T1000-esque weapon delivery and civilisation's end, 'just around the corner' claim top boffins.
I'm ashamed, but damn this looks good. Must be a genetic thing...
One is a gorgeous timeless design classic, tried and tested, more or less bulletproof, shockproof and compatible with just about everything.
The other is a Mac.
iPod touch experience notwithstanding, there is only one of these I'd lick all over and take on holiday. Sorry, Steve.
Industry trade bodies corrupt absolutely.
If you can't succeed in creating your own laws, or buying politicians outright, why not sue people you decide are a threat?
I stand by my comments at the Digital Entertainment Conference in Glasgow a few weeks back. The music industry is f--ked.
On a related note, I bought the new Dresden Dolls, Aimee Mann, Devil Doll, A Brokeheart Pro and Feist albums this week. All online, pretty much all through the artist's own website (or the truly wonderful CDBaby), all DRM free MP3s - and contributed approximately chuff all to the major music labels.
Now if only the music industry could find a model which worked!?!
2008 is a landmark year for the Edinburgh Book Festival. Not only is it the festival's 25th anniversary, not only is Sir Sean Connery appearing, not only do they have more authors from more countries than ever before - but this year they have me too...
On the 19th of August I am chairing a panel on Human Beings & Technology (in the Spiegeltent too - fancy!) which will feature Charles Leadbeter, plus a couple of other folks I need to track down. The story of how this came to be is long and hilarious and will be turned into a sitcom at some point.
Then, on the 22nd, I am back again running a workshop on writing for videogames. This makes more sense, since this is the topic I've been boring students at Napier with for the last few semesters now.
And the workshop takes place right after PR craftsman (I refuse to use the term 'supremo' or 'guru' in this context) Mark Borkowski, who handled the campaign for GTA 2.
Small world, the book world.
So, if you can't get tickets to go see Tam. Come see me.
I've been a devoted fan of Winamp for years now. Ever since the first MP3 files started appearing and playing music on a PC didn't require a CD drive, I've used Winamp for, well, pretty much everything. It was small, nippy and had some extremely groovy visuals. However, it's now getting starting to succumb to the 'bloat' phenomenon. The latest full version (without bundled track/s) comes it at 8.5MB. Now that doesn't sound like much, but as an MP3 player, that's a fair amount of space.
The problem is, it's now trying to do everything for me. Shoutcast stations, which were always a definite bonus, have been joined by an integrated browser, auto tagging, song recommendations and all sorts of other additions, which duplicate features from other apps and sites like last.fm, iTunes and so on.
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate what they're trying to do, but there's now a constant battle over CDs, MP3s and every USB device which features even a scrap of memory as applications battle to become the default software.
While I like a lot of the bits and pieces on offer from all of the various programmes (and have spent hours and days considering whether to keep last.fm, mog, pandora, winamp, itunes and the rest), it's now just bugging the hell out of me.
So, I am searching for a nice, simple music player, which will allow me to listen to MP3/OGG/FLAC and so on, WITHOUT offering me free downloads, trying to control my Flash drive or bundling in a browser.
On my old laptop it's simple. It runs Ubuntu and I use amarok. However, no Windows version.
I'm not singling out Winamp either. I'm also looking for an iTunes replacement. That's a truly aggravating piece of software for anyone who doesn't conform (or WANT to conform) to their structure or demands.
I'm even considering loading the iPod with Rockbox, just to see what happens.
So much for the quick, simple and convenient digital music revolution.
I'll keep you posted...
Lurching TV pundit find lack of technical knowledge CAN be dangerous.
Another week, another chance to comment on a tech story for the Scotland on Sunday. They're looking at the new generic iPhone type device coming out from China. Touchscreen, higher res camera, the whole bit.
It's hardly a shock that any successful electronic device immediately spawns dozens - if not hundreds - of imitators, but to people outside the tech industries, it seems shocking that some random company can 'rip off' the design of another device.
Of course without this whole ecosystem, the consumer electronics market would not exist as we know it. Trying to explain the difference between patented hardware technology, intellectual property and the user interface underlined for me, how little consumers understand about what is and is not allowed.
I used the PC as an example - pointing out how the generic nature of the hardware and the fact anyone can build components has made it the most widespread computer system on the planet. Then mentioned the Mac, which is of course locked and tied into Apple...
The piece in the SoS missed that part of my well-reasoned and fascinating reply, but despite this, it immediately attracted a legion of defensive Apple/Mac fans in the comments. They were cross about people dissing the iPhone and getting things wrong about Apple.
However cross they are, the point remains. The iPhone is lovely - it looks great, the UI is really rather good, but as a phone - as a smartphone, it's not great. The camera is moderate at best, the connectivity is shameful for a device released in 2007 and the locked down O/S and lack of third party software severely limits it's appeal to the higher end of the market here in Europe, which is already very well served by Nokia and SE. The price is appalling and the lock-in to a single network is the final nail in the coffin. O2's data charge controversy aside, it remains a hugely pricey way to have data on the go.
Of course the key is it's integration into the network. Apple's always been about the overall experience and one of the reasons they struck deals with individual carriers in separate countries is that they can shape and ensure a smooth and consistent experience for their users (plus they can fix prices and gouge the suckers for everything they can...)
Compare that to a cheap, generic clone device, the experience could be inconsistent across different carriers, it could be difficult to configure and you may not have access to every service.
However, that's the reality for everyone in Europe. If you own a high end handset, the chances are you can't do everything the manufacturer built into it because they don't want you to have certain services, or don't offer them - Visual Radio? Push To Talk? Forget it.
So the seamless integration may have great appeal, it may be worth the ridiculous price and lock in to a single carrier - for some people. For many, however, a cheap clone device, which is just as shiny, still plays music, has a better camera, allows them to take it to any network (oh and does not have dire threats from the manufacturer about 'bricking' their device if they do) and is open to third-party software, is going to be a far more appealing opportunity.
It might run S60 - or even Linux - then even I'll be happy.
Reasons why this will be a GOOD superhero movie...
1. Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark. Check the trailer. He manages to be sleazy, cool AND funny in every line. Bruce Wayne only wishes he was this cool.
2. Iron Man by Black Sabbath. Original. Not as covered by [contemporary American band].
3. Best New Hero Suit- ever. As voted by me. Sorry Batman, but HIS is IRON.
4. He can outfly F22 Raptors.
Seriously. Watch the trailer and tell me this doesn't look fabulous...
