Showing posts with label Macs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Macs. Show all posts
October 08, 2011
January 28, 2010
Manang, pabili ng iPad, with wings
OKAY, so who's salivating over Apple's new iPad? Raise your hands.
If you're an Apple nut like I am (although I don't own an iPhone because I think it sucks), you were also probably on the edge of your seats early this morning monitoring the presentation of chief Appleseed Steve Jobs of the company's latest creation, the iPad.
To PC users, I could probably describe the iPad as a cross bet. a netbook, a Kindle, and iPhone – all that in a 9.6"x7.5" sized tablet no thicker than 0.5". No doubt about it, it's gorgeous. Its graphics display look very crisp and vibrant, making it supposedly a joy to watch videos/films, look at photos, and play games on it. Having the same multi-touch technology as the iPhone, it looks easy to navigate, much like an iPhone.
(Joketime!)
It has wi-fi and 3G capability so you can use it to surf the net seamlessly and call, just like an ordinary cellphone (only bigger). Problem w/ the latter though, it only uses a microSIM, instead of the usual-sized SIM cards most of us have in our cellphones. Some sites suggest that despite it being an open line device, its use of the microSIM ensures that only U.S. buyers will subscribe to AT&T w/c has an exclusivity deal w/ Apple. I dunno if Apple intends to release an iPad w/c accommodates the regular-sized SIM for Europe and Asia, esp. since the latter is one of its fastest growing markets. (Maybe we can ask Smart or Globe if they're considering switching to the microSIM anytime soon.)
One of its selling points, I'd say, is its Kindle-like feature, because it uses the new app iBook. Apple has closed numerous deals w/ various publishers, making available thousands and thousands of books for downloading. All an iPad user has to do is click the device's built-in iBookstore and download the book she wants (for a price of course). Will this be available in the Philippines? I don't know. Remember when the iTunes store first opened and it didn't allow purchases made from Asia? (I don't buy stuff from iTunes, so I'm not sure if that situation still exists.) Hopefully, the Philippines will be able to access iBookstore.
While it looked easy for Steve Jobs to type on the iPad, I'm not quite sure how our bodies will deal with this smaller device. I imagine a lot of cricks in the neck and sore shoulders from trying to schooch down and type on its keyboard, and yes, even if you use an external keyboard and hitch the iPad to its dock. Btw, you would have to buy the external keyboard, the wireless variety.
With that much advanced technology and apps available, it's amazing that the iPad is reasonably-priced starting at $499 for the 16GB model. The price goes up depending on the memory and the additional specs like 3G (plus $130).
This being a new device, I would wait for at least a year until all the bugs are fixed and the design is finalized. Apple critics hail the iPad as definitely packing a WOW factor, but still falls short in some areas. Of course, with competitive prices like Apple has for this device, its understandable that the company wouldn't pack it w/ features that say, the Macbook has. Don't think of it as a smaller Macbook. Think of it as a bigger iPhone. (Or as my friend quipped on his FB status, "***** Is content with the thought his old iPhone is the new iPad nano.")
Still, I would consider buying it bec. as a journalist, I find that it'll make my coverage of events easier and more portable. Right now, I lug around my Macbook when I cover an event and it is still pretty bulky to carry around. I've been toying around the idea of buying a netbook but didn't like the fact that it uses the Windows platform.
Unfortunately, the iPad doesn't have a webcam so you can't video chat, nor does it use flash technology w/c many websites now use, nor does it have a USB port to connect your devices like cameras and printers. You need to buy a camera connection kit, for instance, to enable you to transfer your photos from your camera, as the iPad also doesn't have a card reader. Still, I'm salivating for it, but will probably wait a year to see how things develop.
Oh yes, it does play music too, like an iPod. Now here's the real video on the iPad:
Also, a story from NYT about this "revolutionary" product.
If you're an Apple nut like I am (although I don't own an iPhone because I think it sucks), you were also probably on the edge of your seats early this morning monitoring the presentation of chief Appleseed Steve Jobs of the company's latest creation, the iPad.
To PC users, I could probably describe the iPad as a cross bet. a netbook, a Kindle, and iPhone – all that in a 9.6"x7.5" sized tablet no thicker than 0.5". No doubt about it, it's gorgeous. Its graphics display look very crisp and vibrant, making it supposedly a joy to watch videos/films, look at photos, and play games on it. Having the same multi-touch technology as the iPhone, it looks easy to navigate, much like an iPhone.
(Joketime!)
It has wi-fi and 3G capability so you can use it to surf the net seamlessly and call, just like an ordinary cellphone (only bigger). Problem w/ the latter though, it only uses a microSIM, instead of the usual-sized SIM cards most of us have in our cellphones. Some sites suggest that despite it being an open line device, its use of the microSIM ensures that only U.S. buyers will subscribe to AT&T w/c has an exclusivity deal w/ Apple. I dunno if Apple intends to release an iPad w/c accommodates the regular-sized SIM for Europe and Asia, esp. since the latter is one of its fastest growing markets. (Maybe we can ask Smart or Globe if they're considering switching to the microSIM anytime soon.)
One of its selling points, I'd say, is its Kindle-like feature, because it uses the new app iBook. Apple has closed numerous deals w/ various publishers, making available thousands and thousands of books for downloading. All an iPad user has to do is click the device's built-in iBookstore and download the book she wants (for a price of course). Will this be available in the Philippines? I don't know. Remember when the iTunes store first opened and it didn't allow purchases made from Asia? (I don't buy stuff from iTunes, so I'm not sure if that situation still exists.) Hopefully, the Philippines will be able to access iBookstore.
While it looked easy for Steve Jobs to type on the iPad, I'm not quite sure how our bodies will deal with this smaller device. I imagine a lot of cricks in the neck and sore shoulders from trying to schooch down and type on its keyboard, and yes, even if you use an external keyboard and hitch the iPad to its dock. Btw, you would have to buy the external keyboard, the wireless variety.
With that much advanced technology and apps available, it's amazing that the iPad is reasonably-priced starting at $499 for the 16GB model. The price goes up depending on the memory and the additional specs like 3G (plus $130).
This being a new device, I would wait for at least a year until all the bugs are fixed and the design is finalized. Apple critics hail the iPad as definitely packing a WOW factor, but still falls short in some areas. Of course, with competitive prices like Apple has for this device, its understandable that the company wouldn't pack it w/ features that say, the Macbook has. Don't think of it as a smaller Macbook. Think of it as a bigger iPhone. (Or as my friend quipped on his FB status, "***** Is content with the thought his old iPhone is the new iPad nano.")
Still, I would consider buying it bec. as a journalist, I find that it'll make my coverage of events easier and more portable. Right now, I lug around my Macbook when I cover an event and it is still pretty bulky to carry around. I've been toying around the idea of buying a netbook but didn't like the fact that it uses the Windows platform.
Unfortunately, the iPad doesn't have a webcam so you can't video chat, nor does it use flash technology w/c many websites now use, nor does it have a USB port to connect your devices like cameras and printers. You need to buy a camera connection kit, for instance, to enable you to transfer your photos from your camera, as the iPad also doesn't have a card reader. Still, I'm salivating for it, but will probably wait a year to see how things develop.
Oh yes, it does play music too, like an iPod. Now here's the real video on the iPad:
Also, a story from NYT about this "revolutionary" product.
August 20, 2008
Skype me!
WELL, wait until I get my face on, that is.
Miggy and I have been talking to each other via Skype for the past three days, and I just realized that video via webcam really isn't that flattering. So when another friend called me yesterday morning, and because she was in the office and fully made-up, I kinda got self-conscious.
(Lipstick beside my Mac...SOP from now on.)
You see, I work from my home office, so I virtually have no need to put on any makeup (unlike my mother who has lipstick on even if she's just watching TV), So when you're Skyping at 10:30 am, you better have some eyeliner and lipstick on ghels and gheys! or like me, I probably looked such a fright to Tish when I spoke to her this morning...I just woke up and was in my pangtulog. Of course, since she lives in New York, she was also in her sleepwear, about to turn in for the day. But compared to me sympre, she looked fresh and put together, mukang bagong paligo ang lolah ko. So after this morning's Rocky Horror Picture Show (or sige na nga, Regal Shockers), I have resolved to put on some pressed powder, eyeliner, and a dab of lipstick every morning...just in case someone Skypes me.
Btw, like Facebook, Skype is such a great way to keep in touch w/ friends and relatives abroad. (Or like Miggy and I, even when we're practically just separated by Edsa and Visayas Ave. hahaha!) I know Skype has been around for a few years, but I only got my new Macbook recently w/c has a built-in Isight (or webcam), whereas my old Ibook didn't have one. So it's now more fun to use Skype because you see your caller or the people you call in all their fugly glory...hahaha! (According to Ms. RP, this is what she is worried about as well if she starts using Skype. We would have to put our fez on everytime we go before the webcam...)
Sure, Yahoo Messenger and those other instant messaging applications like our homegrown Chikka, as well as cellphone texting, are useful because you get to chat/text w/ your friends here and abroad, but I sorta miss the good 'ol days when people actually spoke to each other, fez to fez. It was a hoot to see Tish, for example, in her bedroom in New York (and her American hubby too who was nakiki-chismis w/ us), even as she complained about the noisy yapping dogs of my neighbor.
After being such a bad influence on my friends for introducing them to Facebook, now I'm getting all of them to do Skype. Imagine, we can even play poker now via Skype? The possibilities are endless I tell ya! It's cool, so gheys and ghels, come let's join us!
All right Mr. De Mille, I'm ready for my close-up.
Miggy and I have been talking to each other via Skype for the past three days, and I just realized that video via webcam really isn't that flattering. So when another friend called me yesterday morning, and because she was in the office and fully made-up, I kinda got self-conscious.
(Lipstick beside my Mac...SOP from now on.)You see, I work from my home office, so I virtually have no need to put on any makeup (unlike my mother who has lipstick on even if she's just watching TV), So when you're Skyping at 10:30 am, you better have some eyeliner and lipstick on ghels and gheys! or like me, I probably looked such a fright to Tish when I spoke to her this morning...I just woke up and was in my pangtulog. Of course, since she lives in New York, she was also in her sleepwear, about to turn in for the day. But compared to me sympre, she looked fresh and put together, mukang bagong paligo ang lolah ko. So after this morning's Rocky Horror Picture Show (or sige na nga, Regal Shockers), I have resolved to put on some pressed powder, eyeliner, and a dab of lipstick every morning...just in case someone Skypes me.
Btw, like Facebook, Skype is such a great way to keep in touch w/ friends and relatives abroad. (Or like Miggy and I, even when we're practically just separated by Edsa and Visayas Ave. hahaha!) I know Skype has been around for a few years, but I only got my new Macbook recently w/c has a built-in Isight (or webcam), whereas my old Ibook didn't have one. So it's now more fun to use Skype because you see your caller or the people you call in all their fugly glory...hahaha! (According to Ms. RP, this is what she is worried about as well if she starts using Skype. We would have to put our fez on everytime we go before the webcam...)
Sure, Yahoo Messenger and those other instant messaging applications like our homegrown Chikka, as well as cellphone texting, are useful because you get to chat/text w/ your friends here and abroad, but I sorta miss the good 'ol days when people actually spoke to each other, fez to fez. It was a hoot to see Tish, for example, in her bedroom in New York (and her American hubby too who was nakiki-chismis w/ us), even as she complained about the noisy yapping dogs of my neighbor.
After being such a bad influence on my friends for introducing them to Facebook, now I'm getting all of them to do Skype. Imagine, we can even play poker now via Skype? The possibilities are endless I tell ya! It's cool, so gheys and ghels, come let's join us!
All right Mr. De Mille, I'm ready for my close-up.
November 08, 2007
Mac users beware!
IF you're a Mac user like me, DO NOT UPGRADE to Quicktime 7.3 and iTunes 7.5 unless absolutely necessary (like if you're using an iPhone or have Apple TV, etc.). Idiot that I am, I got suckered in by the software update and after uploading the new versions of these software, am now unable to stream my favorite Virgin Radio Groove station on iTunes, nor have I been able to watch newscasts.
So far the problem seems to be limited to the Firefox browser and I followed all the suggestions on various threads in the Apple forums regarding these new software versions but have not been able to get them to work properly. Like if I try to access a video on YouTube or Reuters, all that appears is a white screen with the blue Q and question mark in the middle. No video plays, even after I've repaired the disk permissions, and restarted as had been suggested.
So I've gone back to Safari 2 for my browsing. All you need to do is download the latest Adobe Flash Player, Real Player, Perian, and Flip4Mac, repair your disk permissions, then restart everything. After that, your softwares will work fine and you'll be able to stream video seamlessly. (I just don't like using Safari because some web pages, like the new Yahoo, still isn't accessible on this browser. So you're stuck with the Yahoo classic version. Other than that, it's a great browser especially for RSS feeds.)
Oh, I've read that even Windows users are having problems with the new iTunes and QT versions as well so be advised to stall your upgrades until Apple releases its security updates or bug fixes.
So far the problem seems to be limited to the Firefox browser and I followed all the suggestions on various threads in the Apple forums regarding these new software versions but have not been able to get them to work properly. Like if I try to access a video on YouTube or Reuters, all that appears is a white screen with the blue Q and question mark in the middle. No video plays, even after I've repaired the disk permissions, and restarted as had been suggested.
So I've gone back to Safari 2 for my browsing. All you need to do is download the latest Adobe Flash Player, Real Player, Perian, and Flip4Mac, repair your disk permissions, then restart everything. After that, your softwares will work fine and you'll be able to stream video seamlessly. (I just don't like using Safari because some web pages, like the new Yahoo, still isn't accessible on this browser. So you're stuck with the Yahoo classic version. Other than that, it's a great browser especially for RSS feeds.)
Oh, I've read that even Windows users are having problems with the new iTunes and QT versions as well so be advised to stall your upgrades until Apple releases its security updates or bug fixes.
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