Well, it’s finally here, Apple’s keynote for 2011.  Their major event this year where they intend to blow us away with the latest tech
wizardry they’re incorporating into their flagship device, the iPhone.

After all the rumours and guesswork comes the facts.
Will it be an upgrade iPhone 4GS or will they leap into an iPhone 5?  Maybe they will astound us and do both?

Here it is – 6:00pm London time.

Tim Cook takes the stage, the new CEO (sorry got to say it… miss you jobs!).
Apple go through their usual “This is Apple – this is what we have achieved” intro.
70% of the portable music market is impressive though!

Nothing on the iPhone as yet.  Although it does appear a Japanese website has mistakenly put up a iPhone 4GS for sale?
Woops has that let the cat out of the bag?

Apple own 5 percent of the mobile market (global), I actually thought it would be more?  They also think one day everyone will own a smartphone, hummm, yep!

I’m concerned at this point.  We’re 15 mins into the keynote and nothing on anything new.  Maybe there’s not that much to say?

Right first new development:

iPhoto cards – you can now mail “cards” from your iPhone?  Really?  Are we looking at e-cards as a new feature?  oh.

iOS5 features, which we already know about are now being presented.  iMessage (Blackberry messenger anyone?) and the new notification system for starters.  Let’s face it, notifications did need fixing.  At least they’ve made sure of that.
Twitter integration as well, tweet tweet tweet from all areas of your iPhone – those messages are going to be so much more interesting now!
iCloud’s (oct 12 release) going to change everything apparently.  Maybe it will, maybe it won’t depends if Apple do it right.
It will be nice to set up the new phone without syncing to iTunes though.  Oh yes… new phone, isn’t that what this is meant to be about?
Friends and Family locator app?  Hopefully as long as they check-in, otherwise that’s a bit wierd?
iTunes match – pulls info from the cloud to help you sort out your music library, now that might be useful.  Although not exactly cutting edge.

New iPod Nano – has Nike+ built in.  That’s pretty cool especially as you have no additional sensors to buy.  Might get one of those beauties.

Here it is… iPhone 4S
A5 chip – 7 times faster than the 4!  Not bad, thank you.
Also allows for games with more detail, like infinity blade2, only available for the 4S.

Antenna switching – for switching between transmitting and receiving, a new feature never been achieved before.  This means upto 14,4Mbps, that’s quick.  That’s real 4G!

New camera – 8mp and 33% faster capture. Who made that, was it Sony?  1080p capture – whooohooo HD! all the way.  Real-time stabilisation and face detection – impressive.

Assistant (only on the 4S) – Ask your phone a question, it gives you the answer.    You ask in real language as well, not pigeon speak.
Siri?  What kind of name is that?
So, you ask “What’s the weather like today?” and you get a response… “Look out of the window!”.  Hopefully something a little more helpful.  But really, are we all going to be talking to our phone with no real person on the other end?
Siri can also set appointments/reminders (ring wife?) and reply to texts through your spoken voice.  Again, will we really use this?  Or be far too self conscious?  This is basically because of the deal with Nuance apple struck earlier in the year.
Seems harsh to make this only work on the 4S as it must be software based and the 4 is more than capable.

Ok, so Oct 14th release date – 16GB $199, 32GB $299, 64GB $399.  In black & white and you can buy an iPhone 4 for $99.

So here’s my “Sum it up in a nutshell”…

A5 processor making it 7x faster, that’s cool as is the improved camera although 8mp is hardly groundbreaking.  Quick capture is good though as phones are notoriously bad for speed.
The Antenna switching which makes this such a fast phone needs to be proved.  Let’s hope they tested it this time eh!
The whole Assistant thing?  I just can’t see it, I might be wrong but really?  Talking to your phone to organise your life?  That’s worse than wearing a bluetooth earpiece which is basically reserved for absolute goons!

The combination of iOS 5, the iCloud and the faster improved 4s specs may save it and keep it as the sought after device.  The Assistant… maybe apple’s dropped the ball!

It’s funny how sometimes you can easily forgive and then other times you can’t for what is really the same fault.

I downloaded the iPad BBC iPlayer app 2 months ago and while the interface is slick enough with it’s big touch friendly images of the shows and the quality of streaming is very good, in all honesty I wasn’t blown away. It gave me nothing that the iPlayer app on my laptop or even on my Nintento Wii didn’t already provide.
Ok, the app is free and the level of content is impressive. But as I’m a UK TV licence payer I would have been more than a little annoyed if those two boxes hadn’t been ticked.
The EPG style channels listing which fades in smoothly and scrolls effortlessly across the screen is a beautiful thing, but still I had a problem with this app. The ability to save favorites and even have shows recommended for my style of viewing didn’t stop me thinking why oh why have the BBC overlooked just a few features that would have made this app fantastic. A real gem. A contender for the best iPad app available.

Why had the BBC, or at least the agency commissioned to develop their app not realised that by including airplay would have made this app stand out from the crowd in terms of media streaming apps.
Why also had they not incorporated something that I have been expecting from the iPlayer on other platforms for a long time; social media sharing functionality. It didn’t have to be Facebook, it just needed the ability to set up a profile and allow sharing of your favorite shows. Two very popular discussion topics on Facebook is tv shows and films, so it doesn’t take a genius to realise that this would have been a popular feature within an iPlayer app.
The BBC could have also used the dicussion topics around their broadcasts to encourage futher interactivity. Something that in this digital age is becoming more and more important.

The annoyance at the airplay omission was more down to the fact I own an Apple TV, so I can understand if not everyone shares this view. But the social aspect, who wouldn’t see that this would make an average media player into an outstanding one?

2 weeks ago, I downloaded another media player app. Crackle.
This app is by Sony and provides streaming of some of their back catalogue of films as well as a select number of TV shows. The interface is nice while not being quite as slick as the iPlayer app. It’s also a free app that streams it’s media effortlessly giving a high quality output. Rather than being able to add to a favorites list you can Queue items up, or if you’re watching something that’s also available in itunes, touch a simple button to whisk you over to itunes for info and reviews on the show.
The content is again impressive with trailors for new films as well as many full length films and complete TV series. I think it’s worth it for just being able to watch Dilbert!

I thought Crackle was fantastic. I was so impressed that within 30mins of downloading the app and viewing an episode of Dilbert, I had shared my new discovery (through a “share this” button within the app!) on facebook.

Although I have been quite gushing in the praise for Crackle, what you will see I haven’t mentioned is the airplay functionality and the ability to set up your Crackle profile for it’s built in social media platform. That’s because neither exist. Again these two aspects were neglected from the app. I just don’t know why this time I was so easily able to forgive this oversight and praise the app?

Like I said at the outset. Sometimes you easily forgive and sometimes not, even for the same faults.

Ever since groupon launched in November 2008 “discount” sites have sprung up here there and everywhere. Not surprising considering recession has hit the globe and everyone is looking for a way to continue the lifestyle they have become accustom too.

Groupon was an instant success with the unique concept of a deal a day which was “on” or not depending on the number of buyers. The discounts were big, or at least appeared to be and the site was slick. So it didn’t take long for Google to sit up, notice Groupon and slap a $6 billion offer on the table. Not bad for a site that had been in existence for 2 years.

When Groupon turned down Google it was as sure as the iPad2 selling out on launch day that Google would set about developing their own version of the discount site. This is to be called Google offers.

Google Offers BETA is starting in Portland, Oregon and punters can get 50% off or more at the “places” they love. Places being the operative word. Google have developed their Places feature integrated into their search and maps, to enable companies to offer discount.
The difference for google this time is the emphasis is not just on the company to set up the deals using an online form. This time to compete with Groupon Google will have to actively work with companies to set these deals up.

The daily-deal concept requires a large sales force, which talks to businesses, sets pricing strategies and plays a role in setting up the discounts. Groupon has 2,600 employees working in sales all of which are by now honed at setting up these deals.

Never one to be left behind now-a-days Facebook also feels it has a role to play in the let’s-get-money-off landscape.
Facebook are going to leverage their “check-ins” feature to enable Facebook deals.
My first reaction to Facebook entering this arena was here we go again. Can’t Facebook leave anything alone? But after a bit of thought, I actually think Facebook has the best model which has the ability to offer something a little unique.

Facebook deals will open up a more flexible discount system, where the likes of a local pub could offer discounts if you check-in yourself and 10 other friends. This boosts sales at local businesses, encourages people to get together to take advantage of the offer and means you can take advantage of the discount there and then. No waiting, noloo signg your voucher and no deal expiring.

I don’t think Google offers or Facebook deals will be the end of Groupon. Groupon has the head-start in this sector and its dedicated to offering the best discounts and that’s it. It’s not trying to be a jack of all trades, it’s just trying to be a master of one.

The size of both Google and Facebook mean they can set up devisions dedicated to their discount dealings. But what doesn’t change and will only get harder and harder as both these giants grow is the flexibility and ability to change and adapt to the market that a smaller company has.

I believe Facebook’s offering is more unique and will prove successful in the long term. But this doesn’t mean the death nail for Groupon as there is room for both. Facebook for the more spontaneous discount deals and Groupon for the more planned discount treats.

The one offering I can’t see coming out on top is Google offers. It wasn’t first to market and it’s just not unique enough.

Maybe you should have bid $8 billion for Groupon eh Google?

It’s March 2nd and any Apple fan will tell you that today the iPad2 will be announced. What they can’t tell you is what the latest gadget from the Apple development team will include. There have been rumours of what the second generation iPad will bring to the now over-crowded tablet computer Market since the first iPad was released last year, but until today nobody outside of the apple offices have known for sure.

While many Apple fan-boys will say Apple is cutting edge – leading the way in technology, it’s unlikely this next-gen iPad will bring any major surprises. 3D? No way, front and back interface… Doubt it. But what is for certain is whatever apple announce today, they will tell us it is revolutionary!

I’m writing this blog as the event happens. It’s now 18:20 in the uk and the first big surprise is that steve jobs, after all his health problems, is giving the presentation. It’s good to see. No apple presentation is the same without “The Jobs” at the helm!

There is no denying the iPad has been a massive success and Apple are hammering this message home. This “post-PC” device has caught the imagination of both consumer and business around the world and they are taking advantage of it.

So, here we go with the new features…

Dual core CPU – A new A5 chip. No surprise here. The iPad would have been left behind if it hadn’t included a dual core processor. With multitasking incorporated in iOS 4.2 the iPad began to lag. A much needed feature.

Video cameras – front and rear cameras. Again no surprise. With the development of FaceTime it was inevitable these would be included.

Gyroscope – As it’s included in the iPhone 4 it was expected in the iPad. Some new apps may take advantage of it in a tablet, but as yet nothing has rocked the world in the smaller devices for us to be able to say this will happen anytime soon.

The design – Thinner (8.8mm) and lighter (1.3 pounds) Aesthetically not that different though – apart from the cameras there are no great design differences. Obviously being thinner does make it look slightly more attractive, it’s now thinner than an iphone 4! and the iPad 2 is going to be available in White… From day one! Also Apple have pulled off a master stroke to keep the battery life to 10hours with these new changes.

The main new feature here though, is with the new case (smart covers) which uses magnets to hook onto the iPad. Pretty clever. This covers the iPad and even wakes it up when opened. It also has a micro-fibre cloth on the inside to clean the screen.

So – here’s two issues with the original iPad Apple have addressed. The weight. For reading books the first iPad was just too heavy. The smudges from greasy fingers! Not totally solved, but the new case may help.

Mirrored video output – this is a peripheral, but through a new cable we can now mirror the output onto a tv using a hdmi connection. At the moment I’m guessing this will only be activated in certain apps, like keynote (presentation software) or when playing videos or photo slideshows. I doubt this will mirror all activity on the iPad… Which would have been great!

IOS 4.3 – due march 11th, improvements have been made to safari and airplay in the new iOS. I’ve got an apple tv and do find airplay a tad clunky at the moment, which is unusual for apple, so this will be interesting. Also airplay only works on a few websites when browsing in safari so hopefully this has been addressed.

IMovie – a movie app for the iPad. With the integration of the cameras this made sense. It will allow you to simply put together and edit movies on the iPad. Again, with the introduction of the A5 dual core processor, this should run like a dream.

GarageBand – A music composing app that also includes instrument simulators such as guitar and keyboard. This will integrate with iMovie really well I should imagine.
The app looks really good and is available for just £4.99 the same as iMovie.
With how the iPad has been adopted by the music industry, especially with some fantastic dj apps, it’s a clever move by apple to make their own.

looks like that’s it unless they have something else clever at the end of the presentation.

The iPad 2 will hit the uk shelves on March 25th and it looks like it will be priced the same as the original.

I would say overall, as I guessed, there was no major surprises. Unfortunately the roomer-mill, ever since the first iPad, has been in overdrive and has probably increased peoples expectations. That said, it would have been good if apple had a few surprises up their sleeve. The biggest one tonight has been Steve Jobs delivering the presentation rather than the iPad 2 including something revolutionary.

No doubt we will therefore have to wait a couple of years for the 3D iPad. Maybe that will be the iPad 4. But rest assured when apple do announce it, they will make out they have invented 3D!

One thing Apple do emphasise at the end of their presentation is that this is a Post-PC device. They reinforce the fact that it is both the hardware and software that make the experience. Some will say this is a bit of a cop-out and it’s because there are no giant leaps forward with the iPad 2 in terms of technology. I would say there wasn’t any giant leaps forward in terms if technology with the first iPad, but it’s still one of the best devices I have ever used in terms of the experience when browsing online or utilising one of the thousands of apps. I would also say with the fact that Apple owns over 90% of this market (tablet) they know what they’re talking about.

Q: What’s the one thing that people fear most?
A: Change.

I remember mobiles becoming mainstream in 2003 with many of my friends having a Nokia 2100 phone. In fact it wasn’t just my friends that had this phone, it seemed like everybody did. Here in the UK, Nokia phones were more common than Burberry being worn by the local gang of lads in the town centre! every Tom, Dick and Harry had one.
Over the next few years although the model of the phone would change, the brand remained the same. Users were very loyal to Nokia and it’s simple navigation that barely changed with each new phone released.

People stuck to Nokia throughout this period because it is what they knew, what they felt comfortable with.

This is why it’s so difficult to launch a new operating system and this is the reason why, when things changed with the adoption of the smartphone, Apple’s iOS and Googles Android platforms were next in line to enjoy such success.

When Apple launched the iOS on the iPhone it didn’t just give us a fancy new interface, it gave us a user experience that was so simple yet powerful, it was perfect for a handheld device. That’s also why, 18 months later when the first commercially available Android OS Smartphone (HTC Dream) was released, it showed Google hadn’t so much re-invented the wheal as given a very similar wheal some new tyres!

As much as Android and Apple fan-boys may argue about it, the experience is not massively different and that is why both systems have been such a hit. Apple’s iOS defined the way in which smartphones should operate and any challengers to that would have to overcome the one thing people (even tech-loving innovative people) fear most… Change!

This is why the recent deal between Nokia and Microsoft just doesn’t make sense.

While I agree Nokia needed a smartphone OS other than the ageing Symbian platform. Why wouldn’t they follow the likes of Samsung, Motorola and LG and choose an open platform that is successful and growing at an astonishing rate?

Why wouldn’t they rely on what they do best (which is build quality handsets) and adopt Android as their platform?

While I take my hat off to Microsoft with their Windows 7 OS, it had to tick one of two boxes to make it the new mobile user experience of choice.

1) Be the first quality OS on a smartphone – impossible. While Microsoft should have invented this touch panel interface instead of their Vista styled Windows Mobile 6 (powered by Windows CE 5.0) in Feb 2007, they didn’t. Instead they were dealt a knock out blow by Apple four months later with the release of the iPhone and it’s iOS.

Or

2) Make the Windows 7 OS quick, slick and easy to develop for. Unfortunately, while many would argue it is slick, few would say it’s quick and it certainly hasn’t attracted the large developer base it needed.

The outcome of the Nokia/Microsoft deal will be interesting, but I don’t see it changing the mobile experience enough to win market share.  Apple’s iOS will remain popular enough to keep the iPhone as the no.1 selling handset and Android will be the platform that continually innovates enough to ensure the top mobile manufacturers continue to use it for their platform – resulting in Android being the no.1 smartphone operating system.

The winners and losers in the mobile industry are quickly being identified.  Companies that are not reacting quick enough and who’s innovations have fallen below par, are starting to suffer.  I’m only surprised by the fact that Nokia and Microsoft appear to be two of the companies that suffering most.