The iPad, we’ve all seen the videos (and if you haven’t watched them, go here and come back, I’ll wait), but what place does it have in the technology market. Some people are taking the e-reader angle, comparing it to the Nook and Kindle. To which people complain that the iPad is too large by comparison. I am sure it is bulkier and heavier than these ever popular e-readers, which may be a turn off to those who view it as such. But why should we compare it to only an e-reader when it can do so much more. The iPad itself uses the iPod touch/iPhone OS, which so far has proven to be everything that people want in a portable device. So what we should be comparing it to is a netbook, because they both offer the ability to browse the internet with the loss of some processing power and storage.

Apple’s major selling point here is portability, whilst tapping into a current void which they initiated in the first place. In my opinion iPods and iPhones due to their small size are intimate objects that you put your songs and your apps on, for your own purposes. Apple shows that they understand that iPods and iPhones are personal, and thus have created a product that can be used to share. Saying “Hey, here’s a bigger screen that can be just as intimate and easier to enjoy together”. Never before could I have imagined bringing a sophisticated piece of technology to a romantic location and watching a movie on it. Yes, I know about portable dvd players and what not but they were never as sleek as this machine.

Comparing it to the netbooks out there may leave some purists feeling uneasy about the iPad. Take away their keyboards and they believe that chat, quick browsing, and writing emails will become far too bothersome of a task. I spoke to one colleague who said that he can only type so fast without looking because he can feel all the crevices between the keys. Which I totally believe is a legitimate reason, but I don’t believe I’ve ever had the opportunity to type on something so large with a touch screen which also had the display right on it. Think about it, when you use a keyboard you’re usually either looking at the keys or the screen because they’re in separate places. So when they’re in the same place how different is the experience? Anyway they’ve already announced a keyboard dock accessory for these typing purists but add-ons such as these take away from the magic of an all in one device.

Although I must admit it is easy to get lost in how pretty the iPad is, I still have some concerns about its durability. I worry that without a sufficient carrying case one could put it in their bag until expected it to be just fine, but due to some jostling and banging finding it broken upon arrival. Also, Apple is claiming that this is the best way to view the internet, but last I checked flash is part of the internet. I understand that flash is capable of passing some security levels that Apple does not want present in their iPhone/iPad OS but some people are definitely going to miss their flash.

All in all I am excited about the prospect of an Apple made tablet netbook device. I imagine that even though not all apps will translate as well as maybe people expect; mostly due to the difference in size. Let’s face it, it takes more effort to shake something the size of a large etch-a-sketch compared to something the size of a deck of cards. But the possibility that there can be something that size, and that portable to act like a sketchpad is something that I drool over. Not to mention that I imagine reading comics on that bad boy. I remain skeptical that the first generation of this device will be all that its cracked up to be, but it seems like it is something that was born out of my nerdly dreams.

Apple has been everything but direct with information about their new tablet device up to this point. Later today, we will know everything we want to know about the mysterious device; but a few things have already been confirmed: it will use an operating system similar to the iPhone, and it may or may not have a 10 inch screen. It’s already off to a great start.

One thing that should be taken into account here is that Apple is releasing the first “tablet” style device. Whether it will compare more with a netbook or an e-reader remains to be seen, but my assumption is that Apple is looking to cover both arenas with their invention.

On the business side of things, book publishers will likely have a new prospect to consider – selling e-books on iTunes. This would bring e-reading to the forefront of digital media, and Apple’s Tablet would be at the wheel. The question remains, is this device going to be popularly compared to e-readers, netbooks, or both?

The battle between Microsoft and Apple wages forward, and it’s more intense than ever.

On August 28th, 2009, Apple released the most recent version of OS X, Snow Leopard; advancing it up to version 10.6 of their kitty-cat themed operating system. Snow Leopard was released mainly as an upgrade and not an individual install, and is priced at $30. The upgrade revamps many cobwebbed pieces of functionality that have been in place since Tiger (10.4) was released in 2007. A quick list:

• the GUI received a spiffy overhaul, yet retained the look-and-feel Mac users love.
• the OS itself leaves a smaller footprint, utilizing about 7GB less hard drive space than Leopard.
• Safari (Apple’s web browser) is updated to version 4, adding various spiffy features and bug fixes.
• the Finder has been rewritten, and makes better use of the Intel chipsets that have become the Mac standard. The previous Finder was built for the PowerPC CPU, the old standard.
• 64 bit processors (available in most new Macs) are fully supported by Snow Leopard, which will result in improved performance.

Considering the similarities this list of updates shares with what Windows users receive for free in Service Pack releases, fans of Microsoft snarkily call Snow Leopard the “Mac Service Pack you have to pay for.” As much of a dig as this is, they are not far off. New browsers and various bug fixes are always included in Windows Service Packs, and you never have to pay for these updates. Additionally, they are automatically downloaded and installed to your computer.

Windows 7, priced at about $120 for an upgrade CD and $200 for a full installation; was released to the public on October 22nd, 2009. The list of upgrades were solely based on complaints users repeatedly harbored when using Windows Vista. Microsoft made the following general modifications to their operating system:

• an updated Taskbar, which works similarly to the OS X Dock, featuring shortcuts to any programs you’d like to have readily available.
• various updates to the graphical user interface, making for a better experience as you traverse the operating system.
• handwriting recognition.
• the operating system itself is less demanding of the graphic accelerator, improving performance of both installed programs and the operating system alike.
• support for virtual disks.

It can safely be said that this operating system should be considered equivalent to an apology note addressed to the people who complained heavily about Vista. It runs smoother, than Vista, and is less needy when it comes to performing mundane and routine tasks. Some considered the “Is this okay to do?” prompt (now removed from Windows 7) very good for preventing malware and spyware from taking over your computer; but everyone just got sick of bothering with it.

No matter which you prefer in this ongoing feud, both updated operating systems offer minor upgrades and ask you to shell out some of your hard-earned dough. Which do you think makes more sense to pay for?