http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/features/opinion/ Daily news, opinions, editorials, reviews, tips, forums, comments, and podcasts all relating to the iPod, the iPhone, Apple, and the surrounding industry. en webmaster@ipodobserver.com Copyright 2009 Fri, 17 Jul 2009 07:47:06 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/thoughts_on_the_rumored_apple_branded_tv_set/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/thoughts_on_the_rumored_apple_branded_tv_set/ Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster thinks that Apple is going to come out with its own branded TV set. It's an interesting idea, one I have mixed feelings about. Columns and Opinions, Opinion, Editorial Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:14:29 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/the_free_internet_tv_era_is_coming_to_a_close/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/the_free_internet_tv_era_is_coming_to_a_close/ Free TV content on the Internet, notably via Hulu, has a lot of people exited, perhaps even canceling their Cable TV subscriptions. However, that teaser phenomenon isn't going to last.  Hollywood places a lot of value on creative content, and the goal isn't to give it away, rather it's to create a new revenue stream.  The viewer, that's you, will end up paying more. How this will impact the Apple TV remains uncertain. Columns and Opinions, Opinion, Analysis Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:07:40 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/what_i_dont_like_about_iphone_apps/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/what_i_dont_like_about_iphone_apps/ There is a disturbing trend in the development of iPhone apps, and I don't like it. Here's why. Columns and Opinions, Opinion, Editorial Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:38:27 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/the_every_other_year_iphone_club/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/the_every_other_year_iphone_club/ To upgrade or not to upgrade: that is the question—when it comes to the iPhone 3GS, at least. For some, including Contributing Editor Chuck La Tournous, the answer may lie on when you got your last iPhone. iPO Reports, iPhone, Columns and Opinions, Opinion Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:00:06 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/as_others_target_apple_tv_apple_stands_pat/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/as_others_target_apple_tv_apple_stands_pat/ Apple may have a lot more in store for us with the Apple TV, but, for now, others are moving aggressively in what appears to be an assault on Apple's dormant product. Why Apple is not moving more quickly with enhancements is an interesting question to explore. Columns and Opinions, Opinion, Editorial Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:56:28 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/what_does_disneys_investment_in_hulu_mean_for_apple_tv/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/what_does_disneys_investment_in_hulu_mean_for_apple_tv/ Recently, Disney acquired 30 percent of Hulu for an undisclosed amount. It hasn't gone unnoticed by advertisers that Hulu has eclipsed YouTube in videos viewed in March, and Hulu is expected to generate US$120M in ad revenue this year. With the linkage to Disney via Steve Jobs, one has to wonder whether Apple will use this event to leverage the Apple TV.  Columns and Opinions, Opinion, Editorial Mon, 04 May 2009 14:30:44 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/apple_grow_up/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/apple_grow_up/ Your Mac Life's Shawn King has been watching the evolution and growth of Apple's App Store for the iPhone and iPod touch. He sees a problem with the approach to approving applications, and he's more than happy to let Apple know exactly what he thinks. Columns and Opinions, Opinion, Editorial Tue, 14 Apr 2009 10:20:56 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/sorting_out_the_tv_chaos_-_a_tv_portal/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/sorting_out_the_tv_chaos_-_a_tv_portal/ First there was the TV studio fascination with the Internet. Then there was confusion about how to run ads. Then there was technical obtuseness about how to deliver near HD quality streaming TV to multiple OSes. Finally, there is utter chaos as the cable and satellite providers are terrified that they'll lose subscribers to the Internet. What we need is solutions, not more technology. Here are some ideas.  Columns and Opinions, Opinion, Editorial Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:38:13 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/apple_iphone_3.0_update_the_good_the_bad_and_the_still_missing/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/apple_iphone_3.0_update_the_good_the_bad_and_the_still_missing/ Apple held its iPhone 3.0 event today and unveiled a slew of new features, but no real surprises. Cut and paste is finally here, Flash is still not, and Push Notifications are apparently here for real this time. iPO Reports, iPhone, Columns and Opinions, Opinion, Analysis Tue, 17 Mar 2009 18:09:41 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/iphone_3.0_is_great_in_itself_but_also_a_precursor/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/iphone_3.0_is_great_in_itself_but_also_a_precursor/ On Tuesday, Apple's Greg Joswiak and Scott Forstall announced the iPhone 3.0 software and corresponding SDK. While the additions are much need (or long overdue like MMS and Cut/Paste), some of them can also be interpreted to pave the way for what's next. Columns and Opinions, Opinion, Editorial Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:00:15 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/apple_tv_on_offering_a_service_not_a_product/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/apple_tv_on_offering_a_service_not_a_product/ While many have criticized the Apple TV for not being all things to all people, or even excelling in some fundamentals, the Apple TV does get one thing right that cable and satellite doesn't: the concept of a highly targeted service. With Internet TV dealing body blows to Cable, the Apple TV could see a surge in popularity -- if only Apple would seize the opportunity. Columns and Opinions, Opinion, Editorial Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:45:01 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/era_of_free_internet_tv_coming_to_a_close/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/era_of_free_internet_tv_coming_to_a_close/ When times were good and the Internet was hot, the TV networks experimented with mechanisms to draw in more customers via the Web. Those services, like Hulu.com and TV.com, have been free because they remained minimally ad supported. However, in the current economy, with cable subscribers dropping their subscriptions in droves, experimental, free Internet TV is being rethought. It may be coming to a close. Columns and Opinions, Opinion, Editorial Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:00:57 -0500 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/lets_do_away_with_buy-to-try_in_the_iphone_app_store/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/lets_do_away_with_buy-to-try_in_the_iphone_app_store/ Dave Hamilton offers a very compelling solution for app store developers and users who are frustrated by the lack of any option to try out apps before purchase.  Columns and Opinions, Opinion, Editorial Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:45:29 -0500 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/att_3g_microcell_will_be_hot/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/att_3g_microcell_will_be_hot/ One of the weaknesses of a modern cell phone is that a good signal is far more likely in business locations than homes, which are often in rural locations.  AT&T is about to fix that, and it'll be a hot, must-have accessory for every iPhone 3G owner in 2009. Columns and Opinions, Opinion, Editorial Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:30:12 -0500 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/boxee_and_its_implications_for_apple_tv/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/boxee_and_its_implications_for_apple_tv/ boxee is an app for Windows, Linux or Mac that collects, in one place, feeds from Hulu, Netflix, CBS, ABC, Joost and others. The user can access local content or that on the Internet, and it's also a social site that promotes sharing. This kind of product creates new problems (or opportunities) for Apple in converting the Apple TV from a hobby to a big money maker during a deep recession. Columns and Opinions, Opinion, Analysis Thu, 05 Feb 2009 17:10:31 -0500 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/how_to_unbork_an_apple_iphone/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/how_to_unbork_an_apple_iphone/ Sometimes an iPhone can get into an ill-configured state and become unusable.  It may have happened thanks to, euphemistically, Cosmic Rays or an airport security system. Or it could have been due to some software you downloaded that failed miserably and borked the iPhone for good. Now, you'd like to try a software restore, but it won't mount in iTunes. Here's a process that might fix that. Columns and Opinions, Opinion, Analysis Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:45:33 -0500 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/netflix_pokes_apple_in_the_eye_again/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/netflix_pokes_apple_in_the_eye_again/ LG and Netflix announced on Monday that, soon, LG TV sets will be available that can stream Netflix movies directly, without a set-top box. Models will be demoed at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Meanwhile, at Macworld San Francisco, Apple had nothing new to announce regarding its "hobby," the Apple TV. iPO Reports, Macworld Expo, Macworld Expo 2009, Columns and Opinions, Opinion, Editorial Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:00:58 -0500 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/integrating_your_apple_gear_with_hdtv/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/integrating_your_apple_gear_with_hdtv/ For those who are fortunate enough, this year, to be working with some new Apple gear or some high definition TV goodies, getting them working together can be a lot of fun. The Apple TV is straightforward, however, some of the other options will require some tinkering. Columns and Opinions, Opinion, Analysis Fri, 19 Dec 2008 15:30:23 -0500 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/why_is_microsoft_developing_iphone_apps/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/why_is_microsoft_developing_iphone_apps/ Some might conclude that Microsoft has released an iPhone app thanks to iPhone envy, the desire to make a few bucks, or just jumping on the bandwagon.  However, there could be another reason. Columns and Opinions, Opinion, Editorial Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:15:25 -0500 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/blu-ray_buyers_guide_for_the_weekend/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/blu-ray_buyers_guide_for_the_weekend/ You're ready to make the leap and buy a Blu-ray player for your HDTV this weekend. Here's what you need to know, simply and straightforward.  Columns and Opinions, Opinion, Analysis Fri, 12 Dec 2008 09:00:46 -0500 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/its_time_for_the_promised_unlocked_iphone_3gs/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/its_time_for_the_promised_unlocked_iphone_3gs/ Back in July, AT&T promised that they'd sell unlocked iPhone 3Gs at full price. A half year later, that promise has gone unfulfilled. It's time for AT&T to act. Columns and Opinions, Opinion, Editorial Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:20:37 -0500 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/att_crushed_by_choice_learning_from_apple/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/att_crushed_by_choice_learning_from_apple/ An AT&T executive said on Thursday that the company plans a "dramatic consolidation" of its mobile platforms over the years, leading up to 2014. The credible and likely candidate, he said, is Symbian. However, the decision doesn't affect the Apple iPhone. This announcement says a lot about too much complexity and choice in the mobile phone market. Columns and Opinions, Opinion Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:51:31 -0500 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/santa_baby_bring_me_blu-ray/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/santa_baby_bring_me_blu-ray/ Several reports have provided evidence that sub $200 Blu-ray players have been big hits so far this Christmas buying season. The fact that Blu-ray sales are now hot, in this economy, supports the idea that after the price barrier is broken, there are tangible reasons for the popularity of the technology.     Columns and Opinions, Opinion, Editorial Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:00:46 -0500