Apple's iPad Disruptive Product of the Year

By Brooke Crothers

I'll avoid the dicey proposition of naming what I think is the best product of the year. But I can say with certainty that Apple's iPad was the most disruptive.

Beyond the iPad's well-chronicled popularity, impressive shipment numbers, and reported theft of Netbook market share, the disruption for me was very personal: it played havoc with my own computing habits and with people around me who bought the iPad.

As I've written before, initially, I could do little more than paw at the screen in a vain effort to figure out how I was actually going to use the device. But that changed fairly quickly. Within a few weeks, I found myself taking it everywhere (I have the 3G version) and using it instead of my laptop at airports, on planes, and in the car. Not to mention using it at home when relaxing on the sofa.

So, here's why it's disruptive: I always thought that my MacBook Air was the ultimate portable computer and I would never need anything else. Wrong. It turns out that a laptop--because of its relative weight and keyboard-centric clamshell design--is not always the ultimate machine when traveling or when there is a need to some quick home computing. The iPad showed me that there is a better form factor and interface (touch) for a surprising number of tasks.

And that seemingly trivial feature known as instant-on (and almost-instant 3G connections) combined with its 1.5-pound weight makes all the difference in the world.
In short, when I go from using my laptop most of the time to only about half of the time, that's disruptive. Moreover, I think, it's safe to say that I'm not alone.

Finally, I'm anticipating the next iPad (thinner, lighter, dual-core processor?) like I would previously anticipate a new laptop. And can't wait to see what first-tier companies like Motorola and RIM have to offer.
May 2011 be the year of the tablet.

Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-20026877-64.html#ixzz19jncZRGG

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Apple Introduced to iMac lineup Processor Chips to iMac

Followed by a brief refreshment thing that was introduced to the iMac lineup, some users are thinking about the processors and applications that will work best for them. Apple officials said that they’re considering adopting the Intel iCore3, 5 and 7 technologies for the iMacs and various other computers. This news also means that the company is now stepping towards the Nehalem architecture, on which the Core i series is based.

Technically speaking, a normal iMac user never knows of the backend architecture of his or her computer. All he/she knows is the fact that “oh boy, I bought an expensive iMac and its super-fast”. So what does it mean? What does the iCore 7 processing chip mean to a user, who’s constantly hogging YouTube, playing games, running multiple applications and etc.? Let’s take a look…

Primarily, the iCore series consists of the quad core, dual core and even six core chips for desktops and laptops. Currently, I have a quad core processor with 45nm architecture. For those of you, who don’t know about this thing, just know the fact that Intel recently upgraded the architecture to 32nm size. A smaller size touts out maximum performance and runs faster without consuming more power.

What does an iMac user need?

With the availability of the iCore 3, 5 and 7 processors, a user with resource hungry needs, is more likely to go for an iCore 7. With this processor, he can run heavy set applications, multiple windows of different movies, lot of browser windows with videos being buffered simultaneously and much more. a medium level business person, with documents and files to deal with, is likely to go for an iCore 3 processor.

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RIM Claims Weak Blackberry Playbook Battery

By Lance Whitney

IM has rebutted recent claims that its upcoming BlackBerry PlayBook tablet is hampered by a short battery life.

On Tuesday, Kaufman Bros. analyst Shaw Wu issued a report in which he cited unnamed sources saying that the PlayBook's battery lasts only a few hours, compared with Samsung's Galaxy Tab, which lasts for six hours, and Apple's iPad, which runs for 10 hours on single charge. The analyst pointed to the weak battery life as a reason why Research in Motion has delayed the launch of the device until the company's May 2011 quarter.

But in a response issued today, RIM rejected those claims, according to Reuters, and insisted that the development of the battery was on schedule and that its life would be comparable to that of the competing tablets. The BlackBerry maker also offered an explanation of why outside testers may have assumed the battery would be weak.

"Any testing or observation of battery life to date by anyone outside of RIM would have been performed using pre-beta units that were built without power management implemented," the company said in a statement e-mailed to Reuters.

Even with comparable battery life, the PlayBook faces an uphill battle competing against the likes of the iPad. An analyst from Oppenheimer expects RIM to sell only around 3.3 million units over the course of the year after it launches. In contrast, Apple sold 3 million iPads just in the first three months.

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Apple Abandons Xserve Holds in Store for Mac Administrators 2011

Author: Erik Eckel 


Predictions are dangerous business. But they sure can be fun. Without study, minus a double-blind study, and absent even a single peak at a rumor-mill website, here’s what I think 2011 holds in store for Mac administrators.

 

 

1. Apple abandons the Xserve platform

Okay. That’s an easy one. On January 31 Apple will no longer sell Xserve servers. Mac OS X Snow Leopard Server is finding considerable traction among small businesses that find the Mac Mini server well positioned to meet their needs. Other organizations requiring greater data storage, advanced RAID performance or faster processing capacity have a more-than-capable solution in Apple’s Mac Pro chassis. In fact, the Mac Pro chassis (two of which consume 12U of rack space) can be specified with performance configurations that exceed the performance capacity of the older Xserve architecture.

2. Apple releases new, more potent systems

As is typical, Apple will release new and more potent desktops and laptops. I suspect we’ll see iMacs and MacBook Pros incorporating Intel’s new i3 and i5 CPUs. We should see more choices in solid state disk drives, traditional hard disks with larger storage capacity, and video cards sporting additional onboard RAM. That’s no stretch. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Apple up the processing and storage capacity of its Mac Mini Snow Leopard Server, which is enjoying runaway popularity.

3. The summer of the Lion

What will prove unusual is Apple’s offering desktops and laptops with Mac OS X Lion. The OS, scheduled for summer release, will introduce the Mac App Store to desktop and laptop computers, as well as Mission Control and LaunchPad. Mac OS X Lion’s more iPad- and iPhone-like graphic user interface and operation will change the way users operate computers. Instead of utilizing store-bought or channel-distributed software, as is traditionally common, and instead of requiring users to continue interacting with their computers using old-school methods (such as via antiquated menus and navigational structures), Lion is going to simplify desktop and laptop use, while adding efficiency and enhancing productivity.

4. iPhone 5 improvements

A new generation iPhone will be due later in 2011. Apple’s done well making its iPhone easier to synchronize with an Exchange server than even Windows Mobile phones, in my consulting office’s experience. Don’t be surprised to see additional enhancements added that increase enterprise functionality. Want more specific details? I’ll go out on a limb and predict 4G service, a 64GB model and a CPU that’s 50% faster than the current iPhone 4 unit. What you won’t see is Flash support. Oh, and you’ll get more carriers, too, meaning more enterprises can bring iPhones online.

5. iPad enhancements

The second generation of iPads will hit shelves in 2011. Look for an integrated camera. That will prove no surprise. What I’d like to see is an integrated USB port for connecting peripherals or transferring data. But I think Apple is committed to the cloud. And, just as Steve Jobs decided long ago that Mac laptop users don’t need a docking station, I suspect USB won’t be making an appearance on the next-gen iPad. Apple (and its cellular friends at AT&T and Verizon) would rather have you use iDisk and other Internet services for file access, storage and transfer. Apple designers need to decrease the unit’s weight, while making it faster and capable of storing more data, all at less cost, of course. That’s a challenge, but I think you’ll see it happen.

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CES 3D Technology Laptops 2011 Functions and Preview

By: Cisco Cheng

From processor updates to 3D technology, we give you the lowdown on what to expect for laptops at this year's Consumer Electronics show.

There's always big news for laptops during the Consumer Electronics Show, and this year is no different. From processor updates to 3D technology, these are exciting times for the mobile PC market. Read on for what to expect in laptops in the coming year.

CPU and GPU Get Closer

In terms of the processor market, it isn't just another speed bump this year, nor is it about adding more physical cores to the processor die, as with previous years. This year, graphics power is finally riding shotgun with the CPU. Both Intel and AMD will unveil new chips, followed by a sea of laptops that will for the first time feature on-die graphics. The mere fact that the graphics component is that much closer to the CPU means that novice and part-time gamers can actually play the latest 3D titles without having to spend extra money on a midrange graphics chipset from the likes of Nvidia and AMD. It's a monumental improvement in 3D graphics-related tasks, coupled with big gains in CPU horsepower. Intel's new chips, codenamed "SandyBridge," will be revealed as the next generation Core i3, i5, and i7 processors in retail. Meanwhile, AMD refers to its latest APU (CPU and GPU on the same die) as its Fusion technology.

Nvidia and AMD Not Standing Down

Despite the buzz surrounding SandyBridge and its new and improved graphics platform, Nvidia and AMD aren't backing down in the discrete graphics race. Their graphics chipset will boast about DirectX 11 and the graphically detailed images that Intel can't achieve with SandyBridge, which will not support DirectX 11. You'll see frame rates that will rival $2,000 gaming rigs from a year ago while paying a fraction of their costs.

Netbook Aren't Going Away

Tablets may have been getting the lion's share of attention this past year, but don't put netbooks out to pasture just yet. This coming year, netbooks will continue to charge forward until tablets can prove their staying power. AMD, of all companies, is leading this charge with its APUs, promising an overall performance improvement without sacrificing battery life. They'll be pitched as low-cost ultraportables, but the target is really the netbook market, which has been owned by the Intel Atom. Intel, of course, is still a big presence in the netbook space, and you'll see plenty of netbooks that'll launch with the dual core Atom.

USB 3.0, 720p Webcams, and 3D

USB 3.0, 3D technology, and 720p Webcams—get used to these terms, because you'll be hearing them a lot in relation to laptops. USB 3.0, for instance, is already prevalent in desktop replacement laptops, but you'll be seeing them in slim form factors like ultraportable laptops as well. It looks exactly like your average USB port, except it's the icon is blue, and, oh yeah, it delivers 10 times the transfer rate of USB 2.0. It'll eventually replace eSATA in laptops, since having both of these technologies on board is redundant.
Smartphones like the Apple iPhone 4 can shoot 720p video with its Webcam, so why shouldn't laptops, with their bigger screens, be able to do the same? We've already seen the first 720p Webcam in the Dell XPS 15, and at least a few more laptops will allow users to video chat and shoot videos in high definition.
3D is still more gimmick at this point and even more so in laptops. But that won't stop the countless manufacturers from launching 3D laptops that come with the fancy eyewear. Glasses-free 3D laptops aren't out of the question, as Nintendo and Toshiba have already announced 3D technologies that can be viewed with the naked eye. Laptops will announce support for 3D even though their panels can't display it. If you invested in one of the latest 3DTV flat panels for your living room or office, companies like Nvidia and ATI can push 3D content out of your laptop's HDMI port to your 3D flat panel. This includes 3D Blu-ray content, games, and even home-made videos and photos (converted to 3D using special video editing packages.
Stay tuned for our moment-to-moment coverage of this year's Consumer Electronics Show.

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