Apple's App Store hits 10 Billion Downloads

The Apple iOS App Store has today reached ten billion downloads. Just a few days after launching a counter on 

OPINION: Why do you expect the iPod nano to be anything else other than a music player?

A couple months ago when the sixth-generation iPod nano was released, people were up in arms about all the features that it lacked. Compared to the fifth-generation Nano, the new Nano lost video playback support, video recording, internal speakers, contacts and calendar support, etc. For the life of me, I could never understand why people were so mad about it. Why were they expecting a music player to do anything more than play music? I just didn’t get it and I still don’t.

I think we’ve all been spoiled. The fact is, we shouldn’t expect our music players to do anything more than play music. That’s what they are: Music players. All the extra features like video playback and cameras, pedometers, contacts and calendar support and games? They are extra features that companies like Apple can choose not to implement in later versions if they choose to do so like they did with the iPod nano. Don’t like it? Tough. Buy something else, like the iPod touch or a Zune, if you want all those features, but don’t expect it on a music player. 

I happen to like the iPod nano for what it does: Play my music/Podcast collection, view photos, listen to FM radio, act as a pedometer, and work as a fairly nice watch.

Do you get my point?

Google Tinkers with Sudoku

You know the drill. You’re walking home from work, stag, one evening, you, with those lean and shriveled thumbs from work, fiddle with your smartphone or the equivalent, catching up with breaking news from the technology section of the Grit. Then, by a very fortuitous chance, you notice the masthead denotes “Newt Gingrich joins in with Mark Fuhrman at the Algonquin Table, aptly relocated to the Apollo Theater.” You’re on pins and needles, trying to evade those lowlife human stories, but you are actually actuating an image of a moron who would pay for drive-thru burgers with a check. Then you find yourself subliminally rummaging through the web archives with a classic hunt and peck approach, which is endemic to skycaps with no arms. You’re there: “Google unveils a cutting-edge technology that solves any cryptic from the Mouse Trap!” 

Google has never lowballed me with underwhelming awe, and its latest implementation that solves Sudoku enclosed me in a cage with Christine O'Donnell trying to dabble me into witchcraft, making my cranial ridge burst. I’m astonished. Sudoku puzzles have never shone the come-hither look straight at my face, but now I am utterly sold. Sudoku beckons. I’ve been a rabid fan of Sudoku since the roll out of that feature on Google Mobile (iPhone), or Goggles, and I am glad to say I’ve never been so excited about new technology since Sinbad. 

The new feature is offered gratis, and is available for phones that have Google Goggles, or Google Mobile (iPhone) installed. Preferably, I would not overuse it, for your phone can easily turn into a threadbare liberal perception, or should I say, Casual Determinism, that is predisposed to decline. If you have an iPhone, tap that austerely embroidered camera icon that looks like an iPod Shuffle counterpart, and grab the image of a recognizable image of a Sudoku puzzle. You should careen through the process, unless by a hapless chance, a vagrant drifter walks up to you and shoots you in your head. The app will then analyze the picture, and, voila, the mystery-shrouded puzzle you had been grappling with is settled! 

All in all, the app works impeccably, lest the image displays you losing a game of tic-tac-toe with a grub worm or worse. Other than that, the addition of Sudoku-solve imparts of us that we are meandering toward the never-ending vista of technology, that Google has yet to proffer.

What I Want To See In iPad 2

Back in January 2010, Apple revealed the iPad. The world seemed to be divided by this ‘marmite’ product. Some saying it would 'revolutionise computing' and others classing it as nothing more than a 'big iPod touch'. Which one is the best description still seems to be majorly undecided. But what’s for sure, no matter on their opinions, everybody was (and still is) talking about the iPad. Apple did a fantastic job of marketing this product. It was essential to get across what it does, why it’s needed and how revolutionary it is. Otherwise people would quickly consider it the latter of the two descriptions.

I know many people who have been lucky enough to receive an iPad this Christmas. But, as all Apple users are guaranteed to experience, get ready for that heart crushing feeling of being outdated. The new iPad is on its way.

In reference to the title of this post: ponies, sunshine, unicorns and a money-printing slot. But, maybe we should be realistic? I use this example to draw your attention to a popular rumour:

“The 2nd generation iPad will have a retina display.”

Everywhere you will look online people are saying that the amazingly high-resolution display, first seen in the iPhone 4, will make its way to the iPad.

So, what is a a retina display? Basically, it’s a display so sharp that you can’t differentiate between the individual pixels. Apple has determined this to be in the ballpark of 300 PPI (Pixels Per Inch). Just to be safe, Apple included a 326PPI screen in the iPhone 4. Now, I don’t have the dimensions of the iPad’s 9.7″ screen on me. But, if it were to have a ‘retina display’, its resolution would be a whopping 2560×1920. Now, don’t worry if you have no idea what this means! Let me explain. I’m sure you’ve all heard of the wonders of ‘high definition’, HD for short. Well, the resolution (number of pixels in each way) of a full HD video, picture or game is 1920×1080. Compare that to the iPad’s would-be retina display (clocked at 2560×1920) and you get the picture (pardon the pun). This would bring about numerous problems for the tiny sub-10″ display (especially regarding rendering of images, videos and games), all of which would accumulate to a HUGELY increased cost. So, in short, I don’t think we’ll be seeing a retina display in the iPad any time soon.

What can we expect to see? Moreover, what do I want to see?

Internal Boost

Sure, the current iPad packs a pretty hefty punch. But, apps like DJay are already maxing out its measly 256 MB of RAM. I’d definitely like to see at least 512 MB to match the iPhone 4. I can’t really see 1 GB being an addition, but we never know! Also, there are some talks of an upgraded processor. Up to a 1.5GHZ model, perhaps (but unlikely) a dual core A4 chip? Although I want to see more processing power, it won’t be a dealbreaker if it’s not included. But, increased RAM is a must-have.

Camera(s)

Simple: front facing for video calls, yes. Rear facing for regular photos/videos, not so much. Apple don’t really like to just throw things in the mix for the sake of it. Remember when the conversation of touch-screen Macs came up at their last keynote? (No? Just me?) Well, Steve Jobs simply said, referring to reaching out and touching the screen:

We’ve done tons of user testing on this, and it turns out it doesn’t work. Touch surfaces don’t want to be vertical.

He goes on to say that it’s uncomfortable to use and reiterates how dysfunctional it is. For the same reason, I can’t see a rear camera making an appearance in iPad 2.

Better, Higher-Resolution Screen

“But, Kiran, you said the iPad wouldn’t get one of those ‘retina’ things” (That’s you. No offence).

Retina display, no. But, who’s to say Apple won’t bump it up a bit? It’d be great to see an improved display (although, it’s pretty decent now). I’m not expecting anything too mad, it’d just be nice to see (another pun? Really?).

Something to stop those fingerprints!

I can honestly say, I have never, ever seen an iPad (in person) that’s not covered in fingerprints! Apple could really do themselves a favour by putting an oleophobic coating (first seen on the iPhone 3GS to help prevent fingerprints) on the new model.

More of Apple’s Apps

Right now, Apple ships the iPad with a pretty decent set of apps; but, I want more! I’d love to see an iPhoto, iMovie and maybe even an Xcode version for iPad. I’m sure there are 3rd party alternatives, but, few people can rival Apple’s finesse when it comes to apps (and yet have to in the areas above).

… And that’s that

That brings this blog post to an end. These aren’t ‘predictions’ as such, simply things I’d like to see that have been rumoured. Whatever is announced, I hope we’re not disappointed! If I think of anything else before it’s released, I’ll let y’all know (either by updating this blog post, or, if it warrants it, by writing a new post).

Thanks for reading. If you like my posts, be sure to check out my personal blog.

Why You Shouldn't Buy the Verizon iPhone 4

If you are a Verizon customer and want an iPhone, by now you probably already know that it’s going to be available on Verizon in early February. I know many of you are going to get it, but personally, I would wait until later this year. That’s because Apple has released a new version of the iPhone every year, so there most likely will be a new version this year, too. If you get the Verizon iPhone 4 now, you’ll be stuck with it because of the contract. Lastly, the next generation iPhone on Verizon may be 4G. Also, don’t switch from an AT&T iPhone to a Verizon iPhone because of the hotspot feature. There have been many reports that the hotspot feature will come with along the iOS 4.3 update. Lastly, the Verizon iPhone acts like any other CDMA phone, meaning you cannot use data and phone at the same time

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