Rob Sanheim

Ten Concerns With Apple's New iTV ('The iDongle')

Point 10 nails it for me. Why get a crippled device when i have the know-how to use a mac mini or even geek out with Linux and MythTV? I realize the iTV is meant for the totally tech-clueless user, but I'd guess that most people nowadays could figure out a Mini+EyeTV or even a well-integrate windows MCE solution.

I'm hoping Apple introduces some hefty upgrades for the ITV, otherwise it looks pretty unappealing to me.

Why Apple's iPhone Doesn't Really Matter To Verizon

Its not about hardware or software, its about the total user experience. Thats something that Apple has mastered time and time again, and rivals just don't get. Every cell phone on the market right now *sucks*. UI is horrible, they are a pain to use, and everything is built around selling a provider's services instead of being easy and fun to use. Noone actually likes or enjoys using their phone - they are just tolerated because there are no other options.

The real question I see with the iPhone is how much of the UI and design is Apple versus how much is Cingular. If Cingular was able to apply enough pressure for pushing its own pay-per-use services, keeping things locked down (ie: no 3rd party apps), and keeping the overall experience about Cingular instead of the user, then the iPhone will be "just another smart phone". If Apple was and is able to maintain control in version 1 and beyond, then they will truly change the market the same way the IPod did.

Apple Wins When Content Is King

Stephen: the big attraction for windows on the mac is to run win-only software (ie MS money, or games, or weird little intranet apps). Its also key for web developers who want to test their sites cross-platform.

Trust me, noone who owns a mac really _wants_ to spend much time in a winxp environment - its just a necessary evil from time to time.

Microsoft's Strategy To Grab iPod Market Share: Subsidize Zune To the Tune of $150

Microsoft could _pay me_ to use a Zune, but if it has a user experience anything like most MS products, I'll stick with my $200 ipod, thanks.