Messages In This Digest (25 Messages)
- 1a.
- M$ Kills the Zune From: Denver Dan
- 1b.
- Re: M$ Kills the Zune From: Andrew Buc
- 1c.
- Re: M$ Kills the Zune From: Andrew Buc
- 1d.
- Re: M$ Kills the Zune From: Harry Flaxman
- 1e.
- Re: M$ Kills the Zune From: Keith Whaley
- 1f.
- Re: M$ Kills the Zune From: Denver Dan
- 1g.
- Re: M$ Kills the Zune From: Keith Whaley
- 1h.
- Re: M$ Kills the Zune From: Otto Nikolaus
- 2a.
- Re: Audio Players for non Mac Supported Format From: Tod Hopkins
- 2b.
- Re: Audio Players for non Mac Supported Format From: Otto Nikolaus
- 2c.
- Re: Audio Players for non Mac Supported Format From: Tod Hopkins
- 2d.
- Re: Audio Players for non Mac Supported Format From: The Wizard who eats Gizards
- 3.
- Apple announces AppleCare+ for $99, covers iPhone 4S accidents From: Bill Boulware
- 4a.
- Re: Why is Mission Control driving me crazy? From: Donald Canty
- 5a.
- Apple's iPhone 4s announcement From: Denver Dan
- 5b.
- Re: Apple's iPhone 4s announcement From: Bill Boulware
- 5c.
- Re: Apple's iPhone 4s announcement From: Earle Jones
- 6.
- Apple's iPhone 4S, iOS 5 and iPod roundup: details, specs and releas From: Bill Boulware
- 7a.
- Apple's iPhone Event: Three Big Reasons It Still Mattered From: Bill Boulware
- 7b.
- Re: [macsupport] Apple�s iPhone Event: Three Big Reasons It Stil From: Bob Cook
- 7c.
- Re: [macsupport] Apple�s iPhone Event: Three Big Reasons It Stil From: Jim Saklad
- 7d.
- Re: [macsupport] Apple�s iPhone Event: Three Big Reasons It Stil From: Bob Cook
- 7e.
- Re: [macsupport] Apple�s iPhone Event: Three Big Reasons It Stil From: Dane Robison
- 7f.
- Re: [macsupport] Apple�s iPhone Event: Three Big Reasons It Stil From: Jim Saklad
- 7g.
- Re: [macsupport] Apple�s iPhone Event: Three Big Reasons It Stil From: Dane Robison
Messages
- 1a.
-
M$ Kills the Zune
Posted by: "Denver Dan" denver.dan@verizon.net denverdan22180
Tue Oct 4, 2011 9:52 am (PDT)
Howdy.
Microsoft today announced that the Zune is dead.
<http://www.macworld.com/article/ >162641/2011/ 10/microsoft_ kills_the_ zune.html
Not surprising since Amazon's list of best selling music playing
devices has the Zune listed at 24th in sales. The top 10 best selling
music players at Amazon are all iPods of some kind except for a Sandisk
Sansa in 8th position (according to the MacWorld article).
Denver Dan
- 1b.
-
Re: M$ Kills the Zune
Posted by: "Andrew Buc" andrewbuc@staxman.net andrewbuc
Tue Oct 4, 2011 12:10 pm (PDT)
A couple of years ago I saw a kit of accessories on the sale
table at Office Max, at 35 cents on the $. I thought that was a
pretty good indication of the way the wind was blowing.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
- 1c.
-
Re: M$ Kills the Zune
Posted by: "Andrew Buc" andrewbuc@staxman.net andrewbuc
Tue Oct 4, 2011 12:32 pm (PDT)
I meant to say, a kit of Zune accessories!
----- Original message -----
From: "Andrew Buc" <andrewbuc@staxman.net >
To: macsupportcentral@yahoogroups. com
Date: Tue, 04 Oct 2011 12:10:39 -0700
Subject: Re: [macsupport] M$ Kills the Zune
A couple of years ago I saw a kit of accessories on the sale
table at Office Max, at 35 cents on the $. I thought that was a
pretty good indication of the way the wind was blowing.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
References
1. mailto:AndrewBuc@staxman.net ?subject=Re%3A%20%5Bmacsuppo rt%5D%20M% 24%20Kills% 20the%20Zune
2. mailto:macsupportcentral@yahoogroups. ?subject=Re%com 3A%20%5Bmacsuppo rt%5D%20M% 24%20Kills% 20the%20Zune
3. http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/macsupport central/post; _ylc=X3oDMTJyZ2J jcTB1BF9TAzk3MzU 5NzE0BGdycElkAzI 4MDA3NzIEZ3Jwc3B JZAMxNzA1OTI4NTU zBG1zZ0lkAzEzNTQ 1NwRzZWMDZnRyBHN sawNycGx5BHN0aW1 lAzEzMTc3NTU0NDU -?act=reply& messageNum= 135457
4. http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/macsupport central/post; _ylc=X3oDMTJlZWV hdGpvBF9TAzk3MzU 5NzE0BGdycElkAzI 4MDA3NzIEZ3Jwc3B JZAMxNzA1OTI4NTU zBHNlYwNmdHIEc2x rA250cGMEc3RpbWU DMTMxNzc1NTQ0NQ- -
5. http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/macsupport central/message/ 135454;_ylc= X3oDMTM4b2I3Y2do BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0 BGdycElkAzI4MDA3 NzIEZ3Jwc3BJZAMx NzA1OTI4NTUzBG1z Z0lkAzEzNTQ1NwRz ZWMDZnRyBHNsawN2 dHBjBHN0aW1lAzEz MTc3NTU0NDUEdHBj SWQDMTM1NDU0
6. http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/macsupport central/members; _ylc=X3oDMTJmZ3R 2YzRsBF9TAzk3MzU 5NzE0BGdycElkAzI 4MDA3NzIEZ3Jwc3B JZAMxNzA1OTI4NTU zBHNlYwN2dGwEc2x rA3ZtYnJzBHN0aW1 lAzEzMTc3NTU0NDU -?o=6
7. http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/macsupport central;_ ylc=X3oDMTJlN2k0 anRyBF9TAzk3MzU5 NzE0BGdycElkAzI4 MDA3NzIEZ3Jwc3BJ ZAMxNzA1OTI4NTUz BHNlYwN2dGwEc2xr A3ZnaHAEc3RpbWUD MTMxNzc1NTQ0NQ- -
8. http://www.macsupportcentral. com/policies/
9. http://global.ard.yahoo. com/SIG=15o7tfi4 o/M=493064. 14543979. 14562481. 13298430/ D=groups/ S=1705928553: MKP1/Y=YAHOO/ EXP=1317762646/ L=905ac51c- eebc-11e0- ac94-0b36641c5cc e/B=SGsRBtj8fcE- /J=1317755446448 673/K=CQ4TE68w0O KTb4ATPOK_ FQ/A=6060255/ R=0/SIG=1194m4ke h/*http:/ /us.toolbar. yahoo.com/ ?.cpdl=grpj
10. http://groups.yahoo.com/ ;_ylc=X3oDMTJkMm swa2JwBF9TAzk3Mz U5NzE0BGdycElkAz I4MDA3NzIEZ3Jwc3 BJZAMxNzA1OTI4NT UzBHNlYwNmdHIEc2 xrA2dmcARzdGltZQ MxMzE3NzU1NDQ1
11. mailto:macsupportcentral-traditional@ ?subject=Change%yahoogroups. com 20Delivery% 20Format: %20Traditional
12. mailto:macsupportcentral-digest@yahoogrou ?subject=Email%ps.com 20Delivery: %20Digest
13. mailto:macsupportcentral-unsubscribe@ ?subject=Unsubscribyahoogroups. com e
14. http://docs.yahoo.com/ info/terms/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
- 1d.
-
Re: M$ Kills the Zune
Posted by: "Harry Flaxman" harry.flaxman@comcast.net hflaxman001
Tue Oct 4, 2011 3:50 pm (PDT)
I thought the did that a year ago?
Harry
On Oct 4, 2011, at 12:52 PM, Denver Dan wrote:
> Howdy.
>
> Microsoft today announced that the Zune is dead.
>
> <http://www.macworld.com/article/ >162641/2011/ 10/microsoft_ kills_the_ zune.html
>
> Not surprising since Amazon's list of best selling music playing
> devices has the Zune listed at 24th in sales. The top 10 best selling
> music players at Amazon are all iPods of some kind except for a Sandisk
> Sansa in 8th position (according to the MacWorld article).
>
> Denver Dan
>
>
> --------------------- --------- ------
>
> Group FAQ:
> <http://www.macsupportcentral. >com/policies/
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
_____________________ _
Harry Flaxman
harry.flaxman@comcast.net
- 1e.
-
Re: M$ Kills the Zune
Posted by: "Keith Whaley" keith_w@dslextreme.com keith9600
Tue Oct 4, 2011 4:24 pm (PDT)
Harry Flaxman wrote:
>
>
> I thought the did that a year ago?
>
> Harry
Is that "the" above supposed to be "he", "she", "they" or what?
Understanding what's read demands more careful proof reading, please.
Thanks,
keith whaley
- 1f.
-
Re: M$ Kills the Zune
Posted by: "Denver Dan" denver.dan@verizon.net denverdan22180
Tue Oct 4, 2011 5:33 pm (PDT)
Ah, heck, Heith, som undertandng of thos of usss whmake an
ocassssionall typppoo, per favore.
DnvrDan (my license tag)
On Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:24:24 -0700, Keith Whaley wrote:
> Harry Flaxman wrote:
>>
>>
>> I thought the did that a year ago?
>>
>> Harry
>
>
> Is that "the" above supposed to be "he", "she", "they" or what?
> Understanding what's read demands more careful proof reading, please.
>
> Thanks,
>
> keith whaley
- 1g.
-
Re: M$ Kills the Zune
Posted by: "Keith Whaley" keith_w@dslextreme.com keith9600
Tue Oct 4, 2011 5:45 pm (PDT)
Denver Dan wrote:
>
>
> Ah, heck, Heith, som undertandng of thos of usss whmake an
> ocassssionall typppoo, per favore.
>
> DnvrDan (my license tag)
Heck, no problem with the occasional missteak, but...I did want to know
what you had intended!
thanks, keith
> On Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:24:24 -0700, Keith Whaley wrote:
> > Harry Flaxman wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >> I thought the did that a year ago?
> >>
> >> Harry
> > Is that "the" above supposed to be "he", "she", "they" or what?
> > Understanding what's read demands more careful proof reading, please.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > keith whaley
- 1h.
-
Re: M$ Kills the Zune
Posted by: "Otto Nikolaus" otto.nikolaus@googlemail.com nikyzf
Wed Oct 5, 2011 2:52 am (PDT)
On 5 October 2011 01:45, Keith Whaley <keith_w@dslextreme.com > wrote:
> Denver Dan wrote:
> >
> >
> > Ah, heck, Heith, som undertandng of thos of usss whmake an
> > ocassssionall typppoo, per favore.
> >
> > DnvrDan (my license tag)
>
> Heck, no problem with the occasional missteak, but...I did want to know
> what you had intended!
>
I thought you were responding to Harry originally???
Otto
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
- 2a.
-
Re: Audio Players for non Mac Supported Format
Posted by: "Tod Hopkins" hoplist@hillmanncarr.com todhop
Tue Oct 4, 2011 10:09 am (PDT)
I struggle with iTunes. I am a media professional a want to be able to "work with" and control audio. iTunes is great for "playing" audio as an end user, but it can be frustrating to use as a serious media manager.
Cheers,
tod
On Oct 4, 2011, at 7:38 AM, Otto Nikolaus wrote:
> So it does, but many other players make it easy too. What I don't understand
> is why some people hate (*really hate*) iTunes. I suspect that they simply
> don't understand how a library app needs to work, and are often ignorant of
> the many options it provides, many of which directly address the reasons
> they dislike it.
>
> I followed the link but just how do you get iTunes to play FLAC? Max
> converts FLAC to ALAC very quickly, but it would be even better to not need
> to.
>
> As an aside, I was pleased to see that the Linn DS range, probably the best
> digital audio streamers, now supports ALAC.
>
> Otto
>
> On 4 October 2011 01:10, Tod Hopkins <hoplist@hillmanncarr.com > wrote:
>
> > Well, what makes iTunes iTunes is the way it simplifies dealing with audio
> > files. And iTunes is so successful, it leaves almost no room for
> > competition. Songbird can be "skinnned" changing it's look. If it looked
> > more like iTunes by default, I think Apple might take them to court.
> >
> > Though iTunes does not play everything, it will leave files in place it you
> > wish. See Preferences, Advanced. And it can be tweaked to play more
> > formats than one might think.
> >
> > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ ITunes#File_ format_support
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
Tod Hopkins
Hillmann & Carr Inc.
todhopkins@hillmanncarr.com
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
- 2b.
-
Re: Audio Players for non Mac Supported Format
Posted by: "Otto Nikolaus" otto.nikolaus@googlemail.com nikyzf
Tue Oct 4, 2011 11:13 am (PDT)
In what way, and do other apps do those things (better)?
Otto
On 4 October 2011 18:09, Tod Hopkins <hoplist@hillmanncarr.com > wrote:
> I struggle with iTunes. I am a media professional a want to be able to
> "work with" and control audio. iTunes is great for "playing" audio as an
> end user, but it can be frustrating to use as a serious media manager.
>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
- 2c.
-
Re: Audio Players for non Mac Supported Format
Posted by: "Tod Hopkins" hoplist@hillmanncarr.com todhop
Tue Oct 4, 2011 12:15 pm (PDT)
That's a very big question I cannot answer fully. Much of it is simply the focus of the interface which makes what the casual music listener wants to do easy (find a song), but makes more complex functions much harder (convert file formats), if it does them at all.
Some specific limitations:
Limited support for audio formats. This is improving, but has historically been dismal.
Will only convert to current preferences setting. If you wish to do a different conversion, you must change the preference.
Only two choices for organizing files: the iTunes way and none.
No ability to organize at the file level from within iTunes
No significant batch functionality
Limited ability to create user organization within iTunes.
No ability to rename files from tags, or pull tag info from filenames
These are not faults. iTunes is exceptional at what it does. It simply does not do everything. If it did, it would not be exceptional at what it does do.
If you want to understand how powerful a media manager can be, you need to look to Windows/Linux. Media Monkey is the best I've used. Very powerful. Far too complex for your average iTunes user.
Cheers,
tod
On Oct 4, 2011, at 2:13 PM, Otto Nikolaus wrote:
> In what way, and do other apps do those things (better)?
>
> Otto
>
> On 4 October 2011 18:09, Tod Hopkins <hoplist@hillmanncarr.com > wrote:
>
> > I struggle with iTunes. I am a media professional a want to be able to
> > "work with" and control audio. iTunes is great for "playing" audio as an
> > end user, but it can be frustrating to use as a serious media manager.
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
Tod Hopkins
Hillmann & Carr Inc.
todhopkins@hillmanncarr.com
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
- 2d.
-
Re: Audio Players for non Mac Supported Format
Posted by: "The Wizard who eats Gizards" THEWIZARDOFAZ@COX.NET wizardofaz2002
Tue Oct 4, 2011 5:52 pm (PDT)
I use VLC on ocassion. But I cannot get it to keep the playlists after I quit the app. I like the way iTunes works. It's a very powerful and encompassing audio listening and processing too.
Rick
- 3.
-
Apple announces AppleCare+ for $99, covers iPhone 4S accidents
Posted by: "Bill Boulware" bill.boulware@gmail.com boulware0224
Tue Oct 4, 2011 1:04 pm (PDT)
http://feedproxy.google.com/ ~r/9To5Mac- MacAllDay/ ~3/lB4dD3Jmjcs/
Sent to you by Bill Boulware via Google Reader: Apple announces
AppleCare+ for $99, covers iPhone 4S accidents via 9to5Mac by Jake
Smith on 10/4/11
.
Along with the new iPhone 4S this afternoon, Apple has announced a new
program called AppleCare+ that covers the iPhone 4S for up-to two
accidents. The new program costs $99, and on top of accident coverage
you get the AppelCare usuals, like phone support and Genius bar
appointments. Don't think you'll be getting off that easy, as each
accident will be an additional $49.
AppleCare+ is available October 14th, the same day as the iPhone 4S.
Full description below:
Every iPhone comes with one year of hardware repair coverage and 90
days of telephone technical support. AppleCare+ for iPhone extends
repair coverage and technical support to two years from the original
purchase date of your iPhone and adds coverage for up to two incidents
of accidental damage due to handling, each subject to a $49 service
fee.1 With AppleCare+ for iPhone, Apple experts can help troubleshoot
issues over the phone or at an Apple Retail Store. They'll answer
questions about iOS, Apple iPhone apps such as Mail, iMessage, and
Calendar, and help you solve interconnectivity issues between your
iPhone and Mac or PC. And if your iPhone needs service under the plan,
Apple technical support representatives can even set up a repair during
the same call.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to 9to5Mac using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your
favorite sites
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
- 4a.
-
Re: Why is Mission Control driving me crazy?
Posted by: "Donald Canty" doncant@verizon.net doncant2003
Tue Oct 4, 2011 1:47 pm (PDT)
Thanks. I was sure I'd missed something.
- 5a.
-
Apple's iPhone 4s announcement
Posted by: "Denver Dan" denver.dan@verizon.net denverdan22180
Tue Oct 4, 2011 5:37 pm (PDT)
Howdy.
So. The question is, with the Siri voice control feature/technology
see the Siri part in Beta when the new iPhone 4s goes on sale? October
14 was the on sale date in the US I believe.
I wasn't sure from the couple of items I read whether Siri was in Beta
know or would still be in Beta when it goes on sale.
Denver Dan
- 5b.
-
Re: Apple's iPhone 4s announcement
Posted by: "Bill Boulware" bill.boulware@gmail.com boulware0224
Tue Oct 4, 2011 6:00 pm (PDT)
It is only on iPhone 4S ad will be considered a beta feature because it will
"learn" as more and more people use it.
Sent from my iPad
On Oct 4, 2011, at 20:37, Denver Dan <denver.dan@verizon.net > wrote:
Howdy.
So. The question is, with the Siri voice control feature/technology
see the Siri part in Beta when the new iPhone 4s goes on sale? October
14 was the on sale date in the US I believe.
I wasn't sure from the couple of items I read whether Siri was in Beta
know or would still be in Beta when it goes on sale.
Denver Dan
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
- 5c.
-
Re: Apple's iPhone 4s announcement
Posted by: "Earle Jones" earle.jones@comcast.net earlejones501
Tue Oct 4, 2011 11:51 pm (PDT)
On Oct 4, 11, at 5:59 PM, Bill Boulware wrote:
> It is only on iPhone 4S ad will be considered a beta feature because it will
> "learn" as more and more people use it.
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> On Oct 4, 2011, at 20:37, Denver Dan <denver.dan@verizon.net > wrote:
>
>
>
> Howdy.
>
> So. The question is, with the Siri voice control feature/technology
> see the Siri part in Beta when the new iPhone 4s goes on sale? October
> 14 was the on sale date in the US I believe.
>
> I wasn't sure from the couple of items I read whether Siri was in Beta
> know or would still be in Beta when it goes on sale.
>
> Denver Dan
*
Dan: Siri (which was developed by SRI International in Menlo Park CA) has been available as a separate app for the past several months. I have had it on my iPhone 3GS for about six months. It works amazingly well.
Nuance was a spinoff from SRI.
I worked there in the Engineering Group from 1956 through 1994.
earle
*
_____________________ __
Earle Jones
501 Portola Road #8008
Portola Valley CA 94028
Home: 650-424-4362
Cell: 650-269-0035
earle.jones@comcast.net
- 6.
-
Apple's iPhone 4S, iOS 5 and iPod roundup: details, specs and releas
Posted by: "Bill Boulware" bill.boulware@gmail.com boulware0224
Tue Oct 4, 2011 6:17 pm (PDT)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/ 10/04/apples- iphone-4s- ios-5-and- ipod-roundup- details-specs- and-re/
Sent to you by Bill Boulware via Google Reader: Apple's iPhone 4S, iOS
5 and iPod roundup: details, specs and release dates via Engadget by
Brad Molen on 10/4/11
Phew, what a day! Apple's done its fair share of introducing today, and
now it's on us to distill everything down into something understandable
by folks who don't have the time to pore over every single morsel of
iPhone and iOS 5-related news oozing from Cupertino. You can relive our
liveblog right here -- for everything else, get schooled below.
iPhone 4S
- iPhone 4S officially announed, lands October 14th in sizes up to 64GB
- Sprint iPhone announced, getting both iPhone 4 and 4S
- Meet the new iPhone 4S
- AirPlay Mirroring coming to iPhone 4S
- iPhone 4S hands-on
- iPhone 4S vs. the smartphone elite
- iPhone 4S vs. iPhone 4
- Post-event live broadcast
- iPhone 4S event video posted online iOS 5
- iOS 5 will be available October 12th, iCloud launches the same day
- Cards app for iPhone introduced
- Find My Friends announced
- iTunes Match hits US 'end of October' for $24.99
- Apple brings Siri voice recognition iPod / Mac / other news
- Six million copies of Lion downloaded since launch
- Macbook Pro and iMac are the best selling notebook and desktop in the
US
- 16 billion iTunes songs downloaded, 300 million iPods sold
- 250 million iOS devices sold, 18 billion apps downloaded
- iPod Touch available October 12th in black and white, maxes at 64GB /
$399
- iPod nano now $149 for 16GB and $129 for 8GB
- iPhone 3GS 8GB is free, iPhone 4 8GB $99
- AppleCare+ debuts for $99, covers accidental damage for a fee
Apple's iPhone 4S, iOS 5 and iPod roundup: details, specs and release
dates originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 17:51:00 EDT.
Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | | Email this | Comments
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Engadget using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your
favorite sites
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
- 7a.
-
Apple's iPhone Event: Three Big Reasons It Still Mattered
Posted by: "Bill Boulware" bill.boulware@gmail.com boulware0224
Tue Oct 4, 2011 6:18 pm (PDT)
Sent to you by Bill Boulware via Google Reader: Apple's iPhone Event:
Three Big Reasons It Still Mattered via Mashable! by Lance Ulanoff on
10/4/11
Yes, Apple disappointed millions of current iPhone 4 owners by not
introducing the iPhone 5.
Still the iPhone 4S is the next best thing. It has all new guts: new
chip, new camera, and new antennas. It just happens to look exactly
like the iPhone 4. This makes the iPhone 4S unveiling today at Apple's
Corporate Campus feel a little like a non-event. That's too bad,
because I counted at least three important stories coming out of
Cupertino today.
Sprint
No, Sprint didn't spend $20 billion to secure exclusive iPhone 5
rights, but it is now officially part of the Apple iPhone family, and
that is big news. Apple was extra careful not to diminish current and
longtime partners as it announced Sprint's iPhone, so much so that
Sprint was simply listed along with AT&T and Verizon.
Yes, Apple CEO Cook did say, "and for the first time, Sprint". But that
was it. It was so casual that some audience members I spoke to almost
missed it.
Underplayed or not, a Sprint iPhone is big news. Sprint has 35 million
postpaid customers, many of which I'm sure have always wanted an
iPhone. When I asked on Twitter whether or not Sprint customers are
excited about the iPhone 4S, I immediately got this response: "HELL
YES. Free from Android." Another told me her husband, who is on Sprint,
was ready to go to the Apple store this morning. This is the definition
of pent-up demand. As I've said before, Sprint customers do have other
slab phone options (Android), but the cachet of an iPhone remains, and
I bet Apple sells a boatload to Sprint customers.
Siri: The Intelligent Assistant
I've been looking at voice recognition technology since the early
1990s. Both IBM and Microsoft spent years integrating it with their
operating systems (OS/2 had one of the most advanced voice systems I
had ever seen—at least up until the mid-90s). However, both companies
failed to stir up much enthusiasm for the technology among consumers.
The truth was this: old-school voice recognition (VR) required tons of
training, and most users gave up long before they ever started to get
any value out of it.
Things started to change when Dragon Naturally Speaking came along in
the late 90s. The product required little training and was remarkably
accurate. Nuance now owns them and is generally known as a leader in
VR. Still, voice recognition usually fails when it comes to
understanding context. Siri, which uses Nuance's VR technology, aptly
breaks that barrier and, at least in the demos I saw, actually appears
to understand what the speaker is saying.
Typical voice recognition demos rarely go as smoothly as Apple's Siri
demo went today. It was flawless and stunning. As Apple explained it,
Siri understands "concepts". If true, then Siri has a form of
artificial intelligence. Here were some of the examples I saw of Siri
in action:
Scott Forstall, senior vice president of iOS Software at Apple, asked
Siri, "How many days are there until Christmas?" Siri quickly responded
that she was checking and then she displayed an accurate result.
Forestall then asked, "Give me directions to Hoover Tower" Siri
replied,: "Here are directions to Hoover tower" and then it displayed
the map.
In every instance, Siri showed off its deep integration with the phone
and its native apps, including Maps, reminders, Calendar, Contacts and
more.
We may soon forget that Apple failed to deliver an iPhone 5 on this
day, but I doubt we'll ever forget the first time we saw and heard
Siri: The Intelligent Assistant in action.
Tim Cook
Tim Cook took the stage and immediately noted that this was his first
product announcement as CEO. Still, he didn't seem nervous.
On the contrary, his near-country cadence was calm, even and, at times,
mesmerizing. However, Cook wasn't all that interested in the stage and
ceded the platform to Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of
worldwide product marketing, for the lion's share of major
announcements. Cook handled where Apple is now and how it got here. He
cracked a couple of jokes, but I don't recall any Jobsian-style
zingers. Cook did not pull a one-more thing out of his back pocket. No,
he simply thanked us all for coming and then quietly left the stage.
Steve Jobs did not show up and Cook, smartly, did not try to be him.
It's the end of an era at Apple and, clearly, the beginning of a new
one.
What Apple Announced Oct. 4:
Tim Cook takes the stage
Tim Cook takes the stage
Live bloggers at the Apple event
iPod sales
iPod sales
iPhone sales
iPad's impact on education
iPad stats
Scott Forstall talks iOS
Scott Forstall talks app downloads
Scott Forstall introduces Apple Cards
Scott Forstall introduces Apple Cards
Scott Forstall talks iOS 5
Eddy Cue talks camera updates
Eddy Cue talks location sharing
Eddy Cue talks iTunes
Eddy Cue on app updates
Philip Schiller introduces new gen iPods
iPod nano as a watch
iPod nano customizable watch face
iPod touch, nano, shuffle
iPhone 4S
A5 chip
iPhone 4S plays Infinity Blade
iPhone 4S plays Infinity Blade
iPhone 4S plays Infinity Blade
iPhone 4 & 4S data speed comparison
iPhone 4S data speed market comparison
iPhone 4's impact on photography
iPhone 4S camera megapixel sensor
iPhone 4S camera backside illumination
iPhone 4S camera lens
iPhone 4S camera shooting time
iPhone 4S camera shooting time
iPhone 4S photo sample
iOS Weather app
iOS Weather app
Siri assistant for iPhone
Siri assistant for iPhone
Philip Schiller reviews
iPhone 4S Specs
iPhone 4S Pricing
- Apple Announces iPhone 4S
- iPhone 4S: When, Where and How Much
- Sprint Is Getting the iPhone
- Free iPhone: Apple Cuts 3GS Price to $0
- Apple Unveils Siri, the iPhone 4S Voice Assistant
- New iPod Nano Is Clock and Fitness Watch in One
- iOS 5 Available for Download Oct. 12
- Cards: Apple's One-Stop-Shop for iPhone Greeting Cards
- iPhone Adds "Find My Friends" App for Location Sharing
- Apple: 250 Million iOS Devices Sold and Other Huge Stats
More About: apple, iphone, iPhone 4S, tim cook
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
- 7b.
-
Re: [macsupport] Apple�s iPhone Event: Three Big Reasons It Stil
Posted by: "Bob Cook" cookrd1@discoveryowners.com cookrd1
Tue Oct 4, 2011 7:15 pm (PDT)
I guess I should have learned from the iPhone 3GS. Apple has brought out
some great hardware advances lately, and I guess I was spoiled. But now I
know why they call it the 4S.
Most of what Apple talked about today was just software. Not to minimize
software. But if you are going to wait 14+ months to bring out a new iPhone
(and wait another year for the next model?), then you need to bring out
hardware that is not instantly outdated. Sad to say, but even Apple's
computers have been lagging in hardware, with the exception of Thunderbolt
(but you could also argue that keeping USB2 ports instead of upgrading them
to USB3 is a major miss).
I had Siri on my iPhone 3. And, it is just software, and it needs an
internet connection to run (now only on the 4S). It sat languishing unused,
just like the Facetime feature sits unused on my (unused) iPad2.
So, what we have here is an iPhone 4S that is at the downward edge of
hardware compared to leading Windows and Android phones. Quad core Windows
and Android phones will be available soon, and faster phones are available
now. Meanwhile the iPhone 4S still with a small screen (Steve had it right,
size matters) and only 3G data.
Seems to me that the only true hardware advancement (compared to competing
phones) is the camera.
With new and more advanced hardware coming out every few months, maybe Apple
will see the need to decrease their product cycle.
Software? Looks like Apple is catching up to Android in a few areas, and
surpassing Android with Siri (which didn't work too well on my iPhone 3G).
And, still nothing to match Navi on Android or even Windows.
Not to belittle software, but the hardware is what needs to be pushing the
envelope. The iPhone 4S would have been great....in 2010...and that is
where Apple let me down.
Just my thoughts, taking cover from the fanboi crazies. And, I know, I
don't have to buy it....and I won't.
-Bob
>
>
> Yes, Apple disappointed millions of current iPhone 4 owners by not
> introducing the iPhone 5.
>
> Still the iPhone 4S is the next best thing. It has all new guts: new
> chip, new camera, and new antennas. It just happens to look exactly
> like the iPhone 4. This makes the iPhone 4S unveiling today at Apple�s
> Corporate Campus feel a little like a non-event.
>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
- 7c.
-
Re: [macsupport] Apple�s iPhone Event: Three Big Reasons It Stil
Posted by: "Jim Saklad" jimdoc@me.com jimdoc01
Tue Oct 4, 2011 8:16 pm (PDT)
> Just my thoughts, taking cover from the fanboi crazies. And, I know, I don't have to buy it....and I won't.
> -Bob
Just one suggestion, Bob:
Give serious consideration to waiting until the product is actually released. And in the hands of actual users. See how the actual phone works out for real people before you dump on it.
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~
Jim Saklad mailto:jimdoc@me.com
- 7d.
-
Re: [macsupport] Apple�s iPhone Event: Three Big Reasons It Stil
Posted by: "Bob Cook" cookrd1@discoveryowners.com cookrd1
Tue Oct 4, 2011 8:56 pm (PDT)
On Tue, Oct 4, 2011 at 11:16 PM, Jim Saklad <jimdoc@me.com> wrote:
> **
>
> Just one suggestion, Bob:
>
> Give serious consideration to waiting until the product is actually
> released. And in the hands of actual users. See how the actual phone works
> out for real people before you dump on it.
>
I guess I just had my heart set on an iPhone 5 with all the rumored
improvements. But, I certainly wouldn't pay a premium price for hardware
that doesn't match the competition's specs (while I hit myself in the head,
typing this on an Apple computer).
Apple will sell a ton of the new iPhones, and I guess that is all that
matters. Just wait until next year.
-Bob
>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
- 7e.
-
Re: [macsupport] Apple�s iPhone Event: Three Big Reasons It Stil
Posted by: "Dane Robison" macdane@mac.com macdane1
Tue Oct 4, 2011 9:13 pm (PDT)
On Oct 4, 2011, at 11:56 PM, Bob Cook wrote:
> On Tue, Oct 4, 2011 at 11:16 PM, Jim Saklad <jimdoc@me.com> wrote:
>
>> Give serious consideration to waiting until the product is actually
>> released. And in the hands of actual users. See how the actual
>> phone works
>> out for real people before you dump on it.
>
> I guess I just had my heart set on an iPhone 5 with all the rumored
> improvements. But, I certainly wouldn't pay a premium price for
> hardware
> that doesn't match the competition's specs (while I hit myself in
> the head,
> typing this on an Apple computer).
>
> Apple will sell a ton of the new iPhones, and I guess that is all that
> matters. Just wait until next year.
No, that's not all that matters. User experience is a really big deal,
too, and at least as important as the specs you seem hung up on.
If you're that unhappy with Apple products, stop using them. Make
sense? But understand that an awful lot of people are very pleased
with Apple phones, laptops, etc., regardless of the specs.
Dane
- 7f.
-
Re: [macsupport] Apple�s iPhone Event: Three Big Reasons It Stil
Posted by: "Jim Saklad" jimdoc@me.com jimdoc01
Tue Oct 4, 2011 9:25 pm (PDT)
>> Apple will sell a ton of the new iPhones, and I guess that is all that matters. Just wait until next year.
>
> No, that's not all that matters. User experience is a really big deal, too, and at least as important as the specs you seem hung up on.
>
> If you're that unhappy with Apple products, stop using them. Make sense? But understand that an awful lot of people are very pleased with Apple phones, laptops, etc., regardless of the specs.
> Dane
Dane - I hope you won't mind if I complete your thought for you:
"... an awful lot of people are very pleased with Apple phones, laptops, etc., regardless of the specs, BECAUSE of their user experience."
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~
Jim Saklad mailto:jimdoc@me.com
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
- 7g.
-
Re: [macsupport] Apple�s iPhone Event: Three Big Reasons It Stil
Posted by: "Dane Robison" macdane@mac.com macdane1
Tue Oct 4, 2011 10:24 pm (PDT)
On Oct 5, 2011, at 12:25 AM, Jim Saklad wrote:
>>> Apple will sell a ton of the new iPhones, and I guess that is all
>>> that matters. Just wait until next year.
>>
>> No, that's not all that matters. User experience is a really big
>> deal, too, and at least as important as the specs you seem hung up
>> on.
>>
>> If you're that unhappy with Apple products, stop using them. Make
>> sense? But understand that an awful lot of people are very pleased
>> with Apple phones, laptops, etc., regardless of the specs.
>> Dane
>
>
> Dane - I hope you won't mind if I complete your thought for you:
>
> "... an awful lot of people are very pleased with Apple phones,
> laptops, etc., regardless of the specs, BECAUSE of their user
> experience."
That's precisely what I meant. Specs -- whether referring to features
or numbers -- are great tools for selling to consumers who lack the
self confidence to make informed hands-on decisions. I'm thinking here
of such things as cameras with more megapixels, stereos with more
watts, and computers with USB3 ports. In practical application, none
of those things in and of themselves are significant enough to
compensate for an inherently inferior product. User experience, on the
other hand, as intangible as it may seem, *is* enough to render many
common specs irrelevant.
If you don't believe me, just take a look at the droves of people that
have been switching from PCs to Macs over the past several years. Or
the vast numbers of Verizon customers switching to the iPhone. The
same thing will happen with Sprint. And remember, many of these
customers are the folks who already have phones that are either
equivalent or superior to iPhones on paper. People by and large don't
make moves like that without good reason, and the reason is user
experience.
I just returned from our annual "boys weekend" with some interesting
anecdotal observations. The sample size is small, but it's a group
that has remained essentially unchanged over the past dozen years:
doctor, lawyer, actor, photographer, business consultant, computer
security analyst, finance guy and two accountants. When we first began
in the late '90s, two of us used Macs and the rest laughed at us for
spending too much on shiny under-spec'd junk. When the iPhone came
out, the same two of us bought it and the rest drooled but couldn't be
pried away from Verizon.
As of this past weekend, those same nine guys account for six MacBook
Pros, four iMacs, five iPads, six iPhones and three droid phones. Two
of the droid users now openly admit that they're just waiting for the
right time to move to the iPhone, and the other droid user seems
content with what he has.
This isn't a fad. These are smart guys capable of making good
decisions and increasingly that has meant buying from Apple.
Dane
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