Tag Archives: David Pogue

iPhone: iWant1

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Many people have said that handheld computing is going to be huge; that cell phones or so-called “smart” phones will become increasingly powerful and feature-rich. But I have been much less than impressed with what I have seen thus far. That is, until I read about the iPhone introduced earlier this week by Apple. I know, I know, dismiss me as yet another delusional-Apple-can-do-know-wrong sycophant. This device, at least on first impressions, fits almost exactly with what I have wanted to see in terms of possibilities for “smart” phones. More than that, it pushes the boundaries of possibility for what this kind of device can do and how it can do it.

I have a Motorola cell phone and I used Cingular as my carrier. Aside from using it as a phone, the features that I use the most heavily include SMS to query Google for information that I need while travelling or going somewhere to shop, eat, etc. Thanks to Google, who designed a nifty Java-based email client that I think makes the best of a difficult situation, I also use my cell phone to check my email. I do not use my phone to compose or send emails, though, because I just find it almost useless to type using the standard cellphone keys. I may send my wife a photo that I took using the built-in camera, but that is a feature that is very rarely used (as is the video capability).

So what would I like to have? Well, basically a full-featured mini-computer in my hand. One that I can use to do a variety of things, and do them easily and without hassle. On paper, iPhone fits the bill. I am amazed by the simplicity of the packaging, and what I can see of how it is shaped, how it fits into the hand, etc. Of course I am also amazed by its many interesting features. I especially like the 3.5″ screen. So yes, iPhone: iWant1. I see some negatives, though. First, to me the price point puts it beyond my reach. Second, I think the visual keyboard looks difficult to use for easy, efficient typing. Third, I am already a Cingular customer and I know how slow the connection speed is with that carrier. Of all of the negatives, I think the biggest one is the visual keyboard, because if I can’t type easily and quickly with minimal need for corrections, then the device is useless for composing email, and I really, really, rely upon that capability. David Pogue of the New York Times mentions this in his review, and states something about those who use Blackberry might want to stick with them. But frankly, Blackberry’s thumb keys don’t interest me at all, either.

Will I or should I plan to some day buy an iPhone? I will just have to W8tNC.

“Rock solid” Mac OS X

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I couldn’t agree more with David Pogue’s description in his New York Times column of the “stealth benefit” of the new iMac G5, OS X, as “rock solid.” Mentioned in MacMinute. It really amazes me that more people aren’t clued into the fact that OS X, as Pogue says, is “100 percent free from viruses, Trojan horses, spyware and all the grief that comes with them.” Even in my own small academic library, the grief of dealing with Windows is very real and ever-present. The amount of effort and upkeep it takes to maintain our PCs (even just our library staff PCs) on Windows XP is absolutely ridiculous. Why should I have to worry about (and spend my time or a student’s time installing and updating) third party software to detect and remove spyware, adware, and more? And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Another example is the infamous WinXP Service Pack 2. Don’t get me started on that one…

What annoys the heck out of me is that our university’s IT department is completely sold on Windows and it seems like if they had their way, all Mac computers would be banned from campus. I fully understand the desire to maximize limited resources by trying to be as uniform as possible with a computing platform, and I also understand that Wintel equipment is significantly cheaper to buy and all, but just about everybody I speak with in that area is totally ignorant about Mac computers and OS X in particular. In fact, anyone with whom I’ve ever spoken about the Mac (yes, I do try to evangelize) is openly hostile to Macs. Another example: I’m on a university-wide strategic technology, planning, and assessment committee. Recently this group went through a prioritization exercise to determine what issues should be top priorities for the near future. One of those issues on the lengthy list of possibilities was Mac support. The end result of the survey? Mac support came in dead last. I think I was the only one in the group who put it in the top ten.

OK, sorry, rant over. But wait, there is one more thing that I can’t resist mentioning: I can run just about any WinXP program on my Mac (using Virtual PC) — and easily communicate and play nicely with our Windows network at work at the same time. Top that, Microsoft.