Exposé Like Multitasking Coming to iPhone/Tablet OS.

There has been much speculation about how an interface might change should Apple release a ten inch tablet that sits somewhere between an iPod/phone and a Macbook (or replaces the Macbook all together).

The operating system for the new device will take advantage of Apple’s Exposé task switching application to allow for side-by side multitasking applications.    The tablet will leverage true resolution independence features to allow for up to 4 applications to be open on the same screen simultaneously.  Hitting a home button on the device will zoom out to show all currently running applications.  When zoomed out you’ll be able to drop as many as four applications into a focus tray that will after being tapped display those applications simultaneously on the screen.  The applications will fill the space sharing equal proportions.  Each at independent resolutions relative to the native resolutions of the system.

This is an exciting step forward, one of the heaviest complaints leveraged against the iPhone/iPod system is the lack of true multitasking functionality.  Essential applications like text to speech systems, have to work in their own separate environment not allowing interaction between applications.  It’s not clear whether or not this will actually be implemented for iPhone/iPod systems.

Update: 1/28 In what was probably one of the biggest disappointments of the iPad announcement, multitasking did not show itself.  That being said, it appears the software isn’t complete, or if it is it is awful and ill conceived.  There were some amazing applications, but the system itself was unbelievably ugly and clunky.

Apple Tablet News: It’s the New MacBook(s)

I’ve got news regarding the perennial Sasquatch or Loch Ness of tech.  Apple IS releasing a tablet.  But they are releasing more than one.

Apple’s slate/tablet will not be an additional device category for Apple.  It (they) will be replacing MacBook/Pro line.

But what’s even more interesting is that they are moving over for a wider implementation of their application store.

Apparently the company is enamored with how they’ve been able to transition their iTunes system to accommodate applications.  They’ve seen revenue in the form of even the most ridiculous applications.   Now apparently Steve sees an enormous potential behind having a application store for more of their machines.  As a result of their (internally perceived) success they are beginning a program of transitioning all Mac applications to an app store-like system.  They’ll be able to take advantage of more revenues, and perhaps most worryingly, they’ll be able to lock down the consumer experience more.

That’s why the company has recently sped up it’s approval process.  They’re gearing up to transition a lot of existing mac applications over to the App Store.

This also seems to explain why the company has not added BluRay on their systems as of yet.  They are seeking for more ways than one to control what goes on their devices.

It appears apple may be making the same mistakes it made some time ago, closing in their system while the competition is about opening up.  They don’t seem to mind that route though.  The company seems more concerned about controlling everything over market-share.  That could be fine if it was for the sake of a better experience.  But the App Store has got to be, from a consumer/developer perspective, one of the worst creations the company has ever been behind.

1/18/2009 Update:  Reports are circling the web today that the 22 inch iMac will also be getting a touch screen, if not this January, then in May with the next update.  It appears more and more that Apple is heading this route of changing over their entire line.

Samsung Debuts Folding OLED Screen

Considering that a purchasing an 11 inch OLED TV today would run you $2,500 I don’t see this 5 inch display being practical anytime soon.  But the concept brings hope for a large number of applications.

Watch the video from the FPD International show in Japan.  Maybe I’m the only one but I find the concept amazing, a screen that can fold over?  And as Electronista points out “there is no physical keypad, suggesting the smaller display is touch-sensitive.”

While the first thing I think of is a new iPhone, the most exciting application to me would be in the form of an ultra portable tablet computer, say 5X7 and 1280X800?

Sometimes the future looks pretty good. 

[Via Electronista]

What’s Next For Microsoft?

While a there’s been a lot of discussion recently about the failures of Vista and the upcoming Windows 7 Beta, and the Yahoo, Google, MSN flurry, the attention has been taken away from something much more interesting coming out of Redmond.

If you’ll remember an earlier post Create experiences that combine the magic of…blah…blah…blah, you’ll know that Microsoft’s current Vision statement is one that moves the company away from the desktop and windows, toward a more “clouded” hybrid. What was the full vision statement?

“Create experiences that combine the magic of software with the power of Internet services across a world of devices.”

Yeah, see how clouded that is?

OK today it became a little more concrete for me. From hello://internet:

Recently Microsoft announced that it was developing an operating system (code named Midori) that “is centred on the internet and does away with the dependencies that tie Windows to a single PC”.

Check out this video highlighted by Ahassan:

Did you just see that?  Makes a lot of sense for the company doesn’t it?  Talk about a new platform.  It’s worth reading more of what Ahassan says about Midori’s potential.

Essentially what this means is potentially a complete conversion of the web.  Right now we have websites, and web “applications.”  We’ve seen many applications sprout up as products like Picnik, and Photoshop.com. Of course you can’t for get Zoho and Google Docs, or even Mobile Me? This Silverlight based applications approach however points towards something even more robust, with more implications.

By the looks of the video Microsoft has something very compelling here, and if they could get a foothold they have a potential to supplant, or at least be the gateway to great many web services/applications.

Like it or not this, I have to say, is much more exciting than anything like Windows 7.

OMG the iPhone is Cool Again! (2.1 update)

 

Apple

My iPhone 2.1 update went off without a hitch and did not “re-lock” my iPhone.

I’ve had the 2.1 update installed for a few hours now, and everything seems to be functioning better. the install went off without a hitch, this is how iPhone 2.0 should have launched.  Hopefully the luck continues and I others won’t run into problems.

My phone isn’t jailbroken for the moment, the iPhone Dev Team is at work on an update to allow for non-Appstore apps to be installed on the 2.1 update.  However I’m better off for the moment as I my iphone now feels very usable.  Before the update it was a very different story.

 

Apples Recent Failures

Apple’s 2008 WWDC Launch included a notoriously flawed Mobile Me introduction.  People who depended upon the service where left in frustration as the service went up and down and reliability issues struck.  Apple has since acknowledged their errors, issued a formal apology, and gave some consolation to Mobile Me members, extending account expiration dates.

Less talked about by the company but disseminated throughout blogs, and forums, was the constant problems face by users of the latest iPhone software 2.0, 2.0.1, and 2.0.2.  Intermittently iPhone users with phones Pwned or not, faced dropped calls, weak 3g signals, 12 hour sync and backup times, corrupted backups, resets, freeze ups, non functioning app store apps.  The simple thought of connecting the phone to the computer for a podcast update became daunting.  It was, in short, ridiculous, and highly uncharacteristic of the company.  

These two recent product launches begin removing that idea of “it just works,” often spoken on behalf of the Apple brand.

Despite the problems the iPhone really is an amazing tool.  It’s still light years ahead of the competition.  The caliber and utility of many of the tools (often free) introduced thus far are awesome.  And while the phone it self is pretty awesome, it’s those applications that really make it a competitive product.

However, if Apple is going to continue on the growth path that has made competitors take notice of it’s growing market share and dominance in media distribution, computers, smart phones, software and portable music players, it’s going to have to get on the ball with product quality.  Otherwise they’ll find themselves facing the same criticism they themselves are dishing out to Microsoft.