What I do see, is possibilities.

An Apple TV that is a “TV” would have to be more than just a media box like the 1st and 2nd versions of the Apple TV.  I think this device would have to be a media center or iTunes Server.  We know that Apple can make beautiful displays and fantastic hardware.  My vision is that this iTunes Server would need to have a few things to make it work.  It would need to contain a very large hard drive, Seagate recently announced a 4Tb hard drive, and the ability to update the software and hard drive.   The rest of the hardware might stand the test of time or need to be upgradeable over time.  That is the problem, it doesn’t fit Apple’s model.  Not only that but FaceTime Hd camera would have to be capable of upgrades also.

I understand where people want this to go and I have seen the videos’ of Alan Kay’s visionary tablet and Apple’s knowledge navigator.  I also ‘see’ how AirPlay is making some of the sharing possible with a combination of Apple devices.  My first thoughts and impressions are that they will be making a 3rd generation Apple TV that will allow and manage the ‘Cord Free’ connecting and syncing between iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.  My vision is 2 devices, one that has a large hard drive and one that is like the 2nd generation Apple TV.  My other feeling is that they are working with TV manufacturers to get  AirPlay working on TVs.  This could work as a widget or as an always on service running and ready to receive streams.

I really see a new Apple TV being an iTunes Server … I know I have said it a few times already.  It is the only thing that make sense to me.

ironwil

I am not sure what the answer is; but I have to admit that I like Diaspora and am interested in what they end up doing.  They received massive amounts of cash to deliver a product they came up with.  Each person will hold their own ID and control how it is used.  Mozilla has presented Thirdparty and Fingerprinting.  Jason Calacanis has also ranted his displeasure on Facebook‘s Privacy while Leo Laporte has walked away from Facebook because the Privacy Policy has changed several times.

Facebook has now reached 500 Million daily users and is showing very little slowdown.  Twitter is great for short messages and sharing right now news.  Google is now working on a not so secret project titled ‘Google Me‘ a potential competitor to Facebook.  Then we have Open Authentication or Open ID which is designed to deliver single sign on across the web; something that Microsoft tried to deliver years ago with Passport.  There is such confusion over what the best solution will be.

Diaspora seems to bring the best ideas together by allowing the users to own the server, software, and information.  It provides a single sign on that is controlled by the user.

What should the solution be?

That is a really good question.  One, I have been considering for weeks, which is obvious since I am just getting this article finished & posted.  I think that the best solution will allow for cross platform compatibility and easy user deployment. Software that can be installed similar to WordPress or Joomla.  Plug-ins to enable additional features and content or games and video.   It should be easy to update and take care of so that the average web user can manage their account and software.  I imagine that several hosting companies, like DreamHost and SquareSpace, will provide managed installs.  I hope that it will interface with Facebook and Twitter and several other services.  It would make sense to me, that is always the hitch, that in order to compete and over take the competition; it will have to be very open and powerful. It would also need to provide Open Authentication [Open ID] like access to websites and deliver single sign-on services to a multitude of sites and services.

When it happens … the next social network evolution will change the way we communicate and interact.  It will also change who owns the data and where that data resides.  My personal hope is that projects like Diaspora will finally overcome the larger social juggernauts.

iron wil

They even point out this is a security move for the company and they intend to cycle over 20,000 computers.  That is a lot of hardware a whole lot of hardware!!!  It is an interesting and impressive move.

I know that there are Windows users that are going to call this bogus and complain and Troll the blogs; but either way, Google has made a statement.

iron wil

My 2¢:
Go Google!  Windows is becoming more secure and more reliable.  Mac & Linux have been leading with certain features and a stronger security posture.  Those computers [Windows] are a big target and hopefully, that target will shrink because the software is becoming more secure.

The following is a conversation that I had with some friends, I changed some things to protect the original speakers.

SC: Finally got my own laptop…and no it is NOT a Mac.

DCB: did you invent Windows 7 too?

EvC: Good. 90% of the people who own macs don’t need them.

LVT: Shame really.

BD: Macs are too expensive….

Wil: Macs are not to expensive & yes every Mac owner needs it. It isn’t the perfect computer yet; however, all the computer security guys I know prefer them over Windows hands down. Yet, cost for many is a driving factor & when I consult the first question I always ask is what is your budget & then what do you want it with do?

ErC: You will be eating those words in a year…

Wil: me? Nope, we have 2 & I am looking @ more.

LVT: I agree haven’t any problems with a mac in 20 years!!! They are fast and awesome!! I’m glad not to have to deal with regular computers anymore!! Yay me! LOL.

EvC: The only reason Macs have less “issues” is because they aren’t as mainstream. PCs are far more popular, thus hackers, viruses, etc. are geared towards them. There are two solutions to this if you want to save money AND learn a couple of useful things about computers (which can be useful in your life):

1. Learn how to properly secure your PC and how to properly clean it out when necessary.
2. Install Linux on it. It’s free, not mainstream, and destroys PC and Macs as far as customizing goes.

The only people who should be buying Macs are the graphic/music/video editing artists. The software that runs applications for them are specially designed for macs, and are thus better on macs. Everyone else who buys Macs are either way too misinformed, have a “liberal” way of thinking, are gay, or are just too intimidated by PCs for some reason.

GKC: Quit hating on Apple – Steve Jobs rocks my face!! You’re just jealous because you’re not as cool as us Mac folks ; )

ErC: When you say “gay” do you mean “homosexual” or “stupid”…

EvC: Macs are aesthetically pleasing I’ll admit… so yes, I meant gay, because most gay people like aesthetically pleasing things.

GKC: Oh and no Wil, he wasn’t talking about you – he was talking to SC …. ErC is a Mac lover like myself. And Macs are not too expensive…they are worth every penny. ErC and I had a Dell that crashed and burned within 8 months of buying it….I’ve had my Mac for over a year and not one issue and it still runs like the day we bought it. I can see why some people would prefer a PC….they are better for gamers.

LVT: LOL macs are Topline and for people with brains.

LVT: LOL I’ve never been intimidated by PC’s LOL that’s ignorance talking mister!! when I use a PC elsewhere they are exhaustively stupid!! It’s like running on asphalt without shoes when you have a wonderful perfect pair that would save your feet and joints from unnecessary pain and damage!!

EvC: I assure you, your 20 year old mac is not as fast as today’s current PCs. That’s just impossible from a technological standpoint. I’ll go to the Mac = overpriced tricycle example: http://208.116.9.205/10/content/10348/1.jpg

They are safe… you won’t fall, and if you don’t care to ever learn how to ride a “real bike,” they are just fine. … I don’t get how you can argue that they are not overpriced… b/c they most definitely are. Go to any site, store, and see for yourself. You can get the same thing on a PC WAY cheaper… and like I said Mac is ripping you one, because the only reason you don’t have problems is due to the fact that they aren’t mainstream. They are pretty much charging you up the rear for a “pretty looking” computer.

GKC: PC ripped off Mac’s OS with Windows…Bill Gates is a stinkin’ thief….and their current version looks a whole lot like the Leopard OS Mac has had for a while now. PCs are constantly changing to just keep up with Mac’s innovations….but we don’t have to buy all the software or upgrade to a new unit – we simply just install the updates. I understand EvC, you like to tear your computer apart and build your own unit…but I don’t. If I’m going to spend money on a computer, it better do what I want with minimal effort on my part – and that’s exactly what Mac provides…and yes, in a pretty package too.

Wil: wow EvC, you opened up one big can o’Mac-ness. I will agree that you can get “comparable” hardware. However, I agree with GKC that when you want a computer to just work … get a Mac. I have & do PC repair for others often, I recommend 4 applications to help protect their computer from infection.

But the real seller for me besides ease of use is sex appeal, they are very good looking computers, and cost. I would spend about the same or more on my PC over it’s life on components plus I then lost the time it took to put them in & upgrade all the software. OS costs are lower & so are many of the other basic software packages.

Do an actual price comparison for the hardware & software … there is a difference … oh yeah & they have the BEST customer service!!!

LVT: I have traded up every few years….I just meant that over the past 20 years I’ve never had problems…only traded up to the newer faster models.

LVT: I’ve had this argument with friends all the time!! It stops once they get one themselves and then apologize for their stupidity!! Hee hee this is fun!!

LVT: What’s even funnier is this whole conversation has yet to be seen by SC!

GKC: Lol!!! That’s what happened with ErC, he made fun of me for my love of Mac….and then he experienced the awesomeness of Mac for himself – now it is all things Apple in our house.

LVT: EXACTLY!!! =D

LVT: *high five* GKC.

EvC: I took a digital design class with macs. I’m not claiming they are bad computers… I just have no real reason to buy one, nor do I think a majority of owners have any real reason to own one. But I do recall that the mac lab at school (name removed) had terrible issues with connecting to the school network that they were never able to fix. About a fifth of the computers were unable to ever connect to the network that whole semester. Macs have their issues, too.

I can understand, though, wanting “minimal effort” when it comes to handling computers (hence the tricycle comparison). I’ll admit I’m the same way with some of the necessary things in life… for example, I suck at buying cars and getting car repairs. I know next to nothing about cars. In the end, don’t dis the PC/Linux folks. Macs aren’t any better in anyway when it comes to speed and even reliability (depending on how you define it). They are just a “safer” option for people who just want “minimal effort.”

EvC: And GKC, that happens EVERYWHERE in corporate America.

KB: Shoulda gone with a MAC

LVT: Sigh… I’ve been there done that!! Can’t ever prove anything until ya take the plunge!! You’ll never know until then….sorry….

SC: Wow! I am good at starting these long drawn out conversations.

First off. I don’t have any problem with Macs. In fact, I was the one who convinced AC to get one. I just can’t justify the extreme cost.
Second, EvC is absolutely correct about the security issues and the reason why there aren’t more viruses on Macs. They just aren’t as … popular especially in the business world.
Third, I have used the Mac OS and the Windows 7 OS and I have to say just after one day of using it…the Windows 7 OS is better. Plain and simple. Also there are some really silly things about Macs. An example would be that there is no way to easily force out a stuck DVD like you can with a PC. That is a simple design flaw.

As far as Microsoft ripping off the Mac OS, who cares! Bottom line is that I got a PC laptop for a THIRD of the cost of a Mac and it actually has a bigger screen and more hard drive space. I didn’t get a Dell I got an ASUS (the guys that started the netbook craze). I hope my friends will forgive my but this conversation was just to hilarious to not share.

The real bottom line is people use what they need.  They may use Linux/Mac/Windows it doesn’t really matter except to them.  I actually have all 3 boxes working in my house.  I use 3 operating systems and they all have a specific use; however, I use my Mac for 95% of what I do.

ironwil

I can see replacing my 13″ MacBook with the iPad and using my iMac to do the heavy lifting.  I can see using Dropbox and Evernote even more.  I can see converting all my current OOo [OpenOffice] documents to iWork which means that it easily justifies the expense [not that I consider iWork expensive].  In fact, I think that I could buy 1 iPad for each of my family members and then set up accounts on our iMac as the kids get older.  This would allow my boys to each have one for online games and Apps and their own music selections.

While my personal transition to eBooks has been slow, this may entice me to make that move.  I am using Stanza on my iPhone & it isn’t really a compelling experience.  I also don’t have a lot of reading time and find that Audible is a better resource for me right now.  I hope that this iBook software allows for marking and notes because that would be a big failure right out of the gate if it wasn’t included.  I hope that Amazon gets on board like Audible has with Audiobooks available via iTunes; especially if they can keep the books at the low cost they already are for Kindle owners.

I think this beats the NetBook model hands down even if it isn’t quite what I thought it would end up being. Now, a few weeks ago I published my own predictions for the iPad.

I predicted that Apple would release a multi-touch device similar to the JooJoo [aka CrunchPad] that ran Apps, eBooks, with WiFi/3G, iTunes, a built in battery, Lala, and the content aspects of the Sports Illustrated Tablet demo.  I was right on some items and we could still see Lala become part of the service package MobileMe [I was not the first to suggest this].  I will admit that I am still blown away.  I love the device and look forward to heading into town in 60 Days and testing one out.  I think I will have to get a sitter & take the wife to a movie to justify the whole thing.

I know that many people will not get it until they see others using it and that I can understand.  It was the same way with the Kindle and other devices.  I didn’t get the iPod until I owned one.  Yeah, until I owned one and then I felt dumb because I had not invested in it before then.  It was a mind blowing music experience and since then, I have bought a couple dozen albums.

New Prediction, iSlate with Inkwell for writing with a finger or 3rd party stylus.  This will be more like the Axiotron ModBook.  It will be slide between the iPad and MacBook.

iron wil

I have 1 major problem and two real irritations.  First Bluetooth, I have a BlueAnt X5i that works better with my iPhone than my MacBook [13" Black Late 2007].  I have discovered that my iPhone has a bit of a problem.  If I let the headset die while connected to the phone I lose all sound.  I turned the Bluetooth off and back on then off again, but that didn’t work.  I had to power-cycle the device [No, I didn't try a soft reset which might have worked].  I had to run the battery down before I got the audio back.  It was really annoying.

Second, I was using my headset to listen to music in the office and turned off the Bluetooth [on the phone] before turning off the headset.  I lost all audio again, I was frustrated; but then reconnected them and I was able to listen to the audio through the X5i.  I then turned it off and then turned off the Bluetooth [on the phone].  My audio returned.

Sheesh, can’t they just release the audio channel when Bluetooth is turned off???

Okay, this relates to both iTunes and the iPhone.  Why does the software not remember my Account Password?!?!?  I don’t understand what is wrong or not working in iTunes or the iPhone App [Store]?  Why does the software not save the password even when the check box is selected in iTunes and why does the iPhone App [Store] or iTunes App.  This seems pretty simple to me, it is MY phone and MY account, if content is downloaded it is going to be . . . where . . . on my iPhone!!!  I tried several tricks from The MacCast and still iTunes doesn’t save my password for downloading new Apps or Digital content.

I realize that Apple & Mr. Jobs have their way of doing things; however, this doesn’t meet the simplicity rule that Apple likes to apply to almost everything else they do.  I really like the simplicity model that is used in many things; yet, this seems like something that would make sense.  Make it a feature and allow users to turn it off and on, so I can decide if I want to save the password or not.

Oh, yeah and don’t forget to make a check box area for Audiobooks so that I can decide what Audiobooks I put on my iPhone or iPod!!!  Seriously, I have a dozen Audiobooks on my phone & I know that I can delete them from iTunes; but I would rather just control them like other media on my devices.

No, I still love my iPhone and am happy with it . . . let’s keep it simple Apple!!!

This rant is now over.

iron wil

Hosts: Leo Laporte, John C. Dvorak, Jim Louderback, David Spark, and Baratunde Thurston

Twitter lists, Google ramps up, tech journalism ethics, Windows 7, TSA vs. mommy blogger, and more.

Show Notes

MacBreak Weekly 163: Stroke The Mouse

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Alex Lindsay, and Andy Ihnatko

The team covers Apple’s release of new iMacs, Mac Minis, a new mouse, and more.

Show Notes

Security Now 219: Browser Scripting

Hosts: Steve Gibson with Leo Laporte

Why patches are impossible, the Total (In)security virus, and why writing software shouldn’t be too easy.

Show Notes

Windows Weekly 127: Hasta La Vista Baby

Hosts: Paul Thurrott and Leo LaporteWindows 7 is here and its party time at the TWiT cottage.

Windows 7 is here and its party time at the TWiT cottage.

Show Notes

This Week In Google 13: This Is The Droid You’re Looking For

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Gina Trapani, Jeff Jarvis, and Danny Sullivan

Danny Sullivan from Search Engine Land joins us to talk about Google’s social search, Jeff Jarvis invents Howard Stern 3.0, and Gina Trapani sorts by magic.

Show Notes

iron wil

Last year, I posted an article referencing Apple’s suggestion to use anti-virus software with the opening line stating “Security is a journey not a destination”.  When I came across an article on 1 Raindrop about the RSA conference last March.  I felt that this quote was a surgical statement, very precise and to the point.  I think it works to help a person find a more comprehensive definition of computer security.

So my revised statement is “Security is a journey, not a destination or a place of defense.  It is collaboration, networking, and the future.”

iron wil

This is a simple app that integrates with your address book and is easy to use.  I don’t send a lot of snail mail; but this will make my envelopes much more legible.

I am sure mail men (& women) everywhere will rejoice.

iron wil

Hosts: Paul Thurrott and Leo Laporte

Earnings, layoffs, the Inauguration, a MobileMe competitor, and more.

• Microsoft earnings and layoffs
  • $5.94 billion on revenues of $16.63 billion – Up just 2 percent year over year
  • Weird: Announced before the start of the business day today, unexpectedly
  • Windows/Office down 8 percent – Server up 15 percent – Xbox up 3 percent
  • Laying off 5,000 in R&D, marketing, sales, finance, legal, HR, and IT over the next 18 months, 1400 immediately
• Apple earnings: Surprisingly healthy
  • $1.61 billion on revenues of $10.17 billion
  • 9 percent jump in its Macintosh business. Mac sales were 2.5 million units, up from 2.3 million
  • Sold 22.7 million iPods in the quarter, representing 3 percent growth (70 percent market share WW, 73 US)
  • 4.4 million iPhones, an 88 percent improvement
  • Watching netbook market
• PC market share figures are in Worldwide:
  1. HP: 14.9 Million Units, 19.1% Market Share, 3.5% growth
  2. Dell: 10.3 Million Units, 13.2% Market Share, -5.9% growth
  3. Acer: 9.6 Million Units, 12.3% Market Share, 31.1% growth = Netbook
  4. Lenovo: 95.5 Million Units, 7.1% Market Share, -4.5% growth
  5. Toshiba: 3.6 Million Units, 4.7% Market Share, 20.7% growth
  6. Apple? 2.5 million units – 3.2 % percent market share
  7. North America: Apple fell from 3rd to 4th place, 5.8 percent market share
• Microsoft tech used to showcase inauguration: Photosynth – Microsoft Live Labs
• Rumor: Microsoft plotting a MobileMe competitor
  To unveil three new mobile services at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona next month. SkyBox is a service for users to sync a phones information with the web. Microsoft will be offering automatic backup and restore services, access and management of phone data and provide easy communication and sharing with others. The service will also allow syncing of contacts, email/SMS, calendar items and pictures into the cloud, similar to Apple’s MobileMe. The difference from Apple’s offering is Microsoft could be set to offer this out to non Windows Mobile devices. SkyLine will be aimed at small businesses. Offering similar functionality to SkyBox, businesses will be able to setup their phones with Microsoft’s Exchange hosting with their own domain names. SkyMarket was originally discovered in September 2008 when Microsoft advertised several external job positions. SkyMarket is the codename for Microsoft’s mobile marketplace, a competitor to Apple’s AppStore and RIM’s Blackberry application center. This service will only be available on Windows Mobile devices and will showcase the 1000s of Windows Mobile applications available today.
• Tip of the week:
  This weeks tip is about using Windows 7 Styles and Themes. I’ve put up a Washington D.C. theme — will soon post themes for London, Paris, Ireland, and Coffee. You can use the desktop backgrounds in XP, Vista, Mac of course themepack files can be opened by ZIP programs
• Software of the week: Unlocker overcomes annoying “cannot delete file” dialogs in Vista/XP. This software is donationware. Thanks to Troy Haskin for the tip via email.

Audible pick of the week: The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth, Unabridged, Narrated by Richard Brown.

Check out Paul’s blog at the SuperSite for Windows for more information.

get yours here.

iron wil