Jeez, I sure haven’t posted in a while. Of course, I’m trying to make this blog less me talking about television shoes and more sharing my opinion on whatever else. So in thinking of what I could talk about, I decided on tablet computers. This month, Amazon will release the Amazon Kindle Fire Tablet. With a price of $200, it sure is to be quite the seller, just as the Kindle was for the E-Reader market.

I myself do not have a tablet, and right now the biggest one is the iPad line from Apple Computers. I do know, I will NOT get anything Apple, especially an iPad. The devices are too limited, push iTunes more (which is a bloated piece of software (or should I say, package of useless software)), don’t get me started on DRM. I’ve been using iTunes, as I found it’s features easy to use and it did what I wanted (which was mostly just play MP3s (that I ripped from CDs I own, or bought from iTunes store (well, after I burned those and re-ripped them before the option of converting to MP3 came along, with a few more pennies added to the price)) while I surfed the net. But after I built my new computer to use as a DVR and media center, I decided, no iTunes. I had it on there briefly, but I would not want to listen to music through my TV, so iTunes (and Quicktime, Apple Update, Support) were taken off (luckily, I found how to never install crap like Bonjour to begin with, which Apple should learn to make an optional add-on, instead of forcing that shit on people).

Anyway, back to tablets. Regarding, not just the iPad, but the Xoom, and Acer, Toshiba ones out there. They all have hardly anything to offer, other than doing what smartphones do, except a bigger screen, slightly larger storage, and excluding the phone part. Sure, they are more light-weight and portable than a laptop, and have killed anyone’s desire to get a Netbook (very useless array of devices those were). But, in the end, why pay $400-$500 for such limited functionality, when for the same or slightly more, one could just get a decent laptop?

Then again, there are uses. As I’ve mentioned, from what I gathered with the iPad basically being the iPod Touch (which is the iPhone w/o the phone), but larger (and few extras), and the other ones are like larger Android-based phones, but without the phone part. I do not have a new phone, I actually have the same LG enV I’ve had for almost 4 years now. Why? Because it still works. (I hear another blog post I could rant about). And when Amazon announced their tablet, I near about thought, maybe I should consider.

If I just want to browse the Internet, then a tablet can be very useful when I don’t want to fire up my laptop. And with Amazon offering theirs for $200, it’s a much more attractive price that $500 the cheapest iPad throws out there. With an iPad, you’re stuck in the Apple world. With the Kindle Fire, yes, you are stuck in an Amazon world. But for a price, I’d rather be stuck in an Amazon world. I do have an Amazon account, Amazon does have individual MP3 songs as well as albums, just as iTunes. Both also allow for purchase of digital movies, though Amazon, from what I hear, allows for re-downloading that which you buy, while, from my experience with iTunes, once you download it, that’s it. Your hard drive crashes before you get a chance to back it up, it’s gone (though I hear Apple having an iCloud service, which I believe will do what Amazon is offering for its customers, storing content in the cloud that they can access). The plus, also on the side of Amazon, larger selection of books. But, I wouldn’t use a tablet for reading books anyway. With Fire’s announcement, also came the announcement that the basic Kindle with special offers is now $79, and that is something I now most definitely want to get. Store a thousand or so books on a little device is much more attractive than bookshelf of books taking up space and getting dusty.

In terms of specs, iPad’s internal storage starts at 16GB, while Fire is 8GB, but Fire is relying heavily on cloud storage. Hopefully, next generation Fire will up storage because, my music collection right now, sits at about 14 GB. In terms of Apps, okay, iPad may have an edge (90,000 vs 16,000), but honestly, 75% are more likely useless junk (on both sides) (remember, “there’s an app for that,” but I’ll reply back, “yeah, but do you REALLY need it?”). Pretty much, on both fronts, any useful and important apps, more likely would be available. Both are dual-core processors and have built-in wifi. iPad may have the cameras, but I would think a future Fire would eventually get one anyway. So iPad can be hooked into a cellular service, but I can’t afford those damn data plans anyway. Both don’t have external storage options (such as SD card or something). Both have near same battery life, but those numbers are usually inflated to minimal use.

In conclusion, I’m now open to getting a simple tablet for quick Internet surfing and media consumption, but not now. This is the first Kindle Fire, and I’m waiting until the rich people buy theirs to complement their iPads and Galaxy Tabs, and let the reviews and bugs come out for public consumption. Who knows, maybe there will be a Kindle Fire 2 next year, with the same $200 price tag, but has an expansion slot along with double internal storage, and those cameras people are bitching about.

Here are some iPad vs Kindle reads:
Fire vs iPad: Pick Your Garden – Technology News

Kindle Fire vs. iPad 2 vs. Nook Color: Specs and Features Compared – PCMag.com

Watched last night’s Countdown with Keith Olbermann and couldn’t help but laugh at a quick fix for those of you poor bastards stuck on the AT&T network because of having an iPhone and are now dealing (at least if you got the latest one) with a pretty big flaw: lost reception from “holding it wrong.”

Consumer Reports initially said good things, but have now added that, despite it having all those features people have been wanting (to a degree), they can no longer recommend it, since if a consumer holds it a certain way, they can lose enough of a signal to potentially drop a call. It’s bad enough it’s stuck on AT&T (which I’ve only hear bad things about), now there’s this.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

I myself wish I could get an iPhone, since I don’t really make too many calls (I hate phones actually) and like the more media stuff, but then again, hate the idea of adding data plans that can bringing a monthly bill nearer $100. It’s a little out of my comfort zone. I’ll stick with Verizon where I managed to get a loyalty plan of 50-min (plus 250-min N&W) for $20. Not much for most people, but like I said, I don’t talk much. I still have an LG enV, which I’ve had for, will be 3-years this November, and as long as it works (and, with the exception the battery drains faster now), I’ll keep using it.

Hehe, as I write this, looks like Attack of the Show on G4 is gonna be going over this during the Loop segment.

All the talks and build leading to Apple having a tablet released, and it finally came…Unfortunately, maybe they should have spent a little more time with the name. iPad, yep, that’s what Apple is calling it, and it seriously is a horrible name. In fact, on Twitter, iTampon was (and still is) a trending topic, and earlier I saw it and didn’t know what to make of it, until I got an email from Apple (as I subscribe to the newsletter for updates) introducing the “iPad,” then it all made sense.

They could’ve been better off with iTablet, or just iTab, maybe, but iPad?

It is most obvious that there are no women working at Apple, as this article from the New York Times suggests.

Now, looking past the name, here is a breakdown of what the iPad has in store for consumers:

POSITIVES:
Ability to utilize iPhone apps
With that, it’s essentially a larger iPod Touch or iPhone, so anyone with those can use this with ease
Price – $499, yep, Apple’s tablet is $499 (for a 16GB model, $599 for 32GB, it’s $699 for 64GB, and it starts at $629 instead for the 3G version, plus the AT&T plan requires $30/mo for the data plan to even use 3G)

CONS:
No a widescreen (16:9) aspect ratio
No USB ports?
And no video camera (some of your cheapest Notebooks (Hell, even Netbooks) come with web cameras at least)
And for having a browser, no flash support

5 Things the iPad is Missing – CNET

I have to agree with that CNET article (the 5 Things one I just linked above), that though I find Netbooks stupid (just go a couple hundred dollars more to have something with a little more power, a little more space and memory, and more importantly, an optical drive (which none of the Netbooks I’ve seen had, and I think that alone makes them not worth getting)), I don’t see them going away because Apple has a functioning computing unit that starts at less than $500, because it too isn’t very expandable, it’s ridiculously thin (what is with people wanting so much from so little, bulk it slightly, and have an optical drive or something), and, as mentioned, iPad is without a web cam, which dirt cheap Netbooks have (even if they are shitty quality, it’s better than nothing).

Honestly, the larger screen is the only plus which would be best for watching videos (such as the lovely ones you may (that I have) purchased through iTunes and stuck watching on my laptop since the DRM crap confines it to devices iTunes supports (and I have no iPods [nor the Apple TV], since I find the costs high), and it’ll be better as an ebook reader, that could compete with Amazon’s Kindle (though I’ll still want a Kindle, ’cause, based on the pictures of the iPad, the glossy-ish screen could be bad for reading, while Kindle’s screen is crisp and designed for text, making it an easy read, plus the Whispernet service is included with no data charges (you pay for the books, which are cheaper than the physical hardback versions, so it’s not only cheaper, it’s better for the environment).

Another article to learn about this new device –> Review: Apple’s iPad has potential – San Francisco Chronicle

So, no, I probably won’t get one, I’d rather just invest in an iPod Touch, ’cause I’ve seen one of those in action, and it is pretty fuckin’ sweet.

Oh, have I mentionted that #iTampon is still trending on Twitter, if the Trending list is in order, it’s more talked about than the actual name of iPad. I mean, seriously, no women work at Apple?

Since the iPhone came out, the only cellular service that is compatible with it is AT&T. Well, many of us wouldn’t either benefit from the service (not available in our area) or just plain don’t want AT&T (’cause I surely don’t). I don’t care of the iPhone was the biggest gadget to come out in the last five years. It itself was pricey and in its early year, wasn’t much of an actual phone.

But, we know technology improves, and for the most part, today’s people don’t really use the phone all that much anymore (I hate phones). You got the text messaging, video streams, music downloads, the twitter thing the crazy kids are doing these days now, and if a cell phone doesn’t have much of any of these modern features, it’s not a phone worth having.

Now, the largest cell phone carrier, may be the next company to have the iPhone ready for their service (happy Verizon customer here). Verizon and Apple are in talks about it, but it won’t be soon, (as AT&T has exclusivity through 2010, but are looking to extend it), any kind of major talks between two huge companies take time, it may be a good possibility. With AT&T already carrying it and Verizon on board in the future, that means majority of cell phone subscribers have the chance to own a iPhone, if they choose to buy one.

Apple and Verizon consider iPhone deal – USA Today

Now, me being a Verizon customer, would I jump on board the iPhone train should this happen? Hmmm, I’m a little sketchy on it, as I’m not overly fond of touch screen gadgets (fingerprints, hello!), and my outdated enV works great for me, as I am a fan of QWERTY keyboards built in, but maybe in the one-two years, maybe my mind could change on it. And as long as my enV (very solid phone) works, I have no reason to upgrade, nor would I be interested in paying a few hundred bucks for one (current price for an iPhone from AT&T is 299.99 for the 16GB model, 199.99 for the 8GB one, with standard 2-yr contract).

Apparently, there is a big issue with typing on a regular keyboard. People can’t find the right keys because it’s QWERTY instead of ABC. That is down-right idiotic. It’s almost a waste to mention it here, but since I recently posted about a neat keyboard based on Scrabble, I need to post what is considered a dumb “innovation” for the keyboard. This particular keyboard lets a person type in two ways: the normal QWERTY way, but at the flip of a switch (or a button, whatever), it becomes a ABC keyboard.

And I have to agree with the DVICE poster, this is dumb for the fact that not everyone needs this keyboard, so if they go to, say, a library they’ll be screwed.

But the absolute main reason it’s dumb: ergonomics. It’s a great big word that basically means something is designed to fit for the job. In this case, the placement of the letters on a QWERTY keyboard are the way they are based on letters typed most. RST are common consonants, and are placed where the index, middle fingers have easy access to them, as well as the popular vowel ‘E’. Like when typing ‘ARE’, I can do that with one had, because they are all on one side. Also notice how unpopular letter such as the ‘q’ and ‘z’ are in corners, because they are less used. Therefore, an ABC keyboard would be completely unnecessary.

Source: DVICE

Scrabble Keyboard, via Datamancer

The game, Scrabble, is a good game to test a persons ability to spell words, and ewarding them more points for longer or just coming up with words with ‘Q’s and ‘X’s. And yes, it involves little wooden tiles of the whole alphabet, more of some (such as ‘E’) and fewer of others (like the ‘Q’ mentioned earlier).

The keyboard’s main role is to supply a graphical button a person can type to send an electronic signal (of 1s and 0s) to represent a letter.

So why not put them together? Well a guy named Richard Nagy did.  It’s a fully functional keyboard, Mac-compatible, and even has tiles cut on the Caps/Num Lock keys so the light shines through.  How cool is that?  Let’s hope Scrabble allows that name to be used so more could be made, otherwise, just look at the image on the right.

Datamancer