Wednesday January 10, 2007
- Motorola Switches to Microsoft DRM - Lionel - 19:15:25
Yesterday Motorola revealed its new cell phones with audio players. No longer compatible with the iTMS, they have switched camps to Microsoft and its DRM. Although at the time of the announcement it seemed to be bad news, the arrival of the iPhone a few hours later put it in a whole new light.
Indeed, all that's left to think now is that Apple decided to reel in the phones compatible with the iTMS and to preferred to no renew it's license with Motorola.
Admittedly, we are now faced with an absence of compatible phones until June, but the buzz created by the iPhone should largely compensate for this problem by creating a large enough lust to compensate for this defection.
[translation by jwa]
- Office X and 2004 Updates - MacEnsteph - 16:43:11
While Apple was announcing the iPhone, Microsoft released another update for the Office Suite aiming at improving the safety and reliability of its various software (version X 10.1.9, 39 Mb; version 2004 11.3.3, 57.6 Mb).
We hope that these updates weren't put online in error like the previous ones.
This update contains several improvements to enhance security and stability, including fixes for vulnerabilities that an attacker can use to overwrite the contents of your computer's memory with malicious code. In addition, this update includes all of the improvements released in all previous Office 2004 updates.
[translation by jwa]
- iPhone: First Analysis - First Questions - Eric - 11:55:58
Well, this year, the iPhone was expected and Apple delivered it. We will probably have to wait for later event in January or February to discover the new hardware models. This year the MWSF is rather dedicated to electronic consumer market. This high-end mobile phone is the result of a merger between an iPod, a mobile phone and a PDA; one could even add a mobile video player. Photos and videos available from Apple website are really impressive:
Let's look at the specifications:
• It is a widgets-based finder
• It runs OSX
• Built-in sensors allows detection of portrait or widescreen mode
• The display is an entire touch screen while including an intelligent keyboard
• It includes many applications
- Mail: it allows you to that fetches your email in the background from most POP3 or IMAP mail services
- Safari: it lets you see any web, then easily zoom in by simply tapping on the multi-touch display with your finger
- Google Maps: you can view maps and satellite images, or get directions and traffic information, while behaving as a GPS device.
• It is an iPod a true Video iPod, as it let's you browse your entire music and video library via the integrated iTunes.
• The iPod connector maintains compatibility with all already existing accessories, and with docks or connectors developed for cars, speakers, etc.
• As we already mentioned it yesterday, provided headphones will include a microphone, and Apple will propose a BT earphone
• The GUI looks brilliant, smooth and responsive.
Let's now look at the technical specifications:
There are not much information concerning the hardware part, so let's analyze them a bit more in details:
- the widescreen and its sensor make the iPod a really true iPod video, as third-parties video players already available on the market.
- it is based on a touch screen using multitouch input technology as already introduced with Appel notebook trackpad. One will have to see if the display is not damaged or altered by fingers when using the iPhone intensively.
- the operating system is OSX, and the availability date forecasted for June, makes it quite possible that the iPhone is running on Mac OSX Leopard Mobile.
- Storage capacity are identical to the current iPod nano models, here Apple wants to avoid business interferences between iPod nano models and the iPhone.
- the 2Mpixels camera is a standard for most high-ends smart phone, currently some models from Sony-Ericsson features higher resolution camera.
- Concerning mobile phone network it is a quad-band device, making it GSM compatible almost worldwide. It feature Wi-Fi (only b/g), EDGE and BT wireless system, really good points for users, as one will be able to call for free even when being in foreign countries if you can get a free wireless hotspot.
If GSM technology is perfect for the US market, in Europe and even more in Japan, mobile networks are using more advanced systems known as UMTS/3G or even higher as the forthcoming HSPDA, HSUPA, HSPA (aka 3.5, 3.75, 3.9 G respectively) in Japan. Bandwidth intensive applications will benefit of such fast mobile networks, making it possible for true Mobile iTS(thanks Cheerful). Now, if the availability of the iPhone in June for the US is linked to Leopard development, one could also imagine that introduction in other countries is delayed for several additional reasons. One of them could be the required modifications to fit with the more advance mobile networks. At the opposite, with the current development of wifi hotspot, Apple might have decided to bet on free or cheap hotspots as a better way to go compared to the expensive 3G or 3.5G networks. In USA, the iPhone will be exclusively distributed by Cingular, but bundles with a 2-years contract. It remains also unclear if prices announced by SJ yesterday are those applied by Cingular and including the usual discount when getting a bundle phone+contract from a mobile phone network provider: 4GB model 499 USD and 8GB 599 USD. Or, it is the target prices from the AppleStore, and US consumers can expect discount from Cingular bundled offer?
Last but not least, there are no details concerning the hardware. It could be due to a not fully defined hardware specifications yet, as it could evolved in the future depending on component availability. It could also be due to a team work with several partners, using CPU and/or graphical chipset manufacturers which have not officially announced those products yet. If the CPU will probably be signed by Intel (explaining also why Apple did not develop an iPhone earlier, probably an ARM CPU or a even a CoreDuo ULV?), the question remains opened concerning the graphical chipset. One can imagine an integrated solution CPU + chipset from Intel, or a mobility chipset from ATI or nVidia, as it is known that such solutions are currently being developed by both companies.
One should also remember that this iPhone will probably have additional features that will come when SJ will be able to unveil more functions directly linked to OSX Mobile. Games will of course be available, and recent openly announced interest of Electronic Arts to develop games for Apple iPod-like devices might be a hint.
Please react and provide your comments in the dedicated topic in our forum: here
- Office 2008 and NeoOffice 2.1 Announced - Yoc - 10:01:03
Two press releases have been issued within the last 2 days and looks like to be the beginning of a fight between 2 competitors.
The first announcement is related to the availability of Mac Office 2008 expected for S2 2007. It will be the first Universal binary-based version of Microsoft Mac Office Suite and is already announced as being a major evolution when compared to Office 2004. It will be based on Win Office 2007 graphical engine, while retaining all Mac identity and specificities initiated with Mac Office 2004. This new version will support the new Office Open XML format, the patch allowing easy exchange of office files between Mac and PC is still expected for Q1 2007. Rumors around dropping VBA macros in Mac Office were not confirmed, but when contacted the MBU announced that one will be able to perform the same actions via AppleScript. We will lose compatibility with PC files, but it might be simpler to develop macros via AppleScript.
The second announcement is related to the growing competitor for Mac Office, aka NeoOffice 2.1. The new version is expected for March, 27th. As an answer to Microsoft decision, it will support VBA macros as well as Office Open XML. The user will have the choice between both format, Open Document (plug-ins for Microsoft Office will be available) and Open XML compatible with Microsoft Office or OpenOffice (and its derivates as NeoOffice).
[translation by Linathael]
- MWSF '07 Keynote Is Online - Yoc - 09:10:25
The video streaming of MWSF '07 Keynote is now available online.
You can choose between the entire presentation or only the iPhone introduction if you do not care about Apple TV.
[translation by Linathael]
- iPhone: Exclusive Video - Ewok - 09:02:39
Moose could record a video of the iPhone exhibited at Moscone Center. Enjoy.
Download the file (better quality)
[translation by Linathael]
