“i” was and is a mistake

Open a new tab or window and do a search on “reasons to avoid” and what do you see? Go on, do it.

What do you see? At the time of writing, I got 5 reasons to avoid iPhone 3G:

  • iPhone completely blocks free software. Developers must pay a tax to Apple, who becomes the sole authority over what can and can’t be on everyone’s phones.
  • iPhone endorses and supports Digital Restrictions Management (DRM) technology.
  • iPhone exposes your whereabouts and provides ways for others to track you without your knowledge.
  • iPhone won’t play patent- and DRM-free formats like Ogg Vorbis and Theora.
  • iPhone is not the only option. There are better alternatives on the horizon that respect your freedom, don’t spy on you, play free media formats, and let you use free software — like the FreeRunner.

Coming from the Free Software Foundation, it pretty much sounds like an ad for the NeoFreerunner from OpenMoko (and yeah, I do want one or something similar, like one that supports the Google Android – despite this little issue). Sure, you can “jailbreak” an iPhone but do we have to keep

I’ve never owned an iPhone but Lifehacker does and knows more about it that I do. I admit at one point I did want an Apple laptop but that’s just it. I wanted the laptop just for the sake of owning one but not really using one. It looks cool but using it is a different story.

Last night, one topic raised during our family dinner was regarding buying an Apple laptop. I said that I would not get an Apple one for two main reasons:

  1. After using the Microsoft’s OS’s for over 10 years, I don’t find Mac’s OS user-friendly. It looks cool but function should take priority over form.
  2. It’s overpriced. Want proof? Here’s a comparison of the Dell Inspiron 1720 and a MacBook Pro 17-inch:

Let me quote one redditor, GlueBoy:

While it’s true that there are advantages to an apple computer in software and hardware and tech support and whatnot, it’s insufficient to justify a nearly $2k price difference.

What it comes down to is paying for style over substance, and anyone who says differently is lying or stupid.

Ok, what I do own is an 4th generation 20 GB iPod. I’m quite satisfied with it, despite the fact that I had to get it fixed last year when I got this error (cute icon though), and a year before that.

But that’s just it! I’ve become used to it and had been drowned by the hype that I didn’t bother with complications Apple didn’t mention.

  • I have to use iTunes to import songs into my iPod and to listen to them while it’s connected to my computer. Thankfully, there are quite a number of hacks out there so that I don’t have to use this memory hog. Aside from that, there are Linux apps (with much resistance from Apple) that can read the iPod’s weird file storage system that brings me to point #2.
  • I cannot export the songs I have on my iPod, even if I got the files from that computer in the first place. Let’s say I have my music library in my iPod & hard drive. For some reason, my hard drive got corrupted so my whole music library is lost. I cannot intuitively transfer the songs in my iPod back to my computer. I need to download more hacks to be able to that. I try copy the contents of my iPod as is, but it’s not human readable.

If we give more “value” to such terms, we might end up in a grim world for consumers.

Finally, just to end on a lighter side:

(images from: reddit: The problem with Apple, Apple iMac vs Dell XPS 410)

Filed under: Technology by Loki
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E3: Nintendo and Sony: Need less “meh”

Is it just me or does Nintendo’s E3 press conference feel a bit weak?

Well, three things stuck after watching the conference:

  • Animal Crossing:City Folk on the Wii!
  • WiiSpeak = The voice chat everybody wanted but not exactly what they asked for (A “room-wide” mic? I don’t know how this will work in noisy room-mates…)
  • MotionPlus: True 1:1 motion recognition (also something new for those who hack the Wii to mess with :D )

A GTA on the DS was also mentioned, with the same gameplay as other GTAs, as well as a new Guitar Hero (Decades) on the DS.

At the end of Nintendo’s press conf., Reggie talked about creating Nintendo being a company that seeks and creates “new advantages.” Nintendo has clearly done this with the Wii and the DS and I can’t help but think of this book that I’m reading: Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make Competition Irrelevant. If you like reading about business strategies, you might want to pick it up. I’ve only read the first few chapters so far and it’s really interesting.

The press conference seems quite light. No big surprises.

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On Sony: well I could say is that the stage was set up quite nicely and presenting would have been awesome.

The conference itself, well, seems quite boring (and as I watch the speaker, I can’t help but think of him thinking: “Yeah, FFXIII is not exclusive after all. Yeah, Rock Band 2 is exclusive to the Xbox 360. Yeah, we don’t have Bioshock. Yeah, whatever and sorry.).

It’s probably because I don’t really own a PS3 or a PSP (well, that can change with your help >:) ), but probably not considering they also talked about the PS2 and that might get a PS3 if the price is right and the games, sufficient. Right now, I am more likely to buy a PS3 because of Blu-ray rather than because of its exclusive games (at the moment, I can only think of MGS4).

In consolation, the use of a custom Little Big Planet level to do the presentation was pretty cute. Also, if you’re still awake later in the conference, they show Resistance: Retribution for the PSP and DC Universe Online for the PC/PS3. Finally, there’s inFAMOUS and MAG: Massive Action Game (massive 256-player action game on the console, specifically the PS3). If MAG turns out well, it may just be the game I’m looking for. (If ANYONE can make a game close to the Starsiege:Tribes and Tribes 2, I’m sold.)

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The Big Three have spoken at their respective conferences but news, gameplay pics and videos, demos are still everywhere…

Filed under: gaming by Loki
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E3: Microsoft Press Conference = Sony Fails!

Guess what? Final Fantasy XIII is NOT exclusive to the PS3 after all! Wiki has been updated. Also check the bottom part of the Gamespy article referring to the conference itself. Finally, here’s an article dedicated to that surprise.

Closing out the Microsoft press conference was an announcement by Square Enix President Yoichi Wada. After commenting on his company’s growing relationship with Microsoft, one of the biggest announcements of the show was made. The next game in the company’s blockbuster mega-franchise, Final Fantasy XIII, will be coming to the Xbox 360 as part of a simultaneous release in North America and Europe.

Now, if only MGS4….

Oh yeah, Fallout 3 looks awesome! I didn’t think Bethesda could pull of a Fallout game in first/third person. After looking at the demo, I just can’t wait!

Filed under: gaming by Loki
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