thomas fitzgerald.net

I had wanted to wait a little while since the iPad was launched to let the implications sink in a bit before trying to write about it. I have had so many thoughts flying around my head about Apple’s new device over the last week that I haven’t really known where to start. The more I read about it the more enthusiastic I get about the iPad. I also get equally annoyed about some of the stupid things that are being written. One thought keeps resonating with me though: the iPad isn’t really a computer. At least not in the traditional sense. (I know that technically it is a computer) Instead you should think of it more as a device that happens to do computing tasks. Let me explain.

And the winner for best product placement goes to…

(Via C-Net)

The New York Times has a good piece on why the iPad doesn’t have flash

Numerous developers and executives that I interviewed for my story said there was a trend toward offering users an alternative to Flash video, the predominant video standard online, in the form of HTML5, an open standard.

Senior-level managers from many of the top video sites online, including YouTube, Vimeo, Blip.tv and Flickr, all agreed that video online is starting to splinter, and as some test out HTML5 for video distribution, many will begin offering both formats as the iPad makes its way onto the market.

There’s so much I want to say about the iPad but I just haven’t been able to get my thoughts together yet. Mainly because I’ve been battling a nasty virus which has left me drained, but that’s a whole other story. I think a lot of the complaints from people are eerily reminiscent of when the iPhone launched and a lot of people were to preoccupied with moaning about what it doesn’t do that they forgot to take a good look at what it does do.

I just came across this incredible CG animation of the remains of the Space Shuttle after a mythical disaster, floating in orbit. What’s incredible about this is that it’s all done in 2d. There’s no 3D animation here other than what I presume is the use of 3d layers in After Effects.

(Via Gizmodo)

There’s been a rumour doing the rounds the last few days that really doesn’t make sense. It started when some analyst (I think it was on techcrunch) said that they’d heard that Apple plans to offer people the ability to put their iTunes collection “in the cloud”. Basically, it would allow people to access their music anywhere in the world. CNET are now reporting that Apple have been talking to the record labels about the possibility. Needless to say the mac rumour web has jumped on this. I have doubts though. There’s one aspect in particular that just doesn’t make sense. Here’s an example From 9-5 Mac:

This has to be the coolest remote control airplane ever.

The much rumoured January 27th Apple media event has been confirmed by Apple. The company sent out official invites which showed an Apple logo with a splash of colours and the tag line “Come See our Latest Creation”. Note it says “Creation” singular. Anyway, it will in all likelihood be the unveiling of the over-rumoured tablet. Soon, the suspense will all be over and the complaining about what it doesn’t have can start !