Well, this may not be perfect according to everyone's standards, but it's damn near close for my needs.

Even as an Apple fangirl, I will be the first to admit that the iPad isn't for everyone and that the iPad lacks features that would make it more appealing and useful for many. But why all the hate? It's one thing to legitimately define why you don't like the iPad (and I think Gizmodo has a great article here comparing the iPad to other tablets and its shortfalls are clearly evident) but it's another to completely bash it simply because it isn't for you. Why bother? Do those who bash it simply because they don't like or want it hope to change the minds of those who do? Or is there some other chest-beating and roaring message behind this behavior that I'm just missing?

Really? I thought I left the obnoxious boys who giggled anytime they heard the word "bra" or anything else related to "girl stuff" in my 7th grade class far behind.

/rant over. Now it's time to search through my stash of gadgets that I no longer use to see what I can sell to help fund my iPad purchase. First on that list is that old iPod nano...

Of course, I was glued to my computer yesterday watching multiple sites providing live coverage of Apple's event. From the overwhelming number of rumors in the past few months, everyone pretty much knew what was going to be announced, though the actual design of the tablet and detailed specs hadn't been pinned down. I actually screamed like a sweaty teenaged girl at a Jonas Brothers concert when Steve Jobs first held up the iPad on stage. Fortunately no one but the dog saw this bit of highly undignified behavior. And the dog was not amused.

I was just listening to last week's MacBreak Weekly podcast (my favorite Mac-related podcast) and Leo and company were speculating about 3G connectivity in the rumored Apple tablet. They also mentioned the Kindle, discussing it as a dedicated device and how reading on its e-ink screen is preferred by many over reading on an LCD screen as would appear on the tablet. This got me thinking about the Kindle a little more and its Whispernet connectivity that offers free 3G connectivity - no sign-up required, no contract, and it's free for as long as you own the Kindle (at least Amazon hasn't said anything to the contrary).

A little light bulb then went on above my head: What if Apple will offer free 3G connectivity - like Amazon does with the Kindle - with their new tablet? Here's what makes me think that this is very possible:

1. In my view, it's unlikely that Apple wouldn't offer a portable device like a tablet – which will presumably be a device meant for media consumption and maybe as a partial laptop replacement – without 3G connectivity. So far, Apple hasn't offered any laptop computer with a built-in 3G modem, unlike almost every other computer manufacturer. They are overdue in offering this. Plus, seeing the success of the iPhone with it's 24/7 internet connectivity via 3G/EDGE or wi-fi has probably got them thinking about what this could mean for future products. More connectivity = more media consumption = more App Store/iTunes sales.
2. Most iPhone users already pay for an unlimited data plan (some carriers offer limited data plans, though they still charge an additional fee for this on top of the voice plan) and adding another data plan for another device on top of that would be highly-unattractive and most likely unfeasible for many. Apple wouldn't want to automatically drive away iPhone users who don't want to foot yet another bill for internet access. Offering this for free would mitigate this issue.
3. Apple recently purchased Quattro, a mobile advertising network. *I can't see Apple using this network on the iPhone for their own apps, of which they have relatively few at this point: Remote ($0), iDisk ($0), MobileMe Gallery ($0), Texas Hold'em ($4.99) and Keynote Remote ($2.99). It wouldn't make sense for them to put ads in their free apps – Apple is not hurting for cash and these apps simply augment the functionality of existing Apple products (MobileMe and any Mac). They could place ads in their paid apps, but Apple didn't purchase Quattro simply to add revenue from 2 apps. But, their own mobile ad network on a wildly popular tablet device could probably easily fund 3G connectivity for the lifetime of the device.
1. Tablet users would need to agree to the terms of use of the free connectivity, which would include viewing ads. Perhaps Apple will even offer ad-free connectivity if you pay for the 3G connectivity yourself with an eligible carrier.
4. One more thing: Apple purchased Lala, a streaming music service, in December. Leveraging this with a tablet (that will probably sell like hotcakes) with free 3G connectivity (plus the iPhone, given the data plan users are already paying for) would be a smart move to establish a large customer base right from the start.

*The New York Times speculated that Apple purchased Quattro to compete with Google and offer app developers advertising for their apps, providing an all-in-one experience for developers who want to show ads in their apps to earn revenue. While this is possible, I don't think this is why Apple purchased Quattro. Apple isn't in the business of selling ads. They sell hardware and software melded together to give a specific customer experience, plus content through iTunes which is also presented in a way to enhance the customer experience. Apple won't push ads simply for the sake of revenue in established channels – this feels vastly out of character for them in my view. Apple is smart, and if they're going to offer anything free to a large number of customers, they'll have a way to stay in the black to satisfy shareholders that works for them with minimal fuss.

As a former Kindle owner (I had a first-gen Kindle for a few months before I changed my mind about having a dedicated device for reading that cost $200 when reading on my iPhone with the free Kindle app worked just as well for me), I can attest that having free 3G on a device meant for media consumption is absolutely fabulous. In fact, that was my favorite feature of the Kindle - instant access to browse for new books, or to even browse the web with its experimental browser is a killer feature and it has led the Kindle to be the foremost ebook reader on the market today. I think it's a formula for success for an Apple tablet that can be a mobile media hub for users.

So, that's my prediction. What do you think? I haven't seen anyone put all of these pieces together like this so far though I admit I haven't read the entire internet to confirm this, but I haven't gotten this idea from anyone else. I totally call dibs on credit for this prediction if it turns out to be true. ;)

(See my previous blog post for more Apple tablet thoughts.)

It's been a while since I've blogged. The holidays thoroughly kicked my ass this time around, though I'm not quite sure why. In some ways, I was more organized than I had been in previous years - I didn't need to go shopping on Christmas Eve and the majority of our Christmas cards arrived before Christmas day. Frankly, those two accomplishments are damn nearly miracles in and of themselves. Despite this, I found little time for "fun" writing from around Thanksgiving until now. It's been a few days since I've been back from CES as I write this, having covered the expo for work (my job is awesome!). There wasn't all that much Mac-related there and it was far less stressful than last year's CES working for my previous employer. However, I was still exhausted toward the end of the week. I'm quite the introvert and meeting new people and being in large crowds regularly over several days at a time is tiring for geeky little me, not to mention the general craziness of CES and the evening activities that followed full days on the show floor.

I don't know what it has me by, but it's not the body part that normally completes that expression since I'm a woman. I frankly can't think of a female equivalent that has the same oomph without making me cringe, but I'm sure you get the picture so let's just move on, shall we?

Eliminate Pro (link opens iTunes) is one of Ngmoco's most recent game releases for the iPhone. It's free to get from the App Store and, technically, you don't have to spend any money to keep playing it either.

Ngmoco has an introductory video to show how the game works:



I just love the overly-enthusiastic tone of the narrator - it's like an HR employee in chirpy robot mode that puts you in the perfect mood to shoot someone. (Apologies to any HR people reading this - I used to be one so I give myself a bit of license in this area.)

Noticed how she talked about "energized" suits? You can still play while your suit isn't energized, but you won't earn any credits playing like this. Credits are the currency used to buy new weapons and armor and upgrades, so you'll want to earn credits at some point. To energize your suit, you can wait for a free recharge, which can take up to around 3 hours. Or, you can buy power cells from the App Store from within the app. It takes 15 power cells to give your suit a full charge. If you go to buy cells through an in-app purchase, you'll only get 3 options and you may not get the package you want. If I were buying power cells, this would get on my nerves, but I understand that any app can only show up to 3 in-app purchase options at a time, so it's not Ngmoco's fault.

Power cells can also be converted to credits so you have another funding source (outside of picking up dropped credits while playing in an energized suit) to use if you want to buy new weapons and armor.

I am doing a little bit of an experiment by playing regularly (waiting for the free recharges) and not spending any money at all to purchase power cells to energize my suit. I only use credits I earn during matches to purchase my weapon and armor upgrades. And, I'm only using the standard armor and upgrading it when I can. I am using the standard-issue auto rifle as my main weapon, but I purchased a plasma cannon early on with some earned credits before I made my decision to play with only the standard-issue stuff, and I use it occasionally. I have stopped upgrading the plasma cannon, though, and any credits spent on weapons go to upgrading the auto rifle.

I have good matches where I spank everyone else and bad matches where I get my ass handed to me by players at lower levels with fewer skill points. As the Jeffersons would say, I'm movin' on up slowly yet surely without spending a dime. I'd like to try to make it to the (previously) highest possible rank - 50 - without making use of the Amex card to which my iTunes account is linked. I'm at rank 18 now and usually make it to the next level every other day when playing daily. At this rate, it will take me just over 2 weeks to hit rank 50. If I keep playing at this pace and hold my own as I play better and better players, that is. I claim no extraordinary prowess at FPS games, but they are my favorite game genre and I've taken quite a shine to Eliminate Pro (it's the first game I've ever put on the first page of my iPhone's home screen).

If you are used to a mechanical controller to do your fragging and find the touch-only interface on the iPhone to be daunting, I feel your pain. I was very frustrated with the controls at first, but I got used to them so don't give up.

If I can hit level 50 without spending any money, I will gladly make up for my cheapness at that time and buy lots of power cells to help compensate the developers for creating a fantastic and addictive game.

I'm usually online and playing around lunch time and in the evening though I don't usually play unless I have energy (me need credits). If you want to add me as a friend so we can have private matches, my Plus+ ID is BadAngel. BRING IT ON.

P.S. I started writing this post before Eliminate Pro was updated to version 1.1. I want to note that I still enjoy the game, but I'm getting my ass kicked by other players who have paid money to upgrade their armor and weapons to the maximum amounts possible (it takes me longer since I have to wait to earn credits to make these purchases, and a recent change to the game made these upgrades more expensive). I will say that the matching engine isn't all that great - it matches by rank and skill points but does not take equipment into consideration. Unfortunately, my skill points are taking a dive as I get beaten up by players in Tank armor with Rocket Launchers. I hate Rocket Launchers. My standard issue armor is no match for those. /me makes sad face.

Don't mind me - just publishing a code to claim my blog on Technorati...

Remember that cute little Demon case I reviewed last month? If you thought about buying one, now is the time to get it since the company that makes them - Ideal-Case.com - is offering 20% off all purchases using the promo code "iPhoneGen01" (without the quotation marks). This isn't limited to the Demon case for the iPhone but applies to everything they sell, and they have a variety of products for iPods and devices by Blackberry, HTC, Nokia and more. The promo code will be valid through the end of this month (November 2009).

I don't usually post publicize sales or promo codes like this, but I thought that Demon case was so cute and I don't mind helping them out. The link to their site above isn't a referral link and I won't earn anything from any sales they get from this. I just wanted to pass it on in case any of you are interested. :)

You may recall that the ring/silent toggle on my iPhone 3GS stopped working a little while ago and I endured it long enough to finish my review of Navigon's MobileNavigator app (since the app was tied to the UDID of my iPhone and I couldn't install it on a replacement iPhone). As soon as I could after that, I made an appointment at my local Genius Bar and brought my iPhone in, hoping for an exchange. All in all, the experience was good with only a few worrisome moments.

Apple announced some product updates last week which will cause me to make a donation to Apple in the very near future. Of course, this will not be a completely unwilling donation and I do expect something in return for it - one Magic Mouse, to be precise. Don't get me wrong - I'd love to make a much larger donation in exchange for one 27" iMac as well, but that would put one significant strike down against me in the Mac inventory tally my husband keeps, and no good would come of it. Unless "good" in your book means "I now have enough proof to show my wife is crazy and should be institutionalized."