Have you even compare the Image Quality between iTunes HD content and BDs? For the amount you pay for the HD content on iTunes, you can go out, and purchase actual physical media, on a physical BD, and have better content image resolution than iTunes 720p movies.

If you're not picky, then that's fine by me, but I thought Malaysians are the "best bang for the buck" kinda crowd. I find it surprising that you'd pick a HD download with low bitrate over the actual Full HD content on physical media itself.

About adoption rates, let's not go there, it will be an endless circle of "price cheaper when more people buy, more people buy then only cheaper" loop with no end in sight. BD is already mainstream in the US, the only reason it is not picked up as enthusiastically here is because it is made expensive here because of the jacked-up premium for the officially-made available BD selections here due to low demand/pickup rate. Be a smart consumer, use Amazon. You cant go wrong with USD19.99 BD title compared to the similarly priced(or sometimes more expensive) HD download from iTunes.

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Added on January 30, 2010, 2:31 amFunny how Apple who holds interest in the consortium responsibleand financially benefiting from further expansion on the adoption of the Blu-ray format, is uninterested in collecting revenue by offering it in their product lineup, while companies like Alienware, whom I assume holds no monetary gains out of including BD in their options, are more willing than the company(Apple) holding stakes in it.

Nope. My recent Alienware purchase was 2 years back, and they still only have the M15 and M17, before moving to the M series with the X moniker. Two only. Unless you're talking about their refurbished store, in which case, Apple themselves do provide the same service as well. Or if you're talking about their dekstop lineup, which also only two, the Aurora and the ALX series. Simpler than Apple's(Mac Pro and Mac Mini) offering, yet more willing to offer BD option, than Apple. Funny how things go in this world, isn't it?

Which still conveniently does not explain Apple's refusal for CTO for the BD drive, while a smaller entity like Alienware provides. Weird eh?

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Added on January 30, 2010, 2:34 amBTW, I'm just killing time here, waiting for my Saw VI to finish downloading from iTunes. Also be buying the BD when I'm in LA next week. More revenue for Apple, both from iTunes and BD. Sad that I can't play the BD on their portables though.

This post has been edited by stringfellow: Jan 30 2010, 02:34 AM

So you're saying Apple's more interested in their bottom line than catering to the needs, however niche, of their customers? As for the supply chain, does a position in the board of directors holds no benefit for them? Surely people would think that Apple would be more like to get first dibs and priority and the ease of securing parts compared to those only licensing BD technology. I'd be quick to get out of any position I hold I don't get special privileges over the products I preside over.

The OZ store only has two Alienware models, the M17x and the M15x. The rest are Dell's premium Adamo lineup which are not related to Alienware. Still simpler than Apple's 3 different models.

One's for gaming, and the other's for......? Either way, both impose premiums over their customers when buying their products. Still does not explain why Alienware offers BD and Apple doesn't. I don't see games being distributed on BD discs for the PC market. In fact, the creative professionals using their Macbooks are the loudest clamoring for BD inclusion so that they can include them in their work assignments (burning HD movie dailies and shipping them overnight for studio review on different side of the continent, for example).



This post has been edited by stringfellow: Jan 30 2010, 02:55 AM

Nothing, actually. My points are seductive most of the time, ripe for the picking, hence the derailing posts.

My attempt to steer this back on track, on the iPad.
Has Apple Lost It's Mojo?
FOX News reporting on the reaction towards the iPad.

Yeay! Saw VI download done from iTunes. Excuse me while I have my fill of much needed gore after the iPad disappointment.

Nope, I use Calibre to convert my own work PDFs into my Kindle 2, which after its own firmware update, reads PDF natively. I tried converting that PDF to epub, and transfer over, and that's where the problem is, the formating, the paragraphing and punctuation haywiring, etc. Now, I'm not sure on how the iPAd reads PDFs or if you are planning to get it to read via epub format, but either way, looking at the closed ecosystem of the iPAd, does not look good.

All these headaches can easily be alleviated if just make what everyone is clamoring about: a an actual tablet running Mac OS X.

For someone from that said industry, you fail to realise one important thing: Reading on an LED/LCD screen, especially on bright daylight, or outside in the park, or in libraries, where ambient light is involved, the very glare you get from the environment around you will detract from an enjoyable reading experience. Which is why, no matter how "sleepy" the Kindle looks, it succeeds in delivering the right reason of why people read the books in the first place: Readability. E-Ink screens, yes with that "sleepy" looking 16 shades of grey look is NECESSARY to emulate the look and the experience of reading an actual book. Pixel-Qi is where the eBook reading screens are going next, with the ability to switch between color LCD and simulating e-Ink without stressing the eyes. Have you ever tried reading an eBook for extended period of time on an LED/LCD screen? I have, and I get stinging sensations and tiredness as I pass the 1 hour mark reading from my Viliv or the Macbook Air screen. You don't get that from the "sleepy" looking Kindle, because it emulates the actual experience of reading a book, with its "sleepy" looking 16 shades of grey. Amazon did not simply choose this screen out of convenience to them, or budget cuts, they looked into the reading habits of avid readers and what they want for their own enjoyable reading experience. I sure enjoy reading my Kindle for extended period of time, I read it before going to bed, just like how I do them on an actual physical book. Question is, is that "sleepy" remark made due to the look of the Kindle, or have you even tried a Kindle before?

I'm right up there when it comes to the cutting edge. I've tried it all. Stanza, Kindle,.....even audiobooks from Audible and Random House. Nothing can measure up to reading an actual print-n-paper physical book, but Kindle got it right with its choice of screen, "sleepy" or otherwise.

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Added on January 30, 2010, 2:36 pmYup. External BD drives are only capable of acting as data storage/writing devices. No application in Mac OS X is able to play a BD movie. It's like Apple giving access to one and denying access to the other.

I'm not going down that road about BD adoption rate. Enough to say that at this juncture, while other companies provide BD CTOs for their higher end lineup, Apple does not, for reasons only known to them. And since they're not talking, doesn't stop people from speculating. And part of the speculation stems from protecting their own revenue from sales on iTunes vs BD playback.

This post has been edited by stringfellow: Jan 30 2010, 02:36 PM

Wise, but I cant shake this feeling of "missed opportunities" that could have been possible if the damned thing uses MAC OS X.

Then don't scale it down! This unhealthy Apple obsession of slapping things into thin enclosures is driving away the potential of having a true tablet without any deficiencies. Look at Wei's own iTab project, he did that on his own time, budget, and still produce good result for a one-man job. Modbook's own existence shows there is a demand for tablet-based hardware. Not all this trimmed down third-pillar silliness that Frankensteins the iPod Touch!

This post has been edited by stringfellow: Jan 30 2010, 11:52 PM

I dont have to see that link, I already own such a thing, in the form of the Viliv X70.



The good thing is, I think I made the right choice. Which would you rather have, a slim svelte device that does things half-baked, or a half-laptop thickness tablet that does things proper? I don't want to say this, but why is Apple treating its target audience for the iPad as dumb hicks who knows nothing about a simple program-install on a normal laptop OS, so much that they are handholding you with the stripped down and simplified iPhone OS?

Like I said before, slimness has its price. Apple's assuming everyone's willing to trade form factor over function.

This post has been edited by stringfellow: Jan 31 2010, 02:28 AM

Apple updates iPad Ads to remove Flash content.

Guilty much, Apple?

You answered your own question. Why should I get something that does things half-baked? A laptop does portable computing perfectly, a digital photo frame does it job as good as it should. Apple's own iPod Rouch does its duties perfectly as well, and so on and so forth. What are the motivations of these people who already have these devices to dump them off in favour of the iPad, when you yourself say they have to give concessions on their experiences because they don't do it adequately? Why should I pare down my experience when what I can do now, does it for me and perfectly as well?

The reason why convergence devices are exciting and enticing to get is because it replaces 2 or more devices that you carry with you and does it with only one device, and most importantly, does it satisfactorily. You expect people to ditch their netbooks that does the mobile surfing device more superior than on the iPad? A digital photo frame? Pleeease! Who in the right mind buys the iPad for that! Playing music? Apple's own iPod Touch does it admirably already, why should those already owning an iPod Touch feel they should "upgrade" to the iPad? The same question that has been asked about this device comes to mind: why should I dump my current devices for this, when it couldn't even do these things properly? Missing Flash? Toned down computing experience? What?

To others, the same principles applies: what are you getting this for? Is it replacing any of your currently owned devices and if it does, does the iPad do it on par or better? If you're buying this to do something that you've never done before and wanted to try, like eBook reading, is RM1800(and upwards) justifyable enough to purchase it? I've answered these questions and the answer is that none of the iPad features adequately replace the devices that does the very same functions it does. And if it doesn't, what any other reason is there left to get than a "want" than a "need"? Getting it because of its form factor, IMO, is a want, not a need.

To come back to your own statement, Im not being negative, Im being objective about my needs. Not my wants. Svelte looks aside, nothing that the iPad can do, I can't do now already, and at a more than satisfactory level.

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Added on January 31, 2010, 7:32 pmAlso don't lump me into the group of people that you would assume being negative for no reason. I saw Apple's vision with the Apple TV, and I jumped headfirst onto purchasing the Macbook Air. Mostly because of needs than of wants. But the iPad is crossing that line where Apple is falsely creating a "need" when it is in fact, just a "want".

I don't deny it, I "want" the iPad. But pushing the blind "wants" and thinking objectively for my needs, with a clear head, I don't need one. I may buy one, but rest assured, it is not because I NEED it, it's because I WANT it. Those are two different things there.

This post has been edited by stringfellow: Jan 31 2010, 07:32 PM

As for your comment of people spending thousands of RM on devices that just play games(consoles) or devices that just display videos or music(HDTVs & AVRs) it is because:-

1. They are the only devices that do these functions. Is there any other devices that plays God Of War 3 or Wii Sports?

2. They EXCEL bar none, at the functions they are intended to do.

Now, why should I get something thar does things half-heartedly, when I get the real deal that does it PROPERLY?

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Added on January 31, 2010, 7:51 pmIf what you say is what it is, then isn't it something that you want rather than you need? If that is the case, then it all depends whether the potential customer has disposible income or not to get it. You don't need it, you get it because you like it and you want what you like.

If I need something, the yes, it's like someone is pointing a gun to my head to get it. Otherwise things will be left undone, financials jeopardized, and lives threatened. Feels that way with a phone, hence why I get an iPhone. The same with portable computer therefore the MBA. The ATV is a want, so does the Touch. Now where does the iPad lies?

Yup as you say this is my wants and needs, and they are exclusive to me alone. Others may have a different outlook on theirs. But just bear this in mind, is there anything the iPad can do that you cannot currently do now, or do using other alternative products? If the answer is NO, and you're still getting it, isn't that a "want"?

This post has been edited by stringfellow: Jan 31 2010, 07:51 PM

Hence my point. You think that after all supposed vocal dislikes(hate is too extreme) of the iPad, you think Im not getting one? The iPad is a PERFECT candidate for my wireless VOD system I have built at home, I can simply broadcast the pool of movies, songs and photos PROPERLY now with this. But i wanted it, I don't need it because my delivery system is via the ATV to a big screen TV. I could use it for my pangsai-time in the toilet to watch short movies but is that even necessary?

Nope, didn't say that it is wrong to want something. But drawing from my own experience of buying gadgets, most of the gadgets that I wanted now either lay dusty on the shelf or packed away. What good does it do if it ended ip like that?

Then there's the duplicating/overlapping of devices. We all carry phones with us, it's that common. And seeing this is an Apple forum, a lot of us carry either iPhones or iPod Touches. For another device to be carried around portably, wouldn't it better if it does things that the current devices we carry around with us cannot do, and do it routinely? Or if it meant to replace those devices, wouldn't it be more prudent to have it do equally or better than the other device before it? Otherwise you'd be doubling or tripling up on devices that can do just one same function. I am guilty of that at one time, and only had it being pointed out to me the redundancies of my way by a good friend who was scratching his head asking why I carry three devices that can do one simple function : surfing. Needless to say, I was embarrassing myself than impressing anyone.

If I didn't really care, I would have just shut up and watch this circus go on. My beef with the introduction of the iPad is how unnecessary this device is to the already available lineup Apple have.

To answer you as how rudely you've put that question out, why yes! I do have AAPL stock. It went downhill since last announcement, good time to buy them too. Don't simply assume what you don't know, "buddy". Stick at you're partially good at. Your incessant plug for your blog perhaps?

To the rest, put it this way. Most people get things because of two reasons: either it does something better than its predessor, or it does something totally new and you wanna try it. I'd totally accept if you are getting the iPad because you're moving up from the iPod Touch. Not because you're replacing a netbook because the cons outweigh the pros. I'd totally agree if you're getting it because of its document-reading aspect, because the size is now finally comfortable enough to read compared to the iPod Touch. Which also makes that a moving up from an inferior product reasoning appropriate.

Nobody answered me when I asked that question: what does the iPad does that is either better than other previous devices, or totally new and doable exclusively on the iPad to warrant getting one?

This post has been edited by stringfellow: Jan 31 2010, 09:13 PM

You weren't there during the Macbook Air debacle? I was the lone soldier around here, and I believe I still is when it comes to my preference to the Air compared to the normal Macbook/Pros.

Like I said, if I don't care, I won't be bothered complaining. All the more reason to b**** when your own money is involved.

@dvlz

Im not down with deception for personal gains. It may the acceptable trait here, but I'd rather rise above that. Stephen Covey and all.

No, I do not expect it to be better than the Macbook/Pro, that's preposterous. A device similar to the Modbook would make me more than happy already. Drop down the specs to CULV processor, and Im cool with that. It's Apple's obsession with thinness that may be the catalyst for picking the final spec as it is now. Instead of a true tablet, you have a semblance of a tablet but the innards of a smartphone. Instead of a stripped down compatible Mac OS X, you have an OS made for a smartphone forcefed into a larger iPod Touch.

If you kept track of the tablet and its expectations, it has been a long road and almost impossible to see happening. Hence the term "unicorn" that we always catch rumor of, but never catches or seen. But the expectation of what this tablet is never wavered, it is supposed to be of a low-speced laptop with an OS emulating touch inetrface without much loss in practicality, function and usability of applications of its big brother(laptop) and its OS.

If you were never familiar with this, there's never any expectations to begin with, hence no monumental letdown that every other tech journalist on their blogosphere has been reporting. In fact that ignorance would bless you with easy acceptance if any kind of specs Apple put in the tablet, as long as it in tablet form.

Imagine what could gave been than what had been happening now.

@rushmode

I hear ya. The Xserve lineup has been treated like a stepchild for too long that I feel that it is better to let it die a dignified death, and start from scratch.

This post has been edited by stringfellow: Jan 31 2010, 10:01 PM

In essence, a lifestyle/entertainment device. More power to you I guess, seems you've found your missing link between your Touch and Macbook.

But there is a sizable number of people who are not sure as for what the iPad meant to them, or already have devices that does those things good enough for them not to consider the iPad as a suitable replacement for them. Would you agree if I say that they are the majority and geeks like me and you're a minority in this matter? Selling a product to a niche market is not for the bottom line.

It's good that you immediately see the need for this, but there are bigger number of people who don't see it fitting into their current daily routine.

See? You have expectations too, it just so happens that your expectations are met and mine is not. Imagine if Apple does come out with my expected device, then our position would switch places. The question is, is Apple catering to the niche, or the majority, with this device? Is the clamoring for the tablet louder for the device of my expectation, or of yours?

All this can be solved by Apple by providing a tiered product lineup. For those like you who can accept pared-down solutionslike this in lieu of a lowered pricetag, Apple offer this device. But for those with 20+ years expectations of what a tablet SHOULD be, they should have introduced a PRO version with full OS X compliance with touch support. Unfortunately, by tradition, Apple always uses the lowest common denominator to try out the market before catering for the whole spectrum full blown, so the realization of the expected tablet device will only happen much much later when the market is comfortable with the iPad and demand for me. The thing is, those like have waited this long, and Apple wants us to wait longer?

As for the "rise above anything" comment, you need to read that again. I don't operate by deceiving people, I tell them as it is. Even if it means crapping on my bottom line. This is based on this quoted comment of yours:-

.

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Added on January 31, 2010, 10:40 pmFirst of all, this is not flaming. I would already hurled insults and namecalling if I were to flame. This is called disagreeing, and that happens often in an environment called a forum. If everyone had to agree with each other with no voice of dissent or disagreement, that is called communism. Google up China for that. Ooops, I forgot, the Chinese don't allow Google there.

Secondly, have you read on the Kindle? Have you read for extended period time on the Kindle compared to reading for extended period of time on screen with refresh rates like a normal LED/LCD?

Answer those questions, and see which screen, Kindle's screen or the LCD/LED screen would make you more eyestrained and sleepy. No point getting your eyes messed up just because you want a color screen.

This post has been edited by stringfellow: Jan 31 2010, 10:46 PM

I like your ambiguity.

You're saying I'm not a fan/user, or are you implying that sarcastically?

Ending the discussion? What is a forum without discussion? Shoulder-patting/circle-jerking to one another?

@Edoras

Me not liking it does not mean I'm not buying it. Same with buying something and critiquing it so that they can make a better product. A wise quote I got a few days ago from a tweet :- "Progress is not created by contented people" .Contented people dont feel like complaining. In my case, I need to complain so that Apple stop resting on their laurels and produce the REAL tablet.

This post has been edited by stringfellow: Jan 31 2010, 10:57 PM

I am rolling on the floor laughing at this! What, I have to LIKE everything Apple does to make me a fan!?

Look into my post history. Not to brag or anything, but I believe I hold a larger stake in Apple's survivability and a larger pool of Apple products than your average Apple user here. My wireless VOD system I built for my home is based on Apple's products. I fought tooth and nails to get the iPhones out of NZ. I paid premiums for first dibs on Apple products, while others prefer the wait-n-see.

You see me "complaining", but I say "critique".

This post has been edited by stringfellow: Jan 31 2010, 11:07 PM

In the age of Twitter and blogging, any voice loud enough will get their attention. The same happened with MMS inclusion to the iPhone. They wont acknowledge it of course, they cannot ignore it either. Just "Don't Stop Believin'". Journey and the Glee Cast says so.