Libratone Zipp

This is crazy.  It delivers music over wi-fi using a dedicated network?  Forget connecting to Pandora, etc., even the default music player on an iPhone could be handicapped if it is relying on iTunes in the cloud.  And one could not use any internet-reliant apps (including safari) while playing music.  Unless you feel like using your cellular data connection.

Shame on the NYT (where I first heard about this) for not calling out the severe shortcomings of this device.

crazy iPad stuff

As the iPad already seems to do nearly everything most users need of it, it's hard to think of obvious features to add.  But there are plenty of wacky ones that would be great:
1. e-ink smart cover.  There seemed to be a time when some cared about the use of the iPad as an ebook and its use in sunlight.  Given the exorbitant price for covers (leather smartcover - $70!), couldn't it make sense to have an e-ink cover?  If amazon can sell a kindle for $79, it seems credible that a cover can come in at a reasonable price as a lot of the work would be handled by the iPad itself.  And, as a way to present infrequently updated information, it could even handle some of the widget issues.
2. video-in.  iPad has a great screen that can pull in data from lots of sources.  But all of those sources need to be on-board or, at best, stream from something else using a wifi network.  I'd like to see iPad to iPad streaming so a single video can be played simultaneously on two screens using bluetooth or some sort of parallel ad hoc wifi.  Or, even better, add the ability to allow hardware connections to use the iPad as an auxiliary screen - parents would love this in the car.
3. waterproof.  As tough as the iPad is, we still take great care to keep it from getting wet.  Reading in the bath, using in the kitchen, taking to the beach - all of these work much better if the enclosure is water resistant (I'm assuming water resistance covers sand as well).

airport express

I understand that Airport Express is due for a refresh soon.


I wonder how expensive it would be to add iTunes Match to the Airport Express as part of the "demotion" of the pc.


I know I can use Airplay to stream from my iPhone to an Airport Express or, alternatively, use the Remote app to stream from my computer to an Airport Express. But the first is somewhat taxing on the phone and the second becomes less attractive if pcs really do stop acting as central repositories for music.

Buying a dedicated match device solely for music seems unlikely to succeed but it could work as a bonus feature of an Airport Express (controlled through Remote, naturally). Sort of the way iTunes Match is a small feature of Apple TV.  Given that the Airport Express is already internet connected and has an audio out, this is a natural feature to add (and continue to distinguish it from other routers).

iPad

A small thought on the iPad.  I actually think this makes sense as the machine you use while watching TV on the couch.  I currently use my iPhone this way and would appreciate a better/larger screen and faster response.  Of course, it seems entirely frivolous to buy something to use as a distraction while watching TV.  And yet, it actually would be useful and used often.  So, I think Apple will need to concoct a reasonable fig leaf rationale for purchasing this, even if the true reason is because we are now so easily bored that we need multiple screens on the couch.

I would note also that this means that cellular is really not important for those who would use the device this way.

AT&T wi-fi access for iPhone owners

Finally, after several false starts, we get the formal announcement of free wi-fi for iPhone users at AT&T wi-fi hotspots. Justifying AT&T's default hijacking of my wi-fi settings to treat "attwifi" as a trusted network and breaking my 3G connection as I pass five Starbucks on the way to work.

But, of course, it's not all sunshine and light - logging in is a multi-step, daily process so I can't skip from node to node as I walk past the quintet.

Someone needs to write an app that automates the login process ASAP.