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      I’m in love with Netflix on the iPhone

      September 8, 2010 /

      Netflix on the iPhoneEvery couple weeks or so I’m struck with a pretty vicious case of insomnia. It happened last night – no sleeping, no matter how hard I tried. When it happens, I still like to be in bed, just in case I somehow drift off, but I usually have my laptop with me and end up watching a couple episodes of whatever seems good at four in the morning.

      The problem, though, is laptops are hot, and living in North Carolina, things are hot enough as it is. The last thing I want is a battery scalding my nethers through the sheets. Since the Netflix app launched for the iPhone, it hasn’t been a problem. The series of choice last night was Dexter, of which I watched three or four episodes, all on my iPhone, all of which looked fantastic, and none of which managed to kill my battery. In fact, I was able to watch them all and only lose about 35 percent of my battery life. The interface is easy to use, so even in my groggy state of unsleep, I didn’t have a problem finding and watching whatever I wanted.

      Apps, iPhone, Mobile

      Samsung’s Galaxy was looking pretty good until…

      September 6, 2010 /

      Samsung Galaxy…this. See what I’m talking about? How about that 799 Euro price tag. That’s like $1,000 people. For a tablet. For an unproven tablet running Android (which doesn’t cost anything to license, by the way) that’s one hell of a price tag, and it points to one thing: contracts.

      A Samsung exec told the Wall Street Journal that the Galaxy would cost somewhere between $200 and $300, which means the rest will have to be covered somehow, presumably via contracts. There is the remote possibility that Amazon got the price wrong – way wrong – but I doubt it. If Samsung is really going carrier contract for the Galaxy, you can bet the only people buying will be very serious Android enthusiasts, likely people hoping to root the device (which could justify the price tag for some).

      Computers, News

      I’m not going to quit Facebook

      September 6, 2010 /

      Facebook thumb.It’s settled. I’m keeping Facebook. I know it sounds a little conceited, as though you were all sitting around twiddling your thumbs while I decided whether or not I would keep my Facebook. I was thinking about getting rid of it, though, and the reason I decided to keep it is actually kinda cool.

      I read an article on TechCrunch just before I moved about ‘social media fatigue’ and what it means about your involvement in your favorite social networks. The author’s basic premise is that fatigue comes when you’re using social media too much, spreading yourself too thin over too many useless relationships.

      I really appreciate that, mostly because I’ve always seen Facebook as little more than voyeurism. Yes, it has helped me stay in touch with friends from college, but to this day I get friend requests from people who were never my friends and with whom I haven’t spoken in a decade or more. I can’t stand that stuff, but when one of them has been my friend, I tend to let everyone in, and I shouldn’t have. So today I did my diligence and deleted everyone that I don’t know, everyone that I don’t talk to on at the very least a semi-regular basis, and anyone I don’t want looking at my pictures, my info, my posts.

      It’s not just keeping Facebook – I want to get good at Facebook. Better, at least. I want to make better use of the tool for the thing I care to use it for, which is keeping in touch with the people I care about. When it stops serving that purpose, it’s gone.

      Computers, Websites

      New AppleTV brings limited rentals, Netflix

      September 4, 2010 /

      Apple TVI want to love AppleTV, I really do. But Apple refuses to make it into a truly compelling peripheral. This week’s update was much needed – prior to this point the little TV box was completely forgettable. By adding Netflix support and focusing on rentals vs. purchases, I think Apple’s done a smart thing, but it’s only halfway there.

      The biggest news is the new access to content. Streaming movie rentals is great, but I honestly wouldn’t be surprised to see Netflix offer this as part of a premium service over the course of the next year. TV rentals is great, but it’s only Fox and ABC for now (granted, others will probably get on board quickly) and there’s no mention of how soon after air we’ll get these. It’s likely a short window, but imagine what Apple could have if these were available the instant they aired. That would be something to get excited about, something that would take a lot of money away from cable providers and put it directly in Apple’s pocket.

      Ever since I first used a streaming service, I’ve wanted Big Cable to die. I don’t use my TV because I have so many more options when I watch on my computer. I would love it if someone could provide all of those options, all in one place, all for one reasonable price. Would I pay $1 an episode if I could watch the shows I care about live? Of course I would. Cable companies seem to operate under the idea, though, that you should charge one customer for as many things as he might possibly be willing to pay for, instead of providing a service that’s so good that your one customer tells every single person he knows.

      Apple, Digital Media

      New iPod Touch is slimmer, boasts FaceTime

      September 3, 2010 /

      iPod Touch.I was actually a little surprised to see all of the information about the iPod Touch at this week’s Apple music event. The most popular handheld in the world? The sheer number of downloads? It was impressive, to say the least, and now the device is coming in line with the amazing feats it has already accomplished.

      Apple gave the iPod Touch the same treatment as the iPhone 4 – it’s slimmer, has a front-facing camera for FaceTime, a rear camera, it got the Retina Display upgrade and the whole thing is powered by the A4 chip. I have to give it to Apple, it’s a hell of a device for $250.

      It is a little surprising that Apple decided to stick with the same basic body shape. It’s not a big deal, an odd deviation from previous trends. The only other bummer is that the sensor in the rear camera isn’t the full-on goodness of the iPhone 4. It can only shot pictures at the 960 x 720 resolution it takes video in. Still, it’s better than nothing.

      Apple, Mobile, News

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