Archive for December, 2007

Just say now to Ads

Published by mollerade on December 28, 2007 in Mollerade Website. 0 Comments

Yes, my friends, the time has come that i try out this thing called Adsense by Google, so over the next few months expect to see a few advertisements popping onto the site. I’ll try to not ruin the look of the site by making it difficult to see what is an advert and what isn’t (Macworld) and will of course write a review of my experience. Initially i have imposed myself the following. 1) do not add adverts to the header, or sidebar, which could impact users ability to navigate the site, 2) Try to have an advert on each page (i’ve since found this is too intrusive to the site and will be adding ads only at the end of each post for the time being), 3) Each post carries one advert, 4) adverts should be clearly distinguishable from the rest of the site. Enjoy!

This hasn’t worked out. I still want to have another stab at advertising, but i hate the impact it has to the site, so for now, i’m calling it off. No more Google Ads… for now.


Mac Mini and Apple TV Combine to become Apple TV +. The Mac Plus debuts.

Published by christian on December 19, 2007 in Technology. 7 Comments

Apple TV+ I’ve been listening to what a few of you have been saying about the Mini and Apple TV, as i’ve had similar thoughts, seeing little reason why the two devices shouldn’t be combined, after all the Mini does everything the Apple TV can?

In fact there exists only one strong reason not to combine these two products. The cost of the Mini (£399) is two hundred pounds more expensive that the Apple TV in its current form. The question is, is the added functionality a fully fledged computer offers you worth it? In my opinion yes, absolutely.

I’ve been using a PC attached to my 37″ JVC LCD television for over a year now, and i can tell you, i will never go back to having the main TV separated from a computer, i would like all TV’s to have the functionality of a computer, and would be willing to bet that the first manufacturer to integrate computers and televisions on a mass scale at a competitive price will be a monumental success. The TV is generally the technical hub of any house, and a natural place to go for information. Todays LCD Televisions produce great resolutions, so your computer will look great on the TV. Add a wireless keyboard and mouse, and instead of just Movies and TV shows, you can surf the web, chat to your friends via Skype, read your emails and write that essay, all from the comfort of your lounge.

So the idea of the Apple TV or Pinnacle’s Showcenter is a great one, they just didn’t go far enough with the added functionality. Why do i want to spend £200 to stream movings from the computer to my TV, when a 20M VGA cable costs £15 add to that a 20M audio cable (£3.99) and you’ve done the same thing for £181 less.

The Apple TV + could limit functionality, adding only an internet browser, and an email Application. This would keep the costs down, but as a user, it greatly limits what i can do, should i need to quickly edit an email attachment in word, or touch up a photo before printing it, and considering we know the market is heading in the direction of combining the TV and computer, we really only have three options left;

1) Do we build a box to go under your TV
2) Do we combine the TV and computer ourselves (AKA iMac)
3) Do we do both?

I choose No.3.

So we now have two requirements

1) we need a combined Apple TV and Mac Mini product, that we are going to call (for the sake of discussion Apple TV +), and

2) we need to enlarge the screen size of the iMac from its current 24″ limit to beyond 40″ to compete with the TV manufacturers (whilst sliming its profile down).

This leaves us with a gap in our product line where previously the Mac Mini filled. What about a Smaller version of the Mac Pro. Call it the Mac Plus, and make it 2/3 size of the Mac Pro.

So our new Mac line up looks something like this;

1) Apple TV +

2) iMac

3) Mac Plus

4) Mac Pro

And for my next write up we will be investigating the possible specifications of these 4 products. Happy Holidays!

Update - JAN 2008 (POST MACWORLD 2008) -As i previously stated i believe the Mac Mini and Apple TV could be merged sucessfully. However based on Apple’s announcement of the software enhancements to the Apple TV, which allow content to be added directly rather than going through iTunes installed on a seperate computer, i would like to make a change to my original thoughts of the Apple TV+. I would keep the Apple TV, for those only interested in watching Movies and TV, listening to music or viewing their photos on their Television, the Apple TV makes perfect sense, and is priced accordingly. The Apple TV+ would in addition to everything the Apple TV does, be a fully fledged computer, running OSX, and include similar specs to the Mac Mini.

What has Apple got in store for the new year?

Published by christian on December 9, 2007 in Technology. 0 Comments

iphone iPhone

I would be surprised to see a new iPhone so soon after the first one, and would hope Apple spend their time improving the functionality of the first before moving on and launching the second. However the irresistible urge to improve their products and pressure from the mobile phone carriers may be too much. Hardware improvements in the new iPhone will be 3G (depending on battery life, something Apple wasn’t and still won’t be willing to sacrifice), improved camera on the phone, louder speakers, and more flash storage. Software improvements will bring the ability to save from safari to a folder on the phone, copy and paste functionality, and the ability to record using the microphone.

Apple TV+Mac Mini

Something going to happen here, otherwise you have to explain why Apple upgraded its MacBook to the Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor, but kept the Mac Mini using the older Intel GMA 950 graphics processor. If i were a betting man, i’d bet a change is due, and they didn’t want to spend any more money upgrading the graphics processor with only 6 months before the newly redesigned Mac Mini arrives.

I’d add that the Mac Mini is in a prime position to replace the Apple TV as a functionally more rounded product. Giving you access to your email, internet, applications, music and video. The only thing its waiting for is a little more beef in the specs, and perhaps a fresh look, (by all means, call it the new Apple TV+), its no secret that Apple has been itching to get rid of the Mini in its current form.

itab mac with multitouchUltra-Portable MacBook

There has been a lot of talk about an Ultra-Portable from Apple in 2008. Based on the information from Toshiba, we should be seeing 32GB, 64GB and 128GB NAND Flash storage in 2008. With the 128GB module not coming out until May 2008, any ultra-portable Apple creates would most likely have a) two 32GB versions, or b) two 64GB versions, making a max of 128GB storage using the latter configuration. Based on the estimate that the iPhones’ multitouch technology costs $33.50 per phone, i wouldn’t be surprised to see the ultra-portable come equipped with that technology. How Apple plans on implementing a touchscreen on a portable, be it a swivel screen, or something unique, we will have to wait and see.

Web Updates

Published by christian on December 7, 2007 in Mollerade Website. 0 Comments

website-maintainance.gifI’ve been working on the website with the following changes implemented:
1) Wordpress has been upgraded to 2.3.1
2) Wphone and iWphone plugins are installed and activated. Both plugins optimize my webpage when viewed on an iPhone without affecting its appearance in other browsers.
3) Upgraded K2 theme which now supports tag cloud.