iPad 2: Ripe or Gripe?

Apple has once again released a product that will no doubt get very many people excited. As always Apple fanboys will love this new device, but is it a grand improvement over the last iPad? Let’s take a look.

The Good

Apple has totally redesigned the look of the iPad 2. It is thinner, lighter and even comes in white. Apple has added a front facing camera for facetime video chatting and Photo Booth. There is also a rear camera for HD video. Furthermore, Apple has put an A5 1GHz dual-core processor in the iPad2 and managed to maintain their stellar 10 hour battery life. This new processor boasts twice the speed in normal usage and 9 times the speed for graphics and gaming. Overall, the improvements in iPad are pretty good.

The Gripes

There are some things that are so obviously missing from this new iPad. We are still waiting for a retina display on the iPad. The current display stands at 1024 x 768 resolution and 132 ppi. This is the same display from the original iPad. The iPad 2 is also missing 4G capabilities. With other tablets such as the Motorola Xoom already on the market prepping to support Verizon’s 4G network, it would seem that this is one area Apple is a little behind on. The iPad does have the fact that it works on both AT&T and Verizon working for it, but we would still like to see the option for 4G support on a device claiming to be this innovative. The last gripe on this new device is still its lacking flash support. This is no surprise for Apple, but still kind of sucks for the users looking to get the full web experience on a tablet.

New Apps

The iPad also come loaded with a few new applications. The two big ones are Facetime and Photo Booth. Facetime is going to be the iPad’s method for video chatting with iPhones and Mac computers. With the big screen on the iPad, this could be pretty cool and is definitely something that users want to see on a tablet. Photo Booth is basically copied straight from the OSX. It allows users to take pictures of themselves and alter them with many fun effects.

The increased power of the iPad 2 is also going to allow for some new power apps for multimedia users. iMovie and GarageBand will now will be available from the App Store for the iPad 2. More information will be available on these later, but just from the preview Apple give us, they look pretty cool. iMovie supports HD video editing. GarageBand comes fully loaded with tons of instruments including a drum set that plays the drums louder if you tap the screen harder.

The New Smart Cover

This new cover comes in 10 colors, 5 are polyurethane and 5 are leather. It features a magnetic clipping mechanism that fits on the iPad without making it to bulky. This case also utilizes its magnetic ability to wake the iPad when it’s opened and put it to sleep when it is closed. The case folds up to form a stand to hold the iPad both as a video stand and a keyboard stand. The case looks like it will work well, but at a price point of $49 for the polyurethane cases and $69 for the leather cases might be a little bit expensive.

Overview

The new iPad features some really nice upgrades from its predecessor. The hit iPad was able to take more than 90% of the tablet market before there were many competitors. Apple hopes to continue this domination of the tablet market. After delivering the iPad 2, and keeping the prices exactly the same with so many new features, it would seem that the iPad 2 will be a hit. The iPad 2 with its robust App store and all the new features is probably the best tablet on the market for $499. Competitors are going to have to step up their game if they want to compete with this. Will 2011 be the year of the iPad 2? Only time will tell.

The New SDLC: Developers and Users

As more mobile apps and web-based apps pop up on the Internet, it is common to have a community dialog (forum, blog, or other). This has been common practice for software developers for years, however, only now are we seeing a captivated user-base organizing what they have to say in a similar manner. And only recently (so it seems) have the developers started listening. By providing a place for both the developer dialog and user dialog to take place, information is flowing much faster than before. This has the effect of bridging the gap between developers and end-users, which helps facilitate the successful development of a user-driven application - the only kind that stick around.

User Feedback - Before, During, and After Development

Development doesn't end when it comes out of beta. Google demonstrates a never-ending development process that procures user-feedback in a way that is both non-intrusive for the user, and, in Google's interest, in a format concise enough to handle yet informative enough to act upon. The key is prompting the user for a small amount of specific information at the at exactly the right time - when they want to contribute.

When Google responds to user feedback quickly and implements changes in its software, the results are often half-working features that are experimental and unpolished (think Gmail Labs). For some, like me, this fresh feel "working demo" (Google's willingness to implement code before it is "finished") is a powerful tool and playground, and highly encourages me to give constructive feedback about glitches or ideas for new features. Oh yea, and it also dramatically speeds up the software development life cycle by helping the developers via sometimes immediate user feedback. Google's extreme implementation of the agile software development process puts the company on a path to being limited only by their resources (man hours, time, and maybe money) and the choices they make on where to focus their efforts. In other words, they've got a good thing going (and it benefits us consumers too).

Google's rapid development style isn't without mishaps. With the release of Google Buzz, many users like me were unpleasantly surprised to learn that Google had taken it upon itself to make connections (add "friends") between you and your "commonly contacted contacts". The off button for Google Buzz is buried in the settings, but go find it if you haven't yet because it's probably still on. I'm going to let Google figure out social networking for a little while longer before I jump in.

Usability vs. Features

Offering the right balance of usability and powerful features to each unique user is quite a challenge. Some software like Numark Cue (DJing software) and even Microsoft Office products (toolbars) offer different interfaces: (for example) basic, advanced, and professional. Though this is helpful, the idea of modules takes it a step further and allows the user to have any combination of add-ons instead of choosing from three pre-configured options.

To help users customize how they want to use Google Chrome, extensions can be installed, enabled/disabled, and un-installed. The concept of modular units within software is quite an intriguing one. It allows users to customize the features of the software.

Modules Explained

In addition to the initial installation and setup, most programs have "Options" or "Settings" that everyone is familiar with. These usually include minor tweaks in appearance. Modules, on the other hand, represent an entire feature or subsystem within a program (think the Calendar part of Outlook or a plug-in on Photoshop) and should also exist within the settings, allowing a user to fully un-install a feature that isn't needed. The user also has the ability to install any number of available "plug-ins" which can be provided by the original application developer and/or third party developers. This is organized in a type of marketplace (like an appstore) where most (if not all) of the add-ons are free (this may change).

We have seen this exact software model take hold in the mobile marketplace with the wide adoption of smartphones and apps. Apple's iTunes App Store, Blackberry App World, and Andriod Market are the big ones, allowing a user to install apps onto their hardware's OS platform (iPhone - iOS4, Blackberry OS5, Android - Froyo 2.2). Smaller app marketplaces are popping up everywhere. Specifically, cloud-based project management software benefits from using modules. I think that all types of software can be more successful in the long run by using modules (apps) and a supportive community dialog as part of the development process.

The modular software model highlights the importance of the user. The interface of the software is the most crucial first impression that a program can make. Too often it was an afterthought or simply "good enough". Now, it is finally starting to be noticed as the number one design feature in my opinion.

Communicate effectively with the User

Google does an excellent job of communicating with its users, AND providing a way for users to communicate back. New feature updates are visibly marked with "New!" and messages to the user are informative with details and (usually) offer a choice. Communication (technical writing copy) is fundamental to any application. There should always be another level of detail / description that can be accessed, whether it is in the help menu, or in a link pop-up, make it clear where the user can find it. Configuration modules are useless unless you have communicated effectively to the user about how they work and how to add/remove them.

An intuitive user interface: simple, offering ONLY the features I want and nothing else to get in the way. It sounds too good to be true, but it's not. Software development has a long way to go. Bringing the user and the developer closer together is definitely an exciting step in the right direction.

When users are passionate enough about an application, and the developers can meet or exceed that passion level, a functional, useful, successful app will be born, and cared for (updates, patches) throughout its life. If we can figure out how to get a better monetary incentive system for low-level consumer apps (specifically mobile), we can speed the process up even more.

Copyright 2010 Eric D. Maniloff - All rights reserved.

Corrections? Additions? Comments? @emaniloff
Next Blog Post will be on Privacy and Security

Comcast = Comcrap

Currently I am still on hold with Comcast. The reason I called is because Showtime isn't coming in on my Tivo through the CableCard, but Showtime is working fine on all of the other TVs in the house.

So after being on hold for about 15 minutes, my call was answered by a woman named April. As usual, it took me about 5 whole minutes to explain that I wasn't calling about a cable box, but rather a cable CARD, used in Tivos and some TVs. The comcast phone representatives are usually completely confused, puzzled and uninformed that this technology even exists, let alone how to help troubleshoot it with a customer. So after April put me on hold to go ask her boss how to do her job, I was disconnected from the phone call.

So I called 1-888-COMCAST once again. My little trick is to choose the option for "cancel my account". That usually gets me through to one of the unqualified idiots pretty quickly. It doesn't matter because the buttons and choices you push on the phone menu aren't relayed to representative anyway. (My personal favorite is when the automated voice tells you to enter you phone number, and the person asks you for the number again anyway). If the marketing department at Comcast would stop making the cheesy commercials and spend a little money on upgrading their customer service department's phone menu system, maybe they wouldn't have worse customer approval ratings than President Bush had.

Anywho, the next service representative that I had the pleasure of speaking to explained that he couldn't help me because the first woman I spoke with was already accessing my account. So I asked if he could transfer me to her again, since she didn't bother to attempt to contact me after we were disconnected. He wasn't able to do this because they were in different call centers across the country, but he gave me an extension to enter and transferred me to "the other call center". After another short hold, I was looped back into the main phone system "Thank you for calling Comcast, for English, press 1".

Needless to say, after another short hold I was connected to yet a THIRD comcast representative. I am currently on the phone with him still, and I was able to write this entire blog entry while on hold with Comcast.

Hopefully this guy will get my Showtime HD (ch. 339) working by tonight so I can watch "Weeds" at 10:00pm EST.

Comcast needs to seriously revamp their customer service department, as well as their entire business model and personnel. Words can't describe my frustration over the years with this excuse for a company.

I'm excited for the day when I have the option of choosing a different cable and internet provider (u-verse?), but Comcast continues to hold an illegal monopoly on most markets in America.

iPod Touch

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't buy one. I got the 16gb iPod Touch as a gift. I usually don't like apple's products, but because of all the features offered on this MP3 player, I decided to actually keep it and use it (instead of selling it on ebay), so in this review I'll try to be gentle.

When I took it out of the box, the first step was to slip it into the case (bought separately) and put the protective film (bought separately) on the screen. I'm not sure why Apple makes their products so prone to fingerprints, dust, and scratches, but my guess is that it makes people buy more products because they break faster. I found it odd that a wall charger wasn't included. This seems to imply that the USB cord should be the primary charger from a computer...which isn't usually an ideal concept to begin with.

One of my favorite features of the iPod Touch is the WiFi capability. Since wireless networks are pretty much everywhere these days, and my Blackberry doesn't have Wifi (Thanks, Verizon!), I was willing to add another device to my pocket for fast, easy web browsing. I must say that the browsing experience is second to none when it comes to mobile devices. (This doesn't mean that the iPhone is the best cell phone, we'll save that discussion for another post) Using gmail, google maps and facebook on the iPod Touch were both much better and easier than on my blackberry.

Weather is easier than on the blackberry as well. All benefits of of wifi, but in non-wifi areas, it's just an mp3 player. The screen is also exceptionally vivid and obviously much bigger than my blackberry curve.

Another feature I was expecting to enjoy was Bluetooth. However, I was saddened to learn that Apple has blocked the bluetooth chip by not allowing any software to access it. Talk about limiting features. I guess the only use right now is if you purchase the Nike Bluetooth shoes, the iPod will act as a pedometer. Why can't I use bluetooth to stream the iPods music directly to my Sync Car Stereo? Cmon' apple.

So I loaded a few songs onto my iPod and pressed play. I was surprised and delighted to hear music coming out of the ipod itself without any headphones plugged in. They finally put a speaker in it. The quality is satisfactory for what you would expect.

Before I got the iPod I enjoyed the standard 3.5mm headphone jack on my blackberry and used it as an mp3 player (thanks to an 8gb micro sd card). I would plug it in via USB, it would show up as drive, I'd transfer music onto it, and I could delete songs from the blackberry itself, or transfer them to another computer via USB. I could even send a song to a friend using bluetooth (or email).

With the Apple iPod Touch, I am forced to use iTunes to connect and transfer music. It doesn't show up as a drive so I can't have access to my files outside of itunes. Also, I can't delete a song from my iPod on the go, I have to plug it in and use iTunes to do that. And connecting to another computer? Forget it. You can play the music but that's about it. Now, I realize that this concept is what Apple fights against because of the copyright violations that it can facilitate. But what if I want to use it to transfer music from my desktop to my laptop?

Besides the obvious limitations of not being able to access or replace the battery or memory on the iPod, it does deliver as a feature packed mp3 player. It raises the bar of mobile computing capabilities. And I think I would say that I prefer to use the iPod over my blackberry for my music on the go, but it's another device to carry. Why not get an iPhone? Because I love my blackberry and I would never use a limiting Apple product for my primary communication method. But, I gotta say, Apple delivered on the iPod Touch, let's just hope they don't make may us pay for each new feature as it comes out.

So I'll be listening to music on my new iPod Touch now, and hopefully the battery will last through more charge cycles than my last iPod did.

Microsoft Sync

Even though I leased the lowest trim level of the 2009 Ford Escape, it came equipped standard with Microsoft Sync. I gotta hand it to Microsoft; they really delivered on this one. While Sync certainly has flaws, glitches, and some especially peculiar annoyances, the computer-based voice activated audio management system does provide an experience unlike all others.

Sync's I/O interfaces include: USB (thumb drives, iPods, or theoretically anything else with audio files), Line In (for connecting any audio source with a 3.5mm headphone jack), and Bluetooth. The surprisingly long-range bluetooth connection allows for up to 10 phones to be paired. The paring between Sync and my Blackberry Curve 8330 performs beautifully in both modes. Phone mode kicks in when I receive a call or place one. The Blackberry also functions as an audio source streaming via bluetooth to Sync. Although the signal comes in at a slightly lower volume than the other sources, there is ample amperage to achieve a comfortable (or loud) listening volume.

TECHGRIPE: [After I walk away from the car far enough to lose the bluetooth pairing with my Blackberry, when I come back to the car, it won't reconnect until you turn the car off and back on again.]

The USB works well but beware...if you want to use the Line In headphone jack input, Sync will litterly say out loud, "Line In is unavailable when a device is connected to USB." So once you unplug your USB drive, you have to (once againe) use the menu and navigate to the Line In source. Once you're listening to Line In, you can go ahead and plug your USB drive back in, don't worry, it won't interrupt your music. TECHGRIPE: [C'mon Microsoft!]

Overall Microsoft Sync impresses as a top-of-the-line car audio management system. However, there are still many firmware upgrades and feature tweaks needed for this product to reach its full potential.

Verizon Customer Service?

The other day I received a call from a friendly Verizon Wireless representative. Of course, the call started with "Hello, Eric, this is Rachel from Verizon Wireless, how are you doing today?" She explained that I was eligible for an "early upgrade" on my line, which is basically a loophole in their 'new every two' policy that, until recently exploited, was scarcely known about or used. (Now, they've figured out a way to save face by handing it to you on a silver platter with a friendly phone call) I explained to her that I was already aware of my early upgrade eligibility and am waiting for a new blackberry to be released. When I asked her if she knew anything about that, she said "I don't have any specific information on any new blackberry devices or releases, but there could be a new one out next week, you never know..."

I understand that Verizon can't officially release information until a certain point in time, however, if Verizon made their representatives keep up with the industry in which they are working, they might be able to provide a better service to the customer. If the rep had read just one of the seven tech blogs I keep up with, she would know what I know, which is that the new Blackberry Niagra will likely (read: hopefully) be released in May. Sure, it's technically a rumor, but at least it's some form of information. Hell, even recommending to search the web would be better than "we don't have any information at this time".

So thanks for the (lack of) customer service, Verizon. Maybe I should have said "put me on your do not call list" but that might be a little counter-productive considering they are my wireless (and only) phone provider. Although I'm not ready to jump off the Verizon bandwagon just yet, it would be nice if they would stop disabling/blocking cell phone features such as Wifi, but hey, maybe that's just too much to ask.

Can you hear me now? Good ;)