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Intel CEO: 'Simplistic' Apple TV is for 'mom'
With the recent announcement of Apple's new, improved Apple TV, there's been a lot of talk as to whether it will meet consumers' demands and expectations, not to mention how it will fare following the arrival of Google's competing TV device. According to Electronista, Intel CEO Paul Otellini said he felt Steve Jobs was taking a "step backward" by not making the Apple TV more of a computer-like device. He said Google TV would be the "full internet" coupled with a traditional TV, featuring the complete Chrome browser as well as supporting Flash. Otellini said he still thought Apple TV and Google TV could co-exist, though, because they appeal to two different audiences. Apple's device will appeal to his "mom" because it's "simplistic," whereas Google's device will appeal more to those wanting more, like his son. At the recent Apple event, Steve Jobs said that consumers didn't want their TVs to do everything and that they wanted them to be simple: play Hollywood movies and TV shows. MacDailyNews has a chuckle with the Intel CEO's criticisms, pointing out that Apple TV will no longer use Intel's Pentium M, but instead rely on an ARM-based processor. Google TV is expected to start shipping in September, very close to when the new Apple TV will ship. It's sure to be an exciting time seeing how these two devices fare. Let the race begin!
'Fake Steve' chides CNBC's Goldman in source foofaraw
Dan Lyons, who once wrote the "Fake Steve Jobs" blog, criticized Silicon Valley bureau chief Jim Goldman for withholding information from sources inside Apple about Steve Jobs' health. The sparks fly in this video around the 3:30 mark. Lyons, on CNBC Reports, said Goldman had become the kind of reporter that gets "played and punked" by Apple, and that he should have released the information he knew on Monday, before Apple's announcement yesterday. Lyons also demanded that Goldman apologize to Gizmodo, for criticizing their December 30 story about Jobs' declining health. Goldman said that he had contacted two individuals on Monday who have personal contact with Jobs, but don't know the intimate details about his medical treatment. Goldman wrote yesterday: What struck me was that both felt compelled to come to me to tell me that they had "serious misgivings" about the state of Jobs' health. One said, based on his contact with Jobs personally, that he was in "serious denial" about just how bad the circumstances had become. The other explained to me that he was "deeply concerned" about Jobs, and the sudden lack of communication, the non-return of emails, ignoring chat requests, unreturned phone calls was a strong indication to him that Jobs was in "dire" shape. According to Silicon Alley Insider, a source close to the matter said that Lyons had been banned from appearing on CNBC again, though CNBC spokesman Kevin Goldman (no relation) said "Real Dan" had not been banned. In related news, Joe Nocera, the New York Times journalist who Steve Jobs called a "slime bucket" in an off-the-record phone interview about his health, said that the medical problem Jobs confessed to in the call is different from the "hormone imbalance" mentioned in Apple's press release just before Macworld. Nocera called for greater transparency from Apple about how it discusses Steve's health. [Via MacDailyNews.] On a personal and editorial note, I wish Mr. Jobs and his family all the best, and this is the last story I'll be writing about yesterday's announcement for the foreseeable future. I was conflicted about even writing this, because Jobs deserves his time to recuperate, free from the spread of rumors and half-truths. Perhaps the less I write about it, the healthier he'll get. In theory. Maybe. We can hope. - RP
iPhone browser share doubled since 3G launch
According to HitsLink, the people who track web usage statistics, iPhone users account for about a third of one percent of web browsers on the Internet, the largest of any mobile platform. iPhone ranks fourth overall in terms of operating system market share, behind Windows, Mac, and Linux. On August 16, the stats peaked at 0.45 percent. That's a two-fold increase since the iPhone 3G was released July 11. Jim Goldman, of business television network CNBC, says that "it's a key metric that shows market penetration and customer use." He cited a report by analyst Andy Hargreaves that suggests the increase in browser market share highlights the iPhone's key, long-term advantages. Well, duh. "Consumers seem to know what some investors are having trouble grasping -- or believing: that Apple might be positioned better in so many key markets than any of its competitors," Captain Obvious Goldman said. [Via MacDailyNews.]
Say hello to a 25ft tall iPod
No, Apple hasn't released an iPod designed exclusively for giants: an Ohio-based company that runs a local entertainment magazine and website has created a functioning, 25ft tall iPod shaped billboard. The gigantic iPod, which is based on the design of the 5th generation iPod, is set up to play music submitted to an online jukebox by local musicians. Ironically, the music is actually routed through the smallest type of iPod you can buy: an iPod shuffle. You can view its interactive playlist here.As for it being the largest iPod in the world, we've got to ask, is it viewable from space?[Via MacDailyNews]
