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Robert Scoble: 85,000 reasons why the iPhone won't be disrupted
Whether you think he's the voice of reason on the Web or an annoying pest, when Robert Scoble over at the Scobleizer blog speaks, people listen. Yesterday, a Twitter follower of Mr. Scoble stated that he thought "iPhone users were beyond reason," referring to the almost unnatural fixation that most of us have for our phones. Scoble brought up a very good point in his blogged response -- every app that comes out on the market (more than 85,000 at this point) provides another way to customize your iPhone to the way that you live and work. In order for another manufacturer to come out with a device that will pry that iPhone out of our fingers, they're going to need to exactly duplicate or surpass the functionality that we've become used to. That's not likely to happen, in Scoble's opinion, because the 85,000+ apps that filter down to a couple of dozen (or hundred) apps on each iPhone turn that iPhone into something completely unique. It's not likely that any iPhone user is going to want to give up that up unless every app in the special combination on his or her iPhone is replaced by something better. It makes sense. I've worked with all of the other smartphone platforms, and in no case have there been compelling apps that hold me to the platform. With the iPhone, I've tried thousands of apps, kept about a hundred, and those hundred apps let me work and play the way I want to. iPhone developers have also made sure that the apps are simple to use, too. Perhaps the Android or some other smartphone platform will eventually evolve to the point that there is a critical mass of compelling apps that provides the same magical combination of power, ease-of-use, and fun, but until that time the iPhone will reign supreme. That's even despite Microsoft CEO and iPhone hater Steve Ballmer's recent assertion about the iPhone, "That's why they've got 75,000 applications -- they're all trying to make the Internet look decent on the iPhone." Obviously Mr. Ballmer hasn't used an iPhone, or he'd realize that the iPhone is much more than Web apps. That might also give Ballmer a clue why Windows phones aren't even on the radar for most smartphone buyers today.
STARMAC learns the loop de loop, puts on brave face despite Scoble's continued existence
Last time we checked in on STARMAC, the autonomous hover bot was fuming over his near-miss in a desperate bid to assassinate Robert Scoble. Recently paroled, the bot has turned his energies to more constructive pursuits, like performing a controlled flip and selling drugs to kids. Still, do we detect a hint of brooding in these acrobatics? Video is after the break.
A brief chat with STARMAC, the killer, quadrotor flying robot
The folks at Engineering TV recently asked the creators of STARMAC (the flying bot that attacked Scoble) all those standard, nerd-extravaganza questions they're known for, which is all well and good, but we thought we'd pose a few questions to the killer bot itself:So, STARMAC, do you hate all humans, or just Scoble?It's really more of a blogger thing. I can't stand the free and timely distribution of information to the masses. Really hacks me off. Scoble just happened to be in the wrong place at the right time.Clearly. Would you say you regret not finishing him off when you had the chance?Every day. When I think of the fountain of blood that would have been spewing from that meatbag... well, let's just say I try not to let my main CPU compute possible outcomes.
TUAW Interviews Robert Scoble as Scoble interviews TUAW
Leave it to Scoble to livestream us taping him an hour or so after the keynote. Will he be buying a MacBook Air?Also available on: YouTube, Metacafe, DailyMotion, Blip.tv and Crackle
When good toys go bad VIII: Scoble attacked by autonomous helicopter
Generally speaking, we tend to give autonomous vehicles the benefit of the doubt, but we should really come to grips with the fact that not all robotic flying machines have positive intentions. Apparently, one such ill-willed creation managed to lose control of itself and plow right into Robert Scoble's leg while he was out photowalking at Stanford University. Thankfully, no humans were maimed and the chopper did manage to recover from the crash and proceed on its normal, non-threatening flight path, but we're sure Mr. Scoble will be watching any unmanned crafts with extra caution from here on out.
Apple TV review, and geek details
I am sure some of you are thinking, 'Enough with the Apple TV already,' but considering that even Scoble likes it, I think some more coverage is in order. Two Apple TV links worthy of your attention have come across NetNewsWire. First off, our iPod loving friends over at iLounge list the top ten geek details about the Apple TV (I'm a geek, are you?). The list includes: The 40 gig harddrive only has 33 gigs available for your use Some H.264 videos won't play on the Apple TV The Apple Remote does not control the volume (you have to use your TV/Receiver remote) PC Magazine has given the Apple TV 4 out of 5... circles, which rates it as 'Very Good.' Interestingly Apple told PC Mag of the video codecs supported by Apple TV 'If it plays on your iPod, it should play on Apple TV, BUT if it plays in iTunes, it doesn't necessarily play on Apple TV.'
Scobleizer wasn't wrong about products at WWDC; this just wasn't the right time
Some are upset at The Scobleizer, as his predictions of a 'dizzying' amount of post-WWDC Apple products and wish for an Apple Store sleepover didn't exactly come true. Scoble even went so far as to apologize on his blog Tuesday, offering a theory as to why our credit cards aren't getting maxed on a fleet of new Apple gadgets: he proposes that Apple didn't bring the goods because they didn't want to screw up their back-to-school sales. If Apple dropped something huge now, they might not have been able to supply enough product in time for all those young whipper-snappers to go back to school. It sounds plausible enough, but I propose a different theory.This is the World Wide Developer Conference, not the World Wide Consumer Gadgets Conference. This is an event first and foremost for the developers, so Apple can get them (and also the press) excited about what's coming down the pipeline in terms of developer-related OS improvements, innovations and new tools, as well as pro hardware like the Mac Pro. Events like January's Macworld and out-of-the-blue, invite-only media blitzes are where Apple drops their crazy new products for the masses.So I don't think the Scobleizer was wrong, I just think his predictions were shooting a little early. Don't worry, y'all will get your shot at an Apple Store sleepover yet.Thanks Jonas!
Scobleizer hints at "dizzying amount" of new Apple products
As I write this, I'm still contemplating the implications of getting Apple tips from a former Microsoft evangelizer's blog, but check this out as I philosophize for the afternoon: The Scobleizer (yea, the one and only), dropped a huge (yet unfortunately vague) hint of what Apple has up their sleeve: "Speaking of Apple, they are readying a dizzying amount of new products. I wish I could camp out at an Apple store during the World Wide Developer Conference on August 7th". Apparently (we're trusting you on this Ron!), Mr. Scoble's brother actually works for Apple, which is why he also goes on to decline commenting any further for fear of the Wrath of Jobs™.Hey, Mr. Scoble, you can spill some juicy tidbits. Apple gave up on that case for ousting that other blogger; why not give it a shot?Thanks Chris G.
Robert Scoble needs our help (again)
Someone has to do it, and since we're at least partially responsible, we should be the ones to help. Robert Scoble has an HDTV problem. If you've been reading his blog lately it is all high definition (and HD DVD) all the time. We understand that the beautiful 60-inch Sony SXRD might drive someone to the insanity of posting about HD even hundreds of times a month, but trust us, this is a road you don't want to go down. It starts off with a little NFL here, a little Lost there, and then bam, you're strung out hanging outside of Best Buy offering a kidney in exchange for a pre-release Blu-ray player. All jokes aside, we can definitely relate to his passion for HD. He's also got some interesting responses to pressing high-def issues. He thinks that regardless of the10 reasons high definition formats have failed already, the biggest problem they have is price. Right now neither is within reach of most consumers and for the near future will both have extremely limited content. Much like Tim Goodman it is always interesting to watch someone turn and the familiar stages they go through.
Discovery Channel discusses the HD effect
Microsoft blogger Robert Scoble has posted about the MSN Strategic Account Summit where besides hobnobbing with Bill Gates & Jay-Z, he had a conversation with a Discovery Channel exec confirming what we all pretty much know already. The Discovery Channel has some great high definition stuff, and HDTV owners will watch anything, even ads, in HD. The network knows all this and is promoting high definition advertisements so hopefully we'll see less 4x3 breaks in the action.Also on that note I saw an ad last night again using high definition for a non-television product, this time contact lenses. It wouldn't be so bad since it could be related to enhanced resolution except that the ad itself was in SD.[Via HD for Indies]
