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Distro Issue 31: Tales from the South Pacific, Apple's new iPad and the Woz
Let's just call Issue 31 the New Issue, shall we? That's what Apple did this week with the refresh of the iPad, and in this week's refresh of Distro, we'll bring you our first-hand impressions of Cupertino's latest slate. Also in this issue, Darren Murph takes a look at the challenges of bringing wireless to the disconnected, in "Internet Tales from the South Pacific," and Steve Wozniak tackles the Distro Q&A like only he can. We'll also bring you our reviews of Lytro's debut light field camera and Dell's XPS 13 Ultrabook. So go on and download the new issue.Distro Issue 31 PDFDistro on the iTunes App StoreDistro in the Android MarketDistro APK (for sideloading)Like Distro on FacebookFollow Distro on Twitter
Found Footage: The Woz on how Apple got its name
For all you trivia buffs who may not know the real story, TV Deck has posted a short video where the Woz explains exactly how Apple got its name. An amazing thing is that Steve Wozniak didn't really know himself until recently. The quality of the video isn't the best, but for all you completists, this is today's geeky cocktail party conversation starter. Click "Read More" to catch the video.
Steve Wozniak: Android will be the dominant smartphone platform
Apple co-founder, Steve Wozniak, has never been one to mince words. Today's no different as demonstrated in an interview with the Dutch-language De Telegraaf newspaper in The Netherlands. The first revelation is an admission that Apple had collaborated with a well-known Japanese consumer electronics company in 2004 to develop a phone that was ahead of its time. Woz is quoted as saying that while Apple was content with the quality, it "wanted something that could amaze the world." Obviously, the phone was shelved followed by Apple's announcement of the iPhone in January 2007. Woz then moved on to the topic of Android saying that Android smartphones, not the iPhone, would become dominant, noting that the Google OS is likely to win the race similarly to the way that Windows ultimately dominated the PC world. Woz stressed that the iPhone, "Has very few weak points. There aren't any real complaints and problems. In terms of quality, the iPhone is leading." However, he then conceded that, "Android phones have more features," and offer more choice for more people. Eventually, he thinks that Android quality, consistency, and user satisfaction will match iOS. Steve closed the interview with a jab at Nokia calling it, "the brand from a previous generation" suggesting that the boys from Finland should introduce a new brand for a young consumer. Hmm, so we guess he'll be in line for the launch of the MeeGo-based N9 then? Update: We've contacted Steve (an Engadget commenter) for clarification. He says he was misquoted by De Telegraaf. [Thanks, Nguyen T.]
Woz drives his Prius very quickly
Who says hybrids are slow?Woz was recently ticketed for pushing his Prius to 104 m.p.h. on California Interstate 5. His excuse was that international traveling had him thinking in kilometers per hour, not miles. The judge thought this over, then handed Steve a $700US fine.Why was Woz in such a hurry? Perhaps he had a date with Kathy.Thanks, Phil!
Line report: iPhone mania!
Oh, buddy. It's 4:30 in the middle of the country, lots of people are just starting to get out of work, and things are really starting to pick up now. Benjamin Gilbert sends pictures from his campout at Legacy Village in Ohio. Andrew Abate is lineblogging from the West Farms Mall Apple Store in Farmington, CT, where California Pizza Kitchen is apparently handing out free food. Nick Bodkins sends a note from Orlando, FL, where he's sitting in line at the Millenia Mall. Apple is handing out free water there, too, and apparently security says no shopping throughout the rest of the mall. Danny Perez is at the 5th Ave. Store in New York (where I believe our own Mike Rose is headed very soon), and says the feeling there is good: "There are about 300 people in line that I can tell from my location, I'm almost at the end of the line, they are giving away some free stuff. Items include, FREE Baked Caramel Popcorn (FreeEvil), Water (Water is directly from Apple - Branded by smartwater), Virgin Atlantic Airlines just gave away a gift bag with toothbrush/paste, Eye covers, Ear plugs, socks, and Lemonade. I also got some free music CD's and the best part, A FAN TO COOL OURSELVES OFF!!!" And finally, the best thing I've heard today comes from Rick and Simon at the Fashion Valley Mall in San Jose, CA: The Woz is live and in person there (or was, this afternoon), and apparently the Hummer and the Segway made the trip as well. Just under a half hour until 6pm on the East Coast, and then iPhone mania sweeps the nation. Thanks everyone for sending in all the tips, and I hope all you intrepid linesitters get your phones. I'm off to the Michigan Ave store for a report later tonight-- good luck out there.
iWoz on iTunes
iWoz - From Computer Geek to Cult Icon: How I Invented the Personal Computer, Co-Founded Apple, and Had Fun Doing It has made its way into the audiobook section of the iTunes Music Store (iTs link). All 9 hours and 14 minutes of it. Patrick Lawlor does a fine job of narrating it, but he sounds nothing like Woz. And he's no Joey Slotnick, either. That always bothers me when I listen to autobiographies and memoirs. I keep expecting to hear the words straight from the horse's mouth. It's distracting to have it be someone who sounds completely different than what you know the author sounds like. Am I alone in that thinking?I wonder if iWoz' presence in iTunes is Steve-o's way of making up for that $3,150 he cheated Woz out of?Anyway, for $15.95, it can be yours - and as the iTunes store blurb reminds us, it also makes a great gift!Thanks, Steve!
Found Footage: The Woz sells the Datsun 280z
The Woz always makes me smile, and his turn in this Datsun commercial is no different. Watch and find out why the Woz prefers the Z, and how his voice goes down many octaves when he is enthusiastic.[via stevenf]
Woz speaking in Philly
Attention Philadelphia area Mac geeks, Steve Wozniak will be speaking at the Free Library, on 19th and Vine, this Saturday at 2pm. He'll be talking about iWoz, his new autobiography. This even is free, and tickets are not required.I'll be attending, and I thought it would be fun to see if we could have some sort of impromptu TUAW meetup. What say you all?
Woz's old house up for sale
What do you give the Mac fanatic who has everything? Well, if your budget is $10 million dollars how about a newly remodeled house that used to be the residence of Steve Wozniak? The house, located in Los Gatos, CA, is 7,100 square feet has 6 bedrooms and 7.5 baths (pictured above).I know what you're thinking, that sounds rather ordinary for the Woz. The dude is driving to the South Pole for goodness sake!Well, the house has been remodeled since the Woz lived there, but some of his touches remain. The house has a realistic cave in the backyard, a 500 square foot children's discovery complex, and a pet hotel.Thanks, Sean.[via Born Rich]
