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Dear Santa: TUAW's we-have-been-nice wish list
Dear Santa, We've been very good reasonably well-behaved bloggers this year. We've brushed our teeth, been polite to our parents, and made sure to walk our dog. So for this year, would you please please please consider our requests? Here's what we're wishing for under the TUAW tree this year. iBooks for Mac and Windows. We love our iPhones and iPads, but we have lots of books we'd like to read on our personal computers as well. That whole iBooks DRM thing means we can't use any of the (admittedly subpar) readers currently on the market like Adobe Digital Editions. So Santa, won't you please ship us iBooks so we can read in as much style at home as on the road? iAuthor. Speaking of iBooks, it's been a bad year for ebook authoring tools. We're never going to see what Push Pop Press was building and apparently Monster Costume's interactive media creation tools are no longer being planned for market release. So we'd love to see some lickably delicious authoring tools fill out this ebook space. Kindle Direct Publishing has shown there's a huge demand for independent book production, especially ones that create simple but well formed output. Please give us some awesome tools, Santa. iMessages. Santa, we TUAWians have become big iMessage addicts. So where's our OS X client? We don't mean to be a pest, Santa, but we'd like this on our computers like, you know, yesterday. It's gotten to the point where we've started to judge people by the color of their talk bubbles, and blue iMessage bubbles rule the day. OS X Siri. We're not talking about a proof of concept here. The concept has, as far as we're concerned, been proved. We want product now. Can we please have Siri dictation at least, right away please, with full Siri OS integration to follow? Thank you, Santa. Yes, we know that Apple's licensing arrangement with Nuance for the dictation savvy in Siri may be limited to things running iOS. To that, we say it's time to shell out some more of that cash hoard and make a deal for the desktop, please. HyperCard for iOS. We know that Apple wants to make sure that malicious things don't happen on mobile devices (or on any systems) but we'd really really really love to be able to create and share HyperTalk-style stacks for iOS. It was a great idea in the 1980's and it's still a great idea now. HyperCard for iPad and iPhone would rock. Heck, while you're at it, bring it back for Mac OS X. Updated iWork. Santa, we don't mean to be rude, but we've been waiting for an updated version of iWork for an awfully long time. Not that the whole iCloud thing isn't nice and all, but where are our updated iCloud-integrated desktop versions? The current iWork release feels creaky and dated. We'd really like to see fresh desktop hotness debut soon. Apple Camera. OK, Santa, this one might be a little farther out on the Christmas tree limb than the others, but we'd like a dedicated high-end DSLR camera made by Apple. Yes, there's a very nice point-and-shoot in the iPhone 4S, and the cameras in our other devices are only going to get better. But the quality still isn't there compared to a DSLR for stills or video, and given how ugly the interfaces and UIs of even the most expensive cameras are, this market seems primed for Apple to sweep in with a beautiful and brilliantly designed device (which, by the way, would also finish off the vertical integration that iPhoto, iMovie, Aperture, and Final Cut Pro have already started). Apple's at the crossroads of the creative arts and technology, and Santa, while these cameras on the phones are nice, how sweet would it be if Apple did for digital cameras what it's already done for MP3 players and cell phones? It's not like you haven't tried it before. An iOS Amazon Media Viewer. Santa, We've got Amazon Prime. Along with fast, free shipping, Amazon gives us a bunch of free media like movies and TV shows that we can stream to our Mac or PC. Unfortunately, the bozos (or the Bezos) at Amazon won't let us watch it on our iPad or iPhone. They want us to buy an Amazon Kindle Fire. Can you bring me a native Amazon app so we can watch our free movies and shows on our iPads? Please don't make it a Kindle Fire -- even the guy writing the Missing Manual isn't planning to keep his. Oh, and a rainbow-colored unicorn pony would be nice, too. Apple TV HD. We're not talking about some mythical Apple HDTV, but rather an update to the existing Apple TV box. Keep the current form factor, but slap an A5 chip in there so Apple's little hockey puck hobby can deliver full 1080p HD video content to our HDTVs. And hey, while we're at it, how about offering some 1080p content in the iTunes Store, hmm? We've left out a plate of Safari Browser cookies for you and a nice warm cup of milk. Love and hugs, The TUAW kids Photo from flickr by dennis (cc)
Raid Rx: Raid healing wish list for BlizzCon
Every week, Raid Rx will help you quarterback your healers to victory! Your host is Matt Low, the grand poohbah of World of Matticus and a founder of Plus Heal, a discussion community for healers of all experience levels and interests. Catch his weekly podcast on healing, raiding and leading, the Matticast. We are one week away from BlizzCon! I cannot wait! While most of the healing changes have already been outlined for 4.3, I'm sure there are a few things that you wish would be different. I have a list compiled myself of things that would be interesting to have or revert back to. However, you and I both know these are things that will never happen. But who cares? It's fun to think about the possibilities, at least. I'm sure there'll be other exciting announcements next week. Maybe we'll see some new healing reveals that Blizzard's planning for the next expansion.
Daily Mac App: Appalicious
We usually feature Mac apps on the Mac App Store in this series, but Appalicious is an exception. While not available on the MAS, it helps you browse the store in various ways that make the experience much more efficient and even fun. If you're a bargain hunter you'll find digging through sales and freebies has never been easier. Appalicious is a front end to a database for searching, sorting and filtering apps. The toolbar at the top features preset searches and sorting methods. These alone are worth the price of admission (which we'll talk about in a moment), because you'll easily be able to find the latest and greatest apps, on sale or otherwise. You'll also find a handy Recent menu and easy access to your store favorites. One wonders why Apple doesn't do these things in the official store already. Also, as data is pulled fresh from the App Store, searching in Appalicious is often better than browsing around the actual store. All of these searches and sorts can be customized, and you can even build advanced filters to further hone in on exactly the apps you want to see. For example, within seconds I was able to find a business card app that was on sale and in English. A handy right-click menu allows me to add the app to my wish list, which also exists as a drop-down menu. Appalicious has plenty of different ways to nail down exactly the app you want, all of which make it easy to use and quite powerful. Another drop down menu, for example, allows you to see everything about the currently selected app, including take you to their web site or support page. That's quite handy. While you can download Appalicious for free, the service itself (downloading the fresh database) costs money after one week. After that free week, you'll have to pay $12.95 per year. The site notes a $5 discount by using the code "INTRO," but check here to see if it is still available. Also check out the training videos to see if Appalicious is right for you. TidBITS has a more thorough description of the database advantages. If you rarely buy Mac apps, perhaps Appalicious isn't worth it. But if you love finding bargains (easily done, given the ability to search by price and even monitor app prices over time), it pays for itself rather quickly.
The Anvil of Crom: Dreaming up expansion destinations
So how does a new Age of Conan expansion grab you? Well let's not get carried away just yet, but Funcom game director Craig "Silirrion" Morrison did drop the barest mention of a hint on the official boards this week. Responding to a post that asked about the size of AoC's dev team, Morrison said that "we are looking at the next new location (still under wraps, sorry no clues there right now)." Taken in the context of explaining why Funcom has development teams flung to the far corners of the earth (Norway, China, and Canada if you're curious), it says very little about where the game is headed. It is a good sign, though, one indicative of the fact that Age of Conan is a bit healthier than the legions of fail-trolls would have you believe. In this week's Anvil of Crom, I'd like to indulge in a bit of good ol' fashioned speculation as well as a healthy amount of wishful thinking. Join me after the cut to see where Hyboria's next expansion might lead us, and add your two cents in the comments.
The Road to Mordor: My wish list for 2011
January is always a month of denial for me because it usually takes a full 30 days for the reality of a new year to settle into my skull. It can't be a new year! I just, just got used to the old one! I'm going to forget the real year when I sign my checks and then I'll be denounced as a fraud! What horrible teenage fad will be inflicted on us this year? Seriously, Ke$ha was the final straw for me. She's like all four horsemen of the apocalypse melted down and recast as a talentless banshee with an ironic dollar sign smack in the middle of her name. But that's my problem. A new year also means a virgin slate for all of our MMOs. What happened last year was so last year -- now we turn our eyes to the future. We know a little of what's upcoming for Lord of the Rings Online, but that doesn't mean we can't have wishes. You know what they say: If wishes were horses, I'd have the Steed of Night. So in honor of '11, I've come up with an 11-point wish list of what I'd love to see in LotRO this year. I fully expect Turbine to drop everything -- everything -- to get on it!
Wings Over Atreia: All I want for Solorius is...
While admittedly they don't include two front teeth, there are definitely some things I would be thrilled to see in my virtual stocking this holiday season from the developers of Aion. At this time of year, you almost can't help but look ahead and dream about what things would make it a better world. Don't believe me? Name me one other time when you hear "peace on earth" more -- not counting a beauty pageant! But our desires for a better world need not be confined just to that real one we inhabit when our computers are shut off; in fact, wishing for a better Atreia (though peace among Daevas may be counter-productive) is right in the holiday spirit! I am not looking for any "I win" or easy button -- just a few things that will make for a better and brighter Atreia, some things that will put more fun into my time in Aion. I'm making my list and checking it twice. After all, 'tis the season of miracles, right? Sleigh ride past the break to take a peek at part of my Christmas... er, I mean Solorius... wish list!
The Daily Grind: What do you want from Cyber-Santa this year?
Weird fact: Did you know that today is St. Nicholas Day? 'Tis true! Nicholas, the Greek bishop who's been the inspiration for Santa Claus due to his penchant for gift-giving, got his very own holiday that nobody really celebrates. Except us! Because what is the internet for, if not to get all giddy over long-forgotten trivia and then demand more gifts from your Amazon.com wishlist? So in honor of good ol' Nick, why don't you hop up on our lap and tell Massively what you want for the holidays this year from the land of MMOs. Is there a game that you've just been too poor -- or too stingy -- to buy, even though you dream about it every night? Do you wish that you could get into an exclusive beta? Is there an item in the cash shop that you've been coveting? Or would you love it if a friend helped you accomplish a tricky achievement in game? Make a list -- and check it twice for factual and grammatical errors -- and let us know what you'd like from Cyber-Santa this year! Who knows... he might even be reading this post right now! Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
Amazon shopping app for iPad launches
If your actual iPad purchase hasn't drained your debit card down to the red-alert level, Amazon has your back: the web retail giant has announced that the Amazon Mobile app is now fully updated for iPad, and it's available now on the App Store. The free app gives you all your favorite functions: browse the store, add to your Wish Lists, track packages and orders, watch movie trailers and listen to song samples -- even One-Click purchasing is included, otherwise known as "The Danger Room of Online Shopping." Point of aggravation, though: searching for music in the app only displays CDs, which seems somewhat backward. The mobile site for iPhone lets you search digital downloads, although you can't buy them (you have to add them to your wish list for later purchase); browsing in Safari on iPad is both better and worse, as it lets you get all the way to the point of buying an MP3 track before failing to download the helper app that in turn would download the track. Memo to Amazon: You probably want to fix that as soon as you can. Update: If you decline the helper app, you can actually download the MP3 track in the browser on the iPad -- but then what? Goodreader will open it, which is nice and all, but it's a bit awkward to do anything at that point except email it to yourself. Would it be so difficult to include the option for MP3 purchase and simply email the user a download URL? Granted, there might be some hiccups for those iPad users who rarely/never sync their devices, but c'mon, it's 2010 already. Even though you can access the MP3 store via Mobile Safari, there's obviously no way to get music downloads into iTunes except through the iTunes Store or via tethered sync. Amazon also delivers the Kindle and IMDB apps for iPad, just in case you felt like doing some reading or movie searching along with your shopping trip. All three apps are free.
TUAW readers: Help us tell Apple what you want in the next iPhone!
Apple's campus is a surreal place to be. You're surrounded by a loop of buildings where some of the most advanced technological innovation is going on behind closed doors. That excitement aside, another great thing about being on campus was being able to dine at Café Mac. Café Mac is Apple's cafeteria/restaurant for employees. It's some of the best food you'll ever eat and the café rivals whatever Google has. But I loved Café Mac for more than the food. It is a place where you can meet and mingle with people from all different departments, be that legal, marketing, IS&T, software, or hardware. Now before I go any further, let me state right now that every single Apple employee I've ever met takes their NDAs very seriously and no employee has ever revealed insider knowledge or let any secrets slip (to me anyway). I've remained iChat friends with a bunch of Apple employees I've met from some very cool departments on various trips to campus. I can tell you, though Apple would never admit to being influenced by sites like Engadget or TUAW, individuals at Apple do read those sites and do take into consideration what they read on them. Now, here's where you come in: I know there's been a ton of excitement about the impending Apple iSlate, but let's not forget that, if past years are any indication, the iPhone OS 4.0 will be previewed sometime this Spring with a probable Summer release. I'm sure you all have your hopes and dreams what you want the next iPhone and iPhone OS to include, so here's your chance to get your voices heard – hopefully by many of the people on Apple's campus too. I'm writing a series of features about what people want in the next iPhone and I need you to send me emails detailing what you would like to see in it. I'll have one iPhone article a week for the next month. Each article will deal with a specific wished-for area of the iPhone: next week's article will deal with the iPhone OS as a whole (settings, home screen, search, general behavior, etc.). Week two's article will cover iPhone hardware, while week three and four will cover the iPhone's built-in apps like Mail, Maps, Calendar, etc. Until Friday, January 8, I'll be collecting your wishes and ideas for the next "general" iPhone OS. You have until then to email me your feedback, wants, mock-ups, and concept drawings. Don't be afraid to link to concepts you've seen at other places on the web either. And don't be afraid to borrow features from the Palm Os or Android, too. If they have something you like there's no reason Apple can't learn from them, so by all means include it if you think it would make the iPhone better. I'll present everything you guys tell me in an article and hopefully the boys in Cupertino will take notice. Only feedback sent to tuawiphone [at] me dot com will be considered, but please feel free to lash out your thoughts in the comments too. Also, please only send me your "general OS" wish-lists now, or things could get lost in my mail box if you send your hardware wishes for articles down the line, etc. And, judging from the amount of email I'll get, it would be a great help if you could put your ideas in list form with a description for each if necessary.
Insider Trader: Assessing the gear-crafting trades
Insider Trader is your inside line on making, selling, buying and using player-made products.In the World of Warcraft, there are three types of craftspeople: those that gather, those that enhance, and those that create gear. They are not mutually exclusive. For example, Scribes can create off-hand weaponry in addition to glyphs and Jewelcrafters can prospect gems from raw materials. Gathering professions are known to be money-makers, and in addition, when asked, many players will also list the enhancement professions as well: Inscription, although it is currently suffering from a lack of demand created by the introduction of dual-specs with patch 3.1. Jewelcrafting is on the list, not because of its ability to create gear such as rings, but mainly because of the Prospecting and gems, cut or raw. Enchanting is often stated, not only because of the enchants that can be created and even auctioned, but also because of the Disenchanting ability. To balance this out, one would assume that the gear-crafting professions of Leatherworking, Tailoring and Blacksmithing must be incredibly useful, if not lucrative. Unfortunately, this is not necessarily the case. This week, Insider Trader will be discussing the state of these professions. For a similar assessment of Engineering, check out The state of Engineering in 3.1.I am especially interested in reader input and brainstorming, so don't forget to read through the comments section at the end of the article!
Another wish-list for Engineers
Earlier this week, we discussed the state of the Engineering profession. Most notably it seems that while Blizzard is currently happy with Engineering and has no near-future plans to make any hefty changes, many Engies in the community are as frustrated as ever.The profession is probably the most imaginative of them all, and really lends itself to fantasy brainstorming. This type of wish-list formation is a common topic on Engineering forums and blogs, and even here at WoW Insider. If you've been following any of these posts, or would like to start, check out Kagura's Engineering Idea Bank for WoW Engineers. It specifically addresses some of the demands/issues made in the forum post that sparked our examination earlier in the week. While I did conclude that Engineering does seem to be on par with most other professions, there is no reason that we can't dream.
Breakfast Topic: Turning our world upside down
How about that. Blizzard dropped bombs of announcements yesterday with the proposed changes to Patch 3.1. Yesterday, I asked what changes you expect or foresee with the new patch, but I don't think any of us seriously expected the huge changes that they announced. Wished for, maybe, but didn't really think it would happen.In fact, some of these changes were more unthinkable than the fake patch notes we had posted earlier. I mean, no more ammunition for Hunters? Wasn't that one of the most wished for wishes in the history of wishland? The closest thing Blizzard ever came to fulfilling this wish was with Thori'dal, the Star's Fury (which I hear is a Rogue weapon). Now, everyone and his uncle can have their own version of the legendary bow. Kind of.Oh, and guess what? Blessing of Kings is baseline now. Take a moment to reflect on that a moment. It's freaking trainable! The best raid buff in the game is available to all Paladins now, regardless of spec. After years and years of the Paladin community whining asking for it, it might actually become reality. Blizzard seems to have a knack for turning our worlds upside down. I mean, I wouldn't actually be surprised anymore if BigRedKitty's *ahem* "patch notes" actually come true now. Alright, probably not that far out, but you know what I mean. What about Patch 3.1 has knocked your socks off so far? What other changes do you expect?
DS Daily: Your wish list
Yesterday, we talked about Nintendo's very limited way to bother people about gifts you want this holiday season. Well, what we'd like to talk about it is your wish list this year. With the holidays coming up, it's the time for gift-giving (and receiving), so what are you hoping to get this year? Did you ask that certain someone for a Nintendo DSi? Looking forward to some new games? What's on your wish list?
Wii Warm Up: Holiday wishes
Some among you may be gearing up for the holiday season, and even though no one has any damn money (thank you, catastrophic global economy), that's never stopped us from asking for things before. This year, it may be more hoping than expecting, but by golly, we're gonna ask for things. It never hurts to try.Which leads us to ask: what's on your holiday wish list so far? Is there enough coming out to keep you satisfied, or will you be turning to other systems to get your game on?
Poll: What's the best gift you received?
Now that Christmas is over, all the wrapping paper is in the garbage, you've had a chance to go to the mall and spend all those gift cards and buy the things you wanted, but didn't get. We know what you wanted, but now we'd like to know what you actually got? It doesn't matter if you bought it for yourself, we just want to know what everyone else got that we didn't. %Poll-7639%
Poll: What's tops on your wish list?
It's somewhat of a tradition around here to get all up in your business and find out what you got for Christmakwanzika, but this year, we figured we'd be a little extra nosy. With under a fortnight to go before hordes of crazed gadget lovers tear into packages everywhere, we're curious to know what you're hoping to receive. Anything in particular you've asked for? Got a laundry list of wants needs? Don't be shy, tell us what your heart really desires, you never know who'll be paying attention. Oh, and just check off the one thing you're craving the most below -- fill us in on the rest in comments. %Poll-7131%
Windows 7 feature request list leaks out
Although the Vista transition is far from complete, that doesn't mean Microsoft isn't already hard at work on Windows 7, the next version of the venerable operating system -- and this list of user-requested features unearthed by the folks at NeoWin might hold some clues as to the future. The "wish list" was sent out by Microsoft before Windows 7 development even began, so most of these features probably aren't even on the radar, but what's most interesting is that seemingly small fixes like "Window Update progress indicator" vastly outnumber big-ticket items like "integrated audio / video codec manager" and "Windows 'Game' Mode." We'd say that speaks to a major lack of imagination, so consider this a years-early How Would You Change?, and sound off in comments -- personally, we're hoping for a transactional file system, but we know you all can totally outdo us.Read -- post at ArsTechnicaRead -- full list at NeoWin
Wii Warm Up: On franchises
Yesterday's news of a DDR game headed Wii-ward got us in the mood to speculate about what other established franchises would work well with the Wiimote. We don't mean ports that "make use" of the Wii controls, though that can be fun, too. We're talking about games that would be really, really perfect. Additionally, the news that DDR will require a dance mat as well as both the Wiimote and nunchuk opens up a world of peripheral possibilities. So what inventive ways can you think of to implement beloved franchises on our beloved console?
DS Daily: On franchises
Despite the fact that some franchises just don't port well, the subject of whether or not any given property should make an appearance on the DS inevitably comes up. Square Enix is bringing their big franchises to the handheld. Mortal Kombat will be making an appearance. Katamari Damacy, however, rolled on by. We could go on, but we figure you get the drift. What we want to know is -- which franchises do you really want to see on the DS, and which ones do you hope stay far, far away?
Engadget's holiday wish list
All this talk about what who's getting what, and what're you giving us, Engadget? We have some wishes this holiday season too, you know. Yeah, that's right, we've been secretly keeping a list all year long of the things we really want, and surprisingly we even got a few of them. Check it out, our Chrismahanukwanzakah wish list: Authorities to find James Kim in good shape Apple supports PlaysForSure Zune supports PlaysForSure Zune supports FairPlay No, we REALLY just want Microsoft and Apple to forget the DRM Microsoft stops its pursuit of Viodentia Everybody gets FTTH. Everybody at Engadget, anyway. Something finally outputs 1080p CableLabs experience hostile takeover by consumer advocacy groups TiVo finally releases Series 3 TiVo gets reasonable, releases Series 3 for, say, $400 Click on for more!
