EmiratesMac - Blogs

LG Optimus 3D: Multiple Dimensions

DaddyBird — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:26:28 GMT

As I mentioned previously, I am generally not a big fan or proponent of 3D technology in it�s current incarnations. (I�m holding out for full on three dimensional holograms!) So it seems very, very odd to me that there is one aspect of 3D technology that actually does get a �wow� out of me. And it seems even more odd that the aspect in question is 2D to 3D conversion. If I�m not that impressed with 3D visuals, why do I get interested suddenly when a standard image is converted to 3D?

I think it must be sort of a geek thing. When my mind sees such a demonstration it immediately tries to speculate on the programming algorithms necessary to analyze an image and attempt to determine what objects/shapes are in the image and their comparative depth within the frame. It is essentially a form of artificial intelligence, or at least a base skill needed for potential A.I. And that�s just in regard to a still picture. Think about a movie in which this sort of estimation and interpretation has done quickly and on-the-fly and it starts to get a bit mind blowing.

I first saw 2D to 3D conversion demonstrated on a large �smart� TV and really enjoyed seeing a standard movie changed to 3D as I watched it. Such a feature on a large appliance like that is impressive. But in the digital age, such feats aren�t relegated to �big iron� anymore, are they? I should know this.

Still when I received the LG Optimus 3D I was quite pleased and surprised to find that that this smallish handheld device also has 2D to 3D conversion capabilities. And yes it does a surprisingly good job of executing the feature. So when viewing your standard images and videos, whether taken with the Optimus 3D or with some other device, you have to option to view it normally or have it converted before your eyes to a 3D image. While the results won�t necessarily be perfect or amazing with every image or video, it can often be very surprising and effective.

In thinking about this feature and how effective it can be, I wonder if in some ways it might have an advantage over regular 3D capture and imaging in the active analysis of the image(s) to determine relative depth in the scene, rather than just processing the images as captured. Since there have been times that 3D images/video haven�t impressed me, I wonder if the evaluation and rendering techniques used in 2D to 3D conversion could not be applied to fully 3D images to improve the their clarity and effect. (But perhaps this is already being done. Surely someone has already thought of this!)

Overall, it�s just another example of the terrific hardware and technology put into the LG Optimus 3D. LG has taken the �Tri-dual� processing core, combined it with a great screen and cameras, but then given it them a clever a varied array of features and capabilities that go beyond the story told in the basic specs of the device. At once both very practical and very fun.

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LG Optimus 3D: The 3D Experience

DaddyBird — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:54:12 GMT

So how just how is the experience of using the phone�s 3D features? Quite good, really. Primary to this is the glasses-free 3D viewing enabled by the built-in screen. It�s one of those things that really has to be seen to appreciate, and has often impressed skeptics when I have shown the Optimus 3D to them. Frankly, I myself am not a big proponent of 3D technology, and yet I find the 3D features of this phone rather entertaining.

To me, it is very the screen is very impressive in the way it is able to display both 2D and 3D content. Looking at 3D images one might expect the mechanism that enables stereoscopic images to be noticeable when viewing standard images, and yet the display is bright and crystal clear in normal use.

There is some reduction in image quality when the screen is in 3D viewing mode; this is inevitable as the screen essentially has to show two images at once, both interlaced with each other, so you end up with about half the data of each image on display. And as a result of the no-glasses technique there are some visible vertical lines on the screen when viewing 3D content. Still, the 3D images display are quite impressive.

Of course, the ability to record one�s own 3D content is a major feature of the Optimus 3D, enabled by the phone�s dual 5 Megapixel cameras, which include image stabilization and on-the-fly alignment correction for taking sharp 3D images and video.

When using the 3D capturing features it�s worth remembering a few things to get the best results. The recommended shooting range is from half a meter to two meters; much closer than that and things can get a little distorted. Shooting things a bit beyond 2 meters is OK, in my experience, but the further away the less effective the 3D effect may be. And it�s advisable to have multiple subjects at varying distances from the camera; the point of shooting in 3D is to get to feel for the contrasting depth of the subjects in the field of the image, right? Moderate light conditions are preferable; too bright and thing will easily get washed out; too dark and things get visually muddy in a way that seem peculiar to 3D shooting.

Once you have taken your 3D pictures and video, what do you do with them? Share them! This can easily be done by hooking the Optimus 3D up to a 3D TV through the on-board HDMI port or streamed wirelessly using DLNA to a compatible device. And happily, LG has partnered with YouTube to provide an easy sharing option; 3D videos can be uploaded directly from the phone to YouTube�s 3D channel. From there they can be view on 3D capable devices or on practically any device with common blue-red 3D glasses.

Of course the easiest and possibly the most fun way to share your 3D content is right on the phone itself. Showing your friends your 3D movies and pictures right on the Optimus 3D�s snazy screen, glasses free is a sure way to garner some �ooohs� and �aaahs�.

Note that although the cameras on the are 5 Megapixels each, when taking 3D pictures, images are limited to 3 Megapixels. In fact 3 Megapixels is the only resolution settling available when taking 3D pictures. I�m not sure why and have not yet found any explanation of this limitation. When taking 3D video the Top resolution setting is 720p HD rather than the 1020p HD available for 2D video. Still, in either case, the resolution is ample for taking excellent 3D pictures and video. Both these limitations may simply be a necessity brought by the larger amount of data resulting from recording two images at once in the 3D process.

As I said previously, I�m not a huge proponent of 3D technology, but the LG Optimus 3D makes it easy and surprisingly enjoyable to indulge in the 3D trend. I find frequently find myself taking images and video in 3D as much as I do in 2D, and the result are quite pleasing.

Steve Jobs dies at 56: An unprecedented visionary passes away

Magnus — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 10:48:40 GMT

Steven Paul Jobs, born 1955, has died at the age of 56, following a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Jobs was one of the most charismatic personas in the areas of technology as well as popular culture. Arguably, his impact over the last four decades is hard to underestimate and he leaves a void, not just at Apple Inc., that will be impossible to fill. Jobs has been credited with the creation or revival of several different industries including personal computing, digital music and movies, smartphones, and tablets.

Apple�s Board of Directors said in a statement following the news about Jobs passing: "We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today. Steve's brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve."

By founding Apple Computer together with Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne in 1976, Jobs became a pioneer in the fledgling personal computer industry. Jobs was ousted from Apple in 1985 and in the years before he returned in 1997, he created Pixar Animation Studios, makers of such movies as Finding Nemo and Toy Story. Jobs also started another computer company called NeXT. The legacy of NeXT lives on today in Mac OS X and iOS, which are both based on it. Apple acquired NeXT in 1996.

His second tenure at Apple is, as they say, history. First came the revolutionary iMac in 1998. The iPod digital music player saw the light of day in 2001 together with iTunes and the iTunes Store followed two years later. This later developed into the iPhone launched in 2007 and the iPad in 2010.

In recent years Steve Jobs has fought pancreatic cancer, which he was diagnosed with in 2004. Following surgery and two periods of medical leave of absence, Jobs finally resigned as CEO of Apple on August 24 this year, handing over the reigns to then-COO Tim Cook.

The illness clearly made Jobs think in new ways. In 2005 Steve Jobs gave a speech to graduating students at Stanford University in the U.S. and he said: �Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.� In light of the news of Jobs� passing that quote seems eerily appropriate.

I suspect that Steve Jobs� lasting legacy will not necessarily be Apple or any of the products that he helped bring to us, including iMac, iPod, iPhone, iPad, iTunes, and many more. Instead, I think the legacy will be how he brought technology to the common man like no one else has. We can argue about whether Apple�s products are better than what the competition offers but what is hard to ignore is the impact that Jobs has had on our lives through his companies Apple and Pixar.

More people than we realise do what they do today directly or indirectly because of Steve Jobs. From students working on a particular degree to professionals embarking on a career, Jobs has influenced many of us to do what we do; to dare our dream, if you will. I most certainly would not be writing this today if it wasn�t for Steve Jobs as it was a Mac that really got me started thinking and writing about technology.

Jobs lived a very varied life, in stark contrast to the high tech persona he has taken on in most people�s eyes. He struggled through high school, dropped out of college, started Apple but got kicked out, took a spiritual retreat in India, to name a few things. Personally I�ve always thought it was that variety in his nature that made him who he was and so passionate about and good at what he did.

Steve Jobs leaves behind a legacy that is unprecedented and he will be sorely missed; by his family, by Apple Inc., and by scores of fans around the world.

As Stock Price Drops, Apple Agrees to Print a �5� on New iPhone to Appease Fans

DaddyBird — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 06:28:01 GMT

Cupertino- In an attempt to reverse his first major fumble since taking over the reins from Steve Jobs, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that the company�s soon-to-be-released update to it�s smart phone line would be renamed �iPhone 5�, instead of being saddled with the disappointing �iPhone 4S� moniker, as previously announced.

�It�s been crazy times,� said Cook, �What with Steve retiring and having to move my stuff into a better office, I guess that name incrementing issue just fell through the cracks.� Mr. Cook refused to shift blame elsewhere, taking full responsibility for the oversight. �In his historic tenure at Apple, Steve taught us all that attention to detail was vital, � Cook continued, �but I guess I mistakenly assumed that applied to creating cutting edge hardware and blissfully usable interfaces, not necessarily to what numbers get stamped on the back of the cases.�

�It was a huge letdown,� stated an admitted former Apple fan, preferring to keep his name anonymous rather than to have it associated with the disgraced company, �Sure, they completely revamped the iPhone on the inside, adding the A5 processor and greatly improved graphic capabilities, major improvements to the antennas, faster data speeds, a much better 8MP camera with improved optics and image stabilization, full 1080p HD video capture, as well as that robot voice thing that I�m going to annoy my whole office with, but those half measures can�t make up for the misnaming blunder.� Confessing that he would still be buying the new iPhone, regardless of it�s nominal designation, the disillusioned fan continued, �I can live with the outer design being basically the same, but having the wrong name stamped on it would have been physically painful. It may not be visible when I put the phone in a protective carrying case, but I would still know it was there.�

However, another disgruntled fan disputed that the outward design was a non-issue. �This is typical of Apple, letting down the consumer once again. We all prepare ourselves for another round of case hunting when a new iPhone is being released, then they pull this again. It�s the iPhone 3GS all over again; how will people know that I have the very latest iPhone when it looks like the next-to-latest iPhone?� Wiping a tear he continued, �We were supposed to get another turn with the case-replacement vicious cycle. All the rumors said so. Except for those other ones.�

Other surly fans agreed. �For months I�d been obsessing over the mocked up iPhone 5 designs �leaked� on the Internet; the odd wedge and �teardrop� shaped shells, the almost too-big-for-a-handheld screens. I thought for sure that Apple was going to come up with something even more ridiculous than the industrial prototype look of the iPhone 4. But it seems that Apple can�t live up to their own hype. And by �their own hype�, I mean baseless rumors proffered by trolls on the Internet,�

�What happened to the wide �Home� button?�, asked another fan, �We were supposed to be getting a pointlessly wider �Home� button! Hopefully the iPhone 6 will fulfill this dream; or maybe the iPhone 5W.�

�These are the kinds of mistakes that kill once-great companies,� stated one financial analyst, �Consumers are very demanding masters, and while the arrangement of a little ink on the back of a product may seem trivial, it can make or break a device in the eyes of a trend conscious buying public. And even after correcting this mistake, sales of the new iPhone may be adversely affected. Apple may only sell tens of millions of them; their cash reserves may only increase a few billion this fiscal year. I�m not sure that even the most valuable company in the world can survive such diminished results.� Checking the figures online he added, �Right now Apple�s stock price is down by half a percent from yesterday; in the fickle financial market, that may not seem like much, but in the long run it really isn�t.�

LG Optimus 3D: Under the Hood

DaddyBird — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:36:45 GMT

(Note: LG has given me an Optimus 3D and asked me to blog about it. It's pretty easy to say nice things about it because I really like it, even after using it for a few of weeks. Easily the best Android device I have tried so far.)

When it comes to processing power, the LG Optimus 3D is by far the most advanced phone that I have used. Of course, all that power is important for enabling graphics intensive games and the 3D capabilities on the Optimus 3D, but what is far more important to me is the responsiveness of the phone in general usage.

Having used a few other Android phones, I can say that my experience and satisfaction with the mobile operating system has been quite varied. One might be tempted to put the blame for performance solely on the hardware, but in the realm �open-source� Android, there is more to it than that. The various mobile manufacturers usually take the opportunity of Android�s �openess� to ad �improvements� of their own to try and differentiate their offerings from other companies� Android devices. So on many Samsung mobile gadgets one will encounter the �TouchWiz� interface, and in the past Motorola has offered their �Motoblur� environment, both of which I found aggravating and often clunky, despite being in use on fairly powerful phones.

On the other hand my most positive previous experience with Android was on the low-end LG Optimus One which runs on a relatively modest 600Mhz processor. I attribute this in no small part to the fact that LG tends to not clutter up Android with as many additional �improvements� as other manufacturers, while still offering all of the functionality one needs and expects. So when I was first researching the LG Optimus 3D and came across reviews that described the Optimus interface as �plain�- aside from its 3D features- I was very happy. Groovy graphic bells and whistles in an interface aren�t as important to me as usability. The Optimus 3D does have some widgets built-in for weather, contacts, social media and such, but these are pretty easy to use, don�t get in the way, and thus far have not stirred me to remove them. While other implementations of Android have made me feel like the interface was getting in my way, the Optimus UI is quite pleasant and accommodating.

Naturally the top notch processor on board helps all this along tremendously. The �Tri-dual� architecture that LG touts in this phone is provided by Texas Instruments� OMAP 4 dual-core 1Ghz Cortex-A9 processor System-on-a-Chip which also features dual memory arrangement and dual data channels. The theory with this configuration is that having more data channels between the multiple components helps prevent bottlenecks in data management that might negate the advantage of the multiple processing cores. It certainly seems like a sound assertion, and my experience with the Optimus 3D does nothing to refute this. The phone is terrifically responsive in general usage, even with multiple apps in use; the pauses and freezes I have experienced with other Android phones are almost nonexistent here; the only place I see delays with any regularity is when switching to or from the 3D features and apps, when there is considerable graphic gear-shifting going on.

LG has produced a short video to explain the advantages of the processor architecture of the Optimus 3D. It may seem a but corny, but it does give an understandable explaination:

http://youtu.be/NnHykOcWKAg

�LG believes that smart phones are just like manufacturing plants.� Cute. ;-)

Note that it�s Android 2.2, Froyo, that is powering the Optimus 3D; not the latest and the greatest, but still a solid and proven mobile operating system. Most of the other Android devices that I have recent experience with are Froyo-based too, so over all it it gives me a good basis for comparison. LG says that there will be an Android 2.3 update for the Optimus 3D, which will be welcome, but the timeline on these sort of updates is rarely speedy or predictable, so it�s hard to be too expectant about that.

Battery Life

I haven�t done and hard scientific testing of the Optimus 3D�s battery longevity, but my day-to-day experience with it has been very satisfactory. I find that it can easily last for a full day of general usage. I do try to remember to turn of mobile data, GPS and WiFi when I am not actively using them, however, on days when I have forgotten to do this for several hours, it has yet to suddenly reward me with an unexpected shutdown; a very pleasing outcome. But there have certainly been days when the battery was down to it�s last leg by evening time.

Of course that is for average use; heavier data usage or a lot of game playing will make the need for a mid-day top-up much more likely. Additionally, using the the 3D features consumes power much more rapidly, and playing one of the 3D games continuously isn�t going to last you more than a couple of hours, at best. (But then you should be giving your eyes a break more than that anyway, shouldn�t you?)

Overall, the battery life of the Optimus 3D is quite acceptable, even a bit better than I expected for such a powerful and graphics-capable phone. I�ve certainly experience poorer endurance on more modestly equipped phones. Additionally, my friend Mali states that he�s has gotten 3 days of usage on a single from the Optimus 3D when he restricted it to 2G data usage only. That�s something I�ll have to try. (See his initial review of the Optimus 3D here: ZOMG! : Review: LG Optimus 3D's Tri-Dual Technology )

Below are some videos that I took of the LG Optimus 3D running some basic benchmark tests:

http://youtu.be/5BN3tF0tDHI

http://youtu.be/mWeHlCXAL20

LG Optimus 3D Android Phone: First Impressions

DaddyBird — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 13:41:34 GMT

(I've been given the LG Optimus 3D and asked to blog about it. Pretty easy to do so and to even say nice things about it because I really like it. Easily the best Android device I have tried so far.)

I've been looking forward to trying out the LG Optimus 3D. LG makes great phones and their implementations of Android tend to be quite pleasing and comparatively clutter-free. I had the LG Optimus One for several weeks and really loved it; even though it's a low-end Android phone, it is a delight to use and very capable. Based on that, I expected a great experience from a top-of-the-line phone like the Optimus 3D, and so far it seems to deliver in great form.

The Optimus 3D looks and feels great. It's a fairly large phone and has some heft to it, but it's not overly heavy or unwieldy; it handles very nicely, which is due in no small part to the excellent texturing covering it's back panel. It's the best balance between smooth and grip-able in a surface that I've yet seen on a phone. It has the standard power button at the top, volume buttons on the side and capitative function buttons at the bottom of the screen. I really wish that the function buttons were physical rather than capitative though. I know that all the cool phones are doing capacitive function buttons these days, but my time with the Optimus One confirmed my suspicion that physical buttons are greatly preferable. Oh well, using the Optimus 3D is delightful and natural otherwise. The dual cameras on the back of the phone give it a different look that is very obvious. Included on-board memory storage is ample at 8GB, and additional MicroSD storage up to 32GB is supported.

The 4.3 inch touchscreen looks terrific and performs well, with the formidable engine backing it up: dual-core 1Ghz processor, dual memory and dual data channels, or "Tri-dual" architecture as LG calls it. It's arguably the most powerful phone currently available, and it shows in the snappy all-around performance, even in graphics intensive games. Speaking of which, that gets us to the most obvious feature of the phone, the 3D capabilities.

Now, 3D is the hot 'new' technology that absolutely no consumer that I have come into contact with is clamouring for, but that every tech company wants oh-so-dearly to push as the latest got-to-have it feature. Like most people I can take or leave 3D, so it was the feature of the phone that I least concerned about. However, the Optimus 3D actually performs its 3D function quite impressively. This is "glasses free" 3D of the sort exhibited by the Nintendo 3DS and others. In appearance, it resembles old-fashioned 3D picture postcards you might have seen once upon a time, but it generally looks a good deal better. It does, however, include noticeable vertical lines when in use and a slight reduction in quality of image compared to the brilliant 2D mode of the screen. Still the fact alone that this screen can readily switch back and forth between 3D and quality 2D imaging is itself impressive.
The 3D functionality comes in to play in several functions. The viewing 3d movies and pictures is the most obvious offering, but in addition the dual cameras allow for capturing one's own 3D content. These can also be shared and viewed on other 3D-capable devices. Also there are several 3D games and apps included on the phone as well. The games included are first person shooter 'Nova', racing game 'Asphalt 6', 'Let's Golf 2' and an interactive popup book of 'Guliver's Travels'. I'm not a big player of shooting and driving games, but 'Nova' and 'Asphalt 6' both are pretty impressive examples of what the Optimus 3D can do, delivering good gaming experience and immersive environments. I've played 'Let's Golf 2' on other platforms quite a bit, and find this version just as enjoyable, although I'm not convinced that it benefits from the 3D aspect very much.

Included on the phone is 'LG World', an app store provided by LG, listing apps specifically compatible with the Optimus 3D, including some additional 3D offerings. I downloaded 'Archercraft', a pleasant little game involving firing arrows at various attacking creatures, shooting gallery style. It's pretty fun, though it seems odd that the aiming of the arrows is absolutely linear. In an additional bit of irony- and one that may be very telling about 3D technology- it is the apps that present animated 2D images- 'Guliver's Travels' and 'Archercraft'- that seem to benefit the most from the 3D imaging technology, much more than the 3D rendered games.

While the Optimus 3D does a surprisingly good job of serving up 3D content, it's hard to recommend the phone on those merits; two reasons loom large for this, the first being that most people don't look on 3D very favourably, as any asserted entertainment benefit is, in the vast majority of cases, accompanied by some degree in discomfort on the part of the user, with some declaring that they cannot bear it for any length of time at all. Additionally, as with other 3D devices, the Optimus 3D itself serves up warnings against extended viewing of the the 3D features it offers. It's a bit difficult to take seriously a technology that by necessity tells you up front, "For your own comfort, please don't use me very long."

So I have to say that I like the LG Optimus 3D very much and expect to be very happy with it in the long run. But really I think it should be looked upon not primarily for its 3D features. It's best to think of it as a really terrific and capable high-end smart phone, possibly the best on the market today, that also offers fun 3D features as an entertaining bonus- when used in moderation.

More thoughts on specific features and capabilities of the LG Optimus 3D to come.

Here's a 3D video taken with the LG Optimus 3D. (Yeah, properly equipped device/glasses needed to view it.)

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Radio 2011-06-14

Magnus — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 08:39:10 GMT

Click here to download and listen to the show.

NASA bringing iPhone 4 to space

Windows Phone 7 said to make big come back by 2015

IPv6 day

Asus Eee Pad Transformer

Radio 2011-06-06

Magnus — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 05:04:57 GMT

Click here to download and listen to the show.

Microsoft has shown Windows 8

15bn network devices by 2015

Sony hacked again (as PSN is just restored)

HP Pavilion dv6 laptop

Canon Ixus 310 HS compact camera

Radio 2011-05-31

Magnus — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 02:49:51 GMT

Click here to download and listen to the show!

Jobs WWDC keynote to highlight Lion, iOS 5, iCloud

The USB Desktop Aquarium

iPad gaming cabinet

Playbook was announced to start selling June 12, next day changed to June 25

Experience 3M pocket projector and Innovation Center

Iomega Super Hero

Silicon Power 750GB hard drive Stream S10

Sennheiser cx 980i earphones

Samsung series 9 notebook

Radio 2011-05-24

Magnus — Sun, 29 May 2011 06:12:09 GMT

Windows Phone 7.5, coming later "this fall" with "more than 500 new features

BlackBerry PlayBook

Win AMD graphics cards and Dirt 3 games

3M MPro180 projector

Samsung Smart TV

DaddyBird — Thu, 26 May 2011 12:44:32 GMT

The Samsung Smart TV is a very nice TV, but not necessarily that "smart".

Pros:
-Great picture quality. High definition video looks great on it, and it can make lower res video look pretty good too. (Or reveal just how low quality the video really is.)
-Media hub features are built right in. You can plug an external USB hard drive directly into the Samsung Smart TV and play media from it without needing any other device. A pretty welcome feature, although the interface for navigating through files in the drive is pretty clunky and inelegant.
-Internet connectivity means that a lot of content and devices are accessible directly from the TV. It also has a built-in web browser so you can even surf the web with it, although without a keyboard or mouse, that won't be a preferred way of doing so.
-Samsung�s AllShare feature, an implementation of DLNA, makes sharing video, images and music from other similarly equiped devices quite simple. Here's a video in which I stream a video taken on my Samsung Galaxy Tab to the Smart TV:

Cons:
-Apps
One of the main features that is being promoted about Samsung Smart TV is the apps. Yes, like smart phones and tablets Samsung has decided that TVs need dedicated apps too. It seems like an idea with possibilities at first, but they certainly haven't been realised with the in this case. The selection of the apps that are available so far are some of the most minimal that I have ever seen on any device, including low end smart phones, and consists mainly of basic Tetris clones/tile matching games and simplistic social media clients.
An example: the Twitter client only allows for four tweets to be viewable at time on the Smart TV�s giant screen; four super-enlarged tweets at a time, an interesting use of the screen real estate. It also has no function for viewing one�s @ replies, a pretty basic activity when checking one�s Twitter feed. And there are few options for choice or configurability in the client; what has is what you get. This type of minimalism and lack of features is common in all the Smart TV apps that I was able to find, which was only about 30 at the time I was testing it. These aren�t apps that you�d deliberately choose to use, but that you�d only use as a last resort when none other were available.
The lack of a keyboard is very hampering. Having a web browser and Google available isn�t really very useful if you have to spend several minutes punching in the terms you want with the TV�s remote through an on-screen keyboard. And not paricularly pleasant. Updating your Facebook or Twitter status this way? Forget it.
And it�s not just that the device doesn�t come with a keyboard; it is not currently possible to use one with it by connecting it through USB or Bluetooth. When asked why this oversight existed, as Samsung rep said that it was purposeful, because they wanted the Smart TV to be a casual device, not for serious computing. That�s a nice thought, but having features that require fair amounts of text input and not providing a way of easily doing so is not �casual�, it�s frustrating and useless. There is reportedly a new remote coming for the Smart TV that with have a keypad on the back of it for better text input; another half-measure in my view.
There are a few available apps that make sense, but not surprisingly these are aimed at delivering video content, including the ubiquitous YouTube, as well as Daily Motion and others. The Exercise TV app is quite worthwhile, offering a selection of videos demonstrating a variety of workout routines to help guide you in your quest for fitness.
I expect that the quality of apps will improve with time, and hopefully practical input options will be made available. But really the concept needs to be improved. The current concept seems to be, �Hey, lets put apps on the TV too!� What is really needed is apps that make sense for the device, that take advantage of its strengths and extend them.
A much better option than having such apps on a TV is simply to attach a computer with media center software to a good TV, giving you all options you could possibly want for applications, media and accessibility.

-3D TV
I must say that the Samsung Smart TV produces 3D visuals that are the best that I have seen so far. And the 2D-to-3D feature does a very impressive job of taking seemingly any video and transforming it into a 3D image.
But the best 3D visuals I�ve seen so far are still not particularly interesting to me. Why? Because they don�t actually look three dimensional or realistic. Basically even the very best 3D videos greatly resemble a bunch of animated cardboard cutouts moving around on the screen, much like a moving diorama. Not surprising since 3D TV is basically just another visual trick to make 2D images look as if they had depth.
So while the TV manufacturers really, really want to sell me a 3D TV these days, I still don�t have any interest in one.

Final verdict on the Samsung Smart TV: A very nice TV with some great connectivity features, but with major, highly promoted offerings that I don�t find particularly compelling.

Samsung Smart TV apps screen:

Twitter Client for Samsung Smart TV:

Facebook Client for Samsung Smart TV:

Exercise TV app:

Dear Flash, I take it all back. Please don�t go away!

DaddyBird — Sun, 22 May 2011 11:21:55 GMT

(This post originally appeared in the May 2011 issue of Macworld Middle East magazine, in my "Mac Compatible" column.)

Yes, I know that I stated my dislike for Adobe�s Flash technology in the past- or more specifically for the way it is used and often abused. But that�s all changed; I�ve had an epiphany.

While it may not seem like Flash is going anywhere soon, considering it�s wide usage on the web and huge installed base, there have been some signs of a change in the tide of the Apple vs. Adobe scuffle over Flash.

Since the huge success and popularity of the iPad, there have been an increasing request from those seeking the design or updating of their websites for sites that will be compatible and viewable on Mobile Safari on Apple�s tablet and iPhones. This of course means a movement away from Flash for for many sites. (Or at the very least a site that will detect the iOS browser and have an appropriate version to offer.)

And the explosive growth of iOS devices has brought about another significant development: recently Adobe itself has made an interesting concession in the battle over Flash by adopting Apple�s HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) technology as an optional protocol for their Flash Media Server, This will allow the streaming of video from the Server to iOS devices and non-Flash enabled Macs, as well as other platforms that may take advantage of HLS, which Apple has proposed as a possible Internet standard.

It may not be especially soon, but as HTML5 is more thoroughly developed and grows as a standard, it will make gains on Flash in real world implementation. It is expected that it�s lack of need for a separate run-time layer will mean better performance than Flash. And of course HTML5 won�t require a plug-in to run in a browser. No plug-in, no extra fuss or updating of the player, just fire up your favorite standards-compliant web browser and enjoy the latest in rich web content!

Ah, no plugin. Thinking about that is how I had my epiphany. I realized that there is something that I like about Flash: that I can easily block it. Or I can just not install it in the first place. In the battle between deluded, over-zealous web designers and my desire to not waste time and resources, that is a major boon; I can evade the confrontation entirely. Or I can have it both ways: for one browser, I don�t install flash at all, for another I install it, but the a Flash blocker so it only loads if I say so.

But if Flash ever get entirely replaced by HTML5 that is built-in to the major browsers, avoiding overly adorned web sites may be much more difficult, if not impossible. Perhaps some browsers will offer ways of managing what and how much of a page�s content is loaded, but the trend has long been away from such end user customization.

For instance, in the early days of the web, when bandwidth was sparse and expensive, it was quite common for web browsers to have an option to prevent the automatic loading of images, and controls available to then load them manually if one so desired, allowing for great savings in bandwidth and time when surfing. Such control over the loading of images has become much less common in browsers as bandwidth availability has improved.

So as things stand now, I don�t have to endure the super special slideshow that seemingly every company on the web seems to think is necessary for me to fall in love with their business. I don�t have to load �must-see� videos until I�m good and ready and desperate to lose a few IQ points. But if Flash truly becomes a has-been, will I have the option of avoiding all the computer-cycle-wasting dreck that clutters up so much of the web? Perhaps so, but the experience of the past doesn�t make me very hopeful.

Dear Apple: Thanks For the Tables, But...

DaddyBird — Sun, 22 May 2011 11:20:56 GMT

(This post originally appeared in the April 2011 issue of Macworld Middle East magazine, in my "Mac Compatible" column.)

Perhaps you caught some of the hubbub over the alleged �First Apple Store in the UAE� recently. (NO, it had absolutely nothing to do with any REAL official Apple Store opening.)
Another publisher- who shall not be named- asserted that they had been told by Virgin Megastore that Virgin would be opening the first Apple Store in the region inside the Virgin Megastore location at the Mall of the Emirates. It was, of course, obvious that there was something inaccurate about this report. An Apple Store is opened and run by Apple, not by Virgin.

The story was soon corrected, complete with a statement from Apple Europe that what was being installed at Virgin Megastore was certainly not an Apple Store, but was something called an �Apple shop� and would be staffed by �Mac Solutions Consultants�, and not official �Geniuses�.

This really cleared up nothing. The Virgin Megastores in the region already had attractive, well stocked sections of their stores which were dedicated to Apple products, and their employees in these sections were generally considered quite helpful and knowledgeable by most. How exactly would this not-an-Apple-Store be an improvement over Virgin�s existing offering?
Well, except for the denials and the hazy clarification, nobody was really talking. Even a trip to the Virgin Megastore at the Mall of the Emirates was fruitless. The staff offered their obviously uninformed guesses, but when a manager finally appeared he was mum, saying, �Wait and see; it will be a surprise.�

When the day came, the surprise was interesting, if rather underwhelming. An area of the Apple section of the store had been redecorated and newly furnished in a way that did very much resemble an official Apple Store. The Macs were now displayed on simple, attractive wooden tables, which was accented by cushioned black flooring and, yes, a wooden bar at the back with a black wall behind it bearing glowing Apple logos and a screen playing various Apple promotional videos. It was as if Steve Job�s own elves had transformed the place overnight, at least cosmetically.

And in a way they did; reportedly it was Apple itself that had helped to provide the oh-so-recognizable fixtures that had been installed. It has been said that with Apple finally setting up its first office in the region in Abu Dhabi, it has taken an interest in the presentation of its products and worked with the regional distributor, Arab Business Machine, and the local retailers to bring about these transformations, which have been appearing in many other outlets as well, including Jumbo and Plug-ins.

Hopefully this is a sign of continued and growing direct involvement by Apple in the way its products are sold and serviced in this region. Very hopefully, in fact. Because in the hype and confusion surrounding the bungled revelation of the �first Apple shop in the Middle East�, there were quite a few hopes and expectations expressed by local Apple fans. However, to the best of my remembrance, not one said, �I hope this means there will be wooden tables,� or �What we really need here is a bit of remodelling.�

No, the greatest hopes expressed were the ones that anybody could guess: lower prices and better warranty service. Neither of which were a part of this recent transformation, aside from a temporary 10% discount offered by Virgin Megastore on the occasion of of the opening of their �Apple shop�.

It is argued by some that lower prices are not really possible here, since officially sanctioned Apple products in the region currently have to come through Apple Europe to get here, and that involves additional costs. But reality tells a different tale. Prices are so high here that for most Apple products it is cheaper to purchase them in the US and pay the extra expense of having them shipped here individually than to buy one locally. And there are several grey market retailers here that buy their stock from the US and manage to resell it here at prices that are only slightly higher than in the States. If they or any one of us can manage to beat the official pricing in this way, then surely the mighty commercial machine that is Apple, along with its partners, could do so as well.

If they wanted to.

Ignore the Man in Front of the Curtain

DaddyBird — Sun, 22 May 2011 11:19:40 GMT

(This post originally appeared in the March 2011 issue of Macworld Middle East magazine, in my "Mac Compatible" column.)

Apple�s March 2nd event brought a number of eagerly anticipated announcements, but the main surprise by far was the presence of Steve Jobs himself. Having once again put himself on medical leave, Steve�s presence at the event couldn�t be assumed, and there was considerable approval when he appeared on stage as the things kicked off. His presence, assuming his usual role as emcee and ringmaster of an Apple presentation, seemed to give many the assurance that all was right in Apple�s world

When his latest medical leave was announced the usual questions arose among the industry commentators as to whether Apple could survive without its charismatic chief. Jobs has long been almost solely credited for Apple�s success over the last decade; without him, the question is asked, can the company possibly survive?

I think that it certainly can, because even though a lot of attention is given to Steve himself, there�s a lot more to what makes Apple the company that it is.

Certainly, Steve deserves a great deal of credit for what Apple has achieved since his return. During his tenure the company has gone from a struggling technology also-ran to being an industry leading force in computing, consumer tech and digital entertainment. But while his leadership and salesmanship have been significant forces in the transformation, that is not nearly the entire story of Apple�s rise. Much as with the Wizard of Oz, the real story is what�s happening �behind the curtain�. Behind Steve there are two main groups that make Apple�s success possible.

First and foremost there are the many designers and programmers that create all those industry leading products. Steve is may be a showman, even a �visionary�, but he�s no engineer. Fortunately Apple has a lot of great engineers, many of the best in the business. They�re the ones who come up with many of the new ideas, designs and prototypes that become the devices and programs we love, and bring to life the concepts and directives passed down to them by Steve and his fellow executives. Apple has long maintained a culture that lets these people shine, and continuing to do so will help them stay at the head of the industry.

Secondly, it�s important to note that Steve doesn�t helm the ship that is Apple alone. He�s part a Board of Directors that is very forward thinking. The fact that they let a guy whose primary attire is blue jeans and a black turtleneck run the company is an indicator that they �think different�. They, along with the rest of Apple�s executives, are at least as important as Steve is in establishing the vision and focus for the company. Steve can have great ideas- or recognize great ideas from elsewhere- but it takes a consensus of this group being of the same mind and foresight to make it happen.

So while Mr. Jobs' role in the company has been highly influential, even critical to Apple�s success, it�s important to remember that Apple is a very large team, and could not have attained what it has without multiple talented and visionary people.

As indication of this, It is worth noting at the end of the iPad 2 event, Steve himself took a moment to bring attention to and thank that team; the engineers, the executives and the many others that brought the products revealed from concept to market.

It is certainly hoped that Steve�s health improves, and that he can be actively involved in captaining the Apple team for many years to come. But as he himself has pointed out, it�s not at all a one man act.

Killing the iPad

DaddyBird — Sun, 22 May 2011 11:17:41 GMT

(This post originally appeared in the February 2011 issue of Macworld Middle East magazine, in my "Mac Compatible" column.)

It�s been pretty amusing monitoring the coverage of the January�s annual International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and beginning-of-the-year tech news in general. The buzz consistently been that, �Tablets are HOT!!� That�s one way of putting it. A more accurate way is, of course, �The iPad is hot, and now every other tech manufacture wants to try to copy its success.� CES was awash with planned tablets from every conceivable manufacturer, many offering multiple models.

One might remember that at tablet were also �hot� at last year�s CES, with numerous �coming soon� tablets on display. Microsoft and HP made waves with their concept for tablets. This was all just before the revelation of the iPad, of course. A year later and almost all the tablets of 2010�s CES have faded from memory unrealized, while Apple has sold over 14 million iPads. Clearly it is the iPad that is hot.

Some might point to the �success� of Samsung�s Galaxy Tab as evidence of a wider tablet groundswell, but even though the Galaxy Tab beat even Samsung�s sales projections, selling over a million in just a couple of months, but that�s still just a pale reflection of the sales pace set by the iPad.

And the Galaxy Tab didn�t succeed on it�s own merits. Although a useful device, it is, unfortunately, a mediocre product. It actually succeeded base on two external factors. First, there was a large number of people that were anxious to finally have an Android based tablet. Secondly, there were many people who wanted any tablet, as long as it wasn�t an Apple product. (There is, of course, some overlap between these two groups.) Still this only gave Samsung a fraction of the success that Apple achieved with the iPad.

So, will this year end up following last year�s pattern when it comes to the tablet landscape? Probably not. With the rumored improvements in the next edition of the iPad, Apple will like continue to keep a strong lead in the market, but there are finally going to be some truly interesting competitors. New developments are going to make this a little more of a horse race.

New processors are going to make the competing tablets very powerful, while minimising power consumption. Leading this pack is Nvidia�s Tegra 2 chipset with a dual-core processor. Alos there�s the upcoming release of Android 3.0, which is meant for tablet devices and appears to have some very attractive new features. Tablets such as Motorola�s Xoom and Asus' Eee Pad will have both of these, making them the most interesting of the coming lot.

But on top of Apple�s huge head start, these worthy competitors still have some other hurdles to overcome is the tablet race. First, there�s apps; even with Android Market threatening to catch up with Apple�s App Store in number of available apps, there is still a large gap in quality and breadth of apps available. This isn�t a complete deal-breaker, but it does make for some lowering of the attraction of the platform.

Secondly, there�s battery life. One of the iPad�s greatest features is it�s terrifically long battery life. (How common is it for a product to live up to and even exceed the manufacturers assertions on battery life?) The Tegra 2 of similar processors should go a long way in facilitating this, but Android is going to have to help hold up it�s end of the bargain. Androids vaunted �full multitasking� means that one can unknowingly end up with with a surprisingly long list of apps and services lurking in the background. (Can Android programmers PLEASE start uniformly including quit/exit features in their apps, so we users can stop having to install other programmers� task killers to shut them down??) Hopefully, Android 3.0 will have some better management built-in to improve on this.

I, for one, am very much looking forward to the new �iPad killers�. As a lover of technology, I�ll be happy to have another great tablet to add to my collection. And the competition is only going to keep Apple working harder to stay ahead of the rest.

Winner: you and I.