Simon Barker » Technology

Apple iPad – My Current Pre-Launch Thoughts

Simon Barker — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:41:12 +0000

We recently saw Steve Jobs unveiling the much rumoured and long awaited Apple tablet device which has been announced as the iPad – and that’s just where the opinions start. Some people think that the iPad name makes sense, keeps in line with the iPod branding, but leaves it open to lots of different uses, whilst others think it’s now a bland name and uninspiring.

This tablet device will come in mobile broadband internet and Wifi-only versions with different amounts of storage capacities, all of which will have an impressive battery-life of around 10 hours, including while browsing the web or playing HD video, so this could well replace many people’s need for a netbook computer, especially when travelling or sat on the sofa at home.

The iPad itself is no real revolution, it’s more of an evolution as it’s essentially an enlarged iPod Touch which a 9.7″ screen that runs a modified version of the iPhone operating system with wifi or 3G options available. What that also means is that current contents of the Apple App Store (all 140,000 apps) are able to run on this device straight away, with developers now being able to create specific iPad apps.

One of the main uses of the iPad looks to be as an eBook reader, which even includes a great way of moving pages, you literally flick between them like a book – is this the end of the buying the Kindle 2 in the UK, Europe and everywhere else?? You’ve also got to wonder about the timing of recently being able to buy a Kindle DX in the UK and Europe? Did Amazon see this coming and wanted to cash in on their e-book reader product while they still could?

The big question everyone must be asking is whether the Apple iPad will be the stylish netbook and Kindle replacement?

Or is it a product trying to solve a problem that doesn’t exist? Other than giving Apple fanboys another product to eagerly spend their money on? If you want a device that is this kind of size, wouldn’t you prefer to not be locked into the “Apple App Store Ecosystem” and for the same kind of money just get one of the best netbooks out there which would allow you to do more?

With the Apple iPad comes a whole host more opportunities and possibilities, there’s lots more to find out about this tablet device yet with many people having an opinion, do you think this type of tablet device is going to change the way we do things in all walks of life? Or do we not really need an iPad tablet device?

Apple iPad – My Current Pre-Launch Thoughts is a post from: Simon Barker

Google Chrome OS Announced

Simon Barker — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:04:07 +0000

Its been around 9 months since the introduction of Google Chrome browser – and it looks like Google is about to get a new addition to the ‘Chrome’ range, in the form of a full operating system. Google Chrome OS, an open source lightweight operating system is designed to be a natural extension of Google Chrome built with the web in mind.

Google describes speed, simplicity and security as the key aspects of Chrome OS with a heavy influence from the Chrome browser. A minimal user interface OS that Google claim will power computers from netbooks to full sized desktops that run x86 (including Intel’s netbook friendly atom processors) and ARM chips – initially targeting netbooks. Google have said they’re working with OEM’s to bring netbooks running Google Chrome OS available to consumers in the second half of 2010.

What about Android?

Google hopes Chrome OS and Android can work independently from each other and state “While there are areas where Google Chrome OS and Android overlap, we believe choice will drive innovation for the benefit of everyone, including Google”.

Google will certainly be welcomed in the OS market and it’ll be interesting to see how this browser will compete against the likes of Windows 7, OSX and the numerous existing Linux options.

Jamie Walshe

Via – Google Blog

Google Chrome OS Announced is a post from: Simon Barker

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mp3\47s

Simon Barker — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 15:10:13 +0000

Do you like to listen to an mp3? I sure do, whether it’s just 47s or 15mins in length!

I don’t know about you but ever since I started downloading mp3′s many years ago I’ve never bought a physical music CD since, what does this mean for consumers, it means that people can enjoy their music on many digital devices, whether it’s their mp3 player such as an iPod, listening in the car with an FM transmitter or even using these mp3′s as mobile phone ringtones, whether they are 5s or 47s or even 3mins in length!

You can also listen to your music on your computer set up at home using mp3 player software such as the Apple’s free iTunes 8 software.

Anyway, I think this digital form of music is great and mp3′s, be they 47s (a ringtone) or 15mins (a meatloaf song) in length are brilliant ways of storing and playing music!

mp3\47s is a post from: Simon Barker

3G Sim Cards

Simon Barker — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:39:48 +0000

Once upon a time there was only one 3G sim card you could get, namely a free 3 sim card from 3 Mobile which promised broadband-like speeds for internet browsing/downloads, video conferencing and even VOIP calls from the likes of Skype (free Internet-based calls).

3rd generation mobile phone networks are well and truly upon us after so many years of being promised – between 2001-2004 I heard loads about these from lecturers at university, but nothing happened, it does seem like it has taken an age to arrive!

However, as the various mobile networks have improved their infrastructure here in the UK, now you can get 3G sim cards on a variety of mobile phone networks across the country, obviously you’re limited by your location, don’t expect high-speed broadband if you live up on the moors miles from civilization, but in the main I’m really impressed by the rate of up-take by UK mobile networks, especially when you read about the networks abroad such as Virgin Mobile.

Click here for a free 3G Sim Card!

If you’re in need of a 3G sim card (and who isn’t these days?), then I suggest you take a look at the following offers for free SIM cards:

3G Sim Cards is a post from: Simon Barker

Nokia Sim Card

Simon Barker — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:14:42 +0000

There is no such thing as a specific Nokia sim card, however I’ve used quite a few different Nokia mobile phones over the years and you can use any Pay As You Go (PAYG) sim card you like since mobile phone sim cards are of a universal format. Therefore if you’ve had any sim card in the past, you’ve had one that would work as a Nokia sim card.

The only issue there might be is if your mobile phone has been sim card “locked” to a single mobile network – this typically happens when you get a nokia mobile from a specific network (especially on a contract), obviously this is to try and retain customers on their network by stopping them putting rival sim cards in the mobile.

In this case, you would only be able to use PAYG free sim cards from the same network, unless you can get your Nokia mobile unlocked and use an alternative network.

If you need a Nokia sim card, then I suggest you take a look at the following free SIM card offers:

Nokia Sim Card is a post from: Simon Barker

Free Sim Card Offers

Simon Barker — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:05:08 +0000

I’ve been highlighting some free sim card offers for a while now over on my main Zath! blog. The great thing about these offers is that they are free sim cards that would usually cost you money to buy, but in these cases, you can get them for free!

So all you need to do is follow these links and then click the appropriate link to get a free sim card to put in your mobile – no more having your hands tied with a contract for you!

Check them out if free sim cards sound like something that could interest you. Hope you find that useful!

Free Sim Card Offers is a post from: Simon Barker