Summary of Steve Jobs at D8
Thought I’d post a quick summary of key remarks by Steve Jobs at D8, courtesy Engadget’s live coverage1.
Regarding Foxconn Suicides:
Steve: It’s a factory — but my gosh, they have restaurants and movie theaters… but it’s a factory. But they’ve had some suicides and attempted suicides — and they have 400,000 people there. The rate is under what the US rate is, but it’s still troubling.
Steve: We had this in my hometown of Palo Alto, copy cat suicides.
Regarding Search:
Walt: So last year we had a company called Siri, a search company…
Steve: They’re not a search company. They’re an AI company. We have no plans to go into the search business. We don’t care about it — other people do it well.
Regarding Press:
Steve: Well I think the foundation of a free society is a free press. And we’ve seen what’s happening to papers in the US right now. I think they’re really important. I don’t want to see us descend into a nation of bloggers. I think we need editors now more than ever.
Steve: I can tell you as one of the largest sellers of content on the internet to date — price it aggressively and go for volume. That has worked for us. I’m trying to get the press to do the same thing. They need to do it differently than they do it for print.
Steve: I think people are willing to pay for content. I believe it for music and video, and I believe it for the media.
Regarding Interaction with Computing Devices:
Steve: People laugh at me when I say it’s magical… but something has been stripped away and removed between you and the computer…
Regarding Pulitzer-winning Cartoon Censorship:
Steve: Yes… and political cartoons got caught in that. We didn’t think of that. So this guy submits his app and he gets rejected. We didn’t see that coming. So we changed the rule, but this guy never resubmitted… then he wins a Pulitzer Prize, and he says we rejected him. So, we are guilty of making mistakes. We’re doing the best we can, we’re learning as fast as we can — but we thought this rule made sense.
Steve: We’re doing the best we can, we’re fixing mistakes. But what happens is — people lie. And then they run to the press and tell people about this oppression, and they get their 15 minutes of fame. We don’t run to the press and say “this guy is a son of a bitch liar!” — we don’t do that.
Steve: 95% (of app submissions) are approved within 7 days…
Regarding Gizmodo:
Steve: Well a guy… who can say if he’s a journalist.
Steve: The person who took the phone plugged it into his roommates computer. And this guy was trying to destroy evidence… and his roommate called the police. So this is a story that’s amazing — it’s got theft, it’s got buying stolen property, it’s got extortion, I’m sure there’s some sex in there (huge laughs)… the whole thing is very colorful. The DA is looking into it, and to my knowledge they have someone making sure they only see stuff that relates to this case. I don’t know how it will end up.
Steve: You know, when this whole thing with Gizmodo happened, I got advice from people who said ‘you gotta just let it slide, you shouldn’t go after a journalist just because they bought stolen property and tried to extort you.’ And I thought deeply about this, and I concluded the worst thing that could happen is if we change our core values and let it slide. I can’t do that. I’d rather quit.
Regarding TOS Change for Analytics:
Q: You changed your TOS on analytics — do you want to own that for developer’s data?
A: Well we learned this really interesting thing. Some company called Flurry had data on devices that we were using on our campus — new devices. They were getting this info by getting developers to put software in their apps that sent info back to this company! So we went through the roof. It’s violating our privacy policies, and it’s pissing us off! So we said we’re only going to allow analytics that don’t give our device info — only for the purpose of advertising. But you can’t get info off of our devices and turn around and sell it. That you can’t do… is that clear?
Q: It is, but there is vital info there that could make apps better…
A: That’s true… but there’s no excuse for them not asking customers if it’s okay to send that data. We’re willing to talk to some of these people when we calm down… but it’s not today.
Regarding DRM-ed Content:
Q: I bought the movie Up on DVD, it had a digital download. I put it on my iPad. I hooked up my VGA adapter and tried to play it… but I couldn’t because of HDCP. Can you tell me how you’re helping with this?
A: We didn’t invent this stuff…
Q: But you did deploy it…
A: Well the content creators are trying to protect this stuff, and they’re grabbing at straws. Sometimes they grab the right ones, and sometimes they don’t. If we want access to this stuff, we have to play by some of their rules. I feel your pain.
Regarding TV:
Q: Hi, I’m from Hillcrest Labs… do you think it’s time to throw out the interface for TV? When will Apple do something there?
A: The problem with innovation in the TV industry is the go to market strategy. The TV industry has a subsidized model that gives everyone a set top box for free. So no one wants to buy a box. Ask TiVo, ask Roku, ask us… ask Google in a few months. So all you can do is ADD a box to the TV. You just end up with a table full of remotes, a cluster of boxes… and that’s what we have today. The only way that’s going to change is if you tear up the set top box, give it a new UI, and get it in front of consumers in a way they’re going to want it. The TV is going to lose in our eyes until there is a better go to market strategy… otherwise you’re just making another TiVo.
Q: In the phone area you were able to partner with a carrier… would you do that with TV?
A: Well then there’s a problem, providers are local… it’s a Tower of Babel problem…
I hate Facebook. I hate their constant changes to UI without adequate customer feedback. I can’t stand the deteriorating usability they introduce with each update. The frequent updates to the terms of service force me to give up more control over my data each update. The usability of their account and privacy controls are absolutely appalling. The cavalier attitude of their young and immature upper management toward their customers is disgusting. The way they introduce changes to access levels/privacy settings and open up their client data is disgusting.
I don’t trust Facebook. Never have, and never will. Unfortunately, with their actions they’ve lowered my trust from minimal levels to less than zero.
Unfortunately, they’ve got me by the cajones. Their client base includes my connections. I have to decide whether my distrust of Facebook is great enough to sever my easy access of up to date information from those close to me. How important is that data to me?
Read MoreiPad Tethering
As you’re no doubt aware, Steve Jobs indicated1 before the launch of the iPad that tethering to an iPhone would not be a supported feature. True to his word, my WiFi-only iPad does not tether via Bluetooth to the iPhone (as a matter of fact, they won’t pair at all). Unfortunately for me, I’ve sold my laptop. This means I can no longer tether the iPhone’s 3G connection to the laptop and set up an ad hoc WiFi network for the iPad to connect to.
Fortunately the Spirit jailbreak2 tool was released just after the launch of the 3G iPad this past weekend. The Spirit jailbreak uses a common exploit to the iPad and iPhone to jailbreak, and consequently, I was able to jailbreak my iPhone 3GS running the latest firmware/baseband. I installed MyWi3 a tethering application that goes beyond Apple’s Bluetooth/USB tethering to provide tethering via WiFi, similar to the Verizon MiFi. I set up a WiFi network and password protected it. Thanks to the iPad’s network memory feature, every time I launch MyWi, it starts the protected network, and the iPad automatically connects. Smooth and seamless.
The only problem I’ve had with this setup is the bandwidth usage. In 40 minutes I used up 33Mb down and 6.5 up. This was just doing basic web browsing, email, and a speed test. I don’t know how tenable this usage is on my 6GB/mo plan.
Here’s a screenshot of my bandwidth up and down in Toronto on Rogers 3G network.
Why IT Pros Should Study Design and UX
This may sound like a weird idea coming from someone who thinks with the right half of their brain, but I think technology professionals need to study design principles and user experience (UX). Far too often IT pros fail to grasp and/or appreciate how the technology on which they are working impacts the end user. This results in upset clients, clients who (rightly so) feel that the technician attempting to fix their issue or help them implement a new project does not understand their ‘problem’. In turn, the tech feels that the user is ignorant and doesn’t appreciate how complex the task they are doing really is. This communication barrier begins to circle, and eventually you are left with two groups of people who do not trust or understand each other, and yet are forced to interact. This does not build good client relations.
The reason I suggest that IT pros study design principles is so that they learn to appreciate the ‘user-level’ features for what they are, not dismissing them as merely useless pieces of eye-candy. When a tech can look at an object or interface, and not allow their ‘function over form’ mentality to get the better of them, they can better relate to how the user will experience the interface. When the tech appreciates on some level what the user appreciates, understanding between the two parties can grow.
Hand-in-hand with the previous point, IT pros should also study user interface experience. By beginning to understand how to implement or at least structure a good user experience, the eyes are opened to a new perspective on how the world functions. Studying and ingraining good UX principles in the core of the tech’s mentality will drastically shift how they approach their users, and how they approach the potential technologies to be implemented.
Now, you may ask why I’m suggesting the actual techs learn these things instead of just ensuring that the head folks know and understand these things. I’m a firm believer in the ancient Greek holistic approach to education. However, beyond that, I think that while the head of the body is responsible for the rest of a person’s functionality, when the whole body is trained and tuned to the same level, the performance level of the particular body jumps exponentially. Consequently, new and previously unattainable heights can be reached.
If you’re interested in some design oriented websites, check out these for examples (mostly centered around web design):
Smashing Magazine: http://www.smashingmagazine.com
Noupe: http://www.noupe.com
Net-Tuts: http://net.tutsplus.com
Thoughts on the iPad
On April 3rd I, along with many other Canadians made the trip down to the Walden Galleria Apple Store in Buffalo, New York. I was too excited about the iPad to care that I was waiting in line for the first version of a new technology product. I for one hate shopping in general, and find it distasteful to wait in line. I also feel that it is silly to wait in line for a new product on the day it launches. Waiting a few days till the lineups are gone seems much more sensible to me. Yet, the lure of the iPad served to overcome my sensibilities, and at 10AM on April 3rd I was at the Apple Store waiting in line.
I refused to write a review on the iPad in the first week. In my mind, the iPad is a paradigm shifting technology. Until I’d used the iPad for a few weeks, I did not feel I could provide the perspective I feel is important to my readers. Reviewing a new device is like a relationship. All fuzzy feelings for the first little while, then reality hits. I wanted to write a review that was not affected by initial emotions or excitement.
So, without further ado, let me tell you my experience with the iPad.
Battery life. This thing is phenomenal. I have never had another electronic device that did not make me nervous toward the end of a day of use. Even my iPhone 3GS does not provide me with the same sense of security that the device will not die by the end of a day of use. I can even charge the iPad Friday morning, take it up north (always careful with how I use it when away from a charger), and still have 40% battery left. I completely trust the iPad to be charged when I need it.
Convenience. Portability. The iPad has changed the frequency with which I take my computer with me. I rarely take my MacBook Pro from home anymore. I take the iPad everywhere. It’s like carrying a notebook with me, weight-wise. I pick it up off the desk and carry it in my hand. I don’t need a backpack to take my computer with me. This has changed my perspective on using my personal commuting device. It has become a permanent companion, rather than a tool to be utilized when needed. Similar to my iPhone.
I have begun to reevaluate my need for the MacBook Pro. All my data is stored on my Ubuntu mediaserver (hosted on VMware ESXi along with my Windows VM’s). I now utilize the iMac for managing my virtual servers and ESXi. I have Air Video Server installed for streaming movies from the media server to the iPad, and FileBrowser installed for browsing the network files from the iPad. The only real need that I have for the laptop is for import of my photos from my Nikon D40. I’ve begun to question whether I really need the laptop solely for immediate import of my photos. My Aperture 3 library is synced across my backup server, iMac, and laptop. I’ve begun to think that as long as I can wait to import my photos from a weekend out of the city till I get back home, I have no justifiable need for my laptop. I will be continuing to evaluate this over the next month or so, but I’m afraid that the laptop will be going. Never thought I’d say this.
I can extoll the various features of the iPad. However, I feel enough other reviews have done that. This piece is about how the iPad has changed the way I’m using technology. The next posts that I write will likely be shaped from an iPad user’s experience.
Read MoreAdobe Flash
I thought I’d write another short post on my view of Adobe Flash, and why I think there is such a negative reaction to it. We went through a bit of a war over Adobe Flash when the iPhone was originally announced, and I think we’re going through one again, only this time the technology field has changed sufficiently to make an entirely new battle. When the iPhone was originally announced, and Flash support was discovered to be lacking, there was a great deal of outrage. At the time, it was a de facto standard. Since then, web developers have begun to code their websites more and more for non-Flash devices. Major sites like YouTube have developed HTML5 player alternatives for their videos. There is a lot more weight against Adobe to prove why Flash is necessary this time around.
What is Flash used for? In my experience, Flash is generally used for the following:
- Ads
- Games
- Music Players
- Movie Players
- Photo Galleries
Lets look at each one of these categories in a bit more detail.
Ads: Those annoying, flashy (excuse the pun) banners you see on some of the riff-raff sites of the internet. The big, ugly, strong-coloured patches in the websites you visit… generally are Flash. Very few people appreciate Flash ads. As a matter of fact, they were one of the leading instigators in the ad-blocking plugin market.
Games: This I believe is the only category that truly justifies the ‘interactive’ benefit that Flash provides. There is nothing else that remotely comes close to the power of Flash interactivity for web interface games. However, I have a problem with the category. It is generally either children or reclusive adults that tend to play Flash games. The majority of the adult population use the web for information consumption. The majority of children/teenagers will use a dedicated gaming device. I also think that as the iTunes App Store market matures in the gaming category, the majority of users will find much more value in natively coded games.
Music Streaming Another category that Flash is very prevalent in usage. Sites like MySpace, Last.fm, and others tend to use a Flash player by default. The reason for this is that Flash tends to be a very quick, easy to implement solution for music playback and playlist generation. There is nothing else available right now that offers the webmaster anything nearly as easy to implement. Until HTML5 becomes a bit more prevalent, Flash will be used de facto for music playback in the browser. Fortunately for us iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad users, some of these sites have published API’s, and some have their own dedicated app in the iTunes App Store (e.g., Last.fm). Also, the majority of iPod Touch/iPhone/iPad users will have iTunes syncing their music to their device.
Movie Players I would argue that this category would come close to Music Streaming in prevalence of Flash implementation. Unfortunately for Adobe, HTML5 offers a native implementation for movie streaming, via the ‘video’ tag. As HTML5 browsers become more prevalent, and sites like YouTube switch to either a single HTML5 portal, or a dual HTML5/Flash service, Adobe will have a harder time justifying the need for Flash in the Movie Player category.
Photo Galleries As an amateur photographer, I’ve found that the many self-hosted photo gallery solutions for servers are Flash based. However, this is again generally due to laziness on the part of programmers, or because there are a lot of easy, of-the-shelf solutions for the photographers with little computer knowledge. There are many native web coded galleries that work just as well, and are not hard to implement. Unfortunately, the majority of photographers do not have much of a budget for displaying their photos on the web, and generally hire a low-cost (usually inexperienced) web developer to build a photo site for them. There’s no technical justification for using Flash to display a gallery of photos.
Over the next few years, as HTML5 capable browsers become more ubiquitous, and providers start providing dual-service HTML5/Flash streaming, the need for Flash Movie Players will become miniscule. Thanks to the iTunes App Store, the desire for Flash games is swiftly disappearing. As applications like Lightroom and Aperture continue integrating web-publishing, photographers using professional tools for their photos will have less and less need to hire a third-party, inexperience web developer for Photo Galleries. In the end, the only justification for a webmaster to use Adobe Flash is for publishing Ads, and using it as an easy-to-implement Music Streaming player.
Read MoreWes Kroesbergen
Passionate about technology. System Administrator, Amateur Photographer.
