iPad - Looks like some people will not get theirs delivered on Saturday Waiting here in line for my iPad and it is 45 degrees out (Thanks Steve) and I am kept warm by my blankets and the bottom of my MacBook. Last night before I went to sleep my wife asked me why I needed to get on line early, I tried to explain - but she did not get it. However it is per the email below that makes me remember why it is I am in line.  Looks like not all are going to get their iPad's that pre-ordered them for shipment today.  

Hi Rob,

Just got the notice today that UPS will not deliver my iPad until Monday instead of on Saturday.  This in spite of the fact that on the Apple website they guaranteed delivery by April 3rd when I placed my order.

Both Apple and UPS lost credibility with me over this one.  There are three Apple Stores in Honolulu.  I could have and would have gone to any of them to pick up my iPad if Apple had mentioned that delivery to my house was not guaranteed.

Place my vote in the very disappointed column.

Aloha and keep up the great work on your Podcast,

Will B
Honolulu, HI

If you have received notice that your iPad is not being delivered today as promised - please let us know in the comments below.  

Update: 4/3/10 2:03 PM Central  From Will B: 
Hi Rob,

Well, I guess the notification from UPS was just insurance in case they could not make the Saturday delivery, but the UPS truck was at my house by 8:30 AM on Saturday after all, even before the Apple Store opened.  That's more like what I expect from Apple.

Enjoy your iPad.  Look forward to hear yours and the experiences of your listeners.

Aloha,  Will B.


Category:breaking news -- posted at: 6:31am EDT
Comments[0]

iPad Total Cost of Ownership - ATT vs Sprint vs Verizon vs Clear

 
In the weeks leading up to the iPad launch, Verizon,  Sprint and then Clear.com all made announcements, pushes, or even commercials talking about their mobile hot spots to support the iPad or even iPhone in the case of the Sprint Ad.   What none of them are doing is breaking down their costs vs. what it will cost from Apple / AT&T.  But no worries the attached graph breaks down the total cost of ownership for the iPad and a Mobile Data Plan for all 4 options.  


As you can quickly see the cheapest solution is going with Apple / AT&T - which for 3 years is $1000 cheaper to own and operate on AT&T than on Sprint or Verizon.  It is also the most convenient solution as there is no extra hardware to carry around as is required by the other three solutions.  However if you are looking for the fasted connection speed.  Then you will want to look at the 4G (WiMax) solutions from Clear and Sprint.  But note with both Clear and Sprint when you are not on the 4G network - then the data is not unlimited.  You have a 5GB cap on the 3G connection or 300 MB/mo. while off-network roaming. Additional monthly usage over 5GB costs $0.05/MB. You may not use more than 300 MB/mo. while off-network roaming.


My recommendation - If you want the simplest and cheapest solution - hands down go with built in 3G and AT&T.


If you do not want anything to do with AT&T or want the fastest solution then Clear is the next best option.  


But each solution does have it pluses and minuses.  Here they are to help you decide for yourself.


Apple / AT&T:

Pluses: Cheapest solution by a wide margin. Most convenient solution - All in One.  Best for the road warrior that cuts the handles off of tooth brushes to save on weight.  Never any overages if you go with $30 plan. Very easy to turn on and off 3G plan so you can save even more money or even go with the $15 a month plan for very limited bandwidth (250 MB).  


Minuses: If in NY or San Francisco - AT&T - enough said.  Need to wait until late April for your iPad.  


Clear: 

Pluses: Fastest connection speed (same as with Sprint) WiMax.  Cheaper than Sprint and Verizon.  Can go month to month with data plan.  Can use 4G/3G modem also with your laptop when not using iPad. 


Minuses:  Very limited 4G coverage. Data cap on 3G coverage area with $0.05 per MB fee after cap is reached.  Need to buy both a hot spot unit ($140) and a 4G/3G modem ($225) - on top of the iPad - highest up front cost.  


Sprint: 

Pluses: Overdrive is one device ($99) so lower upfront cost vs. Clear.


Minuses: Very limited 4G coverage. Data cap on 3G coverage with $0.05 per MB fee after cap is reached. Most expensive solution.  Over $1000 more than Apple / AT&T solution for first 3 years. 


Verizon: 

Pluses:  MiWi is a single device and cheaper ($50) than the other options. Verizon 3G coverage is the widest of all the options. 


Minuses:  $1000 more over 3 years than AT&T option with a slower connection speed than AT&T 3G.  Data cap of 5 GB per month.  


NOTE: The cheapest solution overall really is just getting the $699 WiFi only iPad and not getting a data plan.  This post is just on comparing the iPad for those that must get a data plan or feel they must get a data plan. 


For more information check out these links:


Apple 


Clear


Sprint


Verizon - MiFi

Verizon - Plans



Category:breaking news -- posted at: 3:39pm EDT
Comments[4]

You know that is a pretty strong title I used - You might say "Rob you are opening yourself up to a libel lawsuit" - but there is one thing about libel - it is not libel if what you say is true.  Wired Magazine had an article this week titled -  Pay to Play: Some iPhone App sites Demand Money for Reviews .  That article is something we have mentioned multiple times on the Today in iPhone Podcast and you know how much I hate sites that do that.  Full and Fair disclosure all the time is a must.  But that is not what this post is about - you can listen to my past shows for my soap box rants on that.  No this article is about something in the Wired Article that really got me mad.  It is the following from the Article.  


"The iPhone App Reviews editor-in-chief Shaun Campbell said he was unaware that his sites writers were requesting payment in exchange for reviews. He explained that the reviewers work autonomously, so he is unsure of how theyre paid by app creators. As of this writing, The iPhone App Reviews About section remains unchanged, stating that fees only apply to expedited app reviews."



See here I have a big issue - as Mr. Cambell is claiming he was unaware of this.  As of March 18th 2010.  However, here is the full Email from Mr. Cambell to me after I called out his site for the same thing back in September 2009.  



From: Shaun Campbell <webmaster@theiphoneappreview.com>

Date: September 22, 2009 2:04:13 AM CDT

To: <todayiniphone@gmail.com>

Subject: Podcast feedback


My name is Shaun Campbell, Im the Editor in Chief of The iPhone App Review.


It has come to my attention that your podcast "Today in iPhone" made a number of (incorrect) assumptions and allegations about theiphoneappreview.com which I would like to address.


I do not deny that there is a charge for a review to be published – just about every other leading iPhone review website charges a fee - most charge more than us - but I fiercely deny the allegation that the reviews are dishonest. The other review websites may refer to the fee as 'an expedition fee' to speed up the process of the review. However you choose to word it, the outcome is the same – the review is being paid for, and we are then no more deserving of your criticism than any of the others. It seemed that the lack of discretion was your main concern - this was not intentional and has since been remedied.


We have a strict policy on the reviews – the developer is purchasing exposure, not a glowing recommendation. I instruct all my authors to write honestly. We have published several reviews in just the past week that have scored ratings of 50% or lower. iDrop Dead was a paid review and scored 4/10 ( Hostile Waters was a paid review and scored 5/10 - there are other examples.


I would appreciate it if you would check your facts before you make such claims in the future. We take pride in having some of the best written and comprehensive iPhone reviews available, and this will continue into the future.


Regards,


Shaun Campbell


Oh but that is not all in February, 2010 the following email was sent out from one of his reporters that he claimed he did not know how they were paid. (Hint - BS)


From: "Nancy" <nancy@theiphoneappreview.com>

Date: February 28, 2010 xx:xx:xx AM CST

To: xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Subject: App Review Opportunity


My name is Nancy Jones, I'm an author at The iPhone App Review  Would you be interested in having your app, xxxxxxxxx, featured and reviewed on the website? The iPhone App Review is a leading online source of iPhone application news and reviews, and with thousands of readers each week, you’ll gain invaluable exposure to a targeted audience of potential customers.

 

We can provide an expedited review on The iPhone App Review for only $25. Our review will provide a permanent direct link to your app on the iTunes store. Additionally, we can link to your corporate website to help with your promotion and sales. Reviews on The iPhone App Review are both comprehensive and honest, and apps will still be judged on merit.

 

Your app looks like it would be a lot of fun and educational as well.  I look forward to testing it. 

 

If you would like us to feature your app, please forward me your iTunes link, preferred website URL, promo code and any supporting images, and I will publish your review within 7 working days. Payment can be forwarded to PayPal ID shaun.p.campbell@xxxxxx.xxx


 

Nancy Jones

Author

The iPhone App Review

 

(xxxxx's added by Today in iPhone to protect all involved - even if one did not deserve protection)


For him in the article on Wired to say he knew nothing about the pay for play and how they were paid is a lie - plain and simple.  He knew it in September when he emailed me - and he definitely knew it in February when the email went out with his pay pal account for payment.  


As I said before do not trust any reviews you read on - the iPhone app review - site or any other site that charges for reviews.  And as a developer don't ever pay for an app review.


I would love to hear your feedback in the comments or call it in for the next show. If you are a listener you know the number. 


Update: 3/20/2010 10:41 AM CT - Mr. Campbell sent me an email threatening legal action if I do not remove the emails above. He claimed they were in violation of Copyright law.  However I claim they fall under the fair use doctrine - as the emails present a counter claim to his public comments in the Wired article and as such provide the public with needed information.  I guess we will let the courts decide.  I don't like being threatened - Mr. Campbell I will NOT remove the emails above.  Mr. Campbell here is something to try - How about full and fair disclosure next to each post where someone paid for the "expedite fee".  


Update: 3/21/2010 9:02 AM CT - Mr. Campbell contacted me to let me know they are now including with each post which ones paid an expedite fee.  As per what we recommended above and in compliance with what the FTC requires.  However he is still threatening us with legal action.  And claiming the following:  "You don’t even have the common decency to reply to criticism, you just post your ramblings where there is no right of reply."  Ummm - How about the comments button below Mr. Campbell? Or calling into my show? 

Category:breaking news -- posted at: 12:00am EDT
Comments[8]

How to Reserve you iPad for pickup at an Apple Store While Apple touted that you could starting today reserve your iPad for pickup at an Apple Store - they sure are not making it easy to find out how to do so.

After waiting on the phone for 25 Minutes with Apple support - They spilled the beans.  Go to http://www.apple.com/retail  to reserve your iPad for pickup.  There is a big section right now for the iPad at the top of the page - if it is not there when you go - here is another link you can try.  

I reserved mine and will be at the Apple store in Leawood for pick up of mine prior to 9:00 AM when they say the iPad will be available.  See attached pic for more info.  
Category:breaking news -- posted at: 9:07am EDT
Comments[2]

A phrase I have quoted before and will quote again is that  "There are lies, Damn Lies and then Statistics." Let me show you what I mean. There was a survey that was done both before and after the iPad was announced of over 1000 random US users of the service doing the report. In the second survey 82% of those contacted had heard of the iPad. Prior to the Jan 27th event only 48% had heard of an Apple Tablet that might be revealed. So Apple grew product awareness from 48% to 82%. Pretty nice.

Lets put the mac market share in perspective. In the 3rd Quarter of 2009 in the US Macs had an 8.8% market share of PC sales. This according to Gartner. That was Apples best market share since the 80's and a slight improvement from the 8.6% market share from the year earlier period.

What if I told you the survey found that of those that had heard of the iPad 11% answered that "I think I would like to buy one" and another 26% said "I'm interested but I need more information before I'd buy one"  or spun another way 37% said they were interested in the iPad and / or wanted to buy one. Over one third that knew of the iPad after the event on the 27th were interested in the iPad. That is really impressive. Even if you took it back to all those that responded 30% were interested in the iPad. That is over 3.5 times the market share Apple currently has with the Mac. That is what the survey said. Those are the facts from the Survey.

If you projected that out to the US population as a whole - Over 31 Million iPads could be sold to those that want one now and another 73.5 Million to others interested or that there is potential demand of over 100 Million iPads in the US alone. Again that is based on the survey numbers. But let me show you some of the headlines for the survey - Starting with the one from the Company Retrevo that actually put this survey together.

Retrevo - "Apple iPad hoopla fails to convince Buyers"

PC World - "iPad study the more you know the less you want one"

CNET - "Survey - Majority of People don't want an iPad"

The NextWeb - "Only 9% to buy iPad? Polling shows weak demand for Apple Tablet"

Yup those are the titles of the blog posts out there all from the same survey data I just spun a different way. I think Apple if they even bothered reading the post from Retrevo was doing cartwheels because 37% or 30% or 11% or even 9% interested in the iPad and / or wanting to get one - is really really good and higher than their current market share for Mac's. Yet Every and I mean Every Post on these results was negative and coming to the conclusion the iPad will be a failure or not a significant player in the market. I think looking at these numbers nothing could be further from the truth. But then again there are Lies, Damn Lies and Blog Post titles from Retrevo.  Comments are welcome below. 

Category:breaking news -- posted at: 12:57am EDT
Comments[0]

The "iPad" is announced officially and you probably already know my thoughts on the name.  Which we will go over along with the iPad itself in Ep 118 which should be out later this evening. But in the mean time here are the bingo card results and also how I did on my speculation of the specs vs. the reality.  Both charts I will go over in detail on Ep 118.

First up is the Bingo card results that shows which rumors were true and which missed. And once again Bingo did not happen.

 

The next chart is how I personally did with my speculation for specs back at the end of December.  

 

And Yes I am getting an iPad - most likely the 64 GB WiFi only version as I already was mentally ready to spend more than that.  

Update: Thanks to John in Mesa AZ for pointing out the error with Bluetooth keyboard support - the iPad does have it.  So changed to green above.  

Category:breaking news -- posted at: 6:18pm EDT
Comments[0]

(Thanks Dave for the heads up)

Well I guess when the company has your last name and your are the CEO you don't worry about spilling the beans and those darn NDA's.  After all you really don't need to worry about those things when on CNBC it's not like anyone is listening.  

Wow is all I can say.  Someone at Valley Wag owes him some money. He even talks about it being based on the iPhone OS. Nice - Think Steve and Company are happy about this one.  

Here is the video of him talking about it back end of the video.

Category:breaking news -- posted at: 5:41pm EDT
Comments[0]

It is less than one week until the Jan 27th Apple event so that means it is time to make available the Bingo Card for you to play along at home.  This one covers most of the big rumors and info, from Inside sources / Industry sources, that are out there for the Tablet, plus a few more for the iPhone OS v4.0 that is likely to be announced. Enjoy.


Category:breaking news -- posted at: 12:45am EDT
Comments[0]

Calling All App Developers - we are introducing a new segment to the Today in iPhone Podcast - it is an elevator Pitch challenge for iPhone Apps.  What we are looking for is a 60 second audio recording by you the developer - talking about your app that is already in the App store. This must be in your voice - no celebrity or guest voices.  You can either record on your iPhone or computer and email to us at:  todayiniphone@gmail.com  or you can call in to 206-666-6364.

Please note it is a hard fast 60 sec limit - at 60:001 - We will cut off any extra audio - even in mid word. 

The Challenge part is we will play your recording along with two other recordings from other developers.  Then ask for listeners to vote by emailing in for a promo code for just one of the three apps.  So your app must be a pay for app and you must supply at least 5 promo codes to participate.  You can supply more promo codes if you like - but to keep from biasing the audience we will say only 5 are available for each app. 

After 7 days from when the segment airs we will count the votes (requests for each promo code) and put up the results in a blog post on the site and also mention on the next episode. 

If you would like to participate - Please send us your recording first.  Do NOT repeat do NOT send the promocodes YET!!! - as they expire and we are only doing 3 Apps per episode.  Once we have you scheduled we will let you know and then follow up a week prior to the airing of the segment for the promo codes. But we must have your recording to schedule you.  Placement in episodes will be based on a first come first serve basis.  No Pay for placement is allowed / possible for this segement. Your ONLY cost is the 5 promo codes and time to make the recording.

Please also send a link to both your iTunes Store page and your website when you send in your recording.  We use your Website link to tag for upcoming show notes so we need both.

When we provide the promo codes to the listeners we will be asking for them to write reviews in iTunes and Blog / tweet about your App.  Plus your app will get mentioned in at least two episodes and one blog post on the Today in iPhone site.

If you have any other questions please email us at todayiniphone@gmail.com  or just send me your recording. Again first come first serve so get us your recording.

Category:breaking news -- posted at: 11:02am EDT
Comments[0]



Link to Large version of Table

The chart above for the Apple Tablet, is NOT based on the mythical “unnamed source whom has always been right in the past” but rather is based on looking at available components and what has already been done with the iPhone 3GS and iPod Touch 3rd Gen. The following paragraphs go over each line in the chart and the reasoning for the specs shown. For those not familiar with my background – I spent 16 years in the electronics component industry as a Design Engineer, Engineering Manager, Product Manager, and VP of Sales and Marketing. One of the companies I worked for was a supplier to Apple as well as Motorola and Nokia.

Display: There has been a lot of rumors and speculation on the size of the display for the Tablet.  Conventional wisdom / rumors have settled in on either  “between 10 to 11 inches” (10.1” or 10.6”) or 7 inches (7.1”). Given in the past how conventional wisdom like this has proven to miss the mark almost every time – I am going in between the two sizes and that means the standard LCD size of 8.9 inches.  I will take it one step further and say it is a TFT display not OLED – this due to cost considerations.  

Screen Resolution: Assuming that Apple really wants to make the Tablet a world class video play back device – that means HD, which means 720p. The Toshiba LTD089EXWS fits the bill nicely with 1280 x 768 resolution making for 720p playback.  No I don’t see them offering the 1080p resolution – I think price and power consumption issues will make the LTD089EXWS or another LCD with similar specs the best trade off.

Size:  The Size of the display is going to be the biggest contributor to the size of the unit.  If we go with the same amount of area above and below the screen per the iPod touch and just a little more size on the edge for ease of holding we come up with  256.4 x 137.3 mm for L x W.  We will also assume that Steve dictated the Tablet be less than half an inch in thickness – so the 12.3 mm (0.48”) dimension of the 3GS makes sense for the tablet as well.  The larger the volumetric area in the Tablet the more room for the custom battery.

Weight: This is simply taking the ratio of L x W of the 3GS and the speculated dimension of the Tablet and then applying that to the weight of the 3GS to come up with the weight of the Tablet. This works out to be 662 Grams or 1 pound and 7.3 ounces, which just so happens to come in under a believable 1 1/2 pound Steve requirement.  


Battery: One component that 100% will not be off the shelf is the battery. Apple likes to maximize battery size by creating custom batteries that fit in all the empty space. Based on the size difference between the 3GS and the Tablet it is easy to see how they could get to the 5,700 mAh size. You can forget about the battery being removable – just look to the Mac Book, Mac Book Air, Mac Book Pro, 3GS and iPod Touch for a “hint” on what Apple thinks about removable batteries these days. Actually the 5,700 mAh is conservatively low. If they go with more of an iPhone 2G type case design they could easily fit in a 7,100 mAh battery.  

Video Playback: 12 hours may actually be conservatively low on this. When you consider that the 13” Mac Book Pro has a battery size of 5450 mAh, which is smaller than the 5,700 mAh projected for the Tablet. Granted it also only offers 7 hours of life – but it has a lot larger LCD and more power hungry processor than would be needed for the tablet.  But a 12 hour playback for Video / constant use – seems to be a nice marketing point and could be one of the initial design goals.

Storage: I only see them offering one version of the Tablet to start and that would be the 64 GB version.  I put in an asterisk for this as once the new Toshiba 64 GB NAND modules are ready for full production in Late Q1 2010 – then Apple could switch to a 128 GB version.  Again staying with just one offering.  But right now with an either Feb or March launch of the Tablet – it does not look good for a 128 GB version.  Most likely that would be in the June / July time frame.  Now given Apples use and influence when it comes to NAND it is very possible Toshiba’s announcement of production availability is for everyone other than Apple and for Apple they are already in production mode – in which case the Tablet will be at 128 GB of storage goodness. 


SD Slot: This one I bet Apple went back and forth on. I could see Steve rejecting this idea multiple times before coming to the reluctant agreement that people will use the Tablet different than a Touch or iPhone. It will be in many cases their primary computer and being able to import directly in your photos and movies – is a big plus for the end user. So at the end of the day I think a brave product manager will have won out and convinced Steve to add the SD slot. But not before two or three other “brave” product managers were fired for pushing their points.

Bluetooth Keyboard Support: Probably one of the last things added into the firmware / OS would be support for a Bluetooth keyboard.  Going under the assumption there is an SD slot, this would show that Apple sees the Tablet as more of a netbook competitor than an iPod Touch replacement. Given that you can already use a Bluetooth keyboard with a jailbroken App for the 3GS and Touch – it is not a technical issue – this is a marketing / Steve issue.  Of all the items on the list, this is the one I have the least confidence in.  

OS: This time I am going with conventional wisdom and saying that the Tablet OS will be an enhanced version of the iPhone OS. This will allow for compatibility of iPhone apps, plus offer some special features for the larger screen of the Tablet. I do not see the Tablet running Mac OS X as I think the devices sweet spot is email, web surfing and rich media playback – you know all the things the iPhone OS does so well.  Not Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, Garageband – you know all the things the OS X does so well.

Price: I know many are calling / hoping for a $500 to $700 device.  I just don’t see that working economically for Apple. The $799 price is the lowest I could get to considering the price points currently for an unsubsidized 3GS and the added cost of the larger LCD with the better resolution.  Anything less than $799 and the Bluetooth Keyboard support and SD slot go away.  As then the device would be too full featured and could / would eat into sales of the Mac Book and Mac Book Pro.

Yes these predictions are a little different than those put forth by “unnamed sources” and analyst de jour.  But the issue with the oft-quoted analysts that just have a degree in finance is they don’t know the difference between Ohms Law and Megan’s Law and that often shows in their predictions. That all said it will be fun to compare the chart above with the actual specs once the Apple Tablet is released.  


Category:breaking news -- posted at: 12:03pm EDT
Comments[0]

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