With initial iPhone 4 weekend sales pegged at potentially 4 million units, I’m reflecting on Microsoft’s failure to generate much excitement (or sales) from their competing Windows Phone 7 platform. And, as the freshest mobile experience on the market, the reception surely has been a failure.

Microsoft’s first, primary, and ongoing error is in the branding department. At launch, their arguably late Windows Mobile replacement operating system was titled “Windows Phone 7 Series” … which is saddled with a whole lot of baggage. Like Microsoft’s derivative “I’m a PC” commercials, Windows Phone sounds like a wannabe iPhone. Except I wouldn’t say Windows has the most positive connotation. For many, Windows is a relic and something we’re forced to use at work. With a large number of folks still stuck on XP, this isn’t the message Microsoft should be projecting. Quintuply so given Windows Phone actual innovative, vibrant, and fast Metro UI.

Then there’s the “Series” problem. As Microsoft doesn’t actually create it’s own hardware, a device running this software would have been known by the cumbersome and redundant “Windows Phone 7 Series phone.” While the redundancy hasn’t been entirely eliminated, Microsoft did at least streamline relatively quickly by dropping the “Series” monicker. But it’s all still too pedestrian and not reflective of their software experience. Would anyone have bought a Windows Gaming Console? Boo-ring! But Microsoft “Xbox” on the other hand exudes mystery and sex appeal. And happens to sell quite well. I’m left wondering why they weren’t as aggressive when rebooting the mobile experience. I’d say it’s a lack of vision. Yet, Metro’s execution indicates otherwise. So perhaps this is the result of branding by committee and they decided on something safe. Read the rest of this entry »

As most probably know by now, Siri is Apple’s iPhone 4S digital assistant featuring uncanny voice recognition and conversational interaction. Here’s how Apple describes it/him/her:

Siri on iPhone 4S lets you use your voice to send messages, schedule meetings, place phone calls, and more. Ask Siri to do things just by talking the way you talk. Siri understands what you say, knows what you mean, and even talks back. Siri is so easy to use and does so much, you’ll keep finding more and more ways to use it.

But Siri wasn’t always Apple’s crown jewel and, as an independent company, released an iOS app in early 2010. We briefly touched on it then when Robert Scoble declared Siri the future of the web. Given prior Borg-like Apple acquisitions, I wasn’t particularly floored when the folks from Cupertino acquired Siri just a few short months after launch. But given it’s deep iPhone 4S integration and tent pole marketing, in retrospect, Scoble’s enthusiasm was warranted and I was wrong.

But enough of the historical play by play. When Siri was originally released, I did what any 12 year old boy geek blogger would have and asked it a series of ridiculous questions back in February, 2010. Being curious how Siri has matured in the intervening months, I recruited fellow blogger Andru Edwards of Gear Live to replicate a few of my inquiries on his iPhone 4S… Read the rest of this entry »

Like many bloggers and fanboys, I had anticipated an iPhone 5 announcement — going so far as to itemize the trade in value of my current iPhone 4, despite a hefty $260 early termination fee after only 8 months with Verizon. But then the iPhone 4S was introduced.

Yeah, I’m one of those guys who was somewhat underwhelmed by the announcement. And I fully acknowledge my expectations of a new look were mostly unreasonable for a variety of reasons. First, there’s the time required to design, build, test, and iterate new hardware to Apple’s exacting, although sometiems imperfect, standards. Once that’s wrapped, it’d then take a decent interval to ramp up manufacturing to produce the millions of iPhone 4S handsets necessary to launch with. Not to mention Apple probably wouldn’t want to unduly alienate the large third party accessory iPhone ecosystem. Basically, we shouldn’t assume an updated form on an annual basis.

As to why I’d want a new look, that’s simple. My iPhone 4 has a glass back and requires a bumper to protect it when I set it down and to prevent me from launching it’s slippery form into the ground. I find it just as handsome today as I did pre-launch, yet I’d rather carry my phone caseless… as I did with the original aluminum-backed iPhone. The 3G and 3GS were also too slippery for my tastes, but at least I didn’t have to worry about shattering two sides. Generally speaking, I also am quickly bored with my gadgetry and always ready to flip into something new. Read the rest of this entry »

As you may have heard, Apple pushed out something like six dozen software updates today. And, fortunately, the second generation Apple TV ($100) was shown some love. Version 4.4, seemingly sharing iOS 5.0 DNA, includes a small but notable number of software and content enhancements. Most promising, for those who own an iPad 2 or iPhone 4s, is “AirPlay Mirroring” — essentially anything playing on your compatible iPad or iPhone is beamed to your television via Apple TV. So while some content providers have selectively blocked HDMI output, it’s my understanding that they’ll have no say in the matter as far as wireless AirPlay Mirroring is concerned. (*Apps can opt-out.) Of course, it remains to be seen how well these devices can pass decent quality video. But it could become an extremely significant feature.

In addition to its previously existing (and competent) photo capabilities, Apple TV now syncs up with one’s iCloud Photo Stream. As this is also a brand new Apple service, it probably deserves a quick overview. New photos shot with iOS devices or imported onto your computer are automagically replicated onto your other linked devices. Unfortunately, Apple won’t host and push an infinite amount of data and they currently limit access to your last 30 days of snapshots with a 1000 pic limit. On Apple TV, those photos are available for viewing – to browse or enjoy as a screensaver or slideshow. And they do show up in the stream nearly instantaneously, with zero intervention required. Read the rest of this entry »

While Roku is getting the big headlines this morning with its HBO Go support and a sub-$50 streamer, DirecTV has a newsworthy launch going on as well. As Jeff Baumgartner points out, the product page is now live for the company’s Nomad ($149) product that lets subscribers transfer DVR recordings to a PC, iPhone or iPod Touch. (Macs, iPads and Android devices coming soon)

This is reminiscent of a Motorola gadget Dave and I wrote about years ago, but that product never made it to market. Instead, I believe the Motorola Mover was absorbed by Motorola’s Televation platform, which is reportedly coming to Comcast soon. That service will include live, linear streaming to mobile devices in your home. In contrast, the Nomad lets your store recorded video so you can take it with you on the go.

The guys at DBSTalk got their hands on a Nomad box late last month, and they note that transcoding and copying video from your DirecTV DVR requires about the same amount of time it would take to watch the content in the first place. However, you can set series to “autodownload” so that video is ready for transfer shortly after recording. Here are some of the other critical specs per the DirecTV product page.

• Sync with up to 5 mobile devices over your in-home Wi-Fi connection
• Record “up to 20 hours” of programming for viewing on a mobile device
• Content reportedly transcoded to 720×480
• One Ethernet and 2 USB ports included
• 7.2″(w), 1.3″(h), 4.7″(d), 0.5 lbs

THIS is how you bring Internet TV to the masses. In what will surely be the gadget stocking stuffer of 2011, Roku has introduced a $49.99 Roku LT model. I’ve been somewhat hard on Roku lately but, at fifty bucks (with HBO GO and YouTube on the way), all is now forgiven. In fact, anyone who subscribes to or is interested in Netflix Instant Streaming should probably pick one (or more) up once it’s available in early November.

Of course, to hit this price point, Roku had to make some concessions over their existing Roku 2 lineup. First off, the Roku LT is limited to 720p versus 1080. However, in real world usage given the quality of most streaming content, this won’t be an issue for most. Next, Bluetooth capabilities and the microSD slot have been dropped — meaning no Angry Birds for you. But I’m betting you won’t miss it with access to Netflix, Amazon Instant, Pandora, HGTV, and countless movie trailers. Lastly, this Roku is purple.

We here at ZNF put our money where our mouth is, and I’ll be picking up a few Roku LT this holiday season as gifts (for the non-geeks, without local playback needs). Nicely done, Roku.