I’ve pretty much decided that I’m not going down the Netbook route. I just don’t think I’m the market they are after. That said, I’ve been following Kevin Tofel, Dan at Uneasy Silence, and a few others who have successfully installed Apple’s OSX on the MSI Wind, the Eee PC, and now the Dell Mini-9, and it is getting my geek curiosity up. For those not afraid of breaking licensing agreements it looks like we’ve got instructions, a modified install version, and patches to get some basics like WiFi working all floating around.

Mobile is all about getting the Internet in your pocket these days. It appears for some of the major players who are driving the scene it is all about picking customers pockets as well. Apple has led the charge with its iPhone and now that T-Mobile, Google, and HTC have announced the G1, the first handset featuring Google’s Android, there is another big player in the game. Of course the other OEMs and Telcos are still in their fighting for their piece of the pie.

Sales figures on the iPhone 3G are eye-popping, even more so given the problems it has had since it launched. Anticipation is high for whatever Android will see usher into the market over the next period of time. Everybody should be happy, but there are, to my mind, some self inflicted wounds that these companies are dealing with, that while they may not slow down momentum, tell me that they really don’t see the long view. This is analogous to the moves toward capping regular broadband and tiered broadband.

I guess this is indicative of all the questions that get answered with “because I can.” Seamonkey as been pushing the license restriction envelope and also some fun with the MSI Wind lately. First he showed off a video with the MSI Wind triple booting running Apple’s OSX, Windows Vista, and Windows XP. Now he’s showing off the MSI Wind running VMWare’s Fusion on OSX in which he’s running Windows. A couple of caveats here. Seamonkey has upped the RAM on the device and he’s using a USB WiFi dongle because, well, OSX doesn’t recognize the WiFi card in the Wind.

Side Note: I did the update to VMWare’s Fusion 2.0 yesterday on my iMac and it working like a charm.

Apple’s MobileMe woes continue and so do the extensions for customers who purchased the service. Yesterday, Apple announced that customers would receive an additional 60–day extension of the MobileMe service they paid $99 for. This is on top of the 30–day extension already granted. Touted as Exchange for the rest of us, MobileMe promises file syncing across devices and platforms and obviously needs some major work before it is ready for prime time.

This news came at about the same time that Apple released a firmware update for the iPhone and iPod Touch taking it to version 2.0.1. While there is no official word, there are reports that the update has fixed some of 3G connection issues that some users were experiencing, while others are saying they see no difference. (I know Matt Faulkner reported that on his iPhone the reception in his house went from 3 bars to 5 after the update. I’m not in a 3G supported area, so it is tough to tell if there is any improvement here.)  As is typical (and just plain silly), Apple doesn’t say anything specific about what the update was targeted to fix beyond a generic “bug fixes,” leaving users to guess what they are looking for.

There is also word that a beta of a 2.1 update is circulating prior to a September release, and that this update will pull the Push notification framework.

In this GottaBeMobile Shortcut, I take a brief look at three free flashlight applications for the iPhone/iTouch. 

Verdict:  These flashlight applications are handy to have even if they aren't as good as the real thing.

The news is full today of the apparent and unsurprising success of Apple’s App Store, raking in over $30 million in a month. That news is also rounded out by some other commentary that wonders just how many of those apps people are really using once they’ve downloaded them, and where the real killer apps are hiding.

Couple this news with word from the Washington Post this weekend that T-Mobile is looking to open its own App Store, and it looks like once again Steve Jobs has shifted the dynamic. Although I think we are far and away from knowing what that shift really means beyond the fact that easy, over the air access to applications are a major attraction. (Even though many still counsel that the best way to prevent crashes on an iPhone is to download or update apps from your computer and sync them over.)

I’ve limited myself to the apps I’ve downloaded and they are mostly for specific purposes, not just because they are cool. Do I use them daily? Nope. But I use them as frequently as I did the apps on my Windows Mobile device when I need to accomplish a task.

Many have felt the siren’s call and gone download crazy whenever we get a shiny new device. And many in turn, have felt that enthusiasm fade when we realize it is time to put the device to work. And then comes that inevitable day when you go looking through your start menu or applications and wonder why in the world you ever downloaded this or that app. I don’t think that is any different in this circumstance, nor will it be in the future.

If anything this feeds on a geek lust that already exists, and like all lusty appetites it will fade with time. After all, how many flashlight apps or tip calculators does one really need?

Apple has had an interesting month since its launch of the new iPhone, the App Store, and MobileMe. MobileMe is an admitted “work in progress” that costs users $99 a year to participate in. The new iPhone is showing some cracks, (literally and figuratively), while selling like crazy even with inventory problems. But up until now, the App Store was getting by with generally good reviews, even with some bugginess and issues; some of which seem to have been resolved with a new firmware update.

But now it looks like Apple might have bitten off more than it can chew in the App Store as well. From my vantage point I see two problems. First, Apple’s secrecy, and penchant for hiding behind closed walls, is leading to confusion among consumers trying to purchase apps, as well as the developers who create them. Second, Apple’s DRM legacy, apparently has reared its ugly head, just as Apple promised it would when it came to the App store. Apple is now in the process of removing apps remotely  that don’t adhere to some standards from iPhones. Take for example the the legend of NetShare. It has led a short and colorful life as an iPhone app. This application that allowed users to tether their laptop to their iPhone was available, then not available, then available again, without even the developers receiving a clue from Apple as to what was going on. Now it appears that NetShare, and any other app that doesn’t live up to some standards set by Apple, can be remotely removed from your device after you’ve purchased it. The jury is still out if you receive an automatic credit for this, or you have to run the support gauntlet to get your dough back.

The right hand just doesn’t know what the left hand is doing here and consumers and developers are caught in the middle of what is looking more and more like a 3 Stooges slap fest. Apple prides itself on its control of things. Remember that’s why in the beginning they didn’t want 3^rd party stuff on the original iPhone, it was all about control. OK, great. Control things. But, er… um.. if you’re going to control things, don’t let offending applications make it into your store in the first place. Seems simple, right? I would think so. But apparently Apple is either too swamped to do this in some sane fashion, or just doesn’t care. Either way it is no way to run a railroad.

The bottom line here is this. Apple has a good, no great, thing going. Whether through sloppiness or design they are in the process of mucking it up.

UPDATE: It appears the article I linked to has been updated and that Terry White has said the disappearance of NetShare may have been removed due to "bad timing." OK, fair enough. I think the larger point still remains though. Apple stated up front when they launched the App store that they could in fact remove an app if it misbehaved. Those are ther rules if you want to play. But, who defines misbehavior and when? Apple? AT&T? And why can't that get defined before loading an app into the App Store in the first place? Again, right hand, left hand.

The investment firm of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (KPCB) is offering up to $100 million to iPhone and iTouch developers that come up with innovative and transformative applications for the iPhone platform.  The investment opportunity, the iFund Initiative, offers money to potential developers regardless of their stage of development.  The FAQ says that KPCB believes the success of the iPhone/iTouch will ignite a new wave of mobile Internet innovation and provide opportunities that are equal to or greater than the PC Internet.  According to the iFund Initiative website, Pelago Inc. is the first company to obtain financial backing, and their application, Whrrl, is now available through the App Store.  Here are a few other bits of info:

• The iFund is open to individuals and companies outside the US.
• They will invest at least $100 million and will come up with additional funds if necessary.
• Applications should be succinct, detailed, and well-written.
• KPCB will reply to application submissions within at least 2 weeks.

Fill out an application to get started.

Photo credit: William Hook

If you’re a MobileMe user who got caught up in the problems around the launch of Apple’s revamp of .Mac, then Apple is saying they are sorry and extending your contract by 30 days. You are eligible if you had a .Mac account active as of July 9, or you purchased the service on or before July 15, 2008 at 7:00pm PDT. (That’s being specific.)

I’ve tried out the MobileMe service only briefly and am looking forward to giving it more of a go once I have the time. Any other GBM users working with MobileMe? Let us know how it is going.

Check out the details at this link.

One of the biggest complaints about the iPhone and iPod Touch are difficulties mastering the touch interface.  Although the touch interface is very easy to operate with your finger, Apple could do more to improve its functionality.  AppleInsider has learned of new patents that suggest Apple might implement fingernail recognition into their future touch interfaces.  The ability to recognize fingernail contact could provide better interaction and possible use of a stylus.

Your friends at Ten One Designs feel the same way, and they've come up with a solution to this problem.  They have developed the Pogo Stylus, a stylus crafted specifically for the iPhone's touch interface.  The Pogo Stylus sells for $24.00 USD and is fully compatible with the new iPhone 3G.  Ten One Designs also offers a service called PogoNotes, a free webapp note taking service.  Although the Pogo Stylus might have potential, it doesn't take full advantage of inking capabilities without software like Sketches.

Click here to check out Rob's early impressions with Sketches on the iPhone.

Would you use a stylus with the iPhone or iTouch?

In my opinion, the bigger story coming out of Apple's June event was MobileMe - offering Exchange-like functionality to the every-day user. Who better to bring some insight into this new offering than one of their targeted customers.  Gary Harrision, a good friend and long-time GBM reader, has been digging deep in to MobileMe over the past several days and has authored this guest review for us:

- Gary Harrison

Like many computer users (especially Mac users), I spent Friday hovering over my web browser, anxiously awaiting the release of the software update for my iTouch, and the roll out of MobileMe, billed as “Exchange for the rest of us”. What are my first impressions?

In a word, mixed. For context, I need to mention that I’m a typical Apple user. Although I have a lot of experience in the computer world, I’ve come to the point where I want computers to, “just work.” That’s a big selling feature of the Apple world, and it’s what moved me to embrace it a number of years ago. By and large, Apple delivers on that promise. In my line of work, I live off a tablet (HP TC1100), I develop curriculum and multimedia on my MacBook, and I have an iTouch that I use primarily as a PDA. When Apple announced MobileMe, I thought, “Right, finally I can have all my data tired together seamlessly!” Did the experience match reality? Not entirely.

Those interested in a layman's view of the difference between MobileMe and Exchange should checkout this review by GBM forum member NutsnBolts.

Another GBM reader is working up a detailed comparison from a user's perspective, so stay tuned for more insight.

We've seen a few before, and Rob did a few videos with the ModBook, but this one on Engadget is a very interesting spin on the whole "Mac Tablet" idea.  Wei of Weistudio has taken a Wacom Intuos tablet and shoved a MacBook inside (not really but just about).

Very well done!

(Site must be getting slammed form Engadget, but here is the image and Link for when it's back up)

Is Apple ever going to make one of these for real???

For those looking for an alternative to hosted Exchange, Apple just launched MobileMe ( Me.com ) and it looks like a very good alternative. It syncs your Outlook / Mac PIM data to the MobileMe service for syncing with other PCs or Macs. This is not a Mac only solution.

Now your email, contacts, calendars can get synced across multiple devices for just $99 per year or $149 for a family account. Check it out and report back. I'm aware of at least one reader who will be doing a comparison for us of hosted Exchange and MobileMe.

Update: Well, that didn't last too long. MobileMe is currently down. Check back later if you were having trouble accessing it.

Thanks for the heads up, Engadget

Apple's recent announcement of the upcoming iPhone 3G is great news for people looking to go with AT&T or people who have already have an iPhone.  The 2.0 firmware will bring a few advances such as implementation of support for Microsoft Exchange E-mail and the Apple approved application store-- rather than Installer.app which is used on Jailbroken iPhones/iPods.  The upgrade to firmware 2.0 will be free for current iPhone owners.

I love my iPod Touch.  I use it for my calendar, to make notes for myself, to time my workouts, mobile Internet surfing via Wi-Fi hotspots, and the list goes on.  I was drawn to it primarily because of its ease of use, small size, and outstanding battery life-- compared to most notebooks.  When it comes to being mobile, the iTouch delivers and meets my needs.

The options for current iPod Touch users looking to upgrade are to pay $9.95 and receive the official update from Apple or be stuck with what you've got.  Of course, I'm sure many will continue to use Installer.app and jailbroken iPods to access and get the newest applications.  I'm also sure people will find "alternative ways" to get their iPod Touch to 2.0.  The downside of these ways, besides possibly being illegal, are that your warranty will be voided if you jailbreak your iPhone/iPod Touch.  If you don't know what you're doing you might be stuck with an iBrick-- an iPhone or iPod Touch that is dead.

TUAW is reporting that the date for firmware 2.0 release is July 11th and also reporting that developers need to submit applications by July 7th. 

Read more about the iPod Touch from Apple.
And even more: A FAQ from Computerworld about Firmware 2.0.

Hit up the comments and express what you will do to get your iPod Touch to 2.0.