Archives For Warner Crocker
What’s in a Name? Microsoft Ditching Metro Name Because of Trademark Dispute
Ars Technica is reporting that Metro may be cool but it is out as the commercial name for Microsoft's new Windows 8 UI, as well as on Windows Phone.
On Unicorns, Rumors, and that $1000 Surface Price Story
In the magical land of gadget blogs, and increasingly the mainstream media, fantasy sometimes seems like reality the way things are often reported these days.
The Nexus 7: Google Has a Game Changer
Most folks who follow my mobile and Tablet blogging here know that I really enjoy the iPad experience. Some (including my wife) say I enjoy it far too much.
The Battle for the Big Box in the Cloud
It has been said many times before but in the gadget obsessed world we live in, hanging on every rumor or drop of speculation about the next device to be announced, it often bears repeating.
Review: The Touchfire Keyboard
Before I get to talking about the Touchfire keyboard for the iPad, let me first talk about this and other Kickstarter projects. The Touchfire sprang to life as a KickStarter project, and if you are unfamiliar with Kickstarter, it is a service wherein a project developer...
Update on Google’s Tablet UI and the Nexus 7
Yesterday I posted about my confusion regarding Google's approach to a Tablet UI with the Nexus 7. As I said I was a bit flummoxed given that what we'd seen so far was leading to conclusions that the Nexus 7, equipped with Jelly Bean, would have a smartphone UI instead ...
Google Launches Tablet Confusion Along with New Nexus 7 Tablet
Color me puzzled. Google has announced and is accepting pre-orders of its own entry in the Tablet world. The Nexus 7, made by Asus, is a 7 inch Tablet supposedly targeted at both Amazon's Kindle Fire and Apple's iPad.
Don’t Be Caught Out in a Storm. Think About Multiple Wireless Vendors
Let me just say this up front in the spirit of fairness. No one or no company can plan for every eventuality. Especially when severe weather is concerned.
This Year’s Tablet Derby Entries Are At The Starting Gate
Trumpets blare. And they're off. Well, not quite. Like the last couple of years we now have almost all of the entrants announced for this year's Great Tablet Holiday Sweepstakes.
Bloomberg: Microsoft Surface Tablets Will Debut as Wi-Fi Only
One of the things Microsoft didn't talk about in its recent unveiling of its Surface Tablets for Windows RT and Window 8 was connectivity beyond Wi-Fi.
So, Microsoft Throws Friends Under the Bus. Where’s the Downside?
I see Sumocat has boarded the conventional wisdom transportation line that says Microsoft has tossed its friends and partners under the bus with its new plans for Surface Tablets and Windows Phone 8.
Microsoft Gave Partners a Heads Up on Surface
According to a report from AllThingsD, Microsoft's Surface announcement wasn't a complete surprise for its partners. Steve Ballmer told AllThingsD that Microsoft had tipped off its partners ahead of time, although no time frame was mentioned, so that could have been pho...
Microsoft’s Secret Announcement Succeeds with New Tablets Debuting, But Can it Follow Through?
Well, well, well. You have to give Microsoft credit for attempting to change the game on quite a few fronts. It's secret and mysterious press conference/product debut in Los Angeles has concluded and maybe it is a new beginning for the slow moving, marketing challenged,...
Microsoft Introduces Its Own Tablet Called Surface for both RT and Windows 8
Here's a quick summary post on what Microsoft is announcing today. Those who had their bets on Microsoft announcing that it was going to get into the hardware game and create a branded tablet are winners.
Thoughts Before Microsoft’s Big Announcement
I'm guessing somewhere in Los Angeles there are a lot of Microsoft executives experiencing quite a bit of anxiety this morning. I know the feeling.
Will Do Not Disturb Features Remove Us Further from Our Connectivity Choices?
Maybe you're old enough, like me, to remember back in the days before cell phones, smartphones, and other mobile devices that keep us connected all the time.
Report: Windows 8 RT License Fee at $85 Per Unit
Reports are circulating that Microsoft's ARM Tablet OS, better and curiously known as Windows RT is going to cost OEMs an average of $85 per unit to license.
Apple’s WWDC Keynote: Mixed Emotions
I'm not sure why I'm feeling this, but something seems to be missing from Apple's WWDC Keynote from earlier today. You can watch it here.
Apple Unveils a New iPad Smart Case for Front and Back
Cases and Covers for mobile devices are one of the ways that users show off their individuality and also their fear of damaging their device.
Shipping Now: Apple’s Best Feature on New Hardware
Say what you will about prices, specs, features, etc... the biggest feature Apple makes available is the fact that with much of its new hardware it ships pretty much immediately.
Facebook Claims Users Aren’t Paying Attention to Ads. Duh. Advertising is and Always Will be a Shell Game
Do you remember the shell and the pea game? Sure you do. You put the pea under one of the three shells, move the shells around and have your stooge guess which shell the pea is under.
Touched by Touch. My Wife Has a Change of Heart about Touch Devices
My wife, Thomasin, might be familiar to some GBM readers for some videos she did here on the site awhile back. (Do a search here on the site for "Thomasin" if you want to catch some of the fun of those videos.) If you do remember those videos you'll remember several thi...
Microsoft to Charge Users For CRAPWARE Free PCs
I'm going to go a bit into rant mode here, so be warned. Yesterday, Walt Mossberg highlighted an initiative by Microsoft. The gist of this initiative is simple.
New iPhone Won’t Be a Phone
And why not? With WWDC a few weeks away the rumor mill on the new iPhone, a new version of iOS, Apple TVs, new laptops, and iPad rumors are starting to bubble over like an overcooked stew left on the stove top. It's almost like Apple rumors have become a form of curr...
A User Asks: How Can We Know What Smartphones Work in Our Location?
This morning I got an email from GBM Reader poppacracker: Here's the body of that email: I have seen many reviews on quality of reception for a multitude of phones.
Why Pretty Matters in App Design
Yesterday Google launched a new iPhone version of its Google+ App. Uncharacteristically this is a departure for Google. If you read about the App launch around the web you'll see it described as everything from pretty to gorgeous.
Buyer Beware: Web Discount Offers on Phones Come with a Catch
I would hope that most folks who see a discount on a new piece of technology do their research and read the fine print before clicking the purchase button.
Back to Early Roots: Evernote Acquires iOS Inking App Penultimate
Well, well, well. This is an interesting pairing. Evernote is announcing that it has acquired Cocoa Box Design, the company that created the very popular Digital Inking iOS App, Penultimate.
Changing Our Backstage Gadget Policy at the Theatre Due to Mobile Advances
We're between seasons at Wayside Theatre where I serve as the Artistic Director. That sounds like it might offer some down time, but it doesn't really.
Review: The Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover
When it comes to the iPad the only things more ubiquitous than Twitter clients are keyboard covers or cases. I won't say they are a dime a dozen because these keyboard case/covers are a little more expensive than that, but there are certainly a number of varieties for...
Thoughts on the Kindle Fire Being Half of the Android Tablet Market
There are a gazillion posts today reporting the news from comScore that Amazon's Kindle Fire has 54.4% of the Android Tablet market.
Predictable Privacy Reactions to Google Drive Surface Like Clockwork
It was as predictable as a Swiss watch. Yesterday Google formally announced its Google Drive product, that allows users to store files, documents, etc...
Tablets and Simplicity: The Cloud
Last week I started a series on how Tablets help me with my quest for simplicity. As I said in this post, the quest isn't one that finds me actively searching for some sort of simple holy grail.
Levon Helm’s Passing Shows How Studios Miss the Point
Sad news for many in my generation and those who follows music from others. Noted drummer and singer Levon Helm passed away today from cancer.
Read It Later Changes Name to Pocket, Updates Features and Goes Free
There are all sorts of competitive spaces out there in the mobile App world. One of those spaces is the "save something from the web and read it when you have the time space".
