February 2006 Archives
February 28, 2006
Apple introduced two more things this afternoon, an Intel-powered Mac Mini and a new iPod Hi-Fi speaker system for everyone's favorite little music player.
New Mac Mini
By and large, the typical computer user doesn't need to worry too much about Apple's switch to Intel processors. Hopefully, they should provide a little more speed to your computing experience and should draw a little less power from the outlet, but ultimately, the switch should be seamless for most users.
Today's announcement doesn't do anything to change that. The new Mac Mini looks exactly the same, but it's now faster and has more ports in the back. The speed boost is nice and, at $599 base, the machine is an excellent value for switchers looking to come to the Light Side.
Obviously, the biggest news about the Mac Mini is the addition of Front Row, Apple's not-quite-a-media-center software that allows control of your digital media from across the room.
Two reasons this is pretty important. First, Front Row is now Bonjour aware and will suck in iTunes and iPhoto libraries from anywhere around the house. This includes the ability to stream ITMS TV shows wirelessly. That means that a Mac Mini anywhere in your house can be used to play and display ALL of the digital media living on ALL of your computers. That's important if you're going to buy a Mini to serve as the center of your digital living room.
Second, Apple IS NOT marketing the new Mac Mini as the center of your digital living room. It's counter-intuitive, but I think ultimately it's a smart strategy.
The problem with "Media Center" computers is that no one is quite sure why they need one. Heck, I love technology and I'm not even sure why I need one. Playing TV Shows on my big-screen is nice and all, but isn't that what Tivo's for? Besides, Tivo's a lot less money. And...wait...shouldn't iTunes play well with my stereo? Not my TV?
See - confusing. The thing is though, there's a dedicated and growing community of folks who do want a computer hooked up to their TV. For these people, Apple will be happy to sell you a stylish Mac Mini that does lots of cool media center type stuff. They'll even help you out in doing it.
But they certainly aren't going to scare off Sally and Joe Switcher who are thinking about dabbling in Macs for the first time by calling their small and cute machine a full-blown media center.
Ultimately, I think it's a really smart move. At some point, I'll probably spring for one of these to replace a dying DVD player or (once they add DVR functionality) a dying Tivo. For now, however, I don't really need to get my photos on my TV and be able to control them from 10 feet away. I've got an iPod that can do that.
(Although, perhaps that's part of the point...)
iPod Hi-Fi
The iPod Hi-Fi is cool, but nothing too special, I don't think. The Apple rumor sites were very negative on this announcement today, but I think that's a little over-dramatic.
Basically, you plug your iPod into the unit and it plays your music on it's extra large speakers. There are other units that do similar things, but I think the Hi-Fi beats them in a couple of key aspects.
First, Apple seems to have taken the Hi in Hi-Fi very seriously. The "Design" page on the Hi-Fi's website details all of the audiophile-type steps Apple took to make the unit's quality top notch. I don't think you should underestimate the importance of high-qulity engineering in this type of product. Consumers will respond to that.
Second, the Hi-Fi really brings together the total feature package. The Hi-Fi is compatible with any dock-connecting iPod. It makes use of the iPod's screen to display album art, etc. It comes with a universal Apple remote. Again, top-notch sound quality. Optical audio in for use with an Airport Express or other external audio sources. "Luggability" if not portability. Sleek, modern design.
Sure, it's a little pricey, but EVERYTHING APPLE SELLS IS PRICEY. I think they tend to do all right.
I think the Hi-Fi will do pretty all right for Apple. I don't really NEED one, so I probably won't be picking one up anytime soon. But again, if my current stereo setup breaks, I can see myself replacing it with one of these bad boys.
In sum, I think both of these products are solid, if not spectacular. Remember, Steve categorized both of these announcements as "medium-sized." And he ended his presentation saying he'd "see everyone again real soon." Remember, when it comes to Apple, there's always one more thing...
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I need some new gloves. Joe recommended these. Thoughts?
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Ditto only for hats.
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Dude. FLYING MOUNTS.
February 27, 2006
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Turns out the earlier pictures of a big-screen ipod were faked. The linked video is a really neat demonstration of how it was done.
February 24, 2006
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ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
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Leaks of the possibly maybe maybe possibly new fullscreen video iPod.
February 22, 2006
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Another cool science articles. This time about ice worms in the Pacific northwest.
February 21, 2006
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Neat article on why ice is slippery.
February 18, 2006
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Will Sheff of Okkervil River writing about his music. Recommended from Adam. Saved for later.
February 17, 2006
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Fluxblog has the new Streets song. Sufficiently ace.
February 15, 2006
The game is simple. Describe your favorite records of the year, counting backwards.
To be completely honest, I resisted naming the Death Cab for Cutie's Plans as my favorite record of the year. First of all, it's totally predictable. Everyone knows I love Death Cab and I couldn't wait for the new record to be released.
Second, this record is clearly a step backwards for Death Cab. I dare you to listen to We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes and tell me that DCFC isn't better when they rock out the guitars.
At the end of the day, though, the songs on this album are just too fantastic to deny. Taken as a whole, they are a heartbreaking rumination on the prospect of losing someone you love. Songs like "I Will Follow You into the Dark" and "What Sarah Said" reveal a Ben Gibbard terrified of losing his love. With "Your Heart is an Empty Room" and "Someday You Will be Loved" we see that she's already gone.
Plus Tracy loves "Soul Meets Body." That always makes things easier.
The truth is that Death Cab is so terrific that even something less than their best is still better than anything else released in 2005.
FYI - Feel free to use this post for general argument-starting or to post your counterproposal for the best records of 2005.
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Interesting interview with a senior Tivo executive. Most notably, Tivo software should be coming to a Comcast cable box near you in the near future. I would guess sometime in 2006.
February 14, 2006
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More on the Michigan coaching caurosel.
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Cringely on the importance of network neutrality. Definitely worth a read about a policy issue that is (a) real important and (b) real obscure.
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Carville and Begala propose the most sensible campaign finance reform plan I've seen yet.
February 13, 2006
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A tasty recipe Tracy and I enjoy thouroughly.
February 10, 2006
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4 Pistons make the NBA All-Star team. Now we just need David Stern to pick Tayshaun to round out the team. Flip has already said that all the Pistons will enter the game as a team. I love it.
February 9, 2006
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Story from the Times on potential sites for the 2014 Winter Olympics. Each of these places sounds like a blast to go to. I need to travel more.
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Neat article from NASA about being on the moon. Just kinda mind-blowing.
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New Medicare petition fromt the DSCC. Sign it fools!
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Bill Simmons on the NBA Power Rankings. Hysterical as always.
February 8, 2006
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Recommended article from Joe on ID / Creationism. Saved for later.
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An interesting read on email management.
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Funny.
February 6, 2006
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Wow. I occasionally rag on Lloyd Carr and the Michigan coaching staff. But it's NOTHING like this guy.
February 3, 2006
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My new iPod case. Should be here in a couple of days.
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Terrific post today on MyDD about "electability." I used to get cranky when people brought up the concept. Now I know why. All we need now is a reform-minded Democrat who connects with the middle class.
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Terrific Pistons blog I added to my RSS reader today. In the words of Kevin Garnett, "Don't nobody play like this."
February 2, 2006
My quick reactions to Bush's SOTU
- I thought the first half of the speech was very effective. Bush does a great job of setting up the "War on Terror" as a struggle to the death between good and evil. I don't know if al Qaeda quite rises to that level in actuality, but it's pretty easy to FEEL that way after 9/11
Frankly, it's not a framework that Democrats have EVER responded to well. By and large, we just don't feel like 9/11 started a gigantic struggle for the soul of humanity. This kind of sober attitude might be smart and prudent, but it's tough to compete with good guys vs. bad guys on an emotional level.
- The lines about reducing our dependence on foreign oil were interesting. For a Texas oilman to say them is something of a Nixon-in-China moment. The bloggers today discovered that Bush's claim wasn't quite as grand as it sounded on TV, but I still think it matters.
You've got a right-wing President saying the words that every liberal wacko wanted to hear. Isn't it pretty obvious now that we've got some sort of broad consensus that we need to reign in our energy policy? Can't we get to work on maybe fixing that now? Are we completely incapable of turning broad agreement into good policy?
- "Human-animal Hybrids" Huzzah....wha?
Most liberals thought this was just crazy. Internet joksters have already created a novelty t-shirt. But this kind of rhetoric is very, very dangerous.
Remember, Bush's full quote is this:
Tonight I ask you to pass legislation to prohibit the most egregious abuses of medical research: human cloning in all its forms; creating or implanting embryos for experiments; creating human-animal hybrids; and buying, selling or patenting human embryos.
...and it's very, very clever. All anybody hears is "let's ban human-animal hybrids" and they're instantly for it. But by endorsing Bush's plan, they also sign on to ban all sorts of other medical research including therapeutic cloning and, I believe, some sorts of stem cell research.
I really don't know enough about those issues to say they're a good idea one way or another, but I'm pretty sure they shouldn't be banned out of hand by a public that thinks they're opposing sci-fi chimeras that don't actually exist.
- Finally, I thought Bush's economic plan was hysterical. Near as I could tell it goes something like this:
- Cut taxes.
- Cut spending.
- The way we're going to do all that is by enacting these 17 brand new government programs.
Comedy.
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The Washington Post files their tick-tock on the Alito nomination. Essentially, they say there was no good strategy on the Dem side. Ugh.
