Productivity Suite iUpdate?

There may be a refresh for the very long-in-the-tooth iWork suite, Apple’s productivity software (courtesy MacRumors). iWork has remained relatively unchanged since its 2009 introduction, although there have been incremental improvements over time- most recently the addition of iCloud storage and iOS versions of Pages, Numbers, and Keynote. 

I’ve been a proponent of iWork from my first Mac. It offers a simpler, easer to navigate interface than the industry gold standard Microsoft Office equivalents. While not always as powerful, for a majority of the tasks I had in graduate school (and even more so in professional life) iWork has been a pleasant and productive experience. That being said, the software is long overdue for a refresh; time passes quickly in the tech world and with Apple focused on releasing iOS 7 on schedule, continuing the development of OSX, and the quick pace they release product hardware refreshes it seems only logical that such a small corner of the iWorld would go neglected. 

According to the MacRumors article, several new positions have been opened for engineers and developers on the iWork team. Until Microsoft recognizes the benefit of expanding Office to iOS, iWork is the best option for iOS productivity needs- and in my opinion the best cross-device solution as well 

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Life with Wally

In my never ending quest to get more utility from my iOS devices I was perusing Kickstarter a few months ago, looking for something that would both spark my interest and offer some unique value other accessories don’t. While the entrepreneurs looking for financial backing for their idea are legion, the actual numbers of worthy campaigns have dwindled as of late. The world may not need yet another iPhone dock or sync cable, regardless of how clever the tweak may be. Thankfully, just before I gave up I stumbled across a gem from an organization I’d already supported in the past.

Distil Union has already coaxed my credit card from my CM4 case thanks to their (recently reviewed) Snooze bedside alarm clock accessory and accompanying app for the iPhone. They were seeking funding for yet another interesting take on a category of accessory that I find most useful: the iPhone wallet. The Wally was an intriguing product; instead of a case providing slots for your cards (as my CM4 and BookBook had) it acted as a piggyback wallet. Either use the case of your choice or be one of the brave ones to go without; the Wally would adhere to most surfaces via a ‘microsuction’ coating on the back of the vegitable-tanned leather. The description was enough to entice me to back the campaign (which not surprisingly had already reached their production goal). After a short wait for the campaign to end and production to begin, I was ready to see what Wally was like in a practical, every day setting.

As I’ve stated in older posts, I prefer an iPhone card case over a traditional wallet. My work scrubs have a profound pocket deficit, and with the other devices I’m asked to carry (VOIP phone, pager, pen, etc.) the more multi-use devices I can find the better. I’ve used several wallet/card cases to date with varying levels of satisfaction; ultimately the need for easy access to my iPhone’s screen and providing the slimmest profile possible have been the deciding factors (otherwise I’d opt for the newly redesigned BookBook; it’s absolutely gorgeous). The Wally seemed to offer just that- a slim, easily accessed card pouch that could be quickly removed and reattached should I wish to use/change cases.

Upon arrival I had a slight problem with the Wally. As with all leather goods, it had warped somewhat during the less than optimal conditions of shipping. The leather had curled a bit, making it form a shallow C shape and stretching the card pouch too much to snugly hold my three cards. After conferring with the organization (they suggested using a touch of water to shrink the leather) I ended up using heat in the form of a warm clothes iron to press/shrink the leather back to its original configuration. After the heat/pressure treatment the Wally’s pouch held my ID, debit, and credit cards as perfectly as I had envisioned. Apparently my experience was an outlier; few other backers/early adopters had such issues.

The second caveat was the ‘microsuction’ layer; while my iPhone was case-free and cleaned of even fingerprints, the adhesive just didn’t want to hold firmly. Thankfully the Kickstarter had been so successful that Distil Union had provided an extra adhesive product that really did the trick. After well over a month of use it’s still holding on like a champ.

The true value of the Wally has come from it’s unique construction. Unlike other cases Distil Union crafted a bright red ribbon inside the card slot that when pulled extrudes your cards from their repository. It may not seem like much, but after fighting to get a card past the silicone edge of my CM4 every time I needed it I was more than happy with this new product design. The Wally itself sports some high quality components; the leather is both durable and stylish. The bright red ribbon makes for an eye catching accent as well as being more functional than you’d think at first glance.

I had chosen to go case-free, and both enjoy and regret the decision. The lower profile and lack of a somewhat sticky silicone bumper edge has made my iPhone easier to remove from pockets, but during testing of the PanaVise PortaGRIP mounting bracket I was careless and let my iPhone fall, scuffing an aluminum corner (but thankfully not cracking the glass) of my handset. I’ve learned to be more observant, but I’d encourage others to at least use a bumper case for their rather expensive phones.

Ultimately, would I recommend the Wally? The answer lies in what the questioner is looking for. Should you be like me and want to eliminate carrying an everyday wallet while keeping your iPhone’s profile as slim as possible, then absolutely. The Wally is stylish and more configurable than any other product I’ve tested, especially considering that it can be used in conjunction with many (but not all) cases. It reflects my fascination with all things clever, coupled with my desire to get the most from my iOS devices.

The Wally is available now via Distil Union’s website in either brown or black (in my opinion the only acceptable colors for leather items) for $49.99

Related articles

• Hello World! My Name is Wally – the Stick on Leather Wallet for iPhone (prweb.com)
• Fluent Ink Launches iBillfold2 Kickstarter Campaign for an iPhone Card Case & Attachable Wallet (prweb.com)
• Four Highly Anticipated iPhone 5 Cases [that I can't wait to get my hands on!] (epicagear.com)
• Review: Distil Union Wally for iPhone 5 (ilounge.com)

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An ode to innovation

A complaint rippling through the pundit-sphere over the past year is that Apple has lost the ability to innovate. The echo chamber’s insistence of Apple’s inability to delve into unexplored territory has culminated in the rumor that Apple has initiated steps to replace CEO Tim Cook. Stock prices have plummeted, and critics gleefully prognosticate Apple’s slow slide back into the obscurity of the days before Steve Jobs‘ return.

Is there any validity to these claims? Has Apple truly lost their mojo? For an answer, let’s look closer at the core issue- innovation. By definition it is the act of introducing something new or unknown, and Apple has made their incredible fortune not both new products and the careful cultivation of the ecosystem behind them.

Apple earned the innovator title from the inception of the organization. The cobbled-together home brewed Apple I through the first Macintosh, the company was a trend setter in home computing. After floundering they righted the ship with the introduction of new product lines- the iPod, iMac, and OSX.

Skip forward to today: Apple has reaped the benefits of innovation well. New hardware such as the iPod line, iPhone and iPad, and software associated with it (iTunes and iOS) along with steady incremental improvement to their core Mac lineup have resulted in Apple being one of the wealthiest corporations in history. What has set pundits off has been the apparent lack of new products since the untimely demise of former CEO Jobs.

While Apple has continued to release new versions of their products on a regular basis (including the iPad Mini), those products are incremental refinements of existing devices or services. The iPhone improves with each version, becoming faster, more powerful, and with more screen real estate. The iPad has slimmed, gained cameras, increased in power and split into two product sizes. The core Mac lineup has evolved as well; the iMac has slimmed and been given a performance boost, the MacBook Pro lineup has split to include the Retina models, and the Air versions have been refined enough to be some of Apple’s best selling laptops. Where are the new, groundbreaking products to keep Apple ahead of competitors?

Time has dulled our sense of perspective. While Apple has been at the forefront often, groundbreaking products take years to develop and hone. Even though there have been numerous trendsetting releases they haven’t come at regular intervals, and have been separated by more time that is readily apparent. The product that appeared to spark Apple’s explosion was the iPod, first released in 2001. The iPhone didn’t make an appearance until 2007, followed by the iPad in 2010. By that timeline alone Apple is well within their typical product development window, even discounting the continual refinement of both hardware and software.

Then there’s the Mac lineup. One could consider the MacBook Air as an innovation; the physical form was unheard of when it was first released and competitors have flocked to create similar devices. The evolution of the MacBook Pro should be kept in mind when evaluating innovation as well; the construction and components of Apple’s premier laptops have set industry trends as well culminating in the Retina models, with their stunning display and solid state internals.

In comparison, the PC hasn’t changed much in the past ten years. Components have improved- processors, graphics, memory, and other internals have grown in power and speed, but the actual form and function of the PC hasn’t truly altered in a very long time. Until recently, input was via a keyboard and mouse (or similar device), with the computer consisting of a tower and monitor. There were a few all-in-ones similar to Apple’s iMac, but they were a small minority of the PC market. Yet no one championed the lack of progress or innovation in the PC market. The attempt by Microsoft to create a uniform interface across all devices (handheld and PC) via Windows 8 is a prime example of the peril of poorly implemented change; consumers have by and large shunned it to the point that Microsoft will be releasing a service pack to undo the most drastic changes to the operating system: the once-named “Metro” interface.

So what of Apple’s other competitors? Samsung has been heralded for their products, and they do have a very successful line of handsets. Yet Samsung’s innovation has been more of a hyper variant of what Apple has pursued in improving the iPhone. Samsung has offered a wide variety of products, some with massive screens (even one that needs a stylus), some with a hardware keyboard, and units that sport Android and Windows operating systems. Yet what groundbreaking innovation have they offered? The sole differentiating factor has been screen size (which Apple has notably followed with the slightly larger iPhone 5), but no true paradigm shift or new product categories. The ‘shotgun’ approach of releasing a wide variety of products has served both Samsung and Google well, but it doesn’t fit the concept of innovation that Apple has been faulted for lacking after the passing of their iconic CEO.

While I’d love to see a new product line released (what tech addict doesn’t like shiny new things?) the criticism Apple has faced is unwarranted. If we are to believe the recent claims of Tim Cook that new product lines will be introduced this year, Apple will have continued to follow the same timeline of innovation that has served them since the turn of the century.

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A little swag

I’ve been fortunate enough to have owned or tested a lot of different devices. I’ve been exclusively Apple for some time, after coming to the realization that the benefits of homogeny far outweigh the benefits of piecing together my arsenal of tools, toys, and oddities. While I get a lot of use out of my collection of electronics, one thing has been a constant- to get the most out of your stuff, you need some swag. There are numerous categories, but regardless of what you have there’s always a little something extra to help make it better.

Take the iPhone for instance: one of the most popular devices Apple has ever made; powerful, versatile, and durable. Yet those with even momentarily clumsy fingers know the outcome of dropping an unprotected iPhone 4 or 4S- shattered Gorilla Glass on either the front or back of the handset. Even the aluminum-encased iPhone 5 can take a beating from unintended drops. Accidents like these (and the universal desire to personalize possessions) is one of the reasons I’ve recommended to just about every iPhone owner that they should find the iPhone case that suits their needs best. Whether it’s maximum protection, extra utility, or personalization there’s a case out there to suit your needs.

As for the iPad, not only would I recommend a case (although it’s not as risky using a la carte in my opinion), I would also point out the galaxy of other iPad accessories available. Whether it’s the larger screen size or the different form (tablet versus communication device) I used my iPad for many tasks that could have been done with my iPhone, but not as well. Bluetooth keyboards, speaker docks, mounts, styluses, the list goes on and on.

Then there’s the flagship of Apple’s portable lineup, the MacBook. While not as sliver thin or light as the iPad, all but the now discontinued 17 inch MacBook Pro are excellent full computers for those on the go. The Air lineup excel in this role, especially the diminutive 11 inch model (although I’ve been more than pleased with the portability of my 13 inch Retina model). Just as with Apple’s other mobility-minded devices, you may want to consider a case, sleeve, or bag for your MacBook. I’ve seen many owners sporting the Speck Candy Shell on their laptop- while the unibody aluminum construction is very strong, it’s not immune to scratches and considering the typically long life of the MacBook, it doesn’t hurt to protect the resale value for when you’re ready to upgrade. I’ve written recently about my Brenthaven ProStyle Plus; the combination of protection, extra portability, and storage made it the perfect choice for what I use my MacBook for. Just as with iPhone cases, there’s a plethora of options out there to suit your specific needs.

If you’re going to invest in a quality device like an iPhone, iPad, or MacBook, logic dictates that you’d want to both protect and enhance that investment. Best of all, the popularity of these devices has drawn innovators and manufacturers from every corner of the globe just waiting to provide a solution to any problem you can think of (and often some that you may not have). Whatever your need, be it mobile, tablet, or laptop, give friend of the blog GearZap (and sibling to MobileFun) a look. I think you’ll be glad you did.

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Getting a Grip

I’ve been fortunate enough to get my hands on a wide array of iOS accessories over the years I’ve been blogging. One category that I hadn’t seen much of was automotive-based solutions for the iPhone. I hadn’t had factory Bluetooth in a vehicle until I picked up the iPhone 4, but now the lack of it would be a dealbreaker when shopping for wheels. Tight integration with my handset was one of the factors that made me choose my current car: a 2013 Hyundai Genesis GT. I’ve been able to forgo my trusty iPod classic thanks to the Genesis’ ability to stream audio via Bluetooth from my iPhone (and this prompted me for the first time to upgrade from the 16 gig model as well).

Since my phone was now playing a larger role while commuting or pleasure driving, I needed a suitable place to store it. Keeping it a pocket was extremely problematic as I still needed to reach dig for it should I need to interact with it (remember kids, Siri is your friend when driving. Texting behind the wheel is bad news). I made do with a Belkin TuneDok I had left over from my iPod-listening days. While not designed for the iPhone it fit well enough if the phone had a case, but it was a poor solution overall. It took up one of the two cup holders (strategically placed behind the shift knob, making the position even less than optimal should I want to switch from automatic transmission to manual for more aggressive driving) and the position made it necessary to divert my gaze from the road at times, even though I rely on Siri for most interaction.

While there are many car-based iPhone stands and mounts, I was fortunate to come into contact with what could be one of the first manufacturer to enter the market- PanaVise. Amazingly they’ve been in the game as long as there have been cellular phones- all the way from 1990 when they released the PortaGrip for the ancient brick-style analog portable phones. The company began in 1954 as a tool and die manufacturer, spurred by the patenting of founder Otto Colbert’s split ball mount to allow the rotation and positioning of dies during the manufacturing process. The patent bred further innovation that created their business of mounts for multiple products and uses. Their long line of phone mounts has evolved over the years to the current model, the PortaGRIP 15504.

The PortaGRIP 15504 is a jack of all trades- while advertised as an iPhone mount, the adjustable dock will accommodate most current smartphones (even the huge phablet Samsung Galaxy Note II). The mount offers several points of articulation, permitting it to be configured for a wide range of positions and placements- perfect for my situation as my car has a steeply sloped windscreen and textured dash that would not permit me to affix a mount in the places typically shown by manufacturers or other reviewers. After some reflection I chose the upper right corner of the windscreen, with the articulation points adjusted to position the majority of the mechanism in line with the window’s border column. My iPhone was now kept in an easily accessible spot that didn’t require me to divert my gaze should I need to reach for it, and didn’t block any view of the road. The mount is held surprisingly firmly in place by a suction cup in the base, but can be disengaged for stowing or placing the mount in another vehicle.

The PortaGRIP 15504 holds your phone securely via adjustable rubberized grips below and on eitherside of the device. All surfaces that touch your phone sport the same rubberized coating to protect your device from scuffs or scratches (should you be one of those brave souls that choose not to have a case).  A button on the left side activates the quick release mechanism for easy removal when you reach your destination. Having the PortaGRIP has been a boon; its made storing and interacting with my iPhone both practical and safer, and the prominent placement ensures I won’t forget my device when I sleepily arrive at work in the morning. Better still, even after a week of testing the PortaGRIP 15504 has held as firm as the first day of use- something I can’t say about other car mounts I’ve tested.

The PortaGRIP 15504 isn’t a work of art, my admiration for it comes from its utilitarian functionality. Regardless of what handset you prefer or where you decide is the optimal placement, it can serve you and your smartphone perfectly, and do so reliably thanks to its lifetime warranty. My only issue during testing was that my placement spot didn’t allow for recharging of my iPhone, but should I place it close enough to the power port in the center console the PortaGRIP would readily allow this as well whether you had the slim Lightning cable or the traditional 30 pin connector.

Like all good ideas the PortaGRIP comes in many flavors. The universal phone bracket can be had with numerous mount bases, from several versions of the suction cup with various arm lengths and points of articulation to pedestal mounts, air conditioning vent clips, to a twelve inch floor fixed flexible shaft. For those that like the form of the PortaGRIP but don’t care for my mount positioning they have a model specifically for sloped windscreens. They even offer vehicle-specific in-dash models that do not impinge instruments, vents, or airbag deployment. Need a mount for a different device? No worries, Panavise has you covered there as well- regardless of the device or where you need to place it. The PanaVise 15504 is available online through Smartphone Experts (online or toll free 888-599-8998), or directly from PanaVise customer service: cs@panavise.com or toll free at 800-759-7535.

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Putting more i in your iPhone

The proliferation of iOS devices has allowed me to reduce my reliance on the first version of the family- the iPhone. While both the iPhone and the iPad can accomplish a majority of the same tasks, I find some just easier or more enjoyable on one or the other. For a good portion of my iOS adventure I’ve had both devices on hand; I carried my iPad with me to work every day and used it regularly at home for video, reading, and web surfing at home. One thing that both devices have in common is outstanding battery life; both have always lasted at least a full day on a charge no matter what I threw at them.

Then one day I deviated outside my normal routine. While waiting for a connecting flight on a business trip I noticed that the battery on my iPhone was dwindling far faster than it would during a typical workday. Hours of Angry Birds, Chuzzle, podcasts, and music while trapped in transit tend to eat away at even the iPhone’s impressive battery, leaving me to scramble for an available outlet to provide a few more precious minutes of charge (not to mention digging in my carry on bag for the charging cable and plug). While I’ve always enjoyed getting multiple uses out of my accessories as well as my devices (as in my CM4 card case) my issues with battery life left me rethinking my choice in cases. Should I have picked a different iPhone 5 case? Would a battery case have been a better option?

Thanks to my friends at MobileFun, I have a third choice: the PowerSkin PoP’n. While most manufacturers have attempted to augment the iPhone’s battery by including a backup inside a case, the PowerSkin is acts as a portable external recharge pack. The device attaches to the back of your iPhone (and is compatible with most existing cases) via rows of small suction cups, and uses a thick but flexible Lightning cable to add more life to your handset. The device is rated by the manufacturer to add an extra 70% of useful life to your iPhone, but in my entirely unscientific testing it seemed to double my charge during heavy use. While the focus of the accessory is additional power for  your device sans recharging via an outlet or USB slot, the innate value  of the PowerSkin comes from its flexibility afforded over the standard battery case. It is preferable over a run of the mill recharge pack because of its close form integration to the phone. When deployed it does add significant thickness to the phone, but surprisingly little additional weight- 86 grams according to PowerSkin, allowing you to use your iPhone normally.

Unlike battery cases, the PowerSkin isn’t a permanent fixture to your handset. Use it when you need it, then stow it away when it isn’t- and keep the case that suits your needs (or none at all if you’re one of those brave souls). Not having to handle the extra mass of a battery backup was welcome as my routine doesn’t require the additional juice, but it was a welcome addition when I did. It remained firmly in place during my testing even when using my iPhone for conversations and video, yet was easy to remove and stow in my iPad messenger bag. I don’t have a Lightning-equipped iPad, but I wouldn’t think the PowerSkin would be a viable option as they tend to require more current (1 amp and 5 watts for the iPhone versus 2.1 amps and 10 watts for the full sized iPad). The PowerSkin provides a series of LEDs on its back to show the amount of charge it has to offer, and is itself recharged by an included micro USB cable. For those with an older model iPhone (or an older iPod model) there is a standard 30 pin version as well.

The PowerSkin PoP’n is available now from MobileFun ($63.99) and MobileFun UK (£49.99). If your iPhone needs a boost but you’d rather not sacrifice your favorite case (or don’t need that boost all the time) consider the PowerSkin- I think you’ll be happy you did.

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iPhone cases of the rich and famous

Build it and they will come as paraphrased from Field of Dreams fits just as well for the accessory market. As iOS devices have boomed devices of all sorts have cropped up. While the majority of accessories have been both rational and affordable (albeit with a few absurdities tossed in for good measure), if the money is there someone will always find a way to cull it from those that have it.

Case in point: the iZZi Orbit Camera Case for the iPhone. At first glance the case seems like a practical option for a niche market- the camera case sports a rotating set of camera lenses (fisheye, wide angle, and telephoto), a comfortable camera-style grip at the bottom, and an area under that grip compatible with most camera mounts. While a touch bulky the case would do an adequate job protecting your device while offering some specific camera-centric benefits. Then you see the price.

The iZZi Orbit case weighs in at an eye-popping £199.99- that’s $306.82; more than the subsidized cost of the current model 16 gig iPhone. While that case may have value for some owners, I struggle to think how the manufacturers could justify such a price. It doesn’t appear to be constructed of exotic materials, nor extraordinarily engineered. For those that can both sue what it offers and has the cash to spare, it’s available via LoveCases.co.UK now.

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Poppa’s got a brand new (laptop) bag

Now that I’ve had time to acclimate to my new MacBook Retina, it was time to do something to help carry and protect my new investment. While the Retina laptop is one of the lighter and sleeker I’ve owned, carrying it about made be a bit apprehensive. The unibody aluminum chassis is durable, but not immune to scratches and scuffs, and when you spend this kind of coin on a computer you want to keep it in mint condition.

While there is a plethora of bags and sleeves out there for the MacBook, I was looking for something specific- a bag that would be sleek, make the laptop easier to carry, protect it from minor bumps and scrapes, and most importantly offer some additional capacity to carry important additions like the power brick. Some of the most eye catching models (mainly sleeves) lacked the last but most important feature. I did find a few that looked promising like the Waterfield CitySlicker and Indy (or a few others, Waterfield has a very impressive lineup), or the Concrete Hook Case. While all of these selections fit what I was looking for and are visually impressive, they all had the same problem- price. After spending so much on the laptop itself, I was loathe to lay down another hundred or two on an accessory, regardless of how aesthetically pleasing it was. If you’re in the market act quickly before they are gone.

A trip to my local Apple Store came up empty. While they had a good selection of sleeves, I wasn’t in the market for one. The majority of their actual bags were backpacks- too bulky for what I needed. One of the associates saw me perusing their stock and suggested I try the Best Buy a block away, stating that they have enough shelf space to accommodate a wider range of products. While they didn’t have what I was looking for in their store, the associate manning the Apple section tipped me off to what led me to my eventual choice. He urged me to try Best Buy’s online selections, specifically the Brenthaven lineup. He assured me that Apple used Brenthaven’s bags exclusively in-house, and demonstrated the model he had been given years earlier (which still looked pristine after the seven years he had owned it). Encouraged, I went home to do a bit of shopping the way I preferred- online.

His advice was exactly what I needed (thank you nameless Best Buy/Apple associate!). After just a few minutes of perusing I found the ProStyle Plus Sleeve II. The nylon bag is slender but can accommodate the MacBook Pro and Retina version (the model I chose was specific for the 13 inch version) and has two pouches for additional storage: one large side pouch and a smaller pouch dubbed the iPhone pocket. The construction is top notch and includes both suitcase-style handles and a removable padded shoulder strap. The inner lining is of a silky synthetic material that will keep your laptop scuff-free and safe from minor bumps. Best of all the price was right- just over $30 including standard shipping. The ProStyle Plus Sleeve isn’t as eye-catching as what Waterfield has to offer, but the price makes up for any stylistic differences.

Sadly, this must be a closeout item for Best Buy because a search of Best Buy’s site during this post came up empty for the exact model I purchased. They do have a comparable 13 inch model in plum, and additional ones for 15 inch laptops (and a very nice satchel). While not the deal I managed to snag, the remaining bags are still very affordable and an excellent selection for the MacBook owner looking for something both stylish and practical.

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Has the streaming age quietly emerged?

While enjoying an episode of South Park (it’s hard to believe that show has been going strong for so long) via my iPad while cooking this weekend I had an epiphany. We are on the cusp of a new era of media, but the emergence has been so gradual that no one has noticed even though we have almost left the prior one behind.

The episode referenced The Shining to mock Blockbuster and physical media outlets due to our shift to streaming sources of entertainment. Ironically, I was watching the episode on Netflix (as I have long since ditched my satellite dish), but after finishing up the roasted asparagus, cashew-encrusted pork chops, and aglio y olio pasta it occurred to me that the show was more than just timely entertainment, it was a compelling statement about the slow transition of consumer tastes.

I still remember when the first Blockbuster opened in the small town I was born. For years it was the center of home entertainment and packed with locals that found it more affordable, enjoyable, or practical to catch a movie at home rather than go out. Mom and Pop stores popped up to compete, but it reigned supreme for the time I lived there. Now Blockbuster is struggling in vain to recover from bankruptcy, and most local video rental stores have long since closed.

The iPod marked the beginning of the end for the prior model of media. While there were MP3 players available before the iPod, Apple manage to make the device and format a consumer standard. With the establishment of the iPod Apple then created the next step in the transition away from physical media formats, the iTunes Music Store. Piracy of music remains and likely always will, but iTunes (and later competitors) made high quality music affordable and readily available to anyone with network access. From there all it took was improvement in broadband access and video codecs before the same started happening to movies and television shows. While media companies have steadfastly struggled to maintain some of the same business models, consumer demand has forced them to either adapt or lose out on the revenue they could have captured had they accommodated them.

Slowly, consumers have embraced the next big age of media- a digital era, free of physical formats and local content. The crux of the matter is the second point; we’ve taken to digital content without a moment’s hesitation, but many still cling to keeping the content locally, whether it be on your portable device, a large iTunes music library on your Mac, or an external hard drive full of your favorite movies and television series. I personally have opted for larger capacity iOS devices to accommodate my owned media: a 32 gig iPhone holds my music and podcasts (and took the place of a 120 gig iPod Classic), and a 32 gig iPad holds video, presentations, and documents. My desire for local storage isn’t unusual; Apple recently announced the release of a 128 gigabyte version of the iPad for those road warriors that need to have everything at their fingertips, and the iPod Classic has remained in Apple’s product lineup far longer than anyone would have thought. While more storage has always been a good thing, the South Park episode I had watched struck a chord. Was all that capacity really necessary anymore?

I’ve been an advocate for streaming media services for some time now. I’ve had a paid Pandora account for a couple of years and have thoroughly enjoyed it. Netflix and Hulu were the deciding factor for my household to end paid TV services, and other streaming video and audio services have played a larger and larger role in my regular media consumption. YouTube has always been a staple, but how many of you are aware that they have more than cute cat clips and fail videos- they have full length feature films as well? For those that don’t like iTunes there are options outside of Netflix- Amazon’s Instant Video, Crackle, and the Google Play Store are all viable sources for your entertainment fix. There are plenty of free and paid sources for music downloads, but just as many that offer streaming instead of downloading for those that would rather have their music delivered to them rather than manage it directly. Even Apple is rumored to be on the verge of joining the game via iRadio, a Pandora-like service.

Even the model of purchasing media is slowly changing. Many media retailers offer cloud access to your purchases, be they movies, music, print, or apps. The Apple TV has long since lost its local storage capacity in favor of streaming content from Apple.

On a personal level I’ve noticed that between Stitcher, Pandora, and XM Sirius I haven’t really listened to the stored content on my iPhone in weeks, even though driving without some sort of audio is completely foreign to me. I haven’t loaded a movie from my home library to my iPad or MacBook in quite some time either, yet I watch more TV now than I did when I had cable or DirecTV. My MacBook’s iTunes app isn’t even stored on the dock and its library has no content, yet I’ve watched plenty of video and listen to Pandora daily via the Hermes desktop app.

Quietly, subtly, I’ve found that I have shifted to consuming the majority of my entertainment via my network connection. The move has been both positive and problematic; having access to a much greater library of media is always a good thing, but should that network connection have issues (or worse be interrupted) I’d be left with nothing. There are still times when local storage has been the best solution, but those times are becoming more and more isolated.

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Sometimes you just need the real thing

I’ve been a proponent of the iPad as a tool of productivity since my first Bluetooth Keyboard (paired with an iPad 2). The Zagg Folio keyboard/case combo made for a great laptop replacement, offering the same touch typing experience coupled with the iPad’s slim form and great battery life. While the experience isn’t the same as a full fledged laptop, using iWork (Numbers and Pages primarily) I’ve been able to do most of the tasks my role at work required, often quicker than if I had stayed with one of the Dell workstation PCs and Microsoft Office my employer uses. Having my own personal device had other bonuses- access to media (you can’t install third party applications like Pandora desktop on work computers), better access to communication (instant messaging over multiple platforms via IM+ and iMessage without having to pull my iPhone out of my pocket), and best of all portability.

While some workflows had to be altered to accommodate the iPad’s single focus approach to applications (I don’t consider the fast app switching iOS uses to be full multitasking) and there have been some issues with cross-platform compatibility (iWork and Office don’t always play well together). The document sharing I love in the Apple ecosystem has been hampered as well by my choice of device; USB drives and SD cards aren’t an option, my workstations are limited to an older version of IE for legacy software, and access to third party cloud storage like Google Drive and Dropbox can be problematic. Still, old school emailing of important files worked, even if it lacked elegance.

Sadly, due to changes in software platforms relying on my iPad isn’t an optimal choice in the near future. My employer embarked on several projects, changing/upgrading several systems including our supply and payroll platforms in order to be compliant with our parent organization. None of these systems are iPad friendly, so for me to better be able to take advantage of our new portals I’ll have to transition from my iPad to an actual laptop.

On the positive side, Apple still offers the best of all possible worlds for what I want and need out of a device. The 11 inch MacBook Air is my laptop of choice; it’s the perfect blend of size, weight, power, and flexibility. I owned one of the original Air models a few years ago and enjoyed it, although the limited ports and underpowered internals hampered my enthusiasm somewhat. The updated models have benchmarks that rival (and often surpass) any ultraportable, and offer something the iPad just can’t- a full OS experience. No more reconfiguring workflows or searching for the best app to accomplish a task; I can simply take the road more travelled (although I will still choose iWork over Office when possible).

Best of all, the Air is the most affordable of the MacBooks. I chose a model with the upgraded 2.0 GHz processor via Apple’s refurbished outlet for a far lower price than I had thought. Apple’s refurbished outlet has been a great resource; the devices are indistinguishable from non-refurbs and have the same warranty and customer support but can offer a considerable savings. I’ve bought several items and have yet to be disappointed in my purchases, from less expensive devices like a Time Capsule router to my soon-t0-be-delivered Air.

There are still some things the iPad outperforms all comers in, such as media consumption. Reading books just isn’t enjoyable on a laptop, regardless of how light and portable. While the unibody aluminum chassis of the Air does a good job of keeping the device cool, it does still require ventilation making some situations (like lying in bed) less than optimal. The iPad will remain my primary portal for news and information, as well- RSS via your method of choice (web portal or app) and dedicated iOS apps provide the best experience for staying in the know.

While I’m a little disappointed that I’ll have to move beyond relying solely on my iPad as my portable computing platform, the tech geek in me is still reveling in the knowledge that a new toy is in the mail.

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