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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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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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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A discount iPhone?

We are in the dark period between hardware releases for Apple, so rumors abound as to what’s to be released in the near future. The speculation has been fanned by Apple’s recent financial reports- although Apple is awash in cash and has generated an astounding $13.07 billion in revenue in just the first quarter of the fiscal year, the sales figures didn’t match what financial pundits had predicted based on Apple’s meteoric rise in sales and revenue over the past few years. Consequently Apple’s stock price took a tumble (that was soon reversed) thanks to the pessimism. What’s a consumer to think? Has Apple really run out of mojo? Is this just a return to reality for a company that’s feasted off of meteoric sales fueled by practically creating two new product categories?

There are multiple factors in play concerning, and most are not readily evident. While the iPhone still reigns supreme in the US, it isn’t the industry leader around the world- Android has the lion’s portion of market share thanks to its breadth of pricing, handsets, and the slow release of the iPhone around the world. Apple has had some significant success in China, the world’s largest market for handsets, but they currently rank 6th in market share.

The iPhone won’t likely retain its market dominance in the US forever as competitors flood the market; Android has evolved at a blistering pace, and Microsoft is pushing their new mobile version of Windows 8 just as new names like Ubuntu and Firefox have been linked to mobile devices. What some don’t realize is that Apple has never been focused on market share- they place far more value on margin. Organizations like Amazon and Google sell their devices with almost no profit (and sometimes at a loss) to steer customers to their real profit centers- advertising and data mining for Google, the various Amazon stores for that entity. While Apple does generate a tidy profit from their media and app stores, they have never embraced the strategy of employing a loss leader (something that generates no or negative profit that brings more customers to the things that do).

The breadth of Android devices has been recognized as one if the reasons the platform has such a commanding portion of the handset market; devices range from iPhone equivalents like the Samsung Galaxy line to bargain models from makers like Huawei. While Apple does keep older models of iPhone in production to offer a broader range of prices, they have never sold a handset that was designed to appeal to bargain hunters (or a device that deviated from the established form factor). Some (including former Apple CEO John Sculley) have called for Apple to deviate from their business model to compete in the inexpensive handset demographic, even going so far as to insist that a cheaper version of the iPhone must be pending (with no actual evidence to support the claim). Others report on a rumored handset dubbed the iPhone Math that sports a 4.8 inch screen similar to some of Samsung’s phone/tablet (“phablet”?) hybrids.

Not only is such action not likely to happen, it would border on foolishness for Apple to do so. They have managed to generate more profit than all of their competitors combined by not focusing on market share and ceding certain segments of the market. While the sales figures from this past fiscal year weren’t explosive, they were still greater than the GDP of many countries- and this was in a quarter that was one week shorter than usual. Apple has only developed products to that offer significant value in each category, not devices solely to compete for money in that category. The Mac Mini is more than a cheaper version of the iMac; it has a different form factor and possible uses. The iPad Mini is less expensive than the full sized iPad, but the primary focus hasn’t been the price, it has been the utility offered by the smaller size of the device. The same can be said for the Shuffle, Apple’s cheapest iPod; it has a significantly different form (diminutive and lacking a screen) but is tailored for specific uses, not just to generate sales in those that can’t afford an iPod Nano or Touch. Creating an underpowered or under spec-ed device just to compete in a market segment they have never pursued for little more than market share is nonsense unless there were some way they could keep the profit margins they count on, and to date none of their competitors have been able to do so with far more time and emphasis on that demographic.

As for the super sized iPhone Math, the waters are less clear but still doubtful. I have no doubt there is a larger sized iPhone in product research (just perusing the research models revealed during the Apple v Samsung trials recently shows how broad the scope can be) but Apple tends to control every aspect of their consumer product line. The screen resolution of a larger device would pose problems for apps; it would either have to sport a non-retina display (unlikely considering the flack generated over the lack of retina in the iPad Mini) or would have to have a custom resolution- very unlikely given Apple’s insistence on uniformity in App Store apps. Another facet is Apple’s own in-house research; they have reported more than once that the screen of the iPhone and iPod Touch was specifically designed to allow one handed operation. The iPhone 5 allegedly is the largest factor that can still adhere to this purpose according to their engineers, any larger and Apple would have to ignore their own stated strategy. Then there’s the question of product identity; a massive iPhone becomes a potential competitor to the iPad Mini (which has allegedly already cannibalized sales from its full sized sibling).

While I’m far too low on the technosphere’s food chain to have precise insight on Apple’s product development, I’d still wager a week’s pay that a majority of the hand wringing and speculation on what they will (or should) do is just so much noise. The next big thing won’t be a big iPhone, it will likely be an entirely new category of device.

 

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They aren’t sports teams

As I’ve stated before I used to revel in the role of electronic tinkerer. Building new PC towers was an easy and inexpensive way to gain a better, more powerful system while satisfying my craving for learning something new. I picked up a good deal of tricks from a high school friend and augmented it by devouring all the PC magazines and online articles I could get my hands on. My deep integration into all things PC naturally evolved into a sentimental attachment to my creations and the core of their electronic life- Windows. That’s right, I used to be an Apple hater. In hindsight I think it was just a subconscious way to justify the effort I put into each system (beyond the satisfaction of bringing a new PC to life by myself)- I was able to build something more powerful, with a faster processor, heftier graphics card; just pick your benchmark or component. Competitors by their very nature had to be inferior!

Since that time I was lured into the Apple fold bit by bit, gateway iPod to iPhone to Mac without a moment of regret. While I’ll admit to being an apologist on occasion (although to be honest the iPhone 4′s antenna and Apple Map’s oft discussed problems never impacted me) I’ve reflected often on the natural tendency for people to form cliques. What used to be a Mac versus PC argument (which still exists, albeit a bit more subdued than it used to be) has now become more of an iOS versus Android tussle.

Again, a caveat- I’ve teased a coworker or two about their Android handsets. It wasn’t maliciously done, but I can debate/argue with the best of them when I put my mind to it. That being said, it seems almost bizarre to me how we naturally form mental groups based on such personal choices as what kind of gadgets we prefer. I was an early adopter of the iPhone, and was already comfortably in the Apple fold by the time Android was a viable smartphone choice. Both handset operating systems had their growing pains, but both have matured into impressively powerful platforms with unique values to offer. Had I not opted for an iPhone I would have been just as enthusiastic about my first Nexus (and this blog may have had a different name).

Android truly does offer value that iOS never will. It’s open architecture provides flexibility and configurability so far unmatched (although new platforms from Ubuntu and Firefox may challenge that). Android offers unparalleled user control over its structure; users can change just about every aspect of the operating system’s interface. Google’s market strategy of seeking profit by supporting their core business of advertising and data mining allow them to give the OS away to handset manufacturers who can configure it to a massive range of different devices. iOS only recently became available on more than one type of device, but Android phones vary so much they could be broken down into subcategories, each providing unique value like low price, removable batteries, a physical keyboard, or pseudo-tablet size screen. Android owners have multiple app sources as well; legitimate (Google Play and Amazon’s app store) as well as not-so-legitimate. Then there’s one of the hidden facets of Android that some customers flock to- it simply isn’t Apple.

With all those selling points, why would anyone buy an iOS device? Glad you asked. iOS benefits from some of the very things it’s been criticized for, such as its “closed” architecture. Apple controls the product line from start to finish, and this affords them far greater influence over the quality of their operating system, components, and end user experience (just do a quick search for Android fragmentation if you’d like to see why unity is important). The physical construction has always been high quality, with more research on ergonomics and optimal functionality than the average consumer will ever be aware of. Rather than build a wide range of devices for all budgets, Apple keeps previous models of iPhone in production, selling the older model at a discount (yet still making a respectable profit margin thanks to existing production lines) allowing them to insure that no matter what your budget, you’ll get a quality device.

Thanks in part to the curated nature of the app store and part to the customer base Apple has cultivated the iOS App Store reigns supreme. iOS users are far more likely to purchase apps (dirty secret- Google makes more revenue from iOS users than it does out of the more numerous Android users!), and this cash flow influences development, feeding the store’s massive number of apps. Then there’s the rest of the iTunes Store, both free content and paid. Music, audiobooks, podcasts (both video and audio), movies, television shows, even education- nothing matches iTunes’ scope of media. Both operating systems can tie into third party providers like Netflix and Spotify, but iOS users have a much broader selection at their fingertips- you can even access Google Play (or any of Google’s products) if you really want to.

Then there is the staggering array of third party accessories. Literally any category you can think of, from the beautiful to the absurd, is out there for iOS devices. Third party developers have created new ways of using your device and better ways of doing what you were already using it for, spurred on by the unity of the platform. It’s far more profitable (not to mention easier) to develop for a product line that changes in slow increments rather than one that has almost countless forms simultaneously.

The unity of hardware and software have allowed Apple to develop a wide ranging product line, from iPod Touch to full sized iPad, offering stability  and interoperability that no competitor can match. iOS also acts as a valuable part of their product ecosystem; users can get far more utility from their devices if they use Apple products solely. As time passes iOS and OSX will cross pollinate and the defining line between them will blur (unlike Window’s clumsy attempt to force immediate integration of mobile and desktop operating systems via Windows 8). Google has no ecosystem to leverage; they began as system agnostic and even though they ventured into hardware with Android and the overlooked Chromebook they largely remain that way.

Given time I could probably provide countless more reasons why iOS was the perfect choice for me. The stability, clean and simple interface, quality of devices, interoperability, and breadth of support both software and hardware made my choice a simple one. My requirements won’t make everyone happy; those that haven’t lost their love of tinkering with the internals of their devices in particular (most of my Android-loving friends mention the modifications they’ve made to their handsets as one of the primary reasons they love them). Just bear in mind if someone wants to influence your choice of device, it’s not like choosing a sports team to follow; pick what best suits your needs.

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The future of driving audio

My fascination for all things tech and clever extend beyond gadgets- I’m one of those unfortunates that upgrades their car every 2-3 years. The fascination comes from the same root as my love of electronics: the desire to understand the facets that make it enjoyable (be it screen resolution and processor power or 0-60 times and MPGs), the fun in following blogs and news sources to broaden your horizons, the indulgence in the joy of something innately “cool”, and the fun that new toys always bring.

The enjoyment of driving a car is closely tied to its ability to mesh with other things I love, especially music. Driving without accompanying audio is almost unthinkable to me, be it music, audiobooks (especially good for long drives), or podcasts. With each successive vehicle I’ve sought to improve not only the ride but the ability to enjoy all the aspects of that ride, from the first time I installed an after-market auto reverse cassette deck in my beater Volkswagen Rabbit to the iPod integration of my Mini Coopers.

The upgrade to the iPhone 5 gave me an opportunity to both consolidate my devices and tinker with new (to me, at least) tech. Mini Cooper uses the same sort of factory stereo input for Apple devices as many other car manufacturers- a 32 pin connector that splits into USB and standard stereo jack plugs. The setup provides the ability to control your device from the stereo (and steering wheel controls if you have them) and the display of some metadata of the tracks on your device. While it works, the user experience isn’t exactly seamless. The Cooper’s controls allowed sorting by Artist, Album, Genre, and Playlist, but that’s it. Selection was limited to scrolling with a knob on the stereo; ok if you have just enough music to fill a Shuffle, but when you start to fill up an iPod Classic the task of finding a specific artist or album becomes a Sisyphean task. Having my entire library was nice, but realistically I was limited to either playing the entire library on random or choosing one of the smart playlists I had made (mostly limited to podcasts, as the stereo unit had no category to sort them).

Using my then iPhone 4 wasn’t a viable option as the cable connection interfered with the phone’s ability to interface via Bluetooth for calls. Using a much cheaper USB thumbdrive was considered, but it would have made synching podcasts much more difficult and wouldn’t have overcome the hurdles created by a large library. Thankfully, my choice of successor to the Mini had an answer.

I shopped around quite a bit before choosing a Hyundai Genesis Coupe. The GT model had everything I was looking for in a car- power to spare, top notch interior, stylish looks, and best of all just about every electronic feature I could want. While XM is great (especially access to NFL games), there are times when you want to hear a favorite album or podcast. The Infinity stereo in the Genesis has the same sort of cable input as my Mini had- 32 pin connector that split into USB and stereo jack controllable by the head unit and steering wheel controls. It has some additional features, like voice control and a 5″ color LCD screen capable of showing far more track metadata, but it’s still close to the same setup. Thankfully, it’s capable of something that only a few cars are so far- Bluetooth audio streaming.

The ability to stream from my iPhone’s music and podcast library (or play the audio from any streaming source) is an absolute boon. When coupled with Siri you needn’t do much but choose the phone as an input, then tell it what you’d like to hear. Launch Pandora, pick a playlist or album, or whatever your heart desires. I’ve seen some new models being touted by manufacturers that have streaming audio built into the stereo, from Pandora to Spotify. The concept is an intriguing one, but I already have the capacity to enjoy those sources and would rather not pay a premium for additional ways to access them (or potentially another data plan).

Using your iPhone instead of an iPod for audio has a couple advantages- rather than upgrade my aging iPod Classic (to the tune of about $250) I just chose a higher-capacity iPhone (adding $100 to the contract-subsidized price). While I don’t carry my entire music library with me, I carry the vast majority of tracks I’d like to hear more than once. In addition, I don’t have to bring an additional device to my office to sync new content- podcasts and music sync wirelessly now. If there’s something I’d like but don’t have locally, solutions abound: for podcasts there’s both Apple’s Podcast App and Stitcher, for music there are too many sources to cover (streaming and purchasing). For those that want access to their entire library but don’t have the capacity there are a couple easy solutions- iTunes Match or Google Music.

One caveat- the Genesis’ Infinity system isn’t completely compatible with Siri and it doesn’t take advantages of Apple’s new eyes-free iPhone mode (although it’s been announced for future models). Currently I have to access Siri via my iPhone’s home button, but it’s an easy task that doesn’t divert my gaze from the road thanks to a cup holder mount that keeps my iPhone in easy reach. While the car has audio control built in, it can’t interface with Siri or access the library on the iPhone, it only interacts with devices connected by the now-outdated 32 pin cable. I haven’t tried to use it with a Lightning adaptor, but to be honest the Bluetooth streaming it affords doesn’t give me much incentive to try.

For those of you still using physical media like CDs for your audio, take a look at some of the digital options available to you. Many new cars are offering these features as they add a good deal of value without costing the manufacturer much to include. More access to the media you enjoy is always good, and having an additional use for your iPhone makes it that much more valuable.

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Is Apple DOOMED?

The guys at Cupertino have received a good deal of bad news lately. Some pundits have even declared that Apple’s Golden Age has ended, and the inevitable spiral back down to fringe player status has begun.

It began with the much-publicized Antennagate issue. The outer band of metal on the iPhone 4 served as more than decoration; the segmented border acted as an antenna for various radio functions. When grasped in a certain way the cell reception would dramatically decrease; I was able to reproduce the effect on my own 4 but never had an actual impact on my usage because of it. Famously Steve Jobs declared that users were merely “holding it wrong”, rather than own up to the engineering flaw.

Fast forward to the release of iPhone 5, iPad Mini, and iOS 6, and the controversy that came with them. The iPhone 5 has been a joy to have; thinner, lighter, yet with a larger screen. Yet some just weren’t impressed; pundits complained it wasn’t different enough, that the interface was dated, some even going so far as to complain that it was too light. The iPad Mini failed to wow some pundits due to its suboptimal specs, and reports of smaller lines than any other iOS product launch seemed to support the lukewarm reception.

The there are the real issues of iOS 6. Some complained of the removal of the YouTube app (even though YouTube is usable via Safari and several third party apps). There were sporadic complaints about wifi, Exchange settings, and the elephant in the room: Apple’s new Maps.

As Apple and Google spiraled from Frenemy to just plain adversaries, Apple has attempted to remove all traces of their competitor from their mobile platform. Chief among these has been Google’s Maps; once a crowning jewel of the handset. Rumors stated that Apple rushed to replace Google’s Maps with their own, even though they still had a year left in their contract with the search giant. Sadly, on release Apple’s Maps wasn’t ready for prime time, with numerous reports of incorrect rendering, bad directions, and warped satellite imagery. Landmarks were omitted or misplaced.

Now Apple is dealing with bad press closer to home. The recent shakeup of administrators and rumors of discord that led to the retirement (and then unretirement) of key executives showed cracks in what had been thought to be a solid, almost hive-mind group of visionaries that had assumed control of the organization after the death of Steve Jobs. Statements of infighting and contrasting visions would lead the reader to wonder why the fired executives were ever brought on in the first place.

All of these issues have led up to a precipitous drop in Apple’s stock price. At one point it was thought that the price per share might top $1000, as of 11/2 the price had plummeted to $576.80. What is a tech enthusiast to think? Are the few voices declaring the end of Apple’s reign accurate?

While I lack access to the inner circles of Apple, I can advise those that like me spend too much time perusing tech news to relax. None of the iOS devices have had a controversy-free release, and the eye of punditry has been focused ever tighter on Apple’s offerings with each successive product. Hyperanalysis comes with market leadership; almost no one noticed when the once highly anticipated Notion Ink Adam tablet failed to be released on time, and then fail to meet its prerelease hype, yet the iPhone 5 got a good deal of e-ink for not being ‘different enough’.

I’ll agree that Apple’s Maps was rushed to market, but in defense of the maligned app I haven’t had a single issue with it since the release of iOS 6 (and Google Maps led me far astray more than once). Some pundits have pointed out that Google has a several year head start on Apple when it comes to map data, and I would agree with the notion that Apple will have it on at least equal footing in a very short timespan. In the meantime, there are multiple options (including using  Google maps via Safari) for iOS 6 users that don’t feel like waiting.

The iPad Mini is a product of adaption of existing product lines. It sports some of the same internals as the iPad 2, as well as its screen resolution (albeit on a smaller screen, making the pixel per inch count significantly higher) for a reason- it made the device not only more affordable to produce, it allowed a seamless introduction into Apple’s existing product ecosystem. The Mini can use all existing apps with no conversion, and while its screen isn’t Retina Display quality it is better than its closest iPad relative. Apple had to walk a fine line to create a legitimate product between the iPad and iPod Touch- too powerful and you steal sales from your other products, too weak and no one will be interested. Much like Porche intentionally created their Boxster as slightly underpowered as not to infringe on the more expensive 911 and Cayman, Apple crafted the iPad Mini with exact specs- it offers value via a smaller and lighter form factor, more screen than an iPod Touch but less power and resolution than the full iPad. I would have loved for Apple to have followed Amazon and Google’s business plan of selling their devices at cost, but Apple has never done so. The $329 price marks it as a superior good; if you are shopping with price as your sole determining factor Apple seems comfortable with you choosing an Android-powered device rather than undercutting the $299 iPod Touch.

As for their executive team, who can say what inspired the creation of the group that was just dissolved. I had noted that the quickly reversed changes to Apple’s retail outlets went against what I and many others valued in Apple. The skeumorphic design of some of Apple’s software lineup has been curiously deviant from their overall design (just look at the stitched leather design of Calendar compared to the design of the device). I’d wager that the shift of control of iOS 6 to Jony Ive will result in some subtle changes to the interface of iOS 6. Apple has strongly stressed user experience as the primary benchmark of their product line for almost the life of the company, and I would expect the reshuffling of responsibilities to reflect this.

Lastly, stock prices are notoriously fluid. Wall Street and investors crave just two things: profit and stability. While Apple is still obscenely profitable (and holds more cash reserves than many nations) the shakeup of executives was unexpected and untimely. This was bound to have an impact on investor behavior. Couple this uncertainty with the introduction of a powerful competitor with Microsoft’s release of Windows 8 and their first internally-produced hardware the Surface, along with the rapid improvement of Android-powered tablets like the Nexus and Kindle Fire and you have a recipe for sure-fire turbulence.

Ultimately, nothing has really changed. Apple’s meteoric sales of iOS devices cannot last forever; one would assume that they are spending a good portion of their vast reserves on R&D to develop the next wave of cutting-edge devices. Apple is still incredibly profitable, and the outlook of their entire product line (save the iPod Classic and Mac Pro) is rosy- sales of just about every category of device has met predictions, and the Mac’s market share has risen along with the unexpected adoption of the iPad by businesses.

No pundit, least of all this modest blogger, can predict the long term outcome of a major international organization, but I can venture that the short term outlook of Apple is very good. While competition in the new market of portable devices is about to become much more intense, Apple still has a very advantageous position. Reports of their pending demise are more than a little premature.

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A chat with an indie app developer

From my first gig as an reviewer for the now-defunct iPad N Gravy (no link; Safari warns that the site has been compromised by malware) to my current digs here at iPod to iPad I’ve seen a lot of indie apps. Many were games, but all were the product of someone (or a select few someones) with an intriguing idea, skill, and the drive to bring their concept to an app store. While I have professed my affection for indie apps (who doesn’t love an underdog?) I have to date little exposure to the brave souls that actually breathe life into the little icon on your smartphone’s screen.

I was recently contacted by Tam Hanna of Tammoggemon, the developer of TouchCalc, a powerful (and free) graphing calculator app for Android, BlackBerry, and eventually iOS. While I restrict my writing to products within the Apple envirosphere, he was kind enough to chat with me about what its like to be an independent app developer.

Not surprisingly, he followed a similar track to my best friend from high school, programmer Scott Lemmon (you’re still missed, Scott). He had some formal education, but was primarily self-taught through study of a field he found interesting; reaffirming something I’ve long stressed- no matter how complex something is, if you find it interesting you’ll pick it up far easier than you would have thought. Here’s a short excerpt of our discussion:

Is app design your first career or did you find yourself drawn to it?

 A: I have been hounding the mobile IT scene since 2004, so yes, one can say that it is my first and primary career.

Was there any one particular platform or operating system that first sparked you to start developing?

 A: Definitely Palm OS and OnBoardC. Hacking a mobile app on a mobile phone is just insanely cool – it is a pity that this isn’t possible anymore.

What are the differences or barriers developing for different mobile OS?

 A: This is a good and hard question. To developers who start coding for mobile for the first time, the legalese – think certification and such – can be quite a burden. But once you have the structure set up, this becomes easy. The next issue is the different API and languages. As you gain experience in IT, this becomes less and less of an issue as the fundamental concepts largely are the same across platforms.

Is the process of getting an app approved for the various Android outlets difficult?

 A: My experience with Samsung shows that the staff are rarely unhelpful or actively trying to hinder or annoy developers. Instead, they try to eliminate errors before your users find them; this can really save face. Of course, the clocks do tick a little different at Apple. After all, these boys get a lot of press out of being tough to developers.

 How long did it take you to release the current version of TouchCalc? 

 A: About a month from concept to the first beta. Samsung’s QA team was very helpful, but generally is known to be rather docile towards apps.

Are you working on any other projects, or are you focusing on honing TouchCalc? 

 A: The frequent update cycle promised does take a lot of resources inside of Tamoggemon. Nevertheless, we currently plan to port TouchCalc to Android, BB10 and – given feasibility – Symbian. We are also open to new product ideas, but currently have nothing open in that area.

In my correspondence with Tam I found him to be stereotypical of the geek culture I’ve grown up with- intelligent, motivated, and a generally good guy. I enjoyed the insight into the world of developing; I find it completely fascinating- it’s not very often that we get an insight into how the things we use every day come to be. If you have a non-iPhone handset, help support the passion of an indie developer and give TouchCalc a look!

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Cycling in style with the FreeWheelin

I stumbled across an innovative answer to using your iPhone when biking via an earlier post courtesy of TUAW (The Unofficial Apple Weblog). The FreeWheelin Bluetooth accessory seemed to be a promising way to enjoy the audio capabilities of your iPhone or bluetooth-capable iPod without sacrificing your ability to hear ambient sounds around you, unlike most sound-isolating earbuds. While the idea sounded promising (and far safer than listening to audio with earbuds), I’m skeptical of new products without being able to review them firsthand, and thankfully the makers of the SoundRyder FreeWheelin have made that a reality.

The concept behind the FreeWheelin is a simple one: rather than block all sound via earbuds or earphones, the makers opt to place the audio gear on your helmet, mounted via a velcro-like (but considerably more secure) strips that adhere to the non-styrofoam surfaces. The accessory is divided into three sections; two for each speaker, and a third between them as the Bluetooth module and battery. The three sections are connected by a coiled, sturdy-feeling insulated cable. While the body of the three sections are housed in plastic, it does have a solid (but thankfully light) feel to it. The overall build quality of the FreeWheelin was better than I had expected, considering the recent introduction of the product.

After ensuring the battery was charged via the included USB cable, I installed the FreeWheelin on my biking helmet. The process took minutes; the device clung firmly in place when pressed to the anchoring strips. It took me almost as long to decide where to mount the unit as the process itself; the instructions state that the mounting strips should not be placed directly on styrofoam, but my favorite (and admittedly inexpensive) helmet’s sides and back are mostly unvarnished styrofoam. As you can see in the photos, the center module had to be placed on the top of the back of my helmet. The pairing process was equally as straightforward, and I was on my way.

Operation of the FreeWheelin was as easy as its installation. Holding the single power/pairing button turns on the device; once paired your phone should connect automatically thereafter when the device is powered up. I didn’t notice a change in the weight or distribution of my helmet; it sat as comfortably as ever.

Now for the golden question- audio quality. The sound volume was likely impacted by my placement of the speakers; they were situated higher than the demonstration photos I’ve seen thanks to the construction of my helmet. The overall quality of the sound was adequate, but not overwhelming; in particular I would have liked more bass response on some tracks (low end sound is notoriously difficult to reproduce in small speakers). Once I had the sound levels set properly (thanks to controls on both the device and my iPhone) I was satisfied with the volume, although in particularly noisy settings I feel they would have been at least partly overwhelmed. On a better quality helmet I suspect both the volume and quality would have been markedly better, but bear in mind the device isn’t intended for high fidelity. [NOTE: SoundRyder pointed out to me after writing this review that the sound quality can be noticeably enhanced by using the iPhone's equalizer settings, a feature that I don't regularly use. I can now attest that it can make a marked difference. If you still have issues, they suggest checking the volume of your tracks in iTunes. Right click on any song (or a selection of songs) and go to options. You should see a volume slide; this can be the source of underwhelming volume when your sound levels are hit and miss.] The device was engineered to allow outside sound to be heard, unlike high quality headsets made to enhance the experience of your music; this alone would prevent your music from being concert hall pure.

The unexpected bonus of the FreeWheelin is that it’s not just wireless headphones, it’s a fully functional two way Bluetooth headset. I was able to make calls and text messages via Siri with good sound quality on the receiving end; the other party noted only minimal wind noise. The addition of Siri makes the Freewheelin far more useful; not having to interact with the touchscreen is even more valuable when cycling than driving.

The makers of the FreeWheelin thoughtfully included a mounting rack for using the device in other settings than cycling. The clip mount neatly affixes to a car visor or similarly thin target, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of the FreeWheelin in just about any environment. 

Overall the FreeWheelin gets a thumbs up for overall usefulness. The only negatives I could find were the overall volume and quality of sound, but my test helmet was a worst case selection. It definitely earns my endorsement for its uniqueness; I have yet to see any other competing product on the market that offers anything even similar. While not a perfect product (and those are very rare), it provides distinct advantage to those that would like to enjoy and interact with their iOS device while on the go. The FreeWheelin is available now via the SoundRyder website for $149.95.

ADDENDUM: The FreeWheelin is more widely available than first reported- it’s being carried by The Helmet Man and the makers have a distribution deal with J&B Importers who share their impressive product with independent bike stores and chains. The organization has embarked on an aggressive campaign to get the FreeWheelin into a store near you.

As for future products, SoundRyder has disclosed that they have a version of the FreeWheelin in development for motorcycle helmets/full faced helmets; further improving the usability of my favorite iOS device. This is yet another unaddressed niche- while Bluetooth connections have become almost standard in many car makes, the lack of two wheeled options are as sparse for motorcycles as they are for bikes.

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