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Ten Theses on Tablets→

Ten Theses on Tablets

As cameras , tablets suck. I feel like a complete idiot brandishing these things at startled potential subjects. They need to have cameras, for augmented-reality and a few other kinds of apps, but when you say “cameraphone” you’re talking about something that fits in a jeans pocket.

I was one of those who, when the iPad arrived, dissed it as a consume-only platform, saying: For creative people, this device is nothing.

Clearly, I was at least partially wrong. There are now successful drawing and painting apps, good enough to get on magazine covers. I’ve also read pieces by bloggers I respect, saying they were able to write this or that on their iPad.

Good overview of the iPad and Samsung Galaxy Tab by Tim Bray. He’s the same guy that ditched the iPad back in January, so it’s good to see he’s revising his position after some “real” usage. I’m really looking forward to trying Samsung 7-inch form factor.

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Making Gmail Play Nice With Mac OS X Mail→

Making Gmail Play Nice With Mac OS X Mail

So, you want to use Mac OS X Mail with Gmail, which is an excellent, free webmail service from Google? While Snow Leopard makes the default setup is very easy, there are some rough edges of Google’s somewhat-wonky IMAP setup that need to be smoothed off for a better experience.

I’ve written out the steps to reach “Gmail IMAP in Mac OS X Mail” nirvana. While that doesn’t roll of the tongue, it does soothe the soul of the Gmail-using Mac lover.

Great guide. Some neat tricks I didn’t know about in there. [via Brooks Review]

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Ars Technica Is Blocked In Iran→

Ars Technica Is Blocked In Iran

The block began following our second piece of coverage about the Stuxnet malware that allegedly targeted an Iranian power plant. That was published on September 27, the last day in which Iranian readers could access the site.

The point of the ban isn’t clear, but it definitely highlights how easy it is for governments to start cracking down on whatever sites they like once they have the proper tools in place and have centralized all Internet links leaving/entering the country.

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Brian Chen: “Why Windows Phone 7 Will Make Android Look Chaotic”→

Brian Chen: “Why Windows Phone 7 Will Make Android Look Chaotic”

The OS is going to be the same with the same features on every handset so, as a consumer, your decision-making will boil down to the hardware’s look, weight and size. Compare that to the experience of buying an Android phone, which could be running a different version depending on the handset you buy: Donut, Eclair, Froyo, blueberry pie, neopolitan or whatever Google chooses to call it eventually. You won’t have to ask yourself, “Am I going to get X on this phone or do I have to get another one?” because they’re all running the same OS with a few variations in hardware.

The inevitable question that arises is what Windows Phone 7 means as a competitor to iOS. It’s tough to say.

This morning I drove to the Three store to see what Android devices were available. I’m a curious guy. All of them had different specs, features and UIs. On the other hand, the Windows Phone 7 platform looks solid and consistent - but is it enough to gain decent market share after years of Windows Mobile failures? I don’t know. What’s for sure, though, is that Microsoft is doing many things right now.

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The App Hall Of Fame→

The App Hall Of Fame

Discovering the very best apps is an increasingly difficult task. There are so many new applications released that it becomes harder and harder to find the gems in the crowd — especially so once that special new app smell wears off. That’s why we’re here. The App Hall of Fame exists to archive the very best of the best in mobile apps. The apps inducted into the hall of fame are considered to be the very best in the app store, the cream of the crop, as it were.

A fun and interesting project. I’m in the selection committee.

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A Markdown Teleprompter→

A Markdown Teleprompter

It takes input in standard Markdown format and, when you press the “Prompt” button or hit Shift-Enter, it blacks the screen and renders your Markdown in large, contrasting text. Then you can hit Spacebar or Enter to start and stop scrolling. Stopping auto-scroll and using your mouse’s scroll wheel will allow you to navigate. Escape (or a click on the background) will take you back to the editor.

Very cool. You can also run it locally or on your own server. The online version is available here.

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How Steve Ballmer Told Me What To Do With My iPad→

How Steve Ballmer Told Me What To Do With My iPad

The truth of the matter is the laptop weighs less – you can set it on your lap, it doesn’t weigh anything at that point and then you can type.  I’m not trying to say there’s not a place for touch-optimised slate-based devices, obviously we have shown enthusiasm about that before but you’ll see some optimisations coming in the course of the next year and some of the devices that convert, that have a keyboard, that flip around – I think some of those will be also pretty useful for people in the course of the next year.

Eh?

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