Tag: opinion
iPhone won't run Flash or Java: is it a complete Web experience?
Apple has already made it clear that the Safari browser built in to the iPhone won’t run the Flash plug-in. Now it’s also been noted that it won’t run Java applications, either.
Because of these two omissions, Mobile Business magazine has weighed in and claimed that the iPhone won’t run the full Web.
They claim that Flash and Java are “near essential” applications – and I’ll own up and say that I’ve said similar about Flash. I’m not a huge fan of Flash, because it does its best to slow down even the most modern PC’s CPU, but I recognise that it has become a standard for a number of web applications.
Java, too, is a pain. The only Java I like is the hot, steaming variety that comes from my coffee percolator each morning. The other Java is – well – hot and steaming might describe it, but it ain’t coffee.
European iPhone launch at risk from arrogance – but whose? Apple's or the mobile operators
We already know that the iPhone won’t be legitimately found in Europe until at least the last quarter of 2007, but recent reports suggest that we could be waiting a lot longer than that.
While it may not have been the most popular choice, we were at least hoping that Apple were close to a pan-European deal.
Off the record, though, some mobile operators are saying that they’ll never stock the iPhone, thanks to Apple being “unbelievably arrogant” and “making demands that ‘simply cannot be justified no matter how hot the product is'”.
We’re led to believe that Steve Jobs talked tough to get his way with AT&T, and that Verizon refused to bow to the pressure.
Is the same true in Europe, or is the differing nature of European operators making it harder for Apple to get its own way? Is it possible that the operators are the arrogant ones, unhappy at being asked to agree to a new business model (who wants to share revenue, eh?)
What are the options?
Apple iPhone application development: can't do right by some
Andy Merrett writes…
Thanks to the amount of hype and spin surrounding the iPhone, it seems that, when it comes to third party applications, Apple can’t do right by some people.
Apple were criticised right from the start when it looked as if they wouldn’t offer any kind of third-party application support for the iPhone.
Now that their initial solution has been unveiled – Web 2.0 and AJAX – they’re being slated again. Pick a derogatory word about Apple’s solution and it’s probably been used against them.
It seems few people stop to consider that this is Apple’s first-generation iPhone. As with the first Apple TV, the first iPod, the first Mac, the first iMac, or the first MacBook Pro, it will have first-generation functionality.
Everyone knows that future generations of the iPhone will feature more functionality. Take a look at the evolution of the iPod, now imagine what an iPhone could look like in five years’ time.
Does the Church of England have any rights over a virtual Manchester Cathedral?
Andy Merrett writes…
An almighty row (no pun intended, honest) has broken out between two giants: Sony and the Church of England.
It’s all down to the highly controversial use of Manchester Cathedral in Sony’s hit game “Resistance: Fall of Man”.
Both the Church, and relatives of victims of Manchester’s gun crime, have condemned Sony for producing the game, branding it “sick” and “highly irresponsible”.
Sci-fi it may be (the first-person shooter is annihilating aliens as they dash around the sanctuary toting a huge gun) – and that’s the line Sony is sticking to – but the Church of England is considering legal action if the game is not removed from shelves and if Sony do not apologise.
In the highly unlikely event that Sony do remove the game voluntarily from shelves, they’ll be reaching up to the number one shelf position – this controversy will probably just increase the game’s popularity.
So does it matter?
BT offering rewards for its loyal broadband customers. How about a lower subscription and higher bandwidth allowance instead?
Andy Merrett writes…
British Telecom has announced that, as a “thank you” to its loyal broadband customers, it will be offering them £500 worth of vouchers to spend on leisure breaks or online stores.
That’s all very nice for PR, but to be honest, I’m not a huge fan of these types of promotions. It won’t have cost BT anywhere near £500 per customer to give away these vouchers (which, by the way, I’ve not had a sniff of yet), there are usually some hefty terms and conditions on how they can be used (in other words, please spend more money), and really… all I want is a decent broadband service.
Manufacturers and users of technology products have to be responsible for their energy consumption
Andy Merrett writes…
So, the latest news is that many of our decrepit coal and nuclear power stations are coming to the end of their working lives, and something drastic needs to happen to ensure that Britain can generate enough power for our 21st century lives.
Whatever your view on nuclear power, fossil fuels, and greener alternatives, there’s no denying that we’re a power hungry nation.
We’re also lazy (but trying, of course.)
UK's biggest iPhone survey: iPhone looks great, it's expensive, and 7.6% want one!
The results of last month’s Shiny Media iPhone survey are in, and it makes for some interesting reading.
With 487 respondents, it’s the UK’s largest iPhone survey to date.
10 things I hate about lame "10 things we hate about Apple" articles
Well, the over-hyped “10 Things We Hate About Apple” article (that caused a few staff changes at PC World) has finally aired.
The ranting of two ‘veteran Mac users’ – who are obviously not true Mac zealots – have inspired me to write:
Ten things I hate about lame “10 things we hate about Apple” articles
