I am probably not alone in wondering if I'll be able to play non-Itunes Store video content with AppleTV. I have a ton of DVDs backed up in DivX format and would be really disappointed if I couldn't get to this content.
Front Row let's me point to a director via an alias in the Movies folder of the host machine -- but this technique won't work if AppleTV *ONLY* has access to what sits in iTunes.
Anyone know for sure? I am headed up to MacWorld tomorrow.. maybe I will get some answers!
Umm.. PocketMac DOES sync with the Pearl... Lord knows I wouldn't have hand entered the 400+ contacts in my Pearl...
In fact, the latest version allows you to install applications in addition to just sync data...
The only thing that is missing (and it's far from minor) is the ability to upgrade the OS on your phone with PocketMAC.. for that, I am afraid, you will need to use a PC.... Hopefully a change to be addressed in an upcoming version..
I am a 360 owner and once-was-but-no-longer excited to get a PS3 -- but I need to call bullsh*t on this.
The first vs. second generation point is very well and strong -- but more importantly almost all of the games 1UP compares in this article are PORTS of 360 games to the PS3. I have read several places that much of the first batch (and potentially several 'next batches') of PS3 games will be highly leveraging (i.e. porting) much of their content from the easier to develop for 360.
It's totally fair to say that some PS3 games do (and might continue to) look *very* similar to 360 games -- for 1UP to present this as a premise that questions the technological prowess of the Cell processor.. well.. that's a little unfair and, IMHO, no very solid (nor balanced) journalism.
I've owned a Blackjack for a few days now and thought I would post my thoughts in hopes it might help those on the fence or those that recently purchased and wanted to hear that they weren't the only ones thinking these things..
I have been a blackberry user for over 6 years and this phone is replacing an 8700 that got in a fight with my kitchen floor and lost.
POSITIVE IMPRESSION ON:
Size - Perfect size. Anything smaller would definitely prohibit a full QWERTY keyboard. The slimness is welcome -- I'd say it's half as thick as the 8700.
Great screen - nice, bright and high resolution. Feels sharper and 'better' than my 8700's screen.
QWERTY keyboard is great. Despite the small size, with a little adjustment easily as good as 8700. I read they even licensed some of the RIM keyboard patents and it shows with the ease of typing. "Push" email (POP3 -- gmail in my case) is very adequate
Application variety - I'm a BIG fan of the simplicity of Blackberry products- - they seem VERY smartly organized around professional use. I have to admit (although early) I like the option of having a Windows Media Player that can stream internet radio and a phone and video recorder. Who know how much use I will get of them but, for now, they are a positive novelty.
NEGATIVE IMPRESSIONS ON:
Weight - Far from 'too heavy' but it feels to me to be about the same weight as the 8700. Totally acceptable (not really a con -- it's just feather light)
No 'missed calls / email' indicator light - the blackberry features an indicator light which can be set to blink if you miss a call or email. This is great if you have your phone sitting on a coffee table while you are watching tv and don't want if vibrating or ringing. As far as I can tell the only option on the Blackjack is to scroll down on the home screen and see if it says you have missed calls or new email.
Inconsistent soft keys - below the screen are two 'soft keys' that can't seem to make up their mind about what they are. A perfect example is that sometimes when looking at a list the left one is a 'more' option that takes you to the next set of items -- and other times you need to scroll down to the last item in a list that is called 'more' and use the soft key to 'select' that item. Thinking about the one a bit I think it's more an issue of Windows Mobile being a platform that works across many different phones -- but annoying nevertheless.
Scroll wheel an afterthought - Unlike the Blackberry, this device was definitely not BUILT around the scroll wheel and it shows. The scroll wheel is nice for scrolling up and down email and webpages but, for example, you cant scroll around the links on a page -- rather you need to scroll down near them and then use the direction pad to select specific links.. speaking of the direction pad..
VERY BAD direction navigation pad - for much of your navigation you are forced to use the up/down/left/right/select direction navigation pad. The pad itself is QUITE nice but it's location (and the location of my fingers) FREQUENTLY (like 10% of clicks) seem to brush over/on the "CALL START' or "CALL CANCEL" buttons. Pressing either of these either sends you to the phone mode for phone number entry or cancels you out of the application. Usually selecting the 'back' button gets you back where you were but this issue is actually quite bad. I am not sure if I am nitpicking here (anyone else have reactions?) but if I don't find myself adjusting away from accidentally hitting those buttons I might return the phone -- it's that bad.
Crap Extra Applications - Ahh.. yes.. Microsoft bloatware. A ton of stuff here that isn't of interest with very limited options to 'get it out of the way'. Blackberry does a nice job of letting you easily remove and hide anything that isn't important to you.
Home Screen - Just plain kludgey. For me, none of the 'start screen' templates 'feel right'. The blackberry gives you a pretty concise and targeted set of things to do from the 'home screen'. While there are like four or five options included with my Cingular Blackjack none of them feel right. None of them give me an overview of everything important to me on a single screen. All require additional interaction.
Application and File navigation - Wow. Talk about too many ways to skin a cat. I have found at least 5 ways to navigate around the applications and the files. While some might like the chance to find one that suites them 95% well --- I'd just prefer a single option that works 85% and not be exposed to all the confusion around options... and even if you find one that works best there really isn't a simple way to get back to it.
New Date and Contact Entry - While not totally broken it doesn't seem nearly as thoughtful and streamlined as the blackberry counterpart. Seems like the interface skims on phone entry and likely assumes and relies upon majority of management happening on a PC client and then getting sync'd up. Not a bad assumption -- just not how I work. (I enter almost everything on the phone and sync it back to desktop). An example of something that actually is a little broken is adding a contact while in an application -- if you see and highlight a phone number or are in an email message and select 'add to contact list' unlike the blackberry that intelligently populates your new entry with some information the blackjack always seems to bring up a clean and empty new contact.. I could be doing something wrong but it feels buggy.
Google Maps doesn't work - Might be a small or non-issue for most but I became quite reliant upon Google Maps to get around and look up phone numbers for local businesses etc. Even though there is a version of Google Maps designed for the phone it seems that Cingular's or Samsung's implementation of Java prohibits it from working. Major bummer. Hopefully there is a workaround in the works about postings on this board indicate nothing is in the works.
OVERALL
Well -- I could go on and on. Clearly I spend more time with the negatives than the positives because the issues seems to be dumb oversights. MANY times I am using the Blackjack and thinking that someone on the Windows Mobile team should have just said "umm.. let's just copy Blackberry". Maybe much of how Blackberry phones work is patented but it just seems much more intelligently designed and presented.
I will say that while my experience is limited in the world of Windows Mobile Devices I am impressed with the phone. It's definitely a lean and mean machine technically -- I just think the Blackberry OS is firmly superior to the experience of using a blackjack. An obvious caveat is that I am very used to the blackberry -- but that aside -- doing simple and obvious things on the blackjack just take longer. More navigation needed, more clicks, more button presses, more attention required -- and getting quick and more familiar with the device won't reduce the clicks or limit the amount of button presses.
So what am I going to do? I'm definitely going to give it a shot. I'm going to keep it for my full 30 days and see if I get more familiar with the device, the operating system and the either find workarounds for my issues or just get less critical of them..
... And if I don't like it them I will perhaps give the Blackberry Pearl a spin (although the non-full QWERTY keyboard freaks me out) or perhaps fall back on replacing my broken 8700 with another (now swollen feeling) 8700. It all depends on how well I get along with the Blackjack and what Cingular's timing is with the Pearl.
Does anyone else have any thoughts or questions? I would love to know if anyone agrees or disagrees. Hopefully I am not stirring up and rabid Windows Mobile fan base -- just my own personal thoughts and impressions.. your mileage (and thought) may vary.
Two word -- so what. I've been gaming console gaming since the 2600 and could really care less about 'gamerscore'. The whole scheme seems totally optimized for the upper 1% of hardcore gamers and, while cool for them, seems to occupy a lot of interface and attention for something so narrowly appealing.
Wow.. that was horrendous. Underwhelming is an understatement. Did the Japanese audience respond as (appropriately) bored and confused as I imagine they would? Talk about (continued) smoke and mirrors. Maybe he didn't get the memo that the console was going on sale in a few months?
What is the point of them spinning up a UK version of the website if the UK folks aren't allowed to review games as they are released in the UK?
If I remember correctly, the *VERY REASON* that Gamespot UK was launched is to better serve the audience and release dates in the European market. Wouldn't releasing a review of the UK release WHEN it's released in the UK be exactly serving the European market in the way they intend with Gamespot UK?
No, I expect this all stems from an editorial difference of opinion with the US electing to trump the UK. So, *I* predict that there will be an entirely different review *AND* an entirely different rating for this title that the US folks (especially uber-fan Carrie) are going gaga for. And if its not this scenario than it is a case of the US Gamespot folks deciding that the UK team can't be trusted to review 'important' releases..
Whatever the case... something strikes me as not quite right..
I am going crazy listening to all the people out there (on this site and others) complain about the cost of downloadable content on the 360... If you don't like the price, a very simple and effective way to let them know if to not purchase it. You are welcome to whine and complain on all the forums you want but smart businesses look at what people DO rather than what they say.. and I suspect that for every person that SAYS the cost of the download content sucks, there are 10 people that DO go ahead and purchase it.. so it's clear to me that the market will determine the price.
Don't be too dismayed about Shiny getting caught in the fray.. Their 'big headed' boasting about how great they are (or rather -- how brilliant Dave Perry is (according to Dave Perry)) has finally caught up with them.
They very firmly set themselves off track with the release (and hype) over Messiah... ever since then it's been all downhill for Dave and his boy's in Laguna Beach.
Sadly, I think because of his spin skills Shiny will be able to pick up the pieces and end up somewhere else.. likely folded into some larger company that is (like the media) mesmerized by his chest beating, big smile and warm handshake..
Apple TV tidbits
Jan 10th 2007 4:59AM (TUAW.com)Front Row let's me point to a director via an alias in the Movies folder of the host machine -- but this technique won't work if AppleTV *ONLY* has access to what sits in iTunes.
Anyone know for sure? I am headed up to MacWorld tomorrow.. maybe I will get some answers!
Pearl love grows where Rosemary goes
Dec 13th 2006 9:08PM (BBHub)In fact, the latest version allows you to install applications in addition to just sync data...
The only thing that is missing (and it's far from minor) is the ability to upgrade the OS on your phone with PocketMAC.. for that, I am afraid, you will need to use a PC.... Hopefully a change to be addressed in an upcoming version..
- Chris
Comparing the Xbox 360 and PS3 side-by-side
Nov 29th 2006 1:39PM (Joystiq)The first vs. second generation point is very well and strong -- but more importantly almost all of the games 1UP compares in this article are PORTS of 360 games to the PS3. I have read several places that much of the first batch (and potentially several 'next batches') of PS3 games will be highly leveraging (i.e. porting) much of their content from the easier to develop for 360.
It's totally fair to say that some PS3 games do (and might continue to) look *very* similar to 360 games -- for 1UP to present this as a premise that questions the technological prowess of the Cell processor.. well.. that's a little unfair and, IMHO, no very solid (nor balanced) journalism.
BlackJack Better Than BlackBerry?
Nov 27th 2006 3:47PM (BBHub)I have been a blackberry user for over 6 years and this phone is replacing an 8700 that got in a fight with my kitchen floor and lost.
POSITIVE IMPRESSION ON:
Size - Perfect size. Anything smaller would definitely prohibit a full QWERTY keyboard. The slimness is welcome -- I'd say it's half as thick as the 8700.
Great screen - nice, bright and high resolution. Feels sharper and 'better' than my 8700's screen.
QWERTY keyboard is great. Despite the small size, with a little adjustment easily as good as 8700. I read they even licensed some of the RIM keyboard patents and it shows with the ease of typing.
"Push" email (POP3 -- gmail in my case) is very adequate
Application variety - I'm a BIG fan of the simplicity of Blackberry products- - they seem VERY smartly organized around professional use. I have to admit (although early) I like the option of having a Windows Media Player that can stream internet radio and a phone and video recorder. Who know how much use I will get of them but, for now, they are a positive novelty.
NEGATIVE IMPRESSIONS ON:
Weight - Far from 'too heavy' but it feels to me to be about the same weight as the 8700. Totally acceptable (not really a con -- it's just feather light)
No 'missed calls / email' indicator light - the blackberry features an indicator light which can be set to blink if you miss a call or email. This is great if you have your phone sitting on a coffee table while you are watching tv and don't want if vibrating or ringing. As far as I can tell the only option on the Blackjack is to scroll down on the home screen and see if it says you have missed calls or new email.
Inconsistent soft keys - below the screen are two 'soft keys' that can't seem to make up their mind about what they are. A perfect example is that sometimes when looking at a list the left one is a 'more' option that takes you to the next set of items -- and other times you need to scroll down to the last item in a list that is called 'more' and use the soft key to 'select' that item. Thinking about the one a bit I think it's more an issue of Windows Mobile being a platform that works across many different phones -- but annoying nevertheless.
Scroll wheel an afterthought - Unlike the Blackberry, this device was definitely not BUILT around the scroll wheel and it shows. The scroll wheel is nice for scrolling up and down email and webpages but, for example, you cant scroll around the links on a page -- rather you need to scroll down near them and then use the direction pad to select specific links.. speaking of the direction pad..
VERY BAD direction navigation pad - for much of your navigation you are forced to use the up/down/left/right/select direction navigation pad. The pad itself is QUITE nice but it's location (and the location of my fingers) FREQUENTLY (like 10% of clicks) seem to brush over/on the "CALL START' or "CALL CANCEL" buttons. Pressing either of these either sends you to the phone mode for phone number entry or cancels you out of the application. Usually selecting the 'back' button gets you back where you were but this issue is actually quite bad. I am not sure if I am nitpicking here (anyone else have reactions?) but if I don't find myself adjusting away from accidentally hitting those buttons I might return the phone -- it's that bad.
Crap Extra Applications - Ahh.. yes.. Microsoft bloatware. A ton of stuff here that isn't of interest with very limited options to 'get it out of the way'. Blackberry does a nice job of letting you easily remove and hide anything that isn't important to you.
Home Screen - Just plain kludgey. For me, none of the 'start screen' templates 'feel right'. The blackberry gives you a pretty concise and targeted set of things to do from the 'home screen'. While there are like four or five options included with my Cingular Blackjack none of them feel right. None of them give me an overview of everything important to me on a single screen. All require additional interaction.
Application and File navigation - Wow. Talk about too many ways to skin a cat. I have found at least 5 ways to navigate around the applications and the files. While some might like the chance to find one that suites them 95% well --- I'd just prefer a single option that works 85% and not be exposed to all the confusion around options... and even if you find one that works best there really isn't a simple way to get back to it.
New Date and Contact Entry - While not totally broken it doesn't seem nearly as thoughtful and streamlined as the blackberry counterpart. Seems like the interface skims on phone entry and likely assumes and relies upon majority of management happening on a PC client and then getting sync'd up. Not a bad assumption -- just not how I work. (I enter almost everything on the phone and sync it back to desktop). An example of something that actually is a little broken is adding a contact while in an application -- if you see and highlight a phone number or are in an email message and select 'add to contact list' unlike the blackberry that intelligently populates your new entry with some information the blackjack always seems to bring up a clean and empty new contact.. I could be doing something wrong but it feels buggy.
Google Maps doesn't work - Might be a small or non-issue for most but I became quite reliant upon Google Maps to get around and look up phone numbers for local businesses etc. Even though there is a version of Google Maps designed for the phone it seems that Cingular's or Samsung's implementation of Java prohibits it from working. Major bummer. Hopefully there is a workaround in the works about postings on this board indicate nothing is in the works.
OVERALL
Well -- I could go on and on. Clearly I spend more time with the negatives than the positives because the issues seems to be dumb oversights. MANY times I am using the Blackjack and thinking that someone on the Windows Mobile team should have just said "umm.. let's just copy Blackberry". Maybe much of how Blackberry phones work is patented but it just seems much more intelligently designed and presented.
I will say that while my experience is limited in the world of Windows Mobile Devices I am impressed with the phone. It's definitely a lean and mean machine technically -- I just think the Blackberry OS is firmly superior to the experience of using a blackjack. An obvious caveat is that I am very used to the blackberry -- but that aside -- doing simple and obvious things on the blackjack just take longer. More navigation needed, more clicks, more button presses, more attention required -- and getting quick and more familiar with the device won't reduce the clicks or limit the amount of button presses.
So what am I going to do? I'm definitely going to give it a shot. I'm going to keep it for my full 30 days and see if I get more familiar with the device, the operating system and the either find workarounds for my issues or just get less critical of them..
... And if I don't like it them I will perhaps give the Blackberry Pearl a spin (although the non-full QWERTY keyboard freaks me out) or perhaps fall back on replacing my broken 8700 with another (now swollen feeling) 8700. It all depends on how well I get along with the Blackjack and what Cingular's timing is with the Pearl.
Does anyone else have any thoughts or questions? I would love to know if anyone agrees or disagrees. Hopefully I am not stirring up and rabid Windows Mobile fan base -- just my own personal thoughts and impressions.. your mileage (and thought) may vary.
- Chris
No gamerscore, no achievements on PS3
Oct 23rd 2006 8:02PM (Joystiq)TGS: Blogging Ken Kutaragi's PS3 keynote [update 1]
Sep 22nd 2006 1:50AM (Joystiq)Gamers Pair of Dice, for all your comic needs
Jul 18th 2006 3:50PM (Joystiq)The tale of GameSpot's vanishing LocoRoco review
Jul 17th 2006 3:01PM (Joystiq)What is the point of them spinning up a UK version of the website if the UK folks aren't allowed to review games as they are released in the UK?
If I remember correctly, the *VERY REASON* that Gamespot UK was launched is to better serve the audience and release dates in the European market. Wouldn't releasing a review of the UK release WHEN it's released in the UK be exactly serving the European market in the way they intend with Gamespot UK?
No, I expect this all stems from an editorial difference of opinion with the US electing to trump the UK. So, *I* predict that there will be an entirely different review *AND* an entirely different rating for this title that the US folks (especially uber-fan Carrie) are going gaga for. And if its not this scenario than it is a case of the US Gamespot folks deciding that the UK team can't be trusted to review 'important' releases..
Whatever the case... something strikes me as not quite right..
Oblivion Orrery pack now available on Xbox Live [Update]
Apr 17th 2006 8:19PM (Joystiq)Atari needs to unload internal studios, cut jobs
Feb 17th 2006 11:40AM (Joystiq)They very firmly set themselves off track with the release (and hype) over Messiah... ever since then it's been all downhill for Dave and his boy's in Laguna Beach.
Sadly, I think because of his spin skills Shiny will be able to pick up the pieces and end up somewhere else.. likely folded into some larger company that is (like the media) mesmerized by his chest beating, big smile and warm handshake..
-chris