I call this feat amazing, because you can have a powerful touch-based tablet, which can output at a higher resolution than any laptop that I am aware of, and a resolution greater than any current commercially available HDTV, at a price lower than an unlocked iPhone 4s. Although the 4s does have a better camera, voice capabilities, and Siri, it also only has a 3.5″ screen, has a much small battery, does not have true 4g capability, and has a much smaller resolution. But if you want to purchase an iPhone 4s without a contract, the 16GB model will cost you $649.00. Yes, an iPhone 4s, with less resolution, about 1/6 of the screen size, a much smaller battery, a less powerful processor, and only 3g speeds, costs $20 more than the “most advanced iPad ever” with 4g.

Interestingly, Apple uses many of the same technologies in both devices. I could understand that you would pay more for a smaller device if it required a miniaturization process that caused the internals to be more expensive, but they simply are not. With the new technologies being used in the “new” iPad, the internals of the iPad are more expensive than any iPhone being produced. The main difference between the devices are the size of the screen.

To confirm my suspicions, I did some research. I found that iSuppli has torn-down both the iPad 2 and the iPhone 4s. They have not yet had an opportunity to estimate the cost of the “new” iPad, but because of the improvements to the internals (faster processor, bigger battery, and more advanced screen), it should be expected to cost more to manufacture than the iPad 2. Now the surprising information, the 32GB iPad 2 with 3G, costs an estimated $333 to manufacture. The estimated manufacturing costs of the iPhone 4S is $196 for the 16GB model, $215 for the 32GB, and $254 for the 64GB. Now when you compare the tear-down for the 16GB and 32GB iPhone 4S, you see it is estimated to cost Apple about $20 more to produce a 32GB model than it does for the 16GB model. So a 16GB iPad 2 with 3G probably cost about $20 less to manufacture, or an estimated $313 as of March 2011 (and probably even less to manufacture today). That same iPad 2 is now selling for $529.

My concern is that Apple is using their market power to unfairly raise the cost of our cell phones and service. There is no reason that an iPhone 4S should cost more to purchase than the iPad 2 or the “new” iPad. But in fact it cost $120 more to purchase and iPhone 4s (without a contract) than the iPad 2, and $20 more to purchase an iPhone 4s than the “new” iPad. The reason that Apple is so profitable, is because of the insane markup on the iPhone. The only reason they are able to do this is because of the subsidy model with our carriers.

If we were required to purchase phones un-subsidized, there is no way Apple would get away with charging more for the iPhone than the iPad. My guess is that if Apple had to sell directly to the consumer, the most they would be able to charge for an iPhone 4s would be $399, and there would be pressure to lower the price even below that level. This also tells me that the Carriers should also have more pressure to push the subsidized prices of the iPhone 4s down even further.

I am amazed that although all this information is publicly available, there is not more attention given to the insane profit margin Apple has on the iPhone. If Apple is able to sell the iPad with less profit, they could definitely do the same with the iPhone. The biggest winner because of the carrier subsidy is Apple. Since you do not see the real price of the iPhone when you walk into a store, most people never notice that it is actually more expensive to buy an iPhone than an iPad. If the real price was advertised, instead of the subsidized price, there is no way Apple would ever be able to sell an iPhone for more than an iPad.

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The easiest way to discover interesting podcasts is to use iTunes and search the iTunes Podcast Directory. iTunes provides categories of podcasts, with charts showing you the most popular podcast in each category. This is the easiest way to determine what other people are listening to and enjoying. (More information is available on Apple’s site.)

There are also several networks that have been created for the sole purpose of distributing interesting podcasts. These networks are working hard to create programming around-the-clock. The original offerings were mostly technology focused, but as each of these networks develop new shows, they are adding more diverse programming. The goal of many of these distributers is to eventually compete with mainstream broadcast television for viewers.

Most popular podcasting networks:

• Mevio – Network created by former MTV VJ Adam Curry. Show directory currently has 2,430 listings. Largest and most diverse of all podcasting networks.
• CNet – Mostly technology focused. Owned by CBS Interactive. Programming includes many of the biggest names in technology.
• Revision3 – Not nearly as large as Mevio, but almost as diverse. All content is available as video.
• Twit.tv – Network created by Leo Laporte (one of the original podcasters). Provides around-the-clock programming on live channel, but also includes many weekly shows with diverse hosts and topics.

My Favorite Podcasts

Although the podcasting networks are great, there are way too many programs available to watch or listen to all of them. Below I have provided information about the podcasts that I enjoy the most. Although I have separated the list by audio and video, it is important to note that several of the video podcasts also have audio versions, and vice-versa. I have categorized based on the ways that I have found easiest to enjoy each podcast.

Video Podcasts that I watch:

• Tekzilla – Hosted by Patrick Norton and Veronica Belmont, features reviews of gadgets and tips and tricks for making your tech life easier. A weekly show is produced that includes reviews and discussions of hardware/software, and a daily show is produced with a short tip.
• Cranky Geeks – Hosted by John Dvorak, features roundtable of technology professionals discussing current technology news and trends. New episodes produced weekly. (Open in iTunes)
• Loaded – Hosted by Natali Del Conte, features daily technology news. New episodes Monday – Thursday. Normally about 3-5 minutes per day.
• Apple Byte – Hosted by Brian Tong, covers all Apple news. New episodes once per week.
• MediaBytes – Hosted by Shelly Palmer, features daily technology and entertainment news. New Episodes Monday – Friday. Normally about 2-3 minutes per day.
• HD Nation – Hosted by Patrick Norton and Robert Heron, features all things HD. Includes discussion of video, sound, and equipment. New episodes once per week.
• Diggnation – Hosted by Alex Albrecht and Kevin Rose, features discussion of top digg.com stories. New episodes weekly.
• GreekBrief.tv – Hosted by Cali Lewis, features news, interviews, and product reviews. New episodes multiple times per week.
• AppJudgment – Hosted by Revision3 personalities, features reviews of Apps for all popular SmartPhone platforms. New episodes two times per week.

Can’t Miss Audio Podcasts:

• This Week in Tech – Hosted by Leo Laporte, features a roundtable of technology experts discussing technology news. New episodes weekly.
• Buzz Out Loud – Hosted by Tom Merritt, Molly Wood and Jason Howell, features discussion of the day’s news. New episodes daily.
• Windows Weekly – Hosted by Leo Laporte and Paul Thurrott, features all news related to Microsoft. New episodes weekly.
• MacBreek Weekly – Hosted by Leo Laporte, Alex Lindsay, Merlin Mann and Andy Ihnatko, features all news related to Apple. New episodes weekly.
• The Lost Podcast with Jay and Jack – Hosted by Jay and Jack, features discussion of the television show Lost. New episodes two times per week.

Honorable Mention Audio Podcasts (I enjoy, but don’t get to listen to every episode):

• AppSlappy – Hosted by Scott Johnson and Eric Van Skyhawk, features reviews of iPhone applications. New episodes weekly.
• Engadget Podcast – Hosted by Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel, and Paul Miller, features discussion of current technology news. New episodes weekly.
• gdgt Podcast – Hosted by Ryan Block and Peter Rojas, features discussion of current technology news. New episodes weekly.
• Married with Tech – Hosted by Doug Shill, Shawn Roberts, Jordan Patterson and Donny Benfield, features discussion of technology news from the perspective of married geeks/parents. New episodes weekly.
• iPhone Live Podcast – Hosted by Rene Ritchie, Chad Garrett and Mickey Papillon, features discussion of all things iPhone. New episodes weekly.
• Kennedy-Mighell Report – Hosted by Dennis Kennedy and Tom Mighell, features discussion of how technology impacts practicing attorneys. New episodes every 2 weeks.

Please feel free to suggest any additional interesting podcasts that you listen to or watch in the comments. As consumer electronics continue to become more connected, I expect that this form of entertainment will continue to grow and flourish.

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Today Steve Jobs finally announced what the world has been waiting over 2000 years for.  Apple is making a tablet that is more important than the one that delivered the world the Ten Commandments.  According to Jobs it is not a netbook, it is BETTER.  Apple is positioning the iPad in a new category between an iPhone/iPod Touch and a MacBook.

What jobs announced was exactly what I have asked for before.  I already have a laptop, and do not expect a tablet to be able to do everything that my laptop can do.  However, I have been searching for device that I am comfortable using in a situation where laptops have not been ideal.  The following are several areas where I believe the magical iPad will fill the void that I have had.

Using in a courtroom/hearing room.

A laptop has always been cumbersome in courtroom situations because I already have limited space available to me.  I usually am carrying a notepad, reference documents, and client files that weigh several pounds combined.  I need a device that I can use without having to plug it in, but also has access to the Internet at all times.  The iPad solves that problem.

The stated battery life of 10 hours means that I will not need to recharge the iPad even on days that I have multiple hearings.  The 1 1/2 pound weight makes it an item that I will not think twice about carrying.  The size will be slightly smaller than the legal pad that I already carry with me.  Since it does not have a phone, I do not have to worry about accidently forgetting to turn of the ringer.

Functionally, the iPad will allow me to check my calendar, e-mail, and client/reference documents while I am in court.  Since my practice is entirely paperless, I will be able to easily view entire client files.  When discussing a medical record or test result with the Judge, I will be able to quickly navigate the PDF to the appropriate location to view the document.  If I need to quickly find case law, statutes, or regulations, I will be able to do it on this new device.

Although Windows tablets have been around for years, the touch interface has never been simple enough to navigate quickly in a courtroom situation.  From my experience using the iPhone, I am positive that I will get a much better experience from using the iPad.  All programs are made to use the fingers to navigate with.  Windows tablets have been difficult because Microsoft has simply tried to add a touch interface to programs that are meant to be used with a mouse.

Surfing the web from the couch.

When I first bought my iPod Touch, the device quickly replaced my laptop for surfing the web.  I did not have to worry about the battery life of the iPod touch, and I could quickly move through pages in a natural way.  I no longer had to worry about the heat of the laptop on my legs, and it was not unsightly to store the touch on the coffee table when not in use.  Since the device is instant-on, I could quickly navigate to a website when I saw an advertisement that interested me.

The main problem with using the web browser on the iPod touch/iPhone is that you often need to zoom to read websites.  If the site is not formatted for mobile viewing, reading information on the web could sometimes be difficult.

The iPad solves this problem by providing a much higher resolution.  Less zooming will be necessary, but the device will still be comfortable to hold in an upright position similar to a book or magazine.  The iPad should take the positive experience of the iPhone/iPod touch and make it even better.

Using on flights.

I have never comfortable using a laptop on a flight.  Even compact laptops/netbooks were difficult to use if the person in front of me reclined their seat, or the person next to me needed to use the bathroom.  The iPad resolves these problems.

I do not usually use laptops on flights to complete work, so the lack of a physical keyboard is not a problem for me.  I have always used electronics on flights for entertainment purposes. The iPad will be great for playing games, reading books/magazines, and watching movies or listening to music.  These are tasks that I have used my iPhone for recently, but the small size was a limitation.  I expect the iPad to complete these tasks well, and to eliminate the need to travel with a book, multiple magazines, a laptop, and an iPod.

Using in conferences/seminars.

I have to admit that I have never been one to take my laptop to a conference/seminar.  It is not because a laptop would not be useful, it is more because I didn’t want to be “that guy” that took his laptop everywhere.  I have used my iPhone at most conferences, but the size becomes uncomfortable for all tasks.  The iPad, on the other hand, will be great at conferences/seminars.

The iPad will allow me to easily view materials on the Internet that are referenced by presenters.  In Delaware, the Bar Association has begun to make electronic materials available for all continuing legal education (CLE) classes.  I have opted out of this option in the past because I did not want to have to take my laptop to CLEs.  Having the ability to view these materials on an iPad will make it more likely that I will use the electronic material option in the future (and help save the environment).

As an e-book/magazine reader.

Since I read so much at work, I rarely read for leisure at home.  I receive several different magazines in electronic format, but I have never been entirely comfortable reading them on a laptop or desktop.  I have downloaded and read several books on the iPhone, but with the small screen I was constantly having to turn pages.  I have tried a Kindle, but the lack of backlighting has always bothered me.

I foresee that once I have in iPad, I will begin to read more materials while at home.  Since I am assuming that the iBooks bookstore will also be available on the iPhone, I expect that I will be able to continue to read e-books on the iPhone when I am away from the iPad.  The format of magazines will be much better to view on an iPad, and it will be nice to have the ability to click through links for further information about stories or to follow advertisements.  This will make every publication more valuable to me.

As mentioned above, having the ability to view documents on the iPad will also assist me in reviewing client files.  Since all my client files are converted to PDFs, I will be able to better review client documents from the comfort of my couch.  Reading will be much more natural with the iPad than it is on a laptop or desktop computer.

For extended car travel.

The iPad will be a device that will be nice to use as a passenger in extended car travel.  All of the benefits cited above for airplane travel will also exist for automobile travel.  It will also be a nice way for a passenger to use maps and GPS options to locate points of interest on the trip.

For vacations.

There have been several occasions in the past when I have not carried a laptop on vacation even though I thought may need one.  The size and inconvenience of using a laptop usually caused me to decide to leave it at home.  With the iPad size and weight I will not have to make this sacrifice in the future.

I usually do not need my laptop with me to perform long hours of work on vacation, I simply want to be able to check-in on the office and to plan activities while on vacation.  The iPad will be perfect for this task.  I will be able to research attractions, buy tickets, and easily plan itineraries.  If I purchase an attachable keyboard, I will also have an opportunity to perform the more intense work tasks.

See you in line when the iPad goes on sale.

These are just the areas that I have thought of where the iPad will supplement my ability to remain connected.  I am sure that once I purchase and start to use one I will add additional activities.  I never purchased a netbook because I simply saw it as a mini-laptop.  Since I already have a laptop, I couldn’t see how a netbook would offer any value to me.

Jobs was correct when he indicated that we should demand something better than a netbook.  I expect to be in line the day that the iPad goes on sale (go ahead, call me a “fanboy”).  I will update my experience with the iPad once I actually have a chance to purchase one.

* Thank you to Marcus Roland (@rolandlegal on Twitter) for the Moses Tablet name suggestion.  Definitely an appropriate name to match the Jesus Phone. Honorable mention also goes to Jaimie Field (@JaimieField on Twitter) for her Buddha Phone suggestion.

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In designing future operating systems, it is important for Apple, Microsoft and Google to develop an OS that maintains the same user experience no matter how the applications and data are accessed.  In today’s world, users are almost always connected, but currently data is stored in many different locations across several computers and mobile devices.  To make life easier, Windows 8, MacOS 11 and Chrome OS should all natively support Cloud Computing.  Windows 8 or MacOS 11 should have a login screen that recognizes if you want to login to your account on the cloud, or use the local machine.  When new applications are installed, the programs should actually be installed in your own self-contained folder in the cloud.

From the OS perspective this should be preferred.  Microsoft or Apple would only have to install the program one time, and then the user would need to provide proof the program was purchased or purchase directly from the OS provider (similar to the iTunes App Store).  It would help with piracy, because proof of purchase would be necessary before access to the application was granted.  It would help with compatiability, because the OS creator would only need to certify that the application worked in the cloud.  Even though the the need for packaged software is eliminated, online retailers could still act as resellers of the license.  The cloud architecture would allow everything from settings, installed applications, desktop backgrounds, and start menu configurations to remain the same on every computer used.

By having a Cloud OS, the end-user would be able to store all documents in one central place.  The user would not have to worry about using a third-party program to sync documents between a home computer, laptop and work computer, they would be able to store and access everything in the cloud.  This would provide central storage of photos, documents, music and video collections.  It would also ease transition to new machines because all the user’s programs, data and settings would immediately sync to any new machine used.

The risk of this type of architecture is loss of data and privacy.  As seen this week, even Microsoft cannot be trusted to backup cloud data,  so to be successful, the Cloud OS would need to offer third-party services for archiving data, and also provide an option of downloading copies of the data to the local computer.  This may be data intensive the first time completed, but once data is transfered the first time, only changes would be synced between the local computer and the cloud.  The Cloud OS could still require that you purchase a license to install the base OS on every computer, and even could charge an additional subscription fee for the cloud option.  It would be important that a local-only option be provided for individuals that are concerned about having all personal data in the cloud.

From a security prespective, the Cloud OS would have to include encryption and virus detection natively.  With the primary version of the data placed in the cloud, the OS could prevent the spread of malicious code and prevent phishing by providing constant updates without any action needed by the end user.  As security risks were found, the updates would be installed in the cloud.  This would automate tasks that consume valuable IT and end-user time and expertise.

The other component necessary for the Cloud OS to be sucessful, is having a mobile access option.  Data would need to be availabe whether using an iPhone, a Windows Mobile device, an Android Phone, or a BlackBerry.  On the mobile device, due to space limitations and connectivity issues, options would need to be provided to sync some data locally (i.e. music, documents or photos), and stream or have online access to the remainder of the cloud data.  This structure would have to be implemented through device specific applications or a mobile browser.  (A subset of these features are already available from cloud-based backup services like SugarSync and MobileMe).

It is also important that software developers incorporate cloud computing in all future software releases.  When new software is developed and sold, both locally-installed and cloud versions of the applications should be created.  Large companies like Adobe, Microsoft and Google are already working on products that embrace cloud computing.  Microsoft’s next version of Office is being developed concurrently with a web-based version, and even a free ad-supported version.  This is great for the Cloud OS, because it guarantees that Microsoft Word and Excel functionality would be available to every user of the Cloud OS.  Google already has cross-platform versions of Google Applications that offer similar functionality, and is developing its future Chrome OS to extend the features of the cloud applications.

Fortunately, current trends suggest that the future of computing is Cloud-Based whether Microsoft of Apple embrace it.  Many people already use and depend on cloud computing everyday without even realizing it. GMail, Yahoo Mail, HotMail, AOL Mail, and Exchange Accounts all use the cloud to store your data.  Even Facebook and Twitter are cloud platforms.  Many users are now using Facebook as a primary address book, instant messaging service, mail service, and photo archive.  If you enjoy the availability of the data on FaceBook, imagine how great it would be if everything you used on a personal computer was available the same way.  The Cloud OS would take these features and seamlessly integrate them everywhere.  Every document, song, picture, or program you purchased would always be available, and you would never again have to reconfigure program preferences or options repeatedly.

Please let me know your thoughts on my vision of the Cloud Computing future, and if you haven’t already, start to take advantage of cloud computing options that are currently available.

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The addition of these three new features would allow the iPod touch to dominate several different categories of mobile devices.  As it stands, it is already great at its primary purpose of playing music and video (although the Zune is good, no other mp3 device can even compete).  It is also great to use around the home to access the Internet or e-mail via WiFi.  For 75% of my at-home computer use, the iPod touch is sufficient.  The application library allows me to connect to social networks, to play simple games as a casual gamer, and quickly research items on the Internet through the Safari browser.

 The missing component of the iPod touch is its mobility.  This is what has made the iPhone such a huge success.  By embedding a 3G chip into the iPod touch (with GPS), Apple would open a whole new market for itself.  All of the apps that are GPS specific would work on the iPod touch.  This single device could suddenly take the place of your point-and-shoot digital camera, your flip movie recorder, your personal navigation device, your satellite radio, your netbook, your portable gaming device, your mobile internet device, your eBook reader, and possibly even your cell phone.  The reasons why are simple: The applications already exist!

I would contend that the number one reason that most people purchase a netbook is as a cheap and easy Internet device for the home.  The iPod Touch and the iPhone, although small, accomplish this goal much better.  Apple has made the web browsing experience natural through a touch interface.  The first time the Safari browser is used on an iPod Touch or and iPhone, the natural reaction is that this is how web browsing should be done.  The screen is clear, and navigating is simpler than on a PC or Mac.

 However, it would be easy for Apple to move even further into dominating this field.  The simple solution would be making multiple sizes of the iPod touch.  Apple could release an upgraded iPod Touch (version 3?) with the additional features discussed above in the current form factor, and also introduce new versions at 5″, 7″ and 9″. 

 Although the touch screen technology can be cost prohibitive in the larger screen sizes, by incorporating 3G into the devices, the cellular networks could subsidize this product.  Even if this were still an exclusive deal with AT&T, Apple would open up the benefits of the iPhone platform for people that are reluctant to leave their existing cellular providers.  This is because you could keep your current voice device, and add an iPod Touch as a mobile data device.  It would cost a little more than adding a data plan to your current phone, but people that are reliant on voice call quality, would not have to abandon their current provider.

 My advice to Apple would be to release these products on both a subsidized and unsubsidized pricing platform.  There are some people that would only use these devices at home, and the inclusion of the WiFi chip would be sufficient for these purposes, so they would not need a data plan.  However, others would want to take advantage of the mobility features already enjoyed by iPhone users.  This would allow the product to continue to be used for its original purpose, but also open a brand new market.  Customers looking for an all-in-one device would have a new option that could potentially replace the personal navigation system, point-and-shoot digital cameras, portable video game systems, eBook readers, and also would provide them with an easy way to store video of unplanned events.

 The beauty of this new device is that it would be something that individuals with iPhone envy would appreciate, but also could be something that someone that already has an iPhone would also consider purchasing.  It would be a device that you would not mind having docked as a navigation system, or radio player, because you could still accept calls from your phone at any time.  The new accessories planned for the iPhone 3.0 software upgrade are great, but what happens when you are using the TomTom GPS and a phone call comes in?  Well if you have two devices, this no longer is a problem.

Please let me know your thoughts on whether you would consider buying such a device.  I am not in the industry and I have no idea if Apple is considering such a device, but if they are not, they may be missing a significant opportunity to increase their market share.  These additions to the iPod Touch would be a much greater threat to Microsoft than any vaporware OS that Google is proposing.  It could also lead users to consider using more products from Apple in other ways.

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