Daily Archives: January 9, 2007

Apple: Convergence is Now

Posted on January 9, 2007 | 7 comments

Well, reading the transcript of the MacWorld keynote, all I can say is: a jaw-dropped WOW!

They really, really get it. None of this “let’s join gadgets together with different protocols and string and stuff”… the iPhone just does the lot.

I don’t have an iPod. I’ve always thought that if I got one, I’d really want one of the models with lots and lots of Gb of space. The iPhone is only 4Gb or 8Gb… but runs OS X (which I salivate over whenever I pass an Apple store)… and it looks sooo nice, it hurts. What self-respecting gadget fan isn’t going to fall over him/herself to have one of these?

On a cynical note, I’ll be interested to see how much it sells for in the UK; what the various mobile operators do about letting UK users get hold of it; and how well the screen holds up to the use of the finger as a pointing device (scratched iPod nanos, anyone?).

I have to say that the difference between Apple and Microsoft is striking though. This thing is convergence.

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In-car FM transmitter for TomTom

Posted on January 9, 2007 | 4 comments

For a while now, I’ve been toying with the idea of getting one of the small FM transmitters for the car, so that I can use my little USB stick MP3 player, or listen to MP3s from the TomTom 910. They used to be illegal in the UK, but the ban was lifted in December.

At the weekend, I discovered that Amazon UK were listing them for 1p. Couldn’t be right, could it? So I ordered one (they come from a third party supplier), half expecting the order to be cancelled. Postage was £4.50. It arrived this morning! 🙂

I’ve not tried it yet. It can either take a battery, or be plugged in to the lighter socket in the car… which would be an issue if I wanted to use it with the TomTom, since that uses the same power source. Still, for the price, I think this is a neat accessory.

Ironically, I just read on yourNav that TomTom announced a new mount with an inbuilt FM transmitter at CES today, and may now abandon the plans for the full Bluetooth car kit for the new TomTom GO series. I don’t agree with the issue that yourNav raises about making a choice between the CD/radio and the TomTom – I could always listen to music from the TomTom. It is just a shame that I would potentially have to spend money on a new mount, though… for now, I don’t think I’ll be investing in this option, but I might change my mind later.

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Localized tornado

Posted on January 9, 2007 | 6 comments

I first read about this on the train on the way to work yesterday… it appears that a tornado ripped the roofs off houses in Farnborough on Saturday afternoon.

This is less than a mile away from where we are – in fact it is only about 500m away. We were in all day and didn’t notice a thing. Amazing.

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