Rant on Apple September Event

Just two days ago, Apple revamped its whole iPod line-up and introduced the new Apple TV. The show was fantastic. No words can describe how magical apple events are. I was watching it live from Singapore on the Apple website. The Apple guys were streaming the events and everything was perfect.

Yet, I have a few criticism about the new design. I won't deny that Apple surprised me with the their products are first sight but with hindsight, I think the new designs - particularly the ipod nano - hasn't been all that immaculate.

So, first up is the iPod shuffle. Really nothing great. With time, electronics are bound to reduce in size. To shave off a clunk of metal budging at the side isn't very innovative. Well, maybe their approach was wrong. They have always wanted to make things small. But in my humble opinion, the design was just reused. All they did was to make more efficient use of the space. Thank goodness though, they realized that even though a music player may work without a screen, it surely can't work without button. Buttons are the best way to get feedback - at least we know what we just did to the device. With voice, there is almost no feedback. I can utter some rubbish and it might as well detect that rubbish and try to execute rubbish. Total nonsense from the start. I guess their experiment has failed badly.

Next are the iPod Nanos. Well, this was kind of anti-climax. As soon as Steve Jobs announced that he wanted to remove the click wheel, the remaining was all very obvious. This one, has huge design problem. Firstly, aesthetics wise, the screen looks very sticker-like. I would recommend putting and edge to edge screen to prevent the sticker look. Then again, the screen wouldn't flow the the other parts. Best was to not have a black border around the screen or make the whole iPod Nano black. However, even though I haven't got my hands on one yet, I am rather sure that the texture of the glass and the metal wouldn't feel that good (doesn't give the same sense of pride in owning an Apple product anymore); the disconnect in the materials would be obvious and shatter the whole feel of it. Nevertheless, by making the whole thing black, at least the screen wouldn't like a sticker. The next flaw of the iPod nano is the use of the screen. The icons all look cluttered (4 icons only without a dock looks weird for the start and they really looked squeezed). Even though its multi-touch, the prowess of it wasn't fully exploited. I am not going to go ..."WOW!! I can rotate my screen? Awesome!!". No way. They could have used an accelerometer and make it automatic. I guess better usage of the screen would be to have a the renowned two-finger-scroll to adjust the volume. Not the best way to use a multi-touch interface but could be an option.

On the other hand, the iPod Nano does inspire watch makers to thing bigger. I am sure touch-screen watches capable of doing crazy many things should be out soon. I only know of Sony's Nexstep which has attempted to design a watch-cum-computer. Its really just a design. It looks slick but surely not functional. (pics below)

The iPod nano cum watch looks pretty feasible on the other hand. Someone online did this(picture below) as I was browsing Google Images. Doesn't looks bad!

iPod nano cum watch

Finally, moving on to the ipod touch. Again, everything was expected except for the dual cameras. My friends has predicted the Apple wouldn't release a product that would directly compete with its own gadgets. Apple has proved us wrong. I don't see any benefit of getting an iPhone now, other than the cellular related activities that one might want to indulge in. I think in a few months, someone is going to come up with an extra add-on to the iPod Touch that will even allow cellular stuff and as usual, Apple will ban it. But yeah, I do concede that the cellular connection make a huge difference for various peoples. Nothing else to comment on the iPod Touch. Its all the same with Retina screen, camera and thinner yet boxier design. 

I only have one doubt: Why can't they make the iPhone that thin!!! Its seriously super bulky to just add that cellular thing in it. Apple has bungled the cellular connection anyway (the infamous ring antenna - it is new but not pragmatic). I am ignorant of the electronics within but as soon as I graduate, I am going to learn all of mechatronics. In fact, I already have some books on mechatronics in my library. Just wait and watch, I am going to create a few awesome stuff (rather presumptuous of me!)

For the Apple TV, i won't comment since its useless in Singapore without the full iTunes store - no music, no TV shows, no nothing... For a singaporean, its a rather expensive paper weight. 

Despite all the disappointments, Apple does rock. They called Chris Martin after all. I have been listening to coldplay ever since the event. Looped Yellow, Clocks, Viva La Vida, etc at least a 100 times each already. No exaggeration. Chris Martin I think completely stole the show with his accomplished singing and jocular attitude. What a way to end the show. I loved every bit of it.