The Zune HD

Let me start off by saying that the Zune HD is a fantastic device and its media playback software on Windows is equally impressive.  I have spent many weeks prior to its launch researching everything I could about it.  With Its main competitor being the iPod Touch, Microsoft knew that they would have to release something incredible.  The good news is that they have but there is a catch.  That catch being that while the Zune HD trumps the iPod Touch in music and video playback it also fails to realize that people have come to expect more from their handheld devices.  More functionality and value is required if they are carrying around yet another piece of tech.  

The iPhone OS App Store has really popularized the idea of adding new functionality to your device whether that be a phone or media player.  There are of course other applications available on other platforms (phones) but they simply can't compare to the relative overnight success Apple has managed to accomplish in getting the mainstream audience to adopt this practice.

Extending Apps to the iPod Touch only further accelerated its growth and provided a mostly static device with a wealth of new possibility especially for those who don't wish to get an iPhone.  For instance I am writing this post in an app on my iPod Touch that thanks to Wi-Fi I can easily send over the Internet to go live.  This is something I can't do on a Zune HD and more functionality and value for my limited pocket space is crucial.  Yes the Zune HD is a better media player, offering a more visual and aural experience but considering the Touch is still no slouch in that area and the extensibility it brings via apps it's still a very tough sell for tech savvy consumers who weigh many factors. 

It's true what Apple claimed back in early September, the iPod Touch is a mini computer.  With that in mind what would you prefer to carry with you; a mini computer or a Walkman?  Neither answer is wrong.

Picasa 3.5

This photo management program was updated this week for Windows and Mac OS X and even Linux.  As a Windows user I was quite pleased with this program, however I was always bugged by the way that it didn’t quite follow folder structures that I already had created on my hard drive.  In later versions they addressed this but I still felt it was unwieldy in terms of the control over how you viewed those folders, and caused me to look for something that suited my needs better (I found this in Windows Live Photo Gallery).

As far as this updated release the main feature is the ability to automatically identify faces, which is very handy for searching for particular people.  Geo location is also included now, as well as an improved tagging interface—both of which add a lot of power to this program and add more value to the equation when comparing similar offerings.

One problem I did encounter is that my RAW files from my dSLR camera are still not fully supported it seems (they load but are darker than they should be).  I am using a Canon EOS Rebel T1i, which I should mention load and look fine in WLPG.

If you are already a Picasa user then this update is a must get.  If you’re looking to start better managing your photos it’s a fine choice but if you’re a Windows user I would also check out Windows Live Photo Gallery and see what better suits your preference.

Picasa Download   Windows Live Photo Gallery Download

The Apple TV Factor

Ever wonder what is going on with the Apple TV?  Yeah me neither seeing as it's popularity is shockingly low and it's promotion is even lower.  It does beg the question though as to what is Apple's goal for this device and why aren't we seeing more attention towards it.

I have my own theory or wish that they may attempt to transform it into a home console of sorts the same way most consoles handle games and media (photos, music, video).  I could go even further to think that there would be someway to dock or otherwise tie in with the iPod Touch (the gaming platform it now is) as well as the apps.  This being a totally digital distribution model, working with an already popular device, and now in your living room.  I have to think this is something Microsoft is planning with the Xbox 360 and Zune HD so it is plausible that Apple may also be looking in that direction.

Doing this allows Apple to extend the value of the iPod over the iPhone and helps to differentiate the two devices while providing an even larger inroads to your digital life.  Apple is huge in the personal electronics space and video game sales are also huge, it seems like a business that they could be profitable in despite their computers never being at the forefront of that recreation.

Apple Moving Forward - Gaming

Recently at the 9/9/09 event Apple stated that they intend to promote the iPod Touch as a competitor in the handheld gaming market dominated by Nintendo (DS/DSi) and Sony (PSP/PSP Go).  This is an incredible claim considering the pedigree that both Nintendo and to a lesser extent Sony currently enjoy in that space.  While many people are upset that the iPod Touch didn’t receive more of an update, namely a camera to make it more in line with the iPhone, I think that it’s telling of their future strategy.

For whatever reason the camera wasn’t added (rumors abound concerning manufacturing problems) is irrelevant at this point—Apple wants this device to take on the biggest names in handheld gaming as well as compete as a pocket computer.  To do this they must differentiate from the iPhone, yes they use the same apps but if the iPod Touch is always playing second fiddle to the iPhone in terms of hardware (being fearful to encroach on iPhone sales) without offering something unique then they are defeating themselves in the long run and the iPod Touch will always be an inferior product.

Personally, I don’t want my dedicated handheld gaming device to be using the same battery that I might need to make an important phone call on, convergence is good to a degree.  I am fine carrying around two devices (phone and media player) keeping what works best together though is important.  Mobile phones are good for communication but for entertainment I feel more comfortable having that separate from something that is mission critical.

With that said I do think that they do have a shot at doing very well in this space.  My background being in game development and graphics I think the Touch’s hardware is solid for a relatively young device and their distribution model is an obvious success.  What is missing is a better control scheme.  Multi-touch is a great thing for certain applications however in gaming beyond the casual genre, buttons are needed.  That tactile feedback is a key part of the experience and simply needed to play certain games comfortably (fighting/action/sports, etc.). 

I have learned that one feature that hasn’t been discussed in great length from the 3.0 update is the ability to connect interface hardware to the dock connector.  Like a game controller?  Perhaps one that snaps on to the device and provides traditional controls?Ideally Apple can mix multi-touch and traditional input and at that point they would unshackle a lot of developers to make deeper/better games, unlimited by pure touch controls.

What Apple does is anyone’s guess as usual, however now that Steve Jobs is back at the company I have to believe that he is working intently on preparing Apple to make good on their claims.  They have just bit off a big piece by entering this gaming arena and I really hope they do well as competition drives innovation, which is great for consumers.