For a number of years the resolution and dimensions of our monitors have been increasing. This has been a godsend to many, especially the development community, affording us the space for our ever bloating development tools. But as the resolutions increased, we’ve found that many of our users, (a uni) struggle to take advantage of these resolutions due to their failing eyesight. They understandably continue to use resolutions that displays text at a comfortable size. So we still see resolutions of 800 x 600 on a 17″ monitor, or 1024 x 768 on larger monitors. Instead of crisp native text they get text ‘blurry’ anti-aliased text on their lovely new LCD monitors
With the arrival of the iPhone 4, with it’s hyped ‘retina display’ I think we may finally have seen the end to the resolution race and the start of the pixel density race. I’ve been waiting for many years for this shift to happen and today I managed to get hold of what I personally believe is a product that demonstrated the future of screen technology, the iPhone 4.
The new screen on the iPhone is absolutely gorgeous. It’s simply the most stunning screen I’ve every used. (and I have a Apple cinema monitor at work). Below are some comparison photos taken of my iPhone 3G and iPhone 4 screens.
I’ve not labelled the images because the difference between the two screens is obvious.
The new screen is amazing. Text in email is almost book resolution with the subtleties of the typeface design clear to see.
Several operating systems now have some level of support for resolution independent rendering. Hopefully Apple’s approach to increasing screen resolution finds it’s way into the monitors we use. So that for non developers the extra resolution doesn’t make text smaller, but makes text clearer and so improves the accessibility of the applications we develop. When you factor in the role of tablets such as the iPad and touch interfaces in general, and as these form factors start to become more standardised, will our thinking as ‘web developers’ switch from pixels and screen resolutions, back to the physicality of the content and measurements such as mm’s, dpi, point sizes?
One example I’ve seen recently, were resolution independence would help, is a new student system that’s currently being implemented. The admin side is built with Oracle forms. The developer built these forms for one resolution. But many staff have monitor resolutions much higher than the forms were designed for. So instead of the forms filling their screen, the text gets smaller and the grey space, bigger. On a resolution independent screen, the form would be exactly the size the developer has specified.
So for me this is an interesting move by Apple and one I feel’s long overdue and it could lead to some interesting changes to the way we create content.
Addendum: My initial impressions of the new iPhone.
It’s an iPhone. It’s runs the same software. It’s an iPhone.
It looks lovely. It’s looks as good, if not better than the iPhone 2G.
It feels solid. The buttons feel much more solid and the stainless steel sides feel good to hold
The brief FaceTime test we’ve run, was excellent. Much better than any 3G video I’ve tried (but last time I tried was pre-iPhone).
The camera is much improved. (compared to the 3G)
It’s fast – iPad fast
The display.
It’s worth the upgrade from the 3G. Though if you’re under contract, it’s probably not worth upgrading from the 3GS
After OSX 10.6.3 was released the sync services between iCal and Entourage went a little screwy. Many calendar entries were flagged as conflicts (usually items with invites) but the sync service wouldn’t allow them to be merged. Since I have several Macs connected into my Exchange account, multiple entries started to appear. The solution was to switch off Entourage’s iCal sync, delete the Entourage calendar from iCal and then re-enable syncing so that a new calendar is created.
Although I had fixed my work Mac and my main Mac at home, on my old laptop, I’d been ignoring the conflicts. However, the warning message were starting to get annoying so I decided to re-sync the calendars. However, I forgot to switch of the Exchange/iCal sync option before deleting the calendar from iCal and before I knew it, Entourage synced all deletions to Exchange.
I’ve found an easy way to restore all deleted calendars. My solution requires a second Mac but I suspect that the solution will work if you’re restoring the calendar from a local backup. First switch off your network connection and then open Entourage. Backup your Exchange calendar to your ‘local calendar’. The easiest way is to use the ‘All Events’ option to select all calendar entries and move them into your ‘Local Calendar’. You can then reconnect to your network and sync with Exchange. Once the sync is complete, copy back all entries into your Exchange calendar and re-sync.
There’s going to be a lot of comment on the iPad and it’s capabilities. I thought I’d take a look at it from a ‘Higher Education’ perspective.
The ‘tablet’ form factor is ideally suited to education. Ever since Microsoft released the first Tablet PC it’s been clear to many in education that this interface was the answer to many of our needs. Unfortunately, Windows and the applications it runs, has never fulfilled the promise. Maybe Apple can provide us with the answer.
The Student Perspective
Laptop usage in Universities has been growing exponentially. Most Universities provide students with access to a wide range of internet based systems and resources, such as email, learning environments, e-books, journals, videos, podcasts etc, along with the wireless infrastructure to enable students to use their own laptop throughout campus. So laptop usage at my University has increased significantly over the last few years.
My first reaction to the iPad was the device when combined with the iBook store and iTunesU, would make the product attractive to Education. But now I’ve had time to think about it, I’m not sure if Apple has developed a product that will (just now) make massive inroads into (UK) Higher Education.
From a design perspective, it looks like Apple have nailed the design. It looks fantastic and it’s core functionality looks great. I can imagine our students finding the portability and user interface perfect for daily use. Whether it’s taking notes in class, using it in group work or even as a data recorder in a lab, the form factor and the instant access to research materials and our core systems through Safari is perfect in so many ways.
But for me, there’s some killer issues that might stop wide-spread adoption.
Often students in the UK do not need to buy many books. Work for example, provides dozens of copies of ‘core texts’ and provides access to over 50,000 e-books. When students are required to buy texts, they shop around or buy second hand copies from students who studied last year. Apple appear to be positioning the device as the front-end to purchasable content. The iBook store will undoubtably be a massive success, but it’s design appears to be centred around content you intend to keep. Let’s face it, few students will find the ’4th Edition of Introduction to Thermodynamics’ such an exciting page turner that they will want to keep it. Many in education we’re hoping that Apple’s iBook store would adopt ‘micro payments’ allowing students to purchase just the chapters they need, or even ‘rent’ the book for short periods of time.
In terms of iTunesU, we’re not sure our students use it. There’s some fantastic content on iTunesU, but our academics are still quite traditional. Many still believe that they have to stand in front of a class imparting knowledge through a set of Powerpoint slides. Few as yet, would consider requiring students to consume iTunesU content outside of class so that they can concentrate on exploring ‘understanding’ during face to face time. We know that our lecturers are not unique. UK Higher Education has wasted millions on unused ‘reusable’ content. So I don’t think the ease of access to iTunesU will help sell the product.
There’s also the issue that the iPad is not a ‘computer’. Many courses require specialist software, such as Photoshop, or CAD packages. Also since Microsoft has traditionally supported Universities with relatively cheap campus licenses, and students with cheap Office licenses, Office has been a core desktop application for over a decade. The iPad doesn’t support Office and I can’t see Microsoft developing an iPad version. There’s also the issue that students wouldn’t be able to access all the content we provide in ‘non Apple’ formats, such as Windows media, Real Video and Flash. So it’s likely a student would still require a laptop.
Although the base price seems reasonable, is it cheap enough for students to buy it alongside a laptop? Apple’s UK prices tend to be around $1.25 to a £. If that’s the case, the base product will cost £400. Students can get 15% discount (as can I – probably the biggest advantage of working at a Uni!). So the UK price to students will probably be around £340. Is this cheap enough to purchase as a second computer?
Staff Perspective
From a staff perspective, the iPad seems to be wide of the mark. All our academic staff have laptops so have the freedom to carry their work round with them. It’s unlikely that we would look to replace staff’s laptops with an iPad. But we already have a definite need for a good tablet, maybe in addition to their main laptop, because University staff have to mark assignments. Something as simple as marking paper submissions has proven to be significantly slower, when staff have to mark electronically. Last year we accepted over 80,000 electronic submissions, this year’s it’s likely to be double that amount. Within 5 years, I think all submissions will be electronic. So we’re desperate for a product with an interface that streamlines the marking workflow.
Windows Tablet PCs provide almost everything we require. But because of a number of small problems, they just don’t work. For example, I’ve not found a single member of staff who likes the software keyboard on Windows. So of most our staff use ‘hybrid’ laptop/tablet PCs. These tend to be underpowered, with poor battery life and awful ergonomics. So staff end up being tied to a desk. There’s also the issue that applications are rarely design to work with a touch based interface, so tend to be difficult to use when you are using a Tablet PC.
It’s clear the interface or iPad is excellent. It was designed from the ground up as touch based operating system. The ergonomics of the product look almost perfect. The size and weight should allow staff to use the product almost anywhere. As always with Apple products, the screen looks fantastic. So staff should be able to sit and mark where ever is convenient.
It looks like iLife has also been revamped with ‘touch’ as the main interface. But the lack of pen interface is disappointing. I’ve always thought that a pen based interface eases the transition of staff from paper to electronic. But I’m starting to think that this may not actually be needed. The iPad’s software keyboard looks fantastic and most iPhone users quickly adjust to typing on it’s tiny keyboard, so the iPad’s big virtual keyboard shouldn’t be a problem. Most staff use the pen to add comments next to student’s mistakes and the iPhone’s cut and paste mechanism demonstrates how easy it is to highlight sections with your finger. So adding inline comments should be pretty easy.
But there’s one core feature that the first generation iPad is missing – the web camera. Audio visual feedback is becoming a common method for staff to provide richer, personalised feedback to students. Being unable to record video limits how staff could use the iPad and it seem like Apple have intentionally tried to minimise the ‘first gen’ cost. I would expect a camera to appear on the second generation product.
So it’s a bit of a mixed bag really. I’m not sure it will appeal to students and the first gen iPad seems to be missing some core features for use by our staff.
I read a comment earlier that the iPad doesn’t know what it wants to be and although I can see their point, I don’t think it’s true. Yes, it appears like it might be targeted at business and education but I think Apple have a very clear idea of what they want the product to do. They want it to kill off the Kindle and for it to be a consumer device that acts as a front end to their increasing range of stores. To make it easier for consumers to have instant access to digital content, content that Apple control the distribution of. If it finds a place in business or education, then that will be a bonus
I’ve finally persuaded work that I need a Mac for my replacement computer. I’ve always been given RM ‘workstations’ (that have to last 4 years) that are really just fairly standard desktops with a bit extra memory and slightly better graphics card. From my point of view, they are underpowered for development work. Not bad machines, but more suited to general office tasks. But working for a University, you sometimes have to accept that cloth has to be cut to fit.
After two years of moaning about how underpowered my work computer is compared to my own Mac Pro (and taking my MacBook Pro to most meetings). They’ve finally given in and bought me a Mac Pro. They even threw in a few surprises such as a gorgeous Apple Cinema display and 2Tb of hard disk space. I owe somebody a very big favour.
Unfortunately I still need to run Windows for the odd piece of software such as Domino Designer and Admin clients, Real Helix video encoder, and IE, so I can’t go 100% Mac. Maybe Lotus will surprise us by announcing a Mac based Design client at Lotusphere 2010. Ok, maybe not. But I’m on a roll, so I might as well wish for it while my luck’s holding.
Cinema Display Unboxing
So simple, but so effective. It oozes class.
Even Apple’s packing is ‘designed’.
Shinny surface.
As a design graduate. The idea of creating a consumer product out of machined aluminium would have been a dream because we such designs would be rejected ‘as no company would accept the costs’. Than god for Apple. They allow their designers to create their dreams.
This is what the rest of the office will be starting at
Nice cable tidy
Built-in power supply for MacBooks and uses the new ‘Display Port’ connector. Not sure how you use it with older MacBook and Mac Pro models.
Mac Pro unboxing
Mac Pro box. Simple and effective. You know exactly what you expect to see when you open the box.
I’m a big fan of the Apple aluminium keyboards. For me, ‘laptop’ type keys work much better than the old fashioned keys. (Those the Apple mighty mouse is still a design disaster)
I’ve just bought a new 17” Macbook Pro. My 2006 15” MacBook Pro had started to show it’s age.
First impressions? Well it’s a Mac, and we all know they are good at first impressions and this one is no different.
The unibody design gives is the laptop a solid feeling. The HD screen is bright and although this isn’t the first laptop that I’ve owned with a glossy screen, they are an acquired taste, so it’s worth checking out in store if you’re uncertain whether to pay extra for the matt screen.
The new touch pad takes a little bit of adjusting. I’m finding the extra multi-touch gestures a little bit annoying (I keep zooming instead of scrolling).
This laptop is much quieter and quicker than my 15” model. I hadn’t been sure about switching to the larger laptop. Previous 17” models were ‘big’ but this one though doesn’t feel much larger than my 15” and the extra screen real-estate is most welcome. I suspect it’s the rounded edges helps hide the ‘bulk’
My main reason for switching to the 17” was the larger battery. Apple claim it has an 8 hour battery life. Today, I’ve spent about 5 hours on various trains travelling to see Middlesbrough unexpectedly beat Liverpool. After five hours of using the battery is still reporting 35% charge and nearly 3 hours of life left. I haven’t been pushing it too hard and the screen’s brightness is switched down, but I’ve done a little bit of Domino development running in Fusion, replicating to the servers and testing via the trains’ (ropy) wireless. I’ve done some light word processing, answered some emails, general web browsing and downloaded and listened to a podcast, and written these blog entries.
I know Apple aren’t renowned for accurately quoting real-world battery life but it looks like I might get around 6-7 hours out of mine so I’m really pleased with this result. I usually use a EEE PC 901 on the trip but find I’m limited to very light work. This now gives me another option.
MacBook unboxing
Apple’s packaging keeps getting smaller and smaller. This isn’t much bigger than the laptop
There really isn’t much to this new ‘green’ packaging
New keyboard is based on the MacBook. If you’ve used a Macbook or one of Apple’s aluminium Mac Pro keyboards, then it’s basically the same. It’s nice to use, but the last gen’s silver keys are better. (Still the best keyboard on any laptop I’ve used)
The glossy screen – test drive one instore. Apple offer a matte version of the 17″ for an extra £30
My photos from Lotusphere have already been added to the Lotusphere flickr group, ( as p_a_h) but I’ve just uploaded a bunch of Lotusphere related videos to Youtube:
and documentary evidence if needed of why we turn up to work the following week so tired
All videos except ‘Mustang Sally’, were created with the new iMovie ’09. I installed it earlier today and as you can see it’s very easy to use and my first impressions are that it’s a big improvement over ’08. If you’ve a Mac user who plays with video, but not seriously enough to warrant Final Cut, it’s definitely worth upgrading to.
I wonder why it is that many believe Notes is dead? Compare and contrast two recent announcements from IBM and Apple
Notes/Domino 8.5 release
(There is a little link in the news banner in the centre of the screen to a press release about Notes on the Mac)
iLife ’09
On Apple’s site, there are loads of videos and information telling us why iLife ’09 is worth upgrading to. On the IBM site we get
If I hadn’t been to Lotusphere 2008 and didn’t follow the Lotus related blogs, would this page really convince me that Notes 8.5 is a fantastic product?
After commenting on Apple finally admitting that the mac isn’t invincible, they’ve pulled yesterday’s link. Guess somr in Apple believe their own marketing hype
Ok lets make this clear before anyone jumps on me. I am a Mac user. (2008 Mac Pro, MacBook Pro, and a 12″ Powerbook – and a Mini at work).
As a Domino developer I have to use Windows at work and I have various XP VMs on my Macs. I would never dream of running XP without a virus checker and it’s always the first piece of software I install when I get a new box. But now Apple are recommending all users install a virus checker.
A few weeks ago I had my first case of a user with a ‘Mac’ virus – actually a Windows Word macro virus that works on Office on OSX. So although it didn’t have a payload that damaged Macs it’s still a virus. The user has continued to post documents containing the virus despite being told to install a virus checker. So it’s clear that some people have bought into Apple’s marketing hype and believe that they will never catch a virus and it’s this category of Mac user who will be the targets of the first virulent Mac virus. So it’s good that Apple are being pragmatic.
If you’re interested in installing a virus checker but aren’t yet ready to let anything Norton produce sully your Macs, then you could try ClamAV, a free virus checker. At least it will ensure you don’t pass around Office macro virus.
