Use Ordinary Paper and Tape to Prevent Webcam Spying

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Macworld 2010 Highlights

So I went to MacWorld 2010 and was surprised at how many cool things there were.  Most of our client’s machines run on Windows, but scientists and designers still tend to prefer the Mac experience.  I am even working on a project in which we are replacing all the Windows machines with Macs and running the one required Windows application within a Windows VM running XenApp on a Mac OS X server.  XenApp serves up  Windows applications to any client (even Macs) via a web based Java applet.

The iPad discussion was so popular that the 1500 person capacity primary room filled up and they had to open an overflow room. The discussion covered most of the topics which are being discussed in the gadget blogosphere. Probably the most contentious point is Apple’s control of which apps can be installed.  Other platforms allow users to set a well-buried option to enable 3rd party apps. One panel member likened this to Cuisinart forbidding users to cook pop-tarts in their toaster ovens. I actually sympathize more with the stability argument. Also, why shouldn’t Apple get more revenue as a reward for building the most cohesive mobile experience? If people want more choice, HTML5 might be an alternative going forward.  Google built a good Voice app for the iPhone using HTML5.  This might open the door to many more applications to side-step the apps store.

Here are my favorite products from the show:

These little external batteries will prove handy to keep those cell phones charged without having to swap out the internal battery.	Flexible solar panel charges large battery in just 2 days! Bring on the ThunderDome.
Then again, you can always spend $1000 for a brick that will run you laptop for 30 hours. Great for the survivalist laptop user.
There were some cool touch surfaces, but they were all running VISTA! I was surprised that there weren’t more multi-touch interface products.
The kids loved the multi-touch table for adults!	Touch whiteboard and multi-touch table from SMART Technologies.
Touchscreen Gloves by iTouchGloves.com. Cool multi-touch screen by 22miles.com.	I was fascinated by these nanotech-enabled leather gloves that work with capacitive screens. I understand that the process is integrated into the tanning of the gloves and is very durable. I also like this touch screen which brings us one step closer to Minority Report.

Windows Mobile 7

Windows Mobile 7

Well Windows Mobile 7 has  finally been announced.  Engadget has good coverage of the OS.  I was impressed by the overall look which is being called “chromeless” (i.e. no shading or drop shadows).   This seems like it should improve performance and give it a unique look and responsive feel.

Windows Phone 7 Series also marks a move by Microsoft to take greater control of the user interface of its phone software.

“We wanted to take greater accountability for the end user experience,” Ballmer said. “We want more consistency in the hardware platform and in the user experience,” he said, while nevertheless saying Microsoft wanted to leave room for hardware partners to innovate.

As of 12/09 73% of the smart phone market was controlled by vendors with vertical hardware – OS integration.  Google does seem to be creating a downward trend in that number.  Google may prove that  there is more to success than having an integrated hardware/OS philosophy but it’s certainly been the most successful approach so far.  I do think that MSFT is going in the right direction.  I don’t think that they can do whatever it is that is making the Android successful, so it may be better for them to simply ape RIM, Apple, and Palm and try to work on “consistency in the hardware platform.”

Top Smartphone Platforms 3 Months Ending Dec. 2009 vs. 3 Months Ending Sep. 2009 Total U.S. Age 13+ Source: comScore MobiLens
	Share (%) of Smartphone Devices
	Sep-09	Dec-09	Point Change
Total Smartphone Subscribers	100.0%	100.0%	N/A
RIM	42.6%	41.6%	-1.0
Apple	24.1%	25.3%	1.2
Microsoft	19.0%	18.0%	-1.0
Palm	8.3%	6.1%	-2.2
Google	2.5%	5.2%	2.7

Use an iPad to access your desktop

Apple iPad

Apple has announced a new device called the iPad. I understand that it will be something like an iPod touch, but with a 10″ screen. You might have heard of it. This might be Apple’s way of entering the netbook market which it has avoided thus far. Or it might be a good e-Reader to compete with the Kindle (maybe). However, I like to look forward to it as a thin client to a virtual desktop. Citrix has announced an iPad app to access virtual desktops running under XenApp or XenDesktop. This is interesting, but the fact is that iPhone already has native VPN support and there are several Remote Desktop Client iPhone apps out there now. So no offense Citrix, but who cares? In the short term, we can just leave the user’s physical desktop/laptop running in their office and connect to it remotely from anywhere the iPad has a signal.

To be fair, virtual desktops have been hindered in my mind by the lack of a compelling thin client. With it’s decent screen size and coherent Apple multi-touch interface, a VPN/RDP solution for the iPad may be the thin client I have been waiting for. This solution might even prove to be a workable alternative to a laptop. Offline use during flights, etc. will be an issue, but more airlines are adding WiFi to help keep us connected to the internet at all times. Certain senior executives seem to like having the newest, lightest laptops available. So dump the laptop, get an iPad, and keep a desktop running somewhere else. Who knows, there might even be budget to build a XenDesktop server at some point.

Notion Ink Android Tablet

However, another alternative is using an Android tablet. Android phones also have both VPN and RDP clients available. I am particularly interested in this new Pixel Qi technology which is a full color “transflective” LCD that claims to be competitive to e-ink in bright light. A company called Notion Ink will be producing an Android tablet with a Pixel Qi screen that should be available this summer. Android OS may lack the coherence of Apple’s mobile offerings, but that Pixel Qi screen would be compelling if it works as advertised. The Notion Ink device might be a better Kindle-killer than the iPad.

I am not normally a gadget person, but I am probably going to buy both an iPad and a Notion Ink tablet when they come out. I have put up with my heavy laptop bag for on-site visits for too long. I should take a cue from those discerning senior executives who I provide services for.

What do you think? I appreciate the opportunity to learn from your comments.

Scott Jackisch