After having given up on getting a gmail account while it was still not open to the public I lucked out today. Thanks to Jim O’Connell I now have a gmail account. So far it looks pretty cool. I’m still a little leery about the scanning of messages and the privacy issues that ensue. I’m hoping to get a chance to play around with it and see what kind of mobile devices I can access it on. I’ll keep you posted.
Apple recently released AirPort Express and AirTunes. This is pretty cool, and I’m sure that my wallet will soon be $150 lighter. However, I think Apple has left plenty of room for improvements. If Apple doesn’t make them I hope a third party does soon. Here are things that I think would make these products even better:
Okay, I am rational enough to realize that Apple is unlikely to support wireless speakers since that would eat into their sales of AirPort Expresses, but I can dream can’t I?
A remote control for iTunes is a must have in this situation. I’ve seen some remotes in the past, but none that had Apple’s fit and finish. Feel free to correct me if you think I’m wrong.
The last idea would be great for watching DVD’s on that brand new 30 inch HD display Apple is going to release at the end of the month. Instead of having to buy multiple speakers most people could get by with one set. It looks to me that Apple is positioning itself well for a personal media mac.
Of course you could do other cool things like have mail notify you of important incoming email with a sound of your choice, which would be heard anywhere in your house via the AirPort Express and multiple speakers.
While standing out on our balcony Nobuko and I could hear a lot of frog’s croaking. We wondered where they were, since the closest field to our apartment was about a five minute walk away. Since the weather was nice and cool we decided to take a walk to try and find the frogs. We got to the field and it was immediately clear to us that the frogs were there even though we couldn’t see any. It was unbelievably loud. There must have been hundreds of them in that field. I think I might go back later next week and make a recording of their croaking. I might try and gets some photos too.
John Gruber has an excellent article at Daring Fireball on the reasons why viruses, spyware, and adware, or as he calls them crapware, abound on Windows but not on the Mac. He also addresses the myth that the Mac’s lack of viruses etc. is due to Apple’s low market share. Good amunition for the next Windows user who won’t accept that the Mac is better.