Only if ALL devices are 802.11n compliant.

Posted by Chris Lawrence at 04:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

So this is where we spend most of our time. And just as well, since it's cold outside. That part isn't so fun, but it's nice to be back home (kinda - I grew up ~45 minutes from here). 10 years in San Diego has thinned my blood, but I feel like less of a wimp when I hear the locals complaining about the weather).

What's been really fun is talking to people about C&P who have never heard about it. So many different sorts of people can all benefit from C&P. From the freelance photographer to the mid-sized agency principle to the designer at the in-house marketing department of a large company, we really have something for everyone. Enough spin.

Thanks to those that have come by. It's been a pleasure to put faces to the names and shake hands. It was also a pleasure to eat black cod tonight, but I won't go into that. This town is a great place to eat.

Posted by Chris Lawrence at 10:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

So, before it got too crowded, I went over to check out the slowly-revolving and well-guarded iPhone.
(apologies for the poor quality pics)

They've got two of these rotating displays, each with an Apple Inc. (not to be confused with the no-longer-existing Apple Computer) rep standing by to answer questions rapid-fire.

I do think it's pretty cool. The design appears intuitive, clean, and crisp. A typical Apple product. Oh, and it's expensive. I had hoped that Apple's recent trend towards competitive market pricing with computers would continue with this new device, but they're back to their old strategy: expensive, yet cool, and definitely a status symbol for the early adopter/zealot.

The primary "bummer" I'm hearing isn't the price, but the Cingular exclusivity. Even if it's true that the exclusivity is only for two years, that's still painful for a Verizon user enjoying in-network calling and 90%+ of contacts all on Verizon. I suppose if everyone I knew collectively switched over, that'd help, but most people I know won't spend $500 on a phone, no matter what else it does. I'd love to know what it cost Cingular for the deal, but for now it's a secret.

So I keep asking myself, "do I want it?" The answer is definitely "yes" but with an emphatic "but". I'd love to have a good web browser/camera/music player/email/phone onhand at all times, but $500 (or $600 for 8gb) is a lot of money. Also, Cingular. I've used them before and I had spotty coverage. Without a reliable signal, the iPhone is reduced to a small-capacity ipod with a camera. I've wanted a smart phone for awhile now, and I like that this is thinner than my current not-so-smart phone (LG VX8100 with original [bad] firmware, but more on that another time). Also, it's not out until June, so who knows what else will be competing by that time. This could definitely be a product that causes a cultural shift in what people think of as "computers" and where and how they "compute".

Posted by Chris Lawrence at 09:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

So, we made it, no thanks to the malfunctioning plane which kept us in our oh-so-crowded seats for far longer than expected as we took in the view of the runway in San Diego.

So, the Expo is big, crowded, and fantastic for people-watching. It was nice to meet several loyal C&P users today and show off the new 10.1 update. Not to pat ourselves on the back too much, but it's nice to be able to field virtually every "can it do ____?" question from those not familiar with the program with an enthusiastic "yes!"

So, here's a little brain teaser. What do these 2 pictures have in common?

Give up?

They're both places where one should be able to use the internet for free (the first is a picture of the lamely named internet connection box in my hotel room, the 2nd is in the hotel lobby).

Now, I did know in advance that internet is not free in the hotel room. $12.95 per noon-to-noon period. I guess we could have stayed elsewhere, but we thought it good taste to stay in the HQ Hotel. When paying these kind of rates at the HQ hotel for a computer convention, one might expect something so fundamental to be complimentary. When I called a couple weeks ago to inquire about the internet, I was assured that there was public wi-fi in the lobby, so I figured that's at least a workable alternative, but when I tried it today, of course... no dice. Those at the front desk confirmed that they don't supply this basic service. What a disappointment. This great hotel which I booked us all at (and hotel chain which I used to so proudly be an employee of) dropped the ball.

So, leave a comment if you think I'm full of it and shouldn't expect free internet in a quality establishment. I'll try and find something more show-related to discuss tomorrow. I guess there was some hubbub about a phone....

(this blog entry brought to you courtesy of AirPort Express.)

Posted by Chris Lawrence at 11:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

10.1 is coming along nicely and we're looking forward to showing it off next week at Macworld. Come and visit us in the Apple Developer Pavilion (booth #S1338-19) or if you can't make it, visit here for pictures and (limited) coverage.

Posted by Chris Lawrence at 10:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)