Linked List: October 7, 2010

Thursday, 7 October 2010

Nicholas Deleon Calls ‘No Clothes’ on Google TV ★

Nicholas Deleon at AOL/TechCrunch:

So we’ve established that Google TV will bring the Internet to your TV. Great. But you know what? I already “have” the Internet. You do, too.

It’s called a computer — and to a lesser extent, a smartphone.

If it works, it’ll be because Google has figured out a new interaction model for computing that doesn’t require a mouse pointer or touchscreen. But even if the interaction model works, is a computer what people want in the living room? Count me in with Deleon — I don’t see it.

Update: This tweet from “mpjoyn” nails why I’m skeptical:

Living room PCs will be big, but only as touchscreens for each family member. Hell is watching someone else control a GUI.

It’s not that there isn’t demand for living room computing. It’s whether the TV should be a computer display. Who wants to watch someone else surf the web?

Put another way: How is Google TV not WebTV 2.0?

Engadget’s Motorola Droid Pro Preview ★

This doesn’t appeal to me personally, but I think it plays to Android’s strengths. Could be really appealing to BlackBerry switchers.

NYT: ‘Microsoft and Adobe Chiefs Meet to Discuss Apple’ ★

Bombshell from Nick Bilton:

Steven A. Ballmer, Microsoft’s chief executive, recently showed up with a small entourage of deputies at Adobe’s offices to hold a secret meeting with Adobe’s chief executive, Shantanu Narayen.

The meeting, which lasted over an hour, covered a number of topics, but one of the main thrusts of the discussion was Apple and its control of the mobile phone market and how the two companies could partner in the battle against Apple. A possible acquisition of Adobe by Microsoft were among the options.

And people wonder why Apple hasn’t added Flash Player support to iOS.

Tweet Library 1.0 ★

Another great new iPad app, this one from Manton Reece. Tweet Library is a Twitter client that can filter and archive tweets, and there’s a companion website for sharing your archive collections. Watch the demo movie and you’ll understand. I’ve been beta testing it and really like it.

TouchUp 1.0 ★

Excellent new $3 photo editor for the iPad, from Rogue Sheep. Really thoughtful take on how to do this with a touch interface.

WSJ Now Says Verizon Will Carry CDMA iPhone ★

I don’t think I’ve ever before linked to the same article twice in succession, but the WSJ has completely rewritten the lead to this story:

AT&T Inc. is about to lose its lock on the iPhone.

Apple Inc. is making a version of its iPhone that Verizon Wireless will sell early next year, according to people familiar with the matter, ending an exclusive deal with AT&T and sharpening the competition with Google Inc.-based phones.

They’re saying it’s a done deal. That’s news. What I’m curious about is who leaked the confirmation: someone at Verizon, or someone at Apple? And was it authorized?