Michael Castellon

AppleInsider is reporting that Apple is planning to make 512mb of RAM the standard on all new computers, beginning at about mid-year:

By mid-year, Apple is likely to include a minimum of 512MB of RAM in each of the Macs it sells, double the amount of standard memory shipping in most of today’s models.

Sources say Apple intends to complete the move by mid-year, around the same time it begins shipping its next-generation operating system, Mac OS X 10.4 “Tiger.”

Although Tiger will not require 512MB of RAM, insiders say the boost in memory spec will assure consumers a smoother experience running both Tiger and Apple’s iLife ’05 digital lifestyle software suite. They added that the upgrade is “much needed.”

My take on it? It’s about time Apple make 512 the standard. I’m still surprised the standard Mac-Mini shipped with only 256.

k

The internet is booming with discussion regarding Apple’s decision to sue three bloggers who published information pertaining to unreleased products. In case you missed it, here it is within the proverbial nutshell: an Apple employee leaked product information to several bloggers. The information hinted at the design and features of Apple’s then-unreleased Mac-Mini and new line of iPods. The bloggers published the information online, and have since refused to identify the Deepthroat who released said information.

The lawsuit raises questions about freedom of speech issues related to bloggers, who in the past year have exploded on the scene while serving as occasionally successful armchair journalists. Members of the Old World Press are allowed to protect the identities of their sources in most situations, but Apple contends that bloggers are not legitimate members of the press, and are thus not entitled to similar degrees of protection under freedom of speech laws.

Lisa DiCarlo brings up an interesting point about this battle:

This potential threat to first amendment rights and Apple’s crackdown on Web sites that, in general, love the company and its products, do nothing to bolster Apple’s image. In fact, the company’s success of late has yielded accusations of bullying and potentially unlawful business tactics, not to mention complaints that songs purchased from its iTunes music service, the dominant digital music store, don’t work with music players other than its own.

I would have preferred if DiCarlo addressed the issue that the title of her story hints at: Is Apple The New Microsoft? But she didn’t, so I will attempt to.

Apple has had a lot of success recently, first with iPod and iTunes, and now with Mac-Mini and several pretty impressive software packages that have had Apple enthusiasts lining up at the doors of the Apple Store. Apple is working on going mainstream, mainly in baiting PC users who have dabbled with iTunes and iPod enough to think they might like other Apple products. For years, the price of Apple products has kept a lot of users out of the ultra hip and sleek Mac realm, but now with the offering of a pretty decent $499 desktop and cheaper iPods, it seems that Apple may be making a move towards becoming more global.

It is bit ironic that a company that has always attempted (and usually succeeded) in practicing more user-friendly design, marketing and production than Microsoft is now engaging in high-profile swipes at its users. The lawsuit with bloggers is the tip of the iceberg. Apple is now facing litigation claiming that its iTunes music service is only accomodating to iPod music players.

Microsoft officials have typically claimed that its cut-throat business practices were not cut-throat at all, and have implied that such practice was necessary to protect the MS brand and technology. Now that Apple is experiencing record sales, the question will remain if the company will engage in less than admirable practice to protect it’s technology and brand.

I think Apple would be better off maintaining its relationship with core users while continuing to expand its product line in an effort to acquire some of the MS market share. I’ve been sold on several Apple products simply on the basis of blog discussions and amateur product reviews, and I’m not alone. This may not be the best time for Apple to get arrogant and bite the hands that have fed them for so long. The lines of communication between core users are changing rapidly, and Apple is now in a unique position to alter that communcation, for better or worse.

Bloggers who exposed rumors of upcoming products likely did little to hurt sales. The products in question include the iPod Shuffle and Mac-Mini, both of which are still on backorder with the Apple Store. Apple may be attempting only to hunt down the employee who leaked the info more than attempting to influence the free speech/blogger issue, but I hope Steve Jobs and Company don’t inadvertantly influence constitutional law in an effort to prevent leakages about possible upcoming iPod releases.

PC World seems to know:

Analysts at IDC recently took apart an IPod Shuffle and come up with an estimate of how much the diminutive music player costs Apple Computer to make. They found that Apple makes a healthy 35 percent to 40 percent profit on each player sold, and stands to make even more from ITunes music purchases and expected drops in flash memory pricing.

Toshiba announced yesterday it will boost production of semiconductors in an attempt to prepare output of flash memory chips, a move fueled in part by iPod shuffles sales:

“When it comes to the supply-demand balance we are currently unable to satisfy all customer demands,” Muromachi said, noting in particular the launch of iPod Shuffle by Apple Computer Inc. in January. “Demand created by this new machine is so vast that our current capacity can in no way meet their needs,” he said.

It would be ineresting to consider whether this will eventually lead to a price drop in the shuffle.

If you want to be using an iPod, but don’t have several hundred dollars to spend, you’ll feel right at home with the iPod shuffle. My shuffle arrived last week almost a month after I placed my order at the Apple Store, thanks in part to a rush of new adopters soaking up the 512MB and 1GB versions of the ultra-small Apple innovation. The backorder from the Apple Store probably isn’t much better at press time, but savvy shoppers can find new, factory-sealed shuffles at eBay for a small markup. If not, look for shuffle to appear soon at your local Target and Best Buy.

Most notable about the shuffle, aside from its affordable $99 price tag, is its design. Shuffle’s size and weight is comparable to a pack of gum. With shuffle, Apple abandons the complex navigation system and digital display found on larger, pricier iPod flavors. Shuffle instead opts for a simple user interface consisting of a jog dial for direct audio control, and a slider allowing users to choose between shuffling their playlists and playing songs in order. Shuffle’s design allows for the same ergonomic feel that made iPod Apple’s saving grace from a reputation of lackluster product designs in the 1990s.

Shuffle works seamlessly with Apple iTunes. By default, my shuffle loaded about 125 songs randomly when I plugged it into my Mac-Mini’s USB drive. Adjusting the “iPod Options” feature in iTunes allows users to select how the shuffle acquires songs, either automatically or manually.

Users who insist on carrying their entire library of music with them will have difficulty adopting to the shuffles limited 512MB- (about 120 songs) or 1GB- (about 240 songs) capacity drive. If you’re looking for an iPod that will serve as a multi-gigabyte backup for music and files, the shuffle isn’t for you. However, shuffle’s flash USB compatibility makes it a good tool for data transfer. Users can set aside a portion of shuffle’s memory for files, which makes it easy to transfer documents between home and work. Shuffle’s non-dependency on a firewire port makes it compatible across both PC and Mac platforms.

Shuffle’s internal battery charges while plugged into the computer’s USB port, and usually requires three to four hours for a full charge. Many users are reporting getting a solid 15 hours of use from the shuffle on a full charge.

One caveat potential buyers should take into consideration is shuffle’s incompatibility with many USB drives. It’s width, for example, makes shuffle incompatible with my Gateway 600YG2 notebook computer, which has narrow USB ports. This issue, however, is easily solved with a USB extension cable.

Bottom Line? shuffle will probably be the first of many iPods you will ever buy.

Will Podcasting be the most revolutionary thing to hit the internet since blogs? It might be. Blogging became powerful because it essentially added a component to the internet that turned anyone with a web browser and internet connection into an armchair journalist, occasionally giving big media a run for its money. Imagine the same approach, but substitute radio for print journalism. Podcasting allows anyone with a computer and a microphone, or a similar digital recording device, to record broadcasts. These broadcasts are hosted, then synched with podcasting RSS tools that allow listeners to download content and listen to it on their computers or iPods.

The godfather of this technology? None other than 80’s MTV rock jock Adam Curry. The PodFather has been at his Amsterdam residence feverishly broadcasting and organizing the Podcasting movement. He founded Ipodder, a portal where users can download RSS tools and feeds. Thanks to Curry, there are literally thousands of podcasting shows to listen to: 80’s retro, sports, news, politics. Anything you might find on regular airwaves, sans FCC and Big Media influence.

Read more about Podcasting here, here, and here.