Worst comment of 2006?

If Universal Music whines about poor sales during the Xmas period, maybe they should have a word with the chairman/CEO of Universal Music Group Doug Morris. Mr. Morris on other MP3 players like iPods when he talked about why he likes to do business with Microsoft and the Zune:

"These devices are just repositories for stolen music, and they all know it" (Billboard Magazine)

What was he thinking when he said that? What is the business case for upsetting music fans that choose to support his bands, and pay Mr. Morris' salary, with their hard earned cash? Incredible.

This would be a good time for Universal band U2 to step up and say something. You know, as they promote that music stealing evil gadget the iPod.

From BoingBoing

Vista

Microsoft released Vista to manufacturing a few moments ago. Here's a Q&A on "the most heavily tested, highest quality and most secure operating system in the company’s history".

New York Times free access week

The NYT launched its free access week yesterday. It runs until November 12th and basically opens up all the areas normally only available for TimesSelect subscribers.

Read, explore, think. Enjoy.

A few bits to start the week

How to stand out in the crowded fresh fruit market. Sell Super Apples!


With regards to my post on the Treo 680, here's a good overview for those who are about to buy a new smartphone.

Starbucks is king, I love them and I don't make any excuses for my appreciation. Mr Malik seems to like them too. This post reminded me about my old haunt, Starbucks on Fillmore Street in San Francisco. Maybe one day I'll buy it?

Have a good start to your work week.

My faith in Palm restored

I've wanted to write this post for a few weeks now. You see, I have been a massive fan of Palm/PalmOne since 1997. I have also been quite dissapointed with my Treo 650 for the past 10 months or so (I've had it for a year).

My main beef with the device is that it feels like a product from 2001 (which in a way it is), and this goes for the 700 as well. Add to that a, in my mind, lack of vision from PalmOne when it comes to new products.

No more.

The consumer oriented Treo 680, announced 2 weeks a go, is the smartest move PalmOne has made in a long, long time. Firstly, it's a conusmer oriented phone! Good move, there are more consumers than corporate customers. Secondly, it's avail in orange which is cool. Thirdly, it's a quad band, i.e. it can be used all over the world.

And that last point is a huge deal for us "multi national" Palm afficinados.

It's by no means an earth shattering "feature" in the history of cellphones. Quad's have been around for ever. But for those of us who live in the US, and thus a mostly CDMA environment, and regularly travel to other parts of the world (my own international destinations are usually England, Sweden, and sometimes France) having just one phone to carry around is big news. Especially when the phone is also our email tool, cal, and everything else.

Why did it take Palm so long to announce a truly useful phone? Who knows. And had it supported WiFi it would've been even better. Maybe next year.