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GeekNights 20101227 - Tech Predictions 2010-2011

edited December 2010 in GeekNights

Tonight on GeekNights, we discuss our major technology predictions for the coming year, particularly regarding the iPhone and non-AT&T carriers, the future of the media distribution marketplace, and the slow demise of X Windows. In the news, Stuxnet may have been the cause of real-world damage (though this wouldn't be the first time such a thing happened), and Putin is pushing Linux.

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  • Oh damn you! I could be watching cartoons now, but instead I check the forums, and now I have to listen to this x)
  • I would want a iPad/itouch for only one reason: the wealth of music apps it has. Holycrap, you can make entire albums with the tools it gives you, Ask Damon Albarn from Gorillaz. XD
  • edited December 2010
    Why not just get a cheap ass netbook running (pirated) Windows?
    Post edited by Aria on
  • Because the iPhone/iPad still have applications that are not easily accessible with windows.
  • What about getting one of those cheap Korg MIDI keyboard and using it with free software on your computer? Maybe I'm just being stupid, but I don't see what an iPhone could do better than a computer with internet access.
  • edited December 2010
    What about getting one of those cheap Korg MIDI keyboard and using it with free software on your computer? Maybe I'm just being stupid, but I don't see what an iPhone could do better than a computer with internet access.
    I make a living out of music. That being said, the touch interface on the iPad/iTouch is used in ways I've only seen once before, on a $5000 dollar midi controller, the Haken Continuum.
    image

    Tablet PC tracking sucks, before you point those out.
    Post edited by La Petit Mort on
  • edited December 2010
    And that can't be emulated with any touch surface and a computer? iPad is decently sized, but I can hardly see working on a iPhone being any easier than a proper MIDI keyboard.
    Guiding to make a large 'touch surface'/finger tracking thingie for ~500+computer/projector

    (If you just say 'no', I'll take your word for it tho xP)
    Post edited by Aria on
  • That guide lists the price point as $2500, and while yes, I could probably find a way to make a touch surface for computer synths, but some of the music applications found withing the Apple's app store are just simply not found on the PC.

    I'm not saying that I would get an iPad/iPhone just because of that, but if I had one, that's what I would use it for.
  • edited December 2010
    Scott, I really/hope that you're right about Verizon getting the iPhone in 2011. I've been holding out. I don't want to go to AT&T, but more and more I'm contemplating it.
    Post edited by Rochelle on
  • Scott, I really/hope that you're right about Verizon getting the iPhone in 2011. I've been holding out. I don't want to go to AT&T;, but more and more I'm contemplating it.
    I actually kinda hope that everyone does go to Verizon. I have no love for AT&T;, but the fact is that I, as usual, have no problems. My phone works, and I get coverage everywhere I need it now that they have upgraded their shit. If everyone moves to Verizon, that's will just decongest the AT&T; network. I like Verizon better than AT&T;, but it's not any cheaper. My contract isn't over until 2012, so I'll probably only switch if AT&T; fails at 4G.
  • Hrm, for some reason my iTunes just doesn't want to download this episode. Hopefully this won't be the case next episode.
  • Hrm, for some reason my iTunes just doesn't want to download this episode. Hopefully this won't be the case next episode.
    I had a few issues too, but after a few attempts it finally downloaded.
    I actually kinda hope that everyone does go to Verizon. I have no love for AT&T;, but the fact is that I, as usual, have no problems. My phone works, and I get coverage everywhere I need it now that they have upgraded their shit. If everyone moves to Verizon, that's will just decongest the AT&T; network. I like Verizon better than AT&T;, but it's not any cheaper. My contract isn't over until 2012, so I'll probably only switch if AT&T; fails at 4G
    I've been using my LG Dare for a while now. It suits what I mostly need. I just want something shiny and it seems the iPhone is what is best for me.

    As for your comment about Nintendo and the Wii in decline, I'm reminded of this article from NPR that Kotaku linked.
  • edited December 2010
    I actually kinda hope that everyone does go to Verizon. I have no love for AT&T;, but the fact is that I, as usual, have no problems. My phone works, and I get coverage everywhere I need it now that they have upgraded their shit. If everyone moves to Verizon, that's will just decongest the AT&T; network. I like Verizon better than AT&T;, but it's not any cheaper. My contract isn't over until 2012, so I'll probably only switch if AT&T; fails at 4G.
    See, What we can do down here, is buy pretty much any phone we want, unlocked, without restriction(even iphones), and get a pre-paid or contract SIM card for that phone from any phone company we want, and it all just works. It's pretty much always been that way.

    Dear USA - Get on that shit.
    Post edited by Churba on
  • Dear USA - Get on that shit.
    It will be a cold day in hell when that happens.
  • I actually kinda hope that everyone does go to Verizon. I have no love for AT&T;, but the fact is that I, as usual, have no problems. My phone works, and I get coverage everywhere I need it now that they have upgraded their shit. If everyone moves to Verizon, that's will just decongest the AT&T; network. I like Verizon better than AT&T;, but it's not any cheaper. My contract isn't over until 2012, so I'll probably only switch if AT&T; fails at 4G.
    See, What we can do down here, is buy pretty much any phone we want, unlocked, without restriction(even iphones), and get a pre-paid or contract SIM card for that phone from any phone company we want, and it all just works. It's pretty much always been that way.

    Dear USA - Get on that shit.
    iPhone's were the exception here. Although I think that was just the original iPhone, and it's been available from all carriers since the iPhone 3G. I might be wrong on that 2nd part tho XD
  • Dear USA - Get on that shit.
    Well, we basically don't have to pay for phones, as they're heavily subsidized. It's a balance.
  • Well, we basically don't have to pay for phones, as they're heavily subsidized. It's a balance.
    If you don't want to buy a phone outright, you can get a heavily subsidised phone on contract. I've got a grandfathered along business contract which is month by month, but still essentially hands me a free new phone every two years or so, has a bunch of extra features to it(a decent data cap, free calls to a bunch of phones I select and can change by the month, if I choose to) and very good rates for calls to any mobile or landline - however, despite that being an exceptional case, the deals you can get from them right off the bat are pretty damn good.
  • If you don't want to buy a phone outright, you can get a heavily subsidised phone on contract. I've got a grandfathered along business contract which is month by month, but still essentially hands me a free new phone every two years or so, has a bunch of extra features to it(a decent data cap, free calls to a bunch of phones I select and can change by the month, if I choose to) and very good rates for calls to any mobile or landline - however, despite that being an exceptional case, the deals you can get from them right off the bat are pretty damn good.
    I think US carriers are price fixing, but that's just my completely unsubstantiated opinion.
  • Doesn't price fixing only count as illegal if they are specifically colluding. The fear of a price war/dumb pipification is more an industry wide phenomenon.
  • If I were Netflix, the third pillar I would opt to implement would be: pr0n
  • Netflix doesn't already have porn? That's... odd.
  • Netflix doesn't already have porn? That's... odd.
    Odd indeed...
    Probably for the best, though. My brother already knows how to use the netflix interface on the roku.
  • Netflix doesn't already have porn? That's... odd.
    Odd indeed...
    Probably for the best, though. My brother already knows how to use the netflix interface on the roku.
    Nah, Netflix has/would have parental controls so that becomes a non-issue.
  • There's a million sites to stream porn from these days, why would we even need netflix?
  • There is enough soft-core stuff on Netflix to keep any 8-12 year old happy if they want :-p
  • The rumblings are getting louder. Looking like iPhone to Verizon on Tuesday.
  • The rumblings are getting louder. Looking likeiPhone to Verizonon Tuesday.
    Hopefully many people will flee AT&T;, decongesting the network for me.
  • The rumblings are getting louder. Looking likeiPhone to Verizonon Tuesday.
    So much teasing. It's almost too perfect because now I can upgrade at a discount and am receiving several bonuses this month, not including my tax return. Here's to hoping, but not too much.
  • edited January 2011
    Also did anyone see the news at AT&T will sell the 3GS for $50? Scott was totally right that iPhone could be the commodity smartphone. The only hangup I would have with the theory is that people who want a commodity phone may have too much pride to buy something "old" even if 3GS kicks the crap out of their other options. They may not be the brightest decision makers in the world. EDIT: The only other issue is the availability. Unless Apple was willing to continue pumping out these older phones it would never catch on big-time. The only reason they're down to $50 is just to clear stock at a discount, they're still worth more than that.

    As for the Yahoo conversation, I was listening to the Net@Night podcast where they were interviewing the guy who created pinboard (a delicious alternative). He spent some time working at Yahoo, and said they used to compare the company to this huge jello mold that had all of these sweet raisins stuck in the middle of it, yet nobody ever wants to eat that big blob.
    Post edited by Matt on
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