Hayao Miyazaki is often called the greatest among Japanese animators. He is so well known that fans of his needn't have his first name uttered; Miyazaki is enough. Still, comparing use of the iPad to masturbation? Hmmm ...
Speaking in an interview for the newsletter (Neppuu) of his production company, Studio Ghibli, Miyazaki said he's not enamored with the magical iPad. Of course, Miyazaki has said before he doesn't own a computer or fax, so he might be somewhat of a technophobe.
After all, Miyazaki also noted that he got annoyed when everyone on trains started reading manga en route, and still later when folks began using cell phones on trains to call and text message.
Here's what he said of the iPad:
"For me, there is no feeling of admiration or no excitement whatsoever. "It's disgusting. On trains, the number of those people doing that strange masturbation-like gesture is multiplying."
Interesting analogy.
Mizayaki has created such classics as "My Neighbor Totoro," which Roger Ebert called "one of the most beloved of all family films" and "visually enchanting." Other such films include "Ponyo" and the Oscar-winning "Spirited Away."
With that list of classics, who cares if he doesn't like the iPad (we know, we know, Steve Jobs)? Watch a trailer for "Totoro," below.
An Apple executive just signed up for Twitter. Amazing, given how secretive the company is (and that's why any story about a Tweet from Steve Jobs should be disregarded). Why, then, did Apple Senior VP of iPhone Software, Scott Forstall, just sign up for Twitter?
It is unclear, but as Forstall is SVP of iPhone software, perhaps it because there is some new iPhone - Twitter integration coming. It's not so he can follow tons of folks. As of the time of this writing, Forstall is following precisely one person: Conan O'Brien. Conan's last tweet was, interestingly enough:
I found a huge design flaw in my new iPhone. People get angry when I talk on it during a funeral.
By the way, both Conan and Forstall have verified accounts, so that means they are actually who they claim to be. That also brings up another point: Apple took the time to vet him for Twitter.
Right now, he's not posted any Tweets. Could this be where Apple explains the iPhone 4's issues (since they say it's all software)? Or is Forstall (18K+ followers) just out to try to surpass a million followers, as did Ashton Kutcher (who now has 5 million). Readers, what do you think?
As we look around the Web, it's amazing just how much vehemence is being directed at Consumer Reports. As you probably know, CR gave the iPhone 4 its highest smartphone rating, 76 out of 100 (2 points greater than an Evo 4G and iPhone 3GS), yet did not recommend the phone because of its well-known antenna issues. Then, it went so far as to recommend Apple give its customers free cases. Oh, the mud was a'slingin'.
On their post about Apple "doing the right thing," there are plenty of negative comments, and even those saying they cancelled their subscription to CR, because of the review. What's interesting is that there are tons of supporters of CR, as well.
The issue has become one of those that has no middle ground. You are either, it seems, firmly in Apple's camp, or (if an Apple support is asked) a jerk or liar. At least, that's the way it seems. One such:
I've subscribed to CR for a decade.
This whole thing is ridiculous. Why don't you describe how holding any cell antenna attenuates reception? Why don't you acknowledge that there is a bug in the "bars" display and therefore you can't be sure what you are measuring?
You've helped me make a long-overdue decision. After decades of being one of your subscribers I will not be renewing the next time around. [...]
[...] you had to rush to insult Apple (in real time this time) with that duct-tape-on-the-iPhone-4 deal, even after first lauding the phone for the tour-de-force it is. This was not objective reporting.
Jim, sounds like you have had too many sips of the Apple Kool-Aid. If this had been Microsoft, your reaction would have probably been different; however, as it is St. Steve's company, he can do know wrong I guess.
Remember, Jim, Apple is a corporation and not your best friend.
BTW, I have always been partial to Macintosh computers and have owned many. But even our heroes have flaws and CU pointed out that the emperor wasn't wearing some clothes.
And still more:
Dear Myopic Apple Apologists,
We understand your devotion to your iPhone. Blind devotion however is unbecoming. When you can carry on an intelligent conversation without blindly defending your beloved Apple device feel free to contribute. You love the image owning an iPhone portrays. We all buy certain items out of vanity. But please stop disparaging this fine publication and it's efforts to report its unbiased findings. Your efforts are transparent and embarrassing. It's okay to admit the Emperor has no clothes.
Since the issue appears "fixed" if one uses a case, or even one of Apple's bumpers, that's the recommended course by many. One could say that no one in their right mind would carry around such an expensive device without a case. Still there are many who like a bare device.
CR simply says that Apple should fix the issue. Whether it's hardware, or software, that's what it wants done, and at no end user expense. It doesn't seem like that is so much to ask.
If ads could speak back to you, would you buy more of a product? It's something that might someday happen in the future, but for now, this is the next best thing. The Old Spice Man, admittedly already one of the most successful viral ad campaigns of all time, is now responding directly to Tweets, with personalized videos.
The Old Spice Man is probably better known to you by that name than by his given name, Isaiah Mustafa (a former NFL WR, no less). Muscular, with little body fat, Mustafa is probably attracting more attention from women than men, but the Tweets run the gamut.
What's great is that once the celebrities (and ordinary folks, too) get word of the video, they re-tweet it, spreading more Old Spice Man advertising to their followers.
For example, after a Tweet from Alyssa Milano asking "Are you flirting with me, @oldspice guy?," here was the video response.
Another such recent video is directed to Rose McGowan. She Tweeted "I like it too! @Oldspice I told my husband I have a crush on you. Oddly, he started using the oldspice deodorant. (via @Alyssa_Milano)."
She was responding, obviously, to another Tweet by Alyssa Milano; the two-costarred on "Charmed," you may recall. In response, Old Spice Man posted the following video:
Old Spice Man is answering more than just celebrity Tweets. In response to vandal182nyk, who asked "@OldSpice why does my 28 year old friend Mark Falanga still live at his parent's house?" (sorry Mark):
Other companies besides Old Spice have decided to get some Old Spice Man love (in a platonic way, of course). Starbucks Tweeted "@oldspice You look cold. Need some coffee?," to which the response was.
The only question is how they keep pumping out these videos. Does Mustafa get any sleep, or does he simply stand around in his towel waiting for another video idea to come in? Follow all the action at the Old Spice channel.
Apple has acquired its second online-mapping related company in a year, according to a report. This year it is Quebec-based Poly9; last year it was PlaceBase.
With the contentious relationship that now exists between Google and Apple, is this just another sign that Apple might want to move to its own mapping application on iOS? Last November, in fact, a clue was placed in a company job listing for someone to take the iPhone's Maps application "to the next level, rethink how users use Maps and change the way people find things. We want to do this in a seamless, highly interactive and enjoyable way. We've only just started."
Currently Apple uses Google Maps.
Reportedly, employees have already been moved to California. Although the Poly9 site is already down on of its past products is Poly9 Globe, which the company described as a "cross-browser, cross-platform 3D globe which does not require any download."
Kevin Turner, Microsoft's Chief Operating Officer (COO) made fun of Apple and its iPhone 4 problems while giving a keynote speech at Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC), which runs through Thursday in Washington, D.C. Of course, by calling the iPhone 4 "Apple's Windows Vista," he was also slamming his own company.
Turner's gibe at his own company was about Windows Vista, the OS version between XP and 7. It was met with strong criticism over its performance and system requirements, and was even criticized by Microsoft's own executives in emails, which was later revealed. It was not one of Microsoft's best moments.
With regards to Apple, Turner said, "It looks like the iPhone 4 might be their Vista, and I'm okay with that." He added, "One of the things I want to make sure you know today is that you're going to be able to use a Windows Phone 7 and not have to worry about how you're holding it to make a phone call."
In reality, since Windows Phone 7 is just a platform, we'd really have to ask the OEMs who put it into their phones if they are going to use an external antenna system like the iPhone 4's. The famous "death grip" problem is primarily exhibited when a user holds the phone in such a way as to bridge the gap between two antennas.
Of course, there have been quite a few who say they see no issue at all, and that it can be solved with software, while others disagree.
Windows Phone 7 is currently scheduled to reach retail in the U.S. this November, on a number of smartphones. Microsoft has high hopes for it, but not all are so high on the new platform. It has not just the iPhone, but Android to surmount, among the latest smartphone platforms.
A machine-gun equipped robot has recently begun securing an area of the Demilitarized Zone in Korea. The robot is the Samsung SGR-1, shown above, equipped with a 5.5mm machine gun.
Those who never watched "M.A.S.H." may not know the DMZ is a 160 mile long, 2.5 mile strip of land that separates North Korea from South Korea. While the idea of a gun-toting robot might seem the stuff of science-fiction, it's obviously not. Don't worry, however: we are not near a "Terminator" scenario yet.
The SGR-1 is stationary. It also cannot fire without human input. When its heat or motion sensors detect a "target," the command center is alerted. The operator there communicates with the "target" using the robot's video and audio communication equipment before deciding whether or not to fire the machine gun.
Huh Kwang-hak, a spokesman for Samsung Techwin, said:
"The robots are not being deployed to replace or free up human soldiers. Rather, they will become part of the defense team with our human soldiers. Human soldiers can easily fall asleep or allow for the depreciation of their concentration over time. But these robots have automatic surveillance, which doesn’t leave room for anything resembling human laziness. They also won’t have any fear (of) enemy attackers on the front lines.”
The robots cost about $200,000 apiece, and a "set" of them has been deployed at the DMZ, although it's unclear what a "set" means in terms of numbers. It takes less than a day to set up each robot, but it takes a minimum of two people (an operator and commander) to handle each set of robots.
The robots were actually deployed onto the DMZ more than a month ago. They will operate on an experimental basis through the end the year. At that time, South Korea will determine how many robots, if any, it wants to maintain on the DMZ.
You know things are really bad when David Letterman takes time out to skewer you with his Top Ten 10 (either that, or things have become really good). In this case, things are really bad, as David Letterman's Top Ten List on Wednesday was the "Top Ten Signs You've Purchased a Bad iPhone."
Of course, Mel Gibson received some air time, too, so the iPhone 4 wasn't the only thing Letterman felt was worthy of ridicule. Here's the list (video below):
Top Ten Signs You've Purchased a Bad iPhone
10. To make a call, you have to insert a quarter
9. Automatically answers every call with a computerized, "Yello!"
8. Operates on 20 "D" batteries
7. Pre-loaded with naked photos of Steve Jobs
6. You keep getting anonymous texts reading, "iPhone kill you"
5. "Apple Store" looks suspiciously like some dude's trunk
4. Looks, smells and tastes like a Pop-Tart
3. There's no lather when washing your cornea (Sorry, that's a sign you've purchased a bad eye foam)
2. You check your email and it shocks your nuts
1. Only accepts calls from Mel Gibson
