Disqus - Latest Comments for vincentvw

Re: 85,000 reasons why Apple’s iPhone isn’t going to be disrupted

vincentvw — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:02:36 -0000

This was the same point I wanted to make. Firefox has had a great impact on the browser-world, but still hasn't overtaken the most convenient option (IE on PC/Safari on Mac) and is being followed by a much lighter option (Chrome).

But you (Scoble) also note that apps aren't the only factor in the iPhone's success, which clearly has the exclusivity feel, the slick interface, and entirely coolness of it going for it, not to mention it doing stuff that people want, like phoning, browsing, listening to music, GPS, etc. Apps are in there somewhere, but they certainly aren't the first reason why people buy the phone.

Re: Scanning Headlines

vincentvw — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 09:07:52 -0000

Isn't it more a matter of contextual relevance? What I mean is that news can be relevant to a person, because it's about a certain location (what I imagine that company FW invests in to do, is it called OutsideIN?), to be consumed at a certain time (e.g. when the markets open), or of global interest (e.g. 9/11 or global pandemic)?

It's human nature to browse around for no reason at all, which is what many people do, and no wonder that "(not so) smart" aggregation, basing suggestions only on the past, get confused. Group aggregation is kind of effective, I guess (e.g. techmeme), but it's also often not directly relevant to your every day.

To me, the perfect aggregator collects news that is relevant to my context, and when you really get down to it, that means that Google search is about as smart an aggregator as is needed.

Re: Think different – Nokia was the Apple of mobile phones

vincentvw — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:58:23 -0000

are we doing synchronised blogging now (ref. to the 1-hour difference in posting)? Cool! :)

Look forward to the next postS.

Re: Guerrilla Babies

vincentvw — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:19:10 -0000

every time I see a doll like that, I think of Chucky (and not Evian). The most effective beverage commercial I've experienced, was the Coke-melting shoes in the summer one. It reminded exactly of how I feel when it's too hot and I just need a drink. Can't find it on youtube right now.

Re: Does the Palm Pre have a Case with iTunes?

vincentvw — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:12:10 -0000

2nd time I'm posting this comment (Disqus is broken):

The plot thickens: Palm Reports Apple to USB Compliance Organization Over iTunes Syncing Issues

Re: Tech IT Easy » Does the Palm Pre have a Case with iTunes?

vincentvw — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:50:12 -0000

The Palm Pre vs. Apple iTunes plot thickens: http://www.macrumors.com/2009/07/24/palm-report...

Re: wireless GOs and killing details

vincentvw — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 03:35:24 -0000

Definitely go for the guy. After spending a while on mobile internet subscriptions that limited me to 15 min. for an outrageous price, I noticed that there really are very few things that I *need* to do online. So, definitely go for the human interaction, is my advice.

Re: Old world vs. the new world and the digitalisation of services

vincentvw — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 08:14:02 -0000

I think your last line summarises the reason perfectly.

Re: How to make the Browser a more Efficient OS

vincentvw — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 05:02:42 -0000

p.s. Disqus is a little buggy, hence the many repeat-comments.

Re: How to make the Browser a more Efficient OS

vincentvw — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 04:32:59 -0000

I covered my tracks: "Some of us may feel the inclination to write, feel free, but above all, enjoy the weather and the happy people. "

Re: Summary of visit to Silicon Valley

vincentvw — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 04:18:03 -0000

Took you long enough :p

Re: Why Universities work and Self-Study doesn’t

vincentvw — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 04:03:19 -0000

Thanks for asking so many questions. Clearly the answer to most of them is mostly, you're right. However, to start with the last statement first, of whether the community has looked at the failures. Of course they have, but so, one would assume, have universities and are, I hope, responding to it with better systems to educate people. Also, while I would clearly prefer businesses to have their own educational programmes, the reasons that this isn't happening as often as we like, is because there is a lack of resources to do this. And that is why universities are the institutions that they are.

Optimally, none of us would need to go to university (or school). Fact remains, that many people do and some people benefit tremedously from it. And other people don't and benefit tremendously from that. I would call the those "self-made men and women" more exceptions to the rule though.

Re: With Skype, I can now talk to myself. and mom.

vincentvw — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 05:33:53 -0000

It is now. When I originally replied, I did so via mail, and when the update wasn't instantaneous, I also replied here.

Re: With Skype, I can now talk to myself. and mom.

vincentvw — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 04:39:07 -0000

Skype broadcasts the same message across different computers. Did you not
read G.'s post at all? :-)

Re: With Skype, I can now talk to myself. and mom.

vincentvw — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 04:38:45 -0000

Skype broadcasts the same message across different computers. Did you not read G.'s post at all? :-)

Re: With Skype, I can now talk to myself. and mom.

vincentvw — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 04:04:26 -0000

Your insanely spontaneous post aside, it is a great feature to have the ability to use the same Skype username on multiple PCs at the same time. Just imagine the startup or SME, which uniquely communicates via Skype, using the same username. I often call remote countries, using my boss's Skype name, logged in as invisible, while he also uses it (though not, I think at the same time).

It's also very annoying to get MSN messenger et al telling that you can't log in, because you're logged into a different computer, or to have that other computer be logged out when you log in. Multi-Skype: bring it on!

Re: Streaming Kills Piracy

vincentvw — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:35:57 -0000

"Unfortunately, we don't have a good mobile broadband system to make streaming possible everywhere."

I'm sorry, I don't buy that statement. I have perfect broadband in all the European countries that I lived, but not much in terms of legal streaming services. I think that the real barrier is that agreements have been made with traditional media channels for a type of exclusive content to be shown here, which prevent content from services like Pandora, Hulu, Netflix to be shown.

Media = the most unflat industry in this modern world and it's mostly thanks to the lawyers.

Re: A thought about comment-enticement

vincentvw — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:27:57 -0000

Indeed, I look forward to re-reading your and my comment on Friendfeed, Twitter, http://techiteasyblog.disqus.com/a_thought_abou... and whatever else Disqus is pumping this content towards :)

As for more conversation… you're right, technology isn't everything. Let's keep on keepin' on.

Re: Living in a small Country reveals the inefficiency of businesses, of Industries, of Humans.

vincentvw — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 04:27:09 -0000

As are calls, if you ask me. Is that calls to regular phones or to mobile phones?

Data, I've heard some crazy stories like it costing 13 euro per mb in certain countries. 2.5 seems more fair, but then I have no concept of what a realistic data-consumption is for the average user.

If you could post the source of your information, that would be cool (translate,google.com is your friend for Finnish docs :) ).

Re: Change a Mac's battery on the road without a shutdown.

vincentvw — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 06:38:42 -0000

Here you go.

Battery Power:
sleep 5
sms 1
displaysleep 1
hibernatefile /var/vm/sleepimage
lessbright 1
halfdim 1
lidwake 1
ttyskeepawake 1
acwake 0
hibernatemode 3
disksleep 10
AC Power:
sleep 60
sms 1
displaysleep 27
hibernatefile /var/vm/sleepimage
halfdim 1
lidwake 1
ttyskeepawake 1
acwake 0
autorestart 0
hibernatemode 3
womp 1
disksleep 10

Re: Does Anyone Use Chrome?

vincentvw — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 04:31:51 -0000

I like Chrome, because it's just quick and it feels safer than IE. But I like OS X even more, which is the reason why I don't use Chrome.

Re: Is The Exclusive Deal Between Apple and AT&T Anticompetitive?

vincentvw — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:14:45 -0000

I'm not French (nor in France) so other national options may exist, but Orange.fr lists a 32GB iPhone with a 12 year min. contract as €229 base-price + €58 per month for the phone contract for 12 months and €30 per month for unlimited mobile internet for 12 months. That would come to ca. €1310 for that year, with a USD equivalent of ca. $1890.

Re: Is The Exclusive Deal Between Apple and AT&T Anticompetitive?

vincentvw — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:36:57 -0000

That is true and where AT&T/Apple can clearly be attacked in is in their ongoing exclusive partnership, which is now what, 2 years? That said, this can of worms was already opened up before. The whole mobile industry has actively been restricting consumer-choice for more than 15 years. If AT&T/Apple is to be attacked, then I sincerely hope that this sets a precedent for attacking the other carriers too.

All of that said, call it exclusivity or bundling, partnerships make strategic sense in a competitive marketplace.

Re: Is The Exclusive Deal Between Apple and AT&T Anticompetitive?

vincentvw — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 10:44:07 -0000

A brief comment on exclusivity as well. This is only relevant in the case of monopolistic behaviour. In this case, the only reason that the iPhone appears to be monopolistic is because the competition is simply crap. But no one is stopping other manufacturers from setting up their own app-stores on their own platforms, including distributing them via AT&T. And if you want to argue for the other carriers, then I'm sure plenty of precedents can be found where they themselves form exclusive agreements with a phone-manufacturer.

You might as well accuse Dell & Microsoft of anti-competitive behaviour because those two come in a bundled package. Bundling is simply a strategic move which can make and break companies. I don't like it, but I don't see a legal/logical case for stopping it.

Re: Is The Exclusive Deal Between Apple and AT&T Anticompetitive?

vincentvw — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 10:36:24 -0000

If there were an unlocked option for $399, I'd buy it immediately. Unfortunately, Apple sells it unlocked (in France) for €749, which comes to about $1050.