Digital Living

Truly cool! -- I think Microsoft purchase Skype because they want to integrate it to Kinect/XBox

I read many analysts review on Microsoft's purchase on Skype. While most of these analysts doubting the valuation scheme that is being used to measure the "validity" of the 8 billion USD acquisition, I disregards all that, and consider those analyst's views as a "noise".

To me, the fact of the matter is: Skype is a cool company. I (and perhaps everybody) love Skype. It provides a powerful, cool, and very useful video calling service (and more). And I think the key reason why Microsoft totally eager to buy Skype is because they wanted to integrate it to Kinect (who is currently definitely have an escalating momentum going).

By wrapping Skype around the Kinect/XBox ecosystem, I think Microsoft would have a chance to enter, own and dominate the living room. The living room is strategic place to be, because that is where people -- as individual, or family -- would do most of their activity: they would play game there, they would look on the internet through their big screen, they would communicate (through their big screens and TV) and more. Imagine when we can do all that through the "swipe" of our finger!

I am a "Big No" to so so technology, boring business strategy and "so so" implementation. But in regards with the Kinect and Skype, I think Microsoft might have found its new interesting mojo. 

I always admire and respect Bill Gates vision and strategy in building, nurturing and growing Microsoft. It was truly awesome. Yet at the same time, I never really able to appreciate Mr. Ballmer's act so far. Yet in regards with the recent XBox+Kinect+Skype combo, I think what Mr. Ballmer and Microsoft recently did, really deserve a respectable view.

My salute to you for the first time, Mr. B.

Posted via email from arvino's posterous

5 Things I Love About The iPad 2 (And how I think it is significantly better compared to my original iPad 1)

I happen to transition from iPad 1 to the iPad 2, and -- based on experience using both product -- these are 5 things that I think significantly important, as you transform to the new platform:

1. It's lighter. Once you hold it, you can sense immediately that the iPad2 feels like it has lost half of its weight compared to the iPad 1. This by itself already a tremendous boost. We all love to carry around a device that is very very light and thin. iPad 2 definitely provide that.
2. It enables you to type very conveniently than before. People said Apple is using a faster chip (their own A5 processor) for the iPad 2. For me, the real impact of this faster processor is it allows me to type faster and very very conveniently on the iPad 2 soft keyboard, compared to the "seldom jagged-ness" that we felt on the original iPad 1. Yet even better: although the processor is faster, the battery life remain the same; and there's no heat. You don't feel the iPad body become hot whatsoever. It is just being fast in a very nice and elegant way. This is totally awesome and wonderful! 
3. It tilts at the right angle. If you equip your iPad 2 with a "smart cover", you now can have a perfect portable mechanism to tilt your screen at the right angle -- which makes it very comfortable for you to touch/interact with the screen, type on the soft keyboard, as well as to stand the iPad 2 on vertical position (for presenting, sharing or viewing). Previously, on the original iPad 1, I can only do this by being "creative" on my own. Now -- the iPad 2 "solve" such problem and provide the new integrated mechanism that makes performing such "chore" become very easy, intuitive and seamless.
4. It comes with alternative colors. Some people like it Black, some other like it White. But no matter what base coloring system that you choose, on top of that base color system you can choose smart-cover style and color that suit your preference. Sometimes having a choice making things "a bit more complicated" for sure. But at least the possibility of having choices is there. It's now your choice and decision whether you would like to take it, or not.
5. It comes with integrated camera. The iPad 2 integrated camera of course is not SLR photo quality. Yet it could be useful for many purposes where we need to capture stuff on the spot. Now I can have a simpler mechanism to take photo and immediately being able to see it on the iPad 2 screen. On my iPad 1, I had to rely on my camera to capture the photo, then I have to transfer it via camera connection kit to the iPad 1, then -- and only then -- I can see it on screen. Integrated camera system makes these chore process simpler and easier.

Those are the 5 key items that I truly love on top of the iPad 2. On top of it all, I totally love all the entire 10 - 12 apps that I use everyday in the iPad 1. As the iPad 2 is providing a better platform for them to operate and run, definitely they are all moving and transitioning to the faster, roomier, more beautiful and lighter iPad 2.

In my opinion: Apple is really creating a massively useful, yet amazingly an even more beautiful product, with the iPad 2.

Posted via email from arvino's posterous