Only minutes after my Snow Leopard install did I notice the little icon at the top right corner that was unfamiliar to me. After a quick "click", I then saw show character viewer and show keyboard viewer. The keyboard has been in Leopard, but never turned on by default. There has been some screen shots of this keyboard before, but to put it as a default in a release of a Mac OS is something entirely unusual. So far there is no need for such a virtual keyboard unless you were planning to release a new touch screen device in the near future. The other hint toward a tablet other than the loads of stories from many reliable sources is the significant size reduction of the OS. The total OS install when not installing the language packs was just over 4GB. My last Leopard install clocked in at just over 12GB. Why would you need a slimming of an OS in an age of almost infinite storage? A tablet or similar device must be coming. The question is when. See the image of the resizable keyboard after the jump.
Apple continues to deny that they are releasing a netbook as has been rumored for some time. Apple executive Tim Cook had this to say about netbooks:
"When I’m looking at what’s sold in the Netbook market, I see cramped keyboards, junky hardware, very small screens, bad software. Not a consumer experience that we would put the Mac brand on. As it exists today, we’re not interested in it nor would it be something customers would be interested in the long term. We are looking at the space. For those who want a small computer that does browsing/email, they might want an iPhone or iPod Touch. If we find a way to deliver an innovative product that really makes a contribution, we’ll do that."
As usual we expected to get a denial from Apple, but what I think we can expect is a touch-screen device to compete with netbooks. Apple has never been one to follow the crowd and we can expect something new from them in the near future if the rumors can be pieced together as we think.
Today we will finally see what iPhone 3.0 is all about. There are some that think there is more to this afternoons (given your timezone) conference in the way of the long rumored touch-screen Mac. We all long for the day a Mac netbook with or without a touch-screen will make its way into our lives, and if Slashgear is right, today is the day.
"According toComputer World’s Seth Weintraub, Apple will possibly use today’s event to launch the 10-inch capacitive touchscreen device we’ve been reading rumors about over the past few weeks. Contrary to what some believe, though, Weintraub expects not a netbook – with a hardware keyboard and traditional clamshell design – but a slate-format device similar to a larger iPod touch."
Be sure to check back for more information as it comes in, starting at 1PM EST.
The Dow Jones Newswire is reporting that Apple is indeed planning to launch as early as the second half of the year.
"Apple is planning to launch a netbook computer with a touch screen monitor as early as the second half of this year, two people close to the situation told Dow Jones Newswires Tuesday."
"The mini laptop computers will likely have monitor screens that are between 9.7-inches and 10-inches, one person, who declined to be named, said."
We have all been hoping for such a device for some years now and if all proves to be accurate we may just get our wish.
You bought a BlackBerry Storm because you wanted a touch-screen, but you needed the business functionality that BackBerry offers. The only problem you faced with the BlackBerry Storm is that you work at a place of business that could potentially pose as a hazard to your phone, let alone a phone with a touch-screen. This is where Otterbox comes in. As most of you who read this already know, Otterbox offers industrial protection for your everyday devices.
Their new Defender Case for the BlackBerry Storm offers protection that is rivaled by almost no other. Per Otterbox, the “Defender Series™ case is stylish and slim in design, while still offering unparalleled protection against harmful drops, bumps, shocks, scratches, dings and dust. We designed this case to provide full access to all buttons, ports and functions of your smartphone. Use the camera, charge your phone, make calls…do it all right through the OtterBox. Included with the case is a ratcheting belt clip.”
The differentiating factor for the Defender Series as opposed to your average case, is their 3-Layers system of protection. This system is comprised of a built-in screen protector which allows ample room for the clickable touch-screen to depress. The screen cover also allows for the sensitivity of the original touch-screen while protecting it from scratches. You then have the surrounding of a protective plastic layer. The plastic is of a high grade durable plastic and allows for protection from scratches. The plastic layer also has cutouts for the microphone and speaker, but is covered with a cloth, preventing dust and lint from entering the case. The third layer is a thick, rubberized silicone which gives the phone a grippy feel as well as gives superior shock protection from falls. The silicone has flaps which cover your typical ports to keep out dust and debris when not in use.
In daily use of the case we have found that it is a little bulky, but this is expected given this level of protection. To handle this bulk, or to just give you more choices, Otterbox has included a thick plastic holster with clip. The clip rotates a full 360 degrees and allows the Storm to sit sideways for video viewing. If you like to slip the phone in your pocket, you will need a decent amount of room, but the size is not unlike that of your typical flip-phone in thickness. The grippy silicone does collect lint if kept in your pocket, but is easily removed with a damp cloth. The silicone does provide great grip as opposed to the stock BlackBerry and will allow you to hold it securely in your hand.
Overall we must say that Otterbox has continued to offer the best in protection when it comes to your prized gadgets and devices. If you are in need of protecting your Storm from the elements of the outdoors or the grease and grime of your industry, then Otterbox has your case.
After having reviewed the Otterbox Defender for the Storm, I decided to hand the case off to someone else and allow them to use it for a few days to get their opinion on it as well. Below, you will find their mini review, giving their thoughts on the case.
We also did an unboxing…Watch Below and be sure to watch in high quality:
