Arranged Delirium

I’ve been working with iOS 4.2 and I have to say - it’s a nice update. I’ve been especially pleased with multitasking and folders. The ability to print will be nice, but it’s not much of an issue for me. As for folders, well, I’ve been too lazy to cull my collection of apps, so this makes for a nice, convenient way to stay organized. But multitasking? I believe I stated earlier on this blog that I wouldn’t miss it. So, to quote Gob:

“I’ve made a huge mistake.”

Multitasking is marvelous. I was wrong to think it was not a drawback previously. In my defense, I think this is likely due to the fact that I use the tablet so much more than I’d originally anticipated - and as I get closer to ditching my laptop, I find myself wanting more functionality from the tablet.

At Pompeii, they are using the Apple Tablet Device for data collection. It’s something I’ve been thinking a lot about ever since the device hit the market, and it seems that they have done a great job with it. You can find a good deal of information at the web site Apple has devoted to it:

They are using a series of pre-existing applications to get the job done. I’m interested in taking a different approach with some custom development - more on that in a later post - but their efforts have the winning attribute of working today. I’m particularly struck by the efficiencies and time-savings this brings to the data collection process in archaeology. Everyone will be doing this in future years; and I think we’ll be watching this type of technology shape the actual way in which we do archaeology.

My friend Bill has some interesting thoughts on digital workflow on his blog, and I was particularly struck by my own reflection on how little we need paper anymore. As long as the digital tool is easy enough to use (and that’s a primary prerequisite) I can ‘t think of anything I would want to keep track of on paper, that I couldn’t do electronically. I can even easily keep track of changes in my thinking as more evidence comes to light during data collection. 

Apple updated its suite of office applications this week in a move that makes then more useful by weakening the enforced bond between desktop system and the tablet device. Don’t get me wrong - I’m not trying to say that I would use my tablet as a primary work device. If I’m working on large documents, I still prefer by desktop. But this update will make is much easier to do more with my tablet. That makes is much easier for me to abandon my laptop.

There’s a concise post and the The Small Wave that does a good job of laying out the benefits to this most recent update.

Apple came out with a new AppleTV device last week. I’ve had my own AppleTV for a couple years now. I’ve found it extremely convenient for streaming iTunes content; and I have bought a few television series on it. I use Netflix for any movies I want, and I’ve ever been watching a number of series via Netflix streaming as well - which works wonderfully.

The new AppleTV is probably a fine device for new adopters. For me though, there’s really no reason to get it. I stream Netflix via my Blu-ray player and I can use the existing AppleTV to stream iTunes content.

But for anyone looking to unplug from the cable and satellite companies - I can say there’s no good reason to throw so much money at them. You can get all the content you need from Netflix and if you add in the AppleTV ($99) you can rip and stream all your pre-existing discs. I find that I spend much less on television by buying an occasional series on iTunes or on disc than I would spend with a cable or satellite subscription. And now of course, you can rent programming for .99 cents instead of buying it at twice that cost.

Here are some links with additional info if you’d like to know more:

TechCrunch: Why This New Apple TV Makes Sense
ArsTechnica: Apple’s Trouble with TV

For myself, I’m still interested in seeing what Google comes up with when it extends GoogleTV later this year…

Over the past few months, I’ve become a regular user of my Apple Tablet Device. I find it useful for virtually everything I do, outside of writing and development. I often recognize that I’m not the typical user though, so I try to keep aware of what others think of the device when forming my own opinions. I’ve found 100 Days with the iPad series (here’s part two) form PC Magazine to be useful in getting ideas regarding others’ use of the device. I may not work similarly, but its important to realize the broad utility of the device…