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With the release of the Steve Jobs biography by Walter Isaacson the rumor mill is suggesting that Apple's next big product will be some form of television; combining a huge display, the Apple TV and time capsule into a single device.
The more I think about it, the more it seems very un-Apple and here are my reasons:
- Everyone has a different sized living room.
When Steve came back to Apple, one of the first things he did was to simplify the product line. A sprawling range of computers and periphials were reduced to a handful of computers and configurations. To attack the television market Apple would need to have a much greater number of SKU's - the huge TV for the living room, the small compact for the kitchen, the big-but-not-too-big one for the bedroom and so-on. Microsoft found the variety of room sizes and layouts challenging when making the Kinect, and the same problem will be faced by Apple.It's not just that Apple would need to produce multiple models which presents problems here. This has knock-on effects everywhere. Specifically reasons 2 & 3. - Multiple configurations make it difficult to take advantage of economies of scale, reducing profit-margins.
- Televisions are large items. Stocking multiple configurations would put strain on the warehouses of the Apple retail stores - would they have less room for Mac, iPhone, iPad?
- Long upgrade cycles.
Most people upgrade their television maybe once over a period of 5-10 years. It is something you expect to last for a good number of years. In contrast, many upgrade their iPhones and iPads every 1-2 years. I doubt upon release Apple will have such a large market for a television. Even people who rush out and buy a new iPhone every year will be hesitant since they bought their new HDTV just 2 years ago.In addition to reducing the market forecasts, this creates a second problem - it is a device that becomes harder to upgrade and software features need to take this into account. The current Apple TV with its A4 processor can only output 720p video, its a sure bet that within a year we will see a A5 version which handles 1080p video fine - at this point Apple can just flip a switch in the iTunes store and begin offering higher resolution video. It also sets Apple up for releasing more elaborate and powerful apps on the device. Much easier ugrade for the user, much easier for Apple. - High price point.
It is hard to believe that Apple could offer a television for less than $1000, and it is likely going to be higher priced than competitors with similar sized displays. This shifts it squarely out of the impulse purchase zone to something which is a more considered and rational purchase.Contrast this with the AppleTV. The best thing Apple did for the device was taking advantage of the iPhone/iPad production lines, leveraging the same components and reducing overhead. They got the device down to $99 - a very powerful price point. Its just slightly more than the leather smart cover which you pick up when you buy an iPad and adds a ton of value. Its a very good product to bundle so lots of people take the plunge. For $99 you get a much steeper adoption curve, and most likely a decent upgrade curve. When the A5 version comes out, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a new one at that price its about what I spend for a nice meal on the weekends. - Compatibility.
In addition to their television, most people have a range of game consoles, DVD players, VCR's (?!) and other boxes connected to their TV. On one hand it would be in Apple's best interests to support these since I'm not going to buy a new gadget which will make them useless to me. On the other, it seems very un-Apple to not only voluntarily support a bunch of legacy connections and take responsibility for their compatibility, but also support devices which could compete with what they might offer on a television (apps, games, content...). - The cable company.
With an Apple TV comes iTunes, but I'm confused about that part. Is it something which could replace a cable subscription, perhaps with its own subscription fee, or something designed to augment it, offering programming and convenience in addition to your normal cable TV packages? Given how entrenched regional cable companies are in different markets, it is dificult to see how Apple can compete without making a lot of deals with a lot of content providers in order to bring their own subscription based offering. The recent iCloud integration for TV shows is fantastic, but I'm still unlikely to buy more than the odd episode if I am also getting that content on my cable DVR.The other option for Apple could be to make deals with the cable companies themselves, replacing the cable box and DVD so that you have no black boxes under the TV. That is feasible but logistically its still a bunch of deals you need to get signed in each region.There is also no doubt that internet connectivity is going to be a big selling point, but who provides most of the internet in this country? The cable companies! It is already difficult to get a decent deal on an internet connection without being pressured into also getting TV and phone lines, in fact with Verizon FiOS I think vanilla internet is only ~$20 less than the Internet + TV package. If an Apple TV encourages people to drop their TV subscriptions, what is going to happen? Will cable providers charge more for internet? Will they begin rate limiting and imposting bandwidth caps? - Decision making.
I can go out and buy a new iPad and my wife probably won't complain, however if I change our cable package and we stop getting The Real Housewives of New Jersey then I will never hear the end of it. Often there is no single decision maker when it comes to televisions and entertainment, so however Apple decides to integrate content, if they cannot get the majority of niche content providers on board then they risk alienating potential customers. - Features.
Televisions have long been an market where features are king, with manufacturers boasting about contrast ratios, ambilight, yellow pixels, solid gold cables and more in an effort to diffirentiate products. Apple tends not to compete on features, so how are they going to stand out? - Support.
Do Apple have the desire to provice post-sales support for their products? This could be a wide range of things from on-site technical support (since most customers wouldn't want to lug a heavy TV to their nearest Apple store) to installation, wall mounting and AV setup.
To finish things off, one reason why Apple should make a TV set...
- It would be awesome.
Imagine the slick UI, content, Siri and Facetime all in your living room.... mmm....
Today I updated my iPad to the latest iOS 5 developer beta, I restored from an iCloud backup and I was prompted for my iTunes user ID and password, then my FaceTime password, and then my iMessage password (which in itself is a bit strange since they are all tied to my iTunes ID). It occurred to me, between iTunes Store purchases and 3rd party apps one of the primary tasks that I perform on my iOS devices is authenticating myself!
Its a problem which has progressively gotten worse with time with my desire to be more secure I have adapted my habits to use more complex passwords and different passwords for different services - great from a security perspective, but a real pain on a mobile device with a small keyboard.
As a user I feel like the single biggest feature Apple could give me at this point is not improved notifications or a NFC payment mechanism, but some way to manage my identity and authenticate with trusted apps.
On the desktop there is 1Password, which is a great application, but on iPhone/iPad it doesn't really have the system integration to be useful outside of the logging you into web applications. Its a start, but I think Apple is likely the only company who can provide a truly seamless solution.
Imagine an API which can be used by developers to store passwords and/or access tokens. If a user has already authenticated with an application, then they will be logged in automatically, otherwise they will be prompted for credentials and then given the option to store them.
The user could set certain parameters, similar to how they control location services today. For example, defining which applications have this functionality enabled. .
A mobile device such as an iPhone or iPad is also somewhat different to a desktop computer - I don't know about you but my iPhone is rarely more than a few feet away from me, so I have a great deal of confidence that I'm the only person who will be using it. This makes my only really concern that of the physical security of my device - if its stolen I don't want my data exposed.
I can think of a number of different ways this could be mitigated. For example, what if a master password needed to be entered every few days otherwise all the stored authentication tokens would be wiped. Alternatively this could be something which comes with iCloud and/or Find my iPhone, where the entire database, or even settings for individual applications could be purged from another device.
Also, lets not forget the other key asset that a iPhone has over a desktop computer - sensors!
The device knows where it is, what the weather is like, which way up its being held, its surrounding and a lot more.
Just like credit card companies have sophisticated algorithms in order to detect unusual spending patterns which often signal fraudulent usage, this sensor data could be used to hint if a device is in the wrong hands.
- Using the front-facing camera is a no-brainer. Does my owner look different?
- Geolocation is extremely powerful. The device could collect enough data to approximate the users commuting patterns. Have my owners movements changed? Where am I?
- Accelorometer. Why is my owner suddenly left handed?
- Keyboard. Why have my owners typing speed and habits changed?
This is just the tip of the iceberg - sensors and usage data could be used to create a usage profile which very easily could tell if a device's physical security has been compromized and then prompt for a master password or execute other countermeasured.
I certainly feel that a combination of these techniques could be employed to both negate the need for users to be constantly entering passwords, but also to mitigate most of the risks of a child making unwanted purchase, or a device being stolen and undesirables having complete access.
If you are listening Apple - this would be the next killer feature for iOS.
At Animoto we have been using Zendesk for over a year and totally love it. Aside from taking the pain out of customer service it is also impressively customizable in terms of automations, workflows and business rules.
Recently we have been in the middle of a large redesign and rebranding effort which has prompted us to look at our Zendesk interface and do some customization. Beyond a few colour and layout tweaks, one thing we really wanted to do was to introduce some custom typography into our helpdesk using a technique called Cufon.
Cufon is one of many text-replacement methods which allows web designers to use custom fonts on web pages. In this case it renders the font using a Javascript canvas, replacing the original text in the document. We like it because its very compatible with different web-browsers, it is SEO friendly and fairly painless to implement.
When it comes to Zendesk we had a few challenges - the main one being that whilst you can add JavaScript widgets to a page, they are always rendered at the bottom of the document right before the </body> tag.
This doesn't work so well for Cufon - since this results in the Javascript and font being loaded relatively late in the page load, fonts do not get immediately replaced which leads to the original text being visible before flickering and being replaced by the Cufon text. Whilst you can reduce some of this using CSS visibility:hidden, you still are left with momentary gaps in your content.
In addition to this we experienced a white flash as the entire page was re-rendered - something which would have driven our helpdesk agents crazy!
Because of the limitations of Zendesk's Javascript widget I thought we didn't have any options, but a chat with Zendesk's support led me to a solution - the CSS widget.
Custom CSS can be added to your Zendesk using the CSS widget, and this is rendered in the document <head>. With a small bit of sneakiness, it can be tricked into placing Javascript (or anything else) into the <head>:
</style>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://domain.com/path/to/cufon.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://domain.com/path/to/font.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">
Cufon.replace('h3')
</script>
<style>
You'll notice I'm closing the hardcoded <style> tag and then just inserting my own code. At the end, I'm adding my own <style> tag so as not to cause validation errors.
In the <head> I am loading my Cufon Javascript, a custom font which I created using the font creation tool and then specifying what text should be replaced.
I also have a Javascript widget which kicks off the font rendering:
Cufon.now();
This should be enough to get custom fonts on your helpdesk.
You'll probably want to be a bit more selective in terms of selectors - cherry picking the text you want to replace.
One place you may run into problems is with dynamic areas of the page, such as the sidebar or tab controls where content is loaded using Ajax, often after Cufon.now() has been executed and fonts replaced.
Here we need to watch the specific area of the page for updates, and then trigger text replacement:
jQuery('#sidebar').bind("DOMSubtreeModified",function(){
Cufon.refresh();
});
This will refresh the text whenever a child node is modified.
You'll also notice jQuery is available on Zendesk pages in addition to Prototype - very handy.
Hopefully this post will help anyone trying to use Cufon with Zendesk. If you have any questions then please leave a comment.
Being a gadget whore, I just had to get myself an iPad to see what all the fuss was about. After a few days of following the package on it's journey from Shenzhen, China, it finally turned up on my doorstep.
As a power user, I really was looking for a net book alternative. Something which I could use to surf the web and read email on the couch, without having a MacBook Pro on my lap. I had played with a few netbooks and whilst the size was right, I just found them really annoying to use with their tiny keyboards and trackpads. My iPhone provided a much better couch surfing experience, but that too was on the small side.
So on to the iPad... Upon taking it out of it's rather plain box, the first thing that struck me was the weight if the thing - it has a fairly hefty feel to it, as if it could do some real damage if thrown! The build quality is fantastic, especially when compared to netbooks.
The initial setup was straightforward, requiring a connection to iTunes and some degree of patience whilst items are synced. It's a shame you cannot actually use the iPad during this process - you feel kind of helpless waiting for it complete. It's difficult to know where to start when talking about the device - in some ways the iPhone has helped train us, we know what to expect, and yet it is a totally different experience full of surprises and... I hate to say it... Magic!
The UI is essentially the same as on the iPhone, except it feels exceptionally smooth with additional visual effects and a beautifully crisp display which adds so much to the experience. It certainly looks the part and the performance makes interacting with the device all the more natural.
All the standard apps have been totally redesigned to take advantage of the larger screen size, offering streamlined navigation and a much greater density of information being displayed. Where the screen comes into its own is when you are using full screen apps such as Photos, Maps and Safari. As you pan and zoom across images, maps and web pages they take on a new quality that is often missing with digital items - the feeling of tangibility. Now you can browse the internet and feel like you are flipping through a magazine.
Speaking of the Internet, one of the things which surprised me, given the massive amount of coverage given to the HTML5 vs. Flash debate, was just how every video player I came across just seemed to work. From my perspective the experience certainly didn't feel crippled due to the lack of Flash.
Unlike when the iPhone was released, the iPad has hundreds of apps available already and they really add a lot to the device. The variety is amazing, and it really does seem like the possibilities are endless. The iWork suite is a must buy if you want to get some serious work done, however some features are missing such as the ability to review and annotate documents. Other apps worth mentioning are NetNewsWire, the RSS reader, Instapaper and Evernote.
The iPad is also a device geared towards content consumption - to that end a lot of effort has been put into apps such as iBooks. Compared to Amazon's Kindle it's a very similar experience, but small touches like turning the pages really makes the reading experience more fun and immersive. Similarly apps such as the New York Times and Wall Street Journal show some great creativity when it comes to trying to replicate the print experience on the device. I'm a bit wary of publishers trying to monetize the device, mainly as the pricing being floated about (17.99/mo for the WSJ) seems a bit steep, especially when compared to paper.
Battery life compared to the iPhone has been amazing - since I got the device, it has been used heavily for surfing the web, video, apps and games. The battery indicator is showing 20%, so it is certainly living up to Apples 10 hour claim.
The keyboard is...interesting. Now I had no problems with the iPhone keyboard, mainly because I can touch type. The iPads is similarly easy to use - this review was written on the iPad, mostly touch typing with very few errors. It's great. What gives me cause for concern is more ergonomics. When sat on the couch I tend to find myself adopting the t-Rex position for typing, which over time I'm sure isn't very good for me. Since the screen and keyboard are the same surface it can be awkward finding a comfortable position. If you plan on using it for heavy typing, a kickstand case or an external keyboard might be worth considering.
One other minor gripe is the lack of multitasking. Mainly the lack of a background instant messenger client, since often I tend to surf and chat at the same tune. A standalone instant messenger client doesn't cut it, no matter how good it is, and relying on push notifications to fake multitasking is just a very unnatural and disruptive experience.
All in all I think the iPad is an amazing device. It is a fantastic device for web browsing, email, media and light productivity. Is it going to change the world? Maybe. With the creativity of third party developers I can certainly see it changing the way we consume content. I also anticipate some really cool applications showing of such a large multitouch surface. It really is all in the hands of developers.
Profile
Summary
• 5-year corporate experience, designing, architecting and implementing customer facing user experiences, with a marketing and servicing bias.
• Experience in medium-sized startup as user experience designer, working on product design and product management, metrics and interface design throughout the customer lifecycle.
• Experience leading small development teams and interacting with internal and external customers and partners.
• Developed and implemented IT strategies, focussing on implementing Web 2.0 within the enterprise.
• Many years experience in information technology and key technology areas as human centered computing, user experience design, application programming, graphic design and database driven web applications.
• Effective problem-solving capabilities, with a keen eye for innovation.
• MSc (Distinction) Information Technology for E-Commerce
• BSc (Hons) Software Engineering.
Experience
- Jan 2009 - PresentFront-end Lead / Animoto
- Aug 2004 - Jan 2009Manager, Interactive Marketing Design & Creative Strategy / American Express
- May 2008 - May 2008Author of Creating Mashups with Adobe AIR and Flex / Apress
- Jun 2003 - Oct 2003Developer / University of Durham
- Sept 2002 - Sept 2003Bartender / Ultimate Leisure Ltd
Education
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2004 - 2006University of Sussex
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2001 - 2004University of Durham
Updates
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@jccrosbyI hadn't seen it, but that sounds interesting…. you going?
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Know any front-end developers out there who want to push the envelope with HTML5 and CSS3? Animoto is looking for a ne…http://t.co/lsyRjHYC
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Testing Backbone.js Best Practices http://t.co/5SpDcCHX via @involver
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5pm jelly shots…. that was unexpected. Must hire more interns with birthdays!
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Who would have thought that buying fonts would trigger a fraud alert on my credit card!
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Also, think I might give Sublime Text a try. Jumped from Textmate to BBEdit last year, but I keep hearing great things about sublime.
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Really like reading about other people's dev setups, wondering the best way to integrate more automation in workflow. http://t.co/dyUHizmX
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One Man's HTML5 Developer Workflow http://t.co/dyUHizmX via @gloparco
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Picnik was a promising product with a good feature set, just no real monetization model.
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Somewhat surprised that Google have pulled the plug on Picnik, Urchin and the Social Graph API
Updates
Bio
I am a British-born UX designer currently based in New York City, with over 10–years experience developing for the web.
I spent 5 years working at American Express, developing their online services and touching many areas including accessibility, usability, search engine optimization, web strategy, content personalization and social media.
Currently I working for Animoto, an exciting start-up whose product is a cutting-edge, automated, video creation platform.
On the technical side, I have lots of hands on experience building with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, ActionScript, Ruby and Java. Recently I authored a book on using APIs to create mashups using Adobe Flex and AIR.
