Mikes on Mics

I really enjoy giving interviews and the most recent one I have done was for the Mikes on Mics podcast. We spoke about what it's like to run a side project – like 70Decibels – and what goes in to making something like this a success, whilst still trying to have a life.

On a side note, this excellent podcast is going to be joining the network soon. I've really been enjoying listening to this show, so I'm really pleased we've been able get them to come on board.

Bartending: Memoirs Of An Apple Genius

My buddy, colleague and mentor – Mr Stephen Hackett – has published the website for his upcoming book.

I have had the chance of reading drafts of some of the stories that Stephen is including in this book and let me tell you, they are fantastic. I am a big fan of Stephen's work (hence why I convinced him to join me on 70Decibels) and in this book you'll get to see him truly at his best.

I literally cannot wait for this to be released as I am really looking forward to reading it on my iPad.

 

Oh, and take a long look at the cover. There's a secret in there..

Shawn Blanc on the new iPad

Highly-responsive software combined with a dazzling and life-like screen make for the most “realistic” software experience available.

Shawn Blanc on the new iPad.

The diary-style reviews Shawn does are fantastic. They show a great insight in to what it's like to live with a device.

It's getting me really excited to get my hands on the device. Especially as I'm going to be getting my first 3G/4G iPad too—it's great to see that Shawn loves this feature now that he's switched to it.

RIM Is Exiting Consumer Market

RIM have announced today that they are going to be exiting the consumer market to focus on Business.

This seems like a bad idea to me. Surely RIM's last bastion of hope is teenagers and Blackberry Messenger. In the UK a lot of kids crave Blackberry phones so they can talk for free with their friends using this IM service—something I'm sure is similar in other countries.

Big business – while it still uses Blackberry – is starting to see change, as employees that start to enjoy other devices like the iPhone, want to see these integrated in to their corporate systems.

If Apple (or maybe even Google or Microsoft) start to push business use for their handsets, RIM could disappear.

Big risk.

Update: This is exactly what I'm talking about.

Stephen Hackett 'On Android Tablets'

Furthermore, why do sites like the Verge and others keep spending so much time reviewing these things?

I was very intrigued by this question. Why exactly do these blogs spend time reviewing products in great detail, that we know will not succeed.

Is it a responsibility they feel they have to the reader or to the companies themselves?

Is there a desire for the iPad to be knocked off the top spot so they have something new to talk about?

I really don't know, what I do know is the iPad is dominating – clearly – and there's nothing that can be done in the current Android space to disrupt this.