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Apple’s Latest Gadget - The iPad

January 29th, 2010

Apple’s Steve Jobs officially unveiled the iPad this week. It’s a tablet-style device that according to Jobs is “so much more intimate than a laptop and so much more capable than a smart phone.” It’s essentially a moderately-sized 9.7 inch touch-screen device with the functionality of an iPhone and more.

Apple iPad
Tablet computers are certainly nothing revolutionary, having been on the market for years. However, Apple hopes to revive the unsuccessful tablet concept and market it to a new audience. The device is only 0.5 inches thick and will come in various models ranging in price from $499 - $829, all with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity built-in. Apple’s website bills it as “The best way to experience the web, email, photos and video. Hands down.” Plus with e-Book functionality, the Kindle and Nook may have serious competition. The standard models will ship in late April with the 3G models shipping in May.

Here’s my take on it:
At first glance, it’s impressive and has a nice “wow” factor with it’s touch-screen and custom designed 1GHz Apple A4 processor. However, for me it’s a little lacking and a little disappointing.

When I heard weeks ago that Apple was going to launch a moderately-priced tablet computer, I had high hopes. However, this week I was a little shocked when I found out that’s it’s really just a huge iPhone! It’s not a true tablet computer at all. it won’t run native Mac OS apps like Photoshop, for instance. Plus the most storage space you can get is 64GB.

Here’s what I don’t get…
Let’s say I want to get a portable Apple computing device for under $1000. I can get the G3 iPad for $829 with it’s 9.7″ display and 64GB capacity. Then maybe I want a “real” keyboard, so I add on the Apple iPad Keyboard Doc ($69) accessory, for a grand total of $898. Or better yet, I can shell out a mere $101 more and get the base model Apple Macbook laptop with 13.3″ display and 250 GB hard drive (Just $999.)

So why exactly would I opt for the iPad? If I wanted to look cool hanging out at Starbucks surfing the net on my touch-screen device, then the iPad would be perfect. However, for the price point there are much more powerful options.

Apple’s certainly got their work cut out for them, trying to convince people why they need a giant iPhone for $500 and up. I think the iPad (especially the higher tier 3G version) won’t be an easy sell in our current economic climate. It’s shiny and new, but does it have the staying power of the iPhone and iPod? We’ll have to see what the future holds for Apple’s latest gadget.

Posted in Technology | 5 Comments »

Winter Wonderland in Houston Texas!!

December 4th, 2009

Late Afternoon Snow at George Bush Park

Houston Texas got a rare treat today, as snow fell in and around the Houston metro area and surrounding counties. It was the earliest snowfall on record for Houston and one of only 4 times it’s snowed in Houston in the past 15 years. (source: meteorologist Charles Roeseler, National Weather Service)

In Northwest Houston, I stepped outside to find a winter wonderland happening right outside my front door. It was a sight to behold, as white showers blanketed everything in sight. Thankfully, I was prepared for photography. My camera gear, tripod and freshly-charged batteries were already packed and ready to go. So I ventured out to shoot the snow.

After I shot some images around my neighborhood, I wanted to go somewhere with less concrete and more nature. So I headed to one of my favorite local hiking spots, George Bush Park. At 7800 acres, George Bush Park is one of the largest urban parks in the US. It’s one of the few places in Houston where you can actually commune with nature inside the city limits. By the time I got out there, the short-lived snow was already beginning to melt. Thankfully though, late in the afternoon the sky cleared and the sun came out, casting a golden hue over the late fall foliage in the park.

Chinese Tallow Tree Leaves in Snow at George Bush Park Houston 091204_2134.jpg
These bright red Chinese Tallow leaves were begging to be photographed. 40mm, 1/13 sec, f/8, ISO 100

With this type of close-up shot (above), it’s important to be wary of your focal plane and depth of field. I situated my camera so that the barrel of my lens was directly above and relatively perpendicular to the leaves and the ground. This ensures that your camera’s sensor is parallel to the leaves - ergo your focal plane is aligned with the subject’s plane. This minimizes distortion and maximizes your depth of field for this shot. I was able to get in nice and tight right above the subject, by adjusting my tripod legs to their lowest position and utilizing a multi-function center column and ball head.

Fall Foliage in George Bush Park with Snow
In Houston, fall colors are still present in December and lent a wonderful contrast to the snow. 40mm, 1/50, f/11, ISO 100

American Holly with Snow
An American Holly with snow. 40mm, 1/4 sec, f/8, ISO 100

Chinese Tallow Tree at Last light with snow
Chinese Tallow tree with red foliage. 17mm, 10 sec, f/11, ISO 100
Hiker in Winter Snow Houston
The day finished off with a colorful and clear gradient sky. 40mm, 0.5 sec, f/8, ISO 100

Posted in Photo Outings and Inspiration | No Comments »

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