Apple’s New iPad
January 28, 2010 // Apple + Design + Technology

Here’s a fact. Apple yesterday released the most technologically advanced personal computer in the world, dubbing it the iPad. A combination between an iPhone and a Macbook, they have created a new category of computers.

And what are you doing? You’re bitching about it.

My favorite right now are people who are already naysaying the device, saying that it’s a failure because it can’t do _______? That it’s just a giant iPhone, who cares? To those who say that I ask, have you tried it yet? Cuz’ my guess will be that most likely none of you have. I can only think of one person I know (through Twitter only, hello Hamish) who’s actually had a chance to touch the damn thing. But no, you already know in your heart of hearts that this device is not special, and that when you get to try it for yourself that you’re going to be disappointed beyond belief.

For those who are disappointed by it, who think it’s a rehash of the iPhone, I honestly feel bad for you. I know it doesn’t cook you toast, and I know you wanted it to have lasers, but you’re completely overlooking the fact that no one else on Earth could make a device anything like this. Please prove me wrong, I would love to see some competition on this device. But like the iPhone, no other competitor has come close to matching the same kind of experience. Sure, Google released the Nexus One, which supposedly is great, but it’s no iPhone. How many “iPhone killers” have come and gone now…?

I personally think it looks amazing, and that a device like this makes sense for me. I currently own an iMac and an iPhone, so I’m set at home and I can manage when I’m away. But I wish I had a laptop so I could write during the day and leave my den every now and then. So my choice is between a device like the iPad or a laptop. After everything I’ve seen today, I honestly think I can do most (read: MOST) of the things I could do on a laptop, but the iPad seems more… well, fun. And what’s wrong with wanting something fun to work (and play) with?

Plus we have yet to see even a fraction of the potential the iPad holds, you see, just like the iPhone this device is capable of anything. Jesus Diaz wrote a really amazing article over on Gizmodo about the iPad interface before it was released and in it he describes the iPhone, and thus the iPad, as being a “morphing machine.” That whatever you need the device to be, it is. It can transform from a camera, to a phone, to email, to a game, to a map, whatever you need is at your fingertips. This is huge, and the potential for future apps for the iPad is immense.

I know I won’t sway a lot of you from doubting the iPad, and that’s fine. But before you go around saying how stupid/fail/ugly/unnecessary the iPad is, how about you reserve your judgement until you actually get to use it for a few minutes, how does that sound?

Bobby

P.S. They could call it the iDouche for all I care, if it’s amazing who gives a rip?

Update: First I want to say how awesome I think it is that you’re all writing in about this, especially that you’re all being fairly respectful and coherent. I didn’t have to delete anyone’s jackass comments.

Second, for those who don’t understand why the device doesn’t, and will never, have Flash, read this article by John Gruber of Daring Fireball called Apple, Adobe and Flash. If you own an iPhone you know you don’t need Flash, and with the coming of HTML5 things are going to change. He perfectly sums it up for you.

Third, Apple is not here to braid our hair and be our best friends. First and foremost they are a company and they are here to make money, no matter what their PR is trying to say. To think differently would be foolish. Yes, they also design some of the best looking products out there, but they are here to make money. Capitalism, folks.

The Desktop Wallpaper Project featuring Matthew Lyons
January 27, 2010 // The Desktop Wallpaper Project

A couple of weeks ago we had a really wonderful wallpaper by Matt Lyon, and in a bizarre turn of events this week we have Matthew Lyons. They’re two very different fellows but both extremely talented. This week’s Matthew you may remember from a couple weeks ago when I posted about his extremely rad work. Since then we’ve chatted and I asked him if he would do a desktop wallpaper for you, and he graciously obliged.

Matthew told me that he made this wallpaper to burn my eyes out, after I told him I preferred darker wallpapers. He also called me a “goth man”, haha… Anyhow, he wrote me that he wanted to create “a robot who is terminating all quarms and turmoils that he has in life by steadily cruise controlling tranquil barren land.” I think that he’s more than accomplished that, and I think his wallpaper is one of my favorites of the last two years. Thanks again Matthew, you big jerk…

Bobby

Random CD Artwork by Hubero Kororo
January 27, 2010 // Design + Music


Creating interesting and exciting artwork is always a challenge for any creative person, but what if you stood back and let nature take it’s course? That’s what Hubero Kororo has done for the packaging of Uceroz’s newest CD Pappeltalks. The cover at first appears to be a minimal, white cover, with nothing but simple text. But you tear off a strip on the side of the CD which releases an ink packet that begins to dye the front of the packaging a deep purple, the same color as the inside of the CD.

This is such a great idea because no matter what the pattern it creates will always be original and random. This to me falls into the same realm as the cover to Beck’s album The Information, which was had a ruled grid for a cover but came with a set of stickers so you could create your own custom cover. The idea of having a random, original cover is an interesting one that I’d love to see implemented in different ways, even for different projects.

Found through today & tomorrow

Bobby

F*ck Social Networks, Make Friendships
January 27, 2010 // Art + Design + Illustration + Technology

Over the last couple days I’ve had a couple of conversations about social networks, and in particular, those that lead to opportunities. It seems to me these days a lot of people make a living by being “social media experts” or some kind of nonsense like this. I found this completely ridiculous.

For an individual, the goal should not be to increase your social network by whoring yourself out, adding as many as friends as possible. This simply dilutes your message and makes you look like a wanker, as my friend Frank Chimero would say.

What you should be doing is finding like minded people to collaborate with and learn from. Often times I think of a social media site like LinkedIn, which is supposed to help you get a job. How many people do you know have gotten a cold call from an employer based upon them finding a profile on LinkedIn? I bet one or two of you may have had this happen, but I bet the occurrence of this happening is slim to none. Most likely someone knew someone who had an open position and the prospective employee was Googled, a LinkedIn account was found, and further assurance was given to the prospective employer.

But if you take the time to nurture relationships, even if they’re over email or Twitter, you’re doing more than just amassing a list of random strangers you’d like to work with. For me personally, I’ve met more people in the last 2 and a half years that were worth a damn than the last 10 combined. People who used to be my heroes are now an email away, and if I need a favor I can simply ask. Why? Because we’re friends now.

Don’t waste your time adding people, create amazing things, be genuine, and good things will come to you.

Bobby

‘untitled 246′ by Eduardo Omine
January 27, 2010 // Design + Video

This was meant to be a part of the colors post from yesterday, but I thought extend it a bit to show you the how great this is. Created by Eduardo Omine, the video is rather simple. Lines start to appear, crossing and running into one another, and when they strike they a particle effect like an explosion. But when you combine this with music and a change in pace and color, it really starts to get interesting.

I’m not really sure why this video is so interesting, it’s sort of like a digital spider’s web coming together. But there’s something really appealing and visually interesting about how all of these lines are going to come together and what they’re going to create when they do.

Bobby