Chrome OS is shaping up to be more like Palm's WebOS than the iPhone OS. ...
With the exception that Palms WebOS is about a thousand percent better thought out.
Am I the only one that thinks this is un-scaleable crap? any more than a few apps and it's just another cluttered browser. It doesn't look to me like you could even open the same amount of tabs that the average browser centric user is used to opening. All on a tiny screen? With only SSD storage?
The more I think about it, the more I think this is an OS for "po folks" in the third world. If you had any resources at all, you'd go for something a lot better than this.
Chrome OS is a nice idea, but there's just some things that I can't do in a web browser that I need to do every day. Sure, it may be great for getting quick access to the internet and email, and it might even be fine for making documents and keeping track of my appointments, but for so much else you either can't do what you want in a browser or you can't do it the the extent or the way that you want. This will make it so Chrome OS is limited to personal use (like I can't do all my web design work within a browser), and even for personal use it won't be the only computer that you need (when was the last time someone managed to sync their ipod playlist with Google Chrome, and how will you be able to keep your family photos if you always have to take the time to upload them to Picasa?).
What can?t it do that a normal user needs a computer for? You can store files locally.
Your iDevice is the only tricky part I see, but even that can be dealt with my having a browser-based app that manipulate the files directly on the device. You already do this with native Windows and Mac OS X apps and I?m sure Google can figure out how to do it without breaking any "Apple laws?. If not, some will make a browser app that will do it, perhaps even Apple.
Chrome OS is being designed for SSDs, no HDDs, but that may be only for the internal OS. It may be possible to use a USB 3.0 drive (jumping ahead since this is still a year away from launch) with a HDD to store your files. Or even an networked storage device to hold all your household files. You can already use an external drive for iTunes so that isn?t a big deal.
Though it being marketed as a secondary computer so maybe not.
With the exception that Palms WebOS is about a thousand percent better thought out.
Am I the only one that thinks this is un-scaleable crap? any more than a few apps and it's just another cluttered browser. It doesn't look to me like you could even open the same amount of tabs that the average browser centric user is used to opening. All on a tiny screen? With only SSD storage?
The more I think about it, the more I think this is an OS for "po folks" in the third world. If you had any resources at all, you'd go for something a lot better than this.
Like maybe an iPhone or a tablet?
I agree that it?s actually designed for ?po folks?, which really isn?t the netbook market so much as emerging markets where Google wants to get in before MS has a chance to even give away WIndows that will work on minimum HW.
I don?t agree that it?s not scalable for the average consumer doing minimal work. I?d separate the netbook from Chrome OS in your mind. I will be putting Chrome OS on my MBP but I won?t be buying a netbook to use it. Surely I can get more juice for web browsing out of Chrome OS than Mac OS X on the same machine. With flights pushing more and more for WiFi this is important to me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2992
and the killer app is... working offline: editing some documents or writing some emails while listening some music.
and the killer app is... working offline: editing some documents or writing some emails while listening some music.
THANK YOU. Finally someone mentioned it. I think definitely Google has to rethink local machine caching of data and resync when connected to the cloud.
I mean, unless I'm reading the article wrong, basically your laptop is a BRICK if you are not in 3G/ WiFi coverage. Like if you are in a taxi or airplane or wifi-locked-down corporate building, and you desperately need that word document... your FKed, basically.
Overall good idea, this Chrome OS, overall good to nibble off Microsoft's feet. However, without LOCAL CACHING, outside the US and Europe (which is what could really, really matter for netbooks and cheap laptops ~ ie. the developing world) ... I don't know how successful this Chrome OS is going to be in 2011 and 2012. By 2011 and 2012 the most basic netbooks will run Windows 7 *fast* without worry.
Yes, really. It isn't that people will want to load this onto a netbook. It's that people want a netbook for precisely that use: A NET book.
If Google can find a way to get companies to sell netbooks with their "just a browser" OS, I think it'll take off in a big way.
The problem is if Google targets this as a way-too-stripped down thing. What about MSN or Yahoo? Just through web-type apps? Could work, but users will want something robust and flexible enough, even if the OS is free. Some other apps they might like. It has to support full Flash otherwise casual gaming may not work.
If Google strips this "netbook" down too much then it serves no more purpose than what even a cheap smartphone could easily, easily do in 2011, 2012.
First step is great "web apps". Second step is local caching and local user data which syncs with the cloud and allows you to use the laptop offline. Third step would be some sort of either App Store or sandboxed binary-translation layer to run Windows apps.
I know the third step is exactly what Google doesn't want to do. Maybe I'm too ambitious but people want choice and enough flexibility. The iPhone 3G/S strikes just the right balance. Cripple ChromeOS too much, and it would be just alright, not as great as it could be.
There is nothing wrong with working offline, but the point is: how you gonna do it as long as you're out of wire/wireless coverage and you cannot access the "cloud" where all the apps are running? You can eventually cache some music, maybe even some apps, but again, if everything is processed inside the cloud, then when offline, we're fcuked.
Even in EU/US we don't have 100% coverage (not to mention emerging countries), and if roaming in EU, that's gonna kill yr wallet, so you don't wanna do it.
The idea of this OS is good, but until 100% coverage is achieved and affordable, I don't want to pay my internet provider (operator) for accessing the cloud to just processing my documents and listening MY OWN music. So, local storage is needed. Most probably some local processing power and apps are needed as well.
Well, let's just wait and see how it will actually work.
In the mean time, let's just use our (MB)laptops and (i)phones to do the work, and eventually try to optimize them for lower working temperatures and longer battery life, as this is the most stringent "feature" these days.
Google hosted a technical introduction to its new Chrome OS today, which it expects to officially launch on new netbooks by the end of 2010.
Late 2010?? Might be a very different ballgame by then.
Apple Tablet would be out by then. Apple tablet target: revolutionize the "dead" publishing industry just like it "saved" the music industry. Then, besides being a cool gadget, some other things that make it essential in some verticals like medical industry, education <--- this could be critical .... and so on.
Good luck to them with that. I hope it's not the android fiasco type of initiative.
It's sad to see them imitating micro and soft in big proclamations and miserably short on delivery.
Way intelligent to target the netbooks market by the way. And perceptive. Too bad in a couple of years at most crappy netbooks will be a thing of the past, remembered as an abomination, and thin and light notebooks with proper screens and keyboards like the macbook air and tablets and ebook readers will be the way forward.
It's really sad to see these guys with so much bought talent and enormous funds behind them falling so short of actually coming up with something inspiring and innovative. They are perfect in thinking within the known box, but outside of it....well...
I remember seeing one of these stationary swimming pools in google hq, a big f. off organisation and too miniscule pools throwing water the opposite direction. The owner getting married in some private island in the Caribbean with Bill Clinton and all sorts of shady dignitaries surrounding him. A social climbers dream. And yet in terms of vision it all boils down to a couple of 3 m by 2m swimming pools.
In the mean time, let's just use our (MB)laptops and (i)phones to do the work, and eventually try to optimize them for lower working temperatures and longer battery life, as this is the most stringent "feature" these days.
The latest MacBook Pro 13" has a pretty decent temp and battery life. But, of course, could be cooler, thinner, lighter. I think battery life is quite alright, but then again I don't travel or commute a huge amount *at the moment*.
iPhone -- yeah, battery life on the 3GS is definitely improved, but for heavy users and on 3G, surviving one whole day on a single charge can be a bit tricky.
Here's to miniaturized nuclear fission battery cells! Lasts 100 years without charging! However, "exploding iPod" lawsuits could take on a whole new dimension.
Will people really want to load this on a computer?
On anything other than a $100 netbook? (when one arrives.)
I mean I dislike Microsoft as much as the next guy, but really?
I get the feeling thats the point though.. this is aimed at the market who just wanna check their email, browse the internet, and do some light work.. I would think that market is actually fairly large. Filled with people who have no major interest in computers and don't want to spend $600 to do those few functions. I think its a good idea.
Although one would think that as the world becomes more technical, this market would naturally get smaller and smaller?
Neat idea.. interesting to see what comes of this..
Google stormed into the scene and shook things up, and they do continue to revolutionize things. But as an organisation gets big, things can start to stagnate and they become too inward-thinking.
The main reason a (seriously, nowadays) huge enterprise like Apple continues to be in the forefront is because it looks at things from a customer-centric point of view. It too falls victim to its own foibles sometimes, but almost everyday saying, "what would a person do?" has underpinned their success.
Google now has their huge search engine and ads business to drive their operations. That leaves space for all sorts of hit-and-miss things alongside the (as you aptly put it) "big proclamations".
Faith in the cloud, for one thing, is ridiculously high at the moment. Given the amount of sales and revenue from, as a poster mentioned, Europe and developing economies being very important, the cloud ain't always hanging over you head, for chrriissakes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by myapplelove
Good luck to them with that. I hope it's not the android fiasco type of initiative.
It's sad to see them imitating micro and soft in big proclamations and miserably short on delivery.
Way intelligent to target the netbooks market by the way. And perceptive. Too bad in a couple of years at most crappy netbooks will be a thing of the past, remembered as an abomination, and thin and light notebooks with proper screens and keyboards like the macbook air and tablets and ebook readers will be the way forward.
It's really sad to see these guys with so much bought talent and enormous funds behind them falling so short of actually coming up with something inspiring and innovative. They are perfect in thinking within the known box, but outside of it....well...
I remember seeing one of these stationary swimming pools in google hq, a big f. off organisation and too miniscule pools throwing water the opposite direction. The owner getting married in some private island in the Caribbean with Bill Clinton and all sorts of shady dignitaries surrounding him. A social climbers dream. And yet in terms of vision it all boils down to a couple of 3 m by 2m swimming pools.
Good luck to them with that. I hope it's not the android fiasco type of initiative.
It's sad to see them imitating micro and soft in big proclamations and miserably short on delivery.
Way intelligent to target the netbooks market by the way. And perceptive. Too bad in a couple of years at most crappy netbooks will be a thing of the past, remembered as an abomination, and thin and light notebooks with proper screens and keyboards like the macbook air and tablets and ebook readers will be the way forward.
It's really sad to see these guys with so much bought talent and enormous funds behind them falling so short of actually coming up with something inspiring and innovative. They are perfect in thinking within the known box, but outside of it....well...
I remember seeing one of these stationary swimming pools in google hq, a big f. off organisation and too miniscule pools throwing water the opposite direction. The owner getting married in some private island in the Caribbean with Bill Clinton and all sorts of shady dignitaries surrounding him. A social climbers dream. And yet in terms of vision it all boils down to a couple of 3 m by 2m swimming pools.
I get the feeling thats the point though.. this is aimed at the market who just wanna check their email, browse the internet, and do some light work.. I would think that market is actually fairly large. Filled with people who have no major interest in computers and don't want to spend $600 to do those few functions. I think its a good idea.
Although one would think that as the world becomes more technical, this market would naturally get smaller and smaller?
Yeah, number one, these people who "just wanna do simple stuff" are not that dumb. My 70 year old dad checks email, checks stock prices, watches TV shows, backs up to hard disks. I see young teens at the cafe with netbooks online chatting, Facebooking but also firing up the occassional Flash or local-install gaming/ MMO. My dad and these teens could all be potential Google ChromeOS users. Does ChromeOS offer enough flexibility?
Defining the current netbook market and people as simpletons is all fine and good, but as you correctly point out, we're talking 2011 and 2012. I'll say again, by 2012 all this simpleton netbook stuff could be done by cheap smartphones anyway.
Windows continues to be successful because not many know better, but also you can do virtually anything you want to do with it, whatever your needs. That's why crapware is incredibly abundant but people do get a lot of flexibility and a wide range of things they can do.
Google dictating your "cloud experience" may smack of the thin-client fantasy going back 10+ years and Sun's infamous "the network is the computer" stuff.
The latest MacBook Pro 13" has a pretty decent temp and battery life. But, of course, could be cooler, thinner, lighter. I think battery life is quite alright, but then again I don't travel or commute a huge amount *at the moment*.
iPhone -- yeah, battery life on the 3GS is definitely improved, but for heavy users and on 3G, surviving one whole day on a single charge can be a bit tricky.
Here's to miniaturized nuclear fission battery cells! Lasts 100 years without charging! However, "exploding iPod" lawsuits could take on a whole new dimension.
Yep, 100% agree with the whole statement, especially with the <"exploding iPod" lawsuits could take on a whole new dimension> part.
I for myself I'll be simple waiting 2~3 more years to see the MBA getting improved (I'm not gonna list my expectations), as that's the right product for the next 5~10 years.
For now, I'm happy enough with my iPhone3G+AluMB+APExpress as they are doing the job I need.
Comments
Chrome OS is shaping up to be more like Palm's WebOS than the iPhone OS. ...
With the exception that Palms WebOS is about a thousand percent better thought out.
Am I the only one that thinks this is un-scaleable crap? any more than a few apps and it's just another cluttered browser. It doesn't look to me like you could even open the same amount of tabs that the average browser centric user is used to opening. All on a tiny screen? With only SSD storage?
The more I think about it, the more I think this is an OS for "po folks" in the third world. If you had any resources at all, you'd go for something a lot better than this.
Like maybe an iPhone or a tablet?
Chrome OS is a nice idea, but there's just some things that I can't do in a web browser that I need to do every day. Sure, it may be great for getting quick access to the internet and email, and it might even be fine for making documents and keeping track of my appointments, but for so much else you either can't do what you want in a browser or you can't do it the the extent or the way that you want. This will make it so Chrome OS is limited to personal use (like I can't do all my web design work within a browser), and even for personal use it won't be the only computer that you need (when was the last time someone managed to sync their ipod playlist with Google Chrome, and how will you be able to keep your family photos if you always have to take the time to upload them to Picasa?).
What can?t it do that a normal user needs a computer for? You can store files locally.
Your iDevice is the only tricky part I see, but even that can be dealt with my having a browser-based app that manipulate the files directly on the device. You already do this with native Windows and Mac OS X apps and I?m sure Google can figure out how to do it without breaking any "Apple laws?. If not, some will make a browser app that will do it, perhaps even Apple.
Chrome OS is being designed for SSDs, no HDDs, but that may be only for the internal OS. It may be possible to use a USB 3.0 drive (jumping ahead since this is still a year away from launch) with a HDD to store your files. Or even an networked storage device to hold all your household files. You can already use an external drive for iTunes so that isn?t a big deal.
Though it being marketed as a secondary computer so maybe not.
Live Chrome OS Video stream.
Be sure to have Flip4Mac installed.
Thanks for the link.
With the exception that Palms WebOS is about a thousand percent better thought out.
Am I the only one that thinks this is un-scaleable crap? any more than a few apps and it's just another cluttered browser. It doesn't look to me like you could even open the same amount of tabs that the average browser centric user is used to opening. All on a tiny screen? With only SSD storage?
The more I think about it, the more I think this is an OS for "po folks" in the third world. If you had any resources at all, you'd go for something a lot better than this.
Like maybe an iPhone or a tablet?
I agree that it?s actually designed for ?po folks?, which really isn?t the netbook market so much as emerging markets where Google wants to get in before MS has a chance to even give away WIndows that will work on minimum HW.
I don?t agree that it?s not scalable for the average consumer doing minimal work. I?d separate the netbook from Chrome OS in your mind. I will be putting Chrome OS on my MBP but I won?t be buying a netbook to use it. Surely I can get more juice for web browsing out of Chrome OS than Mac OS X on the same machine. With flights pushing more and more for WiFi this is important to me.
and the killer app is... working offline: editing some documents or writing some emails while listening some music.
What?s wrong with working offline?
Will people really want to load this on a computer?
On anything other than a $100 netbook? (when one arrives.)
I mean I dislike Microsoft as much as the next guy, but really?
Yes, really. It isn't that people will want to load this onto a netbook. It's that people want a netbook for precisely that use: A NET book.
If Google can find a way to get companies to sell netbooks with their "just a browser" OS, I think it'll take off in a big way.
and the killer app is... working offline: editing some documents or writing some emails while listening some music.
THANK YOU. Finally someone mentioned it. I think definitely Google has to rethink local machine caching of data and resync when connected to the cloud.
I mean, unless I'm reading the article wrong, basically your laptop is a BRICK if you are not in 3G/ WiFi coverage. Like if you are in a taxi or airplane or wifi-locked-down corporate building, and you desperately need that word document... your FKed, basically.
Overall good idea, this Chrome OS, overall good to nibble off Microsoft's feet. However, without LOCAL CACHING, outside the US and Europe (which is what could really, really matter for netbooks and cheap laptops ~ ie. the developing world) ... I don't know how successful this Chrome OS is going to be in 2011 and 2012. By 2011 and 2012 the most basic netbooks will run Windows 7 *fast* without worry.
Yes, really. It isn't that people will want to load this onto a netbook. It's that people want a netbook for precisely that use: A NET book.
If Google can find a way to get companies to sell netbooks with their "just a browser" OS, I think it'll take off in a big way.
The problem is if Google targets this as a way-too-stripped down thing. What about MSN or Yahoo? Just through web-type apps? Could work, but users will want something robust and flexible enough, even if the OS is free. Some other apps they might like. It has to support full Flash otherwise casual gaming may not work.
If Google strips this "netbook" down too much then it serves no more purpose than what even a cheap smartphone could easily, easily do in 2011, 2012.
First step is great "web apps". Second step is local caching and local user data which syncs with the cloud and allows you to use the laptop offline. Third step would be some sort of either App Store or sandboxed binary-translation layer to run Windows apps.
I know the third step is exactly what Google doesn't want to do. Maybe I'm too ambitious but people want choice and enough flexibility. The iPhone 3G/S strikes just the right balance. Cripple ChromeOS too much, and it would be just alright, not as great as it could be.
Thanks for the link.
Sure.
What?s wrong with working offline?
There is nothing wrong with working offline, but the point is: how you gonna do it as long as you're out of wire/wireless coverage and you cannot access the "cloud" where all the apps are running? You can eventually cache some music, maybe even some apps, but again, if everything is processed inside the cloud, then when offline, we're fcuked.
Even in EU/US we don't have 100% coverage (not to mention emerging countries), and if roaming in EU, that's gonna kill yr wallet, so you don't wanna do it.
The idea of this OS is good, but until 100% coverage is achieved and affordable, I don't want to pay my internet provider (operator) for accessing the cloud to just processing my documents and listening MY OWN music. So, local storage is needed. Most probably some local processing power and apps are needed as well.
Well, let's just wait and see how it will actually work.
THANK YOU. [...]
you're welcome.
In the mean time, let's just use our (MB)laptops and (i)phones to do the work, and eventually try to optimize them for lower working temperatures and longer battery life, as this is the most stringent "feature" these days.
Google hosted a technical introduction to its new Chrome OS today, which it expects to officially launch on new netbooks by the end of 2010.
Late 2010?? Might be a very different ballgame by then.
Apple Tablet would be out by then. Apple tablet target: revolutionize the "dead" publishing industry just like it "saved" the music industry. Then, besides being a cool gadget, some other things that make it essential in some verticals like medical industry, education <--- this could be critical .... and so on.
Collecting my SSD iMac Fry-die.
SSD iMac??? OMFG I hate you.
It's sad to see them imitating micro and soft in big proclamations and miserably short on delivery.
Way intelligent to target the netbooks market by the way. And perceptive. Too bad in a couple of years at most crappy netbooks will be a thing of the past, remembered as an abomination, and thin and light notebooks with proper screens and keyboards like the macbook air and tablets and ebook readers will be the way forward.
It's really sad to see these guys with so much bought talent and enormous funds behind them falling so short of actually coming up with something inspiring and innovative. They are perfect in thinking within the known box, but outside of it....well...
I remember seeing one of these stationary swimming pools in google hq, a big f. off organisation and too miniscule pools throwing water the opposite direction. The owner getting married in some private island in the Caribbean with Bill Clinton and all sorts of shady dignitaries surrounding him. A social climbers dream. And yet in terms of vision it all boils down to a couple of 3 m by 2m swimming pools.
you're welcome.
In the mean time, let's just use our (MB)laptops and (i)phones to do the work, and eventually try to optimize them for lower working temperatures and longer battery life, as this is the most stringent "feature" these days.
The latest MacBook Pro 13" has a pretty decent temp and battery life. But, of course, could be cooler, thinner, lighter. I think battery life is quite alright, but then again I don't travel or commute a huge amount *at the moment*.
iPhone -- yeah, battery life on the 3GS is definitely improved, but for heavy users and on 3G, surviving one whole day on a single charge can be a bit tricky.
Here's to miniaturized nuclear fission battery cells! Lasts 100 years without charging! However, "exploding iPod" lawsuits could take on a whole new dimension.
Will people really want to load this on a computer?
On anything other than a $100 netbook? (when one arrives.)
I mean I dislike Microsoft as much as the next guy, but really?
I get the feeling thats the point though.. this is aimed at the market who just wanna check their email, browse the internet, and do some light work.. I would think that market is actually fairly large. Filled with people who have no major interest in computers and don't want to spend $600 to do those few functions. I think its a good idea.
Although one would think that as the world becomes more technical, this market would naturally get smaller and smaller?
Neat idea.. interesting to see what comes of this..
The main reason a (seriously, nowadays) huge enterprise like Apple continues to be in the forefront is because it looks at things from a customer-centric point of view. It too falls victim to its own foibles sometimes, but almost everyday saying, "what would a person do?" has underpinned their success.
Google now has their huge search engine and ads business to drive their operations. That leaves space for all sorts of hit-and-miss things alongside the (as you aptly put it) "big proclamations".
Faith in the cloud, for one thing, is ridiculously high at the moment. Given the amount of sales and revenue from, as a poster mentioned, Europe and developing economies being very important, the cloud ain't always hanging over you head, for chrriissakes.
Good luck to them with that. I hope it's not the android fiasco type of initiative.
It's sad to see them imitating micro and soft in big proclamations and miserably short on delivery.
Way intelligent to target the netbooks market by the way. And perceptive. Too bad in a couple of years at most crappy netbooks will be a thing of the past, remembered as an abomination, and thin and light notebooks with proper screens and keyboards like the macbook air and tablets and ebook readers will be the way forward.
It's really sad to see these guys with so much bought talent and enormous funds behind them falling so short of actually coming up with something inspiring and innovative. They are perfect in thinking within the known box, but outside of it....well...
I remember seeing one of these stationary swimming pools in google hq, a big f. off organisation and too miniscule pools throwing water the opposite direction. The owner getting married in some private island in the Caribbean with Bill Clinton and all sorts of shady dignitaries surrounding him. A social climbers dream. And yet in terms of vision it all boils down to a couple of 3 m by 2m swimming pools.
SSD iMac??? OMFG I hate you.
Well that's too bad 'cause I love you. And by tomorrow I'll be able to love you several times faster!
Good luck to them with that. I hope it's not the android fiasco type of initiative.
It's sad to see them imitating micro and soft in big proclamations and miserably short on delivery.
Way intelligent to target the netbooks market by the way. And perceptive. Too bad in a couple of years at most crappy netbooks will be a thing of the past, remembered as an abomination, and thin and light notebooks with proper screens and keyboards like the macbook air and tablets and ebook readers will be the way forward.
It's really sad to see these guys with so much bought talent and enormous funds behind them falling so short of actually coming up with something inspiring and innovative. They are perfect in thinking within the known box, but outside of it....well...
I remember seeing one of these stationary swimming pools in google hq, a big f. off organisation and too miniscule pools throwing water the opposite direction. The owner getting married in some private island in the Caribbean with Bill Clinton and all sorts of shady dignitaries surrounding him. A social climbers dream. And yet in terms of vision it all boils down to a couple of 3 m by 2m swimming pools.
In 10 years time that comment may look very dumb.
I get the feeling thats the point though.. this is aimed at the market who just wanna check their email, browse the internet, and do some light work.. I would think that market is actually fairly large. Filled with people who have no major interest in computers and don't want to spend $600 to do those few functions. I think its a good idea.
Although one would think that as the world becomes more technical, this market would naturally get smaller and smaller?
Yeah, number one, these people who "just wanna do simple stuff" are not that dumb. My 70 year old dad checks email, checks stock prices, watches TV shows, backs up to hard disks. I see young teens at the cafe with netbooks online chatting, Facebooking but also firing up the occassional Flash or local-install gaming/ MMO. My dad and these teens could all be potential Google ChromeOS users. Does ChromeOS offer enough flexibility?
Defining the current netbook market and people as simpletons is all fine and good, but as you correctly point out, we're talking 2011 and 2012. I'll say again, by 2012 all this simpleton netbook stuff could be done by cheap smartphones anyway.
Windows continues to be successful because not many know better, but also you can do virtually anything you want to do with it, whatever your needs. That's why crapware is incredibly abundant but people do get a lot of flexibility and a wide range of things they can do.
Google dictating your "cloud experience" may smack of the thin-client fantasy going back 10+ years and Sun's infamous "the network is the computer" stuff.
The latest MacBook Pro 13" has a pretty decent temp and battery life. But, of course, could be cooler, thinner, lighter. I think battery life is quite alright, but then again I don't travel or commute a huge amount *at the moment*.
iPhone -- yeah, battery life on the 3GS is definitely improved, but for heavy users and on 3G, surviving one whole day on a single charge can be a bit tricky.
Here's to miniaturized nuclear fission battery cells! Lasts 100 years without charging! However, "exploding iPod" lawsuits could take on a whole new dimension.
Yep, 100% agree with the whole statement, especially with the <"exploding iPod" lawsuits could take on a whole new dimension> part.
I for myself I'll be simple waiting 2~3 more years to see the MBA getting improved (I'm not gonna list my expectations), as that's the right product for the next 5~10 years.
For now, I'm happy enough with my iPhone3G+AluMB+APExpress as they are doing the job I need.
Cheers!