Technology and Creativity Quote

My car radio’s still broken, so I continue to “enjoy” several podcasts on the iPod (iPhone really, but I don’t want to sound pretentious…)

I heard a great quote on a “LOST” Podcast by J.J. Abrams - the guy behind Alias, Lost, Mission Impossible 3 and Cloverfield. You writers and Apple lovers will dig this:

He’s been talking about “the blank page” and “magic box” concepts…

“In the creative process, technology is mindblowingly inspiring to me. I realize that that blank page IS a magic box - it needs to be filled with something fantastic…. I love Apple computers - I’m obsessed. This (Apple laptop) right here, it challenges me. It basically says, y’know, “What are you going to write, worthy of ME?”

I love that. It’s almost as though us Apple users have an OBLIGATION and RESPONSIBILITY to use these works of technological art to their fullest potential.

Or rather - that they are designed and created to assist us in reaching our creative potential.

Sing with me, the Napoleon Dynamite love theme, “I love technology….”

What technology helps YOUR creativity?

…

Alias, Apple, Creativity, J.J. Abrams, LOST, MacBook Pro, Music, Music, technology

Apple vs. Microsoft - CEO Hoedown - err, Showdown…

Nope, I think hoedown will be more accurate. LADIES: Before you tune out, hold on - this is some funny stuff!

I’ve been giddy all day. All I’ve been able to think of is a collection of YouTube videos Jennie and I watched last night that has completely, and utterly shattered any last bastion of hope for Microsoft. Yep, you heard me right - the software mega-giant Microsoft.

Are you running Windows right now? Bummer…

But, don’t take my word for it. Let’s hear from Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. First, before you’re confused, Bill Gates has semi-retired to do charity stuff. Great for him. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how much Apple stock you own), Bill left this crazy psychopath in charge. Here’s Mr. Ballmer at a recent conference….

Yeah, you heard him right. Half way through he shouts “give it up for me!” Ahhh, the art of subtlety.

Next, let’s study Mr. Ballmer’s unique choice of anti-perspirant…

Yes, that shirt is available in 3 sizes: damp, moist, and extra soggy. Nice.

Mr. Ballmer now goes on to abandon those beloved “Developers, developers, developers, developers” for a new crowd - one that puts money in his pocket without him doing a thing (oh, like exercising and dieting).

Poor, poor developers…

Now, Mr. Ballmer, what was your reaction to Apple’s iPhone? (from January 2007)

Hmmm. Well, Mr. Baldmer - sorry, Ballmer, Apple has sold over 4,000,000 iPhones in the first 200 days. That’s 20,000 iPhones sold PER DAY! As of mid-December, 2007, iPhone’s 27% market share of smart-phones had already overtaken ALL Windows Mobile devices. ALL of ‘em!!! And that was before Christmas!

This is turning into an episode of Scooby Doo! “I would have ruled the world if it wasn’t for that pesky Steve Jobs and his fruit computer!“.

Speaking of Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs, I wonder what he’s got to say about Microsoft - circa mid ’90’s, or whenever this hairstyle was in en vogue…

Steve, what do you think about Microsoft’s taste?

Well I guess that pretty much sums it up!

How much taste do YOU have?

Movie Rentals on all your gadgets and HD TV (thanks Apple!)

So I’m a big Apple freak. I love my Mac Book Pro, iPhone, Air Port Extreme, still have my old iPod, love their software, yada yada yada. 

Long story short. Apple announced today that you can now RENT movies via iTunes. You know how you can rent a handful of movies through your cable or satellite? Yeah, well raise that handful to THOUSANDS of movies. And you can watch them within a minute of purchase. And you can swap them over to your iPod or iPhone to go. Check it out… 

Introducing iTunes Movie Rentals
Available today with the free download of iTunes 7.6, iTunes Movie Rentals allows customers to rent movies for as little as $2.99 and watch them on their Macs or PCs, all current generation iPods, iPhone and Apple TV. Featuring movies from all the major movie studios—20th Century Fox, The Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros., Paramount, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Lionsgate and New Line Cinema—iTunes Movie Rentals is expected to offer more than 1,000 movie titles by the end of February, including over 100 titles featuring stunning high definition video with 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound. Movies can be rented directly from a widescreen TV using Apple TV. 

 

AND with Apple TV you can do all THIS stuff on your High Def TV:

 Apple announces new software for Apple TV; lowers price to $229
Available as a free automatic download later this month, the new software announced today lets movie fans rent movies on the iTunes Store directly from their widescreen TV. With iTunes Movie Rentals and Apple TV—and with no computer required—customers can effortlessly rent movies just by clicking a button on their remote. By the end of February, they’ll be able to choose from a catalog of more than 1,000 titles, including over 100 titles in stunning high definition video with 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound. DVD-quality iTunes Movie Rentals cost just $2.99 for library titles and $3.99 for new releases. High-definition versions are just one dollar more with library titles at $3.99 and new releases at $4.99.  

 

Man, I hope you realize how cool that is! I mean, that is a HUGE step towards the way we will rent and watch movies in the future.  

Have YOU sold your Blockbuster stock yet?