b r a v e c r e a t u r e s

Around 10 years ago, Steve Jobs returned from the wilderness, regained the helm cf Apple Computers, prising it from the cold, near dead fingers of the evil, careless regencies of Gil Amelio and "Prince John" Sculley.

In a fit of typical, and fairly predictable, Jobsian peak he ran through Apple cancelling programs and product lines left and right. In most cases he was absolutely correct. Apple was over extended, with way too many product variants. It had strayed far from it's base as the alternate to the beige boxed rampaging normalcy of windows. Jobs return was the start of a substantial shift by the Cupertino based computer maker, and with the inclusion of Jonathan Ive as the head of design a legend was (re) born.

I may not have the personal credentials to be able to judge Jobs but as I sit here in a cafe writing this on my Apple Newton 2000 I have to wonder if that at least one product line that he killed a little too quickly.

Granted it's a little boxy, and not THAT much lighter than my Macbook Pro, but there is something very satisfying writing this by hand. As l watch it transform my really very messy handwriting into its quirky digital ink, with a remarkable level of accuracy, it strikes me that given most  people have trouble reading my handwriting, this 10 year old doohickey is doing a bang up job.

For the last few days I have been battling with what, in Newton circles, is referred to as the  "Bootstrap" problem - namely needing to have something installed on the Newton before you are able to install any thing, synchronise or get any thing off. Lets face it, a Newton unconnected is, quite frankly, an curiosity not a usable tool so this was an important battle to win .

Last night, after a few days research and a purchase or two of connecting hardware things suddenly took a very Mac like turn-namely it all just worked. So now l sit cafes, writing my blog and getting somewhat puzzled looks from people and loving the experience of actually writing.

Anyone who has owned a Newton, loved it. Aficionados are constantly talking up rumours that Apple might be about to reintroduce the product, and I have to admit that I am very hopeful. But even if they do not do so, I will keep my old greeny black box because using it is a remarkably beautiful and nontechnical experience. I love it.

I think it would be fair to say that I have been less than particularly enthusiastic about the Zune, Microsoft's foray into the music player market.

Touted as the iPod killer its numerous flaws, not to mention its tasteless brown colour, have rapidly earned39;t it an America wide yawn - and only in America because the music marketplace it works with isn't available elsewhere yet.

Just to recap its failings

1. The Zune is incompatible with Windows Media Player, you can only use the Zune software (because we needed ANOTHER music player)
2. Only works with specific versions of Windows, not Mac OS X or Linux.
3. The supporting software won't install on many computers running Windows XP
4. and is rumoured to not be compatible with Windows Vista
5. The Zune can't be used as an external storage device
6. Wont accept or play TV shows recorded using Windows Media Center's digital video recorder
7. It only speaks English
8. The Zune Marketplace only accepts Microsoft Credits, not real money

I suggested a while ago that I would really have likes to be in the meetings where they were defining the thing, and to meet the product manager crazy brave enough to enter a battle of marketing wit with Steve Jobs apparently almost completely unarmed. Clearly some other people at MS have stopped drinking the cool aid long enough to think some of the same things.

Today its been reported that Bryan Lee, corporate vice president at Microsoft's entertainment and devices division, is going to be moving on to "pursue his own interests". I have a mental picture of all the Microsoft employees out in the car park will Bill shouting - " WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PIECE OF SITH" and every one stepping back to leave Bryan standing there. Trapped like a geek in headlights.

Shame.