Even though it’s not coming at PDC, we’re likely to hear some things about IE9. And Mozilla’s Asa Dotzler thinks Microsoft may actually be committed to making a good web browser this time around. That’s surprising given that a) that it’s IE and b) that Dotzler is one of their strongest critics.

Still, if they don’t greatly improve with IE9, I agree that it might be the last straw for the browser. Market share continues to fall steadily and we could be just a couple years from Firefox catching it if Microsoft doesn’t improve the thing.

You might think this doesn’t really matter all that much to me since I don’t use a PC and as such, can’t use IE, but still, it’s a nice thought that one day all the web will look the same no matter which browser you use. Sadly, that hasn’t been the case for many, many years. And it’s almost entirely IE’s fault.

In Microsoft’s recent history of fuck ups, I’m not sure anything has been worse than IE (and yes, particularly IE6).

I’ve made my stance on this clear:

“Similarly, only 3% of people whose cell phones can play music say they use their phone as their primary music player, according to a Yankee Group study. Even if it means carrying around two devices, an MP3 player is bound to have a better user experience than a multi-function cell phone.

via Apple tablet: The everything killer »

Yeah, but I wonder what that percentage is for iPhones? I would bet it’s much closer to 100% than 3%. That’s the point, Apple doesn’t make products based on what market research for inferior products says. They make superior products that re-write market research.

Seriously, has a major article for a major site ever lacked more information than this one?

“OK, now that I am no longer with Microsoft, I can admit I had iPhone envy.

via Don Dodge on The Next Big Thing: Thanks Microsoft, Hello Google »

Don Dodge leaves Microsoft for Google and he uses his announcement post to rip MSFT products (Outlook, Office, Windows Mobile, IE) while praising GOOG ones (Gmail, Google Docs, Android, Chrome).

Sour grapes? Maybe a little, but as with the quote above, it reads more like Dodge was simply holding back how he really felt.

On a personal note, I’m happpy to see Don land a new killer gig so quickly.

A 2,500+ word piece by me over at TC about Twitter’s move away from simplicity and to something more robust. It’s an exciting time for Twitter, and I think it’s ultimately the right move, but it’s still a dangerous one.

A solid takedown of a laughable post.

One thing to add: Apple will begin using the new accounting rules sometime in the next year. They noted during the last earnings call that they weren’t using it yet (obviously) but would sometime before Q1 2011 I believe. That should stop this type of confusion.

And yes, Apple’s stock will probably jump when they do make this change, but then it should settle down when everyone realizes that nothing is really different other than the way the numbers are being reported.

To those of us who follow Apple regularly, this is obvious. But still, it’s worth stating with some new numbers from time to time. Despite small overall market share in both phones and computers, they make just as much money as anyone, and in many cases, much more.

My TC Post on Netflix siding with Hollywood on 30-day rental waiting period for new releases. NewTeeVee seems to think I’m wrong and that Netflix isn’t dumb for doing this. To be clear, as I say in the post, I understand why Netflix is doing this from a business perspective (only 30% of their business is new releases and their movement is towards streaming), but I still think this will backfire for everyone.

It doesn’t matter if only 30% of your actual business is these new releases, as I say, these are the glittering lures that rope in new costumers (away from old brick and mortar like Blockbuster). More importantly, taking away access to new releases for customers will bolster piracy. Mark my words. Neither of this is good news for Netflix in the long run, even if the move makes short-term business sense.

NewTeeVee also suggests that Netflix could use the better deal it gets in return to negotiate with Hollywood to get more content for streaming. Okay, but who gives a shit if it’s not new content (which Netflix streaming lacks)? And do we think Hollywood is really ready to give that to Netflix? Um, no. This entire maneuver is to prop-up falling DVD sales. Is Hollywood going to give streaming rights, something which is even faster and more convenient than by-mail DVD rentals, for its new releases? No way.

This entire thing is shortsighted on Netflix’s behalf and very dangerous.

I’m using the quad-core 2.8 GHz i7 27″ iMac right now. I opted for 8 GB of RAM. Three words describe it: Fast. As. Fuck.

I’ve been using this thing with just about everything I can think of open, and I can’t get it above 10% usages on Activity Monitor. My 2008 Core 2 Duo MacBook, by comparison, would routinely be over 50% just from running Flash inside of Camino or Chrome.

Of course, mine shipped with a nice crack in the screen, which after a number of responses on Twitter, I did decide to return. It goes back tomorrow. New one already on its way.

Sony starts eating its own fresher dog food. Still won’t make Blu-ray any less of a fleeting tech (and they’re offering it over the Internet to their equipped TVs too).

Yep.