Google believe the days of the mobile phone app are numbered

So Google think that apps for mobile phones won't last, that places like Apple's app store are a fad and that the future is in web based applications.

Well, they would wouldn't they? Google's business plan revolves around web applications.

But lets examine the prospect. For web based apps to work on a mobile device you need a good signal all the time, and for s lot of apps you need a 3G signal because if the amount if data involved. 3G coverage is spotty at best in many cities and with increased uptake, speeds drop. A recent survey in London found that day time speeds were rarely above 1Mbps. Service providers are about to start rolling out a 4G service, but they haven't even got a country wide 3G service yet.

To take an example: to do lists. An app sorely missing from the iPhone. There are plenty of web based to do sites, Toddledo fir example. Do you really want to be dependant on a good web connection for something so important? How would you feel if you couldn't get at your to dos because you don't have a data signal where you are?

So I don't think web based apps are going to take off any time soon.

Thank you for missing the point

My official Sony PS3 wireless headset arrived yesterday. I'd had to wait ages for it due to chronic shortages caused, best as I can tell, by Sony themselves packaging all the headsets they were making with games like Socom.
It comes with this great charging cradle that allows it to continue working as a desk mic when charging. It's the reason I wanted this headset specifically.
And what have Sony done? They've packaged it with a charging cable only six inches long.

Fan-bloody-tastic! What a complete waste. It's far too short to be of any use. It's the same problem we saw with the PS3 controller charging cable. It was too short to be useful.

Dreaded RROD

Got the dreaded red ring of death on my 360, so it's off to Microsoft.



Still it's lasted a long time. I've had friends go through five 360s in the time I've had mine.

Too Complex For Kids?

My new Optimus Prime "model" arrived today. By gods, it's complicated to convert it from truck to robot.

I can't see how any kid is going to have the patience to transform it. Took me twenty minutes to figure it out, even with the instructions.

No, I'd Like A Noisy One Please

Had to go shopping for a new power supply unit for my PC today. The old one was overheating due to a busted fan motor, which kept tripping the thermal protection and turning itself off. Luckily there's a Maplin close by, and they had a good selection to choose from, but oddly every single unit on the shelf claimed to be "super quiet".

It's an odd thing to claim. Seems to be related to the development of more efficient components that don't heat up as much, thus negating the requirement for large, fast and above all NOISY fans to keep them cool.

In other words: modern power supply units should almost all be "super quiet".

Trash talking on Xbox Live

I just love it when trash talking Americans turn up on Xbox Live. Especially when their side gets a thoroughly good thrashing! It would have to be the only person talking in the H.A.W.X. lobby trying to get a rise out of us that turned out to be rubbish at the game. 25-12 the final score! Normally I'm not one to gloat, but as I said, I just love it when trash talkers get trounced. Sadly H.A.W.X. does not give any visual indicator as to who is talking (one of the MANY flaws in the otherwise excellent multiplayer component), so I could not flag him as offensive language for his swearing. I just knew he wasn't on MY team.

Donnie Darko 2?

So the most obscure film I've ever seen and that had a very definite "no sequel" ending, now has a sequel? A straight to DVD sequel?

Hmm...