Archive for the ‘joel johnson’ tag
The Web is My Set-Top Box #
I enjoy a piece of technology forecasting from time to time, and Joel Johnson offered an interesting one:
I never want to touch a piece of proprietary hardware to access content again. There’s no need! We’ll be able to stream HD content soon enough; in the interim, even these browser-based solutions could pre-fetch and cache it. The only reason companies like Blockbuster and Vudu want dedicated hardware is because it locks you into their service. They’re recreating the Blu-ray/HD DVD format war for streaming digital media. How silly is that?
Joel Johnson Hates The Sharper Image #
The Sharper Image filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection today, and the inimitable Mr. Johnson took the opportunity to praise its death (which I think is premature, but then I don’t know that much about business):
The company has long hawked substandard, unimaginative products, like a cut-rate Sky Mall without all the whimsy (nor the captive audience).
And let’s not even mention the retail stores, staffed by inept floor walkers and clogged with fake leather cases, ionic air lung scorchers and fake chromed plastic as far as the eye could see. Despite fond memories of fireside flips through its exotic pages, I am not upset to see the company go. It had long outlived its usefulness.
Celebrating 50 Years of Lego #
Joel Johnson takes a novel approach to celebrating the 50th anniversary of Lego: he lists the nine Lego sets he’s wanted most during his life. It’s fun read, and a reminder of when I too yearned for Lego sets more than any other toys.
The Problem with the MacBook Air #
Joel Johnson, who became one of my favorite gadget prognosticators with this, explains the problem with Apple’s new MacBook Air:
It’s too big.
Understanding the new spare battery ban #
The internet’s been busy calling the TSA dumb — what else is new? — for banning (spare) batteries on airplanes. So, Boing Boing Gadgets comes to a shocking conclusion: it’s not that bad. Here’s the best point of all:
• A spare battery is one not installed in a device. This is an important distinction to remember.
More practically, Mr. Johnson sums up what it all means like this:
It’s really not that bad. Take all your electronics on board as carry-on and pack loose batteries in plastic.