His comments on the difference between Twitter and Facebook are particularly interesting:
"Previously, developers took data out of Twitter and into the context of their own applications and services. The new design flips this on its head, bringing rich embedded content into the site from a host of brand-name web properties. (It’s worth noting that Facebook has done much the opposite: they started out with a very centralized build-it-within-our-walls model, then gradually grew their tendrils out into the web with Facebook Connect.)"
I'm curious how this relates to his later observation that "walled gardens" are doomed to fail. In both instances, the walls are being chipped away, but in the former, the content is being brought in, while in the latter, content is being let out.
You'll note that Apple is already preempting this argument. Reader exists to offer clarity to the reading experience, removing "annoying ads and other visual distractions." iAds, on the other hand, is promoted as adding to a seamless user experience. Apple is bending over backwards to show that iAds are different -- not "annoying" like what we're used to, but something immersive and interesting.
Of course, much of this is marketing. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out. An insightful article, overall.
There has been an uncharacteristic quiet at the New York Times about yesterday's iPhone announcement. Usually, there is at least a more prominent article in the Technology section (Their current blurb is the lackluster "On Newest iPhone, Another Camera"). I wonder if "Reader" has anything to do with it.
Although the article is purely speculative, it is interesting to note that the iPad's "Videos.app" could easily be replaced by the Apple TV's touchscreen-friendly interface.
Also: "So, one more sidetrack: If video is moved off of iTunes, the App Store is a marketplace for apps, and our books are bought in iBooks, could this mean that iTunes could return, gracefully, to serve its original purpose? Could iTunes just be for music? I just blew my mind."
It will stop working very soon. Spotify checks your location constantly and not only when you download. It allows you to use it outside your original download country for 14 days. After a few days a bar will appear to notify you and after the two weeks it’ll stop working. The only option is to use a real UK proxy or TOR once after 14 days to give you another period of two weeks.
"Previously, developers took data out of Twitter and into the context of their own applications and services. The new design flips this on its head, bringing rich embedded content into the site from a host of brand-name web properties. (It’s worth noting that Facebook has done much the opposite: they started out with a very centralized build-it-within-our-walls model, then gradually grew their tendrils out into the web with Facebook Connect.)"
I'm curious how this relates to his later observation that "walled gardens" are doomed to fail. In both instances, the walls are being chipped away, but in the former, the content is being brought in, while in the latter, content is being let out.