Gizmodo: How iPad 3G Service Works (Or: Why You Should Buy the 3G iPad).

In opposition to this article, read the comments and save $100.

Ahhhh.  MarsEdit’s back up.

It was a mod_security issue. New rules installed, MarsEdit’s working again. 

To be honest, I hadn’t realized how much of a timesaver MarsEdit had become.  Hand-copying titles, body text, switching tabs to set categories for a post ... and then having to scroll down to hit the submit button because I’ve got such a long list of categories ... damn.  In MarsEdit, I’ve custom-configured the info that gets quoted in the constructed post, too.

I don’t often plug a product, but just go out and buy MarsEdit.  You may call me biased because I worked the beta for Pike all those years ago, but I’m tellin’ you ... use it for two weeks, you won’t go back.

Later: To be perfectly clear, in case this gets linked: from what I understand, mod_security 2.5+ no longer allows the on/off switch to be set via .htaccess, because of the insecurity of .htaccess.  Any changes must be set from Apache/PHP.  If you’re on shared hosting, send a ticket to the security or tech departments. In MarsEdit, go to WINDOW > NETWORK LOG and copy the first eight lines of information (including URL, Method name, Network reply received, Status Code, Succeeded) and send this information along with your request. Your host will be able to set the correct mod_security rules.

ReadWriteStart: Square’s On-the-Go iPhone Credit Card Scanner.

“Usually, running credit card transactions means opening up a special merchant bank account and dealing with various fees. Any bank account will work with Square, and the only charge to use the service is $1 for the application and the card reader accessory; however, Square can afford to give away the dongles because they will be banking 2.9% of each transaction.” Very cool. Another plus for iPhone.

CNet: Why Google Android is winning.

“The global smartphone market is still RIM’s to lose, with Apple in the pole position to profit from its mistakes. But new ComScore data on the U.S. smartphone market suggest that both should be worried by what they see in their rear-view mirrors.” I think it’s a little early to say ‘winning.’ But there’s the beginning of a trend here.

Matt Legend Gemmell: iPad Application Design.

“We already have iPhone apps on the iPad (they can run at their native size in the middle of the screen, or be scaled up to fit). That’s useful, but it’s not particularly interesting. Far more relevantly, we can bring desktop-class applications to iPad — but we need to rethink our user interface and design in general.” I wonder how iPad-specific apps scale down to iPhone?

ReadWriteWeb: Does HTML5 Really Beat Flash? The Surprising Results of New Tests.

”Here’s what this all means in layman’s terms: Apple isn’t allowing Flash to become more efficient on their Mac OS X/Safari platform (or their iPod/iPhone/iPad one, either) by not providing the access to the hardware it needs to reduce its CPU load. Adobe is waiting and watching to see if they do, but, as Ozer says ‘the ball is in Apple’s court.’” Sadly, not in wider public perception, but I think Jobs’ remarks are (as evinced by this and other articles) going to backfire on him.  Reality had to punch through at some point.

All Things Digital: Video Interview: Jeff Smith of Mobile App Maker Smule.

”Smith is part of a small but vocal chorus of app developers who say they don’t want to move to Android, even though it is growing quickly. His complaints: He doesn’t like the way the store merchandises its wares, and he doesn’t want to have to create different apps for each handset Android supports.” Yet we see, time and again, those who throw up walls, refuse to adapt, are the ones who generally lose.  Marked to revisit this in a year or so.

The Atlantic: Digital Rights Group Blasts iPhone’s Faustian Developer Deal.

”‘Steve Jobs has confirmed that Apple can remotely disable apps, even after they have been installed by users’ ... [snip] ... The contract also strictly bans tinkering with any Apple products, a limitation that Lohmann points out could prevent developers from making apps that work with open source software.” Perhaps a bit of FUD; perhaps not.

Macworld/MacUser: Are Macs really cheaper to manage than PCs?

“Macs in the enterprise aren’t just cheaper to manage — they’re a lot cheaper, according to a new survey released today by the Enterprise Desktop Alliance.” After switching back from PC to Mac a year ago, I concur wholeheartedly.

Macworld: iPhone app purge: Are template-based apps next?

“Template-based applications can be a handy way for a small company or blogger to get a branded iPhone application into the hands of users as quickly as possible. Apple reportedly doesn’t have a problem with this in principle, and seems to be focusing on applications that have very basic functionality.”

The March issue of FFDMag …

Flash and Flex Developers Magazine ... is available. There’s an article on iPad, for those interested. 

appstorm.mac: How To Find Your Files Faster with Tags.

I should use tags more. I still have to wade through my backlog of photos and tag them all ...

FakePad: iPhone development is for addicts.

”We know that Apple can barely keep up with the success of the AppStore. Due to its organic growth, the AppStore has become this hairy ball of half-assed technology & random processes.” Sounds like what Steve says about Flash ...

CNet: ‘Mission Impossible’-style heist hits N.J. Best Buy.

Apple inspires excessive enthusiasm, perhaps?

Macworld: Sync data with Macs, iPhones using Google.

Whether you’re on iPhone or Android, this will be handy for Mac users.

Gizmodo: Apple Sues HTC For Infringing On 20 iPhone Patents.

“Apple’s asking for a permanent injunction, which would bar HTC from importing or selling phones here that use these patents, along with triple damages with maximum interest (read: a lot of money). As you can see, some of the patents are fairly broad, like “unlocking a device by performing gestures on an unlock image,” which seems to cover like every touchscreen phone ever.” Here’s to open technologies, kids.

TheFloatingFrog: Introducing iBap for iPad: Jeans with a big ass pocket.

“It’s true that once you sit down you’ll break the iPad with your big old arse but at some point all great inventions needed to be revised, we just wonder what the iBap’s would be.”

Atlantic, Business: How Far Will Apple Go to Keep Its Secrets?

I think Mr Jobs’ controversial comments are starting to backfire on Apple. These kind of Apple-critique articles are popping up more and more, along with Google-takeovertheworld-privacy articles ...

Case in point.

tbray.org: HTML5.

“The theory is that if all the User-Agent providers implement all these algorithms exactly as specified, complete interoperability will be achieved and people who build Web applications need no longer concern themselves with the differences between User Agents. Which would of course be wonderful. Will it work? Nobody knows ...”

Maximum PC: Apple Files Patent for OS Embedded Advertising.

“The operating system is configured to present one or more of the advertisements to users of the computer device. In some implementations, the operating system can disable one or more functions during the presentation of the advertisements and then enable the function(s) in response to the advertisements ending. That is, the operating system can disable some aspect of its operation to prompt the operator to pay attention to the advertisement.” Turn it around, perhaps Apple doesn’t want *anyone* doing it?  Taking the rather ugly option off the table? Trying to be optimistic, here.

CNN: Steve Jobs’ six sneakiest statements.

No means yes.

Macworld: Create a splash screen for your iWeb site with Keynote.

Don’t. Please.

O’Reilly: The Widening HTML5 Chasm.

“Every now and then something comes up so wrong that it’s time to put aside my pleasant retirement from the web standards process and get out the high horse again. This time it’s the spin that WHATWG folks have been pushing about ‘Adobe’s secret hold’ ...” Important read.

ReadWriteWeb: Will Apple Crack? Opera Unveils Plans for iPhone Browser.

“The question, however, is whether Apple will allow the application into the App Store.”

Running late this morning.

Sorry.  Started up the Mac this morning, Snippet.App wanted to update. Takes an unusually long time to update - just a warning for others who use the tool.  Then, immediately after update, takes a long time to do that first sync. Nothing’s wrong - just unusual.