2010-01-28 (Thursday) by Gregory Tucker.

The criticisms of Apple’s newly announced iPad seem to coalesce around 3 points:

1. The name iPad. Most commonly it is written in some variation of MaxIpad. I agree that I don’t like the name–I prefer iTablet–it seems Jobs cannot get over the failure of the Newton MessagePad. This criticism is otherwise superficial.
2. It is expensive. The base is $499, while you can get a Netbook for $250. As always you get what you pay for. The Asus Netbook has such a high failure rate that one customer had to stop supporting them. Retailers hate them because customers hate them and return them at high rates. One naysayer on Facebook said he doesn’t actually own a Netbook because he can’t find one he wants. Apparently the rest of us aren’t supposed to buy an iPad because, in theory, we could get a Netbook with a faster processor for less money (but we won’t because they suck).
3. It single-tasks. However, the Kindle DX, at $489 also single-tasks, and the iPad will actually do more (like browse the web or play videos). Why don’t they direct their ire at Amazon’s bestseller? Do they target Apple and Jobs because he is so successful at marketing and at packaging products that (us foolish) people want? Please note I am not attacking the Kindle–I want to of them too, and in a head to head comparison the epaper is visible in direct sunlight, the unit is lighter and more durable, and ebooks on Amazon cost less than on the iTunes Bookstore.

I believe Apple will sell close to 2 million of these units within a year of introduction. However, I believe Apple will cannibalize its own products in order to do so.

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2010-01-25 (Monday) by Gregory Tucker.

This article does justice to cold brew coffee, though it neglects to mention you can buy the Toddy system for about $30, plus $10 for some extra reusable filters.

Pour 9 cups of water over 1.5 to 2 lbs of medium-ground coffee and let sit for 8-12 hours. No stirring necessary. The Toddy system includes the glass decanter for refrigerating and pouring the condensed coffee. It stays fresh for about 2 weeks. On serving mix about 1 part cold brew with 2 parts water and ice, suited to taste and served on demand.

In general cold brew is more refreshing in the summer, but it is superior to hot-brew coffee in all seasons. The Japanese call this ice coffee and offer it frequently in coffee shops, vending machines, and grocery stores without or without sugar added. The Japanese ice coffee sold in the supermarkets around Portland include only the sugar-added variety, which is inferior in taste.

Posted in Coffee, Portland, Japan | Print | No Comments »