CNN Money is running a story that summarizes the iPad sales figures as of yesterday (Mar 12).  Apple received 120,000 orders giving them another $75 million to add to their coffers.  As the article points out that’s a pretty good number considering no one has seen or held an iPad yet.

So with thoughts of the iPad in my head I found an article on Tech Crunch today that discussed Seven Alternatives to the iPad.  One of the devices the article talks about is the Notion Ink Adam which is not a crippled device running a baby version of OSX but a device that can run a fully functional version of Ubuntu.  This device has me wondering if Apple will really be successful with the iPad.  Apple’s products are always easy to use and very polished but there will be some stiff competition coming their way.

When I first heard about the iPad I was pretty excited to see what Apple was up to.  Then when they gave the first demo i thought, “Do I really need a big iPhone?”.  After all, I own a Macbook Pro, a Dell Vostro, and custom built desktop, and both an original iPhone and a new iPhone 3GS.  I feel like I have plenty of access to the internet.  So while my inner geek screams “Buy It!, Buy It!” I have to realize that its not something I really need.

I think I will eventually buy one but I’m not going to be first in line like I was for the iPhone.  I paid top dollar for my 8G iPhone on day one and don’t regret it because it was a revolutionary device.  It made my Palm Treo feel like a something out of the 1980s.  The iPad is not that kind of upgrade over my current devices.  So I will resist my inner geek.  Unless someone out there wants to buy me one??

I just read up on the new offering from Tivo called Tivo Premiere.  After reading about the new box I have to say I am pretty angry.

Let me start by saying I have been a loyal Tivo customer since 2003 when I bought my first Series 2.  Since then I have owned a second Series 2 and 2 Tivo HDs.  I have long been a Tivo “Fan Boy” constantly taking the time to tell my friends and family they should own a Tivo and get rid of the awful cable company DVR.  I even gifted a Tivo with 3 months of service to my mother for Christmas one year.  But its now time to move on.

Why am I so upset?  Because the “new” UI thet Tivo has developed will not be coming to my Tivo HD.  To me this is unacceptable.  I’ve spent almost $2000 on my Tivo addiction.  I’ve been a loyal customer as I watched Apple TV, Moxi, Roku, and VUDU come out with less expensive offerings with similar or better features.  I have put up with an outdated and slow UI.  So how does Tivo reward me?  They come out with an updated UI and ask me to buy ANOTHER $700 box (I only get the lifetime subscriptions).  Sorry Tivo, that’s it.  I’m done.  Time to look at Moxi.

UPDATE:

In fairness to Tivo they have offered me %50 off the lifetime subscription if I “upgrade” and buy a premiere.  Total cost would be $499.00 with free shipping.

To do this all you need to do is hold down the home button on the front of your phone and then hit the sleep button on the top right.  Your phone should flash and the screen shot will be in your Camera Roll.