The Swing Of Things

Microsofts ad for their System Center grabs some attention around. At least it pulls off one criteria as a good ad then. Maybe this even is how Microsoft view themselves - and want others to as well. Huge, old fashioned, uninspired. The analogy actually does the opposite of what it should. Yes, the building (and corporation) is obviously huge, with all of those 659 floors. But if this is what you think of as a clever interface for handling that hugeness, I am a little worried about what is on the other side of that wall. Only Microsoft would think it ingenious to put the readout almost unviewable and smallish up in the corner (as opposed to directly in front of the user), and only Microsoft could think of a panel where you must stretch and bend to be able to get to all of that interface. The most funny of it all though, is the tagline; ‘Your potential. Our passion’. Right. This ad just screams passion at ya.

‘But, if Apple had made this ad, all the Apple fanboys would declare it an act of genious’ they say. The problem is, Apple would never ever pull off an ad like this. Apple rarely uses analogies (last one I remember happened around 1984). They might include references of sorts, but most of all, Apples ads are USP based, clear and simple. In fact, they are all about what the impression Apple wants for its products. If Apple were to make a ‘System Center’ product, they’ll make damn sure the product was as simple to use as putting on your sneakers in the morning. And the ad would not include some confused looking guy wondering what button to push. It would show the glaring simplicity of the real interface, how easy it is to use it - and what it does for you in real life. Now, that is how designed for great looks like.

Via Daring Fireball

With the latest refresh of the iPod line it seems Apple is leaving the white plastic alltogether. With the Macbook line now the last remaining products sporting the polycrom look, there is lots of credibility in the surfacing rumors about a redesign.

Rumors of a small, thin and light laptop from Apple has been around for a while. Initially it was supposed to replace the late 12” Powerbook. Now it would make no other sense than to replace the MacBook line. With a sleek, superslim aluminum laptop with above average batterytime, Apple will cater to two rapidly increasing markets; students and the mobile business professional. More important, those specific niches are highly visible and often innovationleaders. This is the same kind of visible that the iPod has over other musicplayers, and the iPhone over most other mobile devices. It is all about design. Attractive design.

It is almost certain that it is the MacBook line that will be replaced, and thinking about current Mac sales and the forthcoming introduction of both Leopard and European iPhones I feel it probable that it will be released at MacWorld in January. Given the specifics of the current rumors though, I would not be surprised to see it already this year. Yes, Apple seems to be leaking of lately, but not that long in advance I would not think.