Yes, we all know that the ‘Hope and Change’ we all prayed for hasn’t happened in an instant, like most thought it would. But if I had to answer the question on the billboard, the answer is still no.

Apple has just unveiled their new tablet device, and it’s called..the iPad. Personally, I think it’s an unfortunate choice of name (besides the obvious “feminine product” name comparisons, what will Bostonians call it? They already call iPods “iPads”:).

Steve Jobs called it a “third-category” device. Basically, what we have is a great couch-surfing device/reader (think of it as a GIANT iPod Touch). Many people were disappointed as to what this device didn’t have: No microphone or camera, no Flash support, no USB connection. However, as a first-generation device, it’s impressive. It runs all 140,000 iPhone apps natively and features a retooled version of Works just for the iPad. Besides being a great entertainment device, the iPad will further accelerate the adoption of eBook readers (I can certainly see this being used in a school environment). An on-screen drawing app called ‘Brushes’ was shown briefly, which I think is a natural for any tablet device and any artist would love it. I’m eager to see what types of drawing apps will be developed around the platform.

The pricing is attractive for those looking into netbooks; early adopters will be the usual Apple fanboys, but even at the lower tier model (16GB, Wifi, No 3G Wireless), $499, (plus the data plans) is a steep price to pay for a casual device. Of course, we all said that when the iPhone came out – the big difference is that a mobile phone is something you keep with you (almost) always – a device like this requires some forethought as to use, storage and travel.

A quick rundown of the iPad specifications:
0.5 inches thick
Weight: 1.5 Pounds
16-64GB Storage (Flash memory)
9.7-inch IPS display
1 GHz Apple A4 chip (built in-house?)
Battery Life: 10 hours
Full-capacitive multi-touchRuns iPhone Apps natively
802.11n, WiFi, and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR.
Built in 3G Wireless

Also features an accelerometer, compass, a speaker, microphone and a 30-pin connector.
USB Sync.

Book downloads from the iBooks store will run $7.99 – $14.99

New version of iWork just for the iPad.

Huge onscreen keyboard

Full-size keyboard dock

Data Plans with AT&T
250MB per month – $14.99

Unlimited data  – $60 per month

Free use of AT&T WiFi hotspots

iPad 3G models are unlocked

The Cons
No Flash support
No camera
No microphone
No USB slot
You can’t bend it like paper:)

Pricing
16GB
WiFi $499
WiFi + 3G $629

32 GB
WiFi $599
WiFi + 3G $729

64 GB
WiFi $699
WiFi + 3G $829

Availability
Within 60 days

Apple Computer will be holding one of their famous ’special media events’ today at 10am Pacific (1pm Eastern) at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. It is expected that Steve Jobs will unveil the magical “Apple Tablet” (or iSlate or iPad or whatever it might actually be called). Unless you live under a rock, or have no interest whatsoever in technology, the hype surrounding this mystery product is as big (or bigger, depending on who you ask) as the announcement for the unveiling of the original iPhone.

In the last year, several sites have shown prototypes (based on on ‘wish lists’ and not actual input from Apple itself), leaked ’spy photos’ (most turned out to be fakes) and specs (again, mostly from ‘wish lists’ based on available technology). Apple is famously secretive with any new product in development. Developers are sworn to secrecy and products are developed under tight security. (Hey, if you were lucky enough to be working for a company like Apple developing world-changing products, you’d probably keep your big mouth shut too.)

The hype surrounding this product is so huge because, if the rumors are true, it will be a game-changing eBook reader and entertainment device. If some of the leaked specs are true from those who have actually seen this mythical creature, it could well accelerate how we consume ‘print’ media. This is important (especially to me, a traditional print designer) because there has already been a fundamental shift in how people acquire this type of information. Newspapers and magazines all over the world are closing. Traditional book manufacturers are shifting away from large volume sales and putting their resources toward the eBook publishing model. Magazines are relying more on their web outlets for revenue, driving readers from the print versions to the website, not the other way around.

The tablet will not replace your iPod or your Kindle, but could be the device that combines the best of both. I see it as a casual device for reading and entertainment, and as a bridge between netbooks, but done only the way Apple can do it. This will usher in a new era for computing, but also present new opportunities for designers and developers in this expanded space. The competition will need to follow the Apple lead. A simple eBook reader like the Kindle or a $300 netbook will no longer suffice.

I guess we’ll find out soon enough.

Today the infamous ‘Drexel Shaft’ near 30th Street Station was imploded. The structure, located above the old Penn-Coach train station, was a steam power plant built back in the 1920’s. The structure was taken out of operation in 1964 and has remained empty ever since.
The structure was so-named by Drexel students upset over what they termed unresponsive treatment by Drexel administration.

“The Pixies were led by Black Francis (AKA Charles Thompson), this Boston band reveled in the raw, loud energy of punk, but harnessed it in service of catchy melodies laced with bizarre lyrics. Doolittle, is widely considered to be one of the best alternative-rock albums ever, and their influence extends to a legion of artists, including PJ Harvey and Nirvana. After five records in five years, they were gone, splintering into the Breeders (led by bassist Kim Deal) and Francis’s solo namesake, Frank Black. In 2004, however, the band reunited for some highly publicized performances.” (via Amazon.com)
Fans, get over to their site and download a FREE 4-song Live EP.

Songs included are:

1. Dancing the Manta Ray
2. Monkey Gone to Heaven
3. Crackity Jones
4. Gouge Away

Pixies Catalog at Amazon.com

While dead-tree publications like newspapers and magazine are suffering on the whole due to silly factors like “the economy” and “those internets”, it’s a damned shame to see this grand old publication fold. Photographer Kevin DeMara, who worked at Gourmet for 8 years, captured the final moments as the sad and bewildered staff packed up their lives and said goodbye to jobs they all most likely loved (I guess anyone who has a “job” these days must like it, but working at a food magazine would be a dream job for many of us).

The Gourmet brand will continue to be used by Condé Nast for book and television programming and recipes appearing on Epicurious.com.

The Last Days of Goumet
Photos: Kevin DeMara

This is the kind of straight-forward, sensible design that I love. Great copywriting, clean, minimal design, limited color palette, and ONE typeface. This is a client I’d love to have. Plus, there’s this kick-ass video that presents the entire corporate identity package. Brillaint work by Mucca Design. Well-played, lads.

Brooklyn Fare from Mr. Mucca on Vimeo.

(via Eat Me Daily. Photo from Mucca Design, New York.)

Did you carve your Halloween pumpkin yet? Hope you didn’t throw away those seeds! Toasted Pumpkin Seeds are easy to make, taste great,  packed with protein and fiber (and are highly addictive!). We always prepare these while we’re carving our pumpkins (that way you only have one mess to clean up).

How to prepare Toasted Pumpkin Seeds:

When carving your pumpkin, use a large metal spoon to scrape the inside ‘pumpkin guts’ out into a large bowl or strainer. I use a strainer and run the water to separate the ‘guts’ from the seeds. The ‘guts’ are very fiberous and the seeds usually stick together in clumps. Separate the seeds and place in a large bowl.

In a large bowl, pour in olive oil until seeds are coated (but not drenched). Mix the seeds until the oil coats the seeds. Add a few pinches of kosher salt (this works much better than table salt – the granules are much larger and stick better.) Grind fresh pepper (optional) onto the seeds and mix.

Pour the seed mixture onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Spread them out as much as possible so that they cook evenly.

Sprinkle the seeds with your favorite sweet or savory seasoning. At our house, we’re big barbeque and spice fans, so we add Smoked Paprika. This adds a nice spicy, smoky flavor to the salty, peppery seeds.