tablets

Pressly Pressing the Right Buttons

By Mark Evans in Startups No Comments Tags: , , ,

In addition to writing this blog, I write a twice-a-week online column for the Globe & Mail’s “Start” section about entrepreneurs and start-ups. With the growing number of interesting start-ups, I’ve been writing profiles on a growing number of companies.

This week, the column is about Pressly, which has created a technology that lets publishers offer their content on a tablet browser with the same “swipe and read” features as an app. Pressly has resonated with publishers because it means they don’t have to make a large investment in creating a stand-alone app and, as important, it opens up new advertising opportunities.

Among the highlights of the interview with Pressly co-founder Jeff Brenner is there’s growing line-up of customers, including The Economist Group and NBC Universal, and the Toronto-based company will be actively looking for venture capital early next year to take the business to the next level.

You can read the entire column here.

Time to Pull the Trigger on the iPad?

By Mark Evans in Apple/iPod 7 Comments Tags: , , ,

I should have an iPad but I don’t…yet. As someone immersed in the digital world personally and professionally, an iPad should be part of my technology tool kit. As well, it’s difficult to tell people about the wonders of something when you have little experience actually using it.

In other words, it’s embarrassing not to have an iPad but I have somehow managed to justify it. Some of my “excuses” are I already have a MacBook Pro and an iPhone so I’ve got the “iThing” covered. As well, I’m not sure if there’s a fit or a compelling need within my technology tool kit. And then there’s the reluctance to purchase the first iteration of any new product, particularly given Apple’s habit of making the next-generation so much better.

But is now the time to bite the bullet and buy an iPad2? Is the newer, sleeker, thinner and faster iPad2 simply too compelling to resist? Has Apple eliminated the “barriers to entry”?

The answer is “Absolutely….definitely…I think so.” In other words, I’m closer to buying an iPad2 but not completely convinced…yet. As much as the iPad is uber-cool, I’m still questioning whether I need/want it or whether it’s the best option given the plethora of tablets hitting the market.

Some of my issues with the iPad include the lack of a USB connection and the inability to tether it to an iPhone (or another wireless device) without a “crack”. At the same time, I’m curious about Android’s “Honeycomb” operating system for tablet devices, which has been much touted.

In other words, I’m still torn about the iPad. That said, if I was walking by an Apple store AND they happend to have an iPad2 in stock AND there were a few dollars burning a hole in my pocket, you never know what could happen.


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