]]>
HP has been called out by many for having products that are extremely similar to Apple's. The Envy 15 shown above is a blatant rip-off of the MacBook Pro. The shape, placement of ports, size of the trackpad, shape of the keys, colors, materials, finishes, and radii of every component is similar, if not identical to Apple's (even the placement of gloss on the display is the same). Squint your eyes and they're indistinguishable.
Recently, laptops have become increasingly compact, making them more like our phones than traditional "computers". This has also made the design of these machines more difficult due to the limitation of space and layout of components. Heat and stress issues also become more pronounced as manufacturers force everything into tighter shells. This is the MacBook Air's internals and arguably, it has sparked the recent trend to build "ultrabooks". I'm not saying that Apple has invented this segment, but they have certainly popularized and created a new demand.
Recently, HP launched their own ultrabook, the Envy Spectre XT. Just like the way the Envy 15 comes off like a MacBook Pro imitation, this feels too similar to the MacBook Air for comfort. Vice President of Industrial Design at HP, Stacy Wolff was recently questioned by Engadget on the similarities. Here is a quote:
The thing is that you have to design what's right, and that is that sometimes the wedge is the right solution, silver is the right solution. I see a lot of differences as much as the similarities. I think anybody that's close enough to the business sees that there are differences in the design. Ours is rubber-coated at the bottom. We use magnesium; they didn't do that -- they use CNC aluminum. We did a brush pattern on our product; they didn't.
I don't think so. There is no doubt about it, this looks like a MacBook Air. Everything he has mentioned like the rubber bottom, the use of magnesium, and brushed textures don't hide the similarities. These differences are basically color, material and finish (CMF) differences. Designers go through CMF experimentations all the time during the development of a product. Apple may have even experiemented with identical materials as the Spectre XT. CMF is however only a part of what defines the design of a product. For example, cars are available in numerous colors and materials with different trim levels. This doesn't mean that a base Honda Accord in white with grey cloth doesn't look like a top of the line black Accord with black leather.
I'm not saying that the manufacturing processes and materials aren't fundamental parts of design. I'm saying that when something looks like something else, they simply look alike to the consumer. I also think when Wolff says, "close enough to the business ", it is inconsiderate. HP is making products for the consumer, not for people "close enough to the business".
In short: A copy is a copy.
He also says:
...there are a lot of similarities to everything in the market that's an Ultrabook today. It is not because those guys did it first; it's just that's where the form factor is leading it.
General similarity? Yes. But he isn't giving enough credit to the competing products.
Here are three examples of MacBook Air competitors that don't look like Apple products. The NEC LaVie Z looks the most similar to the Air but still looks radically different. The Vaio Z looks almost nothing like the Air but is still very thin and notorious for being a powerful machine. Sony has also assisted cooling by cleverly adding feet to the rear edge of the display. Also notice how both the NEC and Sony have Apple-like chiclet keyboards yet don't look like copy-cats. Then we have Dell's Adamo that is completely unique despite having a machined aluminum body like the Air. How is it that the magnesium Spectre XT looks more alike to the Air than the Alumium Adamo? This is evidence of the flaw in HP's thinking.
These laptops, particularly the Sony and Dell show that you can produce beautiful and unique products that are still functional. It is insulting for one to say that the form factor is preventing design innovation. This is why I respect the Z and Adamo's creators. You can see an effort to try something new. I don't see any of this in the Envy.
This is the Sony Vaio X505 from 2004. Predates the MacBook Air by (an amazing) 4 years. This laptop is often brought out by people that claim that the MacBook Air isn't unique. Both the Sony and the Air share a wedge-like shape. However, that's where the similarities stop. The HP looks like a brother of the MacBook Air. The Air looks like a third cousin, twice removed to the Sony.
Here is the Samsung N310 designed by Naoto Fukasawa to illustrate another point. It is very similar to the 2009 MacBook in general form but is still unique. A significant difference in radii is enough to make something look different. Says something about the Envy products.
And here are three products (that I all love) of similar functionality and size, but with completely different designs. I get very angry when I see copycat products. It is impossible to design something that isn't influenced by anything but influence isn't the same as imitation. I hold the belief that good designers are capable of producing amazing and new products from similar components, as shown above. This is why I don't think HP is giving enough credit and respect to designers. To say that the Envy is unique is saying that imitation is all designers are capable of.
]]>
Readers have been asking for wallpapers of my photos for their iPads. I've even seen some use the 800px-wide images from the blog. If there is a demand, there shall be a supply. So here are ten retina resolution (2048x2048px) wallpapers, for the 3rd Generation iPad but also work fine with all other iPad/iPhone models or similar devices. I've also labeled each image with the camera and location.
Two rules apply.
These are strictly for personal use and if you want to share them, please give me credit. I didn't watermark them because I trust you guys. Enjoy.
Click on the desired image to download a full resolution file.
Fuji X100 (Los Angeles, USA)
Panasonic GF1 (Seoul, S.Korea)
Panasonic GF1 (Tokyo, Japan)
Fuji X100 (Pasadena, USA)
Fuji X100 (Los Angeles, USA)
Panasonic GF1 (over Colorado, USA)
Fuji X100 (Vancouver, Canada)
Fuji X100 (Seattle, USA)
Fuji X100 (Los Angeles, USA)
Panasonic GF1 (New York, USA)
]]>
I've owned the Fuji X100 since August. This extended review won't cover too many technical details so if you're in the market for one, dpreview.
Here it is. The camera itself is surprisingly compact. It's essentially a mirrorless camera with an APS-C sized 12.3MP sensor.
The large APS-C sensor is really where the X100 shines. Unlike many other mirrorless cameras, it has stunning noise performance. These were shot in ISO3200 and they show no significant sign of noise.
The sensor is quite capable in a gamut of lighting conditions, whether it be natural or artificial.
Colors are also vibrant yet deep, in typical Fujifilm fashion.
Many cameras have a hard time of accurately capturing red. Fuji does a nice job here too.
Dynamic range performance is also quite fantastic. There's so much detail that is captured in the shadow/highlights that it's almost HDR-esque.
Another photo showcasing the level of detail in both the shadows and highlights. Many cameras would only have a usable upper or lower half in a photo like this.
I have written a Coffee Time post on my thoughts on the design of the camera. Being a hypocrite, I went with a very retro looking case. Fuji makes their own leather jacket but it's crazy over-priced. I went with this $40 third-party option.
This case is quite nice though. The X100 feels a little bit fragile so I recommend some kind of light protection.
There is one thing that's functional about the retro design - it makes the camera unintimidating. People avoid you when you point a SLR at them. They just think you're a hipster with a film camera when you point the X100.
It also has a near silent leaf shutter that will make you a photo ninja. I've even tried shooting in an Apple store and an employee came to ask what brand my messenger bag was, not to kick me out.
The controls are intuitive and super functional. The exposure compensation dial is most useful - especially since the X100 tends to slightly overexpose everything. You can see some light dings that I've gathered during my travels: magnesium is light but slightly on the soft side. Steel or brass (like Leicas) would have been optimal.
Here is an example of the X100 lightly over-exposing as usual. Once you learn how the camera is going to behave, it's easy to compensate for it.
As you may have noticed, I use the filter/lens-hood adapter on the X100. Using a UV filter also mitigates having to carry around that fiddly lens cap completely. My hood is made by a company called JJC and costs $15. Fuji's official hood is a crazy $140.
Without the hood, you can really see how compact this lens is. It's 23mm and fast at f/2.
23mm is seemingly perfect for my style of photography. I usually like to line everything up in the photo for a more organized appearance.
The lens is wide enough to take photos of buildings but also zoomed in far enough for street photography. This really is the sweet spot for me.
And because the 23mm lens is not removable and optimized specifically for the X100's sensor, it is sharp as a knife. It is slightly soft when wide-open at f/2 but is fine from about f/2.8.
Now here is the dark part. The camera is absolutely horrible at auto focusing. It is slow, inaccurate and has made me lose plenty of shots during my time with it. Fuji has issued multiple firmware updates to speed things up, but it's not been of much help. Manual focus is even worse because the lens is motor driven resulting in a big delay. This constant battle to focus forces you understand how the camera is focusing and makes you think more about how you'll be executing that shot.
Any photo that is at this distance or closer will also require you to manually change the camera to "macro mode". This is a huge irritant. I've done this so many times that it's become natural but it's definitely something that it shouldn't require human help with.
One of the first things that I test when I try out a camera is white balance performance. The Fuji X100 shines here too. The iPad was lit by natural light, the Nokia by mixed lighting, and the headphones were under nasty fluorescent lamps.
In conclusion, the Fujifilm X100 is simply the most lovable camera I've owned. It has one huge flaw, which is the horrendous autofocus. This makes it a hard camera to recommend to anyone but if you are patient and willing to put up with it, the X100 will reward you with beautiful pictures. Now that I've been using it for many months, my shooting style has been transformed by the camera. In product design, we always talk about how a product need to be used effortlessly. Not the case here at all. However, there is something about the X100 that makes me appreciate this difficulty. You have to earn your right to be able to use the camera. The X100 forces you to prepare and think about every photo you take. The X100 is definitely not a point-and-shoot. If you are prepared to take on a challenge and learn the ways of Fuji, this just might be the camera for you. Wax on, wax off.
For more sample photos:
]]>
I recently made a trip to Seattle. One of the places that I had wanted to visit was the Seattle Central Library run by the Seattle Public Library System. I have been told my people that this place was worth a visit but I didn't expect it to blow my mind like it did.
The library was opened to the public in 2004 and features floors (or platforms) that are offset from eachother. These platforms were then "wrapped" with a glass exterior shell. The building is striking but not necessarily pretty; the proportions just seem arbitrary to me.
The interior of the library is absolutely breathtaking though. This is the most exciting, exhilarating, and emotional library I had been in. No, it's the most stunning building I have been in period.
Some people have criticized this building for being too cold and lonely. I think it's helplessly beautiful in a cool, modernist way.
First floor has letterpress-like flooring.
The giftshop is on tracks so it sandwiches together when closing to hide the merchandise.
Navigating the library can get a bit overwhelming at first. The communicative signs in Futura (I think) help.
The interior is airy and warm thanks to the completely glass exterior structure. It helps blend the sidewalk with the interior of the building.
It's really amazing how brave this building is. I don't think I've ever seen a public structure this expressive.
This is the 4th floor where the meeting rooms are located. Hallways are completely painted in this blood red.
Stunning.
You can't help but feel like you're in a sci-fi movie walking through these halls.
Even the more quiet spaces are rather playful.
Escalators are universally finished in a fluorescent lime color. The single-file design along with the backlit panels makes it an almost a psychedelic experience.
The library only has escalators that go up though. To get down, you have to take the stairs or the elevator.
The reading room is lit with plenty of light and dark furniture to help you focus.
Furnished with .03 chairs designed by Maarten Van Severen and what looks to be the Joyn tables by the Bouroullec brothers.
Modern and communicative.
The elevator plaque. Not a fan of the cut-out letters; they just get filled with grime.
The color palette of the library gorgeous regardless of where you are.
The "main" floor of the library is appropriately called the "living room". The library consistently uses non-traditional names that helps to make your stay exciting. The book collection is called the "spiral" and the computer workspace is called the "mixing chamber".
A concrete center block provides much of the structural rigidity.
More beautiful escalators.
I would work here everyday.
The bookshelves have these frosted ends that helps the shelves look organized without being too monolithic.
The Dewey Decimal numbers are labeled on the floor.
More examples of eye-catching labelling.
The padded ceiling of the highest floor that is open to the public.
From this floor, you can also watch people browsing and working.
I had a great time at the Central Library. The design of the building is controversial but inarguably brave and a fascinating space to be encompassed by. It's also an incredible feat when you consider that libraries are normally the most dull public spaces you come across. If you're ever in the area, a visit here is a must.
]]>
I have been using a horrible (yet cheap) stylus made by Elago. After hearing many people speak fondly of the Wacom Bamboo Stylus, I decided to order one. The price of the Bamboo ($30) is why I didn't get one from the get-go.
Comes in a variety of colors. It's also available in black which isn't shown on the box.
*note: I've been asked by a few people if this box comes with all 5 colors. The answer is no. Wacom seems to have one box for all 5 products to save money on printing.
In terms of built quality, it's superb. The metal body is well finished and the plastic grip has a nice smooth grain. You can apparently order and replace the tips, which is good to know.
The clip is removable too. The stylus rolls around like crazy without it so I don't see anyone removing it.
The tip isn't tiny but it's smaller than many. I haven't had any accuracy issues during my tests.
The great thing about the Bamboo is the sensitivity. It's the first rubber-tip stylus I have seen that requires almost no pressure to work. The tip is also softer than most, which lets it slide around on the glass surface effortlessly.
Here are a few sketches I did on the plane today with the Wacom and Paper. If you are in the market for a stylus, just get the Bamboo. If you look for a better deal, you'll end up buying that and then buying a Bamboo like me.
]]>
]]>
I don't think I've ever posted an app review on minimallyminimal. Paper by FiftyThree (apparently the same team that had worked on the Courier), is one of the finest apps I've ever come across so I had to share it.
Think of Paper as a digital interpretation of a Moleskine. I've been using it as my primary notebook for the past week and it's been completely serviceable. The app is free but you have to pay for the pens/brushes. The total cost for every tool comes out to $8 which is not much considering how much people spend on pens and notebooks. I do wish that Paper would have just charged something like $5 for the app and ditched the whole stationary store model.
Paper is great for sketching. Due to the limitation of the tools, it's not going to produce fine renderings but for quick sketches, it's ideal. I love the fact that Paper gives you only nine colors and one layer to draw on. This simplicity forces you to embrace what you are given and work in creative ways.
And with the brilliant retina display of the new iPad, the app really does shine. The feel of the tools like the pencil and brush are so realistic that you forget that you're sketching on a piece of glass. I'm using a stylus made by Elago but I don't like it at all. I just ordered the Bamboo stylus as a replacement and I'm hoping it'll be better. Here are some more samples of sketches I've done in the app:
I've also gotten requests to record myself sketching. Here is a sped up video this T-Rex. It took about 15 minutes for the whole drawing.
If you own an iPad, this app is a must. Paper has joined Tweetbot and instapaper as my most frequently used apps. Couldn't recommend it more.
]]>
]]>
