In the enterprise space cloud is less remarkable than its most vehement proponents would have you believe. The IBMs and Microsofts of the world have established metrics, case studies and methodologies for how it’s done. And, as IBM CEO Sam Palmisano said in a meeting with press at Armonk, New York Yesterday – this cloud stuff is “nothing new”. He’s seen it all before. In the consumer space things are different, however, and here I include small business.

In that arena cloud is pitched as a vital next-level computing paradigm. And so it is. Google, Microsoft and Apple are all being challenged by the consumer market for cloud solutions that enable a distributed personal computing model where online is everything and individuals rely on multiple devices that need to be kept in sync.

Google is perhaps most favourably positioned in terms of this new paradigm. In its arsenal it has… well, the Internet. Everything Google does is intrinsically online. Orchestrating cloud services for its technologies is a natural progression more than a challenge.

For Microsoft and Apple, however, distributed meshes in personal computing are contrary to the centralised approach they inherited from a previous era.

Before we continue, we must separate Microsoft in terms of enterprise and consumer markets. We’re talking about the Microsoft that is pushing Windows Live and Office Live services here – not the Microsoft that developed Azure. To make the point again: the challenges and principles are different for corporates – we’re dealing with personal computing in the consumer sense here where a distributed typography underpins the trend.

While Google was born online, Microsoft has made great inroads in moving into the cloud. The laggard here is Apple – but I get the feeling it is about to take a giant leap forward.

MobileMe was part of Apple’s first play with cloud services, along with iWork.com. As is the typical Apple approach Steve Jobs and co. started with simple services that are slowly being ramped up. Apple never goes all out at the get-go.

Jobs clearly has big plans. In recent months Apple has been ramping up its server infrastructure. A new data centre for the company is being rolled out in North Carolina to supplement its existing site in Newark, CA. With an east-coast centre online Apple will apparently add five times more capacity at a cost of about a billion dollars. Either Jobs thinks that MobileMe is going to grow substantially, or Apple is planning something big and new in the cloud space.

Speculation is rife as to what this could be. Recent acquisitions suggest that an iTunes streaming service is on the way – something that would allow you to store your media libraries in the cloud and access them from anywhere. This seems logical, but I get the feeling there is more to it.

Services like Dropbox and Google’s pending Gdisk are making amazing things possible in terms of online storage, while companies like Carbonite are taking online backup to the masses. My prediction is that Jobs intends to take MobileMe, which already includes iDisk, and turn it into Apple’s “hard drive in the sky” complete with Time Machine backup and a range of services building on iWork.com, Mail and its other existing offerings.

With Apple’s developer conference around the corner iPhone fixation has once again hit the market – but I would pay careful attention to Jobs’ “and one more thing” when he presents his keynote because I think it is likely he will announce additions to Apple’s cloud offering. It just makes sense to include MobileMe with every Mac, including a cloud hard drive for media and other file storage and backup. Apple needs to do something now as Microsoft and Google continue to plod ahead in terms of cloud services and third-parties fill in the gaps.

The recent launch of Ubuntu Linux 10.04 also introduced Ubuntu One, which is Canonical’s first romp into cloud services that includes online storage and a music store with cloud media services. In the next few months and years we are going to see Ubuntu rising to challenge what Google, Microsoft and Apple are doing in the space and I’m inclined to think that Jobs’ strategy will more closely resemble Ubuntu’s than anyone else’s.

I remember buying my first set of Technics SL 1200 turntables and a cheap Behringer mixer ages ago and learning to DJ on that. Since then I’ve tried a number of more modern hardware alternatives – starting with CDs, then looking at computers and even iPod mixers. Nothing compared to my turntables. Will the iPad change that? I think not.

But when it comes to live production, which is more of what Rana is doing, then the iPad undoubtedly offers some advantages, especially given the low price of software for the device when compared to their hardware equivalents.

Before the launch of the Apple iPad many potential uses were postulated for the device. The most prominent of these was in publishing as people perceived new applications and media delivery to tablet devices that would impact on the world of magazines and newspapers. Movies, textbooks and social networking were all correctly predicted to be the kind of things that the iPad would be good for. But few guessed that the device would mean big things in the world of music.Within two weeks of launch the iPad app store had over 180 music-related applications with many of these being committed to actively using the iPad for making music.

The most obvious of these applications were virtual piano apps like Virtuoso Piano and interesting DJ apps like  iTurntable. But more sophisticated applications have turned up such as AC-7 Pro Control Surface that allows for the iPad to be used as a control interface for professional audio applications and hardware.

There are even guides sprouting up online for more complicated setups, like using the iPad to control Ableton Live. And, as is obvious from the video above, it’s possible to use the iPad as a serious instrument.

Music apps made their way onto the iPhone originally and some pretty impressive things were achieved – like being able to use the iPhone as a virtual flute or as a unique instrument in itself using the Ocarina application.

While rudimentary music production was possible, and even mastered, on the iPhone, the iPad with its larger screen and more powerful processor is taking things to a new level. The device has only been available for two weeks, so I look forward to seeing what musicians and producers manage to pull off with the device in the next year or two.

From 1 April, Vodacom’s iPhone customers no longer have to wade through a long list of voicemails messages by calling 121 to get to the really important one that confirms that new job appointment or bond approval or marriage proposal…

Vodacom’s Visual Voicemail is a South African first voicemail management service for iPhone users, which enables customers to view their voicemail messages in a list format, including the number and time a voicemail came through, the same as with SMS or email messages.

From 1 April to 31 May, customers will be able to try out the product free of charge, while a nominal charge of only R9.99 per month will apply from 1 June. Customers who subscribe to Visual Voicemail for the first time from 1 June will get the first 30 days of their subscription free.

Vodacom iPhone users can use Visual Voicemail to read through a list of their voice messages; highlight the voicemail they want to listen to and, by enabling the speakerphone, listen, re-listen, ignore or delete voice messages in any order they please.

New and saved messages will remain in the customer’s 121 voicemail box for up to 7 days, unless the customer chooses to delete the voicemail message on their Visual Voicemail service which will automatically delete the message on 121.

Visual Voicemail will initially be available to all Contract, Prepaid and Top Up iPhone customers with iPhone Software Version 3 and higher. The service will be available on additional cellphone makes/models in the near future.

Shameel Joosub, Managing Director of Vodacom South Africa, said Visual Voicemail provides Vodacom iPhone users with an ability to, at-a-glance, view all their messages via an efficient and user-friendly interface.

“Visual Voicemail from Vodacom is a first for the South African market and will allow customers one-click access to any voicemail message in any chosen order in their mailbox. One of the great features of Visual Voicemail is that it allows customers to access messages, delete messages and compose messages, in any order they please, without dialing 121.”

iPhone customers can subscribe to Visual Voicemail by sending an SMS with ‘VVM On’ to 123 (FREE) to activate the service and ‘VVM Off’ to deactivate the Visual Voicemail service. Alternatively customers can call Vodacom’s customer care on 111, free from a Vodacom cellphone, or 082 111 from any other phone.

Good news! Thanks Vodacom.

The world’s largest PC manufacturer, HP has released more information about the Slate – its answer to Apple’s iPad. The latest information confirms some of the hardware specifications of the Slate, along with some of the peripherals that will be available for it.

We now know that the HP Slate:

• Runs Windows 7.
• Has at least one USB port.
• Has an SD card slot for memory expansion (up to 128GB extra) or getting media from cameras and other devices.
• Has two cameras, one on the back of the device and one on the front.
• Runs Skype, with video.
• Has a docking station that can be connected to a television or other additional monitor that it can push out high definition (up to 1080p) video to.
• Will be available in 32GB and 64GB versions with optional 3G connection.
• Will sell for between $549 and $599 in the USA.
• Rocks the Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor and 1GB of RAM.
• Has a GPS.
• Has a 9″ screen.
• Will provide about 5 hours of battery life.

How does this compare to the iPad? I think we’re really dealing with two different categories of device here.

There is little you will not be able to do with the HP Slate, which is really a tablet netbook, especially when it comes to content creation. The iPad is more of a media and information consumption device. It’s a computing appliance, while the Slate is a computer.

The iPad doesn’t multitask, doesn’t have cameras or USB ports and a SD card slot, all of which the HP Slate does have. But the iPad offers 10 to 12 hours of battery life as a result, and is also highly stable by all accounts, with less chance of operating system hangs and crashes.

The iPad is the device you go to when it’s time to play games, watch a movie or read books and your favourite websites. Sure, you could use it for content creation, but it is limited in this regard. The Slate, on the other hand, could allow for some serious work or collaboration, depending on what kind of keyboard solutions we see for (or on) it.

The iPad touchscreen and multitouch interface will undoubtedly beat the Slate, although I do take a risk in saying that, because we haven’t seen the Slate yet – but so far no one has come close to Apple in touch interface technology.

The Slate is likely to crash more often and will probably be less responsive than the iPad. I can’t imagine it being better for reading books or watching movies and the reduced battery life will be a big factor for some users – especially where price isn’t an issue.

But for most people the Slate will be irresistible. It costs as much as the iPad does, but you simply get a lot more bang for buck, barring battery life. And while I don’t see the two devices as being in the same category, I suspect most people would disagree with me.

CNN says the app is part of its ‘My South Africa’ brand campaign that was launched two years ago to raise the profile of South Africa to business and leisure travellers in the lead up to World Cup 2010.

The app allows users to view South African city guides, maps, travel tips and World Cup information and view photographs, send messages to friends, find weather and financial information and a range of other things. It’s clearly geared for tourists but should be useful for local users too.

Rani R Raad, senior vice president for advertising sales at CNN International said that the release of the app signified a change in how CNN engages with advertisers and their audience.

“As an in-house commercial team, it’s great to be able to take on the most creative of agencies and capitalise on harnessing the My South Africa concept into a highly relevant application around the biggest football event in the world. We look forward to seeing this App take the brand engagement potential to new heights,” said Raad.

William Prince, global manager of e-marketing for South African Tourism said, “This new iPhone application allows South African Tourism  to offer rich, engaging content that is very specific to the users and presented in a new and dynamic way. The content is fresh, accurate and appropriate for those traveling to South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, and allows the users to share all their stories and experiences straight from the iPhone.”

“The City Guide, the FIFA information and all of the additional functionality that the application offers, takes our brand to a whole new level. We’re very pleased and excited about the opportunity to do this with CNN Ad Sales and to extend the campaign into the pockets of our consumers,” he added.

The CNN iPhone app was created in conjunction with Turner Commercial Productions and Creative Spark Interactive in South Africa.

The app is linked to the My South Africa website, where there is a link to the free download.

There’s a new cult in town. You might’ve heard about it already. You may even be a member. If you haven’t, and you’d like to preserve the precious little time you have, stay away from PopCap’s new insanely addictive game – Plants vs. Zombies.

I started playing this tower-defence-type title on my Macbook and now it’s spread onto my iPhone. I can’t get enough. I may need help.

The premise of this game is, in a word, awesome. You have a house. Zombies are invading. You must collect sunshine and plant flowers that kill the undead ghouls deader than they already are. Were. Whatever.

Plants vs. Zombies has everything I want in a game – violence, humour, hordes of things to kill… and plants.

The first few levels of the game are set in your front yard where a small variety of zombies need to get smacked apart by a range of angry plants. As the game progresses, and moves from your front to backyard, into the swimming pool and onto the roof, more types of zombies are added, with a variety of resistances, and your collection of plants to tackle them with grows accordingly.

You’ll also get to tackle Zombies in the dark where you must rely on mushrooms and other, more nocturnal undead-killing flora. There’s also money to be collected from dead zombies, and which can be used to buy slaughtering accessories from your crazy virtual neighbour.

The game is available for PC, Mac, iPhone or you can play it online as a flash game. The desktop version costs R185 to register, but you can play for 60 minutes for free, while the iPhone version goes for $2.99 (at time of writing) and requires a US iTunes account.

This title is worth every cent. It’s addictive as hell and, if you have it on your phone, is the perfect diversion while waiting in queues. It steps up to precocious, big-budget titles like Heavy Rain and smacks them in the face with pure awesomeness. It also makes the point, again, that good gameplay trumps sophisticated graphics and physics engines every time. Go get it. Now.

I like it so much I made it my ‘pick of the week’ on the latest episode of the ZA Tech Show.

On Wednesday Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced his company’s latest creation to the world – the iPad. With a 9.7″ capacitive touchscreen and an operating system similar to the iPhone, the iPad has been designed to fill the gap between smartphones and laptops. On a technological level the device is amazing. Equally amazing is the deal Apple has struck with AT&T in the USA to offer 3G data at $14.99 per month for 250MB and $29.99 for unlimited bandwidth. But I’m not convinced that the gap the iPad fills exists for all but a small niche of computer users at this stage.

Steve Jobs pointed out that in order to fill this gap a device would have to be better at things like browsing the web and consuming digital media than a smartphone or a laptop. He added that, in this regard, netbooks had fallen short. And I agree with him.

The iPad apparently does all of these, and then some, better than any laptop or smartphone. But there are also a number of things it doesn’t do at all. And, for this reason, I don’t think the iPad will often leave the house with many of its early adopters.

I use myself as example; I have a 13″ Macbook, an iPhone 3GS and a menagerie of iPods that I have accumulated. When I travel I take my Macbook and iPhone with me. I use the laptop to write articles, browse the web, record and edit audio, produce video – the list goes on. The more demanding of these tasks, especially in audio and video, the iPad will not handle.

The iPhone I use as a phone, navigation device and pocket computer. It Geotags the photos I take with my Nikon D90 and I use it to watch television series and movies. It’s also an iPod, email client, Skype phone and other things. But it must fit into my pocket and it must be a phone. The iPad does neither.

If I was to buy an iPad it would stay at home. I couldn’t justify taking it with me on a trip instead of my Macbook, or my iPhone, because it doesn’t cover all of the bases. And I sure as hell am not going to lug around a third device – it may be better than anything else at browsing the web and watching videos, but not so good that I’d have it in my backpack along with my Macbook, which does a perfectly decent job of web browsing and video.

iBooks, the book store that Apple has added to its digital content offering, looks amazing – but I’m sure it’ll be available, and perfectly usable, on the iPhone too.

I can imagine someone with less demanding computing needs replacing their laptop with the iPad, especially considering the add-on keyboard accessory, and out-of-the-box compatibility with Bluetooth keyboards. I also foresee mobile processors becoming powerful enough in the future to enable tablet devices to replace laptops completely – but we aren’t there yet.

The 10 hour battery life will be a major advantage to people who can justify carrying around the iPad instead of a laptop – and for someone who has to endure long-haul flights fairly regularly, this is the only feature that would convince me to chuck the iPad in my bag.

There is a bigger picture to consider, however. The iPad is the beginning of a new chapter in computing. The tablet form-factor is going to have a big impact on everything from television to education. But it’s early days. Apple deserves credit for developing a technological marvel – and the price, starting at $499 in the US, will make it irresistible for tech enthusiasts and fans of the brand.

I foresee initial sales predominantly focused on the entry-level, WiFi device. It’ll hit the shelves a month before the 3G version and because most early adopters will be technology enthusiasts, will be home-bound while its owners favour beefier devices on the go.

In South Africa I expect we’ll see the device along with the rest of the world in 60 days – but it remains uncertain who its distributor will be. Core is the company that distributes all of Apple’s products in South Africa, except for the iPhone which is handled by cellular company Vodacom.

Then there’s the question of price – and the iPad will be subject to the same taxes and margins that the iPod Touch is, being a similarly classed device. The entry-level model should go for about R5000 in South Africa – anything more would be criminal.

And all this for a device we know nothing about.

Well, that’s not entirely true. But we know very little at time of writing. Apple has booked a venue for an event in January at which they are expected to announce something. We have heard that the company has been working with 10.1″ capacitive touch-screens and at the last big Apple event Jobs said that they were working on “some amazing new products.” But those are the only hard facts we have to go on. The rest amounts to hearsay.

Some of it is compelling, however. It seems likely that Apple has been in negotiations with major publishing companies, suggesting that it intends to add the likes of books, magazines and newspapers to the iTunes store that already offers movies, TV shows, music and applications.

A chinese businessman has also claimed to have insight into the looming device – which he says is indeed a 10.1″ tablet.

But the big questions are yet to be answered. Does the device have a physical keyboard? Who is its intended market? And the all-important: how much will it cost?

It’s amazing to me that some journalists will dismiss a product that Apple has clearly poured tons of money into researching and developing. They somehow assume to know more about these things than the company that introduced the world to personal computing.

I’m not sure that I need a tablet device – but how could I when no one has even seen what the bloody thing looks like? For all we know it might emit a frequency of sound that attracts supermodels and has an application to instantly solve global warming.

It might be less of an ‘internet tablet’ in the vein of the iPod Touch and iPhone, and more of a tablet computer such as those that HP and Lenovo have been peddling for some time. Does it sport a hybrid e-ink display? Has Apple managed to get the publishing industry onboard? No one knows. And until they do it’s difficult to take any of the speculation seriously.

This time the rumour has gone further than just rampant speculation, however – it has spawned an industry. Google and HTC have confirmed a looming tablet device based on the Chrome OS operating system. The controversial Joojoo is already available and many more are on the way. If the industry has learned one thing in the last decade it has been that Apple stopped making mistakes when Steve returned. When Apple throws its weight behind a concept you can expect fireworks.

I sometimes wonder if Apple purposefully throws rumours out into the blogosphere and then waits for the market to decide what its future products should and shouldn’t do, pouring that information into actual development. But of course they don’t – Steve knows what you want and need, even if you don’t.

My prediction is that the device will indeed address a niche market. Apple does that sometimes – the Macbook Air isn’t much more than an impressive nice-to-have. No one needs it, but scores of people want it, and that’s good enough. I can’t imagine anything that would replace my current combination of 13″ Macbook and iPhone 3GS. But if anyone could imagine such a thing it would be Apple.

The app runs on iPhone 3G and 3GS devices and includes a map of Southern Africa from Tele Atlas. It can be downloaded from http://www.tomtom.com/tomtom-app for $79.99 (about R600).

The app also comes with an extensive safety camera database including verified safety camera information. I’m hoping that they’ll be bringing in that wicked cradle too…