ThinkingAutomation

 Update: Looks like I’m not the only one that had concerns with the Macbook Air.

Every year the annual Macworld Expo brings the blogosphere to a complete halt with the multiple announcements of Apple products that are to dominate the new year. 2006 was the Intel iMacs. 2007 was the iPhone. 2008 is the Macbook Air. In move that is similar to last year’s unveiling of the iPhone, the Macbook Air is sure to revolutionize the way laptops are used in the years to come. Or is it?

While the design and aesthetic look of the Macbook Air makes it one of the best looking Apple computers to date, I feel there is one problem with the Macbook Air that is preventing it from taking off like the iPod did way back in 2001: there is no clear type of consumer that the Macbook Air is intended for. At first I thought that the Air was intended for college students, seeing as Apple is one of the most popular brands for the 18-24 demographic group, and the Air is basically a computer version of the popular iPod Nano. The main thing I see going against this line of thinking is the lack of features on the laptop, specifically the absence of any optical drive and the lack of USB ports. While the idea of wirelessly installing software from a different computer’s drive sounds really cool, it just isn’t realistic for a college student who more than likely is not going to have a spare computer lying around. Also the idea of having to exclusively download music/movies off of iTunes is pretty unrealistic for a community that is much more likely to pirate

So if college students are not going to purchase a Macbook Air, that leaves the business users. Ultraportable laptops have been “the thing” in the business world for a while now, and it doesn’t look like that is going to change any time soon. My reason for not thinking that business consumers will be pumped about the goes back to the same reasons I mentioned before, namely a lack of the features. While the price will be within a business consumer’s price range and the 5 hour battery life is sure to turn some heads, the combination of a non-removal battery and no optical drive really hurts it chances at standing out from the rest of the ultraportables on the market. This is due to the fact that most ultraportables have an extra battery (not possible with the Macbook Air) and more input devices than 1 USB port (more USB ports, Firewire, etc.) than the Macbook Air.

All in all I really don’t see any reason for anyone to purchase a Macbook Air within the given features and starting price. If anyone is interested in using a Mac as an ultraportable it’s a much better move to go with the Macbook, which has several more features at almost half the cost.

Technology has historically served as an impetus for profound changes throughout human civilization. From the advent of farming to the internet, the past is replete with examples of the transformative power of applying the mind to its environment.

In the modern day, the next transformative advancement appears focused upon extending the control and accessibility the internet gave us over information to the realm of matter … one atom at a time.

The possibilities nanotechnology will enable are currently predicted to be literally endless. From futuristic disease-isolating biomarkers, to reparable, super-strong chains of carbon nanotubes, this scientific field is advancing at a rate that may be outpacing public awareness.

While it is clear that advertisers are capitalizing upon public awareness of this “diminutive” trend, and policymakers are starting to pay attention to the potential health risks, the discussion of potential future abuse seems limited in scope.

The US military has made the development and mastery of this technology a high priority. This, when viewed in light of the increasing levels of (and efforts towards) militarization of our society, especially at the highest echelons of executive power, indicate that the wariness seen today needs to be extended beyond the standard policy formulations of risk, especially as we approach the realization of these tools of infinite potential. Without an eye to the greatest possible abuses, future defensive mechanisms and regulatory structures designed to preserve the notion of freedom currently enjoyed by many US citizens may prove woefully inadequate for their purpose.