Tulsa World, Okla., Robert Evatt column

Source: Tulsa World, Okla.迷你倉價錢Sept. 08--A reader recently took me to task for not mentioning that the tablet component of Cox Communications' new Contour experience -- which allows you to channel surf and dig up program information on tablets -- doesn't work with the first generation of iPad.My first reaction was that it wasn't a big deal. We're on the fourth generation of iPads, and by now few of the apps released at all don't work on the originals. The fact that the iPad one doesn't work on Contour shouldn't be a surprise.But I wondered this: why isn't it a big deal that new apps won't run on the original iPad? It's barely three years old.The tablet is an odd beast that lies somewhere between the traditional computer and the smartphone. Tablets are simpler and more streamlined than computers, but their size gives them more utility than smartphones.But you can typically own a computer for five years without running into many compatibility issues, and even after that you can still use certain new programs as long as you're choosy.Why are tablets different?Part of the path to obsolescence comes from the fact that tablets have become more powerful quickly. The first iPad was restricted to a single-core, 1Ghz CPU and a single-core GPU. The current model has a dual-core 1.4Ghz CPU and a four-core GPU.That's a huge jump and much faster than what modern computers have experienced in the same time.Tablets are also less modular than computers. PC programs have to account for lots of hardware configurations, but tablets come in a limited number of flavors. App development for tablets can be simpler because they can target specific configurations rather than try to make everything work. But that comes at the expense of leaving older configurations in the cold.The speed of obsolescence for tablets seems similar to that of smartphones, but price is a big difference. It's easy to get a discounted phone every two years as long as you sign a contract, so you're out only $200 or so. But most decent tablets cost much more, and discounts in exchange for contracts are rare.Tablet owners are in the worst position of the three when it comes to forced upgrades.I have no idea if that situation will change. As tablets mature, the improvement in power will likely level off to modern PC levels, and the gaps between versions will narrow.But the precedent has been set. It's possible the upgrade requirements will stay this rapid in years to come, simply because they can.Just a day after rumors surfaced that Google迷你倉will make a self-driving car, Nissan suddenly announced it'll make a self-driving car, too.The announcement from Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn, who said that thanks to work the company is doing in conjunction with MIT, Stanford, Oxford, Carnegie Mellon and the University of Tokyo, it'll have "commercially viable" self-driving cars by 2020.Though Google's self-driving car effort hasn't been confirmed, the timing of Nissan's announcement is telling. Either Google is trying to prod the traditional car-markers along, or we'll soon have a robot car race on our hands.That doesn't change the question of who is willing to put their lives on the line to try out a robot car.App of the Week:Songza (iOS, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, web) Music discovery apps are everywhere, though I've always been a fan of Songza. Rather than give you random songs from algorythms, the app gives you choices of numerous song lists specially curated by actual music lovers. A recent update has made Songza even more versatile.As before, Songza lets you pick songs suitable for a variety of activities, such as exercising, "driving in the left lane" and barbecuing. After you've selected an activity, you're given a wide variety of musical styles.You're then free to choose between several options for R&B barbecuing if country barbecuing isn't your thing. You're also free to search through all lists if you're musically adventurous.Songza, free.??算?? Suggest an app for App of the Week at robert.evatt@tulsaworld.comNissan on bandwagon for self-driving carJust a day after rumors surfaced that Google will make a self-driving car, Nissan suddenly announced it'll make a self-driving car, too.The announcement from Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn, who said that thanks to work the company is doing in conjunction with MIT, Stanford, Oxford, Carnegie Mellon and the University of Tokyo, it'll have "commercially viable" self-driving cars by 2020.Although Google's self-driving car effort hasn't been confirmed, the timing of Nissan's announcement is telling. Either Google is trying to prod the traditional automakers along, or we'll soon have a robot car race on our hands.That doesn't change the question of who is willing to put their lives on the line to try out a robot car.Follow us on TwitterFollow @RobertEvatt to get the latest tech news and insight from World technology writer Robert Evatt.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 Tulsa World (Tulsa, Okla.) 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