Author: Daniel Brusilovsky

VP, Technology at Golden State Warriors.

iPhoneTypingTest.com

You probably know how fast you can blaze up a regular keyboard, and maybe you’ve even taken a typing test on a more traditional mobile keyboard found on Windows Mobile or BlackBerry handsets – but how fast are you on your iPhone’s virtual keyboard? iPhoneTypingTest.com ought to help you answer that question, as it does just what its name suggests: the site (which recommends you use it in landscape mode for optimum visual layout) presents a text entry box that, once tapped on, will allow you to re-type the text that appears above the box in an effort to test your iPhone typing speed. It’s a simple system that seems to work well; on my first try in portrait mode (I personally find the landscape keyboard too wide to work with) I scored 21 wpm with “some error(s),” and second try I nabbed 31.

How good of an iPhone typist are you? Be honest – your web honor is at stake.

RBC report weighs in on Apple’s iPhone, iPod roadmaps

Apple Inc. may be planning to manufacture as many as 8 million iPhones before the end of the 2007 calendar year, ahead of second-generation models that will reportedly include more storage capacity and brandish higher-resolution displays, according to researchers at RBC Capital.

In a research report issued to clients on Thursday, analyst Mike Abramsky said his checks suggest Apple will handily meet its stated iPhone sales goal of 10 million units in the first 18 months, with a plan to produce 8 million units in 2007 and at least 12-14 million unit in total before the end of 2008.

“Consistent with its iPod product cycles, Apple’s 2007 plans may include offering higher memory (e.g. 16GB) iPhones, while refreshing existing models at lower cost (possibly a refreshed 8GB version at $349 – $399) to expand demand,” the analyst wrote.

Abramsky said the Cupertino-based firm’s build plans appear to include inventory for both Canadian and European launches between the fourth quarter of 2007 and the second quarter of 2008, as well as inventory for an iPhone roll-out in Asia by mid-2008.

By the Spring of 2008, the analyst also see “a 3G/HSDPA iPhone” and says Apple appears to be planning a larger display (480×720, vs. 480×320 currently) for that specific model, or others.

“The higher definition version could be compelling, able to replay content in near HD as well as splay resolution of digital cameras and video recorders,” he wrote. “Additionally, given 480×720 is the lowest resolution Apple TV supports, this higher resolution iPhone may also offer some form of personal entertainment integration to Apple TV.”

At the same time that Apple launches iPhone in Europe and Asia, the company may also upgrade its existing iPhone to UMTS/HSDPA (3G) and possibly bump storage capacities as high as 16GB, Abramsky added.

However, the analyst advised clients that “UMTS/HSDPA is newer, more complex technology (unlike EDGE which is more proven) and poses battery consumption and other challenges, thus it may take more time for Apple to stabilize and complete carrier testing and certification a 3G iPhone, hence our view of a Spring 08 launch.”

Meanwhile, the RBC analyst said iPod-related checks indicate that Apple is planning an iPod line refresh during the fourth quarter of this year that would include an updated iPod Nano and new video iPod.

“Some or all are of these iPods are expected to include larger displays, more memory and integrated wireless (Wi-Fi),” he wrote. “The most significant update may be a new iPod Video, which could include iPhone- like features including widescreen, touchscreen, WiFi, Mac OS X, and possibly larger flash memory capacity (16GB) or HDD (30/80GB).”

Contrary to recent speculation of a ‘Nano’ phone, Abramsky said Apple is likely to maintain clear distinction between lower priced media devices (iPods) and more expensive devices with communications (iPhones) that also require a service commitment.

Thus far, the analyst believes Apple has sold somewhere between 850,000 and 950,000 iPhones, but expects that number to balloon to 1.1 million to 1.5 million by the time the company reports fiscal third quarter results on July 25th.

“From checks we estimate iPhone sell-through at 850- 950k to date (we est. 450-500k 1st weekend),” he told clients. “Supply constraints caused stock-outs at most AT&T stores and some Apple stores, but most are replenishing this week, and checks indicate sustained demand.”

Based on his checks, Abramsky raised his iPhone sales outlook to 13.5 million units by the end of 2008. He said first weekend sales of the device are likely to contribute $10 million in revenue to the company’s recently-ended June quarter, ultimately boosting the firm’s total annual sales to $32.2 billion in fiscal 2008.

RBC maintains an Outperform rating on shares of Apple with a $160 price target.

MVP Suzuki’s 2-run inside-the-park HR helps AL hold off NL 5-4 for 10th straight All-Star win

Ichiro Suzuki sped around the bases as the ball bounced away from Ken Griffey Jr. for the first inside-the-park home run in All-Star game history. On a night of tricky hops, Suzuki and the American League rebounded to win — as usual.Instead of a Barry Bonds splash shot, the defining hit at Tuesday’s All-Star game was Suzuki’s drive off the right-field wall at quirky AT&T Park.

His two-run homer in the fifth inning put the AL ahead, then Carl Crawford and Victor Martinez added conventional shots and the Americans held on for a 5-4 victory over the Nationals.

“I thought it was going to go over the fence,” Suzuki said through a translator. “When it didn’t, I was really bummed.”

In a decade of dominance, the AL has won 10 straight games played to a decision, with the notorious 2002 tie at Milwaukee interrupting the run. The only longer streak was when the NL took 11 in a row from 1972-82.

“We’re tired of losing always,” the Chicago Cubs‘ Derrek Lee said. “We just want to win one and put all of this to rest.”

Suzuki’s home run ball — smudged with green and red and signed by the Japanese star — immediately was handed over to the Hall of Fame.

“He’s an artist with that bat,” NL manager Tony La Russa said.

That wasn’t the only drama.

Alfonso Soriano hit a two-out, two-run homer in the ninth that made it 5-4, and the NL loaded the bases on three walks. Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez then retired Aaron Rowand on a routine fly to right for a save.

“I didn’t enjoy it a bit,” said AL manager Jim Leyland, so competitive that he screamed at an umpire in the ninth.

Willie Mays, Bonds’ godfather, was honored with a touching tribute before the game. In the Say Hey Kid’s day, the NL ruled All-Star games but not anymore. The AL closed to 40-36-2 and improved to 5-0 since the All-Star winner received homefield advantage in the World Series.

“Nobody wants to lose,” Griffey said.

Soriano, who joined Frank Robinson as the only player to hit All-Star homers with each league, connected off Seattle closer J.J. Putz, who then walked J.J. Hardy. Rodriguez relieved and walked Lee on a full count — Leyland screamed at first-base umpire Charlie Reliford about a check swing. A walk to Orlando Hudson loaded the bases before Rowand’s fly ended it.

National League's Alfonso Soriano, of the Chicago Cubs, hits a home run in the ninth inning during the All-Star baseball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, July 10, 2007.
AP – Jul 11, 12:39 am EDT

“I just missed it, just missed it,” Rowand said. “I was trying to hit a line drive somewhere, score a couple of runs. I just missed hitting that ball off or over that fence.”

Suzuki, on the verge of a large contract extension from the Mariners, had been 3-for-15 in All-Star play coming in. He got three hits, was the game’s MVP and will be remembered for his strange shot, unfamiliar even to ballpark regulars such as Bonds.

“He came up to me and said I’ve never seen that happen before,” Griffey said.

Fans had waited in kayaks out in McCovey Cove beyond right field in vain for some shots into the water — no souvenirs found their way into the chilly bay.

Bonds, the center of attention in the days before the game, had a quiet night. He flied to right field in the first, hit an opposite-field shot to the warning track in left in the third, then departed at the top of the fourth.

He received a huge ovation after he came out on the red carpet during the pregame introductions and bowed three times to his adoring hometown fans. Hitting in the No. 2 spot — his last regular-season appearance in that slot was 20 years ago — he even faked a bunt on the first pitch of his second at-bat.

“There’s too many emotions to be able to explain it,” he said. “This is my family who I grew up for a lot of years. All I can do is say thank you.”

His chase for Hank Aaron’s home run record resumes later this week, and the scrutiny will return. But for a night, the swirl of steroids speculation lifted along with the San Francisco fog.

Griffey, perhaps the closest to a latter-day Mays baseball has seen, drove in two runs for the NL with a first-inning single and a sixth-inning sacrifice fly.

Boston’s Josh Beckett got the win, and San Diego’s Chris Young — who gave up Suzuki’s homer — was the loser.

Young entered to start the fifth and walked his first batter, Brian Roberts. One out later, Suzuki reached down and golfed a ball to right-center field. It hit off an All-Star ad in an area known as the arcade and instead of bouncing straight back, it kicked toward right field.

“It just hit the corner and bounced the other way,” Griffey said. “I tried to make a good throw to the cutoff man and hoped that he would fall down.”

American League's Ichiro Suzuki, of the Seattle Mariners, laughs as he poses with the MVP trophy following the All-Star baseball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, July 10, 2007. The American League defeated the National League 5-4.
AP – Jul 11, 12:35 am EDT

Suzuki was at third by the time Griffey got to the ball and easily sped home for the first inside-the-park homer of his major league career — since joining the majors in 2001, he had never hit one in the regular season or playoffs. An All-Star every season he’s played in the majors, his homer put the AL ahead 2-1.

Second in the majors with a ,359 average, Suzuki joked about his power.

“If I’m allowed to hit .220, I could probably hit 40,” he said, “but nobody wants that.”

Before a ballpark record crowd of 43,965 on an overcast evening, Mays was honored for being perhaps the greatest five-tool player in the sport’s history. After the All-Stars were introduced, he walked in from center field, flanked by Bonds and Derek Jeter, between two rows of the assembled players. The tribute was similar — but less emotional — than 1999’s ceremony honoring Ted Williams at Boston’s Fenway Park.

Griffey was the early star. He put the NL ahead with an RBI single in the first off Dan Haren, then threw out Alex Rodriguez trying to score from second in the fourth on Ivan Rodriguez‘s single.

Crawford homered with two outs in the sixth against Francisco Cordero to make it 3-1. The ball went a little to the center-field side of Suzuki’s shot, about 20 feet from the sign that totals Bonds’ homers, currently 751. A fan appeared to reach over the brick wall, about 19 feet high, and gather up the ball.

Griffey drove in the NL’s second run with a sacrifice fly in the bottom half against Justin Verlander after Carlos Beltran nearly duplicated Suzuki’s shot off the wall but was held to a triple by Vladimir Guerrero. Martinez hit the 18th pinch homer in All-Star history, a two-run drive in the eight off Mets closer Billy Wagner.

Bonds didn’t seem to mind that he wasn’t the hero.

“It was fabulous. It was great,” he said. “Another chapter to my career.”

Notes

The AL and NL began the night tied with 326 runs each in All-Star play. … There have been two inside-the-parkers in the ballpark: by Fernando Vina on May 9, 2000, and Dustan Mohr on Aug. 4, 2004. … Young pitched the fifth inning and made pickoff throws to Lee. The pair were suspended for brawling at Wrigley Field on June 16 after Young hit Lee with a pitch. … Jeter was 1-for-3, leaving him at 8-for-16 in All-Star play. … After the game, a recording of Yankee Stadium public address announcer Bob Sheppard invited fans to next year’s game in New York.