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Apple aims high.  If this is more than just a rumor and becomes reality, Apple would not only have one of the best video streaming services available, but it also would have dealt a nasty blow towards Microsoft.  Currently Netflix is one of the few major users of Microsoft’s Silverlight technology and chances are high that if bought out, Apple would discontinue it’s use.  I hope Netflix remains on its own.

The past couple of weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to stay more on top of the news as I’ve been watching the stock market.  Up goes the Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) soaring to new stock highs despite disappointing results of iPad sales and Steve Jobs talking bad about Blackberry’s and other tablets.  Releasing the new Macbook Air and Mac OS 10.7 “Lion”Apple now has made the decision to not include Adobe Flash player preinstalled on it’s Macintosh computers.  Barring Flash also as a development environment until recently, it seems that the big A’s are poising into positions of greater hostility.  The bright side of these happenings would be one of security.  Usually, by the time a person purchases their computer, Adobe Flash already has some updates that need to be installed.  By not having the player, it would force users of new computers to download the latest version thus ensuring they have the most secure version available.  This is the only reason that makes sense not to have Flash preloaded and is not a bad idea.

On the other hand, that only addresses Macintosh computers.  The iPad and iPod iOS platform still bans Flash web browsing and that is starting to really annoy me.  Being a avid user of Google Finance for stock charts, I really like the ability to scroll through charts and see exactly the effect of breaking news in correlation to the stock market.  Many sites these days do use some bits of Flash.  And certainly Flash adds rich content which can add enormous functionality to a site.  Perhaps what Apple should do instead of making enemies is just jump on the band wagon and make a version of Safari where Flash would just work – and besides, it is the iOS platform…shouldn’t everything be sandboxed anyway thus preventing problems?  I’m happy that HTML 5 is here, but I still want my Flash.

I seriously feel that Apple is the little kid on the block trying to bully others in the industry.  Like a little dog which may have sharp teeth but overall he’s still tiny and he’s barking at the wrong and very much larger dog which could shred it to pieces.  With upcoming tablets such as the Archos which supports not only Flash viewing but offers a slew of additional technologies including the webcam and a micro SD slot for only a mere $300-350 USD, the appeal of getting an iPad begins to drop.  Apple is shooting themselves.  Many people know how to develop with Flash.  It kind of leaves a bit of a nasty taste in the mouth when yes, now you can use Flash, but previously Apple fought hard and lost due to public pressure.  The tablet war has only just begun – don’t get too puffed up Apple as a simple pin would make a pretty loud bang.

Not long ago, I took a look at a pretty cool new app, an interactive, 3D storybook for the iPad called The Wrong Side of The Bed.  My thoughts on it previously were pretty positive.  It is a good story, with great graphics…not to mention that it features eye popping 3D and a well read narration should you choose to listen to the book instead of reading it yourself.

The new upgrade features some fantastic interactive animation.  On many pages, you can tickle the main character, Mott, to see his different reactions to the situation at hand.  The new version of the book is also chock full of new animations and sound effects, which really add to the story’s entertainment value.  Check it out for all iOS devices in the iTunes App Store.  The interactive ebook costs $2.99 for the iPad and $1.99 on iPhone and iPod Touch.

It is no secret around here that I am a huge fan of Backflip Studios.  They are one of my favorite game developers for iOS devices.  If I have had one complaint about them so far, however, it is that they have been slow to upgrade many of their games to be iPad compatible.  Finally, that is starting to change. 

A few weeks ago, they released Ninjump HD, the HD version of their popular ninja running up a building game.  Now, they have announced the release of two fantastic iPhone games for the iPad.  First is Ragdoll Blaster 2 (coming October 28), the incredible follow up to their popular Ragdoll Blaster.  Not only are the graphics upgraded for the iPad, the game also includes an entire section filled with complex levels designed specifically for the iPad.  Also out now is Paper Toss: World Tour HD, the iPad version of their popular game in which you tour the world attempting to complete a task which many of us perform on a daily basis…toss a waded up piece of paper into the garbage can.

Now, if only they would develop HD versions of Graffiti Ball and Harbor Havoc 3D, then I would be one happy reviewer.