So my earlier idea of using an iPhone or iPod touch as the gateway into an electronic lab notebook for tracking protocols and doing real-time data entry has been given some conflicting signals from the powers that be. One of those powers (my boss) answered my long (but not too long) email proposal with a one word reply. What was the word you ask? ... "cute" ... No signature even.
Another higher power (the internet) quickly followed that crushing monosyllabic bitch-slap with an uplifting rumour from AppleInsider that Apple is developing a PDA device based on the iPhone & Touch UI, but with a bigger screen. Bigger screen (woohoo!) and the potential to install non-Apple third party apps (highly unlikely given Apple's recent activities) would be an ideal device to use as a lab e-notebook tablet.
Oh, whom do I listen to??? Should I drop the project completely? Or should I table the project until the a new, (relatively) low-cost, and developer-friendly device pops into existence?
In the end, I decided to listen to my inner voice, you know the impatient one, and just bought myself a touch to play around with for the time being. If this mythical iPAD ever sees the light of day, I'll raise the issue again with the G-man and get him to foot the bill for what will probably be a more expensive device. Either way I win ;) Unless of course he calls my bluff ...
