iPad Wallpaper: The Rockies from 30,000 Feet

In my new iPad and iPhone 4S camera shootout article I included a stunning photo of the snow-covered Rocky Mountains.  The photo was taken by photographer Elliot Shev as he flew over the Rockies.  It's an impressive photo, especially when you consider that it was shot through the airplane's window.  The bonus, of course, is that it was taken with Apple's new iPad (third-generation).

A couple of readers wrote to ask if the photo could be made available in the new iPad's retina display resolution.  I'm pleased to report that Elliot has consented to allowing Mark's Hangout to host the photo for all to enjoy on their new iPads.  Click the image below to open the 2048 x 2048 version and then save the larger image.

Rockies from 30,000 Feet by Elliot Shev (used with permission)

Elliot's photo makes for a very nice background wallpaper.  In fact, it's the photo that I am currently using on my iPad!

 

It seems appropriate that the photo used as the new iPad's wallpaper background is a photo actually taken with a new iPad!  My thanks to Elliot for sharing his terrific image!

New iPad and iPhone 4S Camera Shootout

I've seen some very beautiful photos that were taken with the new iPad ("iPad 3").  Apple used the same 5-megapixel sensor in the iPad 3 as they used in the iPhone 4, but added the optics that were used in the iPhone 4S.  How does that combination compare to the 8-megapixel sensor (and same optics) found in the iPhone 4S?  Let's take a look.

Test Method

The test objects were positioned in a portable product studio.  The photos were taken outdoors, on a sunny day.  The natural light was diffused through the portable product studio's translucent white panels.  This arrangement created an even light on the test objects that was somewhere between dim indoor light and bright outdoor light.

Three cameras were used, an iPad 3, an iPhone 4S, and, as a "best-case" control, a Canon 5D Mark II digital SLR with a Canon 24-105 zoom lens.  The 5D Mark II's lens was set to 35mm (to match the 35mm effective focal length of both the iPad 3 and the iPhone 4S).  The 5D Mark II was set to its lowest ISO setting of 100.  The iPad 3 defaulted to ISO 80 and the iPhone 4S defaulted to ISO 64.  The 5D Mark II was in aperture priority mode at f-5.6, which came closest to approximating the depth of field range of the two Apple cameras.  Shutter speeds varied but all cameras were supported to eliminate movement.  All cameras were set to auto for white balance.

The iPad 3's maximum resolution of 1926 x 2592 made it lowest resolution device in the test (the iPhone 4s has a resolution of 2448 x 3264 and the 5D Mark II was set to JPEG mode at a resolution of 3744 x 5616).  However, all images were loaded into Photoshop and cropped to a resolution of 1900 x 2400 at 72 dpi to level the playing field as effectively as possible.  No other adjustments were made to the images.

Results

Click on any image to expand it to full-size.

iPad 3

iPhone 4S

5D Mark II

A Closer Look

Since the full-size images are quite large, here are some 100% crops at 500 x 450 so you can more readily compare color accuracy, sharpness, detail, noise and optical distortion.

iPad 3

iPhone 4S

5D Mark II

iPad 3

iPhone 4S

5D Mark II

Analysis

Even with the improved optics, the iPad 3's 5-megapixel sensor was no match for the 8-megapixel sensor in the iPhone 4S.  The iPhone 4S image was sharper, more detailed, and had less noise.  With regard to color accuracy, the iPad 3 did a better job with reds and purples while the iPhone 4S did a better job with blues, yellows and fleshtones.  Greens were roughly equal.  The iPad 3 produced whites tinted toward blue while the iPhone 4S produced whites tinted toward magenta.

Of course, both Apple cameras fell short compared to the 5D Mark II.  But that's not really a fair comparison.  This shootout was between the iPad 3 and the iPhone 4S.

Winner: iPhone 4S

As the saying goes, the best camera is the one you have with you.  Most iPad and iPhone owners are not going to take photos of color patterns and test objects and then scrutinze the images at magnification.  Both the new iPad 3 and the iPhone 4S produce much higher quallity images than was possible with minature image sensors just a few years ago.  But if I'm picking between the two, I'd reach for my iPhone 4S first.  And, let's face it, the iPhone 4S is easier to carry around.  It's a teriffic "one you have with you" camera.

Real-World Images

Here are two real-world images that were taken with Apple cameras.   Click the images to expand them to full-size.  I've reduced them both to 1400 x 1046 resolution so they can be viewed with little or no scrolling.  Can you tell which was taken with an iPhone 4S and which was taken with an iPad 3?

Dog by MacRumors Forum Member (used with permission)

Rockies by Elliot Shev (used with permission)

So, which is which?  Scroll down for the answer in the update below.

Update on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at 6:12PM by Mark

Answer:  It's a trick question.  Both images were taken with an iPad 3!

Apple Wins Coded Magnet Patent for iPad Smart Cover

Patently Apple reports that Apple has won the first coded magnet patent for iPad Smart Cover.

Apple has won their first coded magnet patent win today. Apple's invention generally relates to a system, method, and apparatus for releasably attaching the iPad smart cover accessory to an iPad. The iPad Smart Cover includes at least an accessory body and a magnetic assembly pivotally connected to the accessory body. The magnetic assembly includes at least a first plurality of magnetic elements arranged adjacent one another in a first relative size order along a first line and arranged according to a first polarity pattern of alternating magnetic polarities, and a second plurality of magnetic elements arranged adjacent to one another in a second relative size order along the first line and according to a second polarity pattern of alternating magnetic polarities.

This is quite interesting, especially considering my recent discovery that Apple's new iPad ("iPad 3") features a new type of sleep/wake sensor that requires a specific polarity.

Many, Many Magnets

iFixit performed a teardown on the Apple Smart Cover last year.  They discovered that the Smart Cover contained more than 20 magnets.  One of the magnets (circled in the photo below) is for triggering the iPad's sleep/wake sensor.  The remaining magnets are designed to allow the Smart Cover to quickly attach and properly align with the iPad.

Smart Cover and iPad 2 Magnet Locations - Right Side (Photo by iFixit)

Since Apple released the iPad 2 and Smart Cover, dozens of third-party manufacturers have introduced a variety of cases, folios and covers that utilize magnetic "Smart Cover" technology to one degree or another.  It remains to be seen how Apple's newly-awarded patent might impact the third-party iPad case market.

iPad 3 Smart Cover Sleep/Wake Feature Not Working

Apple released the new iPad ("iPad 3") on Friday, March 16, 2012.  Unfortunately, new iPad buyers quickly discovered that their iPad's Smart Cover sleep/wake feature is not working properly with some third-party cases.  More perplexing, the problem isn't always consistent from case to case within the same model line.

On Smart Cover compatible cases, the iPad's sleep/wake feature is triggered by a small magnet embedded in the case's cover.  Most of the speculation regarding the possible cause of the sleep/wake problem has centered around the placement or location of the little magnet within the lid of the case.  Apple is rumored to have moved the location of the magnetic sensor in the iPad 3 and, thus, the magnet in some cases doesn't line up properly. While that might be the problem with some case designs, that's certainly not the problem with the Maroo Moko II case that I purchased for one of our new iPads!

It's all About Polarity!

It appears Apple is using a new design of sleep/wake sensor in the new iPad.  A sleep/wake sensor that is sensitive to polarity.  I shot some video to demonstrate.

(For the best viewing experience, click in the lower right corner to expand the video and then click on "HD".) 

By the way, the most recent genuine Apple Smart Covers are compatible with the new iPad 3!

Update

A case manufacturer in the UK has tested my discovery.  The magnetically-activated sleep/wake function on one of his case designs was working with the iPad 2 but not working with the iPad 3.  He disassembling the first panel of the case's smart cover and reversed the entire panel—thus reversing the polarity of the magnet embedded in the panel—and held the panel in place with clear packaging tape.

Then he tested the modified case cover on both the iPad 2 and the iPad 3.  Success!  With the reversed panel, the case cover works perfectly with both the iPad 2 and iPad 3!

This manufactuer's test proves that the magnetic sensor switch in the iPad 2 is not sensitive to polarity!  Apple has switched to a different type of sensor switch for use in the iPad 3.

Update 2

I've learned why Apple decided to use a polarity sensitive switch in the new iPad 3.  Some iPad 2 customers were having issues with their iPads entering sleep mode when they flipped Apple's Smart Cover around flat behind their iPad 2.  Since the iPad 2's sleep/wake sensor wasn't polarity specific, it could sometimes be triggered from the magnet being positioned at the rear of the iPad.  By changing to a sensor that requires the correct polarity, the problem is eliminated.

Update 3

I've learned that some of the original genuine Apple Smart Covers do not work properly with the iPad 3.  Sometime in 2011, Apple apparently modified the design specifications of the Smart Covers in preparation for the release of the iPad 3.  According to reports on Apple's support forums, the model numbers for the Smart Covers changed at the same time.  Apple is reportedly exchanging these older Apple Smart Covers for the newer models at your favorite Apple Store.

Update on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 12:09AM by Mark

Thumbs up for the folks at Maroo!  Today they sent out an email to all of their customers to apologize for the inconvenience with iPad 3 sleep/wake incompatibilities.  They are offering free replacements and letting customers keep the "magnetically challenged" cases too.  A great product and excellent customer service!  Bravo!

Miata Line Sketch to Love Affair

We purchased our first Miata in 1993. That was before the internet (at least, before the internet we know today), before digital download and before Blu-ray. Heck, it was even before the first DVD was released. Back then, we had Laserdisc and video tape. Unfortunately, there are still quite a few quality movies and videos that were once available on Laserdisc or video tape and have yet to be released in a modern digital form. Yesterday, some comments on Miata.net Forum brought one such video to my mind.

In 1992, Guy Cirinelli was a passionate Miata owner. He also happened to have a passion for video production and owned his own company, Cirinelli Video Productions. Fortunately for Miata enthusiasts, Guy decided to mix his passions and he created a wonderful 30-minute video titled Miata Line Sketch to Love Affair. I've owned a copy of that VHS video since 1993 and I've watched it dozens of times. But it had been quite a few years since my last viewing. That is, until yesterday. The comments on the forum caused me to pop the video into my trusty VHS player and give it a play. As I watched Guy's creation, I was immediately swept back in time to our first days of Miata ownership. That first top-down drive. That first club drive. That first time I peeked into the garage to have one more look at the beautiful Classic Red machine before retiring for the evening.

I was waxing nostalgic and it struck me that there were now thousands of Miata owners that have never enjoyed Guy's creation. I began to wonder if Guy would grant permission for the analog video to be converted to a digital form and hosted on the web for all to enjoy. I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask, so I fired off an Email to Guy. I was thrilled that he responded in the affirmative and I immediately set to work converting the video.

So here you have it, the entire 30 minutes of Miata Line Sketch to Love Affair. (I've posted it in two parts due to limitations imposed by my hosting service.) Click play, sit back, and enjoy one of the finest Miata videos ever created!

Miata Line Sketch to Love Affair - Part One

Miata Line Sketch to Love Affair - Part Two

My sincere thanks to Guy Cirinelli for allowing the video to be posted for all to enjoy!  A reminder to everyone, Cirinelli Video Productions is still the copyright holder for this video and it may not be reproduced, copied, altered or sold without prior written permission from Guy Cirinelli.

West Bend Stir Crazy Deluxe Popcorn Maker Review (How to Make Real Movie Theater Popcorn at Home)

If you think microwave popcorn tastes great or is "good enough," you can stop reading now. However, if you love the crisp deliciousness of real movie theater popcorn and feel microwave popcorn is a poor substitute, please read on.

The Five Secrets of Making Real Movie Theater Popcorn 

1. Fresh Corn
2. Coconut Oil
3. Flavacol Seasoning
4. Even Heating
5. Moisture Control

The Corn: Popcorn kernels contain moisture. It's the expansion of the trapped moisture that causes the kernel to pop when heated. Unpopped kernels gradually lose moisture over time, resulting in poor popping performance. Fresh kernels are a must. (Never store popcorn kernels in the refrigerator or freezer, it actually dries them out more quickly.)

The Oil: Plain and simple, coconut oil is the best-tasting oil for popping corn. Movie theaters used coconut oil for years but many have switched to canola or sunflower oil due to health concerns over saturated and trans fats. Happily, you can have your coconut oil and still be health conscious. More on that below.

The Seasoning: Theaters use a butter-flavored salt called Flavacol. If you want your popcorn to look and taste like real movie theater popcorn you need to use Flavacol.

Even Heating: Uneven heating results in hard chewy bits of husk left clinging to the popped corn. While there will always be some amount of husk left clinging to the popcorn, even heating of the entire surface of the kernel facilitates a better shatter of the husk and reduces the hard chewy bits. The best way to heat all sides of the kernel evenly is to use an appliance with a stir rod (just like the big machines at the movie theater). That, and a popping appliance that gets hot enough to help reduce old maids (unpopped kernels).

Moisture Control: Remember that moisture inside each kernel? When a kernel pops the moisture has to go somewhere. The huge popcorn machines at the movie theater have a heating lamp, a heated deck, and a very large capacity to help disperse the moisture. The front door to the machine is usually left open, allowing the steam to escape. You want the steam to escape because trapped steam finds its way back into your popped corn, resulting in soggy, chewy popcorn. So, aside from buying a large popcorn machine, how can you control moisture at home?  Easy, you use your oven!

Sound complicated? It's not. In fact it's incredibly easy if you have the proper popping appliance, the proper popcorn pre-packs, and an oven!

West Bend Stir Crazy Deluxe

West Bend has been making the popular Stir Crazy popcorn maker for more than 20 years. It's a great product and I've worn out several of them. But, frankly, the original Stir Crazy was a pain in the butt to clean because you couldn't immerse the heating base in water. Thankfully, West Bend just solved the cleanup annoyance with the recent introduction of the new Stir Crazy Deluxe.

Stir Crazy Deluxe (click image to expand)Stir Crazy Deluxe - Cover Removed (click image to expand)Here's the beauty of the new Stir Crazy Deluxe:  The popping plate with stir rod is removable from the heating base!

Stir Crazy Deluxe - Popping Plate (click image to expand)

Stir Crazy Deluxe - Popping Plate Bottom Side (click image to expand)

At first, I was concerned that the separate popping plate might result in inefficient heating and poor popping performance. My concern was unjustified. West Bend has equipped the Stir Crazy Deluxe base with a 1,000-watt heating element and it gets the job done, fast! In fact, the element is an instant-on design. It starts throwing off heat before you can move your hand off of the power switch! (Operating the heating element without the popping plate in place is not recommended!)

Stir Crazy Deluxe - 1,000-watt Heating Element (click image to expand)

Compared to my 5-year-old original Stir Crazy, the new deluxe model's quality of construction appears to be an improvement. Of particular note is the non-stick coating on the popping plate which appears to be a more modern process and likely more durable than the non-stick surface on the older popper. Time will tell. The original model lacked a power switch so finally having a switch is a nice plus too.

So we have a proper popping appliance. What about the corn, coconut oil and Flavacol? I like to kill all three birds with one stone!

Great Northern Popcorn Company Portion Packs

I've tried dozens of different popcorn/oil/salt combinations over the years. I've mixed and matched my own, experimented with various brands and types of corn and oil, and tried popcorn portion packs from multiple companies. After all of my experimentation I was thrilled to finally discover Great Northern Popcorn Company Portion Packs.

Great Northern Popcorn Company Portion Pack

Great Northern claims the "Best Tasting Popcorn In The USA!" I'm inclined to agree! Each portion pack contains just the right amount of coconut oil, Flavacol seasoning, and gourmet popcorn, all sealed in separate compartments. Individual portion packs are not only convenient, the sealed compartment helps the unpopped kernels retain their moisture. From Great Northern's Portion Pack Guide:

How should I store my popcorn?

Without moisture your popcorn can't pop.  If left uncovered you can lose 1% moisture on a hot day. This doesn't sound like much but if you lose 3% your popcorn will be "unpoppable".  GNP has taken the guess work out of the popping and guarantees freshness.  Our exclusive "sealing system" vacuum seals every pack individually to provide a shelf life that cannot be beat.  Please note, we recommend you store your portion packs in a cool, dry place. 

I realize portion packs aren't as cost effective as purchasing corn, oil and Flavacol in bulk. But portion packs aren't exactly expensive either. Amazon's current price for 24 portion packs (4-ounce size) works out to less than one dollar per batch. When you consider that a 4-ounce portion pack makes more popcorn than a typical bag of microwave popcorn, you quickly realize the portion packs are less than half the cost of name-brand microwave popcorn. If you love popcorn, the savings will quickly help cover the cost of a Stir Crazy Deluxe!

By the way, the 4-ounce portion pack is the correct size for the Stir Crazy Deluxe.

Here's the nutrition label for the Great Northern product.

 Great Northern Popcorn Company Portion Pack Nutrition

No trans fat, low in saturated fat, and the sodium isn't all that terrible either. In fact, for such wonderfully tasty real theater-like popcorn, Great Northern's product is about as healthy as it gets. 

Let's Make Some Popcorn

If you love popcorn, you'll love the Stir Crazy Deluxe. Great Northern recommends pouring in all of the ingredients at once. I prefer to add the coconut oil first. 

Stir Crazy Deluxe - Add the Coconut Oil (click image to expand)Coconut oil is a semi-solid at room temperature. Once the oil has melted, I add the corn and Flavacol.

Stir Crazy Deluxe - Add the Corn and Flavocal (click image to expand)On goes the cover (with butter cap removed). Notice that steam starts condensing on the inside of the cover almost immediately.

Stir Crazy Deluxe - Cover in Place (click image to expand)Thanks to the 1,000-watt heating element, it takes less than a minute for the first kernels to start popping.

Stir Crazy Deluxe - First Kernels Popped (click image to expand)

If you like to add butter to your popcorn just put some in the little well on top of the cover and it will melt down as the popcorn pops. (I prefer my popcorn to be as crisp as possible so I don't add butter.)

In approximately two minutes virtually all of the kernels have popped! The new deluxe model pops up a batch of popcorn faster than the original model.

Stir Crazy Deluxe - Popping Complete (click image to expand)

Next, turn off the popper, snap the butter cap onto the top of the cover, grab the red handles on the sides and invert the cover and popping plate together.

Stir Crazy Deluxe - When the Popping Slows it's Done (click image to expand)Remove the popping plate and feast your eyes on a bowlful of delicious—yet slightly soggy—popcorn!

Stir Crazy Deluxe - Looks Just Like Movie Theater Popcorn (click image to expand)If you like, you can enjoy the popcorn immediately. It will be good but not great. Immediately out of the popper the popcorn is too soggy and slightly chewy for my taste! Much of the released moisture (steam) escaped through the holes in the top of the cover during popping. But if you look carefully at the photos above you can see that lots of moisture remained on the sides of the cover and much of that moisture found its way into the popped corn. Let's take the last step toward creating a crisp, delicious batch of real movie theater popcorn at home!

Moisture Control

This is the most important step for achieving the taste and texture of real movie theater popcorn in your home!

Set your oven to 200 degrees.

Bake Out the Moisture - Oven to 200 Degrees

You need a baking pan to hold the popped corn. Any pan that is large enough will do. I use full size deep steam table foil pans. They measure approximately 21" x 13" and about 3" deep. One pan will hold two batches of popped corn (there's a single batch in the pan in the photo below).

Now slide the pan full of popcorn onto the center rack of your oven. Close the door and leave the popcorn in there for at least 30 minutes. Multiple batches require more time. Give the oven plenty of time to dry the popcorn. Your patience will be rewarded. When we host a movie night at the Booth Bijou I prepare several pans of popcorn in advance. The oven not only dries the popcorn but also keeps it hot for our guests. They love it!

For Real Movie Theater Popcorn, Bake the Moisture Out! (click image to expand)

After the popcorn has had time to dry and crisp up it's time to fire up the home theater and reward yourself with real movie theater popcorn!

Delicious Real Movie Theater Popcorn at Home! (click image to expand)

If you're entertaining guests it's fun to serve the popcorn in plastic reusable movie-style popcorn boxes!

Cleanup is Easy

West Bend's new Stir Crazy Deluxe makes cleanup a breeze! The convenient removable popping plate can be immersed in water and it's dishwasher safe. Cleanup is even easier if you can talk your spouse into doing it! :)

Stir Crazy Deluxe - Cleanup is Easy! (click image to expand)

It's Worth the Trouble, Really!

If you've gotten this far it's likely you're not part of the "microwave popcorn tastes fine" crowd. Life is too short to settle for "good" popcorn when you can eat great popcorn! If I had a large dedicated home theater room I'd probably equip it with a full-size popcorn machine (such as the Paragon TP-6) just for the nostalgia factor. But it wouldn't make popcorn that is any better than the process I've detailed above. And, quite frankly, the new West Bend Stir Crazy Deluxe is even easier to clean. It's the kitchen/home theater gadget of the year as far as I'm concerned. It earns my highest recommendation!

AppleCare+ Punishes the Careful

Apple recently introduced its new iPhone extended warranty and accidental damage plan, AppleCare+.  Every new iPhone comes with one year of hardware warranty and 90 days of telephone technical support.  Like basic AppleCare, AppleCare+ increases the iPhone hardware warranty and telephone technical support coverage to two years.  AppleCare+ also adds coverage for up to two incidents of accidental damage with a $49 deductible (service fee) per incident.  AppleCare+ for iPhone is priced at $99 and it replaces the older basic AppleCare for iPhone, which was priced at $69.

I am not a fan of the new AppleCare+ plan.

I am careful with my electronic gadgets.  All I will ever want is the extra year of hardware warranty to protect against manufacturer defects.  Now Apple is requiring me to purchase an accidental damage plan at the same time and charging me an extra $30 for the pleasure.  The way I see it, Apple is punishing the "careful ones" by charging us for something we don't want.  Put another way, we are being forced to help subsidize those that are careless or accident-prone.

Another Significant Change

With the orignal AppleCare plan for iPhone you could wait a full year—until the day before the included one-year hardware warranty expired—before deciding whether to purchase a second year of hardware warranty.  This ability to delay the AppleCare purchase is something that made AppleCare plans different from other manufacturer's extended warranty plans.  It's part of what made Apple, well, Apple.

Delayed purchase also saves money for consumers because it gives them a chance to shop for the best deal.  Some retailers sell AppleCare plans at a significant savings over Apple's prices.

AppleCare+ changes all of that.  Now you have to make the decision to purchase AppleCare+ at the same time you purchase your new iPhone.  (Apple is granting a grace period through November 14, 2011 for new iPhones purchased on or after October 14.)  And I don't expect we'll see Apple, AT&T, Verizon or Sprint giving any discounts on the AppleCare+ plan.

Pony up the C-Note

If you're careful with your gadgets, the AppleCare+ for iPhone plan isn't a change for the better.  AppleCare+ is now more like a run-of-the-mill extended warranty plan.  It's not very "Apple-like" and it forces careful customers to spend an extra $30 for coverage they don't want and will likely never need.  Worse, it makes them pony up the $100 purchase price at the beginning of their new iPhone ownership.  Apple should have provided the accidental damage coverage as a separate plan that could be purchased in addition to the basic AppleCare plan.

I am sure that AppleCare+ will be popular with the iPhone owners that are more apt to drop their iPhone into a toilet or forget that their iPhone is in their back pocket when they sit down.  I'm simply not one of those owners.  And I don't like being forced to pay extra for something I don't need or want.

By the way, it brings me no pleasure to be critical of Apple.  I just think they missed the mark with this decision.

I sincerely hope that AppleCare+ doesn't spread to other Apple products.

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

The release of Walter Isaacson's authorized biography of Steve Jobs has been moved up to October 24, 2011.  The previous release date was November 21st. Isaacson's book is based on over 100 interviews with family and friends and over 40 interviews with Jobs, the most recent of which was approximately four weeks ago.

Steve Jobs 1955 - 2011

You made the world a better place!  Rest in peace, Steve.

Here is Steve Jobs' 2005 Commenncement Address at Stanford University.

Amazon Reinstates California Associates

On Monday, October 3, 2011, Amazon.com sent an e-mail to thousands of their Californa Associates to inform them they may now re-enroll in the Amazon Associate Program.  Amazon had terminated their relationship with the California-based Associates on June 29 after Callifornia lawmakers passed new legislation that required Amazon to collect state sales tax on purchases made by California residents.  More recently, Amazon had reached an agreement with California lawmakers and Governor Jerry Brown whereby Amazon would be allowed to delay the collection of state sales tax until September 2012.  Amazon has also agreed to built several distribution facilities in California.

In Monday's e-mail to its Californa Associates, Amazon provided a link to allow the Associates to quickly re-enroll using their original Associate IDs.  Unfortunately, Amazon will not be giving California Associates credit for referrals their sites have generated between the end of June and October 3.

In the meantime, Amazon has agreed to lobby the federal legislature for a national policy on the collection of state sales tax.  Some have incorrectly assumed this will be some form of federal sales tax.  In reality, Amazon will be lobbying for the adoption of the Main Street Fairness Act which deals with leveling the playing field among participating states on how state sales taxes are collected.

Sponsored by Senator Dick Durbin and introduced in August 2011, the Main Street Fairness Act would allow states, provided they have met certain conditions, to require large internet and mail-order retailers to collect state and local sales taxes. 

To exercise this authority, a state must sign on to the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement (SSUTA) and adopt legislation implementing its provisions. This multistate agreement requires states to, among other things, adhere to uniform product definitions, adopt uniform requirements for filing sales tax returns, administer both state and local sales tax collection through a single state office, and allow retailers to register through a centralized, one-stop multistate registration system.

If the federal legislature is unable to pass the Main Street Fairness Act by July of 2012 Amazon will be required to start collecting sales tax on California residents' purchases in September 2012.  If the Main Street Fairness Act becomes law by July 2012 then the federal law will become the guiding document regarding the collection of state sales tax by retailers such as Amazon.

Some California Associates have expressed concern that Amazon will again terminate their relationship once September 2012 rolls around.  Those fears are unfounded.  Amazon originallly terminated those Associate relationships to eliminate the indirect business presence (a "nexus") Amazon had in the state.  Under the new agreement with California, Amazon has agreed to build the aforementioned distribution facilities in California. Once the first distribution facility opens Amazon would have a direct business presence in the state.  At that point, terminating their relationships with California Associates would not gain them anything with regard to the collection of state sales tax.