Big day at the Office
Normally, things are all about the PC up in Redmond. Microsoft made its fortune off of PCs, partially at the expense of Apple. The two companies are still bitter rivals in multiple areas, and few things will irk die-hards in either camp like dropping the name of the other guys.
That is why Microsoft's latest triumph has a bit of a twilight zone feeling to it...
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May 14, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)
Yet another criminal nabbed by the Mac
Some of you may remember the story of the computer thief who was remotely photographed by the webcam from the iMac he stole.
Well, it seems that we have yet another case of the mighty Macintosh crusading for justice and apprehending thieves with its iSight superpowers.
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May 13, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)
Latin America joins the iPhone world
Well, if the Australians were mad about being pipped to the iPhone parade by Ireland, they're really going to miffed to hear that America Movil has inked a deal to distribute the iPhone.
The Latin American mobile operator will be taking the iPhone to at least 15 countries in South America and the Caribbean. Among the countries targeted for the rollout are Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Columbia, the Dominican Republic and Peru.
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May 9, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
The 20 million iPod monster
Like something out of the pages of a William Gibson novel, a new report from a pack of US scientists suggests the design for a new supercomputer built from 20 million iPods.
Okay, not really. The design actually calls for linking up about 20 million of the same type of low-cost CPU chip used in the iPod to build a cloud computing system. Still, it's a nice image: millions upon millions of old iPods jury-rigged together into a massive supercomputing system a-la the homemade PS3. Perhaps with a talking face on a giant screen to top it all off.
So maybe 20 million is a bit ambitious, but how about a system made from, say ten or twenty old iPods? I'm sure there's some enterprising Macfreak out there with access to an electronics recycling program and a lot of free time...
May 7, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)
Apple's tech support sucks the least
Nobody likes to have to deal with tech support. Ever. But there's something to be said for a decent tech support staff that doesn't prolong the misery.
That's why Mac users will be pleased to know that Apple has been named the best tech support company in the business.
Perhaps its because Apple's support staff is more knowledgeable about the computers they service, or perhaps it's a by-product of the new retail focus that has come with the Apple store. I'd also suggest that Apple's policy of simply issuing replacements for faulty products on-site and then sending the bad hardware off-site for repairs has a lot to do with it.
So the next time your Macbook or iPod takes a dive and you find yourself having to deal with tech support, look forward to knowing that when it's all said and done you'll only want to kill yourself half as bad as the guy next door who bought a Dell.
May 7, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)
Support for latest Java added to Leopard
Last fall, word first surfaced that Leopard was unable to stomach Java 1.6 (AKA Java 6.)
The problem existed in the Java Virtual Machine used to rune the code. Sun offerst to build the virtual machine for some operating systems, but Apple is among the companies that choose to develop the component in-house rather than use a Sun build.
This wasn't a very big deal to most users, but for developers that for one reason or another needed to write code in Java 6, it was a major headache. Some developers even said they would have to revert back to Tiger because of the issue.
Well, now everyone can go Leopard. Apple has issued an update which adds support for the new Java.
May 2, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)
Getting the iPhone, eh?
It had to happen sooner or later. The iPhone is set to finally hop the border and make its way into the Great White North.
Rogers Communications has secured the rights to distribute the iPhone in Canada, adding it to the ever-growing league of iPhone-enabled nations. The release is set for later this year.
More symbolically, the iPhone is now encroaching on the home turf of Blackberry maker Research In Motion, which is based in the possibly aptly-named town of Waterloo, Ontario. Thus, setting up a symbolic showdown of the over-hyped handsets as Apple's "JesusPhone" takes on the "CrackBerry" in RIM's backyard.
April 30, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1)
Rumor: iPhone may soon hit back
The latest rumor to make its way around claims that Apple is looking to put tactile feedback into the iPhone. In English: Apple wants to make the keypad move when you touch it.
In addition to being a rumor, the story is also in the very early stages, as the reports only claim that Apple execs are meeting with Immersion Corporation, the company that does feedback technology for Sony's Playstation controllers. An anonymous Apple employee claims that the two sides are discussing ways in which the technology could be used in the iPhone.
Welcome news for everyone who continues to struggle with the animating keypad.
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April 29, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)
New iMacs
Time for another update to the trusty old iMac.
The all-in-one that has been Apple's bread and butter for the last decade or so has gotten a minor tweak, receiving a new processor boost and a few other updates, such as more standard RAM and new graphics options.
Most of the really cool stuff, such as the 3.06ghz Intel Core2 Duo processor and the new Nvidia GeForce 8800 chips are only going to be available as built-to-order options, so you'll have to dip a little deeper into the bank account to land those goodies. But, as a Mac user you don't mind paying a bit more for quality, do you?
Well, if Apple's latest quarterly numbers are any indication, you certainly don't. The Mac line continues to make up a very large portion of revenues as Apple continues its streak of record profits.
April 29, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)
Saint Steve vs. Uncle Sam
As if Apple wasn't seeing enough of the feds with this whole SEC thing. Now, we get word that the mothership is running afoul of the military.
The whole issue seems to center around Apple's purchase of chipmaker P.A. Semi. Apple has purchased the chipmaker presumably in order to use its processors in future iPhone and iPod models.
Now, word has come up that PA also makes chips for OEMs that are then used in systems sold to the military.
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April 25, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)
