Applelinks Tech Web Reader - Monday, March 3, 2008
NetApplications Posts February OS and Browser Market Share Stats.
The Significance Of New MacBooks' Penryn 45nm CPU Architecture
Apple MacBook Pro Penryn Tests: a Little More Speed, a Lot Less Heat
Oklahoma Christian University Gives Students Opportunity To Trade In Windows PCs for Apple Macs
Running Naked (With Hard Drives)
Will New Blu-ray Drives Suck Your Laptop Battery Dry?
Look for Blu-Ray Players Coming To The Mac, At Least As An Option
Mac Again: Picking the Right MacBook
Mac Remote Control Options Built into Leopard
Copycat Microsoft Has Its Own Reality Distortion Field
Apple Unearths Time Capsule
In testing: Time Capsule
Introduction to MacBook Developer Note
Introduction to 15-inch MacBook Pro Developer Note
Introduction to 17-inch MacBook Pro Developer Note
Tips for Connecting to Shared Computers with Leopard
How To Not Manage Serial Numbers On Your Mac
The Apple Song
Review: MacBook Air
Apple's Commitment To R&D Convinced Me To Take The Plunge
Microsoft Cuts Price For Boxed Vista
Consolidation Means Fewer Email Providers
No-Fuss Backup System Arrives
iGame Radio Reviews GDC 2008, Reviews Phase
The Tech Night Owl Newsletter: So Apple is Succeeding or Failing or Something
The Tech Night Owl: Can You Save a Company with Bad Products
NetApplications Posts February OS and Browser Market Share Stats.
Over the weekend, NetApplications posted market share statistics for February, 2008
The Mac OS (including iPhone and iPod) held its own but didn't make any gains over the month, while Safari is still solidly in third place in the browser market.
OS stats:
http://marketshare.hitslink.com/report.aspx?qprid=8
OS Version breakdowns:
http://marketshare.hitslink.com/report.aspx?qprid=10
Browser stats:
http://marketshare.hitslink.com/report.aspx?qprid=0
The Significance Of New MacBooks' Penryn 45nm CPU Architecture
AnandTech says:
An old middle school friend of mine is obsessed with Apple these days. She's always asking me Mac questions or trying to get an idea of what's coming down the pipe (Steve: if you're listening, she'd drop her Palm in a heartbeat if she could edit Word/Excel docs on the iPhone).
Lately she's been asking me about the updated MacBook and MacBook Pros, mainly trying to figure out when they'd be shipping. I told her it'd be late February at the earliest, but more likely March. It seems as if Apple is a very good customer of Intel's and thus a late-February launch of mobile Penryn was possible. Instead of being elated, she was disappointed by the new notebooks.
How on earth could you be disappointed? We're talking 45nm Penryn inside the MacBook and MacBook Pro, this is a huge deal....
For the full commentary visit here:
http://www.anandtech.com/mac/showdoc.aspx?i=3246
Apple MacBook Pro Penryn Tests: a Little More Speed, a Lot Less Heat
Engadget's Ryan Block reports:
Sure, more speed is great, but on OS X most bumps don't have an appreciable effect on everyday work (unless all you're doing is video encoding). We were more interested in what Intel's Penryn processors can do for the MBP's heat envelope, so we maxed out both CPU cores in this brand new machine at let 'em crank for a half an hour. Our test machine may or may not compare to a later 3rd-gen MBP in terms of heat efficiency, but here's the quick rundown:
Core Duo (2.16GHz)
Peak: 195° F, fans over 5000 RPM
Average: 185° F, fans about 4900 RPM
Penryn Core 2 Duo (2.5GHz)
Peak: 176° F, fans about 3400 RPM
Average: 173° F, fans about 2500 RPM (much quieter)
For the full report click here.
Oklahoma Christian University Gives Students Opportunity To Trade In Windows PCs for Apple Macs
MacDailyNews reports:
At Oklahoma Christian University this summer, all faculty and all new students attending New Student Orientations will be issued new Apple MacBooks. Current students also will be given the opportunity to trade in their Windows PC laptop for an Apple MacBook. This MacBook mobile learning initiative and the reliable campus-wide wireless infrastructure will allow OC to continue to provide opportunities for anytime, anywhere access to media-rich distributed course content.
For the full report visit here:
http://macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/%2016553/
Running Naked (With Hard Drives)
The Apple Core's Jason D. O'Grady says:
Earlier in the week my cohort here at The Apple Core, David Morgenstern, wrote about living a bare drive lifestyle where "professional Mac users often use hard disk mechanisms like floppies." Count me in that group. I keep a lot of (non-traveling) hard drives in my office, most in silver anti-static bags, and swap them in and out of use with great frequency. I also change notebook hard drives more often than some people change their underwear, but I digress.
....there are tons of benefits to using raw drives. Drive enclosures can be expensive if you need a lot of storage or have a lot of small mechanisms laying around (especially if you need a lot of interfaces, i.e. FireWire). If you only access certain archival data periodically or don't need all your drives to be online simultaneously, then using raw drives can be beneficial.
For the full report visit here:
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=1360
Will New Blu-ray Drives Suck Your Laptop Battery Dry?
Wired's Bryan Gardiner says:
Now that Sony's Blu-ray technology has won the high-def format war, computer manufacturers must tackle its power-hungry playback performance.
Watching a Blu-ray movie in all its high-definition glory on your laptop may finally become an affordable prospect this year. Just don't wander too far from a power outlet.
For the full report visit here:
http://www.wired.com/gadgets/pcs/news/2008/02/bluray_power
Look for Blu-Ray Players Coming To The Mac, At Least As An Option
Macsimumnnews's Dennis Sellers says:
It's probably just a matter of time before Blu-ray players pop up as at least an option for some Macs, at least if a new report from the MultiMedia Intelligence research group is on target.
To read more, click here.
Mac Again: Picking the Right MacBook
Low End Mac's Andrew Fishkin says:
In my last column I wrote about Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac and how its newfound Exchange support allowed me once again to use a Mac as my primary computer after almost two years in Windows.
Now that the software allows me to use a Mac, the question moved from whether or not I can use a Mac as my primary computer to which Mac to use.
I'm a laptop junky. Even if I didn't travel frequently, I still wouldn't even consider a desktop, but I do travel, a lot, and as a result have used laptops as my primary computers since the mid 1990s. I've had many laptops over the years and usually own two at a time. Perhaps my favorite laptop ever was Apple's 12" PowerBook. I currently own a used one, the 1.0 GHz Rev B. model that I bought on eBay for $550. This is a terrific computer, but a 5-year-old G4 really doesn't have what it takes to be my primary computer these days.
I'd been eyeing the MacBook Air since it was announced and have made numerous trips to my local Apple Store to admire it....
So what stopped me from getting the Air? Quite simply, it was the MacBook.....
For the full commentary visit here:
http://lowendmac.com/fishkin/08af/picking-the-right-macbook.html
Mac Remote Control Options Built into Leopard
Low End Mac's Adam Rosen says:
With the introduction of Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, Apple upped the ante on Mac remote control. All of the previously covered methods still work, but new options now exist in the operating system or via associated services.
Apple now offers Apple Remote Desktop (ARD) and VNC viewer application for screen sharing called "Screen Sharing" (how original). On a local network, shared systems will appear via Bonjour in the Finder's sidebar. Click on them, and you'll see a Share Screen... button. Access is usually fast and elegant on a local network, although shared systems sometimes come and go in the sidebar. Restarting the local and/or remote Mac usually fixes the problem. I attribute this behavior to bugs in early Leopard releases and suspect this will become more stable with subsequent updates.
For the full report visit here:
http://lowendmac.com/ed/rosen/08ar/leopard-remote-control.html
Copycat Microsoft Has Its Own Reality Distortion Field
Low End Mac's Frank Fox says:
Leopard is out, and there are a few "trick" features that I was showing off to a coworker. I showed him searching through a folder using Cover Flow and opening a view of a document using Quick Look.
Then he said to me, "Oh! This is like Vista."
"No," I answered, "this is Mac, only Microsoft hasn't copied it yet."
This goes to show how by just copying the look of the Mac, Microsoft can ride on Apple's coattails without doing the work of inventing things.
For the full commentary visit here:
http://lowendmac.com/ed/fox/08ff/copycat-reality-distortion.html
Apple Unearths Time Capsule
The Register's Austin Modine reports:
Apple has begun shipping pre-ordered units of its wireless network-attached storage box, Time Capsule, this morning.
The device was announced at Macworld last January, and is currently the only really practical way to use Mac OS X Leopard's backup program Time Machine without physically plugging a hard disk into the computer.
For the full report visit here:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/02/29/apple_ships_time_capsule/
In testing: Time Capsule
News.com's Rich Brown reports:
After spending some time with Apple's Time Capsule this afternoon, we have some impressions for you. We'll dig deeper before our full review on Monday, but here are some initial thoughts.
To read more, click here.
Apple Beats Dell in US Education Laptop Market
9to5mac.com's Andy Space reports:
Hidden in among Apple's chief operating officer Tim Cook's speech to the Goldman Sachs Technology Investment Symposium was a critical barometer of Apple's success - Apple beat Dell in laptop sales in the US higher education market,
While most reports focused on Cook's optimism as regards iPhone sales this year, the executive also told analysts: ""We just received word on Monday that Apple surpassed Dell as the number one supplier of portables to US higher education for 2007," Cook claimed.
"The ceiling for the Macs is nowhere in sight. Even if the market itself isn't growing, for us, switching Windows users is an enormous opportunity," Cook also added.
This is a critical metric for Apple, which once dominated computing on college campuses.
For the full report visit here:
http://www.9to5mac.com/Apple_beats_Dell
Introduction to MacBook Developer Note
This developer note gives a technical description of the MacBook computers incorporating the Intel Core 2 Duo processor on 45 nm process technology and introduced in February 2008. The purpose of this note is to provide information about the computer's internal design, input-output features, and expansion capabilities to help developers design products compatible with the MacBook.
To read more, click here.
Introduction to 15-inch MacBook Pro Developer Note
This developer note gives a technical description of the 15-inch MacBook Pro computer introduced in February 2008 and incorporating the Intel Core 2 Duo processor on 45 nm process technology. The purpose of this note is to provide information about the computer's internal design, input-output features, and expansion capabilities to help developers design products compatible with the 15-inch MacBook Pro.
To read more, click here.
Introduction to 17-inch MacBook Pro Developer Note
This developer note gives a technical description of the 17-inch MacBook Pro computer introduced in February 2008 and incorporating the Intel Core 2 Duo processor on 45 nm process technology. The purpose of this note is to provide information about the computer's internal design, input-output features, and expansion capabilities to help developers design products compatible with the 17-inch MacBook Pro.
To read more, click here.
Tips for Connecting to Shared Computers with Leopard
Maria's Guides says:
What you might see when you connect.
One of the things that threw me for a loop when I started using Leopard on my computers was the way Leopard identified folders on shared disks when a shared computer is set up to synchronize with an iDisk. Here are two examples.....
To read more, click here.
How To Not Manage Serial Numbers On Your Mac
Mac360's Kate MacKenzie says:
Let's face it, this digital age in which we live has some drawbacks that we have to think about and solve.
It's tough to remember everything we need to remember, even to the point of remembering where we keep our software serial numbers, and licenses, not to mention login ID's and passwords.
More than half of all Macs sold these days are notebooks, which means whatever you store could belong to someone else if your notebook is lost or stolen. Is that a thought that makes you sleep better at night?
To read more, click here.
The Apple Song
WordPress says:
Sometimes this song is the soundtrack to my nightmares while I'm sleeping. Does this song make you cringe with every note like it does me?
Mike Solomon, a Graphic Designer in New York has composed this tune using nothing but Apple OSX system sounds.
You can check it out at:
http://missprints.wordpress.com/2008/03/01/the-apple-song/
Review: MacBook Air
OSNews's Thom Holwerda reports:
The envelope had been lying there on the minimalist desk all throughout Jobs' keynote. The rumours had been clear: Apple is going to launch a subnotebook, a sort of MacBook Mini. Despite the rumours, the collective gasp of amazement was clearly audible when Jobs pulled the MacBook Air out of the envelope. I have to admit, even I was all wowed. Consequently, you can imagine I was delighted when Apple NL agreed to loan me a review unit as soon as they had the MacBook Air in stock.
For the full review visit here:
http://www.osnews.com/story/19408
Apple's Commitment To R&D Convinced Me To Take The Plunge
The Globe and Mail's Noreen Rasbach reports:
I finally made the decision to take the plunge and invest in Apple at exactly 3 p.m. last Wednesday, in the stunning art-deco surroundings of the trading floor at the former Toronto Stock Exchange building. I looked at my watch just after scribbling a note to myself: "Just buy Apple already."
For the full report visit here:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080301.STDIARY01/TPStory/Business
Microsoft Cuts Price For Boxed Vista
The Associated Press reports:
Microsoft Corp. will cut the price of some versions of Windows Vista, the software maker said late Thursday.
The move came a day after court filings revealed internal dissent over which Windows XP computers would be considered capable of running the new operating system -- and a feeling on at least one executive's part that the company had "botched" the marketing of computers as "Vista Capable."
To read more, click here.
Consolidation Means Fewer Email Providers
The Canadian Press reports:
Consolidation among email providers means any outage can potentially affect millions of users globally, analysts said Thursday.
Bell Canada's Sympatico email subscribers were among the global casualties earlier this week when Microsoft's free Hotmail email and other web services run by the U.S. software firm went down.
Rick Broadhead, a technology and Internet analyst, said years ago, an outage with Microsoft would not have affected Sympatico.
For the full report click here.
No-Fuss Backup System Arrives
The Seattle Times' Glenn Fleishman reports:
Time Machine is the embodiment of the Zen-like statement that you must go forward to back up. It's also a component of Apple's four-month-old operating system, Leopard (Mac OS X 10.5), which lets you back up your Macintosh with the least fuss combined with greatest access of any archiving system I've ever used.
For the full report visit here:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2004252809_ptmacc01.html
iGame Radio Reviews GDC 2008, Reviews Phase
This week on iGame Radio, the original Mac game podcast, host Omaha Sternberg the news from GDC 2008 and what it means for the Mac industry. Also, she reviews Harmonix's music-based iPod game Phase. Listeners can catch the podcast at iGameRadio.com.
GDC, the Game Developers Conference, is held every year in San Francisco. The conference pulled in over 18,000 game developers this year to talk shop and show off their games. Omaha parses the news from the GDC and tries to make sense of it all, especially of what it all might mean for Mac games in the future.
Plus, a review of music-based iPod game Phase. Developed by Harmonix, Phase takes playing with your music to a new level. Omaha discusses the gameplay and gives tips and tricks for play.
Omaha will also offer Mac gaming news, commentary, and a selection of music from popular Mac games.
These episodes are available as a basic or enhanced podcast or streaming MP3 on iGameRadio.com, where listeners will also find archives of past broadcasts. QuickTime 5 and above, or iTunes 4.9 or other MP3 enabled software (such as Juice), are required for access to the podcasts and MP3 stream. Listeners can also subscribe to the enhanced podcast through the iTunes Music Store, and other popular podcast aggregator sites.
You can check it out at:
http://www.igameradio.com
and
http://media.macradio.com/mp3s/
The Tech Night Owl Newsletter: So Apple is Succeeding or Failing or Something
Every time I read an article about how Apple is doing at any particular point in time, finding a consensus is near to impossible.
To read more, click here.
Notes: You can also access our new RSS feed, available at:
http://www.macnightowl.com/newsletter/rss
Or our new Atom feed at:
http://www.macnightowl.com/newsletter/atom
The Tech Night Owl: Can You Save a Company with Bad Products
As you know, the American auto industry is on the ropes. They’ve shed plants, laid off thousands of loyal workers, and hemorrhaged billions of dollars of red ink.
Here's the link to the story:
http://macnightowl.com/newsletter/2008/03/02/newsletter-issue-431/#products
Notes: You can also access our RSS feed, available at:
http://www.macnightowl.com/newsletter/rss
Or our Atom feed at:
http://www.macnightowl.com/newsletter/atom
[Editor's note: The irony is that Detroit is building the best cars in its history - check out the new Chevy Malibu for example.]
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
|
|
|
| |