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Is Runaway iPad Adoption Driving Mac Sales?
At The Heart Of Apple, It's Still The Mac
iPad Pitches Apple Onto World PC Top Table's Number Five Spot
iPads Expected to Squash Netbooks by 2012
Did Apple Just Double Its Market Share?
ColorWare Colorizes The New Mac mini
Apple Preparing First Mac OS 10.6.5 Betas
Swan/Pearl Station Apple-II Plus Computer From Lost Offered At Auction
The Apple Cult
Shipping Your OWC Order to Canada, Eh?! OWC Now Covers UPS and FedEx "Brokerage Fees" In Shipping Costs [Hooray!]
GuitarTools 0.78 Free Learning Tool For Guitar Players Of Any Style
Multi-View Computer Reading Glasses Announces New Styles Available Online
Khronos Drives Rapid Evolution of Cross-Platform 3D Graphics with Release of OpenGL 4.1 Specification
Being Geek: The Software Developer's Career Handbook - New from O'Reilly
Is Runaway iPad Adoption Driving Mac Sales?
Infoworld's Woody Leonhard reports that second-quarter reports show the Mac making big gains over Windows-based PCs; and at the very least scorching iPad sales haven't hurt Leonhard notes that while many analysts predicted that the iPad would cannabalize Mac sales, so far the reverse has obtained, with iPad sales apparently having had a "halo effect" if anything --
Apple's latest quarterly financials report showing abooming Mac sales of 3.47 million units between April 1 and June 30 -- the most Macs sold in a financial quarter, calcualted by Gartner Group at greater than 4.2 percent of all PC sales globally and 9.8 percent domestically.
Leonhard also perceives the iPad as a breakthrough spearhead for Apple into the enterprise IT environment, with the presence of more iPads in business paving the way for more Macs as well. "The third battle line has been drawn," he observes, "and this time employees aren't overly concerned about corporate guidelines: When the boss shows off her shiny new iPad, it's hard for IT folks to bluster about security and standards," so chances of a Mac is coming to a corporate desktop near you have arguably been enhanced by the iPad.
For the full commentary visit here:
http://snurl.com/zw64z
At The Heart Of Apple, It's Still The Mac
San Jose Mercury News's John Boudreau says that lost in the hoopla surrounding the iPad and new iPhone are Apple's "other" products - its desktop and laptop computers which continue to represent a major portion of the Cupertino, Calif., company's business and innovative focus.
He notes that recent patent filings indicate that Apple is looking at future innovations like solar-powered Macs, touch-screen technology for traditional computers, a built-in projector, an iSight camera that would automatically detect a person's presence, and an entirely seamless MacBook with invisible buttons, keyboards and trackpads, also noting that Macs have been launch pads for core features and functions of the iPhone and iPad, including the Safari browser and the online iTunes store, which provided the model for the App Store, and that Mac OS X is the foundation for the iPhone/iPad iOS. Another observation is that Apple is recently selling as manu Macintosh laptops and desktops per financial quarter as it did in the entire 2003 sales year.
For the full report visit here:
http://snurl.com/zw7bt
iPad Pitches Apple Onto World PC Top Table's Number Five Spot
The Register's Tony Smith reports that while fellow market watchers may not include the iPad in Apple's computer sales figures, but Canalys does, and it reckons doing so puts the Mac maker into world's top five.
For the full report visit here:
http://www.reghardware.com/2010/07/26/ipad_apple_pc_market_share/
iPads Expected to Squash Netbooks by 2012
PC-Advisor's Lexton Snol says that with iPad capturing 6 percent of the portable PC segment in the second quarter of 2010, Apple will continue to lead the media tablet market through at least 2011 largely because of the lack of innovation in the netbook market.
Canalys has released its quarterly worldwide PC market data, highlighting Apple's jump into the top five PC vendors. The iPad captured approximately 6 percent of the portable PC segment in Q2 2010, with more than 3 million units shipped during the device's first few months on the market.
For the full report visit here:
http://bit.ly/cr1m0e
Did Apple Just Double Its Market Share?
Low End Mac's Tim Nash says:
Apple sold 3.47 million Macs and 3.27 million iPads worldwide in the June quarter. According to Mikako Kitagawa, Principal Analyst, Gartner, "The consumer PC market registered double-digit shipment growth, but consumer mobile shipment growth slowed. This was due in part to slower growth of mini-notebooks," and "surging popularity of Apple's iPad temporarily cannibalized mini-notebooks, as well as consumer notebook sales to some degree".
In other words, analysts - as well as many buyers - look on the iPad as replacing another mobile computer. Yet the iPad is excluded from PC sales figures...
Calling the iPad with its 9.7" screen and 1.5 pounds a handheld is a bit of a stretch, which is why Apple's ads and the Steve Jobs keynote had everyone sitting comfortably or lazing while "touching". How Web consumers use the iPad differs little from how they would have used a laptop or netbook.....
There is no good reason to exclude the iPad from PC sales reports.
If the iPad Is a PC... When iPad sales are added in, Apple moves from the "others" category and takes fifth place worldwide from Asus and Toshiba....
For the full commentary visit here:
http://lowendmac.com/nash/10tn/apple-doubles-market-share.html
ColorWare Colorizes The New Mac mini
http://www.colorwarepc.com/p-234-mac-mini.aspx
ColorWare For Mac mini
The new Mac mini fits almost anywhere in your home or office, and has the features, power and speed you need for most computing tasks. The most energy-efficient desktop computer now offers faster graphics and a sleek unibody design. With so many features, doesn't your computer deserve more than one color option? Now you can personalize your mini with ColorWare's range of custom colors to help match your office, your home decor, or simply your favorite colors. ColorWare offers a wide array of colors and finishes to set your Mac mini apart from the rest.
The ColorWare design studio is easy to use, and can help you find the perfect color combination for your mini. Whichever way you want to view your product, from photos and videos to interactive 360 images, there's an option for you. Choose your custom color for your Mac mini, you can also specify glossy or matte finish, and a selection of solid, metallic, or pearl finishes are available.
>ColorWare purchase options include:
Buy New: ColorWare takes a brand new product, applies the coloring process to it, and then sends it to you.
Send In: You send a product you already own into ColorWare, ColorWare applies the coloring process, and then sends it back to you.
Parts Only: ColorWare applies the coloring process to parts for your product, sends it to you, and then you install the parts on your product.
Sample prices include $250 for colorizing your own Mac mini. New colorized minis are available from ColorWare ranging in price from $1000 (SuperDrive model) to $1300 (twin-hard-drive server model).
The biggest factor in the price differences are the warranties offered with each option. All new purchases from ColorWare's site carry a one year parts and labor warranty that stands in place of the original manufacturer warranty. For colorizations, where you send your product to ColorWare who will include thirty days of parts coverage and one year of free labor. Note that the colorization process will likely void the original manufacturer warranty.
For more information, visit:
http://www.colorwarepc.com/p-234-mac-mini.aspx
Apple Preparing First Mac OS 10.6.5 Betas
Appleinsider's Kasper Jade reports:
The next bug fix and maintenance release for Apple's Mac OS 10.6 Snow Leopard operating has progressed through the company's internal verification process and will soon make its way to developers for broader testing.
For the full report visit here:
http://snurl.com/zw7rx
Swan/Pearl Station Apple-II Plus Computer From Lost Offered At Auction
This configuration is an Apple-II Plus system running an Apple-III monitor, with a Disk II floppy drive. This same prop is used as both the Swan and Pearl Station computer (as evident by the Swan logo). At the Pearl Station, the computer is connected to a dot matrix printer with the "System Failure" log printout that alerted Desmond to realize what caused Oceanic Flight 815 to crash. At the Swan Station, the computer is used by Desmond to enter "The Numbers" every 108 minutes. It is the destruction of the Swan Station computer that prevented "The Numbers" from being entered and which led Desmond to trigger the fail safe mechanism, causing the Swan Station to implode.
Of trivial interest is an 1980s film, entitled "The Self," employed in some psychology classes today, which features an Apple-III computer monitor that is used to test the effect of positive personalities. Incidentally, the numbers 4, 8, 16, and 23 appear frequently in these tests. This could be the reason for the choice of the kind of computer.
To be offered at auction Summer 2010, Los Angeles, For More Information Call 310-859-7701 or visit:
http://snurl.com/zw7u8
The Apple Cult
Decline of the Empire blogger Dave Cohen says:
In a world of narcissistic, overpaid CEOs, Steve Jobs stands alone. Steve knew it was not enough to produce a good product at a good price - that wasn't going to cut it. To really lure the suckers in, you need to create a religious cult whose central belief system centers around veneration of & unquestioning faith - is there any other kind? - in your products & perfection. And who would lead that cult? Why Steve would, of course! And Jobs has succeeded, but not beyond his wildest dreams.....
For the full commentary visit here:
http://www.declineoftheempire.com/2010/07/the-apple-cult.html
Shipping Your OWC Order to Canada, Eh?! OWC Now Covers UPS and FedEx "Brokerage Fees" In Shipping Costs [Hooray!]
OWC blogger Richard says:
Recently, we have received a few inquiries from our Canadian customers regarding shipping, brokers fees, customs & taxes and what is the best course of action for them to take when shipping products to Canada. We have investigated the situation, and have come up with these helpful insights to those affected.
If you choose to have your OWC order shipped via UPS or FedEx, OWC now includes all brokerage fees in our shipping costs to Canada. However, there still may be duty taxes and/or custom fees that would be charged separately by the carrier, on behalf of the Canadian Government, and are usually due upon delivery of your order.
If you choose to send US Postal (First Class, Priority or Express), please remember that for international shipments, First Class can take up to 3+ weeks to arrive. Priority usually takes between a week to a week and a half and Express shipments typically arrive within a week.
As far as tracking your parcel goes, typically USPS First Class is the least expensive option and, as such, does not come with any tracking information. Priority shipments will have a reference number that can sometimes show the major happenings like pick up and delivery. A neat trick that many may not be aware of is that the USPS tracking information can also be tracked using canadapost.com once the parcel has entered Canada!
However, for full and complete tracking information, you probably want to use either USPS Express, UPS or Fed Ex.
Below are some links that should help our Canadian customers make a more informed decision concerning buying and shipping products from OWC:
Duties, Taxes and Handling Fees:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/postal-postale/duty-droits-eng.html
Canada Border Services Agency Main Page:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html
Shipping Calculator:
http://www.thefinalcost.com/
OWC would appreciate any feedback on these links, or others that may be of help to our Neighbors To The North!
You can check it out at:
http://blog.macsales.com/6291-shipping-your-owc-order-to-canada-eh
GuitarTools 0.78 Free Learning Tool For Guitar Players Of Any Style
[Press Release]
Guitar tools is a multi-platform application for Guitar Players of any style.
It's a learning tool which helps you finding scales, chords, harmony and practicing.
It comes with a bunch of useful features : metronome, favorites tunes, circle of fifths, diatonic scales, etc...
Guitar Tools is available for Mac and Windows.
New in version 0.78 :
• fixes in the "Practice WIndow" on the Favorites
• PopMenu
• HelpMenu
• fix in relative chord/scale
• play chord or scale : holding the shift key to play descending
• fix on window's positions, thanks Mat
System requirements:
• Mac OS X 10.4 or later.
• Should also work with Mac OS X 10.3
System Support:
PPC/Intel
Freeware
For more information, visit:
http://www.rollonbuddy.com/GuitarTool/GuitarTool.html
Multi-View Computer Reading Glasses Announces New Styles Available Online
[Press Release]
Consumers don't have to strain their eyes looking at text or a computer screen or pay high prices for specialty glasses. Multi-View, manufacturer and retailer of computer reading glasses, with one power for text and a different power for the computer screen is now offering 29 styles of glasses and custom prescriptions to help consumers see more clearly without the constant eye strain or a stiff and sore neck.
Glasses can be expensive, even more so when needed to accommodate vision for both printed text and a computer screen. Multi-View is offering a solution with new styles of computer reading glasses for men and women.
Multi-View glasses have power on the bottom of the lens for reading printed text and a different power on top that corrects vision when looking at a computer. A nice added feature is no visible lines. Valued at $275 to $350 traditional retail, computer reading glasses from Multi-View start at $89.95. Multi-View uses only Ophthalmic quality frames, most with spring hinges and CR-39 or Polycarbonate, Ophthalmic quality materials for lenses. Customers can also order features like sun tints with UV Protection for reading outdoors, computer tints and anti-reflective coatings to eliminate the bright glare from their computer monitor. Multi-View will fill custom prescriptions for reading glasses online as well. Prescriptions can be faxed or emailed. Now, consumers have even more options with new styles to choose from. They've just added very light weight but extremely durable Titanium frames to the product line.
Multi-View manufactures glasses for reading. Husband and wife team, John and Linda Catania, both licensed opticians, make the glasses per the online order out of their lab in Denver, Co. "All glasses are made right the first time by licensed opticians," explains Linda Catania, owner. "It makes a difference."
She further explains how a particular lens power may work well for reading, does not always perform for other conditions, such as a looking at a computer. The lens power has to be altered because it is a different focal point. An Eye Chart located on the website will help customers choose the correct power to order. Customers simply need to order the power they use for reading and Multi-View will adjust the power on top needed for their computer monitor.
"We are the originators of ready-made discount computer reading glasses, they started out designed for use while looking at a computer, but our customers said that they found comfort when using them for other things like cooking, playing the piano, painting, playing cards and many more hobbies." continues Catania. "Our high quality and affordable pricing helps many hard working Americans improve their visual comfort through their long day."
With new styles now available, consumers can wear these quality inexpensive computer reading glasses that feel and look great. Multi-View also offers stylish accessories such as cases, cords, gift boxes and gift bags. And for those that use contacts, fancy lens cases are also offered. Other merchandise available on the site includes sunglasses and reading lamps.
"We want to help people see more clearly. Our glasses have been shown to decrease headaches and tension associated with eye strain. And because you can see clearly, you'll be happier too," adds Catania.
More information on reading and prescription computer glasses can be found at:
http://www.multi-views.com/
Khronos Drives Rapid Evolution of Cross-Platform 3D Graphics with Release of OpenGL 4.1 Specification
[Press Release]
The Khronos Group has announced the immediate release of the OpenGL 4.1 specification, bringing the very latest graphics functionality to the most advanced and widely adopted cross-platform 2D and 3D graphics API (application programming interface). OpenGL 4.1 is the sixth update to OpenGL specification in two years, continuing the rapid evolution of this royalty-free specification. This new version continues to maintain full backwards compatibility to enable developers to begin using new features whenever they choose, while portably accessing state-of-the-art GPU functionality across diverse operating systems and platforms.
"The release of OpenGL 4.1 just five months after OpenGL 4.0 shows that collaborative innovation to build market opportunities for high-performance GPU acceleration is not slowing down. The ARB is also working hard to ensure backwards compatibility with each release so developers can absorb new functionality at their own pace"
The OpenGL 4.1 specification has been defined by the OpenGL ARB (Architecture Review Board) working group at Khronos, and includes the GLSL 4.10 update to the OpenGL Shading language and is accompanied by a number of extensions introducing cutting-edge functionality to the OpenGL standard. The full specification is available for immediate download at http://www.opengl.org/registry.
New functionality in the core OpenGL 4.1 specification includes:
- Full compatibility with OpenGL ES 2.0 APIs for easier porting between mobile and desktop platforms;
- The ability to query and load a binary for shader program objects to save re-compilation time;
- The capability to bind programs individually to programmable stages for programming flexibility;
- 64-bit floating-point component vertex shader inputs for higher geometric precision;
- Multiple viewports for a rendering surface for increased rendering flexibility.
New ARB extensions introduced with OpenGL 4.1 include:
- OpenGL sync objects linked to OpenCL event objects for enhanced OpenCL interoperability;
- The ability to set stencil values in a fragment shader for enhanced rendering flexibility;
- Features to improve robustness, for example when running WebGL applications;
- Callback mechanisms to receive enhanced errors and warning messages.
Lastly, Khronos has simultaneously released a set of ARB extensions to enable as much OpenGL 4.1 core functionality as possible on previous generation GPU hardware; providing maximum flexibility and platform coverage for application developers.
"Khronos is methodically building their vision for pervasive developer access to cross-platform graphics, media and compute acceleration. The continued rapid-fire OpenGL evolution feeds high-end graphics innovation into that strategy," stated Dr. Jon Peddie founder and principal of Jon Peddie Research. "Just as significant as OpenGL 4.1's new 3D functionality are the ever closer links with OpenCL and OpenGL ES 2.0 – another significant step in strengthening the Khronos API ecosystem."
"The release of OpenGL 4.1 just five months after OpenGL 4.0 shows that collaborative innovation to build market opportunities for high-performance GPU acceleration is not slowing down. The ARB is also working hard to ensure backwards compatibility with each release so developers can absorb new functionality at their own pace," said Barthold Lichtenbelt, OpenGL ARB working group chair and senior manager Core OpenGL at NVIDIA. "I am also pleased to announce that NVIDIA will release OpenGL 4.1 production drivers on our developer site for all Fermi-based graphics accelerators, including the GeForce GTX 400 series, during SIGGRAPH. OpenGL 4.1 is not just a specification – it's here and now."
"AMD wishes to congratulate the ARB as it releases the OpenGL 4.1 Specification. AMD is committed to open standards and to OpenGL and plans to support OpenGL 4.1 in an upcoming driver release," said Ben Bar-Haim, corporate vice president, software at AMD. "The ability of the ARB to produce new and updated graphics standards at a regular cadence speaks volumes to their ongoing efforts to ensure healthy advances in the field of graphics, and AMD is proud to have contributed to this."
"Graphic Remedy is proud to be part of the Khronos OpenGL group, playing an important role in the definition of OpenGL's debugging and profiling features. We are excited about the release of OpenGL 4.1 and the new errors and warning mechanism," said Yaki Tebeka, CTO at Graphic Remedy. "Graphic Remedy is committed to supporting the OpenGL developer community with gDEBugger GL, a professional OpenGL Debugger, Profiler and Memory analyzer; this solution helps companies and individuals make the most out of the OpenGL API, unleashing the rendering power exposed by current and future graphic hardware."
"We are very excited to see the release of OpenGL 4.1. New features, such as support for program binary loading and separate shader objects will be very valuable for TransGaming and other ISVs developing advanced graphics for games on OpenGL platforms," commented Gavriel State, Founder & CTO of TransGaming, Inc.
Learn about OpenGL 4.1 and Khronos APIs at SIGGRAPH 2010
OpenGL Wednesday, 28 July | 5:15 pm - 7:15 pm | Wilshire Grand - Los Angeles Room
COLLADA Tuesday, 27 July | 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm | LACC, Room 402A
OpenCL Tuesday, 27 July | 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm | LACC, Room 402A
Mobile Thursday, 29 July | 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm | LACC, Room 402A
WebGL Thursday, 29 July | 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm | LACC, Room 402A
More information is available at:
http://www.khronos.org
Or call Multi-view's Toll Free Customer Service Line 1-888-685-8484
Being Geek: The Software Developer's Career Handbook - New from O'Reilly
[Press Release]
As a software engineer, you recognize at some point that there's much more to your career than dealing with code. Is it time to become a manager? Tell your boss he's a jerk? Join that startup? Author Michael Lopp (@rands) recalls his own make-or-break moments with Silicon Valley giants such as Apple, Netscape, and Symantec in Being Geek (O'Reilly Meida, $24.99 USD) - an insightful and entertaining book that will help you make better career decisions.
"I wrote this book because I want geeks and nerds alike to own their careers. It's too easy in an industry full of urgent things to do to forget that you're going to have many jobs and you get to choose where those jobs will take you," explains Lopp, a Silicon Valley-based engineering manager.
With more than 40 standalone stories, Lopp walks through a complete job life cycle, starting with the job interview and ending with the realization that it might be time to find another gig. Many books teach you how to interview for a job or how to manage a project successfully, but only this book helps you handle the baffling circumstances you may encounter throughout your career.
Being Geek will help you:
• Decide what you're worth with the chapter on "The Business"
• Determine the nature of the miracle your CEO wants with "The Impossible"
• Give effective presentations with "How Not to Throw Up"
• Handle liars and people with devious agendas with "Managing Werewolves"
• Realize when you should be looking for a new gig with "The Itch"
• Adds Lopp: "I hope the readers of Being Geek will feel they own their career rather than feeling their company owns them."
Michael Lopp is a Silicon Valley-based engineering manager. When he's not worrying about staying relevant, he writes about pens, bridges, people, and werewolves at the popular weblog, Rands in Repose. Michael wrote a book called Managing Humans which explains that while you might be rewarded for what you produce, you will only be successful because of your people.
For more information about the book, including sample content, full table of contents, author bio, and cover graphic, see:
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/9780596155414.
Being Geek
Michael Lopp
ISBN: 978-0-596-15540-7,
336 pages,
Book Price: $24.99 USD,
Ebook Price: $19.99 USD
1-800-998-9938
1-707-827-7000
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