Applelinks Tech Web Reader - Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Apple Smashes Mac Sales Record In February
Apple sales soar to capture 14% of US PC retail sales
Do rising Mac sales spell the end for the PC?
Should Mac Users Run Antivirus Software?
Intel To Shrink Nehalem Chips For Laptops
Intel, Samsung comment on flash, SSD reliability
Analyst: Returns, Technical Problems High With Flash-based Notebooks
13 Ports in a USB 2.0 Hub Means Never Having to Unplug a Device
Apple's Windows Invasion
Apple Mulls Unlimited Music Bundle
Someone Get Me Rewrite: Apple Delivers Monster Security Update For OS X
Apple's iPhoto - A Review for the Uninitiated
Why Apple Fans Hate Tech Reporters
Charlie Rose Suffers Black Eye In Saving MacBook Air
Apple TV To Utilize Peer-to-peer Technology?
Loving the MacBook Air
Nothing Between You And Your Machine
Final Cut Pro SuperMeet Announced for April 16 at NAB
Apple Smashes Mac Sales Record In February
tech.co.uk's Rob Mead reports:
Mac sales are continuing to grow at a phenomenal rate, with US consumer sales up 60 per cent in the last 12 months, according to new numbers from market research firm NPD. The figures also show that Apple's market share now stands at 14 per cent - naysayers take note.
For the full report click here.
Apple sales soar to capture 14% of US PC retail sales
ZNet's Adrian Kingsley-Hughes reports:
Mac sales have now soared to account for 14% unit share and 25% dollar share of all US-based PC retail sales, that's according to market research firm NPD.
Here's a breakdown of the data:
Mac unit share up from 9% in Feb 07 to 14% in Feb 08.
Mac dollar share up from 16% in Feb 07 to 25% in Feb 08.
Notebook unit sales up 64% (compared to 20% in the retail segment as a whole)
Notebook unit revenue up 67% (compared to 11% in the retail segment as a whole)
Desktop unit sales up 55% (compared to -5% in the retail segment as a whole)
Desktop unit revenue up 68% (compared to -2% in the retail segment as a whole)
So, what's behind this?......
For the full report visit here:
http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=1520
Do rising Mac sales spell the end for the PC?
OnSoftware's Nicholas Mead says:
Are the days of PCs and Windows really numbered? Will the world eventually convert to Macs? Maybe these sound like rather wild suggestions but what's clear is that Apple Macs are selling better than ever before - and in a time when economies around the world have started to slow down.
Fortune recently reported that Mac sales worldwide went up 60% last month compared to the same period in 2007. At the same time, Apple's share of the US Market has almost doubled from 9% to 14% over the same period. Fortune reports that in dollar terms, Apple captured a full 25 percent of the U.S. computer market last month.
For the full commentary visit here:
http://en.onsoftware.com/do-rising-mac-sales-spell-the-end-for-the-pc/
Should Mac Users Run Antivirus Software?
TidBits' Rich Mogull says:
When people find out I'm a security expert, I can almost guarantee the ensuing conversation will evolve in one of three ways. If they are technologically illiterate, I'll have to explain I don't know anything about trading securities and can't help them with any hot tips. If they use Windows, I'll tell them to back up their data and reformat the system. But if they use Macs, the discussion usually becomes a little more complicated....
The reality is that today the Mac platform is relatively safe. There are hundreds of thousands of viruses and other malicious software programs floating around for Windows, but less than 200 are known to target the Mac, and many of those are aimed at versions of the Mac OS prior to Mac OS X (and thus have no effect on a modern Mac).
For the full report visit here:
http://db.tidbits.com/article/9511
Intel To Shrink Nehalem Chips For Laptops
Macworld's Agam Shah reports:
Intel said Monday that its upcoming chip microarchitecture, Nehalem, will first be targeted at servers and high-end desktops but later will be scaled down for laptops.
The Nehalem architecture, a substantial upgrade to Intel's current Core 2 microarchitecture, will pack between two and eight cores, said Pat Gelsinger, senior vice president and general manager of the digital enterprise group at Intel, during a press briefing on Monday. He did not talk about plans for Nehalem laptops. Intel plans to touch on the subject at the Intel Developer Forum in Shanghai in early April, a company spokesman said.
For the full report visit here:
http://www.macworld.co.uk/mac/news/index.cfm?RSS&NewsID=20747
Intel, Samsung comment on flash, SSD reliability
CNet's Brooke Crothers reports:
In a recent interview, an Intel manager in the NAND products group discussed the "physical limitations" of flash data recording and the challenges of making solid state drives (SSDs) more reliable. Samsung also addressed SSD durability.
The comments from Troy Winslow, marketing manager for the NAND Products Group at Intel, are particularly pertinent after a report was released Monday by Avi Cohen, head of research at Avian Securities, stating that the "return rates of current SLC based SSDs at Dell are running 20 percent to 30 percent due to a combination of performance issues and failures."
For the full report click here.
Analyst: Returns, Technical Problems High With Flash-based Notebooks
Crave's Michael Kanellos reports:
Notebooks with flash-based hard drives cost a lot and, according to managing partner Avi Cohen at Avian Securities, they don't work very well either.
A large computer manufacturer is getting around 20 percent to 30 percent of the flash-based notebooks it is shipping sent back because of failure rates and performance that simply isn't meeting customer expectations, the firm stated in a report on Monday. Avian gathered this information on a recent swing through Asia.
Approximately 10 percent to 20 percent of the flash notebooks shipping from the large manufacturer are coming back because of technical failure, Cohen said, far higher than the 1 percent to 2 percent of notebooks that come back because of technical failure with hard drives.
For the full report click here.
13 Ports in a USB 2.0 Hub Means Never Having to Unplug a Device
Low End Mac Dan Knight says:
Why in the world would anyone design a powered USB 2.0 hub with 13 ports? Four-port hubs are a dime a dozen - I have 2 or 3 from Belkin and one that came with my computer desk (built-in and very convenient!). I have a 3-port USB 2.0 hub with a built-in card reader. And I have the ancient Pertec "ugly" USB 1.1 hub, which has 7 ports (4 with power, 3 without).
But think about it for a moment: How many USB devices do you have?....
[Editor's note: More than four or seven.... I would love a 13-port hub! As Dan says: "You can never have too many USB 2.0 ports or AC jacks." ]
You can check it out at:
http://lowendmac.com/reviews/08rev/13-port-usb-hub.html
Apple's Windows Invasion
microsoft-watch.com's Joe Wilcox says:
Earlier today, Apple released the Safari 3.1 Web browser for Mac OS and Windows XP/Vista. A couple hours later, Apple Software Update popped up on my daughter's Sony VAIO, offering Safari 3.1 for download. I hadn't recalled seeing an earlier version installed on the laptop. I made no mistake: The Apple updater offered installation of new software, not something that had been there before. Whoa.
Apple distributes its software updater with iTunes. Adobe is among the other developers that also distribute software updaters with some products. But Apple has taken an interesting approach: Using its updater as a Trojan horse for promoting software not already installed on the Windows PC.
To read more, click here.
Apple Mulls Unlimited Music Bundle
FT's Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson reports:
Apple is in discussions with the big music companies about a radical new business model that would give customers free access to its entire iTunes music library in exchange for paying a premium for its iPod and iPhone devices.
The "all you can eat" model, a replica of Nokia's "comes with music" deal with Universal Music last December, could provide the struggling recorded music industry with a much-needed fillip, and drive demand for a new generation of Apple's hardware.
For the full report click here.
Someone Get Me Rewrite: Apple Delivers Monster Security Update For OS X
ZNet's Larry Dignan reports:
Apple delivered a security update for Tiger and Leopard Tuesday with at least 80 patches addressing multiple vulnerabilities.
You know it's a big patch haul from Apple when you read the advisory and:
You're not sure where to begin;
You're IMing fellow security folks (Ryan Naraine) to count CVE numbers for some clue of how many patches are included.
For the full commentary visit here:
http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=963
Apple's iPhoto - A Review for the Uninitiated
revellphotography.com's jeff says:
It's true that most days you can look at my blog and you will see mention of your typical photo editing tools such as Photoshop, Lightroom, Photomatix, and even Aperture, but what about that little program that comes loaded on your Mac? Isn't it a photo management and editing program? Do I really need to spend $650 just to play with my digital files? The answer is, it all depends. So lets take a look at a program that doesn't always get a lot of love but probably should, Apple's iPhoto.
For the full review visit here:
http://www.revellphotography.com/blog/?p=547
Why Apple Fans Hate Tech Reporters
Salon's Farhad Manjoo says:
In the fall of 2004, Walt Mossberg, the Wall Street Journal's influential tech columnist, reviewed Apple's latest desktop computer, the iMac G5. He absolutely loved the thing; you can tell from his first paragraph, which would not have been out of place at a beatification: "I am writing these words on the most elegant desktop computer I've ever used, a computer that is not only uncommonly beautiful but fast and powerful, virus-free and surprisingly affordable," he wrote.....
Mossberg's column ran for about 900 words; just 70 of them, or 8 percent, by my count, suggested anything even approaching negative criticism. Apple loved the review so much that it excerpted it in advertisements. Apple CEO Steve Jobs quoted it in his speeches. But Mossberg says that his mailbox told a different story. Several Apple fans felt slighted. What did he have against Apple? they wanted to know.
For the full commentary visit here:
http://machinist.salon.com/feature/2008/03/18/true_enough_excerpt_2/index.html
Charlie Rose Suffers Black Eye In Saving MacBook Air
Salon's TechCrunch reports:
Charlie Rose's late-night talk show is rarely a shocking affair. That's its appeal, of course - a quiet, contemplative chat with Davos luminaries before bedtime. Folks who tuned in on Monday night, though, got a rare fright: Rose's left eye was heavily bruised and bandaged, looking for all the world as if he were trying out for a role in Wes Anderson's next picture....
Rose tripped in a pothole walking down 59th St. in Manhattan.... carrying his new MacBook Air, and thus he had a big decision to make: Protect his face, or the beautiful machine?...
For the full report visit here:
http://machinist.salon.com/blog/2008/03/18/charlie_rose/index.html
Apple TV To Utilize Peer-to-peer Technology?
appletvsource.com's Luck Kanthatham says:
Could it be? Peer-to-peer, the same technology that made applications like Kazaa, Joost and Morpheus household names, might come to the Apple TV in the near future. Instead of using the current client-server model, Apple TV can really get a major speed bosst IF it switches to using peer-to-peer technology.
For the full report visit here:
http://appletvsource.com/content/view/596/1/
Loving the MacBook Air
Macworld's Jim Dalrymple reports:
I've had quite a few computers over the years, but none have intrigued me as much as the MacBook Air. I mean really intrigued me - made me think about how I would use it and if it would really work....
I also read a lot of the articles and posts on the Internet commenting on the lack of features of the MacBook Air. I wondered if some people really got what the Air was all about - or whether my own thoughts way off base.
There was only one way to find out. On the third day, I started the process of moving files to the Air.....
After using it for the past few weeks, I'm loving my MacBook Air. Understanding the intended use of the computer will go a long way to how much you will ultimately enjoy it.
For the full commentary visit here:
http://www.macworld.com/article/132582/2008/03/macbookair.html
Nothing Between You And Your Machine
The New York Times' John Markoff reports:
It has been more than two decades since Scotty tried to use a computer mouse as a microphone to control a Macintosh in Star Trek IV.
Since then, personal computer users have continued to live under the tyranny of the mice, windows, icons and pull-down menus originally invented at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Centre in the 1970s and popularised by Apple and Microsoft in the next decade.
Last year, however, the arrival of the Nintendo Wii and the Apple iPhone began to break down the logjam in technological innovation for the way humans interact with computers.
For the full report visit here:
http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Mar192008/cyberspace2008031858151.asp
Final Cut Pro SuperMeet Announced for April 16 at NAB
[Press Release]
The Final Cut Pro User Group Network have announced that the 7th Annual NAB FCPUG SuperMeet will be held at the MGM Grand Hotel's Grand Ballroom, Wednesday, April 16 beginning at 7PM. Doors open at 5PM. The FCPUG SuperMeet is expected to be the biggest party in town during NAB week. For complete details on the SuperMeet including directions, current list of raffle prizes and a link to where to buy tickets, visit the Los Angeles Final Cut Pro User Group (lafcpug) web site.
Chatsworth, CA - The Final Cut Pro User Group Network have announced that the 7th Annual NAB FCPUG SuperMeet will be held at the MGM Grand Hotel's Grand Ballroom, Wednesday, April 16 beginning at 7PM. (doors open at 5PM).
Tickets are only $15.00 per person and include 3 raffle tickets and are on sale now.
"This just maybe our largest SuperMeet in our seven year history," says Michael Horton, co-producer of the event and founder of the Los Angeles Final Cut Pro User Group. "The Grand Ballroom at the MGM Grand Hotel that will seat over 1000 people. In addition there will be 30 vendors outside the theatre doors showing off their "toys." Some of these vendors will not be on the NAB show floor. The SuperMeet will be the only place you will see them. Our World Famous Raffle has over $45,000.00 worth of prizes so far and we haven't even started."
The FCPUG SuperMeet is expected to be the biggest party in town during NAB week. Apple may not be on the trade show floor at NAB, but they WILL BE at the SuperMeet.
"Apple will be presenting on stage and they are supporting this event in a big way," added Horton. "The entire agenda has not yet been set, but we can tell you this; We will have presentations from Apple, JVC, Adobe, Blackmagic Design and many surprise guests. In addition will have state of the art projection and audio. There will be plenty to eat and drink and see and plenty of time to network. This is the only place you need to be during NAB week."
Tickets are on sale NOW for only $15.00 each (includes 3 raffle tickets) and this event is expected to sell out. SuperMeets always sell out. "Don't wait until last minute to buy tickets," says Horton. "There won't be any."
For complete details on the SuperMeet including directions, current list of raffle prizes and a link to where to buy tickets, visit the Los Angeles Final Cut Pro User Group (lafcpug) web site.
Los Angeles Final Cut Pro User Group:
http://www.lafcpug.org/nab_2008
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