Installation of software you didn't actively choose to install is malware. I'm referring to Apple's recent decision to force Safari 3.1 on hapless Windows users via Software Update. How can you "update" a product that isn't installed? Wife: Have you got anything without Safari? This is bad form Apple. At least Ars consider this browser a much-improved and stable "true competitor".
Tag archive for 'apple'
MacBook Air has the good looks but function doesn't follow form. Ars Technica told me exactly what I was thinking (although I wasn't clever enough to come up with the "iPod touch Extreme" analogy):
One way to look at the MacBook Air is as the largest and most capable iPod in Apple's line—think of it as an iPod touch Extreme with a built-in keyboard. It is not meant to be your only or main computer—rather, it's a secondary (or even tertiary) computer. It has to be, because it depends on the presence of at least one other computer in order to install anything from an optical drive, unless you buy an external optical drive. Because of this, the MacBook Air is more an extension of your computing life than an entity of its own.
The iPhone has arrived in the US. Even if it were available in New Zealand I still wouldn't buy one. I'm happy to wait for the large beta-test program (i.e. 1 in 5 US adults) to refine the product first. That said, I've been looking for a way to converge my mobile devices (phone, PDA, iPod) for some time. Sadly the 1st generation iPhone does not look like the device to fill this need. Relative to other Mac-friendly alternatives it comes up uniquely short in a number of areas on my feature wish-list. But of course I haven't seen or held it in the "flesh", and it is only a 1G device—so I can't be overly critical. Or can I? Most of the pre-launch focus has been on iPhone's interface (not unimportant), but what about comparative features? It's clear that while the iPhone offers few unique features (iTMS DRM playback, bookmark syncing) it's also immediately apparent that, relative to comparable products, the iPhone has the most limitations.
Continue reading 'Mac-friendly alternatives to Apple's 1G iPhone'
Apple Boot Camp: Install Windows XP without moving your Mac data. Burns a CD of all the required drivers for Windows. At startup, hold down the option key (alt) to choose between Mac OS X and Windows. Requires Mac OS X Tiger v10.4.6, Intel Mac with latest firmware, installation disc for Microsoft Windows XP with SP2.
Depth of Field Calculator MacOS X Widget: This Widget from Norbert Fuerst is a handy calculator for DoF, no matter what camera you've got. It is the perfect companion for the Apple PowerBook or iBook you probably carry to store and touch-up your digital images.
Once, long ago, being a member of Apple's .Mac seemed like a good idea—even value-for-money. Following the recent Macworld in San Francisco (Jan 2006) I'm left wondering what I'm getting for my money.
Continue reading 'Apple .Mac membership looking less attractive'
