What self-respecting tech blogger would dare to leave Apple off their pages? Not a one. Let me start out by being honest and to say that as a life-long Mac user and future employee (I start work soon), I am biased. Anyway, here is my take on recent Apple rumblings.
iPhone
First up, the infamous iPhone. Its been a busy past couple of weeks for Apple's newest baby. News of international launches, future access to development kits, new data plans and an easy method to unlock your iPhone AFTER the update, has done nothing but increase the popularity of probably the most loved and yet the same time hated phone in the world. I had been on the fence for a while but have decided to wait for the next iPhone. Maybe I am just not cool enough or maybe its just that as sexy and cool as the iPhone is, it falls short in a few areas. Here is the quickest iPhone review you have ever seen:
Good - Sexy, iPod, Touch Screen, Awesome Internet Browser
Bad - No 3G, No Physical Keyboard, No MMS (pic messaging)
Verdict - Wait for iPhone 2
If you still plan to buy one or have one already and would like to unlock it check out this link,
Jailbreak
Check out this list of features we would all like on the iPhone courtesy of the guys over at GadgetLab
Leopard
Next is the launch of the highly-anticipated update to Mac OS X, 10.5 Leopard. Apple says that it contains over 300 new features and tweaks, lots of which will be visible to the normal user. One of these new features is the incredibly useful and gorgeous Time Machine. Here is Apple's description:
The consensus is that Leopard is more evolutionary than revolutionary but is still the best, most innovative, and easiest to use operating system out. Check it out at www.apple.com/macosx/ .
Apple reports that Leopard is now in the hands of over 2 million customers. Whether or not all these people even wanted Leopard is still under debate. See, the problem some are having with these numbers is that they include all new hardware purchases that have Leopard pre-installed. This begs the question "Did people buy their shiny new Macs for Leopard?" There are a few scenarios to consider here. For example, I purchased my MacBook Pro at the beginning of October. It had Mac OS X Tiger 10.4 pre-installed. Luckily, I was within Apple's 1 month launch window and received the opportunity to upgrade for no more than a shipping and handling fee. Should I be considered one those 2+ million? Yes, I should. I made a conscious decision to upgrade and the fact that I bought my Macbook before the launch shouldn't hurt me or Apple. Now lets say I had waited a month to buy my Macbook for any reason except that I was holding for Leopard, should I be considered one of those 2+ Million? No. Leave it to the 'haters' to try to knock Apple down from its pedestal by diminishing its stellar numbers in contrast to Windows Vista's launch numbers (not so hot). Apple did not use its words very carefully and expressly said that it had sold over 2 millions copies of the software. I guess we will just have to believe them for now.
One of Leopard's new visually stunning features Time Machine.
Hardware
As far as hardware goes, rumors have been spreading about a possible MacBook Tablet or u.p.Mac (ultra-portable Macbook) using Apple's multi-touch technology that debuted with the iPhone. Many including myself are skeptical of this as the market for ultra-mobile computers isnt exactly large. There is a balance between portability and productivity that this section of the computer market has yet to create. You want to be able to take your work on the road without having to sacrifice the performance you need to work efficiently. If you can't work efficiently then the advantage of working on the road can be offset. Who knows, maybe Apple will be the one to do it. The Tablet PC is a bit more established but still experiencing a few of its growing pains. Tablets aren't the most portable systems out there but the practical and business applications for them are more promising than the standard laptop fare. The touch screens allow for more detailed media manipulation and might be a boon for artists that are used using a separate tablet to work with. The downside to these computers is that they arent known for packing much punch when it comes to processing speed, which kinda rules out the artists, since they need that power to create and edit. Ever try to open Photoshop on an a PC with an average processor? Yes? Did you bring a snack? Take a nap? You could probably read this long ass post in the time you waited for it to load. Since, Macs are already known as the premier platform for graphical, video, and musical work, a tablet Mac would make sense for those that need to work on the go. One worthy note, these two segments cater more to professionals. Thats not to say that normal consumers wouldn't benefit, but that balance of portability and productivity I mentioned earlier comes at a premium price.
Check out some concept pics below from Factory Joe and Jesus Diaz of Gizmodo.
OK, thats enough Apple for now. Phew, that was long.
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