• Home
  • Archives
  • Guides
  • Add to Google Toolbar

December 13, 2007

Apple Releases Quicktime and GargageBand updates via Software Update

Kick off Mac OS X's Software Update utility and you'll find new updates for Quicktime and GarageBand.  An alternate way to get the updates is to use a standalone installer.  Windows users you're not left out either, there's an update for Quicktime on Windows as well.

Continue reading »

October 16, 2007

Apple Announces Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard

On October 16, 2007 Apple Inc. announced that the company's new operating system Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) will go on sale on Friday, October 26th at 6 p.m. at Apple retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers.  Apple's online store has is now accepting pre-orders.

Continue reading »

August 03, 2007

Recent Software Updates - Mac OS X, Safari 3, iTunes

Over the past few days, Apple has released several software updates.  A comprehensive security update for Mac OS X, an update for the Safari 3 beta web browser, and iTunes.  This post summarizes those updates.

Continue reading »

June 05, 2007

Safari Market Share Rises to 4.82 Percent - Up 48 Percent Year Over Year

According to data collected by Net Applications, the Safari Web browser for the Mac operating system continues to gain market share and checks in at 4.82 percent for May 2007.  Safari continues to maintain its position as the third most used web browser trailing only Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Mozilla's Firefox.

Continue reading »

April 15, 2007

NAB 2007 Apple announces Final Cut Server, Final Cut Studio 2 and More!

On Sunday April 15, 2007 at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada Apple Inc. announced Final Cut Server and Final Cut Studio 2.  Apple introduced a new application in the Final Cut Studio suite called Color.  Also making thier debut were ProRes 422 and a hardware device called IO-HD.

Continue reading »

March 29, 2007

New Boot Camp release ushers in Vista Support

On Wednesday March 28, 200t Apple Inc. released an update to Boot Camp beta, its dual-boot solution that allows Intel-based Macs to boot into and run the Microsoft Windows operating system.

Continue reading »

March 19, 2007

USA Today: Windows, Macs co-exist

Edward C. Baig states that you don't have to hold back on making the switch.  His column starts off with the following statement:

Continue reading »

December 12, 2006

Apple Releases Aperture 1.5.2 Update

On Monday December 11, 2006, Apple Computer released an update to its Aperture professional photography workflow application that takes the version of the software to 1.5.2.  The update is available via the Mac OS X Software Update utility and it's available as a standalone installer.

Continue reading »

October 31, 2006

Apple Releases Boot Camp 1.1.2

Apple Computer on October 30, 2006 released an update to Boot Camp beta, its dual-boot solution that allows Intel-based Macs the ability to boot into and run the Microsoft Windows operating system.  Now at version 1.1.2, Apple describes the software as having the following features:

Continue reading »

October 27, 2006

Sneak Peek No More New .Mac Webmail Launched

Previously a sneak peak but now officially released to .Mac members, the new .Mac webmail offers a new look with several updated features.  By embracing the latest web technology, the new .Mac webmail resembles more closely the Mail application in Mac OS X.  The new webmail brings:

Continue reading »

October 26, 2006

Final Cut Express HD Updated to 3.5.1

Apple has released Final Cut Express HD 3.5.1 via the Mac OS X Software Update utility.  According to Apple's website, the update "addresses compatibility on specific hardware"

Continue reading »

October 24, 2006

Mac OS X Tiger Now Enhanced for Intel Core 2 Duo

In their October 24, 2006 Press Release announcing the revised MacBook Pro line of professional notebook computers, Apple Computer mentions that the company's operating system, Mac OS X Tiger has been enhanced for the Intel Core 2 Duo processors.

Continue reading »

October 11, 2006

Current .Mac Members Get a $20 Discount on iLife ‘06

Apple has an exclusive promotion for existing .Mac subscribers that gives them a $20 discount on the retail price of iLife '06.  Once you log into .Mac and navigate to .Mac Member Central, you'll see a link on the left column that says "$20 off iLife '06".

Continue reading »

September 15, 2006

Apple Releases Boot Camp 1.1.1

Apple Computer on September 14, 2006 released an update to Boot Camp beta, its dual-boot solution that allows Intel-based Macs the ability to boot into and run the Microsoft Windows operating system.  Now at version 1.1.1, Apple describes the software as having the following features:

Continue reading »

September 02, 2006

Safari Market Share Continues Upward Trend Up 46 Percent

According to Market Share, Apple computer's Safari Web browser continues to gain market share in the Internet browser arena.  Safari maintains its ranking as third most used browsers.

Continue reading »

August 16, 2006

Apple Releases Boot Camp 1.1

Although still in beta, Apple has released a significant upgrade to its dual-boot solution that allows Intel-based Macs the ability to boot and run the Microsoft Windows operating system.  According to Apple's Boot Camp page, version 1.1 beta includes the following features:

Continue reading »

July 05, 2006

Safari Market Share Rises 65 Percent Year-Over-Year

According to Market Share, Apple computer's Safari Web browser has grown over 65 percent year-over-year between June 2006 and June 2005.  Safari still checks in at number three on Market Share's list of the most used browsers.

Continue reading »

June 29, 2006

Apple .Mac Learning Center Updated

Apple has released a redesigned version of the .Mac Learning Center.  You can check out the details by logging into your .Mac (pronounced "Dot Mac") account or by reading the .Mac blog.

Continue reading »

Apple's iLife "Get A Mac" Commerical Posted to International Advertising Awards Web Site

According to the ad-awards.com site, "Ad-Awards.com is a website presenting the finest TV ads worldwide."  The site lists the following information about the ad:

Title: iLife
Client: Apple
Agency: TBWAChiatDay
Country: USA

Continue reading »

June 05, 2006

Apple's End-To-End Model Leads to Innovation and User Experience

When comparing a Mac against a PC, cost is the most often cited metric used to make the comparison.  In my view, cost is only one variable of the computing equation.  Failure to analyze other variables will lead one down an incomplete analysis.  At a minimum, the comparison should also look at the following:

  • Features, security, and stability of the operating systems
  • Included and/or bundled software
  • Maintenance and repair histories
  • Realibility and performance of customer service

Continue reading »

April 17, 2006

Safari Continues To Gain Market Share

Apple computer's Safari Web browser continues to gain market share.  It still checks in at number three on the most used browsers but its use is up 84 percent over the past year and 33 percent since September 2005.

This continues the Safari growth trend.  According to MarketShare,  Safari market share growth is as follows:

Continue reading »

April 13, 2006

Aperture 1.1 Universal Update and Lower Price

Thursday April 13, 2006, Apple released Aperture 1.1, an update to the professional post-production image tool for photographers. Apple has also made changes to the application but most importantly, the update brings support to Intel-based Macs.  According to Apple, Aperture 1.1 "delivers impressive speed gains on any Mac".

Continue reading »

April 12, 2006

Final Cut Studio Promotion - Save $300

Apple is offering a $300 instant discount on the purchase of Final Cut Studio when it is bought with a new a MacBook Pro, iMac or a Power Mac G5. The offer ends June 26, 2006.

Apple recently updated Final Cut Studio to Universal Binary format to allow installation on both Intel Macs and PowerPC Macs.

April 07, 2006

Macs - Boot Camp - Market Share - Switchers

Earlier this week, the buzz was centered around Apple's new beta Boot Camp software for OS X Tiger 10.4.6 that allows owners of new Intel Macs to extend the funcionality of the systems to boot into Mac OS X or Windows XP.  Apple also released firmware updates for the entire line of the Intel Macs that provide EFI and BIOS support that should allow the new Intel Macs to boot into adiitional operating systems such as Windows XP, the upcoming Windows Vista, and Linux.  The Intel Macs use a modern booting technology called EFI, Extensible Firmware Interface.  In order to boot Windows XP and Windows Vista, the computer needs to support BIOS, a technology over 20 years old.  Boot Camp bridges the EFI and BIOS gap.

Continue reading »

April 01, 2006

How to Switch Part Six: Learn To Use Mac OS X

Visit the Switch To A Mac Guides
This guide provides a brief overview of how to use a Mac.  For a more comprehensive learning experience, visit the Switch To A Mac Guides for a wide range of topics, guides, and tips.

For Windows switchers, Mac OS X will take time to learn however; it’s intuitive and relatively familiar so Windows users will become productive in a short amount of time.  My view is that when compared to Windows, Mac OS X is easier to learn, requires fewer keystrokes to accomplish tasks, and results in greater end user productivity.  When I switched to a Mac, I felt uncomfortable but over time I've found the OS X environment to be more user friendly and easier to use than Windows. This article/post highlights the major components of the OS X environment and is geared towards helping those who are new to Mac OS X.

Continue reading »

March 30, 2006

Macs are Faster - Benchmarking - Virtualization Technology - Increased Market Share

Historically, there has never been a true test to compare Macs with Intel based PCs.  New data and benchmarks demonstrating that the Intel powered MacBook Pros and iMacs run Windows faster than today's PCs dismiss the myths that Macs are slower, behind the technology curve, and are more costly.  The point I'd like to make is that the Intel based Macs were designed and engineered to be Macs that run OS X, not Windows.  The fact that they run Windows XP faster than WinTel machines proves that Apple's hardware engineering, innovation, and quality surpasses its competitors.

Continue reading »

March 29, 2006

Final Cut Studio Now Universal - Professionals Take Note

Apple’s industry-leading video production suite Final Cut Studio, is now available as a Universal Binary.  The new build provides native support for both PowerPC and Intel based Macs.

Final Cut Studio 5.1 packages four powerful and integrated professional products:

  • Final Cut Pro 5 - Real-time editing for DV, SD, HD, and film
  • Motion 2 - Advanced animation and special effects
  • SoundTrack Pro - Audio editing and creation
  • DVD Studio Pro 4 - Advanced DVD authoring

Continue reading »

March 22, 2006

Did Apple's Response to a French bill indirectly hint at a Movie Download Service?

Apple Computer responsed to the effort by French lawmakers aimed at forcing the company to open iPods and Tunes to work with competing digital media products.  Did Apple's statement hint at a Movie download service?

Continue reading »

March 20, 2006

With OS X You're Productive

I've been thinking about how one has to devote time to a Windows based system versus a Mac running OS X. We all know that Windows systems are prone to virus infection, spyware, malware, and unpatched systems are begging to be exploited. In fact, Windows is the most attacked, least secure operating system around. A Windows system is unsecure out-of-the-box.  Keeping a Windows system safe demands a high degree of vigilance. 1

Continue reading »

January 12, 2006

Quicktime: Play Windows Media Files

Software from Flip4Mac™ makes it possible to run  Windows Media® files in Quicktime.  The software allows you to play Windows Media files (.wma and .wmv) directly in Apple's QuickTime Player and view Windows Media® content on the Internet in your browser.  The software can be downloaded directly from Microsoft.

Continue reading »

January 05, 2006

Apple and Disney Expand iTunes Content

Apple's iTunes Music Store has more content to sell to a larger base of consumers thanks to an extended partnership with The Walt Disney Co.

Continue reading »

January 03, 2006

Safari Gains Marketshare in 2005

Apple computer's Safari Web browser continues to gain market share and checks in as the number three on the most used browsers.  Safari experienced a growth of approximately 85 percent in 2005.  By comparison, Microsoft's Internet Explorer lost market share during 2005 down to 85.05 percent in December from 89.44 in January, a decline of 4.9 percent Firefox, the number two browser finished 2005 with a 9.57 percent share of the market, an increase from 5.59 percent in January, an increase of 71 percent.

Continue reading »