Posts Tagged: apple

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31
Aug 10

Word v Pages

If you can’t get excited about your word processor, stop reading now. But if you can get excited, Betalogue offers a great side-by-side compairson of Microsoft Word and Apple’s take on the classic word processor, Pages:

“In Word 2008, you have at least three different ways of viewing the same information (the style[s] of the current selection), i.e. a palette, a toolbar control, and a dialog box, and none of them is able to provide any useful information. In addition, each of them provides a difference piece of false information!”

Lots of screen shots. Good write up. Check it out.

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19
Aug 10

iPad + iPhone 4

A friend asked my opinions on the iPad and iPhone 4. Somehow, I thought I had posted something about this, and while I posted plenty of other opinions about the iPad, I had only officially put out my initial reaction, and haven’t said boo about the iPhone 4.

Let me rectify this.

iPad:

  • The iPad will not replace a laptop. But it will replace more of your laptop than you think. Pick up the keyboard that goes with it, and it’ll be closer still.
  • Not having a traditional desktop with files and folders is an asset to the iPad. It makes it easier to use, and easier to understand. If you don’t believe me, walk around your office and see how many people “file” things into their desktop.
  • Reading books with iBooks works fine, and is a pleasure. The highlighting and notes abilities are very nice. I’ve read a few books on it now.
  • The screen is not useable outside. I tried it on a cloudy day, and the reflection was too much.
  • It is far better for consumption than creation. However there are some creative bits that work well on it (drawing, short emails, etc). As such, I haven’t quite found a good fit for using it at work.
  • The iWork apps (I have Pages and Keynote) are great, but are not compatible with last-years desktop version of iWork. This is really disappointing, and worse: the iPad Keynote app reads my ancient PowerPoint files just fine.
  • There are some really fun, addictive, and innovative games available for only a dollar or 2 each.
  • I didn’t get the 3G version, but will next time The ability to pay for 3G access a month here or there would be perfect for vacations.
  • Overall: if you have room in your budget for another device, you’ll love the iPad for surfing, social networking, sharing photos, and playing games.

iPhone 4:

I still have a 3GS, and will likely get the new phone (iPhone 5?) next summer.

First, lets talk about the antenna: From what I understand, the antenna thing might be an issue in certain situations, for some people, but for other people, they get reception where they never previously were able to. If you are concerned, get one of the bumpers – it fixes the death-grip problem. If you are really concerned, wait till January. The rumors are stronger than usual, and suggest that January is when there will be an iPhone on the Verizon network.

Other than that, I hear the screen is amazing and the camera is as good as many dedicated cameras. FaceTime is great, and I’m waiting to hear if this latest incarnation of video conferencing will be one that the public actually adopts.

If you’re concerned about an “open” platform and are thinking of picking up an Android phone, I’d highly suggest reading this, this, this, this, or this.

Overall: Apple is still making the best smart phone, at a competitive price. Other phones are at least a year behind in technical capabilities, and if you look at their usability, I have yet to see a report of a new phone that is better than (or as good as) the original iPhone that was released 3 years ago.

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9
Aug 10

Apple’s 2010

Zaky’s 2010: The Year Apple Enters a New Golden Age:

“To get an idea of how deeply Apple continues to penetrate the market, last year the company produced 50% less in sales and over 71% less in earnings than it will this year. That means the 2010 Apple is nearly 50% larger than the Apple of 2009 – almost an entirely different company. If this growth continues into 2011, Apple will surpass Exxon (XOM) to become the largest corporation in America.”

There are a lot of numbers in the article. Pretty interesting though. Especially when you consider “Microsoft spent seven times as much as Apple on R&D over the past four years” (via Daring Fireball). One has to wonder how Apple does so much with so little.

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20
Jul 10

You got an Apple in your Corporate

Apple doesn’t belong in a Corporate environment, right? Well someone forgot to tell Wells Fargo, SAP, and Mercedes-Benz:

“[They] are using the tablet-style computer for tasks as varied as accessing work e-mail, approving shipping orders, and calling up on-the-spot auto-finance options.”

It takes time to change things, but now that Apple is bigger than Microsoft, one has to wonder how long corporate will continue to cling to the underdog.

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16
Jul 10

Future Promises vs That Which Is Today

Marco’s buying advice:

“I never make technology-buying decisions based on future promises, rumors, or potential. I let other people be the bleeding-edge extremely early adopters, and I stick with what I know will work and stay out of my way. I don’t buy things that are “getting better”, because they usually don’t. Whatever caused them to be lacking in their current release will usually prevent them from being great in future releases.

I buy things that are great today. They’re usually things that have been great since day one. And, more often than not, they’re Apple products.”

So much could be said about the promises of the future vs the realities of today. You have to make your decisions based on todays reality, because tomorrow’s promise may never come.

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