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News & Opinion
Products & Services
Software
News & Opinion
Steve Jobs' Dream Was to Design an iCar
AppleInsider Staff cite Mickey Drexler, J. Crew CEO and a member of
Apple's board since 1999, claiming that company cofounder Steve Jobs
had aspirations to designing an Apple "iCar" automobile.
They quote Drexler commenting in an interview at Fast Company's
Innovation Uncensored conference observing:
"Look at the car industry, it's a tragedy in America. Who'sdesigning
the cars? Steve's dream before he died was to design an iCar and I
think it would've been probably 50% of the market. He never diddesign
it." AppleInsider has posted a video clip of the pertinent part of Fast
Company's Drexler interview here:
Link: Steve Jobs Wanted
to Build 'iCar,' Apple Board Member Says
Why Apple Is Making OS X More Like iOS
Macworld's Kirk McElhearn blogs about the iOSification of Mac OS X,
ergo iOS features being ported to OS X for use on the desktop, a not
gladly-received trend in some circles. McElhearn thinks this trend is
the leading edge of a much deeper and longer-term Apple strategy to
more completely iOSify Mac OS X, noting that in its most recent fiscal
quarter, the iPhone and iPad represented three-quarters of the Apple's
sales, and while Mac growth is still well ahead of the rest of the PC
market, Macs now account for less than one-fifth of the company's
revenue.
In short, iOS devices are driving Apple sales, and half of Macs sold
at the company's retail stores are to new customers (i.e.: switchers),
many of whom have been attracted to the Mac through ownership of an
iPhone or iPad and are expecting an iOS-like experience on the desktop.
So what better way to bring into the fold more people who have already
been converted to iOS than to make OS X more iOS-like? Viewed in that
context, Mac iOSification is not so much a dumbing down, but rather a
drive to create consistency across the two platforms, making the
ability to switch from an iPad or iPhone to a Mac simple enough to be
second nature.
McElhearn contends that taking the best of iOS and adding it to OS X
won't weaken the desktop platform, and if anything, the
cross-pollination will improve both platforms.
Editor's note: I'm not entirely convinced that's necessarily the
case, at least for power users and content creators, but the rationale
is certainly understandable. cm
Link: Why Apple Is
Making OS X More Like iOS
iOS-Style Automatic App Downloads Coming in
Mountain Lion
Cult of Mac's Killian Bell says that one of the features that he
loves most about iOS 5 is Automatic Downloads, and it's also coming to
the Mac. It's not working just yet but almost certainly will be by the
time OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion goes public.
Link: OS X Gets
Automatic App Downloads Just Like iOS in Latest Mountain Lion
Release
Nanny Computing Is the Future of OS X
TUAW's Erica Sadun says:
"Apple may be end-of-life-ing all those great little hotkey
shortcuts that used to let us bring an app to the forefront and do
something . . . They're on the way out of the Mac App Store
as Apple paves the path to safer, more consumer-oriented computing
. . . New sandboxed apps and any apps that add features (i.e.
non-bugfix releases) will not be allowed to support hotkeys."
"I've seen the future and it is iOS," says Sadun. "Apple is moving
solidly and confidently towards consumer computing and away from
mollycoddling the power users. The company knows where its profits come
from and power users ain't it...."
Adding:
"For all the moments when I want to rage against the coming of the
Nanny OS, I know it's on its way. I've lived in iOS now for 5 years.
I've played in the sandbox, I've grown to know the sandbox, I've come
to accept the sandbox. I'm not super thrilled by it, but you can't deny
the reality . . . it is clear Apple is working to simplify
the user experience within the Mac App Store, and that means 'power
user' utilities are at risk . . . The new, clean way of
computing is on its way. It may be a lot less fun but it's gonna sell a
hell of a lot of Macs."
Editor's note: Regrettably, I think Ms. Sadun's prediction is likely
chillingly accurate. The user autonomy ethic of Apple 1984 is dead, and
we're now expected to learn to love Big Brother (or Big Nanny).
cm
Link: 'Nanny Computing'
and the Future of OS X
RAM Upgrade Considerations for iMac Systems
MacFixIt's Topher Kessler says if you plan on upgrading your iMac's
RAM, then looking to third-party distributors will offer you more
options at far cheaper prices, noting that when it comes to memory
upgrades, Apple's CTO offerings for its Mac systems are options he
recommends people avoid because of the ludicrously high prices Apple
charges For instance, Apple ships its iMac systems with a standard 4 GB
RAM, but if you want the optional 8 GB or 16 GB RAM upgrades, you will
pay $200 or $600, respectively - or more than four times the cost of
most other similarly sized and spec'ed RAM upgrade options, which are
just as compatible with your iMac as Apple's RAM.
Link: RAM Upgrade
Considerations for iMac Systems
Products & Services
Getting Ready for
Mountain Lion: Prepare to Pounce on Apple's Newest OS
PR: Are you ready for the Mountain
Lion upgrade? Steve Sande and Erica Sadun have created a $4.99 guide
for everyone who wants to get their Mac into shape before
OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion hits this Summer. Learn how to clean up and
optimize your system, prepare backups, and strategize about the upgrade
so your Mac is clean and primed for the new OS.
In "Getting Ready for Mountain Lion", Sande and Sadun lay out key
strategies for deciding whether to upgrade or not, checking your Mac
for readiness, and considering how your applications will be
affected.
You'll discover how to streamline and back up your computer, create
an emergency fall-back plan, and prepare for the upgrade itself. The
book ends by exploring things you'll need to know about after
upgrading.
Chock full of useful hints, experienced-backed know-how, and
practical advice, this is the book every OS X owner needs before making
the jump to Mountain Lion. Short, practical, and focused, it offers a
great starting point to prepare for your upgrade.
Link: Getting Ready for
Mountain Lion (Kindle
edition, $4.99,
Apple iBook edition, $4.99)
Security Based Operating System, Pocket Desktop,
Launches New Product Partnership
PR: In conjunction with their consumer technology
product, Pocket Desktop, a USB device that offers consumers enhanced
security and portability in computing, has announced a new strategic
alliance with Cre8tive Partners.
The Pocket Desktop is a USB device that contains
your own secure Linux- based operating system designed to run solely
from the Pocket Desktop USB device and your computer's memory and
claimed to provide consumers with unparalleled security and portability
in computing. The core of the operating system is read-only, meaning it
cannot be written to. This makes it immune to most forms of the threats
that beleaguer online computing, such as viruses, spyware, and and
other malware like Trojan horses. Over 40 applications are included in
the Pocket Desktop operating system - from email and web browsing to
document editing,Torrent search and Torrent client for downloading
files.
A separate memory area is provided for file and application storage
so that your files can be saved and your settings customized, while
maintaining a higher level of security and privacy than traditional
security technology, such as virus scanners would provide, providing
you with a portable and secure operating system running independently
from the operating system installed on your computer. Anything going to
the writeable memory area can be scanned with an onboard antivirus
prior to downloading it. The Pocket Desktop runs on nearly all
computers,(Windows, Macintosh ,or Linux) regardless of native operating
system, and completely independent of the computer's hard drive (which
is actually dismounted) and your native operating system. You can take
your desktop, files, and applications with you and use them on
virtually any computer. Most computers will not need any additional
settings or configuration. Once you're done using the Pocket Desktop,
just power the computer off and disconnect your USB device, and the
computer will then resume normal operation, as if you had never been
there.
Pocket Desktop is claimed to be easy to use and require
very little computer knowledge to operate. In most cases the developers
say the Pocket Desktop loader application takes care of everything
needed to put your computer into the secure Pocket Desktop operating
system. Simply connect it to a computer that is currently on and
running an operating system, such as Macintosh, Windows, or Linux and
follow the on-screen instructions. With a few mouse clicks you will be
loaded into the Pocket Desktop's operating system. You may also load
the Pocket Desktop operating system as a boot device, without having to
go into the computer's operating system at all. Just connect the Pocket
Desktop USB device and power on the computer. At this point, usually
the F11key will take you to boot options, where you can select the USB
hard drive option and then continue to the Proprietary operating system
boot. The desktop will even boot a computer with a dead hard disk or no
hard disk. In operation, the Pocket Desktop is the hard disk.
With over 40 applications and programs, Pocket Desktop's "military
grade stealth technology" is claimed to create a safety shield between
your computer and potential prying eyes. The plug in OS allows users to
browse and edit personal files, retrieve emails, bank online, surf the
web, play games and chat with friends, all from within its safe and
secure portable read-only operating system that is accessible on nearly
all platforms including: Windows, Macintosh or Linux. Consequently, the
pitch is that no matter where the Pocket Desktop user goes or what
computers are used, access to one's personal desktop, files and
applications can be instantly accessed without leaving any traces of
their identity behind.
For this launch, Cre8tive Partners, a full-service multichannel
direct response marketing ad agency specializing in direct-to-consumer
exposure, lead generation marketing, drive-to-retail efforts and
internet marketing, will create and execute a full roll-out integrated
direct response marketing campaign for Pocket Desktop.
"We're very excited about this launch and our recent partnership
with Cre8tive Partners," says Kelly Owen, Lead Designer of Pocket
Desktop. "With their experience in creating and implementing
ground-breaking campaigns, we are certain that the Cre8tive Partners
team will provide us with the best tools and direction to make this
product a success."
The launch will include brand positioning, advertising strategies,
multichannel integration, partnerships, event management, and more.
"Cre8tive Partners is excited to be working with Pocket Desktop on
developing and growing their brand," says David Hayek, Partner of
Cre8tivePartners. "We are confident that with increased visibility and
exposure, Pocket Desktop will quickly expand and diversify in
market."
- 4 GB Pocket Desktop with 19 Programs - 14-Day Trial $19.99*
- 8 GB Pocket Desktop with More Storage - $69
- 16 GB Pocket Desktop with The Most Storage - $99
Link: Pocket
Desktop
Software
Free CleanMyDrive Utility Takes Control of Mounted
Drives
PR: MacPaw has released CleanMyDrive, a new tiny
yet powerful Mac utility to clean up users' mounted drives, monitor
their space usage, and unmount them all in one click.
CleanMyDrive's cleaning algorithms allow it to clean users removable
media from annoying service files and trashed data like DS_Store,
.Spotlight, and thus free up significant amount of space. Moreover, the
app is able to automatically clean up drives on unmount.
CleanMyDrive will also be handy for users who often carry their
MacBooks. With the Eject All feature, they can unplug all
mounted drives much faster and send their Mac into sleep mode and/or
immediately leave the place.
Another feature of CleanMyDrive is that it allows its user to easily
monitor free space on his or her removable drives, access and eject
them all from the main menu. The app works with network drives too and
knows how to deal with Time Machine volumes.
"We extremely love how OS X is built. But still, there are things
like mounted drives handling that can be further improved. As laptop
users we face such issues while working with removable media as the
necessity of regular trash bin cleanup, removing unwanted and annoying
service files, inability to eject all drives in one click if needed.
That had made us think how the ideal experience of using mounted drives
should look like, and eventually we came up with the CleanMyDrive
application," says Oleksandr Kosovan, MacPaw's CEO.
CleanMyDrive requires OS X 10.7 or greater and 3 MB of hard disk
space and is available for free for limited time exclusively on the Mac
App Store.
Link:
CleanMyDrive
Consultant's Canary: Free OS X Troubleshooting
Tool
PR: KHI MacWerks of San Francisco says the first
thing you usually ask someone complaining about their computer's
performance is Have you installed anything new recently?,
noting that the answer you receive is almost always a resounding
No, even if their Dock and menu bar are being overrun with
colorful, continuously animating icons you know didn't come in the
box.
Originally written to oust shoddily constructed HP AIO printer
drivers, Consultant's Canary is a handy Python script that will ferret
out much of the aftermarket malware (including app-specific QuickLook
and Spotlight plugins!) that might plague a user's otherwise healthy OS
X system, saving you the trouble of having to ask the question in the
first place.
KHI MacWerks notes that while Consultant's Canary doesn't disable or
delete anything, since the heterogeneous pedigree of OS X's hardware
drivers make false positives rather common, just getting a list of
every potentially suspicious looking piece of code that's hooking
itself into a user's machine can still save you hours of boring
re-installation work - and make you look smarter than you really are in
the process. Sadly, it can't make you look thinner or less bald, but
one out of three ain't bad.
Consultant's Canary also comes bundled up in a nice double-clickable
app wrapper so you don't even have to know what a Python script is to
run it. If you're working on a multiuser system, just fish around for
the dispatcher.py file in the bundle's resources and run it as
root.
KHI was founded in 2001 by a former Apple engineer as a mobile
boutique consultancy focused on addressing the problems of
budget-conscious creative professionals - people who make their Macs
make stuff. The kinds of stuff that can't be expressed as a
spreadsheet, and solve the kinds of problems that can't be solved by
sales pitches or special financing options.
Link: Consultant's
Canary
iAntivirus: Free OS X Virus Protection from
Symantec
PR: Symantec's iAntivirus is virus protection built
exclusively for your Mac. This simple yet powerful on-demand malware
and virus scanner from Norton helps ensure you're protected from the
latest malware threats. iAntivirus protects your iPhoto pictures,
iTunes music and all of your Apple stuff, and also scans your Facebook
wall for malicious links to keep you protected from online fraud.
Key features of iAntivirus:
- Award-winning technology blocks threats before they damage your
Mac, iPhoto pictures, iTunes media and other important Stuff.
- Innovative carousel interfaces lets you use two fingers to swipe
between your home folder and full system and other scanning
options.
- Lets you quickly and easily scan files by simply dragging and
dropping them onto iAntivirus.
- Built for speed from the ground up, so it won't get in the way of
your Mac experience.
- Works seamlessly against Windows threats too, to make sure the
documents you share are safe for everyone.
- Updates available regularly through the App Store to help detect
the latest breaking threats.
Online threats targeting Macs are on the rise and iAntivirus can be
your first line of defense.
Free on the Mac App Store.
Link:
iAntivirus
Desktop Mac
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