Apple iPhone
November 27, 2007
Proving once again that Apple leads the field in GUI design, the iPhone is a thing of beauty. Seeing commercials for it is one thing. Going into an Apple store and running your fingertips over the glossy surface, tapping out a URL, scrolling through a website with a flick of your thumb - that is an experience. For anyone who appreciates quality in design, the iPhone does not disappoint. It's intuitive - no need to read a user's manual to figure out how to make a call or add an entry to the address book. It's pretty - oh, so pretty. It's cool. It's fun. It's a tool, unlike anything currently on the market, that does all these things that utilitarian phones do with style. And that is what makes it undeniably an Apple product. I don't often care for having the latest gadget - it was quite a few years before I had an iPod (and that was only because I got one free when I bought a MacBook Pro). My cellphone (gasp!) is just a cellphone, not a MP3 player or game player, and it doesn't have a slide-out keyboard. But the iPhone is different. I don't just want an iPhone. I covet an iPhone. For the moment, there are other priorities ahead of getting a $400 gadget, handy and useful as it may be. But someday, someday soon I hope, I will own one, and when I do, I'll be sure to write an article on my brand-new iPhone.
Apple TV Now Shipping
March 22, 2007
From: Apple For $299 (free shipping) you can now integrate your television with your computer. From Apple.com "With Apple TV, you can enjoy movies, TV shows, music, and podcasts in your iTunes library, plus photos and movie trailers, on your widescreen TV — wirelessly, from your Mac or PC." Based on Apple's success with other home user products (such as the iPod), this could change the way many people watch television. Initial reviews report that it is (not surprisingly) easy to use and, like most Apple products, it just works.
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Now Available
March 15, 2007
From: Adobe Aimed at professional photographers, Photoshop Lightroom is Adobe's answer to Apple's Aperture software. "New Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom™ software is the professional photographer's essential toolbox, providing one easy application for managing, adjusting, and presenting large volumes of digital photographs so you can spend less time in front of the computer and more time behind the lens." Both applications claim easy-to-use photo management tools and efficient workflow for photographers.
Why Apple's 'consumer' Macs are enterprise-worthy
March 9, 2007
From: Computerworld Citing benefits such as reduced risk of viruses and ease of use, many companies are switching to a Mac platform. Companies are finding that even the "home user" line of computers is more than adequate for most business needs. "(Y)ou can't buy a Mac without at least 512MB of RAM, Bluetooth, 802.11g Wi-Fi networking, Gigabit Ethernet, FireWire and even a remote control -- and that's before you consider the included software. None of the base business models of HP or Dell even comes close to that."
Adobe launches CSS Advisor
December 16, 2006
From: Adobe Developer Center/CSS Advisor Adobe launched a CSS Advisor Beta site as an online resource for developers to learn and share tips for using CSS. The forum allows developers to discuss browser issues or compatibility, discuss current solutions or collaborate on new ones.
Adobe Releases Photoshop CS3 Beta
December 16, 2006
From: Adobe Labs Adobe has released a beta version of its latest software, Photoshop CS3, which is designed to run natively on Apple's new Intel-based Macs. "For the first time ever, Adobe is delivering a widely available Photoshop CS3 beta to enable customers to more easily transition to the latest hardware platforms, particularly Apple's new Intel based systems. The beta is available as a Universal Binary for the Macintosh platform as well for Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Vista computers, with the final shipping release of Adobe Photoshop CS3 planned for spring 2007." New or improved features include non-destructive smart filters, quick selection tool, automatic layer alignment and blending, as well as an updated Adobe Bridge and Device Central, "an all-new integrated component of Adobe Photoshop CS3, is designed to boost the efficiency and productivity of creative professionals and mobile developers who design engaging content for mobile phones and consumer electronic devices." MacLife offers a first look at Photoshop CS3
Apple Delivers In-Flight iPod Integration
November 14, 2006
From: Apple.com "Apple® today announced it is teaming up with Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM and United to deliver the first seamless integration between iPod® and in-flight entertainment systems. These six airlines will begin offering their passengers iPod seat connections which power and charge their iPods during flight and allow the video content on their iPods to be viewed on the seat back displays." The iPod integration will be offered on these airlines beginning in the middle of 2007.
