About this Author
Sandy McMurray is a long-time technology journalist whose work has appeared in Time, the Globe & Mail, the Toronto Sun, Report on Business, Profit, and other sources. Between 1995 - 2002, Sandy wrote a weekly column about technology for the Toronto Sun, and served as Technology Editor for five Sun Media newspapers. He has been publishing on the Web since 1996.
Contact: readme@mac.com
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Monthly Archives
January 30, 2004
Posted by Sandy
PC World Senior Editor Rebecca Freed has written an interesting piece about Mac OS X holdouts.
What do you think? Why are some Mac users clinging to the classic Mac OS instead of upgrading to Mac OS X?
...continue reading.
Comments (2)
| Category: Analysis
Posted by Sandy
Apple called its digital music player the "iPod." Why? What does "iPod" have to do with music? Wouldn't something like "iJukebox" have made more sense?
One reason: the iPod has always been much more than a digital music player. It can also be used as an external hard drive, capable of moving gigabytes of data from computer to iPod and back very quickly (via FireWire on Mac or USB 2.0 in Windows). You can even install Mac OS X on the iPod's hard drive, and boot from it using Macs other than your own.
This story describes how the Lord of the Rings production team used iPods for quick data transfers during production of the film. I knew it was possible, but I'm impressed to read about a real-world use of the iPod as an external hard drive.
Comments (1)
| Category: Headlines
Posted by Sandy
In the wake of the breakdown of talks between Disney and Pixar, CNN/Money explores the idea of Apple acquiring Pixar... then dismisses it. "Still, as fun as it is to speculate about an Apple and Pixar merger, the odds of it actually happening are fairly remote." The article also speculates about Apple creating an iTunes-like service for movie downloads, which is, I think, equally unlikely to happen.
Comments (0)
| Category: Headlines
Posted by Sandy
This article from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer provides a look inside the Macintosh Business Unit at Microsoft. Many of the Mac faithful are uneasy about Microsoft and its dominance. But many of them depend on the Redmond company to make Mac versions of Microsoft products -- such as Word and Excel -- that let them share documents and relate to others in a world where Windows is the dominant operating system. Read the rest here.
Update: SP-I has posted a follow-up with some notes left over from the article. (Now I really want to visit the campus and see that collection of old Mac hardware.)
It seems strange to me that features developed for the Mac version of Office would not automatically migrate to the Windows version and vice versa, but the article seems to imply that there's no structure in place to make that happen. Weird.
Comments (0)
| Category: Recommended Reading
January 29, 2004
Posted by Sandy
In this column on SecurityFocus.com, Scott Granneman reviews computer security through the eyes of an FBI agent named Dave Thomas. (No, not this Dave Thomas, or this one.) Viruses help spread Trojans, and Trojans are used to turn unsuspecting users' computers into spam factories, or hosts for phishing expeditions, and thus furthering the spread of all the elements in this process: viruses, Trojans, spam, and phishing. It's a vicious cycle, and unfortunately, it appears to be getting worse. The whole article is an interesting and eye-opening read, but I want to draw your attention to two paragraphs that address the security of Mac OS X.
...continue reading.
Comments (1)
| Category: Recommended Reading
Posted by Sandy
 The Pepsi / iTunes Superbowl ad was posted on several Web sites today. As of this writing, you can view the ad here and here (and other places I'm sure).
The ad is supposed to promote Pepsi, iTunes, and the 100 million song giveaway that begins on Sunday, but the message is a bit confusing. The song says the music pirates "fought the law and the law won" but the real message seems to be, "We stole music, got away with it, and now we're famous!" Or maybe I'm just a grumpy old man.
If the ad's tone and style are any indication, Apple's agency had little or nothing to do with it. Fortunately, Apple controls the entire user experience once viewers log on to iTunes.com.
Comments (3)
| Category: Analysis
Posted by Sandy
Imagine someone gives you a Porsche as a gift. You love the sleek design and the shiny color, but you were really hoping to get a Ford pickup truck.
Would you:
a) sell the Porsche and buy a new Ford, or
b) rip the engine out of the Porsche, and put in a Ford engine?
...continue reading.
Comments (0)
| Category: Recommended Reading
Posted by Sandy
Apple will repair some iBooks that have problems with their displays and logic boards. "We have determined that a small number of iBooks introduced in 2002 have a display problem caused by a component failure on the logic board," said Phil Schiller, head of worldwide product marketing for Apple in a statement emailed to Reuters. Apple will pay for repairs, including shipping, and will refund iBook owners who have already had repairs done. Affected systems may have scrambled or distorted video, unexpected lines on the screen, an intermittent video image, video freeze, and the computer starting up to a blank screen.
The program began on Wednesday and applies to iBooks with serial numbers in a range of UV220XXXXXX to UV318XXXXXX and that were manufactured between May 2002 and April 2003.
Full details here: iBook Logic Board Repair Extension Program.
Comments (1)
| Category: Headlines
January 28, 2004
Posted by Sandy
"Usenet. It's a global network filled with vivid discussions, unique music, pictures, and more. And Unison? It's the second coming of Usenet: a fun, powerful, and Mac-like newsreader. Get on!" Usenet?! I don't have time for Usenet. I just spent several hours setting things up in orkut!
But if I did have time to explore Usenet, I would definitely use Unison from Panic -- the guys behind the excellent Transmit FTP software. (Oh, and now I guess I have to say something nice about Audion 3 as well. It supports mp3PRO. How's that?)
Why the heck would you want a newsreader in 2003? Read this to find out.
So. To recap: Unison. Get it.
(This has been an unpaid commercial message.)
Comments (0)
| Category:
Posted by Sandy
 Jon Fortt reports in the Mercury News that Strangeberry has been acquired by TiVo.
Strangeberry has been a leading developer of Rendezvous for Java (aka JRendezvous).
"What does TiVo care about home networking? Picture a TiVo box that can grab movies from the home PC's hard drive, and show them on the big-screen television. Or a TiVo box in the bedroom that can play shows that are stored on the TiVo box in the den." Now picture a TiVo that can communicate with iTunes, iPhoto, and everything else in the iLife software bundle.
Update: As Noah notes in his comment, TiVo already uses Rendezvous.
Comments (2)
| Category: Headlines
January 27, 2004
Posted by Sandy
As the MyDoom worm was spreading by e-mail, Bill Gates took aim at rival operating systems that claim to be more secure than Windows.
"To say a system is secure because no one is attacking it is very dangerous," said Gates, referring to operating systems that have a smaller share of the desktop market, such as Apple Mac OS and Linux.
Noting the large number of major virus epidemics during the past two years, Gates said that in some ways "hackers are good for maturation" of the platform, because they have forced the company to develop new inspection techniques for the code. Is it dangerous to say that a system is secure because it's made that way? If so, I'm a public menace.
What if you imply that a system is better because virus and hacker attacks continue to reveal its many security flaws? That seems ridiculous and irresponsible to me.
Yes, it's true that some other pairs of pants may catch fire in the future. However, I can't help noticing that Gates' pants are on fire right now.
Comments (0)
| Category: Headlines
Posted by Sandy
Eric Bangeman of Ars Technica offers his analysis of the iPod mini's chances against the high-end flash players Apple is going after. His article includes a helpful table that compares the iPod mini with its competition.
"So instead of looking upward at the larger hard-drive players and bemoaning the comparatively small price difference between a 15GB iPod and a 4GB iPod Mini, gaze in the other direction. The 20% of the market Apple is going after will be getting six times the storage for the same price or less."
See also iPod mini too expensive?
Comments (0)
| Category: Recommended Reading
Posted by Sandy
It never fails. You buy a new computer, then a better, faster model appears that makes you regret your purchase.
That's what happened to Virginia Tech. They had a deadline to build a supercomputer, but the hardware they wanted -- the Xserve G5 -- wasn't ready.
Now that "Big Mac" has earned its place in computing history, Virginia Tech has confirmed that the new supercomputer will be torn apart and upgraded later this year.
...continue reading.
Comments (0)
| Category: Headlines
January 26, 2004
Posted by Sandy
The MyDoom computer worm, which first appeared Monday afternoon, spread rapidly by e-mail and infected vulnerable systems at an amazing rate.
Mac users were bombarded with infected messages, just like everyone else, but no harm was done. Even Mac users who fell for the trick and clicked on the attached file were not infected. The worm won't run on Macs.
Windows worms and viruses affect Mac users in the same way that bullets affect Superman. They're annoying, but they don't hurt.
...continue reading.
Comments (1)
| Category: Headlines
January 22, 2004
Posted by Sandy
Apple has published an RSS feed generator for the iTunes Music Store.
Using this handy tool, you can create customized feeds for newsreader software like NetNewsWire to show you (for example) the latest 50 Classical or Spoken Word selections added to the iTunes Music Store.
Very cool.
Comments (2)
| Category: Fun Stuff
January 20, 2004
Posted by Sandy
Comments (0)
| Category: Recommended Reading
Posted by Sandy
...continue reading.
Comments (2)
| Category: Analysis
Posted by Sandy
from SiliconValley.com:
"A hub's job is to gather all of the music files, movies, pictures and other digital entertainment scattered throughout the home. The hub then distributes that content to a particular television, music player or other device -- the spokes -- whether they be in the living room, bedroom or back yard.
Whoever controls this hub-and-spoke system will have the power to sell a whole family of gadgets to consumers." Maybe that's why Apple has been promoting the Mac as digital hub since January 2002.
Comments (0)
| Category: Recommended Reading
January 19, 2004
Posted by Sandy
 During his keynote address at Macworld, Apple CEO Steve Jobs noted that the original Macintosh computer was introduced on January 24, 1984.
Although pre-show speculation had focused on rumors of a $99 iPod, many in the Macworld crowd expected that Jobs would conclude the keynote by introducing "one more thing" -- a new product related to the Mac's 20th anniversary.
It didn't happen. After acknowledging the anniversary, Jobs realigned expectations by promising that "incredible new products" would be released throughout the year.
This week, the question on the minds of many Mac fans is, "Will Apple announce any 'incredible new products' this week, to mark the 20th anniversary?"
...continue reading.
Comments (1)
| Category: Predictions
Posted by Sandy
Bob LeVitus has written a glowing review of Apple's new GarageBand software.
"Overall, this was one of the best computing experiences I've had in the 17+ years I've been having computing experiences on my Mac. GarageBand truly rocks."
Comments (0)
| Category: Recommended Reading
January 16, 2004
Posted by Sandy
How much has Apple changed in the past five years? Here's a hint: not that long ago, media stories about Apple routinely attached the word "beleaguered" to the company's name.
Back in 1997, Wired magazine suggested 101 Ways to Save Apple. Last week, Jason Zada unearthed a copy of the magazine, and noted that Apple has done many of the things suggested in the article (and done them well).
Comments (0)
| Category: Recommended Reading
Posted by Sandy
Some notes from the Q1 financial results conference call:
- portables (iBook and PowerBook) accounted for almost half of Q1 CPU sales
- non-CPU sales accounted for 37% of total revenue; 13% of total revenue from iPod alone
- direct sales (i.e. education, Apple retail, online store) accounted for 43% of total revenue
- record figures in Q1 largely due to good sales of iPods, PowerBooks, Panther
- Apple has been "more aggressive on pricing" of Power Mac G5 (than Power Mac G4)
- about 10 million Mac users are now using Panther
- about 10 million more can upgrade to Panther (i.e. have capable hardware)
The future?
- Apple has "no plans" to release a Windows version of any iLife program besides iTunes
- component prices (LCDs, hard drives, etc.) expected to be stable or trending down
- RAM supply expected to exceed demand
- 20% profit margin expected on iPod family in Q2 (iPod, minis and HPods)
- Apple knows iMac LCD is priced above market "sweet spot" of $1,000
- 2004 Apple retail stores to include big stores in San Francisco and Osaka (Japan)
For a few more notes from the earnings call, see Think Secret
Comments (0)
| Category: Analysis
Posted by Sandy
"It's like Microsoft Office for the rest of your life." iLife '04 becomes available today. Apple's new $49 consumer software bundle adds a powerful music making program ( GarageBand) to iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie and iDVD.
Why is iLife '04 a big deal? See this note about GarageBand.
This release also marks the move from free to fee for the so-called "iApps." Only iTunes is still available as a free download. Also note that only iTunes is available for Windows.
iLife ‘04 will be included free with all new Macs. A $20 upgrade package is available to customers who purchase a new Mac on or after January 6.
Comments (0)
| Category: Headlines
January 14, 2004
Posted by Sandy
Apple reported its first quarter results yesterday. (A rebroadcast of the conference call is here if you're interested.)
"Revenue for the quarter reached a four-year high of $2.006 billion, up 36 percent from the year-ago quarter.
"Apple shipped 829 thousand Macintosh® units during the quarter, up 12 percent from the year-ago quarter, as well as 733 thousand iPod® units, up 235 percent from the year-ago quarter."
In summary: Apple had a good quarter, with a four-year high in revenue and a profit that exceeded Wall Street expectations. iPod sales were an important factor. (In fact, CFO Fred Anderson confirmed that Apple was unable to meet demand for iPods.)
Apple shares are trading around $23 today, just below the 52-week high of $25.01.
Comments (0)
| Category:
Posted by Sandy
Wired News confirms that the HPod will not support the Windows Media audio format: "We're not going to be supporting WMA for now," said Muffi Ghadiali, product marketing manager for HP's digital entertainment products group.
"We picked the service that was the most popular (Apple's iTunes Music Store)," said Ghadiali. "We could have chosen another format, but that would have created more confusion for our customers."
Comments (0)
| Category: Headlines
Posted by Sandy
 Nearly lost in the news from Macworld was Apple's announcement of the new 64-bit Xserve G5. (Even fewer people noticed Xgrid, but that's another story.)
The G5 upgrade was no surprise; it's been anticipated since Apple introduced the PowerMac G5. However, as Computerworld columnist Mark Hall notes, the Xserve story is not so much about computing power or the G5 architecture. It's all about the price.
...continue reading.
Comments (0)
| Category: Headlines
January 12, 2004
Posted by Sandy
In his January 12 WinInfo column, Paul Thurrott suggests that HP's alliance with Apple will create a problem for customers who use other HP products (e.g. PocketPC, Media Center).
The problem? These products are built on Microsoft software that uses Windows Media files rather than AAC, the file format used by the iTunes Music Store.
...continue reading.
Comments (15)
| Category: Headlines
Posted by Sandy
After reading this item about the HP-branded iPod, several readers pointed me to this video clip, in which Carly Fiorina holds up "the first and only" HP-branded iPod for the crowd at CES to see. It appears to be blue-grey and has the HP logo etched on the back (in place of the standard iPod logo).
The new HP Digital Music Player will be available in June.
Comments (0)
| Category: Headlines
January 10, 2004
Posted by Sandy
 When HP and Apple announced a deal to produce an HP-branded iPod, I expected their PR and marketing folks would distribute a product image -- something like the clumsy fake I've produced to go with this item.
That's because I assumed --incorrectly -- that the HP/Apple deal was made some time ago, but kept secret at Macworld so HP could announce it at CES.
Then I read John Markoff's piece in yesterday's New York Times, which states that the deal was completed "after an extensive bargaining session that ran long into Wednesday night."
This Wednesday. Three days ago.
...continue reading.
Comments (3)
| Category: Analysis
January 09, 2004
Posted by Hylton Jolliffe
Just a brief note to point you in the direction of the left column over there <-----
where you'll see a field into which you can input your email address. We'll start sending out email alerts in a few weeks so subscribe if you'd like a little nudge from us every day or so.
Comments (0)
| Category:
Posted by Sandy
Travel day. I'm heading back to Toronto, where -- according to WeatherPop -- it's currently -6 degrees. Brrr.
Comments (0)
| Category: Housekeeping
Posted by Sandy
From AnchorDesk: "Of course I had my spies at the keynote, so I know there was a big line outside the event. But since I stayed safely at home I remained beyond the influence of the well-known Steve Jobs Reality Distortion Field. Thus, I see the keynote for what it really was: evidence that Apple has finally succumbed to the malaise that hit the rest of the PC business two or three years ago. Apple's Macworld announcements were in the lame-but-best-they-could-do category." Whenever I read David Coursey's passive-aggressive Mac rants, I suspect he's secretly trolling for angry Mac users. Maybe his pay is based on ZDNet's ad revenue, which is based on the number of people who visit his site.
...continue reading.
Comments (0)
| Category: Recommended Reading
Posted by Sandy
 Speaking of iPod killers...
The new 40 GB RCA Lyra Jukebox is a tiny digital music player that doubles as a hard drive. Like the 40 GB iPod, it can hold thousands of songs. The new Lyra also uses a USB 2.0 connector for quick file transfers, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
In this video interview, Dave Arland, VP of corporate communications for RCA, was asked why the updated 40 GB Lyra Jukebox is better than Apple's iPod. What did he say? We'll find out... right after this.
Friendly announcer's voice here: "TechRepublic. Real World. Real Time. Real IT." (Joke. Watch the video.)
...continue reading.
Comments (3)
| Category: Analysis
January 08, 2004
Posted by Sandy
 Media at CES are looking for iPod killers.
I've already seen several reports that describe new digital music players as "challengers to the iPod."
Some challengers: here, here, here, here, and here.
...continue reading.
Comments (0)
| Category: Gadgets
Posted by Sandy
Comments (1)
| Category: Recommended Reading
Posted by Sandy
Someone at Roxio deserves a pat on the back.
To promote Toast with Jam (the company's Pro Audio CD burning software), Roxio employees handed out little packages of Jelly Belly beans at Macworld. Toast and Jam flavors, of course.
Comments (0)
| Category: Fun Stuff
Posted by Sandy
 I just got off the phone with my wife in Toronto. Well, sort of. We were using iChat AV instead of the phone.
I know this isn't a new technology, but this week marks the first time I've really "field-tested" iChat AV. The experience is almost unbelievable.
...continue reading.
Comments (2)
| Category: Fun Stuff
Posted by Sandy
I'm a little overwhelmed by the response to this new weblog. Thanks to everyone who has sent me e-mail, press releases, suggested links, etc.
If you're trying to contact me, please use the links I've posted in the right margin. Given the sheer volume of e-mail that's come in this week, I can't promise to reply to your message promptly, but the links in the margin are your best chance of cutting through the noise.
In answer to a few of the frequently asked questions:
- Yes, I do use Windows XP as well as Mac OS X.
- Yes, I review products/services for both platforms.
- No, I'm not going to CES or NAB right after Macworld.
- No, I don't know your [friend/relative] from Canada.
- I'm happily married. Go away.
Comments (3)
| Category: Housekeeping
Posted by Sandy
Forget the mini for a moment. There's another new iPod.
HP and Apple today announced a strategic alliance that will see the creation of an HP-branded digital music player based on Apple's iPod.
"As part of the alliance, HP consumer PCs and notebooks will come preinstalled with Apple’s iTunes® jukebox software and an easy-reference desktop icon to point consumers directly to the iTunes Music Store, ensuring a simple, seamless music experience."
The HP press release says the new player will debut "this summer" and will be "priced competitively to other digital music players currently available."
Comments (0)
| Category: Headlines
Posted by Sandy
 I have to fly back to Toronto early Friday morning, so I'm going to spend as much time as possible today on the show floor, catching up on new products and companies I haven't seen before.
I haven't had a chance to blog about my meetings yesterday, but I should get to that later today.
One quick update about the price of the iPod mini: the just-announced Rio Nitrus has the same capacity (4 GB) and the same price tag ($249). Which one would you rather own?
Comments (0)
| Category: Headlines
January 07, 2004
Posted by Sandy
 When Steve Jobs announced that the new iPod mini will sell for $249, the Macworld audience got very quiet.
But in that moment, people weren't really thinking about the value of the device, or its chance in the marketplace. They were quietly saying goodbye to the imaginary $99 iPod that so many had hoped to see.
...continue reading.
Comments (7)
| Category: Analysis
Posted by Sandy
 Strategically, GarageBand is very interesting. It appears to be a stripped-down version of Apple's Logic software (acquired in 2002 when Apple bought eMagic), yet Apple hasn't mentioned any connection. (That's probably a good thing. As names go, "GarageBand" is much better than "Logic Express" or Logic Lite Edition.")
...continue reading.
Comments (0)
| Category: Analysis
Posted by Sandy
"Apple has been able to reinvent itself because it has what is, at bottom, an aesthetic vision, rather than one that is solely based on profit and loss. Like Shaw's proverbial "unreasonable man", they try to bend the world to their vision. And they articulate that vision consistently, and persistently."
Tim O'Reilly's thoughts on the 20th anniversary of the Macintosh, from Wired News.
Comments (0)
| Category: Recommended Reading
Posted by Sandy
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Macintosh, Wired News has posted several stories about the Mac, its impact, and the people who made it.
This piece has reflections from Mac creators Jef Raskin, Andy Hertzfeld, and Bill Atkinson.
Comments (0)
| Category: Recommended Reading
January 06, 2004
Posted by Sandy
 My second Canadian encounter of the day: I just ran into John and David, the head honchos from the Canadian Mac community ehMac.ca. John is proudly wearing a Molson Canadian hockey shirt and (literally) carrying a Canadian flag.
Both John and Dave are at least six inches taller in person than they appear online. Truly they are manly men from the frozen north.
If you're looking for a great community of Mac users that can't spell colour without u, check out ehMac.ca.
Comments (0)
| Category: Fun Stuff
Posted by Sandy
One of the reasons I look forward to Macworld each year is the amazing collection of gadgets that turn up here. Since Apple tends to create or adopt technology before it's in Windows, many Mac users are early adopters.
As a result, Macworld is probably second only to CeBIT or CES in terms of the sheer volume of technolust-inspiring gear. If you give extra points for gear that's actually shipping (i.e. stuff that's in the hands of the people on the show floor rather than the people in the booths), Macworld might even place first.
...continue reading.
Comments (0)
| Category: Gadgets
Posted by Sandy
 It's one of the most famous TV commercials ever made. It was directed by Ridley Scott (Gladiator, Blade Runner, Alien). It aired only once -- during the 1984 Superbowl.
It's "1984" -- the famous commercial that introduced the world to the Macintosh computer. Today, to celebrate the 20th year of the Mac, Apple has posted a slightly updated version of the ad on its Web site.
If you look closely, you may notice at least one subtle change from the original.
Comments (1)
| Category: Fun Stuff
Posted by Sandy
Good stuff from John on Daring Fireball:
"GarageBand epitomizes what’s different and better about the Mac. Everyone wants it, and there’s nothing like it for any other platform."
Update: I love John's note about Rob Enderle.
I've been working on the theory that he is a fictional character, because -- as John notes -- Enderle is
- frequently quoted in major mainstream media
- nearly always completely wrong (at least regarding Apple)
Comments (0)
| Category: Recommended Reading
Posted by Sandy
I learned a new phrase today during a presentation by Ottawa-based CryptoCard: shoulder surfing is when someone learns your password by looking over your shoulder.
After listening to their pitch about online security, I'm slightly more paranoid than I was an hour ago. But that might just be the coffee talking.
Comments (0)
| Category: Jargon
Posted by Sandy
I feel like a real blogger today. Walking to the Moscone Center for the Macworld keynote this morning, I ran into Andy Ihnatko. (I apologized. Ba-DUM-pum.) Moments later, I found myself in line with Doc Searls of Linux Journal and ClueTrain fame. During the keynote, I was seated next to Doc, who in turn was next to Bryan Bell (whose templates taught me much about Web design).
Doc and I took notes along with Adam and Tonya Engst, the Publisher and Senior Editor of TidBITS using a cool tool called SubEthaNet (whose usefulness and purpose I finally get).
This is fun!
Comments (0)
| Category: Events
Posted by Sandy
 Highlights from Steve Jobs' Macworld keynote:
iPod
- currently #1 worldwide in both unit sales and market share
- has 31% of market share worldwide for all MP3 players
- new 1,000 song iPod mini will sell for $249
iLife '04
- new version includes updates to iPhoto, iMovie and iDVD
- new pro music tool called GarageBand will debut in iLife '04
- retail price: $49 (free with all new Macs)
iTunes Music Store
- no international stores yet - sorry Canada!
- 30 million songs sold as of December 31, 2003
- thousands of new classical selections now available
- monthly sales nearing 1.9 million target
- 500,000 songs now available
- Billboard Hot 100 music charts added (1946 to present)
other news
- new version of Final Cut Express announced
- Xserve and Xserve RAID updated to G5 processor
- surprise demo of a new version of Microsoft Office
- Office 2004 will be available in Spring 2004
More later. I have a date with the folks from CryptoCard.
Comments (2)
| Category: Headlines
Posted by Sandy
 The iTunes Music Store is the current leader in an increasingly crowded market. In addition to iTunes, MusicMatch and the new Napster, there are half a dozen other contenders, with more on the way, including new music stores from Wal-Mart and Coca-Cola.
Sounds good, right? Unfortunately, if you live outside the United States, your options are severely limited. So far, the legal download deals with major labels have been restricted to specific regions.
...continue reading.
Comments (1)
| Category: Predictions
Posted by Sandy
There's a high-speed Internet connection in my hotel room. Unfortunately, the cable doesn't quite reach the bed. I have to sit at the desk to stay connected.
I don't mean to complain, really I don't. I've been on trips where I've been without access for days. I've stayed in hotels where each dial-up connection cost me a dollar for the local call, and a per-minute charge after that. Flat rate high-speed access is a wonderful luxury.
Trouble is, I've been spoiled by the AirPort wireless network I have in my home office.
...continue reading.
Comments (0)
| Category: Fun Stuff
Posted by Sandy
 Apple CEO Steve Jobs will give the keynote address today at Macworld Expo in San Francisco.
Apple will webcast the event at 9am Pacific Time (12pm Eastern) using QuickTime. Click here to get it.
Comments (2)
| Category: Events
January 05, 2004
Posted by Sandy
Apple's most-anticipated product of 2004 may not exist. Although rumors have been swirling about an entry-level iPod, which might sell for as little as $99, skeptics have remained, well, skeptical. We won't know for sure until Apple CEO Steve Jobs takes the stage today at Macworld.
The problem is storage. Unlike less expensive MP3 players, which use flash memory for storage, Apple's iPod uses a tiny hard drive to hold up to 10,000 songs. To make a tiny, inexpensive iPod, Apple needs a tiny, inexpensive hard drive.
...continue reading.
Comments (0)
| Category: Gadgets
Posted by Sandy
We're still working on a name for this weblog. I want something clever and funny that makes you think of Apple Computer yet isn't obscure or confusing for new readers. We've kicked around several names, but none has been quite right. Some have been really awful.
It's more difficult than you might think. Mac users are prolific writers, and in their zeal to share the Mac experience they often start Web sites (and weblogs, newsletters, zines, etc.) to express their profound admiration for Apple and its products.
Unfortunately for me, the Mac community has burned through a lot of great names and clogged the domain name registry with options no longer available to me.
...continue reading.
Comments (1)
| Category: Housekeeping
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