http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/contact/author/13799/John Martellaro/ Daily news, opinions, editorials, reviews, tips, forums, comments, and podcasts all relating to the iPod, the iPhone, Apple, and the surrounding industry. en johnm@macobserver.com Copyright 2009 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:37:09 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fsix_really_good_reasons_to_buy_an_ipad_-_right_away%2F&seed_title=Six+Really+Good+Reasons+to+Buy+an+iPad+-+Right+Away http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/six_really_good_reasons_to_buy_an_ipad_-_right_away/ There are plenty of articles floating around that advise one to wait on the iPad, not buy one sight unseen, or not buy one at all - especially of you already have a Mac and an iPhone.  I believe that’s nonsense.  Here’s why. Columns and Opinions, Editorial, iObserver, iPad Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:47:27 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fhow_apple_seized_mobile_advertising_from_the_advertising_industry%2F&seed_title=How+Apple+Seized+Mobile+Advertising+from+the+Advertising+Industry http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/how_apple_seized_mobile_advertising_from_the_advertising_industry/ There was a time, back in 2007, when advertisers’ eyes glazed over with the thought of being front and center on everyone’s smartphone.  Consultants told them that this was the next big wave, “The Third screen.”  But they were slow to act, develop standards and learn new technologies. As a result, adverting on the smartphone, especially the iPhone, has taken a new twist, mostly controlled by phone specific apps. Our worst fears have not come to pass, thanks to Apple. Columns and Opinions, Editorial Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:15:10 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fmacopinion_october_5_1999%2F&seed_title=MacOpinion%3A+October+5%2C+1999+-+Apple%26%238217%3Bs+Abuse+of+Power http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/macopinion_october_5_1999/ Apple was in the process of 1) crushing a 16 year old Canadian boy and his family over a Domain Name dispute, 2) hiding code in a recommended G3 ROM update that took control of the Mac away from the customer. Here’s how I called it at Macopinion.com in October, 1999. Columns and Opinions, The Flashback Files Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:22:41 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fparticle_debris_week_ending_3_12_thefts_and_smackdowns%2F&seed_title=Particle+Debris+%28week+ending+3%2F12%29+Thefts+and+Smackdowns http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/particle_debris_week_ending_3_12_thefts_and_smackdowns/ In this week’s heap of technical news debris, John looks at the effectiveness of Apple’s R&D expenditures, Objective-C code appearing on TV’s Numb3rs, a vintage 1984 Mac running Snow Leopard, Apple’s tough stance against HTC and others, a Steve Jobs phone call that backfired, iPad imitators, historical reactions to Apple products long before the iPad, whether the iPad will ever replace the Mac, and a straight talk smackdown for the iPad. Blogs, John Martellaro's Blog Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:53:48 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fsetting_the_ownership_of_a_shared_mac_disk%2F&seed_title=Setting+the+Ownership+of+a+Shared+Mac+Disk http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/setting_the_ownership_of_a_shared_mac_disk/ HDDs, SSDs or Flash drives connected to a Mac can have their ownership relaxed when the drive is intended to be removed and shared with others. Here’s how and why to change the setting. Tips, How-To Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:55:08 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fthe_five_problems_apple_faces%2F&seed_title=The+Five+Problems+Apple+Faces http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/the_five_problems_apple_faces/ Apple as a corporation faces a few semi-serious problems. Even as we want Apple to succeed, it’s good to be aware of the challenges Apple faces — with a fair, sober, and critical mindset.  Here’s John’s not-very-long list. The first four are a continuing thorn in Apple’s side, and the fifth has real danger potential. Columns and Opinions, Hidden Dimensions Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:03:24 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapple_posts_safari_security_update_for_mac_and_windows%2F&seed_title=Apple+Posts+Safari+Security+Update+for+Mac+and+Windows http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_posts_safari_security_update_for_mac_and_windows/ On Thursday afternoon, Apple posted Safari Security Update (APPLE-SA-2010-03-11-1) for Mac and Windows bringing Safari to version 4.0.5.  News, Product News Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:00:58 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fdealing_with_mac_os_x_volume_suffixes%2F&seed_title=Dealing+with+Mac+OS+X+Volume+Suffixes http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/dealing_with_mac_os_x_volume_suffixes/ If the preference is set, our desktop shows us the names of all our mounted volumes.  Lurking beneath the surface, however, some of those volumes can take on a strange set of numbered suffixes.  It isn't a problem until another piece of software, say, a backup program sees these suffixes and causes confusion for both it and the user.  Fortunately, these suffixes can be dealt with. Tips, How-To Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:23:50 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Ftechnical_analysis_time_machine_restore_of_secondary_volumes%2F&seed_title=Technical+Analysis%3A+Time+Machine+Restore+of+Secondary+Volumes http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/technical_analysis_time_machine_restore_of_secondary_volumes/ Apple's Time Machine, introduced with Leopard, is a welcome tool.  It makes the process of backing up a user's boot drive painless. Recovering deleted files is similarly trivial.  However, there is one often overlooked non-feature of Time Machine, lurking, that can cause a major headache -- the recovery of secondary volumes folded into the Time Machine archive.  This article explores the pitfalls and solutions. Columns and Opinions, Editorial Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:30:20 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fparticle_debris_week_ending_3_5_required_reading_and_comic_relief%2F&seed_title=Particle+Debris+%28week+ending+3%2F5%29+Required+Reading+and+Comic+Relief http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/particle_debris_week_ending_3_5_required_reading_and_comic_relief/ In this week's amassing of technical news debris, John points to several essential references for Apple customers, one comic relief item, a very telling SAI Chart of the Day and finishes with a question for the readers about the iPad. Blogs, John Martellaro's Blog Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:13:18 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fwill_the_ipad_become_the_game_changer_tv_portal%2F&seed_title=Will+the+iPad+Become+The+Game+Changer+TV+Portal%3F http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/will_the_ipad_become_the_game_changer_tv_portal/ The world of broadcast, cable and Internet TV is in an extreme state of chaos.  While it seemed like a good idea to provide many avenues for consumers to obtain TV content, those many channels have also led to money squabbles and abrupt changes in programming. For example, Viacom, on March 9, will pull The Daily Show and The Colbert Report from Hulu.  Is there a way out of the chaos? Columns and Opinions, Editorial, iObserver, iPad Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:16:11 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fthe_itunes_broken_promise_broken_links%2F&seed_title=Technical+Analysis%3A+The+iTunes+Broken+Promise%3A+Broken+Links http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/the_itunes_broken_promise_broken_links/ One of the reasons we are fans of Apple is that an implicit proposition of being a customer is that our computing life will be simpler, less vexing, and more productive. With iTunes, however, that promise is broken in part. Columns and Opinions, Editorial Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:56:52 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fwhy_the_apple_tv_is_still_a_hobby%2F&seed_title=Why+the+Apple+TV+is+still+a+Hobby http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/why_the_apple_tv_is_still_a_hobby/ Recently, Apple's COO Tim Cook spoke at the Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet Conference.  He mentioned the iPad, but also reaffirmed the irritating notion, to some, that the Apple TV remains a hobby.  There may well be several good reasons to continue that apparently tiresome but useful label: a hobby. Columns and Opinions, Editorial Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:58:20 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fart_authority_is_mysteriously_magical%2F&seed_title=Art+Authority+is+Mysteriously+Magical http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/art_authority_is_mysteriously_magical/ The Art Authority app for iPhone and iPod touch is a compilation of artwork from ancient times through the contemporary period. But if that were all, it would merely be a another art collection. Instead, however, the app does something unexpected: it has the power to make one want to learn more about art and the circumstances around the work. Reviews, Quick Look Review, iObserver, iPhone Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:05:41 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fthe_lowdown_technology_and_politics_of_html5_vs._flash%2F&seed_title=The+Lowdown%3A+Technology+and+Politics+of+HTML5+vs.+Flash http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/the_lowdown_technology_and_politics_of_html5_vs._flash/ At the top of the org chart, Apple's deprecation of Flash technology is all about politics. Apple doesn't want its mainstream video delivery system controlled by a third party. So Mr. Jobs backs up his politics with tidbits of technical truths. However, discovering the real truths about HTML5 and Flash is a bit harder, as this survey shows. Columns and Opinions, Hidden Dimensions Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:04:32 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fparticle_debris_week_ending_2_19_the_buzz_the_flash_and_the_desperate%2F&seed_title=Particle+Debris+%28week+ending+2%2F19%29+The+Buzz%2C+The+Flash%2C+and+the+Desperate http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/particle_debris_week_ending_2_19_the_buzz_the_flash_and_the_desperate/ In this week's clump of technical news debris, John looks at the buzz around Google Buzz, predicting the exact time of Apple's 10 billionth song, loose lips, sunk ships, an interview with Adobe's CTO Kevin Lynch, desperately seeking bandwidth, the next generation magazine, and a good reason why the new MacBook Pros may be late. Blogs, John Martellaro's Blog Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:27:10 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fhow_to_remove_unwanted_update_agents%2F&seed_title=How+to+Remove+Unwanted+Software+Update+Agents http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/how_to_remove_unwanted_update_agents/ When installing desirable software for good, it's nice to be kept advised of updates.  One way to do that is through a Mac OS X mechanism called launch agents. They activate a request to check for updates. However, after you've deleted experimental software, those update checks can linger and consume system resources. Here's how to delete them. Tips, How-To Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:29:50 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2F3d_sun_for_iphone_provides_solar_news_views%2F&seed_title=3D+Sun+for+iPhone+Provides+Solar+News+%26amp%3B+Views http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/3d_sun_for_iphone_provides_solar_news_views/ 3D Sun is a free app for iPhone and iPod touch that keeps you up to date on all the news related to our Sun. There is news on sunspots, aurora, coronal mass ejections, and possible impacts on the Earth.  The current image of the Sun in several ultraviolet wavelengths is provided via two spaced-based observatories, Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO). Reviews, Quick Look Review, iObserver, iPhone Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:57:21 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fwhere_are_the_i5_i7_macbook_pros%2F&seed_title=Where+Are+the+i5%2Fi7+MacBook+Pros%3F http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/where_are_the_i5_i7_macbook_pros/ We've all be eagerly awaiting Apple's launch of i5/i7-based MacBook Pros.  These are Intel's quad core CPUs, and Hewlett Packard has been shipping notebooks with these CPUs for some time.  Is Apple overloaded with iPad attentions? Are there product timing issues? Columns and Opinions, Editorial Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:45:21 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Freview%2Fpogoplug_safely_seamless_shares_your_personal_cloud_with_others%2F&seed_title=Pogoplug+Safely%2C+Seamlessly+Shares+Your+Personal+Cloud+with+Others http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/review/pogoplug_safely_seamless_shares_your_personal_cloud_with_others/ There are many solutions for sharing files with others on the Internet. Some have some risks, and some are rather technical and not appropriate for non-technical associates. Pogoplug is a device that serves files, isolated from your own LAN, to others on the Internet in an easy, secure fashion.  Think of it as your personal cloud, but sitting on your own desktop. Reviews, In-Depth Review Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:30:52 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fparticle_debris_week_ending_2_12_buying_success_inhibiting_success_creating%2F&seed_title=Particle+Debris+%28week+ending+2%2F12%29+Buying+Success%2C+Inhibiting+Success%2C+Creating+Success http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/particle_debris_week_ending_2_12_buying_success_inhibiting_success_creating/ In this week's amassment of technical news debris, John looks at different philosophies for business success. Also, one article from Om Malik has the deepest thinking yet seen on the fundamental issues of the iPad design.  There is a nugget of wisdom, mentioned no where else to date, given freely for those who can heed it. Blogs, John Martellaro's Blog Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:39:46 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fnew_google_chrome_beta_adds_extensions_and_more%2F&seed_title=New+Google+Chrome+Beta+Adds+Extensions+and+More http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/new_google_chrome_beta_adds_extensions_and_more/ Google released a new beta of its Chrome browser on Thursday.  New features include app extensions and bookmark sync. Over 2,200 extensions are available. News, Product News Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:13:30 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fadobe_posts_critical_security_update_for_flash%2F&seed_title=Adobe+Posts+Critical+Security+Update+for+Flash http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/adobe_posts_critical_security_update_for_flash/ Adobe posted a new version of Flash on Thursday that addresses a critical security issue, (CVE-2010-0186) which "could subvert the domain sandbox and make unauthorized cross-domain requests."  The new version, 10.0.45.2 replaces version 10.0.42.34. News, Product News Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:46:12 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fnpd_apple_5_in_brick_mortar_and_online_technology_sales%2F&seed_title=NPD%3A+Apple+%235+in+Brick+%26amp%3B+Mortar+and+Online+Technology+Sales http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/npd_apple_5_in_brick_mortar_and_online_technology_sales/ Apple has claimed the #5 spot in sales for both brick & mortar store fronts as well as online technology sales for 2009, according to NPD's Consumer Tracking Service report released on February 10. News Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:59:16 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fanalyst_predicts_huge_iphone_sales_ups_aapl_target_to_280%2F&seed_title=Analyst+Predicts+Huge+iPhone+Sales%2C+ups+AAPL+Target+to+%24280 http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/analyst_predicts_huge_iphone_sales_ups_aapl_target_to_280/ Charlie Wolf, an analyst with Needham, sent a note to investors on Friday noting that Mac and iPhone sales are considerably higher than his projection in September, 2009. He estimates that Apple will sell 48+ million iPhones in 2011 and 6 million iPads in 2011. His target price for AAPL is now US$280.00. News Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:22:56 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fhp_announces_new_officejet_4500_all-in-one_printer%2F&seed_title=HP+Announces+New+Officejet+4500+All-in-One+Printer http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/hp_announces_new_officejet_4500_all-in-one_printer/ SAN FRANCISCO - On Thursday, Hewlett Packard announced its new Officejet 4500 All-in-One series at Macworld with professional quality color printing, wired or wireless connectivity, and four-in-one functionality. News, Product News Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:36:37 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fwill_apple_finally_include_3g_with_i5_i7_macbook_pros%2F&seed_title=Will+Apple+Finally+Include+3G+with+i5%2Fi7+MacBook+Pros%3F http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/will_apple_finally_include_3g_with_i5_i7_macbook_pros/ Seth Weintraub at Computerworld has assembled a compendium of the best information available and surmises that the new i5/i7 MacBook Pros may well include 3G.  Now that the ice is broken with iPad data plans, the MacBooks could well be next. News, Rumor Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:27:41 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fmicrosoft_introduces_office_for_mac_2011%2F&seed_title=Microsoft+Introduces+Office+for+Mac+2011 http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/microsoft_introduces_office_for_mac_2011/ SAN FRANCISCO - At Macworld 2010, Microsoft's MacBU announced Office 2011, the next version of the office productivity suite for the Mac. Office 2011 will introduce new connections to Microsoft services to make working together more effective, an updated user interface making tasks easier, and essential compatibility to ensure documents look the same when shared as when created. News, Product News, Reports, Conferences, Macworld Expo Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:03:37 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fwhat_should_apple_do_about_adobe%2F&seed_title=What+Should+Apple+Do+About+Adobe%3F http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/what_should_apple_do_about_adobe/ There was a time, long ago, when Adobe was a hip company under John Warnock that made great products complementary to Apple. Nowadays, however, Adobe just seems to be a thorn in the side of Apple.  What can be done? Columns and Opinions, Editorial Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:20:04 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fmozilla_plans_to_remove_support_for_firefox_on_tiger%2F&seed_title=Mozilla+Plans+to+Remove+Support+for+Firefox+on+Tiger http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/mozilla_plans_to_remove_support_for_firefox_on_tiger/ Josh Aas of the Mozilla development planning team recently posted a note stating that they want to make a final decision on the removal of Tiger code in FireFox.  If they proceed as planned, then Firefox 3.6 will be the last version supported on Tiger. News Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:10:31 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fabsoft_announces_imsl_6_for_fortran_11.0%2F&seed_title=Absoft+Announces+IMSL+6+For+Fortran+11.0 http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/absoft_announces_imsl_6_for_fortran_11.0/ On Wednesday, the Absoft Corporation, in concert with Visual Numerics, announced the immediate availability of IMSL 6 library for its Fortran 11.0 on Intel Macs, Linux and Windows. The library has been updated to support apps running on multi-core SMP and MPICH clusters. News, Product News Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:56:36 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fwhats_next_for_google_becoming_an_isp%2F&seed_title=What%26%238217%3Bs+Next+For+Google%3F+Becoming+an+ISP%3F http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/whats_next_for_google_becoming_an_isp/ Google announced in its blog on Wednesday that the company is going to build an experimental, high-speed optical fiber network. The ostensible goal is to improve the Internet, promote the development of next generation apps, and to promote openness and choice (read: Net Neutrality).  The real agenda, however, may be different than it seems. Columns and Opinions, Editorial Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:27:55 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fiphone_android_gaining_market_share_microsoft_palm_losing%2F&seed_title=iPhone%2C+Android+Gaining+Market+Share%2C+Microsoft%2C+Palm+Losing http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/iphone_android_gaining_market_share_microsoft_palm_losing/ Data released by comScore on Monday shows that amongst the top smartphone platforms, Apple's iPhone, and Google's  Android are gaining market share at the expense of RIM, Windows Mobile, and Palm.  However, RIM remains the market share leader with 41.6 percent. News, Product News, iObserver, iPhone Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:44:16 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fthe_killer_surprises_waiting_for_steve_ballmer%2F&seed_title=The+Killer+Surprises+Waiting+for+Steve+Ballmer http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/the_killer_surprises_waiting_for_steve_ballmer/ Computing, as we know it is going to change dramatically over the next decade. A slew of new technologies, appliance computing, better security models, Android, and mobile computing will fundamentally change the nature of our computer experiences.  All of this new technology is being formulated by Apple and Google, and Microsoft, with questionable leadership, is in a very poor position to react. Columns and Opinions, Hidden Dimensions Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:00:49 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fparticle_debris_week_ending_2_5_regrets_and_delights%2F&seed_title=Particle+Debris+%28week+ending+2%2F5%29+Regrets+and+Delights http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/particle_debris_week_ending_2_5_regrets_and_delights/ In this week's congeries of technical news debris, John looks at regrets and delights. Will Apple ship a whole line of tablet devices?  Will Apple regret not including the iSight camera in the iPad? Will Apple have enough iPads to meet demand in March? Does Sir Patrick Stewart regret passing on Twitter? (But he loves his iPhone.) And why did Dan Frommer give up his 'Hulu Household' and cave for cable? Blogs, John Martellaro's Blog Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:25:21 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fthe_personality_trait_that_drives_corporate_innovation%2F&seed_title=A+Personality+Trait+that+Drives+Corporate+Innovation http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/the_personality_trait_that_drives_corporate_innovation/ For a company to remain great, its leaders must have a certain kind of passion: one that leads to sacrifice and true leadership. But for many companies, executive power is merely an end in itself: a means to acquire more power. That will cripple any company that depends on high tech innovation. How did Apple preserve that passion and Microsoft lose it? Columns and Opinions, Editorial Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:00:30 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fnorth_face_snow_report_gives_skiers_an_edge%2F&seed_title=North+Face+Snow+Report+Gives+Skiers+an+Edge http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/north_face_snow_report_gives_skiers_an_edge/ The North Face Snow Report for iPhone and iPod touch provides everything the skier needs to plan a day trip or longer: snow totals, snow conditions, detailed current weather with forecast, trail maps, and a resort locator via Google maps. Best of all, it's free. Reviews, Quick Look Review, iObserver, iPhone, iPod Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:50:50 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapples_science_fiction_dream%2F&seed_title=Apple%26%238217%3Bs+Science+Fiction+Dream http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apples_science_fiction_dream/ There is a cult SciFi theme that goes like this: a spirited group of technologists, engineers, scientists and others manage to build a fleet of spaceships, leave Earth, set up a colony on Mars, and make it self-sustaining. They set up a new, more modern government. That got me thinking.  When I consider the Apple iPad, this device may be just the beginning of a similar dream for Apple: leaving the PC world forever behind. Columns and Opinions, Hidden Dimensions Wed, 03 Feb 2010 08:59:13 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fparticle_debris_week_ending_1_29_ipad_my_equipment%2F&seed_title=Particle+Debris+%28week+ending+1%2F29%29+iPad+My+Equipment http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/particle_debris_week_ending_1_29_ipad_my_equipment/ John muses on the iPad, its parallel with the original vision of Steve Jobs for the Macintosh, how it really is a new breed of device and not just a super iPod touch, the lack of video camera, the iPad in enterprise guerilla warfare and how he intends to use his when it ships. Blogs, John Martellaro's Blog Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:46:58 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fthe_estimated_ipad_bill_of_materials%2F&seed_title=The+Estimated+iPad+Bill+of+Materials http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/the_estimated_ipad_bill_of_materials/ The Bill of Materials (BOM) is a listing of all key components for a device and how much they cost the manufacturer.  Broadpoint AmTech's Brian Marshall has published his estimate of the iPad BOM.  It shows that the base iPad model, retailing for $499, costs Apple about $290 to manufacture. News, Product News Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:50:19 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fanalyzing_the_analyst_brian_marshall%2F&seed_title=Analyzing+the+Analyst%3A+Brian+Marshall http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/analyzing_the_analyst_brian_marshall/ Brian Marshall of Broadpoint AmTech exactly gets it when it comes to the potential of the Apple iPad.  Here's some more detail on his report and my thoughts about his thoughts. Columns and Opinions, Editorial Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:31:39 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fipad_its_deja_vu_all_over_again%2F&seed_title=iPad%3A+It%26%238217%3Bs+D%26%23233%3Bj%26%23224%3B+Vu+All+Over+Again http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/ipad_its_deja_vu_all_over_again/ It was a very odd sensation.  Watching Steve Jobs introduce the iPad made me feel exactly as I had felt before with another Apple product introduction. And it wasn't the iPhone. Columns and Opinions, Editorial Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:25:20 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fthe_apple_ipad_predictions_and_impressions%2F&seed_title=The+Apple+iPad%3A+Predictions+and+Impressions http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/the_apple_ipad_predictions_and_impressions/ There comes a time in technology when it doesn't pay to wait to ship any longer.  There were a lot of things to get right with the iPad, hence the delay, but it also holds so much more promise for the future.  The low introductory price takes the sting out of that dilemma. Columns and Opinions, Editorial Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:47:23 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fthe_say_what_moment_for_apples_tablet%2F&seed_title=The+%26%238220%3BSay+What%3F%26%238221%3B+Moment+for+Apple%26%238217%3Bs+Tablet http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/the_say_what_moment_for_apples_tablet/ All of us who write about Apple are weighing in today about what the Apple tablet will be like, features, speeds and feeds. I've already done that, so, instead, I'm going to provide some tips that will help put the announcement in perspective. Columns and Opinions, Hidden Dimensions Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:59:40 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapples_knack_for_growth%2F&seed_title=Apple%26%238217%3Bs+Knack+for+Growth http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apples_knack_for_growth/ Every company wants to grow in revenues and earnings, but not all succeed. Apple seems to have a knack for growing in any technology and any geography it touches. It's no accident. Columns and Opinions, Editorial Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:38:04 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fparticle_debris_week_ending_1_22_its_a_fever%2F&seed_title=Particle+Debris+%28week+ending+1%2F22%29+It%26%238217%3Bs+a+fever%26%238230%3B http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/particle_debris_week_ending_1_22_its_a_fever/ In this week's kit of technical news debris, John looks at a video interview with Gene Munster, some speculation on iPhone OS 4.0, the Light Peak High-speed Optical Interface, a review of the Knowledge Navigator in preparation for the Apple tablet, open source alternatives to Apple's mail.app, and a 17 year old, fatal bug found in 32-bit Windows. Blogs, John Martellaro's Blog Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:30:56 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapple_announces_common_criteria_certification_for_snow_leopard%2F&seed_title=Apple+Announces+Common+Criteria+Certification+for+Snow+Leopard http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_announces_common_criteria_certification_for_snow_leopard/ Apple has announced Common Criteria Certification for Mac OS X 10.6 and 10.6 Server at the CAPP/EAL3 level. Common Criteria, an internationally approved set of security standards, provides a clear and reliable evaluation of the security capabilities of Information Technology products. News Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:41:57 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Ftmo_interviews_netflix%2F&seed_title=TMO+Interviews+Netflix http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/tmo_interviews_netflix/ On Thursday, TMO published story about the competitive posture of Netflix vis-à-vis the financial strength of Apple and a probable focus of the Apple tablet, namely HDTV and movies.  Mr. Steve Swasey, Vice President, Corporate Communications for Netflix responded. News Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:13:04 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fcan_netflix_survive_the_apple_tablet_onslaught%2F&seed_title=Can+Netflix+Survive+the+Apple+Tablet+Onslaught%3F http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/can_netflix_survive_the_apple_tablet_onslaught/ When assessing the competition, one has to look at the opposition's strengths and weaknesses and compare them to your own. Digging into the financial situation for Netflix vs. Apple, one finds that Apple has a key strength that will eventually lead to the demise of Netflix. Analysis Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:28:44 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F13799&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Freview%2Faerial7_chopper_2_iphone_headset_plus_microphone_fills_a_gap%2F&seed_title=Aerial7+Chopper+2%3A+iPhone+Headset+Plus+Microphone+Fills+a+Gap http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/review/aerial7_chopper_2_iphone_headset_plus_microphone_fills_a_gap/ Some iPhone users may find that the supplied earbuds plus mic or a Bluetooth earpiece is all they need for voice operations on the iPhone. However, others may prefer a more capable, tangle-free true headset plus microphone for extended, battery free, conversations in the office.  The Aerial7 Chopper 2 does exactly that. Reviews, In-Depth Review Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:38:20 -0500