Columns & Opinions Archives - The Mac Observer

The iPhone 11, First of the Post-Ive Era, Shows New Design Trends

1:37 PM EDT, Sep 13th, 2019 · John Martellaro · Particle Debris

It has been argued that there are identifiable design trends in the iPhone 11 as we move into the post Jonny Ive era.

Dealing with Mac Data Bloat

1:35 PM EDT, Sep 13th, 2019 · Bob LeVitus · Dr. Mac's Rants & Raves

Dr. Mac has literally millions of files on thirteen hard disks stored in two locations (or three if you count the cloud), and now he has the app that helps him wrangle all those files: NeoFinder.

My Dilemma: iPad mini 5 or 7th Gen iPad?

6:21 PM EDT, Sep 11th, 2019 · John Martellaro · Editorial

John was all set to replace his iPad mini 3 with an iPad mini 5. Then Apple announced the low cost, 7th generation iPad for $329. Will he shift gears?

Apple's iPhone Event Was Particularly Pleasing in So Many Ways

6:36 PM EDT, Sep 10th, 2019 · John Martellaro · Editorial

CEO Tim Cook Opens the 10 Sep 19 iPhone event.

After every Apple event, there is some griping. Missing products that were hoped for. High prices. Boring presentations. Not this time.

The Case For Apple to Make Home Robots Just Got Stronger

3:32 PM EDT, Sep 6th, 2019 · John Martellaro · Particle Debris

The profitability of cars is low. And Apple is a mass-market consumer electronics company that maintains high margins. Seeking Alpha argues that Apple should use its AI tech for home robots instead.

Where Dr. Mac Shops for Value

3:30 PM EDT, Sep 6th, 2019 · Bob LeVitus · Dr. Mac's Rants & Raves

Regardless of what you might seek—a new or used Mac, a peripheral, an iDevice, a performance upgrade, a protective case, or something else entirely—Dr. Mac almost always has an opinion on where he likes to shop for the best product of that type at the lowest price.

Things I Like in macOS Catalina

6:22 PM EDT, Aug 30th, 2019 · Bob LeVitus · Dr. Mac's Rants & Raves

Bob “Dr. Mac” LeVitus has been poring over macOS Catalina betas while working on his next For Dummies books, and he has compiled a list of features he thinks you’ll love about the next macOS release.

Apple May Have to Launch Apple TV+ as a Free Service

6:00 PM EDT, Aug 30th, 2019 · John Martellaro · Particle Debris

Disney+ has launched so many salvos at Apple TV+ that Apple may have no choice but to make the service free, at least initially.

Apple is Starting to Take Being in Media Seriously

11:19 AM EDT, Aug 28th, 2019 · Charlotte Henry · Editorial

With reports of increased spending and siginficant hires, it looks like Apple is ready to compete seriously against the likes of Netflix.

My Five “Desert Island” Mac Apps

6:16 PM EDT, Aug 23rd, 2019 · Bob LeVitus · Dr. Mac's Rants & Raves

You’re stranded on a desert island. You’ve got a brand-new Mac and can add just 5 third-party apps. Which apps would they be and why? Never mind the electricity, Internet, or other logical thoughts—what five apps would you not want to be without? Find out Dr. Mac’s top five this week in his Rants & Raves column!

With Some iPhone Luster Gone, Apple is Pouring it on With Other Products

6:10 PM EDT, Aug 23rd, 2019 · John Martellaro · Particle Debris

How will Apple make up for slightly declining iPhone sales and a 2019 iPhone that lacks 5G? Simple. Pour on the coals with other products. About time.

Leaked Pricing for Apple TV+ is Certainly a Trial Balloon

3:42 PM EDT, Aug 20th, 2019 · John Martellaro · Editorial

The leaked pricing for Apple TV+ is certainly intentional and designed to gauge the reaction in the community.

How the iMac Saved Apple and May Yet Live Forever

6:25 PM EDT, Aug 16th, 2019 · John Martellaro · Particle Debris

The iMac, in 1998, saved Apple from an extinction event. Today, it endures and embodies the best of desktop computing. Here’s the story.

Word Processors vs. Writing

6:21 PM EDT, Aug 16th, 2019 · Bob LeVitus · Dr. Mac's Rants & Raves

Dr. Mac says most (or at least many) people compose longer written prose in a word processor… and that may be a mistake. He believe that you’ll do better work and finish it faster if you use a text editor instead of a word processor or page layout program for all but final drafts.