Dr. Mac has been obsessed with personal productivity since time immemorial. He says that while Macs have improved immensely over time, some things haven’t changed much including a pair of tips that appeared in his first book, Dr. Macintosh, way back in 1989, as well as his current book, Working Smarter for Mac Users.
Here’s How Siri Could Become Your AI Cyber Nanny
The internet has turned into the Wild, Wild West. People are exposed to threats daily, but help is often far away in time and space. But, like the old American Wild, Wild West times and technology change. It’s high time our leading tech companies like Apple and Microsoft put artificial intelligence to work truly protecting us. That’s the noblest cause for advanced technology right now.
A Glimpse Into Microsoft's Future
Microsoft is a changed company under CEO Satya Nadella. We’re not the first ones to notice. This change has manifested itself in several ways, most notably the willingness to provide solutions on whatever platform the customer wants to work with. More exciting, however, is how people interact with their computers. This week, John points us an article that reveals Microsoft’s important new thinking about the human-machine interface.
Alexa, Siri, You're Not a Trusted Family Member
The conceit of AI agents like Alexa, Cortana, Google Home and Siri is that they are to be always listening, invited to be treated as trusted family members. Or the loyal computer of our family’s starship. John Martellaro doesn’t like these analogies at all.
With Mac and PC Designs Mature, Computational Power is Sexier
The designs of desktop and laptop PCs and Macs have reached a plateau. There’s not much more to be done. But user hunger for computational power never ceases. While Apple has traditionally focused on design, it may be time for Apple to, instead, dwell on sheer computational power, an enduring addiction for everyone.
Siri's No Amazon Alexa yet, but Give Her Time
With Amazon Alexa being joined in our living rooms by Google Assistant and now Microsoft Cortana, it’s clear that Apple needs to step up to the plate and take back the home. Jeff Butts makes the case for why Cupertino needs to develop an Echo-like device for Siri.
5 Less Expensive Wireless Alternatives to AirPods
Last week Dr. Mac said he thought AirPods were too expensive… For those looking for decent-sounding, comfortable wireless headsets to use primarily with a single Apple device—an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac—he says he knows many models that will serve your needs and cost you less than AirPods.
John Oliver Makes It Easier to Comment on FCC Effort to Gut Net Neutrality
The FCC under Chairman Ajit Pai did its best to bury the mechanism for publicly commenting on the U.S. Federal Communications Commission’s efforts to gut net neutrality. Fortunately, comedian and Last Week Tonight host John Oliver made it easy.
A Fantasy Conversation: Bezos and Cook Chat About Amazon Echo
Two very interesting things happened this week. First, we heard that Apple may be making its own Siri-powered Echo-like device, to be announced at WWDC. Later in the week, we heard that Amazon will now bring its video app, Prime Video to the Apple TV. Mere coincidence? John, just for fun, imagines a recent, fictional conversation between Jeff Bezos and Tim Cook.
Why Apple is Letting iPad Sales Drift Downward
Apple has watched the iPad sales numbers drift downward since 2013. Apple has smart executives. The only conclusion John can draw is that in 2013 and again 2015 Apple embarked on an aggressive, multi-phase program to breathe new life into the iPad. It’s just taking some engineering time, and so during each quarterly Earnings Report, CEO Tim Cook just has to roll with the punches until it’s done. John makes his case for a big surprise in store.
May the Force Be With You, Always, with These Apps for Star Wars Day
With so many Star Wars apps, how do you pick which ones to use on Star Wars Day? Jeff Butts has spent hours scouring the App Store for Star Wars games, and then playing around with them to. see how good they are. Don’t let his sacrifice go in vain. Let him help you find some of the best apps to keep you one with the Force.
Apple AirPods: Very Nice (Except for the Price)
Dr. Mac’s going to tell you all about Apple’s AirPods wireless headphones today, after a bit of backstory (for context). Spoiler alert: He likes ’em but thinks they are overpriced.
Apple's Mac Revenue is Up Year-Over-Year, But it's Self-Deception
During Apple’s Q2 2017 Earnings Report, Apple CEO Tim Cook noted that demand for the newest MacBook Pro remains strong and that Mac revenue grew by 14 percent year-over-year. On the surface, this seems like something to crow about, but it may be simply all that glitters.
Meet the Man Who Wants to Use His Personal Tragedy to Screw Us All with Textalyzer
Meet Ben Lieberman of New Castle, NY. He suffered a horrific tragedy in 2011 when his 19 year old son was killed by someone texting-while-driving. Powered by his personal loss, Mr. Lieberman is on a crusade to dramatically amp up the power of the police to search your smartphone without a warrant.
Certain iPhone News Contributors Need to get Their Rumors and Facts Straight
When it comes to reporting on iPhone news and rumors, it’s important to keep your rumors and facts straight. Not everyone does that, though, and it has Jeff Butts a bit concerned about the state of Apple news and rumor reporting. Let’s pick apart one recent article and make some sense of it.
Facebook, By Its Very Design, Cannot Avert the Tragedies it Creates
Recently, Facebook has suffered some difficulties that were caused by its very design. It’s clear now that one of the features of large, complex social services is that they contain within themselves the seeds of tragedy. Worse, thanks to the money at stake, there’s no remedy. Not even a tough one.