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Apple, once untouchable in terms of marketing, has gotten a little roughed up lately. For much of the decade, Apple got away with bashing longtime adversary Microsoft without repercussions. Apple also dominated the MP3 player category without a serious rival. But now, as Microsoft has reinvigorated its marketing and it navigates into the phone handset category, suddenly everyone is bashing Apple. First there was the Microsoft “I’m a PC” TV spot from Crispin, Porter + Bogusky featuring a send-up of the dorky “PC” caricature in Apple’s “Get A Mac” campaign. Then, three weeks ago Verizon launched a teaser pitch from...

Apple is the defendant in two recent, offbeat lawsuits, including one filed by an artist who alleges he invented and named the iPod and iPhone in the 1980s, only to have Apple and actress Sarah Jessica Parker steal his trade secrets. Defendants Apple, Steve Jobs and Sarah Jessica ParkerIn 1989, the suit alleges, plaintiff Franz A. Wakefield won first place in the 17th Congressional District Arts Competition and was honored by Congressman William Lehman and movie stars Parker and Robert Downey Jr. A self-described "trade secret and copyright owner," Wakefield, of Miami, Fla., is president and chief product design engineer...

When you buy an Apple device, you're often locked in to buying other Apple products that are compatible with it. Here are five examples, and some advice on what to do. Oh, wait--there's nothing you can do.Once you enter the Big Tent of Apple, it's exceedingly hard to find the exit. Over its 33-year history, Apple has consistently elected to limit consumer choice, creating a situation known as "lock in." As soon as you start buying stuff from Apple, you'll find it difficult to move to products made by someone else without losing everything you've already paid for. Of course,...

My daughter a HS Junior is doing really well in school. I am planning to buy her a new laptop for school. She currently has a Dell 13" XPS that has been ok, but the battery has been replaced twice, the CD/DVD will currently only play CDs and it is getting slower to start up. So I start looking and I know she wants a Mac because they are cool, I however am not a Mac fan. Not that there is anything wrong with Mac, I have a slowly dying PowerMac G5 Dual that has a nice monitor I use...

The more I think and learn about the curious pricing of the 27” iMac, the more bizarre and incredible it seems. It has a resolution of 2560x1440, which no other monitor in the industry seems to have (that I can find). 30” LCDs are the same width but 1600 tall. Shrinking 2560-wide into a screen that’s 3” smaller diagonally yields an impressive pixel density, especially given the panel’s still-immense size. It has an IPS panel. IPS is the best and most expensive LCD type, giving the best viewing angle and the least color- and brightness-shifting as the angle increases in...

Steve Ballmer recently stated that Windows 7 is the best version of Windows ever. Now that Windows 7 is officially out, the public at large can join that debate and determine if Windows 7 is the best version of Windows yet, or even the greatest operating system of all time. Let's consider the hypothetical question of whether Windows 7 is the greatest operating system of all time. Before the flaming comments start flowing about what a Microsoft fanboy I am, let me begin by stating that it's a hypothetical question, not a statement of opinion, never mind an assessment of...

I have a confession: I'm a switcher. My long journey with Windows, which began even before Windows with MS-DOS, ended with Windows Vista. While so many others navigated the Vista debacle by sticking with Windows XP, I gave Vista a try -- and gave up. I leapt to the Mac OS. Could Windows 7 lure me back? Windows 7 was built to fix the problems that plagued Vista, and it unquestionably succeeds in doing that. It's a bit less bloated, and it runs a bit faster. The annoying security alerts from User Account Control have been quieted. And the compatibility...

There’s nothing geeks love more than to argue mobile phone platforms. Here’s Matt Blaisdell saying that apps weren’t key to iPhone’s success. That’s true, but now that Apple has apps the world has changed and challengers to the iPhone will find it very tough. Here’s why: everyone is using a different set of 20 apps. Trillions of combinations. You can see this on Appsfire’s VIP list (my iPhone apps are listed there, along with a number of others). None of us have the same set of apps. So, to get me off of the iPhone you are going to have...

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer appeared on NBC's Today Show on Thursday to shill his company's Vista service pack, er, "Windows 7" and spent the entire segment in front of an older model (note the latches above the screen) Apple MacBook Pro (courtesy of an NBC graphic designer — Mac user, no doubt — who must have a wicked sense of humor): Direct link to video via Hulu here. Of course, it's easy to run Windows 7 (or any other Windows version, Linux, etc.) and non-Mac applications on OS-unlimited Macs natively (via Apple's Boot Camp) and/or via fast virtualization (VMWare Fusion,...

I think the saying goes that those that don’t learn from history are destined to repeat it. This is likely to point with Apple this month as they sit stunned that Windows 7 is doing so well and they are left looking foolish with products priced out of the segment. Their big news this week was a couple of PCs, a new keyboard and a multi-touch mouse. This last will likely go down in history as one of the lamest devices yet as they should know, given the iPhone, that touch is connected to the screen and not anything else....

Apple debuted a trio of hard-hitting "Get a Mac" ads today on U.S broadcast and cable networks that target Microsoft's Windows 7. In Apple's "PC News" spot, "PC" reports that the launch of Windows 7 is causing "Upgrade Fever." People just cant wait to upgrade to their new Macs! Direct link via YouTube here. In "Tetter Tottering," a PC sufferer explains that to go from WIndows XP to Windows 7 you have to move all of your stuff anyway, so move it to the personal computer rated #1 in customer satisfaction: Apple's Mac. Direct link via YouTube here. In "Broken...

Yes, Windows 7 didn't even hit the market until Thursday. But that hasn't stopped a fog of myths from enveloping the newest version of the much loved--and much hated--PC operating system from Microsoft. [Slide Show: The Best of What's New in Windows 7.] The software giant hoped that wide exposure to Windows 7 would help smooth its entry. Microsoft let millions of consumers and professionals download test versions of the operating system. And by a wide margin, testers have found the new system to be the best yet from Microsoft. Version 7 is leaner, more useful, and prettier than past...

The contenders: Microsoft Windows 7 vs. Apple Snow Leopard Microsoft Windows 7 (Professional) Apple Mac OS X Snow Leopard It's not often that the two most popular operating systems get major updates so close to each other, so we couldn't resist throwing them into a cage match together. Already we can hear some of you screaming that Snow Leopard isn't a major update--we know this one's personal! But is Windows 7 nothing more than "Vista done right"? Microsoft's severe stumble with Vista aside, Windows 7 clearly positions the operating system for the future, with a new look that integrates heavily...

I've been ruminating the past few days on why Apple (AAPL) is doing so well with it's pricey high-end products and services during a recession. The answer came as I was reading Wednesday's New York Times column by Thomas Friedman, whom I deeply admire and read anything and everything he puts out. Friedman points out that the winners in today's fast-shifting U.S. job market are the ones demonstrating "entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity." He says, "They are the new untouchables," in contrast to other still highly educated but less creative types. Friedman cites Harvard University labor expert Lawrence Katz, who explains...

Nokia sues Apple claiming iPhone infringement of Nokia GSM, UMTS and WLAN patentsNokia today sued Apple claiming iPhone patent infringement. Nokia's press release, verbatim: Nokia sues Apple in Delaware District Court for infringement of Nokia GSM, UMTS and WLAN patents October 22, 2009 Espoo, Finland - Nokia announced that it has today filed a complaint against Apple with the Federal District Court in Delaware, alleging that Apple's iPhone infringes Nokia patents for GSM, UMTS and wireless LAN (WLAN) standards. As a leading innovator in wireless communications, Nokia has created one of the strongest and broadest patent portfolios in the...

As students of recessions know, not all economic activity stops, even during the worst of it. People went to movies in the 1930s, and movies made great leaps in technology. Contrast the look and sound of The Thin Man (1934) with that of The Wizard of Oz (1939) made just five years later. Recessions destroy bad, bloated and behind-the-times business models. By doing so, recessions clear the way for the new and novel. I've mentioned this so many times that I might sound like a broken record to some, but consider the new companies and trends that emerged and thrived...

Apple today announced financial results for its fiscal 2009 fourth quarter ended September 26, 2009. The Company posted revenue of $9.87 billion and a net quarterly profit of $1.67 billion, or $1.82 per diluted share. These results compare to revenue of $7.9 billion and net quarterly profit of $1.14 billion, or $1.26 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin was 36.6 percent, up from 34.7 percent in the year-ago quarter. International sales accounted for 46 percent of the quarter’s revenue. Analysts consensus' expectations called for EPS of $1.42 on $9.2 billion revenue. In accordance with the subscription accounting...

With the October 22nd release of Windows 7 just around the corner, Microsoft is also putting the final touches on its first two retail stores which are scheduled to open in Scottsdale, Arizona and Mission Viejo, California in just a few weeks. Microsoft first announced its plans to open up its own branded retail stores back in February. Microsoft explained that it was getting into the retail business as a means to connect more directly with customers, exert better control over the Microsoft brand, and to “transform the PC and Microsoft buying experience.” Since that time, and as specific details...

Psystar won't fight Leopard injunction now that it's using Snow Leopard Apple and Mac clone maker Psystar traded barbs last week in federal court as they simultaneously asked a judge to end the case that began more than 15 months ago. Florida-based Psystar took the unusual step of conceding to an injunction, saying that it would agree to stop using Mac OS X 10.5, aka Leopard, on the machines it sells. The two companies have been battling since July 2008, when Apple sued Psystar over the latter's practice of installing Apple's Mac OS X operating system on generic Intel-based computers....

The ongoing legal dispute between Psystar and Apple continues to soldier on, with the latest dispute centering on a Psystar motion which seeks to make Apple’s technological circumvention measures in OS X publicly available information.When this case first started, Judge Alsup issued a ruling which allowed both parties to keep confidential information private. So last week, when Psystar and Apple filed their respective motions for Summary Judgment, both motions were heavily redacted whenever the security measures that tie OS X to Apple hardware were referenced.Psystar now argues that much of the redacted information contained in both their and Apple’s briefs...

Apple releases Performance Update 10.6 Snow Leopard and 10.5 Leopard; addresses hard drive stallsThursday, October 15, 2009 - 01:11 PM EDTApple has released Performance Update 1.0 for Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard and Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard which addresses "intermittent hard drive-related stalls reported by a small number of customers." Products Affected: MacBook Air (Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2.53GHz, Mid 2009), iMac (20-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009), MacBook (13-inch, Early 2009), MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum,...

BusinessWeek magazine seems to have jumped the gun on Apple's announcements today - the Apple Store is still down in the US and UK, but BusinessWeek's story is up, saying there are upgrades to the MacBook and iMac lines. [Update: perhaps we were just being cached to death - everyone else seemed to see the products while we were getting the same no-show. But this is still a prebrief - read on.]

by linathael . Original by Lionel - 15/10/2009 00:15:00 CEST According to one of our sources, Apple is finalizing the future Mac Pro models. They are currently testing the last evolution of Xeon CPU, known as Gulftown, that Intel only demoed a couple of times so far.This Xeon is an evolution of those already powering Mac Pro 2009 with some new features: 6 cores and 12 threads for each CPU.12 MB of shared cache instead of 8 MB today.32-nm engraving vs. 45 nm today.Power consumption of future hexacore Xeon 32 nm will be slightly lower than the one of current...

Read from bottom up for proper sequential presentation.—Swordmaker MacDailyNews presents live notes from Apple’s conference call discussing Q409 financial results. Live notes will begin today at 2pm PDT/5pm EDT in reverse-chronological order: Conference call ends. Apple again refuses to talk about the anticipated Q110 air freight cost increases in terms of specific products The State of Maine buy helped immensely Student Mac buys significantly helped Apple's online sales. Apple still worried about state education spending. iPhone sell-through up 38% YOY which is a significant multiple vs. the smartphone market growth overall Apple continues to be pleased with the number of...

Apple Inc. on Monday reported a fiscal fourth-quarter profit of $1.67 billion, or $1.82 a share, on revenue of $9.87 billion. During the same period a year ago, Apple earned $1.14 billion, or $1.26 a share on $7.9 billion in sales. Apple's results topped the estimates of analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters, who had forecast the company to earn $1.42 a share on revenue of $9.2 billion. Among the highlights of the quarter were sales of 7.4 milion iPhones in the quarter ended Sept. 26. For its fiscal first-quarter, Apple estimates it will earn between $1.70 and $1.78 a share...

Apple growth per IDC:MacDailyNews Take: Nothing to see here, Mr. Ballmer. From 4.3% in Q3 '05 to 5.8% in Q3 '06 to 6.3% in Q3 '07 to 8.6% in Q3 '08 to 9.4% in Q3 '09 - it's all just a rounding error. No worries. Keep up the good work!

Apple's sales up 7% to 12% last quarter, handily beat industry average, say IDC, GartnerComputerworld — Apple's Mac sales in the U.S. last quarter were up between 7% and 12%, according to estimates published yesterday by research firms Gartner and IDC. Both companies said Apple will post third-quarter numbers significantly above the industry average, but disagreed on the Mac sales gains over the same period a year ago. Gartner estimated that Apple sold 1.57 million Macs in the U.S. for the quarter ending Sept. 30, an increase of 6.8% over 2008. IDC, on the other hand, put Mac sales at...

The $99 iPhone is turning the wireless industry on its head, and not in a good way. It's having an obvious negative affect on AT&T (NYSE: T)'s bottom line, and it's causing some serious pain for other makers of mobile devices. One of the biggest trends on Wall Street is the proper adoption of technology that will help each part of an organization be more efficient, says Jim Feingold, global head of Sales and Marketing and co-head of product strategy at Portware Last week, analyst firm Yankee Group fired off a report begging mobile network operators to stop subsidizing devices...

According to leading market research company The NPD Group's 2009 Household Penetration Study, approximately 12 percent of all U.S. computer owning households own an Apple computer, up from 9 percent in 2008. While Apple ownership is growing, those households are decidedly in favor of mixed system environments. Of those 12 percent, nearly 85 percent also own a Windows-based PC. Multiple computer ownership is a common thread in Apple computer households, with 66 percent of households owning three or more computers, compared to just 29 percent of Windows PC households. Apple owning households are decidedly more mobile as well, with 72...

The focus of Apple's long-rumored tablet device could be the transformation of newspapers, magazines and other print media, a new rumor suggests. With anonymous information from people within various facets of the publishing world, Gizmodo has said that Apple has been reaching out to print publications about putting their products for sale on iTunes via a new piece of hardware. The report cited people familiar with The New York Times, publishers McGraw Hill and Oberlin Press, and a trip that "several executives from one of the largest magazine groups" took to the company's Cupertino, Calif., headquarters. Apple's tablet has been...

In a new patent application revealed this week, Apple has again disclosed plans for a multi-touch surface that could accommodate two full hands and distinguish between palms and individual fingers for typing, gestures and more. The application, filed by Morrison and Foerster LLP in Los Angeles in June 2009 on behalf of Apple, expands on information first revealed by AppleInsider in early 2008. The massive document details a hand-based system that would allow "unprecedented integration of typing, resting, pointing, scrolling, 3D manipulation, and handwriting into a versatile, ergonomic computer input device." The document notes that input with a stylus, mouse,...

With the end of September comes the end of fiscal year 2009 for Apple. While the company won’t be releasing the numbers for another two weeks or so, consensus estimates from Wall Street for the fourth quarter will fill in the blanks, as Apple always beats estimates. For 2009, during what is arguably the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, Apple will have its best year ever. . . . Fiscal year or calendar year, it just doesn’t matter, either way 2009 will be the first year the company sells 10 million Macs. Sales estimates for the quarter ending...

Windows works for me. But I'd never recommend it to anybody else, ever.I admit it: I'm a bigot. A hopeless bigot at that: I know my particular prejudice is absurd, but I just can't control it. It's Apple. I don't like Apple products. And the better-designed and more ubiquitous they become, the more I dislike them. I blame the customers. Awful people. Awful. Stop showing me your iPhone. Stop stroking your Macbook. Stop telling me to get one. Seriously, stop it. I don't care if Mac stuff is better. I don't care if Mac stuff is cool. I don't care...

Apple has released iTunes 9.0.1 for Mac OS X 10.4.11 or later, Mac OS X Server 10.4.11 or later, Windows XP, Vista, and the Vista service pack that Microsoft refers to as "Windows 7." iTunes 9.0.1 provides a number of important bug fixes, including: • Resolves issues browsing the iTunes Store. • Addresses a performance issue where iTunes may become unresponsive. • Fixes a problem where iTunes may unexpectedly quit. • Fixes a problem syncing Podcasts in playlists to iPod or iPhone. • Fixes a problem sorting albums with multiple discs. • Addresses an issue with the Zoom button not...

Microsoft is promoting the release of Windows 7 by encouraging users to throw Tupperware-like house parties in celebration of the launch. The new campaign encourages participants to print out Windows 7 advertising banners for their home along with "host notes" outlining how to talk about Windows 7 in glowing terms. There's even a question and answer pamphlet, of which the official launch party web site recommends, "download and print this fun activity to keep the party going!" With the new security features in Windows 7, it's unlikely the parties will get too carried away. Interestingly, the quiz pamphlet has nothing...

Russian cyber crime gangs after Apple's Macs, too, says researcherComputerworld - A network of Russian malware writers and spammers paid hackers 43 cents for each Mac machine they infected with bogus video software, a sign that Macs have become attack targets, a security researcher said yesterday. In a presentation Thursday at the Virus Bulletin 2009 security conference in Geneva, Switzerland, Sophos researcher Dmitry Samosseiko discussed his investigation of the Russian "Partnerka," a tangled collection of Web affiliates who rake in hundreds of thousands of dollars from spam and malware, most of the former related to phony drug sites, and much...

Myth 1: Macs Are Safer Than PCsThanks to aggressive marketing from Apple, Mac users often think they are impervious to the viruses, Trojans and numerous other assaults that have plagued Windows users for decades. Security experts say that if Mac users are less susceptible to attack, it's simply due to the fact that there are fewer viruses written for Macs than for Windows. That is rapidly changing, however, as Macs gain market share. Meanwhile, users who have the unfortunate experience of being attacked by information-stealing Trojans will likely have their systems compromised and their data stolen ... just like every...

Hackers just like the PC more. Regardless of which side you're on (though as a true computing enthusiast, you shouldn't be taking sides), you've heard the arguments back and forth on the which operating system is truly safer – Mac OS X or Windows. It is of the opinion of Charlie Miller, a well known Mac security guru, that even Snow Leopard, the latest version of Mac OS X, isn't as safe as Windows. One key point is that Snow Leopard still doesn't have ASLR, or address space layout randomization, which randomly arranges the position of key data making it...

Psystar reasserted its claims that Leopard and Snow Leopard copyright-related issues should be dealt with in court independently in its response to Apple's motion to dismiss the unauthorized Mac clone maker's recent case filing in Florida. Apple and Psystar have been battling in U.S. District Court in California over whether or not the PC maker can build and sell Mac clones for months, but the clone maker added a new wrinkle to the case when it started the legal process over again with a new filing in Florida. Psystar filed a new lawsuit against Apple in Florida over Mac OS...

Psystar has filed its Memorandum in Opposition [PDF] to Apple's Motion to Dismiss or Enjoin Prosecution of the Florida action Psystar recently initiated. Psystar claims that the California case cannot possibly include Snow Leopard because "put simply and starkly -- neither Snow Leopard nor the Psystar computers that run Snow Leopard existed when it was filed." Also, Psystar claims that Snow Leopard cannot be included in the California action because Apple had not registered a copyright for Snow Leopard at the time it filed its California complaint. If Apple wants the two cases joined, Psystar argues, or wants to make...

Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT) took on rival Apple (NSDQ:AAPL) head on this week in the education market with a special offer for students to purchase Windows 7 for $30, about the same price as Apple's competing Mac OS X Snow Leopard. Microsoft is promoting the offer, which runs through January 3, 2010, on a special Win741.com Web site, where students can buy the upcoming operating system as long as they provide a valid student e-mail address. The offer applies to Home Premium and Professional versions of Windows 7. The Windows 7 special offer comes as Apple makes a push to grab share...

Apple has won every category it participated in as part of a new study of service and reliablity. The reader-driven PCMag rankings saw it lead the cellphone, desktop, notebook and portable media categories, in some cases with particularly wide margins compared to rivals. Apple's best success was in the notebook category, where MacBooks earned an overall score of 9.2 out of 10 and a very high 9.4 out of 10 "would recommend" score. The win was a narrow one as Taiwan's ASUS made a relatively large gain to claim second place with 8.8 overall and 9.0 in recommendations. Its general...

The free iPhone OS 3.1 Software Update includes some great new features, as well as all the features from previous updates. iPhone OS 3.1 gives you Genius recommendations for apps, lets you download ringtones wirelessly, offers a new way to organize apps on your iPhone, and more.

Apple today made the source code of Grand Central Dispatch available under an Apache open source license. One of the new technologies for concurrency added to Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, Grand Central is Apple’s attempt to help developers deal with the rise of multi-core. The open sourcing of Grand Central comes as something of a surprise, because it is a core technology in Snow Leopard, and could be seen to give Apple a competitive edge in the new world of multi-core. So why did they do it? Only Apple knows for sure, but there are compelling arguments for...

Well, that didn't take long. In a decade, Apple (AAPL) has gone from niche-market roadkill to a company whose growing dominance and competitive tactics in a booming market are thrilling investors, angering competitors, and drawing regulatory scrutiny.  Unless Apple shows a quick change of attitude, the benefit of its market position--power, scrutiny, and tens of billions in profit--are only going to grow.Apple is no longer the beloved underdog that Microsoft kept alive in the late 1990s to improve its own standing in the eyes of regulators (remember the investment and agreement to keep building Office for the Mac?).  Apple is now...

Clone Mac maker Psystar filed a new lawsuit this week to sell systems with Snow Leopard.Psystar wants to sell Snow LeopardFlorida-based Psystar is hoping to bring Apple's latest operating system to its line of knock-off Macs. In a complaint filed in a Florida court Thursday, Psystar seeks an injunction and damages due to Apple's "anticompetitive attempts to tie Mac OS X Snow Leopard to its Macintosh line of computers." The filing claims that Psystar is entitled to be able to buy copies of Snow Leopard on the market and install them onto its own computers that it re-sells. The suit...

Reviewers who shrug at Apple's latest update to OS X are missing the point.BURLINGAME, Calif. -- The reviews for Apple's latest Operating System, OS X Snow Leopard, have been written. And, well, they've missed the point. Most have noted that Snow Leopard offers a few new features, performs a little quicker and then go on to spend a few hundred words delivering the written equivalent of a shrug. "It isn't a big breakthrough for average users," The Wall Street Journal's Walt Mossberg writes. Here's the breakthrough: Apple's ( AAPL - news - people ) OS X, Snow Leopard, which goes...

Hint: the mobile network providers are involved Though whispers of an Apple tablet device practically predate Australopithecus, this week they’ve reached a fever pitch. It’s been reported by several news outlets that the supposed iTablet will feature a 10-inch touchscreen, both Wi-Fi and 3G data, and a custom ARM processor. It’s already been priced at $800 and even greenlit by none other than His Majesty Steve Jobs for a September release. Not one iota of this has been officially confirmed, but the prospect of a Mac Tablet seems more within reach than ever before. This is not a good thing....

Parallels to make switching to the Mac easier, safe and painless August 24, 2009 by Dean Takahashi In the Windows vs. Mac war, we are at a crossroads. Apple is launching its Snow Leopard version of the Mac operating system on Friday at the low price of $29. Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating system will launch in October with the primary aim of fixing the problems created by Windows Vista. There has never been a better time to switch to the Mac. Parallels, which makes software so you can run Windows or Mac software on the same machine and use them...

I wade through Apple's laundry list of borrowed features and derivative works in the new Mac OS"Where's the beef?" That's the idiom that jumps to mind as I work my way through Galen Gruman's "The 7 best features in Mac OS X Snow Leopard." I knew the features list would be lean -- Apple has deliberately undersold Snow Leopard by pitching it as a relatively minor release -- but please! Gruman's article reads like a laundry list of borrowed features and derivative works. It's as if someone at Apple grabbed a copy of the Windows 7 beta and simply Xeroxed...