It’s no secret that I work surrounded by laptops and netbooks and can often be seen working off two different machines at the same time. I’m kind of like the Rick Wakeman of laptops just without the cape! It’s a side-effect of reviewing more portables in the last decade than just about anyone else out there. These days, I work off an Apple Mac and a Windows machine at the same time, making sure everything ticks along nicely.
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Will my next MacBook sport Blu-ray?
Monday, August 10th, 2009The exception that proves the rule: Apple bucks the social media trend
Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009
Rumours and reports about Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ health and whereabouts have been rife since the weekend, when it was claimed that the company founder underwent a liver transplant during his leave of absence. It nows seems that Jobs had made at least one appearance back at Apple HQ, and could well be back full time already. But the hush hush manner of his return says a great deal about how companies should to relate to the media, both online and print.
Twitter is the new customer care line
Tuesday, June 9th, 2009
You’ll never guess what. There was a new iPhone unveiled yesterday. No, seriously. It’s faster and everything. You might even have read about it on Twitter.
All jokes aside, it’s hard to miss a big new product from Apple, even if you’re not in the slightest bit interested with technology. That’s certainly the case on Twitter, where Apple, iPhone and WWDC (The conference it was unveiled at) were all trending topics before Apple executive Phil Schiller even took to the stage.
Location awareness: Good Samaritan, or ad man’s dream?
Thursday, April 30th, 2009
Ever since mobiles gobbled up GPS chips and began pulling double duty as miniature satnavs, tech-heads and future-gazers have been predicting apps that’ll “let you see who’s nearby” and connect with them, whether that’s by walking in the opposite direction, or asking if they fancy a pint. Now, however, it’s becoming reality. And not just in phones. Location awareness is everywhere.
Microsoft just showed off Vine, its new Facebook and Twitter-beater in one. It’s a dashboard widget for Windows PCs designed to show groups of friends who’s in the vicinity and what they’re up to. But there’s a more serious side than simply organising impromptu pub crawls.
One netbook too far?
Monday, April 20th, 2009
Are we bored with netbooks yet? There was a time when buying a computer was all about getting the best one money could buy – the fastest processor, the biggest hard drive and the more features packed inside the better.
Laptops have changed that notion, as battery life, portability and usability carry far more weight in the buying decision than just pure ‘grunt power’.
This idea of usability has been added to by price, no more so than here in the UK where we seem obsessed with the idea of a bargain. I should know, I own four of the damn things – two running Windows and two running Linux – and use them all (well, to be honest I’ve retired my Eee PC 701) – none of which replace the powerhouse desktop replacement I use for work and the serious ‘grunt work’.
I understand the market’s need for netbooks, if you don’t have one then you’re missing out on a 25 million-a-year gold mine, so if you don’t have one then you’re market share will drop. Then there is the money argument, as it’s a great way of getting a sub-£400 machine into stores without actually having to think too hard about it.
However, most of them will end up being used as deal makers by the Telcos looking to expand their Mobile Broadband offerings. Which is why the news that Steve Jobs is working on a netbook for Apple isn’t that much of a shock. I’m just curious as to the type of person, apart from the fan-boys, this type of device will appeal to? I can’t see Apple wanting to get into the cheap-n-cheerful market by bringing out a sub-£350 netbook, can you?
This means that any potential Apple netbook will be high-end, think Sony VAIO P Series, so closer to £800, which is where Apple’s fully-featured and faster laptops start. Then if it’s to appeal to the Telcos to bundle with Mobile Broadband packages, well surely that’s the job of the iPhone?
I’m keen to see what Apple decides is the right size, shape and price for it’s netbook and I’m sure I’ll wiling find a place for it in my collection, I just can’t help getting images of the G4 Cube popping into my head every time I think of the Apple netbook, though – another Apple device that was a great idea that no one, sadly, wanted to buy.