Apple Savant

Mac vs. Windows Debate Continues on "Absolute Vista"

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:24:44 -0800

Recently, Chris Pirillo posted 50 Reason to Switch from Windows to Mac. Many in the computing blogosphere and tech journalists were shocked, because Chris is a long-time Windows geek. After he posted this to his blog, chris.pirillo.com, the uproar continued on line. John Obeto from Absolute Vista, wrote this retort.

We find the whole thing amusing here at AppleSavant, so we wrote a reply in the comments section of AbsoluteVista and reposted it here...

Test Video

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 23:20:22 -0800

Macworld 2008 Predictions: Our Turn.

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:17:56 -0800

They've all done it. Even those who said they wouldn't do it have done it. The predictions of what lies ahead at Macworld next week have been pontificated by many. From c|net's poetry to Kevin Rose's list, Macworld is on the minds of many and many a mind at AppleSavant are ready to chime in--after all, we are the savants. (click through to continue)

Belkin Answers Prayers of Many Podcasters (us too)

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 23:07:11 -0800

According to Gizmodo (our choice for CES pre-game coverage), Belkin has announced a very cool device in the podcast space. Most of us carry an iPod and those of us who podcast may have wished for the capability to record in high-quality on said iPod, with a really good microphone. The Belkin Podcast Studio may be the answer to our wishes.

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SONY Introduces iPod-Dock-Equipped Stereo System...

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 22:54:23 -0800

Sony announced at CES (press preview) at personal stereo system with an iPod dock stuck on top. According to Gizmodo, the CMT-BX20i and CMT-BX50Ti (offer Sony Style for iPod. Sort of makes us think that even though Sony's Walkman MP3's continue to be peddled, Sony believes ubiquitous iPod is a force that must be supported.

Interestingly, the CMT-BX50Ti version offers Bluetooth support--we wonder what that's for? Perhaps streaming music from your Sony-Ericsson phone to your stereo? Knowing Sony, it's for their upscale remote. We'll just have to go check it out ourselves when we see if Sony will let us in their traditional cave at CES.

In a related story, Fake Steve Jobs caught using Sony noise-canceling headphones, as advertised on the Podshow network. Oh, and hell is freezing over in Las Vegas.
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Saving up for CES...

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 22:49:49 -0800

We only have so many keystrokes available in a year, so we decided to "bank" some for 2008--enough to update you on CES stuff that may have something to do with Apple. Watch this space for Apple-related news and information, as well as links to our sister blog Sving.com, the auto blog/pocast autotalkworld.com and not-necessarily-Apple quick notes at tumblmac.com .

Oh, and we'll be at Macworld, too.

What...a month went by?

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 21:38:42 -0800

There's so much to talk about...yet no time to type it all down. If only there was a way to just speak the information, then we could get information to our readers without typing...but how?

Stay tuned for the redesign and AppleSavant Podcast. Coming early 2008.

Latest Apple Update for Tiger 10.4.11 Creates Buzz - here are some pointers...

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 21:02:21 -0800

Around the blogosphere there have been "issues" reported with 10.4.11, Tiger's latest update. Many users have thrown up their hands and have resorted to a reinstall of the OS. Here are some suggestions to ensure you do not have to endure the sometimes negative outcome of a reinstall.

(Read on by clicking link below)

Leopard Unleashed Coming Up

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 18:08:10 -0800

We are getting our copy of Leopard tonight after we finish partying in Cupertino. Expect a full brain dump regarding Leopard in the coming days. Happy installing!!

***** UPDATE *****

We can't stop playing with Leopard! We'll get back with you shortly with our feedback.

New Media Chooses Mac

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 22:49:02 -0800

The emerging New Media, which includes groups who blog, podcast and video-cast have made their platform of choice Macintosh. Is this fact? Not exactly, but we are the Savants and our casual observation leads us to this conclusion.

How did we derive of this opinion?

Recently, we've attended a number of events related to new media. At those events, we see plenty of glowing lights in the shape of an Apple staring at as we walk by people. By plenty, we mean, we think a wrong turn was made and ended up in a future time-warp at MacWorld 08.

Why is this happening?

We believe that people creating media just want to use a tool that stays out of their way. It works efficiently, effectively and doesn't require manipulating the OS to make it work correctly. More and more of our peers are using Macs in ways they thought only a Pee Cee would do. Recently, we saw David Lawrence--broadcaster, podcaster and professional interviewer--make a comment at the Portable and New Media Expo, held in Ontario, California. He uses a MacBook Pro and commented about the length of time and issues that surrounded features of Pro Tools Light when using Windows. He uses both platforms, but prefers Mac for its all around usefullness. That's what we got out of what he said. Of course, his MacBook is top of the line, but he's a pro, remember?

So this story is not real profound, but keep an eye out. Macs are appearing at places you may frequent and more frequently. Mac is up over 6% of the US market now, and we believe that number could double by this time next year. Make your own private poll and comment your findings back to us.

See iPhone at Starbucks iTunes WiFi Function

Sun, 07 Oct 2007 11:26:10 -0800

Courtesy of Vinny Ferrari at the Apple Phone Show...

Enjoy!

Starbucks iTunes Wifi Store in Action from vincenzof on Vimeo.

Geeks Miffed at Apple for Bricked iPhones: Our Take

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 11:47:41 -0800

Although we often find ourselves on the side of hackers and the open-source movement, we must respectfully disagree with most of the blogging against Apple on the subject of bricked unlocked iPhones.

We think that Apple's practices are quite common with product warranties, albeit not usually with software. Let's take cars for example. Let's say you cruise your car down to a performance-enhancement specialist, and they add a performance exhaust, a new chip for the engine-management computer (or flash the existing one) and new suspension springs, for instance. If your newly-sporty auto develops a problem with the catalytic, and the engine light comes on telling you to take it in, the dealer and the manufacturer will immediately blame the after-market exhaust and will not warranty the problem part. If the wheel bearings start to make a noise, the dealer will blame the suspension and charge you to repair the noise. Oh and if ANYTHING is wrong with the way the car runs, the manufacturer will most definitely blame the new, or re-flashed, chip and void your entire engine warranty--even if the problem is mechanical and has absolutely nothing to do with the engine management system.

Hey Steve, We Have Some Thoughts: Pondering iPhone 3-Months +

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 02:15:48 -0800

Our iPhones arrived a few weeks after the BIG launch, which we covered here on AppleSavant with three lovely videos filmed around Orange County, CA (shameless plug...wait, you're already here!).

So we were just sitting around preparing for our Monday morning (oops, already here) and realized we hadn't posted that post we've been tossing around in our heads. Let us enlighten you to our Thoughts on iPhone, 3-Months In.

Can You Write? We're Looking for a Few Good Savants!

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 02:04:56 -0800

Ok, we admit it: we're too busy. We've tried everything to get more time in our day, but nothing's working. Perhaps we should sign up with Merlin Mann for assistance?

Or we could just bring you into our little group.

If you think you can write or if you know Apple stuff, we could use you. It's not a high-paying gig at this point (read: volunteer), yet we believe in big things and with your help it could be big.

Incidentally, if you pontificate about things not all-Apple, we may be interested in plugging you into our little party of Savants. Blogging, Podcasting and Video Podcasting are what our bosses do and they said we could get some new friends--so let us know if you'd like to be part of our team.

How, you ask, would you make it known that you have interest? Simply comment to this entry and we'll get back with you. Be sure to include a valid email address and if you have any stuff out there already, please tell us where to find it--we're not treasure hunters, mind you.

PS: if you know about designing templates/styles in MT and how to extensify it, drop us a line as well.

Quicksilver in "Real Life" Cool Video

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 01:51:59 -0800

Quicksilver in Real Life from Matt McInerney on Vimeo.

Great stuff. If you aren't familiar with Quicksilver, we Savants highly recommend it. It's free and available from blacktree.com . Merlin Mann of 43Folders, personal productivity specialist, is a huge proponent of Quicksilver.

We here all love it and are baffled when we can't hit command-space and get our little command window! HMPH!