Category: Companies

  • Comparing Windows Vista and Mac OS X

    The ever-thoughtful Paul Thurrott has a typically thoughtful and nuanced comparison of Windows Vista Beta 1 and Mac OS X Tiger. I don’t agree with everything he says, but it’s a useful and informative essay.

  • Motorola e815 – best of a sorry lot for Macs

    Verizon — just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in. Years ago in New York City, I subscribed with Verizon Wireless but when I moved back to Massachusetts, they had little to offer in terms of cool phones that played nice with Macs and their prices were substantially higher than everyone…

  • Google saves Outlook email search

    Like many Mac users, I suppose, I must make do with a Windows XP box at work. Blah. But the true horror is being forced to use Microsoft Outlook, likely the worst email program I have ever seen. One of the very worst features is the brain-damaged search function that works like a snail in…

  • Google gains from MSN ads…

    As I noted here a few months ago when Microsoft started running pretty generic TV ads for its search service, such a move by an upstart can have the effect of helping the market leader. Surprise, surprise, as the Wall Street Journal notes today (subscription required): “Bill Gates has talked a lot about how Microsoft…

  • Simple advice — do not install Tiger today

    In the history of personal computers, there is one iron-clad rule: never, ever, no matter what, do not, www.noway.com, no-how, nada, NEVER install an operating system upgrade the day it comes out. Brand new operating system upgrades are for loons, people who use computers mostly to watch the cute screen savers and reviewers who get…

  • Verizon Wireless Broadband plays with Macs pretty well

    (Updated 4/19) I’m posting this entry from my laptop on a moving train using Verizon’s wireless broadband service. It’s pricey ($80 a month for “unlimited” service) but thanks to some serious OS X gearheads, can work pretty well with Macs. I did have to activate the required PC card (a Novatel v620) on a Windows…

  • Great news on phones and isync in Tiger

    Apple unveiled a lot of details about its next OS release, Tiger, due April 29. I’m intrigued by promised abilities to synchronize all manner of stuff between and betwixt various Macs. Also — great news — the list of phones that will work with iSync is not only much longer, it finally lists Bluetooth compatibility…

  • Don’t hold your breath for Motorola iTunes phone

    Here it is — no. There it is — no again. Don’t look now but Motorola’s announced phone that will be able to play songs bought from Apple’s iTunes music store was pulled from a planned unveiling yesterday. Apparently wireless operators aren’t real excited about offering a phone that doesn’t give them a big cut…

  • Mac mini mondo good

    There’s something ridiculous — as in ridiculously good — about the new Mac mini that arrived last week. Open box, unwrap computer the size of a Michael Chabon novel, place on desk, connect mouse, keyboard and monitor. Turn on. Ten minutes after arriving, everything just works. And everything works just fine, speedy for Web browsing,…

  • My savy buy benefits from iPodmania

    The other day on a whim I plunked down — well, virtually speaking plunked down — $16.99 for a cute piece of pop art known as a Podbrix. Some sharp fellow produced a limited run of 300 tiny ipod toting dudes (or are they dudettes?) made out of Lego’s mini-figures. They quickly sold out as…