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>> Postings for February 2007

Reality Distortion: iPod as art form

Wed, 28 Feb 2007

A Reuters report looks at the work of pop artist, dNASAb, who is building iPods into his art, a selection of hi-tech installations as exhibited at the SCOPE New York Art Fair.

The artist sees iPods as symbols of the fetishistic way in which modern consumers view their high-tech devices. He uses them as raw materials in his audio visual scupltures, Reuters reports.

Jonny Evans | Read more...


Reality Distortion fields and future tech

Tue, 27 Feb 2007

Apple CEO Steve Jobs caused a stir today, making a $3 billion investment in little known UK firm, Reality Distortion.

The fictitious company develops solutions which integrate computer-created VR with a form of kiosk technology and enables the creation of 360-degree, all-round immersive visual environments.

Jonny Evans | Read more...


I'm a Mac in need of a makeover

Mon, 26 Feb 2007

With Piper Jaffray warning that sales of PCs have climbed since Vista shipped, Apple stands to lose ground in its fight to gain market share from PC manufacturers if it doesn’t upgrade its range of computers in the next couple of months.

It’s not that I’m saying that Apple’s current line up isn’t good enough, the Intel processors have done wonders - even the PC press are singing Apple’s praises; recommending MacBooks and the like over PC alternatives. However, the market is evolving and if Apple doesn’t make a move soon then someone else is going to steal Apple’s ‘Think Different’ reputation.

Karen Haslam | Read more...


Mac market share bigger than Windows

Thu, 22 Feb 2007

In a survey of Web users' operating systems Safari's increased share is matched by a climb in use of Apple's Mac OS X. In January, Mac OS X share was 6.2%, up from December's 5.7%.

If you want to play around with statistics, why not boast that Mac OS X is used by many more people than Microsoft's new operating system Windows Vista, which debuted to businesses in November. It's January share of the OS market was just 0.2%.

Simon Jary | Read more...


Safari so good...

Thu, 22 Feb 2007

According to Web metrics company Net Applications the Firefox browser lost market share last month, while Apple's Safari continued to gain ground - a sure indicator of growing Mac sales.

Firefox's dip was the first since May 2006.

Simon Jary | Read more...


Why's everyone spending so long at Apple dot com?

Wed, 21 Feb 2007

Apparently the average visit to the Apple.com website is 1 hour and 19 minutes (and 25 seconds). Dell and Nintendo are the next most sticky tech sites - but their visitors hang around for just 19 minutes. With so much else to do online, what is making the Apple site so sticky?

There are a few possibilities.

Karen Haslam | Read more...


Apple to move all iPods to flash memory?

Wed, 14 Feb 2007

Prudential Equity Group analyst Jesse Tortora reckons that Apple is planning to ditch hard drives in favour of flash memory in its iPods.

He claims that the company intends to offer an all-flash iPod range by the end of the year.

Karen Haslam | Read more...


There's an Apple Store in Second Life

Wed, 14 Feb 2007

Blink and you'll probably miss it, but there's now an Apple Store in Second Life - complete with a Genius Bar.

It's unlikely the store is officially-sanctioned by Cupertino, so it's eminently possible that Apple's ever-active legal beagles will jump in there to get the virtual shop shut down, but it's open for business right now.

Jonny Evans | Read more...


Welcome message for a new Mac switcher

Thu, 08 Feb 2007

Time for a little reflection today, methinks, as yet another long-term Windows user migrates to the Mac.

It's a prevailing trend right now, but what makes this particular switcher so very interesting is his status within the technology industry.

Jonny Evans | Read more...


PC versus Mac

Thu, 08 Feb 2007

Recently, a Guardian writer who's witterings I usually appreciate reading on a Saturday afternoon, waded into the ridiculous PC versus Mac debate.

I – on the other hand – am going to wade straight back out with a single word: 'Ubuntu'. Sounds a bit like Vic Reeve’s ‘Uvavu’ and is – likewise – a tad ridiculous, but lots of fun.

Mark Hattersley | Read more...


Spam by phone

Tue, 06 Feb 2007

I wish people would stop calling my mobile and pretending to be Orange. It's really winding me up.

I know that they are not Orange so I always hang up on them. Sometimes they call from mobile numbers for pete's sake! (Although just now it was 01772 208 600 - a Preson number I think...)

Karen Haslam | Read more...


Google Reader

Tue, 06 Feb 2007

Web trends seem to appear (and often disappear) with frightening speed. IRC, alt.net, e-mail, instant messenger; not to mention regular HTML sites, Flash sites, RSS readers, Web 2.0 sites; then there’s MySpace, Second Life and the whole social networking thing.

Google’s trialling yet another method in Google Labs called Google Reader and it’s pretty good if I may say so.

Mark Hattersley | Read more...


PC World and Currys damned

Thu, 01 Feb 2007

A customer satisfaction survey by the Consumers Association's Which? magazine has found that both PC World and CurrysDigital rank in the bottom ten stores.

While Apple reseller John Lewis is Britain's favourite store (no. 1) and JJB Sports (no. 50) apparently the least, PC World comes in at joint 43rd spot (with Woolworths and MFI) and CurrysDigital (formerly Dixons) below that at number 49.

Simon Jary | Read more...


Is there a future for the printed word?

Thu, 01 Feb 2007

Now that people can get so much information from the web, is there still a place for magazines today? It’s a question that is close to our hearts here; torn as we are between Macworld online and the Macworld magazine.

It’s a question that comes up a lot these days. Some people feel that since we can get reviews and news and all the other information we need online why would anyone want to buy a magazine.

Karen Haslam | Read more...