Posts Tagged ‘Apple’
If Apple Made Water
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011iPad: First Impressions
Wednesday, January 27th, 2010
Apple’s just unveiled their new iPad. It’s basically a cross between a Laptop and an iPhone. You can see all the glorious tiny details on Apple’s website (apple.com/ipad) but let’s discuss first impressions.
When Steve Jobs unveiled the beautiful, huge, ridiculously thin, touch screen device I got very excited. But then he started talking about what it did. It’s nothing groundbreaking. My first impression is of a glorified iPhone, minus the camera and GPS. I was hoping for a full blown touch screen computer, which would mean no more horrible keyboards and mice, just pure finger freedom. I was hoping to be shocked and make oooo, ahhh noises just like the moment the iPhone was revealed but there was none of that.
Don’t get me wrong, the device is great to look at, and probably fun to use but there is no must buy factor. If you have an iPhone or even an iTouch then there is no great appeal to the iPad. In fact, even if you don’t I would rather have an iPhone simply because it’s easier to cart around.
Maybe the problem is the huge hype, such intense hype that even if the iPad shot lasers it wouldn’t have lived up to it. I was practically expecting a unicorn to prance across the stage today, but I was disappointed.
We’ll have to wait and see if Apple has anything more up their sleeves, but for the time being, I’m not interested.
iTunes 8
Monday, July 27th, 2009
Along with the new iPods, Apple recently launched a new version of iTunes, iTunes 8. The new version looks very similar to the old version, but has a few new features that we’ve all been waiting for.
The biggest addition to the program is HD (High Definition) viewing. You can now download and watch HD T.V. shows using iTunes. When you buy the show you will also get an iPod ready version with the best settings for your iPod.
Another important background addition is in the accessibility department. It is now screen reader friendly on both Mac and PC. A screen reader basically helps disabled people to use the computer. It uses audio and/or Braille outputs to help the user to understand what is on the screen. It also works for iTunes content so that anybody can now purchase and download from iTunes.
Genius is Apple’s new playlist creator. You choose a song and click on the genius button and iTunes will create a playlist of other songs in your library that, ‘go great together.’ The sidebar will find music on the iTunes Store that goes with the song, helping you to find new music that you may like. It’s a nice addition but nothing groundbreaking.
On the visual side Apple has added two new elements. They have a new Visualiser with 3D spheres, ribbons and lights that move to the beat and they have Grid View. Grid View is just another way to look through your music. Your library will be displayed using the cover art of the albums. It looks great if you have all your album artwork, but if you don’t, this new feature will be of no use to you.
Although iTunes has not changed much at first glance it has taken a huge step forward, a step into the next generation of entertainment. And along with it they’ve given us a few extra features that can be used or ignored at your discretion.
2008 iPod nano
Monday, September 15th, 2008
Apple has recently announced their 2008 version of the iPod nano. With a new design, new features and the option of 8 or 16GB, we had to take a closer look.
The new iPod nano comes in eight fantastic colours and has some fantastic new features. To start off the new iPod comes with Genius, the new Apple playlist creator. It finds the songs in your library that will go well with the one you select.
The new nano comes with Apples famous accelerometer. This makes using it a lot more interesting and adds a new dimension to nano games. If you tilt your nano on it’s side you will be able to flip through your cover art with Cover Flow. If you want to shake things up a little, give your nano a shake and it will shuffle your music for you. I hope you can turn this off though, because if you are enjoying an intense dance session your nano could begin shuffling your music to your dismay.
Photo’s can now also be seen in landscape thanks to the accelerometer. The new two inch screen plays movies and shows pictures beautifully, but it is still totally impractical to watch a full two hour movie on.
The new nano is not groundbreaking in the traditional sense but it adds some nice new features and a new look just in time for the Christmas season. Apple continues to update and improve it’s range, even if the improvements may be small. I wouldn’t suggest buying this unless you are in need of a replacement iPod or if you’re looking to buy for the first time. Apple’s best selling iPod is back and it has a fresh new look.
Safari – Reviewed
Wednesday, August 6th, 2008
Apple launched the Windows version of their web browser, Safari, to the public just a few months ago. After all this hands on time with the program I think, pro Apple bias aside, that Safari blows Internet Explorer out of the water.
To begin, Safari has the same look and feel as iTunes. It feels clean cut, polished and advanced beyond Internet Explorer’s years. The top bar is clean and has a minimalist feel to it.
Apple claims that Safari is the fastest web browser, and they are correct. You will see a noticeable difference in page load times, and site functionality.
It comes with everything you’ll ever need including bookmarks, RSS feeds, tabs, a search bar and more.
Additional extras over Internet Explorer include Forms AutoFill – something Explorer sort of has but it doesn’t work like this. Pop up blocking that doesn’t have this huge ugly bar across your screen. It just works; you never even know pop ups are there. Sites that are supposed to work just do and sites that have pop ups will work perfectly without you knowing a pop up was even there. Other nice features include find, where you can search the text on the page, and a spell check as you write.
Safari did have one problem when it first launched but that was taken care of quickly. I believe them when they claim Safari is very secure.
When using Internet Explorer it would slow down when I opened more tabs and often crashed if I had too many open. Safari works with the tabs effortlessly, making internet browsing exactly what it should be, quick, easy, and fun.
You haven’t surfed the internet until you’ve used Safari, and you will never go back.
