Apple Matters http://www.applematters.com/article/ en chris@applematters.com Copyright 2009 2009-11-19T15:51:00-05:00 Apple Matters http://www.applematters.com November 21, 2005: Apple Announces Long-Term Supply Agreements for Flash Memory http://www.applematters.com/article/november-21-2005-apple-announces-long-term-supply-agreements-for-flash-memo/ One of the most oft-heard arguments about Mac pricing concerns economies of scale. The theory is that Dell's huge volume allows them to purchase mass quantities of PC components and glean the volume discounts.

The game was a bit different when it came to digital audio… ]]> 2009-11-21T12:42:00-05:00 November 20, 2004: First Apple Store Opens in Europe http://www.applematters.com/article/november-20-2004-first-apple-store-opens-in-europe/ The story of Apple retail stores is one of maximum secrecy followed by snowballing success. The skeptics, and there were many, were quickly silenced when the profits started rolling in.

Even with all the success, the Apple Stores were a US only enterprise. Citizens of foreign… ]]> 2009-11-20T12:20:00-05:00 iTunes Giftcards Could Benefit from a Little More Flexibility http://www.applematters.com/article/itunes-giftcards-could-benefit-from-a-little-more-flexibility/ You can tell that we've moved from the Halloween to Christmas shopping season as soon as the $29.99 animatronic skeleton that sings a horrible version of Monster Mash is marked down to a cool $15. At the same time as that warbly, non-scary ghoul is being marked down, the aisles… Opinions You can tell that we've moved from the Halloween to Christmas shopping season as soon as the $29.99 animatronic skeleton that sings a horrible version of Monster Mash is marked down to a cool $15. At the same time as that warbly, non-scary ghoul is being marked… ]]> 2009-11-19T15:51:00-05:00 November 19, 1997: Jobs Honored Twice http://www.applematters.com/article/november-19-1997-jobs-honored-twice/ Many see Steve Jobs's performance since his return to Apple as nothing less than miraculous. It is important to remember that he did plenty before selling NeXT and moving back to the Apple campus. Fortunately, there are awards for just such achievements and Steve jobs received two… ]]> 2009-11-19T12:22:01-05:00 November 18, 2003: Apple Introduces 20” iMac http://www.applematters.com/article/november-18-2003-apple-introduces-20-imac/ The first iMac featured a 15" inch CRT screen and translucent plastics. The design motif took over the world for a time (even stud finders were encased in pastel see-through plastic), but Apple moved on.

The next generation of iMacs eschewed the CRT and added a… ]]> 2009-11-18T12:19:00-05:00 November 17, 1994: Apple Settles with Carl Sagan http://www.applematters.com/article/november-17-1994-apple-settles-with-carl-sagan/ Carl Sagan had a knack for presenting high-minded physics and astronomy to the masses. Well, masses may be too strong a word, but he was certainly one of the few who could explain technical topics in such a way that the generally interested could follow.

Engineers… ]]> 2009-11-17T12:27:00-05:00 6 Worthy Apps for Jailbreakers http://www.applematters.com/article/6-worthy-apps-for-jailbreakers/ Apple’s App Store approval process has left many developers frustrated, clueless, and even skeptical about publishing its applications on the iPhone/iPod touch’s flagship online store.  While a majority of… Reviews

Apple’s App Store approval process has left many developers frustrated, clueless, and even skeptical about publishing its applications on the iPhone/iPod touch’s flagship online store. 

While… ]]> 2009-11-16T12:19:00-05:00 November 16, 1982: Jobs Seeks Permission to Use Macintosh Name http://www.applematters.com/article/november-16-1982-jobs-seeks-permission-to-use-macintosh-name/ Jef Raskin and Steve Jobs had many disagreements about the Macintosh that finally resulted in Jef Raskin leaving Apple altogether.

One thing they agreed upon, however, was the name "Macintosh." The name was given to the project by Jef and was carefully chosen. Jef even went… ]]> 2009-11-16T12:47:00-05:00 November 15, 1997: First G3 Systems Show Up http://www.applematters.com/article/november-15-1997-first-g3-systems-show-up/ The iMac gets credit as the machine that saved Apple, but the machine that returned Apple to profitability was a dull platinum box.

Of course, it wasn't the box that had people excited; it was what was inside: the new G3 processor. Replacing the 604 chips,… ]]> 2009-11-15T11:28:00-05:00 November 14, 2005: OS X Rejected for Low Cost Laptops http://www.applematters.com/article/november-14-2005-os-x-rejected-for-low-cost-laptops/ The One Laptop per Child initiative is a noble pursuit with the goal of providing a Wi-Fi enabled laptop to the poorest and most remote children in the world.

The purpose is to provide educational opportunities for the less advantaged, and as such, price is… ]]> 2009-11-14T12:57:00-05:00 November 13, 1997: Jobs Won’t Be Apple CEO http://www.applematters.com/article/november-13-1997-jobs-wont-be-apple-ceo/ Larry Ellison has been, or is, a lot of things. Founder of Oracle, Silicon Valley billionaire, Steve Jobs’s best friend, and someone who talked about buying out Apple.

Ellison was also, for a time, an Apple board member. Since his tenure included the CEO search,… ]]> 2009-11-13T11:46:00-05:00 Create a Folder Action Using Automator http://www.applematters.com/article/create-a-folder-action-using-automator/ It's really too bad that Automator is probably one of the most underused of Apple's applications. Because it is very useful for non-developers who don't know a bit of AppleScript or Objective-C code.  The newest version of Automator in Snow Leopard makes it a little easier to create automated workflows.… Reviews It's really too bad that Automator is probably one of the most underused of Apple's applications. Because it is very useful for non-developers who don't know a bit of AppleScript or Objective-C code. 

The newest version of Automator in Snow Leopard makes it a little easier to… ]]> 2009-11-11T12:00:00-05:00 Steve Jobs’ 5 Biggest Mistakes http://www.applematters.com/article/steve-jobs-5-biggest-mistakes/ Steve Jobs was recently named Fortune's CEO of the decade. The choice seemed obvious, Steve worked a lot of magic with Apple turning a company three-weeks-from-bankruptcy into a darling of consumers and investors. On the other hand, an award by a magazine is just a matter of opinion. It… Steve Jobs was recently named Fortune's CEO of the decade. The choice seemed obvious, Steve worked a lot of magic with Apple turning a company three-weeks-from-bankruptcy into a darling of consumers and investors. On the other hand, an award by a magazine is just a matter… ]]> 2009-11-11T12:00:00-05:00 November 11, 2001: iPod Goes on Sale http://www.applematters.com/article/november-11-2001-ipod-goes-on-sale/ What is white, has a click wheel, worked only with a Mac and caused massive amounts of drool? The iPod of course.

The techno lust for the FireWire-based, Mac-compatible device started the day the iPod was announced, but like Christmas, yearning for the device didn't… ]]> 2009-11-11T08:00:00-05:00 The Argument for the Pippin Continued. http://www.applematters.com/article/the-arguement-for-the-pippin-continued/ I've gotten some good comments regarding the feasibility and profitability of Apple creating a modern version of the Apple-Bandai Pippin. Firstly, I would like to clear up just exactly why Apple should jump into the cut-throat market of gaming consoles. The Pippin and the Xbox have some startling design… I've gotten some good comments regarding the feasibility and profitability of Apple creating a modern version of the Apple-Bandai Pippin.

Firstly, I would like to clear up just exactly why Apple should jump into the cut-throat market of gaming consoles. The Pippin and the Xbox have… ]]> 2009-11-10T12:05:00-05:00 November 10, 1983: Gates Announces Microsoft Windows http://www.applematters.com/article/november-10-1983-gates-announces-microsoft-windows/ Bill Gates took one look at the Mac and knew the future of computing was the GUI interface, and he wanted Microsoft to be a part of it one way or another. So Gates agreed when Steve Jobs pressured him to hold off making any business programs… ]]> 2009-11-10T12:26:00-05:00 November 9, 1994: Dr. Amelio Joins Apple http://www.applematters.com/article/november-9-1994-dr-amelio-joins-apple/ Every Apple enthusiast remembers that Gil Amelio was the CEO of Apple, who made the decision to buy NeXT instead of Be. In essence, Dr. Amelio saved Apple at the expense of job security.

However, few remember that Amelio had masterminded a turnaround at National Semiconductor,… ]]> 2009-11-09T11:30:00-05:00 November 8, 1997: Apple Online Store Debuts http://www.applematters.com/article/november-8-1997-apple-online-store-debuts/ An online presence is considered a necessity today, but in years past it was something revolutionary.

Apple wasn't ahead in the online store game. In the era before mall-based Apple retail stores, consumers were at the mercy of resellers. The situation made customization difficult and selection… ]]> 2009-11-08T12:29:00-05:00 November 7, 1980: Apple Files Paperwork to Go Public, Sorry Massachusetts http://www.applematters.com/article/november-7-1980-apple-files-paperwork-to-go-public-sorry-massachusetts/ Apple became a partnership on April 1, 1976. Success came rapidly and soon the company began passing out shares to valued employees and founders. A lot of shares went to the founders.

Apple IIs were selling well and Apple decided to raise cash (and personal net… ]]> 2009-11-07T12:42:00-05:00 Macheist nanoBundle Review http://www.applematters.com/article/macheist-nanobundle-review/ Say what you will about MacHeist's ethics, but you can't deny the group provides huge exposure to independent Mac developers who elect to participate in the program. Through ARG-style online puzzles and slick videos and websites, they turn the relatively mundane act of purchasing software into an event that commands… Reviews Say what you will about MacHeist's ethics, but you can't deny the group provides huge exposure to independent Mac developers who elect to participate in the program. Through ARG-style online puzzles and slick videos and websites, they turn the relatively mundane act of purchasing software into an… ]]> 2009-11-06T17:00:01-05:00 Screen Flow 2: Advance Screencast Productions http://www.applematters.com/article/screen-flow-2-advance-screecast-productions/ One or two new screen-capturing applications seem to come out every year. Even the latest version of QuickTime Player in Snow Leopard now contains a rudimentary screen recording feature. You simply open QuickTime Player, select File>New Recording and once you click the red record button, actions you… One or two new screen-capturing applications seem to come out every year. Even the latest version of QuickTime Player in Snow Leopard now contains a rudimentary screen recording feature.

You simply open QuickTime Player, select File>New Recording and once you click the red record… ]]> 2009-11-06T12:49:00-05:00 November 6, 1997: Jobs Eyes Dell http://www.applematters.com/article/november-6-1997-jobs-eyes-dell/ There is no small amount of drama to be found when recalling the public comments of Steve Jobs and Michael Dell.

Michael Dell quipped that if he were President of Apple he would close the company and give the money back to the stockholders. Steve Jobs… ]]> 2009-11-06T12:36:00-05:00 The DROID vs. the iPhone: It’s in the Advertising http://www.applematters.com/article/the-droid-vs-the-iphone-its-in-the-advertising/ Someday, there will be a time when our way of life causes our destruction. There could be a physical attack on the fiber-optic and phone lines that provides us with Internet service, and America's infrastructure will be hopelessly crippled — or terrorists could successfully destroy one of the many data… Opinions Someday, there will be a time when our way of life causes our destruction. There could be a physical attack on the fiber-optic and phone lines that provides us with Internet service, and America's infrastructure will be hopelessly crippled — or terrorists could successfully destroy one of… ]]> 2009-11-05T12:06:00-05:00 November 5, 2004: Jobs, iTunes Honored http://www.applematters.com/article/november-5-2004-jobs-itunes-honored/ It wasn't surprising when Apple's iTunes was named "Brand of the Year" and Steve Jobs was named "Visionary of the Year" by Billboard's Digital Music Awards. What would have been surprising is if Apple hadn't swept the awards altogether.

And in fact, Apple didn't. "Download Service… ]]> 2009-11-05T12:21:00-05:00 Why the iPhone Can’t Be Beat http://www.applematters.com/article/why-the-iphone-cant-be-beat/ It was Halloween. The doorbell rang. You saw zombies, Elvises and pregnant nuns. You also saw you share of crappy costumes bought at the local Walmart but one costume you didn't see was the iPhone Killer. The reason an iPhone killer didn't darken your door looking for… Opinions It was Halloween. The doorbell rang. You saw zombies, Elvises and pregnant nuns. You also saw you share of crappy costumes bought at the local Walmart but one costume you didn't see was the iPhone Killer. The reason an iPhone killer didn't darken your… ]]> 2009-11-04T12:58:00-05:00 November 4, 1997: Store within a Store Program Begins http://www.applematters.com/article/november-4-1997-store-within-a-store-program-begins/ Apple's relationship with retailers has always been tenuous. Macs have been sold (and subsequently pulled from) Circuit City, Sears and Best Buy, to name a few. One chain reseller Apple has gotten along with a little better than others over the years has been CompUSA.

For… ]]> 2009-11-04T12:16:01-05:00 Apple’s Quality Control Is Overloaded http://www.applematters.com/article/apples-quality-control-is-overloaded/ There is no doubt that Apple is a successful company. I've seen more Macs and iPhones in my university campus than ever before—Apple has cornered the market on "cool" and "hip". And of course, Apple markets itself as the company that makes products that "just work."However, this success… Opinions There is no doubt that Apple is a successful company. I've seen more Macs and iPhones in my university campus than ever before—Apple has cornered the market on "cool" and "hip". And of course, Apple markets itself as the company that makes products that "just work."
 2009-11-03T11:58:01-05:00 November 3, 2003: No Need for Intel http://www.applematters.com/article/november-3-2003-no-need-for-intel/ At an investors’ conference Steve Jobs was queried about moving OS X to Intel. While he admitted such a thing was possible, he was dismissive of the notion, to wit:

"Right now we don't see a compelling need to switch processor families. We have all the… ]]> 2009-11-03T11:37:00-05:00 What Happened to the Apple-Bandai Pippin? http://www.applematters.com/article/what-happened-to-the-apple-bandai-pippin/ Video games already are one of the largest entertainment markets out there. Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony have controlled the market for the last two decades. We have the Playstation series, the Xbox, and the multitudes of Nintendo consoles. Where does a… Opinions

Video games already are one of the largest entertainment markets out there. Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony have controlled the market for the last two decades. We have the Playstation series, the Xbox, and the multitudes of Nintendo consoles.… ]]> 2009-11-02T12:00:00-05:00 November 2, 2004: Firefox Comes to the Mac http://www.applematters.com/article/november-2-2004-firefox-comes-to-the-mac/ When OS X first debuted the browser of choice was Internet Explorer 5. Then Apple released Safari, a direct competitor to Internet Explorer.

Microsoft used the introduction of Safari as the reason the company stopped development of IE for the Mac, but the consensus was… ]]> 2009-11-02T12:26:00-05:00 November 1, 1983: Steve Jobs Goes Ballistic http://www.applematters.com/article/november-1-1983-steve-jobs-goes-ballistic/ When Bill Gates announced Windows 1.0 before the Mac came out, Steve Jobs was furious, so furious he demanded that the Apple employee in charge of Microsoft relations get Bill Gates to Apple's campus the next day.

Bill Gates made the trip to Cupertino for what… ]]> 2009-11-01T11:54:00-05:00 October 31, 2005: Apple Sells a Million Videos http://www.applematters.com/article/october-31-2005-apple-sells-a-million-videos/ With the introduction of the video iPod, iTunes was forced into double duty. Not only did the online store sell music it now sold videos. And judging from this Apple headline—iTunes Music Store Sells One Million Videos in Less Than 20 Days—iTunes was doing just fine in… ]]> 2009-10-31T11:16:00-05:00 Data Gathering with Bento 3 http://www.applematters.com/article/data-gathering-with-bento-3/   Data gathering and management can be tedious tasks, especially in working with programs like Excel or even Numbers. Just imagine having to maintain your address contacts in a traditional spread sheet!Since its inception, FileMaker’s Bento, a consumer-based data management program, was…

 

Data gathering and management can be tedious tasks, especially in working with programs like Excel or even Numbers. Just imagine having to maintain your address contacts in a traditional spread sheet!

Since its inception, FileMaker’s Bento, a consumer-based data… ]]> 2009-10-30T12:00:00-05:00 October 30, 2002: iPod Availability Increases http://www.applematters.com/article/october-30-2002-ipod-availability-increases/ When the iPod debuted in October of 2001, few imagined what a hit the diminutive player would become, propelling Apple's profits and stock price into the stratosphere.

There were several key moments along the way that moved the iPod from trendy Mac add on to must… ]]> 2009-10-30T12:26:00-05:00 Minimalist Mac Freeware—Six Great Apps http://www.applematters.com/article/minimalist-mac-freeware-six-great-apps/ Sometimes the best software has the fewest features. Personally, I love choosing the bare-bones program that does one or two things extremely well over the more popular, bloated, memory-intensive version. Often, these apps are freeware: passion projects by one developer who had a problem, used his or her… Reviews Sometimes the best software has the fewest features. Personally, I love choosing the bare-bones program that does one or two things extremely well over the more popular, bloated, memory-intensive version. Often, these apps are freeware: passion projects by one developer who had a problem, used… ]]> 2009-10-29T15:34:00-05:00 What the i Can Tell You about Apple http://www.applematters.com/article/what-the-i-can-tell-you/ Louis François I de Bourbon, Prince de Conti was fond of the number twelve. How fond? The rumor is that he owned twelve guns and twelve swords, that his shirt buttons were embossed with the number twelve, and that among other things, he always had a twelve-course dinner at a… Louis François I de Bourbon, Prince de Conti was fond of the number twelve. How fond? The rumor is that he owned twelve guns and twelve swords, that his shirt buttons were embossed with the number twelve, and that among other things, he always had a twelve-course… ]]> 2009-10-28T12:04:00-05:00 October 28, 1991: Apple Monitors Break the 20 Inch Barrier http://www.applematters.com/article/october-28-1991-apple-monitors-break-the-20-barrier/ Apple knew that when it comes to monitors the bigger the better. One of the company's earliest efforts to grab the big monitor market (and the requisite jumbo-sized profits) was the Macintosh 21 inch color monitor. A veritable behemoth at 80 lbs, the 21 appelation hid the… ]]> 2009-10-28T10:03:01-05:00 October 27, 2003: iTunes for Windows http://www.applematters.com/article/october-27-2003-itunes-for-windows/ The fact that users could plug the iPod into a Windows machine was great, but Windows users weren't getting the entire Apple iPod experience because they were forced to use the comparably clunky MusicMatch software instead of iTunes.

While not a fan of making Windows compatible… ]]> 2009-10-27T11:39:00-05:00 Pixelmator: An Affordable Alternative to Photoshop http://www.applematters.com/article/pixelmator-an-affordable-alternative-to-photoshop/ Anyone using a version of Photoshop CS knows how robust its features are. However, though it’s not a bloated program, its abundance of tools and capabilities can be intimidating to new users.  For those who find Photoshop overwhelming or pricey for what they need, the… Reviews

Anyone using a version of Photoshop CS knows how robust its features are. However, though it’s not a bloated program, its abundance of tools and capabilities can be intimidating to new users.  For those who find Photoshop overwhelming or pricey for what… ]]> 2009-10-26T12:00:00-05:00 October 26, 2004: Apple Introduces iPod Photo http://www.applematters.com/article/october-26-2004-apple-introduces-ipod-photo/ Steve Jobs called carrying your photos with your music on your iPod the "next big thing," but really it was an iPod with a color screen.

Of course introducing an iPod with a color screen lacks panache so Apple updated the iPod's capabilities by making… ]]> 2009-10-26T11:07:01-05:00