Tablets represent the next evolution in the advancement of mobile computing, and by 2015 or 2016, the tablet will begin to replace the laptop and the desktop operating systems market will begin to level off or perhaps decline. Our latest forecast examines these trends in detail. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
One of the new features of OS X Mountain Lion, coming this summer, is Messages for Mac, which replaces iChat. Apple’s iMessage service is available as a beta version to download for use with OS X Lion today. Here are our first impressions. Read more »
Apple’s iPad sold 15.4 million units during the final calendar quarter of 2011, representing a 111-percent year-over-year increase in tablet sales. Android tablets may have gained market share during the same period, but it’s PC makers that should fear that growth. Read more »
CES and Macworld are hogging the event spotlight right now, but what about events for developers? Last year’s WWDC sold out quick, and this year’s probably will too, so you may want to plan on alternate conference and training opportunities in 2012. Here’s a list. Read more »
The big buzz out of CES on Thursday is that Intel has been “talking” to Apple, among other manufacturers, about using its new line of Medfield chips in upcoming mobile devices. But the discussions are clearly very preliminary, and Apple has good reason to remain aloof. Read more »
Apple’s MacBook Air continues to be a hot seller according to the latest sales estimates coming out of Apple’s supply chain. Shipments of the ultra-slim notebook were up to 1.2 million units in the fourth calendar quarter of 2011, up from 1 million the quarter before. Read more »
Apple got an early start on outfitting its Mac computers with Intel’s Thunderbolt technology. Now, almost a year later, a rush of accessories at CES indicate this might be the year average users start to get some real benefit from having Thunderbolt on board. Read more »
Whether you got an online backup subscription as a holiday gift or just decided it’s time to have your backup offsite, it’s a good idea to keep your data protected, and one that never goes out of style. Here’s the right way to get started. Read more »
Maybe you waited a little too long to get a gift for that special someone this year, but would still rather not hit the mall in the few days remaining. Apple has you covered, with free next-day shipping at the online Apple store on its major products. Read more »
The Mac App Store is not quite a year old, and it just passed the 100 million download mark, according to Apple. Originally launched in January, the Mac App Store is now the “largest and fastest growing PC software store in the world,” Apple says. Read more »
The most recent MacUpdate bundle boasts 11 titles for $49.99, including one of the best diagnostic tools money can buy for your Mac, a terrific email client for power users, and a classic RPG for Mac users with Skyrim envy, just in time for the holidays. Read more »
Siri isn’t on the Mac (yet), but that doesn’t mean you can’t use it there, and in a way that should prove a considerable time saver. In combination with Mac launcher software Alfred and iOS app TouchPad, you can easily issue voice commands to your Mac. Read more »
Apple has done a lot in terms of pushing sometimes marginal technology to the fore, something it may be able to do with NFC soon, too. But narrowing down that list to a few choice selections that stand out above the rest is surprisingly easy. Read more »
It appears as if Apple users’ willingness to shell out a little more cash for a premium experience doesn’t stop at computers. Orbitz’s data-crunching has found that Mac users also spend about $20 more a night on hotels than do Windows users. Read more »
I’ve always been a fan of side-scrolling shoot-em-up action games. Defender is one of my all-time favorite arcade games. Now I’m playing Chopper 2, and what a difference 3D makes to this type of game, especially with the litany of display options the game provides. Read more »
Apple sees its highest share of desktop and laptop shipments in 15 years. But growth is coming not only in the consumer space, where it grew 24.6 percent compared to overall PC market’s 5.3 percent, but in the enterprise market too. Read more »
For the current quarter, Apple is set to break Mac sales records yet again, according to figures released Monday by NPD. The Mac, though no longer Apple’s flashiest device category, is its least volatile in terms of competition and growth. Read more »
Whether you use iCloud, MobileMe or Google to sync your contacts and calendars — no matter how careful you are — glitches occur. Fortunately, Spanning Tools helps clean up your contacts and calendars, making sure your syncs go as planned and correcting errors after the fact. Read more »
You may have found that since upgrading to OS X Lion, your browsing experience with Safari has changed slightly. Your web page could be jumping out at you for no obvious reason due to increased touch sensitivity. Here are some possible fixes. Read more »
I’m starting to think there’s a union rule: In every shooter, the helicopter, plane, train, or automobile you use to arrive will be destroyed. Modern Combat 3: Fallen Nation for iOS is no exception, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Read more »
Rumors are circulating that features from iOS, like iMessage and AirPlay Mirroring, are on their way to Mac computers via OS X. That’s great, but Apple should think about taking things one step further, and bring the core update philosophy behind iOS to its desktop predecessor. Read more »
Apple will be rolling out overhauls across its product lines in 2012, according to a new report. The report mentions the iPad, iMac, iPhone and MacBook Air specifically, which means that we could see very different versions of all of Apple’s core products in 2012. Read more »
The Mac Pro has long remained a professional tool in an otherwise consumer-focused line of Apple computers. But would Apple really close the door on its most muscular and expandable Mac model, as recent reports suggest? I think so, and there are good reasons why. Read more »
Adobe’s cross-platform photo management service, Carousel, is now available on iOS devices and the Mac. New apps for both platforms, released on Thursday, let you manage, sync, share and even edit your photo collection on all of your Apple devices. Read more »
On Monday, Apple introduced new MacBook Pro updates to its online store without much fanfare. The new Pro notebooks all carry improved processors, as well as better graphics cards and storage options in some cases. Changes are light, but should make a solid computer even better. Read more »
Along with major OS updates for both OS X Lion and iOS, Apple released a boatload of software today in the form of new apps and updates to old favorites. Here’s a quick look at what’s new, what’s changed, and what we think about that. Read more »
I last looked at Windows gaming options on OS X in 2010; the choices haven’t gotten any better. However, Parallels 7 was recently released and boasts improved Windows performance in a virtualized environment, so it’s time to take another look. Read more »
Sleipnir, for those not versed in Norse mythology, was the eight-legged horse of the god Odin. It’s also the name of an iOS browser that has a reputation for doing things a little differently. A new Mac beta version could change your desktop browsing habits, too. Read more »
There are an increasing number of apps that not only support both the iPhone and iPad, but also have an OS X version available. Here’s how three devs behind WriteRoom, TextExpander and DropBox have teamed up to make cross-platform writing as painless as possible. Read more »
On Tuesday Apple introduced a major update to Final Cut Pro X that restores many features missing in the original release, and also comes alongside a free 30-day trial version for people still a little gun-shy after Apple’s latest overhaul to its professional video editing suite. Read more »
This is a treat. Valve is offering hit first-person puzzle game Portal for free starting Friday, until Sept. 20. You can grab your copy of Portal for Mac (or PC) on Steam. If you haven’t played Portal, great. If you have, it’s worth playing again. Read more »
Skype released a new beta for Mac users on Thursday, which features Facebook integration. You can now chat directly with your Facebook friends, check your news feed and update your status. But it comes at a cost: This beta also introduces ads for nonpaying Skype users. Read more »
Not one to be left behind for long, VMware has introduced the new version of its Fusion virtualization software. Fusion 4 lets you install and run a second OS, including Windows, Lion or Snow Leopard in a virtual machine that integrates completely with your desktop. Read more »
When Lion first came out, transitioning from Spaces to Mission Control was a big change for me. If you’re looking to take some control back from Mission Control in order to make things feel a little more like how they were before, here are some tips. Read more »
Want to customize your Mac? Unless you’re happy with making changes to the RAM, you face limited options these days. But a wave of new Thunderbolt accessories could soon help your Mac do a pretty good impression of more expensive professional machines, like the Mac Pro. Read more »
Sometimes, a game that doesn’t take itself too seriously is a breath of fresh air. The third instalment of the DeathSpank series of cartoonish RPGs from Hothead games, The Baconing, is a perfect example, and a solid follow-up to a franchise that hasn’t disappointed yet. Read more »
Macs are fairly dependable, but there will still be occasions when you have to take them in for service at an Apple Authorized Service Provider. This can take some doing, so here are three tips about things you might not think about when moving your Mac. Read more »
Wacom’s newest digital drawing capture device is a genuine pen-and-ink clipboard that captures, stores and then transfers your real-life drawings to your computer as layered vector files. Called the Inkling, it’s an amazing peripheral that could change the lives of graphic artists and casual doodlers alike. Read more »
Checking for updates for your Mac is about as fun as watching paint dry, but it doesn’t have to be that way. With a free, simple plugin you can bring all the joy of Nyan Cat to various Mac OS X-based loading activities. Read more »
Apple co-founders Steve Wozniak and Ron Wayne spoke to Emily Chang in a combined video interview on Bloomberg TV late Thursday, and the result provides some insight into how Apple got started, Wozniak’s thoughts on the turnaround, and where the company might be headed next. Read more »
