6 things iOS can learn from OS X
Plenty of iOS features have found their way into Apple’s desktop OS over the past couple of years. But Apple should also consider moving some Mac features into its mobile OS. Read more »
Tasks for teams: Wunderlist Pro is out for Apple devices and the web
The team-oriented version of the Wunderlist task manager has finally arrived for the iPhone, iPad, OS X and the web. Android and Windows versions will follow in a week’s time. Read more »
Jolla’s Sailfish OS SDK installers are now out for Windows, OS X and Linux
Developers can now sink their teeth into the smartphone OS that picks up where MeeGo left off. However, the operating system will struggle to make its voice heard in a turbulent year for mobile. Read more »
Doo launches fully-fledged OS X version for smarter cloud document management
The tool, which uses optical character recognition and semantic tagging to recognize and organize many different document types across disparate cloud storage services, is finally out of beta. Read more »
Tick tock: why timing your Mac hardware upgrades makes good sense
Planning out your MacBook upgrade to coincide with Intel’s chip releases should ensure that you are getting the largest performance gains with each purchase. Here’s a look at the historic Apple-Intel upgrade cycle. Read more »
Don’t overspend on new guitar amps: get these 2 great Mac apps instead
There are two OS X modeling programs I’ve become quite enamored with: AmpliTube 3 Custom Shop and Guitar Rig 5 Pro. Both can also plug in directly to GarageBand for use in recording a variety of sounds without having to blow out your bank account. Read more »
Is Apple bringing Maps, Siri to OS X? It’s testing the idea
One of the hallmarks of 2011′s OS X upgrade was how many iOS features showed up: iMessage, Notes, Reminders, Notifications, Game Center, Twitter integration, AirPlay mirroring. In that light, why wouldn’t Siri and Maps be next on the list? Read more »
Why Twitter users on Android should check out Echofon
Using Twitter on an Android smartphone or tablet? You’ll want to check out Echofon; my favorite Twitter client for iOS and OS X. Why? Aside from all the basic Twitter features, Echofon for Android syncs your Twitter activity so you never read a tweet twice. Read more »
Apple switch from Intel chips? The real question may be when, not if
Will Apple replace the Intel processors in its Macbooks with ARM-based chips? In the last week new processor designs from ARM as well as Apple’s desire to merge the iOS and OS X experience have driven a new cycle of rumors. Here’s why they make sense. Read more »
Quick tip: Setting up Google mail on iOS and OS X
No, you are not crazy, and your Google contacts are not somehow missing in iOS. It just that there is more than one way to set up your Google Mail service on your iOS and OS X devices. Here’s a quick explanation how. Read more »
An oft-overlooked benefit to Windows 8 licensing: Device variety
With a new Windows release, Microsoft is playing up to one it’s key advantages that’s easy to overlook: By licensing its software, buyers can personally choose from a variety of device sizes and form factors. But to play it safe, Surface RT is all Microsoft. Read more »
Mountain Lion update fixes more bugs, adds Facebook integration
The update contains the promised Facebook integration that was not yet available when the software was initially rolled out in late July. Other additions help Mountain Lion keep pace with new features rolled out in iOS 6 Wednesday. Read more »
Quick tip: Do you need Java on your Mac?
Java doesn’t come pre-installed for on OS X as it once did. You may have manually installed it, but it’s likely that besides a few web sites and an occasional piece of software you may want to run, you don’t really need Java on your Mac. Read more »
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Research In Motion: future scenarios for its fate
Despite its current decline, RIM is a different firm today than it was in 2007, with new management, a full awareness of its shaky position, an upcoming OS release and a number of lingering advantages that can still be leveraged. Here’s how it just might survive. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
After 2 days, OS X Mountain Lion adoption already outrunning Lion
There are two possible reasons why the adoption of Mountain Lion is set to vastly outpace Lion: Mountain Lion is a bit cheaper than Lion at $19.99 compared to $29.99. And Lion was considered a largely evolutionary upgrade. Read more »
5 productivity tips for OS X Mountain Lion
While Mountain Lion is clearly evolutionary, I’ve found it does a lot of little things to make life easier. Here are five short tips that will help you get the most out of the latest version of OS X. Read more »
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The evolution of consumer-media cloud storage
Cloud-based storage and cross-device syncing of media content are two of the most competitive areas in consumer IT. Apple, Google and Amazon see cloud-based media services both as a way to increase attachment to their platforms and a means to extend and amplify their broader strategic goals. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
How Facebook integration with iOS/OS X works
Are you worried about privacy on your iPhone and iPad, because of new Facebook integration into iOS 6.0 and Mountain Lion OS X? Your can avoid the single sign-on all together, but Apple says you don’t have to because of the precautions they have taken. Read more »
Mountain Lion creeps forward: new features in the developer preview
Apple continues to tweak the upcoming version of its Mac desktop operating system, OS X Mountain Lion. The changes made recently to the developer preview are good indications of what we’ll see when the final version goes live this summer. Here’s an overview of those changes. Read more »
Why Microsoft’s Metro UI could slowly kill Android
Microsoft’s effort to merge the Windows Phone look and feel with Windows 8 will pay off in the form of causing Google Android to “fade away” says a mobile market watcher. That’s possible because Microsoft — and Apple, as well — have something that Google doesn’t. Read more »
Apple’s June 11-15 WWDC is Sold Out
Apple will host its annual June 11 through June 15 at San Francisco’s Moscone West, the company announced today. The five-day conference will give developers a peek into the future of iOS and OS X. The tickets for the event are going to cost about $1,599. Read more »
Hands on with Messages for Mac
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 »
How to launch apps, open files and more with Siri on your Mac
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 »
BusyCal, what iCal for Lion should have been
Unhappy with Lion’s new iCal interface? You’re not alone. While some fixes exist, I’ve found BusyCal not only retains all the good stuff from iCal for Snow Leopard, but also adds many new features that make it a great purchase for anyone. Read more »
Code hints at iChat features coming to iOS devices
We’ve heard about and been excited by the possibility of iMessage coming to the OS X desktop, but there are hints that the Mac’s iChat application could jump the other way and become part of Apple’s Messages app on iOS devices. Read more »
Hands on with iTunes Match: Frustrating, but rewarding
Apple officially launched iTunes Match on Monday. I managed to sign up, and take the service for a test ride using a small iTunes library to see how it would handle iTunes purchases, ripped tracks and anything else I could think to throw at it. Read more »
Quick tip: Create FaceTime URL shortcuts
On both iOS and OS X, there exists an URL scheme that Safari supports that will launch FaceTime directly. It’s a great way to let you provide others with a quick and easy way to get in touch via video chat, or to manage FaceTime contacts. Read more »
Get a taste of Siri on OS X with Nuance’s Dragon Express
Nuance, the maker of industry-leading voice-recognition tech, released Dragon Express via the Mac App Store on Thursday. The app is basically a streamlined version of Nuance’s powerful Dragon Dictate software, and it brings some features that Siri fans might appreciate to OS X computers. Read more »
Spanning Tools review: Cure your cloud syncing woes
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 »
Quick tip: Tame your mouse on OS X Lion
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 »
OS X should adopt more than just features from iOS
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 »
What’s still missing from iOS 5, iCloud and OS X
While Apple delivered an overwhelming batch of updates, new features and new software in recent weeks, there are still some loose ends it could stand to tie up. Read on to discover why features like iMessage, Siri and AirPlay mirroring still feel somewhat incomplete. Read more »
All the new apps and app updates from Apple in one place
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 »
Tested: Windows gaming in OS X with Parallels 7
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 »
How to install Windows 8 Preview using Boot Camp
Since the release of the first developer preview of Windows 8, Mac users have been downloading it to run in virtualization software such as Parallels and VMware Fusion. You can do it using Boot Camp, too, and experience Windows 8 at full speed. Read more »
OS X code suggests iMessage could come to iChat
It seemed like a no-brainer when Apple first unveiled iMessage for iOS devices: Why not build it into OS X, too? Well, turns out we may soon see iMessage work across nearly all Apple hardware, if new code discovered in Lion’s iChat is any indication. Read more »
Tips and tricks: Mac OS X Mail 5
In this instalment of tips and tricks, we’ll be focusing on Mail 5, the new version that ships with Lion. There are a number of changes to the app that you might not be aware of, and some handy trips from past versions that still apply. Read more »
Nyan Cat progress bar for OS X makes loading fun
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 »
Lion 101: Working with PDFs in Preview
Preview is definitely one of the under-appreciated gems of OS X. Preview actually has two main uses. One for graphics and photos, and another specific to PDFs. There are certain very handy capabilities in Preview that are only available when working with PDF files. Read more »
Get more from the OS X menu bar
The menu bar in OS X doesn’t just contain the menus for the application you’re currently using; it can also hold all sorts of helpful extras that can be accessed from any application with just one click, and make using OS X a little easier. Read more »
