Category Archives: Editorial

Apple Unifies Software Update Process In OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Lily


Following on from today’s Developer release and announcement of OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, a few details are beginning to emerge which give some indication of Apple’s future plans for the Mac. One of the more interesting things to appear is that Apple has packaged the Software Update process inside the Mac App Store. The move, spotted by iClarified, indicates the importance that Apple is placing on the Mac App Store for managing Mac software in the future. The Software Update function is still available in the Apple menu but clicking it launches a new section within the Mac App Store.

The reasons behind this are probably related to the unification of the Mac software with iOS devices and, more readily, a more logical process for users. Currently, in Lion, users have to use two software update functions; one core software update command from the Apple menu and one from the Mac App Store for installed apps. With the update, users still have to click the Software Update function but I’m wondering if this will disappear in future releases so that the Mac App Store update button will be all that remains. The update will also bring the Mac more in line with iOS devices in that the iOS App Store is the central area for updates.
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Keep Clear: When An App Goes Viral

Posted on February 15, 2012 by AppleBitch


There is a thin line between success and failure on the iOS App Store, particularly given the fact that there is now in excess of half a million apps on the Store and there can be only so many at the top. What makes an app hit the heady heights of apps like Angry Birds, Reeder, Path or Instapaper? Some rely on functionality, some rely on heavy marketing and some rely on a sexy UI. That’s where the Clear app comes in.

Clear is a to-do list app that was released today onto the iOS App Store for $0.99. The app, it’s pre-release popularity bolstered by heavy marketing and a resultant high amount of anticipation will likely hit the top seller list very, very quickly. The app itself looks very simple, allowing the user to utilize a wide range of multi-touch gestures to control the app and compile to-do lists in an easy and fun manner.
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A Crazy Experience: Buying An iPhone 4S In Hong Kong

Posted on February 13, 2012 by AppleBitch


The iPhone 4S recently launched in China to massive crowds and overwhelming demand. Eager punters looking to get hold of the device have caused such problems, and sometimes, riots at Apple retail stores, that Apple has had to implement a lottery system in Hong Kong. The incredible demand for the device, helped in no small part by a huge number of scalpers looking to get hold of multiple iPhone 4S units for sale on the grey market.

The lottery system implemented by Apple means that Hong Kong residents have to enter a lottery between 9am and 12pm each morning in order to secure an appointment at the Apple Store to potentially purchase an iPhone 4S. The lottery requires that entrants supply the number printed on their government-issued ID, as well as being limited to two units per person. Having had the opportunity to travel to Hong Kong in the past few days, I decided to look at what the iPhone 4S market in Hong Kong is actually like, as well as conducting a small experiment. The results were weird.
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Where Does The Buck Stop With App Ethics; Apple Or Developers?

Posted on February 7, 2012 by AppleBitch



News broke yesterday that the popular social timeline app Path for iOS devices has been transmitting personal data to company servers. The app apparently collects details of your contacts from your iOS device, including names, e-mail addresses and phone numbers, and sends them, via a .plist file, to severs owned by Path. Essentially, Path therefore has access to some personal information which they shouldn’t have access to, without obtaining permission of the user.

According to Path CEO Dave Morin, this situation will be rectified in the future with an update that will require users to opt-in to the information gathering, but the damage has already been done. Now, it’s likely that this information gathering has not been done for malicious purposes and, indeed, Path states that it was done in order to connect users with one another. But, shouldn’t the ability to opt-in have been stated clearly at the outset? In point of fact, where does the responsibility lie in ensuring that apps adhere to a reasonable standard of ethics regarding information collection – Apple or app developers?
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No Siri On iPhone 4; What About iPad?

Posted on February 6, 2012 by AppleBitch


A new report is citing the A4 processor that is found in every iPhone 4 as the reason why Apple will never bring Siri to the iPhone 4 or the first generation iPad (via CNET). The report suggests that Apple’s system-on-a-chip A5 processor, as found in the iPhone 4S, contains some highly complex noise reduction hardware which is apparently essential for the optimal performance of Siri in noisy environments. The noise-reduction abilities, apparently based on technology called ‘EarSmart’ developed by a small company called Audience

As such, the A4 processor found in the iPhone 4 and iPad 1 does not contain the same noise reduction circuitry and is the reason why owners of these devices hoping for a Siri-upgrade in future versions of iOS will be disappointed. But, there is one more Apple device other than the iPhone 4S that is powered by an A5 processor; the iPad 2. So how is Siri looking for iPad 2 users?
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Would You Want An iPad-Like MacBook Air?

Posted on February 5, 2012 by Lily


The question, ‘why would you want MacBook Air that’s more like an iPad?’ is a complicated one. Despite earlier rumors, Apple is apparently not going to consider putting the ARM processors that are found in the iPad, into the next generation of MacBook Air. This may disappoint some people, but the issue is, why would you want to make the MacBook Air more like an iPad. Surely, the most desirable thing is to have a MacBook Air that looks like an Air, but functions like an iMac or Mac Pro?  The Air, as it is now, is a phenomenal device.

Is it likely that the same people who would be disappointed that the Air was not going in the direction of the iPad, are the same people that would buy either a stylus, or an integrated third party keyboard docking station for their iPad. It may be a random thought, but if you get to the point where you need a keyboard for your iPad, you perhaps wish to reconsider your computing needs.
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Editorial: In Love With A Vision Of An iPhone

Posted on February 3, 2012 by AppleBitch


Steve Jobs wanted people to fall in love with the iPhone. So much so, that they’d never leave the house without it. An illuminating lecture by former iPhone product marketing engineer in California has provided some insights on what Jobs wanted when the iPhone was launched (via AppleInsider). He apparently envisioned a device that people would fall in love with, and used this ideal to motivate the team that worked on the first iPhone.

Perhaps a prudent question to ask is whether the iPhone is now at the point that was initially envisioned by Jobs i.e. is it finally where he wanted it to be or is there more to come? There are obviously limitations with every smartphone device, such as battery life, processing power, storage, design, weight and functionality. But as the iPhone continues to evolve, are we going to see more of Jobs vision coming through in amazing new ways or
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Amazon Goes Head To Head With Apple In A War Of Love

Posted on February 2, 2012 by AppleBitch


With Valentine’s Day approaching, you may be in the mood for love. Perhaps you are even looking for a romantic gift to give the light of your life, and you may find that said romantic gift comes in the form of an iPad 2. However, if you are in the Amazon camp then you may have some pretty strong feelings in the other direction, with the Kindle going up against the iPad. Amazon themselves certainly do, and appear to be using the same strategy as Apple in marketing the Kindle over the next couple of weeks.

Both companies are using the opportunity presented by Valentine’s Day with a view to promoting their products as gifts for that special someone. For some time now, Apple has devoted the front page of their online store to extolling the virtues of buying an iPad 2 for a Valentine. Now Amazon has jumped into a remarkably similar stategy as can be seen from the screenshot above which popped into my inbox via e-mail this morning. A tablet enveloped in romance….now, where have I seen that before.
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Editorial: The Limits Of ‘iTunes’

Posted on January 27, 2012 by AppleBitch


iTunes is a brand that is arguably as famous and well-known as any other computer or media branding. The software was initially launched by Apple in 2001, swiftly followed by the ‘iTunes Music Store in 2003 (subsequently shortened to the ‘iTunes Store’). Since then, the Store has grown from supplying only music, to offering movies, TV shows, books, podcasts and apps for iOS devices. It also acts as a hub for iTunes U and, with Ping, a social network based around music. So, how long is the name going to last?

The issue with continuing to call iTunes, well, ‘iTunes’ is that it no longer applies nor covers the scope of what the software and the Store actually does and offers. It’s a case of the brand taking over the functionality and, perhaps through lack of foresight or action, has resulted in the iTunes Store becoming Apple’s default media hub (iMedia anyone?) with a bit of a misnomer.
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Editorial: iCloud Integration With Finder

Posted on January 24, 2012 by AppleBitch


iCloud integration with Finder?  It is quite an interesting concept to ponder.  One might even be tempted to ask ‘Dropbox does it – why doesn’t iCloud?’ when it comes to having an iCloud folder on your desktop.  The revolution that is iCloud has been with us for a while now and it’s still not thrilling when you stack it up against Dropbox.

I took a look at how much I was actually using iCloud versus how much I was using Dropbox.  A simple comparison metric is the space that is used on both services.  For Dropbox, it’s 1.9 GB out of a possible 3.5 GB which is a sizeable amount of data contained in 15 folders.  However, for iCloud, it’s 0.2 GB out of 5.0 GB.  There are a few iWork files scattered here and there but nothing of significance (especially since I don’t use iCloud e-mail).  That is perhaps a reflection of how iCloud and Dropbox differ in what counts against your storage capacity but it could also be down to a more sinister reason.
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