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News

Mac App Store vs Windows Store

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The Mac App Store has been such an incredibly useful invention for anyone who owns an iMac or MacBook. Unlike in years past, through it we’ve been able to download new software and operating system updates directly from the Internet, without having to go out and buy the discs.

But what about those who favor PC computers? Do they have anything similar, or is still a matter of heading down to the nearest computer shop or ordering discs online every time there’s a new edition of Windows or Office?

For those who are now using a PC with Windows 8 or RT, they can now access the Windows Store, which bears some similar qualities to the Mac App Store. Although it hasn’t been around as long as the Mac version, and isn’t accessible to as many consumers, it does have 50,000 apps already in it.

Much like the Mac App Store, apps are divided into categories as well as listed by new releases, top free apps and top paid apps. Apps can be installed on up o five different PCs. One great thing about the Windows Store is that while there are free and paid apps, just like Mac, there are also paid apps that offer free trials. That’s an excellent way to ensure you’ll really like an app before you spend money on it, and could help to ensure greater customer satisfaction.

Many of the apps in the Windows Store are similar to those in the Mac App Store, including well-known titles like Twitter, Skype, All Recipes and Adobe Photoshop. Other best sellers include games like Halo and Scribblemix and the Nook e-reader app. While there are many apps in common, given the two different platforms, there are some apps that are different. Each app store has products exclusive only to Windows or to Mac, which sets the two apart.

The Mac App Store is great because it is well established already and offers a vast range of software. For anyone knew to it, it’s easy to use because it has the same interface and overall user experience as the iTunes Store. It also has a wider audience than the Windows Store, which is still only available to purchasers of the latest PC computers, making it useful to more people.

It’s difficult to determine one as being better than the other. Comparing app stores is much like every other aspect of the Mac versus PC debate; those who like Mac will always insist that Apple products are superior, while those who favor PC will in turn voice their opinion that Windows and the choice of computers it comes on is a better option. There are certainly pros and cons to both, as no computer is perfect – in the end, consumers will decide which product, interface and user experience they prefer and buy accordingly.

However, it’s worth noting that many of Windows’ latest developments, like the Windows Store, are similar to features those of us who buy Mac have been enjoying for some time already. Despite Microsoft developing app stores and other technology similar to what we’ve already enjoyed for years with Mac, those of us who choose Apple will continue to enjoy the quality manufacturing and innovative design provided to us for years to come.

News

Updates on iWatch rumors

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“Can’t innovate anymore, my ass.” Those were the words of Apple’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller recently when talking about the new Mac Pro. Clearly, the whispers that Apple can’t innovate anymore is have reached the company, and they’re determined to rally against such ideas.

What would really help Apple generate a significant amount of excitement akin to the release of the iPad is to launch another entirely new product. And what better than the long-fabled iWatch?

The iWatch; the concept car of the computer world. Talked about for years, rumored to exist but never actually put into production. Could this be the perfect time to make it a reality?

Analysts have referred to the iWatch as more of a hobby for Apple than a major new product line. By releasing it, they could essentially redefine the watch industry. It’s been projected that the watch could generate $10 billion to $15 billion in revenue for the company, which sounds enormous but puts the watch firmly in the “hobby” category when you consider Apple is projected to earn $187 billion by the end of 2014.

While it’s unlikely the iWatch would have quite the same impact as the iPhone or iPad, it would certainly set the tech world buzzing and bring renewed interest to the company. It would encourage investors and consumers to see that Apple still has the ability to make innovative products that the public wants to buy, even if they don’t necessarily need them. It won’t be a gigantic money-earner, but it will get people talking.

According to sources in the industry, Apple management and engineers are actively working on an iWatch that performs some of the computing tasks currently offered by the iPhone and even the iPad. The rumor is that the team dedicated to the project has grown over the last year, fueling the belief that the watch is becoming more than just a concept.

The watch-like computer has been rumored to include the Siri voice assistant and the Maps app to offer features such as walking directions. Other reports have it incorporating several fitness-related features like a heart rate monitor or calorie counter, similar to devices like the Nike Plus running chip and FitBit tracker, both of which are worn on the body and even have apps that run on the iPhone and track health and exercise-related data.

Trusted sources have revealed that Apple has worked on fitness-specific products before, none of which of course made it to market. But incorporating those features into something like the iWatch could be a whole different story.

Other reports about the iWatch have centered more on its design and appearance, especially a distinct curvature for the glass that makes it wrap around the human body. What’s more, it’s even been stated that the company will release it with a flexible wristband akin to the 1990’s slap-band bracelets. Judging by the sleek design of other i-devices and even the innovative, yet to be released Mac Pro, the styling of the iWatch will likely be simple, modern and surprising.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has promised some exciting developments for the computer giants coming throughout the fall and into 2014, and while no release date has been provided, it’s possible the iWatch could be one such development. Until that time, rumors will continue to circulate about the mythical iWatch and what we’ll be able to do with it.

Apps

Simcity for Mac delayed

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Those of us on “Team Apple” who can’t wait to rule over elaborate simulated cities once again will have to wait a little longer. Unfortunately, Electronic Arts has postponed the release of the brand new SimCity for Mac game for the second time.

The eagerly anticipated game was originally due to hit shelves in February, but was pushed back to June. Now, Electronic Arts’ Senior Producer is claiming it’s still not quite ready for primetime. The company now reportedly aim to launch it in August, giving them more time to “ensure a great experience for players.”

Of course, the gaming giant had a bit of a bumpy ride with the release of SimCity for PC in March. The issues were primarily related to the fact that the game can only be played online, unlike previous versions. This new feature requires that the game be connected to Electronic Arts’ servers at all times, in order to facilitate region play where cities are connected and accordingly share utilities and citizens.

While a fabulous idea, the constant connection required by the über-popular game meant traffic slowing down the servers, resulting in poor quality play. That issue has now been addressed by Electronic Arts. In fact, several updates have been released since the game’s launch and the 1.3 million PC users who have bought the new SimCity are playing it with the good experience intended.

However, we can’t help but wonder if the Mac version is being delayed because of similar bugs. SimCity for Mac will be available exclusively as a download through Origin; perhaps systems are being upgraded and bugs ironed out once again in preparation for the onslaught of Apple users buying it?

Despite the delay, early reports indicate that the latest version of SimCity will be worth the wait. It will support cross-platform play with PC users, has beautifully upgraded graphics and a host of new in-game features, from big changes to tiny details.

One significant update is the fact that each Sim is now an individual, with his or her own personality, life expectancy, career and education. With no more faceless Sims moving around your city like ants, this will certainly add a new dimension to game play. Other new features include everything from having curved roads and customizable buildings to being able to commute between cities. The new SimCity will even have more detailed crime scenarios.

In addition, cross-platform interactivity will certainly come in handy with the new Great Works Areas update. These zones benefit regions over one individual city, enabling players to collaborate, bring in more tourists and even share the cost of energy.

Electronic Arts have also stated that the Mac version will automatically include the Launch Park, a special area that just opened up for PC gamers last month. And while waiting is frustrating, we can hardly blame the developers for proceeding with caution before launching SimCity for Mac, given the PC issues. Even still, that does little to dissuade our patience as we cross our fingers and hope the release isn’t pushed back any further.

Update: Mac Version to be released August 29th.

Apps

Is there value in buying Apple’s iWork over other software?

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At Apple’s recent Worldwide Developer’s Conference, a new version of the iWork productivity suite was previewed, and it included some interesting features. Integrated with the popular iCloud service, the latest incarnation of iWork can be accessed from any device, including a PC, using an Internet browser. To demonstrate just how handy this can be, Roger Rosner of Apple used it to edit a Microsoft Word document on a Windows 8 PC by running iWork in a Google Chrome browser window.

At approximately $60.00 to download the full iWork suite of Pages, Numbers and Keynote from the App Store, the software is a reasonable price compared to purchasing Office for a PC. But if you want the accompanying apps for your iPad or iPhone, they’ll cost you roughly an additional $30.00. Are they worth it, especially considering the option to access iWork from iCloud on any browser will be available this fall?

Depending on the way you work, it may be worthwhile to have iWork on your Mac as well as the apps on your device. The combination is ideal for the mobile mindset many of us have today. The freedom to start a document in Pages on OSX, then access it in iCloud and add to it on iPad during your morning commute or even have the ability to pull it up on your iPhone and show it to someone unexpectedly can prove quite convenient. It’s especially useful if you either don’t have a MacBook or the circumstances just don’t call for pulling a computer out. For example, the ability to pull up and deliver a Keynote presentation on your iPhone or iPad makes for greater ease of mobility than having to set up a laptop.

The app versions of the iWork programs are surprisingly full-featured, too. You’ll enjoy the same capabilities to read and create documents as you’ll get on the traditional Mac software. Pages, Numbers and Keynote are just as visually appealing as they are on OSX and offer many options for formatting and editing, while being tailored to a mobile device. For example, Numbers uses a unique input panel in iOS that makes using it on iPhone or iPad much simpler. Furthermore, Keynote capitalizes on its visually appealing format and increases interaction by offering the ability to touch and swipe to create presentations.

There are two main drawbacks to operating iWork from iOS, but neither should be significant enough to deter consumers from using them. First is the pop-up touchscreen keyboard. While certainly sufficient for making minor additions or edits to documents, most consumers find it less than optimal for doing large amounts of work. If, for example, you’d like to use the iPad to work on the go instead of having a MacBook, a portable wireless keyboard or case and keyboard combination device is highly recommended.

The second concern with iWork for iOS is the inability to have multiple documents open at once. While not a major issue, it may decrease productivity slightly for those who are used to switching back and forth between files while working. Despite these minor negative points, however, iWork for iOS is still incredibly functional. Furthermore, while the upcoming release of iWork for iCloud is useful, it’s not beneficial in moments where you don’t have an Internet connection. As a result, the ability to work in the app and sync later is convenient.

Given that purchasing the equivalent Office for a PC would cost between $95.00 and $150.00 for the average versions, with professional additions and extras upping the price even more, the price of owning iWork for OSX and iOS comes into perspective. Whether you’re jetting between the office, home and meetings or just want to utilize the time during your commute, t o have the option of accessing your documents and being able to work on them from any device can prove extremely valuable.

iPhone

Larger iPhone screen rumors continue

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If there’s anything we can count on in life, it’s iPhone rumors. They’re becoming the new “death and taxes.” It seems that the moment Apple launches their latest smartphone, stories about what the next one will feature immediately begin to surface.

While each impending iPhone release many of the same stories, such as fingerprint technology, new ones get added to the mix all the time. And despite the many tales circulating about new smartphone developments, there’s no rumor more buzz-worthy at the moment than the possibility of iPhones with different screen sizes being produced.

Taking cues from their major competitors, including Samsung, it is possible that Apple may be venturing into “phablet” territory. Phablets, of course, are those giant devices that are bigger than the average smartphone yet still smaller than a tablet. Samsung already established itself as a producer of phablets well over two years ago, with the 5.5-inch Galaxy Note 2 and 5-inch Galaxy S4 being their most current models.

However, research shows that consumers want to have their cake and eat it too; they want an iPhone, but they also want a phablet. If the rumors are true, those of us who are loyal to “Team Apple” but still crave a larger smartphone just might be able to enjoy the best of both worlds.

Screen size changes are just one of many differences in Apple products in the post-Jobs era. Steve Jobs memorably claimed the traditional 3.5-inch iPhone screen was “the perfect size for consumers” being easy to grip while still large enough to feature a decently sized and high-quality display. After his passing, however, Apple launched the iPhone 5 with a slightly larger, 4-inch screen. Despite this growth, it still remains one of the smaller smartphones on the market at present.

While specifications of Apple products always change right up until the last moment, and prototypes are constantly altered, the rumor that’s sticking is that the computing giant will launch both 4.7 inch and 5.7-inch iPhone models next year. 4.7 inches, of course, is in line with the standard size of Android phones, while 5.7 inches would outdo even the chunky Samsung Note.

But besides being bigger, what other changes could larger iPhone screens bring? Some people in the know claim the next generation iPhone, currently referred to as either the 5s or the 6, could improve on retina display technology and come equipped with a beefed-up, 12-megapixel camera. At the same time, it has also been stated that a larger screen may possibly translate to decreased brightness, resolution quality and battery life.

With all indications being that the new iPhone is unlikely to be released until at least October, all we can do is speculate and wait. Are you giving much merit to the rumors about bigger iPhones? Would an Apple phablet essentially be an iPad mini with a phone? And are you keen to see Apple compete with other phablet manufacturers, or are you happy with the current 3.5-inch iPhone 4s and 4-inch iPhone 5?