Research firm IDC came out with its quarterly numbers showing that Macs now have a 13.6 percent share of new PC sales, the largest share in recent history. However, the overall market for PCs is down significantly and the total number of Mac sales is down, though still doing better relatively than PC sales.
The downturn in PC sales could simply be because businesses and consumers are waiting for Windows 8 to come out later this month before buying a new computer. Likewise, rumor sites say they are expecting new iMacs soon. However, it is also possible that the iPad and Android tablets are cutting significantly into sales. With consumers sometimes purchase a tablet instead of a new computer, the industry does not place them in the same class as PCs.
Apple is also looking to revitalize iPod nano sales with a new model that began shipping this week. Commercials for the new iPod started airing on television yesterday. Sales of non-iOS iPods have been down in recent years because of the iPhone and iPod touch.
Myadorth was disappointed that the new Maps app doesn’t support subterranean directions.
Now that September’s iPhone and iPod announcements are behind, attention is turning back to the possibility of a new “iPad Mini.” In fact, the Wall Street Journal has published a report that production is already underway. Fortune has reported that press invites to the next Apple announcement will go out on Oct. 10.
It is thought that the this smaller version of the iPad will have similar capabilities to the full-size model, but will be smaller and with a lower price tag. It is possible that it will have a standard display, rather than a high resolution retina display, and perhaps less-capable cameras and battery life. But like with any new Apple product, some rumors are bound to be wrong, while others may be right. Even the name of the new device may be different that expected.
“Which will work better with my iPhone 3? An iPad 3 or an iTouch?”
“Let me get someone else to help you.”
Seems that Apple cannot release a new version of iOS or a new iPhone without at least some controversy. This time it is the new Maps app. This Maps app, created by Apple and using a new map sdatabase owned by Apple, replaces the old app which used Google Maps data.
With the change comes a change in features. The big new feature is turn-by-turn spoken directions. The big missing feature is Google’s Street View.
Instead of Street View, Apple Maps includes Flyover — 3D renderings of buildings in major downtown areas. Apple Maps also ties in to Yelp for reviews but it lacks public transportation or walking directions.
The reason for the new app reportedly comes from Google’s reluctance to allow spoken directions in the old app, instead reserving that key feature only for rival Android phones.
Complaints about the new app include losing Street View, public transportation and walking directions, and inaccuracies in the new maps database. The Google maps database has been refined and corrected over a period of almost 10 years, while the Apple Maps database is just now being used by the public for the first time.
There are rumors of a coming new maps app from Google that iOS users can get from the app store. In the meantime, some of the features of Google maps can be accessed in iOS in the Safari browser. There are also a variety of other 3rd-party maps apps in the iOS app store.
“Who is this Sheila that is a VIP in your Mail app? And why am I not a VIP?”
Another relationship destroyed by a new OS X feature.
Wednesday was a busy day for Apple as it pushed out a new version of iOS, many updates to iOS apps, OS X 10.8.2 and updates to many Mac apps as well.
The iOS 6 launch held no surprises as the software has been tested by developers for many months now and Apple has listed and demonstrated the new features for a while. But this is the first time most people have had the chance to use the new Maps app, panorama photo mode, Passbook and new Siri features. Comments have been mixed, with some focusing on the differences between the new Apple Maps app and the old Google app.
This new version of OS X brings Facebook integration and enhancements to Game Center, Messages, Reminders and Notes. Overshadowed by many of the day’s announcements was the addition of shared Reminders lists, support for shared photo streams on the Mac, and an update to the iOS Cards app making it work better on the iPad.
The week will end with the release of the iPhone 5. Most of the initial shipments of the phone should arrive in mailboxes tomorrow, and in-store sales will begin, most likely with long lines.
“You’ve always had the power to go back to Kansas. You have an iPhone in your basket. Just ask Siri and with iOS 6 you’ll get turn-by-turn spoken directions.”
Tech news sources are running an article today over a guy suing Apple because when you ask Siri which is the best iPhone, it answers “The one you’re holding” and other such similar things. (Source)
I find this article and whole the idea of suing Apple over this interesting because I think it is all about a misunderstanding. If you ask Siri which is the best phone, you get the answer “The one you’re holding.” Obviously the person in this article take that to mean “the iPhone.” But that’s not what I think Siri means.
Ever ask a pro photographer which camera is best? They will answer “the one you have.” In other words, the best camera is the one you have on you when you need it to capture the shot. It is a very deep answer that speaks to getting a camera that is convenient, but also about not worrying so much about the best camera and instead concentrate on the shot itself.
I assume Siri means the same thing here. The best phone is the one in your hand because it is better to think about where you are and what you are doing. Otherwise, why doesn’t Siri say “the iPhone?”
It is a joke. It is a joke with a message, which makes it funnier and gives us something to think about.
The idea that this is “sponsored advertising” is ridiculous. What about the Apple logo on the back of the iPhone? Is that advertising too? The logos on cars and the Windows logo when you boot up a PC?
Of course the other danger here is what effect this will have on Apple and the rest of the industry. Someone at Apple was trying to be funny. They were trying to make a harmless joke. But now that person is in trouble. Now Apple will start to have to put all of their “funny” answers through the legal dept. They will most likely stop trying to make little jokes like this. Other companies will too.
This guy just made our world a little less fun.
