Archive for the ‘Apple’ Category

The term iPod today has become synonymous with almost any music lover world wide and the appearance of iPods has been a boon to patrons of music as these are portable music players designed by Apple and were introduced for the first time in 2001. Since then, there have been various models of the iPods which have been released and each having separate functions of their own, but it can be concluded without a trace of doubt that these iPods have been super successful in attracting the consumers. The various iPod models used at present include the iPod classic, the iPod nano which enabled video viewing, the iPod touch which is somewhat similar to iPhones, the iPod shuffle which does not have a screen and the iPod photo. These are all digital music players having adequate storage capacity which varies according to each model. The iPod classic models contain and save these storage data in an internal hard drive while the other models implement the usage of flash memory. Recent statistics suggest that the iPod has sold about 110 million units world wide giving it the numero uno position as the most sold digital music player in history.

Unlike earlier when iPods worked only with Macs, nowadays, they can function even in Windows versions and they can play various audio file formats like WAP, AIFF, MP3, Audible audiobook etc. The iPod nano can play Quick Time video formats and MPEG 4 files with suitable limitations while the iPod photo allows the viewing of PNG, JPEG, TIFF, GIF files. It is possible to transfer the files to the storage compartment of the iPods. The Fire Wire and USB wall chargers accompany the iPods which are used to charge the iPods without the computer. All iPods are necessarily supplied with earphones apart from other accessories.

One disadvantage of the iPods has been their low battery life along with weaker equalizer settings and inferior bass quality.

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Safari

The web browser which is introduced by Apple as part of its Mac OS X operating system is known as Safari. Till the late 1990s, Microsoft Internet Explorer supplemented by the Netscape Navigator had been utilized by the Apple Mac computers. However it was in 2003 that the first announcement came from Apple that they had devised their individual web browser called Safari based on the KHTML rendering engine. Since 2005 it has been noticed that Safari is presently the only web browser which is included in Mac. The Safari web browser consists of several additional components which performs a variety of functions. It includes a tabbed-browsing interface and incorporates Apple’s very own QuickTime player. The Safari interface also comprises of the Google search box and there are multitudes of software devices which also function here and the passwords are secured through Keychain. There is also another function called Web Inspector introduced by Apple again and it enables the users to surf a function called the Document Object Model as part of the web page.

For its proper functioning, Safari also requires to use certain other tools like Apple’s own WebKit which is needed to aid the working of the web pages and JavaScript applications. Apple’s prominent innovations, the iPhone and the iPod Touch also use the Safari web browser and in 2007 Safari 3 version was announced for use in Windows Vista and XP versions and it is also used in the working of the Google Docs application. Moreover Safari’s efficient functioning has been facilitated by the use of CSS support. Recent statistics reveal that the usage share of Safari has received an encouraging boost recording a significant growth. It is necessary to mention here that in tandem with the claims made by Apple that Safari is the fastest web browser available, upon examination that despite certain glitches, Safari is definitely the reigning number one web browser at present.

PowerBooks

Upon its invention, computers were touted as the next big thing to hit the world of technological innovations and personal computers had been since then considered one of the most marvelous inventions of the times. However, personal computers today have been pushed to the back by another improved version, most commonly referred to as the laptop. Macintosh or Mac is the premium brand name by which Apple’s range of personal computers is known and PowerBooks refer to the laptop versions of these Mac computers. With the coming of the MacBooks however, the PowerBooks were retracted from service in 2006. But it should be admitted without any note of disbelief that PowerBooks were extremely efficient and won a series of awards for their proficiency. Some of these awards include Endgadget’s ‘Laptop of the Year’ in 2005 and ‘Gold’ status in the 2001 Industrial Excellency Awards.

The first series of PowerBooks introduced were three in number PowerBook 100, PowerBook 140 and PowerBook 170 and they were immensely successful to the extent that it is estimated that it took hold of a share of a whopping amount of 40% of the total laptop sales. In fact PowerBook 100 had been ranked by Mobile PC as the ‘#1 gadget of all time.’ The PowerBook 500 series was also referred to as ‘Blackbird’ and it was the first laptop to allow built-in Ethernet networking and the first computer ever to use a trackpad. However, the PowerBook 5300 which was highly anticipated turned out to be a major failure and Apple introduced new PowerBook 1400 to make up for its debacle. These were the first PowerBooks to possess an internal CD drive. The PowerBook G3 was launched in 1998 and climbed popularity charts and its versions like the ‘Lombard’ and the ‘Pismo’ were provided with newer innovations like AGP graphics and the use of AirPort wireless networking.

However, it was in 2006 that this series was terminated and was replaced by the MacBook versions.

MacBook

The MacBook refers to the notebook computer series of Mac introduced by Apple for the first time in 2006 and it comprised of the Intel Dual Core chip. The present version which was released recently in November 2007 contains 1 GB memory and which can be upgraded to a maximum limit of 4GB and it includes Intel’s X3100 integrated graphic constituents along with Intel’s GM 965 chipset with 800 MHz front-side bus. The present base model of the MacBook comprises of an 80 GB hard drive and Combo Drive together with a 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo Processor which can be upgraded from time to time.

The MacBook contains several devices which perform multitudes of functions. It is loaded with the updated new operating system introduced by Apple, the Mac OS X v10.5 OmniOutliner, Front Row, Comic Life, Photo Booth and iLife. There is also an in-built mini-DVI as well as an iSight webcam. Moreover there are USB 2.0 ports, a single Firewire 400port, Sudden Motion Sensor, a Scrolling Trackpad, Bluetooth 2.0 and EDR, Ethernet facilities and AirPort extremes. The MacBook is supplemented with MagSafe power connectors and Apple Remote. The LCD screen of the MacBook is a wide 13.3 inches with a 1280 X 800 resolution and it is the first Apple product to present a glossy screen display. It also possesses built-in stereo speakers and microphones together with optical digital audio outputs which ensure excellent quality sound projection. The MacBook is available in both white and black color models though it is often critiqued for placing the price of the black model as around US$150 more than the white one despite having the same configurations. Unlike the iBook or PowerBook models, the keyboard in the MacBook is not removable. MacBook supports the functioning of various graphic tools like Intel’s GMA X3100.

There has been certain complains regarding sudden shut downs and later restart problems and also the glossy display has also come under fire at times from consumers.

iWork

It is evident from the very name of Apple’s iWork application that it includes a set of functions for aiding professional needs and is somewhat similar to the Microsoft Office application. However, it is definitely a bit different from the Mac version of Microsoft Office as it has a different purpose and concentrates more on the presentation aspect rather than the analytical aspect and is available with a cheaper price tag. The main components of the Apple iWork application includes a spreadsheet function known as numbers, a package containing necessary presentation related paraphernalia called Keynote and a word processing and desktop publishing application known as Pages.

The Pages section constitutes certain application formats like invitations, resume, educational and marketing projects, journals etc and at the same time it also possesses a media browser which allows the inclusion of videos, music files and pictures from iMovie, iTunes and iPhoto. The following formatted files can be saved in Pages- .doc, .pdf, .txt, .html, .pages etc. One of the most significant applications of the Apple iWork is offered by the presentation section called Keynote and while it is a bit similar to the Microsoft PowerPoint functions, it possesses certain individual characteristics. It is adaptable enough to include various file formats like .pdf, .ppt, .key etc and is a slideshow presentation specialist. One major feature of this Keynote application is the fact that in case of slideshow presentation it allows the usage of animation which can at times enhance the quality of the presentation. The spreadsheet application called Numbers is a latest innovation developed by Apple Works which was added to the iWork function in its latest version known as iWork ’08 and is the first of its kind.

iWork ’08 is the latest update of iWork to reach the market and this version included various modifications in the Keynote and Pages applications. However, the hard disk capacity had shrunk compared to previous versions.
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QuickTime

QuickTime is a major multimedia innovation provided by Apple and it is conducive for use in both Mac as well as Windows operating systems. It is a multimedia framework which allows the functioning of different kinds of images in video, sound, text, animation and musical formats as well as certain kinds of interactive panoramic images. QuickTime players are the prevalent software application tools which are included within the package offered by Apple and it can act as a helper application for web browsers to open certain media files which otherwise fail to function. In simple terms, the QuickTime player is a media player launched by Apple and it consists of certain APIs which aid in the programming of audio and video formatted files. There is also the QuickTime movie format or .mov format which is a media container. The QuickTime is an integral and vital component of the Mac OS X while in case of Windows applications it is not obligatory.

The functioning of the QuickTime player is further facilitated by the use of the QuickTime Pro license key which allows to release of certain extra features that are possessed by the QuickTime player in case of Mac and Windows applications. However the use of this Pro key will not assure bonus download facilities. There are certain functions that are carried on buy the QuickTime multimedia framework and these include programming and transcoding of video and audio from one format to another mode of formatting and it also uses a plug-in architecture for aiding the workings of additional codecs like DivX. Some of the audio applications supported by QuickTime include MIDI, AIFF, QCELP, CDDA, WAV and many others while some selected video formatting includes BMP, GIF, AVI, AVC, PNG, TIFF etc. the latest operating system launched by Apple Mac Os X includes the latest version of QuickTime 7.3.

The QuickTime software application is useful in aiding the formation of pother applications like Java and C programming language.

Apple New system

Apple’s newest operating system which was introduced recently was the prolific Mac OS X version 10.5, also referred to as Leopard. It is the sixth version of the premier operating system introduced by Apple, Mac OS X. unlike the previous versions, it has been stated by Apple, that this new system includes about three hundred novel functions and newer innovations to lure buyers.

Some of these features include the ‘Back to my Mac’ option which enables the user to access his personal computer at home while he is away from his residence. There are additional grouping features called ‘Stacks’ and a newer desktop with a newly designed 3D dock. iCal allows to access calendar settings and listing schedules while iChat offers multiple chatting options. Dictionary offers searching facilities in Apple’s own domain as well as from Wikipedia and there is also an updated version of the Finder which includes the Cover Flow visual navigation interface and is similar in functioning to that of the iTunes. There have also been added certain mail enhancements with the inclusion of RSS feeds and Photo Booths allow video recordings. Preview options are also available and Quick Look allows the analysis of documents without having to open an external application. Network File Sharing is also possible with the help of SMB, FTP and AFP. A significant innovation is the introduction of ‘virtual desktops’ referred to as ‘spaces’ by means of which a single user is able to access multiple virtual desktops and can perform several activities simultaneously. Functions like the Time Machine enable automatic saving of files which have been replaced by updated versions of itself. These new innovations require Intel processors for its functioning and the specifications require Intel Processor about 867 MHz or faster, about 9 GB available disk space and DVD drives.

While it cannot be denied that the Mac OS X version 10.5 is an advanced tool, it has been plagued with various shortcomings especially related to inadequate security settings.

Mac OS X Server

The Mac OS X functions with the aid of the Mac OS X Server and it is an operating system which works on the basis of the Unix technology and is presently available in both server and desktop versions. The various components which constitute this Mac OS X Server facilitates easy functioning by efficiently handling such purposes like file or print sharing, organizing the networks of Windows personal computers as well as Macs and also assists in case of internet services like site hosting and emailing. Previously such functions as user management and file and printer sharing were managed by Apple’s own software service called Appleshare which handled these server applications.

One of the significant reasons behind the success of Mac OS X Servers is that it uses a specific form of advanced technological tool, the open-source technology. This open-source technology in the Mac OS X Server influences by aiding not only administrative services for Apple but also encourages the swift functioning of various supplementary services like standard-based services which are often very powerful. One such prominent component includes the Open Directory which allows admission to open source technical tools from a single interface.

The first edition of this server was released as Mac OS X Server 1.0 and it was constituted by the Rhapsody 5.3 and the graphic user interface or GUI performed like OPENSTEP and the server package also contained some other applications like NetBoot and WebObjects. The latest edition of Apple’s new operating system, Mac OS X v 10.5, also termed as ‘Leopard’ functions with the aid of the Mac OS X Server and its applications include Wiki Server, Podcast Producer, Spotlight Server, iCal Server. Also several other services like Apache Tomcat, Xgrid, iChat Server, Open Directory can be updated by this server. The Mac OS X Server is also comprised by a set of technical tools which enable it to function in non-Mac equipments as well.

Mac OS X

Apple’s premier product is named Mac, is a landmark brand name from the Apple stable. The Mac OS X refers to the operating system which has been devised and marketed by Apple and this was the descendant of the primitive Mac OS which was introduced in 1984. The Mac OS X is based on a different technological norm formulated by a firm called NeXT which was confiscated by Apple Inc in late 1997 and it is an operating system based on Unix. The first version of the Mac OS X was released in 1999 and was named Mac OS X Server which was more of a desktop-centered version. The latest version to hit the market is the Mac OS X v10.5 which is also referred to as ‘Leopard’ with the previous versions being named as Puma, Jaguar, Cheetah etc.

Mac OS X has been a landmark innovation compared to the previous systems introduced by Apple. The core of this operating system is known as Darwin and situated above the XNU kernel is the Unix-like operating system having the basic Unix facilities and components existing from the command line interface. For the perfect functioning of Mac OS X which is a graphic user interface or GUI-based operating system, Apple also included certain other constituents like the Finder and the Aqua interface apart from Darwin. Unlike the previous versions, Mac OS X aimed at being more efficient and trustworthy and therefore it worked towards ensuring memory protection and also pre-emptive multitasking. In terms of the software techniques included in its service, Mac OS X has its own individual software enhancement tool which is called Xcode which aids its working by supporting numerous programming languages like Java, C, C++, Objective C. It was in 2005 that it was announced that Apple would be assimilating the use of Intel processors.

Despite its best efforts, Mac OS X has often been critiqued for its unavailability in far more languages apart from the twenty included.

The Mac OS X operating system is a premier product that was launched by Apple in the closing years of the 20th century and it includes several advanced applications which have been updated from time to time. The iMovie software application meant exclusively for video editing services was first launched by Apple in 1999 with the Mac OS 8. But at present it is included only as a part of the Mac OS X operating system, as a component of the iLife software application tool. The functioning of the iMovie is greatly dependent on the FireWire interface with the help of which it is able to provide video recordings to Mac on MiniDV formatted digital video cameras. After this, it is possible for the users to edit videos and also add music and other enhancements, titles and slides.

The first version of the iMovie was released as early as 1999 and since then there has been several innovations and updated versions and the latest update to hit the markets is the iMovie ’08 released as part of the iLife ’08 application which was launched in 2007 There are several innovations and newer techniques which have been added to the iMovie.

First and foremost a very significant addition is that now it enables supporting of DVD and HDD camcorders which were not enabled previously. The interface has been designed differently and has attained a new look while a new dock icon has also been introduced. A process called ‘skimming’ which is used to glance quickly through the library contents at a stipulated speed has been introduced and like text contents, it is now possible to highlight video contents also.

However, several other features have been excluded from this updated version like themes, timelines, audio editing facilities, creating chapters in case of DVDs, removal of plug-ins and video effects. For its proper functioning, Apple states that Intel processors or PowerPC G5 1.9GHz specifications have to be followed.