COMMENTARY: MacWorld 2008

After tremendous buildup and anticipation for this year’s MacWorld, the world has collectively “yawned”! Much of the hype had been deflated by leaks of product releases such as: iTunes Movie Rental Service and the MacBook Air, prior to the big event. There was no talk of 3G or 4G iphones, Newton/Tablet Apple PCs (note: really bad idea), and iPods that Apple nerds and investors were craving for, so what’s my big take from MacWorld?

1. Awesome that Apple is able to sell 4 Million iPhones in 6 months in 2007, but it will be pretty darn hard for them to make 10 million without a 3G version of the phone and more providers to sell the phones.  Don’t be sad if Apple doesn’t make the 10M mark by the end of year.
2. Google Maps seems to have some interesting applications, but really just gives fellows another reason not to ask for directions when lost.
3. Free iPhone update was good for users so that users are able to manage all those new applications that developers will begin to sell to them next month.
4. Dumb that Apple decided to charge $20 for existing iTouch users to download 5 new applications that should have shipped with the product to begin with.
5. Apple TV (Version 2.0) – interesting, but will definitely not be a big seller for Apple.  Yes, sharing personal photos, and videos, watching movies and TV shows are good ideas.  Most individuals have TIVOs, VCRs, and DVDs in their homes, why would they want another box to add to their existing burgeoning home entertainment system.  Apple really needs to integrate a Super “Blu Ray” drive, TIVO like recording capabilities, and Slingbox like streaming functions to their products to make it compelling enough for people to really want to buy the product and replace some of their older devices.  Steve Jobs and Co clearly needs to go back to the drawing board on this one, good luck on turning this “bad boy” into a monster hit!
6. Apple Time Capsule – great no nonsense backup solution for people and small businesses who currently are thinking of replacing their router and running current OSX Leopard.  Apple needs to ship requisite software for PC users and older Mac Users for this product to achieve it’s potential.  Who wouldn’t want a unintrusive and easy way of backing up of your data?
7. MacBook Air – definitely the “world’s thinnest” computer.  Apple made some minor sacrifices in features but that is expected for a ultraportable product like: speed of the CPU, built-in battery, and the one USB port.  The best feature clearly is the iPhone like scrolling (or gestures) integrated into scroll pad.  Definitely hope that Apple integrates this feature into all future notebook offerings as well as ambient lighting for MacBooks (for all those students typing in dark lecture halls).

Until next time,

~Geekboy.

ThreatFire 3.0

Here is another little freebie, from PC Tools Software, called Threat Fire, which uses patent pending technology to enhance the protection of your computer from newly released viruses, spyware, and identity theft.  You can download it from here.

COMODO Firewall Pro 3.0 released!

A new version of COMODO Firewall has just been released.  This is a total upgrade for those that are still using the built-in Firewall in Microsoft XP/Vista.  You can grab it by clicking here.  COMODO Firewall promises:

• Complete protection from Hackers, Spyware, and Identity theft;
• Bi-directional protection from internal and external threats;
• Prevents Malware from installing onto your computers; and,
• Free for personal use.

FREE: AntiSpyware Software by Crawler LLC

If you are looking for a easy to use piece of software that will keep some of the Internet’s nasty things – spyware, away from your computer, Spyware Terminator is definitely worth a look.  The software is very easy to use even for someone who knows absolutely nothing about spyware.  The software monitors in “real time”, offers users different scan options such as: scheduled scan, quick scan, or full scan, issues reports to users at the end of each scan and offers to quarantine, or remove suspicious spyware.  Spyware Terminator integrates with another freebie – ClamAV (antivirus) program to enhance the protection of your computer.  Definitions for both software packages are downloaded automatically from the Internet.  You can download the software from here.  (Windows Only)

FREE: Antivirus Software from Avira

Avira – a german software company, is offering a free copies of it’s Antivirus software – Antivir Personal Edition Classic.  In addition to being free, users can also download a user manual, access support forums and report suspicious files via the Web.  Avira has won numerous awards for the software products.  Bonus: to owners of older computers, Antivir PE Classic is resource friendly – runs tremendously well on older computers.  Available here for Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/Linux/FreeBSD/Solaris operating systems only.

~Geekboy.

Undelete Plus – Free File Recovery Tool

For those of us that have mistakenly deleted an important file in the past, here is a wonderful little free tool called Undelete Plust, that will quickly and effectively restore all those files that you may have deleted by mistake.

Mozilla Firefox 2.0 released!

Hot on the heals of Microsoft’s release of Internet Explorer 7.0, Mozilla has just released Firefox 2.0.  You can click here to download it.

In Firefox 2, Mozilla improved the following:

• tab browsing
• spell checking
• search
• web feeds (RSS feeds)
• built-in antiphishing technology
• new security model to improve internet experience
• customization

Spell checking. Modern Web sites are increasingly complex with the rollout of new, rich Internet applications, such as word processors, spreadsheets and blogging tools. Inline spell checking in Firefox 2 automatically checks for spelling errors and suggests corrections as users interact with Web sites, bringing a common desktop feature to the Web.

Search. Search is one of the most frequently used features of the Web. With Firefox 2, Mozilla improves the browser’s integrated search capabilities, making it even easier for users to find the information they are looking for. The new Search Suggestions feature dynamically updates a drop-down list of suggested search terms as users enter text into the search bar for Google, Yahoo! or Answers.com search engines.

Web feeds. Firefox users can now take better advantage of the frequently updated content offered by Web sites, with increased options for handling Web feeds. Users now see a preview of the content being offered and are given the option to subscribe to a feed as a Live Bookmark, using a Web service such as Bloglines, My Yahoo!, or Google Reader, or with a desktop application.

Identity theft protection. In addition to its award-winning safeguards for blocking drive-by installation of spyware and unwanted pop-up windows, Firefox 2 helps protect users from identity theft by quickly informing them when they surf to a questionable Web site. To protect users’ privacy, Phishing Protection is active by default with a local blacklist that updates hourly, rather than sending information to an external online service. An enhanced mode is available where users may optionally elect to have Firefox check the validity of Web sites with a third-party Web service, such as Google, prior to loading the site. Phishing Protection provides warnings, advice and guidance when Firefox encounters a Web site that appears to be fraudulent or malicious.

Proven security model. Mozilla’s open and transparent community-driven security model helps ensure Firefox provides the safest possible online experience. Thousands of security experts and technical contributors from around the world examine and analyze the Firefox source code, uncover potential threats and vulnerabilities, and work together to quickly identify and address emerging threats. This open, distributed, innovative approach to security puts people’s interests first and delivers the safest Web experience possible.

Customization. No other browser can be customized like Firefox 2. With thousands of add-ons that enhance the browser’s functionality and features, Firefox lets users personalize their Web browsers to fit their interests and style.

Internet Explorer 7 is FINALLY released!

After five years of development hell and numerous security flaws, Microsoft has finally decided to release a new version of Internet Explorer.  IE 7 promises better security, tab browsing, built-in RSS reader, and anti-phising technology.  If you want to give it a try, you can download it from here.  Microsoft is expected to distribute IE 7 through Windows Update service in November.

Microsoft Office Live Basics Beta

Small business owners and coordinators of small community projects can now get professionally looking websites with their own company web address by using Microsoft Office Live Basic (Beta).  Microsoft Office Live Basics promises:

• Easy to use web design tool for users to create professionally looking sites
• Users will get their own company web address
• Users will get to store their webpages with Microsoft for free
• Analyze the activity of your website
• 5 personalized e-mail accounts for staff
• Ample storage for future expansion of your website
• Unlimited data transfer to accomodate all those who want to view your website.

All for a very incredible low price – Free!

NASA World Wind

NASA just released a niffty little mapping tool that users can use to view terrains, weather pattern dynamics, borders, natural catastrophies, coordinates, temperature information, latitude and longitude information.  You will need a 3-D graphics card to use all the capabilities of the software.  You can download it free of charge from here.