Review Just a year ago, in October 2008, it looked like the white plastic-cased MacBook was headed for the scrap heap. Apple had just introduced a new and more expensive model sculpted out of aluminium, and although the plastic version was kept on sale to provide a less-expensive option for the budget-conscious education market, it was obvious then that Apple was preparing to put it out to pasture.
Information about the White model was buried in the depths of Apple’s website, and a minor upgrade in January 2009 didn’t even merit the acknowledgement of a formal announcement from Apple HQ.
And then the global economy went completely off the rails, and the finger-smudged livery of the white MacBook rose from the ashes of recession like a cut-price plastic phoenix. Its aluminium sibling was booted upstairs to become part of the MacBook Pro range, leaving it to lead the charge for consumers’ cash. And, lo, Apple’s laptop sales did boom miraculously despite the downturn.
And now, as a reward for its efforts, the humble MacBook has been granted a full-scale overhaul. It’s still made out of that distinctive white plastic – or “durable polycarbonate” as Apple calls it – but just about every aspect of the unit has been tweaked and updated. The right-angled edges of previous models now curve convexly on all sides, giving it a more streamlined appearance. Read the rest of this entry »
Review For a company that pioneered the widespread use of the mouse as a computer controller, Apple has a surprisingly bad record at making good ones, particularly since the return of Steve Jobs and, with him, industrial design as the prime driver of product creation.
Past Apple mice have either been ergonomic non-starters or have tripped up before even reaching the longevity hurdle. Who can forget the finger-crimping nightmare that was the circular ‘hockey puck’ mouse that shipped with the first iMac and the blue’n'white Power Mac G3?
Even its more hand-friendly successor was never entirely comfortable, thanks to its oddly pivoted button, which filled the entire upper surface of the mouse. That complete-surface button design was maintained when Apple introduced the Mighty Mouse. While adding the ability to – at long, long last – detect secondary, ‘right button’ clicks, this mouse also sported a tiny trackball that, initially useful, later stopped working properly as its mechanism filled with grease and dust. Read the rest of this entry »
Review Apple’s decision not to add a Camera to the latest version of the iPod Touch disappointed a lot of people, but at least the 32GB and 64GB models received a new processor that gives the device more potential as a games machine. The iPod Shuffle didn’t even get that. However, Apple did announce some minor changes to the Shuffle product line, so we’ve decided to give the latest version a quick look in time for the Christmas buying frenzy.
The original third-generation iPod Shuffle, with its ultra-compact, slimline design remains unchanged – as does its price, at £59 with 4GB of storage. Until recently, if you were looking for something that came in under the £50 mark there was the fatter, rectangular second generation Shuffle with the control button on the body of the player itself. With just 2GB of memory, it was still on sale until earlier this month for £45.
That 2G iPod Shuffle has now been phased out and replaced with a 3G model with the same price and 2GB capacity. Both 3G models are available in silver, black, pink, green and blue, and there’s also a Special Edition version in stainless steel that costs £75 with 4GB storage. Battery life is unchanged at around 10 hours, a figure that was confirmed when we left it playing on a shelf all day. Read the rest of this entry »
iPhone App Review Apple bundles a decent Dictionary application with Mac OS X, so it’s surprising that it doesn’t do the same with the iPhone. You may only need to consult a dictionary once in a while, but it’s nice to have one handy. Putting it on a smartphone means you can always have it with you. Apple should have included one
Advanced English Dictionary: encyclopaedia elements
It didn’t, and so a number of third-party developers have attempted to fill the gap. Some are derived from well-known dictionary publishers: Oxford, Collins, Chambers and so on. Others come from unbranded sources. As the Advanced English Dictionary (AED) app shows, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re inferior to their famous-name rivals.
They’re certainly cheaper. AED is currently available for a mere 59p, though publisher jDictionary Mobile says this is a special “90 per cent off” promotional price. Even at £5.90 it’s good value given that you can pay up to £20 for a branded alternative. Read the rest of this entry »
Review It’s official – the iPod Touch is a games machine. When the second-generation model was launched this time last year, we noted – in one of our occasional moments of penetrating insight – that Apple seemed to have been taken unawares by the flood of games that had appeared on the iPhone and the first Touch.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs confirmed this recently, admitting that “originally, we didn’t know how to market the Touch”. But Apple seems to have made its mind up now, as the new Touch is very much intended to be Apple’s contender in the handheld gaming market.
And that, according to Jobs, is why Apple disappointed so many people by not including a Camera in the new model. Rather than adding new features, Jobs states that Apple’s main priority was simply to reduce the price of the Touch in order to compete more effectively with established gaming gadgets such as the Sony PSP and Nintendo’s DS.
Both consoles have been slimmed down of late, and are no longer as clunky as they were at launch, but neither is as svelte as the Touch nor as feature filled. They’ll continue to enjoy a big fan-based, of course, and sell well – they have more, better-known games than the Touch does – but if we were in the market for a handheld games console, we’d almost certainly prefer the Touch with its more extensive range of capabilities. Read the rest of this entry »
