About Mac Observer columns
| Ted Landau's User Friendly View and User Friendly Blog
I am currently writing a monthly column for The Mac Observer, called User Friendly View. Below is a list of posted columns. I also write a weekly blog titled User Friendly Blog. You can get a complete list of all entries from the blog's Archives page. Recent entries, as of September, include Spore Origins is not an evolution simulation and Best Buy polishes its Apple. |
- Is Apple becoming too successful? [September 2008] Is Apple's dominance in iPods and iTunes too much of a good thing?
- The iPhone Takes Some Hits [August 2008] The launch of the iPhone 3G and iPhone 2.0 software hits some bumps on the road to success.
- The iPhone's App Store won't fill in all the gaps [July 2008] Why you still may want to jailbreak your iPhone, even with the new App Store.
- The New iPhone: A Personal Q & A [June 2008] Following Steve Jobs Keynote at the WWDC, I offer a personal list of questions about the new iPhone 3G and iPhone 2.0 software (coming July 11) -- and provide the answers.
- In search of headphones for my iPhone [May 2008] Wired or Bluetooth? I discuss the various options for headphones for your iPhone, with recommendations for each type.
- A Guide to Installer for Jailbroken iPhones [April 2008] Learn how to use the essential utility for getting software on to your jailbroken iPhone.
- The iPhone: Everything in Your Pocket (Except a Mac) [March 2008] In the wake of the iPhone 2.0 software announcement,I speculate about the future of the iPhone — as well as why it doesn't yet qualify as a pocket Mac.
- Roll Your Own iPhone Ringtones...for Free [February 2008] If you don't want to pay for ringtones from the iTunes Store, there are free alternatives.
- Macworld Expo: Past, Present, and Future [January 2008] A look at why this year's Expo was one of the best ever!
- Apple 2007: What a year! [December 2007] In the history of Apple Computer, it is possible that there has been a better year than 2007. But you would be hard pressed to find it.
- Leopard's Semi-Hidden Talents [November 2007] A look at some of the less-noted and less-obvious, but still useful, features in Leopard.
- iPhone Software Update 1.1.1 = A sad day for Apple users [October 2007] Apple's new update shuts down the method for adding third-party software to your iPhone (for the moment). This column explains why this is a bad thing.
- iPhone Hacking: Is It safe? Should you add third-party software to your iPhone? Yes. [September 2007]
- Apple's New iPods: Which One to Buy? [September 2007] Apple has updated its entire iPod line-up. Which one is the right one for you?
- iWork '08, AppleWorks...and the New iMacs [August 2007] Find out why iWork '08 finally passes the "AppleWorks test." Plus a comment about why the new iMacs made me yawn.
- Two Cool Gadgets that have Nothing to do with iPhone [July 2007] A look at DYMO Desktop Mailing Solution and Elgato's Turbo.264 Video Encoder Hardware.
- WWDC Keynote: Come on and Safari with Me... [June 2007] A look at what Steve Jobs did (and did not) reveal in his latest Kenote address...and what it may mean for Apple's future.
- The Internet: Serial Killer? [May 2007] Is the Internet systematically "killing off" a variety of businesses that were thriving before its arrival? And is that a good or a bad thing?
- You talkin' to me? (Make Your Mac Listen) [April 2007] A tour of Mac OS X's Speech Recognition technology. It's cooler than you may think.
- Apple TV: Apple Scores Again [March 2007] Why I believe the Apple TV should be and will be a big hit.
- For Your Consideration: The Mac micro [February 2007] My speculation about the future of Mac hardware, especially a potential new member of the Mac family which I call the Mac micro.
- Macworld Keynote: Apple...Redefined [January 2007] My reactions to Steve Jobs' keynote address at Macworld Expo and especially the iPhone.
- Do You Really Have the Time for that New Gizmo? [December 2006] Which Mac products do I continue to use, which ones ended up in my dust bin, and why.
- MacMania and the Mac Collector [November 2006] My take on the MacMania V cruise and the surprising hobby of one of the l attendees I met on board.
- DVD-RAM Reconsidered: Version 2.0 [October 2006] I get to actually try out a DVD-RAM drive with my Power Mac G5. Is it worth getting one?
- From Discs to Downloads: Apple Leads the Way [September 2006b] Apple announces it will carry feature-length movies on its iTunes Store. What are the implications?
- MacBooks vs. PC laptops: A Tale of Two Brothers-in-Law [September 2006a] Are PC laptops still cheaper than Mac laptops? And how do PC users decide whether or not to switch.
- Will Mac users Pounce on Leopard? [August 2006] An early assessment of the new features in the just-announced Leopard version of Mac OS X (due out in 2007).
- Should You Care About AppleCare? [July 2006] Extended warranties are almost always a bad deal. This even extends to AppleCare. The column explains why.
- A Microsoft Keyboard and Mouse Just for Mac Users. Whoa! [June 2006] Should your next Mac keyboard and mouse come from Microsoft?
- DVD-RAM reconsidered. Seriously. Macs once shipped with DVD-RAM drives. But no more. Perhaps it is time for their return. [May 2006]
- Windows on an Intel Mac: A Retrospective [April 2006] A peek at the status of Windows on a Mac two years from now.
- Fair Use Under Fire. [March 2006] A look at the extremes to which the entertainment industry wants to go, in the name of digital rights management (DRM), to limit your "fair use" of media.
- Three Cheers and a Jeer. [Februray 2006] Mini-reviews of 4 multimedia-related products, only three of which are recommended for purchase.
- Before You Buy an Intel Mac. [January 2006] Some cautionary facts you should know before rushing out to purchase one of Apple's new Intel-based Macs.
- Spoiling the Surprise: On Apple Rumors & Movie Trailers. [January 2006] What do movie trailers and Apple rumor sites have in common? This column gives the answer.
- Confessions of a Video iPod Junkie. [December 2005] A look at how to maximize your enjoyment with Apple's latest hot product.
- Who'd Have Thunk It? [October 2005] Apple's new iPod video is a sure success and is just the latest highlight in an incredible turn-around for Apple. This column looks back on the last 10 years.
- Navigating the Digital Keyboard Maze: Part II. [September 2005] Want to get a digital keyboard to work with GarageBand? Or to use on its own? This 2-part tutorial walks you through the maze of keyboard types and features and helps you figure out the right one for you.
- Navigating the Digital Keyboard Maze: Part I. [August 2005] Want to get a digital keyboard to work with GarageBand? Or to use on its own? This 2-part tutorial walks you through the maze of keyboard types and features and helps you figure out the right one for you.
- Apple's $440 piece of plastic. [July 2005] The story of how Apple wanted to charge me $440 for a piece of plastic, to repair my Cinema Display.
A reply to reader comments on this column.
- Road Trips with your iPod. [June 2005] This column offers my recommendations for connecting your iPod to your car stereo.
- Tiger: Because it's worth it. [May 2005] This column offers my initial reaction to Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) and why I believe it's worth your time and money to upgrade to it.