Apple

Just in case there was any doubt that Microsoft desperately needs to oversee the release of several Windows-based slate computers to compete with the Apple iPad, a new report states that, in the fiscal third quarter, the Cupertino-based firm's ... products accounted for 95 per cent of the tablet market. In other words, this is Apple's sphere until a PC maker like Hewlett-Packard or IBM can take it back. The report comes courtesy of Strategy Analytics Inc., a Boston-based research company that also noted an increase in tablet computer shipments by 26 per cent over the previous quarter. It would ... (view more)

Two weeks ago Apple unveiled an 11.6-inch MacBook Air for under $999 . The news attracted plenty of attention, but early reviews of the device have not been particularly positive, with critics citing generally underwhelming performance as a reason ... to pass on Apple's first foray into the sub-$1,000 laptop market. Techies will remember that it's been over two years now since the first MacBook Air shipped to retailers. In a way, it was an attempt by Apple to provide an ultra-premium, ultra-portable device for the growing netbook market. Like most netbooks, the MacBook was lightweight, somewhat ... (view more)

With the Windows family still allowing Microsoft to enjoy the lion's share of the OS market, rival companies are forever left to jockey for second place. While the goal for these companies is to one day surpass Windows in popularity, there has ... always been one benefit in playing "second fiddle" to Microsoft: hackers tend follow user demographics. This means that Windows is as much a popular choice for malware attacks as it is for consumers. Such is true for Apple, who listed only 34 known vulnerabilities within the Mac OS family back in 2009. While even one vulnerability should be cause for ... (view more)

Apple computers get plenty of credit for the way they look, feel and perform: for the most part, they are well-built, thoughtfully-designed machines and the people that use them, love them. But they're not cheap, and for many consumers the high ... price of MacBook laptops is often a deal-breaker. That may have changed now that the Cupertino-based company has unveiled the 11.6-inch MacBook air, a super-light computer for less than $1,000. MacBook Air Receives Solid State Harddrive (SSD) Apple on Wednesday announced that it would revamp its popular MacBook Air by cutting it down in size and weight ... (view more)

A new application allows owners of the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch to run Windows on their portable devices. The catch is that they'll need a Mac computer running an $80 program to do so, though users of previous editions can upgrade for a smaller ... fee. The program in question is the recently released Parallels Desktop version 6. It's virtualization software, which means that users can set their Mac up to act as if it were a PC. This then allows them to install and run a copy of Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7, though technically they'll need the appropriate Microsoft license to do so: for ... (view more)

Apple has patched two critical code execution holes in its QuickTime multimedia player for Windows. At least one of these vulnerabilities has already been exploited by hackers, meaning the fix comes not a moment too soon. An Estimated Several ... Hundred Applications at Risk We first reported the QuickTime flaw over two weeks ago, when it was discovered that the exploit made at least forty (and perhaps several hundred) Windows applications vulnerable to attack. One flaw, called CVE-2010-1818, is associated with QuickTime's ActiveX control. It can be exploited if a hacker can trick a victim to ... (view more)

As part of the latest iTunes version 10, Apple has recently launched a new social website feature called "Apple Ping," which keeps their 160 million music lovers connected with their friends, family and favorite song artists. Apple Ping Hijacked by ... Online Fraudsters Not surprisingly to some, however, the Apple Ping service was hijacked by hackers within hours after its debut, souring what was to be a promising reception from music, social engineering and Apple enthusiasts. To online criminals, the timing and forum for which to scam unsuspecting users could not have been better: ... (view more)

Microsoft has announced it plans to make the PC and Mac editions of Office 2011 as compatible as possible. According to Kurt Schmucker, one of the leading figures in Microsoft's Mac division, the goal is simple: you should be able to print out the ... same document in Office on both systems, put one sheet on top of the other, hold them up to the light, and not spot even the slightest difference. Mac Excel Gets Sparkling Makeover One example of this is a new Excel feature named Sparklines. This is designed to allow users to automatically produce small graphs and charts that appear beside the ... (view more)

Owners of Mac computers will get their first chance to upload Microsoft's newest Office suite this October. It's expected the Mac edition's price will also see a significant price cut, by as much as 50 per cent in fact, in order to keep up with ... similar price drops for Windows PCs. Microsoft announced its plans for Office for Mac 2011 this past Monday, adding that it expected to release two versions of the software -- one targeted at academics, and the other at business users. Business Users Get Outlook Email Client So, what's the difference? Microsoft Office for Mac Home and Student 2011 -- ... (view more)

A change to copyright laws mean cellphone owners can now legally "jailbreak" their phones. Jailbreaking, as it is often referred to, is the practice which involves modifying a device (such as an iPhone) to run any software, regardless of ... manufacturer restrictions. The decision affects the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), a legislation that has made it illegal to bypass any electronic restrictions designed to protect copyright. The act was most prominently cited in a case involving software which allowed users to copy digitally protected DVDs. The Electronic Frontier Foundation, or EFF ... (view more)