All posts by Dexter Johnson

Technology, style, fitness and health. http://dexjohnspc.com , http://topnotchmalestyletips.com and listen to the Whaddup Tech Podcast http://bit.ly/WhaddupTech
Operating Systems, Technology

Apple = Scared of Competition

Every day it seems like Apple Co. is pushing for a ban on this and taking legal action on that!  Why?  Well, since Apple already has a laughable 12% in the PC market, no wonder they are fighting for their slumping mobile market because it is the ONLY place where they can keep up(and lately they’ve been doing a terrible job at THAT as well).

When the Apple iPhone was first released there was a tremendous amount of early adopters, while everyone else hopped on the bandwagon post App-Store.  For the next few years Apple dominated the mobile scheme, Windows Mobile was terrible and lacked features while it seemed Apple had finally found their niche.  However, what is a market without competition?  Nothing.  Microsoft competes with Apple and Linux on the desktop side of things, while Apple would now compete with the rising Android OS.  Android had several things on it’s side though:

  • Built on Linux
  • Not limited to one carrier
  • Not limited to one device
  • Advanced multi-tasking

Apple could boast on none of these things, except for the fact that they had cute little apps.  Android continued to surge and has taken over the mobile market, currently holding the top spot in the US.  How could this be so?  Every carrier has their flagship Android devices, while Apple just ported the iPhone to Verizon(a better network, that should’ve had the device in the beginning since AT&T proved incapable of maintaining).

In addition to the iPhone, Apple released it’s big brother, the iPad.  The happened to be the EXACT same device with a larger screen that you couldn’t talk on.  It rose to popularity;however, the competition rose to the occasion and created equally and in some cases more powerful devices to compete.  So, why can’t Apple handle competition in the market?

Bottom line:  Apple wants to succeed in something, so why not start pushing everyone, who makes a superior product, to the wolves if they get frightened?

Operating Systems, Technology

So, you’re still using XP?

Windows XP was truly a remarkable operating system from Microsoft.  Not only did it completely demolish previous versions in terms of usability, stability and performance.  This system was also very secure.

However, it is 2011; Windows 7 is out (Windows 8 is brewing).  Windows Vista was a bust with poor usability, slow start-up times and a decent interface.  Windows 7 changed it all.

When Vista was released I bought a brand new Acer Aspire laptop and the operating system came preloaded.  However, it was slow to start; but at least it was pretty right?  Many people I knew actually still had Windows XP on their machines because of its unrivaled security and stability.  However, the advent of Windows 7 changed all of the minds of those that thought Microsoft couldn’t create another great operating system.  On the other hand, for the company that revolutionized the way that we use personal computers, you should’ve expected them to bring a clean, polished system after the demise of Vista(similarly to how XP was received after Windows ME was put on the back-burner).

So, XP user do not fret, this is not Vista nor is it ME.  As a user who switched back from Ubuntu Linux, I was blown away by the beautiful design, ease of use, secure functionality and sheer speed of this system.

Bottom line:  Secure, stable and easy.  Windows XP is dated(granted still good) and a refresh of your OS and possibility your hardware could be great for your productivity.

Software, Technology

Image editing, Adobe or Open-Source?

Adobe Creative Suites, this collection….more than any other could deserve the title: The most powerful suite of programs offered by a company.

However, this certainly is not the only way that you can go.  With prices ranging from $1300-2600, there certainly are other options available to rival the most popular parts of the suite, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator are two key programs that are included in the suite.

GIMP – This is probably the most successful open-source piece of image editing software, from it’s robust list of features to it’s ability to correct anything, this software is a must have.  It may lack the sheer power of Photoshop;however, this doesn’t stop this non-resource hog from being able to fully substitute for Photoshop.

Inkscape – Think Adobe Illustrator had a twin and it’s twin is cooler.  This sleek program stylistically looks very similar to Illustrator and tools-wise this program does not disappoint.  Inkscape boasts a very easy to use interface that you can learn within the first 10 minutes of using it.  In addition, if you have used any design program before this application will be cinch to learn and push out some unique pieces of art. Add Inkscape and GIMP on any system and you’ll have a powerful one-two punch for image manipulation.

Social Networking

Google+, Future of social networking?

We all remember Google’s first attempt at creating a social networking scheme, Google Buzz; yet, it failed to catch on because it was mainly a simple add-on to GMail.  Now we meet Google+, which actually looks interesting.

Unlike Facebook, Google+ seems to be building that community aspect that would make you feel more connected.  Similar to how Facebook USED to be.  A marketing strategy that they are using is this invite service, which is oddly similar to how GMail first rolled-out.

Only time will tell if this network will even compete with Facebook and/or Twitter.

Technology

Tablet CRAZY…or are they just bigger smartphones!?

Is it just me?  Or is the boom for new tablets on the market still going strong?  Will the iPad remain as the standard?  Are tablets REALLY that productive?

Since the emergence of Apple’s iPad, there have been numerous attempts to create something more powerful (has been done) and something that is more intuitive (hasn’t been done).

Does Apple really have competition in the tablet market?  My answer is Yes & No.  There are some areas that Apple initially got completely outclassed in, such as power.  The first-generation iPad was fast however there were other tablets that were released shortly after that integrated more powerful processors.  So, why didn’t Apple’s marketshare in the “Tablet Department” fall.  Easy answer, App Store.  Although the iPad might not be the most powerful or support the most number of inputs to the device it was built a community in the App Store.  More developers write code for Apple mobile devices than any other hence the large difference in the number of apps on the App Store(500,000 apps) and Android’s Market(250,000 apps).

The second generation iPad is very polished, so when the new Galaxy Tab is released Android will have another strong competitor.  However, would you have an iPhone, iPad and MacBook?  I certainly wouldn’t.  So, an important piece of data I would like to collect is: Do tablet owners also have smartphones?  I almost see this as being counter-intuitive, because even if I have an Android smartphone and an Android based tablet I would be running the SAME apps.  Similarly with Apple and iOS.

Bottom line:  First, the technology being put into these tablets is impressive to be packed in such a snug device.  iPads are definitely at the forefront due to brand loyalty and an impressive App Store.  Android is in the running, similar to how they toppled the iPhone empire in the United States.  However, could they do it in the tablet market as well?  Reports conclude that over the course of the next few years that Android will become the number one tablet OS.

Next, I don’t see the point of having a larger version of my mobile phone….that CAN’T make calls.  iPads, Galaxy Tabs and Motorola XOOMs are all beautifully created and meticulously designed pieces of hardware; however do they serve as nothing more than 5% work and 95% plaything?