Best Buy, one of the largest computer retail stores in the country, has confirmed that they are doing tests in a few stores with Apple computers. The program is being watched closely by both Apple and Best Buy.
Apple computers are at the moment sold mainly on Apple own stores. The major issue at Apple is to require a high level of customer support from Best Buys employees. They want to guarantee that customer will have a level of service similar to service at Apple stores.
Such a move would be very good for Apple, since Best Buy is the largest showcase of technology products in the country. Selling the Mac on Best Buy would certainly increase awareness of the company computers among more traditional buyers.
It is still not confirmed, but most news sites are talking about the possibility of Apple providing movie downloads through their iTunes store. Apparently, Apple is in talk with several major Hollywood studies in order to cut a deal that would allow them to distribute movies using this distribution channel.
Although it is not clear if this is will happen not, it seams cleat that this is the next logical step for the iTunes service. Starting from the offer of music files, iTunes has grown to one of the most popular Internet based music systems. Similar success has happened with short videos, which was made possible by the introduction of the new iPod video.
What makes me wonder: would this new interest in Hollywood movies have been spurred by new capabilities of the iPod player? It is well possible that Steve Jobs is preparing a major upgrade, maybe with larger screen and better control system, and wants to make this available with the ultimate content for video players: access to the latest blockbusters. Maybe we will know sooner than we think.
Link by Daily Variety.
A few weeks ago, Google announced it was buying a small company called @Last Software. The main product of this company, a 3D modeler system called SketchUp, is now being released to the public by Google.
SketchUp allow users to create powerful 3D models for designing or just recreative purposes. It allows the composition of 3D models from simple primitives. And the more interesting feature is: you can upload 3D models to Google earth, and allow others to visualize your creation.
In a sense, Google earth is getting a little closer to what games such as second life already do: creating virtual worlds, and allowing people to visit your creations instantaneously.
To get a better picture of what is going on, download SketchUp, it is freely available. If you’re more adventurous, get a license for the Pro Version and start building a commercial world!
Link from Google Blog
Technorati Tags: computers, Google, web 2.0
Microsoft cannot release its operating system on time, but Apple is always beating the clock in this area: Leopard is now close to completion, and early views of the systems are starting to be schedule.
If you want to see personally the new features of the new incarnation of Mac OS X, you should consider to be part of the next Worldwide Developers Conference 2006, promoted by Apple. According to the company:
With more than 120 sessions planned across five technology tracks, WWDC 2006 will cover the full spectrum of Mac technology. In each track you’ll find practical sessions, delivered by Apple engineers, that show how to take advantage of current technologies in Tiger, and how to get ready for what’s coming in Leopard. The five session tracks are:
Application Technologies
Graphics and Media
Development Tools
OS Foundations
Information Technologies
It looks a great opportunity to see the future of the Mac operating system.
Link
Technorati Tags: Apple, Mac, computers
The Apple Store has a special deal on refurbished iMac G5′s for a limited time. You can get a Apple Certified Refurbished 17-Inch iMac G5 with 1.9 GHz processor with the built-in iSight Camera, now only $999!! Check it here.
Link
Technorati Tags: Apple, Mac, computers
The new Intel based laptops have become a huge success, by incorporating the latest technological advances of the Intel based duo core processors, along with the well known Apple design. The result is a powerful laptop with excellent usability features.
Apple is now giving more reasons for laptop users to stay happy: the new Intel based 17 inches macBook has been just released from the Apple store. As in the previous version, the new laptops come with a 2.16GHz core duo Intel processor, the new power cord designed by Apple, and iLife 2006.
Link
Technorati Tags: Apple, Laptop, Mac
Sponsored Link:
