In Apple’s efforts to simplify installing Lion on your Mac, they’ve made things more difficult. First, you have to download a copy, at least for now. Later this month, Apple will release a USB-based installer at $69, a $40 surcharge. Now I’m not about to attempt to explain why Apple needs to charge more than […]

One huge difference between Apple and other PC makers can be summarized by the word “legacy.” They rarely look back, even when it comes to honoring an anniversary, which is why you never saw a twenty-fifth anniversary Mac in 2009. This marketing strategy became obvious first in 1998, when the original Bondi Blue iMac was […]

There is a fairly standard routine for product refresh cycles in the auto industry. After a major model upgrade, in which the sheet metal and inner workings are extensively redesigned, the manufacturers take a breather (or start work on the next major revision). Annual updates for the next few years will tend to be incremental. […]

I realize that the iPad 2 remains a huge sellout around the globe. Of course there have been concerns that the earthquake in Japan is disrupting the manufacturing process, because of the impending parts shortages. With most consumer electronics gear these days, parts and assembly equipment are sourced from a number of countries. Japan is […]