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News & Opinion
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Software
News & Opinion
EFF: iOS Is a 'Crystal Prison' - and OS X Is Headed
Down the Same Road
The Electronic Frontier Foundation's Micah Lee and Peter Eckersley
note that two weeks ago, Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak made a public
call for the company to open its platforms for those who wish to
"tinker, tweak and innovate with their internals."
The EFF supports Wozniak's position say Lee and Eckersley,
acknowledging that while Apple's products have many virtues, they are
increasingly compromised by "an ugly set of restrictions on what users
and programmers can do with them" the phenomenon that has come to be
popularly known as Apple's "walled garden." They observe that as yet,
this is most especially true of the mobile iOS platform, although other
Apple products are increasingly beginning to suffer in the same
way.
In their analysis, Lee and Eckersley delve into the kinds of
restrictions that Apple, phone companies, and Microsoft have been
imposing on mobile computers; examine the rationalization these
corporate entities make for imposing such restrictions; and warn of the
dangers this is creating for open innovation with a special emphasis on
Apple in particular which they contend should lead the way in fixing
this mess. They also propose a bill of rights that needs to be secured
for users of smartphones and other pocket computers.
Link: Apple's Crystal
Prison and the Future of Open Platforms
EFF Wants to Save Apple Users from the Tyranny of
Excellence
In response to EFF's tirade, Mac Observer's Bryan Chaffin
writes:
"I love the EFF. They are a force for good and have been
instrumental in protecting and extending all manner of freedoms in the
digital age. More importantly, they have helped to keep a number of
truly awful things from happening over the years.
"It's just in this case, I don't want the world for which they are
agitating.
"It's the whole widget
model, where one company - Apple - controls the hardware and the
software. That model is directly opposed to the paradigm that has ruled
computerdom since Microsoft won the platform wars in the 1980s...."
"...the EFF wants Apple to basically make iOS into something far
more similar to Android than the iOS platform we know today."
"The EFF is calling these four bullet points a 'bill of rights for
mobile computing owners,' and it wants those rights to extend to all
devices, not just Apple."
"Apple protects my data, Apple kept the carriers from restricting
features on my iPhone, and Apple curates its App Store to keep it free
of scams and malware.
"In short, Apple has chosen to earn its profits by catering to my
wants, rather than the wants of everyone else. It's not perfect, far
from it, but it does so more than any other tech company out there.
"Yes, Apple has also needlessly censored political (and not-at-all
political) apps, keeps adult material off the App Store, and has made
some peculiarly arbitrary App Store rejections. Apple has also kicked a
lot of third party purchasing ability out of App Store apps, and made
some other decisions I don't necessarily agree with.
"But, and this is my central point, I prefer the overall experience
that Apple offers. I like having a one-stop app shopping destination. I
love the fact that I don't even have to think about malware in the App
Store. I love having a seamless experience for my apps, for my ebooks
(even Kindle ebooks), for my music (even music ripped from CDs). I love
my seamless contact syncing, and Apple's visual voicemail, and more
recently, iMessage."
"It's somewhat ironic: by advocating for a totally open iOS
platform, the EFF is wanting to take away my ability to choose the
experience I want."
Publisher's note: What Bryan said! While there's something very fair
and democratic about open source software and user rights, there's much
to be said in favor of Apple's integrated model for Macs and iDevices
where everything "just works". That's why I'll take my 5-to-10-year-old
Macs and iPhone 3GS over Windows, Linux, Android, and even Apple's own
OS X 10.7 Lion,
which "just works" too differently from what I'm used to and won't run
several of my legacy apps. dk
Link:
EFF Wants to Save Apple Users from the Tyranny of Excellence
Sandboxing Is a Lose-Lose-Lose Situation for Apple,
Developers, and Users
Macworld UK's Karen Haslam reports that the implementation of
sandboxing on the Mac App Store looks like it's shaping up to cause big
headaches for the Mac developer community, but perhaps even more
importantly, it may disadvantage users. Sandboxing limits an
application's access to a computer's resources, confining it to its own
dedicated space.
Haslam cites several software developers explaining how this Apple
edict is likely to frustrate, complicate life for, and diminish
productivity of Mac users, making removal of features from upgrades to
existing apps necessary for compliance - and concerned that they will
become targets of the ire of angry customers rightly upset about losing
features. One describes it as "a lose-lose-lose situation for Apple,
developers, and users."
Link: Sandboxing Will
'Disadvantage Mac Users,' Say Developers
Developers May Abandon Apple's Mac App Store Over
Sandboxing Issues
Macworld UK's Karen Haslam takes a look at concerns and frustrations
relating to Apple's insistence that applications distributed via the
Mac App Store are sandboxed, how these changes will 'disadvantage Mac
users' according to developers, and what developers are doing to meet
Apple's sandboxing requirements, noting that rather than update their
apps, some developers are considering removing them from the Mac App
Store altogether, while others have decided to maintain more than one
version of their app, and some are refusing to do anything because
Apple keeps changing the guidelines for sandboxing and they don't want
to waste development time on making changes that may become
unnecessary.
Link: Developers May
Ditch Mac App Store Over Sandboxing Issues
Stay Safe Amid the Growing Threat of Mac
Malware
AppStorm's Adam Williams notes that recently the tech world has been
abuzz with news of Mac malware threats, the reports given weight by the
emergence of a newer and more sophisticated version of the Trojan horse
Flashback known as Flashback.K, the latest iteration of the malware
that has been grabbing headlines since mid-2011, which makes use of a
known Java security vulnerability to launch malicious code and
potentially record users personal data.
He notes that as OS X market share continues to rise, security is
becoming an area of concern for more users, and there's a perception
building that Macs have lost their previous status as secure computers,
with some analysts even going so far as to say that were about to enter
an era of cat-and-mouse games between Apple and malware makers. So, is
the sky falling or is this all a lot of hot air?
Publisher's note: The IT world defines security differently
than most of the world. An operating system is insecure if it has
vulnerabilities, whether any malware exploits those vulnerabilities or
not. In the real world, a system is secure until malware exists to
exploit those vulnerabilities. Macs have always had security holes, but
whether in the days of the Classic Mac OS or the era of Mac OS X,
they have rarely been targeted by malware in the wild. Not to say that
we shouldn't be concerned about security just because we use Macs, but
that until this past year there has been little reason to be concerned.
Today we recommend that you look into freeware antivirus apps such as
ClamXav,
Sophos Antivirus for Mac, iAntivirus, Avira Free Mac
Security, and Avast! Free Antivirus for
Mac (we have not tested most of these, but they all come from
reputable sources). Avoid apps that specifically target Flashback; use
something that targets the full spectrum of Mac malware. dk
Link: Staying Safe Amid
the Increasing Threat of Mac Malware
'We Want a New Mac Pro' Petition Posted on
Facebook
Lou Borella and the Creative Community have posted a petition on
Facebook imploring Apple to upgrade the Mac Pro. An accompanying open
letter reads in part:
"Hello Apple. Remember me? I'm one of your loyal users. I'm one of
the guys who has owned 2 MacPros (sic), a G5, a G4, 4 laptops,
one iMac, 4 iPods, one MacMini (sic), 4 iPhones and a bevy of
other peripherals and software packages over the last 10 years.
"I'm looking for a little clarity.
'We Want a New Macpro' petition on Facebook.
"Can you please let me and the other people on in (sic) this
group know what is going on with the MacPro (sic)? Its
(sic) been neglected for far too long. We realize all the
success of the iPad and iPhone and we're really happy with our new
toys. But unfortunately many of us need to make decisions on hardware
for professional uses that allow us to make a living....
"Please, either set us free and tell us that the hardware is dead or
give us a little peak behind the curtain. Its (sic) not too much
to ask. We cannot wait any longer and its really not fair to string us
along like this."
Publisher's note: I'm sure Apple would take Borella more seriously
if he wrote more professionally. Apple calls it a "Mac Pro" (not a
MacPro or Macpro) and a "Mac mini" (not a MacMini). "Its" is a
possessive, "it's" means "it is" - and so on. It's hard to take someone
seriously who can't write properly, something we really strive to do
here at Low End Mac. dk
Link: We Want a New Macpro
Dropbox Alternatives for PowerPC Macs
PPC Luddite blogger Dan says that since file syncing is what all the
kids are into these days, he thought he'd do a rundown on all the
choices we PowerPC users have. It's not just Dropbox, right? There must be more?
For OS X 10.5 Leopard users,
yes: SugarSync, SpiderOak, and Wuala still support PowerPC, in addition
to Dropbox. However, for OS X 10.4
Tiger users, there are only Dropbox and Wuala, and Wuala's web
interface requires the Java plugin, which is a drawback in these times
of Java-based malware.
Publisher's note: Dropbox is a very Mac-like "it just works"
solutions that most of our staff has embraced. We use it at LEM
headquarters to sync files among three different Macs - a Power Mac G4
running Tiger, another running Leopard, and a Mac mini running OS X
10.6 Snow Leopard. For more on why we love Dropbox, see Charles Moore's
Why Dropbox Remains My Pick of the
Cloud Services Litter on AppleTell.
Link: File Syncing on
PowerPC
Steve Jobs' AllThingsD Interviews Available for
Free Download
Following the D10 interview with current Apple CEO Tim Cook on
Tuesday, AllThingsD has made its collection of Steve Jobs interviews,
entitled "Steve Jobs at the D: All Things Digital Conference,"
available as a free download in the iTunes Store.
Steve Jobs at the D: All Things Digital Conference is available on the
iTunes.
There's lots of Steve Jobs video, primarily from his famous keynote
introductions of Apple products over the years, as well as his
oft-quoted Stanford commencement address. However the largest trove of
video is of the late Mr. Jobs candidly answering unrehearsed questions
and explaining his views on technology and business drawn from from his
six lengthy appearances at the D: All Things Digital Conference, from
2003 to 2010.
As a memorial to a great man, and, in the spirit of sharing a
priceless piece of history, All Things Digital are making all six of
these appearances available free, in high quality, thanking Apple for
its cooperation in making these videos available for all.
- Steve Jobs in 2003, at the first D: All Things Digital Conference.
After starting NEXT and Pixar, Steve Jobs was back at an Apple in
decline. 5/28/03
- Steve Jobs in 2004, at D2. Success with iTunes and a fledgeling
iPod business were among the topics of conversation. 6/7/04
- Steve Jobs in 2005, at D3. Steve Jobs talks about mobile devices
and their future in peoples pockets. 5/22/05
- Steve Jobs in 2007, at D5. Steve Jobs, the first iPhone, and the
new Apple. 5/30/07
- Steve Jobs and Bill Gates Together in 2007, at D5. The historic,
candid conversation with Steve Jobs and his lifelong rival, Bill Gates.
5/30/07
- Steve Jobs in 2010, at D8. Steve Jobs' final appearance on the D
stage, talking iPad and the future. 6/1/10
- Steve Jobs' Legacy - Reflections from AllThingsD - Articles and
essays from Walt Mossberg and Ina Fried of AllThingsD, including
Mossberg's, The Steve Jobs I Knew. 5/30/12
Link: Steve Jobs at the
D: All Things Digital Conference (Video)
Products & Services
Logitech's New Solar Keyboard for Mac, iPad, and
iPhone
PR: Logitech has announced an expansion of its solar powered
keyboard lines with the new Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K760 for
Mac, iPad or iPhone. A continuation of Logitech's solar series, which
started with the Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 and has
continued with the Logitech Solar Keyboard Folio for iPad, this new
keyboard adds Bluetooth connectivity with an easy-switching capability.
It allows you to simultaneously pair multiple devices and quickly
switch among them with the push of a button.
"Laptops, smartphones and tablets are ubiquitous both at work and at
play," says Denis Pavillard, vice president of experience design at
Logitech. "Because Apple devices are central to this trend, Logitech is
committed to improving the way people interact with them. With its
simple solar charging, familiar Mac layout and comfortable design, the
Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K760 will appeal to Apple users
worldwide."
One Keyboard for All Your Apple Devices
Logitech Brand Manager Todd Walker says that when the company
released the Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 for the Mac last
fall, some customers let them know they wanted a solar keyboard that
used a Bluetooth wireless connection. 
Logitech listened, and with
the new Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K760, up to three
different devices can be kept paired via the easy-switching Bluetooth
connection that allows you to quickly and easily switch from your Mac
to your iPad with the press of a button. Switching back is just as
easy.
The Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K760 is stylish and compact
with onboard cells that are powered by light for hassle-free charging.
With its easy-switching Bluetooth connection, you can pair your
keyboard to as many as three devices and switch among them without
having to reconnect. This means you can move from typing on your Mac to
your iPad to your iPhone and back again with the simple push of a
button.
An ideal keyboard solution for your favorite Apple device, the
Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K760 features a slim, minimalist
design and Mac-specific keys, including Command, Brightness, Eject and
more. 
The unique Logitech concave key design facilitates
comfortable, quiet typing, and for iDevice users offers more speed and
precision than typing on an onscreen keyboard.
With its environmentally friendly PVC-free construction, fully
recyclable box and onboard cells for charging, the Logitech Wireless
Solar Keyboard K760 is designed to minimize its environmental
footprint. Similar to the existing Logitech Solar Keyboards, you can
charge this keyboard in any light low light or lamp light, indoors or
outdoors. Fully powered, the keyboard works for at least three months,
even in total darkness (based on average use per day of eight
hours).
The Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K760 is expected to be
available in the US and Europe beginning in June 2012, for a suggested
retail price of $79.99.
System Requirements
- Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) or later (Intel only)
- iPad or iPhone with iOS 4.0 or later
- Light source from sunlight and/or indoor lighting
- Internet connection (for software download)
Editor's note: I have been using a Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard
K750 as my main workstation keyboard for the past 10 months and can't
say enough good about it (see
my review on PBCentral). This new 'board makes the concept more
portable with Bluetooth connectivity instead of conventional RF so it
can be used with iOS devices. cm
Logitech K760 with a more traditional Mac layout.
Publisher's note: The layout of the K760 that we've seen on most
websites (including Logitech's) has an oddly shaped Return key further
to the right than Mac users are used to (a problem with the original IBM PC
keyboard as well, but that was way back in 1981). We've seen
another layout online as well (above), most notably
on Cnet.com, that more closely mirrors the traditional Mac layout.
We're hoping that's the one that's going to ship.
Link: Logitech Wireless
Solar Keyboard K760 (keyboards on Logitech
store, not yet listed at Amazon.com)
Software
FreeMemory Frees Up OS X Memory
PR: Rocky Sand Studio's FreeMemory can increase your free
memory with a simple click and monitors memory usage in your menu
bar.
If you're using OS X 10.7
Lion, you can upgrade FreeMemory by adding FreeMemory Extras.* It
will improve the app with show/hide dock icon, customizable menu bar,
detachable 3D pie chart and more useful features. You can hide the dock
icon with a simple click in Extras Settings. FreeMemory will only show
up in your menu bar. Usage details with an elegant detachable 3D pie
chart
The Extras Settings will enable you to shape your FreeMemory menu
bar the way you like it. You can free up precious space in your menu
bar by only displaying an icon, a small scale 2D pie chart, a shortened
text, or even nothing at all. On the other hand, if you prefer you can
display fully detailed information about your current memory usage.
Smart Auto Free Mode
Turn on Smart Auto Free mode from the Extras Settings window to
activate Free Memory automatically when the amount of your free memory
drops below the warning level you've set. Smart, because its only doing
its job when necessary.
Developer mode enables you to use purge command to free up memory,
instead of FreeMemory's own algorithm. You must have purge installed to
be able to use this feature, which is the part of Xcode Developer
Tool.
The customizable warning level warning level tells FreeMemory when
to turn the menu bar text or icon red. This level will also trigger an
automatic memory cleaning, when Smart Auto Free mode is turned on.
Extras Settings makes it easy to set the update frequency of the
memory usage level inspection. You can save CPU usage by setting the
interval higher, or you can have a precise monitoring tool by using a
short interval.
The in-app purchase for Extras in FreeMemory is unfortunately only
working for OS X Lion (it is Apple's restriction), so there is no way
to purchase the Extras on OS X
10.6 Snow Leopard.*
Get All the Extras with FreeMemory Pro
FreeMemory Pro includes all the functionalities that are implemented
in Extras. As it is a solo app without in-app purchase, it can be
purchased for OS X 10.6 as well.
These are the steps to remove the dock icon:
- Quit the app.
- Type in the terminal: defaults write com.rockysandstudio.FreeMemory
showInDock NO
System requirements:
- Mac OS X 10.6 or later
- 64-bit Intel processor
Link:
FreeMemory (Extras are a 99¢ in-app purchase)
Link:
FreeMemory Pro (99¢, does not need in-app purchase for
Extras)
MailForge 3.0 Email Client Released
PR: Infinity Data Systems, LLC's Mail Forge is built from the
ground up for Mac OS X and designed to be a power user's email client,
providing users with a host of features not commonly found in other
email programs, such as the ability to edit every facet of received
emails, scheduled sending of email, tabbed or multiwindow interface,
HTML vs. text options, menu navigation of mailboxes, etc.
Harnessing the power of SQLite, MailForge also offers significant
performance advantages, ranging from the ability to have a virtually
unlimited number of emails in a single mailbox, to search capabilities
that offer near instantaneous results. Even routine tasks, such as
moving tens of thousands of emails from one mailbox to another, takes
only seconds.
While MailForge already has a wide range of features, in the coming
weeks and months we will be working hard to continue adding a large
number of significant features and abilities to the program. For those
interested in future development of MailForge, more information can be
found at http://www.infinitydatasystems.com/mailforge/roadmap/
MailForge is available for $19.95 per user, with discounted rates
for volume customers.
MailForge 3 Features
- POP3
- IMAP
- Multiwindow or tabbed interface
- Powerful, fast searching
- Junk mail filtering
- Full UTF-8 support
- View plain or HTML emails
- Send text or formatted emails
- Advanced attachment saving
- Edit all parts of an incoming email
- Easily redirect emails
- Signatures
- Stationery
- Manual filtering
- Scheduled email sending
- Ability to sort by email address
- Import from Eudora
New in version 3.0:
- Major rewrite of the MailForge underpinnings. Speed, stability, and
usability have all been improved.
MailForge 3 is a $9.95 paid upgrade for anyone who purchased prior
to 2012. Lifetime license holders, of course, are exempt from the
upgrade fee. Due to a change in the serial scheme in MailForge 3, we
IDS will be sending out new Lifetime License Serials to the relevant
individuals during the coming week. In the meantime, MailForge 3 is
available as a 30-day trial
System requirements:
- Intel
- Mac OS X 10.4 or later
Link: MailForge
3.0
Desktop Mac
Deals
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For deals on current and discontinued 'Books, see our 13" MacBook and MacBook Pro,
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iPhone, iPod touch, iPod classic, iPod nano, and iPod shuffle deals.
