Apple doesnt fall far from the Geek

So about 2 weeks ago Apple dropped the price on many new Macbook pro 13inches with the more vivid retina display found in the popular iphone/ipad simply because they were not selling.

Now my speculation is that now the good folks over at Apple inc are gaining market share in computers on Windows (roughly 90%:5%) they are expanding outside of the cultlike following they have amassed into customers more concerned with value over associated prestige that comes with ownership. While Apple computers are great machines, from a Value standpoint they really dont satisfy as much as the pricetag would lead you to believe. Hell next time you see a Mac fanatic ask them why they want(ed) one and most will typically say "Macs cant get viruses." (which is false by the way).

Customers now are cinching their belts and when going to buy a $1600 Mac vs an equivalent PC to suit/exceed their needs is a third of the cost they are left asking.. What am i getting extra? Is it truly worth 3 of my computers? Cant i get a PC, with virus protection and hardware warranty but still have plenty leftover for Microsoft Office, and accessories im gonna need? Wheres the Value?

Im no psychic, but i foresee more attempts at Apple making less expensive hardware because to be honest, they will not be able to compete amongst the plethora of similar devices on the market that are making leaps and bounds technologically while Apple gives you lackluster innovation such as SIRI the cyber friend.

Roll wit the tide or get rolled over Apple, maybe you should step back into your comfort zone and not play wit the big kids.

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Must Have Apps: Shop Savvy - Scan & Save Cash

 

 

My first step into Extreme Couponing (because I'm not about that Clip n Save Life) is Shop Savvy. At first glance its a simple Barcode scanning app that will allow you to use your phones camera and internet connection to find the price of random items further making associates in the workplace expendable (which is kinda scary in the long run) but it goes a step further to actually check all local and internet prices of that same UPC so that you can genuinely see if you are getting the best available price on a Product.

Now of course when checking the local prices keep in mind these are not guaranteed and are based off other peoples scans and editing of Pricing data so the app will not count as price verification. Also before dashing out to drive 5 miles down the road to save 20cents check to see if the store you're in has a Price Match Guarantee so you won't have to bother (You will still need to find it on the company website to verify). If the item you are seeking is something you don't need immediately and you are trying to save a few bucks the Online sites are almost always cheaper but they do also need to be shipped and that cost is not included in the scan. So Happy Shopping Folks, Go save some Cash.

 

 

The App even goes further to give you exclusive online and local deals on Products along with Reviews on Products you have scanned so that you can make informed decisions.

 

                                                          

 

For some reason the Android App seems to get more Local results than the free Apple one, but for $1.99 you can upgrade to the Premium version which I’m sure is more functional. Evil Geniuses, smh.

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Must Have Apps: Lookout Mobile - Security on the Go

 

 

Viruses, Malicious Apps, Phone Missing, Photos/Contacts Lost... Do you want to be able to avoid these issues? Believe it or not you can do this for FREE on Blackberry, Android, Windows and is even available for Beta testing on Apple's iOs system.

 

With built in Anti-Virus this program will automatically scan your phone, SD Card and newly download Apps to ensure no malicious codes are waiting to infect your phone or worse, lay dormant until you hook it up to your computer and transfer it to infect your entire PC.

 

 

 

Each Lookout Mobile account also comes with free backup of your contacts and photos (multiple devices can be set on each account) so that in the event your phone is reset you can easily restore your information with minimal loss of data.

 

 

If your device ever goes missing this software is extremely useful. I've dubbed it the "Beat Yo A$$ App" because using Google Maps it sends a Email (text message if compatible) to your device and locates your device within 300 meters (30ft if device equipped with GPS) showing you where it is via the website. So if someone's sticky fingers have lifted it but won't come clean simply locate the device and send a message to it to Let off a Siren until you unlock your phone and shut it off or the battery is pulled, regardless if its on silent/vibrate or not. That way, you can lace up your timbs and Beat some... I mean alert the authorities and get your device back using Proper, legal, non-violent methods.

 

Lookout Mobile is a relatively small and extremely battery conscious as it claims to use as much energy as a 33 second phone call daily. I can definitely attest to this because upon adding it to both my DroidX and Blackberry Curve & Bold there have been absolutely no performance issues in Processor, memory or Battery and it runs 24hrs a day.

A Premium version is available for $3 a month that will add the functionality to scan websites you view in real-time for potential security breaches, give you diagnostic information about the apps currently on your device to see what they are doing behind the scenes (similar to Superbox) and allow you to transfer your pics and contacts to a new phone wirelessly if you've upgraded or switched regardless of device or carrier from and to.

Over 10 Million, yes diamond status, users have downloaded this and given it a 4.5 out of 5 star rating and it has yet to fail me. So get you a copy here http://m.MyLookout.com

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Must Have Apps: Ping.fm - Multi Social Network Posting

 

Tired of maintaining multiple Social Networks? Having to remember all passwords and log in individually to post the link to promote your Blogs, music or event? Save the Hassle.

For those of you who have never Heard of Ping.fm, it’s a Site that makes Social Networking SO MUCH EASIER by allowing you to connect all your Accounts and Blogs to one location so that you can post to any one individually or all simultaneously by sending one message, it even allows you to automatically share the newest article you wrote on popular free blogsite such as Blogger, Wordpress & Tumblr utilizing the very same Feed links already employed by them and many popular Reader Browser Plugins. oh and best of all… its FREE.

I’ve been using this a while now and the fact that it works on every possible mobile device, site, instant messenger, bird call (okay I’m trippin’ but you get the point) with either a Text message, email or mobile web form makes it great for non smart phone users and the availability for Apps in every smartphone arena from Apple, Android and Blackberry, all the way down to Symbian (Nokia), PalmOS, Windows Mobile and even the Sidekick makes it super functional. You cant beat an app that makes it simple to share your thoughts to your friends family and fans without the need to actually spend any extra time at all.

Personally I use BlackPing on my Blackberry device because it allows me to Post to all my sites or even just one of my choosing which helps me keep my Twitter Followers and Facebook friends up to date on my latest articles, Music and Poetry since I am barely on Facebook anymore. Wherever I have a following or connection, they are able to see my work whenever I post. There are tons of them that work on All Mobile phones, computers and Browser Extensions as well available here, but Which App do you use and why?

 

Check out all the Networks you can Simultaneously Post to using Ping.fm

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Whats The Difference: Apple/Android/Blackberry

 

 

Yup, the infamous Phone Wars. Through the various defamation and praise from many who have no idea what they are talking about, I've decided to research and write the empirical differences between the three for those looking to see which is a best fit for them.

 

	Apple	Android	Blackberry
Carrier	AT&T Verizon	AT&T Verizon Sprint/Virgin Mobile T-Mobile MetroPCS	AT&T Verizon Sprint/Virgin Mobile T-Mobile MetroPCS
Variety	8, 16, or 32GB Storage Single Design, Storage cannot be upgraded.	8, 16GB Storage Every major & many foreign manufactures, nearly all with Micro SD slot allowing up to 32GB Micro SD card.	Up to 1 GB Storage 3 Main designs All with Micro SD card slot for additional Storage up to 32GB
Internet Sharing	USB/Hotspot Tethering	USB/Hotspot Tethering	USB Tethering
Web Browsing	Mobile/Computer Web Some Javascript Does Not Support Flash	Computer Web Full Javascript Full Flash Support	Mobile/Computer Web Full Javascript Does Not Flash Support
Bluetooth	Data Transfer Only Compatible with other Apple Products	Universal	Universal
Battery Life	8+ hrs of Normal Use	LOL	8+ hrs of Normal Use
Security	Virus Free OS OS has been Hacked Managed App Store	Virus Prone OS OS has been Hacked Open Source App Store	Virus Free OS OS Hack Free Managed App Store Security Firewalls Cellular Data Encryption SD card Data Encryption
Software Compatibility	Windows/Microsoft/Mac Contacts/Notes/Storage	Windows/Microsoft/Mac Storage Only	Windows/Microsoft/Mac Contacts/Notes/Storage

 

 

 

  Apple iOS

The Trendy. Apple is a super functional device that aims to be able to do all the new and cutting edge things people are into.

With the Unibody design and allure of status people who see their phone as a status symbol tend to get Apple devices. Apple does also have the most accessories and largest secure App Store out of all companies that are FULLY compatible with all other Apple devices and Products. You will be able to have an entertainment smartphone jam packed with games (single and multiplayer), movies, music, eReaders, and even functional devices like remote controls (for toys, tvs, DVRs, & computers), Wireless Presenters, astronomy tools etc. etc. etc.

Android

The Customizer. Android OS and hardware is literally designed to be "hacked" so people can change it to their own personal focuses.

Because of the processing power and memory card slots you could essentially not need to upgrade to a different phone for a longer period of time and instead evolve software and update to new OS versions yourself via Install packs.  

RIM

The Business Professional. One who is concerned with Security and Productivity instead of Games.

The Lower end Processors as compared to the other Smart Phone titans is optimized for the user who wants full day usage and doesn’t need all the superfluous gaming aspects. All communications via Blackberry are far more secure; Email, Blackberry Messenger (an exclusive data based secure multi media messenger service) than the other companies as they are administered by the Canada based company directly as opposed to the Carrier. Believe it or not Blackberry cell phones are more secure than many peoples personal computers.

 

Simply put, each has their own lane and who their Product is made for varies. Find which one suits your needs best because when it all boils down to it, you have to use it everyday. Don’t worry about the people who boast the most about Phones they have as it equates to self worth because those people are not the best to consult with... about Anything.

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Whats The Difference: Mac vs PC

 

The battle between Good & Evil... (Cue dramatic Music and fog machine). Okay maybe its not that dramatic but Windows and Mac are the most publicized Computer Operating systems that people know about and I want to help the average person understand the main difference between the two products and why there is such a Price difference between them without getting too "Techie" with the Jargon. Hopefully this helps...

 

"Macs Don't Get Viruses"

This is true...-ish. Its not that Macs don't or can't get viruses, its that it is more secure and so few people have them by comparison that it simply doesn't make sense to create them. Think about it like this:

Windows Programming language is like English while Apple language is like Latin. If you wanted to write a sign to send a message to as many people as possible in the quickest way, which would you write it in?

So its not that Apple cannot get viruses, its just that they are so rare that it just isn't yet worth the time and effort to do so.

 

Open Source vs Closed Source

Microsoft Windows, started by Bill Gates, decided he wanted to make his creation a publicly available and development friendly one. This leaves it open to literally BILLIONS of software developers from International Corporations to Geek Lair Supercomputer Builders in their moms basement to make whatever software they deem fit to enhance their experience on it. This, in part, is why Windows is on over 93% of all the computers in the WORLD. This is why far more third party software and devices work so well with PCs and limited, if at all, with Apple computers. On the contrary, since Apple is a closed source all commercial software development has to go through them and therefore has a higher level of compatibility not only with the computer itself, but every other program available for the operating system as well. What this means is that Windows has far more Software available, with far more third party accessories and add-ons while Apple has less, but with a far less likely hood of any of them crashing or being incompatible (like nearly 0%, Literally).

 

Quality

This is one of the most overlooked differences between Mac & PC which boggles the mind because its the most noticeable, Go Figure.

Casing

Computers are typically made from one of 3 things, Cheap Plastic, High Grade Plastic, and Metal. Think of the three like the three pigs houses: Straw, Wood and Brick. PCs make use of all three types in order to help keep prices low for the larger range of consumer while Apple ONLY uses the higher of the two. Matter of fact in the laptops only 1 computer is High Grade plastic, the rest are aluminum.

Screen Type

Currently in displays there are two main technologies, LCD and LED. Many PC devices, Monitors and TVs are now switching to the longer lasting, Lower Power consumption, higher contrast, more accurate color technology (and higher price) of the LED which Apple has been using for years. This is one of the main reasons why many Graphic artists and movie editors choose Apple over PC. The color difference available between LCD & LED is somewhere between approximately 100,000 & 12Million Colors available (for Computer Monitors Only).

Battery Life

In Laptops battery life is a huge concern for those on the go. The technological differences between PC & Mac are different here also, Apple chooses to use a higher costing, longer lasting one. The minimum life on an Apple (Macbook Air) is 5hrs while PC it can be as low as 90minutes. With the Increase in size and price of a typical computer, the power necessary to run it also rises which, pending the same cell size battery, means you will have lower run times. What Apple has done is make this counter intuitive to increase the cell size with price and power necessary which gives the user 8-10hrs of Use (not standby time) on all full Laptops.

Even the way the battery charges varies between the two Computer Titans. A simple plug in for the PC with electricity charging via a prong inside the Laptop while Macs all use a Magnetic Smart charger which eliminates Over charging and degradation of the battery cells. It actually cuts flow of electricity magnetically when battery is full. What this means is not only will the battery last longer per day, it will also not need to be replace every 12-18months like PCs either which saves an additional $100-200 every 2years.

 

 

Still with me? Hopefully I didn't get too Geekish on you and you were able to follow on the main differences between the two and understand the pricing and differences between them. There are more differences of course but that would require far more expertise to understand. But know a few things if you are contemplating going from PC to Mac:

Initial Price:	$199 (Netbook) - $299 (Laptop/Desktop)	$699 (Desktop) - $999 (Laptop)
Annual Upkeep:	$150 (Optimization/Cleaning/Anti-Virus)	$0
Compatibility:	93% of Worlds Computers	5% of Worlds Computers
Average Life:	2-3 years	5-7 years

A PC will cost you less up front, but a Mac will cost you less over time because of lower maintenance, and about $500 worth of included software not including free downloads via the App Store. Its all about what you want to do and how much you can actually afford.

Any Questions? Feel free to write me on Twitter/Facebook/Email if you need free consultation on which operating system you should get (PC/Mac) and the specs you'd need. I also have access to Great pricing on Quality PC repair and Tech Support with 40+ years of experience.

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