I think people are over analyzing this. I don't think AT&T's announcement was meant to hurt Apple. They have a secured business partnership and why would they announce something that would impact revenue streams? That would be mistake and doesn't make good business sense. I think it was unintentional on AT&T and most likely they just wanted to give people a glimpse of things to come. Yes, 3G exists in other telcos, but you have to remember AT&T is a big company that consists of one baby bell consuming all the others including Ma bell itself. I worked at a telco once and all I can say is things get deployed in a slow paced. Product rollout can take months, if not, years. Plus, business can really slow when you are trying to integrate a bunch of telcos together to make them appear as a single entity.
I have a PPC based Mac mini with an Apple bluetooth keyboard. This thing works flawlessly! I also have a USB based Microsoft wireless laser mouse 6000 which works great. The only time I ever get a "Lost connection" is when I need to replace batteries for my wireless keyboard and/or mouse.
Having said that, I have a Mac Book Pro which I bought a nice Microsoft Presenter Mouse 8000. I am, however, seeing intermittent problems with it, but I'm not sure it is a hardware problem. Also, I don't really know how Bluetooth works or the time to debug this. The thing I see is my Bluetooth mouse just loses connection after a few minutes of inactivity... The way I get around this is to just keep moving the mouse around until my laptop responds to it. It usually takes a few seconds and sometimes I have to do something more drastic by turning the switch off on the mouse and turning it back on before the Mac recognize the device.
A couple things I need to point out here: First, the Microsoft Presenter Mouse is a hybrid mouse which also has presenter buttons and a laser pointer (currently supported on Windows and not supported on the Mac). Typically, Microsoft supplies their own mouse drivers, but this one did not have drivers for OS X so I'm using the generic mouse driver. This could be part of the problem...
Second, my mouse came with a USB bluetooth dongle, but I was able to use the built-in Apple Bluetooth by successfully pairing it. This required pressing and holding the reset button on the mouse for a few seconds until it was in discovery mode. I then went in the System Preference's bluetooth utility to add the mouse device. I did not want to have to carry the dongle around with me. In fact, I seem to have lost that dongle piece...
Third, I had found the pairing instruction for the Mac and my Microsoft mouse by doing a search on the net. So, this is really something unofficial and neither Microsoft nor Apple suggested. The only way I can prove this is a hardware problem is to go buy another mouse, preferably an Apple brand mighty mouse which one would hope have better software support. Considering I spent $100 for this mouse, I'm less inclined to pay for another mouse.
One thing I read on the subject threads is that users are having problems putting their Macs to sleep. I must say I do not have this problem. My Mac goes to sleep without problems. It wakes up when I move the mouse or press a key. However, the mouse only stays connected for a few seconds (3-5 secs) and then loses connection again. I then have to keep moving the mouse until the Mac responds to it or I toggle the switch. The workaround is a bit annoying...
Again, I can't conclude what I'm seeing is a hardware problem. It could be an issue with the software stack or the driver mishandling an event. I'm hoping the latter since it is easier to fix.
If there is anyone with similar hardware and have a better user experience, please share it with the rest of us.;-)
Well, Microsoft may see a boost in sales of Vista initially. One thing that Microsoft might be afraid of is losing their user base in the long run. Most switchers that switched from Windows to OS X are happy with the transition. If we can take this to be the general user experience with switching to Macs, then Microsoft will lose their user base over time. I ran XP for years on the desktop although I do most of my work under Unix, but I finally gave it up when Mac built the mini. I've been happy with it ever since and I actually now own a Mac Book Pro.
If the underlying reason is to discourage users from moving to the Mac platform, then it is a pretty sad move for Microsoft. This means they are not able to compete with OS X (at a technical level).
Don't hold your breath... I caved and bought a 1st gen Intel based 15" MBP. I love it except I need the additional buttons for X Windows programming. I am using a MS Presenter 8000 bluetooth mouse. At the moment, I can't get my middle button (paste) to work properly using Chicken of the VNC (COTVNC) on an X session. Anyone out there that can help an old Unix/X Windows guy? Thx.
I remember Eric back in the old days before Red Hat was even a company.
We were the first beta testers for Red Hat Linux. I don't get involve
much, but I still use Red Hat (Fedora, that is). Sure, it's got its
problems, but it is still a pretty nice system.
Jim
Well, it does run on an Intel x86 using Intel's built-in graphics adapter.
It's Unix underneath. Unix basically runs on just about any processors today.
I doubt this is the issue. As already mentioned by others, Apple makes money
selling hardware.
Running OSX on PC hardware would require a lot more verification and interop
testing. It would destabilize Mac OS X. That's why Microsoft has lots of
problems because they have to support every type of hardware under the sun.
C'mon, Apple. I would buy licenses to run OS X on my PC hardware!
I would do that before I buy Vista or another Windows license.
Also, if you could build a laptop with a 15" display that can
do 1920x1200 like a Dell Latitude 820 and add a second mouse
button, I would buy one in a heartbeat.
--
Mac OS X fan
Google is doing something right. Being at the right place, right time
is just part of it. If they manage to sustain their success, then they
are doing something right. Give credit where it's due.
I, too, switched to a Mac mini. I love the little box. Mac switch to Windows? I don't think Jobs would surrender to M$FT. Plus, how does one run Windows with a single button mouse?;-)
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I think people are over analyzing this. I don't think AT&T's announcement was meant to hurt Apple. They have a secured business partnership and why would they announce something that would impact revenue streams? That would be mistake and doesn't make good business sense. I think it was unintentional on AT&T and most likely they just wanted to give people a glimpse of things to come. Yes, 3G exists in other telcos, but you have to remember AT&T is a big company that consists of one baby bell consuming all the others including Ma bell itself. I worked at a telco once and all I can say is things get deployed in a slow paced. Product rollout can take months, if not, years. Plus, business can really slow when you are trying to integrate a bunch of telcos together to make them appear as a single entity.
As a GE shareholder, I want Chief Zucker out.
I have a PPC based Mac mini with an Apple bluetooth keyboard. This thing works flawlessly! I also have a USB based Microsoft wireless laser mouse 6000 which works great. The only time I ever get a "Lost connection" is when I need to replace batteries for my wireless keyboard and/or mouse.
;-)
Having said that, I have a Mac Book Pro which I bought a nice Microsoft Presenter Mouse 8000. I am, however, seeing intermittent problems with it, but I'm not sure it is a hardware problem. Also, I don't really know how Bluetooth works or the time to debug this. The thing I see is my Bluetooth mouse just loses connection after a few minutes of inactivity... The way I get around this is to just keep moving the mouse around until my laptop responds to it. It usually takes a few seconds and sometimes I have to do something more drastic by turning the switch off on the mouse and turning it back on before the Mac recognize the device.
A couple things I need to point out here: First, the Microsoft Presenter Mouse is a hybrid mouse which also has presenter buttons and a laser pointer (currently supported on Windows and not supported on the Mac). Typically, Microsoft supplies their own mouse drivers, but this one did not have drivers for OS X so I'm using the generic mouse driver. This could be part of the problem...
Second, my mouse came with a USB bluetooth dongle, but I was able to use the built-in Apple Bluetooth by successfully pairing it. This required pressing and holding the reset button on the mouse for a few seconds until it was in discovery mode. I then went in the System Preference's bluetooth utility to add the mouse device. I did not want to have to carry the dongle around with me. In fact, I seem to have lost that dongle piece...
Third, I had found the pairing instruction for the Mac and my Microsoft mouse by doing a search on the net. So, this is really something unofficial and neither Microsoft nor Apple suggested. The only way I can prove this is a hardware problem is to go buy another mouse, preferably an Apple brand mighty mouse which one would hope have better software support. Considering I spent $100 for this mouse, I'm less inclined to pay for another mouse.
One thing I read on the subject threads is that users are having problems putting their Macs to sleep. I must say I do not have this problem. My Mac goes to sleep without problems. It wakes up when I move the mouse or press a key. However, the mouse only stays connected for a few seconds (3-5 secs) and then loses connection again. I then have to keep moving the mouse until the Mac responds to it or I toggle the switch. The workaround is a bit annoying...
Again, I can't conclude what I'm seeing is a hardware problem. It could be an issue with the software stack or the driver mishandling an event. I'm hoping the latter since it is easier to fix.
If there is anyone with similar hardware and have a better user experience, please share it with the rest of us.
Forcing one to use Windows is quite a harsh punishment! That'll teach him to pirate movie. HEH
Forget Voltron. Let's see Voltes V which predates Voltron the copycat.
Well, Microsoft may see a boost in sales of Vista initially. One thing that Microsoft might be afraid of is losing their user base in the long run. Most switchers that switched from Windows to OS X are happy with the transition. If we can take this to be the general user experience with switching to Macs, then Microsoft will lose their user base over time. I ran XP for years on the desktop although I do most of my work under Unix, but I finally gave it up when Mac built the mini. I've been happy with it ever since and I actually now own a Mac Book Pro. If the underlying reason is to discourage users from moving to the Mac platform, then it is a pretty sad move for Microsoft. This means they are not able to compete with OS X (at a technical level).
Don't hold your breath... I caved and bought a 1st gen Intel based 15" MBP. I love it except I need the additional buttons for X Windows programming. I am using a MS Presenter 8000 bluetooth mouse. At the moment, I can't get my middle button (paste) to work properly using Chicken of the VNC (COTVNC) on an X session. Anyone out there that can help an old Unix/X Windows guy? Thx.
I remember Eric back in the old days before Red Hat was even a company. We were the first beta testers for Red Hat Linux. I don't get involve much, but I still use Red Hat (Fedora, that is). Sure, it's got its problems, but it is still a pretty nice system. Jim
Well, it does run on an Intel x86 using Intel's built-in graphics adapter. It's Unix underneath. Unix basically runs on just about any processors today. I doubt this is the issue. As already mentioned by others, Apple makes money selling hardware. Running OSX on PC hardware would require a lot more verification and interop testing. It would destabilize Mac OS X. That's why Microsoft has lots of problems because they have to support every type of hardware under the sun.
C'mon, Apple. I would buy licenses to run OS X on my PC hardware! I would do that before I buy Vista or another Windows license. Also, if you could build a laptop with a 15" display that can do 1920x1200 like a Dell Latitude 820 and add a second mouse button, I would buy one in a heartbeat. -- Mac OS X fan
Google is doing something right. Being at the right place, right time is just part of it. If they manage to sustain their success, then they are doing something right. Give credit where it's due.
Anyone here have experience with VNC client such as Chicken of the VNC on a MB or MBP? How does cut & paste work with a single mouse button?
You probably need a faster machine or faster graphics card.
And, you might make a guest appearance on Dateline NBC!
I tried it and also think it is pretty good. The only thing is I lose about 20% of the screen on the right margin for the Ad column.
Barney is nothing but a big rip off of the Flintstones. After all, Fred's best friend was Barney and that purple lizard is nothing but a bloated Dino.
MPEG-4 and VDSL will make it possible.
I, too, switched to a Mac mini. I love the little box. ;-)
Mac switch to Windows? I don't think Jobs would
surrender to M$FT. Plus, how does one run Windows with
a single button mouse?