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Today more feedback on the Vista speech recognition engine, plans to install VMware Fusion, creating screen casts and of course the Apple iPhone debacle.
After considerable testing of the Vista speech engine, I am more convinced than ever that it is the least expensive tool of choice for those unable to their keyboard or mouse. It’s unfortunate the botched Microsoft demonstrations of this technology have sullied its reputation. We are producing video podcast reviews of iListen, Vista and Naturally Speaking Dragon. The video podcasts will be available on the Windows 2 Apples site, YouTube and Viddler.
In order to produce the video reviews we need to be able to capture activity on our computer screens as we are using the various programs. In the Windows world, I have a number of different programs to choose from but will be using my favorite screen capture program, WebcamMax. Not only does WebcamMax allow me to capture live motion on the screen and take snapshots but it has a very impressive set of special effects and overlays that may be used to enhance your snapshots or videos.
Alison Sheridan of the NosillaCast and Tim Verpoorten of the Mac Review Cast recommended that I try iShowU to record the iListen demo. So far I am impressed with iShowU. Although the program ships without the special effects I’ve grown to love in WebcamMax, it seems to be well suited for creating quality screen captures. Both programs are inexpensive with WebcamMax costing $29 and iShowU $20.
I have ordered VMware’s Fusion and Vista Business edition. Once installed on our Intel iMac we will test the speech recognition and control technology bundled with Vista. Fusion was selected because VMware claims Vista will appear as a file that can be exported to and run from an external FireWire hard drive. I'm not interested in using valuable iMac hard drive real estate to host Vista. Fingers crossed that this slight of hand will work. Hopefully, we will be able to share our experience in the next podcast and blog.
The Macintosh has made computing fun again. This alone is a recommendation to purchase and use the machine, however, as enamored as I may be with my Mac I realize it has its share of Windows like issues supplemented by a few unique to Apple.
Yesterday was an eye opener. In the middle of sending an e-mail, I received a notice from Apple indicating iLife needed to be updated and, as a compliant user, I Okayed the request and watched as apparently every iLife program in the suite was updated with impressively large files. Once the update was completed, Apple surprised me with a prompt to reboot my Macintosh. The reboot was needed to re-flash or update the BIOS. In all the many years I've been using Microsoft-based computers I can’t remember ever having the BIOS re-flashed by Microsoft. I believe once or twice we replaced the BIOS in older machines to allow a larger drives to be added but recall no downloaded changes issued by Microsoft.
I sat back and looked at my shiny white iMac; sucked in a deep breath, crossed my fingers and hoped that once it reawakened all of those little third-party apps I've been adding, would still be on my machine and that my Mac would not turn into an expensive doorstop. Of course, I knew that these were largely unfounded fears but ones that I would never have entertained without the recent publicity over the bricking of hacked iPhones. As my Macintosh reawakened from its brain surgery it squealed sending a chill down my spine. To my great relief all appeared normal on my desktop.
In an earlier podcast, I contrasted Apples method of protecting software to that of Microsoft. Apple’s software is secured by limiting installation of its OS to machines manufactured by Apple, while Microsoft conjures up Machiavellian schemes to lock its software running on systems assembled by everyone and his brother.
I hope the current furor over Apple's very aggressive approach to locking down the iPhone opens the eyes of Apple enthusiasts to the reality that Apple is in fact a business focused on making a healthy profit. The Apple fan base has certainly contributed to its ability to survive and thrive but it seems clear Apple is looking well beyond its base of Apple fanboy and fangirls to grow.
For many years Microsoft has defended itself against claims of operating as a monopoly and I suspect if Apple continues to capture a larger share of the computer market and essentially define the portable media market, it will become the new poster boy for technology monopolies. It seems clear, Apple intends to use its dominant presence in the handheld technology sector to forge ahead with sales showing little remorse for early adopters and fans hurt in the process.
Perhaps we are passing though an age of innocence when companies such as Apple were seen as benevolent benefactors rather than stellar examples of American capitalism. The gloves are off and Apple is now clearly a very aggressive competitor with a penchant for excellence in design as well as dogmatic control over the way its consumers are allowed to use their products.
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