In my latest appearance for Ken Mingis’ tech talk show, Mingis on Tech, we discuss Sierra, Siri, and Pokemon!
macOS Sierra: Siri Takes Control
Less than a month after its unveiling at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June, macOS Sierra arrived today for beta testers who have signed up to try Apple’s new desktop operating system. This is the third year in a row Apple has offered a public beta of an upcoming desktop OS. This year the Mac platform gets some significant enhancements, with Sierra …
DJI’s Phantom 4 drone makes high-flying tech easier
In many ways we are living in the future that science fiction has teased for years: An era of self-driving cars, planned space tourism, touch-based pocket computers (which we call smartphones) and flying cameras — better known as drones. And like smartphones, it has taken only a few years for drones to drop from “extremely pricey niche device” to “expensive …
5 things to consider before you buy a new MacBook
Apple’s newly updated MacBook line packs a lot punch in an ultra-thin (and ultra-sexy) case, making it a good choice for people who need the lightest laptop available but prefer a Mac with OS X to an iPad with iOS. That said, the MacBook’s form necessarily dictates some of its function. And with prices that start at $1,289, it overlaps with Apple’s …
Apple Watch, Year One: Good-looking tech, still flawed
When it comes to the Apple Watch, it’s important to know this: Before its arrival last year I was 1) initially skeptical about the whole concept; 2) willing to give it a try as details emerged; and 3) among the first wave of buyers to plunk down $599 and put it on my wrist. I’ve been loving and hating on it ever …
The iPhone SE: a classic design with modern hardware
I’ve learned in recent years that — when it comes to laptops, smartphones and tablets — bigger is better for my personal use and work. So spending time with latest round of Apple devices has been a bit odd, and a little nostalgic. Not long ago, 4-in. iPhones and 9.7-in. iPads were the high-end options in Apple’s mobile lineup. But …
Deep-dive review: For the iPad Pro, smaller is big
I’ve been an iPad user from 2010, when it first shipped; the 9.7-in. screen has been a hallmark of the iPad since it was introduced by then-CEO Steve Jobs. Since then, the screen has undergone numerous revisions and improvements, most notably, adopting the Retina display technology that first appeared on the iPhone. This latest model not only gets many of the …
Why I don’t subscribe to Apple Music
When Apple Music was released as part of an upgrade to iOS in June 2015, it marked Apple’s first foray into the streaming music business. Armed with a library of more than 30 million songs, a 24-hour radio station and a potential built-in audience of hundreds of millions of iPhone owners and Beats customers, Apple’s music initiative seemed like a sure …
Apple delivers a ‘significant’ update with iOS 9.3
iOS 9, the mobile OS that powers Apple’s iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, got a significant update Monday (when Apple also unveiled a new 4-in. iPhone and a 9.7-in. iPad Pro) with the arrival of iOS 9.3. The updated OS introduces several new features, including new 3D Touch shortcuts for existing system apps, Wi-Fi call support for Verizon customers, the ability to encrypt …
My Guest Appearance on Mingis on Tech
In this “cars n’ copters” edition of Mingis on Tech, Executive News Editor Ken Mingis sits down to talk drones with Contributing Writer Michael deAgonia and Detroit with Senior Writer Lucas Mearian. Drones are hot, hot, hot right now — witness the more than 181,000 units that have been registered with the FAA. Computerworld‘s resident drone reviewerdeAgonia explains why, covering the finer points …