Just a Thought - PC Stuff That should Be Mac Stuff
by
- December 2nd, 2005Check out Apple! They are sitting high on the highway these days. New iPods, new Macs, new version of OS X, a new niche (small video) to exploit; there seems to be no end to the avalanche of coolness coming out of Cupertino.
Even those of us who are long time Mac fans, who might not get so excited as other over all the new stuff, feel a bit of the energy pulsing from Apple. This is especially true when we hear news like that in a recent report claiming that Mac market share is climbing (finally) and Dell's market share has fallen a bit. We can't break out the champagne just yet; the market share movement has yet been a small one. I won't bother popping a cork until Apple commands a full 6% of the desktop market. But, the Company that Jobs (re)Built is moving in the right direction, and has been for quite some time now, and that give us old time Mac fans reason to smile.
So, more and more people are discovering just how great Macs are, but there is a blemish on all this shiny goodness: PCs still outnumber Macs nearly 100 to 1, and because of that, there are still far more accessories available for the PC than there is for the Mac, and I gotta tell ya, sometimes that really sucks.
Not that I would want every electronic bauble that's PC compatible; there is much crap out there, but I would like some of the more interesting items available only for PC to make a Mac debut.
Here's a short list of cool stuff that, in my ever-so-humble opinion, really should be available on Macs:
Digital Pen? Just what, in the name of Gutenberg, is a digital pen?
The concept behind Logitech's ultra-slick io2 Digital Pen is deceptively simple: Create a pen that remembers what you've written. When you dock the pen to a computer, the pen will then download what you've written. The computer can be made to put the information in appropriate places; names, addresses and phone numbers in an address book, lists in a todo application, appointments in the calendar application, and so on. The computer can even transcribe handwritten text into type.
With such a pen, the user would have the ultimate interface between himself and his computer, and may find that there is less need to lug a laptop around.
In reality, however, nothing is ever as simple as it should be (just take a look at our current income tax system), but the io2 Digital Pen System makes a great run at being both simple to use and useful.
The io2 Pen System lets you work while you are away from your computer, yet helps you integrate that work back into your computing environment. The pen keeps track of what you've written using a system of special paper and key words so that the pen recognizes what it should be remembering; Notebooks, memo pads, sticky notes, checks, and labels are all available.
Match the io2 Digital Pen technology with Apple's Inkwell software, and Logitech might have a real winner on its hands.
I have to admit, whenever I think of the possibilities of this pen on the Mac platform I get all goose-pimply, and I get a twinge of envy for those PC using lucky ducks who are using the io2 Pen.
I see io2 Pen as an adjunct to cellphones with PDA functions; the pen could be used as an input device, allowing you more freedom to enter data however you want, and not be restricted to tiny screens and cryptic pen strokes.
Singing the Digital Blues
There are few things that can match the wonder on a child's face as he, or she discovers the world of the microscope. Seeing common objects up close puts the world into new perspectives, opening up the imagination, and new avenues of thought. Besides all of that, a microscope is just plain fun. How else can you get a 5 year old to sit still for an hour with little more than a drop of pond water?
The folks over at Digital Blue understand how fascinating a microscope can be for kids, and they've developed a scope just for them. The QX5 plugs into a computer via the USB port, and, with the included software, allows the user to examine microscopic objects from the computers screen. The kids can take pictures and movies of their magnified discoveries to be shared with others.
I don't believe there is a more perfect Mac accessory for kids, or anyone interested in the microscopic world. Using iPhoto or iMovie with pictures and movies generated from the QX5 would be a breeze.
For those wanting a microscope with an adult theme and more options, the MiScope, from Zarbeco, LLC, might be right up your alley. The MiScope can be bought with a nice list of lighting options so you can view the object of interest in infrared, or ultra-violet, which can cause certain materials to glow. Just as with the QX5, the MiScope is not Mac compatible.
Fortunately, there is miXscope, from EdH Software, that allows you to use the QX5 or MiScope on Macs running OS X. Still, there is no direct Mac support from either company, and that's a shame.
Back to Digital Blue for a moment: These folks really do have it going on. Like Apple has done with technology for the common Joe or Jill, Digital Blue is making technology accessible for the average kid. Check out their other products: A helmet mounted camera for the action-lovers in your brood, digital camcorders with microphones to inspire budding Tom Brokaws or Oprah Winfreys, sound looping stations for those pint sized DJs, and a sound and picture recorder with software that lets young special FX artists perfect their craft. All are very cool and are available for use only with a PC.
Leggo My Lego!
While we're on the subject of cool educational gadgets, there are few things cooler than Lego's Mindstorm Robotic Systems. These are not just some pieces of plastic with electronics and motors in them, well, OK, they are pieces of plastic with electronics and motors in them, but that's what make them so cool.
Create an endless variety of robots that can move, sense its environment, and react accordingly, and it all can be programmed from a computer. Unfortunately, that computer can't be a Mac.
Well, that's not entirely true; just as with the QX5 Microscope, you can find after-market software that will help you work with your Mindstorm system on your Mac, but much of it has not been updated in a while. This is a real shame since the Mindstorm system is geared towards education, and Apple has staged a comeback in the education market.
Berry Berry Good
Of course, there's the quintessential cell for the adult who does not want everything in a cellphone; of course, I'm referring to RIM's Blackberry 7100 Series cellphones. Even with all of the ruckus surrounding RIM these days, the Blackberry 7100 series phones should still be on your list of must-have devices.
These little jewels have everything going for them; they are small, good looking, work great, does nearly everything under the sun, and have no direct Mac support.
The nice folks at PocketMac have created software that will allow you to do some syncing between your Blackberry and your Mac, but email syncing is not included, which is an absolute bummer.
Check out my review of the Blackberry 7100g in my Just a Peek column for more information on using this device with a Mac.
There are other bits of technical coolness available, some of it caters to exclusive audiences, like digitized doctor office systems which keep patient records, including x-rays, and other graphical information, in computer databases, or interfaces to scientific lab equipment, so that lab experiments are controlled and data recorded automagically.
As we sit back and watch the popularity of Macs grow one can only hope that vendors of cool accessories take another look at Apple's computing platform and decide that there is a market large enough to bring their devices to.
As for me, I just hope Logitech realizes how great the io2 Pen would be on the Mac. To me, it's a match made in heaven, even if they are strangers here on Earth.
is a writer who currently lives in Orlando, FL. He's been a Mac fan since Atari Computers folded, but has worked with computers of nearly every type for 20 years.
You can send your comments directly to me, or you can also post your comments below.
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Observer Comments
Not everything is available for the Mac, and this article points to just a few examples. It's easy to get smug about how Macs are virus and spyware free, but the fact is it's also free of a lot of cool things that you can use with Windows. I've been looking for a microscope, and I'm irked by having to pay extra for software which may not even have all the features of the free Windows software. We've got a long way to go, baby.
Sat Dec 03, 2005 5:22 am Subject: Third Party Drivers
I'd love to see ATI make Mac versions of the All-in-Wonder card, which combines a Radeon graphics engine and a television tuner. One for all the old PCI Power Macs and one or two for AGP slots.
I'd love to see Apple add support for camera phones in iPhoto. Please.
Dan Knight, Low End Mac
Sat Dec 03, 2005 8:25 am Subject: Mac Microscope
This just in:
Digital Blue is tapping the surge in popularity for Apple Computer products with its new Computer microscope for the Mac platform. It’s the newest in a line of innovative microscopes, including the award winning QX5™ for PC. The “Mac†microscope features three magnification lenses and two LED lights sources, and projects video and still images right on the Mac screen – perfect for high school science work. But parents may want to use it too. The “Mac†microscope is great for shooting digital pictures of stamp collections, trading cards, coins, and pretty much anything you’d post on E-Bay. The Computer microscope for Macintosh platforms retails for $99.00 available in September at leading chains and Apple stores worldwide.
Where did you find that, GrahamExton? All I can find on the Digital Blue website is this:
>>>Does the microscope work on an Apple Macintosh* computer?
Digital Blue(tm) has a limited release of Mac compatible software for the microscope. This version ONLY supports MacOSX, versions 10.2 and above. This release does NOT support older Mac operating systems.
This is a CD-ROM upgrade so you must already own the actual microscope device. The cost is $12, plus $5 for shipping and handling. To purchase, go to the Digital Blue online store or if you prefer, contact our customer service team through our web form or by phone at 888.800.0502.<<<
Unfortnetly, you have to exuse my bad english, but there are too much stuff lacking on the Apple platform. And a new type of communication is going on now that Apple have no responds too. Apple lives of itunes/ipod music. But that is just a drip in the ocean. What Apple lacks now is real time chat software (you cant count ichat since NO ONE on Windows use it) and gadgets that NEVER will have drivers for os x. And Im that tired of Apple that I have started too investigate what I need. Windows Home XP will do fine I think since apple os x users must do what windows users are doing, format hard drive - re-install a new operating system to fix the thing that don't work today. And why go for a second hand platform when you buy the same thing cheaper with Windows. Sad but true.
I keep reading these complaints, but it seems people just don't bother to do any research or testing of their own. I have my photos from my Motorola V551 camera phone in my Mac. It's not a direct sync yet, but the photos do transfer via Bluetooth to my Mac and I import them. Woo. Extra step. Duh. But it works.
ScalarScopes has been making Mac compatible video microscopes for YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do some digging. They're available online from many vendors, including Bodelin.
And don't expect anything to be written ever again for MacOS 9. OS X has been out for four years. It's stable, it's Unix, and without a SINGLE virus, not that OS 9 had many. The success of Apple in the last year alone has worried Microsoft execs so much to the point they are trying to figure out how to regain lost ground. That evidence is in the public domain, so don't think I'm blowing smoke out my A$$. Memos, emails, and public comments are all available on the web pointing to that.
Get off the crutch that is Windows and realize there truly is something better out there. Heck, there is a LOT better out there. Do you know how many operating systems exist today? You can't count them on two hands.
Sat Dec 03, 2005 2:44 pm Subject: Real time chat?
No one on Windows uses iChat. This is true. They do use AIM, which is what iChat works with, so I think you're way off base. Additionally iChat supports Jabber, which can be configured to pass on info from other chat clients, LIke MSN Messenger. If you really wanted, iChat could run let you interact with chatters from almost any common chat platform available today.
Additionally, MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, and AIM are also individually available for the Mac.
That being said, I do agree that there are plenty of things missing for the mac. Chat software, however isn't one of them.
As for doing things cheaper on a PC.. only if your time is worthless.
Sat Dec 03, 2005 3:07 pm Subject: iChat and other chat
Just a minor addition to the above post; AIM is statistically the most popular IM (i.e. chat) platform on the market, with the largest number of users and most chat traffic. Since iChat works on AIM, that means it covers the largest part of the market. You're right. While some stuff may be missing on the Mac platform, IM/chat is about the first one that doesn't.
Some people should do at least 90 seconds of research (i.e. googling) before posting here. This is all it took me to find the stats on AIM. Then again, I'm on broadband; on dial-up, it would have been more like 180 seconds...
Sat Dec 03, 2005 9:20 pm Subject: Re: What about ProScope?
QuoteAnonymous wrote:
It's been Mac-compatible for years.
The ProScope is an excellent device, but it cost almost 3x as much as the QX5 ($99 for the QX5 versus $279 for the ProScope). And the QX5 is kid oriented whereas the Proscope is not.
A better comparison would be between the MiScope and the ProScope. What makes the MiScope stand out is its light source otions; it can come with either an infrared or ultraviolet light source, which is ideal for all sorts of investigative activities.
The MiScope and the Proscope are similarly priced as well.
Vern Seward
I can relate to what Mr. Seward is saying. I have own a WinXP machine and a Mac (running OS X Tiger), so I tend to see the best and worse of both worlds.
One thing I like about the PC is that it is very easy to find a cool gadget or software for it. Yes, there is a lot of crap out there, but there is some really cool stuff, too.
With my Mac, it is not as easy (although it is getting easier) to find the things I want. For example, when I wanted a Bible study program for the WinXP machine, I had dozens to choose from (three of which are actually good programs), but for the Mac there is only one available now (Accordance).
I would really like to see Apple continue to grow market share… bigger market share usually means more software and gadget options.
Don’t get me wrong… I really enjoy the Mac more the WinXP… but there are just times and I sigh and think “if only I could easily find…â€
Sat Dec 03, 2005 10:27 pm Subject: Digital Blue
Digital Blue is one of those companies for which Apple simply does not exist, period.
We are just lucky to have miXscope, which drives the QX microscopes beautifully.
There are other firms with the same stance, telescope manufacturer Meade springs to mind for instance.
I don't think companies that are this single minded will ever change their attitude. Commercial arguments (sell lots more stuff) don't work with them. Nothing short of the utter demise of Windows will make them rethink their position.
Logitech is a weird one. All their track balls and mice have Mac drivers, why not be consequent?
You get this with some printer firms also; printer drivers are OK most of the time, but try to use an integrated print/fax machine on a Mac and you're in trouble........
Sat Dec 03, 2005 11:48 pm Subject: Mac Microscope
Sun Dec 04, 2005 4:36 am Subject: Mac microscope
QuoteI hope I'm wrong in thinking they'd never add Mac software to their products.GrahamExton wrote:
I Googled "Mac microscope" and it came up. It was not in obvious evidence on the Digital Blue site, as you say.
I also saw an ad for the microscope somewhere recently.
QuoteDon't wait, get a QX5 and miXscope. It's cleaner software than what I've seen from the bundled stuff. This summer I spoke to a programmer who was working on a QX driver for Linux. He told me that the software with the QX5 is not as good as miXscope. Seems they didn't exploit all the new possibilities the QX5 has over the QX3.......I hope DB isn't pulling our legs, as I have fancied a microscope I could use with my Mac for some time now.
For some samples You can take a look at http://homepage.mac.com/planeten.paultje/PhotoAlbum4.html for some pictures I made with the QX5 and miXscope.
QuoteGuest wrote:
Unfortnetly, you have to exuse my bad english, but there are too much stuff lacking on the Apple platform. And a new type of communication is going on now that Apple have no responds too. Apple lives of itunes/ipod music. But that is just a drip in the ocean. What Apple lacks now is real time chat software (you cant count ichat since NO ONE on Windows use it) and gadgets that NEVER will have drivers for os x. And Im that tired of Apple that I have started too investigate what I need. e.
FUD FUD FUD
You can chat with people on windows on AOL
"PCs still outnumber Macs nearly 100 to 1"
OK, I'm sure someone is going to say I'm knitpicking here, but PCs have NEVER COME CLOSE to outnumbering Macs 100 to 1, not in the overall market. The Mac's market share has never dropped below 2% worldwide (50:1) and is currently closer to 4% (25:1). Higher in the US.
But market share isn't the right stat to be looking at for this example, we should be looking at INSTALLED BASE, which some sources on the web place as high as 16% (6.25:1), but I'm perfectly happy to cut that back to 10%, just to be conservative, which is a 10:1 PC to Mac ratio.
Any self professed Mac enthusiast that spouts this 100:1 rhetoric should do the rest of the Mac community a favour and STFU. We don't need your help, thank you very much.
Useful links:
Digital Blue Mac support link:
http://www.playdigitalblue.com/about_us/press/2005_07_21/
(its just over half way down the page)
Lego Mindstorms Mac support: couldn't find a link to download the software - but unless this is a vicious lie then it is out there!
http://www.macobserver.com/article/2005/07/13.11.shtml
Also, Lejos (i.e. Java for Mindstorms) has Mac support and is absolutely fantastic!
http://lejos.sourceforge.net/index.html
but shouldn't everyone be saying window's based PC's? After all one of the first Personal Computers was from Apple, then came Macintosh, and the rest is history. Does anyone know when the media seperated Macs from PC's? Was it after the graphic interface was introduced, and other computers were wtill using DOS?
Just curious.
Quotemadgunde wrote:
"PCs still outnumber Macs nearly 100 to 1"
OK, I'm sure someone is going to say I'm knitpicking here, but PCs have NEVER COME CLOSE to outnumbering Macs 100 to 1, not in the overall market. The Mac's market share has never dropped below 2% worldwide (50:1) and is currently closer to 4% (25:1). Higher in the US.
But market share isn't the right stat to be looking at for this example, we should be looking at INSTALLED BASE, which some sources on the web place as high as 16% (6.25:1), but I'm perfectly happy to cut that back to 10%, just to be conservative, which is a 10:1 PC to Mac ratio.
Any self professed Mac enthusiast that spouts this 100:1 rhetoric should do the rest of the Mac community a favour and STFU. We don't need your help, thank you very much.
Agreed. When I read that byline, I thought poor Vern had lost his mind.
Mon Dec 05, 2005 11:44 am Subject: Thanks for the tip Vern!
Since you said that Digital Blue doesn't make a Mac compatible version of their GX5 microscope, I went to their site, to check it out, and bought their GX5 that is specifically made for Mac. I am sure my daughter will love it, as a Christmas gift. Also, I knew (and I am glad somebody else provided the link) that Lego offered Mac support for their Mindstorms products. Lastly, does what is this bull about Windows PC's outnumbering Macs by 100:1?!
I hate to say it, but which side are you on, Vern? To me, with as factually inacurate as it is, this article (or, at least parts of it) almost sounds like it was written by some ignorant Windows fanboy, trying to push FUD on potential Mac users.
Where is the editor, when you need one?!
QuotePlaneten Paultje wrote:QuoteGot an URL? I searched, didn't find anything anywhere......MOSiX Man wrote:
bought their GX5 that is specifically made for Mac
Sure. No offense intended, but I don't know why people are having so much trouble finding it.
If you go to the site, click at the 'store' tab, at the top of the page, then scroll down an bit, you will see a picture of the GX5, with a big Mac logo on it. 
QuoteOK. So there is no GX5, but just the same QX5 and they sell Mac software for it as an add-on for $12. Either they licenced miXcope or had their own software Mac-e-fied. I'll stick with miXcope; very good software and much, much cleaner interface than the windoze QX software.....MOSiX Man wrote:
If you go to the site, click at the 'store' tab, at the top of the page, then scroll down an bit, you will see a picture of the GX5, with a big Mac logo on it.
If you like real-time chat, check out Adium. It works on AIM, ICQ, Yahoo Messenger, iChat/.Mac, Jabber, MSN Messenger, Bonjour (old Rendezvous), Google Talk, Gadu-Gadu, Lotus Sametime, Novell Groupwise, Zephyr, and more. Is that good enough? See
http://www.adiumx.com/
Adium also has what has to be the goofiest application icon I've run into. It's hard not to smile when you see it.
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