Top 10 Moves Apple Should Make
10. Improve Keyboard and Mouse Technology – My issue with Apple, and just about every other hardware company, is the keyboard and mouse technology has been stagnant. Apple needs to quit being so damn stubborn and offer a three-button mouse. Why do I say three? Well, I need to be able to right-click and I like to use a top button for Expose’.
I didn’t realize how bad their keyboard is until I tried to switch from my G4 PowerBook keyboard to the Apple keyboard. It looks cool, but it might the klunkiest keyboard I’ve ever used. I want less action on my keyboard so there is less between the point of pushing a key, and the key issuing the command. Kensington has keyboard that uses scissor switch technology that feels like laptop keyboard, but has better spacing. Apple should follow their lead and come out with one of their own, and ditch their embarassingly awful keyboard.
9. iTunes for Linux - I understand they probably don’t want to give people another reason to choose Linux over OSX, but the Linux community is clammoring for iTunes. Apple dominates the mp3 player market, yet they’ve shut out an entire community of Linux users. Let’s not forget, the Linux community will have their way, one way or another, so resistance IS futile.
8. Port OpenOffice – I think Apple should partner with OpenOffice and help them develop the software and port a version for OSX. I’m not a big fan of pre-installed software, but I think they should also consider pre-installing, or at least make it easy for users to install it themselves.
7. Open Source Bundled Applications – Apple bundles some nice software on their computers, so why not make them open source? I say open up these applications to the community, and watch the them get better.
6. Servers – Apple has failed miserably at the server market, and the cost of their servers is a big reason not to even give them a chance. Why spend all of that money on a Apple server when you can run a Linux on a Dell for half the price? I think Apple is putting too much effort into making their servers look cool. Who cares? The server is probably going to spend it’s life in closet anyhow.
5. Gaming Console – Apple is in the hardware business, right? Apple should come out with gaming console where games can not only be played on their console, but also played on their computer. Over time, Nintendo and Apple would end up being the top two consoles, easily beating out Playstation and XBOX.
4. Wireless iPod - I’m tired of hooking up a cable to my iPod to transfer music. Also, if I could ditch this FM transmitter, I’d be a happy man. Apple should have incorporated Bluetooth into their iPod a long time ago so users can transfer music and play music on their Bluetooth compatible home/car stereos.
3. Games – They need to get back into the gaming market. I have a ton of friends that wish they could switch to a Mac, but are stuck with Windows due to their love to play games. They should try and partner with some of these gaming companies and start creating some of their own games. Gamers also want like their hardware, so Apple will also need to put out a powerful machine that gamers can easily upgrade.
2. Affordable Hardware – I love Apple hardware, but I don’t care what anyone says, their hardware is too expensive. If Apple wants a bigger piece of the pie, they must lower their prices. If I were to buy a Mac-mini, by the time I upgraded it so it has at least a gig of ram and a 120 gigabyte harddrive, I’m over $1,000; and I still don’t have a keyboard, mouse, or monitor. Enough said.
1. Run Microsoft Applications – I say, “Forget bootcamp!” I want to be able to stick a Microsoft Office installation cd into my cd-rom and install office. Apple has the Windows API, so I say, “make it happen”, and watch Microsoft’s stock dip down to 15. If Windows games could be installed and run flawlessly, GAME OVER! I, and many others, would never use Windows ever again.
