OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.1 Released

On Thursday, August 23rd, 2012 Mountain Lion 10.8.1 was released to address several issues.  Below are the issues specifically indicated by Apple on the Mac App Store:

If anyone notices any additional fixes let me know in the comments.

How to Delete a Highlighted File in Mac OS X

In Mac OS X pressing the delete key on my Macbook does not delete a highlighted file.  I recently realized that by pressing Command + Delete I am able to finally delete items that I have highlighted.  This requires two key to be pressed, but at least I can use the keyboard without having to make a mouse click.

I typically like to use the keyboard for as much as possible because it is quicker than jumping back and forth between the mouse/keyboard.  This newly found keyboard shortcut will make deleting items in Finder a lot more efficient.

I hope this helps you, if you didn't already know about this.  Are there any keyboards shortcuts that you use that you could suggest?

Windows PC: Keep Your Software Updated

Windows update is good at keeping your version of Windows up to date, but it isn't capable of keeping your other software up to date (like your Instant Messenger).  Tekzilla (12/5 program) recently suggested a program called Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI).  Basically this program is designed to run in the background (silently or not, your choice) and keep all of your software up to date.

If you want to keep your Windows software up to date without exerting much effort then checking out this free software might be a good idea.

http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal/

Apple iPad: Apple's Plan to Compete with Cheaper Tablets

Apple will not come out with a 7in iPad. Instead, I think Apple will follow the model they have used with their iPhone line.  A new iPad 3 will emerge next year but instead of stopping production of the iPad 2, they will keep the iPad 2 and lower its price.  This will allow Apple to compete in the lower priced tablet market without compromising on user experience.

My belief isn't based on any sort of inside information or anything, but it is based on common sense and history.  To backup my belief a recent article from All Things Digital gives additional information that seems to prove my belief.

Roku 2 and Apple TV Compared

CNET.com has a good article comparing the two top streaming-media devices, the Roku 2 and the Apple TV.  I have personally used both devices, and own the Apple TV for personal use.  I can honestly say that both devices are nicely designed.  The Apple TV is nice for people living within the Apple ecosystem, and it also offers streaming via iTunes.  The Roku 2 offers more content options than the Apple TV but the interface of the Apple TV is slightly nicer.  Also, the Roku 2 does not offer a native way to streaming content.

Both streaming boxes are nice units, the one you get is dependent on what features you want most.  Visit CNET.com's review here for the results.

Do you have one of these, what are your thoughts?

Google to Buy Motorola Mobility

Google recently announced their plan to buy Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion.  This is a MAJOR purchase for Google and could be a BIG game changer in the mobile market.  Now that Google is a hardware manufacture, will other mobile hardware manufactures turn away from Android?

I think many of the current manufactures using Android will, at least, think about an alternative mobile phone OS.  Why wouldn't they, Google is no longer an ally, but now Google is competing directly with every mobile phone maker currently using Android.  How can Google expect to play nice with all of the hardware manufactures and compete with those same hardware manufactures?

Will we see Motorola phones go pure, natural Google Android or will Motorola phones continue to use graphical user interfaces (GUI) like Motorola's Blur?  My guess is that Motorola will go the route of a natural Android experience, much like the Nexus line of phones.  It will also be interesting to see if Google continues to share Android openly, or if they start to offer certain new features exclusively (even if its for a short time period).

In my opinion, one thing is for certain, mobile hardware manufactures will shop around for other mobile OS options.  The biggest winners from this purchase may actually be the very people Google is trying to compete against.  Companies looking to license their operating systems (OS) like Microsoft (WP7), MeeGo, Mozilla, and HP (webOS) will probably be seeing increased interest, which may turn into increased market share.

Netflix Price Increase, Why it May Not Be so Bad?

Netflix has been getting some serious flack because of the price increase that they announced recently.  I am not particularly happy about the Netflix's decision to increase their prices, but I am also not outraged like some seem to be.  I can understand why some people are so upset but the fact of the matter is this, Netflix has increasing costs and increasing licensing fees (in particular).

While some may disagree with me, I tend to hope that these increased prices may lead to better content availability via streaming.  By separating DVD and Streaming subscriptions the costs of both should be better financed.   With DVD shipments costing around $600 million a year, it makes some sense to charge more than the current $2.00 subscription premium for DVD rentals.  If you use the $600 million figure for the amount it costs Netflix to ship DVDs and if you use 23.6 million figure for the amount of subscribers Netflix currently has, the total costs to ship DVD per month, per subscriber is roughly $2.12.  If you figure that Netflix typically charges about $2.00 per month for DVD rentals, per subscriber, Netflix is essentially breaking even on DVD shipments (If the current subscription rate is covering streaming costs and making a profit on streaming).

To give you an idea of how Netflix compares see the below alternatives:

Redbox costs $1.00 + tax per night

Blockbuster starts at $11.99/month, which gives you 1 disc out at a time.  This includes both games and movies/TV shows. This does not offer a streaming option, this is for discs ONLY.

iTunes is a per use charge, and the cost of TV shows and Movies vary.  You can see prices typically range from 99 cents up to $3.99, with new releases usually $3.99.

For Netflix to not only to break even on DVD rentals, but to turn a profit on DVD rentals it must raise it rates.  Subscribers are continually asking for newer and better streaming content and in order to fill these demands Netflix must pay more money to obtain newer and better streaming content.  In order for Netflix to pay for the things that their subscribers are asking for they must raise there streaming rates, and by seperating the DVD rental and Streaming rates Netflix will be making more on DVD rentals and getting more for streaming subscriptions.

In the end, I hope the Netflix can get some better streaming content because I prefer to not deal with DVDs.  I like the ease and convience of streaming content to my TV, and by changing their subscription rate structure I hope (and think) they can continue to improve streaming.

What do you think?