Like my previous post about David Pogue’s comments on Apple OSX technology, he has an entertaining way of explaining the bigger context on things like iMessage’s new messaging capabilities because people may not realize how big a change ubiquitous simplified and free messaging will make. Like a lot of innovation, just a few more improvements that remove friction can lead to a tipping point where adoption increases rapidly and benefits increase accordingly. Disruption occurs when the benefit of new technology is such that a major change in adoption and in behaviour occurs. Texting has already been disruptive in the way young people are relying on it (teenagers text over 60 messages a day on average). I think we are all going to find it is going to be a whole lot easier to connect and the issue is going to become how do we develop the social rules and management features to maximize the benefits and avoid unwanted disruptions.

Using the MacBook Pro as an example.

I am thinking of upgrading my MacBook Pro which I have had for over 5 years. That is excellent value considering the number of product updates that have have occurred. I upgraded the hard drive to 320GB when the original drive failed and the MacBook Pro has served me well. Now the first generation Intel core duo processor won’t run the latest OSX Lion operating system and also 5 of my applications. This model only supports a maximum of 2 GB RAM so a replacement that could support 8 GB would really help performance especially when running many applications simultaneously which I tend to do. I am trying to develop the habit of focussing on using just a few complimentary applications at one time but old habits die hard.

MacRumors buyers guide is neutral about purchasing a new MacBook right now which agrees with my own upgrade plan. While the existing MacBooks would be a substantial upgrade for me it seems prudent to wait until the new Intel Ivy Bridge processors are introduced mid-2012. There are also rumours of a possible new high resolution (retina) display. I can also hope that the maximum memory supported could increase (the Air might go from 4 to 8 GB and maybe the Pro could increase too). With more time the price of a solid state drive (SSD) might go down to speed things up even more.

I find the buyers guide provides a pretty good at a glance summary with trustworthy recommendations but there could be a few improvements:

• Apple doesn’t emphasize specs because the overall experience is what matters but upcoming processor speeds and maximum memory support are nevertheless of interest
• Component and other price trends could influence purchase timing too
• Product outlook while speculative is a big consideration (e.g. Will the Macbook Pro line be replaced soon by the Macbook Air?)

All in all the product guide is very useful with an uncomplicated overview of all the devices we have come to love. I can see I will also need to keep in mind that a new iPad 3 might become available around the same time as the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air refreshes so 2012 will have lots to look forward to.

In his video explains that Lion is the start of the ipadization of the Mac where innovations started on the iPad are being applied to Mac desktops and laptops. Gestures that can be used with the new trackpads are probably the most obvious example of this but since they supplement previous mouse techniques they may not be as relevant as other Lion enhancements to the average user. Where David excels is in his obvious enthusiasm in the less obvious enhancements throughout Lion which he reveals like easter eggs. Lion also has some flaws like intermittent permission problems and preview bugs but David doesn’t get into that. He does go into detail on how to turn off Lion changes that some people may not like and how with the new versions feature that “Save As” has been replaced with “Duplicate”.

All in all David’s video is helpful and gives you an idea of what is included in more detail in his missing manual book.

If so you may have got started with Intuit Quicken (Mac or Windows) or Microsoft Money (Windows).

Personally I started with Quicken on Windows and moved to Quicken 2007 on the Mac when I rediscovered Mac computing with the Mac Mini.

The problem with Intuit’s Quicken however is that Mac support especially in Canada has been spotty. The Mac version of the software hasn’t been kept up to date with the Windows version and the update for Mac Intel processor computers, Quicken Essentials, dropped some features – most importantly the ability to download files from banks. Quicken 2007 is written for the PowerPC processor so it runs less efficiently in the Rosetta emulator which will not be supported in the next version of Apple’s OSX Lion due to be introduced in July 2011.

My requirements include: - Mac software preference - Also mobile syncing for iPhone/iPad desirable - Personal and business capabilities - Semi-automated account transaction data transfer - Simple workflow with tax software

Some of the options for maintaining or moving forward with Mac Finance software: 1. Keep running Quicken 2007 on an old PPC Mac 2. Run Quicken 2007 in Rosetta on an Intel Mac but don’t upgrade to OSX Lion 3. Update to Quicken Essentials and lose bank file transfer 4. Convert to Mint.com 5. Update to iBank 6. Update to MoneyWorks Express 7. Update to iFinance 8. Update to GnuCash 9. Use an IOS app that is compatible with your Bank 10. Quicken and/or QuickBooks for Windows running on the Mac under Parallels or VMWare

1. Keep running Quicken 2007 on an old PPC Mac

This is an option especially in the short term to maintain the status quo but there are no updates and the inconvenience of having to use a separate computer to run this application and having the information less available.

2. Run Quicken 2007 in Rosetta on an Intel Mac but don’t upgrade to OSX Lion

This is more convenient but has the drawback of holding back any further operating system updates.

3. Update to Quicken Essentials ($50) and lose bank file transfer

Not an appealing option because of the expense, loss of features, doubtful future, and inability to download bank files.

4. Convert to Mint.com

This recent acquisition seems to be where Intuit is putting their focus so it has a future but it does involve trusting your sensitive financial data on a remote cloud service. The information is available online and from an IOS app. Compatible with Quicken Turbotax software.

5. Update to iBank ($60)

This looks like a capable up to date (version 4) devoted Mac program from a US company with Canadian customization which supports QIF and QFX transactions so it could use the Quicken format downloads from Canadian banks. It has a built in browser to download your transactions. This software has been highly rated and won an Apple design award. There is also an OS version of the program. The January 2011 Macworld review rated the program 4/5 mice. iBank imported all the Quicken accounts in QIF format and can import bank downloads in Quicken QFX format. I found one error when entering old dates for a custom report but in general everything worked well.

6. Update to MoneyWorks Express ($239)

This New Zealand company has a program with Canadian customization that works for primarily business and use. This software is expensive but does provide a free copy for working with your accountant.

7. Update to iFinance ($30)

This looks like a capable up to date Mac program from a German company with Canadian customization which supports QIF transactions so it could use the Quicken format downloads from Canadian banks. Includes an IOS app. Macworld has done a review with a rating of 2.5/5. The review rates the interface highly but says that data entry isn’t easy, account reconciliation is missing, and basic reporting functionality is lacking.

8. Update to GnuCash ($0)

This free program supports QIF transactions so it could use the Quicken format downloads from Canadian banks. Can be used for business and personal accounts. This is a universal application with versions for Mac, Windows and Linux. Doesn’t include an IOS app.

9. Use and IOS app that is compatible with your Bank

the following banks have IOS apps: - TDCT - CIBC - RBC - ScotiaBank

10. Quicken and/or QuickBooks for Windows running on the Mac under Parallels or VMWare

I am not an advocate of dual operating systems due to the view that I don’t want to allocate system resources for just one exception. This could be more appealing if there were multiple Windows applications I needed to use. Quickbooks is popular and easy to use for small business accounting. Another possible option is to run the software on a dedicated legacy Windows computer but this has many of the same issues as using a separate legacy Mac.

Conclusion

The tradeoffs could be different for you if you have other specific prioritization of requirements. For me I want something I can run on my Macs, is being updated to keep it current, supports business use, and has mobile syncing capabilities. In the near term Quicken 2007 on a legacy Mac maintains the status quo. Gnucash is free and can import Quicken data and bank data. iBank is highly rated, can import Quicken data, bank data transfer, and mobile apps. IOS banking apps allow mobile transactions but are not a replacement for personal and business finance (accounting) software.

Update

Intuit has just published their current policy regarding their products positioning with Apple OSX Lion. Their recommendation is to transfer from Quicken 2007 to Quicken Essentials or to mint.com. Mint.com is an online service and Quicken Essentials locks in your data without online banking support or transaction exporting. Intuit is reviewing their update plans for Quicken Essentials but seem more committed to an upcoming iPad app and Mint online service.

The usual Mac computer wireless network chooser in the menubar lists the local wireless networks, whether they have encryption activated, and provides a graphic “fan” whose number of bars gives some indication of the signal strength.

Some useful (free) Mac OSX tools for getting an inventory of your wireless access points and their signal strengths are KisMac, iStumbler, and APGrapher. These tools provide actual signal strength, noise, signal to noise ratio (SNR), what channel is being used, theoretical bandwidth, communication link quality, graphing, etc. Don’t bother looking for IOS (iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch) wifi signal strength tools as apparently this type of app is prohibited in the Apple app store.

Wifi planet has recommendations for wifi signal to noise ratio which suggests that anything above 15dB SNR should provide a reliable connection. In my case the problem was not signal strength but that somehow two adjacent access points were on the same channel so they were interfering with each other. The solution was to connect to the admin interface of one access point and change the channel to eliminate the interference. Other potential sources of interference could be microwave ovens and cordless phones.

Here are the features that interest me the most:

• Versions with autosaving and resume
• Alignment with IOS application updates especially full screen views
• Mission Control to organize windows
• Airdrop file sharing and the filevault security update look to be useful
• Inclusion of server software especially wiki server and iPad file sharing
• Mac OSX app store has already made software purchasing and updating easier

I will have to experience rate the launchpad and new gestures to see how much I will use them. Launchbar is currently my goto file launcher (+ more) from the keyboard.

It may sound like I am not interested in Android’s success but if that were the case I wouldn’t write about it. Apple needs a strong competitor so consumers, prosumers, and businesses have viable choices.

There is a lot in the news that Android is gaining market share through the many suppliers whose mobile phones use the operating system but from a business model perspective Android is not making the revenues and achieving the profitability of Apple. It is important that this part of Google’s business achieves strong profitability independent of search revenue subsidization so the platform isn’t too heavily influenced by ad revenue orientation.

Fraser Speirs nails it when he mentions the “Open” and “Cloud” nonsense that is touted by some Android adherents (aka fanboys?) without a clear understanding of what it all means from a practical how does it provide value perspective. These buzzwords are mostly just being used to invoke an emotional warm and fuzzy. One of the visions I hoped for Android was that it could free consumers from the shackles of carrier lock-in and value minus but the different carrier specific Android versions and general lack of software upgrade support is a serious problem that needs to be corrected. The fragmented app store environment which is sometimes spun to be an advantage somehow will be seen by savvy consumers for what it is – a chaotic environment that is the opposite of open and free. How does the current carrier oriented environment Google is supporting help buyers to easily migrate to the best deal and latest version of software? It looks like carrier lock-in and forced obsolescence to me.

Apple is characterized as the “closed” environment but in Canada I can choose from three carriers for voice and data service and now in the US users have the choice of 2 carriers. I can transfer my carrier service and my app investment is portable. I will still continue to benefit from regular platform updates.

I am hoping that users demand true openness and use the cloud to voice their concerns about Android obsolescence and lock-in to demand better. Then the true competitive mobile environment we need can flourish.

It is time for an update as there is a new version of the smart pen called the echo.

Robert Scoble has done video interviews with a user and with the founder, Jim Marggraff, who explained the new echo features.

The product has improved for digital note taking and now has pen applications.

Software limitations that still need to be overcome include Mac support for integrating documents as is provided in the Windows application and support for more modern web display technology in addition to Flash.

I see the livescribe smart pen as an example of the emerging new computer interfaces that use cameras (and in other cases projection) to extend the computer interface into the real world. There is lots of potential in this direction as these products are still in the early stages of capabilities.

Similar to the iPad or other innovative paradigm shifting new technology the question is how does this product improve upon more familar existing alternatives?

Two points of comparison are:

• traditional pen and paper note taking
• note taking and audio recording on an iPhone or iPad

The livescribe is a little less flexible than traditional pen and paper in that special paper must be used but it makes up for that in ways to better share and present the digitized notes. With pen and paper the alternative to get digitized notes would be to scan the notes and digitally record any audio. They wouldn’t be associated except as the final notes and complete recording. Livescribe has the advantage of syncing the notes and audio and being able to present the timeline so you can progressively reveal information and can go straight to the part you are interested in rather than all or nothing. This feature would be most important for longer recordings with many different parts.

With the iPhone or iPad you skip a step as you can capture the notes and audio digitally directly (using apps like penultimate, notes, and soundnotes) without an upload but you still don’t have the progressive presentation and notes/audio syncing. Also even with a stylus the precision on an iPad is not the same as the livescribe pen on its special paper.

Both of these comparisons are for note taking which doesn’t take into account the livescribe apps. Examples of apps include an interface builder, music player, calculator, and translator. The livescribe app store has fairly limited selection at this time especially when compared to the iphone app store but this should grow over time and the apps are affordable at a few dollars each.

In the end the value of the livescribe will depend on whether you can live with the current limitations in the software (which could be improved with updates) and how important note taking sharing and presentation are to you. If some of the apps are of interest that could be a bonus. If you are willing to wait a version with wireless connectivity is planned.

The livescribe echo is currently available in the Apple store for $169.95 (4 GB) or $189.95 (8GB).

Motorola’s Android Issues

Android’s open reputation is also under scrutiny as Google’s agreements with carriers look a lot like the bad old days where handset manufacturers got their orders for specific (crippled) versions from carriers.

The dirty little secret about Google Android

Update: Techcrunch has some analysis that most Android users have picked the platform for its supposed openness even though in reality the platform is constrained by the cell phone carriers.