1st edition

Infoworld has just released “2007’s Top 10 Underreported Stories.” At number 1 & 2, we have Java and Sun Microsystems respectively. Whereas Java appears to be “falling out of favor with developers”, Sun is reportedly establishing its presence in the market. At a close third, we have Bill Snyder of Infoworld telling us how “the days when you can assume that Apple’s products are exempt from harm are over.”

In fact, there has been a lot of buzz surrounding Mac security recently. A Google News search with the keywords “mac malware” brings up about 128 results, most of which inform you about the alarming levels of malware that are targeting the Mac platform.

I would differ with Newsweek on their classification of this story as “underreported”. Under-performing yes, but not underreported. Under-performing because these stories seem to have had very little impact on the Mac community. When I read that according to F-Secure, the number of malware variants targeting Mac were up from 1-2 to 100-150, I didn’t panic and rush to get an anti-virus. I can imagine that the same would be true with most (if not all) Mac users. Somehow, the threat of virus attack just doesn’t seem likely enough.

Snyder does mention that “actual attacks against Macs and the rest of the Apple family, such as the iPhone, are still rare.” He goes on to say that “most Mac users take security too lightly. In fact, most are quite proud of the fact that they don’t run any security at all.” I agree.

In my opinion, as soon as there is a substancial threat to Mac users, Apple will reinforce security. After all,  hassle free computing is what Macs are all about.

P.s. If you’re worried about your Mac, grab the free ClamX Antivirus. You can opt for better support by purchasing Norton Antivirus 11 or McAfee Virus Scan.

Apple is developing a feature that will let iPod Touch and iPhone users locate nearby cafes and restaurants, avoid long queues, place orders and receive alerts when their orders are ready for pick-up.

On a busy day in New York City, you could order your coffee as soon as you leave office at lunch-time and have it ready by the time you get to Starbucks. Apple has previously entered into deals with the coffee maker including a wireless deal that lets iTunes users access Starbucks’ wi-fi free-of-charge to download content from the iTunes store.

Apple does not comment on rumors about its upcoming products and services. A patent filed by the company describes a service that enables users of digital devices to place digital orders at cafe’s and a complimentary serivice that provides feedback on order status. This service will also store users favorite products and preferences at different locations for quick and easy access.

Windows Vista was Microsoft’s most hyped release to date. With promises of increased security, reduced redundancy, greater ease of use, spectacular eye-candy and frustrating delays Vista shipped to consumers on January 30, 2007.

Consumers and tech gurus immediately expressed their disappointment over the confusion created by the various editions of the OS. Users were plagued with widespread hardware and software compatibility issues and performance downgrades (such as reduced battery life on Laptop PC’s). In fact, many users felt that the first major OS update by Microsoft in 5 years was worth less than the trouble. Popular demand forced PC manufacturers such as Dell to reintroduce Windows XP on new PCs.

Consumer dissatisfaction was so widespread that Apple made it a part of its Advertising campaign to sell Macs (Watch the ads). Many businesses and government agencies banned upgrades to Vista in their facilities stating that “there appears to be no compelling technical or business case for upgrading.” Reports began to emerge that Microsoft was working on Windows ‘Vienna’ 2009 causing even more establishments to question the upgrade.

Now, as the year comes to a close, tech gurus have sealed the Vista coffin by handing Microsoft the boot over its wow. Here’s what some noted internet based websites had to say about Vista and how it fared in the tech world this year: