iFans

Square Off: Who is Apple’s Biggest Rival?

Posted by Joe Rossignol on Friday, April 27, 2012 at 5:35 am.

In its early days, one of Apple’s biggest rivals was considered to be IBM because of its affordable personal computer. In the ensuing years, a bitter rivalry between Apple and Microsoft was kick-started based on the battle between Macs and PCs. Nowadays, partly because Apple has expanded into new product categories, a myriad of different competitors have emerged alongside the Cupertino-based company.

Samsung has been embroiled in a yearlong patent litigation war with Apple, while Google emerged as a rival with Apple nearly five years ago when it released its Android mobile operating system. The release of Android sparked even more rivalries with the iPhone maker, because now handset makers such as Motorola Mobility and HTC can also be considered rivals with Apple.

Amazon is also a noteworthy competitor with Apple, as the Kindle Fire has been virtually the only tablet to gain any traction alongside the iPad’s dominance. Then there’s Nokia, who is trying to return to their mobile phone glory days with the launch of the Lumia 900. Last, but certainly not least, you could also consider the struggling BlackBerry maker Research in Motion to be a rival with Apple. So the big question is, who is Apple’s biggest rival? Is it Microsoft or Google, or perhaps Samsung or Research in Motion?

Square Off: Apple TV vs. Xbox 360

Posted by Joe Rossignol on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at 11:48 am.

On Tuesdays, iFans picks two controversial brands, products, or other topics to debate about in the “Square Off” column. This week, we’re pitting the Apple TV set-top TV box against Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console. Square Off Archives

Last month, Apple introduced the third-generation Apple TV with 1080p video playback, a new user interface, and several other features for just $99. With support for iTunes, Netflix, YouTube, Flickr, MobileMe, your Mac or PC and more, the Apple TV provides a number of different ways to enjoy your favorite TV shows and movies. The media box can be paired with Apple’s official remote or your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad using the Remote app.

Then, there is Microsoft’s Xbox 360 game console, which can also be used as a media player to watch your favorite TV shows and movies. While the Xbox 360 is bulkier and more expensive than the Apple TV, it is multipurpose since it can also be used to play your favorite video games. Xbox 360 has support for Netflix, Hulu, ESPN, and many other services, too, so both consoles have access to third-party content.

Do you use the Apple TV or Xbox 360 to watch your favorite TV shows and movies? Which one do you think is better for multimedia? Be sure to factor in price, functionality, portability, and access to third-party services in your response. Remember to be respectful and open minded with your feedback.

Square Off: Macintosh vs. Hackintosh

Posted by Joe Rossignol on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 8:36 pm.

Every Tuesday, iFans picks two controversial brands, products, or other topics to debate about in the weekly “Square Off” column. This week, we’re pitting Apple’s official Mac family of desktops and notebooks against the Hackintosh, a PC clone running Mac OS X. Square Off Archives

Although there are several legal ways to run Windows on Mac, such as by using Parallels or VMware, the same can’t be said about running OS X on PC machines. Apple only licenses its OS X operating system for use on its own Mac hardware, including the MacBook and iMac, and does not offer any official support for other — often Windows-based — PCs.

And that’s why there is the Hackintosh, which Urban Dictionary describes as “a PC-clone that has had its operating system replaced with OS-X, making it effectively a cheaper, upgradeable Mac able to interface with most PC peripherals.” These PC computers, manufactured by HP, Dell, and other OEMs, commonly use projects such as OSx86 to transform into copycat Macs. But, which is better? Macintosh or Hackintosh? We’re talking about the performance, price, legality, time requirements, and everything else under the kitchen sink. Sound off in the comments, but remember to be respectable and open-minded in your responses.

Square Off: Apple vs. Samsung

Posted by Joe Rossignol on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at 1:58 pm.

Every Tuesday, iFans picks two controversial brands, products, or other topics to debate about in the weekly “Square Off” column. This week, we’re pitting Apple against Samsung as their rivalry continues to heighten. Square Off Archives

Despite doing business together, the relationship between Apple and Samsung has increasingly dwindled over the past few years as a resulted of heightened competition and numerous patent infringement lawsuit cases.

The litigation between the two tech giants began last April, when Apple sued Samsung based on claims that the South Korea-based electronics conglomerate blatantly copied technologies used by the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. In the almost full calender year that has passed since then, it has been a back-and-forth legal battle between Apple and Samsung.

From a broad perspective, however, which do you think is the more favorable company — Apple or Samsung, that is — in terms of their respective product lineups, pricing, legal actions, customer service and support, company beliefs and viewpoints, management, and so forth? Sound off in the comments and remember to remain respectful and open-minded.

Square Off: Adobe Flash vs. HTML5 on iOS Devices

Posted by Joe Rossignol on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 8:18 pm.

Every Tuesday, iFans picks two controversial topics to debate about in the weekly “Square Off” column. This week, we’re pitting Adobe Flash against HTML5 and other alternatives for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Square Off Archives

For several years, iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad users wondered if they would ever be able to run Adobe Flash on their devices. In the early days of iFans, over four-and-a-half years ago, there was actually a number of rumors that suggested Flash would make its way to iOS devices at some point in time. The nail in the coffin came in April 2010, however, when Steve Jobs published an open letter that explained why the company does not — and never will — employ Adobe Flash on the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.

While the debate continued about the implementation of Adobe Flash on iOS devices, a new alternative known as HTML5 emerged and took precedent on Apple’s mobile operating system. Nowadays, several games and web apps can be accessed in this open format. Although there is still progress that needs to be made with regards to HTML5, it has quickly become an industry standard for Apple. So, does HTML5 prevail, or would you still prefer to use Flash on your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad? Sound off in the comments and feel free to mention other alternative formats such as H.264 for videos.

Square Off: iPad 2 vs. Kindle Fire

Posted by Joe Rossignol on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 11:42 am.

Every Tuesday, iFans picks two controversial topics to debate about in the weekly “Square Off” column. This week, we’re plotting the iPad 2 and Kindle Fire tablets against each other as the purported launch of the iPad 3 nears. Square Off Archives

When Steve Jobs unveiled the iPad 2 last year, he claimed that 2011 would be the “year of the iPad 2.” Fast forward nearly one calendar year, and that statement definitely proved to be true based on sales of the Apple tablet alone. In recent months, however, Amazon launched the Kindle Fire tablet with an aggressive price of just $199. It was also suggested that Amazon was actually losing money by offering the tablet at such a competitive price, but hopes it will recuperate profits by selling content.

Comparatively, the base model iPad 2 currently retails for $499. So, before the launch of the iPad 3, we want to know: iPad 2 or Kindle Fire? We’re talking features, the app ecosystem, price point, design, ease of use, functionality, specifications, and everything else in the tablet spectrum. Square off!

Square Off: iOS vs. Android

Posted by Joe Rossignol on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 11:34 am.

Every Tuesday, iFans picks two controversial topics to debate about in the weekly “Square Off” column. This week, we’re starting off on a grand scheme by setting two major mobile operating systems against each other. Square Off Archives

We recently asked our Facebook followers if they preferred Android or iOS as their mobile operating system of choice. Unsurprisingly, there was no definitive answer and both Android and iOS supporters alike had interesting viewpoints for why they preferred their respective operating system.

To allow for more people to voice their opinion, we have decided to bring the debate to the iFans forum. The question is simple, Android or iOS? We’re talking features, ease of use, the app ecosystem, and everything else under the umbrella. We’re looking forward to hearing your opinions, but please use common sense and remain respectful with your viewpoints. Let the argument begin.