Anith Gopal

Who doesn’t battle the Apple Sync Services dragon on a semi-regular basis? Here are a couple of examples from Apple Support about how to resolve problems with this very useful yet unfortunately flawed feature: Mac OS X 10.5: Resetting the SyncServices folder Sync Services: Advanced troubleshooting for contact and calendar syncing There are even more support articles around the web, although I think you get the picture. Let’s be clear, syncing any type of data is not trivial.

So far we’ve had to sit back and watch while Office 2010 news for PC users rolled in, but the MacBU over at Microsoft has finally come through with details of when and what Mac users can expect regarding the industry-dominating productivity suite, announced at a press conference this morning. They also detailed some changes to the existing Office 2008, or at least to the way it’s sold, to tide us over. First, the changes to 2008 will include a reduction in retail SKUs from three to two, a Home/Student Edition and a Business Edition

As we discussed yesterday , there have been quite a few instances where Apple’s retail plans have been re-evaluated or changed to meet the needs of the business or traffic in the store. Without further ado, here’s the final installment of my Top 10 Apple Retail Flops.

The infamous color picker is present among many of the built-in OS X applications and is quite a powerful tool once you dig into it. With the ability to store your favorite colors in “wells” and use them between applications, the color picker can quickly become an indispensable tool in your daily workflow

While PC users sweat, complain and ponder which over-priced version of Windows 7 they’ll be forced into buying to fix everything wrong with Vista, most Mac users are likely licking their chops at what Snow Leopard will bring, and how little it will cost. You’ve heard it’s cheaper, faster and even more stable than ever before.

Microsoft Corp.’s Macintosh Business Unit (MacBU) released Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac Service Pack 2 (SP2) today — a midcycle free update that is designed to improve the Office 2008 experience where it matters most to customers: speed, stability and compatibility. SP2 delivers highly requested features throughout the suite as well as a new tool, Document Connection for Mac, that helps improve access and browsing to documents on SharePoint Products and Technologies and Microsoft Office Live Workspace

Many, many months ago, it looked like an official solution for syncing BlackBerry devices with the Mac (including media and iTunes playlists) was right around the corner. Now, almost a year later, RIM is finally making it official .

Sometimes I feel like Microsoft keeps the Mac BU around just so it can mock and ridicule it. The unit never seems to get to join in the fun when it comes time to release a new iteration of Office . Not, at least, until well after its PC counterparts

They say you can’t time the market, but for some lucky folks, there is special time to buy a new Mac and related accessories. By doing nothing other than waiting for this magic time, you could save an average of 5-9 percent on a new computer.

As a kid, or even as a university student, if anyone had mentioned back-to-school shopping, sales, gear, or anything else this early in the game, I’d definitely have lost it on them. The summer has yet to begin, just let me get my bearings! Still, if I were to make an exception, I’d make it for Apple’s annual back-to-school promotion , during which the company offers a free iPod to all education customers when they purchase a new Mac. The iPod in question, or at least the most expensive one that qualifies for the deal, is the 8GB iPod touch (which is probably nearing end-of-life, but hey, it’s free, and it’s still great hardware), which you buy along with your MacBook when you make your purchases

Wal-Mart wants to grab the slice of the electronics pie that Circuit City gave up when it became financially insolvent, and it’s redesigning its stores to put itself in a better position to do so. Approximately 3,500 stores will be getting electronics department-centric makeovers this week, according to AppleInsider . The redesigned spaces will also feature in-store brand-focused boutique areas, like those found at Best Buy, for Apple and Nintendo, among others.

Today, we have released Beta 1 , and it is now available for download.