The Mac and PC characters on the well-known Apple television commercials may seem civil, but Microsoft and other tech companies are launching new projects to try and steal some of the appeal from the iPod and iPhone producer.
After loads of problems associated with its Vista operating system, Microsoft hopes its new Windows 7 will help recover some cool points with consumers. Meanwhile, Motorola released details on Thursday about its iPhone-fighting Droid smartphone.
And, at least with Windows, the approach may be working. Cleveland, Tenn., resident Aaron Brown said the new system helps Microsoft gets its mojo back.
“With my parents, I’ve always told them to get Macs because they’re easy to use, but I think I can recommend them getting Windows again because it has caught up,” he said.
In his review for Cox Newspapers, Omar Gallaga was happy with what he called “Microsoft’s attempt at a do-over on Windows Vista.”
Vista, Microsoft’s previous operating system released in 2007, became a punching bag and a punchline for critics and users frustrated by glitches. The problems are addressed in the new Windows version, according to critics and local tech fans.
MIXED REACTIONS
Jon Moss, principal at Moss Benefits Group in Chattanooga, said he had seen his share of problems with Vista, but he was going to stick with Windows because the system works better with the company’s customer management software.
He said his office is split between Vista and the older Windows XP system, but he probably will switch over to the new version of Windows.
Andreas Bruhwiler, on the other hand, is going to wait on the upgrade.
“I would rather not because we have a system that works,” said Mr. Bruhwiler, who owns Alrol of America in Dalton, Ga., which makes rubber rollers for carpet manufacturing. He plans to wait for the bugs to be worked out of the new Windows system before he commits.
Brainerd resident Mary Yearwood, a self-described “Google person,” has the same concerns.
“Those Windows (first editions) come out and they’re all buggy and you don’t know how to use them,” she said. “I’m really not a big Windows fan.”
By the time the bugs are worked out, her favorite search engine and e-mail provider may be ready to offer an alternative. Google announced in July that it will unveil its Chrome operating system in the second half of 2010 to compete with Windows. Speed, simplicity and security are the keys to the new operating system, according to a post on Google’s official blog.
So far reviewers at The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Engadget, CNet seem pretty high on the new software. The gadget blog Gizmodo.com used the headline, “Windows 7 Review: You Can Quit Complaining Now,” hinting at the problems with Vista.
“For me on a pretty high-end PC, Windows 7 runs fast, doesn’t crash, handles all the software I was running before with minimum compatibility issues and is a big leap forward in attractive, streamlined design,” Mr. Gallaga writes.
Retailers are also happy with the new product and are throwing in bonuses to encourage customers.
“So far the customers are very pleased with it,” said Andrew Shaw, assistant manager at the Office Depot in Hixson.
Mr. Shaw said the retailer is offering free tutorials online, will install the system on customers’ computers and offers a $59 tech support package.
“We’re just trying to make it as easy as possible,” he said.
At Dalton Computer Services, operations manager Scott Merritt said the first-week sales probably have been dampened by the economy. He said he’d withhold judgment on the new Windows system’s popularity until after Christmas, but so far the initial rush seems slower than Vista’s.
“You have a percentage of people who just want to go out and get the newest thing, but I haven’t really seen it like we did,” he said.
Overall, he said, he liked the system on the store’s computers, especially its more flexible security features.
Mr. Gallaga said Microsoft made a few mistakes, including making the upgrade from widely used Windows XP much more difficult than the upgrade from Vista.
“In my case, I had to do a full backup, erase my hard drive and reinstall my software, a process that took me a week,” Mr. Gallaga writes.
Phone fight
Verizon Wireless’ answer to the iPhone — the Droid — will go on sale for $200 next week as the company taps into the growing appetite for smartphones that go far beyond making calls.
Verizon is hoping the Droid helps the company’s status as the nation’s largest wireless carrier and contributes to a turnaround of its manufacturer, Motorola Inc., which hasn’t produced a hit since the wildly popular Razr phone in 2005.
The new device also could give a boost to Google Inc., which used the Droid to unveil new mapping software that could challenge stand-alone navigational devices, sending GPS gadget maker Garmin Ltd.’s stock plunging after Wednesday’s announcement.
Although the Droid won’t be the first challenger to the iPhone, which is available in the United States only to AT&T subscribers, Verizon has thrown its largest marketing campaign ever behind the new device with television commercials and other ads. Verizon has been pointing out the features Apple Inc.’s iPhone lacks, such as a physical keyboard and the ability to run several applications at once.
Mr. Moss said he is curious, but he probably won’t be jumping ship from his iPhone. He doubted whether Motorola could deliver.
“I don’t think Motorola has come out with anything exciting since the Razr phones and, what was that, 10 years ago?” he said.
Mr. Brown, an iPhone owner, sees some key advantages to the Droid.
“Virtually every single part of it is a little better than the iPhone,” he said.
That’s not a surprise to Steve Hamaker, partner and creative director for Southside Creative Group and a Mac user.
“Someone’s going to eventually equal what they are doing,” he said. “They’re usually ahead of the curve, but I always feel like someone’s going to catch them.”
The Associated Press and The New York Times News Service contributed to this story.
Motorola Droid at a glance
* Runs on Google’s Android 2.0 operating system
* Features integrated social networking apps
* Distributed by Verizon
* Debuts Nov. 6
* Pirce: $199.99 after rebate with two year contract
Source: The Associate Press
Windows 7
* Price: $119 to $219 depending on model
* Integrated Media Center allows users to record live TV
*Works with touch-screen capable monitors
* Easier usability and faster speeds
Source: www.microsoft.com
TAG
Read Donnie Jenkins’ column on Windows and Macintosh operating systems. Tuesday in Life
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I wouldn't bother with the Droid. I heard Apple is going with Verizon, instead of ATT, at the end of the year. This is good news because Verizon works much better on Signal Mtn. than AT&T. I have wanted an i phone for three years now, finally might get one, oh and the price is attractive.
Also, am sticking with the Mac. I have had the MacBook Pro for almost three years, so far, no problems. Miss Gallega's statement made me a little nostalgic about PC's:
“In my case, I had to do a full backup, erase my hard drive and reinstall my software, a process that took me a week,” Mr. Gallaga writes.
Oh, those were the days... three years ago. Sigh.