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- Small Biz Corner: BusyCal
This is another post in our Small Biz Corner series where each month we cover a specific topic specific to Small Businesses who use Macs.
If you need something more powerful than iCal, but don’t need Snow Leopard Server with CalDav, then BusyCal from BusyMac Software is the group calendaring tool for you.
Welcome to the second installment of Small Biz Corner. This month, we’re going to talk about an alternate calendar application for you to use in your SoHo (small office/home office) or Small Business (1-10 users) environment.
What makes BusyCal great is that it’s the iCal that Apple failed to make. You get so many more features that BusyMac’s label of “iCal Pro” makes sense.
Here is a list of some of those features (not included with iCal):
- You can sync with Google Calendar for online access to your calendar from any computer, anywhere.
- Your calendars can be password protected as read-write or read-only, and encrypted with SSL.
- You can create repeating todos that display in the calendar view and carry-forward until completed.
- The customizable list view lets you filter and sort events by date, event type, calendar, and more.
- You can view live weather forecasts, sunrise/sunset times, and moon phases right in your calendar.
- You can add virtual sticky notes to your calendar, and share/sync them with others in your network.
Show Me the Goods
Let’s take a look at what BusyCal displays for its Calendar, as there are multiple ways to view your information:
BusyCal Day View
BusyCal Week View with Banners and Sticky Notes
BusyCal Month View (sorry for the blurring, didn't want to bore you with my meetings)
BusyCal List View (more blurring)
Configuring BusyCal
Other than a drag-and-drop from the disk image to your applications folder, you’re pretty much up and running with only a little bit of configuration for sharing calendars among your peers.
By default, your calendar is automatically shared via Bonjour. Thus, everyone in the office is automatically sharing their calendar. The only work you need to do is to subscribe to another shared (Remote BusyCal) calendar to view their schedule.
This is a pretty simple exercise, as you click the gear icon in the lower left corner of the BusyCal window:
Subscribing to shared Calendars
Please note, I am explicitly not going into the other basic create appointments, tasks, etc. as they are very close to how iCal works. If you have any familiarity with iCal, you will pick-up BusyCal in about five minutes.
What else do I need to know?
The real value to BusyCal is its price. For $40, with a 20 percent discount for purchasing more than one copy, you have a real steal for setting up group calendaring within your business. Macworld gave BusyCal a 2009 Eddy Award and I am not surprised given the rich functionality combined with the simplicity that it provides.
Other items worth mentioning:
- If you are running Snow Leopard, BusyCal is natively a 64-bit application. You gain the added speed and memory enhancements with this application.
- BusyCal takes full advantage of MobileMe and Sync Services, so all of your calendar and task items are synced to both Apple Mail and iCal (in case you decide to stop using BusyCal).
- The app isn’t flawless. Yes, I am not a big fan of the reminder window. iCal’s user interface is much prettier here and it looks like the BusyMac team just didn’t spend the effort to polish that dialog box.
A year ago, I wrote about different choices for syncing to Google Calendar. In that comparison review, I recommended BusySync (also from the folks at BusyMac) due to its simplicity and low overhead for getting the job done. If you are a registered user of BusySync, you can upgrade to BusyCal for $20 — an incredible bargain.
It’s clear that the developers at BusyMac understand how to build great software for a reasonable price. Finally, if you do run into any issues with BusyCal, there is excellent documentation and support available on the BusyMac website.
Переслать - The Beginning of the End for Jobs
I finally got around to watching the stream of Wednesday’s iPad announcement at about 11:30 local time last night. Of course, I couldn’t wait until the bitter end to go to bed, and falling asleep was a bit challenging even at that late hour. After a short but good night’s rest, I awoke with a thought that had absolutely nothing to do with the iPad, and everything to do with the iPad all at the same time.
I have a strange sense that we were watching what is perhaps the penultimate performance by the master of the keynote. Please understand, this is entirely an intuitive sense that something wasn’t quite business as usual. I have no knowledge of any such information, nor am I making a prediction. I’m just offering my take on what I saw. And I saw several telltale signs that Steve Jobs may be on his way to relinquishing his CEO role at Apple. Here are my thoughts.
- Jobs went out of his way to point out that Apple is a $50 billion company.
- There were a couple of historical references, including the great black-and-white photo of Jobs and Woz and the first PowerBook.
- Though they weren’t necessarily presented in this manner, that sounds a lot like personal legacy to me. Reading between the lines, the unspoken message is “I’ve turned this garage band into one of the most powerful companies in the world today.”
- With one quick comment and supporting slide, Jobs made a major strategic shift and repositioned Apple as a mobile products company, which has a much more exciting future than computers.
- He also made a clear effort to convince the media in attendance that they could sell this device. The subtle message is that if they can get traction on the iPad while growing or maintaining the other three product lines, they can succeed well into the future without him.
- Schiller and Forstall played pretty significant roles in the iPad announcement and Jobs is nowhere to be found in the announcement video. Neither of these unprecedented, but noteworthy nonetheless.
My gut tells me that the earnings and iPad announcements this week was the first real indication that the public reveal of Apple succession is underway. I expect Jobs to become non-executive chairman, maintaining a public profile and involvement as inspirational leader and assurance for investors. Cook will take over as CEO and Oppenheimer remaining CFO. Cook will remain the behind-the-scenes operational genius, with Schiller, Forstall, and to a lesser extent Madsen being the public personae for products. Schiller is the Mac guy (yesterday, his role was relegated to iWork, which is a port of a desktop suite of apps). Forstall is the iP guy (iPhone, iPod, iPad). If the future of the company is truly as a mobile products company, that suggests Forstall will have an increasingly visible role with the company, with Schiller taking a back seat. Indeed, Forstall seems more at ease leading a major presentation, save for his inability to hide the remote while clicking to change slides or averting his eyes to the confidence monitor. The wild card is designer Jonathan Ive, but my guess he is very passionate about the design side of the company and doesn’t want the hassles of the business.
Apple doesn’t need a breakthrough device for some time. If it continues to execute well on its current product lineup–something Cook excels at–they should be in great shape. Right now or soon after the iPad ships might very well be the perfect time for Jobs to announce his successor.
Переслать - Take Rumors and Hype With a Grain of Salt
Apple plays the media game as well as anyone. There’s a rigorous cat and mouse game of filing patents, trademarks, and domain registrations, fake images, rumors, leaks, and misspoken (or are they?) comments in public forums. Each of these manage to whip the public into a frenzy of anticipation which can last for years. But add to this equation, the ravenous fans, bloggers, and tech pundits, who all keep the ball rolling, and it easily enters a completely new level of crazy.
Then the day of reckoning arrives (as it did Wednesday), and perhaps the stock dips and the feedback is mixed as many fans quickly turn on the company that they revere. I get it — we’re all so smitten with the genius of these products we use all the time, that we expect nothing but perfection from Apple. But as the anticipation builds, over time, the “requirements” of the consumer outpace what may be logical or even feasible. And then what happens when reality doesn’t live up to the expectations we’ve developed in our heads (and on our blogs)? An empty feeling of disappointment following Steve’s unveiling.
History has shown that these frustrations and feelings of discontent will generally dwindle with time. Sometimes it’s with the first hands-on experience, and sometimes it’s a slightly longer road as the new thing (the ‘MacBook’ name, for instance) becomes familiar and accepted. The problem as I see it, is that the more time we have on our hands to wonder, the more creative we (by ‘we’ of course, I mean the Internet) get with the things the mythical device might do.
Think about it, we didn’t even know if Apple was actually developing a tablet. For at least a couple years there’s been much talk and guessing that it would, but we really didn’t know for sure. So people start thinking about what an Apple tablet would look like, what it would do, and so on. From there, the creative juices start to flow, and the list of specs and possible technologies spin quickly out of control. Sure, I would’ve loved to have seen a camera on the iPad. It also would’ve been pretty neat if it had some sort of proximity awareness of other iPads. Or if it functioned in a way that brought my home media viewing system together — that would’ve been ideal.
But take a step back and consider what Apple did: It now offers a great middle device for doing the simple things that a majority of computer users need, for only $500! As an aside, some close friends pined for a MacBook to replace their aging iBook, but they couldn’t justify it because the iBook was nicknamed “The Email Checker.” Now for only $500 they could pick this up and browse the web casually, use Facebook, and do the simple tasks that their somewhat outdated (and slow) machine does for twice the price. I for one think that for what it is, the iPad is going to be spectacularly successful.
And then there was the lack of any mention of the iPhone SDK 4.0 availability, Aperture, iLife, and on and on. But think about what this event was — it was the release of a new product from Apple. It’s something never before seen by 99.999 percent of the world. Steve doesn’t want to take away from the hype with anything if it doesn’t directly impact his new offering. Perhaps we’ll see or hear evidence of some of the aforementioned software in coming weeks as the iPad buzz subsides, but yesterday’s event was not the forum for such things.
So a couple of days later, we’re beginning to come down from the Apple event. For some it’s been everything they were hoping for (and did I mention, for only $500?!). For others, frustration and disappointment. But listening to the rumor mill and pinning our hopes to those wild, and largely unfounded ideas is what made it hurt the most. Maybe we should stop that. I enjoy the rumors as much as the next guy. But perhaps it’s time to reign our technolust in just a skosh and enjoy the ride.
Переслать - iPad Buying Guide
We all know that you want an iPad. You haven’t even touched one yet, but you have read every word published on the device since before it was announced on Wednesday’s event. You’ve been up all night dreaming about surfing the web, and looking at your address book in split view. You can’t wait to download iTunes movies and watch them on the gorgeous 9.7″ LED-backlit, glossy widescreen multi-touch display with fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating.
In fact, you have been repeating that last sentence in your head all morning as you watch the keynote again after downloading the high-res podcast from iTunes. You are making a list of which iBooks you will buy from the iBookstore so you can decide which title will be the first to have it’s icon gracefully displayed on your faux wood electronic bookshelf.
You are going to buy an iPad. All that is left to decide is which one. This, unfortunately, could be a difficult decision.
What Are the Choices?
There are six variations on the iPad with various combinations of storage, with and without 3G support, ranging from $499 to $829.
Somewhere in that $330 spread is the perfect iPad for you.
Storage Capacity
You have three choices here: 16GB, 32GB or 64GB. How do you decide how much you need?
iPhone apps are generally pretty small (a quick survey of the 400+ apps I have in my library indicates that they range from 56KB for single-purpose utilities to almost 200MB for some 3D games). It would take a lot of apps to fill up your iPad, even when you consider that the larger screen size will likely require iPad-specific games with larger graphic assets to fill that amazing screen from edge to edge with gaming goodness.
Email and all that doesn’t require a ton of onboard storage either, especially when you are using something like Gmail, Google Apps, Yahoo, IMAP, Exchange or any other solution that keeps most of your archived messages on the server.
Music and movies are the big culprits here. If you want to carry around a lot of music and movies on the device, you will want the bigger capacity iPad. And, if you’re honest with yourself, you’ll want to watch movies on this thing and show them off to your friends.
The real kicker is the pricing. It costs $100 to go from 16GB to 32GB ($6.25/GB) and $100 to go from 32GB to 64GB ($3.13/GB). The storage is actually getting cheaper as you buy more. Don’t be conservative here. Buy the biggest model you can afford.
To 3G or not to 3G? That is the Question
The 3G model offers nearly on-demand access to a wide-area network when you are out of range of Wi-Fi. In the United States, that access will cost you $14.99 for data transfer up to 250MB for the month, or $29.99 for unlimited data. With no contract required, you can sign up for these data contracts on the iPad itself only when you need it (no word yet if you can upgrade mid-month from 250MB to unlimited for the prorated difference). In addition, you also get access to AT&T hotspots as part of your subscription.
But Why Would You Want 3G?
Adding the 3G support to the iPad will cost an extra $130 on top of whatever size model you choose. I think the biggest reason to splash out for 3G is that this model includes support for assisted GPS. You won’t get GPS at all on the Wi-Fi model. The mapping application demonstrated during the iPad introduction (shown at 22:35) looks absolutely stunning andis a huge improvement over the iPhone. The speed on the new A4 processor in the iPad really takes the Maps app to the next level.
The only other reason to get the 3G model is to plan ahead for the possibility that you might need to use the iPad while not near Wi-Fi. If you’re taking this thing out to client meetings, conferences with sketchy Wi-Fi, or Apple press events filled to capacity, you will love having a wide-area network option available.
You might consider using a MiFi or other mobile hotspot to provide connectivity for your iPad while out and about, but those solutions all require long-term contracts. If you already have a MiFi or similar device, then just use that. If you don’t, the 3G model at least offers the opportunity to get online when you need it.
Other Considerations
iPhone Users: If you have an iPhone, the iPad 3G might not be necessary. If you are really in a pinch where you can’t use Wi-Fi, you can rely on your iPhone until you get back into range of an access point.
Upgradeitis: It seems obvious that there will be a new iPad next year. Who knows, it might even have a camera. If you think you might upgrade next year, consider what you need for the next 12 months. I think the two models that will have the highest resale demand in 2011 will be the low-end $499 device because of the price point and the $829 64GB 3G model because it will still be appealing to a power user that is looking for a used iPad to save a little money over next year’s high-end model.
What Am I Buying?
I was leaning towards the $829 3G model because I know I will love the iPad but now I’m pretty sure I’ll get the $499 Wi-Fi model. I want an iPad, but I already have a MacBook Pro and an iPhone. If the iPad proves indispensable, I will sell the original iPad once iPad 2.0 comes out and buy the biggest and baddest model then.
Tell Us Which Model You Will Buy
Here’s your chance to weigh in. Vote in the poll to tell everyone which iPad you’re planning on buying.
Переслать - iPod touch Now Outselling iPhone
It’s something that was easy to miss, but in talking up the user base for the iPad, Steve Jobs indirectly revealed what many following the company suspect. If the iPod touch has not already become Apple’s best-selling iPhone OS device, it soon will be.
Much to consternation of six-figure analysts, Apple doesn’t break out iPod sales, but there are hints. At the conference call for last quarter, it was stated that iPod touch sales for the quarter were up 55 percent year over year. That helped explain how iPod revenue was up by one percent from a year ago, even though total iPod units sold were down eight percent.
However, it was a remark from WWDC ‘09 and the one from the iPad event that add up to the iPod touch now being the leading iPhone OS device.
On June 8 at WWDC ‘09, it was announced that more than 40 million iPhone OS devices had been sold, and this is where it gets a little tricky. We know that through the end of June Apple sold 26.38 million iPhones. Subtracting that number from 40 million gives us 13.62 million, which admittedly leaves out sales of the iPod touch in June.
However, we do know for that entire quarter Apple sold 10.22 million iPods. Pick a number for June iPod touch sales. One million, three million, it doesn’t really matter. Let’s say two million, or 15.62 million iPod touches, 42 million iPhone OS devices total through June, 2009.
At the iPad event, Steve Jobs announced 75 million iPhone OS devices had been sold to date, though whether that date was January 27 or January 1 is not known. It won’t matter either way, but let’s assume the latter. Through 2009, Apple sold 42.517 million iPhones. Subtract that number from 75 million iPhone OS devices and we get 32.483 million iPod touches.
If you’re still awake, here’s the bottom line: the rate of sales growth of the iPod touch is very likely greater than the table shows, as in double that of the iPhone. True, the period includes the holiday quarter, the best quarter for iPods, but it just doesn’t matter. The iPod touch, the stealth device for iPhone OS, will be the best-selling model for the platform in 2010, if it isn’t already, and it is.
Переслать - Apple Allows VoIP App Over 3G Network
AT&T has amended the terms of use for the iPhone and now allows Apple has apparently updated its iPhone SDK to allow VoIP applications to run over 3G data networks. Previously, VoIP applications were only approved for sale in the App Store if they were limited to Wi-Fi.
The developers of the iCall VoIP application for iPhone issued a press release yesterday that they have the first VoIP over 3G app for the iPhone.
Apple Computer, Inc. has updated the iPhone developer SDK to allow VoIP over cellular networks. iCall is the first and only VoIP application that functions on the iPhone and iPod Touch over cellular 3G networks.
iCall CEO Arlo Gilbert is quoted as saying, “I applaud Apple’s decision to allow iCall to extend its functionality beyond Wi-Fi and onto the 3G networks. This heralds a new era for VoIP applications on mobile platforms, especially for iCall and our free calling model. I hope that now more developers will begin using our VoIP as a platform to integrate VoIP into their applications.”
CNET was also able to get comment from both AT&T and Apple confirming that VoIP applications are now supported on the 3G network.
AT&T said it informed Apple and the Federal Communications Commission of its decision Tuesday afternoon.
“We are very happy that AT&T is now supporting VoIP applications,” Apple spokesperson Natalie Kerris said. “We will be amending our developer agreements to get VoIP apps on the App Store and in customers’ hands as soon as possible.”
VoIP on the iPad?
At yesterday’s announcements Apple reiterated over and over that “virtually” all of the 140,000+ apps in the App Store would work with the iPad. Skype was mentioned by David Pogue in his coverage and I’m fairly certain Apple provided him with more briefing on the iPad than they did for me. While there is no explicit announcement confirming VoIP for the $29 unlimited 3G service, it seems possible that iCall (or Skype) would run unaltered on the iPad and would work over the 3G data plan. This could mean a $30/month unlimited calling plan for the iPad that would work anywhere, not just when in range of a Wi-Fi signal.
VOIP Means the iPad Needs Multitasking
While I was quick to dismiss the early complaints about the lack of multitasking on the iPad, it seems that VoIP calling is a critical application that would require this functionality. On the iPhone, it is really convenient to jump into email and contacts while on a phone call to pull up some information relevant to the conversation. It will be really annoying to be on a VoIP call on your iPad and have to hang up (by quitting the VoIP app) to look something up.
I suspect we will see some VoIP apps with integrated web browsing for the simple reason that conference calls with web slides will work a lot better if you can look at the slides while on the call.
Google Voice?
It is less clear if this change in the terms of the SDK and AT&T’s policies will allow Google to move forward with a native iPhone app. Apple apparently rejected the app because it substantially duplicated existing functionality and the interface could confuse customers. Google Voice is not a VoIP application in that it actually uses your cell phone minutes by redirecting calls to and from your Google Voice number (which might result in free calling using AT&T’s A-List feature). Still, if there are VoIP apps that run on 3G, it seems like the duplication and confusion arguments would be weakened and might convince Apple to approve the Google Voice app. In the mean time, I have found the new Google Voice web app to be a good implementation given the lack of integration that would have been possible with a native app.
Переслать
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