Stories by Lex Friedman

  • Tools we use: The best Mac apps for working remotely

    The Yahoos of the world may be eliminating telecommuting, but the fact is, working from home is easier than ever. I work from home myself, so I'm clearly biased, but many companies find that home-based workers are more productive than their office-based brethren. Here are the Mac apps and Web-based tools I use to make working from home work.

  • How Google's I/O moves measure up to what Apple offers

    Google had a lot to say during Wednesday's Google I/O keynote--so would you, if you had three-and-a-half hours to fill. And while new features in voice-powered search functionality, Google Maps, and other pronouncements from the search giant were certainly eye-catching, just how much of what was said at this week's developer conference should make iOS device owners sit up and take notice?

  • Hands on with the new Yahoo app for iPhone

    Yahoo has released a new version of its Yahoo app for iPhone. I'm not sure what I expected from an app called Yahoo, but I will admit that the fact that it's a news app left me feeling surprised.

  • 2012 in review: The year in iOS

    Every year since the introduction of the iPhone in 2007 has been a big year for iOS, and 2012 is certainly no exception. Let's take a stroll down memory lane, recalling the year that was for the iPhone, the iPad, and the operating system that powers them both.

  • Ten apps for your new iPad

    If you were lucky enough to receive a new iPad for the holidays this year, we hope you have fun exploring what the tablet has to offer. By now you've probably acquainted yourself with the built-in apps on your iPad, so you may want to reach outside the sandbox for more interesting fare. The App Store, which you can access on your iPad or via iTunes on your computer, features more than 750,000 downloadable apps. If there's something you want to do on your iPad, chances are good you can find a tool for it in the App Store. But separating the truly great apps from the weird and wacky ones can be tough. Here are a few of our favorite apps to get you started.

  • Opinion: Why Google Maps for iPhone is good for Apple

    Despite its aesthetic achievements, Apple's Maps app in iOS 6 left a lot of users unhappy. Turns out that the years Google spent building out its mapping data were hugely important; Apple's data - which powered its new Maps app - didn't have the real world, real user testing that Google Maps benefited from.

  • AC/DC finally rocks the iTunes Store

    Apple and Columbia Records have announced that AC/DC's complete catalog is available digitally for the first time - exclusively at the iTunes Store. The rock band had long been missing in action from online music stores, but now the entirety of the band's discography is available for digital purchase. All the music has been mastered for iTunes as well.