Seb Janacek, Author at TechRepublic

Seb Janacek

Latest from Seb Janacek

Mobility
Apple vs Android: How tech tribalism is ruining the web

The never-ending stream of "mine's better than yours" between fans of rival smartphones, tablets and computers is destroying healthy debate about IT. It's time for the warring factions to put away their cliched arguments and engage in grown-up discussion.

Seb Janacek
Published: December 5, 2012, 8:26 PM PST Modified: December 5, 2012, 8:26 PM PST Read More See more Mobility
In some ways Apple chief designer Jonathan Ive has now inherited Steve Jobs' spiritual crown. Photo: Apple

Apple
Apple shake-up: Why Cook has dished Ive a bigger role

The most intriguing move in Apple's management changes adds software to hardware guru Jonathan Ive's design brief. But whether Apple CEO Tim Cook has chosen wisely will only become clear with iOS 7 or OS X 10.9 in nine months.

Seb Janacek
Published: November 1, 2012, 8:55 PM PDT Modified: November 1, 2012, 8:55 PM PDT Read More See more Apple
More established devices such as Samsung's Galaxy Tab will offer a smaller tablet from Apple competition that the iPad never experienced. Photo: Samsung

Apple
iPad mini? Five reasons why it’s a risky business for Apple

Is Apple really about to launch a smaller tablet? If it is, the iPad maker will have to overcome a number of hurdles to succeed.

Seb Janacek
Published: October 18, 2012, 9:20 PM PDT Modified: October 18, 2012, 9:20 PM PDT Read More See more Apple
Because the iPhone 5 is the latest device in a maturing product line, perhaps Apple doesn't need secrets and surprises as much as it used to. Photo: Apple

Apple
Apple’s iPhone 5: Have secrets and lies rendered it boring?

Critics of Apple's iPhone 5 say its predictability and lack of innovation are a big disappointment. But the cash registers are telling a different story.

Seb Janacek
Published: September 25, 2012, 7:01 PM PDT Modified: September 25, 2012, 7:01 PM PDT Read More See more Apple
The Apple ad announcing the 12 September launch event features a prominent 5 beneath the date. Photo: Apple

Apple
Apple iPhone 5: Guaranteed to disappoint

The smart money is now on the new iPhone offering solid improvements rather than revolution. So, with no obvious killer feature, the big question is whether Apple's new smartphone is simply destined to dissatisfy.

Seb Janacek
Published: September 5, 2012, 5:30 AM PDT Modified: September 5, 2012, 5:30 AM PDT Read More See more Apple
Ping rapidly attracted two million subscribers but people were quick to label it a flop. Photo: Kent German/CNET

Social enterprise
A rare Apple failure but why did Ping go pop?

Launched noisily by Steve Jobs, closed quietly by Tim Cook, Apple's foray into the social web has been a rare misstep. There are a number of small reasons for Ping's failure - and one big one.

Seb Janacek
Published: August 27, 2012, 8:41 PM PDT Modified: August 27, 2012, 8:41 PM PDT Read More See more Social enterprise
The real prize in Mountain Lion is the integration of iCloud storage for documents. Photo: Apple

Cloud
Mountain Lion: Mac users should pounce on its greatest feature

Along with a notable performance boost for Macs, Apple's Mountain Lion OS X upgrade offers one thing that is far more valuable than any amount of shiny new stuff.

Seb Janacek
Published: August 13, 2012, 9:26 PM PDT Modified: August 13, 2012, 9:26 PM PDT Read More See more Cloud
iTunes began its journey as a humble jukebox but too much has been asked of it over the years. Photo: Apple

After Hours
iTunes: Apple’s iCloud front end? Six ways it must improve

If iTunes is to deliver as Apple's front end to its iCloud and content ecosystem, it will have to change - or fall behind its rivals.

Seb Janacek
Published: July 29, 2012, 7:56 PM PDT Modified: July 29, 2012, 7:56 PM PDT Read More See more After Hours
The launch of the MacBook Pro with Retina Display underlines Apple's approach to the past and future and its influence on competitors. Photo: Sarah Tew/CNET

Hardware
Microsoft and Google may not like it but they’re marching to Apple’s drumbeat

Every so often a force appears in technology that carries all before it. For the moment, Apple is just such a phenomenon.

Seb Janacek
Published: July 15, 2012, 9:55 PM PDT Modified: July 15, 2012, 9:55 PM PDT Read More See more Hardware
Initial enthusiasm among CIOs for Microsoft's Surface seems to be cooling. Josh Lowensohn/CNET News

Mobility
Microsoft Surface: Has iPad’s first serious rival finally arrived?

Thanks to the iPad's success, Microsoft's Surface tablet would have been largely unthinkable a year or so ago. Despite that Apple influence, a significantly different ideology runs through Microsoft's device.

Seb Janacek
Published: June 28, 2012, 8:52 PM PDT Modified: June 28, 2012, 8:52 PM PDT Read More See more Mobility