In 1984, Apple Computer introduced the Apple Macintosh personal computer.  The first version was the Macintosh 128K model which came bundled with the Mac OS operating system then known as the “System Software”.

The Mac is often credited with popularizing the graphical user interface (GUI).

The Mac OS has been pre-installed on almost every Macintosh computer ever sold.  The operating system is also sold separately from the computer just as with Microsoft Windows.

The original Mac OS was heavily based on the Lisa OS previously released by Apple for the Lisa computer in 1983.  It also used concepts from other operating systems previewed by Apple executives.

In 1984, Apple partnered with Microsoft in an agreement that would have Microsoft creating versions of Word and Excel for the Mac OS.

For the majority of the 1980’s, the Mac OS lacked a large amount of compatible software, however, the introduction of System 7 saw more software becoming available for the platform.

System 6 was the first major revision of the operating system, although the Mac OS kernel was kept the same from the System 7 revision until Mac OS 9.

The Macintosh project started in early 1979 with Jeff Raskin who envisioned an easy-to-use low-cost computer for the average consumer.  In September of ’79, Raskin was given permission to start hiring for the project.

When version OS 7.6 was released, the stability of the operating system was much better.  People began to fully embrace the Mac OS and their legitimacy returned as a popular operating system.

System 7 also saw the introduction of an interactive help application, and the addition of “Stickies” which were basically virtual Post-It notes.  Many Mac users still have OS 7 on their Apples.

Two other versions would follow in OS 8 and OS 9 each improving on the previous version.  Apple continued to develop updates to their operating system making it more stable and capable of more tasks working efficiently to bring Mac into the 21st century.

The most recent version and one that is used on new systems today is Mac OS X.  This version provides a stable operating environment for the Mac PC and offers more flexibility than other systems.

The graphics are updated with lots of color and a flashier look.

iTunes is an amazingly cool free application for Mac and PC, which plays all your digital music and videos. It syncs content to your iPod, iPhone, Apple TV as well as Mac PC, or portables.

Moreover it’s an entertainment superstore that stays open 24/7 and guarantees entertainment round the clock.

iTunes brings your entire music and video collections together and they are just a mere click away from you, giving you an all-access pass to thousands of hours of digital entertainment.

You can Browse, Organize, Play and do loads of stuff from your Mac or PC.

The latest edition is the iTunes 8 launched recently by Apple, which offers really superb features, so let’s check them out one by one:

• Genius Playlists

Genius is an amazing way to create perfect play-lists. All you need to do is to play     a song, click the Genius button, and iTunes creates a playlist of other songs from     your library that go great together.



Genius playlist helps you to discover songs in your library that you probably     never knew existed!

• Genius Sidebar

While you reacquaint yourself with the music you already own, let Genius     introduce you to new music you’d love. As you select songs in your library, the     Genius sidebar displays songs from the iTunes Store that go great with it. The     Genius sidebar won’t recommend songs already in your library, and you can     preview and buy recommended songs directly from the sidebar.

• Grid View

See your iTunes library in a new way. Select Albums in Grid View and iTunes 8     displays your entire music library using cover art. Select Artists, Genres, or     Composers, and iTunes automatically creates groups of albums based on your     selection. Simply skim across a group to see the albums inside, and start playing     an album with a single click. Movies, TV shows, podcasts, and audio books look     great in Grid View, too.

• HD TV Shows

You can purchase selected episodes of your favorite TV shows in high definition     for just $2.99. Or get the whole season in HD with a Season Pass. And when you     buy HD, iTunes doubles your viewing pleasure: You also get an iPod-ready     version with a file size and resolution that’s ideal for smaller screens.

• Enhanced Accessibility

iTunes 8 is now screen reader friendly on both Mac and PC. Manage your iTunes     library using VoiceOver in Mac OS X Leopard or Window-Eyes for Windows XP     and Windows Vista. Or use your screen reader to purchase or download content     from the iTunes Store — including iTunes U.

• New Visualizer

Turn on the new Visualizer and lose yourself in a 3D-scape of spheres, ribbons,     and lights that pulsate to the beat and tempo of the song you’re playing.

• Buy iTunes Gift Cards

You can purchase a prepaid iTunes Gift Card from the Apple Online Store, an     Apple Retail Store, or thousands of other U.S. retailers.
Variety of options to choose from denominations of $15, $25, and $50 good     toward any purchase on the iTunes Store.

• Buy iTunes gift certificates

An iTunes Store gift certificate that is available through iTunes, is just the thing     for last moment gifts! You can choose from a wide range of denominations  and email your gift certificate immediately, or print the gift certificate on your own printer and deliver it to the lucky recipient in person.

• Podcasts

The iTunes Store offers more than 100,000 audio and video podcasts from     independent creators and big names like HBO, NPR, ESPN, The Onion, CBS Sports, and The New York Times.

• iPod Games

You can amuse yourself with games for your Click Wheel-based iPod.

Bearing price tag of merely $4.99 in the iTunes Store, these games are designed to play nice with your iPod classic, third- or fourth-generation iPod nano, or fifth-generation iPod.

• iTunes U

What if you could summon the world’s leading thinkers from some of the most esteemed institutions to teach you anything, anytime? Well, now you can. All it takes is your computer and iTunes U.

You can download iTunes 8 HERE for free!

The iPhone has indeed been sensational all the way. Some people like its looks, style and other stuffs but of course above all, it has certain incredible applications that make it even more popular.

While the interface is brilliantly designed, fast and has an overall functionality totally different from other Mobile Operating Systems, what has really impressed every one is the number of wonderful applications currently available on the relatively new operating system.

So let’s briefly analyze some of the more popular iPhone applications, specifically the ones that have been acclaimed on a larger, to be the best performing ones on the iPhone OS.

1. iPhone Sports Reporting Apps

I’m a self proclaimed sports freak and if I fail to watch my Cubbies or Bears, I feel at a loss. However SportTap helps you to keep up with the favorite teams when you are not able to watch it on TV. The application covers all the major U.S. Sports including MLB, NFL, and NBA sporting events, along with the NHL, PGA, Tennis and even many international sports.

Simply request a game score and within seconds the updated score is sent your way. The user interface is not in any way cluttered and makes finding the games in question a breeze.

What’s more it comes totally free of cost, although you can’t really bookmark your favorite teams! Just kidding… So indeed this handy application makes the process of finding scores for events around the world a child’s play!

You can read more info about this application at this link http://www.apple.com/webapps/sports/

2. iPhone Weather Applications

Although it’s obviously possible to check whether reports on the iPhone Safari browser, but there is an excellent stand alone application well worth mentioning; WeatherBug, which offers over forty five thousand locations worldwide that would most certainly satisfy any user!

Gone are the days of sitting in front of your radio awaiting news of the most severe weather happenings, as now you can get those updates at any time with WeatherBug, and even on the Edge network the downloads are fast and offer very concise information.

Apart from the location database the application also brings up satellite information, radar maps, and current radars that stream to your device in seconds, detailed forecasts, weather cameras, and in the cases of extreme weather alerts sent directly to your device.

Read more info about iphone weather application.

3. iPhone Games

As far as popularity level is concerned, by far the most well thought out game for the iPhone is apparently the Super Monkey Ball!

A great game with smooth playability, concise levels, and provides an overall funny experience. Rules are pretty straight forward as all you gotta’ do is navigate your “Monkey” in his “Ball” through various navigated levels without falling off the mazes open sides.

In fact I like the smooth movements created through the use of the iPhone accelerometer. It has a reasonable price tag of $10. Doesn’t matter whether you’re a game enthusiast or you simply want to test out new features like the accelerometer, on your iPhone, this cool application is well worth the money.

See more detail on iphone game application

4. iPhone Internet and Mobile Search Apps

At least Google doesn’t fight with Apple as much as it does with Microsoft and hence the Google App for the iPhone is a handy all inclusive search program.

You can search your iPhone for items such as Contacts, Applications, and so on just like the Google Desktop for a Windows Based desktop or portable. Moreover the users can always find even web pages, local business contact information, and much more.

The program also features smart search, essentially as you enter letters the available programs that match those letters will appear first in search results. Overall a great app that makes overall search capabilities easier to digest, especially if you tend to store everything on your device, and with the iPhone 3G data connection if you surf the net from your device almost as much as from your computers.

You can discover more here

5. iPhone Aggregate News Reader (RSS FEEDS)

NetNewsWire is a great free application especially for the MAC users who use the desktop version of the reader, and if you one of them then you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the functionality of the iPhone version! Using the two programs in tandem you can actually sync your RSS feeds making reading where you left off easier than ever.

Many people widely chose the NetNewsWire feed because it works with great ease and comes along with a very simply interface that gets you right to your news without unneeded menu options, and has a built in sync feature as well.

See the iphone news feed reader detail.

6. iPhone Ebook Apps

If you are one of those who like to read on the go, then ireading is the best application for you. The application is free and offers users with abilities such as downloading ebooks directly to their iPhone.

The lettering comes through very clear making reading easy. It may not be perfect for all of your reading needs on the iPhone’s 3.5 inch screen, but it’s great for commuters, or if you have a short wait in a line or a break at work and want to catch up on your reading!

Actually as a matter of fact, the list goes on and on, as there are lot many other applications for the iPhone that are well worth mentioning, so if you have any particular one that I have missed out here, then please do share it! ?