Monday, March 26, 2007
Announcement
I am taking a break, and there will be no more updates to this web site for the rest of the week. The next scheduled update will be on 1st April 2007, Sunday. And no, this is not an early April Fools' joke.
News
Amazon Leaks Adobe CS3 Pricing, Availability Dates, Code Split
One of the largest online retailers has let slip the entire launch strategy for Adobe's Creative Suite 3 and its various individual apps — and revealed that PowerPC-based Macs may soon become second-class citizens in the program designer's eyes.
Opinion
Switching My Mom To The Mac
Now we're a family of Macs. No more cleaning spyware off Mom's PC, no more struggling to walk her through registry hacks over the phone (just kidding), and a level of connectivity I could only imagine a few years ago.
Parallels, Cricket, Baseabll And Life's Little Joys
For next six months Virtualization will be part of my daily life...
Sunday, March 25, 2007
News
Will Autumn Of 2001 Lead To Jobs' Fall?
Whether Jobs faces any real danger — from Securities and Exchange Commission regulators or federal prosecutors — remains abundantly unclear. What is clear, however, is the focus of the investigators' inquiries.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
News
How-To: Upgrade The Drive In Your Apple TV
While there is little doubt that this will void our warranty, it is worth it, isn't it?
Apple TV Hacked, Plays Everything
Someone on the something awful forums was able to get his Apple TV to play videos in various encoding formats by adding codec support with Perian (a codec pack for QuickTime).
South Park Studios: No Walk In The Park
To get that freedom the duio has built an audio/video studio that's driven by a few dozen Macs and a massive render farm.
Opinion
Apple And The Art Of Good Timing
Apple TV Diary: The Gimme Moment
Initial release of Apple TV raises the promise of more features.
Friday, March 23, 2007
News
Top Geek Details On Apple TV
iLounge's editors have assembled a robust testing environment for our two Apple TV units: four computers, five HDTVs ranging in size and resolution, one widescreen non-HDTV, and audio receivers with and without optical audio inputs. Prior to our final review, we wanted to share some of our preliminary findings for those who are interested.
Environmental Issues On Apple Shareholder Agenda
Two environmental proposals will be on the agenda at this year's annual Apple shareholder meeting. Environment group, Greenpeace, is rallying support for the proposals, while Apple's Board of Directors is recommending shareholders vote against the proposals.
Surprise, Microsoft Listed As Most Secure OS
Apple TV - Is There A Niche?
The question is whether Apple will rise to the top, or be swamped by the existing solutions. Can it carve out a niche? Unsurprisingly, vendors of existing products don't think so.
Disney Sued By Starz Over iTunes Movie Download Rights
Apple Unveils More Apple TV Info
Here are some of things we learned that should whet your appetite as you wait for your own Apple TV to arrive.
Analyst: Google Working With Apple In Phone Market
Despite talk that Google is developing its own mobile phone, Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster feels that the search giant is working with Apple, not against it, in the mobile phone space.
FileCatalyst Offer Creative Macs A Transfer Boost
Transferring large files online got easier this morning with the release of FileCatalyst. The software boosts throughput and reliability for users engaged in point-to-point file transfers.
Opinion
FUD: Windows Is "Most Secure OS"
It's pure FUD.
Apple TV A Game-Changer
Apple TV is about to attackthe fundamental assumptions underpinning the TV business just as the iPod cut the legs out from under CCDs and radio stations.
Once Bitten, Twice Shy?
Paying $250 for an extended warranty and then worrying that I'll never be able to benefit from it is not a gamble I like.
Apple And The Enterprise: In 20 Years, "Who Would Have Thought...?"
So change can happen quickly within SMEs. Yeah, we're not talking about Deutsche Bank going Mac tomorrow, but as the PC user experience degrades and/or requires new hardware, and as more and more grass-roots Mac users begin speaking up,s ome change — material change — will invariably take place.
Dear Mac, You Bore Me
What is with the whole "working" thing? I mean, I'm used to going and scouting for drivers and security patches and updates and tweaks and performance enhancers. With my Mac, I just turned it on and it like... worked.
The Apple TV Debate Is Upside Down
If this line sounds familiar, it's because the exact same grumblings were lodged against the iPod when it first debuted, and all those naysayers have been proven wrong. They will be again.
Apple TV - Will You Be Throwing Out Your DVD Player?
The fact that Apple TV isn't a replacement for a DVD player or a HDD recorder might mean that it's simpler to use, but it also means that it's yet another box and yet another remote control.
Top Ten Reasons You Don't Need Apple TV (Yet)
Some are obvious, others aren't, and all are counterpointed to present both sides of the debate.
Leopard Not Ready For April - "Barely Beta, Not Final Or Gold Master"
Our sources have told Ars that there is very little chance ("and that would be pushing it") for Leopard to ship in late April — that is, if Apple wants to ship with a halfway stable operating system.
Apple's Notebook Sales Down While The Industry's Numbers Are Up: What Gives?
Apple still makes a nice notebook, but what really differentiates it from the rest of the field?
Review
Apple TV Diary: Out Of The Box
Apple TV Surprises And Impressions
My guess is that Apple would rather lose a few customers than confuse everyone. Only standard-def TVs made in the past few years wil have component inputs, so most of the fifty years worth of standard-def TVs out there still won't work with the Apple TV.
Sidetrack
The "not invented here" syndrome has definite departed the building, cause Apple is learning from Microsoft in the choice of color. The iMac will now come in black, white and brown. Yummy!
Just kidding.
Wintel
Google News Think "Zune" Is A Typo
Microsoft's Zune is at risk of becoming the Rodney Dangerfield of digital music players: It doesn't get any respect.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
News
BeLight Software Ships Switft Publisher 2.0
BeLight Software today announced the release of Swift Publisher 2.0, a new version to its page layout application for designing and printing flyers, newsletter, brochures, booklets, etc.
Opinion
How Did Apple Blow It With QuickTime VR?
QuickTime VR should have been a contender.
Loyalty Vs Perference
The reality of a brand's success and apparent customer loyalty comes down to little more than choice. Or rather, preference.
Apple TV's Blurry Future
Wouldn't it be great if iTunes were a one-stop source for all online video? One can always hope the studios will "get it" and just fall in line. But given the fractious and fragmented nature of the entertainment industry, I wouldn't bet on it.
We Get It; Apple TV Is Not A DVR
Simple Truths About Cross-Platform Apps
Developing an application specifically for the Mac will allow you to do things that are not possible with a cross-platform toolkit.
For Security, You Can't Beat Mac OS X
This hints that OS X might be a tough nut for hackers to crack and that this is keeping malware under control.
Why Did Cingular Want The iPhone?
According to my source, Cingular/AT&T will assign virtually no marketing costs to the iPhone. With Apple taking the lead in marketing the phone, Cingular/AT&T believes they'll just have to sit back and rake in the money.
Apple Products As Collectibles
I know I am not the only one who views Apple products as collectibles.
iTunes: Why Does The 'Get Info' Command Not Take An Ellipsis?
Make iTunes more consistent with your own guidelines!
A Cheap Way To Beef Up Apple TV As A DVR?
Apple bloggers and anlysts suspect that may not be a problem for long, noting the as-yet unitilized USB port on the set-top box.
10 Reasons Why The $300 iDongle Is Not For Me
Why not just buy a Mac Mini, use Elgato's EyeTV, and skip the middle man?
My Digital Life: On Keeping Stuff
I have no problem tossing magazines. So why did I feel like a murderer on Sunday when I trashed that episode of Bones where Brennan gets blown up after dancing in Bones' apartment?
How Smart Are Your Playlists?
With so many options to choose from, the opportunities are seemingly limitless.
Security Experts Befuddled By Lack Of OS X Malware
Those poor security experts! They've been telling us for ages and ages that malware on OS X was imminent. That it was right around the corner, lurking like some sort of...er...lurker. Any day now.
Review
Mac Reloaded: The MacBook Pro Experience
Apple TV Has Landed
If you stay within the Apple ecosystem — use its online store, its jukebox software and so on — you get a seamless, trouble-free experience, with a greater selection of TV shows and movies than you can find from any other online store.
From PC To TV — Via Apple
It's a beautifully designed, easy-to-use product that should be very attractive to people with widescreen TV sets and lots of music, videos, and photos stored on computers.
Sidetrack
It's officially spring, or at least where Steve Jobs' office is. (Down here in Singapore where I am, there is only one official season: hot and sweaty.) That means that we can expect Leopard to spring (sorry) on us any Tuesday now.
After what seems like a season of nothingness from Apple, it sure is exciting now that Steve Jobs is getting ready to show us what super-duper ultra-uber new stuff that Apple has been keeping in drapes to hide from that big photocopy machine up north.
I just hope it's just not a new check box in iTunes to support iPod Hi-Fi II. :-)
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
News
Robbers Relish iPod Craze
The iPod is seemingly everywhere, signature white cords dangling from the ears of riders on buses, students at schools and people walking down the sidewalk. The digital music players' appeal has also spread among a less desirable element — thieves.
Google Joins Apple In Race To Launch Mobiles In Europe
Several leading European mobile phone companies are being courted by Apple and Google as the American technology giants look to bring their own mobile phones to European consumers.
Apple's Safari Team Works For Future Of The Web
Apple has joined leading Worldwide Web Consortium (W3C) standards body, the HTML Working Gruop.
Renee Mancino: What Happens In Vegas Stays On Her Mac
For her casework, Mancino says the number of hours she saves using Macs instead of a traditional manual legal system — and the productivity gained as a result — is staggering.
Myst Online: Uru Live Launches For Mac
Apple Finally Gets Around To Sending NAB Invitations
The invite text doesn't present any new information, and confirms most of what we already know: "Lights Camera. *Apple Logo*"
Analyst: Mac Sales Down, But Above Estimates
Based on information provided by 20 Apple Specialist Resellers, Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster estimates that Mac sales are down only slightly compared to the December 2006 quarter. THose numbers mean that Apple may beat analyst estimates of 1.45 million Macs sales for the quarter.
Opinion
Ten Reasons Why You Should Buy A Mac
Time to reconsider the once expensive, always stylish, now Unix-based Mac platform? We say yes.
Revisiting My Leopard Speculation
Me, I'm sticking with my June prediction.
George Ou Goes All-In On Dave Maynor's WiFi Findings
George, you've directly accused Apple of unethical behavior. You might be right. But making this accusation ups the stakes. I call. Show your cards.
QuickTime And Apple TV
Cool, yes? Yesss... but it's no speed demon.
Review
Struggling Between Firefox And Safari
Frenzic: Casual Puzzle Game Is Beguilingly Simple, Addictive
A well-presented and addictive puzzle action game, Frenzic will have you twitching spasmodically in no time.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
News
Bracing For The iPhone
Everyone from Palm to Google looks to stock up on ammo before the new iPod/cellphone combination hits the market in June.
Apple TV Ships In US/UK
Apple has begun shipping the Apple TV in the US, with UK orders seemingly ready to roll.
MYOB To Focus More Resources On The Mac
"We are putting specific resources on the Mac and seeing how we can expand our Mac user base and how we can utilize new Mac OS technologies."
Apple Opens Doors By Running Windows
Helping Macs gain a bit of ground within the workplace are a growing aray of programs that let the machines run Windows or Windows applications on Macs with little loss of performance.
Apple Gives Glimpse Inside Leopard With WWDC Sessions
As with past developer conferences the sessions are presented by Aple engineers that work on the technologies, so developers get first hand experience in making the technology work with their applications.
New QuickTime Exploit Hits MySpace, Steals Passwords
It exploits a flaw patched by Apple two weeks ago.
iPhone Generates $400 Million In Free Publicity For Apple
With the iPhone Apple used all the weapons in its buzz-generating arsenal.
Apple TV Could Extend iPod Dominance: Analysts
Because the iTunes customer base is nearly 10 times larger than the estimated 12 million active users of Media Center PCs, the Apple TV could be "a Trojan horse" that Apple can use to extend its dominance from portable digital players into the market for home media centers.
Power Manager 3.6 Improves AppleScript, Automator Support
SpamSieve 2.6 Adds Thunderbird Support
Spinning With DJ Scotty Boy
"It's all real exciting and I'm looking forward to making more and more music with my Mac."
Opinion
How Apple Orchestrated Web Attack On Researchers
Managing The Podosphere
Our days are already full of legitimate things to worry about, so why find worries in your recreation?
One Size Aggregator Doesn't Fit All
Amazon's listing is customized for classical music, while iTunes isn't. However, neigther of them does a very good job with Jazz.
Apple Of Our Eye: Macs Save Money
Recently, people have been saying the stragnest things about Apple and the Mac. Everything is topsy-turvy. Pundits aren't trotting out the old conventional wisdoms any more. They're saying odd stuff, like Macs are good for business; Macs can save money; and that Apple's stock — at $90 a share — is a bargain.
You're Too Late: Hideous iPhone Painting Sells For $410
Why Apple Should Acquire Adobe
If there are two companies that beter make "a couple" than Adobe and Apple I sure can't think of them.
Why Apple Should Not Acquire Adobe
If Apple acquires Adobe or any large software company, they're in for a nasty surprise and a rocky road ahead.
The Ultimate Mac Setups
If you've got the gear, why not flaunt it? These setups range from beautiful to ust flat out crazy — as in money spent.
MacBook It Is
Apple kept the store open for us, showed exemplary customer service while we were in the store, and had a quick and easy checkout process. It was nice to actually be trated decently at a retailer, any retailer.
How Apple TV Differentiates Itself From Other Players
No doubt, Apple didn't invent this category of device but they did focus on five areas that makes what they've done stand out among the other players on the market.
Prediction: Apple TV Will Never Be A DVR
It seems very clear to me that the point of Apple TV is to sell more iTunes content. Nothing more, nothing less.
Maybe $500 Isn't Too Much For A Phone, After All
When full retail prices are considered, suddenly that $500 price tag on the iPhone isn't all that high.
Sort Fields In iTunes 7.1
One of the key new features in iTunes 7.1, which came out earlier this week, is "enhanced sort options." What does that mean? Why would you want such a thing? How do you use them?
Updating Prebinding Is Dangerous
In fact, just to be safe, I'll do you one better, don't do anything while the update is running.
Review
DoorStop X Security Suite 2.0: Firewall Applications Secure Your Mac And Enhance Your Knowledge
The efficient software, coupled with the suite's educational components, make DoorStop X Security Suite an excellent way to secure your Mac — and learn valuable information at the same time.
Sidetrack
We are not a monopoly! Some kid in a garage can re-create an entire operating system that is much better than ours, and we'd be out of business in a heartbeat!
1 Billion Dollars! That's how much we are losing money on. If this has never happened, all the people deprived of our daily comedy schtick will sign up for cable television and pay us one billion dollars!
You know, terrorists can do anything and everything just to win! Therefore, we should ban anything and everything!
Let's see Woz and Steve program this game. :-)
Wintel
Monday, March 19, 2007
News
Adobe Releases First Apollo Code To Developers
Adobe offers challenge to .Net with technology that lets rich internet apps run offline.
Will Apple TV Be Bigger Than iPhone?
Apple TV isn't the first product to collect, manage and play on TV video that was downloaded to desktop computers. But then, the iPod wasn't the first portable digital audio player.
QuickTime Gains 720P Apple TV High-Definition Export Mode
Apple has quietly added an "Export to Apple TV" feature capable of creating high-definition videos viewable on the Apple TV.
Opinion
Apple TV: Will It Open Up Hollywood And Create A $11.4 Billion Market?
Could Be Time For An iSight Funeral
One of the cooler feature additions to the Mac OS X 10.4.9 update was its support for USB webcams.
Mac OS X Finds Its Way Onto My Desktop!
Mac OS X poses a threat to not just Windows, but also to Linux because it has all the things people love about Linux (except the freedom). The Open Source community should learn from it and see what people love about it and emulate it, rather than emulating Windows.
MacBook Pro, I Yearn For Thee
Oh, Apple laptop — my heart yearns with the fire of a thousand suns for your companionship. My stomah turns and twists with the sight of your beauty. Give yourself to me — unleash the harnesses of my PC oppression and let my body fold into yours with a lust that cannot be quelled by the voodoo men or their demon magicks within a thousand miles of our love.
MagSafe Cleaning Tips Show Martha Stewart Ain't Got Nothing On Apple
Should you be as careless as me and discover that your MagSafe adapter has gotten a little grungy, or is perhaps not functioning correctly, Apple's got some tips on how to remedy that.
Review
Prey
The title is interesting, fun and engrossing and can be played briefly for 15-20 minutes at a time or played in hours-long sessions.
Papers For OS X
How great would it be if there was an app like iTunes, but for papers? The answer is "insanely great!"
Sidetrack
Now, you really do not need a television. Or an Apple TV for matter. Introducing: Twittervision.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
News
A Solemn Goodbye To The Apple Wireless Mouse
Citing "parts supply issues" Apple has discontinued production of its original, one-button wireless bluetooth mouse.
Opinion
Ready, Aim... Listen To Pretty Music!
I have an idea that can solve both my problem and those of the quasi-insane people who think night jogging in Berkeley is a good idea. I'm asking Apple to start making iPods with flame-throwers attached.
War Drums From Apple
The armies are amassing now, and only a fool can't hear the drums.
Sidetrack
Saturday, March 17, 2007
News
Apple Offers To Help Employees With Stock Option Troubles
In the wake of its backdated stock-options troubles, Apple Inc. is offering affected employees the chance to amend the strike price of past options that were incorrectly backdated and receive cash payments to cover related losses and tax penaltiies, accoding to a regulatory filing Friday.
Disney Clears Jobs In Options Probe
Walt Disney on Friday cleared Steve Jobs of wrongdoing in connection with backdated options grants at Pixar, the animation studio he sold to the entertainment group for $7.4bn last year.
Apple Releases iTunes 7.1.1
iTunes 7.1.1 addresses a stability issue and minor compatibility problems in iTunes 7.1.
Opinion
Vista Vs MacBook
The MacBook has been well thought out, and designed to be easy to use for a person. Not a user, but a person.
The EU's Ongoing Joust With iTunes
There are benefits to a universal DRM scheme. Musicians working out of their home who lack access to lawyers or expensive physical media distribution networks can make money from their creations, which otherwise could only be distributed for free. I'm not, however, willing to be trapped in the middle as the format war continues unabated. Sorry, garage bands of the future, you will just have to wait.
The Limits Of Apple's Warranty
I discovered I had entered into the "you're kind isn't welcome here" zone in Apple's revised support system. You see, it turns out that after 90 days as a Mac owner, your status changes.
Review
Sidetrack
Steve Jobs has sent in his 10 minutes of well-wishes. How about you?
Okay, You Go Live In Your Fantasy-Land
Some Windows users are just not worth the marketing effort to get them to be switchers.
Jerry Lee Cooper: IBM tried, and spent a huge amount of money developing OS/2 but could never keep up with Windows. Apple tried to create their own system for years, but finally gave up recently and moved to Intel and Microsoft. It's just not possible that a freeware like the Linux could be extended to the point where it runs the entire computer from start to finish, without using some of the more critical parts of Windows. Not possible.
Friday, March 16, 2007
News
Muscling In On The Mobile Market
Competition in the mobile world suggests that may be a tough act to follow.
Apple Releases iPod Reset Utility 1.0... Again?
Though it is not explicitly stated, this 1.0 release apparently supersedes the original 1.0 and 1.0.1 iPod shuffle reset utility versions.
Can't Get Out Of Your Wireless Contract In Time For The iPhone? Consider Transferring It To Someone Else
Web-based services Cell Swapper and Celltrade offer match-making services for transferring service agreements.
Apple's Hard Drive
As san Luis Obispo's downtown continues a morph into malldom, a local business girds for change.
Solution Providers Pumped Up About Apple TV
Solution providers say they expect Apple TV, which is set to ship next week, to be a hot seller in the burgeoning digital home market.
A Chat With Nobi
For insights on current Macintosh and other high-tech goings-on in Japan, who better to talk to than a journalist covering the scene there? At this year's Macworld Expo in San Francisco, I sat down with Nobuyuki Hayashi, known to friends and colleagues as "Nobi," to do just that.
iTunes 7.1: Finally Supports Full Keyboard Access
As of version 7.1, you can now use the Tab key to cycle through all available UI controls in iTunes's dialog boxes.
Pennsylvania University Pulls PC Plug, Goes All-Mac
Wilkes University announced Wednesday that it has pulled the plug on PCs in favor of Macs, saying the move — which actually began last year — will save the Pennsylvania liberal arts college more than US$150,000 while still letting students and faculty continue to run Windows applications.
Opinion
Notebook Screens: Matte Vs Glossy And MacBook Pro Vs MacBook Screen
When you spend absurd amounts of time with computers and photo editing software, things like screens become paramount in importance.
Apple Keeps Its Shine
If you have ever kicked yourself for not buying Apple four years ago when you bought your first iPod, you should go for it now during this market weakness.
Macintosh Surge: Three Reasons More People Are Moving To Macs
I've identified three primary reasons for the surge in Mac deployments: lower costs, Intel chips, and web applications.
iTunes And Artwork
Album artwork is no longer embedded in files but, instead, placed in a labyrinth of artwork folders.
Apple Rolls Out A Bright iFuture
The company's amazing transformation continues with a series of big surprises beginning in the next 30 days. They could make it the tech world's undisputed leader. I think shares will double again by 2010.
Sidetrack
Rumor Today: Shuffle In A New Season
From Gizmodo, more colors coming soon for your iPod shuffle.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
News
Mac Users Not Apple Of US Airways System's Eye
Soon, US Airways passengers will be able to book reservations to Singapore, the company said Wednesday. But if you use an Apple computer, you still won't be able to check in for the flights.
iTunes Most Well-Known Music Service
iTunes is the dominant music download platform with the biggest recognition among US teenagers, new research claims.
iTunes To Everyone: Sucks To Be You
It's quite the combination of iTunes 7.1 growing pains and Apple policy.
The Death Of The 30-Second TV Commercial
Devices like the new Apple TV box and digital video recorders from TiVo, Motorola and Cisco could help bring an end to the traditional TV ad.
Subtitles: Deaf To The Problem
Mac Support In An Active Directory Environment
There are a number of solutions and approaches that you can take for integrating Macs into your Active Directory infrastructure, and I'll be talking about some of them here.
Opinion
Bulletproof? Um, I Don't Think So
45 security fixes in one release?! Considering this is the seventh security release in three months for Apple, they aren't portraying what they advertise on TV.
DRM Is Dead
Since the current DRM schemes don't stop people from stealing music and actively deter legitimate shoppers from buying music, perhaps it's time for something new. Everyone who understands how digital media flows online knows this. So does Steve Jobs. If the major labels want to continue being major players in the music industry, they'd better come up with something new. Or someone else will.
Apple MacBook Switch Experience
It's this emotional aspect that reminds us that we're human and having fun is part of who we are.
It Just Works...
Most people take "It Just Works" to mean it is reliable (and it is). But "It Just Works" is so much more.
Apple's Magic Touch Screen
The most impressive feature of the new iPhone is the sophisticated multipoint touch screen — with enticing possible applications.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
News
Plunkett Hoping For iPod Edge
Liam Plunkett, the England fast bowler, hopes the use of modern technology can help his team-mates prepare for their World Cup opener against New Zealand.
Apple Won't Face EU Action On iTunes-iPod Tie-In
European regulators will not take legal action against Apple to cause it to sell music through iTunes in such a way that it can be played on any device.
EU Commissioner's Consumer Plan Not So Apple-Focused After All
Miglia Speaks On Elgato Fall Out
Miglia will ship its own software with products from next week.
Macworld Expo Attendance Breaks Records
IDG World Expo said that 45,572 attendees visited the show in 2007, compared to 38,441 in 2006, an increase of 19 percent.
MacBook Burns, User Says Battery At Fault
A MacBook user reported Monday that his Apple laptop burst into flames, apparently because of a bad battery. He said that the laptop battery had not been on last year's recall list.
Apple Releases Mac OS X v10.4.9
iPhoto Update Fixes EXIF Data Compatibility
Apple Posts Security Update For Mac OS X v10.3.9
Huge iPhone Ad Dawns On Apple's 32-Foot Glass Cube
Apple on Monday transformed its 32-foot glass cube in Midtown Manhattan into an enormous teaser advertisement for its upcoming iPhone handset.
Opinion
Working With A Mac To Increase Productivity: How Valuable Is Your Time?
Mac Sense And Nonsense
A Windows professional finds the Mac to be irresistible until she launches applications.
Review
OmniPlan 1.0: Project-Management Software Starts Strong But Has Room For Improvement
Project managers with multiple, complex projects should look elsewhere for software that will help shoulder their burden.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
News
Microsoft's Windows Vista Marketing May Benefit Apple
The new operating system's hardware upgrade stigma and other Mac factors are pushing some people to consider the Apple alternative, ThinkEquity analysts muse.
Apple Promises To Improve iPod After-Sales Service In China
Apple has sent a letter to Shanghai Municipal Consumer Interest Protection Commission and said that it will make improvements on its after-sales service, which has seen many complaints from Chinese users.
Apple UK Blunder Hints At Mac Pro Update
A slip-up on Apple's UK online store has revealed that a Mac Pro workstation with 8 cores of processing power is inching closer to a release.
Calibration Station
Apple has changed the rules for some PowerBooks, MacBooks, and MacBook Pros. We now have a few extra steps before our batteries can be calibrated.
EyeTV Developer Yanks License From Miglia
With the agreement terminated, Miglia can no longer ship, sell or advertise TV tuner hardware bundled with EyeTV, according to Elgato.
Opinion
2 Years, 1 Month, 2 Weeks, And 1 Day
Now, it's not often that I accmplish something, but when I do, I like to tell you all about it. Which is why I would like to announce that I have played every song on my computer at least once.
Embracing Apple's iPhone Froth
Evaluating the prospects of the iPhone based on the condition of the American smartphone market is barking up the wrong tree.
What's Cooking?
The last significant Mac news dates August 7th, 2006, when Apple announced Leopard and hte Mac Pros.
Why Apple TV Is More Important Than iPhone
Apple TV could open a whole new market for Apple and also has the potential to bring internet distribution of movies and television into the mainstream.
Review
Roxio Toast 8 For Mac Review
Roxio Toast 8 is a great improvement over previous versions and make some very sensible changes.
Armado: 3-D Action Game Is Fun, But Experienced Gamers May Crave More
Playing Armado, you don't come away exhaused or spent — it's a simple-to-learn game that's relaxing, despite being an action game.
Monday, March 12, 2007
News
New UK "Get A Mac" Ads: The Naughty Step Is Always Serious
Apple is plowing forward with the "Get a Mac" ads in the UK despite supposedly being met with some poor reactions over there.
Analyst Expects Mac Sales Spurt Soon
Leopard, Vista, CS3 and 'Get a Mac' ads spell Mac sales spurt.
Opinion
The iPhone, And A Humbler Side Of Steve Jobs
maybe Apple is talking a good game in public, but behind the scenes it's approaching the mobile business with a lot of care. After all, as Steve Jobs himself has demonstrated, there's more to this company than the cocky exterior suggests.
Will Web Developers Start To Develop For Safari First?
The iPhone is Apple's trojan horse into not only the development community, but also to ensure tha tweb sites work best on a Mac.
The Great Mac Software Hunt
The Mac shareware/freeware marketplace, while not as gargantuan as that for Windows, is filed with a rich selection of largely well-done products. There are many small small commercial Mac software companies. At the same time that Windows development companies appear to be consolidating, you have the sense of a renaissance among Mac software makers. The Mac market was reborn with OS X.
I'm A Big Fat Mac Newbie!
Whoa! Wait a minue. Are all OS X discs not created equal?
Is The Biggest Challenge To Apple In The Enterprise Still The IT Director?
The biggest challenge is that Apple stil won't communite even basic product futures to enterprises.
Review
Big Bang Brain Games
This is a good collection of puzzle/logic games at a great price.
Sidetrack
If I were an IT department, and I'm planning based on product roadmaps released by company, I'll be busy upgrading all my internal applications now so that we can upgrade all the Longhorn machines to the next great Windows OS release.
Product roadmaps are over-hyped; I don't know why companies still do their planning based on promises by technology companies (read: Microsoft) because these "promises" are never really kept. If I am an IT department (which, granted, I never was, so I am just a layperson) I'll plan based on what is released, not what is promised.
Of course, having said that, I would like to know whether Apple is planning to release a small-sized notebook, because I am planning to buy a new laptop and I am eyeing the cheapest MacBook Pro right now... :-)
Sunday, March 11, 2007
News
EU Takes Aim At Apple Over iTunes And iPod
European Union consumer chief Meglena Kuneva has hit out at Apple's bundling of its popular iPod music players and its iTunes online music store, according to German weekly magazine Focus.
Internet Producers Bank On Apple TV
After phones, Steve Jobs saves television.
Opinion
My Dad + Macintosh = Ahhh...
I just quietly revel in my delight with my own machines and choices. But damn... this one decision has saved me hours of time and his machine just runs... and runs... and runs.
The Mac's Stealthy Return Into The Enterprise
The common wisdom of a homogenous computing environment seems to be cracking.
Where Have All The Macs Gone?
At SWSX 2007, the coordinators of the pressroom apparently decided that cool was out. Instead of shiny new Macs, the pressroom has 10 seemingly new Dell laptops.
Review
Sneeze And You Might Just Blow The Shuffle Away
The new Shuffle is affordable and effective as an MP3 player.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Top Stories
Music's New Gatekeeper
From their Silicon Valley cubicles, Apple staffers have become music's unlikely power brokers.
News
Scott Pagano and Jochem Paap: Hi-Fi Fusion
What instruments do the radical artists turn to when they conduct their audio-visual experiments? "It's a no-brainer for me to pick the Mac."
Opinion
Various Responses To The "Apple Capital" Idea
I have no clue what Apple's pans for its cash are. But I do know the questions on this topic are going to get louder as the pile grows.
Paradigm Shifting Without A Clutch
Apple has become wildly successful not by trying to destroy competition, nor by trying to "own" a market, but instead by making products that people like and by making those products easy enought o use that people want them.
Beware Apple's iPhone Froth
A closer look at the handset market, as well as at Apple's own launch strategy, suggest 10 million units could prove too lofty a goal for even a consumer electronics powerhouse like Apple.
Sidetrack
Rumor Today: Apple Plans To Add H.264 Hardware Support To Its Entire Line
I, Cringely: By going with a chip, Apple ensures the same base performance level from every machine it sells, from the lowliest Mac Mini right up to the mightiest four-core Mac Pro.... The chip Apple has chosen doesn't just do hardware H.264 decoding, it does hardware H.264 encoding, too.
Friday, March 9, 2007
News
Consumerism - China's iPod Revolution
Despite the effort required, the tell-tale white headphone leads are an increasingly common sight in china's wealthier cities.
Bono's RED Rage
"The $100 million is a phantom number Ad Age pulled out of thin air. It's off by tens of millions of dollars."
Peter Gabriel's Music Recommendation System Comes To Mac
Peter Gabriel's music recommendation software, The Filter, will launch a Mac version on 19 March.
Apple Releases Update For Airport Extreme
According to Apple, AirPort Extreme Update 2007-02 improves compatibility with AirPort Extreme base stations and networks.
Opinion
AAC: Apple's Preferred Audio Codec
So why are people "afraid" of using AAC? The proprietary claim is simply one of ignorance.
Turns Out This Backdating Stuff Ain't So Black And White To The SEC. Now, About The Business Press...
Why Apple's 'Cosumer' Macs Are Enterprise-Worthy
All of Apple's machines are ready to move into the enterprise, depending on the job at hand. It's a simple and elegant product lineup, highly customizable, and will be Apple's seed into the business market — if IT decision-makers can get over their prejudice against equipment that's traditionally been aimed at consumers.
Asteroid, A Plant?
I highly doubt that Apple would go as far as to fabricate products in order to flesh out leaks. In the Asteroid case this would mean that Apple lied to the courts.
High NAND Prices Limiting Apple Flash-Based Notebook
Another Look: Did Steve Jobs 'Financially Benefit' From Backdated Options?
I think Jobs did "financially benefit" from some of the backdating at Apple.
Review
Apple's AirPort Extreme Exploits 802.11n's Dual-Band Feature
One of the first routers to support both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, the AirPort Extreme also begs many questions.
New Apple Wireless Is Extreme
While the rest of the industry rushed to release equipment that uses the new standard, Apple took its time — but it was worth the wait.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
News
Apple: America's Best Retailer
The high-tech wundercompany has landed — not only on our street corners and in our malls, but also for the first time, on the top 10 of Fortune's Most Admired Companies.
Adobe To Release Two Versions Of Photoshop CS3
The new markets Adobe is reaching out with Photoshop Extended include professionals in architecture, engineering, medicine, and science. Photoshop CS3 Extended includes the same tools as Photoshop CS3 plus a new set of capabilities for integration of 3-D and motion graphics, image measurement, and analysis.
Apple And Microsoft Users Differ On Age And Bias
Internet metrics firm Hitwise reopens a discussion into which of the companies has a monopoly on "cool."
Apple Product Shortages, iPhone Receipt, Store Closing
Reports from overseas claim that several Mac and iPod products are becoming scarce ahead of potential refreshes.
Analysts: Apple To Use More NAND Flash Memory
Apple will likely introduce more NAND flash memory in several of its future products, including a sub-notebook that should hit the market by the second half of this year, according to a March 7 report by American Technology Research.
Apple Exec Disses Vista As No Threat To Leopard
Apple's CFO said Tuesday that Windows Vista is no threat to Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard" and argued that the steep hardware requirements of Microsoft's new operating system will give Leopard an opportunity to step in and grab more market share.
Opinion
Photoshop Over-Extended?
Does this repeated use of the Photoshop brand help or hinder it as a product?
42 Reasons Normal People Can Switch To Macs
Are Macs just for hipster designers? Not at all!
The Case For The Mac
I'm not naive enough to beleive that Apple design and make everything in their computers, but they take charge of the most important bits. Apple gives you attention to detail that you just don't get from PC manufacturers.
Intel's Roadmap May Be Apple's Road
Apple has legendarily been mum on its future product plans, but its relatively recent switch to Intel processors in its Macintosh line of computers has tied these products, at least in processor capabilities, to Intel's public product plans.
Bailing On Apple
I'm out of AAPL. It's been a nice ride these last few years, but for me the rides over. At least for now. I thought I'd just explain why.
An Open letter To Steve Jobs
Apple carries a large part of the responsibility for the situation in which consumers now find themselves.
Review
Extreme Base Station Puts The Others To Shame
Given its ability to deliver a network that's not just faster but also far more useful, it sounds like a good investment in your network's future.
Windows, Macs Co-Exist
Reluctant to switch to a Macintosh because so much of your favorite software requires Microsoft Windows? Now you don't have to hold back.
Big Bang Fun Games For The Brain
Freeverse failed miserably.
Event Reminder 2.8.6
Event Reminder isn't the prettiest or most polished Mac OS X application I've seen, but it's useful for giving you a quick look at what's coming up on your schedule.
Sidetrack
There's Washington, And Then There's Washington
What's is the opposite of Washington state?
Turns out that Microsoft cannot even sell it's Zune MP3 player in its own employee store at the Redmond campus...
This whole PlayForSure-Oh-And-Zune business strategy by Microsoft is so different from its humble beginnings when it was selling MS-DOS to IBM and Compaq. Imagine if Microsoft came up with Windows 1.0 that only works with Microsoft Computers, while MS-DOS (and perhaps OS/2?) will work with the other PlayForSure (a.k.a. IBM compatible) computers? Apple would have won. :-)
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
News
Macworld Expo Sessions Go Online
Soma Media and IDG World Expo today announced the release of MacworldEncore, the first suite of products enabling people to purchase Macworld Conference and Expo presentations online and on DVD-ROM.
Two Recent Mac Updates Make Life A Little Better For Cross-Platform Users
Apple Store Growth To Continue, Particularly Overseas
Apple plans to continue opening stores "at a measured and controlled pace," with 35 to 40 new stores slated to open this year. Around 10 of thos planned openings will com outside of the United States.
Opinion
Review
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
News
Apple Updates iTunes For AppleTV But Not Vista
Windows Vista users hoping the new release provides the promised support for Microsoft's latest operating sytem will be disappointed: Apple is still listing the app as an XP-only affair.
Intel Chief Sings iPhone's Praises
Apple's iPhone is forcing a new wave of mobile device innovation and validates the speriority of Unix-like systems on mobile devices over Windows, claimed Intel chief executive Paul Otellini.
Google/Apple Working On More 'New Things'
"We have similar goals, similar competitors."
Airport Extreme Does Seinfeldian DHCP Reservations
It's possible for another computer to get the reserved address first.
Apple Updates iTunes And QuickTime
iTunes 7.1 appears to add additional support for the upcoming release of Apple TV, which is due out later this month.
Memo: Microsoft Threatened To Shut Down Mac Office In '97
Microsoft threatened to dump the Macintosh version of Office 10 years ago during talks with Apple because the mvoe would "do a great deal of harm" to its rival, according to a memo made public in a recently-settled antitrust case.
Adobe To Announce Creative Suite 3 Marh 27
While the announcement is being made this month, Adobe said the product would not ship until later this spring.
Chronos Releases SOHO Notes 5.7
Doubts Raised Over Motorola, Apple AIDS Charity Campaign
According to Advertising Age, as much as $100m splurged on advertising Red products by Gap, Motorola and Apple has returned just $18m to the Global Fund.
Opinion
Steve Jobs, Spymaster
It's true that Jobs is very secretive — but he certainly doesn't play devious spy games.
Show Me
It's always been about missing facts. Explaining what we don't know, rather than what we know.
Making The Move To Mac
The most notable thing is what's missing. I don't see any wizards, the OS asks very few questions and it just seems to always know the right thing to do with little user input.
Three Years Of Using A Mac (Was The AppleCare Worth It?)
Sure, I could have saved a few dollars by having a 3rd party perform this most recent repair, but what about the peace of mind over this three year period?
Steve Jobs' Bad Bet
The great seer of tech trends had no idea what was coming — indeed, no idea how much his company, or he himself, was really worth.
Review
24-inch iMac Is Nearly Perfect
For those who need, or just want, something that'll look good and work great for a good long while, it's going to be tough to beat this 24-inch wonder — or even to come close.
Sidetrack
There's an announcement about there being going to be an announcement. There's another announcement about there may be more announcements.
Sometimes I wonder why I bother. :-)
Monday, March 5, 2007
News
Put Your iTunes Library On Your Airport Disk
With the addition of the Airport Disk functionality to the new Airport Extremes, it was only a matter of time before people started wanting to put their iTunes libraries on Airport Disk.
Adobe Creative Suite 3 Ships 27 March
Adobe this morning confirmed plans to launch CS3 on 27 March.
Opinion
Apple TV And Why I Want One
Yes, there are cheaper ways to get video from our Macs to the TV but Apple TV takes the hassle out of the whole equation.
Apple's Contribution To The Creative World
I think there are many of us out there who owe Apple some thanks for building a platform that has allowed us to do things with computers that we would never have been able to accomplish without the genius behind Apple.
Why Apple's AirPort "Extreme" Is No Substitute For The AirPort Express...
Why would the more advanced version of the Express not support streaming audio?
Hello, I'm A Mac. And Bill's A PC
This one is pure perfection: a marvel of brisk packing, crisp editing, and deft comic timing, showcasing yet again the subtle brilliance and hilarity of John Hodgman's work as PC.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
News
Deals To Be Found On Apple Hardware At CompUSA
If you're looking for some bargains on Apple hardware, it's worth stopping by your local CompUSA — if it's going out of business.
Opinion
The Display Eater Shuffle
The previous claim was this was merely a 'scare tactic' to thwart piracy: the program never hosed anything. The people at Koingo Software have all along begged to disagree.
Review
Saturday, March 3, 2007
News
CLC Students Use iPods To Soak Up Knowledge
Some students at the College of Lake County no longer have to worry about reading 300-page novels before final exams. They can listen to them.
Mozart Would Have Love This For His iPod
It took almost 10 years for digital technology to catch up with the riddle of how to display classical music titles correctly on MP3 players, car radios, and home stereos.
A Boon Or Banned: Schools Divided On Use Of iPods
A split is emerging across Victorian schools about whether the iPod should be banned or embraced as a valuable education tool.
Broadway Video Enterprises: Saturday Night (Remastered)
"We did the entire process using Macs running Final Cut Pro, Shake, Final Touch, and DVD Studio Pro, all SAN-based."
Opinion
Apple: Write Down Your Passwords
Writing down your password on a sticky note and attaching that to your computer monitor or the bottom of a keyboard isn't smart, but jotting down the information and storing it in a safe place can be helpful.
Review
Apple Set Wi-Fi On Fire
AirPort Extreme is no ordinary 300 Mbps 802.11 draft-n base station, network accessible storage server and print server.
Friday, March 2, 2007
News
DVD Studio Pro 4.1.2 Improves HD DVD Support
Rivals Launch Dueling Virtualization Products
Two makers of virtualization software for running the Windows operating system on Apple's computers have issued dueling upgrades this week.
"Get A Mac" Ads Generating Mixed Reactions In Japan As Well
Apple seems to be learning the hard way (again?) that what might be funny to American consumers may not be quite so funny to consumers overseas.
Mac TV Gets Cheaper With Equinux Tuner
MediaCentral developer releases its own USB tuner device for Macs.
EA Sells Music From Video Games Via Apple's iTunes
Apple To Hold Special Event At NAB
Apple will hold a special event at the National Association of Broadcaster (NAB) trade show on Sunday, April 15.
Opinion
Giving In To iPod
Part of it is that when it comes to music, a big part of me doesn't want to keep up with the times.
Mac OS X 'An Ideal Platform' For SMBs
In many ways, Mac OS X is an ideal platform for small businesses and offices.
What To Do With Apple's Cash
Launching a venture capital fund would allow Apple to fund its vision for the future without making awkward acquisitions.
Review
PDFpenPro 3.1
When I need to complete a form or add a signature in a PDF, I always start with PDFpenPro.
Cinematize Pro 2: Pro Version Of DVD Extractor Offers More Power And Flexibility
Video editors who need access to all the content on their DVDs can more than justify the cost considering the time they'd save with batch extraction and various output options.
Wintel
Choosing Anti-Anti-Virus Software
No matter how much security software you install, nagging users with dozens of securit dialogs clearly doesn't make users any safer.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
News
Security Researcher Offers Apology, Plans To Release Attack Code
Security researcher David Maynor, who ruffled the feathers of executives of Apple at last year's Black Hat conference, disclosed email exchanges that he say sproves that he and fellow researcher Jon Ellch, worked with Apple and provided researchers there with information on vulnerabilities in the company's wireless device drivers.
Mac Attack
Students, campuses begin ditching PCs in favor of user-friendly Apple computers.
iPod Games: Boon, Bust, Or Test?
iTunes Is All 'That' To Indie Producers
Move reps the first time iTunes has sold video content that didn't come from an established network, studio or distributor.
Adobe To Take Photoshop Online
Hoping to get a jump on Google and other competitors, Adobe plans to release a hosted version of its popular Photoshop image-editing application within six months, the company's chief executive said Tuesday.
Mac Wi-Fi Hijack Demonstrated
David Maynor demonstrated a Mac Wi-Fi hack on stage on Wednesday. His MacBook running Mac OS X 10.4.6 crashed while scanning for a wireles network and coming across rogue code Maynor was pushing out from a Toshiba laptop.
Eyesight And Insight
"[Imaging on the Mac] is instantaneous. It's accurate. And it's incredibly easy. Believe me, I've seen similar PC systems at conferences and such, and they cost thousands of dollar just for the software, which is nowhere near as intuitive and simple."
Apple Says iPhone To Sell Since Free Phones Worthless
Apple predicted that 10 million customers will pay at least $499 to buy an iPhone next year because they realize most free mobile phones are worthless.
Opinion
Has iTunes Opened Its Doors To 'Indie' Film Producers?
Its looks more like Apple is simply dipping its toe in the water, perhaps to see what it can learn from the deal.
The WOW Really Starts Now
You may have heard of the Microsoft Vista marketing campaign by now with the slogan "The WOW Starts Now' and I have to agree the WOW really does start now, I just bought my first Apple Mac and I've been saying so far is WOW WOW WOW.
iTunes Could Be Opening To Indie Filmmakers
There does appear to be a glimmer of hope.
Review
TypeIt4Me 3.1: Typing Time-Saver Is Useful For Everyone
If you type a lot, you owe it to your fingers to give TypeIt4Me 3.1.1 a try. The interface might look a bit daunting, given the number of options available in the settings tab, but if you leave everything at its stock setting, TypeIt4Me will work just fine.
