Mar 10, 2008 Mar 12, 2008 Tuesday March 11, 2008
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iPhone parental controls?
Filed under: iPod Family, Portables, iPhoneThe iPhone Dev Team seems to have stumbled across a hidden feature in the next version of the iPhone firmware. The picture is reminiscent of the iPhone SDK "Organizer" that shows the currently connected iPhone. However, something that's different from the screenshots that we posted is the "Console," "Crash Logs," and "Screenshot" tabs at the top of the window. The screenshot shows a "Parental Controls" setting inside the "General" iPhone settings. It looks as though you can enable these parental controls and turn on or off: Playing explicit songs in iPod Website control in Safari YouTube control iTunes Wi-Fi Store control AppStore control According to a recent post on the Modmyifone Forum, this is a version of the firmware that was distributed with the SDK (version 1.2) which the forum post seems to believe will be re-issued as firmware 2.0. The forum post also goes on to say that the firmware is jailbroken; however, this has not been confirmed. [via iPhone Dev Team]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Ecamm's Huckleberry3 iSight Mirror turns attention the other way
One thing the iSight webcam lost when it became incorporated into the screens of iMacs and Mac portables is the ability to be repositioned. Ecamm's Huckleberry Webcam Mirror gives current iSight users the ability to direct their webcam's attention away from the user and onto the action happening "behind the screens," as it were. The Huckleberry is made from two acrylic mirrors and two mounting... [read more at MacMerc.com]
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Blambot lets March's free font escape--Straight Jacket on the loose!
I could have sworn I had posted this already. No matter... Nate Piekos at Blambot has released his latest free font creation: Straight Jacket. It's a slightly erratic script font designed for slightly erratic comic strip characters. It comes in regular and bold in TrueType, Postscript and Open Type formats. Also be sure to check out Blambot's pro fonts (i.e., the ones you have to pay for).... [read more at MacMerc.com]
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Copy and Paste finally comes to the iPhone (sort of)
Copy & paste has been on every iPhone user’s “most wanted� list since they were first forced to write down a link with pen and paper and re-type it in another entry box. What’s even more disappointing is that Apple hasn’t mentioned anything about introducing this feature in any past…
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Krell, MartinLogan ElectroKID bundle takes iPod docks to new levels of excess
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable AudioWe've seen extravagant iPod docks before, but this Krell and MartinLogan "ElectroKID" bundle put together by the folks at Absolute Sounds makes just about all those other pretenders pale in comparison. At the heart of things here is the Krell KID iPod dock, which boasts " top-quality preamp circuitry" and is also available separately for a mere £1,350 (or about $2,700). That gets teamed up with a pair of MartinLogan Purity floorstanding speakers (£2,390, or $4,800 on their own), which each pack their own 200W power amp and, as you can see, make quite the statement in any room you place 'me in. If that's sounds like the missing piece to your iPod puzzle, you can get the complete system now for £3,740, or just over $7,500 (that's right, not even a discount to entice you). Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Apple: "Beatles rumors unsubstantiated"
Traditional and Internet publications all picked up the story this past weekend that Apple and Sir Paul McCartney finally reached an agreement for the Beatles catalog to finally appear online: Apple is saying it hasn't happened. Read More...
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Microsoft updates Mac Office 2008, 2004
Redmond pushes security fixes for users of the older Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac, while owners of the recently released Office 2008 receive a large dose of stability fixes (more like instability fixes) and security patches.
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TSA works to clear MacBook Air for flight
Filed under: Odds and ends, Apple, MacBook AirYou may recall that MacBook Air user Michael Nygard was recently screened by the TSA (that's the Transportation Security Administration, to those who aren't in the US.) when he went through security with his MacBook Air. It would seem that the good folks manning the X-ray machine couldn't make heads or tail of what they saw on their screen. When Nygard explained that the MacBook Air was, in fact, a computer (and had that assertion backed up by a younger TSA worker) all was cleared up and he was sent on his merry way (though he did miss his flight).The TSA is working hard to make sure you don't have to deal with this hassle. On the official TSA blog (yes, the TSA has a blog and it is pretty entertaining) Bob informs us know that he is working with Apple to get his hands on a MacBook Air (hey, Bob, just make sure you don't throw it out) for some testing. He wants to run it through one of their screening machines and see if it looks any different than normal laptops. If it does, in fact, look a little odd the image will be sent to all TSA workers in airports so that future travelers won't be bothered.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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The elusive angry iPhone developer.
Frasier Speirs does a nice take-down of some world-class jackassery as practiced by InformationWeek's Alexander Wolfe in his whimsically titled piece iPhone Developers Angry At Apple's Tight Control. This one's so good (or bad) that it deserves a good piling on. Let's go! For example, on Sunday Phonemag reported that the SDK contains a tidbit noting that the iPhone won't run more than one app at a time, so when users switch applications, whatever is running in the background will get killed. From Apple's standpoint, this is done to maintain decent performance. However, developers are likely to see it as just another screwing. Me, I want to know what's supposed to happen if you're in the middle of something important and your iPhone rings. Does your app blow up? Say, you're new around here, aren'tcha! Have you ever actually seen an iPhone? Speirs gets this one: Yes, the only possible explanation for what happens when another app is launched is that the iPhone deliberately crashes the one you're working in. For "blow up", let's substitute "get suspended, saving its data for later resumption" and then we can answer yes. Now, did Wolfe really think the application would "blow up"? Probably not. He's just being a jerk. There's lots of complaining about the fact that all iPhone apps have to be approved by Apple, will be sold by Apple, and Apple will get a 30% cut of all sales. Lots of complaining, but no links for some reason. As it turns out, 30% for what Apple's providing is pretty good. Microsoft's Mobile2Market program for Windows Mobile suggests using Handango as a service to provide the hosting and branding Apple provides and Handango takes 40%. Turns out, though, that developers are limited in what iPhone functions that can tap for the apps they're building, according to Adam Houghton's post on his eponymous blog. Houghton characterizes as a "glaring" omission his discovery that developers can't access calendar appointments, music, and videos from the phone's iPod app, nor phone and SMS functionality. Indeed he does. But is Adam really angry about Apple's control? Is he storming around his house throwing things and kicking the cat? Positively apoplectic? Red-faced, his fists clenched in fury as he slams them down repeatedly on his iPhone, screaming "Die! Die! Die!" Eh, not so much. Overall, I think Apple did a great job with the SDK, and released a powerful, comprehensive environment for developers. You don't say! Well, what are your plans now, Adam? Now, back to happily writing code with the iPhone SDK... Well! It's hard to describe him as angry at anything but having his words misinterpreted. OK. OK. Well, let's keep looking for these angry developers who seem to be harder to find than a Macalope at WinHEC. Speirs then quotes one Jonathan Dodds thusly: "If you as a developer get an application or two approved for the App Store and it later turns that you're breaking Apple's rules, it seems safe to presume that one of Apple's possible recourses is to revoke your certificate and all your (as in signed with your cert) iPhone OS applications will stop working." OK. Dodds doesn't seem to be angry here, he just seems to be clarifying a point. Indeed, reading Dodd's posts, it's really pretty hard to come away with the feeling he's "angry" at all. About anything. Ever. It's possible he sent Wolfe a really angry email about the whole thing, detailing how it kept him up all night and he baked a pie and when he ate it all it tasted like was bitter resentment, but that hardly seems likely. So what else ya got, Alex? How is Apple's rule that only apps it has signed can run on the iPhone going to play when it comes to corporate applications? One commenter on Slashdot summed it up nicely: As Speirs says "...and that's the point at which you have to laugh and close the tab." Quite. But even this point is a red herring. It's hard to describe a Slashdot comment as "much" ado, so let's just say it's little ado about nothing. Apple was asked this question in the Q&A following the keynote and there will be an AppStore for internal corporate deployment. Jacqui Cheng's piece was published three days before Wolfe's, the day of the SDK announcement. And kudos to Jacqui for asking a great question, unlike some other Blockheads [sic]. So, again, the number of developers Wolfe quoted who had actual anger that was based on fact, not fiction? Zero. That's not to say there aren't people complaining. Rogue Amoeba, for example, is taking the position that everything developers don't like about the deal should be logged as a bug (disclosure: Rogue Amoeba has been an advertiser on the Macalope's web sites). They've also raised some serious concerns about code signing, a technology that provides security benefits but give Apple a lot of control as the arbiter of all things that run on the platform. Rogue Amoeba CEO/Lackey Paul Kafasis doesn't seem angry so much as he does disappointed, largely because iPhone development of some of the applications his company makes is likely impossible given the SDK's current restrictions. Via email, Paul says: Overall, the SDK is obviously still a good thing. Certainly after reflection, we're less than enthusiastic about some of the restrictions. iPhone development overall will be big, but I don't know just how much we'll be doing with it. We still have plans for working on the iPhone, but we're taking things slower than we'd like, and waiting to see how things shake out. He's hopeful that Apple will relax some of these restrictions if there's enough pressure. As it stands, the iPhone is a very locked-down platform almost reminiscent of game consoles. For us, that's a far less interesting platform for which to develop. We hope Apple will open things up further, but whether they do or not, the iPhone is still going to continue selling. This is really a question of the device reaching its full potential - we're certainly not saying "The iPhone will flop unless...", but "The iPhone can be even more powerful if..." Like John Gruber, the Macalope's not sure he personally bites into Rogue Amoeba's entire enchilada, but they do raise some good points. And, contrary to popular belief, Apple does respond to criticism. Well, sometimes. OK, once.
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Apple posts AirPort Base Station Update 2008-001
Filed under: Airport, Software UpdateFire up Software Update, kids, Apple has made available Airport Base Station Update 2008-001. This update includes 'general fixes and compatibility updates' for a host of Airport related apps, including: Airport Utility AirPort Disk Utility AirPort Base Station Agent At the moment this update is only available through Software Update, but we'll post a direct link as soon as it is available.Thanks to everyone who sent this in.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Lenovo's ThinkVision L174 and L197 Wide monitors join the green parade
Filed under: DisplaysLenovo certainly hasn't been shy about its recent obsession with green wares, and apparently, it's unveiling two more LCD monitors to join the environmentally-friendly farm. Curiously enough, Lenovo spent so much time glorifying the low power consumption of the EPEAT Gold qualified L174 (17-inch) and L197 Wide (19-inch) monitors, that it completely failed to dish out even a lackluster specifications list. Apparently, it's hoping that you'll feel so convicted by this duo's attempt to go easy on Mother Earth that you'll just hand over your $239.99 / $259.99 without even concerning yourself with petty things like "resolution" and "response time." Oh, and that's the (likely similar looking) L194 pictured -- remember, focus on the green factor, people. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Mailing & Merging in iWork ’08
Pages and Address Book, working together to satisfy your mail-merging needs.Â
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Report: YouTube to make 'big announcement' Wednesday
Is YouTube rolling out high definition, live streaming, or perhaps the company will announce profits? By far the Web's favorite video destination, YouTube is making a big announcement Wednesday morning, according to a report on the blog TechCrunch. If correct, then tomorrow stands to be a big day for ...
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iTunes: Free Tuesday
Filed under: iTS, Features, Deals Once again, TUAW is pleased to present you with a selection of free songs and videos from around the world. Many of these iTMS items won't be free for long, so grab your copies before the week is up. And don't forget: If you want to buy these on your iPhone or iPod touch, make sure to sign into your account in iTunes before you sync.Continue reading iTunes: Free TuesdayRead | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Apple is Changing The Industry
I was reading an article on iPodHacks.com about how the iPhone is changing the industry and I thought about it myself and I realized the author, Blake, is absolutely right. The industry is changing. Blake analyized how the industry is changing for the casual user, enterprise,…
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iPhone Firmware 2.0 Jailbroken
The iPhone Dev Team published a a screenshot of what is reported to be a jailbroken iPhone 2.0 installation. According to some sources, the Dev team has already jailbroken the beta 2.0 iPhone firmware that Apple has only released to a limited number of testers. …
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Apple Gazette Daily 225 - Apple Updates, Audible suggestion, and more!
podcast sponsor link:http://www.audiblepodcast.com/applegazette Click the link above to get your free audio book from Audible, and help support Apple Gazette at the same time! Today's Show: Apple software updates, a new audible suggestion, office updates and…that's about it…slow news day. You can subscribe via iTunes, or by RSS feed, or… you can listen to the episode right here: In addition to that, you can also download the Apple Gazette Daily Widget and listen to every episode of the show right on your Dashboard. Click Here to download.
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Filing Bugs Against iPhone SDK Restrictions
Rogue Amoeba’s list of bugs they’ve filed with Apple against the iPhone SDK serves as a concise layman’s overview of the restrictions and limitations. The Rogue Amoeba guys are pretty much taking the hard line stance that iPhone development should be as open as Mac development. I don’t agree with that, but it’s useful to have a list like this. ★
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Review: Apple's Time Capsule, mind-numbingly easy backup
Apple makes backup easy. Mind-numbingly easy.
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Leopard, four months later
After using Leopard for four months, Dan Frakes revisits his first impressions and takes a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of Apple's latest OS.
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Security Update for Office 2008 now available
Filed under: Software, LeopardIf you happen to use Microsoft Office 2008 as your office suite of choice, Microsoft has an update for you. This security update, which brings the suite to version 12.0.1, features "several changes that improve security, stability, and performance" and includes "fixes for users of Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard." Sync behavior in Entourage and a file corruption bug in PowerPoint are among the areas of improvement.The update also features "fixes for vulnerabilities that an attacker can use to overwrite the contents of a computer's memory by using malicious code." That's good because we don't want that, do we? To download this new update, head on over to the Microsoft Mac Business Unit site and go to the Downloads section. For a full explanation of what this update does, check out the Microsoft support article.As with any update, be sure to let us know what happens if you decide to apply it.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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A Satire: AT&T to Apple, “Did you use us Steve?�
What could possibly be going through AT&T’s head with the recent announcement that Apple will allow VoIP on the iPhone? Here’s what I think (In a handy personal email format from Randall Stephenson to Steve Jobs) Dear Steve, What’s going on? I thought I would…
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How I got my third iPhone: dropping it on its power switch hits a sweet spot
The iPhone's wide-availability may explain why Apple is willing to replace your iPhone more readily
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News: Mix: Search, Stereophile, Ever Green, Samsung
A screenshot taken from Apple's iPhone Software Roadmap event shows a search icon in the iPhone's Contacts screen. The icon, which appears at the top of the alphabet, is similar to that of Apple's Spotlight search icon. Interestingly, the icon appeared on a screenshot shown during the presentation, but was absent from the menu during a demo. Stereophile has posted a guide to the effects of CD to 128Kbps Frauenhofer MP3 and AAC format…
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Apple Poaches Samsung Mobile Executive
Everyone seems focused on Apple’s 2008 goal to sell 10 million iPhones, but I wonder how many they’re hoping to sell in, say, 2009. I’m guessing it’s a lot more than 10 million. ★
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Hulu Ready for Prime Time, Tune-up for MacBook Air and Twitter Rules SXSWi.
NAND flash prices fall, lost MacBook Air and Beatles NOT Coming to iTunes, Yet.
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Apple holding back on flash memory purchases?
The most recent example that Apple might be worried about the economy? They haven't made a major flash order yet this year, according to Digitimes.
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Rogue Amoeba on code signing, iPhone SDK
Filed under: Developer, iPhoneMike Ash at Rogue Amoeba has published his fairly extensive thoughts on Apple's code signing policies and plans, as well as how they relate to the iPhone SDK. He makes some solid points and elaborates on thoughts that are being bandied about elsewhere on the 'net. In his critique of some points in the iPhone SDK announcement, his concerns regarding the "banned" iPhone apps are quite valid, in my opinion. Out of the list of apps to be denied (illegal, malicious, unforeseen, privacy, porn and bandwidth hog), he picks out a couple that are of concern. In regards to the issue of "porn", he notes that "...Apple is making moral judgements of the apps they sign." To me, it seems like Apple chose the safe option and just categorically denied materials that could sully their reputation, which I personally think was a good (if not obvious) choice. But the question arises, as it always does, about the definition of porn and obscenity... and who makes the call. Apple, as gatekeeper, gets to make those decisions for all of us. I can see some torrid debates arising in the future.Also of particular (and potentially more controversial) concern is the category "unforeseen," which provides a fairly broad scope for Apple to add to the list later. Again, it's likely a smart decision on Apple's part and a good way of sealing off loopholes without making the list read like a legal contract (see "License Agreement"), but leaves open the option for some heavy-handed control over what you can put on your iPhone.Of course, this initial list is incomplete, with restrictions outlined in the SDK license agreement (as pointed out in Rogue Amoeba's subsequent post). If you take an interest in this debate, be sure to check out Mike's post, "Code Signing and You."Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Backstage: Mac OS Leopard can't format a USB hard disk? Seriously?
Though I spend most of my waking hours working with them, I spend almost no time actually writing about Mac computers. Generally, I love my Macs, and wouldn't trade them for anything. But ever since Leopard was released, I've been having serious multiple-hour-wasting problems doing straightforward things. And when I go to research possible solutions, I see that lots of other people are having the exact same problems. Today's example:…
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Apple Dismisses Beatles Rumor as 'Unsubstantiated'
Apple is denying claims that it has signed a deal to bring the Beatles library to the iTunes Store. Rumors began circulating that the two parties had struck a deal after word surfaced last week that Paul McCartney is ready to offer the band's works as digital downloads. An Apple spokesperson called the rumors "unsubstantiated speculation," and added, "this is not news nor is it a scoop," according to Billboard. The Beatles have remained as one of the last big holdouts in the online music download market in part because of unresolved legal issues.
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Today’s updates: Macbook Air, Mac Pro
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Symantec announces Norton Mac-Windows antivirus bundle
When Mac owners move into Windows virtualization, they should be responsible and that means running PC security. Making this task a one-click purchase, Symantec this week released a Norton AntiVirus package for both Mac and Windows platforms.
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MacBook Air, Mac Pro updates available
Filed under: Software Update, Mac Pro, MacBook Air Who says this Tuesday arrived without updates? MacBook Air users can launch Software Update this morning and find SMC Update 1.0, which adjusts the use of the (very tiny) internal fan. If you've been having fan issues with your Air, let us know if this patch knocks them out. Also, the ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT Firmware Update is available for the Mac Pro. The change this update offers is "system stability" according to Apple. How exciting.As usual, we ask that you let us know if you have any trouble after applying these updates.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Hello App Store
Craig Hockenberry: But thinking through the situation a bit more, I realized that those things pale in comparison to the value of being associated with the Apple brand. Having their explicit stamp of approval and being included in the App Store will make any product more appealing to a customer. The other big thing about this is that users — especially typical users — will feel confident about the fact that whatever they install won’t screw up their phone. ★
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The Mothership of iPod Speakers
The Zeppelin won’t sink your music like a lead balloon.
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Child’s Play - MacKiev Gets It Right
While primarily due to being ill *yet again* (I'm beginning to think Seattle is the nation's cold/flu incubator), last week's blogging was further disrupted by the preparations for and celebration of our last child's second birthday. As you can imagine, children of geeks tend to get more geeky presents and Ian is now the proud user of his own age-appropriate “Leap” device and the plethora of add-ons that go with it. This is also the age where we have tended to start our kids on interactive computer software (that is, if you don't count Baby Banger). Besides Winnie-ther-Pooh, one of his favorite stories is The Cat in the Hat by the venerable Dr. Seuss, so I grabbed a copy of MacKiev's electronic version at the Alderwood Mall Apple Store and had it ready to go on the MBPro for the big day. We've purchased other versions of this interactive Cat for his brother and sister, but MacKiev did an outstanding job on this version with enough distinctly Mac touches to warrant a post. What did the developers get right? A solid installer While I am – and other experienced Apple users are – fully comfortable dragging applications around, newer Mac users and switchers tend to like installers. Good installers do the heavy lifting for you, make sure you know what's going on, possibly do extra work (more on that in a bit) and provide an easy way to un-install the program. MacKiev definitely got this right. Keeping up-to-date “Registering” children's software – or any other type of software for that matter – on Windows boxes was usually a task I would avoid since it tended to be little more than a request for spam. The MacKiev installer gave me the option to register and I took a chance since (a) it's a Mac program and (b) it provided a means to opt-out of spam-like messages. Immediately after registering, I received an e-mail letting me know there was a Leopard update to the program, which I promptly downloaded and installed. While a “check for updates” menu item (*cough* Sparkle *cough*) would have been even better, it was refreshing to get useful mail right from the start. Choices & control The Cat in the Hat software has two primary modes, interactive (click on things during the story) or “movie-mode”, which is just an animated reading of the book while words are highlighted. You really don't need software for the latter, and the book/content publisher finally understood this since the installer asked me if I wanted to upload supplemental content into iTunes. This “supplemental” content was actually the full audio and video of the book, which was copied in DRM-free format into my library where two playlists were also created, ready to sync to my iPhone, iPod or Apple TV (it's now on all three). For quite a while, Ian will just be sitting with me as we watch the story unfold or as I click on images to make them do unexpected tricks, but now he'll also be able to hunt for it on my iPhone (he already knows how to call his mother on it and can get to music he likes without help from anyone, which is a tribute Apple engineers UI design/implementation) or request it as an option for the infrequent TV time the kids get. MacKiev's great work has guaranteed a purchase of The ABC Book when Ian is a little older and is definitely something other developers & publishers should seek to emulate in their offerings. If you've had some good experiences with other children's software, be sure to drop a note in the comments (hey, it's for Ian after all!). Tags: Commentary, Software, software kids itunes development Related posts No related posts.
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The first MP3 player celebrates its 10th birthday
Filed under: Portable Audio Odds are, you take your iPod or Zune for granted. You probably don't think about the crazy technological advancements we've made, but take a ten-year look back at the world's first MP3 player -- the MPMan F10 -- and you'll get a sense of just how far we've come. Manufactured by Korea's Saehan Information Systems, the device was launched in March of 1998 at CeBIT, and went on sale in the Summer through Eiger Labs for $250. The player featured 32MB of flash memory (which could be upgraded to 64MB via mail-in scheme), connected to PCs via parallel port, and had a miniscule LCD for playback info -- but it laid the groundwork for the tech we have today. Following the MPMan's release, Rio unleashed its PMP300, which received a warmer reception and all-but eclipsed the F10's status as "first" amongst players, likely due to the company's well-known (and groundbreaking) legal battle against the RIAA. Still, first is first, so help keep the MPMan's rich history alive, and celebrate its ten-year anniversary this month with campfire songs and story-telling. Check out the archived read link of the original Eiger Labs site for a wild and wacky trip through time.[Via Register Hardware] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Under The Radar News - Tuesday
Rate cut odds fall. Futures now give 60% odds to a 75 BP rate cut on March 18; it was fully priced in yesterday. Many economists cheered the Fed's move to lend $200B for 28 days, vs. the current overnight term. One noted that although the action will boost liquidity, it does little to reduce counterparty risk that has banks calling margins and tightening lending standards.
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Lionsgate adding iTunes Digital Copy to some DVDs
Lionsgate has announced that it will begin adding iTunes Digital Copy technology to DVDs in order to provide customers with digital versions of their movies.Read More...
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Microsoft addresses Windows Home Server file corruption, promises fix
Filed under: Desktops, Media PCs, StorageRemember that tiny little Windows Home Server glitch that was causing files to become corrupt for no apparent reason? Well, Microsoft has stepped up to bat with a fix... for June! That's right, all you have to do is hang on to your data-shredders for a few more months and the boys in Redmond will have this one sealed up tighter than a drum. The company has changed this issue's Knowledge Base article to reflect the new target, and suggests that users can avoid problems for the time being by using a command-line tool to move files, setting shared folders on WHS to read-only, and not using things like WMP to import to a home server -- certainly not the solutions most people are after. The company has also posted a note about the KB article on its WHS Team Blog, which we wouldn't call a straight-up apology, though it definitely has apologetic overtones. On the bright side, Microsoft says only a small number of users are having this issue, so in all likelihood, you don't even know what we're talking about! Lucky you.[Thanks, Brian]Read - Knowledge Base articleRead - An update on KB #946676 Permalink | Email this | Comments
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10.5: Set up OS X as an SSL-secured reverse proxy
I've been wanting to set up my Mac Mini (running OS X 10.5.2) as an SSL secured reverse proxy to a bit of kit on my network. However, all the instructions I've found are aimed at older versions of OS X and/or older versions of Apache. I had been using OrenoSP on my old Windows-based system, but couldn't find a comparable yet free equivalent for the Mac. As Apache 2.2.x is included with Leopard, I decided to investigate that route. The following instructions are shamelessly cobbled together from various bits of documentation, web sites, and forums.DISLAIMER: I'm an Apache and OS X beginner, so this may not be the best way or most secure way to do this. It does, however, provide an SSL secured reverse proxy. But the illusion of security can be worse than no security at all, so please bear this in mind. If any commenters wish to point out ways of improving this, it would be much appreciated.[robg adds: This is a long involved hint, and hopefully I didn't ...
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Fix non-responsive Office 2008 Setup Assistant
In addition to this problem with installing Office 2008 on a non-startup disk, I've had an issue where for one user the Office Setup Assistant will never advance past the page where it requests contact info -- no matter how many times you hit Continue. There are no apparent errors, and I could find no postings about this on the internet. Then on the MacCast podcast this week, about 40 minutes in, caller Dave describes a solution to this vexing issue. I wanted to get it in black and white for people to find more easily.It seems this is an issue related to permissions or accessibility of the ~/Documents folder. In Dave's case, the Office installer had set the ownership wrong on this folder, and in my case, there was a broken symbolic link to this folder. Either way, the Setup Assistant couldn't access the folder, but didn't complain abou...
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Convert Windows' PowerISO .daa file archives in OS X
I have trawled Google for hours looking for this problem. I was trying to unpackage a .daa disk image created in PowerISO on Windows. I didn't want to pay for the PowerISO application for Windows (and my file was over 300MB, which is the limit for the trial), so I was hoping to find a Mac alternative. Pages and pages of Googlism later, and I found the open source (GPL) DAA Converter.DAA Converter converts the archive to an ISO disk image format that you can mount in OS X. It's working great on Leopard, and I can't see a reason it shouldn't work on Panther or later, as stated on their page.
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10.5: Fix strange Windows Sharing machine names
I was a little puzzled the other day when, in the Finder's Network file sharing window, I saw a machine named 'MAC001B23CF43,' sharing in the Windows format. I knew I didn't have any machines named like that on my network. The name was pretty straightforward, but hardly elegant like 'SuperMac' or 'MarioMac' or whatnot, like the Apple side of its filesharing was setup.The solution? I checked the computer's name and it had a number of non-standard characters in it and a few spaces. So, Samba (the mechanism behind Leopard's file sharing for Windows) was confused by the name for the Mac for Windows File Sharing and named itself 'MAC#########,' where # is the Ethernet address of the Mac.So I renamed the computer to something without spaces or high ASCII characters, and now the Mac has a reasonable, human-friendly name.
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Use a super quick Kana syllabary switching shortcut
This is a boon for those who have to write a lot of Japanese, as there is a lot of switching between the two syllabaries (Hiragana and Katakana). Aside from putting the Input Menu in the Menu Bar (System Preferences » International » Input Menu Tab » Turn on Kotoeri, and make sure Show Input Menu in Menu Bar is checked), and using the Command-Space Bar and the Command-Option-Space Bar shortcuts(System Preferences » Keyboard & Mouse » Keyboard Shortcuts; deselect Spotlight; select Input Menu), you can switch between Hiragana and Katakana on the fly by holding down Shift while typing.As an example, typing in ����　レイ　��。requires Hiragana, Katakana, and Hiragana again. The quickest way to write this sentence starting from the US English Keyboard would be as follows (assuming you enabled the Command-Space Bar switching method:Press Command-Space Bar.Type the following keys: "watashiha　" (including the trailing space).Hold...
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SanDisk reveals iPod Nano rival ‘Fuze’
SanDisk put a stop to the rumors that it was going to release a product to compete directly with the 3rd generation iPod Nano today, by revealing the Sansa Fuze. The Fuze is visibly almost a direct copy of the iPod nano, featuring an almost identical design. The Fuze, like all SanDisk digital audio players, is quite different, though. The Fuze has built in FM radio and voice recording, in addition to support for a variety of Windows Media stores and Rhapsody. Audible files and, of course, unprotected MP3 and WAV files are all supported as well. SanDisk also points out that the player is compatible with not only Windows, but also Linux and Mac when working in mass storage mode. The device also features a microSDCH slot allowing for up to 8 gbs of storage expansion. By default the device will sell in a 2gb version for $80 and a 4gb version for $100. An 8gb version will also be available for $130…all of which are significantly cheaper than their Apple produced counterparts.
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MacPro, Mac Book Air get software updates
These two updates aren't terribly exciting, but they might spell relief for some users.Read More...
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Before there was ModBook…
…there was the Gemini Special Edition clamshell iBook. This graphite iBook conversion by Assistive Technologies may be the first ever tablet Mac. Long before the advent of Axiotron Modbook. Gemini is known as an Augmentive and Alternative Communication (AAC) device. It originally sold for US$6,914. The owner bought it as a parts machine to salvage some regular [...]
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Does Linux lack mass-market appeal?
Doesn't that headline state the obvious? Doesn't the entire world know that Linux simply doesn't offer the kind of mass-market appeal Windows and Mac OS X do? I guess not. According to the company, Wal-Mart has pulled all Linux-equipped computers off its shelves because it "didn't attract as much customer attention as Windows machines." "This really wasn't what our customers were looking for," said Wal-Mart Stores Inc. spokeswoman Melissa O'Brien. Gee, really? To see if its customers wanted Linux, the company stocked the $199 Green gPC in about 600 stores to see if people really wanted to try out a new, far more advanced, operating system. And although the company won't announce sales figures, it looks like its decision to sell Linux-based machines was doomed from the start -- in stores. Ironically, the gPC has performed much better online and Wal-Mart will continue to sell it on its e-commerce page. ...
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Apple, Google set early tech gains following latest Fed moves
Technology stocks put in early gains as the sector rose along with the broad market following the Federal Reserve’s latest efforts to stimulate the economy.
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News: Apple releases iPod shuffle software 1.0.4
Apple has released software version 1.0.4 for the second-generation iPod shuffle. According to Apple, the update offers enhanced support for 2GB models, contains bug fixes, and supersedes all previous versions. iPod shuffle software version 1.0.4 is available now through the update feature in iTunes. ...
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News: Apple yet to order NAND flash in 2008?
Apple has yet to begin making large procurements of NAND flash memory in 2008, according to a DigiTimes report. Citing sources at Taiwan memory makers, the article states that Apple bought $1.2-1.3 billion worth of NAND flash over a short time period in 2007, resulting in a rapid price fluctuation in the components. Due to the lack of major orders from Apple, the article suggests, current pricing on multi-level cell NAND flash is below cost, with…
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Apple to open first retail store in South Carolina?
Filed under: Retail, AppleEver since the CompUSA closings, South Carolina has definitely been lacking as far as Apple retailers go. We're one of those states without an official Apple Store, until now. According to a local news source in Charleston, South Carolina, an Apple Store is in the works and the permit application has already been submitted. The store has been planned, and hiring has already begun, but everything else has been kept quiet. According to the job listing, the store will be located on King Street in the downtown area. I am sure that I speak for most Mac users in South Carolina when I say that this store has been long awaited and much appreciated. Charleston.net has a full article with pictures.Thanks, Marc!Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Levy trashes MacBook Air
As in he threw his in trash. Accidentally, that is. Newsweek technology columnist Steven Levy admitted in a recent post that he lost his MacBook Air loaner unit from Apple. He thinks that accidentally got recycled in a pile of newspapers. On Sundays in my apartment, the coffee table where the Air sat becomes the final resting [...]
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Don't throw the MacBook Air out with the paper
Filed under: Cult of Mac, Apple, MacBook AirApple doesn't just loan review units to anyone who asks. No, you have to be pretty high up on the tech journalism foodchain in order to be entrusted with review gear from Apple (you will note that TUAW does not receive any review units from our favorite fruit company). Steven Levy is decidedly amongst those who have no problems getting their hands on Apple's latest, with lots of help from the company itself (he was one of the 4 journalists who get an iPhone ahead of everyone else). Therefore, it is not surprising that Levy would have a MacBook Air on loan from Apple, but it is surprising what happened to said loaner MacBook Air.All was well with the MacBook Air, until Levy experienced a panic that anyone borrowing something from a huge multinational corporation never wants to feel: he couldn't find the darned thing. He feverishly traced his whereabouts and quickly ruled out thievery (he still had the powercord, so that didn't seem likely). Finally, he hit upon a theory: the MacBook Air was accidentally tossed out with the Sunday paper (if you read the Sunday New York Times you know that it often weighs in at much more than the MacBook Air's 3 pounds). One wonders if he was using one of the many Manilla envelope cases for his MacBook Air.Luckily for Steven, Newsweek will be footing the $1800 bill for the MacBook Air, but chances are should the same thing happen to you, you won't be so fortunate. Make sure to keep an eye on that tiny laptop from Apple, there is no telling where it might end up!Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Guitar Rig 3 Turns a Mac Into an Amp Stack
Guitarists out there know that finding that perfect sound, tone or depth from your electric guitar can be an expensive and painstaking process. With the digital age now in full swing, many manufacturers have tapped into computer emulation as a way to duplicate the sounds of guitar setups and amplifiers through software. There are tons of programs out there that promise to deliver, but almost all of them fall flat on their face. That's where Guitar Rig 3 comes along. Guitar Rig 3 is a robust guitar emulation program that does more than just emulate sounds.
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Apple iTunes to Sell Beatles Songs?
Marketwatch reported Monday: Apple Inc. (AAPL) may have finally reached a deal to sell the songs of the Beatles through the iTunes Music Store.
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Mac OS Ken: 03.11.2008
Apple Calls Beatles Reports Unsubstantiated Speculation / Sony/ATV: Beatles on iTunes Reports Untrue / InfoWorld: Apple Offers AppStore Privacy for Enterprise for $299 / Gameloft Announces Plans for iPhone/iPod Touch / Gameloft President Praises iPhone as Gaming Platform / Lionsgate Adding iTunes Digital Copies to (Some) DVDs / Optical Drive Sharing Software for MacBook Air Ships for Windows / Apple Releases ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT Firmware Update for Mac Pros / Apple Drops Refurbished iPod nano Prices in UK / Apple Takes grand Prize in CBJN Awards / NC Banks Gives iTunes for Personal Checking / Former Transmeta Exec Heads to Intel / Newsweek: Has Apple (Accidentally) Introduced the First Disposable Computer? / Michael Nygard: TSA Perplexed by MacBook Air
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Apple Store team busy installing extra noise, additional funk
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, AppleAs has been widely emailed by our crack readers, the Apple Store is down as of midnight. We'd chalk this up to actual maintenance, but since it is officially Tuesday on the US East Coast, we'll give it the new-product benefit of the doubt. Some items, including Airport Express units and the Mac Mini, have been reported in limited availability mode for a while, so it's possible that we'll see some revisions come daylight. We also have been told that the iPod touch January Update is mysteriously unavailable for purchase at the moment (thanks Will!) so perhaps that's in play as well. Of course, it could just be, you know, maintenance.The question must be considered: are the Apple Store outages really technically necessary to update the store content, or are they a form of grass-roots marketing that primes the buying audience for something new? After all, Amazon, Dell and Newegg add products constantly and never seem to stall into these extended cones of silence. Is the Tuesday lacuna just a passive-aggressive way to get our attention, like a child throwing a sulk? Recently, former Apple staffer Chuq von Rospach suggested via a Twitter response to Shawn King that the architecture of the Apple Store really, truly does require extended downtime to make changes to the product lineup. If that's the case, then this is an astonishingly powerful argument for the existence of the RDF -- only a marketing force capable of warping the fabric of space could turn an engineering flaw into self-generating hype with every minor tweak of the product line.Thanks to everyone who sent this in!Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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MacBook Air needs help with airflow. Apple posts MacBook Air SMC Update 1.0
Apple has released an update for the MacBook Air that fine tunes the speed and operation of the internal fan. If you are cool enough to own a MacBook Air, be sure to download the SMC Update 1.0 so that your Air can be as cool as you. [read more at MacMerc.com]
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Video Presentation: A Software Platform History of Apple, NeXT, Microsoft, and into the Future.
Daniel Eran Dilger This weekend I was invited to Texas to attend the monthly meeting of Apple Corp Dallas, the oldest user group in existence devoted to Apple products. It was fun to travel and the prospect of speaking in front of a large group was exciting, but while the spirit was willing, the flesh was weak. (more…)
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Who knew? Steve Jobs breaks rules
Venture capitalist, former Apple executive and writer Jean-Louis Gassée takes issue with Peter Elkind's rip on Steve Jobs in the recent issue of Fortune. For Gassée, Steve Jobs is Silicon Valley's Yves Saint Laurent.
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plasq adds both Twitter and email support to Skitch.com
See that image over there on the right? I prepared and uploaded that using plasq's Skitch. Today the folks at plasq have added the ability to automatically have Skitch.com post a "tweet" to your Twitter stream announcing your new masterpiece. Just log into your Skitch account online and enable Twitter announcements and the next image you upload to Skitch.com with be tweeted from the... [read more at MacMerc.com]