Oct 16, 2008 Oct 18, 2008 Friday October 17, 2008
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MacOSG: October Apple User Group Bulletin
Posted by Dave MertenOctober's news includes news on Macworld 2009's Apple User Group reception, free Macworld passes and discounts, an iMovie workshop, MacCamp, Mac Live Expo, Bob “Dr. Mac” LeVitus in Chicago, AEA's October Festival and milestones!
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Considerations in Building Web Applications for the Amazon Cloud
I have been helping several clients lately migrate part or all of their infrastructure over into the Amazon Cloud. The biggest concern I am seeing relates to whether or not their existing web applications will work OK in the cloud. You need to consider some things.
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DIYer gets crafty with plywood laptop case
Filed under: Laptops, Peripherals We thought the AirMail was our most favorite niche case of all time, but the homegrown Ply Laptop Case is really making a case (ahem) for top honors. After hours upon hours of masterful plywood bending, sanding and carving, the wooden case you see above was created. Internally, the case is lined with cork to "provide additional heat resistance and protection," and best of all, those with the requisite skills can make one to hold any size machine you can dream of. Now, if only there was a TSA-approved version...[Via MAKE]Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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MacOSG: How to install memory in an Aluminum MacBook Pro (Late 2008)
Posted by Dave MertenInstalling memory in a new aluminum MacBook Pro is not quite as easy as previous models, but is allowed by Apple, without voiding your warranty. Simply follow the directions below to accomplish the task.
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Article: Ask iLounge 10-17-08
This week's Ask iLounge topics: Backup up your iPod, iPods and viruses, Using an iPod on Mac and Windows, Managing photos on an iPod manually, Adding iTunes Shared Music to iPod, iPod video out
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Newer Technology Universal Drive Adapter
Even better than a drive enclosure, this adapter lets you use just about any naked hard drive (like, say, one that you’ve taken out of a new MacBook) as an external USB 2 device. Here’s Dan Frakes’s review for Macworld. For just $30, this seems like a no-brainer. ★
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Last Gen MacBook Pros $700 Cheaper, MacBook for $849
Apple may not have broken the $900 mark with the new line of laptops they unveiled at Tuesday's event, but that doesn't mean you can't get a never-before-used Mac at that price. As long as you're willing to bury your head in the sand and pretend no new models exist, or your computing habits don't require the absolute latest tech, you can get some pretty good deals on previous generation Apple notebooks. Amazon.com, for instance, is offering a $700 (compared to its price at the Apple Store before Tuesday's release) discount on MacBook Pros, which makes this 15-inch model not much more expensive than the now-discontinued black MacBook. While this is a great deal for those looking for a still-powerful laptop at an affordable price, those hoping for the sub-$900 laptop Tuesday likely won't see $1,780 as much of a deal. (more…)
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Instruction with Inspiration -- Photoshop Lightroom 2 Adventure
Photoshop Lightroom 2 Adventure — "A practical guide to a program no photographer should be without: Adobe Lightroom 2... This is an adventure you'll be glad you said yes to." —Leo Laporte, from the Foreword Master Adobe's next-generation tool for digital photographers. Learn more.
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Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About the New MacBook
The regular MacBook no longer offers FireWire, and therefore no longer supports Target Disk Mode (which does not work via USB). The only solace in this regard is that the hard drive is so much easier to access on the new MacBook. If I bought one, I’d invest in a standalone 2.5-inch drive enclosure to have handy for all the situations where I’d normally use Target Disk Mode. ★
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AppleInsider: Next-Gen 17-Inch MacBook Pro Due in a Few Months
I heard the same thing a few days ago. ★
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O'Reilly Webcast - When Times Get Tough, the Tough Get Tuning: Improve the Performance of Your Linux Systems
Please join us Tuesday, October 21 for this free live webcast. Presented by Dee-Ann LeBlanc, When Times Get Tough, the Tough Get Tuning: Improve the Performance of Your Linux Systems will teach you how to break down performance into four major areas, how to determine which area(s) are causing your problems, and offer some tips on how to improve in each. Space is limited, so register now!
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The admin's freeware friend: DeployStudio
Filed under: Enterprise, Software, Cool tools, FreewareFor individual Mac users or small businesses, it's usually not a problem deploying new Macs with a standard image -- as a Mac support specialist, you might just load each machine manually. But imagine if you need to deploy hundreds or thousands of Macs, PCs, or XServes. You'd need a small army of techs or a way to do the job automatically.That's where DeployStudio comes in handy. This freeware tool can be used to create deployment files using Netboot, external USB or FireWire drives, or any AFP, SMB, or NFS sharepoint on the network. DeployStudio works with Mac OS X 10.4.11 to 10.5.3 at this point, and is updated regularly to include new OS versions. The package consists of DeployStudio Server, DeployStudio Assistant, DeployStudio Admin, and diffPackageMaker.DeployStudio Server creates a network based deployment server containing the images. Assistant is used to configure the server and to create the NetInstall sets, while Admin is used to monitor deployments, manage disk images and scripts, enter configurations, and more. diffPackageMaker can look at the difference between two file system snapshots and create installation packages based on what has been changed or added.Detailed documentation PDFs and screencasts are available on the DeployStudio site.Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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No FireWire? No Matte Display? Aaahhh! I’m Trashing Everything and Getting a Dell!
Or words to that affect. That's what I'm seeing on blogs and in a boatload of forum comments. Geez, people. Why is it every time Apple makes a move there's a pile of people to step in and claim how stupid Apple is, or how they don't care about their customers, etc.? As if Apple's not nailing almost all of their decisions lately (and by “lately” I mean over the last 10 years). Some of the complainers are downright conspiratorial in their railings against the change. And many seem to think that FireWire 400 is gone altogether, apparently unaware that it's available on the MacBook Pro via the FireWire 800 port. Only the MacBook lost FireWire completely. Look, I'm not unsympathetic to those MacBook users who may have come to rely on FireWire, but some of the discussion around this move is kind of silly. (more…)
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'MacGuard' double-plus ungood, avoid
Filed under: SecurityThe fine folks at Intego sent out a warning this morning about MacGuard, a bogus piece of software that claims to clean up your system and remove adware, spyware, and trojans. It doesn't. According to the warning, MacGuard is simply a clone of a Windows app called WiniGuard. The company releasing the software, Innovagest 2000 SL, may be using the credit card numbers they harvest during the purchase process for "nefarious purposes." WiniGuard "hijacks the user's desktop and typically displays exaggerated or false claims of spyware found to frighten the user into paying for the program," according to Sunbelt Malware Research Labs. While our fine readers wouldn't get suckered into such a scheme, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles might not be so educated. If you know someone with a Mac who might fall for this, do them a favor and forward them this warning. The MacGuard website is at macguard.net.Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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Macsimum iPhone video: Comparing Apple laptop boot times (HDD vs. SSD)
Posted by Dave MertenThinking of ordering a new Apple laptop with a solid-state drive, or installing one in your current laptop? Well, today's Macsimum iPhone video consists of 3 videos comparing boot times of various Mac laptops, using both standard and solid-state hard drives.
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The Lego Apple Store
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Humor, Retail, Cult of Mac, Apple Man, for all of the gadget lovin', excellent software, and community power floating around the Mac crowd, this is the real reason why I'm such a fan of the cult of Mac: someone loved the Apple Store enough to make a Lego version of it. Just awesome -- look at the little nanochromatic iPods, the touches and iPhones, the iMacs and even a Cinema for good measure. The only thing missing, really, is the black t-shirted Geniuses, complete with little credit card swipers so you don't have to go up to the counter.Really great. I don't know what kind of loyalty exists that would drive a person to recreate a retail space in Lego form, but I'm strangely glad it's out there somewhere. Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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'Macsimum Recommended Reading' for Oct. 17
Posted by Dennis Sellers“Apple's Nvidia union takes strange turn: In advance of its Tuesday keynote Apple security bundled out a protestor urging a boycott of Nvidia products as part of a campaign against a third firm which provides the graphics processor company with cafeteria services.”—9to5Mac
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Apple moving Finder to Cocoa
One of the last Apple-developed applications written in the Carbon programming environment has been rewritten using Apple's Cocoa programming environment, according to a report.
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WriteRoom iPhone
Don't fall into the recursive WriteRoom screenshot. read more
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MacBook Pro Review
For the first time in Apple's history, the recent incarnation of consumer and professional laptops are starting to show signs of being part of the same family. While the MacBook has seen arguably the most impressive bump in terms of comparison to its original feature set, MacBook Pros have also received great treatment. This brief review will give an overview of the new features and our experience. Future posts will delve into certain changes in more depth. We have previously posted unboxing photos of the new laptop for your enjoyment. Exterior &Build The first MacBook Pro I purchased started to vibrate suspiciously when turned on — to the point where it was audibly annoying. I returned it to the Apple store and was given an immediate replacement. That said, I'm certain that Apple's claim of a revolutionary manufacturing process is not just hype. To quote Harry McCracken: I hate car metaphors in computer reviews, but I can’t help myself: The old MacBook Pro was a solidly-built Toyota, and the new one is a Lexus. While the MacBook Air clearly benefitted from the new process, it still feels slightly 'delicate' due to it's very nature of being so thin. Imagine the robustness and curves of the Air built around the already sturdy MacBook Pro, and you'll be somewhere close to the mark. The keyboard takes very similar cues from the keyboard featured on the previous generation of MacBooks. It is a significant step forward from the previous generation of MacBook Pro, and a step that was undoubtedly needed. It's also great to see that, despite the generously increased trackpad size, the keyboard hasn't suffered in terms of space. (more…)
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News: Audio Technica rolls out ATH-CK100 triple-driver earphones
Audio Technica has released its new ATH-CK100 earphones (Translated Link) featuring triple driver technology, similar to that found in the Ultimate Ears' Triple-Fi 10 Pro and Shure's E530. According to the company, the new ATH-CK100 earphones feature a titanium housing, and are the “world's smallest” triple-driver earphones. The new earphones will also offer a frequency response of 20Hz-18kHz, and will be available in…
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Apple, Psystar agree to dispute resolution process
The two companies have agreed to pursue a mediated settlement process before resorting to a trial, which could keep the eventual outcome of the case under seal.
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It's not over yet, but we can laugh about it.
Daniel Eran Dilger John McCain and Barack Obama both spoke at the Alfred Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, delivering a heavy dose of tension-relieving hilarity (really!) that exposed both men as human and honorable, despite their political differences and the vast difference in background and age. Both are well worth watching. McCain: Obama:
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AI: 'Snow Leopard' to include rewritten Finder
Filed under: Rumors, Leopard, Snow LeopardAppleInsider claims that Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard will feature (among other things) a Finder re-written entirely in Cocoa. The Finder has remained Carbon-based for the entire history of Mac OS X so far, but the long journey from those frameworks towards Cocoa seems to be reaching its end for Apple's homegrown apps. Test versions of the new Finder are being seeded to select developers in revisions of Snow Leopard with build numbers beginning with 10A. AppleInsider notes that seeds could be more broadly available to the developer community as early as tomorrow. As Ars Technica noted in June, Apple apps will also apparently come "wrapped" in Cocoa. Further deprecation of some Carbon APIs seems likely as well, but it's unclear yet as to how Snow Leopard's support for Carbon apps will differ from plain-ol' Leopard's. In addition to the Finder, improvements to support for Microsoft Exchange are expected for Mail, iCal, and Address Book. Also included is a new option for booting a Mac called ImageBoot. ImageBoot takes NetBoot a step further, allowing administrators to boot a workstation into Mac OS X directly from an image on a local disk.Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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MetaView is new stock market data viewing app for Mac OS X
Posted by Dennis Sellers Lyle Andrews has released MetaView, a Mac OS X application that lets you view stock market data in 3D. It costs US$49.95, but also requires a subscription to a special MetaView data feed for $15 per month.
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Backstage: In the Labs: Altec Lansing's Expressionist BASS
We can't claim to totally understand the design vibe behind Altec Lansing's inMotion MAX, but Expressionist BASS ($130, aka FX3022) makes a bit more sense visually and conceptually. We've been playing with a pair of $600 Focal XS multimedia/iPod speakers for the last couple of weeks and enjoying them, yet Expressionist BASS seems like a way more mainstream concept: dump the need for a subwoofer by just integrating two firmly…
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Conceivium releases iPhone compatible mobileRED
Posted by Dennis SellersConceivium Business Solutions has launched its mobile broadcast communication product, mobileRED (rapid emergency dispatch). mobileRED and its integrated Central Command Center (via the web console or mobile device) allows administrators to send broadcast communication to any type of mobile device in their environment, including the iPhone, BlackBerry and Windows Mobile...
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Apple posts Migration and DVD/CD Sharing Update
Apple has posted its Migration and DVD/CD sharing update, ready for use with your new notebook.Read More...
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Luxpro finally countersues Apple over the Super Tangent iPod shuffle clone
Filed under: Portable AudioHey, remember the Luxpro Super Shuffle / Super Tangent? That Taiwanese KIRF of the original iPod shuffle? Back in 2005 it ruffled some feathers in Cupertino with an appearance at CeBIT, went under a slight redesign, and was eventually brought to court by Apple's lawyers, prompting Luxpro to vow vengeance -- and nearly two years later, it's finally filed that promised countersuit against Apple. The suit alleges that Apple uses unfair tactics to squash competitors as part of its "unending aspiration" to maintain a monopoly in the PMP game, and throws in a dash of that never-works iTunes-tying argument for good measure. Luxpro also says the Super Tangent was "obviously" different than the original iPod shuffle (uh, sure) and that Apple was just being a bully when it tried to get the Super Shuffle removed from trade shows and importer lists. We'll see how this one plays out -- we've got a feeling it'll end pretty quickly.[Thanks, Mark]Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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All new HD camcorders use USB? Really?
Peter Kirn from Create Digital Music disagrees with Steve Jobs alleged statement that “all new HD camcorders use USB” in response to the death of Firewire kerfuffle. Whether Jobs said it or not, isn’t the point — the point it that it’s wrong. All HDV cameras I know of rely on FireWire for transfers, including some Canon [...]
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First Look: Create panoramic photos with Pano for iPhone
Filed under: Software, iPhone, App Store, First Look Debacle Software has just released Pano (App Store link), an iPhone app that creates panoramic pictures from multiple iPhone photos -- up to four in one panorama. Making panoramas is quite simple. You begin by launching the app on the iPhone, at which time you're asked to take your first picture. Pano prompts you to use or retake the photo, and if you choose to use it, you're given the opportunity to take the second picture. Pano overlays a transparent version of the rightmost portion of the previous picture over the left hand side of the image (see below), providing a guide for aligning the pictures. (Sorry about the ringer icon -- I bumped the ringer volume button while making the screenshot) The process is repeated for up to four photos. If you take three shots and don't want to take a fourth, you can cancel, at which time you're given the option to quit, continue taking pictures, or make the panorama (see below). The last step displays a "merging" progress bar, during which time Pano's proprietary process is stitching the photos together. The final panorama is placed into the iPhone Photos library, where it can be emailed or synced with iPhoto. Pano costs $2.99, well worth the price for what you get.Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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BallBound & Cypress Golf announce iPhone Tee Times reservation app
Posted by Dennis SellersBallBound & Cypress Golf have announced Tee Times for iPhone. It allows you to makes reservations for tee times at discounted rates for multiple players at over a thousand golf courses in the US.
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Apple Gazette Daily 367 - Enigmo, Firewire, and Steve Jobs
podcast sponsor link:Click Here to check out Blogflux Groups! Today's Show: Enigmo, Firewire, and Steve Jobs 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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Make Spaces Hyper
I recently wrote about alternatives to Apple's Spaces virtual desktop offering that comes included with Leopard. There, I confessed that I've come to appreciate the simplicity Spaces offers, though miss configuration options. Well Hyperspaces is the forthcoming extension to Spaces and does well to fill the 'configurability' void that some of us pine for. Tony Arnold (who once upon a time provided Virtue Desktops) has been hard at work on Hyperspaces, and has kindly given me a chance to play around with it. I liken the relationship of Spaces and Hyperspaces to Starsky & Hutch — the former doing things by the book, the latter bringing some fun to the party. When using Hyperspaces, you expand upon the features that Spaces offers. Gained is the ability to assign names to each of your desktops, display that name on your desktop in any font you choose, and on whatever portion of the screen you desire. Next, you can set your specific wallpaper for each different desktop, and you have the option to tint each desktop using the color palette (regardless of whether you choose custom wallpaper). As mentioned earlier, you can name your desktops, and on a desktop by desktop basis you can choose whether or not to display its name or not. (more…)
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iStock improves interaction with Yahoo! Germany
Posted by Dennis Sellersdanholt4mac has released iStock 1.5.2, an update of the stock and portfolio management tool for Mac OS X. It now functions better with Yahoo! Germany so that quotes like the DAX are represented correctly.
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Gallery: Remote Install Mac OS X
Apple just released a Migration and DVD/CD Sharing Update (kbase article: HT3174) for all users via Software Update. The download includes Remote Install Mac OS X v.1.1 which: provides enhanced customization capabilities and improved performance for migration over FireWire, Ethernet and wireless networks. The update was specifically released to address the MacBook (Late 2008) - which lost [...]
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Economic Gloom, Presidential Politics Collide With Tech
eBay came through with a profitable third quarter, but don't expect such good news in the coming months. Its earnings were almost 1 and a half billion dollars better than Q3 of last year, but the total sum of all transactions on the auction site actually went down one percent. That's a first. It's also gotten itself into a somewhat standoffish predicament with some of its smaller sellers. It increased their fees and strictly curtailed what they're allowed to say about the customers they do business with. Then there's the fact that other sites are offering increasingly noticeable competition.
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News: iPodweek on its way, vote for Readers' Choice Awards
iPodweek, iLounge's weekly newsletter recapping the last seven days in iPod, iPhone, iTunes and Apple TV news, articles, reviews, and more, will be sent out later today. In addition to rounding up the week's top stories, iPodweek also features giveaways and accessory discount offers from various companies. If you haven't yet signed up to receive iPodweek, there's still time to register and receive this week's edition…
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Convert any file to iTunes audiobook format
Filed under: Tips and tricks, iTunesThis week, Lifehacker pointed out a handy feature of iTunes 8. Specifically, you can convert any file into audiobook format. That way, it will be categorized as an audio book and more importantly, remember where you stopped listening last time.Last year, a friend sent me some audio of a conference he attended. I was glad to have it, but it was a single, 40-minute track. That would have been a perfect candidate for this tip.Lifehacker even explains how to convert multiple files at once. Check it out.If you want file conversion that's more powerful than this simple trick, consider Switch by NCH Software. Switch converts a great number of file formats into any of several options. For example, convert aif/aiff, gsm, vox aac, mp2, or m4a (plus a lot more) into Mp3 or wav. You can even import video files and extract audio (avi, mov, mpeg). There's both a free and paid version of Switch.Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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Speck announces new iPhone cases
Posted by Dennis SellersSpeck has unveiled its Fitted case design for the iPhone 3G. It's designed to “provide the opportunity for iPhone owners to show off their own signature style and personality,” says Bryan Hynecek, lead designer at Speck.
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Latest build of Snow Leopard brings Cocoa Finder, ImageBoot
Development of Mac OS X 10.6, codenamed Snow Leopard, continues. The latest build released to select developers includes a version of the venerable Finder, rewritten in Cocoa. There is also a new disk image booting feature called ImageBoot.Read More...
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iGPS360 add-on module for the iPhone and iPod touch is now available for order
Filed under: GPS We've had our doubts about this Orange Gadgets outfit -- the same folks promising that entirely-too-wondeful iControlPad -- but it looks like the company is making good on its first promised product, the iGPS360. The little add-on module brings GPS to your jailbroken iPhone or iPod touch, and is now available for order. Only 1,000 will be available out of the gate, at $75 (plus shipping) a pop. Since we haven't seen one in the wild, it's hard to know how well these modules will work, but Orange Gadgets has a pretty open development model, so feel free to page through the blog and see this thing through from concept to execution. Now, about that iControlPad...Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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App Store Deal of the Week: Enigmo
Enigmo, by Pangea Soft is not a new game/application by any means — for the Mac, or for the iPhone for that matter. While I've got it on my MacBook, I hadn't sprung the nearly $10 that Enigmo was priced at in the App Store. But this week, everyone's in luck! Pangea Soft is offering this great puzzle game for only $1.99. There's no indication how long the deal will last, but my suggestion is to get in on it as soon as you can. In actuality, after playing it on the iPhone, I realize just what an ideal fit it is for this platform. If you're not familiar with the game of Enigmo, here's the skinny. There's more or less a vessel dripping liquid, and you have different tools (drums, accelerators, surfaces) at your disposal to reroute the droplets into an empty vessel someplace else on the level. The tools can be dragged around, and the touch interface is perfect for rotating them to perform exactly the way you'd like, to hopefully beat the level before your point bonus runs out. Performance of the game is quick, load time is minimal (especially for a game of this complexity), save and resume screens are all very easy to navigate. The only thing I didn't see a note on (but figured out on my own) was that in order to pause the game, you need to double tap the screen for the menu. While I balked at Enigmo at around the ten dollar mark — after playing it I'm surprised I didn't buy it sooner — it's a steal at 2 bucks. If you're looking for a challenging puzzle game to pass any free time, you can't go wrong here. If you don't want to take my word for it, it also won the Apple Design Award this year in the iPhone Developer Showcase.
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First Looks: Seidio Innotraveler Car Kit G1700S
Seidio's Innotraveler Car Kit ($60) is, as the name suggests, a car charging and mounting kit designed specifically for the iPhone 3G. Though the charging and mounting cradle isn't initially staggering, Seidio's package -- which includes a swivel pedestal mount, an air vent mount, and a smaller swivel adapter -- offers a number of different mounting options, and the charging system actually accommodates simultaneous connection of a USB or mini-USB…
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First Looks: Seidio Innocase II and Innocase Holster for iPhone 3G
Sold for surprisingly high prices, Seidio's new Innocase II ($35) and Innocase Holster ($30) are, respectively, a simple soft plastic iPhone 3G case and a similarly simple hard plastic belt clip holster that depends upon the case; they can be purchased together in a combo set for $50. Innocase II is sold in six colors, each with a soft touch rubber outer coating, and includes a slide-off bottom piece for dock use; no film is included for screen or…
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iSync update adds new preference panel
Posted by Dennis SellersNova media has released a new version (7.1) of its iSync phone plug-in. The upgrade includes a preference pane to manage installation and update of cell phone plugins. This eliminates the need to download the complete iSync plugins every time a plug-in is updated or a new plug-in is made...
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iTunes Ropes In All Four TV Nets for High-Def Downloads
The iTunes store has had various fits and coughs over the last few years as content providers from the music, movie and television industry battled it out with Apple over delivery and pricing quibbles. However, the fall network TV season is now intact -- and in the full glory of high definition. All four of the major networks -- ABC, CBS, NBC and now FOX -- are offering prime time programs in high definition via iTunes downloads, Apple said. Most television shows that are broadcast in high definition are delivered in 720p, versus the even sharper 1080p.
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Jobs on Firewire: you don’t need it
Responding to an email about the inability to use Firewire HD camcorders with the new MacBook and iMovie, Jobs (more likely one of his minions) replied: Actually, all of the new HD camcorders of the past few years use USB 2 Edible Apple backs that up by noting that only 1 out of the top 10 camcorders [...]
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Intego warns of MacGuard 'rogue program'
Posted by Dennis SellersIntego says it's discovered a rogue program claiming to be an antivirus product. It poses no current risk to Macs, but a potential financial risk to purchasers, the company says.
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Review: Find hidden objects with Stone of Destiny on iPhone
Is Stone of Destiny for the iPhone worth buying? Ars gives it a try before you buy. It's a little buggy, but that might be okay for only a dollar. Read More...
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IPEVO TR-10 designed for iChat, GarageBand
Filed under: Accessories, Internet ToolsWhile most VoIP devices are made for Skype, IPEVO has made a version of its TR-10 conference phone with the Mac in mind: It can be used with both iChat and GarageBand. For iChat conversations, the device can be used either as a speakerphone or traditional handset with full-duplex audio and echo cancellation. The buttons on the front of the device can be programmed to start iChat or record calls. For GarageBand, the TR-10 can be used as an audio input device to record podcasts. The device only works with a Mac. IPEVO sells the TR-10 for $79.90 in its online store. [Via Engadget.]Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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Bjango releases Jobs 1.0 for iPhone, iPod touch
Posted by Dennis SellersBjango has released a new iPhone app: Jobs, a time sheet or time tracking application. It lets users keep track of how much time they've spent on any number of tasks, then export the details for importing into any application that can work with CSV files (Excel, Numbers, etc), so...
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Apple updates Migration and DVD/CD sharing app
Posted by Dennis SellersApple has updated its Migration and DVD/CD Sharing app for Mac OS X 10.4.11 (and higher). The update improved compatibility with the new unibody aluminum MacBook and MacBook Pro models introduced this week.
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Aspyr Media updates Call of Duty game
Posted by Dennis SellersAspyr Media has released Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare for the Mac 1.7, an update of the war strategy game that adds support for cross-platform game play. It also adds new maps and fixes some bugs. For more on Call of Duty, go here.
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Steve Jobs concisely answers the MacBook FireWire question
As is becoming increasingly frequent, Steve Jobs has given a terse, one-line reply to a user's question regarding the elimination of the FW400 port from the latest MacBook. As Steve says, FireWire is on its way out. Read More...
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OWC announces internal hard drive upgrades for new MacBooks, MacBook Pros
Posted by Dennis SellersOther World Computing (OWC) has announced a selection of new 7200RPM and 5400RPM 2.5-inch SATA internal hard drives in capacities up to 500GB for Apple's MacBook, MacBook Pro 15-inch, and MacBook Pro 17-inch models.OWC 2.5” SATA internal hard drive upgrades are available immediately, with the most popular options including:
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Article: iPhone Gems: Replicate Your Favorite Widgets, Part 2
Over the past few months, iLounge's editors have been hunting widgets—more precisely, we've been looking for iPhone OS apps that duplicate the features of popular and useful Mac OS widgets. Apple already includes Stocks, Weather, Calculator and other features with every iPhone and iPod touch, but what about others—phone directory apps, the unit convertor, and package trackers? Or dictionary, flight tracker, and simple translation…
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New version of Battleship2Go available for iPhone, iPod touch
Posted by Dennis SellersFMWebschool has released a new version of Battleship2Go for the iPhone and iPod touch. The update added the ability to place secret mines on your enemies board before the game begins. Battleship2Go is available for US$3.99 at the Apple Apple Store.
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Diet Sleuth update adds nutritional info to printed-out recipes
Posted by Dennis SellersBlack Cat Systems has updated Diet Sleuth, a diet and nutrition tracking app for Mac OS X, to version 5.2.0. This version adds nutritional information to recipes which are printed out, and includes several bug fixes.
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Inside the new MacBooks: FireWire, USB, and the NVIDIA Controller
Prince McLean, AppleInsider Apple’s new MacBook and MacBook Pro models contain more innovation than just their case design, graphics, and the improved accessibility of their internals. Here’s a look at other details related to FireWire, USB, and the new NVIDIA-based controller that replaces Intel’s chipset. Inside the new MacBooks: FireWire, USB, and the NVIDIA Controller
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New MacBook Pro's got game: compelling new gaming benchmarks
Apple's machines have long been ridiculed for not being very gamer-friendly. The MacBook Pros released this week, however, have shown surprising strides to becoming a viable gaming portable. Check out a teaser of our upcoming review by reading some of our gaming benchmarks under Windows Vista.Read More...
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DisplayLink Windows OS X 1.0 available for Mac users
Posted by Dennis SellersMac users can now use DisplayLink Windows OS X 1.0 released drivers, allowing their Intel-based Macs, such as the Macbook Air, to work with USB enabled monitors, docks and adapters.
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Toggle AirPort on and off using keyboard shortcuts
This is the simplest way I've found to toggle the AirPort card on and off without using third party applications or too many buttons. Hopefully others will appreciate this function as I do. Note: This function is tailored to a MacBook, as the F5 and F6 keys have no predetermined function on these machines. Other machines may need the shortcut keys to be edited. Create two keyboard shortcuts. Go to the Apple menu » System Preferences » Keyboard & Mouse » Keyboard Shortcuts tab. Click the plus sign at the bottom of the window, and select All Applications from the pop-up menu in the next dialog. In the Menu Title box, type Turn AirPort On with that exact case and spelling. Set the Keyboard Shortcut to F5, then click Add. Click the plus sign again, leave the pop-up menu set to All Applications, and in the Menu Title box, type Turn AirPort Off with the shortcut key also set to F5 -- only one of these functions will be displayed at a time. In t...
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Quickly update a note's modification date on the iPhone
Even though the iPhone's Notes application is a bit featureless, I've found it very useful for everyday notes. Usually I need quick access to few of them (one or two notes) just for reading, but as I create a lot of notes each day, notes fall down the list, making it a bit difficult to find them after three or four days. One obvious solution is to create a title (the first line text followed by a blank line) with plenty of *** or +++ symbols, to make my special notes stand out from others. The other solution I've found (together with the first one) is to edit the note each time I read it, so it goes to the top of the list. What I've found is that there is no need to actually change anything in the note -- you only need to enter Edit mode (tapping on the note so the keyboard is shown). Even if you do not type anything, when you exit Edit mode (tap the Done button), the note is saved and its modification date is updated. This is not an overly advanced tip, but I've f...
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Use Unicode symbols in iChat status messages
Recently I noticed some buddies with unique iChat status messages -- one appeared to be upside down text, the other had small graphics around the text. After thinking about it for a bit (sure, I could have asked, but where's the challenge in that?), I figured out what they'd done: taken advantage of OS X's support for Unicode and used the Character Palette to embed Unicode characters in their status messages.To customize your own status messages, I suggest building them in something like TextEdit, then copying and pasting the result into iChat. Launch TextEdit, then press Command-Option-T to bring up the Character Palette. I find it easiest to set the View pop-up to All Characters, and then click the by Category tab. Select a symbol you want to use, and then drag it to TextEdit (or click the Insert button). There are literally thousands of characters available, including Mac keyboard symbols (⌃ ⌘ ⌥), circled l...
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Greenpeace responds to Apple's latest environmental efforts
Following the release of the new Mac notebooks this week and the posting of Steve Jobs' latest Environmental Update, Greenpeace has responded to Apple's moves with a somewhat congratulatory statement.Read More...
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TUAW Unboxes the new MacBook Pro
Filed under: Apple, Macbook ProIt would seem that everyone is buzzing about the new MacBook/Pro, so I went and bought one! Seriously, it was just to do the unboxing photos for TUAW (Really! Stop looking at me like that!). In the MacBook video, Apple tells us that they have reduced the size of the boxes that the MacBooks ship in ... they're not kidding either. The boxes are roughly the thickness of a ream of paper; and they're almost half as short as the old boxes. Gallery: MacBook Pro (October 2008) Unboxing Take a look for yourself and see the new box design (it's quite nice). We want to know if you will buy a new MacBook Pro so be sure to take part in our poll below. View PollRead|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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Using Time Capsule as a Media Drive
As someone with a large media collection (around 550GB), I'm always looking for inventive new ways to store, backup and stream all my content. One of my main annoyances with simply storing media on an external drive is that you obviously need to have the device physically plugged in. My Lacie Drive worked well, but was bulky, heavy and impractical for watching media anywhere other than at my desk. When Time Capsule was released, my first thought was that it could make a great way to store content on a network disk and stream music/video to iTunes, and photos to Aperture. This would allow me to access all my media from anywhere around the house — freeing me from the confines of a desk. This guide will take you through that very process and explain what works well and what simply won't. (more…)
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NewerTech 11 piece portable toolkit
Anyone who’s had the pleasure of taking apart an early-2008 MacBook Pro, or an iBook can appreciate the need for a good set of tools. If you frequently take apart Apple notebooks or iPods then a good set of tools is essential. I have a drawer full of Torx and Philips screwdrivers, spudgers that I [...]
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Report: The guts of Apple's new notebooks are "beautiful"
As usual, the iFixit crew has gotten its hands on the latest MacBook and MacBook Pro just a few days after launch, and has already taken both machines apart. Overall, the machines received high marks for engineering, and it looks like most parts will be pretty easy to replace.Read More...
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Hey Guys - did you know Steve Jobs has been sharing the stage ALL YEAR?
It's amazing how much people love to speculate and focus on the health of Steve Jobs. The most recent thing has been several op/ed pieces from sites like MacNN and others about how speculation about Job's future has arisen because he decided to share the stage at the Macbook event with other members of the company. The problem is - this isn't a new thing. Jobs has been sharing the stage ALL YEAR — but only now are people getting up in arms about it…I assume, because they have nothing else to talk about. Jobs has shared the stage with other members of Apple at every event this year except Macworld. Every other time, other members of Apple's creative and/or executive teams have been on hand to give at least a portion of the presentation. This is not a bad thing - and it doesn't mean that Steve Jobs is contemplating retirement, or that he's dying. What it means is that there are more people at Apple than Steve Jobs…and frankly, it's time EVERYONE starts to realize that. Jobs is an amazing guy - but Jonathan Ive deserves much more credit than he usually gets. Many people like to think that Jobs sits on some kind of throne in the Apple HQ and shouts out demands while he's busy inventing every new and amazing thing that Apple does. That's not true. What makes Steve Jobs a genius is not his ability to invent amazing things - it's his ability to sell amazing things that other people make. I'm not saying he doesn't have any hand in the creation process - because he certainly does…but from the beginning, Jobs has been the guy that sells the products. He has become such an important part of that process that people seem to forget that there are others that work at Apple besides himself. So lets all take a moment to step back - realize that Steve Jobs plays an important role at Apple - but that there are also some amazingly talented people at the company. They do great work too - and I'm glad to see some of them on stage with Steve. They deserve to have been there all along.
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Article: iPhone Gems: The Best Music Creation Apps
iPods and iPhones have for years allowed you to carry around and play back music, but creating music with these devices has been at best difficult, requiring expensive accessories. Recently, the App Store opened up a new world for iPhone and iPod touch users: now you can create music directly from your device, using affordable and versatile new software. Today, iPhone Gems looks at some of the best applications available for making music with your…
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Aw, I just bought a MacBook last week ...
Filed under: Retail, Apple, Macbook Pro, MacBook, MacBook AirWhen I was faced with the decision of buying a MacBook Pro or waiting, I immediately took the leap of faith without knowing if Apple would be releasing a new unit within the next few weeks or not. As it turns out, I was wrong and Apple did release a new MacBook Pro. However, I did not suck it up and go on ... I went searching for some answers as to what you can do if you are in the same situation. In this post, I'm going to tell you what I found out. When you purchase a new product from Apple (either through the online store, or though a brick-and-mortar store) you have 14 days to return the product. With this 14-day policy, Apple also gives you price protection. From my understanding this protect covers both pricing decreases as well as new products coming out. When I took my MacBook Pro to the Apple Store, they immediately looked at my receipt and asked if I wanted a new one. I thought, "This can't be this easy, can it?" There is a caveat with replacing your old machine with a new model: the Apple Store might charge you a "re-stocking" fee. This is a 10% fee based on the initial purchase price. I questioned them about this and they told me that I would be getting an upgraded product. However, I was able to get my re-stocking fee waived after talking with the manager for a little while. The Bottom LineIf you bought a MacBook/Pro/Air in the past 14-days and want to upgrade to one of the newer models, it definitely wouldn't hurt to call up your local store (or Apple online customer service at 1-800-MY-APPLE) and talk to them about returning. Don't be surprised if they tell you about the restocking fee, they told me the same story until I took it into the store. Unlike most computer companies, Apple does try to make the situation right, and most of the time, you come out on top of the matter. Additional Resources Apple Retail Site Apple Return Policy Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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FireWire’s MacBook absence—inconvenience or fatal flaw?
The most-talked about feature in Apple’s new MacBook may be something that’s not there—FireWire ports. Peter Cohen weighs in on Apple’s decision.
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2009 World Wide Newton Conference announced
Filed under: Portables, Other Events, Apple HistoryIt's almost time for the annual tech event we all know and love. Not Macworld Expo, the World Wide Newton Conference! Started in 2004, the WWNC is a gathering of the most vocal and prolific members of the Newton Community. Projects that have come out of the WWNC include Einstein, a Newton OS emulator for Linux-based PDAs, and Newton WaveLAN drivers. For now, the website has launched and a call for participants has been issued. If you're interested in attending or presenting, you can contact the folks in charge at the official website. WWNC '09 will take place from July 31st - August 2nd in Vancouver, BC, Canada. If you attend, please let us know. Have fun!Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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Sunrise: WebKit-Based Indie Web Browser
The Sunrise browser has been around for two or three years, but I never paid it much attention. It was pitched as a browser for web developers, and I'm not one, but being something of a browser junkie, the recent release of version 1.7.5 finally enticed me give Sunrise a look. I'm glad I did. This is an interesting browser. Sunrise uses Apple's Webkit rendering engine. It's compact — a 1.1 MB download, and 2.4 MB expanded — but with an amazingly deep feature set, considering its tiny footprint. Highlights include thumbnail bookmarks displaying image and title, window fader and auto-resize functions with which the main window can be made transparent and/or resized from a toolbar command, with all open web pages assuming the revised screen resolution. A button cycles through 640480, 800600, 1024768, and full-screen sizes. You can change a page view size from 10 percent to 400 percent using a convenient toolbar pull-down menu, without a page reload. You can configure your favorite search engine for the Sunrise search field, and the View Source command displays web page sources in your favorite editor. Files can be downloaded by inputting their URLs. Another handy Sunrise feature is creating PDF files from web pages via a keystroke using the Page Shot feature. (more…)
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Bloggers Sink Their Teeth Into Apple's New MacBooks
The dominating Apple-focused blog traffic this week has been -- not surprisingly -- all about the new MacBook lineup. Apple introduced the new notebooks at a special event Tuesday, and while online chatter has been all over the map, Apple's new Nvidia graphics architecture, the new single-piece aluminum design, pricing, glass trackpad, and LED-backlit displays make up the high points of the conversation. Apple's new processor and graphics architecture lets the company continue to use Intel's processors for primary CPU functions.
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Icono phone concept: call me, we'll do lunch
Filed under: Cellphones Zinc Chan, a London-based designer, just struck fame with the speed of a back-tax owing Ohio plumber. The Icono concept telephone is inspired by the internationally recognized "call me" hand gesture made famous by pouty-mouthed debutantes and hollywood starlets -- aka "shaka" amongst surfers. As such, the microphone and speaker are split to ride the swell of the pinkie and thumb, respectively. Callers then draw a unique pattern on the touchscreen pre-assigned to their contacts to initiate a call. As far fetched as the concept may seem, work related to induction charging, body area networks for transmitting audio across human skin, round LCDs, and any number of short length wireless solutions could very well make this concept a near-term reality. One more pic after the break. [Via Textually and Core77]Continue reading Icono phone concept: call me, we'll do lunchRead|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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VIDEO: Brightkite for iPhone looks pretty impressive
Brightkite for the iPhone from Brightkite on Vimeo. Brightkite is a social networking site that I've heard a lot about. Many people on my twitter stream seem to have used it, but it's not something I ever paid all that much attention to. The video above, shows off the Brightkite app for iPhone - and I have to say, it looks pretty impressive. For a guy like me with very few friends (poor me… ) it's not something that I would use all that often, but I can see where a social person might really find this to be a useful service. Brightkite should be in the App Store very soon.
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New Nano Slims Down, Bulks Up
Apparently, the nano got tired of being called “fat.” The new iPod nano may be Apple’s worst-kept secret in recent history. Weeks before the official launch, rumors were flying around the Internet and were soon accompanied by pictures of the forthcoming fourth-generation nano. Even without the element of surprise, the new nano managed to wow us with new tricks to go with its svelte shape. read more
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Thoughts on Apple's 'product transition'
Posted by Dennis SellersIn a recent column, my friend, Gene “The Mac Night Owl” Steinberg pondered where the major “Apple product transition” everyone's expecting is since it's already mid-October. And this transition isn't based on mere rumors or speculation.
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The Mac Night Owl: 'What about a modular Apple TV?'
Posted by Dennis SellersOn today's commentary, Gene “Mac Night Owl” Steinberg asks, “What about a modular Apple TV?”
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Etymotic Research hf2
The hf2 headset offers better sound quality—and a more custom fit—than the stock iPhone ’buds. read more
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Plex
Sexier than Front Row? You decide. Plex, formerly OSXMBC, began life as an open-source media center exclusively for use with original hacked Xboxes. The project was so well received that developers decided to port the application over to Mac OS X and Linux. Today, Plex retains the refined look of the original app, but it can now handle advanced features like HD video on most Macs. read more
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Canon introduces new 24-Inch S-Series large format printer
Posted by Dennis SellersCanonhas released the imagePROGRAF iPF6000S, an US$3,295, 24-inch wide large format printer using eight colors of LUCIA pigment ink, specifically targeted for graphic art professionals and print-for-pay (PFP) establishments.
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If you're upset about no Firewire on the new Macbooks…don't buy one!
In the world of Apple blogging it is easy to make a mountain out of a mole hill. Since the release of the new Macbook and Macbook Pros there has been an uproar online about the fact that the new Macbooks don't have Firewire support. The reason for this clear, and simple. The Macbook is a consumer level product. Most consumer level camcorders and other devices that people would want to connect to their Macbooks now use USB. Firewire has lost the connectivity war. If you look at Amazon's top ten best selling camcorders only one of them even supports Firewire…and it also has a USB connection. The Macbook Pro still has a firewire connector, and if you're a video professional and you have an older camera with Firewire then you may want to pick it up. Otherwise you may want to invest in a FireWire/USB Hub. They'll run you between $45 and $100 - which is certainly cheaper than buying a new camera. The sad fact here, is that Firewire is on the way out. You have choices here other than getting on the internet and complaining. If the Macbook's lack of a Firewire port is so upsetting to you that you can't stand it — then don't buy a Macbook. It's really that simple. That's not me trying to be a jerk - that's just the actual solution to the problem. I have a Canon H20 - it's a nice HD Camcorder, and I'm not getting rid of it any time soon. It uses a Firewire port - and I will not be purchasing a Macbook because of its lack of support. I had considered selling my Macbook Pro to buy the wife and I dual Macbooks…but now that's not something I'm willing to consider. I'll either wait until I can afford the new Macbook Pro - or until I decide to buy a new camera. Either way, I won't be losing any sleep at night because Apple has decided to phase out a technology that the rest of the industry is already phasing out.
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Funtastic Photos, Mac compatible photo editor, updated to version 1.1
Posted by Dennis SellersOhanaware, a company specializing in photo software products, has released Funtastic Photos 1.1, an update of the US$34.95 non-destructive and fully reversible photo editor. This update (free to existing customer) features over 63 improvements.