Oct 29, 2008 Oct 31, 2008 Thursday October 30, 2008
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Apple Gazette on Vacation Nov. 3rd - 10th, 2008
Since October 2006 I have been blogging on Apple Gazette almost every week day. I have gone on vacation for a short trip or two with the family, but even from the hotel I found myself posting stuff on the site. Next week, I'm going to try and take a full week off. Writing about Apple every single week day can get a little taxing…and I could use break. My birthday is at the end of November (and is almost always on or right around Thanksgiving - making it hard to celebrate on the actual day), so I'm going to celebrate with the family a little early, watch the election coverage (GO VOTE! It's IMPORTANT! VOTE!!!), and try to get a few things around the house done. Then next weekend I'm going to Wizard World Texas in Arlington. If you're going to be in the area I'd love it if you stopped by. I'll be at booth 302 all weekend. So - unless something MAJOR happens next week, I'll be busying recharging my batteries. Then, on the 11th - I'll be back and ready to rant. See you then.
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Square Enix Crystal Defenders Coming to App Store - In Japan
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Apple rejects Opera Browser, not surprising, but still upsetting
According to a New York Times profile, Opera Software has built a version of their mobile browser for the iPhone - but Apple won't allow it in the App Store. Frankly, I find this appalling. Apple's resistance to competing apps such as email applications, web browsers and other apps is shameful, and it's not benefitting iPhone owners in the slightest. Imagine what it would be like if the Mac was like this. Imagine if you couldn't choose any other web browser but Safari in OS X. Competition FUELS Innovation. Without it, the iPhone will not see innovations the way that other platforms have. I know some of you are going to come out in defense of Apple in this - stating that “it's Apple's sandbox, if we want to play in it we have to play by their rules”. And you're right. That is the way that it is right now. The problem is that the iPhone App Store has already grown so large that it is no longer a “get rich quick” arena. Now, there is so much in the store, you truly have to make something special to stand out - and you have to SCREAM to be heard. Developers aren't going to stand for this forever. Right now Google is building an ARMY of phones — and while their OS may not be as elegant as the iPhone — the fact hat developers have the same freedom to develop on the Android platform that they would on a desktop WILL fuel innovation on that device. If Apple keeps this up — the App store will eventually only be filled with a few select corporate partners. Maybe that's what Apple wants…but that's not what I want for my iPhone. How about you?
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VIDEO: Halloween Experience for iPhone looks like fun!
Energize Software has a very cool Halloween Application called Halloween Experience. While not the best named application in the world, if you're looking for a full Halloween-theme time killer today - then this might be worth your $0.99. The app features Halloween music, and tons of different way to customize your own virtual pumpkin. You can check it out right here.
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MacOSG: Intermittent cursor 'freeze' on new MacBooks Pros (Late 2008)
Posted by Dave MertenQuite a few people are experiencing cursor problems using their trackpads on new MacBook Pros (Late 2008), according to posts at Apple Discussions. Their cursors tend to “freeze” or “stick” intermittently for a few seconds. If they plug a mouse in, the problem goes away. Below an owner was experimenting...
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NELiX TransaX releases FleXPort
Posted by Dennis SellersDevelopers, take note: several months ago NELiX TransaX has released the NELiX TransaX FleXPort Toolkit and now it's released the TransaX FleXPort.
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Apple fanboys vs Microsofties: the scientists' verdict
Love and hate apparently use the same circuits in the brain. Which might help to explain the Apple vs Microsoft fan rivalry.
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'Tech Night Owl LIVE' looks at history of computers, glossy screens, more
Posted by Dennis SellersOn the new Tech Night Owl LIVE podcast, host/pundit Gene “the Night Owl” Steinberg and guests look at the “real history of computer computers,” glossy screens and more.
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JMR to showcase BlueStor PeSAN storage products
Posted by Dennis SellersJMR Electronics, a provider of scalable storage systems for video and data intensive applications, will showcase their new line of BlueStor PeSAN RAID storage solutions at the 2008 DV Expo in Los Angeles, Nov. 5-6.
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First Look: Tap Tap Revenge Nine Inch Nails Edition
Filed under: Gaming, iPhone, App Store, iPod touchIf you enjoy Tap Tap Revenge and you're a fan of Nine Inch Nails, you're in luck. Tapulous has released Tap Tap Revenge Nine Inch Nails Edition (iTunes link). Featuring 13 tracks picked by NIN frontman Trent Reznor, it's the first game on the iPhone that had my wife playing through toothbrushing time with the kids. After getting the device back I discovered there's a giveaway that you enter when you post scores of 150,000 or higher online. The prize? A signed Les Paul guitar and tickets to the NIN show of your choice. On top of all this, the game feels more responsive and flows better than the original Tap Tap Revenge. Tracks from Ghost seem made for Tap Tap, adding to the gameplay instead of distracting from it. The app costs $4.99, and is worth it if you're a fan of the later works of Nine Inch Nails or you love punching the screen with your index finger for hours.Gallery: Tap Tap NINRead|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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Microsoft Releases Office 2008 Update Targeting Entourage
The Macintosh Business Unit at Microsoft released updates Thursday for Office 2008. The update brings this version of Office up to 12.1.4 and its mainly meant for Microsoft Entourage.read more
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Proporta offers Halloween discount
Posted by Dennis SellersProporta is celebrating Halloween by way of a 15 percent discount its products, which include iPod and iPhone cases and accessories. To receive the discount enter the promotion code TREAT when you place your order at the Proporta web site.
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New Evolis printers are Mac compatible
Posted by Dennis SellersEvolis, which specializes in plastic card personalization solutions, is making its new range of card personalization solutions compatible with Mac OS X.
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Apple Secretly Updates MobileMe - Shhhhh!
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Bullish Cross: Apple is an undervalued stock prize
In a Thursday post, Apple stock watcher Andy Zaky at Bullish Cross said that Apple is the most "radically undervalued [company] in the tech sector on an objective basis." It is interesting reading.
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Backstage: Shhhh… We've Soft-Launched the 2009 Buyers' Guide!
Good evening, loyal Backstage readers. The last month has been exhausting. Behind the scenes, we've been working very long hours to bring you the 2009 iPod + iPhone Buyers' Guide. Now it's here. The PC and Mac-ready versions are available right now, a little ahead of our official October 31 release date. Our special iPhone and iPod touch-formatted version is coming shortly, and will be linked from the same page. You'll find…
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ZiggySoft releases iWeb Valet 1.1
Posted by Dennis SellersZiggySoft has released a new version (1.1) of iWeb Valet, a tool to enhance and upload iWeb pages. It works with iWeb, the web creation component of Apple's iLife suite.
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Download Now: Our 2009 iPod + iPhone Buyers' Guide
Single page version - (16.2 MB ZIP)Wide (book-style) version - (16 MB ZIP) Celebrating its fifth year, the world's most popular iPod and iPhone buyers' guide has arrived! Packed with the latest and greatest new products, the 150-page 2009 iPod + iPhone Buyers' Guide features more than a dozen new sections. Here's what's inside: 100 Best iPhone and iPod touch Apps and Games: With more than 5,500 applications currently…
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Who’s buying the iPhone and why
A market report on iPhone purchase demographics points to rapid growth by lower-income consumers and that customers are convergence minded and buying a single device for both communication and digital entertainment. It also shows something new about the place of Apple in the market, especially during tough economic times.
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Speck ships SwitchWay case for iPhone 3G
Posted by Dennis SellersSpeck has released a new case for the iPhone 3G: the US$34.95 SwitchWay It can be worn in both a horizontal portfolio position and as a vertical wallet-style case.
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Classics (App Store Link)
There are a bunch of book reader apps in the App Store which use public domain classics for content. What sets Classics apart is the UI — it does very little, but what it does do, it does with panache. Pages actually animate as they turn, for example. I can’t see myself reading an entire novel one iPhone screenful at a time, but if you can, for $3 Classics is worth checking out. ★
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iPhone gaining ground with lower-income fans
The iPhone might have been one of the most expensive--and therefore trendiest--smartphones of 2007, but this year more parts of the economic spectrum are getting in on the action.
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'MacNotables' looks at using an iPhone, MacBook Pro in Japan
Posted by Dennis SellersThe latest edition of MacNotables, a podcast that serves as home to Mac personalities who will comment on the latest news and opinions in the Mac community, is available.
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Rant: AT&T iPhone Wi-Fi free as in money, but not as in time
Getting a Wi-Fi connection requires a cellular data link. What?
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A handful of Halloween for your iPhone or iPod touch
Filed under: iPhone, App Store, iPod touchReady for Halloween on your iPhone? The App Store provides a quick fix for trick-or-treaters, and the offerings provide a little of each category. I happened to grab a random assortment of freebies (several were temporarily free) themed around Halloween. Here's a quick review of each. Hit the gallery for sample screens. All app names are iTunes links.Bust-a-spookA simple tap-and-score game using some gradient-heavy backgrounds and simplistic artwork to keep you entertained. The audio, like most of the Halloween-themed apps, is appropriately annoying. I found this one to be too hard and pointless to play with it long. When ghosts, pumpkins or bats are "busted" they grow larger and fade away. That's really about it, except for choosing levels of difficulty. Price: $.99Carve3DClever way to carve a 3D pumpkin on the iPhone. You swap between "rotate" and "carve" modes and carve into the pumpkin by tapping corners. A final tap near the first point closes the loop and carves a hole in the geometry. As an interesting touch, the light actually shines through the geometry, so you can project the face you carve, though getting the camera in a good spot is tough. Price: $.99Crazy PumpkineZone has a slew of nifty, gimmicky apps (they remind me of the Johnson Smith Co. products). Around Halloween several went free, including Crazy Pumpkin. It's a very simple app: swap the eyes, nose and mouth of a virtual jack-o-lantern. I like the pulsing colors and the audio is well-done. Kids love this one. Price: Free.Crazy Metal HeadEssentially a ventriloquist's dummy in the form of a chrome skull with fire in its mouth. You can toggle metal music on or off. The head bounces around, like a bobblehead. That's about all it does, but it still is fun if you do crazy voices and have no shame. Price: $.99Crazy SkeletonAnother freebie from eZone, this time a skeleton with eyes that bounce around. You can control the mouth (like Metal Head), but shaking the device makes a random video play, animating the skeleton. There are maybe a dozen cute performances here, and my kids found this one the most entertaining. $1.99More apps, keep reading...Gallery: Halloween iPhone AppsContinue reading A handful of Halloween for your iPhone or iPod touchPermalink|Email this|Comments
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SharedPlan for Mac OS X updated to version 5.0
Posted by Dennis SellersSharedPlan Software has released version 5.0 of their US$199.95 its SharedPlan Pro project management software for Mac OS X, Windows, and online with a number of new capabilities for improved team collaboration and simplified planning of large projects. It delivers the following new enhancements:
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iCombiner for Mac OS X gets French localization
Posted by Dennis SellersDare to be Creative has updated iCombiner, the file merge utility for Mac OS X (10.4 and higher), to version 1.4. The new version ships with a German localization as part of the company's global expansion plans.
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Installing Ubuntu 8.10 on a Mac
Filed under: Software, Features, How-tos, Productivity, Open SourceWhen it comes to virtualization on the Mac, it's mostly discussed in the context of running a variant of Microsoft Windows. This makes sense; the ease of getting Windows to run within OS X (on Intel hardware) is one of the key reasons many first-time Mac buyers are migrating to Apple. However, Windows is hardly the only game in town. Although the annual proclamations of "the year of the Linux desktop" haven't really panned out, thanks to distributions like Ubuntu, more and more individuals are at least giving Linux a try. Today, Canonical made both the server and desktop versions of Ubuntu 8.10 (codenamed 'Intrepid Ibex') available for download. Even before the Intel switch, PPC users could effectively run Linux distros on their machines, but virtualization coupled with Intel hardware has made running a VM of Ubuntu -- or any Linux distribution -- fairly painless. Using commercial software like VMware Fusion 2.0 or Parallels Desktop, or open source and free solutions like VirtualBox, you can set up an Ubuntu virtual machine much like you would with Windows. If you have ever installed a Windows virtual machine, using Parallels, Fusion or VirtualBox, the process for installing Ubuntu is almost exactly the same. Download the Ubuntu 8.10 ISO image (a slow process today with the demand for the new release; it should speed up next week, and there are Bittorrent seeds for faster service) and then select that image for the virtual CD drive when creating your VM. The process, depending on your system, should take under 20 minutes from beginning to end. Today, I set up a virtual machine of Ubuntu 8.10 in both VMware Fusion 2.0 and VirtualBox 2.04. Parallels Desktop works with Ubuntu, but I had problems trying to get Ubuntu 8.04 installed and am still reading reports of problems with 8.10. Parallels might work just fine with Ubuntu 8.10, but keep in mind that it might be kludgy. Read on for more install options. Continue reading Installing Ubuntu 8.10 on a MacRead|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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Motorola's struggle for survival
Motorola, the company that invented the cell phone, is on the brink of disaster, but can the company 'pull an Apple' and make a comeback?
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Recalled: 35,000 volatile Sony batteries in Dell / HP / Toshiba laptops
Filed under: Laptops, PeripheralsRuh roh. We're really, really hoping this isn't just the first of another long string of laptop battery recalls, but the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with a slew of other outfits, has just announced a voluntary recall of around 35,000 Sony laptop batteries. As you'd expect, the Li-ions in question "can overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers," and there have already been 19 reports of overheating including 17 reports of flames / fire and two reports of consumers getting mildly burnt. For the full list (and it's pretty long) of affected laptop models from HP / HP Compaq, Toshiba and Dell, be sure to give the read link some serious attention. Oh, and stop using that battery pronto if yours is one of the afflicted.Recalled: 35,000 volatile Sony batteries in Dell / HP / Toshiba laptops originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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Apple hiring top IBM chip designer and blade server guru
Mark Papermaster has agreed to join Apple as a high-ranking executive, but his former employer, IBM, is fighting that move.
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FireWire-to-USB: MacBook Redeemer?
Apple's decision to axe FireWire from the MacBook line is not sitting well with many users, to say the least. For high-quality audio and video transfers, FireWire is the standard for professionals and hobbyists alike. Though USB is technically capable of faster transfer speeds than FireWire 400 (480 Mb/s vs. 400), FireWire has greater effective speed and power distribution because it doesn't depend on a computer host port. So what can be done about, short of severe DIY case-cracking, mother-board soldering changes that could result in death and/or dismemberment? One option shows potential. According to ZDNet.com, Pixela offers a FireWire to USB DV transfer cable, designed specifically with digital video transfer in mind. Don't go ordering one just yet, though. Currently, the cable only officially supports Windows XP (no Vista, either). So unless you're running Boot Camp, or virtualization software, you're out of luck. That said, given the sheer volume of dismayed MacBook owners (and those unwilling to upgrade until they find a solution), it's likely that OS X support is on the way. Whether that comes in the form of a third-party driver, or (don't hold your breath) official support and/or hardware from Apple, remains to be seen. When we contacted Pixela, a representative told us that OS X support has been discussed by their planning committee, but no firm decisions to go forward have yet been made. (more…)
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Anawiki Games releases Pony World Deluxe for Mac OS X
Posted by Dennis SellersAnawiki Games has released Pony World Deluxe for Mac OS X. The game, in which you create and control ponies, costs US$19.99. A demo is available for download.
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Report: iPhone demographics diverse despite tough economy
A new report investigates the household incomes of iPhone customers, and which end of the spectrum is generating the most growth for the device. Hint: it's probably not what you think. Read More...
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Lower-income households turning to iPhone as a 'Swiss Army Knife' tech solution
Posted by Dennis Sellers Lower-income households are buying iPhones, apparently to save the money of paying for a separate cell phone, broadband connection and musical device, according to the media measurement firm comScore. As noted by the Wall Street Journal, a comScore study, shows that the fastest growth in iPhone sales over the summer...
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Analyst: Apple should release 3G-enabled laptop
Posted by Dennis Sellers Strategy Analytics analyst Neil Mawston says Apple should release a 3G-enabled laptop, reports Register Hardware.
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City of Heroes coming to Mac under Transgaming's Cider
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Gaming, Hardware, SoftwareYet another MMO on the Mac -- EVE Online and World of Warcraft are already there, of course, and now NCSoft has announced that City of Heroes is coming to the Mac. Unfortunately, they're using Transgaming's Cider software to port the game, and as we've said before, the software isn't only unreliable, but it's got the dreaded SecuROM DRM attached*, as well. Not to mention that even the MacBook can basically run any game through BootCamp now, making a separate Mac version unnecessary in many cases.But there is one thing we really like about this release, and that's that NCSoft is actually releasing the game on the Mac as a "special edition": players who buy the Mac expansion (which apparently will be a digital-only release) will pick up a free ingame teleporter item, as well as a special "Valkyrie" costume set usable on their superhero character. So if you do go for Transgaming's software, at least you can pick up some free ingame stuff for it. We're not so much for the DRM-laden emulation, but the free stuff we do like.There's no set release date yet (they say it'll launch with the game's upcoming "Issue 13" update), but they're taking applications right now for an open beta, so if you're interested, sign on up.[via Massively]Update: NCSoft has contacted us to say that the Mac Special Edition of City of Heroes will not contain the SecuROM DRM. It was our understanding that all Transgaming releases would use the technology, but NCSoft says that theirs won't, so there you go.Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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Apple recruits top chip designer, IBM responds with suit
Prince McLean, AppleInsider Apple recently recruited a top chip designer from IBM, resulting in a lawsuit that seeks to prevent the executive from taking his knowledge as “IBM’s top expert in Power architecture and technology” to the Mac maker. Apple recruits top chip designer, IBM responds with suit
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Japanese iPhone users to get third-party TV tuner add-on
Ever wanted to watch live TV on your iPhone? Japanese users will soon have the opportunity to do just that via a third-party add-on from Softbank, although we're not entirely sure how well it will do in the Japanese market.Read More...
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Jumsoft launches Goodies product line
Posted by Dennis SellersJumsoft has launched a new, free product line called Goodies for all their current and future customers. The new line will let customers—and even those who aren't regular customers—download various Jumsoft products free of charge.
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Apple: MobileMe on the Mend
Although a storm of bugs rained down upon the heads and shoulders of MobileMe subscribers in July, Apple has been doing a lot more than apologizing, offering free service extensions and handing out umbrellas. It turns out that Apple has been working at the source -- the servers driving the so-called cloud -- to mop the little issues leaking from the MobileMe cloud. On Wednesday, the company published a MobileMe support document detailing some behind-the-scenes action Apple has been taking to improve MobileMe.
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Microsoft releases Office 2008 12.1.4 update for the Mac
Posted by Dennis SellersMicrosoft has released Office 2008 for Mac 12.1.4. It fixes a bug that prevented Exchange servers from send meeting invitations and responses to Entourage. The update is free for Office 2008 users.
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Oct. 30 'Macsimum Podcast' now available
Posted by Dennis SellersThe Macsimum Podcast for Oct. 30 is now available here and the RSS feed is here.
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SousChef for Leopard gets maintenance update
Posted by Dennis SellersAcacia Tree Software has updated SousChef. a cooking assistant utility that accesses an online cloud database made up of all other users' recipes allowing you to find new recipes, to version 1.1. It's a maintenance update with some bug fixes and performance tweaks.
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Prizefight: Battle of the browsers
We pit Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, and Google Chrome against each other in a winner-take-all throwdown for ultimate browser bragging rights.
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'Macsimum Recommended Reading' for Oct. 30
Posted by Dennis Sellers“Microsoft reveals Live Mesh for Mac: Does Microsoft's free file syncing service mean the end for MobileMe?”—Macworld UK
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Tap Tap Revenge: Nine Inch Nails Hits App Store - Offers Contest
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Moto CEO casually name drops Windows Mobile 6.5 in conference call
Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds We've all been waiting patiently for Windows Mobile 7 to drop since the crust of the Earth was still cooling, and it this point, Windows 7 proper could theoretically beat it out of the gate. What's a perpetually delayed platform to do, then? Come up with another stop-gap measure, of course. Windows Mobile 6.1 was designed to plug some short-term holes in 6, and it's looking now like there could be a 6.5 waiting in the wings to plug a few more. Nothing has really been revealed about the mysterious, heretofore-unknown version, but Motorola CEO mentioned it in passing during the company's earnings call today while discussing the fact that 6.1 really hasn't been able to keep pace with Apple in the "user experience" department. Would it be totally naive of us to hope for a little Xbox Live Anywhere in there?[Via CoolSmartPhone]Moto CEO casually name drops Windows Mobile 6.5 in conference call originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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Accept credit card payments from your iPhone
Credit Card Terminal lets you accept payments from your phone. Ars investigates the details and costsRead More...
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News: iLounge debuts the 2009 iPod + iPhone Buyers' Guide
It's here! iLounge's annual guide to the iPod, iPhone, Apple TV and their related accessories and software is now available. Download the 2009 iPod + iPhone Buyers' Guide today! This year's guide offers a host of new information and features, including our list of the 100 Best iPhone and iPod touch Apps and Games, 12 exclusive sneak peeks at upcoming iPod and iPhone accessories, the winners of our iProvocateur and iPod As Art…
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Apple vs. Microsoft: Battle of the Viral Ad Campaigns
No matter how much money Microsoft throws at its advertising campaign, it seems Apple is still beating it with its "Get a Mac" commercials. read more
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Apple Gazette Daily 376 - Mobile Me, AT&T, Lisa, and more!
podcast sponsor link:Click Here to check out Blogflux Groups! Today's Show: Mobile Me, AT&T, Lisa, and more! 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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Magic Cocoa Pixie Dust
Everyone out there with a stiffy for the “rewritten in Cocoa” Snow Leopard Finder needs to get a grip. Cocoa is just an API. It is not some sort of magic technology where you just sprinkle a ton of square brackets in your source code and you instantly get a better UI. From a user’s perspective, the Snow Leopard Finder is going to be pretty much the exact same turd we’ve had in Mac OS X all along. ★
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Azure Blues
It isn't very often I get to apply Moore's Law to a non-Information Technology business and rarer still that I can then relate the whole thing back to Microsoft, so I'm going for it. Here's what the solar power industry can teach us about Microsoft: The wonderful thing about Moore's Law is what the lady at the bank called the "miracle of compound interest." That halving of manufacturing cost every 18 months (the OTHER way of looking at Moore's Law that we generally don't use) has little apparent impact in the first few years, but eventually the halving and re-halving takes a real bite out of the cost side until substantial performance is very, very cheap. That explains why there is more computing power -- a LOT more -- in your iPod than was required for the Apollo Moon missions. Well this applies to ALL silicon-substrate photolithography applications, not just computer chips. It applies equally well, for example, to silicon solar cells. There are many types of solar cells. Some solar cells involve crystalline silicon just like computer chips and others use amorphous silicon, but all types benefit from Moore's Law. In fact one especially good aspect of solar cells is that they can make use of older process technologies that are obsolete for computer work. So every time Intel or AMD builds a new fab there is a market in the solar industry for their old machines. Look at those round solar cells used in many arrays today and you'll notice the smaller wafer sizes favored in Silicon Valley 15-20 years ago. That's no coincidence. The result of this relentless application of Moore's Law to the solar industry is that we can see a time in that near future when the cost of producing a watt of electricity from a solar cell on your roof will be approximately the same as the cost of delivering that same watt over a power line from an electric utility. And of course that means that 18 months after that point the solar watt will cost HALF of what the same power would cost from the electric company, which will completely change the game. The time when that electricity cost parity will be reached, I'm told, is seven years from now. Just think of the impact that will have on electric utilities! Why would any of us continue to buy our power from them? We might use them as a giant storage battery and possibly for backup on cloudy days, but why would we use them at all for power if we can generate it cheaper at home? You can bet that's a question the electric power generating industry is asking itself. The whammy for the power companies is two-fold, because not only will power be cheaper but, by definition, the cost of building and installing solar panels will be substantially cheaper, too, than it is today. If it costs $40,000 on average to refit your house today, a lot of homeowners can't afford that, but what if it becomes $10,000? That's what worries electric companies that are used to having easier access to capital than do their customers. But once installing solar power costs relative chump change (the cost of a nice Ski-Doo or remodeling a bathroom), we'll see massive conversion and the power companies know that. So what can they do? They can find ways to get us to use more power than can possibly be generated from the roof of a typical American home. And that's why this week the Electric Power Research Institute proposed that we all get plug-in hybrid cars. It would save billions of barrels of oil, they say, lower greenhouse gas emissions, clean the air, oh and by the way require more electricity than your solar cells can produce, thanks. And it will work -- for a while. But Moore's Law is relentless, you know, and the role of electric utilities will change dramatically over the next decade as a result. As far as I can see, this is all for the better. But what does it have to do with Microsoft? Well that brings us to Windows Azure, which was still called Windows Cloud when I first mentioned it a couple weeks ago. Like all Microsoft strategies, Windows Azure is a reaction to external competitive pressures. And it is important, VERY important. Here's how a source of mine at Microsoft put it a few days ago, before the Azure announcement: "The cloud stuff isn't just another enterprise product. It is going to impact everything we do -- all of the product groups -- consumer and enterprise -- are going to have to figure out where they fit in to the cloud paradigm. The shift to cloud-based computing is analogous to our shift to the Internet in the late '90s. It changed the direction of the company and impacted everything we did." Wow, that's a big deal! Yet based on the Microsoft announcement this week, all Windows Azure looks like to me is Microsoft's effort to sell web services or maybe cut the sticker shock for smaller businesses adopting SQL Server. But more properly, it likely means Microsoft's acceptance that computing clients may eventually be free or nearly so. In short, Windows Azure is an insurance policy against the possible Vista-like failure of Windows 7. Last week, for example, I wrote about Microsoft's Windows Mobile technology, predicting that it would die simply because Redmond would realize that it could never be first or second in market share. That was no big scoop from me, though some news people took it as one -- it was just common sense. And so what happened this week? Well here's a report from a reader attending Microsoft's Professional Developer Conference, where Windows Azure and Windows 7 were introduced this week. "Windows Mobile has (a) near zero presence at MS PDC," wrote the reader. "Their Live Mesh platform has Windows Mobile as an integral component but otherwise no mention, no sessions. There was one session scheduled but it was cancelled at the last minute. Hmmm." When the body is under stress, it eventually sacrifices entire limbs to keep the internal organs working. Windows Mobile is just an appendage to Microsoft and always has been. Yet mobile is clearly the client of the future, so what's to be done? Windows Azure. Control the back end through industry standard -- even open source -- protocols. Make money from subscriptions and ads -- make money any and every way in the hope of leveraging a global infrastructure investment into a continuing business strategy. Can you see the connection here? There is almost no difference between Microsoft trying to become our computing utility and the electric company trying to power our next-generation cars. Both are coping strategies, both are risky, but neither Microsoft nor the electric utilities see that they have any real choice. And maybe they don't. For Microsoft, at least, it could be a strategy with legs. While the utilities will be undercut more and more by Moore's Law, Microsoft as a computing utility won't be. But that doesn't mean they'll be any good at the job. It means fighting a war on two fronts -- with Google as a provider of applications and with Apple as a provider of content. MAYBE Microsoft has a shot against Google, which is becoming more Microsoft-like itself by the day, but to compete with Apple as a content provider? Forget it. Microsoft simply isn't the class act it needs to be to dominate that space, so look for acquisitions to (maybe) fill that void. And all this means that Windows 7 had darned well better hit a home run or Microsoft is in BIG trouble.
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Office 2008 update addresses Entourage + Exchange issues
The Mac BU has quickly addressed an meeting invitation issue that popped up in Entourage from the recent 12.1.3 update to Office 2008.Read More...
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iPhone Version of Opera Rejected From App Store
I’m getting tons of emails regarding this bit from Saul Hansell’s interview with Opera CEO Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner: Mr. von Tetzchner said that Opera’s engineers have developed a version of Opera Mini that can run on an Apple iPhone, but Apple won’t let the company release it because it competes with Apple’s own Safari browser. I don’t see how this is surprising at all. One can argue about whether it’s a good policy for Apple not to allow third-party web browsers on the iPhone, but unlike other rejections, this one is not arbitrary. The iPhone SDK Agreement clearly forbids writing your own JavaScript interpreter. I’m not sure what Apple would do if someone tried to publish a third-party iPhone browser based on the system’s version of WebKit, but a browser based on a third-party engine is clearly not allowed. Again, I’m not saying that’s a good policy. Just saying it’s different than the rejection of apps that don’t violate any of the published rules. ★
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Article: iPhone Gems: OmniFocus, eReader, Urbanspoon, Instapaper, Fring + Cocktails
As we prepare to publish our 2009 iPod + iPhone Buyers' Guide, we wanted to look at a collection of six important or interesting applications that didn't necessarily fit cleanly into broader comparative categories, but were definitely worth a look based on outstanding functionality or design. Below, we review OmniFocus, eReader, Urbanspoon, Instapaper, Fring, and Cocktails, apps that have nothing in common save for the fact that we've…
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How-To: Create iPhone Ringtones in Garageband
If you own an iPhone and a Mac you can easily create ringtones within Garageband. I love music, but am not a music maker, so I don't really use Garageband at all. Luckily, you don't have to know much of anything about the program to easily create ringtones for your iPhone. Trust me. If I can do it, so can you, and I'll show you how now. Prerequisites Before proceeding, make sure the following are true: You have the latest version of iTunes (from iLife '08) and it is currently patched. If you bought your Mac after about August of 2007 and keep your software up to date, then you'll qualify. If you don't have Garageband, check out this method for creating ringtones. You must use music that is not inhibited by DRM. If you have iTunes Plus music from iTunes, or MP3 files from Amazon.com or eMusic.com, or of course any files you've ripped from your own CDs, these all qualify. OK, with those out of the way let's make a ringtone… (more…)
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Newber iPhone app pending approval; will offer second business line for the iPhone
Posted by Dennis SellersFreedomVOICE Systems, a provider of business communication solutions, has announced that its Newber application has been submitted for approval to Apple App Store. Newber provides a second business line for the iPhone, though users can choose to take their inbound calls through any available phone.
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6GB of RAM possible in new MacBook and MBP
Ramjet now offers the ability to upgrade the new aluminum MacBook and the black bezel MacBook Pro to 6GB via one 4GB SO-DIMM module (US$599) and one 2GB module ($75) to reach the system maximum of 6GB. According to the company the modules are fully compatible with the latest Apple firmware, and are SPD configured [...]
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TidBITS releases 'Take Control of Your 802.11n AirPort Network'
Posted by Dave MertenSetting up a fast, reliable, and secure network with Apple's increasingly large family of AirPort gear is easier than with generic Wi-Fi equipment, but all too often, the details can overwhelm the uninitiated or require a lot of research to get right. Luckily, Wi-Fi wizard Glenn Fleishman is here to...
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Yamaha shipping Pocketrak CX Pocket Recorder
Posted by Dennis SellersYamaha Corp. of America is shipping the new Pocketrak CX (US$499). Like its predecessor, the Pocketrak 2G, it supports a variety of recording formats, from 16-bit 44.1 CD quality .WAV files to MP3. However, the Pocketrak CX adds an upgraded stereo microphone system and expandability for recording live music.
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BlackBerry Storm gets hip LA launch party
The touch-screen would-be iPhone rival is the guest of honor at a star-studded LA concert featuring Foo Fighters.
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Mac Clones Strike Again; This Time, They Have Blu-ray
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Western Digital My Passport Studio: now with FireWire 800
Filed under: Storage Western Digital announced a new member of their wannabe-buddies-with-Mac My Passport Studio line today -- it's the exact same drive as the previous Studio model, only this one comes etched with your favorite character from "Friends" on it! Not really: it's got a FireWire 800 port in addition to the old hat FireWire 400 and USB interfaces, perfect for those brand new MacBook Pro owners -- if they have any cash left, that is. The 400GB model is going to run you $229.99, 500GB will be $249.99, and they're available now. Western Digital My Passport Studio: now with FireWire 800 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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Microsoft releases Office 2008 update to fix Entourage issue
Filed under: Software, Bugs/RecallsHow long is two weeks? If you're vacationing someplace warm and sunny, it might seem to pass in a flash; if you're in bed with the flu, it probably seems like a lifetime. For Office 2008 users who got bit by a bug in the recent 12.1.3 update, chances are the latter assessment is more on target. Those who ran the 12.1.3 update and met a particular set of criteria (Entourage users connected to Exchange + a secondary POP or IMAP account for personal email) found themselves unable to send calendar invitations or reply to meeting requests. The most straightforward fix was a rollback to the 12.1.2 version; otherwise, using a webmail client or Outlook was the best way to manage calendars. Not fun.Two weeks, though, is what it took for the Mac Business Unit to get a tested patch out the door that resolves this problem. Today, Product Manager Andy Ruff announced on the Mactopia support forum that Office 2008 12.1.4 is now available for download (16 MB, requires 12.1.3 installed), billed as follows:This update fixes a calendar issue in versions of Microsoft Entourage that were updated with the Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac 12.1.3 Update. The issue prevents Exchange accounts in Entourage from sending meeting invitations and responses. This issue can occur when an Entourage identity is configured with more than one mail account. We strongly recommend that all Entourage users who installed Office 2008 for Mac 12.1.3 Update install this update.While this particular fortnight may have been difficult for Entourage users, I will say that this is definitely the fastest response to an Office bug that I have ever seen from the Mac BU; in terms of the development cycle on a suite as large as Office 2008, it's an eyeblink. Kudos to the MBU for its quick action; now, the next prudent PR step is a little bit of transparency about why this bug -- which should have been fairly obvious to anyone who tested with both Exchange and POP accounts configured in the same identity -- managed to make it through to the release.Update: Wow, talk about your rapid response... Andy has posted an explanation of the issue and the testing circumstances at the Mac Mojo blog. The missing piece of the puzzle, apparently, was account creation order: if the Exchange account was added to Entourage after the POP or IMAP setup, the problem got triggered -- a condition that never made it onto the testing radar. Points for transparency: awarded.Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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NCsoft, TransGaming announce City of Heroes for the Mac
Posted by Dennis SellersNCsoft, a publisher and developer of massively multiplayer online games (MMOs), today announced a partnership with TransGaming to bring the City of Heroes franchise to the Mac. The game has been enabled for the Mac by TransGaming, a developer of portability technologies for the electronic entertainment industry.
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Apple #6 On Mobile Phone Vendor List
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Macsimum iPhone Video: New MacBook Pro running Team Fortress 2
Posted by Dave MertenToday's Macsimum iPhone video features a demo of a new MacBook Pro (Late 2008) running the game Team Fortress 2. The game was running on a standard 2.53Ghz model running Windows XP via Bootcamp.
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ChromaticBytes releases ZeusDaw Mobile for iPhone, iPod touch
Posted by Dennis SellersChromatic Bytes has released ZeusDraw Mobile, a drawing and painting program for the iPhone and iPod touch. It offers smoothed drawing, text in any position or angle, textured brushes, a customizable color palette including transparent colors, multi-touch editing, picture import, a drawing album and an eraser that works with all...
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Audacity 1.3.6 Beta for Mac released
Filed under: Multimedia, Software, Freeware, Open Source, Podcasting, Beta BeatOur buddies over at sister blog Download Squad gave us a heads-up this morning about a new release of Audacity, the open source, cross-platform audio recording / editing application.Audacity 1.3.6 (Beta) for Mac has new features added by students during the Google Summer of Code 2008: Support of WMA, M4A, and AC3 file formats Import of audio from video files On-demand loading of uncompressed files, eliminating the wait before files can be edited Linked audio and label tracks, so labels move with their corresponding audio when cutting, pasting, or changing speed or tempo A hierarchical plug-in grouping for built-in plugins Experimental features include: Sound activated recording MIDI file import, edit, and export As always, Audacity is free. Click here to head over to the download page, and remember that this is betaware.Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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ABI Research: mobile handset shipments maintain forward momentum despite credit crunch tsunami
Posted by Dennis SellersApple is among the “winners” of the recent sales of mobile handsets, according to a ABI Research report. However, the entire market is weathering the current economic crisis better than expected, the research group says.
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Beatles work out deal with 'Rock Band' creators on music game
MTV Games and Harmonix, the makers of Rock Band, have an exclusive deal with the Beatles' company Apple Corps., to create a music ...
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Tap Tap Revenge: NIN Edition Released
Get ready iPhone-bearing fans of Trent Reznor, a special edition of Tap Tap Revenge has just been released featuring the music of Nine Inch Nails. The game features 16 NIN tracks, from albums Slip and Ghosts I-IV, hand-selected by Reznor himself. Tap Tap Revenge was one of the first and most popular games on the iPhone platform, and according to some claims boasts more than 2 million users. Tapulous, Tap Tap Revenge's developer, purchased the game from Nate True, who'd released the original version as Tap Tap Revolution for jailbroken iPhones and iPod touches. The track list for the original release version of Tap Tap Revenge is made up of independent artists, and the NIN edition marks the first time a major label release has been used. This is also the latest in a recent string of attempts on Reznor's part to experiment with alternative methods of music distribution, like the decision to release “The Slip” for free in downloadable, non-DRM format. For those unfamiliar with the game, Tap Tap Revenge resembles rhythm-based games like Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero. Players tap glowing dots as they come down one of three neon-colored lines, trying to hit the dots in time with the music as they hit the bottom of the iPhone's screen. The original version has been featured in Apple commercials, and it is highly likely that their endorsement will see more major artists following NIN's lead, depending on the success of this most recent release. Tap Tap Revenge: NIN not only features the band's music, but also sports a custom red-and-black theme with all new graphics, and unlockable difficulty levels and tracks. You can get it in the App Store now for $4.99, or try the original version first for free.
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Snag Mac password manager 1Password for half off today
For today only, password and identity management app 1Password is half off. Come on: you really ought to get rid of those sticky notes with all your passwords, anyway. Read More...
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Macsimum iPhone Video: How to install RAM in a MacBook (Late 2008)
Posted by Dave MertenToday's Macsimum iPhone video demonstrates how to disassemble an aluminum MacBook (Late 2008) and install new RAM. The process is really quite easy and only take about fifteen minutes.
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Junction Networks, fring work with iPhone
Posted by Dennis SellersJunction Networks has announced that its OnSIP Hosted PBX users can download and use fring to enable OnSIP extension-to-extension VoIP calls and to place and receive calls using an Apple iPhone or other fring-compatible device over a Wi-Fi connection.
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Paessler PRTG network monitor solution is iPhone compatible
Posted by Dennis SellersPaessler AG, which specializes in network monitoring tools, says it's released a tool for the iPhone is actually that will help enterprise IT professionals ensure the enterprise's network is available 24-7.
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Better late than never: Apple details late-Sept. MobileMe updates
Filed under: MobileMeYesterday, Apple released a support document detailing changes that were made to the MobileMe web services to improve stability and browser compatibility. The article noted that since "server-side updates are a bit more innocuous than a standard software update to Mac OS X or Microsoft Windows, it's easy not to notice that updates are occurring. Usually the only hint of these updates is that things just 'work better.'" Several improvements to Mail, Account services, Calendar, Contacts and Gallery are mentioned in the document, including better support for Internet Explorer 7 and Firefox 3. What's interesting is the timing of the document: The support article was posted nearly a month after the improvements apparently took place. Apple's culture of "reluctant transparency" could be coming into play here, with information about MobileMe updates arriving several weeks after implementation. Alternatively, Apple could be getting itself in the routine of releasing information about MobileMe updates on the 29th of the month. The question then becomes: Why isn't the information timely? The only other example we have is information about an update during the middle of September was posted on the 29th of that month. I suppose we'll find out in November: two is a coincidence, three is a trend. [Via MacRumors.]Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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AT&T officially delivers free WiFi to BlackBerry / iPhone users
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless We thought we'd heard the last of this whole AT&T / Starbucks WiFi deal yesterday, but alas, we were terrifically mistaken. AT&T has come forth today with two fluffy press releases that flesh out the details, and amazingly, there are some inclusions that we weren't made aware of yesterday. For starters, all iPhone / iPhone 3G customers will now have free (and seemingly limitless) access to AT&T WiFi hotspots across the US -- we're talking Starbucks, Barnes & Noble, the whole lot. Additionally, the carrier has welcomed select BlackBerry users -- that's the Bold for now, the Pearl 8120 / 8820 "later this year" -- into the same deal, though the official verbiage mentions that an "unlimited data plan" is required. If you didn't make the cut this time, fret not -- AT&T has plans to invite "more mobile devices" into the fold here shortly.Read - Free AT&T WiFi on iPhone / iPhone 3GRead - Free AT&T WiFi on BlackBerryAT&T officially delivers free WiFi to BlackBerry / iPhone users originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink|Email this|Comments
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Apple issues MobileMe update
Apple diggs a little deeper in providing additional information about its MobileMe update, addressing improvements and fixes that were made to its services last month.
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The MacBook Makeover
Apple's bestselling MacBook laptop just got its 2008 makeover. It's a thing of beauty, clad in aluminum like its more expensive Pro siblings.
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IDC: iPhone 3G release a 'major step forward for Apple'
Posted by Dennis SellersApple reported an “extremely successful quarter and noted it is on pace to surpass its initial 2008 shipment estimates” for the iPhone 3G, according to a new report from the IDC research group. Ramon Llamas, senior research analyst with IDC's Mobile Devices Technology and Trends, says “the worldwide release of...
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Further testing shows new MacBooks limited to 6GB of RAM
Some brave souls with $1,200 burning a hole in their pockets have discovered that Apple's latest notebooks aren't fully compatible with 8GB of RAM, though it appears that 6GB will work just fine.Read More...
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Hit Factory’s fashion mag available at Apple App Store
Posted by Dennis SellersPhotographer Patrick McMullan and new media company Hot Phone Hit Factory have announced that PMc Magazine, a luxury fashion magazine for iPhone and iPod touch users, is now available on the Apple App Store.
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Article: iPhone Gems: 16 Virtual Lighter Apps, Reviewed
It's the latest “useless but sort of cool” application: the “virtual lighter.” As of today, 16 different iPhone apps all do generally the same thing: simulate a pocket flame on the screen of your iPhone or iPod touch, serving as an alternative to holding a real lighter up at a concert. Some do a little more, and some—clearly designed to make a quick buck—do a surprisingly poor job at this meager task. This…
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Apple tells of MobileMe changes
Posted by Dennis SellersApple has belatedly provided details of all the changes that it made during a late September update to its MobileMe web applications, according to MacUser UK.
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Green news harvest: Testing LED streetlights
First Solar's strong quarter brightens sector, ditching cellulosic ethanol to methane capture, a energy-efficient networking push, an iPhone app for measuring your lead foot while driving, clean-energy advocates make case for government spending.