May 25, 2009 May 27, 2009 Tuesday May 26, 2009
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Hitachi unveils new luxury LCD HDTVs
Posted by Dennis SellersHitachi Home Electronics (America) has announced a new LCD HDTV product line: the UltraVision series, which headlines the first of two new series of LCD HDTVs, will be available in a 55-inch class home theater model and in 46-inch and 42-inch class screen sizes.
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Mac Support for Data Center USB, I2C, and SPI analysis software released
Posted by Dennis SellersTotal Phase has announced native Mac OS X support for the new Data Center 3.0 software, which the company says is the only hardware-based USB, I2C, and SPI protocol analysis software in the industry with true real-time performance and cross platform support for Mac OS X, Windows and Linux.
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Psystar Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
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Techs Lead The Market Rally
The market opened down today, but, immediately bounced higher, cheering the surging consumer confidence! Personal computer and smartphone stocks were especially strong, including AAPL +6.76%, RIMM +6.55%, PALM +10.38%, IBM +3.07%, and DELL +2.67%. Speaking of smartphone stocks, does GOOG count? Well, it also jumped today, up $10.86, closing above $400. This weekend, in my Market Forecast, I wrote, "Although this rally looks to be struggling, I'm not necessarily convinced that it is done." Well, here we are, the rally is trying to get going again! Most sectors were higher today. Energy and commodity sectors also went up after a slow start. Chinese stocks seemed to be drawing buyers back in as well: SOHU +7.02%, CHINA +9.1%, KONG +16.1%, STP +11.62%, YGE +19.14%!
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The Tech Night Owl: 'did the clock strike back at the Night Owl?'
Posted by Dennis SellersOn today's Tech Night Owl commentary, Gene “Mac Night Owl” Steinberg asks, “did the clock strike back at the Night Owl?”
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Scott Kelby, Jean MacDonald, and Mike Rose on 'Your Mac Life' tonight
Posted by Dave MertenPhoto Walking is a wonderful way to meet and hang out with photographers of all interests and skill level. As usual, Scott Kelby has “kicked it up a notch” by organizing, for the 2nd year in a row, “Scott Kelby's Second-Annual Worldwide Photo Walk.” Part celebration of photography and community,...
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Twitter co-founders on their business model
Twitter's Evan Williams and Biz Stone (far right) on stage with Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher at the opening keynote Tuesday of D: All Things Digital.(Credit: Ina Fried/CNET) CARLSBAD, Calif.--I left the Twitter keynote still wondering what the company's business model will be, but ...
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Accusys to introduce ExaSAN and ExaVTL at Computex 2009, Taipei
Posted by Dennis SellersAccusys, which specializes in RAID and enterprise-class storage solutions, will debut its ExaSAN solution and ExaVTL (Virtual Tape Library) at the 2009 Computex Taipei show.
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Cocoa Stuff releases Deep Green for the iPhone, iPod touch
Posted by Dennis SellersCocoa Stuff has released Deep Green, a chess game for the iPhone and iPod touch. It's available for US$7.99 at the Apple App Store. There's also a free, “lite” version with limited features.
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onOne Software announces free version of PhotoTools 2
Posted by Dennis SellersonOne Software, a developer of software solutions for professional and advanced amateur photographers, has announced a free, lite version of PhotoTools 2 Standard Edtion. PhotoTools 2 Standard Edition is a plug-in for Adobe Photoshop CS2, CS3 and CS4 that utilizes the power of Photoshop Actions to provide a range of...
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D7: The Twitter guys speak
Twitter's Evan Williams and Biz Stone (far right) on stage with Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher at the opening keynote Tuesday of D: All Things Digital.(Credit: Ina Fried/CNET) CARLSBAD, Calif.--The D7: All Things Digital opening night keynote, often reserved for tech legends like Bill Gates ...
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Road Tested: Tom Bihn Checkpoint Flyer laptop bag
Filed under: Accessories, Road TestedAfter I traveled to Africa in February with a Tom Bihn Western Flyer bag loaded with geek gear, I wrote a post talking about how I packed that bag for the trip. It was the perfect bag on that vacation, as it allowed me to pack all of my gear into various little nooks and crannies, and it converted to a backpack for easy lugging through airports. However, it wasn't the best bag for my many business trips in the USA. Happy with the products that Tom Bihn makes, I decided to get their Checkpoint Flyer briefcase for my business travel. What makes this bag so special is that it is specially designed to take advantage of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rules that allow you to keep a laptop inside a case as it's going through the x-ray machine, provided that case contains nothing else. That, of course, can be a huge problem if you're carrying backup drives, cables, backup cell phones, an Amazon Kindle 2, and other digital effluvia. Continue reading Road Tested: Tom Bihn Checkpoint Flyer laptop bagTUAWRoad Tested: Tom Bihn Checkpoint Flyer laptop bag originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 26 May 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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app4mac releases Plexoo image enhancing tool for Mac OS X
Posted by Dennis Sellersapp4mac has released Plexoo 1.0, a new utility for Mac OS X. It allows you to resize, rotate one or multiple images to your specifications. Once you have opened an image or a group of images you get a range of options for you to apply via an assistant.
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WebDNA upgrade runs on Mac OS X, Windows, Solaris, Linux
Posted by Dennis SellersWebDNA Software Corp., a developer of Internet technology products, has released WebDNA 6.2, an update of the server-side scripting language that's designed to simplify the creation of complex e-commerce sites, web applications, and intranet office automation solutions. The new version introduces:
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Boris Continuum Complete 6 FxPlug available
Posted by Dennis SellersBoris FX, a developer of integrated effects technology for video and film, has announced that Boris Continuum Complete 6 FxPlug (BCC 6 FxPlug) for Apple Pro Video Applications is now available. 


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Microsoft confirms Zune HD coming this fall
Microsoft on Tuesday confirmed its plans to take on the iPod Touch with a new, touch-screen Zune that will be able to surf the Web, play high-definition movies, and tune in to digital radio. The Zune HD, which will be available in the U.S. only starting this fall, features an HD Radio tuner as well as an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) touch screen, Microsoft said. It is based on Windows CE and will use a version of Internet Explorer customized for its touch screen, Microsoft said. The software maker did not announce pricing or capacity, though it said the device will use flash memory and attempt to take on Apple's high-end iPod models. "This device is created to go head to head with the iPod Touch," Chris Stephenson, general manager of global marketing for Microsoft Zune, said in a telephone interview on Tuesday. Zune buyers will also be able to play HD content on their TVs via a dock, Microsoft said. The software maker also said that at next week's E3 trade show in Los Angeles it will announce details on a new Zune-branded video service for the Xbox that will replace the current Xbox Live marketplace for TV and movies. The company didn't announce details or specifically say that content will be playable on both Zunes and the Xbox. Currently videos purchased via the Xbox can't be played on a Zune, although both stores use a similar back-end infrastructure to serve up content. Over time, Stephenson said the goal is to move toward a world in which content purchased once can be played on a variety of devices. Microsoft plans to offer the new Zune video service in a number of European markets, in addition to North America. ...
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Inside the D7 swag bag
CARLSBAD, Calif.--It's often the first question people want to answer after arriving at the D: All Things Digital event--What's in the goodie bag? Alas, there was no Palm Pre inside the blue Samsonite duffel bag. But there was plenty to appeal to the gadget-loving executives. The smallest ...
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Free access to 1800 audiobooks for iPhone
Filed under: Freeware, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch, App ReviewYour iPhone/iPod touch listening options just got a lot larger. Audiobooks, [App Store] a free app, gives you a large catalog of public domain classic works from Dickens to Verne for your listening pleasure. The books come from the LibriVox library, a non-profit project that has volunteers read the books and then releases the free recordings. The app is ad-supported, but the ads are not obtrusive in my view. The books I listened to were competently read. Downloading was quick over WiFi, quite a bit slower over 3G, but usable. You can start listening while the book is completing the download, which is a plus. Downsides are that every chapter starts with disclaimers about the book being in the public domain, which kind of breaks the mood. The search function works well, but would be better if you could search by genre. There is a nice surprise me button, which gives you a book at random, but in practice that isn't really that helpful. The developer of this app also sells audiobooks at the iTunes Store, which we have reviewed. These audiobooks show the text synced to the audio, but I do not find that a compelling feature. I think the new app is the way to go. Here are a few screen grabs: Gallery: AudiobooksTUAWFree access to 1800 audiobooks for iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 26 May 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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'The MUG Event Calendar': Numbers, Final Cut Pro, more
Posted by Dennis SellersMay wraps up with three Final Cut Pro User Group meetings and more, according to the MUG Event Calendar.
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Psystar's bankruptcy protection filing could minimize Apple suit
Essentially, filing has pressed the fast-forward button on the copyright proceedings and minimized what it could owe Apple.
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Podcast #91: iPhone and iPod Rumors and Apple's $1 Billion Server Farm
Rumors about video downloads on the iPhone gets the staff excited about traveling again. More rumors about the iPod nano getting a camera, and Apple gets ready to build a $1 billion server farm in North Carolina. What will it be for? We throw out a few options. This weeks Battlestar Applaptica Picks:Lose It - Freeread more
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Psystar Files for Chapter 11: Apparently, Drawn-Out Legal Battles With Apple Aren’t Lucrative
Psystar, the company that drew attention to itself first by offering Apple clones for sale with OS X pre-installed, and then by facing off against the Cupertino, Calif.-based computer maker in court, is officially filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to The Mac Observer. For those keen on the subtle distinctions of having no money, Chapter 11 is the one where you still have to pay off some of your debt, whereas Chapter 13 is the really, really bankrupt, clean slate kind of broke. The clone maker claims that its financial troubles aren't due to the Apple legal battle, which is still unresolved, but instead the weak economy and supplier prices. Even if that's true, it doesn't really paint the Mac cloning game as a very appealing one for others watching the space. Some think the bankruptcy is related to financial backers finally pulling their support out from under the beleaguered company, which doesn't look to be in a position to become profitable anytime in the near future, even if demand was higher for its products. Others, however, are claiming that the move by Psystar is actually a calculated legal maneuver designed to buy time for the company, since all legal actions it is involved in are automatically put on hold as a result of the bankruptcy filing. Still, it doesn't put the company in a strong position once proceedings are resumed, which is likely to occur in a couple of months when the judge in the case ends the temporary stay. Maybe the most interesting thing to come out of this declaration of bankruptcy will be the revelation of Psystar's creditors. Deep pockets have been funding its ongoing court and legal costs, and so far, the identities of those involved have remained a mystery. Who knows — maybe we'll see a certain Mr. Ballmer or Mr. Gates listed among those who've helped out the clone maker. Kidding. If you're interested in the juicy (read: dry) details contained in legal documents pertaining to the bankruptcy declaration, ZDNet.com has a veritable banquet at which you may feast.
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The Mac Night Owl: 'will the media ever get off the netbook craze?'
Posted by Dennis SellersOn today's commentary, Gene “Mac Night Owl” Steinberg asks, “Will the media ever get off the netbook craze?”
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Apple Softens Replacement Policy for Moisture-Damaged iPhones
I only ever use my iPod touch (first generation) for working out, because my iPhone is a pampered pet that I try to keep out of danger as much as possible. It would be great to have the iPhone with me on a run, because I could still take calls, and use GPS-enabled run-tracking software, but I've always been paranoid about what the moisture levels from my sweat might do, even while wearing the sport armband. Turns out I was right to be so overprotective because, according to a recent report by a local Houston news station, many users are finding that even just the moisture from their hands are causing iPhones to malfunction, and the immersion sensors in the devices to trip, which means Apple wouldn't replace the devices, even if they're under warranty. The people cited in the report had used their iPhone while working out at the gym, and when they brought the now-broken devices to the Apple store, employees suggested that the water damage came from holding the phones in their sweaty palms. Far be it for me to criticize the wisdom of gripping any phone in your hands while you're running or otherwise working out, but I do think exercising (pun intended) a little more caution when you're using a $200 to $300 (subsidized) device might be in order. Still, users who've encountered this kind of problem aren't completely out of luck, since Apple has recently introduced a new exchange policy for water-damaged devices that allows people to exchange them for a working unit for $199. That's still a little bit pricey, and all replacement units are refurbished hardware, but it is better than nothing. Admittedly, Apple should either stop marketing the exercise aid potential of the iPhone, or improve its moisture resistance, but until that happens, think twice about whether or not you really need that phone by your side when you're pumping iron. Or, you could take your chances and luck out, like this guy. Image courtesy wholikespotatoes on Photobucket
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Apple could begin selling music across EU on iTunes
Posted by Dennis Sellers Apple may start selling digital music via its iTunes music store throughout the 27- nation European Union as long as the company can obtain licensing rights from publishers and music royalty collecting societies, according to a Bloomberg report.
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Movers & Shakers: Tuesday's biggest gaining and declining stocks
Companies whose shares are making notable moves in the U.S. stock market include Apple, GM, Regions Financial and MAP Pharmaceuticals.
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iPhone Arts up the New Yorker -- We're Very Sorry, Art Spiegelman
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'Macsimum Recommended Reading' for May 26
Posted by Dennis Sellers“Could Apple Enter the Cloud Computing Market? And if so, could buying Adobe help?”—Web 2.0 Journal
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Tuesday's Options Recap
SentimentStocks struggled at the open, but found a floor in morning trading and bounced higher after the latest data on consumer confidence surprised to the upside. According to data released 30 minutes into the trading session, the Conference Board's Index of consumer confidence jumped to 54.9 in May, up from 40.8 the month before and much better than economist estimates of 42.6.The news triggered a reaction across a number of different asset classes. Bonds, which were showing modest gains ahead of the news, sank into the red. Crude oil had fallen below $60 a barrel, but battled back to close up 64 cents to $62.32 a barrel. Meanwhile, stocks surged and never looked back.
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Trailrunner for Mac OS X update adds a routing feature
Posted by Dennis SellersTrailrunner, a Mac OS X solution for folks doing long distance sports, has been updated to version 2.0. The upgrade adds a routing feature based on openStreetMap, the biggest mapping community worldwide.
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Defense Department developing portable hacking device for soldiers
It's not exactly news that the Department of Defense is looking at ways to make hacking a more practical weapon, but it looks to really be stepping up its game with its latest project, which promises to make complicated attacks as simple as a few button presses. That would apparently be possible thanks to a slightly mysterious device that'd be small enough to carry around in a backpack, but powerful enough to do everything from breaking into a wireless network to hacking into SCADA (or Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems (used at power plants, nuclear facilities, and the like). While complete details are obviously a bit light, the system would apparently be able to, for instance, map out the nodes in a wireless network, cause them to disconnect, and watch them come back online to identify weak spots. It would then present the "hacker" with various attack attributes that could simply be adjusted using sliders on a touchscreen. No word if the soldiers will also be rewarded with Achievements.[Via Softpedia, thanks Peter G] Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, NetworkingDefense Department developing portable hacking device for soldiers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 May 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Nokia opens App Store rival, first day "a complete disaster"
Nokia opened its online software and content store Tuesday, hoping to follow the success of Apple Inc's App Store, but the opening ...
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Rumors: iPod, cameras expecting offspring
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Hardware, iPod Family, Multimedia, Odds and ends, iPod nano, iPod touch If the rumors are to be believed, then cameras and the iPod are getting it on lately, because in about nine months (or whatever the gestation period is for gadgets -- you're welcome for that mental image) we'll be seeing lots of iPods with lenses in them. First up is the fine folks at iLounge, who claim they've seen the newest iPod nano, and it's got a camera right where your finger usually is. They also say the new version has a lower click wheel and a smaller action button. You may laugh (it does look pretty silly), but on the other hand, I just saw the nanos during a trip to the Apple Store the other day, and I held it by its corners... while I was watching video. Add that to the rumor that Apple is adding in video recording to the iPod lines, and it becomes slightly more credible. In fact, we're not the only people who've seen that line of reasoning: Computerworld's Seth Weintraub follows the same path, speculating that not only is Apple beefing up the camera capabilities on their iPod lines, but they're set to branch the iPod touch off into a digital HD camera/"photography computer": "Imagine an iPod Touch with a good camera and lens. That's about it." All rumors, of course, but he says it's very easy to see happening, and we have to agree.TUAWRumors: iPod, cameras expecting offspring originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 26 May 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Ovi Store Launches
Nokia’s answer to the iTunes App Store. Reaction seems negative thus far. ★
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Rumor: New iPhones In September?
As further proof of the power of the shroud of secrecy that covers everything Apple, even Apple employees aren’t sure what’s going on. I recently spoke to an Apple employee who reports that the rumor flying around the Apple campus is that we’ll have to wait until September for new iPhone hardware. No word on what the hold up is. read more
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Claim Chowdhry
Global Equities Research analyst Trip Chowdhry, in an interview with Reuters: Investors should not think the upcoming version of iPhone 3 is going to be as successful as iPhone 2.0 because it will have solid competition from Palm Pre, developed by ex-Apple designer Jon Rubinstein. Palm Pre has a superior operating system than iPhone. It runs on a better network — Sprint CDMA — versus iPhone which runs on GSM. I think Palm’s WebOS looks very good. Maybe it will prove itself better than iPhone OS, even. But given that it’s not even out yet, it seems a little early to make that call. The bigger error, though, is in thinking that there’s only room for one mobile OS. I expect iPhone sales to grow this year regardless of how well the Pre sells. ★
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Application Wizard for Mac OS X conjures up version 2.3.4
Posted by Dennis SellersMaBaSoft has updated Application Wizard, a Mac OS X tool that provides access to your applications, document and pictures, to version 2.3.4. The upgrade resolves some issues with Mac OS X 10.5.7.
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Psystar files for bankruptcy, anonymous creditors to be outed
We have mixed feelings about the news that Psystar is going under. On the one hand, it's wonderful having somebody attempt to create powerful, expandable Macs for cheap, on the other hand the company has been generally abrasive to the grassroots hacker community its work is based on, and pretty bombastic when it comes to Apple and "the law." But hey, everybody needs to make a profit, even companies being sued into oblivion by Apple, and the news of Psystar filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection has interesting legal implications. Not only does it stall Apple's case against the company -- while implying a possibly inevitable defeat -- but Apple has long posited that a mystery investor behind Psystar has nefarious aims, and the bankruptcy hearing on June 5th will name the creditors behind the company. Our fingers are crossed for a "Dan Brown"-style conspiracy, but we're prepared to be "post-2002 Tom Hanks"-style disappointed.[Via SlashGear]Filed under: DesktopsPsystar files for bankruptcy, anonymous creditors to be outed originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 May 2009 13:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Take Control of iWeb '09, new eBook from TidBITS
Posted by Dave MerteniWeb '09, part of Apple's iLife '09 application suite, aims to help users build an attractive Web site quickly and easily. However, not all of iWeb's features are fully explained in Apple's documentation, making it difficult for users to get the most out of iWeb.
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Road trip! AAA Discounts for iPhone
Filed under: Software, iPhone, App StoreAfter my 1991 VW Vanagon camper ran out of gas late at night in the winter of 1994, and I had to walk four miles in bitterly cold weather to get enough fuel to start it up and drive back to the gas station, I decided to join the American Automobile Association (AAA). Since then, my AAA membership has provided jump-starts when a battery is dead and sent a locksmith when I locked my keys inside a car. In addition to being a full-time Good Samaritan to members in need, AAA also does a great job of securing discounts on just about everything. Unfortunately, up to this point it's been almost impossible to figure out who offers discounts without referring to AAA's website. AAA just made life a lot easier for iPhone owners with the new and free AAA DIscounts app (click opens iTunes). The app takes your current location, then displays a map with pins denoting businesses in the immediate area that provide AAA discounts. A tap on a pin brings up details about the discounts available, as well as an address and phone number. Tapping the phone number dials the number for you. The app displays discount locations either in a list or on a map, and will provide point to point directions or a mapped route. If you're a AAA member, entering your membership number activates a special Roadside Assistance button that will not only call AAA, but provide the responder with your current location. While this app still has a few bugs that need to be worked out (it kept telling me that it could not validate my membership number), it's a great start and a useful benefit for AAA members.TUAWRoad trip! AAA Discounts for iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 26 May 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Will your next camera be an iPod?
Donald Bell speculates on why Apple may or may not add a camera to its next line of iPods.
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Facebook investment puts spotlight on Microsoft stake
One of the things clearly worth noting about Tuesday's announcement about a $200 million investment in Facebook is the fact that it values the company at $10 billion, down a third in the 18 months since Microsoft poured $240 million into the company. However, the fact that Facebook isn'...
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This week's New Yorker cover created on iPhone
The pen is mightier than the sword, but the finger trumps them both. Armed with nothing but his trigger-puller and a $4.99 app, an artist created a cover-worthy painting.
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Boinx Software releases FotoMagico Remote for the iPhone, iPod touch
Posted by Dennis SellersBoinx Software has released FotoMagico Remote, which lets you control a live FotoMagico 3 slideshow with iPhone or iPod touch. It's available for US$19.95 at the Apple App Store.
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Hoping for an Apple Media Server
There's one thing I'm not seeing amidst all the speculation surrounding Apple's (AAPL) announcements at WWDC the week after next, and that's a simple media server. Apple's computers and apps are great if you store all your media (music, photos, video) on the same startup disk where you house your operating system and your applications. But that's never a particularly sensible way of organizing things. Yet the minute you start moving your media onto an external hard drive or — worse — a network drive, things start getting glitchy.
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Psystar files for Chapter 11, tucks tail between legs
Filed under: Apple Corporate, HardwareIn the fight for the right to party sell unauthorized Mac clones, there may be a victor declared sooner rather than later -- if not legally, then fiscally. Psystar, which has been playing with fire for quite some time, recently hit a snag in its battle with Apple. The Mac Observer is reporting that Psystar has filed for bankruptcy in Florida on Thursday thereby slowing Apple's case against the Mac clone vendor. As TMO points out, this action seems to indicate that the financial supporters of Psystar are seeing the writing on the wall and believe Apple will likely be the victor in the legal battle for distribution rights of OS X-running Macintosh clones. One outcome of Psystar's decision to file Chapter 11 is that its equity creditors will be revealed, finally pulling the curtains off of the secret of who has the (possibly) deep pockets in Psystar's legal battle. Another outcome is that Apple's case against Psystar will be temporarily delayed as the bankruptcy proceedings require all other legal action involving Psystar to be put on hold. Currently Psystar is still selling its 'wares online, however, once the Federal judge presiding over the bankruptcy filing lifts the stay of legal actions, it is likely that Psystar will fold under the financial pressure. Psystar's chutzpah notwithstanding, the bankruptcy hearings are set to begin on June 5; stay tuned folks, this is still going to be messy. [via Twitter, a tip of the hat to @PaulKent!]TUAWPsystar files for Chapter 11, tucks tail between legs originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 26 May 2009 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Macsimum iPhone Video: Australia's Doncaster Apple Store grand opening
Posted by Dave MertenToday's Macsimum iPhone video features the grand opening of the new Doncaster Apple Store in Melbourne, Australia. Like most Apple Store openings, it was quite a frenzy.
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News: Pioneer announces new AV Receivers for iPhone and iPod
Pioneer announced today that it is now shipping three new AV receivers that provide iPhone and iPod integration. The new VSX-819AH, VSX-919AH and VSX-1019AH promise a seamless user experience for iPhone and iPod owners, allowing users to simply plug their iPhones or iPods into the receivers, then utilize a full-color graphic user interface complete with album art, controlled via a remote control that can easily navigate through playlists. Additionally,…
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Apple granted patents for Stacks, Mac Pro riser card system, iPhone design
Posted by Dennis SellersApple has been granted patents by the US Patent & Trademark Office for the Dock and Stack features of Mac OS X 10.5 (“Leopard”), the riser card system in the Mac Pro, touch pad technology and the iPhone design.
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Mac clone maker files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
Posted by Dennis SellersMac clone maker Psystar has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Florida, temporarily slowing down Apple's legal case against it. The filing may be an indication that the company's financial backers have pulled out, signaling they see Apple as the clear winner in court, according to The Mac Observer.
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Apple Tablet Rumors: Could It Change the World?
I know, I know, I’m sorry. Yet another tablet rumor report. This time, however, there’s more meat to it, and Business Week’s Peter Burrows is so confident in information coming from sources close to its development he’s now “convinced.†OK, so what? Some people were convinced all the way back in 2003. But at that time, there was far less to go on than we supposedly have today. Burrows doesn’t name his source, only describing his mystery informer as someone “familiar with Apple’s product plans†who says the company expects to introduce a tablet-based device early next year. Nothing new there, right? We’ve heard that rumor already. But Burrows’ confidence in those claims is bolstered by a report from Piper Jaffray senior analyst Gene Munster, who writes: Between indications from our component contacts in Asia, recent patents…relating to multi-touch sensitivity for more complex computing devices, comments from Tim Cook on the April 22 conference call, and Apple’s acquisition of P.A. Semi along with other recent chip-related hires, it is increasingly clear that Apple is investing more in its mobile computing franchise. Specifically, we expect this to result in a larger (7â€-10â€) touchscreen tablet that will launch in 1H CY10. Additionally, Apple’s consistent message that it refuses to launch a “cheap†portable netbook, and its desire to differentiate itself in a maturing market before it’s too late (similar to the timing of iPod and iPhone), plus its gradual addition of multi-touch technology to all of its core products (iPhones, iPods and Macs) leads us to conclude this product will be a touchscreen tablet (not a netbook). Certainly sounds convincing, right? It does to Burrows, who adds: All the talk of midsized devices that are smaller than a laptop and larger than a cell phone strike me as wishful thinking by vendors. But who really needs one, and for what? I know I don’t. Good point — at this stage, it’s somewhat unclear where the demand for this device will come from. We can only speculate. Sure, it’s easy to talk about instances where such a form factor, married with an iPhone-flavored Mac OS X platform, will be well-received. Hospitals, schools and universities are obvious candidates. But I’m reminded of the heady days of 2002 when there was tremendous buzz around tablet PCs. Sure, they were underpowered things, but they were useful. I carried one with me around the world, and although it died quite spectacularly two years ago, I still miss it. But it seems only the tech-enthusiast and geek crowds really embraced them. Tall Order Can Apple engineer the “right†mix of hardware, software and clever marketing to get tablet devices in the hands of the masses? It seems like a tall order, but remember that before the ubiquity of the iPod, portable digital music players were popular only in Japan (and some of the LAN parties I attended at college). It's a formidable challenge, convincing the world it needs a tablet device. It won't be easy, particularly in light of the tablet PC's apparent failure to make significant inroads in either the business or domestic markets. But I'm convinced, for a number of reasons, the tablet computer is not only needed, it's inevitable. Yesterday I had to quickly jot down a telephone number. I scrabbled around for some spare paper (not easy to find since my recent efforts at going paperless!) and then I had to find a (working) pen. Finally, I had to put pen to paper…and good grief did it feel odd! And not only odd — it felt foreign to me, awkward, almost as though I’d forgotten how to write! The notion that I was scratching out pigment-stained channels on dried, flattened wood-pulp struck me as not only old-fashioned, but, frankly, primitive! Turns out I haven’t used an actual pen-plus-paper for a very long time. Not for letter writing, not for simple note-taking, not even for adding my signature to anything. A digital signature serves me well enough for correspondence, while Chip & PIN means my signature isn’t required in the shops any more! It’s second nature for me to fire up TextEdit on a Mac (or Notes on my iPhone) and just start typing. It’s faster and easier than putting pen to paper. Yes, I’m a geek, and most people my age aren’t quite so committed to using computers the way I am. But my awkwardness with a pen surely isn't a geek-only experience. Consider schoolchildren, for whom credit is earned ever more these days for their willingness and ability to leverage the tools common to most domestic personal computers; proficiency with DTP, content-creation/publishing, and communication tools are considered an essential part of standard education. To put it into perspective, when I was in high school in the early '90s, I earned special credit if I managed to type out the occasional essay. When my sister was leaving the same high school just three years later, she lost credit if she hand-wrote anything. Today, I have nieces in high school who are not allowed to submit homework on paper, but must instead email completed assignments to their teachers. Modern schools fiercely committed to IT competence, combined with an ever-growing environmental conscientiousness, will surely mean that, in years to come, the geeky dedication people like me have to our personal computing lifestyles will be a run-of-the-mill “standard†for younger generations. In that (near) future, the ever-present tablet-style device we’ve seen only on “Star Trek” will be as common, affordable and crucial as cell phones are now. Tablet PCs have promised that world, but were such underpowered and under-developed platforms they never really had a chance. Maybe Apple can do for tablets what it did for portable MP3 players. And if these reports are accurate, we won’t have too long a wait to find out.
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Ergonis Software introduces SharewarePublisher 1.0 for Mac OS X
Posted by Dennis SellersErgonis Software has introduced SharewarePublisher 1.0, a software submission tool and assistant for Mac OS X. It's developed specifically for shareware developers, vendors and media specialists alike.
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Engadget's recession antidote: win Radius earphones for iPhone 3G!
This whole global economic crisis, and its resulting massive loss of jobs got us thinking. We here at Engadget didn't want to stand helplessly by, announcing every new round of misery without giving anything back -- so we decided to take the opportunity to spread a little positivity. We'll be handing out a new gadget every day (except for weekends) to lucky readers until we run out of stuff / companies stop sending things. Today we've got three sets of Radius Atomic Bass Silver Aluminum Earphones for iPhone W/ Built-in Mic ready to rock your skull and let you chat it up. Read the rules below (no skimming -- we're omniscient and can tell when you've skimmed) and get commenting! Hooray for free stuff! Oh, and for those who miss out, coupon code 'engadget' will net you 20 percent through Google Checkout at Radius' site. Huge thanks to Radius for providing the gear!The rules: Leave a comment below. Any comment will do, but if you want to share your proposal for "fixing" the world economy, that'd be sweet too. You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine. Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad. Winner will be chosen randomly. Three (3) winners will receive one (1) set of Radius Atomic Bass Silver Aluminum Earphones for iPhone W/ Built-in Mic. Approximate retail value is $49.99. If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. Entries can be submitted until Tuesday, May 26th, at 11:59PM ET. Good luck! Full rules can be found here. Engadget's recession antidote: win Radius earphones for iPhone 3G! originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 May 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Logitech Pure-Fi Express Plus
Despite a small physical footprint, the Pure-Fi Express Plus iPod speaker dock pumps out impressive sound that, in a small room, seems to almost surround you.read more
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Morgan Stanley analyst ups Apple rating
Posted by Dennis Sellers Apple got a boost today after Morgan Stanley upped its rating on the consumer-electronics maker to the equivalent of a buy, citing the long-term potential of its popular iPhone, as noted by MarketWatch. Analyst Kathryn Huberty also raised her price target on Apple's stock to US$180 from $105.
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Pioneer unveils A/V receivers for the iPhone, iPod
Posted by Dennis Sellers Pioneer Electronics is now shipping A/V receivers that seamlessly integrate Apple's iPhone and iPod into a customer's home theatre.
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I-O provides schools, training centers with thin client support for Mac, PC desktop virtualization
Posted by Dennis SellersI-O Corp., a provider of connectivity solutions, is providing the ability to provide thin client support for the Macintosh. The compan has announced a partnership with Aqua Connect that allows I-O's ProEdge thin clients to connect to a Mac 10.5 (“Leopard”) server to run Mac applications as well as providing...
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Morgan Stanley turns bullish on AAPL; sets $180 target
If you’re still dreaming of grilled bratwurst and ribs (or gardening or the beach) after the long Memorial Day holiday weekend here in the United States, you may want to wake up and check your portfolio –- especially if you own shares of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL). Apple stock is on a tear this morning up [...]
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Muhammad Ali app floats onto the iPhone, iPod touch
Posted by Dennis SellersMuhammad Ali Enterprises and MGX Lab have released Ali's Greatest Jabs, a new iPhone application for the iPhone and iPod touch that offers photos and quotes from the legendary boxer. It's available at the Apple App Store for US$0.99.
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O'Reilly Week in Review for May 25th, 2009 - News and Commentary from O'Reilly Authors and Editors
This week, we talk to Damien Stolarz, author of iPhone Hacks, about how hackable the iPhone really is. We also chat with Andrew Stellman and Jennifer Greene about Beautiful Teams....
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1Password for Mac OS X gets faster, automatic syncing
Posted by Dennis SellersAgile Web Solutions has updated 1Password, a password manager for Mac OS X, to version 2.9.16. The upgrade brings faster, more robust, and automatic syncing.
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Mac clone maker Psystar files for bankruptcy protection
Maker of the Open Computer running Mac OS X filed Chapter 11 in Florida last week. Apple's copyright infringement suit against the company will be temporarily suspended.
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[Sponsor] Evom
Evom makes grabbing and converting videos a breeze. Do you want to convert those pesky AVIs or WMVs into a useful format? Had an urge to watch LOLcats on your iPod touch? Evom converts videos for breakfast and does it with Apple style and the ease of drag-and-drop. Put your videos where they belong — your iPod, iTunes, or Apple TV.
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DNP Studios uses Mac Pros, Small Tree technology
Posted by Dennis SellersAs business continued to grow for DNP Studios (DNP), an industry leader in full-service film and high-definition video production/post-production, so too did the agency's concerns about its workflow.
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PixelEspresso releases Decloner 1.0 for Mac OS X Leopard
Posted by Dennis SellersPixelEspresso has released Decloner 1.0, a Mac OS X 10.5 (“Leopard”) utility to find and delete duplicate files. It costs US$19.95 for a single user license; a 30-day demo is available for download.
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Thirsty Pocket for the iPhone upgraded to version 2
Posted by Dennis Sellers Thirsty Pocket, the marketplace “iApp” for the iPhone has been updated to version 2 with a host of additions. Chief amongst its additions is its tying into social networks.
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2-for-1 offer on workgroup wiki licenses announced
Posted by Dennis SellersFrom now through June 30, CourseForum Technologies is doubling the size of all newly purchased ProjectForum and CourseForum wiki software licenses. These applications allow you to easily run a commercially supported, wiki collaboration server for small and medium workgroups, right from your Mac.
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Urbansqual releases Robo Riot! for the iPhone, iPod touch
Posted by Dennis SellersUrbansqual and The Binary Mill have released Robot Riot! 1.0, a new arcade puzzler game for the iPhone and iPod touch. In celebration of it's release, Robo Riot! will be on sale for US$0.99 for a short period of time (it will normally cost $1.99) and is available immediately from...
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First Look: Roxio Easy VHS to DVD for Mac
Filed under: Peripherals, Video, Odds and ends, First Look Those of us who are old enough to remember the VHS versus Betamax wars are also old enough to have a box of VHS cassettes stored somewhere, filled with memories of vacations, birthdays, and weddings. In the jump from the analog media of VHS to the digital world of DVD, many of those tapes were put away and forgotten. Today, Roxio announced a way to bring those old memories to life on your Mac. The Roxio Easy VHS to DVD for Mac kit (US$79.99) includes a USB 2.0 video capture widget that gets plugged into any USB 2.0 port on your Mac, then connected to your VHS deck or analog camcorder. The Easy VHS to DVD software provides step-by-step prompting for connecting video and audio cables to the capture device, records the video onto your Mac in either standard (4 Mbps VBR) or high-quality (8 Mbps VBR), and then offers you the choice to either edit the movie in iMovie, send it to the included Roxio Toast Basic DVD-burning software, or view it in QuickTime Player. If you already have an Elgato or Blackmagic video adapter, you can use those to achieve similar ends, without the straight-to-DVD option of the Roxio product. I think it's finally time for me convert and burn the VHS video I shot back in 1980 in the U.K. with a 21-pound "compact" Panasonic VHS recorder and separate video camera. What old VHS tapes would you want to burn to DVD? Leave a comment below.TUAWFirst Look: Roxio Easy VHS to DVD for Mac originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 26 May 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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VolnaTech releases NimbleKit software development kit for the iPhone
Posted by Dennis SellersVolnaTech has released NimbleKit SDK, an update to their software development kit for the iPhone platform. NimbleKit allows to develop iPhone applications much quicker using just HTML and Javascript, the company says.
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Quantum Pool 1.0 released the iPhone, iPod touch
Posted by Dennis SellersIdle Diversions has released its second iPhone game, Quantum Pool 1.0. It's available for free at the Apple App Store.
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Tech Stocks: Chip sector, Apple give tech stocks a boost
Technology stocks are boosted by a run-up in semiconductor shares and an upgrade-inspired rally in Apple shares.
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MacEase launches TheMacBundles.com web site
Posted by Dennis SellersMacEase Software has worked with Kagi to create TheMacBundles.com, a new web site that promises “the best Mac software at the best prices.”
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Apple Bringing Video Purchasing/Downloads to the iPhone
I dream of the day when my iPhone's sync cable lies dusty and neglected in the back of a cabinet somewhere, and that day is getting closer and closer thanks to iPhone OS 3.0. Yet another new feature discovered last week suggests that iPhone owners will have one fewer reason to connect and sync their devices come June. The feature in question is the ability to buy and download video content via iTunes. The discovery came via “leaked” official Apple ad spots in the app Twitterfon (although I have trouble believing Apple would inadvertently be this sloppy) for iTunes TV, iTunes Movies, and iTunes Movie Rentals. According to Twitter users, the source of the news, and commenters on his post, tapping on the ads redirected users with iPhone OS 3.0 installed on their phone to a previously unknown subsection of the built-in iTunes app, where movies and TV shows are listed. Movie links aren't active yet, but it seems to otherwise be pretty close to ready for public consumption. A variety of screenshots are available thanks to the post by blogger KwameJones, and one commenter posted a link to the store that would work when accessed using an iPhone running OS 3.0, but the link has since ceased to be active. Lists of shows and movies with polished artwork include very recent titles like “Kings” and “The Wrestler,” which would indicate that Apple is indeed prepping this for a June launch, rather than just beta testing an early build of a video store to be added much later. At this point, nothing is known about pricing, conditions of rental/purchase, or interaction/syncing with your iTunes library on your computer, but I'd love some sort of Kindle-like function that allows you to pick up watching video at the stop you left off regardless of what platform you use to view it. Since this wasn't announced at the iPhone 3.0 announcement event, I'm also guessing it's a recent addition, possibly in answer to Microsoft's upcoming “xYz” device, which is said to have similar features. After the recent news that the Slingplayer app for iPhone would only be able to stream over Wi-Fi, I think it's probably safe to assume that video downloads won't be allowed over a 3G connection. On the other hand, it is possible that the only reason Apple imposed the Slingplayer restriction to begin with was to make this upcoming service a more appealing choice to iPhone users. If they did offer downloading regardless of connection type, and maybe even streaming content once you've begun your download, I think the customer response would be overwhelmingly positive.
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Dream Capture for Mac OS X gets new interface
Posted by Dennis SellersThe Dream Apps has released Dream Capture 3.0, an update to their video recording utility for Mac OS X. The new version boasts a new user interface.
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HP's MediaSmart Server LX195 reviewed: impressive, but flawed
After being introduced to the world late last month, we've heard little else about HP's lower-end MediaSmart Server LX195... until now, obviously. This little media streamer made its way into the HotHardware labs for a little Q&A, and it managed to escape with lots of praise, a mild amount of criticism and a price tag that'll likely be too steep for most to swallow. As for performance and features, the LX195 was found to shine; the Media Collector, iTunes server and Time Machine backup functionality all worked great. Unfortunately, the "endless loop of updates" seen during the initial setup and the lack of an April update -- which was sent out to the EX series last month -- left somewhat of a bitter taste in reviewers mouths. Overall, the system delivered and worked as advertised, but the $360 to $400 street price is apt to turn all but the hardest of hardcore HP fans away, not to mention that the aforesaid EX update (which will hit the LX195 this fall) will require users to completely wipe their HDD and start over from scratch. Check the read link for the full writeup.Filed under: Home EntertainmentHP's MediaSmart Server LX195 reviewed: impressive, but flawed originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 May 2009 09:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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10.5: Fix slow full-screen Flash movies in 10.5.7
After updating to 10.5.7, I found that Flash movie players in web pages perform poorly in full-screen mode. On my MacBook 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, the only way to get the old performance back was to disable hardware acceleration in the Adobe Flash Player.To disable hardware acceleration, Control-click on the playing movie and choose Settings from the pop-up menu. On the first tab (Display), uncheck 'Enable hardware acceleration.'[robg adds: On my Mac Pro running 10.5.7, I don't see any difference in playback speed with hardware acceleration enabled or disabled. If you have a MacBook and can test this hint, please post your results in the comments.]
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Remove Finder and Trash icons from the Dock
I just got into Path Finder (finally) and, like many other Path Finder users, quickly grew annoyed by the useless Finder and Trash icons in the Dock. So, through some digging, I found out how to kill them once and for all (kind of).Navigate to /System » Library » CoreServices, Control-click on Dock.app then select Show Package Contents from the contextual menu. In the new window that opens, navigate into Resources and open DockMenus.plist in your favorite editor.Find the entries for finder-quit and trash. In each, change one of the commands so that the command entry is 1004 and the name entry is REMOVE_FROM_DOCK. Save your changes and restart the Dock (killall Dock), and you can then choose Remove From Dock for those two items -- assuming Finder is quit, which Path Finder will do for you.Unfortunately, it would appear that these entries come back every time...
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A possible fix for an apparently-broken left speaker
If you notice that the left speaker on your MacBook Pro or MacBook has gone silent, make sure to check the following settings before making an appointment with the Apple Store for a hardware inspection:System Preferences » Sound » Input: If 'Use Ambient Noise Reduction' is checked, simply uncheck it to unmute the left speaker.Applications » Utilities » Audio MIDI Setup: Go to Audio Devices, and select 'Built-in Output' from the Properties For drop-down dialog. Now look under Audio Output and make sure Channel 1 isn't lowered or muted. Note that this program doesn't report the 'Ambient Noise Reduction' setting as Channel 1 being muted. (Some users have reported that iChat AV may lower the left speaker's volume drastically for voice conferences, so you may need to repeat this step after each use of iChat AV.)The couple of minutes it takes to perform this basic checkup is certainly worth saving a trip to the Apple Store.
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News: Mix: The New Yorker, iTunes EU Music Sales , Back-to-School Promo, iPhone video downloads
The June 1, 2009 issue of The New Yorker includes a cover that was composed entirely on an iPhone. Jorge Columbo, a well-known New York artist composed the cover using the Brushes iPhone app in about an hour while discretely standing on 42nd Street with his iPhone. [via Engadget] A report from Bloomberg indicates that Apple may begin selling digital music from iTunes throughout the 27 European Union nations, provided that the company can obtain licensing…
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Sandbox 129: BTW ...
Posted by Frank PetrieBTW: This episode has no holes. BTW: What's with Cheyney?
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Backstage: iPod nano 5G, Next-Gen iPhone Design Changes Revealed?
You know that we don't run future iPod stories without having a lot of faith in the information. Thus far, our source has a perfect track record for accuracy. Based on the information we've received, this is what the fifth-generation iPod nano will look like, compared with its fourth-generation predecessor. As noted in the second image, the screen gets widened to a 1.5:1 aspect ratio, but still retains the Click Wheel of all prior nano…
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Slide Colors Released for Mac, PC, Linux systems
Posted by Dennis SellersTayKrOn Games has released Slide Colors, an US$4.99 puzzle game for Mac, Windows and Linux systems. It sports three different game modes (100 levels for each mode and two levels of difficulty): Puzzle Mode, Time Attack and Clear Blocks.
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Apple: Morgan Turns Bullish, Sets $180 Target
Apple (AAPL) shares are heading higher after Morgan Stanley analyst Kathryn Huberty Tuesday morning upper her rating on the stock to Overweight from Equal Weight, lifting her price target to $180, from $105. Huberty said the company has better long-term growth potential than the Street generally realizes. “iPhone is feeding earnings growth that the market is missing,” she writes in a research note. “We believe Apple is emerging as the clear leader in the battle over the mobile Internet. We size this as an incremental 4 billion installed base opportunity for Apple, 4x the installed base of PCs and 10x the installed base of MP3 players.”
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New iPhone Icons Uncovered in SDK Beta 5
While they may not reveal revolutionary changes, some graphic elements found deep in the iPhone SDK beta 5 do add to the mounting pile of evidence indicating Apple is indeed planning an iPhone hardware update in the near future. The images in question are icons associated with “iPhone2,1″, which is internal Apple code for the next significant revision of the device. The icons in question show three-quarter views of the new hardware, though if you compare them with the icons for the existing iPhone 3G, it becomes immediately apparent that little to no difference exists between the two. This could mean one of two things: Either the new iPhone will be the same, superficially, as its predecessor, or Apple is merely using placeholder icons in order to mislead inquisitive souls or just hasn't had the graphics department create new icons yet. Since Apple is fond of design refreshes, I'm betting these icons are just placeholders and not accurate representations of what the next-generation device will look like. If rumors prove to be true, the upcoming iPhone will have a rubberized backing and lose the mirrored frame for the faceplate, which would call for quite a different icon indeed. Alternatively, the new icons could also accurately reflect changes that are upcoming, since they are very small, and subtle detail changes are hard to identify. As MacRumors rightly points out, the iPhone 3G's icon was outed prior to the device's release in a similar manner last year. I guess we'll just have to squint really hard between now and June 8 and try to attach significance to minor differences in the icon images, as is standard among Apple-watchers.
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Macsimum review: Easy VHS to DVD for the Mac has one job and does it well
Posted by Dennis SellersAdmit it: you have dozens of VHS cassettes and other analog tapes sitting in your closet. I know I do. Some of my family videos are collecting dust awaiting their move to a digital format.
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Before the Bell: Apple, General Motors, housing data in focus
U.S. stock futures were indicating a weaker start for Wall Street on Tuesday as investors return from a long holiday weekend to face nuclear developments in North Korea, housing and confidence data and more news on the fate of General Motors.
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Roxio introduces Easy VHS to DVD for Mac
Posted by Dennis SellersRoxio, a division of Sonic Solutions, has released Roxio Easy VHS to DVD for Mac, an US$79.99 combination of software and hardware that provides consumers with a way to convert and transfer personal video and entertainment stored on VHS tape to DVD.
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NEC's VersaPro UltraLite Type VS is thicker but lighter than Air
Another challenger enters the ultrathin notebook arena. This time it's NEC, prepping its lightest and daintiest edition of the UltraLite line, the Type VS. Its thickness ranges from 15.8mm to 29.9mm, comparing unfavorably to the 19.4mm MacBook Air or the 16.51mm Adamo. But, its 725g weight (about a pound and a half) definitely undercuts the competition, and its three USB slots, Ethernet port, and SD card reader give reasonable connectivity without external adapters. Its 10.6-inch screen has a resolution of 1208 x 768, the CPU is Intel's 1.86GHz Atom Z540 (the same as found in the higher-spec version of the Vaio P), 1GB of RAM is on tap, and a 64GB SSD keeps things persistent. Solid specs for sure, and with an asking price of around ¥99,750 (a little over $1,000) it should be reasonably solid value when it hits Japanese retailers in July. Just don't go wasting your summer waiting for these to appear domestically.[Via PC Watch]Filed under: LaptopsNEC's VersaPro UltraLite Type VS is thicker but lighter than Air originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 May 2009 07:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Like what you see? leave us a tip at the Macsimum Tip Jar
Posted by Dennis SellersMacsimum News is over six years old—and we feel we've accomplished some impressive things during those years. But we want to accomplish more. And we hope you'll support us in our efforts.
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Movers & Shakers: Tuesday's biggest gaining and declining stocks
Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in Tuesday’s session are Apple, Cellcom, GM, Qwest, Rio Tinto and Target.
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Is the New iTunes Sirius App a Sign of Things to Come?
Sirius XM's (SIRI) annual shareholders meeting will take place Wednesday. Investors are anxiously waiting for news on the long awaited partnership with Apple (AAPL) and any details that will be forthcoming.Up until now, speculation has been that Sirius XM would wait until early June to introduce its new iPhone and iPod application. Investors need wait no more, for the day is finally here!
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Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News
GM gets union concessions. The Canadian Auto Workers union ratified a cost-saving labor agreement with General Motors (GM) yesterday to protect jobs in the likely event of a June 1 bankruptcy filing. The deal freezes pension payments through 2015 and pays new hires less. The United Auto Workers union is working on its own labor package, with votes scheduled to begin this week. With a bankruptcy 'probable,' and likely to be the most complicated bankruptcy case in U.S. corporate history, GM is rushing to get labor contracts amended so that a court-managed bankruptcy restructuring can proceed quickly. Shares +2.1% premarket (7:00 ET). Opel decision imminent. German officials will try to reach a decision on the three bids for GM's (GM) Opel unit by tomorrow. A government spokesman said talks with all three suitors are ongoing and the bids are still being improved. Magna International (MGA) appears to be the frontrunner, followed by Fiat, though earlier in the week Germany's economy minister said all three bids have shortcomings that might make a bankruptcy filing the best option. Chrysler faces pockets of resistance. Chrysler slammed the Indiana State Treasury for making demands that would force the automaker into liquidation, resulting in the loss of over 4,000 jobs and 9,000 retiree pensions in Indiana alone. The Indiana State Treasury had objected to Chrysler's plans to quickly sell itself in bankruptcy, and filed court papers requesting an examiner be appointed to review Chrysler's business decisions and that the company be placed in the hands of a Chapter 11 trustee. Chrysler is also facing resistance from dealers opposed to closure plans. Lehman bankruptcy causes rift. Lehman's bankruptcy is causing a standoff between its U.S. and U.K. units. Administrators for Lehman's U.S. operations plan to ask a federal judge to approve an international framework for coordinating bankruptcy proceedings among global subsidiaries. Administrators for Lehman's unit in the U.K. argue they're bound by local rules and the interests of their own creditors. The standoff is significant because Lehman's U.K. unit held about a third of the firm's $630B in assets before it filed for bankruptcy and also has data essential to the bankruptcy proceedings at other smaller European subsidiaries. DoJ focuses on bribery. The Department of Justice is stepping up its prosecutions of alleged acts of foreign bribery by U.S. corporations. At least 120 firms are under investigation, including Sun Microsystems (JAVA) and Royal Dutch Shell (RDS.A), forcing companies to mount costly defenses. In some cases, companies have even called the Justice Department and come clean in an effort to secure leniency. Firms talk major phone merger. South African phone carrier MTN Group and India's Bharti Airtel revived merger talks to create a $61B telecoms giant spanning Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Previous talks fell apart last year after the companies failed to reach an agreement on who would control the massive corporation. Rio's evolving deal. Rio Tinto (RTP) said its $19.5B investment deal with Chinalco (ACH) is still 'evolving' and subject to shareholder consideration. Rio chairman Jan du Plessis will spend the week speaking to shareholders in Australia, after meeting with major U.K. investors over the past two weeks. Separately, Rio agreed to a 33% cut in iron-ore prices with Nippon Steel Corp., calling it a 'realistic outcome for both parties.' Nokia launches App Store rival. Nokia (NOK) began rolling out Ovi Store, its online content and software store built to compete with Apple's (AAPL) App Store. The store will launch globally this week. Despite the massive popularity of App Store, analysts expect competitors to struggle to match Apple's success because of technical issues, a lack of applications and increased competition. HP battery recall. Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) is recalling 15,000 laptop batteries distributed in China because of a danger they could overheat and pose a fire hazard. German GDP drops. Germany confirmed its Q1 GDP shrank 3.8% vs. the previous quarter, the sharpest decline since records began in 1970. GDP declined 6.9% from Q1 2008. Economists expect a milder Q2 contraction before GDP stabilizes in the second half of the year. Aussies end short-sale ban. Australia's securities regulator lifted an eight-month ban on covered short-selling of financial stocks as the global financial system showed signs of stabilization. Regulators cautioned the rule will be reinstated if trading activity threatens sector stability. Earnings: Tuesday Before Open Canadian Solar (CSIQ): Q1 EPS of -$0.10 beats by $0.16. Revenue of $49.5M (-71.1%) vs. $54M. (PR) Today's Markets Asia stocks moved lower Tuesday, reversing much of Monday's gains. In Europe, stocks gapped down at the open and are near the day's lows.
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Is Windows App Envy a Thing of the Past?
A few years ago, a computer buyer who wanted an Apple Mac may have been forced back into the PC store in order to run the applications he already had, needed, or wanted. Now, though, the Mac and its OS X operating system have risen in popularity and permeate the consciousness of computer buyers around the world -- thank the iPhone and iPod for that. So, is Windows application envy a thing of the past for Mac owners? Take Microsoft, for example. The company ditched its Internet Explorer for the Mac browser years ago, but it has delivered increasingly robust versions of Office.
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Donovan's Views: a look at the second Melbourne Apple Store grand opening
Posted by Dennis SellersBy Gaurang DonovanAround 500 people lined up by 9am this morning in Doncaster for the Grand Opening a Australia's fifth retail Apple Store. The Apple Store, Doncaster is located in a outer suburb of Melbourne and is Apple's 256th Apple Store. Macsimum News first mentioned it as a possible location...
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How to Profit from Possible U.S. Credit Downgrade
With the UK's credit getting downgraded Thursday, it gave serious speculation that a US credit downgrade could soon follow. The reason for this speculation is because the US and UK have had similar policies, ie. spending too much money! If the U.S. credit gets downgraded I imagine the dollar will become much weaker. I believe it will sink lower than the lows set in summer of 2008. Some ways to take advantage of a weak dollar are outlined below. I have been implementing various option strategies to take advantage of some of the moves I expect [if the US credit gets downgraded]. To see a list of option strategies I have been using check out my blog.
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The App Store Hype Gets a Dose of Reality
by Jason KincaidOn Sunday, developer Rick Strom wrote a blog posted titled “The Incredible App Store Hype“, in which he detailed some of the revenue stats he was seeing from the Apple iPhone (AAPL) applications that he had released (some of which rank on the App Store's top apps lists), and what other developers could expect to make accordingly. His conclusion? That most of the 36,000 applications on the App Store aren't selling at all - for many apps, most days go by without a single sale.
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American households spend more than $1,200 annually on consumer electronics
Posted by Dennis SellersPiper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster doesn't think we'll see the “iPad” (the much-rumored Apple answer to the netbooks/tablets/PDAs/anti-grav devices) until next year. Hopefully, it will be early next year. Not just because I want one, but so Apple can scoop up the consumer electronics dough Americans spend.