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Macworld '09 registration opens today
Filed under: Macworld
Pull out your credit cards, Apple fans. Registration has officially opened for next January's Macworld Expo in sunny California. There are eight tracks of events to follow this year, including graphic design, digital photography, digital music, IT and more. Plus, Steve Jobs usually shows up with an announcement or two.

We'll be covering the events at Macworld '09, so make sure you've got TUAW bookmarked.
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Apple has patented "smart garments"
Filed under: Apple Corporate, Hardware, Portables, Rumors
Would you believe an article of clothing that knows what you're doing?

Apple has filed a patent for something called "smart garments." We can only assume this refers to something that will add functionality to the Nike+ kit, as it describes "...a method of electronically pairing a sensor and a garment, comprising:(a) establishing a communication link between the sensor and the garment;(b) determining if the garment is an authorized garment; and(C) electronically pairing the garment and the sensor."

The main complaint about the current Nike+ kit is the lack of information that professional runners want, like GPS location, heart rate and so on. The interesting thing about this filing is that it could monitor things like shoe wear and geographic location.

Sounds pretty cool, right? Before you answer, check out point B above. "...Determining if the garment is an authorized garment." Many people who run in shoes other than Nikes would like to use the kit, which they can do with the help of a small pouch.

New Scientist suggests that clothing equipped with an RFID chip -- which is necessary for the transmitter/iPod paring -- could be embedded in "authorized" clothing, rendering the kit inoperable with, say, New Balance shoes (Steve's personal favorite).

Of course, it's common practice for large companies to copyright things they'll never use, so don't hold your breath for an iShirt.

[Via Macsimum News]
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NetworkLocation brings WiFi positioning to the Mac
Filed under: Software, Wireless, Cool tools
Since the introduction of the 1st-gen, GPSless iPhone and the iPod touch, the WiFi location awareness of those devices has been a continuous source of delight to me -- with the underlying technology from Skyhook Wireless, that brave band of cross-country wardrivers, these handhelds manage to know where they are remarkably well (at least, most of the time). Having the same capability on your Mac certainly seems like a logical next step... and what would you do with that location data?

Maybe you'd like to find your friends or hunt for restaurants with the Loki plugin for Firefox, but the real power of location awareness comes to bear when you can have your Mac automatically act on that information: to optimize your configuration, or change your settings to the appropriate choices for the place you're at.

Enter the newest offering from centrix.ca, the Skyhook-enabled version of NetworkLocation 3.0. This $29 settings management utility (we've covered it before) can perform all the necessary changes to your settings: tweaks to network, email, proxy, sound and screen, or even arbitrary modifications via triggered AppleScripts or Automator actions (much like similar apps Location X or WiLMa). With the connection to Skyhook's database, NL3 can now switch profiles when you're in proximity to a known point, along with the previous options to flip over based on network connection or the presence of a specific device. Plugins add support for launching a VPN connection or changing Entourage or Mail's SMTP config. It's a beautiful thing.

You can check out the gallery for a peek at some of NL3's options. For anyone who uses a portable machine in a large campus or corporate environment and wants to take the aggravation out of changing settings for each spot you sit in, this tool is definitely worth a look.

Gallery: NetworkLocation 3 with Skyhook
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Wired: 'iPhone takes screenshots of everything you do'
Filed under: iPod Family, Security, iPhone
On your iPhone or your iPod touch, when you press the Home button, there's a nice little animation that takes you back to the home screen.

To create that animation, your iPhone takes a screenshot of whatever it is you're doing, and uses it for the transition. Sounds innocent, right?

Not so much, says data forensics expert Jonathan Zdziarski (thank you, clipboard). The screenshot is presumably erased from the iPhone after the application closes, but is any digital file really gone after you delete it? Survey says no.

Forensics experts have mined for these screenshots, successfully recovering evidence against criminals accused of rape, murder, and drug deals. They can also recover data from the iPhone's keyboard and web caches, too.

In his presentation, Zdziarski also demonstrated how to bypass an iPhone's passcode in order to own the device and access personal data. Time-consuming? Sure (it took JZ about an hour and involved a custom firmware build). Impossible? No.

As with all things digital (and networked), your privacy is largely illusory. Time to go Don Draper on this one and just use Field Notes books, my stack of business cards, and the rotary dial.

[Via Wired.]

Thanks, Kenny!
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Big Bang Board Games come to iPhone/iPod touch
Filed under: Gaming, App Store
If you're looking for a collection of classic timewaster games for your iPhone or iPod touch, look no further than Freeverse's Big Bang Board Games, which includes Chess, Backgammon, Checkers, Mancala, Reversi, 4-In-A-Row, and Tic-Tac-Toe.

The artwork and gameplay is taken directly from the Mac version of the game, and Chess has a portrait (3D) and landscape (2D) mode.

Unfortunately, each game only has a one-player mode. It would be nice to have a two-player option, for those situations where you're waiting with your significant other for a table, or in line for a movie.

Other than that, they're great games for my (sigh) favorite activity: sitting quietly through endless telephone meetings. Note to self: my clients don't read TUAW, do they? Just kidding, everyone!

Big Bang Board Games is available in the App Store for $7.99.
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UK iPhone sales reportedly strong
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Retail, iPhone
Mobile Today, which tracks mobile trends in the UK, is reporting today that the 3G iPhone is selling very well. Specifically, retailers are averaging 27,000 phones sold per week.

That's good news for Apple, especially since the 3G launch went rather poorly in the UK. Specifically, activation issues were rampant and ongoing. Sound familiar, Americans?

Apple and O2 are hoping for continued strong sales during the holiday shopping quarter. Considering O2's a pay-as-you-go option, they just might get it.

[Via MacNN]
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Yahoo releases oneConnect preview for iPhone
Filed under: Internet Tools, iPhone, App Store
Yahoo has released a preview of an iPhone client (iTunes link) for their oneConnect service. Basically, it integrates your Yahoo and iPhone address books with a variety of social networking sites like Twitter, MySpace, Facebook, Flickr, etc. (see here for the full list). You're then able to use Yahoo Messenger or SMS to communicate with contacts, or see their status updates, etc. from the various services.

The idea behind oneConnect is to aggregate your different social networking sites into one interface so you don't have to keep switching between, say, Twitterrific and the Facebook application to keep on top of what's going on with your various friends. It looks like it could definitely be handy if you have friends spread across different networks.

[via MacNN]
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Splash that iTunes visualizer across multiple monitors
Filed under: Tips and tricks, iTunes

iPodHacks has a very easy way to display your iTunes visualizer across multiple monitors using Mac OS X's built-in accessibility zoom feature.

The instructions show you how to enable Zoom in the Universal Access system preference pane. When the visualizer is playing, you can zoom in on the iTunes window, and the image of the window is spread across all your screens.

The quality of the zoom, of course, is a bicubic interpolation of the screen image, so it's not as crisp as it could be. Also, the fluidity of the display depends greatly on how powerful your video card is, and how it's connected to your computer. Multiple video cards also don't necessarily help, unlike with the original Magnetosphere visualizer.

For a party, though, it's a neat trick. If you have other ways to make this happen, feel free to leave a comment!
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Mac 101: Using your Windows keyboard
Filed under: Switchers, Mac 101
If you switch frequently between a Mac and a PC, chances are you have to deal with a Windows keyboard from time to time. Thankfully, this can be easy with third-party utilities, or even features already built in to Mac OS X.

For most switchers, the hardest part about learning to use a new Mac is dealing with your muscle memory. For example, if you're really used to typing Control + C to copy something, Command + C means using your thumb instead of your pinky to perform the operation.

In System Preferences, you can click Keyboard and Mouse to change how your modifier keys (that is, Control, Command, Option and Caps Lock) work. Click the Keyboard tab, and then click the Modifier Keys button at the bottom of the window. You can map the Control key to the Command key (and vice versa, if you prefer) to help ease you in to Mac key commands.
Continue reading Mac 101: Using your Windows keyboard
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Disassembled Nano and iPod Touch
Filed under: Hardware, iPod Family, How-tos
The screwdriver-happy mavens over at iFixit.com have taken it upon themselves to disassemble the iPod Nano 4g and the iPod Touch 2g announced at Tuesday's Let's Rock event.

Take-aparts are always cool, but the dissection of the iPod Touch 2g is especially interesting because it reveals that the device actually has an on-board Bluetooth chip! Although this is likely what is powering the built-in Nike+ support, this particular chipset supports EDR and -- if we're really lucky -- could potentially support A2DP for wireless stereo headphones.

On the Nano's side, the new glass screen is separate from the metal casing. The battery is soldered into the logic board, which makes replacement probably more trouble (and more expensive) than it is worth. The processor is an Apple-branded Samsung ARM chip. And although his Steve-ness went on about how the newest Nano is the thinnest iPod ever, we're talking micrometers when stacked up with the original and second generation Nano. Still, thin is in!

Read through both of iFixit's guides for more details at the interior and take-apart instructions in the event of a self-repair emergency.

[via Register Hardware]
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XThemes: Your favorite TextMate themes ... in Xcode
Filed under: Software, Cool tools, Developer
I unabashedly love TextMate, and I love my TextMate themes. I do, however, spend a fair amount of time in Xcode, which is why I was excited to find XThemes. With a little bit of drag and drop, you can convert any TextMate theme -- in all of its splendor -- into an Xcode theme.

Yes, it's for a limited audience ... namely TextMate die-hards who also use Xcode frequently enough to miss the themes they love (and have probably spent a fair amount of time tweaking). If you fit into this niche, you'll definitely want to take a look. XThemes: $0. Feeling at home coding outside of TextMate ... priceless.
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IT Pros, System Administrators, Webmasters: what's on your iPhone?
Filed under: Cool tools, iPhone
Brian Stucki over at Macminicolo has compiled a list of seven iPhone applications he uses regularly as an IT guy. It's a great start to putting together your own server-wrangling kit on your iPhone.

Brian includes Network Ping Lite (Free [iTunes]), Web Tools ($1.99USD [iTunes]), and iSSH ($4.99 [iTunes]), among others. He also somewhat reluctantly admits to frequently using the infamous (and now technically unavailable) tethering app, Netshare. We'd like to add a few applications to the list, and I'd love to hear about any additions from your own arsenal in the comments. Our top picks include a few iPhone apps, some of which are alternatives to entries in Brian's list and some which are additions:
- FTP On The Go ($9.99USD [iTunes]), because sometimes you need to get in there and your iPhone is your only choice ...
- TouchTerm ($2.99USD [iTunes]), another good terminal emulator with SSH
- 1Password (Free [iTunes]), keep track of all of those server passwords
- SleepOver ($2.99USD [iTunes]), another Wake-On-LAN utility which comes out a little cheaper than iWOL (mentioned in Brian's list)
A few web apps should also make the list, such as Inco (TUAW coverage), Webmin and iNagios, all of which are free and can be set up to allow server monitoring and/or administration from your iPhone. Take a look at Brian's list, have a peek at our additions, and then fill us in on what you're using on your iPhone to keep your server(s) up and your IT fires under control.
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Terminal Tips: Change your current screenshot format
Filed under: Terminal Tips
Do you like using the built-in Mac OS X screenshot utility but dislike the format of the output file? With this simple Terminal hack, you can easily change the file format of the image. Open Terminal.app (/Applications/Utilities) and type the following command:

defaults write com.apple.screencapture type jpg

You can replace "jpg" with your desired file format (example: tiff, pdf, png, etc.). If you wish to change it back to defaults, Mac OS X originally grabs screens in png format. To activate the changes, just logout of your account and then log back in.

Want more tips and tricks like this? Visit TUAW's Mac 101 and Terminal Tips sections.
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Apple settles options backdating lawsuit
Filed under: Apple Corporate, Apple Financial, Steve Jobs, Bad Apple
The Associated Press reports that Steve Jobs and other senior executives have settled a stockholder lawsuit claiming they mishandled stock option awards.

Insurers representing Jobs and Apple's board will pay Apple, Inc. $14 million, which tidily covers almost $9 million in attorney's fees and expenses. The settlement puts to rest a series of suits related to Apple's options backdating scandal.

Apple had no comment on the matter.

The settlement and the suit behind it is a little complicated: In a traditional stockholder lawsuit, the stockholders must prove that the stock price was negatively affected by the actions of the defendants. Since accounting problems that follow options-backdating scandals frequently don't affect stock price, the lawsuit is called a "derivative lawsuit."

In a derivative lawsuit, shareholders sue company leaders individually on behalf of the company, claiming they caused harm to the company's interests. The executives settled with Apple and its shareholders, offering the $14 million in exchange for dropping the suit. The money comes from the insurance companies, as the executives had policies in place to cover them in case they had to pay up. Got all that? There's a test at the end.

The settlement received preliminary approval in Federal district court on Monday. A final settlement hearing is scheduled for October 31.

[Via Valleywag.]
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