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HP's MediaSmart works with Time Machine, iTunes
Filed under: Hardware, Peripherals, iTunes
Earlier this week, HP announced the availability of two new home servers, the MediaSmart ex485 and ex487. It's true that both are based on Microsoft's Windows Home Server platform, but the interesting thing for Mac users is that they're recognized by Time Machine as backup targets, and they can act as an iTunes server. At $599US for the ex485 (750GB of storage) or $749US for the ex487 (1.5TB), that's not a bad deal.

Other specs include a 2GHz Celeron CPU, 2GB of DDR2 RAM, gigabit Ethernet, four USB 2.0 ports, one eSATA jack and four internal HDD bays. Note that total storage on these units can be scaled up to 9TB.

HP will begin taking pre-orders in January for shipment in February.

For now, I've got a G4 iMac in my basement acting as a home media server, as it were, to the Apple TV. Two external drives are attached -- one for Time Machine and one for a SuperDuper! clone, scheduled to update weekly.

A third, pocket-sized drive is updated via SuperDuper! weekly and lives off-site (read: my wife's desk in her classroom, don't tell!). Do you have a home-spun backup and streaming solution?

[Via Engadget]
TUAW HP's MediaSmart works with Time Machine, iTunes originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Rumors swirling around new iMacs
Filed under: Macworld, Rumors, iMac
It seems that an upgraded iMac is a shoe-in at Macworld Expo in January. It's a consumer show, and the iMac is Apple's consumer desktop. Plus, it hasn't received a significant change in a while, so it's due. Now that the winter holidays are just about over, the Expo rumors have begun to circulate.

AppleInsider has posted a few iMac rumors. First is mention of a new "...magnesium-aluminum alloy chassis," as well as a "cooling module." That's all the details there are, folks, so your guess is as good as ours if the current fan system will be replaced. We all know Steve and Jon Ive like quiet machines.

The more solid rumor is about the new 65W, low-power, quad-core desktop chips Apple is expecting from Intel. Along with Acer, HP and Dell, Apple has decided to make use of these chips, according to DigiTimes, though their target machine has not been identified. DigiTimes claims that these chips are suited to small form factor and all-in-one PCs.
TUAW Rumors swirling around new iMacs originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sketches on sale through December 31
Filed under: Software, iPhone, iPod touch
The highly-rated and popular drawing app for the iPhone and iPod touch, Sketches, has been on sale through Christmas. Now LateNiteSoft has extended the sale through December 31 to give more people the opportunity to draw on their pocket devices.

Sketches (click for TUAW review) is not only fun to let the kids play with, but it's great for creating quick drawings and annotating iPhone pictures. It comes with a bunch of pre-created shapes, you can use photos or a map of your current location for a background, and there's even an eraser available. It's the most drawing fun you can have without a Newton MessagePad (by the way, my MP2100 will be accompanying me to Macworld Expo again next week).

Sketches has been a favorite in the App Store (click opens iTunes) since July, and it's now in version 1.4. The App normally sells for US$4.99 / €3.99 in the App Store, but during the sale it is discounted 60% to the low price of US$1.99 / €1.59.

Jorge Llubía, co-founder of LateNiteSoft, has stated that there will be a 1.5 release, and then Sketches 2.0 will be released with major new features. Both of the upgrades will be free to registered users.
TUAW Sketches on sale through December 31 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Apps that feed your nose for news
Filed under: Software, App Store
News junkies: Every headline is our toke, every cutline is our crack. A true news junkie doesn't stop at just one app, feed, or source; s/he wants them all. Thankfully, your iPhone or iPod touch can be your connection to news from your community and from around the world.

While RSS feed readers like Byline and NetNewsWire let you customize feeds tailored to your interests, there are dedicated apps for a wide variety of news outlets and subject areas.

If you prefer having everything in one place, a feed reader is tough to beat. However, if you want to avoid drinking from the firehose of information, one of these specific apps might be for you.

Next, we'll take a look at a veritable cornucopia of news apps for any interest.
Continue reading Apps that feed your nose for news
TUAW Apps that feed your nose for news originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Fixing the Image Upload widget
Filed under: Internet Tools
The Image Upload widget featured here is a freeware widget by Model Concept which allows you to upload an image to ImageShack simply by dropping it onto the widget. The result is that the URL is auto-magically saved to your clipboard. The overall experience is pretty slick; it supports audio and Growl notifications as well as URL shortening with help from TinyURL ... at least it used to. Read on for my journey from widget woes to uploading bliss.
Continue reading Fixing the Image Upload widget
TUAW Fixing the Image Upload widget originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Freeware favorite OnyX goes 2.0
Filed under: Software, Cool tools, Odds and ends, Freeware, Leopard

Whenever we write about Mac OS X utilities for system maintenance, our readers always remind of us one freeware utility that does a lot of work at no cost -- OnyX from Titanium Software.

This multifunction application does verification of your Startup Disk and System file structure, performs a lot of miscellaneous tasks for system maintenance and cleanup, and lets you configure some hidden parameters for the Finder, Dock, Dashboard, Exposé, Safari, the Login window, and even some of Apple's applications.

The improvements in OnyX 2.0 include faster operation, and deleting the applications cache, Internet cache, and logs has been improved. Most of these improvements are due to the application now being complied with the latest version of Xcode. One new feature lets you rebuild Mail's envelope index in the automation panel.

While the version 2.0 download is only available for Leopard, you can also download earlier versions for Tiger, Panther, and Jaguar. Support is pretty good; it's done through Titanium's forums and there are always answers available for most of your questions.

If you don't use OnyX, what's your favorite free Mac system maintenance utility?
TUAW Freeware favorite OnyX goes 2.0 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Apple Expert connections not very fast or personalized
Filed under: Hardware, Apple

Now that you've read up on what to do with that shiny new iMac, MacBook, or MacBook Pro and spent some good time with the instruction manual in one hand and mouse in the other you've probably come to realize that these things aren't exactly perfect. Using a Mac is about as close to heavenly bliss as one can get while using a computer but let's face it, at some point you're going to run into a problem. Luckily for you there's an Apple Genius Bar right around the corner. What's that you say? You live hours away from the nearest Apple store? Fear not faithful reader; Apple is here for you! Read on for my experience setting up a fast, convenient, and personalized appointment with an Apple Expert.
Continue reading Apple Expert connections not very fast or personalized
TUAW Apple Expert connections not very fast or personalized originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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AroundMe shows what's around you
Filed under: Cool tools, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch
There is no shortage of iPhone/touch apps that allow you to use the navigation capabilities of your device to figure out where you are or where you need to go. Google Maps, already built in, does a great job all by itself.

Increasingly, there are many paid and free apps that can do the job in a simpler, more specialized, or more efficient way. One of the highly praised and heavily downloaded apps is AroundMe, which can show you nearby restaurants, hotels, theaters, parking, hospitals and much more.

If you have GPS, or wi-fi location ability activated, AroundMe will take it from there. Click on a category, and you'll get a list of destinations arranged by distance. Click on a destination, and you can get an address, the distance, a link to Google Maps to show you the route, a button to add the destination to contacts, and if there is one, an email address for the place you're headed.

There is also a category of searches called 'nearby' that can identify nearby cities, parks, geographical locations, airports and attractions. Those destinations link to appropriate Wikipedia entries. Cool.

All in all this is a terrific, free app. While it has many competitors, some free, some paid, I think this is a very powerful way to use your iPhone when you are on a trip, or even in your home town to locate things you might never have known were there.

AroundMe is localized in English, French, German, Portuguese, Swedish and Japanese.

Things that would be nice to add would be some form of filtering, such as type of cuisine rather than just restaurants, or animal hospitals instead of all hospitals.

I use AroundMe several times a week because like all good apps, 'it just works'.
TUAW AroundMe shows what's around you originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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TUAW Holiday Giveaway-tacular Part Five: the power blogger
Filed under: Audio, Software, TUAW Business

If you're looking to start a podcast or blog (or both) in 2009, this will get you started. The Snowflake mic is an awesome and portable audio tool, and MacSpeech Dictate is the "gold standard" of Mac transcription apps. Win both in this giveaway courtesy our friends at Dr. Bott.

Don't forget the rest of our Holiday Giveaway-tacular posts and all the loot you can win there as well: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4. Everything ends at the end of December 31, so get to clickin' and good luck!
- Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.
- To enter leave a comment telling us what would be the subject of your podcast, if you had one.
- The comment must be left before December 31, 11:59PM Eastern Time.
- You may enter only once.
- One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
- Prize: Snowball Microphone ($69.95), MacSpeech Dictate ($199)
- Click Here for complete Official Rules.
TUAW TUAW Holiday Giveaway-tacular Part Five: the power blogger originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sun, 28 Dec 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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First Look: Fluffy's Log 2.0.1
Filed under: Software, Odds and ends

In keeping with the theme of light-hearted posts this weekend, I present to you: Fluffy's Log!

Fluffy's Log is Mac OS X pet management software from Shallot Patch Software. What's pet management software? Well, if your pet has been to the vet as many times as Ruby (above) has lately, you want to make sure that you're keeping information on everything that's taking place medically. That includes info about the vet, appointments, medications, and more.

There's much more in Fluffy's Log -- places to keep pet insurance data, schedules for feeding or grooming, even pedigree charts. You can do this for more than one pet, so if you have lots of furry friends, you can keep track of their history. While US$24.99 may seem a bit pricey for a single-tasker, this is an easy-to-use and very complete pet management package.

Fluffy's Log can even print out lost pet posters in case your pet decides to explore the world on her own. That's a nice feature, since the last thing you will want to do when you lose a pet is to spend a lot of time creating a poster.

How do you keep track of your animals? We'd like to know.
TUAW First Look: Fluffy's Log 2.0.1 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sun, 28 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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First Look: Will It Blend? for iPhone and iPod touch
Filed under: Humor, Software, Odds and ends, iPhone, iPod touch, First Look
Apparently I'm not the only person who loves to watch the Blendtec "Will It Blend?" videos on YouTube. The company reports that the video series has had over 100 million views so far, making it one of the more successful viral marketing campaigns.

Now you can see the top 20 "Will It Blend?" episodes in all their high quality color glory, thanks to a new app of that name. Treat yourself and friends to the thrill of Tom Dickson (right) feeding an iPhone 3G into a Blendtec blender in higher quality than you've ever seen it before.

Other favorites -- iPod, glow sticks, and Chuck Norris, to name a few -- are included as well. What's great is that you don't need a 3G or Wi-Fi connection to download these wonderful videos, as they're built into the app.

The US$1.99 app (click opens iTunes) will soon feature the ability to blend anything in your iPhoto Library. It currently updates with new videos on a regular basis, and features links to all other episodes in the classic series. The developer, iAppsNow, is offering the app on sale for only US$0.99 through the end of the year.

What would you blend if you were Tom Dickson? Let us know!
TUAW First Look: Will It Blend? for iPhone and iPod touch originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sat, 27 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Traveling? iPhone can help!
Filed under: Productivity, iPhone
If you're a road warrior and an iPhone or iPod touch owner, chances are you are not using your beloved technology to its fullest potential. There are many applications and services that can make your trip a lot less stressful so you can focus on enjoying the trip rather than making sure everything goes according to plan. Everyone by now is accustomed to using the iPhone for browsing the web while waiting for a plane or listening to music while sitting on a bus. But did you know you can do things like check in for your flight, listen to the radio in your home town from a thousand miles away, and at some airports even get through security all using just your iPhone?

Read on, weary travelers, if you too want to learn the many ways in which the iPhone can make your entire traveling experience pleasant, even if you're traveling for business.
Continue reading Traveling? iPhone can help!
TUAW Traveling? iPhone can help! originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sat, 27 Dec 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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So you just got an Apple TV -- now what?
Filed under: iTS, Apple TV, Holidays

All day on December 25, TUAW presents "Now What?" We've got first steps and recommendations for all the Apple gifts you (hopefully!) found under the tree today. Happy holidays!

The Apple TV launched almost two years ago and has yet to really "take off." That's OK, with more and more downloadable HD content, improved support for stuff like podcasts and Airtunes and some awesome third-party solutions, the Apple TV can easily become a great media center.

Did Santa bring you an Apple TV this year? These are my tips for making it even more awesome!

Boxee It

I've made no secret about my unabashed love for boxee, the awesome media center with a social kick that can run on your Apple TV. It should be no surprise that my first piece of advice is that you set-up boxee on your Apple TV as soon as you get it connected to your TV and home theater.

Need an invite? If you don't have a friend to ask, check out the boxee forums, hit up the boxee Twitter feed or pester me (@film_girl) and you should be able to get one pretty quickly. On January 8th, 2009, boxee will be opening up the alpha for everyone.

After you've updated your Apple TV to the latest firmware, follow my instructions or take a look the information at the ATV USB Creator project page for the the details on making a patchstick. The process is extremely easy and you just need a USB stick (1 GB or more recommended) and a few minutes to get everything up and running.

Once boxee is installed, you can enjoy Hulu (if you live in the US), streaming video from other services, last.fm and playback of other file types that won't natively play on the Apple TV; you can store those files either on the Apple TV, or that you access from another hard drive.

Learn about the other cool software add-ons

I really love the Awkward TV Wiki, which is a great way to stay abreast of the latest programs and hacks users have created for the Apple TV. Most of these plugins can be installed via a patchstick -- like boxee -- and they run on-top of the existing Apple TV interface. Some of the coolest utilities, like Couchsurfer, have recently been updated for firmware 2.3.

Although modifying your Apple TV does come with some risks (you might have to do a factory restore if something goes wrong), the methodology of applying said modifications has become much, much easier and you really aren't putting your Apple TV at risk. Still, keep in mind that Apple won't provide any technical support for a modified Apple TV (which means, restore it to factory settings before sending it back :-)).

Try out a new remote, ore the iPhone/iPod touch remote app

One of the most usefulf feature additions in firmware 2.3 is the ability to program a universal remote to work with the Apple TV. If you have a really nice programmable remote, like the Logitech Harmony, you've already been able to use it with the Apple TV -- but now you can do the same thing with your TV or receiver remote.

Even better, if you have an iPhone or iPod touch, the Remote app [iTunes link] is pretty awesome. The Remote app let's you control music from your Apple TV -- which is fantastic if you want to use the ATV as a music center.

Rent some holiday movies or buy a holiday TV show

'Tis the season! Rent or buy a Christmas movie directly from the Apple TV! You can also peruse some holiday TV classics, like The Best Christmukkah Ever from the first season of The O.C.
TUAW So you just got an Apple TV -- now what? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Dec 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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So you just got a hard drive -- now what?
Filed under: Accessories, Hardware, How-tos, Holidays

All day on December 25, TUAW presents "Now What?" We've got first steps and recommendations for all the Apple gifts you (hopefully!) found under the tree today. Happy holidays!

Some good soul gifted you with a hard drive for the holidays. I can't think of a better gift! There are two ways to use that extra disk space -- the right way, which I'll get to in a moment, and the way many people do it, which is to just expand their disk space because they are running out of room.

I'm here to tell you that is the wrong thing to do with a new hard drive if you don't have a backup strategy already. Let's make a few assumptions here. The new drive has a USB 2.0 interface, or it has a Firewire 400 or 800 interface. It also is at least as large as your primary hard drive. Even better if it is bigger. Use that drive as a backup device, not for more disk space. Old hands around computers already know this, but if you are just getting started, it really is extra important to have all your files duplicated on another drive.

With any computer, stuff happens, like a sudden power surge, a drive failure, or a kid in the house who loves to see how the Mac trash can works. Can you really afford to lose all those pictures, emails, documents and CDs you lovingly ripped to iTunes? I didn't think so.

Getting a heavy duty back up is not too challenging. If you plug a brand new drive in, your Mac (assuming you have Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard) will ask you if you'd like to use it as a Time Machine drive. Time Machine is Apple's built-in backup solution, and it is great for people who constantly change or update files and sometimes have a good reason to go back and get the old versions. The larger your extra drive, the further you can 'go back in time'. Time Machine allows you to restore all the data, but it can take several hours and may require your original system DVD if your machine isn't bootable.

Read on for more...
Continue reading So you just got a hard drive -- now what?
TUAW So you just got a hard drive -- now what? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Dec 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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So you just got a camcorder -- now what?
Filed under: iLife, Multimedia, Video, Holidays
All day on December 25, TUAW presents "Now What?" We've got first steps and recommendations for all the gifts you (hopefully!) found under the tree today. Happy holidays!

Did Santa leave you a camcorder for Christmas? If he did, you probably did what most people do -- ripped open the package, slapped a battery pack on it, and started recording the fun. Hopefully you're reading this post before you've succumbed to that temptation, so you can avoid issues later on. Here are some hints to make your future as a filmmaker as trouble-free as possible.

1) Read The Manual. Most people tend to toss out the manual with the wrapping paper, but for something as complex as a camcorder it's a good idea to keep and read the manual. Sure, with a point and shoot camcorder like a Flip Mino you can get away with giving the camcorder a quick charge and then going to town recording the kids bouncing off the walls in a sugar-induced frenzy. But if you were really good and Santa got you a high-end HD camcorder with a powerful zoom lens, image stabilization, and other cool features, you'd better learn how to use them.
Continue reading So you just got a camcorder -- now what?
TUAW So you just got a camcorder -- now what? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Dec 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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So you just got an iPhone -- now what?
Filed under: iPhone, Holidays
All day on December 25, TUAW presents "Now What?" We've got first steps and recommendations for all the Apple gifts you (hopefully!) found under the tree today. Happy holidays!

Congratulations, you've finally gotten an iPhone! It's either your very first one, or you've managed to upgrade to the iPhone 3G. As with any new hardware purchase, now you get to have even more fun selecting accessories for it.

How to use your iPhone
There is plenty of information out there if you're looking for a basic guide to the functions of your new iPhone. One of the best sources for free information is right here at TUAW. Here's a couple of tips to help you get started:
- Taking screenshots: Hold down the home button and then quickly press the sleep/wake button. You'll see a flash and hear the sound of a camera click, and a screenshot of your current screen will be placed in the Camera Roll under Photos.
- Back to home: If you're browsing a page on a home screen other than the initial one, press the home button again and it'll take you back to the first page of the home screen. You can also speed-scroll through your home screens by tapping to the left or the right of the white & gray page indicator dots at the bottom of the screen.
- Back to the top of the screen: In both Mobile Mail and Mobile Safari, if you've scrolled down to the bottom of the page and want to get back to the top easily, just tap the menu bar and your page will spring back to the beginning.
Headphones
If you're like a good many people, you want to replace the stock Apple earbuds as soon as possible. I love my Bose In-Ear headphones, for example. Shure is another excellent brand for purchasing earbuds, and their SE110MPA Sound Isolating Stereo Headset includes an inline microphone and a control button for receiving and ending calls. Sennheiser also makes a similar headset, but for a lower price. For the true audiophiles, there's Etymotic's hf2 headset. If you have $350 to spend, there is the Beats headphones by Dr. Dre.

If you like Apple's headset but find that it's a poor fit, then it's worth the $9 to purchase a set of BudFits. They attach onto Apple's earbuds and then wrap around your earlobe for a very secure fit.
Continue reading So you just got an iPhone -- now what?
TUAW So you just got an iPhone -- now what? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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So you just got an iMac -- now what?
Filed under: iMac, Holidays

All day on December 25, TUAW presents "Now What?" We've got first steps and recommendations for all the Apple gifts you (hopefully!) found under the tree today. Happy holidays!

It was probably the biggest box under the tree (unless you really splurged on the anniversary edition of the Radio Flyer wagon); now that you've got your new, speedy iMac unpacked and plugged in, what's next?

USB + Input

Despite a full set of three USB ports on the back of the iMac, you're inevitably going to need more ports up front at some point. A hub that makes a fashion-forward statement -- or a retro one -- will be a nice add-on for your machine. If you're going to be importing loads of holiday pictures from your new digicam to your iMac, a standalone SD card reader will be faster than using the camera's tethered upload.

If you're feeling restricted by the included wired Mighty Mouse, you could spring for the wireless Bluetooth version... but believe it or not, Microsoft makes a snazzy Mac-friendly wireless mouse too.

Storage

If you've already got a Time ~~Machine~~Capsule or other outboard storage, you're all set to begin backing up your new iMac; otherwise, a drive for backup should be first on your post-Christmas shopping list. Western Digital's MyBook Studio Edition matches your iMac's aluminum finish and provides quad-interface storage for backups and more. If you forgo the Firewire, you can find USB-only 1TB drives for around $100US -- no excuse not to get the storage you need. Of course, if you need lots of storage, there is another way.

Continue reading So you just got an iMac -- now what?
TUAW So you just got an iMac -- now what? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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So you just got a digital camera -- now what?
Filed under: How-tos, Holidays

If you're one of the lucky people who got a digital camera this Christmas, congratulations and welcome to the fun and exciting world of digital photography. But now that you have your shiny new camera and are holding it in your eager hands, what's next? Fortunately, I've been in your shoes and can offer the following tips to hopefully make your new camera easier to use and more fun to play with. Let me help get you started on the road to taking some great pictures.

Memory Cards

Digital pictures can be quite large when it comes to file sizes; modern cameras can chew up plenty of megabytes with each shot. Consequently, the meager capacity of the compact flash (CF) or secure digital (SD/SDHC) memory card that came with your camera just isn't going to do the trick for very long. So, one of the first things you are going to want is a larger card, or cards, to store your pictures.

I tend to stick to memory cards from Sandisk or Lexar and opt for several medium-sized cards, such as 2GB, instead of just one big one. This way, in case disaster strikes and a memory card fails, which they sometimes do, all of your not-yet-downloaded pictures are not on just one card and are instead spread across several of them.

Continue reading So you just got a digital camera -- now what?
TUAW So you just got a digital camera -- now what? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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So you just got an iPod nano -- now what?
Filed under: Holidays, iPod nano

All day on December 25, TUAW presents "Now What?" We've got first steps and recommendations for all the Apple gifts you (hopefully!) found under the tree today. Happy holidays! If you're a iPod veteran, send a link to this post to the switcher on your holiday list.

Congrats on your new iPod nano! We hope the color matches your wardrobe.

Setting Up
If you do not already have iTunes (available for Mac and Windows) installed, then you will need to get that taken care of. The latest version is available for free from the Apple website. Depending on your Internet connection, this download could take a few minutes, but remember that you shouldn't connect your iPod until you know that iTunes is installed. If you have a Mac, then iTunes probably came installed on your machine, so check your "Applications" directory for iTunes.app.

Once you have iTunes installed, plug your iPod nano into a USB port on your computer using the included USB Dock connector. By default, iTunes will launch and ask you to set up your iPod nano for the first time. You will start by entering a descriptive name for your iPod -- you can choose anything you wish.

You will then be able to sync your music from your iTunes library. If you don't have much in your library, you can download some tunes from the iTunes Store (perhaps you received an iTunes Gift Card), or you can rip music from CDs directly to your library. Of course, you aren't limited to the iTunes store for your music shopping: any online music store that delivers MP3 files (eMusic and Amazon, for example) will work just fine with your iPod.

iTunes also lets you subscribe to and download your favorites from thousands of free audio and video podcasts (we can suggest a few winners) and listen to online radio stations. You can't copy those streaming programs to your iPod, though, without a separate tool like RadioLover or RadioShift; if you really crave radio and your local stations don't broadcast online, you can check out Griffin's RadioShark peripheral for off-the-air recording.

Continue reading for more tips, tricks, accessories, and more!

Continue reading So you just got an iPod nano -- now what?
TUAW So you just got an iPod nano -- now what? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Dec 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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So you just got an iTunes gift card -- now what?
Filed under: iTS, iTunes, Holidays
All day on December 25, TUAW presents "Now What?" We've got first steps and recommendations for all the Apple gifts you found under the tree today. Happy holidays!

Hopefully a lot of you reached into your Christmas stockings and pulled out a ~~lump of coal~~ fully-loaded iTunes gift card. In case you haven't been presented with one of these gems before, they come in denominations of $10, $25, $50, and $100 in the USA -- check your country's Apple website for the availability of cards in your local currency.

Turning this card into tunes or iPhone apps is simple:

1) Check the back of the card first. If you see a list of numbers and letters instead of the words "Scratch off gently with coin", then your card has been used before. Take the giver off of your Christmas list for next year.

2) If the scratch-off material is intact, grab a coin and gently scratch off the material to reveal the code.

3) Launch iTunes. Make sure you're logged into your iTunes account and not somebody else's.

4) In the upper right part of the iTunes screen you'll see an area marked "Quick Links" (see screenshot at left). Click on the "Redeem" link.

5) You're almost there. A screen appears that will ask you to enter the code exactly as it appears. Note that if you mistype even one number or letter, the card will be rejected, so make sure you're reading the letters and number properly.

6) Click the "Redeem" button. You may want to read the Terms & Conditions, but I seriously doubt it. There's more legalese in that document than you'd find in a bank bailout plan.

7) If everything has gone as planned at this point, you'll have a credit in your account. Exactly how much money you have to play with will be listed just to the left of your iTunes account name in the upper right side of the iTunes window.

8) Buy tunes and apps until you're filled with the joy of the holidays!
TUAW So you just got an iTunes gift card -- now what? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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So you just got an iPod touch -- now what?
Filed under: Holidays, iPod touch
All day on December 25, TUAW presents "Now What?" We've got first steps and recommendations for all the Apple gifts you (hopefully!) found under the tree today. Happy holidays!

Did you wake up this morning with a shiny new iPod touch under the tree? If you did, read on to get our suggestions in making the "funnest iPod ever" even more fun!

You know, even though the grammar in the ad kills me -- Apple got it right, the iPod touch really is the "funnest iPod ever." The first-generation touch was a great device but the second generation touch is even better. Faster than its predecessor (it is even faster than the iPhone 3G), and now with a built-in speaker, the ability to record your voice and built-in Nike+ support, the iPod touch is one of the most versatile digital devices on the market today.

Here are my suggestions for making the iPod touch experience even better:

Earphones

The stock earbuds that come with the iPod touch are the same white earbuds (more or less) Apple has been packing with its iPod since the first version came out in 2001. Seven years later, they still suck. While they'll do in a pinch, if you really want to listen to high quality audio files (maybe something in Apple Lossless) or watch a movie or TV show with a less tinny sound, you'll want to replace them.

You don't even have to spend a fortune to get a better sounding earbud, though if you want to get your audio-geek on, you certainly can.

Here are some of my favorites:
- Sony MDR-ED21LP - If you want a solid replacement for the buds that ship with the iPod touch, but you don't want to spend more than $20, check these out. You can get them for $15 US from Amazon.com and they are lightweight and provide a substantially better experience than the default earphones. I have a pair of these stashed in my purse in case of an emergency (and no earphones is most certainly an emergency) or for running or walking in nasty weather. A solid replacement.
- Apple In-Ear with Microphone and Remote - Apple's first pair of in-ear headphones were just awful. Awful. The fit was weird and they had this great tendency to stop working (more specifically, one ear would stop working) after six months. The new In-Ear headphones include a microphone and a remote, and the reviews have been largely positive. For $80, the set offers a solid experience.
- Denon AH-C551K In-Ear Earphones - Amazon.com is selling these for $55 (MSRP is $99.99) and these are a great pair of entry-level ECH buds. I like them better than my old Shure EC3s.
- Shure I2C-MP - i'm mentioning these because at $40 US from Amazon.com, they are a pretty great deal. The buds themselves aren't as good as other Shure products, but the addition of a microphone that works with the iPod touch 2G and the great price point makes them worth a look.
Continue reading So you just got an iPod touch -- now what?
TUAW So you just got an iPod touch -- now what? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Dec 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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So you just got a MacBook Pro -- now what?
Filed under: Macbook Pro, Holidays

All day on December 25, TUAW presents "Now What?" We've got first steps and recommendations for all the Apple gifts you (hopefully!) found under the tree today. Happy holidays!

Congratulations on your new MacBook Pro!

For the Desk
While you are on the go, the MacBook Pro allows you to have the best mobile Mac experience; however, when you get home, you might want to have a more complete desktop config. The first place to start is by purchasing a display. Apple's 24" LED Cinema Display is the ultimate MacBook Pro accessory that combines a huge 24" glossy screen with additional speakers, iSight camera, and power for your MacBook via a MagSafe adapter. While the Cinema display is gorgeous, it is also expensive -- if you don't mind how your external display looks, then you can go with a Dell display. It's true, Dell displays can give you more "bang for the buck" with bigger screens for less money.

If you plan on using your MacBook Pro in desktop mode some of the time, then you might want to consider getting an external mouse and keyboard. I would recommend the Apple Bluetooth keyboard because of its portability and cool design. I would also recommend the MightyMouse, but have a warning for you: It may break sometime within the first year of owning it. The Mighty Mouse most commonly has a problem with the scroll ball failing to scroll after some use; however, a good cleaning can normally free up the scroll ball.

Other Desktop accessories that go great with a MacBook Pro:
- Griffin Technology's Simplifi is a clean, simple solution to docking your iPhone/iPod, accessing photos/other media on media cards, and it does triple duty as a USB Hub.
- The Rain Design, Inc. mStand (or Griffin Elevator) is a great way to get your notebook up to eye level for better ergonomics.
Read on for more applications, cases, and software for your new MacBook Pro.

Continue reading So you just got a MacBook Pro -- now what?
TUAW So you just got a MacBook Pro -- now what? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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So you just got a MacBook -- now what?
Filed under: MacBook, Holidays
A couple days before Christmas a year ago, I walked into a local Apple reseller and without hesitation told the salesperson I wanted a MacBook. It was my first brand-new Mac ever, and I couldn't be prouder of my little machine. While I was sitting in Barnes and Noble writing this post, an older lady sitting next to me leaned across the table to her companion. "I got my grandson one of those for Christmas," she said, pointing at my MacBook.

If you're reading this, you've also just received a MacBook for Christmas or Hannukah, or have recently purchased one. So, what do you do with it now? You need accessories, of course! Some of the best ones to get are:

A case
There's all different cases for the MacBook, from simple sleeves that you can use to cushion your MacBook when you place it in another bag to hardshell cases to roller cases and backpacks. My current pack is the InCase Nylon Backpack ($99.95 USD), which has more pockets than you will know what to do with and is extremely comfortable. InCase also manufactures a number of sleeves and smaller cases. Other respected brands include TimBuk2, Brenthaven, and many more.

An extra power adapter
After an incident where I accidentally left my MacBook power adapter at a friend's house 100 miles away and had to purchase an extra, I've found that having two power adapters has been one of the best decisions I ever made. I keep one adapter at home, and the other stays in my backpack. I'm never caught anywhere without a power supply.

Continue reading So you just got a MacBook -- now what?
TUAW So you just got a MacBook -- now what? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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So you just got your first Mac -- now what?
Filed under: Switchers, Odds and ends, Holidays
All day on December 25, TUAW presents "Now What?" We've got first steps and recommendations for all the Apple gifts you (hopefully!) found under the tree today. Happy holidays! If you're a Mac veteran, send a link to this post to the switcher on your holiday list.

Merry Christmas, new Mac owner. First of all, congratulations! Welcome to the family. There's some eggnog on the table, and feel free to put your coat on the bed. Setting up your new Mac is a famously easy experience. It should take about 10 minutes, depending on the kind of Mac you bought, and where you want to put it.

Once you have your new Mac on your desk, it will take you through a short setup process to personalize your new machine. You'll choose a username, a password, and will be given the option to register your Mac and sign up for MobileMe, if you want. (You can register and sign up for MobileMe later, if you don't do it now.)

If you bought any applications along with your Mac (like Microsoft Office, for example), you can install them very easily. Just insert the disc, and either drag the application to your Applications folder (on your hard disk) or double-click the installer application. You can eject the disc when you're done by dragging it to the Trash, or pressing the eject key on your keyboard.

For Windows compatibility, get your Windows XP (SP2 or SP3) or Windows Vista disc ready, and double click the Boot Camp Assistant in the Utilities folder (it's inside your Applications folder). Boot Camp Assistant will walk you through the process of installing Windows on your Mac. It's not difficult, but it will take a little time. Once Windows is installed, you can hold down the Option key before your computer boots to choose which operating system to run, or select a permanent preference via the Startup Disk pane of System Preferences. You can read more switcher-specific tips in our Switchers category.

If you're switching to the Mac platform from the PC, I might humbly suggest you read Part 1 and Part 2 of my experience introducing my dad to the Mac. He was a hard-core PC user until he fell in love with his Mac mini.

Continue reading for a few best bets about how to extend and protect your new Mac.
Continue reading So you just got your first Mac -- now what?
TUAW So you just got your first Mac -- now what? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Aurora Feint announces two new iPhone games
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Gaming, Software, Odds and ends, Deals, iPhone, iPod touch
Stick with us here: first, there was the free Aurora Feint: The Beginning, which has recieved some pretty rave reviews as one of the first iPhone games. Then there was Aurora Feint II: The Arena, which added multiplayer and some much-awaited MMO features. And now the folks behind it all have announced two more Aurora Feint games: there's Aurora Feint II: The Beginning, which features the gameplay of the first game with new graphics and the extra MMO features included, and Aurora Feint II: The Tower Puzzles, which contains more of the gameplay seen in the "Tower" location in the full game. Got all that?

The Arena and The Beginning are not compatible -- The Arena offers multiplayer, while The Beginning is all singleplayer. And the second version (II) of The Beginning is still singleplayer, but offers the MMO features introduced in The Arena along with the singleplayer gameplay. And The Tower Puzzles is more puzzles based on the "Tower" mode, and according to the iTunes description, does not include the MMO features. Whew. Complicated, no?

The good news is that it's all cheap -- for now, anyway. The very first game is still free. The Beginning (version II) and The Tower Puzzles are both 99 cents right now as an introductory price, to go up to $2.99 and $1.99 respectively in January. And The Arena is $7.99 -- pricey, but it's the only place you can dive into multiplayer (and it's also not compatible with both versions of The Beginning). All are available in the App Store right now, and even if you don't want any of them, feel free to scan your eyeballs over the pretty pictures below.

Gallery: Aurora Feint
TUAW Aurora Feint announces two new iPhone games originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 24 Dec 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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