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- iPhone service challenges show how Apple can go the extra mile
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Retail, iPhone
For years, my Apple stuff has been super reliable, more than any other brand I own. So it came as a bit of a surprise when my trusty iPhone reported 'call failed' as I tapped a number from my address book. I assumed it was an AT&T cell problem, so moved out of the area and tried again. Same result. I looked at the iPhone screen and saw I had a full signal and 3G, so I tried yet again. This time I noticed that the call started, the signal dropped to zero (even the AT&T logo vanished) and the call failed again.
Assuming cell tower gremlins, I didn't think too much about it, but as a precaution returned home and restored and re-synced my phone.
Next day I made another call or two with no problems, then patted myself on the back for dealing with the problem on my own. Then the same symptoms returned. Not only were outgoing calls failing, but incoming calls failed in the same way.
A trip to the Apple Store was in order, so I made an appointment and sauntered on in. The tech was helpful. Tried the usual tricks like restarting the phone, resetting network settings etc, but nothing solved it. We switched SIMs with another phone, but no joy there. He suggested I call AT&T and have them 're-provision' the phone. Did that but no dice.Continue reading iPhone service challenges show how Apple can go the extra mile
TUAWiPhone service challenges show how Apple can go the extra mile originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Hardware that supports iPhoto '09's geotagging
Filed under: Macworld, Accessories, iLife, Multimedia, Peripherals
I spent yesterday afternoon like many of you: Hunched over my keyboard in a posture-defying mound, my eyes locked on 1440 x 900 pixels of real-time information and fingers tapping keys like so many coked-up woodpeckers. A Mountain Dew and Cinnabun stood at the ready, should I need refueling. I was a gold-encrusted invitation to hypertension if you ever saw one.
As Phil Schiller gave his demonstration of iPhoto '09, with its face recognition, fancy travel books, themes and "Places" feature, I was most impressed by the geotagging. If shot with the right hardware, iPhoto recognizes where a given photo was taken, and places it on a Google map. If the photos in an event span several locations, it notices that, also. The built-in maps are very attractive and handy, as you can search your entire library by geographic location. As I watched all of this, one thought was echoing in my mind.
I don't have single piece of hardware that can do this.
It's what I call a Mario Batali Moment. I'm a real Mario fan, but every time I watch his show, I get a little depressed. As Mario sits down to a small family table in Umbria, olive trees and screeching cicadas in the background, I think, "There's another incredible Italian salami I'll never get to try."
A brief Google search turned up good news. I didn't have to spend several hundred dollars on a GPS-aware camera. Here are several devices that will get the job done without breaking the bank.
- The Wolverine GEO connects to several Nikon and Fuji DSLR's and embeds GPS coordinates in an image's metadata (EXIF) during exposure. Just click and you're done. The Wolverine GEO costs $149.99US.
- The GiSTEQ PhotoTrackr is a small GPS device that you carry around as you shoot photos. As you take pictures, you camera records the time. The PhotoTrackr also records the time and the GPS location. The included software merges the two. Small, tidy and $129US (the "lite" version is $99US).
- Similarly, the Amod AGL3080 GPS Data Logger connects to your Mac via USB port, allowing you to grab the recorded log in standard NMEA format. Mac-compatible software is included. The AGL3080 will run you about $70US.
iPhoto geotagging needn't be your forbidden salami.TUAWHardware that supports iPhoto '09's geotagging originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - TUAW Macworld Video: HP Products for Mac
Filed under: Macworld, Accessories, Multimedia, Interviews, TUAW Interview
If you were one of the many people who were expecting Apple to announce some sort of Mac mini-based home media server yesterday, you weren't alone. We talked about another media server solution, HP's MediaSmart Server, a small Mac-compatible device that can be used for Time Machine backups, iTunes and iPhoto library storage, and more.
I visited with Rick Spillers, HP's Mac-connect Worldwide Product Manager, at the HP booth yesterday to talk about HP iPrint, printer and scanner solutions, and other products from their Mac group. Also on the video is Glen Roberts, who discusses the MediaSmart and how it works well in homes with both Macs and PCs.
The video is after the break.Continue reading TUAW Macworld Video: HP Products for Mac
TUAWTUAW Macworld Video: HP Products for Mac originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Special event with TUAW today, meetup tomorrow at Macworld
Filed under: TUAW Business
Today near the close of the day at the Expo, we're going to have a quick special event: a live giveaway. We're planning to give away a big bag of goodies collected on the floor in the South Hall at Moscone, but keep your Twitter clients tuned to our Macworld Twitter feed to see what we're giving away and what time we'll be handing them out.
Also, tomorrow night we're having a brief meetup at Thirsty Bear starting at 6pm (PT of course), and lasting until other commitments inevitably drag us to the four corners of San Francisco. Of course, there's a lot going on in the evenings at Macworld, but if you want to meet the TUAW crew (or a portion of us, anyway) this is your chance. We'll have a couple of prizes for the first people to arrive as well.
Of course, stay tuned to our Macworld 2009 page for featured stories and ongoing coverage.
To see our host click the Read More link below.Continue reading Special event with TUAW today, meetup tomorrow at Macworld
TUAWSpecial event with TUAW today, meetup tomorrow at Macworld originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - TUAW Macworld Video: Griffin Technology
Filed under: Macworld, Accessories, iPod Family, Peripherals, Odds and ends, iPhone
Although I'm the veteran of about a dozen Macworld Expos, this is the first time I've attended as a member of the media instead of as "just" a showgoer. Let's face it; the level of attention that you get from companies is a lot greater when you're writing or shooting video about a company's products than when you're one of tens of thousands of people cruising past a booth.
Still, I was unprepared for the gracious reception that I received at Griffin Technology when I visited to see what new products were released from the Apple peripheral manufacturer. Griffin has been making innovative products for the Apple community since 1992, and 2009 is no exception. The company has entered the Bluetooth headset market with the SmartTalk Bluetooth (featuring human voice prompting), pointed the way towards total control of FM radio with the Navigate with iFM, and shown that you don't need power to get sound amplification with the AirCurve acoustic amplifier.
Join me on a tour of Griffin's new and recent products with Jackie Ballinger from Griffin. This video report is part of our continuing and exhaustive coverage of Macworld Expo 2009.
TUAWTUAW Macworld Video: Griffin Technology originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Retrospect, portable storage headline Iomega booth
Filed under: Macworld, Accessories, Software
Iomega and EMC continue to offer plenty of backup and storage options for home and small businesses, including a new version of Retrospect that improves the interface and performance for the first time in years.
Retrospect 8.0 for Mac, in addition to the customizable UI, includes improved backup-to-disk features, tape library management, and email reporting. Its revamped backup engine can perform eight simultaneous disk actions (like copy, backup, and restore), bringing it closer to parity with the Windows version of the tool.
A public beta of Retrospect 8.0 is available now from EMC's website, which EMC recommends not be used in mission-critical environments. The final version is expected to ship before the end of March; pricing starts at $129.
Also available from Iomega (an EMC company) are two storage products for Mac users: Home Media Network Hard Drive, and the eGo Helium for MacBook Air users.The Home Media Network Hard Drive works with iTunes to create a networked repository for music and movies, along with a print server for USB printers. It's available in 500GB and 1TB capacities, and retails for $160 and $230, respectively.
The eGo Helium is designed with the MacBook Air in mind, and features a small, lightweight profile. With a single USB connection for power and data, Helium works with the Air's single USB port. The eGo Helium is 320GB and priced at $150.
Iomega is located at Macworld in the North hall, at booth 4015.
Full disclosure: I previously worked with Iomega for five years starting in 2002, designing their retail packaging.
TUAWRetrospect, portable storage headline Iomega booth originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - TUAW Macworld Video: Talking with showgoers
Filed under: Macworld, Cult of Mac
Macworld Expo is more than just a lot of vendors, eager booth staffers and tacky giveaways. It's about the people who are Mac fans and come to the Expo every year to see what's happening with their favorite computer platform.
In this short video, I have a chat with Karen Anderson and Tom Whitmore. Karen's from the Seattle area and an editor at Take Control Books, and Tom Whitmore is a Bay Area sci-fi bookstore owner and well-known Science Fiction author with incredible Isaac Asimov sideburns. Their take? Macworld should continue into the future, and it would be great to see it in a different city every year.
Check out our other videos, and be sure to keep coming back to TUAW for all of your Macworld Expo 2009 coverage.TUAWTUAW Macworld Video: Talking with showgoers originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Macworld 2009 -- North Hall Photos
Filed under: Macworld
Of course you already know it's Macworld Expo time and we're covering the heck out of the show here in San Francisco. We've already got some great info about updated iLife and iWork suites, DRM being removed from iTunes, a "Philnote" line video and a brand-new 17" Macbook Pro. And now, a gallery of photos from the Macworld North Hall.
Among the many interesting things seen in the North Hall was the Acura booth, featuring cool in-car technology, the packed Iomega booth and cool new iPhone case designs from Incipio. Even though the South Hall gets most of the attention, there's still lots to see in the North Hall too so check it out.TUAWMacworld 2009 -- North Hall Photos originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - A quick walkthrough of the developer booths at Macworld 2009
Filed under: Macworld
Here's a quick (and shaky) tour of the developer booths in the South Hall. Enjoy!TUAWA quick walkthrough of the developer booths at Macworld 2009 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - TUAW Macworld Video: Marketcircle announces Daylite Touch
Filed under: Macworld, Software, Video, iPhone
For businesspeople who want to take their work with them everywhere, Marketcircle has just created a new way to keep updated on projects, contacts, calendars, and more through the iPhone -- Daylite Touch.
We interviewed Marketcircle CEO Alykhan Jetha this morning at Macworld Expo 2009, where he gave us a demo of the many features built into Daylite Touch. The app, scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2009, will be licensed with another announced product -- Daylite Server -- and will be free of charge to Daylite users. Jetha also noted that Daylite Touch will require the upcoming Daylite 3.9.
Daylite Touch syncs with Daylite Server via Wi-Fi, 3G, and EDGE connections, and doesn't overwhelm the user with too much information on one little screen. This is one of the more complex iPhone apps I've seen since the iPhone arrived on the scene, and a lot of time and effort was obviously directed at the user interface.
Click Read More to see our interview.Continue reading TUAW Macworld Video: Marketcircle announces Daylite Touch
TUAWTUAW Macworld Video: Marketcircle announces Daylite Touch originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Macworld 2009 Day One: In Pictures
Filed under: Macworld, TUAW Business
The Keynote might not have had everything we were expecting, but Macworld 2009 is still off to a super start.
We're still busy hitting booths and rendering video, you can take a look at some of the fun we've been having.
Highlights:
- The Delicious Monster booth looks just like Delicious Library 2
- The Iconfactory team
- Obviously, the new MacBook Pro unibody.
TUAWMacworld 2009 Day One: In Pictures originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - 2009 Macworld Keynote video available
Filed under: Macworld
As usual, Apple has released a Quicktime video of the keynote address from this year's Macworld Expo. This one's rather historic, as well all know. It's simultaneously Phil Schiller's first and Apple's last.
Right now it's available as a stream from Apple's website, but it typically shows up in the iTunes Store as a free download shortly thereafter. Be sure to grab a copy and "own a piece of history" as they say. Whoever "they" are.
So, what did you think of this year's presentation? We think Phil did a great job and was greeted warmly by the crowd. Sure, a little bit of fanfare would have been nice, but that was Tony Bennet's role, right?TUAW2009 Macworld Keynote video available originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Macworld 2009 keynote line video
Filed under: Macworld
Here's to the crazy ones. Although, seeing as how this is the last Apple keynote at Macworld (so they say), perhaps they aren't too crazy...TUAWMacworld 2009 keynote line video originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Apple shares slide following keynote
Filed under: Macworld, Apple Corporate, Apple Financial
Here's a shocker -- Apple shares slid 0.7 percent (as of this writing) after Phil Schiller concluded the company's last official keyonte address at Macworld Expo. Robert Francello, head of equity trading for Apex Capital hedge fund in San Francisco, blamed "...no true blockbusters" for the market's reaction.
With that, we have a large part of why Apple has abandoned the show. Ten or twelve years ago, Apple needed such a high-profile event to get its products noticed by as many people as possible. Additionally, they'd pack as much into those precious 90 minutes as they could, while they had everyone's attention.
Today, that's not the case. Phil Schiller noted that 3.4 million customers visit their retail stores per week, worldwide. The "lesser" press events, like the annual September iPod announcement, attract all the attention Apple needs. These are much less expensive to produce and allow Apple to release products when they're ready, not when the calendar reads "January." Therefore, there's no cache of goodies waiting for the Moscone Center, which always disappoints Wall Street and adversely affects Apple's stock price.
Sure, it's sad to see Apple go, but the "why" is clear.
[Via MacDailyNews]TUAWApple shares slide following keynote originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Buy Leopard, iWork '09, iLife '09 via the Mac Box Set
Filed under: Macworld, iLife, Retail, iWork
As mentioned in this morning's keynote, the Mac Box Set lets you purchase Mac OS 10.5.6, iLife '09 and iWork '09 in one tidy package for $169US. Additionally, shoppers can install the Mac Box Set Family Pack on up to five Mac computers in in the same household for $229US. Call us crazy, but we don't remember seeing such a bundle from Apple before.
Before you pull out your credit card, know that this won't ship until iLife '09 ships, which Phil identified as "Late January." However, TUAW reader Lou purchased iLife '09 online today, and his receipt listed "February '09" as the ship date. So, we'll see.
If you happen to visit a store near a store in a major city today, have a look around or ask an employee if January is likely for this product. Let us know what you find. Thanks!
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]TUAWBuy Leopard, iWork '09, iLife '09 via the Mac Box Set originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - iPhoto, iMovie guided tours available
Filed under: Macworld, iLife, Multimedia
With new software from Apple comes new guided tours hosted by clean cut, well-dressed Apple employees in the requisite uniform.
The iPhoto guided tour can be found here and features John, whom we've seen in other guided tours. It's a fun way to check out the new features that were demonstrated during the keynote, as well as others that didn't make the presentation.
The iMovie tour can be found here, and again features our friend John. We must admit that the animated map is pretty cool, even though we expect it to be heavily abused in the next few months.
Additionally, you'll find tutorials for the new versions of iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, iWeb and iDVD here. Check them out and decide if you're willing to pay the $79US upgrade fee.TUAWiPhoto, iMovie guided tours available originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - As expected, Apple releases iWork '09 at Macworld Expo
During today's Macworld Keynote Phil Schiller announced the immediate release of iWork '09. We previously reported this was fairly likely given the slip-up over at Apple.com. The updated version of iWork is definitely more evolutionary than revolutionary.
Keynote
The first new feature of Keynote are the "Magic Move" transitions. Essentially, you set up your slides and Keynote automatically animates your objects and moves them from slide-to-slide. Additional text and object transitions have been added as well. For example, the text from one slide can morph into the text on the following slide.
The Theme Chooser has been updated as well. It now allows you to easily and quickly view and apply a theme as well. The Theme Chooser also makes it easy to quickly apply a particular slide size. The 3D charts and graphs have been updated as well to include additional textures and new animations.
The killer new feature in Keynote is the introduction of the Keynote Remote application for the iPhone or iPod touch. Using Wi-Fi you can view your slide as well as notes on the slide wirelessly from your iPhone or iPod touch. If you rotate your device into a landscape orientation you can view the current slide as well as the next slide. In true touchscreen form you can swipe your finger across the screen to advance to the next slide.
Click the read link for more information about iWork '09.
For full Macworld Expo coverage, bookmark the TUAW Macworld Expo 2009 landing page. If you missed our liveblog coverage, you can review it here.Continue reading As expected, Apple releases iWork '09 at Macworld Expo
TUAWAs expected, Apple releases iWork '09 at Macworld Expo originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Google releases Picasa 3 for Mac
Filed under: Multimedia, Software
iPhoto haters rejoice! Google recently released their popular photo management and editing program, Picasa, for Mac OS X. In my early testing, it didn't crash or seem sluggish, but like many Google offerings, this version still bears the "Beta" designation.
Picasa integrates nicely with Google's online photo-hosting service, Picasa Web Albums, by allowing album syncing, uploading, and access control. Album syncing allows you to change a photo (by retouching, changing the caption, cropping, etc.) and have the changed photo appear in seconds on your web album.
Your iPhoto library can be viewed in Picasa in "read-only" form. If you want to make edits to photos in your iPhoto library, you'll have to let Picasa make a copy of the photo and then edit it. Picasa also lets you upload photos to Blogger, create videos of your photos, and create a collage.
It's nice to have a solid option aside from iPhoto to manage our photo collections locally and on the web. Picasa is a free 17MB download.TUAWGoogle releases Picasa 3 for Mac originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - iTunes pricing and DRM schemes updated for 2009
Phil Schiller today outlined Apple's new pricing scheme for iTunes music, and announced additional music that will be available DRM-free.In April, depending on the label, songs will be available at three price points: 69 cents, 99 cents, and $1.29. Apple says many more songs will be priced at 69 cents than $1.29, but new releases will likely cost more. Albums will mostly remain at the $9.99 price point.
69 cent songs will have greater restrictions on how they can be used: For each song, users will only be able to download it to one Mac, burn it to one CD, and copy it to one iPod.Turns out this was idle speculation from one of our colleagues, and not part of the changes today. Sorry about that. -- RPMore songs will be also be made available as part of the iTunes Plus program, which features higher-quality, DRM-free music files. Eight million (of 10 million total) songs will be available through iTunes Plus today, and every track will be available DRM-free by the end of March. (Thanks, Chris!)
iPhone users that connect to the Internet via 3G also got good news: They will be able to connect to the iTunes store via both WiFi and 3G starting today. Update: Others with first-generation iPhones here in the Media Center report that the iTunes store appears to work over EDGE, too, but weren't able to test it.
As many expected, Schiller announced new sales figures for the iTunes store, saying Apple has 75 million accounts, and is now the number-one music retailer in the United States.
TUAWiTunes pricing and DRM schemes updated for 2009 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - New 17-inch MacBook Pro unveiled with integrated battery
Filed under: Macworld, Hardware, Portables, Macbook Pro
In Phil Schiller's keynote speech this morning, Apple announced a new version of the 17-inch MacBook Pro that features a long-life, non-removable battery, thinner profile, and an optional anti-glare screen.
The laptop is less than an inch thick, and weighs 6.6 pounds. It features a 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo process, 6 MB of L2 cache, GeForce 9600M GT video card, and supports up to 8GB of memory. The default configuration with 4GB of memory and a 320GB hard disk ships for the same price as before: $2,799.
The 17-inch MacBook Pro now features a non-removable battery with an estimated eight-hour life. The battery will also last for 1,000 cycles, according to the presentation. The battery is 40 percent larger than its predecessor, which allows for a greater charge and better life. The trade off, of course, is the fact that it's not user-replaceable.
Apple is touting the new MacBook Pro as among its greenest line of laptops ever. The new battery for this model has three times the life of older MacBooks, lasting up to five years, which for many may be the life of the computer. It also earns an EPEAT Gold rating, and it contains no arsenic, BFR, mercury, and less PVC.
Continue reading New 17-inch MacBook Pro unveiled with integrated battery
TUAWNew 17-inch MacBook Pro unveiled with integrated battery originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Apple introduces iLife '09 at Macworld Expo
Filed under: Macworld, iLife, Features
Earlier today at Macworld Expo, Phill Schiller announced that availability of iLife '09. Not a huge surprise, as a few of us guessed we'd see an iLife update today, but it does offer some cool new features.
iPhoto
iPhoto has been updated with two features called "Faces" and "Places." Faces, as you may have guessed, lets you tag photos by subjects' faces, similar to what Facebook and Picasa have done. iPhoto makes its best guess as to the identity of a subject based on previous tags and asks for confirmation. Of course, Phil called it "..the best technology we've found for face detection."
Places allows for geotagging of photos. Some cameras and the 3G iPhone will use GPS information to tag photos on longitude and latitude. iPhoto then organizes those photos by location, or "place." Also, Flickr and Facebook support are built-in. Those without GPS access can retro-tag photos by hand.
Other iPhoto features include enhanced slideshows and travel books.
Click below to read more about iLife '09
Update: Reader Lou purchased iLife '09 today, and says his receipt shows a ship date of Feb. 09.
For full Macworld Expo coverage, bookmark the TUAW Macworld Expo 2009 landing page. If you missed our liveblog coverage, you can review it here.Continue reading Apple introduces iLife '09 at Macworld Expo
TUAWApple introduces iLife '09 at Macworld Expo originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Macworld 2009 keynote liveblog
Filed under: Macworld, One More Thing, Liveblog
Welcome to the TUAW liveblog of the Macworld Expo 2009 keynote address. The keynote has ended; to read the full report click 'read more.' Quick summary: iLife 09, iWork 09, 17" MBP, and iTunes (Plus for all, tiered pricing, and buy songs over 3G). We're keeping on covering every bit of Macworld via our front page and show-specific page, so stay with TUAW.
Continue reading Macworld 2009 keynote liveblog
TUAWMacworld 2009 keynote liveblog originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Skype for Mac 2.8 Beta offers screen sharing
Filed under: Macworld, Software, Internet Tools
Good news for Skype users. Skype has announced the availability of Beta 2.8 for the Mac, which offers two huge new features: Screen sharing and WiFi access for a MacBook or MacBook Pro via "Skype Access."
Screen sharing works via the Skype video channel, of course, and allows for a complete view of a participant's screen. For now, only a Mac may act as a source, though a Linux or Windows machine can view its screen. File transfer is also possible, though a lot of detail wasn't available on this.
The other major feature, Skype Access, offers WiFi access for a MacBook or MacBook Pro via any Boingo access point. These include McDonald's, hotels like Marriott and Hilton and more than 500 international airports. Skype Access will run you $0.22US (€0.16) per minute using Skype Credits.
While we haven't had a chance to play with it yet (we're a bit distracted by a little trade show today), the pitch from Skype sounds interesting. Let us know if you give this a try.TUAWSkype for Mac 2.8 Beta offers screen sharing originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - AniWeather makes weather pretty even when it isn't
Filed under: iPhone, App Store, iPod touch
Just when you thought you'd seen all the weather apps you needed to see for the iPhone or iPod touch comes another release today with one very nice feature -- animation.
Looking quite a bit like the weather screen on the HTC Diamond Touch, AniWeather [App Store link] animates the clouds, snow, sun and rain graphic making your current conditions a bit more compelling on screen than the static shot that most other weather apps provide. In fact, it seems the worse the weather, the more interesting the animation.
It is hard to describe the effect in a static image, so here is a link to a video showing AniWeather in all its pixel-moving glory. Sunny days aren't too interesting, but as the weather deteriorates the animations improve. I particularly liked the windshield wiper that leaves smudges just like the real ones.
AniWeather allows you to look up all the weather stations in the U.S. and, unlike the built in Apple weather app, can use the GPS on the iPhone to give you the weather at your current location (U.S. locations only, sadly). You can enter in multiple sites, and use your finger to swipe up and down to change them, which takes a moment to get used to as the Apple app uses a side-to-side swipe.
There isn't a lot of info beyond the basic in this app. No radar, no videos and no detail like wind speed or humidity that other apps like The Weather Channel [App Store link] or WeatherBug [App Store link] provide. Also, those apps are free while AniWeather is $.99 U.S.
On the other hand, AniWeather puts pretty pictures on screen and it might make you smile, even if the weather outside doesn't.TUAWAniWeather makes weather pretty even when it isn't originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - The Onion creates MacBook Wheel parody
There's a great history of Apple parodies in pop culture, and the latest one from The Onion is particularly funny. The fictional "MacBook Wheel" replaces the traditional keyboard with a large, touch-sensitive scroll wheel. As the Apple representative demonstrates, typing "...couldn't be simpler." Just use the wheel to scroll from letter to letter via an on-screen keyboard, pressing the center button to make a selection. Easy, right?
You've got to admire the effort that the folks at The Onion put into this, including the posters and set at the Apple "booth," the employee's uniform and the sweet video of the Wheel in action. They've also nailed Apple's typical release schedule, saying that "...The MacBook Wheel won't hit the shelves for another three to fifteen months." Good job, Onion! We noted the vid on Twitter last night but thought you all deserved a look.
Click below to watch the video.Continue reading The Onion creates MacBook Wheel parody
TUAWThe Onion creates MacBook Wheel parody originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - The cat's out of the bag for iWork '09
Take a stroll on over to Apple's downloads page and peek at the 5th entry under Top Downloads. What you will find is an entry for iWork '09 -- which has yet to be announced.
We currently don't have any information available as to what changes would be present if iWork or iLife were updated. However, you can bet that if the Philnote features any dazzling effects not previously seen, they are likely a part of the updated suite.
Given that Apple is so secretive this seems like quite the slip up. While not featured in our rumor roundup, we would not be at all surprised for an update to both the iWork and iLife suites to be announced. If you have any hot features you'd love to see in an updated iWork or iLife suite throw them down in the comments.
Thanks Nick for sending this in!TUAWThe cat's out of the bag for iWork '09 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Surprise! The US online Apple Store is down
As expected, the US online Apple Store has become unavailable as it's prepped to sell this afternoon's post-keynote goodies.
While you're waiting, why not take a last gander at the rumors, check out our photos from Macworld Expo or dust off your credit card in preparation for a new Mac mini?
To our readers outside the USA: is the online Apple Store down in your neck of the woods, too? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TUAW for our live coverage of the Phil Schiller keynote later today.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]TUAWSurprise! The US online Apple Store is down originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Macworld discount offered for TextSoap
Filed under: Macworld, Software, Deals
One of my biggest pet peeves when dealing with text from outside sources is the amount of clean up I often have to do. The easiest solution is to strip all of the code, but then it's an equally painstaking task to reformat it.
TextSoap is one of several applications that offers text filtering that allows you to have control over how you clean up your text. There are more than 100 cleaners built into the software, the ability to create customized cleaners, and integrates with Automator and AppleScript.
In honor of Macworld 2009, TextSoap 6 is currently on sale for 15% off the retail price of $39.95 for a single seat and $69.95 for a family pack through January 16. Use the code MACWORLD2009 when purchasing the software. TextSoap 6 requires OS X 10.5 or later.TUAWMacworld discount offered for TextSoap originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Image Upload widget updated to 1.1.1
Filed under: Internet Tools
Up until recently, the Image Upload widget from Model Concept wasn't exactly working as designed. We described in detail a process for fixing the widget, however it was not particularly easy. The developer responsible for the widget, Tom Stoelwinder, contacted me to say that he had fixed the widget and officially released version 1.1.1.
If you were interested in the functionality of the Image Upload widget and considered the process to modify it too daunting, you can now grab the updated version here which features the fix we covered. Thanks, Tom!TUAWImage Upload widget updated to 1.1.1 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone / SlingPlayer for Mac HD
Filed under: Macworld, Accessories, Hardware, Multimedia, Peripherals, Software, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch
Our sister site Engadget is reporting that Sling Media, maker of the Slingbox, is going to be demonstrating SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone at Macworld Expo 2009 this week.
Sling had produced a proof-of-concept back in June of 2008. Now the word is that the app will be submitted to the powers-that-be at Apple for certification and acceptance into the App Store sometime before the end of March, 2009.
If you're not quite that into watching your Slingbox streams on an iPhone, Sling Media is also demoing a prototype of SlingPlayer for Mac HD. This application enables Slingbox PRO-HD owners to zap HD streams to their Macs. This Mac app is expected to be available free of charge, while pricing for the iPhone app has not yet been determined.
Stay tuned for our continuing coverage of Macworld Expo 2009, where you'll find news, photos, and video of the flood of announcements coming out of Moscone Center.
[via Engadget]TUAWSlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone / SlingPlayer for Mac HD originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Get your TUAW gear at CafePress
Filed under: Odds and ends, TUAW Business
For those of you wanting shirts, hats, mugs or even a Flip Mino with TUAW on them, here's our CafePress store. Big thanks to Robert, who created the swirly logo version (shown above on the Mino), the "comment troll," "fan club" and "I already read about it" designs and the "command-escape" piece with Moses.TUAWGet your TUAW gear at CafePress originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - BusyMac announces BusyCal
Filed under: Macworld, Software, MobileMe
BusyMac, makers of the awesome BusySync, has just announced its newest offering: BusyCal. BusySync is a great way to share and sync calendars across a LAN and sync with Google Calendar. BusyCal is a calendar application with the BusySync technology baked in. The screenshots have BusyCal looking very iCal-esque (BusyMac's website even says to think of BusyCal as "iCal Pro"), but with some additional features:
- Display graphics, icons and themes
- Add sticky notes to your calendar and share them across your network
- Live weather feeds within the calendar
- Rich text support
- Multi-user editing/offline editing
- Sync with the iPhone via iTunes and Mobile Me
- Sync with Google Calendar
- Sync with other Macs on your network with Bonjour
So the inevitable question is, "Why not just use BusySync or Google's Calaboration utility?" Because iCal's To Do lists don't work with Google Calendar. Specifically, you can't create a To Do for a calendar that is set to sync with Google Calendar. So if you are like me, that means you have to maintain separate calendars (often an identical calendar) just to keep a To Do list or have a calendar integrated with a GTD app.
The beauty of BusyCal is that you can add more stuff to your desktop calendar without losing support for MobileMe or Google Calendar or Sync Services.
BusyCal will require OS X 10.5 Leopard and will debut this Spring. Pricing is $40 US, but if you use BusySync already or buy it before BusyCal is released, the upgrade will be just $10 US.
BusyMac is at Macworld 2009 and we'll be sure to stop by the booth and take a closer look.
TUAWBusyMac announces BusyCal originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - C-Mac and Steve's excellent Cupertino adventure
Filed under: Macworld, Cult of Mac, Apple
Every other year for the last 7 years, Shawn King of the Your Mac Life podcast has given the Apple faithful a chance to go on a pilgrimage to 1 Infinite Loop in Cupertino, the location of Apple headquarters.
As part of our continuing coverage of Macworld Expo 2009, Christina Warren and yours truly hopped on the bus along with about 30 other alpha geeks to visit the Mecca of Macdom and pick up some Apple swag at the Company Store. Former TUAW blogger and Realmac Software PR Ninja Nik Fletcher joined to take photos.
I dropped some spendolas on Apple gear, including a logo hat, long-sleeve black mock tee, polo shirt, and three big coffee mugs. C-mac, being the resident TUAW fashionista, bought an Apple notebook (the kind with paper sheets in it), a couple of pens, a navy hoodie, a knit cap, two caps (one knit, one military), and a short sleeve tee.
There were several prize drawings on the ride home, and I won an 8GB blue iPod nano courtesy of a "Secret Santa." Suh-weeet!
It's too late to join this year's Tour de Cupertino, but keep your eyes and ears open before future Macworld Expos to see if Shawn is planning another trip. Check out the gallery below.
TUAWC-Mac and Steve's excellent Cupertino adventure originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - EyeTV Hybrid hardware gets a performance boost
Filed under: Accessories, Hardware, Multimedia
Elgato's EyeTV Hybrid has long been the standout among the Mac options for HD television tuners, in large part because it comes with the excellent EyeTV software for program guide info, scheduling and recording. This week, the product gets an overhaul with refreshed hardware (including an FM radio tuner) and the new 3.1 version of the application with a bundled copy of Toast Basic for DVD burning; the combo is impressive. The revised software swaps out the TitanTV electronic program guide source for the more detailed (and, after the first free year, $20 paid-subscription) TV Guide data. The new EyeTV Hybrid is immediately available in the USA and Canada for US $149.95 and works on Mac OS X 10.4.11 and higher; decoding HD content requires an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU. EyeTV 3.1 will be released as a free update for existing owners in the coming weeks.
Update: Several commenters noted that earlier versions of the hardware allowed for decoding HD content with a Core Duo (as distinct from Core 2 Duo) processor, and questioned whether anything had changed. Per the specifications page for the new unit, a Core 2 Duo chip is indeed required for 720p or 1080i content.
EyeTV's hardware has always packed some impressive functionality into a small USB dongle; however, the previous units (designed and built by OEMs like Pinnacle and Hauppauge for bundling with the EyeTV app) didn't always shine when it came to holding onto weak HDTV signals, and recordings were sometimes plagued with dropouts and jitter when used with borderline-adequate antennas. The new hardware design has been insourced to EyeTV's team and custom-built with a focus on improving signal handling; the results are pretty good.
In my preliminary testing with the new unit I got much better signal on some stations that had previously been on the fringe, and the picture is still crystal-clear (HD sporting events on a 24" iMac screen are a revelation). The only annoying quirk I saw in the EyeTV 3.1 app was a propensity for the video aspect ratio to flop between 16x9 and 4x3 as commercials or other standard-ratio content interrupted a widescreen program. Other than that, it works quite well, even with a $12 pair of Radio Shack rabbit ears.
The new TV Guide program info is quite a bit more detailed than the Titan TV or over-the-air ATSC listings, with full cast and capsule review data available. EyeTV now allows for a 'season pass' preset that will capture all episodes of a particular program, and parental controls are now implemented to allow responsible adults some control over the viewing and recording habits of the household. Recording a show is still just as easy, although you need to maintain a Titan TV account to do remote scheduling; the iPhone and iPod conversion and WiFi sharing capabilities remain as before, and can be supercharged via the turbo.264 outboard compression dongle. As always, be sure to keep plenty of hard drive space available if you want to maintain a library of HD recordings.
We'll be stopping by Elgato's booth at Macworld Expo this week for a video tour of EyeTV 3.1; if you're at the show, you can catch them at booth #2126. See the gallery below for some views of the new hardware and software.
TUAWEyeTV Hybrid hardware gets a performance boost originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - TUAW at Macworld 2009 -- First Photos
Filed under: Macworld, Cult of Mac, First Look
Your intrepid TUAW team (a substantial portion of us, anyway) are on the ground in San Francisco to bring you all the latest Macworld 2009 news, reviews, tips, photos and video we possibly can. To kick us off in the photo department, here's a few pics from our first day here in San Francisco. Hopefully, these will whet your appetite for the bigger and more exciting stuff sure to follow.
And yes, that's a photo of someone already in line for the "Philnote" -- which, as you probably already know, kicks off tomorrow morning at 9 am Pacific Time. Of course, we'll be liveblogging the keynote tomorrow so be sure to check back right here at TUAW for all the details.
TUAWTUAW at Macworld 2009 -- First Photos originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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