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- Some Macbook Pros are updated along with iWork '09
Filed under: Software Update, Macbook Pro
Apple pushed out a couple of software updates late this afternoon. One is for regulating the fan speed under heavy loads on older MacBook Pro laptops.
The other is a more general 42.7 MB update for iWork '09. This is the second software revision for the word processing, spreadsheet and presentation package. The update says it improves reliability when saving some iWork documents. It also fixes some issues when Keynote sessions are played back multiple times.
Your software update option under the Apple menu should get you one or both updates. The MacBook Pro update is a firmware update, and it will start up automatically after a download. If you don't see this update, your laptop doesn't require it.
Here are the included update instructions:
To update the SMC firmware on your MacBook Pro:
Your computer's power cord must be connected and plugged into a working power source.
1. Quit all other open applications.
2. Click Restart in the MacBook Pro SMC Firmware Update window and wait for your computer to restart.
The SMC firmware update starts automatically. A status bar indicates the progress of the update. During the update your computer fans will run at full speed, but will return to normal once the update completes.
Important: Do not interrupt the update.
Your computer restarts automatically when the update is completed and opens the MacBook Pro SMC Firmware Update.
3. Click OK. The SMC firmware is now up-to-date.
If these instructions appear on your screen again, the SMC firmware update was not successful. Repeat steps 2 and 3.
Thanks to Matt for the MacBook Pro tip!TUAWSome Macbook Pros are updated along with iWork '09 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 28 May 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Hulu Desktop app gives full-screen experience to Mac users
Filed under: Video, Internet, Internet Tools
NBC's online video site, Hulu, has launched a desktop app that allows Mac users to watch Hulu content without using a web browser, and with full Apple Remote support. After all of the boxee nastiness, I'm a bit surprised by the development. That doesn't mean this isn't still exciting.
For some background, Hulu has been involved in a back-and-forth battle with the social media center application, boxee, which allows users to access online content from their Mac or Apple TV and makes big-screen viewing a pleasure. The last big boxee update changed how boxee serves Hulu content, in an effort to make it more difficult for Hulu to pull the plug.
Hulu's justification (well, one of many justifications) for going after boxee was that the content is designed to be viewed from a web browser and not from the couch. Although the tagline for Hulu Desktop, "Lean-back viewing for your PC," keeps the sematic difference between a 24" LCD monitor and a 25" LCD TV in check, the execution, especially with extensive remote support, seems to say something else.
I don't know, maybe Hulu really believes that people won't be using this application with their TV-connected Macs or Windows Media PCs, but this app certainly feels like it was meant for big screens.
Regardless of the double-speak, how well does this application actually work? Well, based on my limited testing (I did want to get this post done), it is awesome. I totally want to figure out if the arbitrary system requirements can be bypassed so this can get running on the Apple TV.
The Interface
The interface is great. Although Hulu Desktop didn't take up the full-screen of my 22" external monitor when it was initially launched, a quick ⌘-F will take you full screen. I should also note that the size of the application window was larger than 1280x800 by default, so mobile users might get the "full screen" upon launch experience.
The Apple remote works flawlessly with the Hulu application. My only problem was with my screensaver -- unlike FrontRow, Hulu doesn't turn the screensaver off when playing back content. I also managed to crash the application, but that's to be expected.
All in all, finding programming to watch is easy and intutiive, not unlike the original Hulu implementation in boxee. Switching from playing a program to searching for others is easy (the Menu button) and fast-forwarding through content is a joy. As a long-time boxee user who hates trying to fast-forward or rewind Hulu playback (even before they switched serving mechanisms), this is nice. By default, my Internet connection played back everything at High Quality (you can adjust this in the settings), and the quality looked even better than in the browser.
Continue reading Hulu Desktop app gives full-screen experience to Mac users
TUAWHulu Desktop app gives full-screen experience to Mac users originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 28 May 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Sirius-XM iPhone app coming 'real soon'
Filed under: iPhone, App Store, iPod touch
Sirius XM has revealed a screen shot of the soon to be released iPhone/iPod touch app that will stream the satellite channels to eager listeners. The image of the upcoming app was part of an SEC filing that was included in a PowerPoint presentation shown at a recent shareholder meeting.
The app, which is expected to be free, will require a US$3.00/month streaming subscription for current subscribers, and a US$13.00 monthly fee for non-subscribers. No specific release date is known, but it is thought to be very soon.
The company says the app will deliver music channels, sports, talk, news and comedy programming. We've already reported that Sirius had expected to offer the application this spring.
The satellite company has been in financial difficulties and has been losing subscribers faster than it is signing up new ones. The weak economy and drop off in new car sales are an especially tough environment to grow the business. The merger of XM and Sirius was generally thought to have been handled badly, and many people dropped their subscriptions, which has given a boost to internet radio and services like Pandora and Last.fm, although neither service is easily accessible in a car.TUAWSirius-XM iPhone app coming 'real soon' originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 28 May 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - iBiz 4 adds new invoice templates, iCal sync
Filed under: Software
Yesterday, IGG Software announced iBiz 4, an update to its flagship timekeeping and billing software that adds several new features for freelancers and small groups.iBiz 4 includes an all-new library of invoice templates, payment reminder and expense tracking functionality, faster editing and entry, and a new way to back up and restore your iBiz data.
The software extends its Mac OS X integration to include creating billing events from items in iCal. Previous versions of iBiz were already integrated with Address Book, but iBiz 4 lets you further organize clients into groups. It also has a spiffy new charting engine based on Core Animation.
iBiz Professional has also been updated, and includes a server component and two client licenses. iBiz Professional allows small teams to coordinate their time and to-do items across a Bonjour network.
iBiz 4 is $40, iBiz 4 Professional is $100, and both are available for download at IGG Software's website. Both include a 10-day free trial. Users who purchased iBiz 3 after January 5 also qualify for a free upgrade.
TUAWiBiz 4 adds new invoice templates, iCal sync originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 28 May 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - MacUpdate Promo Spring Bundle revealed
The MacUpdate Promo Spring Bundle has been revealed, and it is, as the kids say, wicked (or sick, or whatever the kids say). This thing is packed with truly useful applications. If you were considering buying any one of these apps, the $49.99US pricetag makes the rest of them a high-value proposition.
There's been some controversy surrounding bundles of this type, but I believe that it's great exposure for developers, and I'm hoping that everyone's getting a fair cut. MacUpdate is my current favorite source for great software deals and they've been doing a great job of providing really useful, intrinsically valuable apps. This bundle is no exception.
I don't know much about the inner workings of bundle assembly, but I assume the bundle sponsor contacts developers and has some kind of engineered plan, even if it's just an inward bias toward certain genres of applications. Whereas the last MacHeist bundle had a somewhat "creative" bent, this MUpromo bundle has a definite technical angle, with a heavy dose of DVD ripping/remastering/viewing tools.Read on for the list of included apps...
Continue reading MacUpdate Promo Spring Bundle revealed
TUAWMacUpdate Promo Spring Bundle revealed originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 28 May 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - First Look: NinjaBee's Kaloki Adventure for iPhone
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Gaming, Software, Odds and ends, Developer, iPhone, iPod touch
I first came across developer NinjaBee by playing their XBLA platfomer Cloning Clyde -- it was a game that seemed pretty genre, until you started playing it and discovered a unique charm and depth. Since then, they've brought that flair to a few other types of games, including the turn-based strategy RPG Band of Bugs and Xbox Live's Kingdom for Kieflings, and now they've arrived on the iPhone by porting their original XBLA spaceport business sim Outpost Kaloki X and renaming it as Kaloki Adventure.
I liked Kaloki on Xbox Live and I still like it on the iPhone. The graphics have taken a hit -- the textures don't seem as clear and the menus are a little more functional than good-looking, but the solid core of gameplay is definitely still here in spades. The idea is that you're running a space station with a limited number of expansion slots on it, and you can put various expansions in each of those slots -- some will give you more power (which you can use to grow bigger expansions), and some will make you more money (which you can use to build more power). The idea is to satisfy your power needs, make money, and keep your customers happy all at the same time, turning your space station from a tiny little lemonade stand off the back end of Jupiter into a thriving powerhouse of space commerce.Continue reading First Look: NinjaBee's Kaloki Adventure for iPhone
TUAWFirst Look: NinjaBee's Kaloki Adventure for iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 28 May 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Businessweek puts Apple at top of Most Innovative list
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Apple Corporate, Hardware, Odds and ends
Businessweek has posted a list of what they call the top 50 most innovative companies in 2009, and guess who is sitting right at the top of the list. Sure enough, it's our favorite computer maker -- according to the survey, taken by "senior executives around the world," Apple is number one, and the reason listed by 47% of respondents is the products. Not that surprising, no? From the iPhone to the unibody MacBooks right up to the new Shuffles, Apple's products ooze new concepts and features and ideas.
Then again, Microsoft comes in at number four, and Wal-Mart is not far behind at number 10, and I don't know too many non-executives who would call those companies out for being "innovative," necessarily. But then again, both of them are being recognized for their "process," not their actual products. In terms of product, Apple is followed by Nintendo (no arguments there), Blackberry's RIM, and then Nokia.
So maybe Businessweek is just asking the wrong people. At any rate, congrats to Apple for topping the list (for the second year in a row), and we can't wait to see what's new in the next year.TUAWBusinessweek puts Apple at top of Most Innovative list originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 28 May 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Fortune: Palm Pre syncs flawlessly with iTunes
Filed under: iPhone
We've previously reported on the emerging showdown between Apple and Palm over Palm's latest phone, the Palm Pre. The phone, set to come out the weekend before Apple's Worldwide Developer's Conference, is already said to have several technological improvements over the iPhone.
But now, there's an additional incentive to those who may not want the original iPhone. Fortune magazine has discovered that if you plug a Palm Pre into a Mac, it will sync content from iTunes with no issues. According to the article, the iTunes Music Store will recognize the Palm Pre the same as it does an iPhone or an iPod. However, it will not load the DRM-protected music that the iTunes Music Store used to sell.
The article states that there is third party software that provides a bridge between non-Apple devices and iTunes. However, the Palm Pre has the code built right into the device -- a boon for those wanting an alternative to the iPhone, but possibly setting the teeth of Apple's legal team to gnashing. To date, there has been no response from Apple, but previous analysis has suggested that Apple just might have a case against Palm.
[Via CNNMoney.com/Fortune Magazine]TUAWFortune: Palm Pre syncs flawlessly with iTunes originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 28 May 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Ask TUAW: Switcher questions, WiFi stumbling, dual-band WiFi, hard drive upgrading, and more
Filed under: Features, Troubleshooting, Ask TUAW
We're back with another shot of Ask TUAW! This time we've got a couple of common switcher issues, as well as questions about upgrading a hard drive, using WiFi stumbler software, setting up a dual-band WiFi network, and more.
As always, your suggestions are welcome. Questions for next week should be left in the comments. When asking a question please include which machine you're running and which version of Mac OS X (we'll assume you're running Leopard on an Intel Mac if you don't specify). And now, on to the questions!TUAWAsk TUAW: Switcher questions, WiFi stumbling, dual-band WiFi, hard drive upgrading, and more originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 28 May 2009 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Spare parts for iPhone next-gen show up in Hong Kong
Even though the new iPhone is still hypothetical, imaginary phones need spare parts too. German site iphone-ticker.de reports that one of their readers contacted Hong Kong firm China Ontrade seeking replacement items for his iPhone 3G, and much to his surprise they told him"This is great honor for China Ontrade (HK) chinaontrade.com to be the 1st started to supply iphone 3gen 2009 parts directly from factory."
Indeed, the photos sent along with the offer of parts for a yet-unannounced phone seem to show a black front bezel instead of chrome, a tapered bottom of the case (vs. the rounded end of the current model) and a revised headphone jack.We'll keep an eye out for more photos of bits of the iPhone-in-waiting and pass them along when they appear.
Thanks to Ben and Nicholas for sending this in, and Heidi for translation assistance.
TUAWSpare parts for iPhone next-gen show up in Hong Kong originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 27 May 2009 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Ads & iPhones: Facial hair fun with uArt
Filed under: Humor, Odds and ends, Freeware, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch
Adutainment, the art of mixing advertising and entertainment, has been popular in the iPhone app space since the App Store first opened. Grooming product giant Gillette has teamed with developer AIM Proximity on a fun little free app called uArt (click opens iTunes). uArt is the iPhone app equivalent of drawing mustaches and beards on pictures of people in magazines...not that I've ever done that...
You provide the photo, taking a shot of yourself or a friend with the iPhone camera, or importing a picture from Photos. After sizing and placing the photo with a pinch and a finger swipe, you can begin to have fun with the full beard that appears on the photo. A single control makes the beard and mustache go from sparse to bushy, while another control lets you apply the digital equivalent of "Just for Men" to the facial hair in 12 different colors and shades.
Now comes the really fun part: touching the shave button on the bottom of the screen brings up a virtual Gillette Fusion razor (it vibrates!) that you can use to trim or remove parts of the hair. Now you can see just how good or bad you'd look with a Fu Manchu. There's a way to save your work of tonsorial art and even give it a name before sending it to your friends.
Personally, I'm holding out for Rogaine(R) to sponsor a free hair-growing app. Be sure to check out the rogue's gallery of famous TUAW personalities below.
Thanks to Ivan for the tip!
TUAWAds & iPhones: Facial hair fun with uArt originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 27 May 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Faster AT&T 3G network on the way
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Wireless
AT&T today announced that it will begin upgrading its network to the faster High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 7.2 technology later this year. The 3G network upgrade will not be completed until 2011, at which time AT&T plans to start deploying the 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. This is contrary to previous roadmaps, which showed HSPA+ (20+ Mbps) deployment occurring prior to the move to LTE.
Devices compatible with HSPA 7.2 3G networks are capable of a theoretical peak download speed of 7.2 Mbps (megabits per second), or almost a megabyte per second. While the current iPhone 3G does not support HSPA 7.2, many of the rumors circulating about a next-generation device include HSPA 7.2 compatibility. AT&T's press release also noted that "multiple HSPA 7.2-compatible laptop cards and smartphones" will be available later this year.
The AT&T network is currently undergoing other upgrades, to the tune of over $17 billion of capital investment. AT&T is still deploying more 850 MHz spectrum for better coverage and in-building 3G reception. The 'Death Star' is adding fiber-optic connectivity and more capacity to many cell sites in anticipation of the higher bandwidth required by HSPA 7.2 and LTE, and the plan is to add almost 2,100 new cell sites in 2009.
AT&T also noted that they're working on customer trials of AT&T 3G MicroCell, using femtocells to improve in-building wireless coverage.TUAWFaster AT&T 3G network on the way originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 27 May 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Stop the presses! AP News for iPhone is a mess
Filed under: iPhone, App Store, iPod touch, App Review
My, my. Talk about snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. The Associated Press has updated the AP News app for the iPhone and iPod touch. They took a mildly aggravating program and turned it into a mass of bugs, freezes and GUI mistakes.
Let's start from the beginning. The iTunes store notified me that AP News 2.0 was available. Great idea. The older version wasn't too stable. I did the update, and it started asking questions, like 'where was I?' so the local news would kick in. I answered the question and went to the next screen. Lockup. I force-quit the app, and tried again. Blank screen, followed by a slow return to the iPhone home screen. Tried again. Same result. And so on.
Deleted the app, and then reloaded it again. Got past the location screen, and then was presented with endless options to configure the news I wanted. If the iPhone screen didn't scroll, this list would have extended all the way to the floor. I'll bet I missed some important news while I was fiddling with that screen.
Anyway, it's up and running. The GUI is not improved. Instead of getting the top national news stories I get a mixture of national, local, wacky and other stuff that it defaults to. I liked the old way where I got a whole scrollable screen of top national news. Now I get 2 stories before the other stuff shows up. You can change this setting, but no more than 5 stories in any category. Not exactly a tribute to free choice.
There are a lot of new features, mostly about customizing this app. You can now see stories in landscape mode, but here's a good one. The story lists won't work in landscape, only the individual stories, so you are constantly changing the orientation of the phone. You can localize the app to crash in Spanish or French, which I guess is an improvement. It also says there are major increases to stability. Really? This thing is a bug-fest.
Amazingly, the AP support page notes that many people will have trouble installing the app, and to download it again with WiFi. Hey, how about making a proper installer so I don't have to do that? Gee whiz.
I don't think the people who developed this app have much of an idea about how people consume news, or how to make a simple and useful interface for controlling it. Judging from the reviews this new app is getting, it might be time for the AP to go back to the drawing board and start again.
Frankly, if you like this update, it will be news to the rest of us.TUAWStop the presses! AP News for iPhone is a mess originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 27 May 2009 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Tweetie 1.2, now with love for video
Filed under: Software, Internet Tools
We've mentioned our love of Twitter clients on many occasions. Among the many we have covered, Tweetie has become one of our favorites on the iPhone. When the desktop client was announced and subsequently released, our love affair was re-ignited. And now things are even more steamy; atebits announced today (via Twitter, no less) the immediate availability of Tweetie for Mac version 1.2.
The new version includes several new features and bug fixes surrounding URL-shortening (tinyarro.ws now supported), 32-bit stability, and improved Growl notification support. Other new features include three-finger "back" swiping on supported trackpads, drag-and-drop video support, as well as the ability to record and tweet videos from your iSight using ImageShack's yfrog image hosting service.
Our own Michael Rose was so excited about the update that he promptly downloaded the new version. Take a look at this excellent (and very brief) video he posted using Tweetie 1.2 for Mac. After (or before) you check out Mike's shirt of the day, head on over to atebits and grab the latest version of Tweetie. Also, be sure to tweet some videos and mention @TUAW and @atebits so we can take a peek -- but don't let the ease of posting videos steal your soul.TUAWTweetie 1.2, now with love for video originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 27 May 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Apple's back to school promo about the same as last year's
Apple announced the details of its back to school promotion today, and it looks almost the same as its deal last year: A free iPod touch with the purchase of a qualifying Mac.Every Mac except the Mac mini qualifies for the deal. Parents now can qualify for the promotion when buying for their children, as well.
Education pricing can save you up to $200, depending on the model you choose, which you can use to fill that iPod with tunes or put toward AppleCare. According to MacNN, qualified students can opt for other iPods as well with varying rebate amounts for each.
Apple is also running a similar promotion in Canada, and will probably offer the program in other countries later in the year, according to MacRumors' Eric Slivka.
Last year's promotion was the "largest ever," and expectations were high for this year, too. One rumor claimed Apple would offer free iPhones with a qualifying Mac purchase. Yet again, the Internet made promises that Apple couldn't keep.
This also starts the rumor mill going about what Apple is trying to clear out of inventory before the end of the fiscal year. New products are always just over the horizon: What's coming next?
The promotion ends September 8.
Thanks, Nicholas!
TUAWApple's back to school promo about the same as last year's originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 27 May 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - NimbleKit: Native iPhone apps with HTML and JavaScript
Filed under: Developer, iPhone, iPod touch
If you're packing a little JavaScript-fu but not much Objective-C knowledge, and itching to jump on the App Store bandwagon, NimbleKit may be the answer you're looking for. By providing its own API on top of Cocoa Touch, NimbleKit allows would-be developers to access core iPhone functionality with Javascript functions. You can build an entire application using an HTML template with embedded Javascript, compile it and run it on your iPhone/iPod touch. I've tried it out; it's pretty slick.NimbleKit provides functions for placing buttons, progress indicators, text and other native interface elements programatically. You can also do some styling with the HTML. Functions are available to stream Internet-based or embedded audio, search contacts, and read and process local and remote documents. The demo version of the development kit lets you run it through all of its paces, only stopping short of running it on your device. You can build and test in the iPhone Simulator to your heart's content before making a purchase.
NimbleKit is ideal for a range of application types. You can't expect to make a wicked, animation-laden video game with it, but you can rapidly prototype and develop more static interfaces and basic functionality. While there's a good deal of power available, it does put you in an either/or situation. If you have a little Objective-C in your blood, you might become frustrated, not being able to tap NimbleKit's functionality from outside of the HTML setup. It's definitely, at this point, geared toward rapid development of iPhone apps by Javascript coders.
As I mentioned, NimbleKit is available to try with full functionality. You'll need Xcode installed with the iPhone SDK, and you'll still need to be a registered developer to get an app into the App Store. Since the iPhone SDK allows you to test on the Simulator without registering as a developer, you can actually put the entire process to the test before spending a cent (well, after the purchase of a Mac and the broadband line you'll need to download the SDK ... ). NimbleKit can be licensed for a one-time fee of $99, and a licensed copy can be used to create as many apps as you want. A project template is included with the kit to get you started.
TUAWNimbleKit: Native iPhone apps with HTML and JavaScript originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 27 May 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Meerkat 1.2, 100% more AppleScript support
Filed under: Software, Security
If you work from non-secure networks (coffeehouses, airports, hotels, etc.), or if you've ever wanted to bypass a firewall (YouTube or TUAW blocked at work?) you may be familiar with SSH tunneling. It's come up more than once here on TUAW. It allows you to conduct your Internet business through a secure proxy and makes the process transparent (once you set it up, you don't have to think about it). It's typically handled via a shell command, but some GUI-based programs can make life a lot easier -- both for the less technically-inclined, and for those who want to handle multiple tunnels and automation. Enter Meerkat, the SSH tunnel tool with the friendly face. I mentioned Meerkat about a year ago, and apparently things have been busy at the Code Sorcery Workshop since that release. The latest version of Meerkat -- version 1.2 -- sports an array of new features, from AppleScript support to a command line utility, as well as improvements to existing features like Bonjour sharing and the tunnel editing interface. I've been using the previous version for quite some time now, and I can say that this version adds some great features to an already great application.
AppleScript support means automation, and Meerkat plays well with location managers like NetworkLocation (a plugin is available on the Meerkat page), or any location manager which can run AppleScripts or shell commands. With such a setup, you can have your system automatically detect a change in networks and set up specific tunnels depending on your location. I won't go into the details of location managers right now, but it's something to look into for laptop owners on-the-move.
Additional features, including Application Triggers, Bonjour support and automatic reconnect for dropped tunnels all make Meerkat a valuable tool. At a current price of $19.95US, Meerkat provides features for a spectrum of users, from the Tunnel Setup Assistant for newbies, to advanced automation possibilities for veteran SSH'ers. I'd be negligent if I didn't mention at least one similar app in the freeware realm: SSHTunnel is a nice, easy-to-use GUI for setting up and managing tunnels. It lacks some of the automation and integration capabilities, but is a definite must-see if you're not ready to fork out for something more full-featured.
A trial of Meerkat is available for download, and a license can be purchased for $19.95US.
TUAWMeerkat 1.2, 100% more AppleScript support originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 27 May 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Prices so low, they're practically insane: Panic 3-day sale is on
Filed under: Internet Tools, Deals
It's been hinted at for a few days, but Cabel Sasser and the rest of the crew at Panic Software may have accidentally slipped some mind-altering substances into their last batch of Coda Cookies; how else to explain a three-day, 50%-off sale on all of the company's well-designed and well-regarded apps?
The FTP/SFTP client with the often imitated icon, Transmit, is $14.50US; Web authoring jack-of-all-trades Coda is $49.50. Interface tweaker CandyBar 3 and newsreader Unison are also discounted at $14.50 and $12 respectively. The sale page notes that these licenses are also good for discounts on future paid upgrades to the product line, which are expected soon. Sale pricing is in force until 11:59pm PST on May 29.TUAWPrices so low, they're practically insane: Panic 3-day sale is on originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 27 May 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - White MacBook specs quietly bumped
Filed under: Hardware, MacBook
Apple released a stealth upgrade of the entry-level MacBook this morning. The white MacBook, still priced at $999USD, now has a 160GB hard drive, a 2.13GHz processor and a slight increase in RAM speed -- 2GB of 800MHz DDR2 SDRAM.
The previous version, released back in January, had a 2.0GHz processor with a 120GB hard drive and 2GB of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM. Other features on the revised MacBook remain the same, including the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics card that we wrote about a few months ago.
Thanks to all those who tipped us about this!TUAWWhite MacBook specs quietly bumped originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 27 May 2009 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Road Tested: Tom Bihn Checkpoint Flyer laptop bag
Filed under: Accessories, Road Tested
After I traveled to Africa in February with a Tom Bihn Western Flyer bag loaded with geek gear, I wrote a post talking about how I packed that bag for the trip. It was the perfect bag on that vacation, as it allowed me to pack all of my gear into various little nooks and crannies, and it converted to a backpack for easy lugging through airports. However, it wasn't the best bag for my many business trips in the USA.
Happy with the products that Tom Bihn makes, I decided to get their Checkpoint Flyer briefcase for my business travel. What makes this bag so special is that it is specially designed to take advantage of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rules that allow you to keep a laptop inside a case as it's going through the x-ray machine, provided that case contains nothing else. That, of course, can be a huge problem if you're carrying backup drives, cables, backup cell phones, an Amazon Kindle 2, and other digital effluvia.Continue reading Road Tested: Tom Bihn Checkpoint Flyer laptop bag
TUAWRoad Tested: Tom Bihn Checkpoint Flyer laptop bag originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 26 May 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Free access to 1800 audiobooks for iPhone
Filed under: Freeware, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch, App Review
Your iPhone/iPod touch listening options just got a lot larger. Audiobooks, [App Store] a free app, gives you a large catalog of public domain classic works from Dickens to Verne for your listening pleasure.
The books come from the LibriVox library, a non-profit project that has volunteers read the books and then releases the free recordings.
The app is ad-supported, but the ads are not obtrusive in my view. The books I listened to were competently read. Downloading was quick over WiFi,quite a bit slower over 3G, but usable.(Mea culpa. Books can be downloaded over WiFi only. I confused this with another e-book app I am reviewing.) You can start listening while the book is completing the download, which is a plus.
Downsides are that every chapter starts with disclaimers about the book being in the public domain, which kind of breaks the mood.
The search function works well, but would be better if you could search by genre. There is a nice surprise me button, which gives you a book at random, but in practice that isn't really that helpful.
The developer of this app also sells audiobooks at the iTunes Store, which we have reviewed. These audiobooks show the text synced to the audio, but I do not find that a compelling feature. I think the new app is the way to go.
Here are a few screen grabs:
TUAWFree access to 1800 audiobooks for iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 26 May 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Rumors: iPod, cameras expecting offspring
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Hardware, iPod Family, Multimedia, Odds and ends, iPod nano, iPod touch
If the rumors are to be believed, then cameras and the iPod are getting it on lately, because in about nine months (or whatever the gestation period is for gadgets -- you're welcome for that mental image) we'll be seeing lots of iPods with lenses in them. First up is the fine folks at iLounge, who claim they've seen the newest iPod nano, and it's got a camera right where your finger usually is. They also say the new version has a lower click wheel and a smaller action button. You may laugh (it does look pretty silly), but on the other hand, I just saw the nanos during a trip to the Apple Store the other day, and I held it by its corners... while I was watching video. Add that to the rumor that Apple is adding in video recording to the iPod lines, and it becomes slightly more credible.
In fact, we're not the only people who've seen that line of reasoning: Computerworld's Seth Weintraub follows the same path, speculating that not only is Apple beefing up the camera capabilities on their iPod lines, but they're set to branch the iPod touch off into a digital HD camera/"photography computer": "Imagine an iPod Touch with a good camera and lens. That's about it." All rumors, of course, but he says it's very easy to see happening, and we have to agree.TUAWRumors: iPod, cameras expecting offspring originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 26 May 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Road trip! AAA Discounts for iPhone
Filed under: Software, iPhone, App Store
After my 1991 VW Vanagon camper ran out of gas late at night in the winter of 1994, and I had to walk four miles in bitterly cold weather to get enough fuel to start it up and drive back to the gas station, I decided to join the American Automobile Association (AAA). Since then, my AAA membership has provided jump-starts when a battery is dead and sent a locksmith when I locked my keys inside a car.
In addition to being a full-time Good Samaritan to members in need, AAA also does a great job of securing discounts on just about everything. Unfortunately, up to this point it's been almost impossible to figure out who offers discounts without referring to AAA's website.
AAA just made life a lot easier for iPhone owners with the new and free AAA DIscounts app (click opens iTunes). The app takes your current location, then displays a map with pins denoting businesses in the immediate area that provide AAA discounts. A tap on a pin brings up details about the discounts available, as well as an address and phone number. Tapping the phone number dials the number for you.
The app displays discount locations either in a list or on a map, and will provide point to point directions or a mapped route. If you're a AAA member, entering your membership number activates a special Roadside Assistance button that will not only call AAA, but provide the responder with your current location.
While this app still has a few bugs that need to be worked out (it kept telling me that it could not validate my membership number), it's a great start and a useful benefit for AAA members.TUAWRoad trip! AAA Discounts for iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 26 May 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Psystar files for Chapter 11, tucks tail between legs
Filed under: Apple Corporate, Hardware
In the fight for the right to partysell unauthorized Mac clones, there may be a victor declared sooner rather than later -- if not legally, then fiscally. Psystar, which has been playing with fire for quite some time, recently hit a snag in its battle with Apple. The Mac Observer is reporting that Psystar has filed for bankruptcy in Florida on Thursday thereby slowing Apple's case against the Mac clone vendor.
As TMO points out, this action seems to indicate that the financial supporters of Psystar are seeing the writing on the wall and believe Apple will likely be the victor in the legal battle for distribution rights of OS X-running Macintosh clones.
One outcome of Psystar's decision to file Chapter 11 is that its equity creditors will be revealed, finally pulling the curtains off of the secret of who has the (possibly) deep pockets in Psystar's legal battle. Another outcome is that Apple's case against Psystar will be temporarily delayed as the bankruptcy proceedings require all other legal action involving Psystar to be put on hold.
Currently Psystar is still selling its 'wares online, however, once the Federal judge presiding over the bankruptcy filing lifts the stay of legal actions, it is likely that Psystar will fold under the financial pressure. Psystar's chutzpah notwithstanding, the bankruptcy hearings are set to begin on June 5; stay tuned folks, this is still going to be messy.
[via Twitter, a tip of the hat to @PaulKent!]TUAWPsystar files for Chapter 11, tucks tail between legs originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 26 May 2009 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - First Look: Roxio Easy VHS to DVD for Mac
Filed under: Peripherals, Video, Odds and ends, First Look
Those of us who are old enough to remember the VHS versus Betamax wars are also old enough to have a box of VHS cassettes stored somewhere, filled with memories of vacations, birthdays, and weddings. In the jump from the analog media of VHS to the digital world of DVD, many of those tapes were put away and forgotten.
Today, Roxio announced a way to bring those old memories to life on your Mac. The Roxio Easy VHS to DVD for Mac kit (US$79.99) includes a USB 2.0 video capture widget that gets plugged into any USB 2.0 port on your Mac, then connected to your VHS deck or analog camcorder. The Easy VHS to DVD software provides step-by-step prompting for connecting video and audio cables to the capture device, records the video onto your Mac in either standard (4 Mbps VBR) or high-quality (8 Mbps VBR), and then offers you the choice to either edit the movie in iMovie, send it to the included Roxio Toast Basic DVD-burning software, or view it in QuickTime Player.
If you already have an Elgato or Blackmagic video adapter, you can use those to achieve similar ends, without the straight-to-DVD option of the Roxio product.
I think it's finally time for me convert and burn the VHS video I shot back in 1980 in the U.K. with a 21-pound "compact" Panasonic VHS recorder and separate video camera. What old VHS tapes would you want to burn to DVD? Leave a comment below.TUAWFirst Look: Roxio Easy VHS to DVD for Mac originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 26 May 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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