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- unmarked software cleans up TextSoap 6
Filed under: Software
OK, when a Mac application has a fun word like "soap" in the name, you just have to roll with the puns. Please forgive me.
The developers at unmarked software have scrubbed the dickens out of TextSoap, their text processing application for Mac OS X. Some dirty bugs had besmirched the application, especially in the trial version, so unmarked lathered up the code and washed 'em out. Now they're bubbling over with clean news about TextSoap 6.2.1.
Bad puns aside, TextSoap 6.2.1 also adds some new improvements to the venerable text processor. You can read a complete list of changes on the TextSoap 6 history page. If you're not familiar with TextSoap, it brings powerful text processing and cleaning tools to just about any other app through the rarely-used OS X Services Menu. Plugins are provided for other applications such as Coda, BBEdit, and TextWrangler.
If you own version 4 or 5 of TextSoap, unmarked would like to remind you that you can still upgrade to 6.2.1 for US$24.95. Those of you who are trying out TextSoap for the first time can use the free trial, and then consider purchasing the application for US$39.95.
(While we're talking about soap, check out that cool Macintosh apple-scented iPhone soap in the photo!)TUAWunmarked software cleans up TextSoap 6 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 13 May 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - First look at SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch, App Review
This is a painful review to write because the SlingPlayer for iPhone had so much potential before AT&T decided to cripple it. One can understand the terror at the thought of a million SlingPlayers draining network bandwidth dry, but in fact, AT&T seems to violating its own Terms of Service by allowing other smartphones to run SlingPlayer without interference.
OK, well how does the SlingPlayer [App Store linkl] for iPhone/iPod touch work on a WiFi network? Pretty well. The video can be a bit choppy, but it is quite watchable, and basically gives you a full-featured television receiver (or DVD player if you are set up that way) wherever you have an accessible network.
Set up is pretty easy and does not require a manual. The only pain point is inputting your unique Sling ID which requires typing long strings of upper case letters followed by numbers. This can be skipped if you have a Sling account configured in advance.
In my case I have a SlingBox Pro, connected to a DirecTV HD receiver. The remote worked fine, and it is a transparent overlay so the video shows through. Entering a command results in a 4-5 second wait for it to be executed, but that is understandable considering what is going on behind the scenes. Entering pretty much any command to the remote pauses the video and audio, which again, is understandable but not desirable.
If you have a DVR, the SlingPlayer app will control it, which is a real benefit to users who are away from home and want to catch a program, or play it back remotely.
The loss of 3G functionality is sad. In the old days I used the SlingPlayer on a Motorola smartphone. When traveling, it was easy to catch a newscast or get some ball scores from any location. Now, you have to have a Wi-Fi connection, which seriously limits your options.
Finally, there is the matter of price. It is hard to endorse paying $30.00US for an app that has lost a major feature. Sling charges the same price for versions of the app that do run on 3G. It seems unfair given all that has happened to this app.
It is certainly true that Sling Media is not to blame for the business decisions of AT&T, but the company certainly controls the pricing of the app.
I think there will be a lot of people who want to buy and use SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone. On the other hand, many people have had their enthusiasm severely dampened by the current situation. Unfortunately, no matter how clever the app, and it IS clever, AT&T, Apple and Sling Media have all been damaged by this drama.
Nothing is forever, and policies can change. All concerned will have to figure out if the decisions made so far with this app are worth the damage to reputations and image.
Note: The Sling web site is running pretty slowly as I write this, and I was surprised to see that the iPhone version of the app is not listed in the support options.
Here are some screen shots of the app in operation:
TUAWFirst look at SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 13 May 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Kerio MailServer 6.7
Filed under: Enterprise, Software, Productivity
Yesterday, amidst the SlingMobile débâcle and an OS update, Kerio Technologies released Kerio Mail MailServer 6.7. The mail and collaboration server, often used as a replacement for Exchange, has added several new features, including a few geared toward Mac users.The Kerio Global Address List (GAL) is a new feature that provides a simple way to get address and contact info from clients like Outlook or Entourage. It syncs and authenticates with both Microsoft Active Directory and Apple Open Directory, as well as Kerio's own user directory. In any company, people join and leave the group, and users are often required to manually update their address books to add and remove entries. With GAL, it's a single directory in a single place, and changes are transparent for users. It supports Entourage, works with the iPhone and functions offline.
Kerio MailServer 6.7 also comes with an auto-configuration script for Entourage 2008, downloadable within the Kerio client, providing pre-configured account setup. There's support for private events in iCal, allowing users to maintain personal schedules without requiring a separate calendar application. AddressBook gets some additional love with support for synchronizing groups (which become Categories in Entourage).
Kerio has had good support for iPhone users for a while now. For non-iPhone mobile users, there's new support for viewing HTML emails on Nokia devices, as well as DataViz RoadSync compatibility.
The MailServer itself is now a certified VMWare appliance, and promotes compatibility with two new Linux distributions: Ubuntu 8 and Debian 5. CentOS is the preferred platform for running on VMWare. IT admins and users alike will appreciate the dramatically improved anti-spam engine, which has been optimized for multi-CPU use, parallel processing of email messages for large queues, improved heuristics and 13 layers of spam protection.
In addition to some of the previously available migration tools provided by Kerio, a new IMAP migration tool relieves what is undoubtedly one of the biggest headaches in switching mail servers: keeping your old mail. It's a cross-platform utility which moves messages, folders, accounts and domains from the old system to Kerio MailServer. The IMAP migration tool has been fully tested with OS X.Kerio's pricing has remained the same with this release. Starting at $499 for 10 users, there's a range of options available for different configurations and add-ons, as well as subscription pricing. See Kerio's pricing page for more details.
TUAWKerio MailServer 6.7 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 13 May 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Schiller and team to deliver WWDC keynote, Snow Leopard developer preview June 8
Filed under: WWDC, Snow Leopard
Apple issued a press release this morning, saying that Worldwide Marketing VP Phil Schiller would lead a "team of Apple executives" to deliver the Worldwide Developer Conference keynote June 8 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific (1 p.m. Eastern).According to the press release, attendees will receive a developer preview of Snow Leopard, the next major version of Mac OS X. The developer preview is designed to show off a new version of QuickTime, QuickTime X, multi-core and GPU processor support, and accessibility enhancements.
"At WWDC, we will be giving our developers a final Developer Preview release so they can see the incredible progress we've made on Snow Leopard and work with us as we move toward its final release," said Bertrand Serlet, senior VP of Software Engineering.
During the conference, iPhone developers can also attend over 100 technical sessions and meet with more than a thousand Apple engineers about iPhone OS 3.0, the release says.
WWDC runs from June 8 to June 12 at Moscone West in San Francisco. The conference is sold out.
TUAWSchiller and team to deliver WWDC keynote, Snow Leopard developer preview June 8 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 13 May 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - iPhone-controlled R2D2
Filed under: Hardware, Software, Hacks, iPhone
It's impossible not to love a blog post that begins, "I found a way to remote control my R2D2 with an iPhone."
The video above shows the author, ggpipe, using the iPhone's accelerometer to control R2's dome. Pretty cool. In the future, he plans to use the phone to send text to R2's logic displays. We love it and can't wait to see a fully assembled, iPhone-powered R2D2!
It's great to see people extending the iPhone's capabilities, and homegrown remotes are a cool choice. A couple of weeks ago, we posted a story about a guy who turned his iPhone into an R/C aircraft controller, and last year we saw Delphi's Wireless Vehicle Access software that lets you control many of your car's functions. Keep up the good work, everyone!
[Via Rick Yaeger]TUAWiPhone-controlled R2D2 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 12 May 2009 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Security Update 2009-002 available for Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger
Filed under: OS, Software Update
The updates keep coming from Apple today. Security Update 2009-002 for Tiger is now available, both Intel and PPC. According to Apple, this update "...is recommended for all users and improves the security of Mac OS X. Previous security updates have been incorporated into this security update." It's nice to know what's being installed on your Mac, isn't it?
The Intel download is 165MB while the PPC version is just 75MB. As usual, if you notice anything especially good or bad after installing this update, please let us know.TUAWSecurity Update 2009-002 available for Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 12 May 2009 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - New Get a Mac ads: PC Choice Chat, Elimination, Customer Care
Filed under: Apple Corporate, Apple
During tonight's American Idol performances, people not only got to see their top-three performers in action, but also got a chance to view a three new Get a Mac ads. In the first one, Customer Care, PC tells his story of technical support to an Apple Genius while Mac looks on. There are two other ads: Elimination, and PC Choice Chat. All are funny and worth a watch.
TUAWNew Get a Mac ads: PC Choice Chat, Elimination, Customer Care originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 12 May 2009 22:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - AT&T says it is to blame for the SlingPlayer fiasco
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch
Engadget and other publications tonight are quoting AT&T saying it knifed the SlingPlayer for iPhone due to concerns over bandwidth.
"Slingbox, which would use large amounts of wireless network capacity, could create congestion and potentially prevent other customers from using the network. The application does not run on our 3G wireless network. Applications like this, which redirect a TV signal to a personal computer, are specifically prohibited under our terms of service. We consider smartphones like the iPhone to be personal computers in that they have the same hardware and software attributes as PCs.
That said, we don't restrict users from going to a Web site that lets them view videos. But what our terms and conditions prohibit is the transferring, or slinging, of a TV signal to their personal computer or smartphone.
The Slingbox application for the iPhone runs on WiFi. That's good news for AT&T's iPhone 3G customers, who get free WiFi access at our 20,000 owned and operated hot spots in the U.S., including Starbucks, McDonalds, Barnes & Noble, hotels, and airports. AT&T is the industry leader in WiFi."
Well OK, AT&T. You do allow Slingplayer to run on other phones on your system. A couple of weeks ago you apologized for the language in the Terms of Service that got such bad publicity and implied it wasn't talking about the SlingPlayer.
It's clear the popularity of the iPhone combined with massive streaming is not going to help a cellular network that drops calls on the best of days. Apple is stuck with these guys, and so are we. iPhone owners who pay a healthy charge for 'unlimited' data are getting a crippled app on what is apparently a crippled network. Perhaps Apple will think about the fun they've had with AT&T the last couple of years and think about offering some choice to iPhone customers.TUAWAT&T says it is to blame for the SlingPlayer fiasco originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 12 May 2009 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - New Safari beta update
Filed under: Software Update, Leopard, Beta Beat
Gee, quite a day for Apple software updates. Apple has put out an update to Safari beta 4, and the Leopard version requires OS X 10.5.7 which was just released today. There is also a version for Tiger that requires OS X 10.4.11 and security update 2009-002.
Here is a download link. As is often the case with Apple, no details on what this brings. I installed and used it for awhile and nothing new jumped out at me. The installer also comes with an uninstaller in case things get ugly. Let us know what you see, or don't see.
Thanks to Barry for spotting this update.TUAWNew Safari beta update originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 12 May 2009 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - TUAW Bookshelf: Inside Secrets to an iPhone App
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Odds and ends, Books, Developer, iPhone, App Store, TUAW Bookshelf
Many TUAW readers have probably bought an iPhone app and had the thought "I could do better than this!" go through their minds. Sometimes you're wondering when someone else is going to write an app to do just the thing you want to do with your iPhone or iPod touch.
Carla Kay White was one of these people. She had an idea for a "Gratitude Journal", where you keep track of the everyday things you're grateful for. It's a great concept, and it can keep your spirits up when a prescription antidepressant fails you. Carla was writing her gratitude into a paper journal when she realized that her iPhone was just the platform for this tool. One problem, though - Carla didn't have any iPhone programming skills.
What she did have was a good idea, a background in project management, and some minor funding to bring her concept to light on the iPhone. Inside Secrets to an iPhone App is a short (88 page) tome that not only tells the story of how she brought Gratitude Journal (click opens iTunes) to market, but how anyone with an idea for an iPhone app can do the same.Continue reading TUAW Bookshelf: Inside Secrets to an iPhone App
TUAWTUAW Bookshelf: Inside Secrets to an iPhone App originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 12 May 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Mac OS 10.5.7 update now available
Apple just dropped 10.5.7 on us (a little late by some guesses), via Software Update (you can get to it under the Apple menu). Here's the blurb:
The 10.5.7 Update is recommended for Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility and security of your Mac. For detailed information about security updates, please visit this website.
I notice a lot of sync-related "reliability" fixes here, some nice additions to the parental controls, a Gmail login fix, and widget updates (yeah, some people use those). Full details here. Enjoy!TUAWMac OS 10.5.7 update now available originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 12 May 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Apple Store window displays receive awards
Filed under: Apple Corporate, Retail
When I was a young lad in Scranton, Pa, pierogi in one pocket and anthracite coal in the other, my mother and I would wait for the Colts bus in front of the Globe Department Store. Now, before you assume that this post will be nothing more than endless, irrelevant Andy Rooney-style sentimentality from Dave, I'll tell you that it's only in the first two paragraphs.
The Globe staff created ornate window displays with those animatronic figures that seemed festive at the time but would later scare the daylights out of me. I was reminded of Scranton and The Globe last winter during a visit to Boston's Boylston Street Apple Store, where I photographed the elf at right. The adjacent window had a similarly-stylized Santa holding an iPhone, and both were very cute with a 1960's claymation appeal.
The Association for Retail Environments must have liked them as well, as they awarded Apple's "Holiday Santa iPhone" window display "Best Visual Presentation," along with the "Back to School" and "Cherry Blossom Nano" displays. You can read more details on the awards here or download a PDF with additional details. Well done, Apple!TUAWApple Store window displays receive awards originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 12 May 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Ooooo nooooo! SlingMobile for iPhone won't work on 3G
Filed under: iPhone, App Store, iPod touch
At least, that's what our sister publication is reporting. If true, there will be a tremendous firestorm of anger from iPhone customers who expected to use this app the way the Sling app runs on other devices, including some cellphones on AT&T that are able to use 3G. Using this $30.00 app on just Wi-Fi is a real turn off to many users. This app has had its share of ups and downs, with Sling confidently predicting it was on the way. It may be on the way, but it appears to have been seriously crippled. Editor's note: The story is now confirmed by Sling. Wi-Fi only (at this time).
Engadget is saying the app will be released after midnight EDT tonight. They also say older Sling hardware WILL work with the mobile app, albeit unsupported.I would think hardware stores will be busy today with sales of pitchforks and torches.
We have calls into Sling for an explanation. I don't think this is going to be pretty.
One of our British readers (thanks Adrien) says the app is already in the UK app store. Here is a link to a capture of the page in iTunes. No doubt about it. People are not going to be happy with Sling, Apple, or AT&T.TUAWOoooo nooooo! SlingMobile for iPhone won't work on 3G originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 12 May 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - US Military Handbook for iPhone / iPod touch
Filed under: Software, Odds and ends, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch
We know that a lot of TUAW readers are either active duty or retired US military personnel, so this iPhone app should be of special importance to our friends in (or out) of uniform.
The US Military Handbook (click opens iTunes) provides detailed information for all of the US Armed Forces, and is constantly updated at information changes. The app is currently on sale for US$9.99, and is worth every penny in terms of the volume of info that it contains in its nearly 24 MB of size. While you should visit the developer's website to see all of the details, here's a sampling of what you can expect:
- Income Matrixes, including active duty base pay, allowances, and sea duty
- Reference materials, including the Code of Conduct, Officer Oaths, Drill and Ceremony Q&A, and even the songs and lyrics for each branch of the services.
- Rank, insiginias, and titles for each branch
- All current ribbons and medals, in order, for each branch
- A list of over one thousand Veterans Administration facilities, including the phone number, address, and a picture of the facility when available (a network connection is required for images and maps to the facilities).
TUAWUS Military Handbook for iPhone / iPod touch originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 12 May 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - PlaceTagger answers the 'where was this picture taken?' question
Filed under: Software, iPhone, App Store, App Review
I have a Canon 5D DSLR. It's a great camera, but one of the things I wished it had was an on-board GPS receiver to keep track of where my photos were taken. That would be especially nice since iPhoto and some other apps support reading location metadata embedded in the image.
I've looked at some of the outboard units, like the Amod GPS Logger, but didn't really want to shell out the cash or carry an extra device. Of course, you can take geotagged photos with the built in camera on the iPhone, but they aren't going to match a dedicated high quality DSLR.
Now there is a nice, fairly low cost solution that uses the iPhone you are probably already carrying. PlaceTagger [App Store link] keeps track of where you are from minute to minute, recording your latitude, longitude and altitude. When you unload your camera, an app running on your Mac finds your iPhone using Wi-Fi, and matches the time on the logger software to the time your images were taken. It then embeds the info into the image metadata.
It may sound confusing, but it is pretty simple. When the Mac app launches, it asks you to locate your images, and make sure your iPhone has been found. Your images show up as thumbnails, and when you are ready the software associates the GPS location to each file. The files then display a map of where the image was taken, as well as the specific numerical lat, long and altitude info. When I looked at the information in iPhoto, I saw the above data as well as the city, county, state and country I was in. Cool.
The app is on sale at an introductory price of $7.99US and that is a bargain compared to the outboard electronics packages you could buy. The developer is also doing a Windows version of the app for those that don't have a Mac. The Mac version requires Leopard, and of course an iPhone with GPS capability. Older iPhones will work, but the location won't be as accurate.
The software also includes an Aperture plug-in, and can export the data as XML via email. Of course, this app won't work in the background in the current iPhone software, so if you get a call or have to do something else you'll have to restart the software and get a fresh GPS fix.
All in all, these are a pair of clever applications. They worked as expected, and I liked the ability to see the photos I took with a displayed map and numerical location information all on my Mac.TUAWPlaceTagger answers the 'where was this picture taken?' question originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 12 May 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Don't panic: Liquid damage, and what to do about it
Filed under: Troubleshooting
We've all had an "oh poopie" moment involving liquids: Time slows down, you watch as the glass tips over, its contents cascading (beautifully, in another context perhaps) over the rim and onto the table. The rivulets of beverage roll in a miniscule tidal wave across the surface, over the edge, and drip to the floor. All in the span of a few seconds.The worst part is when there's a computer between the cup and the table. That's when an oops becomes a crisis.
What's the best thing to do when there's a spill on your laptop? Keep calm and carry on:
1. Don't panic.
First, know that your data is safe. Hard drives -- while not hermetically sealed -- are tightly put together. If you act quickly, you can prevent the liquid from getting to your hard disk, and damaging your valuable data. (I'll save the bad news for later.)
2. Turn off the computer.
Even before you run to get a towel, turn the computer off. If you can't shut it down normally (the keyboard won't respond for example), try pressing the power button for several seconds to force the computer to shut down. Unplug the laptop, and disconnect any cables and USB devices.
3. With the lid open, turn the computer upside down.
This prevents the liquid from getting too far into the computer. While the computer is upside down, remove the battery and set it aside.
4. Wipe up the liquid.
All joking aside: use toilet paper. Ounce for ounce, it's the most absorbent material you're likely to have handy. It's also thin, so it can reach down into crevices in and around your keyboard to soak up the liquid. This is especially important for sugary drinks like colas and juice: Sugars are sticky, and if they dry, you'll have a bigger problem.
Next: If you're prepared, you can take your computer apart to clean up any liquid inside.
Continue reading Don't panic: Liquid damage, and what to do about it
TUAWDon't panic: Liquid damage, and what to do about it originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 12 May 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Why do crap apps still exist? They sell.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Software, Odds and ends, Developer, iPhone, App Store, SDK, iPod touch
The Wall Street Journal's Digits blog takes a look at "crap apps" -- those pieces of junk on the App Store that do one thing and do it pointlessly, whether that thing be farting or belching or making the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard (yes, really) or what have you. And they come up with a very intriguing, albeit obvious, reason that the App Store seems so filled with completely terrible and silly apps. Why? Because they sell.
Yes, even "legitimate" iPhone developers -- those people working hard to create an innovative touchscreen interface, or bring some crucial functionality to the iPhone -- are finding that of all the apps they release, the crudest and most stupid are the ones that sell. They profile a guy whose serious movie apps aren't selling, but whose cobbled-together-in-five-minutes gimmick apps are making a mint. In short, the reason our App Store is full of way more fart apps than apps like Twitterific 2.0 is because people are paying for the fart ones. The message we're sending with our wallets is that if you want to make a million dollars on the App Store, don't toil away to polish your groundbreaking award-winning puzzle game. Just give us a gag we can show to our friends.
Is it right? I'd say no, but then again, even I have been pulled in to a gimmick app or two: I bought Cat Piano (in my defense, I've gotten enough entertainment out of it to find an easter egg: shake your iPhone while playing). But next time your finger is poised over the "Get App" button on that 99-cent belching app that you just know the friend you're seeing later will get a total kick out of, think to yourself: is that two-second gag worth an App Store full of crappy apps?TUAWWhy do crap apps still exist? They sell. originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 12 May 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Peggle now available for iPhone
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Gaming, Software, Odds and ends, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch
We told you everything you needed to know back when it was announced. When it got delayed, we were bummed, but only a little, because we knew we'd soon have it in our hands. And now, it's finally here.
55 levels and 40 challenges of some of the most addictive gameplay there has ever been. Controls feature a "precision wheel" on the side of the screen that will let you line up your shot perfectly. All of the Peggle masters and powers in the regular version made it to the iPhone as well. If you've ever played Peggle, you probably already know that at $4.99, this is a steal, and if you've never played Peggle, we can almost assuredly tell you it's more than worth the price (though there is a free trial for the Mac just in case you're not 100% sure).
Peggle for the iPhone is out. Your free time's days are numbered.TUAWPeggle now available for iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 12 May 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - TUAW Review: Bento for iPhone
Filed under: Software, Reviews, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch, App Review
FileMaker, Inc. provided one of the surprise announcements of the last couple of weeks with the introduction of Bento for iPhone and iPod touch. Designed a both a standalone database management application and companion app to the Mac version, Bento for iPhone is an inexpensive, well-designed, and usable app for collecting, searching, and displaying information.
TUAW has been able to put Bento for iPhone through its paces both as "just" an iPhone app, and as a synchronizable add-on to the desktop Bento. Check out my review of the app by clicking Read More.Continue reading TUAW Review: Bento for iPhone
TUAWTUAW Review: Bento for iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 12 May 2009 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Code freeze on Snow Leopard APIs issued
Filed under: OS, Rumors, Snow Leopard
We're getting close to Mac OS 10.6 release time, I can feel it. MacNN is reporting that Apple has issued a code freeze on Snow Leopard APIs. What that means is developers who are using the current build, number 10A354, are able to write code assuming all major components of the OS are in place. Minor changes in this build include Chinese handwriting recognition for multi-touch trackpads.
For now, your guess is as good as ours as to when Snow Leopard will be released. In the meantime, you can browse Apple's Snow Leopard web pages (which went up in June of '08 believe it or not) or catch up on other rumors.TUAWCode freeze on Snow Leopard APIs issued originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 12 May 2009 00:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Microsoft takes aim at the iPod
Filed under: iPod Family, iTunes, Apple
The paint wasn't even dry on the Laptop Hunter ads and Microsoft is after Apple again, this time with a 30 second TV spot [YouTube link] complaining about the costs of filling an iPod, and what an absolute bargain the Zune Pass is.
Claiming that it would cost $30,000US to fill a 120 gigabyte iPod with music, and only 15 dollars a month for a Zune pass, Microsoft wants to make a point that in these trying economic times, Microsoft products make the most sense.
Of course, a lot of the math here is fuzzy, and if you stop buying the Zune pass you lose all your music, except for the ten tracks you get to keep a month. It also doesn't address how many people, like myself, use their iPod. I have a large collection of music on CD going back to the 1980's. I want it to be portable, and to have in the car, so I rip the music in iTunes, and it costs me nothing additional to have about 500 CDs at my beck and call.
For a company as dominant as Microsoft is, they seem plenty worried about Apple. Of course, the Zune hasn't exactly been a world beating product, and who can forget the little New Year's Day present when a lot of Zunes simply expired?
I give Microsoft props for trying. It keeps the Apple fans riled up and on their toes, and certainly choice is a wonderful thing in consumer electronics.
Thanks to Maggy for tipping us to the new ad.
[H/T to Ars Technica]TUAWMicrosoft takes aim at the iPod originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 11 May 2009 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Things 1.1/Things Touch 1.3.5: Area Sync
Filed under: Software, Productivity, iPhone
Things Touch 1.3.5 has been released along with Things 1.1 and, among a heap of bug fixes and UI improvements, you'll find a new feature for syncing Areas of Responsibility from your Mac to your iPhone (it's not yet possible to create Areas in Things Touch). The feature requires Things 1.1 on the Mac side, which was officially released today, but has actually been available (sans release notes) for about a week (assumedly waiting for Things Touch to make it through App Store approval). Another new addition (which is more exciting, to me) is full AppleScript support in Things on the Mac. I haven't had a chance to dive into it yet, but it's a topic I discussed with Cultured Code at the last Macworld Expo and I'm excited to see it come to fruition. People using Things in any kind of group setting will appreciate the reconsidered approach to task delegation, as well.
For those who aren't familiar with Things in general, I'll take a quick step back. Things for the Mac has been a staunch competitor in the Mac task-management colosseum. Battling it out with OmniFocus and newer gladiators like The Hit List, it's been recognized by many for its simplicity and elegance. Things is powerful and flexible, while remaining reliable and simple. Things Touch is its iPhone companion, usable on its own or synced with Things Mac.
You may be asking, what's an "Area of Responsibility?" This is one of the features of Things which was hardest for me to grasp. It's not quite a GTD context, and it's not a folder for projects. Basically, Areas provide a flexible means of handling tasks which aren't part of a "project" and aren't necessarily sequential in nature. In the words of Cultured Code:
With an Area of Responsibility (or simply "Area"), you don't ask yourself about the desired outcome, but what standards you would like to maintain. An Area corresponds to an ongoing activity. These could be, for example, job responsibilities, roles you have taken on in your family, or personal responsibilities like health.
Things is available for download as a free trial, and can be purchased for $49.95US. Things Touch, the iPhone version, is available in the App Store for $9.99US.
TUAWThings 1.1/Things Touch 1.3.5: Area Sync originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 11 May 2009 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Things I learned over the weekend
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Hardware, Software
It was one of those slow weekends. A good time, I thought, to clean up some odds and ends on my to-do list. Often, my list involves things relating to my computers, and this weekend was no exception.
Item #1. Install Windows 7 RC1 using VMWare. I didn't have a super urgent reason for doing so, but the time seemed right. I went to the Windows 7 download site, followed the instructions and the download never started. Just an animated thingy. I assumed the Microsoft Servers were busy, so just let it go. A few minutes passed. The thingy kept spinning. Finally, after an hour I said the hell with it. Oh, I wasn't just staring at the screen for an hour. I DID have other things to do.
I tried again later in the day. I thought, well, maybe this download is really popular, but it has been out for a few days, and certainly Microsoft has plenty of bandwidth. I tried a few tests downloads of other things, and everything was peachy.
Just for the heck of it, I tried downloading the RC with Firefox. Blam! It started right away. I'm sure other people know this, but a quick Google didn't give me any obvious joy. For whatever reason, Safari just won't connect. A subtle message from MS? Or just one of those things? Anyway, save yourself some frustration, and use Firefox. It just works. (Note: there were some comments about this in Steve's Windows 7 post)Continue reading Things I learned over the weekend
TUAWThings I learned over the weekend originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 11 May 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Wacky App Store rejections du jour
Filed under: Bad Apple, iPhone, App Store
If it's Monday, there must be a few more stories of iPhone apps rejected for curious and spurious reasons. Today's contenders are up to the line... and away they go!
First, it's Maza's Drivetrain app, a remote control for the Transmission client for Bittorrent running on the user's computer. Rejected! In this case, the reason is that Bittorrent is sometimes used for the trading of third-party copyrighted material. Yeah, but... um... the iPhone app isn't a torrent client at all, it's just a UI for a client running elsewhere. How does that make any kind of sense? iLounge quotes the developer as saying the rejection is "ridiculous," and it's hard to disagree.
Second, if you've ever wanted to replace the face of Jesus with your own, well, you can't do it with an iPhone app. SAI reports that the developer of the previously-approved Animalyzer (which let you replace animal faces with your photos) has gotten a rejection notice for the Me So Holy app that extends the face-replacement to religious figures. Apple's justification for the rejection is the catch-all "objectionable content" clause 3.3.12 of the developer agreement, which states"Applications must not contain any obscene, pornographic, offensive or defamatory content or materials of any kind (text, graphics, images, photographs, etc.), or other content or materials that in Apple's reasonable judgement may be found objectionable by iPhone or iPod touch users."
Could one reasonably judge that some iPhone or iPod touch users might object to an app that lets users replace a divine visage with a mugshot or LOLcat? Sure, they might... but when an app that lets you aim virtual urine at a toilet sails through to the store without a hiccup, 'reasonable judgement' doesn't seem to be a valid operating standard any longer. There are hundreds (if not thousands) of 'offensive' apps in the store already -- but offending religious sensibilities is clearly different than grading feces.
[via Engadget & Techmeme]TUAWWacky App Store rejections du jour originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 11 May 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - First Look: File Magic 2.0
Filed under: Software, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch, First Look, App Review
If there's a genre of iPhone app that's even more prevalent than fart apps, it's file transfer and viewing apps.
File Magic 2.0 (click opens iTunes) is the newest entry into this market from SplashData, an app development firm with years of history in the mobile space. As with the other apps of this type, File Magic provides a way to send files from a Mac or PC to an iPhone or iPod touch, then view those files on the handheld.
For those of you who are using Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac, you'll be happy to know that File Magic supports the XML-based .xlsx, .docx, and .pptx file formats for viewing, as well as a number of other document, sound, image, and video file formats. Like Quickoffice, File Magic does not support any of the iWork file formats.Continue reading First Look: File Magic 2.0
TUAWFirst Look: File Magic 2.0 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 11 May 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - DVR Remote 2 available, but you may want to wait
Filed under: Software, App Store
Stutsman Software has released version 2 of DVR Remote, an app we covered a while back that lets you use your iPhone or iPod touch as a remote control for your TiVo Series 3 via WiFi. One user, however, is reporting an issue with a Now Playing list that never ends -- that is, its contents are repeated over and over again -- but Derek Stutsman, the developer, is working on it. On the product's page in iTunes (link opens iTunes), Stutsman suggests you may want to wait until he releases a fix before upgrading from 1.x.
New in this version is improved keyboard support, rewritten networking support to handle transfer interruptions, and a faster "Now Playing" list. Also included is support for skins. You can select from one of many attractive themes for your remote, or create one yourself. Pictured here is the "Starry Night" theme.
DVR Remote is available in the App Store for $2.99.
Thanks, Derek!
TUAWDVR Remote 2 available, but you may want to wait originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 11 May 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - The ViBook, additional displays via USB
Filed under: Hardware, Reviews
I reviewed the Village Tronic ViDock a while back, and I was happy to have the opportunity to take a look at one of their more entry-level solutions for adding additional monitors to machines without an additional video port. This one, the ViBook, is a USB-to-DVI solution.
As was the case with my previous experience with Village Tronic products, I was duly impressed by their classy packaging. But I won't dwell on the shell here (no more rhyming, I mean it!). The device itself is compact, well-engineered and, yes, shiny. It connects to your computer via a standard USB cable plugged into any powered USB 2.0 slot.
It's designed to connect in one of several ways to the monitor: directly attached to the monitor's video port via a compact male-to-male adapter, via a cable directly connected to its embedded female adapter, or -- in a related manner -- via a short cable with the body of the device semi-permanently mounted on the back of the monitor with the included cradle and 3M adhesive pads. It's designed well enough that no matter where you put it, it will fit nicely and stay put (it has a studded rubber base, too). It is, by the way, both Mac and PC compatible. Read on for the rest of the review ...Continue reading The ViBook, additional displays via USB
TUAWThe ViBook, additional displays via USB originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 11 May 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - What happens when your iPhone overheats
Filed under: Hardware, iPhone, iPod touch
The iPhone Blog has posted a screenshot of a warning screen that the iPhone 3G produces when it's over heated. According to Apple, it's totally legit. From the Knowledge Base: "Operate iPhone 3G in a place where the temperature is between 0º and 35º C (32º to 95º F) ... If the interior temperature of iPhone 3G exceeds normal operating temperatures, you may experience [the] Temperature warning screen."
Here in New England, we don't see temperatures above 95º F often. Still, I have felt it heat up pretty good after playing music for two hours straight during a summertime commute. It does get cold, however, and two weeks ago we saw a frozen iPod come back to life. It's nice to know that these devices can survive (or protect themselves from) temperature extremes.
[Via Macenstein]TUAWWhat happens when your iPhone overheats originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 11 May 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - iPod touch, iPhone required for journalism students
Filed under: Internet Tools, iPhone, iPod touch
Brian Brooks, associate dean of the University of Missouri's Journalism School, knows how his students learn. "Lectures are the worst possible learning format," he told Columbia Missourian. "There's been some research done that shows if a student can hear that lecture a second time, they retain three times as much of that lecture."
I can distinctly remember a former French instructor giving us cassette tapes of lessons from week to week (this was long before iPods, kids), and walking around with the voices of Mireille and Robert in my ears. Even all these years later, I can still manage marginally useless phrases like, "The red shirt of my brother is on the dresser."
The point is repetition increases retention, and that's why Mizzou is requiring incoming journalism students to have iPod touches or iPhones to carry audio versions of class lectures. Mr. Brooks points out that students who lack an iPhone or iPod touch won't be punished or miss out on anything, but they've described them as "required" so that students with financial need can include their cost in aid.
Apple has historically offered a laptop/iPod combo as a back-to-school special that these students could potentially take part in, provided that the touch is included (the iPod is typically a nano in the bundle).
The good news is, if you're going to Mizzou next year for journalism, you've got an excuse to buy a shiny new gadget.TUAWiPod touch, iPhone required for journalism students originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 11 May 2009 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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