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- Maintenance utility Cocktail 4.1.4 released
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Software, Cool tools, UNIX / BSD
All the way since back when I started using a Mac, the program that's been most recommended to new Mac users in my experience isn't Adium, Transmit, or Quicksilver (although those are certain all terrific apps/reasons to be a Mac owner) -- Cocktail is the one that I've seen on the Top 10 Mac apps most often. And there's no question that while Adium and those other apps might be flashier or more UI-driven, Cocktail is the nitro you toss in your car's fuel line to supercharge all of the stuff under the hood. From disk repairs and standard maintenance, to network optimization and cache and log file clearing, Cocktail is exactly the kind of program you buy a Mac for -- it gives you control over almost everything going on in your computer.
They've just updated to 4.1.4, with a whole slew of optimizations to show for it -- the application itself has shrunk in size by 50%, and there are lots of upgrades for faster and more reliable performance. Additionally, compatibility with FAT32 volumes have been addressed, and they've upgraded Automator actions, so they've given you even more ways to control everything you've got.
Great app, well worth the $14.95 for a single-user license. All the other signature Mac apps will let you do your daily tasks in style and with a little flair, but Cocktail is the one that will help you do them quickly and cleanly.Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - iPhone is the place for adware?
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Freeware, Apple, iPhone, App Store
Om Malik posted an interesting piece earlier this week about the growing market of ad-supported software on the iPhone -- due to the strange economies of the App Store (which are still developing), lots of app makers have found the prices on their apps driven way down, as most buyers are pretty wallet-shy when it comes to picking up even quality apps from the store. But as Malik notes, putting ads in the software allows these devs to still get some cash out of their products (and most consumers aren't fazed: Twitterrific, one of the most popular apps on the Store, has had ads in the free version since day one).
Unfortunately, Malik doesn't mention the one problem that Apple didn't think to fix in the first release of the App Store -- trial versions. One of the reasons consumers are blanching at the more costly apps is that they have no options to try them out first, and when people are offered a choice of free unknown versus a paid unknown, they'll always take the free option. If Apple could come up with a way to let users try before they buy (some developers, including iconfactory, have created two different versions of their own apps, which people can then upgrade to if they like the app), I'm guessing you'd see more people pay for the more quality apps in the store.
But even if not, Malik seems right (though even he admits we're all flying blind here, on only a month's worth of data and anecdotes). If the only app you can sell in the App Store is a free one, ads aren't a bad way to make up as much of the dev costs as you can.Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - First Look: Shaker for iPhone
Filed under: Software, iPhone, App Store
Finally, an iPhone app James Bond could love.
Phatware, yet another name from the Windows Mobile development world, has created a new business unit to create and sell iPhone apps. This unit, known as Phunkware, has come out with a fun (but rather pricey, IMHO) game called Shaker.
As the website notes, Shaker is similar to a "well-known classic puzzle game" that involves blocks in 7 basic shapes falling from the top of the screen. Hmmm, I wonder what that game might be... The twist, pardon the pun, is that this game has a martini theme.
Not only do the screen backdrops feature martini glasses with various condiments, but if you score well in a game and your score is in the top 10, one of 101 martini recipes is unlocked and available for your experimentation.
Why the name Shaker? You can play this game in Classic mode, using buttons underneath the game field. You can play it in "Shaken" mode, where you shake the iPhone to move the blocks, or in "Stirred" mode, using your finger to move the blocks around.
Shaker is available from the App Store (click opens iTunes) for $9.99.Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - iTunes 8 adds podcast controls, terms of service geographic limit (not new)
Filed under: iTunes, Podcasting
In the iTunes 8 new features listing, a couple of tweaks may have been overlooked. Podcast subscribers have long yearned for more granular control over downloading and retention in iTunes -- "keep three episodes" might be great for Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me or Mac OS Ken, but what about Coverville or You Look Nice Today? You'd surely want to keep those & other awesome 'casts in perpetuity, and there are some podcasts that are so large you want to cull them after one download.
Now, iTunes 8 lets you apply retention policies on a podcast-by-podcast basis. Select the podcast in the list and click the "Settings" button at the bottom of the window, then UNcheck the "Use Default Settings" box to enable custom prefs for that particular show. Dee-lightful! Unfortunately, podcast-to-iPod sync settings are still one for all and all for one, but this is a step in the right direction.
Update: Comments below (and a visit to the Wayback Machine) have confirmed that the territorial clause in the iTunes store TOS is not a new addition with v8, but has in fact been in place for quite some time. It's interesting that it only came up as a topic of discussion now -- perhaps because everyone was forced to reaccept the TOS with the new version, and read it a bit more carefully? It's also looking like the clause was displayed front and center on the new TOS acceptance screen; this degree of prominence seems to be new, and probably attracted attention to the pre-existing restriction. In any case, our apologies for the error.
Speaking of minor changes that might have major implications, a number of readers have expressed concern about something that Robert originally pointed out in his rundown of iTunes 8: that the iTunes store terms of service (long a source of controversy in Europe)now includehave long included a clause restricting use to the geographic area where the user's account is established. In the US the rule reads:
10. Territory. The Service is available only in the United States. You agree not to use or attempt to use the Service from outside of the available territory, and that Apple may use technologies to verify your compliance.
There are several classes of users who might run afoul of this restriction: travelers who shop in their home stores while venturing abroad, for example, would technically be in violation... but our suspicion is that these casual, intermittent border-busters are not what Rule 10 is about. Instead, any enforcement of this restriction is likely to be aimed at users who live in one country and establish an iTunes store account in another -- allowing them to buy TV shows or movies that may not be available yet (or ever) in their localities.
Certainly the content providers who sell their wares through iTunes may choose not to sell their programs to a particular region at a particular time; that's their prerogative. It seems somewhat myopic, however, to think that enforcing restrictions by geography in the iTunes store will have any effect other than to drive revenue and customers from the quasi-legal market firmly into the rip-and-download underground.
Thanks to Eric & MarkRead | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Coda updated to 1.5.1
Filed under: Software, Internet Tools
Lost in the din of yesterday's Apple announcements, Panic has updated Coda, its all-in-one website editing tool, to 1.5.1.
The update largely fixes possible crashes, issues with source control, and squashes several bugs. CFML syntax coloring has been improved, and the release notes promise more syntax coloring improvements to come.
Coda 1.5, released on August 26, added Subversion source control, multi-file find and replace, custom books, and a host of other additions and improvements.
Coda 1.5.1 is available by selecting Check for Updates... from the Coda menu, or via their website.
Thanks, Gordon!
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - CNBC talks with Steve Jobs
Filed under: Steve Jobs
As usual, Steve Jobs sat down with the press after making a public product announcement. This time, it was with Jim Goldman, who asked Steve about the new iPods and his health.
Noting that he could stand to gain a few pounds, Steve told Jim that he's "...doing fine" and "...surprised" by all the speculation over his health. Maybe he's just a skinny dude?
You can watch the full video here. Steve is such a salesman, watch him launch into his pitch before the 1 minute mark. He also addresses some of the problems of the past year, saying "We strive for perfection. Sometimes we achieve it and some times we don't ... it's our job to fix those [bugs]."
It was a good interview, though nothing we haven't heard from Steve before.
[Via MacDailyNews]Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Tasks in the cloud: VITO Technology's Task2Gather
Filed under: Software
Another big PDA developer has made the jump to iPhone, with longtime Windows Mobile developer VITO Technology announcing their first product for the Apple platform -- Task2Gather.
It's a task manager with a difference. Task2Gather stores all of your tasks "in the cloud", where they're not only accessible from your iPhone, but also from any web browser. The VITO Technology folks describe this functionality by saying that your wife can update your shopping list while you're at the store.
An upcoming paid subscription version of the application will provide reports, file attachments, advanced security, and more. For project teams, this would have some real utility for sharing and assigning tasks, and making project documents available on the run. Task2Gather is available in the App Store now (click opens iTunes) for $4.99.
If any of our readers have already tried Task2Gather, leave us a note in the comments to tell us about your experience.Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - TUAW Poll: What's your favorite nano-chromatic color?
Filed under: iPod Family, Odds and ends, Surveys and Polls
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Apple gave us a juicy spectrum of colors yesterday with the new iPod nano, and I find myself wondering which color I'd buy. I really like the green and yellow, simply because they're bright, happy colors. I also like the Denver Broncos (or is it University of Texas?) orange and the Colorado Rockies purple. The (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition makes a statement.
Probably because I'm working on a lack of sleep, I thought it would be interesting to see what the favorite "nano-chromatic" color of TUAW readers is. Take our poll, and let us know why you picked your favorite color.
Переслать - DIY Cookbooks with MacGourmet and TasteBook
Filed under: Software, Odds and ends, Deals
Advenio's MacGourmet is a perennial favorite for Mac owners who want to track recipes. TasteBook is the place to grab recipes from various online sites (think FoodNetwork. Epicurious, AllRecipes.com) and create your own cookbooks. Now MacGourmet and TasteBook have partnered to make creating your custom printed cookbook as easy as, well, making a photo book in iPhoto!
You'll need to create a TasteBook account, export your personal recipes from MacGourmet and then upload them to Tastebook.com. You can add recipes from those other online recipe sites, divide the book into chapters, then have the cookbook professionally printed. Changing the order of recipes in TasteBook is done via drag and drop, and you can upload your own photos to give your cookbook a personal touch.
The cost of the cookbooks is anywhere from $19.95 for 25 recipes to $34.95 for 100 recipes, with quantity discounts available. You can also get a 20% discount on orders of $34.95 or more between now and September 30th by using the code RECIPESW during checkout at TasteBook.
It may be September, but it might be a good idea to start thinking about Christmas gifts ... like a custom cookbook!Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Terminal Tips: Disable iTunes 8 store arrows
Filed under: Terminal Tips
Last week we talked about how to modify the iTunes track arrows to point to the library instead of the music store. With the introduction of iTunes 8 yesterday, this hack no longer works (it will still work if you stick with iTunes 7.x). However, you can easily remove the iTunes store links entirely, if you prefer. Just open Terminal (/Applications/Utilities) and enter the following command:
When you re-launch iTunes, the links will be gone. To get things back to normal, just replace "FALSE" with "TRUE."defaults write com.apple.iTunes show-store-arrow-links -bool FALSE
[via Mac OS X Hints]
Want more tips and tricks like this? Visit TUAW's Mac 101 and Terminal Tips sections.Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Maine's first Apple Store ready to open
Filed under: Retail
Good news, Mainers! The long wait for an Apple Store is about to end.
Apple Store Maine Mall will open on Saturday, September 13th at 9:30 AM. This will be Maine's very first store! It's located in The Maine Mall, at 363 Maine Mall Road, South Portland. You'll find it between The Loft and Victoria's Secret.
If you visit Apple Store Maine Mall over the weekend, let us know! We'd love to have your stories and pictures.
Thanks, Tim!Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - New nanos to get spoken menus
Filed under: iPod Family
One of the interesting minor details on the iPod nanos released today is the inclusion of some new accessibility features. There's even an Accessibility section on the spec page, which notes the addition of spoken menus and an alternative larger font. The spoken menus "allow listeners to hear many of the names of menus, song titles, and artists without viewing the screen."
While this is clearly a boon to those with some visual disabilities I suspect it could also be handy to other folks as well, since it will presumably allow changing song, playlists, etc. without looking at the screen, which would be really nice while driving. According to Infinite Loop a nano with this feature turned on will even inherit your Mac's VoiceOver voice. Unfortunately, it's not clear if other iPods or the iPhone will also gain this feature at some point.Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - iBikeConsole: take your nano two-wheelin'
Filed under: Accessories, iPod Family
I recently got a new bicycle, so I was interested to run across iBikeConsole, a new iPod nano-focused accessory designed for cyclists. It combines two wireless remote controls with a central weather-resistant iPod nano case. The remote controls mount inside the hand grips and can be used while wearing gloves, while the central case also includes a cycle computer with distance and speed functions displayed on the nano's screen. The whole thing is powered by the nano's battery, the it will store data even after the nano is removed.
It's designed to work with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation nanos. I contacted the manufacturer to check on compatibility with the just announced 4th gen nano, and they say that they have yet to get one and so cannot confirm compatibility. We'll update this post when more information is available.
iBikeConsole is available for $76.00.
[via Gizmodo]Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Download "Let's Rock" keynote video as a podcast
Filed under: Other Events, Apple
If waiting for a stream to buffer isn't your thing, then you can now download today's "Let's Rock" event via Apple's Keynote podcast feed.
Now you can watch Steve say, "BOOM!" without stream interruptions. Be aware that this video is over 700 MB in size.
Thanks to everyone who sent this in!Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Free iTunes HD TV shows
With the introduction of computer-playable HD movies/TV shows in the iTunes store, Apple has decided to give away a couple of episodes for free. Currently on the giveaway list:
- He That Believeth in Me - Battlestar Galactica, Season 4
- Fun Runs, Pts. 1 & 2 - The Office, Season 4
- Lipstick Jungle: Pilot - Lipstick Jungle, Season 1
- Four Months Later... - Heroes, Season 2
- Pilot - In Plain Sight, Season 1
- Mr. Monk Buys a House - Monk, Season 7
- Ghosts - Psych, Season 3
- Merit Badge: Pilot - Life, Season 1
- Bad to the Drone - Eureka, Season 3
Thanks to everyone who sent this in!Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Apple announces two new sets of headphones
Filed under: Accessories, iPod Family, Peripherals, iPhone
Another interesting detail released in the excitement of the Let's Rock event: Apple's announcement of two new sets of headphones designed for the new iPods and their voice notes recording feature. The first set is similar the the present iPhone headset with a main button for play/plause and skipping control (in addition to the mic). A nice new feature, however, is the addition of two buttons for volume control.
The second set (pictured right) is a bit more exciting as it seems to represent Apple's attempt to compete with more high-end "canalphone" headsets from the likes of Etymotics, Shure, Ultimate Ears, etc. In addition to the mic and in-line controls of the other set, the buds on this one include two separate drivers (tweeter and woofer) as well as three sizes of silicone tips for sound isolation. We can only hope this hi-fi effort is more successful than the ill-fated iPod Hi-Fi.
Both sets are listed as compatible only with the new iPod classic, 4th gen nano, and 2nd gen touch. However, Infinite Loop has suggested that they will work with the iPhone excepting the volume controls which are not supported. The first set will be $29, while the in-ear set will run $79.Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Apple posts 2nd generation iPod touch ad
Filed under: iPod Family, Apple
With the introduction of the new iPod touch, Apple has posted a new ad (shown off in the keynote) demoing the new features. Amazingly enough, they choose to show off mostly 3rd party applications -- and mostly games, at that.
This ad makes Apple look as though they're treating the iPod touch as a portable gaming machine, not an iPod or music device. They don't even show off the Genius feature, or new firmware features.
You can watch the ad by visiting Apple's website.
Update: Thanks to Nate (commenter below) for giving us the song being played in the video. It's Around the Bend by The Asteroids Galaxy Tour.Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - My iTunes Genius is a Moron
Filed under: iTunes
Shh. Don't tell anyone. My iTunes Genius is tone deaf. When I selected "Man of Constant Sorrow" as my "seed" song, My Genius actually suggested "America, F**k [sic] Yeah" and "Gonna Fly Now (Theme from Rocky)" at the store. The proper genre, or at least the genre I was looking for, was "Rockin' Bluegrass", not "Obscure Movie Themes". Bzzt. Let's try again.
Next, I tried "Funiculi Funicula" by Pavarotti, a song I knew was in the store. I was told "Genius is unavailable" for that song. Please choose another song or artist. A few more tries revealed that I needed to focus on pop music, not classical or obscure. Well enough. But then I got the same error message for the Beatles' "Long and Winding Road." You know them, a mildly popular band of the 1960s, known for not being sold through iTunes but otherwise not an unthinkable choice in a modern playlist.
Success finally followed for Alison Krauss' "Down to the River to Pray". My genius matched me up with Queen's "Bicycle Race", the Wreckers' "Rain" and Billy Joel's "Say Goodbye to Hollywood." These are not exactly groupings that I would have picked myself. Listening through to the playlist hit home how jarring those selections were.
I expect the Genius feature will only improve, especially as Apple big brothers all our personal music collections but for now I'm so totally not dropping Last.fm any time soon.
How's Genius working for you? Are your playlists sublime or just strange? Let us know in the comments.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Found Footage: New iPod nano ad
Filed under: iPod Family, Apple
You knew it was coming, right? With every new iPod introduction, a nifty little TV commercial will soon follow. If you haven't heard the news already, Apple updated the iPod nano and also introduced some spiffy new colors to go along. They close the ad with their new marketing word "nano-chromatic."
If you are wondering what the song is, it's Bruises by Chairlift.
Link to YouTube video.Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - TUAW report card: Let's Rock event
Filed under: iPod Family
Now that today's press event is over, we can review our earlier predictions and see how well we did.
Just half an hour before it started, I guessed that Steve would reveal "...a revamped nano line, with greater storage, a new design and UI." The design and UI are certainly new, and the storage capacities have changed to 8GB and 16GB.
I also predicted a price drop on the iPod touch (got that one), iTunes 8 (one more) and HD content (trifecta!). Not bad.
What I missed: All of the nifty new features on the touch, new accessories and Steve's brown shirt.
Last week, Erica predicted "...a revamped nano with a longer silhouette," and was right on target. She also predicted a re-tooling of the Nike+ kit, and was half right on that one. It's built into the iPod touch now, but the functionality is the same.
Many people thought we'd see a subscription-based "iTunes Unlimited" today, but it didn't happen. Finally, Erica predicted iPhone 2.1 and iTunes 8.0. All in all, we did pretty well.
Thanks for playing along and let us know if you buy any of Apple's shiny new toys!Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать
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