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- Break Away From MobileMe: 7 Free Services to Help You Make the Move
Apple’s replacement for .Mac has had a very rocky start, and has a long way to go before its ready to compete with free alternatives. Many users do not want to move away from MobileMe because of the deep integration with the Mac desktop, while others are reluctant because its hard to find another single service that provides all of the services that MobileMe does. If the latest outage has you ready to jump ship, here's a guide to making the break.
Mail: Gmail
Making the transition to Gmail is very easy. Gmail allows you to use POP3 to download all of your existing mail from MobileMe into Gmail, and Gmail also allows you to send email as yourname@me.com allowing you time to migrate slowly. With instant search, integrated chat, nearly infinite storage, and an extremly fast interface, making the switch to Gmail not only replaces MobileMe Mail, it makes your email overwhelmingly more enjoyable.
(more…)Переслать - Stanza vs. Classics: Maybe I Can Save You $3
I read a lot, and have been very impressed with Stanza for the iPhone as an ebook reader. Like many, however, the idea of Classics was appealing, and upon release I purchased the app.
So how does it compare to Stanza? Would I recommend it? The answers, in my opinion, are that it doesn’t, and I wouldn’t. Not now, anyway.
Classics primarily touts two things: special book cover art and a pseudo real-book page-turning experience. But the former could be more hindrance than help when you’ve got a lot of volumes, and the latter’s novelty wears off quickly, though it seems to be the primary reason Classics has received a lot of praise.
Classics
The books’ cover art, sitting on virtual "shelves", are lovely. And since there are only 12 they present no problems scrolling through them. But if you get 50 or so on this thing it’s likely to be an awkward list. Too bad we don’t know how quickly we’ll get that many, since it’s not under our control. Currently it’s a dozen, and we have to wait for more. I believe content should be a lot higher priority than that.
(more…)Переслать - Google Launches Multiplatform, In-browser Voice and Video Chat
Groundbreaking web-based email was not sufficient. Embedded instant messaging was not enough. Google Talk voice chat was too “old-fashioned.” Never satisfied with the status quo, the wizards at Google have rolled out a new Voice and Video service and have made Mac users first-class citizens for the new feature.
As with the majority of their shiny new toys, Google Voice and Video is not exactly available to everyone just yet, but when it finally is, enabling it will only require the download and installation of a small plugin and a quick selection in the “Options” link under the chat sidebar in Google Mail. Yes, that’s correct. This will be a service available within your browser.
(more…)Переслать - BoinxTV Now Shipping
A few weeks ago I wrote about the beta of BoinxTV and provided a brief overview of the product. As a quick refresher, BoinxTV is a videocasting (video podcasting) tool designed for small production teams. It has a very flexible interface and enables you to quickly record, package and broadcast your video production. I would argue it is a great tool for those who do not have access to the resources of a major broadcasting network.
As of today, the product is shipping in two versions: a sponsored edition (SE) for $199, which inserts a five second ad into your production video or an ad-free edition for $499.
The final release also provides the ability to customize layers using the Quartz composer in OS X 10.5. And, if you need some assistance in creating a layer, Boinx is now offering services to help you do this. Just note that there is a fee for Boinx to do this — $999 per layer. Depending upon your needs, this might seem expensive or inexpensive.
You can learn more about BoinxTV 1.0 here. There is a five-day demo available as well. For all the functionality this product provides in a fairly easy-to-use interface, the value is there for your production needs.
Переслать - VMware Fusion 2 vs. Parallels Desktop 4: Let's Dance
When it comes to OS virtualization on a Mac, there are two major contenders for the title of virtualizer to end all virtualizers.
Likely Parallels and VMware Fusion need no introduction for TAB readers, but you might not be aware of what the latest incarnations that both programs bring to the table. VMware Fusion 2, released in September, and Parallels Desktop 4.0, just released today, have a few new tricks up their sleeves.
Setup
Setting up both machines on my aluminum iMac was incredibly easy. I used Windows XP Media Center Edition from a physical disc for both, although the programs also offer the choice of using an image instead. For both installations I used the default settings. In Parallels 4.0, this consists of a 32 GB hard drive with 512 MB of RAM and 128 MB of video RAM. VMware's quickstart configurations sets you up with 40 GB of disk space, 512MB of RAM, and although it doesn't have a video memory slider like Parallels, 3D acceleration is enabled.
(more…)Переслать - Movies for $4.99 as Apple Intros "Movies of the Week"
Joining the ranks of their 99¢ movie rentals and mirroring their “Albums of the Week” for bargain hunters, Apple has introduced “Movies of the Week” on iTunes. Each movie will be available for the duration of the week at a lowered price of $4.99 to own. To kick it off they’re highlighting Terminator 2: Judgment Day as the “movie of the week” and offering an additional nine titles:
- Total Recall
- Last Action Hero
- Red Heart
- Air America
- Basic Instinct
- St. Elmo’s Fire
- The Karate Kid
- Air Force One
- A Guy Thing
A bit heavy on the Arnold—leading in four of the available movies—the initial offering is definitely skewed towards the action movie fan. However, if the “Albums of the Week” are any indication (currently featuring Miles Davis’ Birth of the Cool, Beyoncé’s Dangerously In Love, and Dixie Chicks’ Home; among others) there’s no doubt that in coming weeks there will be something for everyone looking to boost up their digital video collection.
Переслать - i.TV Updates, Adds Netflix
Today, i.TV updated their free (ad supported) iPhone Application. The i.TV iPhone app is a guide for up-to-date local TV and movie listings.
With this seemingly minor point-release comes a major addition—Netflix integration. With what founder and CEO Brad Pelo says is “the first of several major third party integrations that will be announced through the end of this year and into 2009,” you can now manage your Netflix account (or sign-up for one) on your iPhone through i.TV’s interface.
All the management features from the web are fully available to you, including: searching and browsing Netflix’s massive 100,000+ catalog complete with detailed show information, ratings, cast credits and recommendations, managing your queue, ordering DVDs for home delivery, and even ordering movies and TV shows for instant viewing via Watch Instantly, which comes just in time for Mac users as Netflix has recently started to support the platform, though it is limited to those running on an Intel processor.
Another third-party item added with this update is Wikipedia. In addition to the detailed information they already offer, i.TV has added links to available Wikipedia articles for movie and TV titles as well as their cast members.
Other enhancements with this update, beyond the typical performance improvements and bug fixes, include many new services providers added, “New” notifier for new TV show episodes, movies can be sorted alphabetically, by review rating, by content rating, and by theater location; higher quality trailer previews, and a location-based service to find movies and theatres near your current position.
Переслать - Access Bonjour Services From Anywhere With ShareTool
ShareTool is a piece of software which allows you to easily access your Mac from a remote location. To quote their tagline: “ShareTool is hands down, the fastest, easiest, and most secure way to access all of your Bonjour services from anywhere in the world.” The term ‘Bonjour services’ is fairly generic, but means that services which would generally work only on your home network (such as iTunes Music Sharing, Screen Sharing, File Sharing, Printing etc) become available anywhere.
For instance, you may have an iMac at home with all your media, photos and family content, and also a MacBook which you use for business/travel. ShareTool allows you to connect to your home network from your MacBook when travelling, accessing the files on the iMac, sharing the screen and even printing to your home device.
(more…)Переслать - Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac Now Available
Virtualization software has come a long way since the days of Virtual PC on PPC Macs. Microsoft’s Windows-enabling program was more of a parlor trick than fully functional software. These days, Parallels Desktop, version 4.0 of which is available today for purchase, makes running a virtual machine more of a pleasure and less of a chore.
Earlier this fall, VMWare Fusion, the primary competitor of Parallels, released version 2.0 of their software. VMWare’s updated product added DirectX 9.0c and Mac OS X Leopard Server support, features which gave it a significant edge over the 3.0 release of Parallels.
Parallels Desktop 4.0 evens the field, introducing both DirectX 9 and OpenGL 2.1 support, and the ability to run OS X Leopard Server. Other new features include:
- Built-in iPhone access for starting, stopping and managing your virtual machine from your handheld
- Clips, a new proprietary screenshot sharing tool that lets you share captures between operating systems with a single click
- Simultaneous device mounting in both Windows and OS X, so that manual switching of things like USB sticks and other removable storage devices
- Multi-core processors and up to 8GB of RAM are now supported, with up to 256MB of video RAM possible
- 64-bit computing support
- Hypervisor adaptive resource management optimizes performance automatically based on your usage
- PowerSaver improved battery management with battery status monitor in Windows VM
- An SDK for developing third-party software compatible with Parallels, which could result in some interesting cross-platform applications
The above list makes the 4.0 release of Parallels a very wise purchase for those who need Windows functionality in a virtualized environment. Overall performance is reported to be 50% better than in the last version 3 build, narrowing the gap between virtualized and partitioned Boot Camp Windows installations.
Parallels Desktop 4.0 is available now for $79.99. A Premium version adds a software bundle valued at $160 for $99.99, and owners of Parallels 3 can upgrade for $39.99.
Переслать - Study: iPhone More Reliable Than BlackBerry, Palm
A new study published Nov. 8 by independent warranty provider SquareTrade has shown that over the course of the first year of ownership, the iPhone is more reliable than both BlackBerry and Palm handsets.
The study dealt with failure rates for a sample pool of over 15,000 new phones covered by SquareTrade warranties, which are after-market additional coverage packages. By the numbers, the iPhone had a 5.6 percent rate of malfunction, compared to BlackBerry’s 11.9 percent and the Palm Treo at 16.2 percent. Problems which counted as malfunctions according to the study included lockups and freezing, battery issues, Bluetooth/camera problems, antenna/case defects, screen/input method failures, call quality and power issues.
SquareTrade also projects failure rates up to the two-year mark. The two-year numbers are projections and not measured data because the iPhone had only been available for 15 months at the time the study was conducted. Projected totals see the gap between the iPhone and BlackBerry handsets decrease somewhat, but Apple’s device still comes away with the best score at 11.3 percent. BlackBerry is predicted at 14.3 percent and Palm comes in last at a fairly high 21.0 percent.
The iPhone’s second year numbers are much higher than both the BlackBerry and Palm devices, and this is where the study becomes questionable. SquareTrade is, after all, in the business of selling warranties for handsets, and it is in their best interest to predict a sharp increase in failures during the second year of ownership of a device which many people are just about to begin their second year of owning.
That said, the study’s findings that are based on firm, measurable data are interesting. The iPhone bosts a significant advantage in call quality, for instance, which is somewhat contrary to the persistent complaints of dropped calls over 3G.
Another area where the iPhone wins big is in battery problems, where both the BlackBerry and the Palm have more than double the number of complaints. Despite burning through a charge so quickly, Apple’s battery is apparently consistent and dependable.
All three companies posted high numbers in touchpad/screen/keypad problems, although Apple still came out lowest of all. Of problems reported, the vast majority of the iPhone’s were related to the touchscreen, which does not bode well for the durability of the relatively new interface tech over the life of the device.
The full study is available here (PDF) from SquareTrade.
Переслать - SimpleTech Duo Pro Hard Drive Offers Do-All Quad I/O Interface
Whatever system hardware you’re using, including the port-impoverished new 13″ MacBooks, SimpleTech’s new Duo Pro Drive should have you covered.
The Duo Pro supports a variety of different backup options, including Apple’s OS X 10.5 Time Machine as well as SimpleTech’s own Fabrik Ultimate Backup, and its aluminum and grey colored plastic case harmonizes with Apple’s array of aluminum enclosures.
With its 1 Terabyte capacity (pre-formatting, 500 GB and 750 GB are also offered), the Duo Pro drive has ample capacity to accommodate Time Machine backups for a long time for most users. The 500 GB drive I’ve been using with Time Machine for the past year still has more than 200 GB free space.
However, that drive, a SimpleDrive Pininfarina unit, has a couple of shortcomings: first mine is USB 2 only (a USB/FireWire version is optionally available) — real-world slower than FireWire 400, and not conveniently and dependably bootable like a FireWire drive would be, and secondly the Maxtor 3.5″ drive inside it does a passable impression of a 767’s fanjets throttling up for takeoff. Not a problem for occasional backups, but tiresome when you keep it plugged in.
(more…)Переслать - The Next Netbook Wave: Platform Convergence in the Cloud?
The controversy over whether Apple should enter the netbook category seems to incite a fair bit of passion in some commentators. One school of thought contends that Apple already has the bases adequately covered with its conventional notebooks and the MacBook Air, plus the iPhone for those who want or need Internet-capable ultra-portability, while the contrary-minded argue that with netbooks the fastest-growing computer market category, Apple simply can’t afford to ignore it for much longer.
Would I buy an Apple netbook? Maybe, but not as my primary computer for many of the same reasons why I wouldn’t seriously consider buying a MacBook Air for that role. I use my laptops as production workhorses, so the compromises imposed by small machines, as much as I admire them, are just too great. Even in terms of price, a netbook-priced used or refurbished full-featured Mac laptop makes more sense for my purposes than a new netbook.
(more…)Переслать - Barclays Analyst Predicts Apple Ultra-Portable, Entry-Level iPhone
It seems everyone is lowering their sights regarding Apple’s projected earning for next financial year. But some, at least, are predicting more “wow” factor to shore up those numbers.
No one seems to think they can sustain the kind of numbers they showed this past year, especially regarding iPhone sales, since analysts see the device’s massive success to date as leaving less room for new customer growth in the future. Many customers will probably stick it out for the duration of their contracts before considering a hardware upgrade.
Barclays Capital analyst Ben Reitzes is the latest to cut projections for the Cupertino-based tech company. Reitzes lowered his EPS (earnings per share) estimate for FY 2009 to $4.95, lower than his initial projection of $5. FY 2008 numbers had the EPS at $5.36.
Reduced earning predictions are based on a tough consumer market and lower growth opportunity, although Reitzes offers intriguing predictions regarding hardware introductions that could help the company pick up some customers in new demographics and niche markets.
(more…)Переслать - Learning From Apple, Part 1: Tutorials & Tips
Whether you're new to the Mac or have been using one for some time, there’s usually always something new you can learn about it to make your workflow, personal projects, or fun time a little easier or more enjoyable. To that end, Apple makes plenty of resources available on their web site.
In part 1 of this I’ll look at what Apple makes available in the form of product tutorials and tips. In part 2 I’ll look at Apple's resource listings and free online seminars.
Tutorials
Apple has a wealth of tutorials to make use of. Each tutorial is typically anywhere from a couple minutes to five minutes in length (longer for Pro apps), and presented in easily manageable snippets.
First of all, you should check out Apple's Find Out How page. By default you’ll be at the Mac Basics page; unless you’re a brand new Mac user this may of limited value. However, along the top you’ll see other categories that you can click on to see tutorials relating to Photos, Movies, the Web, etc. This page could be a “one-stop” site to find useful tutorials.
(more…)Переслать - Jailbroken iPhone Gains a Keyboard
Someone with a formidable knowledge of iPhone hardware has managed to attach a working external keyboard to his 3G iPhone. For those inclined, there are some technical explanations here and here, though the translation renders them difficult to understand.
It would appear that at present this is primarily a proof of concept, and doesn’t perform any real functionality. It’s achieved by using a piece of Ruby code running on the iPhone which allows it to connect to a Palm keyboard through a custom cable. It doesn’t integrate with the iPhone on a low level, and isn’t able to be used in any applications other than the Ruby app it interfaces to.
Here are a few pictures of the device in action, and the electronics connecting it all together:
While this is still a very long way from having a real, functional external keyboard, it does create debate over the demand for an accessory such as this. I’ve mentioned before that I think an external keyboard could contribute significantly to the iPhone being a viable laptop replacement.
Unfortunately, to see support for something like this throughout the iPhone software, it will require Apple to be on-board with the idea and happy to allow an interface such as this to be built. I don’t foresee this as being a likely situation in the near future simply because it could be seen as a sign that Apple is recognizing the software keyboard on the iPhone isn’t good enough.
What are your thoughts? Would you use an external keyboard?
Переслать - iPhone Takes Number One Spot, Surpassing the RAZR
According to The NPD Group, the leader in market research for the wireless industry, the iPhone 3G surpassed the Motorola RAZR as the leading handset purchased by US adult consumers in the third quarter of 2008.
The RAZR had been ranked as the top-selling consumer handset for the past three years, which means that the iPhone knocking the device from the top spot is no small deal.
“It represents a major shift in handset design from fashion to fashionable functionality," said Ross Rubin, director of industry analysis for NPD. "Four of the five best-selling handsets in the third quarter were optimized for messaging and other advanced Internet features."
The top handset models in rank order, based on unit sales in Q3, were as follows:
- Apple iPhone 3G
- Motorola RAZR V3 (all models)
- RIM Blackberry Curve (all models)
- LG Rumor
- LG enV2
Переслать - Ocarina Turns the iPhone Into a Real Musical Instrument
There’s no shortage of applications from the App Store that allow iPhone users to let their inner musician come out and play. We’ve got guitars, pianos, and synthesizers galore to choose from. But an important detail to point out about these iPhone applications is that each one of us could potentially play exactly the same exact tunes because the audio produced is really only a result of preloaded sample sounds. Besides your own creativity in putting the sounds together, it’s all static. Ocarina from Smule (anyone noticed that I love what these folks are doing?) however, brings us change to this category of apps.
Ocarina makes your iPhone as true to a real instrument as it could get. It does this by allowing you to dictate the audio that’s being input, as you blow into the mic of your phone. So like a real wind-based instrument, the sound that’s produced is all up to you. The obvious difference being that Ocarina is analyzing and digitizing the audio output in real time as opposed to wind through holes in a typical instrument.
(more…)Переслать - TextGuru and MagicPad: Mobile Cut-and-Paste Text Editing
The lack of the ability to cut, copy, and paste and to select portions of text makes text editing on the iPhone/iPod touch an exercise in patience. So, for all you writers who are masochistic enough to use your mobile device to write, this one is for you.
Consider this scenario: You start a draft in the Notes app or in the WordPress app and write a paragraph or two. Some time later, you re-read what you’d written and think, “Well, that sentence doesn’t really belong there.” What now? You’ll have to set the cursor to a new insert point and, while referring to that sentence in its existing location, retype it in its new location. Moving just one sentence? Fine. A whole paragraph? Forget it; it’ll be easier to edit the article on your Mac later.
Sounds painfully familiar?
(more…)Переслать - Showdown at High Noon: Apple vs. Psystar
There’s been a lot of commentary on the Apple/Psystar case, though I believe most of it is based on misunderstanding of the legal process and the normal dance steps that take place before trial. In such cases a “loss” on either side is really not a loss at all, it’s just the standard pre-trial theatrics leading to the main event.
There is a good article on World of Apple about the latest developments, which include a new twist.
A decision on Apple’s motion for dismissal is expected by 11/20 (i.e., within two weeks of the oral arguments presented last Thursday, 11/6). The article makes the following claim regarding the motion to dismiss:
Now I will repeat what I have said multiple times before: Apple will not prevail on its Motion to Dismiss, and the Apple web will completely blow the significance of Apple's loss out of proportion. I believe that Apple will not prevail simply on sheer statistics, and the philosophy that courts do not like to take cases out of the hands of the jury.
I can’t help but agree with both sentiments.
- Even without a legal background, it’s clear to me no judge in his right mind wants to keep a case from a jury. It gives the appearance that a judge is not allowing someone to be tried by the classic “jury of their peers.” If there’s even a shred of doubt, then a judge will almost certainly allow it to proceed. In my view, the motion to dismiss is simply the standard first step Apple makes, but they know full well it’s a shot in the dark. They’d likely faint if it were granted.
- Based on what I’ve seen blogged on this case, the article’s claim that the blogosphere will make a big deal out of Apple “losing” this round seems pretty solid. And yet, bloggers aside, the truth is it won’t mean much of anything.
Переслать - Weekly App Store Roundup: Nov. 8, 2008
It’s been a good week for iPhone owners, in particular we’ve had cause to celebrate with AT&T’s announcement of tethering and a sneak peek at the new iPhone firmware revealing podcast downloading on the go. As ever, the App Store has continued to grow like a digital garden of eden and now it’s time for us to hand-pick a few promising apps and find out which are the juiciest and which needed a little more time to ripen.
This week we’re looking at Remember The Milk, Mokugyo (With Cat), Ocarina and iFriends.
Remember The Milk (free) - Remember The Milk is a clever site that gives you a selection of list-based tools for keeping track of all the tasks that life throws at you. It makes use of a great methodology called Getting Things Done. This fantastic iPhone app links in to your online RTM account, meaning you can become a blur of productivity even when you’re on the go.
(more…)Переслать - Have a 30″ Display? Want a new MacBook Pro? Get Comfortable
When Apple announced their fall lineup of laptops, one thing really caught my eye. The new MacBooks can now drive a 30″ display. I don’t know how they did it, but that new integrated graphics chip can now really push out the pixels like no other MacBook has.
I had my 30″ display plugged into my Mac Pro, but I knew when Apple’s new laptops came out, I was going to make the switch back to a MacBook Pro. Knowing that I could even choose a MacBook just made the options more exciting.
That is until I noticed one little wrinkle. Well, two wrinkles actually. Number one is that the adapter that you need to connect a 30″ display to a mini DisplayPort is $99. Ouch! Number two: Apple is backordered by 4-5 weeks. I waited a week to make my purchase, hoping that it was a fluke, or that Apple would magically get more in stock. Nope, they are still backordered.
I’m not entirely sure what the deal is. Perhaps with the new MacBooks offering the 30″ display capability, there ended up being quite a bit more demand for these precious little adapters than Apple anticipated.
I ordered my laptop anyway. I chose the MacBook Pro because I have a Firewire 800 device I use alot. It’s awesome, but bittersweet, as my 30″ display is just sitting on the floor awaiting Apple’s getting back up to speed.
Nonetheless, I’m optimistic. Apple has gone with an open standard by choosing DisplayPort. This means that anybody can make a cable for it without paying royalties. Here’s hoping that someone will be quick to market with some new adapters.
Переслать - First Look: Songbird Finally Gives iTunes Some Competition
Many have oft-complained about Microsoft’s hold on users with its monopoly on installed system components such as Internet Explorer and Microsoft Media Player. Even though the OS X counterparts to those programs are engineered better, the truth is that Apple really does engage in the same practices Microsoft does and it is only their small market-share that keeps the official complaints from filing in.
Even though Apple does not ship alternatives to built-in programs, many savvy users grab alternative browsers , text editors and even movie players. One area where Apple seems to have a stranglehold, though, is in the general media players category. Let’s face it, almost every Mac user uses iTunes as the primary way to store, organize and playback media. iTunes is also the de-facto way to get content–music, video or applications–onto your iPod or iPhone. iTunes, to put it bluntly, is its own monopoly with no competition–until now.
Thanks to the hard work of the Pioneers of the Inevitable, Songbird is finally in its 1.0 Release Candidate stage and nearly ready for prime time. So how does it stack up against Apple’s built-in 800-pound gorilla? Can it replace iTunes for many users? Read on for TAB’s initial view of Songbird 1.0.0 RC1.
(more…)Переслать - BBC iPlayer Coming to a Mac Near You
The BBC’s iPlayer is nothing short of a digital revelation — providing viewers in the United Kingdom with online access to an ever-changing (and free) selection of the BBC’s internationally-revered quality programming.
For an increasing number of us Brit’s, BBC.co.uk/iPlayer is the site we surreptitiously visit on our lunch-breaks at work and the destination for catching up on missed TV in the evenings. Yet upon its initial beta launch back in 2007, the iPlayer was a national disappointment; exclusively for Windows and with more bugs in it than an entomologist’s cupboard.
While iPlayer downloading may have been refined somewhat — Windows users can grab DRM-ridden episodes for play in Windows Media Player - it’s still not an option for Mac users. However, Erik Huggers is the man set to change all that. He’s the BBC’s verbosely-titled Director of Future Media and Technology and a veteran of Microsoft, having spent nine years with the Apple-competitor.
(more…)Переслать - How-To: Mac-ify Your VMware Unity Windows
Even with CodeWeaver’s generous giveaway of CrossOver Mac the other week, there are still times when one has to use a virtualized Windows environment to get work done that just cannot be performed within OS X properly. In talking with other VMware users, I realized that not everyone may hack their hosted Windows environment as I thought they might and wanted to offer some relief to those who are forced to toil in “that other” operating system.
As most OS X users know by now, VMware’s Fusion product makes it very easy to work with Windows programs without appearing to leave OS X via its snazzy Unity feature. Unity mode essentially masks out the Windows desktop and just presents Windows “windows” directly to the user as if they were OS X windows. The trouble is, those windows do not look like they belong on your spiffy OS X desktop at all. Take for existence this Internet Explorer window:
While it is nigh-impossible to make Windows programs as functional as ones built for OS X, you should not, at the very least, have to put up with ugly windows on your Desktop. To beautify your Unity windows, head on over to StarDock’s web site and grab a copy of WindowBlinds. This initially free program lets you skin your Windows experience to suit your style. You will need to download WindowsBlinds in your virtual machine or copy it to your virtual machine post-download. Once the installer is in your virtual machine, double-click on the executable and let it do its work. When asked to choose a style, select “Leo” (I can’t imagine why it’s called that).
(more…)Переслать - CoverFlow in Safari for iPhone: Proof of Concept With Promise
Before the App Store, third party developers depended on web apps to allow them to bring new games, abilities, and content to the iPhone and iPod touch. A new proof-of-concept tech demo by web developer Charles Ying shows that there is still plenty of potential left untapped for web apps, especially when you make use of Apple’s CSS Visual Effects extensions.
Yesterday, on his personal blog inside looking out, Ying posted an entry detailing his CoverFlow (zflow) demo, one part of his new open source endeavor CSS-VFX. The project is intended to be a showcase of the potential applications of Apple’s CSS Visual Effects extensions for the mobile Safari platform.
(more…)Переслать - AT&T Adds 20,000 Wi-Fi Hotspots
AT&T must be determined to get its subscribers online. First, we heard just yesterday that iPhone tethering is officially in the queue from CEO Ralph De La Vega. Now, there’s more good news for users of Apple’s little smartphone-that-could. Wireless hotspot provider Wayport, one of the largest in the U.S., has been acquired by AT&T.
Wayport, Inc., an Austin, Texas-based company, opened its doors in 1996. They initially focused on bringing Wi-Fi access to business travelers, and their early clientele included hotels and airports. In 2004, they became a provider of choice for McDonald’s, which resulted in the creation of 10,000 hotspots at the chain’s fast food restaurants in the U.S. A recent deal saw Wayport extending access at all their locations to Nintendo DS users, and it’ll be interesting to see if AT&T maintains this relationship.
The acquisition is great news for iPhone subscribers, since AT&T recently announced that all their Wi-Fi hotspots would be accessible to iPhone users free of charge. AT&T subscribers now have access to more than 80,000 access points.
It’s also an indication that the telecom giant is serious about building out their wireless infrastructure. The demand placed on their existing network by the influx of iPhone 3G users has provided headaches for AT&T in the past, and their are a couple fixes available to them. First, they can spend on new build. More 3G towers in more places, providing wider and deeper coverage. Second, they can alleviate the burden to their existing hi-speed network. Encouraging iPhone users to switch off 3G and switch on Wi-Fi eases their overall bandwidth load. And acquisitions like Wayport are a smart move in tough economic times, when companies with cash on hand can pick up smaller firms at deep discounts. If AT&T is serious about providing true blanket Wi-Fi coverage, look for them to make a move on bigger players like Boingo as the slump continues.
Переслать - iPhone Tops J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Survey
It may have garnered its fair share of complaints, but Apple’s iPhone is still a hit with consumers, at least according to marketing firm J.D. Power and Associates. In their 2008 Business Wireless Smartphone Customer Satisfaction Study, the results of which were released yesterday, the iPhone came out on top, beating perennial favorite Research In Motion, makers of BlackBerry devices.
Note that the survey measures the satisfaction of business customers specifically, which is good use for Cupertino’s efforts to make inroads in the Enterprise market. Results drawn from the 1,388 person respondent pool were gathered over two months, between August and September 2008. Devices were scored out of 1,000 total possible points, using criteria like ease of use, operating system, design, features, and battery.
(more…)Переслать - Jade: No Hassle, Digital Image Correction for Leopard
Jade, a different sort of digital image processing utility, doesn’t do anything you can’t achieve using tools and filters in Photoshop, Pixelmator, or other image editors, but it can transform your less-than-perfect shots (dark, dim, feeble, pale, badly lit, vague, gloomy) into images you can be proud of with minimal effort.
Jade leverages advanced graphics algorithms to enhance color, contrast and dynamic range with no user adjustment required for individual shots or batch lots, and also provides manual control to fine-tune intensity values, image contrast and color correction values if desired. I found this seldom necessary. Jade delivers a pleasing result by default almost every time, amazing me by how it can take shots I’ve expended serious time tweaking with Photoshop Elements’ or Pixelmator’s formidable arsenals of image correction tools, and improve them even more almost instantly. Jade is a staff pick on Apple’s download website with good reason.
Jade version 1.3.1, released late last month, adds Picasa Web Albums upload support, keychain support to remember Flickr and Picasa login data, and an updated Picasa/Flickr batch save process, plus extensive fixes in the Help files and some renamed menus. An Apple Aperture Plugin that uses the same algorithms and correction parameters as Jade is also available.
(more…)Переслать - It's Official: iPhone Tethering Coming to AT&T
Many iPhone users will rejoice at the news today from Mobile Crunch that AT&T has officially confirmed the upcoming availability of an official tethering solution from them and Apple. The news comes from AT&T CEO Ralph De La Vega, who, in speaking with Tech Crunch’s Michael Arrington at the Web Summit 2.0 conference, revealed that tethering would be coming “soon.”
Brief-lived application, NetShare, previously offered a way for the iPhone to act as a modem for laptops, but was quickly pulled, briefly re-introduced, and then pulled again. The removal/reinstatement/removal probably had something to do with behind the scenes discussions between Apple and AT&T, which likely concluded in the decision to go forward with an official, sanctioned tethering solution developed by the two.
De La Vega did not provide any details as to the pricing or timeframe for release of AT&T’s official tethering plan. Previous reports indicated that part of the delay stems from AT&T’s fear regarding the additional burden iPhone users with tethering plans would place on their 3G network.
It’s also unclear just how much demand there is for an official solution, especially given the fact that it could possibly come at a steep price.
iPhone users: Is the ability to tether important to you? What do you consider a reasonable price for an official solution?
Переслать - Best Kept Secrets: Hardware Growler
My enthusiastic use and promotion of Growl should come as no surprise to regular readers of The Apple Blog. While some dismiss it as an annoyance reminiscent of the Windows notification popups, others — like myself - view it as a way be informed without stopping what I am currently doing (and that is definitely not the case with its Windows pseudo-counterpart).
Even though many of the applications and utilities that help me with my daily workflows have embedded Growl support in some fashion, there is one use of Growl that may help convert even the most stalwart Growl skeptic: Hardware Growler.
(more…)Переслать - Apple's Promised Product Transitions
Ars Technica wrote an article about Macs and Blu-ray drives. That’s fine, but they did so under a misguided premise:
In the third quarter earnings call in July, Apple warned investors about an upcoming product transition that would eat away at the company’s cushy margins. However, in the intermediate, no new or updated products have surfaced that look like they could be responsible for significantly reduced margins.
The article then dismisses the new “unibodies” for the MacBook and MacBook Pros, instead suggesting a “mystery margin-reducing product or feature” must have been intended. It goes on to postulate that Blu-ray was supposed to be that mystery feature, but that Apple decided against it.
No way.
Forget Blu-ray, the new MacBook lines are the “product transition” in question. Here’s why I believe the Ars article was too quick to dismiss them.
(more…)Переслать - Using Your iPhone as a Trackpad
There has been a huge amount of speculation about whether Apple would release a laptop with a trackpad resembling an iPhone or iPod touch screen. While this always seemed unlikely, there’s no doubt that the iPhone has the perfect sized screen to function as an (albeit very over-featured) trackpad. Snatch is an application for the iPhone which allows you to do just that — use the device as a wireless trackpad for your Mac. Snatch features include:
- Using your iPhone as a wireless trackpad — tracking, clicking, two-finger scrolling, two-finger tap, window dragging and screen zoom.
- Separate scrolling mode for easy one-finger scrolling in either linear (iPhone style) or iPod clickwheel-type circular scrolling.
- Separate keyboard mode for entering text.
- Automatic configuration — just install each piece of software and, so long as both devices are on the same network, it just works
- Can also be used in an environment without WiFi by creating an ad hoc network on your Mac.
Переслать - Podcast Downloading Confirmed in iPhone Firmware 2.2
We reported earlier on some of the upcoming features of the iPhone 2.2 firmware, currently in beta release. One feature mentioned at TUAW was the inclusion of podcast support, which explains the rejection of the third-party Podcaster app based on duplication of functionality, although it was duplication of future, rather than existing features.
At the time, the “Get More Episodes…” link seen in the screenshot posted at TUAW didn’t actually do anything, but indicated the future inclusion of direct downloading to the iPhone/iPod touch. Today, German site Flo’s Weblog has posted a new series of screenshots from the latest build that show the download option in the podcast menu is now live and functional. Note that no new build has been released, Apple has simply activated the download option in the existing software. The screenshots show that downloading over a 3G cellular connection is possible, although size limits of 10MB exist, matching the App Store caps.
(more…)Переслать - Three Handy Accessories for Your iPhone
America has a new president, so it’s only fitting that you should have new accessories for you iPhone, right? Today we’ve got three non-partisan gadgets to add to or improve the functionality of your iPhone.
Marware Game Grip
Regardless of whether you think the iPhone is or isn’t a better gaming machine than the PSP or the DS, there are times when you wish the device had been designed with more traditional gaming aesthetics in mind. Marware’s Game Grip for iPhone 3G and iPod touch gives you a classic gaming feel that’ll be especially familiar to users of Microsoft’s SideWinder motion-sensing PC gaming controller.
Be warned: Like Nintendo’s Wii Racing Wheel, this is little more than an elaborate holder for your iPhone, like the Wii Wheel, some players may find it indispensable for certain games. The Game Grip also has a clever built-in cord management system for charging, and a mini-stereo jack extender so that you can still use your headphones while playing. The comfortable silicon grip will also ensure your iPhone doesn’t slip out of your greasy palms. The Game Grip is available now for $49.99.
(more…)Переслать - The 13″ MacBook Pro That Could Have Been
Apple had it so close…
That was the first thought I had when Apple unveiled the new aluminum MacBook and MacBook Pro on October 14.
Many Mac owners out there are still longing for a successor to the PowerBook G4 12″. I am one of them. Someone needs the features and performance of Apple’s Pro notebooks in a 12″ or 13″ form factor that, to me, is just right. In the days leading up to the unveiling, I had hoped that the new MacBook, already rumored to sport blazing fast graphics performance, would essentially be a MacBook Pro. As it turns out, the new aluminum MacBook is really The 13″ MacBook Pro That Could Have Been.
Size vs. Features
As part of my daily work, I often have to use devices ranging from HDV camcorders to RAID arrays that connect by FireWire 400, 800 or eSATA (via ExpressCard). For this, my Mid 2007 MacBook Pro 15″ is the perfect workhorse. But having lugged the five-pound MacBook Pro around almost daily for over a year, I am yearning so badly for something lighter to relieve these aching shoulders of mine.
My first notebook, a Sony VAIO ultraportable, had everything I could ask for in a small, lightweight package and was a pleasure to use. This ultraportable has had me convinced that the size of a notebook does not have to be inversely proportionate to the richness of its features.
(more…)Переслать
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