Engadget tries to fry an egg on Penryn MacBook Pro

Engadget tries to fry an egg on Penryn MacBook Pro: "

Filed under: Hardware, Macbook Pro

OK, they didn't really try to fry an egg. But for those of us using those first searing-heat MBP's, you'll be happy to know the Penryn MacBook Pro's are a little cooler (temperature-wise anyway). On average, about 10° F cooler, and the fans run slower and quieter. Sorry if this kills any MacGuyver-esque plans of using Penryn laptops as emergency griddles.

For a much more detailed analysis of the Penryn advantages, check out the Engadget post, complete with Xbench tests and a flavorful grid with all the analysis.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

The high price of iPhones in Ireland

Whoa.

The high price of iPhones in Ireland: "The iPhone will cost someone around $1,800 U.S. in Ireland when it goes on sale later this month when all fees are added, but execs in the software industry already like the touch pad."

(Via CNET News.com.)

Analyst: iPhone to support corporate e-mail soon

Analyst: iPhone to support corporate e-mail soon: "Analyst Shaw Wu says Apple is likely to introduce better support for corporate e-mail such as Lotus Notes and Exchange in connection with next week’s iPhone event.

(Via Macworld.)

Bugs & Fixes: Office 2008 installation mishaps

Bugs & Fixes: Office 2008 installation mishaps: "Ted Landau highlights problems with funky fonts and incorrectly assigned ownership that can stem from the installation of the latest version of Microsoft’s productivity suite.

(Via Macworld.)

Return to Dark Castle demo available for download

Return to Dark Castle demo available for download: "Return to Dark Castle, a 2D platformer whose legacy stretches back to 1986, has finally appeared in the form of a playable demo.

(Via Macworld.)

iPhoto improved for photo book, card printing

I downloaded this update. Works exactly as advertised.

iPhoto improved for photo book, card printing: "iPhoto 7.1.3 has been released, with a fix for wire-bound books and card printing.

(Via Macworld.)

Mac Automation: listen to a text document

Mac Automation: listen to a text document: "

Filed under: Features, How-tos

Don't have time to read that Word, Pages, or TextEdit document at your desk? Why not listen to it on your iPod instead? In this Automator how-to, I am going to show you how to create an audio file using text that you have in an open document, then sync that using iTunes to your iPod or iPhone.

Creating the workflow
For this workflow, you need the following Automator actions (placed in the same order):

• Get Contents of TextEdit Document


• Text to Audio File


• Import Files into iTunes

Continue reading to learn how to build this workflow.

Continue reading Mac Automation: listen to a text document

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

PayPal excludes Safari from "Safer Browsers"

PayPal excludes Safari from "Safer Browsers": "

Filed under: Software, Apple, Security

I've seen some very convincing PayPal phishing sites in recent years. I've also worried many times that friends and relatives less savvy in the ways of the phisher may inadvertently hand off a password or two and blame me - the one who talked them into a PayPal account to begin with - for the draining of their life savings. Thankfully PayPal shares my concern for said friends and family members and has published a guide to 'Safer Browsers.' Apple's Safari web browser, however, was not included in the list of recommended browsers.

This is not all that surprising, at least to anyone who's followed Safari security concerns. Despite having improved in certain areas, such as IDN spoofing, Safari still lacks some fundamental security features found in Internet Explorer (7+), Firefox and Opera. Features such as Extended Validation certificates are heavily promoted by PayPal, despite the warnings of critics who feel that many targets of phishing scams don't notice the green background in the URL field until it's too late -- if at all. Plugins like Saft do their bit, adding a few security features too. But until Safari catches up with IE and Firefox in the area of security, it's not likely that PayPal's list is going to include the otherwise spectacular browser.

[via Macworld]

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Boinx Software releases Mouseposé 3

Boinx Software releases Mouseposé 3: "

Filed under: Software, Odds and ends

If you've been giving presentations or product demonstrations and needed to highlight your cursor and keyboard shortcuts, then there's a good chance you've heard of, or even own, Boinx Software's excellent application 'Mouseposé'.

If you're one of the above owners of Mouseposé then you might want to visit the Boinx website, as today Mouseposé version 3 has been released with a few new snazzy features:

• audible feedback on mouse-clicks (to add to keystroke visualisation in version 2), allowing you to play a sound when clicking a mouse button
  


• window highlighting is now possible, with Mouseposé able to detect when you're hovering on a window, and expanding the in-focus area to include the entire window.
  

The folks at Boinx have also brought out a family-pack license (for five computers in a private household) for just $29.95, whilst a single-user license is just $16.95. Best of all, Mouseposé 3 is a free upgrade to customers who bought version 2 and is available to download now.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

View file info in Quick Look mode

View file info in Quick Look mode: "See details on each file you’re viewing in Quick Look mode, constantly updated as you select new files to Quick Look.

(Via Macworld.)

Review: iPhone headphone adapters

Review: iPhone headphone adapters: "Jason Snell reviews five adapters that make his in-ear headphones work with his iPhone -- clicker and microphone included.

(Via Macworld.)

Apple planning iPhone SDK event March 6

Apple planning iPhone SDK event March 6: "

Apple distributed invitations Wednesday morning for 'an iPhone software road map' event next week, which means we're finally going to hear details on the plans for an iPhone software development kit.

Next Thursday, well find out more about what Apple has in mind for third-party iPhone software....

(Via One More Thing.)

Apple's Time Capsule Wi-Fi hard drive shipping

Apple's Time Capsule Wi-Fi hard drive shipping: "

Apple has begun shipping Time Capsule, its latest external hard drive that is pretty much the only game in town if you want to do wireless Time Machine backups from your notebook.

(Via One More Thing.)

Iconfactory releases Twitterrific 3.1

Iconfactory releases Twitterrific 3.1: "Twitterrific"

(Via MacMinute.)

Apple posts iPhoto 7.1.3 Update

Apple posts iPhoto 7.1.3 Update: "Apple today posted iPhoto 7.1.3 Update via its Software Update application and on the Web..."

(Via MacMinute.)

Signal 1.1 adds AirTunes support, landscape mode, Webclip icon

Signal 1.1 adds AirTunes support, landscape mode, Webclip icon: "

Filed under: Multimedia, Software, iTunes, iPhone

We covered Signal when it first dropped in the middle of last year, and now Alloysoft has sent us a note that they've upgraded to version 1.1. The app turns your iPhone into an iTunes remote through a server connection, so you don't need to jailbreak or hack the phone at all -- just run the program on your Mac, and you can use your iPhone as a replacement for the Apple Remote. And Signal actually works in Windows as well, so you can use it to control WMP, or even use a Windows Mobile device as a control instead. No idea why you'd torment yourself with Windows Media, but that's your row to hoe.

Version 1.1 brings control for AirTunes, so now you can switch speakers directly from the iPhone, and there's a host of new features -- Webclip support, an Alphabetic library, and Landscape support. Nice little program that's available as a free demo or as a registered version for $24.95.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Photonic helps Mac users use Flickr

Photonic helps Mac users use Flickr: "Photonic is a new application to help Mac-based users of Flickr navigate the photo blogging service.

(Via Macworld.)

iBank 3 adds iPhone integration, direct downloads

iBank 3 adds iPhone integration, direct downloads: "IGG Software today announced the release of iBank 3, the new version of its popular financial management application for Mac OS X Leopard. Included with iBank 3 is iBank for iPhone, a web-based iPhone application that allows users to enter transactions on their iPhones, and via .Mac, have them automatically added to the desktop application..."

(Via MacMinute.)

Technorati Tags:
Apple, iPhone, Software Update

Apple releases iPhone 1.1.4 update

No other details given. -TG

Apple releases iPhone 1.1.4 update

(Via MacMinute.)

Nuclear reset for .Mac syncing

Nuclear reset for .Mac syncing: "

How-To: Truly reset your .Mac sync data [Ars Technica]

I never have trouble finding company when it comes to whining about the reliability of .Mac syncing. It’s surely not fair to lay all of this at the feet of the .Mac developers — sync is, we are often reminded, ‘hard.’ But if you want to rely on syncing your Calendars, Contacts, Preferences, snippets, Yojimbo, and what have you via .Mac in a battlefield environment, you’re going to need a strong stomach, a lot of patience, and reliable backups. Plus, friends, you will regularly have to reset frickin’ everything.

Entirely overfamiliar with that particular reality, I was pleased to get pointed toward David Chartier’s tutorial on saving your .Mac’s village by burning it to the ground. It’s a handy, illustrated companion piece to Apple’s own advice on scorching earth. Very handy, and, yeah, you will eventually need it. So print it out. Maybe even have it laminated.

Apple’s .Mac syncing features are sometimes no exception to these problems, and even though Apple provides a number of decent solutions in its .Mac sync support pages, they don’t always work. Fortunately, a brief adventure using .Mac sync chat support (found at the bottom of that aforelinked page) cleared up a repeating ‘merge/overwrite’ sync dialog problem for me, and we felt the procedure was worth sharing.

FWIW, here’s a few other things I do (as a raving .Mac paranoiac):

• manually backup Address Book and iCal Calendars once a week (‘File > Export…’); periodically ‘.bz’ and Gmail them to myself


• backup all important ‘~/Library’ files offsite via something like Mozy


• Whenever it occurs to you, burn a quick CD of your iDisk (or at least throw your most important stuff onto an encrypted Disk Image on a USB stick)

Also — and I loathe admitting this — I have accepted that one of our household’s Macs is ‘the master’ (i.e., the ‘the first Mac you re-register’ mentioned in David’s piece). This means one Mac in the house gets extra-special backup attention as well as being the ‘winner’ whenever I have to do the (increasingly weekly) nuclear reset David describes in this tutorial.

In an ideal world, you should have so much redundant reliability that you can reset from any recently updated machine — I mean, isn’t that the point of syncing? But, as you quickly learn, that’s simply not feasible when things suddenly go kerplooey on multiple Macs over a short interval. But, by always knowing where to restart your electronic Marshall Plan — which box is the true ‘original’ in the .Mac chicken-waving ritual — you’ll have quicker recoveries and a less frustrating experience in general.

There’s no pride to be found in being a .Mac whiner. As I’ve said before, I believe the .Mac offering is the vorpal blade that Apple’s hiding under its cape. Done well — fixed well — .Mac has the potential to reliably unify every Apple user’s digital world. But for now? Yeah, it’s more like owning a Fiat where your toolbox always gets to ride shotgun.

[via]

(Via 43 Folders.)

Introducing new MacBook and MacBook Pro models

Introducing new MacBook and MacBook Pro models: "Apple today introduced new models of the MacBook and MacBook Pro. MacBook Pro models feature the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors (running at up to 2.6GHz with 6MB of shared L2 cache), larger hard drives (up to 300GB), and 2GB of memory standard in most models. They also include the latest NVIDIA graphics processors — with up to 512MB of video memory — and an innovative Multi-Touch trackpad, first introduced in MacBook Air.

The three new models of the MacBook feature faster processors and hard drives: sleek white 2.1 GHz and 2.4 GHz models with 120GB or 160GB 5400 rpm hard drives and a stunning black 2.4 GHz model with a massive 250GB 5400 rpm hard drive. The 2.4 GHz MacBook ships with 2GB of memory standard, expandable up to 4GB across the line.

Available immediately, the new MacBook and MacBook Pro models start at just $1,099 and $1,999, respectively."

(Via Apple Hot News.)

iTunes Now Number Two Music Retailer in the US

iTunes Now Number Two Music Retailer in the US: "Apple today announced that iTunes is now the number two music retailer in the US, trailing only Wal-Mart.* The iTunes Store — now with over 50 million customers — has sold over four billion songs. In fact, it sold an incredible 20 million songs on Christmas Day 2007 alone. And with over six million songs from all of the major and thousands of independent labels, it offers the world’s largest music catalog.

* Based on the latest data from the NPD Group."

(Via Apple Hot News.)

Technorati Tags:
Apple, iTunes, Music

Free iPod Phrase Books now available on iTunes

Free iPod Phrase Books now available on iTunes: "Following on from their release of the popular lastminute.com iPhone Translator last year, software developers Coolgorilla today announced that their Talking iPod Phrase Books are now available to download from iTunes completely free of charge..."

(Via MacMinute.)

AOL Xdrive comes to Mac

AOL Xdrive comes to Mac: "AOL's online storage service is now accessible to Mac users, for the first time.

(Via Macworld.)

MacProVideo redesigns video tutorial application

MacProVideo redesigns video tutorial application: "MacProVideo has released a new version of its video tutorial application, N.E.D. With an iTunes-like interface, the new application has many new features.

(Via Macworld.)

Mobile Mac: File sharing in Leopard

Mobile Mac: File sharing in Leopard: "If you want to share files with other people (and who doesn’t these days?), you can always send the files via e-mail or iChat. But it’s far more efficient just to give your collaborators shared access to the files, folders, and volumes on your Mac and let them get the files themselves.

(Via Macworld.)

Springlets for iPhone

Springlets for iPhone: "

Filed under: Internet Tools, iPhone

While we wait for the iPhone SDK, web developers are busily creating iPhone-compatible web apps and pages. There are a few cool ones out there, like Leaflets and PocketTweets. Even FedEx has created an iPhone-friendly page.

Recently we came across Springlets. Unlike Leaflets, which is a single site, Spinglets is a collection of sites with customized web clip icons that look right at home on your iPhone or iPod touch.

My favorite is WikiSearch. To use it, just tap the WikiSearch icon on your hompage, enter your search text and that's it! You're taken to the resulting page on Wikipedia. It eliminates several steps.

Other treats include Speed Dial (dial any contact number with a touch from the home page) and Text Sites, which strips all of the photos from a given web page (useful when you're on Edge).

[Via Steve Rubel]

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Mysterious Airport dropouts solved?

I have never experienced this. Ever. But in case you have . . .

Mysterious Airport dropouts solved?: "

Filed under: Airport, Freeware, Internet Tools

Tell me if this scenario sounds familiar. You're happily using your Mac (naturally), surfing the net or shopping the iTunes Store, when your WiFi signal suddenly drops. Your Mac sees the Airport Basestation, but it's not letting you out. Only restarting the basestation itself will renew the connection.

It's happened to me several times. Often it will be good for months at a time, then execute these random drops several times per week. If you've experienced this too, you know how frustrating it is.

Gedeon Maheux of The Iconfactory (and friend of TUAW) has found a possible culprit ... plus a solution that works for him, and hopefully for you too.

Continue reading Mysterious Airport dropouts solved?

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Mac 101: Restore a Safari window

Mac 101: Restore a Safari window: "

Filed under: Mac 101

For those of you that use tabbed browsing in Safari, you know how frustrating it can be when you accidentally close a window full of tabs. Well, if you are using Safari 3 you can get that window back, along with all of the tabs. When you accidentally close a window full of tabs, just click 'History' in the menu bar and select 'Reopen Last Closed Window.' You can also use 'Reopen All Windows From Last Session' if you accidentally closed Safari and need to get all of your windows and tabs back after re-launching Safari.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

In-room iMacs added to hotel amenities

In-room iMacs added to hotel amenities: "

Filed under: Odds and ends, iMac

Mac lovers traveling to the UK may be able to leave their computers at home -- as long as they stay at a City Inn hotel.

Guests will find a shiny iMac in each room, with full access to the internet, iLife and Office apps. Plus, the hotel will let you use the iMac as a TV, internet radio and media player (DVDs and CDs).

'But will the hotel keep a history of what I do with that machine?' you ask. The answer is 'No.' They use Faronics Deep Freeze software to restore each machine to its factory settings every 24 hours, so you're safe (that also means you shouldn't save the article you're writing on the iMac's hard drive).

This isn't the first time we've seen hotels offer Apple products to guests. In 2004, several W hotels gave away iMacs, iPods and music on 'iTunes Days,' and just last year Pod Hotels offered an iPod dock in each room.

[Via Macenstein]

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

iPhone-optimized versions of LinkedIn, TalkShoe now up

iPhone-optimized versions of LinkedIn, TalkShoe now up: "

Filed under: iPhone

We don't post about every website that comes up with an iPhone/iPod touch-optimized version -- if we did, we wouldn't have time for eating or sleeping -- but every now and then a couple of sites newly built for Mobile Safari rise above the pack. Today's launches for everyone's favorite 'internet in your pants' browser include pro-social business networking site LinkedIn and collaborative calling tool TalkShoe.

LinkedIn's new iPhone beta version (at m.linkedin.com) allows you to view a list of your recent network updates, see your own profile (lest you forget your vital details) and search through your contact list. No editing options and no click-to-call or click-to-send buttons in this early version, but having the streamlined view is quite nice.

Meanwhile, over at TalkShoe (host site for the weekly TUAW live podcast) the team has released an iPhone version of the Talkshoe site at iphone.talkshoe.com. It does a nice job integrating the telephony component of the service with call selection and management. Using the new iPhone UI, you can quickly search for ongoing or upcoming calls, then single-click to call in and chat about your topic of choice. Naturally we have some suggestions.

There'll be a TalkShoe call tonight at 8 pm ET featuring our friends Victor Cajiao of the Typical Mac User podcast and Adam Christianson of the Maccast to discuss the new iPhone-optimized site. Should be fun.

via Macworld & iPhone Matters

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

New eBook explains Leopard's permissions

New eBook explains Leopard's permissions: "

Filed under: OS, UNIX / BSD, Leopard

Despite John Gruber's longstanding assertion that 'Repair Disk Permissions is voodoo,' Brian Tanaka has published 'Take Control of Permissions in Leopard' for the Take Control series of eBooks. It's part troubleshooting (how to delete stuck files, for example), part tips and tricks (the best ways to keep files private) and part theory. It's only $10US for 87 pages of very useful information.

For example, you might learn that repairing permissions with Disk Utility won't change the permissions to any of your user-centric files -- it's meant to restore application and system file preferences to their as-delivered condition. Even if you do think that Repair Permissions is nonsense, it'll be nonsense you fully understand.

[Via MacMinute]

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

iTunes Rental availability outperforms promises

iTunes Rental availability outperforms promises: "

Filed under: iTS

Many of our readers are noticing that rental titles reach iTunes more quickly than expected. Didn't Apple promise new titles 30 days after the DVD release? TUAW reader Robbie Taylor wrote in to let us know that Michael Clayton hit the iTunes 'shelves' within just a day or so of its February 19th store release. Is this something that you're seeing as well? Let us know in the comments.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Technorati Tags:
Apple, iTunes

iTunes Store adds 99 cent weekly movie rental specials

iTunes Store adds 99 cent weekly movie rental specials: "

Filed under: iTS, Apple TV

Along with the iTunes update we noted earlier, Apple has introduced a new weekly special movie rental for 99 cents. Macrumors reports that each Thursday Apple will make available a new movie at the special price, good until the following Monday. You'll have the standard 30 days to watch it. The first special this week is The Hours (iTunes link).

This looks like a clever move to jump start the movie rental business. We can only hope that they'll also consider adding HD versions through Apple TV as well.

[via Infinite Loop]

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Technorati Tags:
Apple, iTunes

Pixelmator 1.1.3 updates move, crop and zoom

Pixelmator 1.1.3 updates move, crop and zoom: "

Filed under: Multimedia, Software, Cool tools, Leopard, Graphic Design

The Pixelmator folks have updated their clean and simple picture editing app once again, and there are a host of new features and improvements on board for this one. The crop tool was the first thing that caught my eye -- it's more powerful than ever, as you can crop layer masks, set a rotation point, and constrain proportions with the palette. The zoom and move tools got some usability updates as well. All in all, it's a nice little update, and there's enough stuff in here to call for another try if you weren't into the functions of Pixelmator before.

1.1.3 is a free upgrade for current Pixelmator users. For you non-users, a trial is free from their website, or the full app is available for $60.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Apple, Starbucks sued over iTunes promotion cards

Apple, Starbucks sued over iTunes promotion cards: "

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Apple Corporate, iTS, iTunes

AppleInsider is reporting that Apple and Starbucks are being sued because of their recent iTunes promotion cards. James and Marguerite Driessen claim to hold a patent on, what they call 'RPOS' (or retail point of sale for online merchandising). The patent in question allows customers to buy a gift card from brick-and-mortar stores and then go home and redeem the card online. However, Apple has an excuse, because while the Driessens' patent was under review, Apple developed their own similar concept for redeeming the iTunes gift cards.

Apple's gift cards allow a person to enter a code on the iTunes Store and receive a whole artist's album, along with the artwork. However, due to legal pressure from the Driessens, Apple apparently pulled the iTunes gift cards from the stores, but left them in UK Stores.

Now, here's where this may get a little sticky. I've been wondering why this is only affecting the Apple iTunes cards. Why aren't other gift card manufacturing companies getting hit with this suit? This patent application seems to describe pretty much every gift card that I have seen; such as those credit-card-gift-cards that you can buy at most malls -- you can also use those online as a credit card. And not to mention those Zune music cards! What do you think? Should Apple be forced to remove their cards that provide convenience to customers, or should they fight back? Be sure to sound off in the comments below!


[via AppleInsider]

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

iBand crafting canorous concoctions

iBand crafting canorous concoctions: "

Filed under: Multimedia

Quite possibly a first: iBand is a group of innovative musicians taking iPhone music applications to the next level. Using a combination of iAno, PocketGuitar, iPhoneSynth and BeatPhone, they've created a sound (Mike Oldfield meets Mario Bros.?) that is certain to spawn some creative offshoots amongst musically inclined iPhone owners. There are already several video responses to their YouTube presentation.

If nothing else, they get due credit for a great execution of the idea. I'm sure that, with the presence of multiple music synthesis apps for the iPhone, there is a lot of musical innovation taking place. We'd be curious to hear about other mellifluous iPhone adventures. Maybe some of our own readers have already explored the pocket-sized music frontier in ways we haven't considered yet!

Check out the iBand website for a little explanation and, hopefully, more updates as the idea develops.

Thanks Kacy!

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Technorati Tags:
Apple, iPhone, Software

ColorWare does the Air

ColorWare does the Air: "

Filed under: Mods, MacBook Air

Macs, in general, have always been works of art compared to their rivals, and the MacBook Air is a pinnacle achievement in the line of lust-worthy Apple computers. There's just never been a lot of color choice in the Apple's lineup. For the audacious souls who choose to express their personality through their hardware, ColorWare has been making Macs (et al) into vibrant articulations of individuality for 8 years. And now they'll deck out your Air, too.

ColorWare recently announced the inclusion of the MacBook Air in its line of color-modded machines. Starting with a sleek black, the pigmentation possibilities branch out exponentially when you consider there are 34 other colors that can be mixed and matched in whatever combination best describes your individual taste. You can choose a metallic or solid type of color for the high-gloss, scratch-resistant, polymer-based coating.

For a lot of us - well, me anyway - I'm pretty happy with titanium and white as I've never needed my computer to be a distraction in and of itself. I have enough applications designed for that purpose. But I know there are more than a few people excited about a black MacBook Air, probably even a few tickled about the pink option and many more in the spectrum between.

You can send in your current machine ($500+) or buy one ready to go ($2568+). You can even play with the possibilities before you make the leap.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

First Office update due in March, XML converter delayed

First Office update due in March, XML converter delayed: "Microsoft will release the first update for Office 2008 in March. Getting the team to work on that has delayed the release of Open XML File Format Converter Update to Office 2004.

(Via Macworld.)

Bugs & Fixes: iPhone e-mail messages won’t send

Bugs & Fixes: iPhone e-mail messages won’t send: "Ted Landau looks at three common culprits that prevent iPhone users from sending e-mail and how to tackle them. Plus, in a bonus bug, he takes on the mysterious iPhone Unknown error (6).

(Via Macworld.)

Technorati Tags:
Apple, iPhone, Software

Compare two folders' contents in Terminal

Compare two folders' contents in Terminal: "Use a built-in Unix program to quickly compare two folders' contents.

(Via Macworld.)

Kensington SlimBlade Mice

Kensington SlimBlade Mice: "Dan Frakes looks at two new multi-purpose mobile mice from Kensington.

(Via Macworld.)

Publishing standalone albums to your Web Gallery

Publishing standalone albums to your Web Gallery: "You can now create and publish photo albums and Events without having them appear on your Web Gallery home page. This allows you to share certain photos with a select audience without sharing your entire Web Gallery (say, for example, you want to display pictures of a car you’re selling).
1. If you have iPhoto '08, use Software Update to install version 7.1.2.
2. Open iPhoto and choose an album or Event you want to share.
3. Select Web Gallery in the iPhoto toolbar.
4. Click Show Advanced in the"

(Via .Mac Blog.)

Airfoil 3.1 gains support for Apple TV, more

Airfoil 3.1 gains support for Apple TV, more: "Rogue Amoeba today announced the release of Airfoil 3.1, a major update that allows complete support for sending audio to the Apple TV and Airfoil Speakers for Windows..."

(Via MacMinute.)

iToner 1.0.6 supports iPhone OS 1.1.3

iToner 1.0.6 supports iPhone OS 1.1.3: "supports"

(Via MacMinute.)

OmniPlan 1.5 offers more Leopard support

OmniPlan 1.5 offers more Leopard support: "The Omni Group today announced a new release of their project planning application, OmniPlan..."

(Via MacMinute.)

Dualy Extreme delivers 5X wireless for Airport Extreme

Dualy Extreme delivers 5X wireless for Airport Extreme: "wireless"

(Via MacMinute.)

Mark/Space updates SyncTogether for Leopard compatibility

Mark/Space updates SyncTogether for Leopard compatibility: "Mark/Space today announced the availability of a Leopard-compatible update to SyncTogether — SyncTogether 1.0.2 includes updates that improve the functionality of SyncTogether when used with Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard..."

(Via MacMinute.)

Technorati Tags:
Macintosh, Software

Four Mice to Bento

Four Mice to Bento: "Bento"

(Via Apple Hot News.)

Introducing Xsan 2

Introducing Xsan 2: "Xsan"

(Via Apple Hot News.)

1GB iPod shuffle now $49; 2GB model, just $69

1GB iPod shuffle now $49; 2GB model, just $69: "It’s the world’s most wearable music player, and the 1GB iPod shuffle — just $49 — is now the most affordable iPod ever. It also has a new 2GB sibling that costs just $69 and allows customers to wear even more music on their sleeves. Or belts. Or lapels. While the 1GB iPod shuffle is available immediately, the 2GB will be available later this month. Both models come in five color — silver, blue, green, purple and a (PRODUCT) RED special edition) — weigh just half an ounce, and are just half a cubic inch in volume."

(Via Apple Hot News.)

VisualHub 1.31 adds Surround Sound for "Take 2"

VisualHub 1.31 adds Surround Sound for "Take 2": "

Filed under: Multimedia, Software

An upgrade to one of my favorite (and most useful) video compression and conversion utilities, VisualHub (which we've mentioned a few times), has brought with it support for 5.1 Surround Sound on the just-released Apple TV 'Take 2.' Despite not actually owning an Apple TV, I find myself happy for our video-converting, Apple TV-owning readers, and for the fact that any 5.1 AC3 audio I should happen to create won't be lost for that lucky audience.

The release notes also include some speed improvements for artwork tagging large (150MB+) videos not intended for the 'net, as well as a fix for aspect ratio conversion on Tivo-destined video. VisualHub 1.31 is a free upgrade for registered users. And for newcomers for whom it would be of use, it's worth every penny at the palindromic price of $23.32.

Visit the VisualHub website for more information.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Call Recorder 2.3 released

Call Recorder 2.3 released: "

Filed under: Audio, Internet, Internet Tools, Podcasting, Software Update

We use Skype for the TUAW Talkcast and recently, our host and podcasting guru (OK, not guru, but he is the host and we like him), Michael Rose, has been looking at possibly using Ecamm's Call Recorder 2 plugin as an option for recording our weekly talkcasts. I actually have used it to record both audio and video chat for the Squadcast and really think that it is a fantastic, fantastic add-on.

For anyone unfamiliar, Call Recorder is a great little tool that adds a recording window to Skype. This makes it easy to record incoming and outgoing calls (audio and video). The files are saved in the QuickTime format and they can be converted to MP3 or split into separate tracks.

With the release of the latest version of Skype for the Mac, Ecamm has updated Call Recorder as well. In addition to the latest Skype compatibility, Call Recorder 2.3 also includes a new two-track video recording option (so that you can have a separate stream from each side of the conversation) and enhanced video recording quality.

Call Recorder 2 is $14.95 (for $7 more, you can also get Conference Recorder, which adds the same functionality to iChat, and unlike the built in iChat recorder, doesn't require both users to have Leopard) and a free demo is available if you want to try out the tool.

If you want a simple, hassle free way to record Skype conversations, give Call Recorder a shot!

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Starbucks/AT&T deal to include edge servers for Apple?

Starbucks/AT&T deal to include edge servers for Apple?: "

Filed under: iTS, Wireless

In the world of wireless networking, there are big secrets and little secrets. For a great rundown on the obvious and hidden implications of the AT&T/Starbucks WiFi deal, you should check out Glenn Fleishman's piece at TidBITS. Glenn sussed out the various flavors of AT&T's offering, mused about the implications of WiFi ubiquity for the anticipated 3G iPhone, and tried to track down the deal for Starbucks card holders; it's still not clear exactly how the '2 hours of access' arrangement will work, but the expectation is that anyone with a Starbucks card that gets used (to make a purchase) once a month will be able to connect for up to two hours a day during that month.

Things got really interesting, however, when Glenn talked to Starbucks CTO Chris Bruzzo about the AT&T deal. Bruzzo strongly implied that Starbucks retail locations are caching iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store content for sales to iTunes, iPhone and iPod touch users in-store, rather than having to backhaul the content from Apple. Glenn quotes Bruzzo, 'Right now in our stores that have the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store, you go and buy the song that's playing directly overhead, and see how fast it transfers.' If Starbucks is populating hundreds of Wi-Fi Store-enabled locations with edge servers to speed content delivery for music, wouldn't it make sense to do the same for the yet-huger TV show and movie files that are zipping about? At that point, Starbucks becomes a loading zone for both caffeine and content. Fill 'er up!

Update: Apparently there's some confusion over 'edge servers.' To clarify, I don't mean EDGE as in AT&T's 2.5G wireless network, I mean edge as in the edge of a network, a razor, or of night. Apple's investment in and longtime use of Akamai shows that it understands the value of having content decentralized across the network.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

ScreenFlow: The killer screencasting app is here

ScreenFlow: The killer screencasting app is here: "

Filed under: Software, Cool tools

Whether you love them or hate them, screencasts made on Macs just got exponentially better. We at TUAW are in awe of the latest contender for your screencasting love: ScreenFlow, from Vara Software (the maker of Wirecast and Videocue). The feature set is, well, unbelievable in comparison to what is currently available on our platform of choice. And it's an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink solution, with a fantastic editor, amazing effects and simultaneous recording of a video camera (or iSight), your full screen, microphone audio and computer audio without even kicking up my fans. Am I gushing? Definitely.

The fans on my MacBook Pro tend to go nuts after a little while of full-screen recording. Screenium was pretty good with that, but it was only a fraction of the solution that ScreenFlow seems to be. The real magic of ScreenFlow starts after the recording is finished. Once you're in the editor, you find that it's tracked all of your movements, foreground windows, keypresses, etc. with precision.

You can cut and fade, zoom and rotate, add callouts for foreground windows or mouse clicks ... I'm still in amazement. No longer will I need Mouseposé; not only does it automate the process of highlighting the mouse position and calling out clicks wherever you want them, it relieves any need to be hitting hotkeys to turn it on and off while you record. Is this finally the Mac Camtasia? Quite probably.

ScreenFlow costs $99.99 and is available for purchase. A fully-functional (watermarked) demo is right here along with a screencast that's seriously worth watching.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Yahoo! Mail now works with Safari 3

Yahoo! Mail now works with Safari 3: "

Filed under: Software, Freeware, Internet, Internet Tools

I have no idea just how big this intersection might be (in terms of sheer numbers, it has to be pretty big, I guess), but if you're a Yahoo! Mail user and a Safari 3 user, prepare to smile, because Yahoo! says that you can now get in on the 'All-New Yahoo! Mail' fun. 'All-New Yahoo! Mail' is apparently an AJAX-based, slick piece of webmail software built on the Oddpost engine -- I wouldn't really know all the features because Gmail has wrapped its simple-to-use tendrils completely around my life, from iPhone to all the different browsers I use.

But if you've been dedicated to Safari 3 since it came out, and chomping at the bit to use this 'All-New Yahoo! Mail,' now's your chance. Yahoo! does specifically say 'Safari 3 on the Mac,' but I'd assume it would work for the Windows version of Safari 3 as well -- if you have any problems, they'll probably fix it, and then they'll have to call it 'The Newer All-New Yahoo! Mail.' God forbid they come up with something newer than that.

[Via Ars]

iTunes compiles Rock Band tracks

iTunes compiles Rock Band tracks: "

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Gaming, iTS, Odds and ends, iTunes

I've been rocking on Rock Band almost since it came out (almost done with expert on guitar and hard on drums -- stupid bass pedal is driving me nuts -- and the band my friends and I formed, Fel and the Boatmen, just got ourselves a jet). And now, iTunes has made it easy to rock even away from the game: they've collected all the Rock Band tracks all in one place. That's the good news -- the bad news is that all together, the tracks will cost you a whopping $73.26. That's still 99 cents a song, so exactly no price cuts for a bundle purchase.

The tracks don't exactly match up to the game, either; first of all, even where the game has cover tracks, iTunes has the original artists (and sometimes, live versions of the tracks, which aren't necessarily the same as the game). And there are no bonus tracks -- Freezepop is in iTunes (as is Mother Hips, my other favorite bonus song) but not on the Rock Band list at all. Still, if you absolutely have to own one of the Rock Band songs, I guess it's nice that iTunes put them all in one place for you.

[Via X3F]

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Terminal Tips: creating a Spotlight-based gallery

Terminal Tips: creating a Spotlight-based gallery: "

Filed under: Features, Terminal Tips

As sexy as Leopard is to me, I'm just as enamored with the powerful UNIX underpinnings of the operating system. I've been toying with a few ways to combine a couple of my favorite command line utilities into something that might prove useful. I won't claim I've achieved a truly practical usage yet, but I thought I'd offer some possibilities. Even for the Terminal-timid, you just might find the potential intriguing enough to slap on some binary camouflage and go all 'Code Warrior' for a bit.

I'm going to elaborate on some image processing techniques using results from Spotlight searches. In order to make use of the examples without modification, you'll need to have a collection of images containing IPTC keywords (or very descriptive filenames). With a little modification, the searches can be expanded to other criteria. But if you can't run a spotlight search and find at least 8 jpegs with one keyword, you'll have to accept this as a proof of concept. But, that being said, let's get started.

Continue reading Terminal Tips: creating a Spotlight-based gallery

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Is Time Machine all you need?

Is Time Machine all you need?: "Although any backup is better than no backup at all, Time Machine may not protect your data to the extent or in the way that you need. A few significant weaknesses offset its impressive strengths."

(Via Macworld.)

Vara Software ships ScreenFlow for Mac OS X

Vara Software ships ScreenFlow for Mac OS X: "Vara Software today shipped ScreenFlow, an advanced Screencasting software package for Mac OS X Leopard..."

(Via MacMinute.)

New theme, high-quality export for PulpMotion 1.5

New theme, high-quality export for PulpMotion 1.5: "Aquafadas has announced the availability of PulpMotion 1.5, an application from that gives users a simple option for designing and sharing, in a few clicks, striking media montages that integrate personal photos, videos and music..."

(Via MacMinute.)

Aperture 2 impresses CNET Editor

Aperture 2 impresses CNET Editor: "‘Apple has done well with Aperture 2.0, based on my test of ingesting and editing a batch of my own photos on a dual-core iMac,’ remarks Stephen Shankland in a recent article on CNET. And, he points out, he’s not the only one to notice the dramatic performance gains: ‘I feel like someone snuck a new CPU into my machine,’ gushed photographer Josh Anon in a Wednesday blog posting.’ ‘On top of a general performance boost,’ Shankland continues, Aperture 2 delivers ‘a new preview mode that specifically emphasizes speed,’ an entirely ‘new raw-processing engine’ that delivers significant advantages, and a variety of other new features, as well."

(Via Apple Hot News.)

DLO unveils Portable Speakers for iPhone

DLO unveils Portable Speakers for iPhone: "Digital Lifestyle Outfitters (DLO) today unveiled its Portable Speakers for iPhone (US$$49.99)..."

(Via MacMinute.)