Sun continues pursuit of Java for iPhone

Sun continues pursuit of Java for iPhone: "Sun continues to pursue talks with Apple to have Java applications run on Apple's iPhone while acknowledging a third party's efforts toward the same goal.

(Via Macworld.)

Contour offers Hardskin for iPhone

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Fine. I'll let the image speak for itself. Just remember to check it out! I'm certainly hoping to own one. - Tim

New iPhone back in black?

CNET has an interesting quote from Engadget claiming the new iPhone may be all black (losing the aluminum exterior), include a GPS chip and a few other goodies. Check it out. - Tim Godby

Macs gaining bigger role in the enterprise

Macs gaining bigger role in the enterprise: "‘‘We’re seeing more requests outside of creative services to switch to Macs from PCs,’ notes David Plavin.’ In fact, the operations manager for the Publicis Groupe explained to Galen Gruman (infoworld.com) that he’s received so many requests that he ‘now supports 2,500 Macs across the U.S. — nearly a quarter of all Publicis’ U.S. PCs.’"

(Via Apple Hot News.)

Technorati Tags:
Apple, Macintosh

Dell: You want XP, we got it, even after the deadline

I know, but I just find this fascinating. -TG

Dell will pre-install Windows XP, even after the June 30th deadline.

View Original Article

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Apple plans update to remedy video problem on 5G iPods

I had no idea this problem existed. Talk about being out of the loop. Read on to discover just what the issue is and what Apple plans to do about it.

Boston Retirement Board to Steve Jobs: you're being served

An interesting headline from the folks at ars technica. It seems the main issue is money lost by a group of investors resulting from the scandal. Give it a read.

ScreenFlow 1.1 picks up the pace

ScreenFlow is something I've mentioned before and from what I've so far seen it's absolutely amazing. TUAW has a concise review well worth your time. The price is high at $99 but I think you'll agree it is absolutely the best in class application for creating screen casts. - Tim Godby

Sony to buy Gracenote music data company

I certainly do not understand all the ramifications of Sony's business move here, but this is an interesting read. - Tim Godby

Sony to buy Gracenote music data company: "Sony is paying $260 million for the company whose software identifies digital music files and whose customers include iTunes.

(Via Macworld.)

Record laptop sales drive $1.05B Apple profit

Apple reports some extremely impressive numbers. Details from Macworld below.

Record laptop sales drive $1.05B Apple profit: "Apple on Wednesday reported a profit of $1.05 billion or $1.16 per share and revenue of $7.51 billion for the fiscal second quarter. They sold over 2.2 million Macs, 10.6 million iPods and 1.7 million iPhones in the quarter.

(Via Macworld.)

Apple files for iPhone instant messaging patent

Apple files for iPhone instant messaging patent: "

Filed under: Internet Tools, Apple, iPhone

The one feature that most of us iPhone owners want is native instant messaging. With the upcoming SDK release, instant messaging apps will most likely not be able to run in the background (in other words, they may not receive messages when the phone is sleeping or doing other things). However, AppleInsider is reporting on an Apple patent for instant messaging on the iPhone that was filed in August of last year, but just granted in March of this year.

The drawing included with the patent filing looks identical to the SMS application on the iPhone, with some key differences, one of which is word suggestions that appear as bubbles above the keyboard. AppleInsider also reports that this service could be used as a substitute for MMS (multi media messaging) which the current iPhone is lacking.

You can read the full patent filing on the USPTO's website.

[via AppleInsider]


Thanks, James!

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Editing plug-ins and SDK for Aperture 2.1 arrive

Editing plug-ins and SDK for Aperture 2.1 arrive: "On the same day that Apple posted the Software Development Kit (SDK) that third-party developers can use to create image editing plug-ins for Aperture 2.1, the first image editing plug-ins from third-party developers have arrived and several others are expected to appear shortly."

(Via Apple Hot News.)

Apple alters Windows software update tool

This needed to happen. - Tim Godby

Apple alters Windows software update tool: "Apple’s Software Update for Windows users now separates updates to already installed programs from new offerings—an apparent response to criticism over the way it was pushing Safari to Windows users.

(Via Macworld.)

InfoWorld: ‘No Macs’ is no longer a defensible IT strategy

InfoWorld: ‘No Macs’ is no longer a defensible IT strategy: "A number of computing trendsare making it easier for tech departments to say yes to the Mac by facilitating IT’s ability to provide enterprise-grade Mac management and support.

(Via Macworld.)

Apple updates MacBook Pro EFI Firmware update

Apple updates MacBook Pro EFI Firmware update: "Apple has released a minor update to the MacBook Pro EFI Firmware update, to version 1.5.1. Boot ROM versions have not changed.

(Via Macworld.)

AT&T WiFi portal for iPhone users shows up at Starbucks

AT&T WiFi portal for iPhone users shows up at Starbucks: "

Filed under: iPod Family, Internet, iPhone

It was only a couple months ago that Starbucks announced that AT&T would take over hotspot services from T-Mobile. Now the WiFi hotspots are rolling out to some of the Starbucks stores. David Chartier, of previous TUAW and now ArsTechnica fame, recently posted an article on his personal blog about the portal and what it offers. He also took the picture that you can see above.

According to David, AT&T is giving WiFi users 2 free hours of access per day. But AT&T didn't stop there -- they designed an iPhone-specific portal to sign onto the service. A local Starbucks manager told David that all 7,000+ Starbucks stores in the US should be 'finished by summer.'

I should note that this iPhone portal isn't specific to Starbucks -- every AT&T WiFi hotspot features the same interface -- and all devices are eligible for the 2 free hours of access (not just iPhones and iPod touches). Any WiFi device should be able to logon to the service. It is nice to see AT&T finally giving connectivity away for free.

[via 1FPS]

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Mac Mini home theater redux

Mac Mini home theater redux: "

Filed under: Multimedia, Mac mini

A recent post at hicksdesign on turning a Mac Mini into a media center is very serendipitous for me, as I'm currently researching options (and buying hardware) to do just that. I've acquired a Mini, a couple of hardware items that I'm trying to decide between and several software solutions that I'm putting to the test.

The post serves well as an update to some of our previous thoughts and takes into account some hardware and software updates. Among other things, the post discusses the decision between the Apple TV and the Mini, the virtues of Front Row 2, external hardware, and some great software tips.

Admittedly, my current solution is the result of hours of hacking and wiring and runs on a PC. I've been itching for a couple of years to make the whole system Mac-based. The hicksdesign post, along with all of my other research, should lead to a system that puts my current HTPC to shame.

[via 43 Folders]

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Free alternatives to the Macheist bundle + more

Free alternatives to the Macheist bundle + more: "

Filed under: Software

Many people love the Macheist bundles because of the software. Others like the price. However, we're betting everyone will like some free alternatives to their latest collection -- despite the low price, there's always another, cheaper way.

In a list of freebies compiled by Lifehacker, matching the Macheist options, there are a few standouts: For money management online without the cash layout, try replacing Cha-Ching with the free Mint website. Getting your clipboard multiplier under control can be done at a cost by iClip or freely by Jumpcut. WriteRoom, the distraction-free word processor, is replaced by the web-based DarkCopy among several other options (including Freeverse's free attention-focus tool Think). See Adam Pash's excellent article for the full rundown.

Of course, the price of $49US for the Macheist bundle is pretty sweet, but many people already own or don't need several of the included applications.

Following the example of LH's list, here are a couple of alternative options for the current MacUpdate promo bundle:

• For SoundStudio, check out the free & open source Audacity (of course, GarageBand may already be on your Mac)


• DVDRemaster Pro's conversion and archiving chops can be met or matched by the lovely and talented (and free) HandBrake


• Leap is quite cool and somewhat hard to replicate, but SpotInside is a free Spotlight enhancer that does a nice job too


• For the Parallels headliner, you can find cheaper or free Windows emulation/virtualization tools at VirtualBox, iEmulator, and Q

Got other free suggestions for some of the bundled paid apps? Let us know.
Thanks Adam P.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

BusySync 2.0 ships, adds Google Calendar

BusySync 2.0 ships, adds Google Calendar: "

Filed under: Software, Internet Tools

After six weeks in beta (not long at all in Google-weeks), the new version 2.0 of iCal-sharing tool BusySync is out. The headline feature for 2.0 is of course the new iCal --> Google Calendar synchronization capability, which opens up a wide world of cloud-based options for families and workgroups already using the LAN-based sync of earlier versions. You can keep multiple iCal users synchronized (even on the same machine), sync remotely via Google, and more.

There are plenty other options for syncing your calendars with gCal, but if you need to keep more than one user's iCal coordinated (think family schedules!) then BusySync may be the product for you, starting at $25 per seat. The guys behind BusySync have a long history with Mac calendaring (including creating the late great Now Up-to-Date, which actually saw its first update in over a year last week) and I've been impressed with the quality of the beta release. We'll do a head-to-head comparison of the iCal sync options soon.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Port Map: easy UPnP port mapping

Port Map: easy UPnP port mapping: "

Filed under: Freeware, Internet Tools

One of the nice things about the Airport Extreme Base Station is the Airport Utility application used to manage it. Most other routers these days are managed with a web interface which can sometimes be a little wonky. So it was with some interest that I discovered Port Map, from the Coding Monkeys of SubEthaEdit fame.

Port Map is not a full-fledged management application, but it does bring Cocoa lickability to one standard management task: port mapping, an essential task for iChat or Back to my Mac. If your router supports UPnP / NAT-PNP Port Map provides an iPhone-esque Ui for setting up specific ports, including 'presets and URL templates.' You can see it working above with my DD-WRT Linksys router (don't worry, I turned it off after the screenshot).

Port Map is a free download from The Coding Monkeys. They've also open-sourced some of the coding goodness that makes this possible and created a framework available to other developers on a Google Code page.

Thanks constantin!

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Apple makes a nice jump on the Fortune 500

Apple makes a nice jump on the Fortune 500: "

Filed under: Apple Financial, iPhone

Apple's headed straight to the top with a bullet -- they went from 159 to 121 in last year's Fortune 500 ranking, and this year, they've pushed their way up to 103. On the list of the '20 most profitable tech companies,' they are solidly at number eight -- Fortune says that the introduction of the iPhone and 'record sales of Mac computers' have Apple on a rocket trajectory.

Of course, Google's sitting upstairs at number 7, and you-know-who (not the Harry Potter villain, but close) is up at number one.

But yes, there's no question that Apple has really been hitting it out of the park lately, and considering the future (the fruits of the SDK, another possible iPhone iteration, and whatever else they're brewing up in Cupertino), the trends will continue.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

PayPal says it won't block Safari

PayPal says it won't block Safari: "

Filed under: Internet Tools, Security

There's been some talk about PayPal blocking Safari from using its services, and I'm among those concerned about it... even if only from a convenience standpoint. Originally the news was gleaned from statements by PayPal Chief Information Security Officer Michael Barrett regarding browsers without phishing protection -- which most assumed included our beloved Webkit-based compass. But in a brief addendum to a post at the Wall Street Journal last week it was reported that -- while Paypal will be blocking older browsers (IE4-era) and older operating systems -- Safari is safe from the cut.

I'm relieved, at least from the previously mentioned convenience standpoint. I prefer Safari as my surfing browser¹ and I frequently use PayPal. It's too bad that there are still a good number of sites that, while not blocking Safari, just plain don't work with it yet. Add to that some of the great plugins available for Flock/Firefox and you'll almost always find me with multiple browsers open. In much the way that the iPhone is preventing Gargoylism* by consolidating peripherals, I'm hoping for a day when I open just one browser in the morning. I'm getting a little teary-eyed thinking about it.

¹Since I know it will be bandied about in the comments, I'd like to offer these reasons for preferring Safari: It's faster (in general). It's more elegant (or prettier, either way it's subjective). It's AppleScriptable (which I make daily use of). And it's more elegant (redundant, but worth mentioning again).

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

At MIT, the Mac helps scientists learn the language

At MIT, the Mac helps scientists learn the language: "Deb Roy and his wife Rupal Patel have turned their house into a high-tech observatory and live-in laboratory. With the aid of their young son, the pair of academics are collecting data for the most ambitious study ever conducted on how children acquire language. So far, their Human Speechome Program has amassed more than 200,000 hours of audio and video recordings — more than 250 terabytes of data — and they’ll depend on a Mac application called TotalRecall to help them make sense of it."

(Via Apple Hot News.)

1Password: same great taste, new price

1Password has to me become indispensable. - Tim Godby

1Password: same great taste, new price: "

Filed under: Software, Cool tools

Password concierge and form-filler extraordinaire 1Password was upped to version 2.5.12 today with more features, changes and fixes than we could possibly list. Of course, current bleeding-edge users probably noticed that 2.6 Beta 6 also came out today with its own improvements and fixes, including the missing Fluid extension from Beta 5. Did we mention it supports Fluid these days?

Version 2.5.12 packs Safari 3.1 support, iPhone bookmarklet changes, better Firefox support and a plethora of fixes. While the price of this TUAW favorite has gone up a whole $5, so has the functionality. The current update is free for license holders, newcomers get it for $34.95. To each their own, but I personally consider this one worth every penny.

Update: I'm quite obviously a month behind on my 1Password release notes. 2.6 Beta 6 did come out today, 2.5.12 came out... yes, a month ago. I apologize to anyone who was thrown into a time-warp due to my careless disregard of basic chronology.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Client for Mac 2, Beta 3

I use this at work. - Tim Godby

Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Client for Mac 2, Beta 3: "

Filed under: Software

Remember a few days ago we reported that the Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Client beta had expired, making users deal with an annoying, 'Why don't you download the new version' screen when no new version was available? Yeah, that was no fun. Luckily, the Mac BU has recently released Remote Desktop Connection Client for Mac 2 Beta 3. The biggest improvement in this new beta is that it doesn't expire, so users who need to connect to Windows boxes from OS X won't be left in the cold as the actual ship date slips later and later.

Also new in the Beta 3 are full help files (which are localized in a few languages) as well as support for non-English keyboards.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Create a PDF of newspaper headlines with Automator

Filed under the category of just plain cool. The depth and elegance of the Macintosh OS just keeps revealing itself. - Tim Godby

Create a PDF of newspaper headlines with Automator: "

Filed under: Software, Internet, Internet Tools, Terminal Tips

Some of you news hounds may be aware of Newseum, the 'interactive museum of news.' Every day, they publish the front pages of over 600 newspapers from several companies. Wouldn't it be cool to get just the ones you like delivered to your (virtual) door as a single PDF? Automator to the rescue!

Dave Bednarski sent a great script he wrote to the folks at 37signals which serves that purpose. Basically, you enter the addresses of the papers you'd like to receive, filter for PDFs, download the result to the desktop and combine the lot by appending the pages into one big file. It's just that easy.

For an added bonus, attach this script to an iCal event and have your news waiting for you each morning. All that's missing is your mug of coffee, and the muddy pawprints of the family dog on the carpet after he runs out in the rain to chase the paperboy.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Gartner marketshare data shows a bushel of Apples

Gartner marketshare data shows a bushel of Apples: "

Filed under: Apple

The numbers are preliminary, but Gartner's analysis of the US personal computer market for the 1st quarter of 2008 shows some remarkable market expansion year-over-year for Apple. With a 6.6% share of the US market (behind Dell, HP and Acer), Apple shipped over a million Macs in the quarter and had 32% growth in unit sales, far outpacing the 3% growth of the overall market and blowing past sales leader Dell's otherwise stellar 15% growth.

Gartner's report notes that 'Apple enjoyed strong retail sales, and there were indications that Apple showed decent growth in the professional market as well.' Someone's got to be buying all those machines!

[via MacRumors]

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

LCD Scrub cleans those stubborn stains from your screen

LCD Scrub cleans those stubborn stains from your screen: "

Filed under: Cool tools

Back in the day, we ran screen savers for more than just meditative entertainment, eye candy or news updates. We ran them for one good reason -- to save our freakin' screens! Burn-in was a serious problem on CRT monitors, and many displays ended up with a permanent menu bar shadow or outline of a high-contrast desktop pattern stuck there for posterity.

While LCD screens aren't nearly as likely to run into image persistence issues as older CRTs, they aren't immune to damage, as developer Daniel Sandler (author of screensaver Pyrothèque) learned to his dismay a year ago. After his flat-panel got munged by green static overnight, he whipped up a pattern-shifting screensaver to repair the burned-in pixels (based on Apple's recommendation of leaving an all-white image over the affected areas). Whaddaya know, it worked -- hence the $18 LCD Scrub screensaver/display repair tool.

Just updated to version 1.02 with registration and other bug fixes, LCD Scrub might just save you the cost of a new display. It's the fluoridated water of screensavers: secretly doing good behind the scenes.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Mac 101: Zoom and pan images in Quick Look

I didn't know this! - Tim Godby

Mac 101: Zoom and pan images in Quick Look: "

Filed under: OS, Tips and tricks, Mac 101

Is your laptop not among those that can do Multi-touch? Don't feel badly, you can replicate those great features!

Well, kind of. First, open an image with Quick Look. Next, hold down the Option key while performing a two-finger scroll. The image zooms in and out!

Finally, let go of the Option key but keep your fingers in place on your trackpad. The cursor turns into a four-point directional, and then you can pan the image within the Quick Look window.

This also works with a mouse and scrollwheel.

Thanks, Max!

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Office Suite Smackdown: Excel vs. Numbers

Office Suite Smackdown: Excel vs. Numbers: "Is Apple’s iWork a viable alternative to Microsoft Office? To find out, we asked Rob Griffiths—our go-to expert on spreadsheets—to use Excel 2008 and Numbers ’08 to create the same project, progressing from the basics (text entry and formatting) to more-advanced features. Our questions: Which program is better at each stage of the job?

(Via Macworld.)

MacPractice offers credit card processing

MacPractice offers credit card processing: "MacPractice, the practice management software for dentists and doctors, now supports integrated credit card and debit card processing.

(Via Macworld.)

Six Apart brings blogging application to Facebook

Strictly speaking this isn't Macintosh or Apple related other than the fact these web based applications work beautifully on the Mac. The reason for including the story here is that it is yet another example of the proliferation of truly useful combinations of technology and just a little altruism on the part of application developers. Six Apart made this work with blogging sites outside their own subscription model. Call it Web 2.0 or 3.0 or whatever you wish. I call it, cool. - Tim Godby

Six Apart brings blogging application to Facebook: "Blogging company Six Apart released a new application that will allow bloggers to post from within Facebook.

(Via Macworld.)

Study: Apple the fastest-growing U.S. PC maker

Study: Apple the fastest-growing U.S. PC maker: "Market research firm Gartner pegs Apple's year-over-year growth rate at 32.5 percent in the U.S., and said that its marketshare is at 6.6 percent.

(Via Macworld.)

Open Mail links in the background

Open Mail links in the background: "Here’s a quick tip on how to make Mail open links in your browser while keeping the browser in the background.

(Via Macworld.)

MySpace Music Sees Major Money in Free Tunes

We've heard the "reinvent the music industry" line many times. One thing MySpace definitely has is sheer scale. They're the largest social networking site in the world. I'll confess I don't really "get" MySpace but it is a force. We'll all watch and see. - Tim Godby

MySpace Music Sees Major Money in Free Tunes: "MySpace climbs into bed with the major labels to put together a service that promises all things to all music fans -- and could reinvent the music industry.

(Via Top Stories.)

Technorati Tags:
Internet, iTunes, Music

Safari Update Fixes Serious Security Flaws

Safari Update Fixes Serious Security Flaws: "Apple issued a patch to its web browser Thursday, addressing several recently-raised security concerns. The update is for both Mac and Windows versions of Safari, but it also improves WebKit, a key element of Apple's OS X operating system.

(Via Top Stories.)

Enjoy PBS programming on iTunes U

This is wonderful. I took a look at the wealth of programming of available for download. Take a look. -Tim Godby

Enjoy PBS programming on iTunes U: "From The War: A film by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick to The Jewish Americans: A Series by David Grubin to Meet the Author, featuring more than 40 interviews with top children’s book authors and illustrators, WETA — Washington D.C.’s Public Broadcasting Station — delivers a rich assortment of educational programming for students, teachers, and parents alike. And they’re not alone. Educational programming from four other PBS stations, including KQED, WGBH, thirteen, and ideastream can also be seen and heard on iTunes U. Take a look. And enjoy."

(Via Apple Hot News.)

Bento’s “simple, uncomplicated and really, really useful”

This is a well written review harkening back to the pre-FileMaker days. - Tim Godby

Bento’s “simple, uncomplicated and really, really useful”: "Bento, the personal database application for Mac OS X Leopard, ‘harkens back to what software once was: simple, uncomplicated and really, really useful,’ recalls Mark Kellner (washingtontimes.com). ‘Need to create a super ‘to-do’ list? Done. Ditto for inventories, donations, expense tracking, even a membership list for your book club.’ The highly approachable application allows users to ‘be more organized, more easily, and that’s a good thing,’ he says."

(Via Apple Hot News.)

Macs Trounce PCs in Popular Mechanics “Ultimate Lab Test”

If that data is to be believed, this is becoming a trend. My own non-scientific tests have borne this out many times, especially when comparing the speed of large applications (like Photoshop) in a Macintosh-based Windows environment. - Tim Godby

Macs Trounce PCs in Popular Mechanics “Ultimate Lab Test”: "In what columnist Glenn Derene (popularmechanics.com) billed as the ‘Ultimate Lab Test for New Desktops & Laptops,’ both the iMac and MacBook soundly outperformed Vista-running PCs. ‘In our speed trials,’ reports Derene, ‘Leopard OS trounced Vista in all-important tasks such as boot-up, shutdown and program-launch times. We even tested Vista on the Macs using Apple’s platform-switching Boot Camp software—and found that both Apple computers ran Vista faster than our PCs did."

(Via Apple Hot News.)

Adobe releases debugged Lightroom 1.4.1

Adobe releases debugged Lightroom 1.4.1: "Lightroom 1.4.1 and Adobe Camera Raw 4.4.1 come with support for several new cameras, but not with the bugs that forced Adobe to withdraw their predecessors."

(Via CNET News.com.)

Revisiting tapeless camcorders and the Mac

This is important. For all the things Apple so consistently gets "right", issues with QuickTime and other technologies persist. It can be very frustrating. - Tim Godby

Revisiting tapeless camcorders and the Mac: "Though the latest versions of Final Cut Pro and iMovie seemingly resolved compatibility issues with tapeless camcorders, associate editor Brian Chen stumbled upon more problems.

(Via Macworld.)

Apple updates Final Cut Studio

I missed these today, but it is usually a good idea to install these updates. Unless, that is, one is in the middle of a project. NEVER update software in the midst of a project! - Tim Godby

Apple updates Final Cut Studio: "Apple released updates for Final Cut Pro and Compressor on Thursday, fixing several issues with the applications.

(Via Macworld.)

Top pros put Aperture 2 to work in Two-Views Tour

Top pros put Aperture 2 to work in Two-Views Tour: "Beginning this month, two of the best wedding photographers in the world — Joe Buissink and Yervant — visit multiple US cities as part of the ‘Two Views’ seminar tour. In addition to offering marketing strategies and demonstrating camera techniques, the two award-winning and trend-setting photographers — both of whom use Aperture 2 — will discuss the value of Aperture in their capture-to-output workflow. Apple representatives will also be on hand to demo Aperture 2 for attendees."

(Via Apple Hot News.)

Apple releases numerous updates

Apple releases numerous updates: "Apple today posted several up , including: Mac Book Air EFI Firmware Update 1.0 (fixes several issues to improve the stability of MacBook Air computers); Firmware Restoration CD 1.6 (used to restore the firmware of Intel-based Macs); MacBook EFI Firmware Update 1.2 (fixes several issues to improve the stability of MacBook computers); Mac Book Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.5 (fixes several issues to improve the stability of MacBook Pro computers); iMac EFI Firmware Update 1.3 (fixes several issues to improve the stability of iMac computers); and Aluminum Keyboard Update (addresses an issue with the aluminum Apple Keyboard and the aluminum Apple Wireless Keyboard where a key may repeat unexpectedly while typing..."

(Via MacMinute.)

Create iCal events from anywhere

Create iCal events from anywhere: "Use a simple Automator workflow to create iCal events from anywhere—and if you're running 10.5, you can create to dos, too.

(Via Macworld.)

iPhone is already the top mobile browser

iPhone is already the top mobile browser: "It's been on the market for just six months, and already the iPhone (plus its Wi-Fi-only variant, the iPod Touch) is the most used mobile browser for Internet access in the U.S., according to Irish researcher StatCounter. At No. 2 is the Symbian OS used in Nokia's devices. Globally, the two positions are reversed. In either case, Windows Mobile -- in all its versions -- is just a blip.

(Via Macworld.)

Rogue Amoeba video demo of RadioShift Touch

Rogue Amoeba video demo of RadioShift Touch: "

Filed under: Audio, iPhone

As mentioned toward the tail end of this morning's liveblog chat with Rogue Amoeba's development team, there is a version of RadioShift in the works for the iPhone and iPod touch; the proof is in the (video) pudding. You can see the full-res QuickTime here.

As in the desktop version of RadioShift, you'll be able to review a radio guide and tune into thousands of streaming programs from stations around the globe. The in-progress version has a ways to go (it doesn't actually play audio yet!) but it's exciting to see the efforts of a major Mac developer extended onto the iPhone.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Technorati Tags:
Internet, iPhone, Music

MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air EFI firmware updates

MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air EFI firmware updates: "

Filed under: Software Update

Today, Apple updated the EFI Firmware for the entire notebook line. MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air all received the EFI update. Here's what Apple says about the updates:

This update fixes several issues to improve the stability of [MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air] computers.

You can download this update by opening Software Update on your notebook (Apple menu > Software Update) or by downloading the installer package from Apple's support website.

Apple also notes: To complete the firmware update process, please follow the instructions in the updater application (/Applications/Utilities/MacBook EFI Firmware Update.app). The updater will launch automatically when the Installer closes.


Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Time Machine via Airport Extreme not officially supported

Time Machine via Airport Extreme not officially supported: "

Filed under: OS, Airport

As we noted when the latest Airport Extreme Base Station firmware shipped, Time Machine now seems to recognize USB hard drives connected to the AEBS as valid backup locations. Was this feature added deliberately? Well, Glenn Fleishman over at TidBITS took the trouble to ask Apple about this and he reports that they told him that this is an unsupported feature (and not much else). This is unsurprising given that Apple never made mention of the feature connected with the firmware update (though it was originally promised before Leopard shipped). Fleishman himself even speculates that it was turned on by accident.

So what's the upshot? Apple is offering no support for using your AEBS this way, and so if you have a problem you're pretty much out of luck as far as they're concerned. Further, considering that there have been reports that the Airport Disk can be unreliable, it's probably not a good idea to depend on an Airport Disk and Time Machine for your only backup.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Vista beats OS X? Really?

Vista beats OS X? Really?: "

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Switchers, Steve Jobs, Apple, Blogs

ComputerWorld's Preston Gralla posted a blog entry titled, Five reasons why Vista beats Mac OS X. Clearly, this was link-bait, but you know what, I'll bite.

And although I vehemently disagree with the post's title and assertion, I want to make it clear that I'm not coming at this from the typical rabid Mac-fangirl stance. Until August of last year, I still used a PC as my primary computer (I used Macs at school and for creative work); I used to work as a PC technician. In our TUAW backchannel chat, I'm usually the first person to take the 'don't knee-jerkingly attack the PC' stance.

Still, it was impossible to read the post and NOT respond. Let's take a look at Mr. Gralla's arguments and dissect them one-by-one.

Continue reading Vista beats OS X? Really?

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

New Macheist bundle on the way

New Macheist bundle on the way: "

Filed under: Deals

Eagle-eyed browsers of the MacHeist site may have noticed a preview video posted this afternoon that indicates a new retail bundle is just around the corner. You can't quite make out all the listed applications from the bundle, but a couple of those icons look familiar...

You can get the accumulated history of MacHeist here, if you've got some time on your hands. Likely pricing for the bundle will be $49 when it comes out.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

New "Get a Mac" ad: Office Stress

New "Get a Mac" ad: Office Stress: "

Filed under: Apple

Last night Apple released a new Get a Mac ad showcasing Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac. Apple seems to keep releasing new ads during the American Idol shows on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. You can watch this new ad by going to the Get a Mac page on Apple's website and clicking 'Office Stress.'


Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Mac security not so much about the Mac

Mac security not so much about the Mac: "The days of worms and viruses that targeted a specific operating system are as dated as The Spice Girls, as security threats move online to target the browser and phishing scams."

(Via CNET News.com.)

Details trickle out on Nokia's answer to iPhone

Details trickle out on Nokia's answer to iPhone: "The Nokia Tube will be available later this year, and will use some sort of touch-screen interface along with a GPS chip that supports geotagging."

(Via CNET News.com.)

Technorati Tags:
iPhone

Now Shipping: Final Cut Server

This isn't anything I can presently use in my work environment, but "Wow"! This is an important step for Apple to make. AVID has had asset management with their Unity line for quite some time. I'd love to see this in action. - Tim Godby

Apple today announced that it has begun shipping Final Cut Server, a powerful software solution for media asset management and workflow automation. A scaleable server application, Final Cut Server automatically catalogs large collections of assets, allows searching across multiple disks and SAN volumes, and enables viewing, annotation and approval of content from anywhere using a PC or Mac. “With the introduction of Final Cut Server, collaboration just got a whole lot easier for millions of editors, producers and clients who work with Final Cut Studio,” said Rob Schoeben, Apple’s vice president of Applications Product Marketing.

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Google Earth gets 'New York Times' news

A new layer in the Google Earth software shows headlines related to the region you're visiting with the geographic software.

Blogged with Flock

New MacBook design in store this year?

Apple could be getting ready to overhaul the design of the MacBook and MacBook Pro with aluminum casings and thinner edges, according to a report.

Blogged with Flock

Apple Tops Wal-Mart In Music Sales

According to the most current available retail statistics, Apple Inc. has surpassed Wal-Mart to become the No. 1 music retailer in the country. What...

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Jive's Clearspace: Using Web 2.0 tools to avoid e-mail in business

There's an ongoing battle against using e-mail to share information inside businesses. Jive Software updates its software built around discussions, blogs, and shared "spaces."

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ImageWell 3.5 is available

ImageWell 3.5 is available: "

Filed under: Multimedia, Software

I love XtraLean Software's ImageWell. In fact, nearly every image I post to TUAW has been edited with ImageWell (we've written about it several times). I think it's the perfect application for when something like Photoshop is overkill. That quick crop, resize, border, etc. can be done in a flash with ImageWell.

Version 3.5 became available this week, with a slew of great new features, including

• New sharpness filter


• Two new shapes


• The return key now executes a crop (Yay!)


• Other minor fixes

There's more, of course, and you can get the full run-down here. Among the recent influx of quick-and-dirty image manipulation software, ImageWell is a gem.

ImageWell requires Mac OS 10.3.9. Note that version 3.5 will now cost you $19.95US for a single license. Previously, a free version was available as well as a moderately priced 'Xtras Pack.' This version includes all of the extras and is free for current paid users (A seven-day free trial is available for everyone else). As the day-to-day workhorse it has been for me over the years, twenty bucks is a bargain.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Remix Radiohead in iTunes

It's a huge download. One other detail not here mentioned is that one has to pay for the privilege of having one's remix be a part of the "collective". - Tim Godby

Remix Radiohead in iTunes: "

Filed under: Audio, iTS, iTunes

A couple of years ago, Trent Reznor released fully editable GarageBand versions of a few Nine Inch Nails songs. Others have followed suit (like Burger King), and now Radiohead joins their number.

They've made all five tracks (or 'stems') of the song 'Nude' available in iTunes for $0.99 each [iTunes link]. The tracks are in DRM-free iTunes Plus format, so you can pretty much manipulate them however you'd like.

Purchase all five before the end of this week and receive an access code for the full GarageBand file. Once you've finished your remix, you can upload it here. It definitely sounds like fun, especially for Radiohead fans (like me).

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Photoshop CS4 64-bit in Windows, only 32-bit in OS X

Photoshop CS4 64-bit in Windows, only 32-bit in OS X: "

Filed under: Software, Developer

Right after announcing the release of 64-bit support in the Lightroom 2 beta, Photoshop Senior Project Manager John Nack dropped a little bombshell on his blog, announcing that the next version of Photoshop (CS4) will be available in both 32- and 64-bit versions for Windows, but only a 32-bit version for OS X. The reason: Photoshop on OS X is written with the Carbon API. Last June Apple decided to kill 64-bit Carbon, forcing all future 64-bit application development on the Mac to Cocoa. Adobe had originally planned to ship a 64-bit CS4 as a Carbon app and port to Cocoa for CS5, but now the 64-bit version will have to wait for the CS5 Cocoa build.

The (relative) good news is that this will primarily affect users working on 'very large files on a suitably equipped machine.' The average speed bump 'due to running in 64-bit mode is around 8-12%' when not 'using a large data set.' The bad news is that it is precisely those professional users who buy Mac Pros maxed out on RAM that will likely get penalized. It'll be a sad day when the Photoshop jockeys have to run in Boot Camp to get the most out of their Mac Pros.

[via Daring Fireball]

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Apple passes Walmart, number 1 in US music sales

Apple passes Walmart, number 1 in US music sales: "

Filed under: iTS, Apple

Ars Technica managed to get access to unreleased data from NPD MusicWatch that shows that Apple is now the leading music retailer in the US, passing Walmart. Apparently the news was sent in an internal Apple email and Cupertino now controls 19% of retail music sales, against Walmart's 15% and number three Best Buy's 13%.

Needless to say, this is the first time a download retailer has taken the number one spot and represents a notable market share gain for Apple even since February. It will now be interesting to see if Apple can hold on to the top spot in the long run. In any case, this is a watershed moment and brings the mainstream death of the CD that much closer into view.

Update: Apple has since confirmed its position with a press release. 'The iTunes Store became the largest music retailer in the US based on the amount of music sold during January and February 2008.'

Thanks Nate!

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

iGlasses 2.1: improved stability and more application compatibility

iGlasses 2.1: improved stability and more application compatibility: "

Filed under: Software, Video

It's always seemed to me that the image that comes from the built-in camera on my MacBook Pro should be more adjustable. We've previously mentioned iGlasses, a webcam utility (from the makers of the handy Call Recorder for Skype) which provides all of those missing controls. The utility recently updated to version 2.1, and adds a zoom button, stability improvements and compatibility with more applications.

iGlasses 2.1 lets you control color, exposure, zooming and cropping of your iSight (or one of several other webcams). It also provides several color adjustment 'effects', if you're into that, and it's AppleScript-able so you can automate settings. Personally, I'm mostly interested in zooming and controlling lighting/color settings, which it handles quite well. Once the free, 7-day demo is installed, the adjustment palette shows up in most applications that use the iSight: iChat, Skype, Skitch, Pixelmator, Photo Booth and about 60 others.

iGlasses will set you back $9.95 and a free demo is available. The demo can be easily uninstalled by running the installer and clicking the 'Uninstall' button.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Photoshop CS4 to be 64-bit for Windows, but not Mac

Am I the only one that feels Adobe is treating the Macintosh platform like a loathed step-child? - Tim Godby

Photoshop CS4 to be 64-bit for Windows, but not Mac: "Adobe said the next version of its Creative Suite will feature a 64-bit version of Photoshop, but not for Mac users. Due to changes Apple made in its programming direction, Mac users will have to wait.

(Via Macworld.)

Survey finds most iPhone owners aren't Mac users

Survey finds most iPhone owners aren't Mac users: "

Filed under: Cult of Mac, Apple, iPhone

Rubicon Consulting recently published a survey (PDF) from a selected group of 460 iPhone owners. Here is a summary of the results:

• 80% of iPhone owners said they were 'satisfied' with the device


• 72% of users said they use the iPhone at least once a day for e-mail


• 55% of those surveyed said that the iPhone has increased their mobile browsing


• Almost half of the owners changed their carrier
  


• 40% of those that switched, switched from a smartphone device
  


• 1/3 of iPhone owners carry 2 phones


• 13% of iPhone owners surveyed have unlocked iPhones


• 1 out of 10 users reported 'hand pain' after use


• 1 out of 5 iPhones were purchased as a gift

Only 20% of the users surveyed said that they had both an iPod and Mac; while only 5% said they had had a Mac and no iPod. Half of iPhone owners are under 30 years of age and students took up 16% of iPhone usage. While not surprising, the most desired new feature is applications and Exchange support. iPhone owners are of course paying more for their monthly phone bill -- the average phone bill before iPhone purchase was around $78/mo. and after purchase was around $97/mo.

You can read the full survey by downloading the published survey from Rubicon Consulting.

[via MacRumors]

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

MarsEdit 2.1.3 helps keep drafts in WP and Blogger

This is also the Blogging software of choice for the GreerMUG blog. - Tim Godby

MarsEdit 2.1.3 helps keep drafts in WP and Blogger: "

Filed under: Software, Cool tools, Blogging

Daniel Jalkut posts that TUAW's favorite blogging app, MarsEdit, has hit version 2.1.3. Mainly a bug fix update, the biggest change is that drafts in WordPress and Blogger are now better handled -- their 'draft' status is apparently better preserved.

Additionally, a few markup elements, specifically '#tags#' and '#askurl#' have been tweaked to work better, and there is also improved handling of URLs in localhost-based blogs.

MarsEdit is available, as always, for $29.95 from Red Sweater, or free for a 30-day trial period.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Keynote update better handles large documents

It's about time. This has been a frequent complaint of mine when working with any Keynote file that goes beyond the very basics. I'll be hoping for noticeable speed increases. - Tim Godby

Keynote update better handles large documents: "Apple has updated Keynote to 4.0.3, and this update better handles large documents.

(Via Macworld.)

Griffin announces Wave Case for iPhone

Looks very much like a case from Incase. I hope to be able to see one soon as my current iPhone case is ready for a replacement. -Tim Godby

Griffin announces Wave Case for iPhone: "Griffin Technology today announced Wave, a svelte and stylish addition to the Griffin family of protective cases for iPhone..."

(Via MacMinute.)

Technorati Tags:
Accessories, iPhone

Realmac Software release RapidWeaver 3.6.6

Realmac Software release RapidWeaver 3.6.6: "Realmac Software today announced an update to RapidWeaver, its award-winning website creation application for Mac OS X..."

(Via MacMinute.)

Adobe delivers Photoshop Lightroom 2.0 Beta

Wonder if it will takes some cues from Apple's Aperture? - Tim Godby

Adobe delivers Photoshop Lightroom 2.0 Beta: "Adobe Systems today announced Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2.0 beta, a public preview of new and improved functionality to be delivered in the next major release..."

(Via MacMinute.)