NY Times profiles Apple stores

NY Times profiles Apple stores: "

Filed under: Retail, Apple

From BusinessWeek predicting they wouldn't work to the New York Times writing a piece lauding Apple Stores as 'community centers' for the neighborhoods in which they are situated. The article points out that Apple now makes 20% of its total revenue from Apple Stores (not too shabby), and highlights some of the unique features of the stores themselves: the architecture, the staff, and the general feel of the stores.The article also points out that some other high profile technology company's brick and mortar stores aren't doing nearly as well as the Apple Stores. Sound off in the comments with your best Apple Store experience.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Reports: Apple, Fox planning movie rental service

Reports: Apple, Fox planning movie rental service: "iTunes users might soon be able to download Fox movies, and Apple could also be ready to reverse its stance on licensing its FairPlay DRM, according to reports."

(Via CNET News.com.)

Technorati Tags: Apple, iTunes, Video

iMovie versus Final Cut Express

iMovie versus Final Cut Express: "Rob Griffiths was dissatisfied with using iMovie '08 to produce videos for the Macworld Video podcast. Fortunately, Final Cut Express 4 came along.

(Via Macworld.)

2007 in review: The iPhone and iPod dominate

2007 in review: The iPhone and iPod dominate: "One of the most successful years in Apple's history was fueled by the popularity of both the iPhone and the iPod. Dan Moren looks at the major developments of 2007 involving these two handheld product lines.

(Via Macworld.)

Technorati Tags: Apple, iPhone, iPod

Is the Dell XPS One a Better Machine than iMac?

Is the Dell XPS One a Better Machine than iMac?: "Machine"

(Via diggdot.us.)

Reports: Apple, Fox planning movie rental service

iTunes users might soon be able to download Fox movies, and Apple could also be ready to reverse its stance on licensing its FairPlay DRM, according to reports.

Blogged with Flock

ModBook almost ready to ship?

ModBook almost ready to ship?: "

Filed under: Hardware

Our friends at jkOnTheRun recently got word from Axiotron that the long fabled ModBook, which you might recall from Macworld 2007 (here is a video we shot of the ModBook, and a gallery), is going to ship on or around January 8th, 2008 a year since it was announced. Since the ModBook has been delayed so much, its specs have changed. It is now running Leopard, the GPS option is standard (formerly $99), and the specs reflect the latest MacBook hardware rev (since the ModBook is basically a MacBook converted into a tablet with a pressure sensitive touch screen).All of this starting at $2279.00. Here's hoping that Apple doesn't rev the MacBook at Macworld this year, for Axiotron's sake.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Report: Apple to use Intel's Silverthorne chip in 2008

An interesting opinion. - TG

Report: Apple to use Intel's Silverthorne chip in 2008: "

After holding off on the release of a faster iPhone because of concerns about battery life, is Apple really prepared to take a step backward with Intel's Silverthorne chip?

AppleInsider reported Friday that Apple has decided to use Intel's upcoming low-power Silverthorne chip in 'not one but multiple ...

(Via One More Thing.)

FileMaker Pro 8.5v2 fixes major Leopard issues

FileMaker Pro 8.5v2 fixes major Leopard issues: "FileMaker has released a downloadable update to fix important compatibility issues in FileMaker Pro 8.5 and FileMaker Pro 8.5 Advanced running on Mac OS X Leopard..."

(Via MacMinute.)

macProVideo releases Color Tutorials, free 'Switchers Guides'

macProVideo releases Color Tutorials, free 'Switchers Guides': "macProVideo.com today announced the release of a new line of free 'Switcher's Guides' covering the upgrade progress between popular software applications including GarageBand to Logic, and iMovie to Final Cut Pro..."

(Via MacMinute.)

Quicken Online to support iPhone

Let's hope the engineers at Quicken have learned a valuable lesson from the QuickBooks Pro debacle. - Tim Godby

Quicken Online to support iPhone

(Via Macworld.)

View iCal events in Cover Flow

View iCal events in Cover Flow: "Cover"

(Via Macworld.)

Slipper Case coming for iPhone, iPod touch

Slipper Case coming for iPhone, iPod touch: "iPhone"

(Via Macworld.)

Technorati Tags: Accessories, iPhone

Sennheiser earbuds go pink for breast cancer

Sennheiser earbuds go pink for breast cancer

(Via Macworld.)

Report: Apple working on auto-volume control for iPods

Report: Apple working on auto-volume control for iPods: "In effort to prevent hearing loss, Apple has reportedly filed patent for device that would automatically calculate how long a person has been listening and at what volume."

(Via CNET News.com.)

Technorati Tags: Apple, iPod, Music

Year in review: Apple and Google, telecom's new stars

Year in review: Apple and Google, telecom's new stars: "Moves made by the two companies in 2007 could set the stage for the future of the telecommunications market."

(Via CNET News.com.)

Technorati Tags: Apple, iPhone

Is Steve Jobs Planning the Second Coming of Apple TV?

Is Steve Jobs Planning the Second Coming of Apple TV?: "As MacWorld fast approaches, we're going to add a prediction to the rumor mill: If Apple plays its cards right, its biggest success in 2008 could be a reinvented Apple TV.

(Via Top Stories.)

Technorati Tags: Apple, Hardware, Video

Understanding and using Leopard's firewall

Understanding and using Leopard's firewall: "OS X has long included a basic firewall, but Leopard takes this fundamental security technology in a new and innovative direction. Rich Mogull looks at Leopard's firewall, how the 10.5.1 update changed things, and configuration options."

(Via Macworld.)

Technorati Tags: Apple, Internet, Leopard, os x

Apple's Leopard Leaps to Record Sales

Apple's Leopard Leaps to Record Sales: "Banishing doubts about its popularity, Apple's latest operating system, OS X Leopard, appears to have sold more copies in its first month than any previous Apple OS.

Forrester declares iPhone wrong for enterprise users

Forrester declares iPhone wrong for enterprise users: "

Filed under: Enterprise, iPhone

CIO magazine recounts a Forrester Research report from last week on 'The iPhone is Not Meant for Enterprises,' a $280 piece of critical business intelligence that tells IT departments something they a) wanted to hear and b) already knew: the iPhone is not a Blackberry (quel suprise!). Without key features such as remote kill, data encryption, and full Exchange support, Forrester says the iPhone is DOA in BigCo environments; despite this, IT folk need a strategy for handling the iPhones that make their touchable way in the revolving doors.Nobody expects IT to embrace the iPhone with both arms, but the tale of the numbers suggests that the warmth of the welcome may be irrelevant: the iPhone is here in a big way. With sales data suggesting that the iPhone has passed Windows Mobile in share, vendors like Visto promising full Exchange integration, and an SDK around the corner for blessed development, corporate technologists may have to settle for a policy of benign discontent as the shiny pretty things invade.[via Macworld]

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Widget Watch: iStat Pro 4.5 released

Widget Watch: iStat Pro 4.5 released: "

Filed under: Hardware, Software, Freeware, Widget Watch

I'll be honest, I'm not a huge fan of widgets -- I like the concept just fine, I just don't really have much use for most of the functions. One big exception is iSlayer's iStat Pro. For the uninitiated, iStat Pro is a system-monitoring widget that shows you information about your CPU, RAM and Network activity, the temperature and fan speed of your Mac, what processes are running, how long your system has been up, information about your battery and how many times it has been 'cycled' (meaning depleted/fully charged), the list goes on. Today iSlayer released iStat Pro 4.5 which not only updated the UI and some of the standard features, but added some new features as well. From iSlayer's blog:

• Updated network section with new details & controls for PPP/PPPoE connections
• Improved PPC temperature and fan support
• Improved Intel temperature support
• Improved S.M.A.R.T. drive temperature monitoring
• Fixed bugs with battery section and 10.5
• Clicking on a disc icon will now open the drive in finder
• New keyboard shortcuts ('g' - Update external IP, 1-8 - Change skin color)
• Added button to launch Activity Monitor
• Other various bug fixes
• Various UI tweaks

I particularly like the addition of the Activity Monitor launcher and the ability to launch a drive in Finder by clicking on its name. iSlayer Pro 4.5 is available for Intel and PPC Macs running Tiger or Leopard and is donationware.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

QuickBooks update shreds Mac files

Yikes!

QuickBooks update shreds Mac files: "Do not install a QuickBooks update seeded over the weekend if you're a Mac user, as multiple users are reporting that the update erases files from the Desktop folder."

(Via CNET News.com.)

Final Cut Pro skin offered for aluminum keyboard

Final Cut Pro skin offered for aluminum keyboard: "skin"

(Via Macworld.)

Technorati Tags: Macintosh, Software, FinalCut Pro, Video

Sonnet offers ExpressCard Memory Card Reader/Writer

Sonnet offers ExpressCard Memory Card Reader/Writer: "Sonnet Technologies today announced the introduction of its new 21-in-1 Multimedia Memory Card Reader & Writer for ExpressCard slots..."

(Via MacMinute.)

Apple releases Security Update 2007-009

Apple releases Security Update 2007-009: "Apple has released Security Update 2007-009 via its Software Update pane and on the Web..."

(Via MacMinute.)

A typing tutor for the iPhone

A typing tutor for the iPhone: "

Filed under: Software, Cool tools, Odds and ends, iPhone

A while back, we reported on a study that (not only had all kinds of holes in it, but) claimed the iPhone's keyboard was two times slower than other phones. But as many commenters said, the keyboard just requires practice.And there's no better way to get it than to jump into a typing tutor. We've seen one before for the iPhone, but reader Travis (thanks!) sent us a tip about TypingWeb.com's free iPhone tutor (just go to their site on your iPhone, and enter some information to create an account), and I was impressed by how smoothly it worked. During the Basic test, I moved pretty quickly-- a nice 36 words per minute. But on the Advanced test, they throw all kinds of things at you (including intentionally misspelled words, so you have to dodge Apple's corrections), and I dropped down to about 16 wpm.Definitely worth a try. A lot of iPhone typing seems to be situation-- moving around in a car or bus, for instance, makes things a lot harder. But at least this will give you a ballpark figure of your typing prowess.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Technorati Tags: iPhone, Software

Flickr Uploadr v3 released

Flickr Uploadr v3 released: "

Filed under: Freeware, Internet Tools

A while back Mike mentioned the beta release of the stand-alone Flickr Uploadr and now the Flickr folks have announced the office release. Flickr Uploadr allows you to tag, describe, and organize you photos locally before uploading them to the online photo service. The signature new feature of version 3 allows reordering of your photos before uploading just by dragging them around. Version 3 also lets you work offline and once you start the actual upload you can start adding and tagging new photos even before the first batch is finished uploading.Flickr Uploadr version 3.0 is a free download from Flickr

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Java for Mac OS X 10.4, Release 6

Java for Mac OS X 10.4, Release 6: "

Filed under: OS, Software Update

Time to fire up the 'ole Software Update as Apple has just released a Java update for Mac OS X. This update will fix vulnerabilities in both server and client versions of 10.4. Apple explains that, 'A malicious webpage can remove or insert items in the keychain,' which sure doesn't sound good to us.

If you are running Tiger client or server, you can download the update using either Software Update or by getting it at Apple's website.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Technorati Tags: Apple, Internet, Macintosh, os x, Software Update

Safari Block 2 released

Safari Block 2 released: "

Filed under: Software, Internet Tools

Mat posted about Safari 3 Adblock earlier this week. To me, the most impressive feature of that plug-in is its support for Adblock Plus filter subscriptions. In that same vein, SafariBlock, a program TUAW has covered in the past has received a significant update. In version 2.0, not only is the plug-in now open souce, but it is also compatible with AdBlock Plus subscriptions! It's Leopard compatibility has been improved from version 1.3.1 as well. I had some trouble getting SafariBlock 2 installed (the installer and a manual installation gave me errors), but the plug-in ended up working just fine.Having played around with both plug-ins, I think that they both have their pros and cons. While SafariAdblock seems to be a little bit better at distinguishing between ad and non-ad flash videos (SafariBlock automatically whites out some video windows that are actual content, even if they appear near an ad header), SafariBlock is much better at working with web forms and sites that need to launch an action in either another window or in some sort of pop-up.In any event, AdBlock Plus filter support has instantly transformed my Safari experience - bringing one of my favorite Firefox features to a browser that tends to be more stable on my system. Plus, SafariBlock is free - and I'm a big fan of free.Thanks egordin!

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

TUAW Tip: Getting out of Setup Assistant hell

This has never happened to me, but I'll post it here in hopes it can help anyone who may suffer a similar annoyance. - Tim Godby

TUAW Tip: Getting out of Setup Assistant hell: "

Filed under: Troubleshooting, TUAW Tips, Leopard

Last night, after installing the QuickTime 7.3.1 update on my Leopard machine, upon restart I was greeted with a distressing sight: the OS X Setup Assistant that's only supposed to run when you first install OS X. Furthermore, even if I completed the Setup Assistant it would just run again in a kind of permanent loop; I was caught in Setup Assistant hell! No matter how many times I restarted, the Setup Assistant would appear each time and never let me get back to my desktop.A little searching (on another machine) revealed that I was not alone. In fact, this was the second time this had happened to me on this machine. The first time, not knowing any better, I ended up reinstalling Leopard. This time, however, I discovered that Apple has acknowledged the problem with a Support Document. Fortunately, there is a way out of Setup Assistant hell: booting into Safe Mode. You do this by restarting your Mac and immediately holding down the SHIFT key when you hear the chime. Hold it until you see the rotating gear below the grey Apple on the startup screen. Release it and the computer should eventually take you to the login screen with 'Safe Mode' in red. One word of caution: give the computer plenty of time. Even if it appears stuck give it a chance to work; go get a cup of coffee and come back. Anyway, once you're in Safe Mode you can now hit 'restart' and things should eventually get back to normal (perhaps after some updates are installed).This problem seems to be a Leopard bug related to software updates. It's so disconcerting that I thought it would be a good idea to get the solution out there in case it should strike any of our dear TUAW readers.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

iPhone 101: Two-fingered Scrolling

iPhone 101: Two-fingered Scrolling: "

Filed under: iPod Family, iPhone, iPhone 101

Everyone knows that you can use a single finger to scroll web pages in Mobile Safari but it's less well known that you can use two fingers to scroll frames and other subpage elements. Normally, on personal computers, you use a separate scroll bar for webpage frames. On the iPhone and iPod touch, these scroll bars do not appear and the content expands to fill the frame set area. By using two fingers at once, you tell Mobile Safari to scroll the element rather than then entire page. I find this especially useful when filling out forms with scrolling selections such as when I do blog posts and need to add categories.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Apple posts Santa Claus Get A Mac ad

I really like this ad. - Tim Godby

Apple posts Santa Claus Get A Mac ad: "

Filed under: Odds and ends, Apple

Apple has posted a special Christmas flavored Get A Mac ad. This ad, as you can see above, features a stop motion-esque (I'm going to assume that they are actually CGI) PC, Mac, and Santa singing a little Christmas carol for you. PC makes sure to let you know to never buy a Mac, or else Santa might not like you.Thanks, Matthew.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Entourage 2008 and Time Machine don't get along

Entourage 2008 and Time Machine don't get along: "

Filed under: Software

Office 2008 for the Mac is a huge release for Microsoft, and a big deal for most Mac users. I've been anxiously waiting for the newest version of Office for one thing only: Entourage 2008. For my money Entourage is the best mail client on OS X (feel free to call me names in the comments), but Entourage 2004 certainly shows its age.Entourage 2008 looks great, but not all is sunshine and daisies. Entourage 2008 stores most everything it uses in one big database file. There are many reasons to do this, but are also a few drawbacks. One of the biggest Leopard related drawbacks is the fact that Time Machine does file level, not bit level, backups. Every time a file is changed it is included in Time Machine's backups. Every time Entourage gets an email, you add a contact or event, or label something Entourage's database file is changed. Add to this the propensity for that database file to grow rather large and you can see the problem here. Microsoft suggests you simply exclude Entourage's DB from Time Machine's backups, but I hope they come up with a better solution in the near future.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

QuickTime update fixes security issues

QuickTime update fixes security issues: "Apple released an update on Thursday for QuickTime that fixes several security issues in the application."

(Via Macworld.)

GarageBand 4.1.1 fixes export for iPhone feature

Cool. I just downloaded this update so I haven't had the opportunity to test it. More later. - Tim Godby

GarageBand 4.1.1 fixes export for iPhone feature: "An update released for Apple’s consumer-level music creation application, GarageBand, fixes an issue that will help users that wanted to export songs to the iPhone."

(Via Macworld.)

Intel announcements hint at future Mac news

Intel announcements hint at future Mac news: "During a press briefing previewing some announcements planned for next month's CES trade show, Intel executives announced a future refresh to its mobile processors that could influence future Mac news."

(Via Macworld.)

DLO releases Action Jacket for iPhone

DLO releases Action Jacket for iPhone: "Action"

(Via MacMinute.)

Technorati Tags: Accessories, iPhone

CIO.com: 10 reasons IT should not support the iPhone

Whoa. Interesting reading. - TG

CIO.com: 10 reasons IT should not support the iPhone: "A new report from Forrester Research cites 10 reasons IT departments should refuse to support Apple's mobile device."

(Via Macworld.)

Technorati Tags: Apple, iPhone

RIP: PlaysForSure 2004-2007 | Beyond Binary - A blog by Ina Fried - CNET News.com

Here's a link to a CNET article on Microsoft's latest decision to
closethe door on "Plays For Sure".

Sent from my iPhone

Leopard Love: Apple boosts Calculator

Leopard Love: Apple boosts Calculator: "

Filed under: Leopard

OS X's Calculator application is something I basically ignore. Between Spotlight and Terminal's bc, I rarely if ever use it. So it was a pleasant and welcome surprise when TUAW reader Roberto Mateu gave us a heads up that Leopard's calculator was updated with better RPN support.

Calculator has done RPN for some time--if you're still running Tiger, you can see the old version by selecting View > RPN for any of the three calculator types. Under Tiger, the = button changed to Enter and that was about it. Leopard has updated the RPN calculator by adding multi-line entry so you can see your stack as it grows. It's a much nicer way to use RPN and TUAW heartily approves.

Gallery: Leopard Calculator

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Woz animatronic features in Epcot ride

This is just fun trivia. Almost worth the trip to Disney. -TG

Woz animatronic features in Epcot ride: "

Filed under: Humor, Steve Jobs, Apple, The Woz, Apple History

Disney's Spaceship Earth went through a little reinvigorating recently, and as you may have heard, when it reopened, there was everybody's favorite computer tinkerer sitting at a desk working on an Apple prototype-- the one, the only Woz. Originally, Jobs was rumored to make an appearance on the historical ride inside Epcot Center, but no-- Disney ended up going with the huskier and more bearded of the Apple founders.You can click on the pic above (or hit the Read link below) for a bigger version of the image, to take it all in. The vintage Popular Mechanics on the wall behind the wooden monstrosity that would later become the Apple is a nice touch, as is the multiple pizza boxes behind him.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

TIME magazine anoints iPhone best gadget of the year

TIME magazine anoints iPhone best gadget of the year: "

Filed under: iPhone

No big surprise here, but TIME magazine has anointed the iPhone as their best gadget of 2007. Their blurb seems just about exactly right: the 'iPhone changed the way we think about how mobile media devices should look, feel and perform.' And their only complaint? Again, no surprise, it's AT&T. I suspect this is only the beginning of the iPhone's reign across the top of best of 2007 lists.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

More YourHead plugin goodness for RapidWeaver

More YourHead plugin goodness for RapidWeaver: "

Filed under: Software, Internet Tools

I've mentioned before that I'm a fan of the web development application RapidWeaver, but I don't consider it complete until supplemented by a variety of excellent plugins from YourHead software. We've covered their excellent WYSIWYG plugin Blocks before and now they have a couple of new plugins that add some neat features. First up is PayLoom (jointly developed with YabDab) which makes it easy to set up a webstore on the internet using PayPal's Shopping Cart service. Second is a new beta plugin called Kwix that makes it easy to create fluid animated menus on RapidWeaver pages, and best of all it's compatible with the newest Blocks beta as well. With the MacUpdate Bundle we've been posting about being extended, now is a great time to get into RapidWeaver development.PayLoom is $19.95 and a demo is available. Kwix is still in beta but is available for download from YourHead.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock for Mac in stores

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock for Mac in stores: "Rock"

(Via MacMinute.)

Technorati Tags: Games, Macintosh, Software

Office 2008 for Mac marks RTM with final preview

Publishing Layout in Word looks a lot like Pages. Still, it's an impressive looking upgrade. -Tim Godby

Office 2008 for Mac marks RTM with final preview: "Microsoft’s Mac BU has announced that on the eve of Release to Manufacturing (RTM), the company is showing a final peek into the new Office 2008 for Mac before it officially launches at Macworld Expo..."

(Via MacMinute.)

Why do Apple customers care so much?

Why do Apple customers care so much?: "

The question inevitably comes up when I meet people and they learn I write about Apple for a living: 'So, what's that like?'

I usually answer, 'It's crazy.' There perhaps has never been a more interesting time to write about Apple and its growing impact on the computer, ...

(Via One More Thing.)

Quick Tip of the Week: Whittling hefty PDFs down to size

I did not know this. -Tim Godby

Quick Tip of the Week: Whittling hefty PDFs down to size: "If you routinely create PDFs to share documents or Keynote presentations with clients or colleagues, you know how easy it is produce them in Mac OS X. But did you know that you also have the option of creating reduced-size PDFs that make it easier to share those files via email? Find out how in the most recent Quick Tip of the Week."

(Via Apple Hot News.)

Time names iPhone the Top Gadget of 2007

Time names iPhone the Top Gadget of 2007: "Saying that iPhone ‘changed the way we think about how mobile media devices should look, feel and perform,’ Time Magazine put iPhone at the top of its list of ‘Top 10 Gadgets.’ iPhone’s design, Time says, ‘is exceptional inside and out: It’s got a slick glass-and-stainless steel case and an elegant touch screen loaded with eye candy. It’s an iPod and a 2-megapixel camera. Images and video clips display vertically or horizontally—they reorient themselves depending on how you hold the thing. When the phone detects a wireless network within range—your own home wi-fi set up or somebody else’s—it lets you tap once to connect, and then proceed with your Web surfing, Google mapping, emailing and other activities.’"

(Via Apple Hot News.)

Technorati Tags: Apple, iPhone

LaCie unveils the Hard Disk, Design by Neil Poulton

Very pretty drive and extremely aggressive pricing. The only issue for me is the lack of firewire. - Tim Godby

LaCie unveils the Hard Disk, Design by Neil Poulton: "LaCie today announced the Hard Disk, Design by Neil Poulton, a newly designed, sophisticated looking device available in capacities of 320GB, 500GB, 750GB and 1TB..."

(Via MacMinute.)

KeynotePro announces Oak Park Theme for Keynote ‘08

There stuff is absolutely gorgeous. There's just no comparison. - Tim Godby

KeynotePro announces Oak Park Theme for Keynote ‘08: "announces"

(Via MacMinute.)

Panic releases Transmit 3.6.3

Panic releases Transmit 3.6.3: "

Filed under: Software, Internet Tools

Earlier this week, Panic released Transmit 3.6.3. If you're unfamiliar, Transmit is the FTP application that's loved by many (including us). Version 3.6.3 offers improved Leopard and Amazon S3 compatibility, French and German localization and several bug fixes.If you haven't tried it out, take this opportunity. It's a great application. This update is free for registered users of version 3.x. Transmit requires Mac OS 10.3.9, and a single license will cost you $29.95.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Lifehacker interview on the future of Quicksilver

Lifehacker interview on the future of Quicksilver: "Today's Lifehacker interview with Quicksilver developer Nicholas Jitkoff (a.k.a. Alcor) has struck a note of gloom into the holiday spirits around TUAW's home office (currently located in an unoccupied storefront of the West Edmonton Mall). While Nicholas is still planning to do what he can to improve stability for the existing b54 branch of QS, the road is less clear for future feature development; he doesn't have the time in his off hours to advance the wildly popular launcher to the next level, and the existing version meets his needs (other than the problem of stability). His words: 'that branch is condemned to a long slow death,' and 'I'm inclined to encourage users to move over to the more stable and well supported alternatives like LaunchBar.' Ouch!This, of course, means an opportunity for some eager young guns to show the world what they can do with the source code to QS, available to one and all. The open source version of QS might never attract the attention and plug-in support of the original, but in the right hands... well, you never know. Visit the Google Code page to get involved with the trunk version of QS, and check out Nicholas' Google Tech Talk video on QS for more behind-the-scenes info. Reader Martin also points to one programmer who is already diving in and cleaning up the b54 code.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Mactracker for iPhone and iPod Touch

Mactracker for iPhone and iPod Touch: "As Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth would say, 'Good news, everyone!' Mactracker has been updated to version 5.0 (we've written about Mactracker before) with new goodies, including

• Leopard compatibility
• New update engine
• iCal integration for tracking the warranty status of the Mac you own
• 'iTunes Version' compatibility information to iPod models

Plus, data has been added for the MacBook (13-inch Late 2007), iPod classic, iPod touch and more (you'll find the full release notes here). The best part is that iphone.mactracker.ca has been created for use with the iPod Touch and iPhone. Now, all the information you'll need lives online, just a click away.Mactracker requires Mac OS 10.3.9 or later (desktop version) and is freeware.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Problems with the Mac promised land

It's difficult to disagree. - Tim Godby

Problems with the Mac promised land: "

I've definitely learned something in recent weeks about reacting to the inevitable problems that will happen in life--how it can be possible to turn a problem into a huge opportunity, but also how a problem can become an even bigger problem overnight with neglect.

Perhaps it was inevitable for ...

(Via One More Thing.)

News: Google Mac Developer Playground unveiled

News: Google Mac Developer Playground unveiled: "Playground"

(Via Macworld.)

News: Jumsoft releases iWeb and RapidWeaver templates

These themes look really nice. It's definitely worth a look. - Tim Godby

News: Jumsoft releases iWeb and RapidWeaver templates: "iWeb"

(Via Macworld.)

Technorati Tags: Apple, Internet, iWeb

News: Adobe Premiere Pro updated for Leopard

News: Adobe Premiere Pro updated for Leopard: "Adobe has updated its professional Macintosh video application Premiere Pro.

(Via Macworld.)

News: Soundbooth CS3 gets updated for Leopard

News: Soundbooth CS3 gets updated for Leopard: "CS3"

(Via Macworld.)

News: Analyst: Apple needs NBC, movie rentals on iTunes

This has been an interesting controversy. Here's a unique opinion. - TG

News: Analyst: Apple needs NBC, movie rentals on iTunes: "Apple needs to win back NBC to ensure success of its video download store.

(Via Macworld.)

Technorati Tags: Apple, iTunes

Mac OS X Hints: Photo Booth's new 10.5 tricks

Mac OS X Hints: Photo Booth's new 10.5 tricks: "Learn a few of the new features found in the Leopard version of Photo Booth.

(Via Macworld.)

News: Analyst: Apple TV sales below expectations

News: Analyst: Apple TV sales below expectations: Apple may have had high hopes for its first generation Apple TV, but analyst sales estimates indicate the product is not as successful as once thought.

(Via Macworld.)

Technorati Tags: Apple, Apple TV

News: CompUSA closing shop

News: CompUSA closing shop: "shop"

(Via Macworld.)

New Google webapp comes to iPhone and iPod touch

New Google webapp comes to iPhone and iPod touch: ""

(Via Apple Hot News.)

Technorati Tags: Apple, google, iPhone

Apple Store West 14th Street Opens Friday, December 7

Apple Store West 14th Street Opens Friday, December 7: "Opens"

(Via Apple Hot News.)

MacFun offers family-friendly gaming community on the web

MacFun offers family-friendly gaming community on the web: "Longtime Mac developer Freeverse has a new treat for Mac users. It’s called MacFun, a web-based, casual gaming site designed just for those interested in ‘family-friendly’ games. ‘These are all games that were made specifically for the Mac,’ explains Lynch Smith, president of Freeverse. ‘Our unique strength is in the huge catalog of original Mac games we bring to the table.’ MacFun makes those—and game titles from other developers—available for everyone to enjoy."

(Via Apple Hot News.)

The iPhone sells “like crepe suzettes in France”

The iPhone sells “like crepe suzettes in France”: "Philip Elmer-DeWitt (Fortune) reports that iPhone received great reception in France. ‘After just 21 hours, 17 percent of Orange France stores had sold out.’ In all, ‘France Telecom announced that it sold nearly 30,000 iPhones in the first five days, 48 percent of them to new customers. That’s nearly one iPhone for every 2,000 Frenchmen.’"

(Via Apple Hot News.)

News: Apple updates Xserve Lights-Out management firmware

News: Apple updates Xserve Lights-Out management firmware: "Apple has updated the Lights-Out management firmware in its Intel-based Xserve.

(Via Macworld.)

Mac OS X Hints: Two printing-related 10.5 tips

Mac OS X Hints: Two printing-related 10.5 tips: "Learn how to automatically remove the printer icon from the dock in Leopard, as well as how to access advanced printer setup options.

(Via Macworld.)

Panic updates Coda to version 1.1

Panic updates Coda to version 1.1: "

Filed under: Internet, Internet Tools, Software Update, Developer

Hot on the heels of a rather brilliant update to CandyBar, developers par excellence Panic have updated their all-in-one-window web development application Coda to version 1.1. As the release notes show, there are more little updates for version 1.1 than you can shake a (fairly sizable) stick at, including a tonne of Leopard-y goodness. One such change is the application going from the original (in-house developed, and much fabled) toolbar to the default Leopard GUI, meaning it's now customizable - a minute difference from a user standpoint, but kudos to the folks at Panic for biting the bullet and moving back from their bespoke design.There's plenty more for web development gurus to get their hands on in this free update, which is available from the Panic website, or via the in-application updater.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Technorati Tags: Internet, Macintosh, Software, Web

NBC officially removed from the iTunes Store

NBC officially removed from the iTunes Store: "

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Apple Corporate, iTunes

Now that December has arrived and NBC's contract has expired, all of their content has been removed from the iTunes Store, as promised. That means no more Bravo, mun2, NBC, NBC News, CNBC, NBC Sports, Sci Fi, Sleuth, Telemundo or USA Network (Go ahead and look. We'll wait).It looks like the two companies were unable to patch things up, not surprising considering their ugly, public fighting. Good luck to NBC with hulu and that wonderful NBC Direct service, which sounds great.

It requires Internet Explorer, the NBC Direct Player (Windows only) and the latest .Net framework. Videos are available for only 7 days after they initially air, and disappear from your computer 48 hours after you begin watching them (unless you remember to renew your license before then). Also, videos will only play on the computer used for the initial download.

Mac users cannot use the service, though NBC says a Mac version is '...planned for 2008.' Finally, downloads cannot be transferred to portable devices.

Awesome.

[Via MacDailyNews]

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)