Lots of listener feedback answered after the week off, including Printing Defaults, Surround Sound, Ripping DVDs, and mail servers. Don't miss it
[ Full story from The Mac Observer ]
Monday, April 30, 2007
Finder Window Manager
Filed under: OS, Software, Productivity
Complaining about the Finder is a favorite pastime of Mac users, and one of the biggest annoyances has always been that it won't remember window placement and view settings. Well for the OCD set, Finder Window Manager may be just what the doctor ordered (as a supplement for the Prozac). This simple utility allows you "to save and restore your window placement and view options via Window Sets." You can have different Window Sets for different purposes (e.g. different projects, etc.). Just arrange the Finder windows as you'd like them and take a snapshot by creating a Window Set; later you can easily restore these settings through the menubar item (right). There are also a bunch of window management options in the Utilities submenu, such as stacking and tiling, etc.Finder Window Manager is $15 and a demo is available.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
[ Full story from The Unoffic ial Apple Weblog (TUAW) ]
Steve's fight to demolish his house
Filed under: Odds and ends, Steve Jobs
Last week, the California Supreme Court refused to hear Steve Jobs' request to demolish his house. The Jackling house is a large Spanish Colonial revival mansion built in 1926. A group of preservationists called "Uphold Our Heritage" want to prevent Jobs from tearing it down. They have established a website at friendsofthejacklinghouse.org. Jobs received a demolition permit in 2004--under the condition that Jobs offers to give away the house itself so that it can be relocated to another site, according to this Mac Daily News article. Jobs calls the house an "architectural abomination" according to that article.
Mac 101: Finding Dock-based items
Filed under: Mac 101
Here's a simple trick to help you locate items from your Dock in Finder. Sure, you can Control-click (or Right-click) and item and choose Show In Finder from the contextual pop-up menu, but it's a lot easier simply to hold down the Command key and click the Dock item. (That's a left click for dual-button mice.) Command-clicking a Docked application or file automatically opens up a new Finder window showing the item in its folder. Say you stick a folder into your dock and you drop items into it throughout the day. By command-clicking that folder at the end of the day, you can immediately revisit that folder and review all the items you've added. Which probably saves you a microsecond over double-clicking the thing.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments[ Full story from The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) ]
Autoblog Green Podcast #4 - Altairnano CEO Alan Gotcher
Filed under: Phoenix, Podcasts
In episode four of our AutoblogGreen podcast, Sam and Sebastian get the goods on nanotech batteries from Alan Gotcher, President and Chief Executive Officer of Altairnano, the battery company behind Phoenix's SUT (and upcoming SUV and PHEV). We also celebrate AutoblogGreen's one-year anniversary and look forward to year two.SUBSCRIBE to the AutoblogGreen Podcast in iTunes
LISTEN to the show now
ADD the AutoblogGreen Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.
News: Goozex game trading site adds Mac titles
Goozex, a video game trading Web site, has added Macintosh titles to its catalog. 
[ Full story from Macworld ]
Apple TV hits Target, shows up at some Costco stores for $289
Apple TVs have apparently begun to show up at Target... [ Full story from MacDailyNews ]
News: Will DRM-free music change music subscription model?
Apple's deal with EMI to sell DRM-free music could change the way that subscription-based music services work -- and with them, Apple's dominance of the legal digital music download market. 
[ Full story from Macworld ]
Engadget Podcast 108 - 04.29.2007
Filed under: Features, Podcasts
[ Full story from Engadget ]
Unlimited Online Backup for Mac
Mozy.com announced last week the availability of a public beta for a Mac version of their online backup service.
The services is described as "the first unlimited online backup service for Mac users worldwide."
The services is described as "the first unlimited online backup service for Mac users worldwide."
Design... [ Full story from MacRumors : Mac News and Rumors ]
Ballmer on iPhone Marketshare
USA Today interviewed Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer about his thoughts on the iPhone. While Ballmer gives credit to Apple's early move into the music arena, he doubts the iPhone will gain any significant marketshare:
Now we'll get a ch... [ Full story from MacRumors : Mac News and Rumors ]
Ballmer: iPhone has 'no chance'
The iPhone has no hope of gaining a true foothold in the cellphone marketplace, according to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. The company head told an interviewer at the USA Today that, as with computers, future control of the mobile handset business would primarily depend on software influence rather than hardware. Apple's insistence on attaching it... [ Full story from MacNN | The Macintosh News Network ]
Apple Says Some Notebooks May Have Battery Issues
Some batteries in Apple's MacBook and MacBook Pro notebook computers may have performance problems, but they do not pose a safety risk, the company claims. [ Full story from Baseline Update ]
Apple ProCare revamp to axe training
Apple is set to restructure its ProCare service on Wednesday which will effectively double the cost of today's service. AppleInsider reports that the Cupertino-based company will split its existing $99 yearly retail service into two separate packages, with one for on-on-one Mac training and the other for repair-related services, leaving consumers j... [ Full story from MacNN | The Macintosh News Network ]
News: Contest winner: Vista more secure than Mac OS
The security researcher who uncovered a QuickTime flaw involving Java feels that Windows Vista is actually more secure than Mac OS X, and offers some practical advice for how Mac users can prevent problems. 
[ Full story from Macworld ]
Analyst expects further Mac share gains
Apple's Mac market share rose during the company's March quarter despite a predicted slump following Microsoft's launch of Windows Vista, and Piper Jaffray senior analyst Gene Munster suspects the company will see further gains year-over-year. "Strong Mac sales in Apple's March quarter enabled the company to gain share despite stronger than normal ... [ Full story from MacNN | The Macintosh News Network ]
News: Slingbox TV streaming device comes to Mac
Sling Media has released SlingPlayer for Mac, software that lets Mac users operate Slingbox "placeshifting" devices that let you watch your TV or control your home entertainment system from anywhere on the Internet. 
[ Full story from Macworld ]
Analyst: Mac to Gain More Market Share
The release of Microsoft's Windows Vista operating system may have impacted Mac sales, but Apple's still gained some market share and will likely continue to grow, according to Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster
[ Full story from The Mac Observer ]
SMS m500 watch phone gets FCC approval
Filed under: Handsets, Others, GSM
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in][ Full story from Engadget Mobile ]
Entrance generates Access-like charts
An avid Mac developer has released Entrance, a new MySQL browser that generates Access-like charts based on data in MySQL databases with a "match box" search facility that works like Apple's Spotlight technology for database tables. Charts are interactive with pan and zoom capability, allowing users to select data or answer important questions by d... [ Full story from MacNN | The Macintosh News Network ]
Review - Star Wars: Empire at War
When I first heard that Aspyr would be porting Star Wars: Empire at War to the Mac, this reminded me as to why I like the company; they may not bring a ton of original content to the Mac, but the stuff you drool over at a friend's house usually sees the light of day under OS X. That being said, I've wanted a good Star Wars real time strategy game on the Mac since Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds. For the most part, Aspyr has delivered
[ Full story from The Mac Observer ]
Apple's Mac share inches upwards during first quarter
Data just released by market research firm IDC indicates that Apple's share of the worldwide personal computer market rose slightly during the first calendar quarter of the year, despite the simultaneous launch of Microsoft's first major operating sy... [ Full story from AppleInsider ]
Apple 'revises' sub-notebook Mac release date
Mac Mini not due until 2008?
Apple's rumoured Flash-fitted sub-notebook Mac will not appear until much later this year and possibly not until 2008, it has been claimed.…
[ Full story from Reg Hardware: Product News and Gadget Reviews from The Register - Mac ]Apple Addresses Laptop Battery Issues with Update, Replacement Program
Apple Inc. released Battery Update 1.2 for Intel-based Mac laptops on Friday. The update is intended for MacBook Pro and MacBook models purchased between February 2006 and April 2007, and modifies the battery firmware and improves battery functionality
[ Full story from The Mac Observer ]
Bring 'My Computer' to Mac OS X's desktop
Filed under: OS, Software, Productivity, Mods
[ Full story from The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) ]Apple warns of 'deformed' MacBook batteries
Many MacBook and MacBook Pro batteries are experiencing performance problems, including failure to operate and deformity 
[ Full story from ZDNet UK News ]
Can Sony click with download store?
By stumbling to get content to the PSP, the electronics giant now has to play catch-up to Apple. [ Full story from CNET News.com ]
Apple's MacBook suffers from 'deformed' batteries
MacBook and MacBook Pro batteries are suffering performance problems, including failure to operate and deformity [ Full story from ZDNet UK News ]
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Apple Says Some Notebooks May Have Battery Issues
Some batteries in Apple's MacBook and MacBook Pro notebook computers may have performance problems, but they do not pose a safety risk, the company claims. [ Full story from eWEEK Desktops & Notebooks ]
Apple Says Some Notebooks May Have Battery Issues
Some batteries in Apple's MacBook and MacBook Pro notebook computers may have performance problems, but they do not pose a safety risk, the company claims. [ Full story from eWEEK Technology News ]
Parallels Technology Network launches VM library
Filed under: Enterprise, Software, Open Source
One of the advantages of a mature virtualization platform (I'm looking at you, VMware) is an extensive library of prepackaged, load-and-go virtual machine appliances. Want to try out a vTiger CRM deployment, a MediaWiki server, an open-source Zimbra webmail setup or a professional-grade VPN gateway? All are available from VMware's extensive Virtual Appliance Marketplace, and all should work OK with the current VMware beta for Mac.
You'd expect the new hotness in virtualization to come up with a similar offering, and you'd be expecting right: this week Parallels announced the Parallels Technology Network, a support forum for VM-appliance developers and a clearinghouse for packaged apps. The selection of appliances is dramatically smaller than VMware's for now, but if you feel like being adventurous you could try converting a VMware appliance [pdf] for Parallels use. Some of the Parallels packages are coming from the new VM packaging service JumpB ox, which looks to be both user- and Mac-friendly (check out the CEO's MacBook in the demo video).
If you've ever been curious about building a wiki, running a mail server, or any of these crazy back-office activities, VM appliances are a wonderful way to get started.
[via Ars Technica Infinite Loop]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
[ Full story from The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) ]
Switcher side-by-side video training
Filed under: Software, Switchers
With Mother's Day coming up, the perfect gift for your 'switcher mom' might be personal lessons in the Macintosh way. Don't have that kind of time? Mmm-hmm. Really. You never call, you never write..Well, if you're looking for something more wrappable than a bookmark for Apple's Switch 101 support pages, there's a new training product aimed squarely at PC-to-Mac switchers and the tasks they need to perform every day. It's saddled with the ungainly name of "It's About Time" to learn the Switch to Mac but I'm beginning to think of it as "Switching with Saied," since Saied Ghaffari is the genial, slightly-overexcited video host who walks you through basic computing tasks on side-by-side Windows and Mac desktops. This is the second training product from the company, following on the heels of "It's About Time" to learn iPhoto.
"IAT"TLTSTM is featured on Apple's download site at the moment if you'd like to check out the demo; the full version is $25 for the downloadable version, $30 for the boxed version. Note that you need at least a 1280x720 display to use the product.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
[ Full story from The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) ]
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Zoozen's conceptual Ovo 360 replacement case for Xbox 360
Filed under: Gaming
We've certainly got no qualms with hacking up your Xbox 360 case to garner maximum enjoyment out of it, and if production issues can work themselves out, it looks like Zoozen will be stepping to the plate for those who want a pre-fabricated change. Of course, if you're just looking for a glossy white paint job, we're sure Colorware could arrange it, but the Ovo 360 replacement case looks more like a gigantic mouse (albeit a bit less oval-inspired) than a gaming console. The concept displays a full neon underbody kit, all the ports we're become so used to on Microsoft's own design, and a frightening disclaimer that a good bit of "development" is still in the works. But hey, if it's the thought that counts (at least initially), Zoozen's probably got a winner, so be sure to click on through for a brief videotaped overview of the case itself.[Via MaxConsole]
Continue reading Zoozen's conceptual Ovo 360 replacement case for Xbox 360
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
[ Full story from Engadget ]
‘It’s About Time’ to learn the Switch to Mac tool smoothes transition for Windows to Mac switchers
“It’s About Time� to learn the Switch to Mac is a learning tool... [ Full story from MacDailyNews ]
Friday, April 27, 2007
Apple releases Battery Update 1.2 for MacBook, MacBook Pro
Apple today released Battery Update 1.2 which updates... [ Full story from MacDailyNews ]
Apple's Subnotebook 'Delayed' Until Late 2007/Early 2008?
Appleinsider now believes that Apple's "ultra-thin and lightweight notebook" with NAND flash may take more time than originally projected. The rumor site had previously believed that a "lighter and more compact than any other Mac portable Appl... [ Full story from MacRumors : Mac News and Rumors ]
New: MarcoPolo 1.0
David Symonds' MarcoPolo is an open source, automatic location switcher, which provides an alternative to the manual Location function found in Mac OS X. [ Full story from MacInTouch ]
Apple releases MacBook battery update
Rest easy, not the explosion-preventing kind
Apple is recommending an update be installed on all MacBook and MacBook Pro computers and extra batteries purchased between February 2006 and April 2007.…
[ Full story from Reg Hardware: Product News and Gadget Reviews from The Register - Mac ]Beta: Google Desktop Mac beta 1.0.1.216
Changes to Google's desktop search tool include 20% faster recrawl, improved memory use, datefrom: and dateto: query restrictions, better hot key detection, and other changes. [ Full story from MacInTouch ]
Apple: Battery Update 1.2
Apple's Battery Update 1.2 updates the firmware on batteries for all MacBooks and MacBook Pros. [ Full story from MacInTouch ]
Apple discovers issue with MacBook batteries, offers solutions
Apple said Friday it has discovered that some batteries used in its MacBook and MacBook Pro notebooks may have performance issues and is offering a software update that is designed to improve performance. The 244KB BatteryUpdater will check to see... [ Full story from AppleInsider ]
Briefly: CS3 coverage; Sim City 4 Rush Hour
In brief: Adobe CS3 is much more than a major update to Photoshop, according to PC Magazine, which goes over the new creative suite in detail. Aspyr Media today released a free open Beta patch for SimCity 4 Rush Hour that enables Intel-based Mac users to try out the game, another free iPhone contest has already begun, iCare has released Permissions... [ Full story from MacNN | The Macintosh News Network ]
ColorWare spices up Wii, PS3, and Xbox 360 in custom colors
Filed under: Gaming
Hey, if white and, um, black isn't your thing for game consoles, ColorWare's ready to step up to the plate and turn your system into something a little more unique. Able to switch up the aesthetics on your controller, system, or both, users can now hit up 30 different shades for all three now-gen systems with prices starting at $100 per job. (Not a bad idea if you're not up to plunking down for, say, an Elite.) ColorWare also hinted at new Zune, BlackBerry, and even iPhone colors in the pipeline for this summer, but right now we're just happy to spend an afternoon re-envisioning our console colle ction in crazy pastel hues.Check it out: Wii, PS3, Xbox 360
[ Full story from Engadget ]
Apple admits battery issues, offers fix
Apple in an official statement today admitted that some batteries used in its MacBook and MacBook Pro notebooks may have performance issues. The Cupertino-based company was quick to point out that these issues do not present any kind of safety risk, and immediately provided a software update to improve battery performance for all MacBook and MacBoo... [ Full story from MacNN | The Macintosh News Network ]
Apple Releases Battery Update 1.2 [Updatedx2]
Apple has posted Battery Update 1.2, which updates battery firmware and improves battery functionality according to Apple.
The update affects most Intel-based notebooks, including:
* MacBook
* MacBook (Late 2006)
*... [ Full story from MacRumors : Mac News and Rumors ]
The update affects most Intel-based notebooks, including:
* MacBook
* MacBook (Late 2006)
*... [ Full story from MacRumors : Mac News and Rumors ]
Troubleshooting Security Update 2007-004
Filed under: Software Update, Security
MacFixit posted a special report about troubleshooting Apple's latest security update. It includes discussions of Active Directory login issues, FTP security issues, AirPort connectivity issues, and more. If you're curious about recently reported problems and possible fixes, you need to pop on over and read the comprehensive discussion.Have any of you experienced problems with this latest Security Update? Let us know in the comments.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
[ Full story from The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) ]
Fastmac ships Blu-Ray burner for Mac Pro
Fastmac today began shipping its new Blu-Ray burner drive for Mac Pro and Power Mac G5 systems for under $500 (slim model shown at right), adding the drive is the first as well as the only device of its kind designed for pro Mac desktops in its price range. The new 5.25-inch tray-loading drive is tested and certified compatible with Adobe Premiere ... [ Full story from MacNN | The Macintosh News Network ]
Security Bites Podcast: QuickTime flaw hits Mac, Windows
A serious flaw in Apple's QuickTime affects both Mac and Windows machines. Also: Office 2003 to get Office 2007 security, and spyware busters duke it out. [ Full story from CNET News.com ]
Computing with Bifocals - Reunion: The Real Mac Choice for Serious Genealogists
The teacher of our genealogy classes strongly recommended a genealogy software package called Reunion 8 (recently upgraded to Reunion 9) made by Leister Productions, Inc. It has a definite learning curve. It requires what may be for many a serious financial investment, but if one is really serious about doing in-depth family history research it is a financial investment that is worth making
[ Full story from The Mac Observer ]
Podcast Maker 1.2.9a Released
Looking for an easy way to get in on the new wave known as podcasting? Have a look at Potion Factory's new release, Podcast Maker v1.2.9a for Mac OS X. Podcast Maker strives to take the pain out of... [ Full story from iPod Hacks ]