Mac 101: Typing accents, remember the option key

Filed under: Mac 101

Apple has a nice tip up this week on typing letters with non-English accent marks. As they point out you can use the Character Palette, but there's a much easier way that many of us often don't remember to use via the option key. To type an accent you just need to hit an option key combo then the letter that you want to take the accent. So for example, to type an umlaut hit option u then the u to get ü. To type an acute it's option e then e to get é; for a grave it's option ` then a to get à. The Apple tip lists all of these handy key combos plus a bunch more.

If you often find yourself typing accented characters you'll end up saving a lot of time by memorizing these combos. And even if you don't remember them exactly, you can probably figure out the one you need if you just experiment with the option key.

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[ Full story from The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) ]

Mailplane pricing announced

Filed under: Software, Beta Beat

We've discussed the excellent stand-alone Gmail client Mailplane several times. While there remain a few holes here and there, I consider it a must-have application for anybody who needs to manage multiple Gmail accounts. After about half a year in beta, the developer Ruben Bakker has declared the latest Mailplane beta as ready for Leopard. In addition, he has announced that it will soon be released for sale at a price of $24.95. There will also be a "family option" for an additional $8 that allows users to install it on up to 5 machines in a single household.

Mailplane remains in beta "for a short while," and you can s till request a beta invitation.

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[ Full story from The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) ]

Why does Apple.com have a page for iPhone among iLife ‘08 Guided Tours?

MacDailyNews reader "Aaron" recently found a page on Apple.com that does not do... [ Full story from MacDailyNews ]

A look at Leopard's iTunes visualizers

Filed under: Multimedia, Software, Odds and ends, iTunes, Leopard

[ Full story from The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) ]

iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store: 2 quick notes

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, iTS, iPhone

My pristine, non-hacked iPhone (I can just sense Erica rolling her eyes at the lack of cool stuff on my iPhone) updated to the 1.1.1 firmware without a hitch. Much like our very own Dave Caolo I quickly purchased an album using the iTunes Wi-Fi Store (this album , for those curious) and I found the experience to be quite pleasant indeed (I wonder when Amazon will have an iPhone version of Amazon MP3? Probably not any time soon, sadly).

Here are two quick notes that will answer a few questions folks have asked me:

• You can buy iTunes Plus tracks via the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store, though iTunes Plus has to be turned on in your iTunes account.
• If you have iTunes credits (from a gift card, or iTunes card) they will be applied to your purchase, but the iTunes Wi-Fi Store UI doesn't reflect that (I had 5 bucks left on the $25 iTunes card I bought with a portion of my $100 credit. The Wi-Fi store showed the full cost of the album I bought, but my emailed receipt reflected the 5 dollar credit).

Nothing too earth-shattering, but good to know, don't ya think?

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[ Full story from The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) ]

New QuickBooks for Mac coming in 2008

Filed under: Software, Odds and ends, Leopard

QuickBooks 2008 apparently was released this week by Inuit-- unfortunately, this makes the release of the Windows client only. Macworld, however, is reporting that if QuickBooks is your thing, you've only got a few more months to wait. Intuit is still planning to release a version of QB 2008 for Mac... in 2008 itself.

The quote comes from the Intuit FAQ for Mac, which says basically that they're waiting for Leopard to reveal itself before they release their own software. Not a bad reason for delay, I guess, but I really wonder what extra features Inuit might include in their software that would require Leopard to work. Will QuickBooks really be using any of the Core Image stuff to beef up their presentations and spreadsheets? Doubtful, but it would be awesome if they did.

At any rate, Intuit says that if you need QuickBooks right now, there's always the 2007 version, and to stay tuned for everything else, including a release date for 2008.

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[ Full story from The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) ]

AOL Desktop for Mac Beta 1

Filed under: Software

AOL, the parent company of Weblogs, Inc of which TUAW is a part (translation: AOL is our loving corporate overlord), has done something it hasn't done in 5 years: release some new Mac code. AOL Desktop for Mac Beta 1 is out and about, and ready for business.

What's new in this version, you ask? Well, it launches quickly, it uses tabs, you can check a number of different email accounts (in addition to your AOL account), AIM is built right in, and it is customizable. It has that unmistakable AOL look to it (which is either a good thing, or a bad thing depending on who ask) and it was fairly snappy on my iMac. I wasn't able to test out all the features because I don 't actually have an AOL account myself, but it is in beta and that means there are bugs to be encountered.

I'm sure a small number of Mac users are happy to see this release, but I'm more anxious for an updated version of AIM. Mac users are a full 2 versions behind our PC friends on that front (though I recommend you check out Adium for all your chatting needs).

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[ Full story from The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) ]

Novatium's $113 netPC offered to internet-deprived MTNL customers

Filed under: Desktops

While it's not quite free, folks in India that are having a hard time securing a PC (let alone an internet connection) will soon have another alternative. Reportedly, Novatium's stripped-down ₨4,500 ($113) netPC, which will be "connected to a centralized server in the locality by MTNL," will act like a dumb terminal in users' homes. Consequently, applications will all be stored outside of the actual PC, but custom ers will be allowed 2GB of remote storage and access to the internet, the latter of which will require "a small monthly fee." To promote the offering, the firms are touting the system as one that is immune to traditional viruses and provides a low total cost of ownership, and buyers can even choose whether they'd like to work on Windows or Linux. Sorry, Mac lovers.

[Thanks, Jagannath A.]

 

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[ Full story from Engadget ]

First reports of iPhone VoIP application surface

Filed under: iPhone

[ Full story from The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) ]

iPhones still selling like hotcakes?

Despite the notable backlash at some of Apple's questionably-nefarious corporate agendas recently, Blackfriars' Marketing blog notes that iPhones are still selling rather well - and that stock is low in a dozen or so stores. GigaOM is also reporting people are causing noticeable queues at silly hours of the day at the twenty-four hour Fifth Avenue store, just to buy handsets.

Of course, the mass-buying could be purely down to people buying plenty of handsets to hack, brick, and re-lock to try and score a feature on Joy of Tech, but the reasons from Blackfriars seem to be slightly more business-orientated. Demand for the iPhone elsewhere in the world - particularly Europe, despite the fact there's now a launch date and pricing for at least some European territories - is clearly a tempting proposition for people looking to make a tidy profit from sending iPhones abroad, and plenty seem to be doing so.

Thanks, Mike.

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[ Full story from The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) ]

Ask TUAW: CUPS, Leopard Boot Camp, iPhone visual voicemail and more

Filed under: Features, Tips and tricks, Troubleshooting, Ask TUAW

Recovering somewhat from our two separate editions of Ask TUAW last week this week we tackle a number of questions we've covered before, as well as new questions on CUPS, Boot Camp in Leopard, changing the default application associated with a file ty pe, disappearing visual voicemail, and much more.

As always your suggestions are most welcome, and questions for next week should be left in the comments. And now on to the show!

Continue reading Ask TUAW: CUPS, Leopard Boot Camp, iPhone visual voicemail and more

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[ Full story from The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) ]

Secure your Mac: SecuriKey USB dongle

Filed under: Peripherals, Security

As we recently mentioned with regards to the newly available Mac support for the Eikon USB fingerprint scanner, hardware security peripherals on the Mac have been rather thin on the ground. But coming on the heels of the Eikon, GT Security has announced an update to their SecuriKey USB security dongle for Mac which adds encrypted Volume support. Basically the SecuriKey software creates a virtual secure Volume protected by AES 128-bit encryption on which you keep your sensitive data. To access that Volume all you have to do is plug in the USB dongl e (which they call a "token"). If you remove the dongle the Mac will reset to the login screen. It's a lot like Knox but locked via a hardware key instead of a password.

The SecuriKey Professional Edition is $129.99; there's a software only upgrade for $50 if you should already have one of the dongles.

[via MacNN]

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[ Full story from The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) ]

EFI Firmware Update for Mac Pro, Core Duo 2 Macs

Filed under: iMac, Software Update, Apple, Macbook Pro, MacBook, Mac Pro

Apple is pumping out lots of firmware updates today. Here are the latest for Macs:

• iMac EFI Firmware Update 1.2
• Mac Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.2
• MacBook EFI Firmware Update 1.1
• MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.4
• Xserve EFI Firmware Update 1.0

Most of the firmwares are targeted at improving performance with Intel Core 2 Duo processors (and Xeon procs in the case of the Xserve) as well as fixing issues with Bootcamp. The Mac Pro update also addresses some issues with the fans.

Thanks to everyone who sent these in.

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[ Full story from The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) ]

Moment of Truth: iPhone Software 1.1.1 is out

Filed under: Software Update, iPhone

[ Full story from The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) ]

Adobe Photoshop Elements 6

Adobe has released version 6 of Photoshop Elements, improving ease of use and featuring new tools such as Photomerge to combine the best parts of several group shots. There is a new Quick Selection tool and three edit modes aimed at different skill levels. This latest release is available now for Windows - a Mac version will follow in early 2008 - for US$99.99 (upgrade $79.99) or $149.99 bundled with Adobe's Premiere Elements 4 video-editing software. [ Full story from Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com) ]

Apple drops iPhone 1.1.1 update, warns unlocked phones may not work

Apple released the first substantial update to the iPhone's software Thursday and warned customers who have modified their iPhone software may find the update "results in your iPhone becoming permanently inoperable". Sources say updates to iWork '08 are set to arrive soon, as well. [ Full story from Think Secret ]

Toshiba readies Cell-based graphics engine

Watch out, Nvidia, here comes... er... SpursEngine

Toshiba will next week formally announce a processor based on the Cell chip that sits inside each Sony PlayStation 3 games console. The new CPU will be pitched not only at consumer electronics kit but set head-to-head with today's PC and Mac graphics chips.…

[ Full story from Reg Hardware: Product News and Gadget Reviews from The Register - Bits 'n' Chips ]

Why are the music cartels being so generous to Amazon vs. Apple?

Amazon’s DRM-free prices are in line or even less than iTunes' DRM prices... [ Full story from MacDailyNews ]

U.S. News and World Report issues hit piece: Apple’s Macintosh sales are surging

Three months after the debut of the most-hyped technology product in history... [ Full story from MacDailyNews ]

Apple releases iPhoto 7.1

Apple today released iPhoto 7.1 which addresses issues encountered... [ Full story from MacDailyNews ]

Apple releases iDVD 7.0.1

Apple today released iDVD 7.0.1 which improves overall stability... [ Full story from MacDailyNews ]

InfoWorld: Eight months since switching from Windows to Mac and it’s no turning back

Commenters on my Enterprise Mac blog have been begging for an update to my column... [ Full story from MacDailyNews ]

Apple releases iMovie 7.1

Apple today released iMovie 7.1 which addresses several areas including... [ Full story from MacDailyNews ]

So, where’s Apple’s iPhone for France?

After the one-two punch of announcements of iPhone availability... [ Full story from MacDailyNews ]

Apple releases iTunes 7.4.3 for Windows

Apple today released iTunes 7.4.3 for Windows which addresses issues... [ Full story from MacDailyNews ]

Other News: Amazon vs. Apple

"My choice: KT Kunstall's new album, Drastic Fantastic, $14.99 on iTunes, $8.99 on Amazon. Savings: more that 40%" [ Full story from MacInTouch ]

Apple: iLife Bug Fixes

Apple posts a bunch of bug fix updates for iLife components. [ Full story from MacInTouch ]

TMO Appearances - TMO's Jeff Gamet at BWA Expo 2007 Monday

TMO's morning editor, Jeff Gamet, will be speaking at the Boulder Writers Alliance Expo on Monday, September 24. Jeff will be discussing how to successfully use your Mac as a business and creative tool in a Windows-dominated world, and using your Mac more effectively as a creative tool
[ Full story from The Mac Observer ]

Apple: iPhone v1.1.1 Update

Available only through iTunes, this iPhone update adds TV Out support and other improvements and addresses 10 security issues. [ Full story from MacInTouch ]

Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 for Windows Released, Mac Version on the Way

Adobe announced the immediate availability of Photoshop Elements 6 on Monday. Unfortunately for Mac users the new version is Windows-only, but a Mac version will be available in early 2008
[ Full story from The Mac Observer ]

Apple Stock Hits Almost $150 in a New High

Apple's stock hit a new high on Monday after Citigroup raised its target price and earnings estimates, according to Reuters on Monday
[ Full story from The Mac Observer ]

MacBook/Pro Software Update 1.0 Addresses Journaling Issue

Apple released its MacBook/Pro Software Update 1.0 for the mid 2007-release MacBook and the 2.2 and 2.4GHz 15-inch MacBook Pro on Monday evening. The update enables file system journaling on systems that shipped with the feature turned off
[ Full story from The Mac Observer ]

iPodObserver - Apple's iPhone Unlocking Stance Vs. Magnuson-Moss Warranty Law

Apple stated on Monday that "unauthorized modifications to the software on their iPhone violate their iPhone software license agreement and void their warranty." Accordingly, there is a difficult legal question about whether a simple SIM unlock prohibition violates the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, according to Phonenews
[ Full story from The Mac Observer ]

Hot Forum Topic - Amazon MP3 vs. iTunes Store

Today TMO readers are considering whether or not Amazon's new Amazon MP3 store can compete with Apple's iTunes Store
[ Full story from The Mac Observer ]

Apple Posts Five iLife '08 Updates

Apple posted five updates on Wednesday for the iLife '08 suite. The changes were primarily related to minor compatibility issues
[ Full story from The Mac Observer ]

Newbie to Mac Can Never Go Back, Part II

Back in March, Tom Yager at InfoWorld told the story about a friend who was inching away from Windows. In part II of the story, the friend is finally sold, according to Mr. Yager on Wednesday
[ Full story from The Mac Observer ]

TrailRunner 1.5 (v181) Released

Hikers, joggers, and active folk in general should have a look at Berbie's TrailRunner 1.4 (v169) for Mac OS X. TrailRunner is a route planning software for all kinds of long distance sports like... [ Full story from iPod Hacks ]

Latest Leopard Visual Tweaks and Intro Movie

The latest Mac OS 10.5 Leopard seed that was released on Friday to developers has introduced a number of notable visual tweaks to the operating system. Notes and screenshots have been gathered from public forums which reveal the improvements found i... [ Full story from MacRumors : Mac News and Rumors ]

Schiller on iPhone Unlocks and Incompatibility

Apple's Phil Schiller was quoted by an Associated Press article about today's announcement that SIM Unlocked iPhones may become permanently disabled by upcoming iPhone updates.

Schiller clarifies that this is not an intentional move t... [ Full story from MacRumors : Mac News and Rumors ]

Leopard In Release Candidate Cycle, 9A559 Gallery

Think Secret has posted a more comprehensive gallery of the improvements in the latest Mac OS 10.5 "Leopard" build, seeded to developers last week.

With only two known issues remaining, MacRumors sources are indicating that Leo... [ Full story from MacRumors : Mac News and Rumors ]

Apple Releases iPhone 1.1.1 Update [Updated]

Apple has released the iPhone 1.1.1 Software Update to iTunes.

The 154MB download warns that "If you have modified your iPhone's Software, applying this software update may result in your iPhone becoming permanantly inoperable."
.. [ Full story from MacRumors : Mac News and Rumors ]

Apple Releases EFI Firmware Updates

Apple released a number of EFI Firmware Updates for the iMac, Mac Pro, MacBook, MacBook Pro and Xserve today.

The update describes various fixes including

- Improves performance and reliability of Intel Core 2 Duo Proces... [ Full story from MacRumors : Mac News and Rumors ]

'notMac' solution ready for download

The operator of the notMac Challenge, a competition to create a free replacement for Apple's paid .Mac service, says that it has received a solution for testing, developed by Ben Spink. The client is now available for download (DMG file), and includes a "lite" version of CrushFTP. Following the rules of the competition, the software runs on Mac O... [ Full story from MacNN | The Macintosh News Network ]

iLife '08 updates: iPhoto 7.1, GB 4.1, iMovie 7.1

Apple today issued updates to its iLife application suite, improving components shared by all iLife '08 applications to improve overall stability and addressing a number of other minor issues. iDVD 7.0.1 appears to benefit from the components update, while iPhoto 7.1 addresses issued encountered when moving photos between Events. The latest release... [ Full story from MacNN | The Macintosh News Network ]

Amazon MP3 store: better than iTunes?

The first reviews of , which offers DRM-free tracks at prices that are generally cheaper than the iTunes Store, are in -- and most have come down in favor of the new service relative to Apple's offering. MP3 tracks sold through the Amazon store are encoded at 256 Kbps in MP3 format, as opposed to 128 Kbps in AAC format on the iTunes Store. Most t... [ Full story from MacNN | The Macintosh News Network ]

Exclusive: Gateway talks about One, the iMac

Ahead of the announcement of the One, Gateway product manager Glenn Jystad answered questions from Electronista about the company's new all-in-one PC. The company gave us new insights into the design philosophy behind the One and whether it will stay tied to the US. It also answered one of the most pressing questions in the wake of the One's laun... [ Full story from MacNN | The Macintosh News Network ]

Apple updates Pages, Keynote, Numbers, iTunes (Win)

Apple today released a slew of updates, including new software for its iTunes jukebox and video management software, Pages, Keynote, and Numbers. Keynote 4.01, a 31.1MB update, primarily addresses issues with builds and performance and Pages 3.01 (27.8MB) also addresses issues with change tracking and performance; Numbers 1.0.1 (26.1MB) primarily a... [ Full story from MacNN | The Macintosh News Network ]

Amazon one-ups iTunes Plus with MP3 store, exclusive music

Posing one of the more serious challenges to Apple's continued success with iTunes, Amazon's MP3 store has opened its doors and claims more unprotected tracks with lower prices. Considered a public beta, Amazon MP3 marks a departure from both Appl... [ Full story from AppleInsider ]

Apple updates iLife '08 apps, iMovie gains new features

Apple Inc. on Wednesday afternoon posted to its website software updates for nearly all of its iLife '08 applications, the most significant of which adds a handful of more powerful editing features to much criticized iMovie 7.0 overhaul. iLife Sup... [ Full story from AppleInsider ]

Apple iPhone update 1.1.1 offers louder volume, adds iTunes

Apple Inc. on Thursday released iPhone software update version 1.1.1, which adds access to the Wi-Fi iTunes Music Store, the ability to increase the handset's speaker and earpiece volume, TV output, and several other features. To download the 152M... [ Full story from AppleInsider ]

Freddie Mac Pays $50M to Settle Charges

Mortgage finance company Freddie Mac will pay $50 million to settle federal charges that it fraudulently misstated earnings over a four-year period. The Securities and Exchange Commission announced the settlement Thursday. Freddie Mac neither admitted... [ Full story from SFGate: Business & Technology ]