Friday, November 30, 2007
Apple: 3G iPhone
ATT's CEO leaks plan to produce a "3G" iPhone next year. [ Full story from MacInTouch ]
Cringely: AT&T's Shot Across Apple's Bow
AT&T's CEO Randall Stephenson, on Thursday, made an iPhone 3G announcement that preempted Steve Jobs, and it stands to lose perhaps a billion dollars in Christmas revenue for Apple, according to Robert X. Cringely on Friday. Mr. Stephenson did it to send Mr. Jobs a message, Mr. Cringely hypothesized
[ Full story from The Mac Observer ]
[ Full story from The Mac Observer ]
Macgamestore offers Monopoly for the Mac
Macgamestore has announced the release of Monopoly for the Mac as a digital download. The game, licensed by Hasbro and published by Real Arcade, brings the classic board game to Mac users with the ability to play friends or family as well as a built-in opponent using artificial intelligence. "Own it all with this amazing version of the best-known a... [ Full story from MacNN | The Macintosh News Network ]
Apple: Back to My Mac Compatibility
You need special router features to use Back to My Mac in Leopard (and not all AirPort base stations have them). [ Full story from MacInTouch ]
Update: TechTool Pro 4.6.1
Micromat's troubleshooting package adds Leopard compatibility, improved Volume Structure routines, eDrive changes for Leopard, and more. [ Full story from MacInTouch ]
Update: iSoftPhone 1.5
The VoIP Internet phone application adds Leopard compatibility, the ability to make calls directly from Marketcircle's Daylite, call transferring, support for conference calls between multiple SIP providers, and other changes. [ Full story from MacInTouch ]
Android fever, catch it: Verizon joining Open Handset Alliance?
Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds
In a recent chat with clients, Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster did a little name dropping regarding Google's Open Handset Alliance, casually mentioning in passing that Verizon "is a member." Hold up there, chief; last time we checked, that isn't the case. Among US national carriers, only T-Mobile and Sprint have publicly thrown their hats into the Android ring, so we're not sure whether Mr. Munster knows something w e don't (which is entirely possible) or whether he's just a little confused. For what it's worth, we can understand why he'd be confused in light of Verizon's recent commitment to open its airwaves to all comers -- the initiative appears to share much of the same spirit as the OHA's charter, after all -- but by the same token, Google's intention to snap up 700MHz bandwidth would seemingly pit the two juggernauts against one another. We'll have to wait and see whether Big Red's name magically appears on the Alliance's member list, but if it does, the pressure's gonna get pretty high on AT&T to cave, eh?
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[ Full story from Engadget ]
Update: iTunes Dupes Barrier
The inexpensive iTunes/iPod duplicate-tune finder gets an update for Leopard compatibility. [ Full story from MacInTouch ]
Motley Fool: AAPL is Hardly Overvalued
Responding to a posting that Apple's stock is vastly overvalued, Tim Beyers did some research and proposed that AAPL is hardly overvalued in his analysis at The Motley Fool on Friday
[ Full story from The Mac Observer ]
Update: Intel C /Fortran Compiler updates
Intel updated its C and Fortran compilers for compatibility with Leopard, Xcode 3, and Penryn processors. [ Full story from MacInTouch ]
Apple NYC Meatpacking store due to open next week?
Filed under: Retail
Oooh, the anticipation: New York's third Apple retail store now appears set to open on December 7, just in time for the shopping season (well, midway through Hannukah, but I forgive!). Backing up recent reports at ifoapplestore.com, reader David sent us a picture of the store construction wrap that leaves little doubt.
Will you be at the 14th Street store opening? We'll try to send our agents and snap some pictures.
Thanks David!Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
[ Full story from The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) ]
NEC develops real-time Japanese-to-English mobile translation software
Filed under: Cellphones
We've already seen the idea of data-to-voice translation passed around, but NEC's latest software is far beyond the drawing board. Reportedly, the firm has developed a system that can understand around 50,000 Japanese words and translate them to English text on the mobile's display in just a second or two. The software was made compact enough to "operate on a small microchip mounted in a cellphone," and was designed especially to help users convert common travel phrases. Notably, it would be technically possible to make the Engli sh translation vocal, but according to NEC spokesman Mitsumasa Fukumoto, the firm isn't looking into that possibility at the moment. No word on when we'd see this technology hit the masses, nor if any other language combinations were in the works, but this would certainly make touring English-speaking locales a lot less strenuous for Japanese speakers.[Via Physorg]
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[ Full story from Engadget ]
Apple Turns the Tables on Dell with Component Costs
Analyst Shaw Wu is maintaining a neutral position on Dell in his periodic research notes due to the recent erosion of gross margins. The reason: poor procurement execution. Mr. Wu believes the unthinkable has now happened: Dell's component costs may now be higher than Hewlett-Packard's and Apple's
[ Full story from The Mac Observer ]
Beta: Skype for Mac 2.7.0.195 beta
The Internet telephony application for VoIP adds Leopard compatibility and 640x480 resolution for video conversations at up to 25 frames per second. [ Full story from MacInTouch ]
Update: Data Rescue II 1.2
Prosoft's data recovery utility is now fully compatible with Leopard. [ Full story from MacInTouch ]
Apple threatens Danish carrier over iPhone sales
Apple is threatening Danish wireless distributor Telekæden with legal action, after the chain has been selling unlocked iPhones without the company's permission. Politeken.dk reports that Telekæden is selling the units for almost 6,000 kr (~$1200 US) through its website, unlocked so that they may be used with any GSM-based carrier, which counters A... [ Full story from MacNN | The Macintosh News Network ]
KavaSoft offers Web-based iTunes, services for OS X
KavaSoft today unveiled KavaTunes, a Web-based iTunes-like jukebox, and KavaServices, an addition to Mac OS X's "Services" menu item that adds five useful commands. KavaTunes allows Mac users to create an iTunes look-alike Web page, deployed through the operating system's built-in web server, to stream music over the internet. This allows users to ... [ Full story from MacNN | The Macintosh News Network ]
Tables 1.4 intros new cell, import options
Independent coder Daniel Schwill has released v1.4 of his Tables data spreadsheet program. A variety of important changes have been made: among these are new cell options, allowing merged and protected cells. Imports have also been enhanced, and now include improved ODF support, as well as the first importer for AppleWorks documents. Sheets can ... [ Full story from MacNN | The Macintosh News Network ]
Google 700MHz bid; Zander out at Moto; analyst on next iPhone
Google pledges bid in FCC auction An extra piece was put into place for Google's mobile puzzle on Friday when the company said it would place at least a $4.6 billion bid for a portion of the 700MHz wireless spectrum up for grabs in a Federal Commu... [ Full story from AppleInsider ]
News: NitroAV offers four-port eSATA PCIe adapter
NitroAV has introduced a four-port eSATA card compatible with late-model Power MAc G5s and Mac Pros. 
[ Full story from Macworld ]
iListen 1.8 Updated for Leopard
MacSpeech, Inc. announced on Friday the immediate availability of iListen 1.8, an update which is ow Leopard compatible. The update also includes new commands to support Leopard's TextEdit, Finder and Safari 3. [ Full story from The Mac Observer ]
EmailCampaign email marketing app released
Macware has released EmailCampaign, an email marketing application designed to help Mac users easily connect with clients and customers. The software enables users to quickly create and send targeted email messages while providing tools to manage contact lists, and aims to help users design simple or complex marketing messages. EmailCampaign verifi... [ Full story from MacNN | The Macintosh News Network ]
Apple iPhone greeted with hearty ‘bonjour!’ in France; Who’s next?
On Wednesday night, following a now-familiar ritual, French consumers lined up... [ Full story from MacDailyNews ]
Native PCIe-based SATA II host adapter
NitroAV.com on Friday released NitroAV SATAStar Plus, a new host adapter for Macs that delivers 3Gb/sec SATA II performance. The company says the card is "the industryís first" native PCIe chipset based 4-Port external host adapter and that it is specifically designed for the ultra fast PCIe bus on Apple's high-end MacPro desktops and PowerMac G5 ... [ Full story from MacNN | The Macintosh News Network ]
NEC develops real-time Japanese-to-English mobile translation software
Filed under: Messaging, Software, NEC
We've already seen the idea of data-to-voice translation passed around, but NEC's latest software is far beyond the drawing board. Reportedly, the firm has developed a system that can understand around 50,000 Japanese words and translate them to English text on the mobile's display in just a second or two. The software was made compact enough to "ope rate on a small microchip mounted in a cellphone," and was designed especially to help users convert common travel phrases. Notably, it would be technically possible to make the English translation vocal, but according to NEC spokesman Mitsumasa Fukumoto, the firm isn't looking into that possibility at the moment. No word on when we'd see this technology hit the masses, nor if any other language combinations were in the works, but this would certainly make touring English-speaking locales a lot less strenuous for Japanese speakers.[Via Physorg]
[ Full story from Engadget Mobile ]
Tables 1.4 Improves ODF Support, More
Daniel Schwill announced the immediate availability of Tables 1.4 on Friday. The updated spreadsheet and data organization application added an improved ODF and AppleWorks document importer
[ Full story from The Mac Observer ]
[ Full story from The Mac Observer ]
Android fever, catch it: Verizon joining Open Handset Alliance?
Filed under: Software, Verizon Wireless, Android
In a recent chat with clients, Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster did a little name dropping regarding Google's Open Handset Alliance, casually mentioning in passing that Verizon "is a member." Hold up there, chief; last time we checked, that isn't the case. Among US national carriers, only T-Mo bile and Sprint have publicly thrown their hats into the Android ring, so we're not sure whether Mr. Munster knows something we don't (which is entirely possible) or whether he's just a little confused. For what it's worth, we can understand why he'd be confused in light of Verizon's recent commitment to open its airwaves to all comers -- the initiative appears to share much of the same spirit as the OHA's charter, after all -- but by the same token, Google's intention to snap up 700MHz bandwidth would seemingly pit the two juggernauts against one another. We'll have to wait and see whether Big Red's name magically appears on the Alliance's member list, but if it does, the pressure's gonna get pretty high on AT&T to cave, eh?[ Full story from Engadget Mobile ]
Joystiq Podcast 027 - Chocolate log edition
Editors' Notes: Mac-spotting at the movies: The sequel
Another Thanksgiving holiday, another chance for Philip Michaels to watch a movie where a Mac makes a surprise appearance. 
[ Full story from Macworld ]
NEC develops real-time English-to-Japanese mobile translation software
Filed under: Messaging, Software, NEC
We've already seen the idea of data-to-voice translation passed around, but NEC's latest software is far beyond the drawing board. Reportedly, the firm has developed a system that can understand around 50,000 Japanese words and translate them to English text on the mobile's display in just a second or two. The software was made compact enough to "ope rate on a small microchip mounted in a cellphone," and was designed especially to help users convert common travel phrases. Notably, it would be technically possible to make the English translation vocal, but according to NEC spokesman Mitsumasa Fukumoto, the firm isn't looking into that possibility at the moment. No word on when we'd see this technology hit the masses, nor if any other language combinations were in the works, but this would certainly make touring English-speaking locales a lot less strenuous for Japanese speakers.[Via Physorg]
[ Full story from Engadget Mobile ]
Autoblog Green Podcast #15
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Hybrid, Hydrogen, GM, Honda, Porsche, Tesla Motors, EDTA Conference, Podcasts
Sebastian and Sam are back for episode 15 of the AutoblogGreen Podcast. W e start with a recap of what Sam got to see at the LA Auto Show - the Honda FCX Clarity, Porsche Cayenne Hybrid, as well as the GM 2-Mode Hybrid trucks. While in LA, Sam got to take a thrilling ride in a Tesla Roadster with Daryl Siry of Tesla where they discuss Tesla's future plans, and the challenges you face when bringing a viable EV to market. Sebastian had the chance to talk with Jonathan Williams about a "tri-brid"fuel-cell mini-bus that also has batteries and ultracapacitors on board. There will be more on this when Sebastian reports from EVS23 next wee. The podcast clocks in at 57 minutes this week, enjoy!SUBSCRIBE to the AutoblogGreen Podcast in iTunes
LISTEN to the show now
ADD the AutoblogGreen Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.
Five stars to iWork ‘08
In giving iWork ’08 a five-star rating, Neale Monks (macworld.co.uk) points out that the suite offers “good value for the money,� is “easy to use,� offers “genuinely useful templates,� exports to Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and “integrates nicely with Mac OS X.� Of the three applications that comprise iWork ’08, Monks says that “Keynote ’08 thrashed PowerPoint back in 2003, and it just keeps getting better.� He celebrates the fact that the new toolbars in Pages ’08 “are now chock full of new buttons and menus� that “show off its dramatically improved word-processing chops.� And he suggests that Numbers, the newest member of the suite, “may well redefine how people use spreadsheets. It’s powerful, beautiful, and surprisingly versatile.� [ Full story from Apple Hot News ]
Mac Gaming News - Macgamestore Releases Monopoly for the Mac
Macgamestore.com announced the immediate availability of Monopoly for the Mac on Friday. The Mac-based version of the classic board game includes animated player tokens, multiplayer modes, and a play against the computer mode with multiple levels of difficulty. Monopoly for the Mac is available for download at the Macgamestore.com Web site and is priced at US$19.95.
Apple patents adapter for mini optical discs
Recently published by the US Patent and Trademark Office is an application from Apple, relating to optical disc drives. Originally submitted on May 22nd, 2006, the application details an an improvement to slot-loading drives, which allows them to play smaller-sized three-inch discs, in addition to regular-sized five-inch ones. Normally, only tray... [ Full story from MacNN | The Macintosh News Network ]
Bloomberg: China Mobile still in discussions for Apple’s iPhone [UPDATED]
China Mobile Ltd., the world's largest wireless-phone operator by subscribers, said it is still in discussions to offer Apple's iPhone... [ Full story from MacDailyNews ]
Leopard Recognizes Windows Executable Format, Virtualization in the Works?
An interesting observation was noted on the Wine mailing list. As it turns out, new in Leopard is the ability to load and understand Windows Portable Executable (PE) files which is the common format for Windows applications and libaries. Understanda... [ Full story from MacRumors : Mac News and Rumors ]
Take a CandyBar 3 video tour
Filed under: Cool tools, Tips and tricks, Odds and ends, Leopard
If you've ever used CandyBar before, you probably already grabbed version 3 when it was released the other day. But just in case you haven't seen it in action, Ged put together this great screencast of just how easy it makes controlling the look of your icons and Dock. I especially love the icons inside the iContainers in Quick Look-- such a neat, useful touch that's only possible in Leopard.
CandyBar, I think, is one of those apps that sounds like you'll never use it when you just read the text (because how often do you change your system icons, really), but once you see just how amazing it is, you can tell it's one of those reasons we're so proud to be Mac owners. I know, I sound like an infomercial, but look at that app! CandyBar 3 is available as a free 15-day/250-icon limit trial, or for the purchase price of $29.
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[ Full story from The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) ]
Apple Plans 3G iPhone for 2008
AT&T CEO calls Verizon's open network plans overblown. [ Full story from eWeek VOIP ]
News: Virtual TimeClock Pro updated for Leopard
Virtual TimeClock Pro has been updated for Leopard and features other enhancements like new reporting capabilities and a streamlined interface. 
[ Full story from Macworld ]
News: Google Maps adds locator, but not for iPhone
Google has updated its Google Maps application adding a new feature called “My Location.” While the new feature is available for many phones, Apple's iPhone is not among them. 
[ Full story from Macworld ]
AAPL Clears $187
>Apple's stock managed to close up at US$184.29 on Thursday, but it didn't stop there. In pre-market trading on Friday, the stock shot up almost $3 to climb over $187
[ Full story from The Mac Observer ]
Xserve Lights-Out Management Firmware Update 1.1 available
Filed under: Hardware, Software Update, XServe
Apple released Xserve Lights-Out Management Firmware Update 1.1 on Thursday. It's for Intel-based Xserves only, and will update your firmware to version 1.2.8. The Xserve I manage at work is a G5, so no update for me. Here's what I'm missing, according to Apple:"This update includes changes to the Lights-Out Management environment of the Intel-based Xserve. It addresses the intermittent issue that causes the LOM port to be unresponsive. This update is strongly recommended for all Intel-based Xserve systems."
You can read the Knowledge Base article here.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
[ Full story from The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) ]
News: XHub Media Center updated for Leopard
XHub Media Center, the Front Row alternative from Snarb.tk, is now available for Leopard. 
[ Full story from Macworld ]
Leopard the new Vista? No, but it's not manna, either
I love the Mac. But Leopard is just something I paid for. It's not giving me anything. Innovation seems to have moved from the desktop to the web. [ Full story from CNET News.com ]
TMO Quick Tip - Leopard: Using Expose with Spaces
Exposé is great for finding specific document windows, and Leopard's Spaces feature is great for organizing your application windows on their own virtual Desktops. Put the two together, and you have an even better tool for keeping track of everything you are working on.
Run IE on your Intel Mac, if you absolutely have to
If you're a Mac-based web developer, a sysadmin at SomeBigCo, or an Outlook Web Access user, you might find yourself needing to use MS Internet Explorer from time to time. No, not IE for Mac OS X, frozen in amber within Applications folders around the globe; I mean IE for Windows, the hairy scary Active-X enabled browser that for better or worse represents a huge chunk of the web-surfing world.Getting 'real' IE on the Mac, up until now, has meant OS emulation (Virtual PC), virtualization (Parallels/VMware), API emulation (Wine/CrossOver) or remote access (RDC). Now there's another option for Intel Mac owners: ies4osx, a Mac port of the ies4linux package. Built on top of the Darwine version of the Wine IA32 API emulation layer, ies4osx downloads and installs an official version of IE (you pick from v5, 5.5, 6 or 7) and then runs it inside the X11 environment on your Mac.
The resulting browser looks a little weird -- almost like a Bizarro version of IE, with the slightly altered type and menu look of the X11 windowing system -- but this bear can dance. OWA runs nicely, with full rich-text editing and message search, and the administration pages for MS Virtual Server also work pretty well. I wouldn't depend on ies4osx in a production role, at least not with the current build, but for one-off testing of websites in IE it's worth the (free) download. The ies4linux developer plans to roll the Mac-specific fixes back into the main package, so the next version of ies4 will probably support both Mac and Linux users from the same codebase.
[via MacApper]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
[ Full story from The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) ]
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Apple Plans 3G iPhone for 2008
AT&T CEO calls Verizon's open network plans overblown. [ Full story from eWEEK Developer ]