Apple’s Promised Product Transitions [TheAppleBlog]
GigaOM Network — Ars Technica wrote an article about Macs and Blu-ray drives. That’s fine, but they did so under a misguided premise:  In the third quarter earnings call in July, Apple warned investors about an upcoming product transition that would eat away at the company’s cushy margins. However, in the intermediate, no new or updated products have surfaced that look like they could be responsible for significantly reduced margins. The article then dismisses the new “unibodies” for the MacBook and MacBook Pros, instead suggesting a “mystery margin-reducing product or feature” must have been intended. ...

Best Kept Secrets: Hardware Growler [TheAppleBlog]
GigaOM Network — My enthusiastic use and promotion of Growl should come as no surprise to regular readers of The Apple Blog. While some dismiss it as an annoyance reminiscent of the Windows notification popups, others — like myself - view it as a way be informed without stopping what I am currently doing (and that is definitely not the case with its Windows pseudo-counterpart). Even though many of the applications and utilities that help me with my daily workflows have embedded Growl support in some fashion, there is one use of Growl that may help convert even the most stalwart Growl skeptic: Hardware Growler. (more…) ...

Jade: No Hassle, Digital Image Correction for Leopard [TheAppleBlog]
GigaOM Network — Jade, a different sort of digital image processing utility, doesn’t do anything you can’t achieve using tools and filters in Photoshop, Pixelmator, or other image editors, but it can transform your less-than-perfect shots (dark, dim, feeble, pale, badly lit, vague, gloomy) into images you can be proud of with minimal effort. Jade leverages advanced graphics algorithms to enhance color, contrast and dynamic range with no user adjustment required for individual shots or batch lots, and also provides manual control to fine-tune intensity values, image contrast and color correction values if desired. I found this seldom necessary. Jade delivers a ...

iPhone Tops J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Survey [TheAppleBlog]
GigaOM Network — It may have garnered its fair share of complaints, but Apple’s iPhone is still a hit with consumers, at least according to marketing firm J.D. Power and Associates. In their 2008 Business Wireless Smartphone Customer Satisfaction Study, the results of which were released yesterday, the iPhone came out on top, beating perennial favorite Research In Motion, makers of BlackBerry devices. Note that the survey measures the satisfaction of business customers specifically, which is good use for Cupertino’s efforts to make inroads in the Enterprise market. Results drawn from the 1,388 person respondent pool were gathered over two months, between August and ...

CoverFlow in Safari for iPhone: Proof of Concept With Promise [TheAppleBlog]
GigaOM Network — Before the App Store, third party developers depended on web apps to allow them to bring new games, abilities, and content to the iPhone and iPod touch. A new proof-of-concept tech demo by web developer Charles Ying shows that there is still plenty of potential left untapped for web apps, especially when you make use of Apple’s CSS Visual Effects extensions. Yesterday, on his personal blog inside looking out, Ying posted an entry detailing his CoverFlow (zflow) demo, one part of his new open source endeavor CSS-VFX. The project is intended to be a showcase of the potential applications of Apple’s CSS Visual Effects extensions for the ...

How-To: Mac-ify Your VMware Unity Windows [TheAppleBlog]
GigaOM Network — Even with CodeWeaver’s generous giveaway of CrossOver Mac the other week, there are still times when one has to use a virtualized Windows environment to get work done that just cannot be performed within OS X properly. In talking with other VMware users, I realized that not everyone may hack their hosted Windows environment as I thought they might and wanted to offer some relief to those who are forced to toil in “that other” operating system. As most OS X users know by now, VMware’s Fusion product makes it very easy to work with Windows programs without appearing to leave OS X via its snazzy Unity feature. Unity mode essentially masks ...

How-To: Mac-ify Your VMware Unison Windows
TheAppleBlog — Even with CodeWeaver’s generous giveaway of CrossOver Mac the other week, there are still times when one has to use a virtualized Windows environment to get work done that just cannot be performed within OS X properly. In talking with other VMware users, I realized that not everyone may hack their hosted Windows environment as I thought they might and wanted to offer some relief to those who are forced to toil in “that other” operating system. As most OS X users know by now, VMware’s Fusion product makes it very easy to work with Windows programs without appearing to leave OS X via its snazzy Unity feature. Unity mode essentially masks ...

BBC iPlayer Coming to a Mac Near You [TheAppleBlog]
GigaOM Network — The BBC’s iPlayer is nothing short of a digital revelation — providing viewers in the United Kingdom with online access to an ever-changing (and free) selection of the BBC’s internationally-revered quality programming. For an increasing number of us Brit’s, BBC.co.uk/iPlayer is the site we surreptitiously visit on our lunch-breaks at work and the destination for catching up on missed TV in the evenings. Yet upon its initial beta launch back in 2007, the iPlayer was a national disappointment; exclusively for Windows and with more bugs in it than an entomologist’s cupboard. While iPlayer downloading may have been ...

First Look: Songbird Finally Gives iTunes Some Competition [TheAppleBlog]
GigaOM Network — Many have oft-complained about Microsoft’s hold on users with its monopoly on installed system components such as Internet Explorer and Microsoft Media Player. Even though the OS X counterparts to those programs are engineered better, the truth is that Apple really does engage in the same practices Microsoft does and it is only their small market-share that keeps the official complaints from filing in. Even though Apple does not ship alternatives to built-in programs, many savvy users grab alternative browsers , text editors and even movie players. One area where Apple seems to have a stranglehold, though, is in the general media players ...

Weekly App Store Roundup: Nov. 8, 2008 [TheAppleBlog]
GigaOM Network — It’s been a good week for iPhone owners, in particular we’ve had cause to celebrate with AT&T’s announcement of tethering and a sneak peek at the new iPhone firmware revealing podcast downloading on the go. As ever, the App Store has continued to grow like a digital garden of eden and now it’s time for us to hand-pick a few promising apps and find out which are the juiciest and which needed a little more time to ripen. This week we’re looking at Remember The Milk, Mokugyo (With Cat), Ocarina and iFriends. Remember The Milk (free) - Remember The Milk is a clever site that gives you a ...

Showdown at High Noon: Apple vs. Psystar [TheAppleBlog]
GigaOM Network — There’s been a lot of commentary on the Apple/Psystar case, though I believe most of it is based on misunderstanding of the legal process and the normal dance steps that take place before trial. In such cases a “loss” on either side is really not a loss at all, it’s just the standard pre-trial theatrics leading to the main event.  There is a good article on World of Apple about the latest developments, which include a new twist. A decision on Apple’s motion for dismissal is expected by 11/20 (i.e., within two weeks of the oral arguments presented last Thursday, 11/6). The article makes the following claim regarding the ...

TextGuru and MagicPad: Mobile Cut-and-Paste Text Editing [TheAppleBlog]
GigaOM Network — The lack of the ability to cut, copy, and paste and to select portions of text makes text editing on the iPhone/iPod touch an exercise in patience. So, for all you writers who are masochistic enough to use your mobile device to write, this one is for you. Consider this scenario: You start a draft in the Notes app or in the WordPress app and write a paragraph or two. Some time later, you re-read what you’d written and think, “Well, that sentence doesn’t really belong there.” What now? You’ll have to set the cursor to a new insert point and, while referring to that sentence in its existing location, retype it in its new location. Moving just ...

Ocarina Turns the iPhone Into a Real Musical Instrument [TheAppleBlog]
GigaOM Network — There’s no shortage of applications from the App Store that allow iPhone users to let their inner musician come out and play. We’ve got guitars, pianos, and synthesizers galore to choose from. But an important detail to point out about these iPhone applications is that each one of us could potentially play exactly the same exact tunes because the audio produced is really only a result of preloaded sample sounds. Besides your own creativity in putting the sounds together, it’s all static. Ocarina from Smule (anyone noticed that I love what these folks are doing?) however, brings us change to this category of apps. Ocarina makes ...

iPhone Takes Number One Spot, Surpassing the RAZR [TheAppleBlog]
GigaOM Network — According to The NPD Group, the leader in market research for the wireless industry, the iPhone 3G surpassed the Motorola RAZR as the leading handset purchased by US adult consumers in the third quarter of 2008. The RAZR had been ranked as the top-selling consumer handset for the past three years, which means that the iPhone knocking the device from the top spot is no small deal. “It represents a major shift in handset design from fashion to fashionable functionality,” said Ross Rubin, director of industry analysis for NPD. “Four of the five best-selling handsets in the third quarter were optimized for messaging and other advanced Internet features.” ...

Learning From Apple, Part 1: Tutorials & Tips [TheAppleBlog]
GigaOM Network — Whether you’re new to the Mac or have been using one for some time, there’s usually always something new you can learn about it to make your workflow, personal projects, or fun time a little easier or more enjoyable. To that end, Apple makes plenty of resources available on their web site. In part 1 of this I’ll look at what Apple makes available in the form of product tutorials and tips. In part 2 I’ll look at Apple’s resource listings and free online seminars. Tutorials Apple has a wealth of tutorials to make use of. Each tutorial is typically anywhere from a couple minutes to five minutes in length (longer for Pro apps), and ...

Barclays Analyst Predicts Apple Ultra-Portable, Entry-Level iPhone [TheAppleBlog]
GigaOM Network — It seems everyone is lowering their sights regarding Apple’s projected earning for next financial year. But some, at least, are predicting more “wow” factor to shore up those numbers. No one seems to think they can sustain the kind of numbers they showed this past year, especially regarding iPhone sales, since analysts see the device’s massive success to date as leaving less room for new customer growth in the future. Many customers will probably stick it out for the duration of their contracts before considering a hardware upgrade. Barclays Capital analyst Ben Reitzes is the latest to cut projections for the Cupertino-based ...

The Next Netbook Wave: Platform Convergence in the Cloud? [TheAppleBlog]
GigaOM Network — The controversy over whether Apple should enter the netbook category seems to incite a fair bit of passion in some commentators. One school of thought contends that Apple already has the bases adequately covered with its conventional notebooks and the MacBook Air, plus the iPhone for those who want or need Internet-capable ultra-portability, while the contrary-minded argue that with netbooks the fastest-growing computer market category, Apple simply can’t afford to ignore it for much longer. Would I buy an Apple netbook? Maybe, but not as my primary computer for many of the same reasons why I wouldn’t seriously consider buying a MacBook Air for that role. I ...

SimpleTech Duo Pro Hard Drive Offers Do-All Quad I/O Interface [TheAppleBlog]
GigaOM Network — Whatever system hardware you’re using, including the port-impoverished new 13″ MacBooks, SimpleTech’s new Duo Pro Drive should have you covered. The Duo Pro supports a variety of different backup options, including Apple’s OS X 10.5 Time Machine as well as SimpleTech’s own Fabrik Ultimate Backup, and its aluminum and grey colored plastic case harmonizes with Apple’s array of aluminum enclosures. With its 1 Terabyte capacity (pre-formatting, 500 GB and 750 GB are also offered), the Duo Pro drive has ample capacity to accommodate Time Machine backups for a long time for most users. The 500 GB drive I’ve ...

Access Bonjour Services From Anywhere With ShareTool [TheAppleBlog]
GigaOM Network — ShareTool is a piece of software which allows you to easily access your Mac from a remote location. To quote their tagline: “ShareTool is hands down, the fastest, easiest, and most secure way to access all of your Bonjour services from anywhere in the world.” The term ‘Bonjour services’ is fairly generic, but means that services which would generally work only on your home network (such as iTunes Music Sharing, Screen Sharing, File Sharing, Printing etc) become available anywhere. For instance, you may have an iMac at home with all your media, photos and family content, and also a MacBook which you use for business/travel. ShareTool allows you ...

VMware Fusion 2 vs. Parallels Desktop 4: Let’s Dance [TheAppleBlog]
GigaOM Network — When it comes to OS virtualization on a Mac, there are two major contenders for the title of virtualizer to end all virtualizers. Likely Parallels and VMware Fusion need no introduction for TAB readers, but you might not be aware of what the latest incarnations that both programs bring to the table. VMware Fusion 2, released in September, and Parallels Desktop 4.0, just released today, have a few new tricks up their sleeves. Setup Setting up both machines on my aluminum iMac was incredibly easy. I used Windows XP Media Center Edition from a physical disc for both, although the programs also offer the choice of using an image instead. ...

BoinxTV Now Shipping
TheAppleBlog — A few weeks ago I wrote about the beta of BoinxTV and provided a brief overview of the product. As a quick refresher, BoinxTV is a videocasting (video podcasting) tool designed for small production teams. It has a very flexible interface and enables you to quickly record, package and broadcast your video production. I would argue it is a great tool for those who do not have access to the resources of a major broadcasting network. As of today, the product is shipping in two versions: a sponsored edition (SE) for $199, which inserts a five second ad into your production video or an ad-free edition for $499. The final release also provides the ability to ...

Google Launches Multi-platform, In-browser Voice and Video Chat
TheAppleBlog — [image] Groundbreaking web-based e-mail was not sufficient. Embedded instant messaging was not enough. Google Talk voice chat was too “old-fashioned.” Never satisfied with the status quo, the wizards at Google have  rolled out  a new  Voice and Video  service and have made Mac users first-class citizens for the new feature.  As with the majority of their shiny new toys, Google Voice and Video is not exactly available to everyone just yet, but when it finally is, enabling it will only require the download and installation of a small plugin and a quick selection in the “Options” link under the chat sidebar in Google Mail. Yes, that’s correct. This will be a ...

Google Launches Multiplatform, In-browser Voice and Video Chat [TheAppleBlog]
GigaOM Network — Groundbreaking web-based email was not sufficient. Embedded instant messaging was not enough. Google Talk voice chat was too “old-fashioned.” Never satisfied with the status quo, the wizards at Google have rolled out a new Voice and Video service and have made Mac users first-class citizens for the new feature. As with the majority of their shiny new toys, Google Voice and Video is not exactly available to everyone just yet, but when it finally is, enabling it will only require the download and installation of a small plugin and a quick selection in the “Options” link under the chat sidebar in Google Mail. Yes, ...

Stanza vs. Classics: Maybe I Can Save You $3 [TheAppleBlog]
GigaOM Network — I read a lot, and have been very impressed with Stanza for the iPhone as an ebook reader. Like many, however, the idea of Classics was appealing, and upon release I purchased the app. So how does it compare to Stanza? Would I recommend it? The answers, in my opinion, are that it doesn’t, and I wouldn’t. Not now, anyway.  Classics primarily touts two things: special book cover art and a pseudo real-book page-turning experience. But the former could be more hindrance than help when you’ve got a lot of volumes, and the latter’s novelty wears off quickly, though it seems to be the primary reason Classics has received a lot of ...

Break Away From MobileMe: 7 Free Services to Help You Make the Move [TheAppleBlog]
GigaOM Network — Apple’s replacement for .Mac has had a very rocky start, and has a long way to go before its ready to compete with free alternatives. Many users do not want to move away from MobileMe because of the deep integration with the Mac desktop, while others are reluctant because its hard to find another single service that provides all of the services that MobileMe does. If the latest outage has you ready to jump ship, here’s a guide to making the break. Mail: Gmail Making the transition to Gmail is very easy. Gmail allows you to use POP3 to download all of your existing mail from MobileMe into Gmail, and Gmail also allows you to send email ...

Customizing Your Mac: Changing Icons [TheAppleBlog]
GigaOM Network — Apple’s user interface is heralded as a sleek, modern experience. A great deal of attention is paid to the design of icons, and a guide is published to help ensure that developers also create icons which meet the standards of OS X. If you’d like to use custom icons in OS X — whether for applications, files or folders — there are a couple of different ways to achieve your goal. On an individual basis — i.e. selecting individual files or applications and just changing that one icon On a system-wide basis — applying an ‘icon set’ to change the look and feel of ...

Guitar Rock Tour vs. Tap Tap Revenge [TheAppleBlog]
GigaOM Network — Guitar Rock Tour has arrived to challenge Tap Tap Revenge’s rhythm-action throne. The new arrival touts a bevy of terrific tunes to tap along to, plus the option to play drums or guitar, loads of characters and unlockable awards. While Guitar Rock Tour may be Rock Band squished on to the iPhone, it’s just as loud and rocks just as hard. Whereas Tap Tap Revenge is free, Guitar Rock Tour costs a few bucks ($9.99) and as such is polished better than a factory fresh Fender Strat. At the core of any decent music-based game is the soundtrack and, while all of the song in GRT are sound-a-likes of the real thing, these are well ...

The iMac: Transformation Into Editing Bliss [TheAppleBlog]
GigaOM Network — I do a fair bit of video editing and I have upgraded my arsenal of tools throughout the years. Each time I go for something that can pack a little bit more punch in terms of video editing. However there is a problem with this, a problem many freelance videographers run into…money. But this issue is not the lack of money but rather the large price point of a professional editing suite. However it is possible to get professional results, for much less. Here are some tips for how I’ve been able to get better editing tools for my Mac without spending an arm and a leg. I first started editing using a Powerbook G4 and used it for years, eventually getting a MacBook to ...

Coda 1.6 Sports Scriptable Plug-ins Interface
TheAppleBlog — When it comes to web site development IDEs, Coda is one of the “must have” Mac applications. The premise is simple: one application that handles all aspects of site development and promotion: editing browser code, cleaning up schemas and tables, wielding CSS, managing versioning and promoting changes to staging and production. If you’re stuck on syntax, just open up Coda’s handy library to find that missing parameter or HTML entity. You really need to see Coda in action to get a feel for how much it helps improve your web workflow. Apart from the 63 improvements Panic has baked into version 1.6 there are four new features that make ...

Managing Your Social Life With EventBox [TheAppleBlog]
GigaOM Network — EventBox is an application created by The Cosmic Machine, which aims to provide one place from which to manage all your online social networking activity. It can ‘pack all your social networks in one box’. I think that an application performing the function that EventBox aims to could certainly be very useful. There are a host of advantages to having several different websites all tied together, not merely the convenience of them ‘all being in once place’. The possibility of being able to move data between networks would be very welcome (integrating Facebook and Flickr photos, or having Pownce know all your Facebook contact details could ...

Official iPhone Tethering Rumored to Cost $30/month
TheAppleBlog — [image] A MacBlogz source is claiming that the AT&T’s iPhone tethering their CEO Ralph De La Vega mentioned last week as coming “soon” will roughly add an additional $30 to your plan. It is rumored to offer a 5GB/month allowance with the expected speeds of “GPRS: 30k - dialup speeds, EDGE: 110k - ISDN speeds, 3G: 1000k - slow broadband.” This would match AT&T’s current tethering option for BlackBerry customers and the plan, overall, works out to about $0.006/MB. That doesn’t sound terribly expensive, but for users who were planning to use it for data extensive applications and desire unlimited data, they will supposedly be told to “get a wireless PC card.” However, ...

OS X to Help Fight HIV [TheAppleBlog]
GigaOM Network — We all know OS X is more user-friendly, more aesthetically pleasing, and far less annoying than Windows, but did you know it’s better at fighting life-threatening disease, too? Siemens’ healthcare does, and that’s why they’re now using iMacs running Leopard to support their proprietary TRUGENE HIV-1 Genotyping Kit and OpenGene DNA Sequencing System. The switch has just received 510(k) clearance from the FDA, so Siemens is cleared to begin using it as soon as the system is in place. FDA 510(k) clearance is a series of requirements any new medial devices must meet, by law, before they can be implemented in practice. The clearance opens the door ...