Stuff that matters for Mac OS X users
Apple issued an update to the AppleTV software this weekend, bringing it to version 2.01. The new version features a “Genres” option for searching through movies in your library. The update is free to AppleTV users through the AppleTV software update. At the time of this writing, there were no release notes associated with this update.
Apple has posted an updated version of their iPhone SDK for developers. Version 9A2151 includes iPhone support in Interface Builder. The 1.36GB download is available for registered developers at the Apple Developer Connection website.
Category: Developers, iPhone
The AppleTV has been out for over a year now, but with the Febrauary “Take Two” update, it is enjoying a renaissance of sorts. While the original AppleTV looked appealing to me, I passed on it. The original 40GB size was just too small (since rectified with a 160GB version), and apart from a few iTunes TV shows, content was hard to come by. That problem seems to resolved with the new movie rentals options. What follows is a look at the hardware, software, and real world usage of AppleTV.
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Category: Reviews
Apple has released Safari 3.1 for Mac & Windows. New to Safari 3.1 are additions from the HTML5 spec, including new audio & video tags and a storage (database) API, along with significant Javascript optimizations, and new CSS tag support.
Safari 3.1 is a free download for Mac & Windows.
Category: Software, Web Development
Apple has unleashed a new generation of Macbook and Macbook Pro notebook computers. While looking nearly identical to the previous generation, the newer models feature faster processors, larger hard drives, and (on the Macbook Pro) multi-touch track pads.
The biggest improvements seem to be in the Macbook Pro line, with new Pernyn processors, double the previous generations video ram, and the addition of multi-touch track pads.
One thing that surprised me was that Apple kept the “black tax” on the Macbook model. I had figured Apple would have reduced the black tax, or dropped it altogether in an effort to spur sales. I guess sales aren’t hurting that much, since Apple seems content with holding the status quo on the black tax.
Additionally, the new models retain the previous form factor. It’s been five years since Apple updated the Macbook Pro form factor. Of course, many view the current form factor as a thing of beauty, and why mess with beauty when it is clearly still selling well, right?
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Apple has released Aperture 2, an update to its photo editing and management software. Boasting over 100 new features, including a new image processing engine. Aperture 2 also features a new lower price ($199).
New features include a redefined UI, new imaging tools for highlight recovery, color vibrancy, local contrast definition, soft-edged retouching, vignetting and RAW fine-tuning, and new output options that lets users directly post their portfolios on the .Mac Web Gallery* for viewing on the web, iPhone™, iPod® touch and Apple TV®
A free 30 day trial is available for download (138MB). If you purchased Aperture on or after January 1, 2008, you are entitled to an upgrade for only $9.95.
See story here. Now ask yourself – if you are seeing slowing growth, which do you think will spur sales – raising prices, or lowering them? I’ve never heard of anyone increasing sales by raising the prices, so I’m really puzzled by AT&T’s moves.
Disclosure: I’m currently an AT&T subscriber, and I am using their $10/month plan (a condition forced on them by the FCC as part of the Bellsouth merger). It’s not the fastest connection to the ‘net, but for $10/month, it does the job. However, AT&T is only obligated to offer this plan for two years. Once those two years are up, and AT&T jacks up their rates, I will most certainly head for speedier pastures.
Category: News
Shirt Pocket software released SuperDuper! 2.5 today after a long testing period. The new version, a free upgrade to current owners, is Leopard compatible. SuperDuper! 2.5 allows for creating a bootable backups on the same volume as a Time Machine backup. Additionally, there are Spotlight enhancements and other bug fixes. SuperDuper! 2.5 is $27.95, although you can use the program for free with various limitations.
Apple today released updated versions of the iPhone and iPod Touch. The iPhone is now available in a 16GB version for $100 more ($499), and the iPod Touch is available in a 32GB version for $499. The previous 8GB iPhone ($399), and 8GB ($299) and 16GB ($399) iPod Touch models are still available.
There are several capable, low cost images editors available for Mac OS X. Acorn, Naked Light, Pixen, Seashore, and soon Iris. I’ve tried all of them, and use/prefer PixelMator. Why? Because the PixelMator team understands that Photoshop is the interface that just about every graphic artist already knows. When they created their UI, they use Photoshop as a starting point. Sure, you can fault them for lacking the originality to come up with something new (like Gus did with Acorn). But I think it was a stroke of genius.
If you were designing a car, which would make more sense – to completely redo the cockpit and the steering wheel position, even if you could make it more efficient for the driver, or to keep the basic instrumentation exactly where the driver would expect it to be? If you picked the first option, you should be designing space craft or airplanes, not cars. If you picked the second option, you understand that there are times when rethinking a UI makes sense, and there are other times where emulating what your target audience is already familiar with makes more sense.
Category: Software
@atomicbird Adium, perhaps?
17 hours ago
I bought the Mac Heist bundle. 7 Top apps worth $260+ for just $19.95 and got 3 cool bonus apps free! http://bit.ly/heist-it
3 days ago
A user of Macs since they had silly names like Performa and Centris, Theodore Lee is a techie who prides himself on his vast knowledge of all things Apple. OS X Factor was started in 2001 (originally as macosxcentric), and continues to churn out tips, tutorials, reviews and commentary on the tech sector.
WWDC is fast approaching, and I'll be attending my first conference, courtesy of the Apple Student Developer Scholarship program...
Waterfall Software (makers of Wallet, the best password storage utility available), are soliciting beta testers for a new application they have developed...
Steve Jobs will once again be passing on the Apple Expo. Last year the keynote was presented by Apple VP Phil Schiller. This year, however, the keynote has been canceled all together. Steve Jobs will still apparently be attending the Expo, but we are unable to confirm this...