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The Tennessee Sales tax holiday is being held again this year on Friday August 7th. On that day computers costing less than $1500 will be tax-free. The UT Bookstore Technology Center (formerly UT Computer Store) is offering a special service allowing students, faculty and staff to preorder computers at educational discounts for that day. There is no reason to stand in line at some big box retailer. Just reserve your computer and we do the rest. On Monday August 10 or anytime thereafter, you can pick up your system. As an added bonus, full time faculty and staff can use interest free payroll deduction for their purchase. Last day to pre-order on the Knoxville campus is Tuesday August 4th. For additional information and deadlines for other UT campuses, please see our website for more details. Questions? Email us.
TidBITS Publishing is having a 50%-off sale on all Take Control ebooks and Macworld Superguides through July 7th, with topics covered including Macs, Mac OS X, iLife '09, AirPort networking, and more. To take advantage of this limited-time sale, visit their catalog Web page using this coupon-loaded link.
iPhoto 8.0.4 Update addresses a rarely encountered issue involving photos imported into a previous version that could affect overall stability.
Although iPhone OS 3.0 is just cooling off, Apple has already given developers early access to iPhone OS 3.1 with new hooks for video support. -- AppleInsider.
The Maine Department of Education said Tuesday that it plans to expand to high school students a program that has provided Apple notebook computers to all of the state's middle school students for the past 7 years, creating "the world's largest educational technology program of its kind." -- AppleInsider.
Apple plans to bring support for its proposed 3D CSS Transforms--already a W3C working draft--to Snow Leopard, but may be leaving Leopard in the dust. Apple already has support for the proposed standard in WebKit, though currently it is only enabled in Mobile Safari, the browser included on Apple's mobile devices. -- Ars Technica.
For a long time, I've wanted the ability for the iPhone to speak the name of the caller, based on matching the inbound number to the numbers in Contacts. I waited and waited for iPhone OS 2.x ad then 3.x to do this for me, and do it better, but got sick of waiting. So instead, I wrote an AppleScript app I call Contact Caller ID + Sound Ringtone Maker [44KB download]. I've used this script to generate over 100 in-use ringtones, and use it to customize a ringtone for a contact or two almost daily now. -- Mac OS X Hints.
Since the release of the OS X Snow Leopard Build 10A394 developer seed late last week, users have been digging through the new version looking for and documenting changes and additions. -- Mac Rumors.
This may sound like a rather trivial issue, but shutting down or restarting your Mac can be a problem at times. Knowing various ways to shut down or restart your Mac can help prevent you from having to take drastic measures in the event of software hangs and crashes. -- MacFixIt.
Patent number 7554521 is for an user interface control for changing a parameter. Patent number 7554812 involves structural support for portable electronic devices. Patent number 7554558 is for a mechanism for a color-space neutral (video) effects scripting engine. Patent number 7554551 involves decoupling a color buffer from the main memory. -- Macsimum News.
Microsoft zealots ignore their platform's past in an effort to bash Apple and Mac OS X. -- InfoWorld.
Some owners of Apple's latest iPhone have been dealt a rude surprise just days after launch as models with white backs have been changing colors after frequent use. -- AppleInsider.
The 3G wireless networks of today are not perfect (they are, collectively, a work in progress), and they are not all created equal. Because independent research on these networks is very hard to come by, PC World took a single-day, real-world snapshot of the performance of the three biggest 3G networks in the U.S. -- Verizon Wireless, AT&T and Sprint -- using industry-accepted testing technology and techniques.
If you're a regular visitor to this blog, you'll have noticed my recent articles about downgrading from a Mac Pro to a Mac mini, my first impressions about the Mac mini, and my first week with the Mac mini. So now, one month after getting the Mac mini, it's time to sum up my experiences, and, perhaps, explain why this is probably the best Mac your money can buy. -- Kirkville.
What are Steve Jobs and company doing to maintain one of the best customer satisfaction ratings in the business? -- InternetNews.
Reports are coming in that the iPhone 3G S gets really hot. Oddly, not mine. -- InfoWorld.
Josh Clark, author of O'Reilly's Best iPhone Apps: The Essential Guide for Discriminating Downloaders says he waited three decades until the iPhone finally arrived in 2007. "Apple's fabulous device is the only thing that's ever resembled my childhood notions of the 21st century, the first time the future got here," writes Clark. "A computer. In your pocket." And for his new book, Clark scoured the App Store to find the best apps that will make your iPhone shine and you more productive, more creative, more happy. The PDF of Clark's Best iPhone Apps is available now. Check these excerpts to find some of the cool apps Clark recommends. -- O'Reilly Broadcast.
I was happy user of the iWork Suite 08 since I moved to OS-X. It somehow better matches the way I am thinking and does much better job than Office to get me from idea to acceptable looking rendering of that idea in the form of document, spreadsheet or presentation.
In past two month I was involved much more interaction with the requirements, business analysis and project management part of the process. Which inevitably means much higher exposure to documents creation, collaboration and exchange. iWork gives you reasonably good compatibility with Office document formats, which means that you can easily import almost every Office document modify it and export it back so that Windows user will see almost all of your changes. Almost everything will be just fine. Unfortunately, almost is not the same as everything: it often breaks fine details of formatting, reviewer comments and does not really work for more complicated Excel spreadsheets. Especially those spreadsheets which project manager-ish people so love to create.
I tried to use OpenOffice/NeoOffice which suffers from the same malady. It spoils different set of features than iWorks, quite often works well, but it cannot be trusted. On top of that, it just does not feel right and is kinda ugly.
So I had to take a deep breath and installed Office 2008. After few weeks, here is my impression and very brief comparison of all three mentioned suites. -- Miro's World.
When it comes to usability of the existing tools, Office gets my preference. Way above the other solutions. -- Monuments by Ine Dehandschutter.
If you're converting from PC to Mac like I have, you may be beginning to look for a new office suite to install. If you're looking for something familiar, Microsoft Office for Mac is always available, but if you don't mind spending a little extra time to learn a new interface, there are some very viable alternatives to Microsoft Office 2008 for the Mac. Especially when you consider the $349 price tag on Office for Mac, it makes these others look more enticing. -- Mac Got Me.
Apple chief executive Steve Jobs returned to work this week following a six-month medical leave, the company said Monday. -- AppleInsider.
Looking to see a classic play without the classic price tag? You and your date can get cozy beneath the stars in July and August to see the Tennessee Stage Company's presentations of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Hamlet" on Market Square as part of the Shakespeare on the Square promotion. "Dream" will be presented July 16, 18, 24, 26 and 30 and Aug. 1, 7, 10, 13 and 15; "Hamlet" will be presented July 17, 19, 25 and 31 and Aug. 2, 6, 8, 14 and 16. All you need is a blanket or lawn chair, and all performances are at 7 p.m. nightly.
This is a walk through of how I enabled tethering on my iPhone 3G on O2 UK. It was a lot easier than I thought - no jailbreaking needed, and all you need really is a MobileConfig file. -- Richard Lai.
The iPhone Dev Team, the tireless hackers who provide software to jailbreak iPhones, know how to unlock the iPhone 3G S, but have decided to hold off releasing the software publicly pending Apple's next move in the two year-old cat and mouse game between the company and the rogue user community. -- Cult of Mac.
Some iPhone Atlas readers, and posts on Apple's Discussion boards, have reported additional problems--some large, some small--after upgrading to iPhone OS 3.0 or the iPhone 3GS. The following procedures will solve a number of the reported problems. -- iPhone Atlas.
Preliminary battery testing on our iPhone 3GS review model showed positive results, but we won't know the whole story until CNET Labs finishes its tests. Until that time, I can offer tips on making your iPhone battery last. They can be used individually or in combination to best suit your own needs. -- iPhone Atlas.
I began my iPhone 3GS review in the Houston Chronicle by saying, "I won't keep you in suspense... it's easily the best iPhone yet." The only thing I'd add is that after almost three weeks of using the iPhone 3GS daily is that I like it even better now than when I wrote those words. -- The Mac Observer.
In February, this hint explained how to install vpnc as a replacement for the Cisco VPN client. I finally got it working with a little tweaking and divergence from the original instructions, based in part on follow-up comments.
But what I really wanted was to have my VPN as easy (or easier) to activate than using the (otherwise awful) Cisco application: largely because I use my company's VPN in conjunction with 3G mobile broadband, which has a habit of dropping connection when my commuter train goes through a tunnel, requiring regular reconnection!
I tried using Shimo and vpntool with no success, and finally got it working using the following solution -- Mac OS X Hints.
Though the MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air don't have HDMI outputs, they're still more than capable of being hooked up directly to HDTVs. You will need a couple of cables to make it happen, but the process in setting this up shouldn't be much of a hassle for you. -- Macworld Canada.
If you've got a filing cabinet--or desk--overflowing with documents, or if you want more thoughtful file management in general, a scanner can save you space, time, and ultimately money. -- PC World.
Steve Jobs is back in the headlines, which got me thinking about this unique leader's legacy -- and what, if anything, the rest of us can learn from how Jobs does his job. -- Harvard Business Review.
Over the course of time I collect questions that merit no more than a couple of lines in response, which makes for an awfully puny column. But gang them together and you've got something. -- Macworld.
MacBook Air SMC Firmware Update 1.2 adds compatibility for the latest service replacement batteries.
This SMC firmware update adds compatibility for the latest service replacement batteries... After this update has successfully completed, your SMC Version will be: 1.23f20 [for original MacBook Air models, or] 1.34f8 [for more recent models].
SMC Firmware Updates generally control the System Management Controller on Intel-based Macs. The SMC controls power and thermal management features, including the battery and fans. In this case, new replacement batteries from Apple are apparently different enough that they require the use of this updated version of the SMC firmware.
A recurring refrain from those who hate AT&T and those who don't want to be locked down is that they'll wait until there's a choice of iPhone carriers in the United States. Don't hold your breath. -- TidBITS.
Apple has reportedly issued new seeds of Mac OS X Snow Leopard and of Leopard 10.5.8 to developers that, at least in the former case, add functionality that was previously only shown at WWDC. -- AppleInsider.
Apple, which recently shaved down the cost of its popular Mac notebook lines, remains on track to pass on similar treatment to its all-in-one desktop line by this fall. -- AppleInsider.
Ditching the mouse and keyboard means a whole lot more than just doing without two common peripherals. As those who've worked with Microsoft Surface have found out, you have to jettison decades of GUI baggage and start with a whole new mindset. -- Ars Technica.
Apple has significantly increased its investment in Imagination Technologies Group, the UK-based company responsible for the impressive graphics performance of Apple's mobile devices. Recent purchases of stock in the company give Apple a 9.5 percent ownership in the company, nearly three times the initial 3.6 percent stake that Apple acquired late last year. -- EE Times.
Apple's latest Mac Mini desktop uses parts designed for mobile PCs, according to a piece-by-piece breakdown by iSuppli. -- c|net.
After using the iPhone 3GS for a week, here's five of my favorite, non-obvious tricks I've picked up. -- Cult of Mac.
Phonesuit, makers of the Mili PowerPack battery extender for iPhone and iPod Touch is set to leverage the video capability of iPhone 3GS and increasing interest in micro projectors with the Mili Pro, a new hand-held projector designed just for Apple mobile devices, coming in September 2009.
The Mili Pro is an iPhone / iPod compatible (all models), rechargeable, micro video projector with built-in speakers that will allow users to watch movies, video clips, podcasts and more in 640 x 480 resolution on screen surfaces up to 40 inches.
The projector will feature a variety of AV inputs, allowing users to feed AV directly through the standard dock connectors of iPhones and iPods, with two included RCA and VGA cables permitting connection directly to a laptop or PC, and to most standard AV equipment sources such as DVD players, VCR's, etc. Users can switch between the various inputs at any time with the input source button.
The device will also ship with two removable. swappable battery packs providing up to 3 hours of uninterrupted projection power.
Chris Hoff (now a colleague at Cisco, but long a phenomenal blogger in his own right) described in a recent post a fascinating analogy for the inevitable adoption of cloud computing--the adoption of the Apple iPhone.
If you are interested in purchasing an iPhone 3GS, but are not sure about whether your local Apple store has any in stock then the Apple iPhone 3GS availability Web tool is for you.
It looks like a fourth generation of students is going to be introduced to the ways of reverse Polish notation calculators. That's because they are about to be exposed to Hewlett-Packard's new iPhone application that fully emulates the company's 12c financial calculator. The $14.99 application is accompanied by a $29.99 emulator of the 15c scientific calculator, which is better at handling trigonometry and integration than mortgage payments and net present value.
Up until last week, Quickoffice Mobile Office Suite was the most sophisticated Microsoft document reader and editor in the App Store. When Documents To Gohttp://download.cnet.com/Documents-To-Go-iPhone-/3000-18483_4-10921089.html came out (with and without support for Microsoft Exchange attachments,) some of you asked for a head-to-head comparison. We'll see your request and raise it to a collection of business applications for the iPhone and iPod Touch that can help keep you productive at home or on the road. -- iPhone Atlas.
Learn some security tips for using Time Machine over a network. -- AppleCare Knowledge Base.
This article describes how to configure email accounts in Mail in Mac OS X 10.5. The exact steps to take depend on the email service you use -- AppleCare Knowledge Base.
There are some simple troubleshooting steps you should try if your MacBook, MacBook Air or MacBook Pro won't turn on. Use these steps if:
TMO's own John Martellaro offered an impressive demonstration of how powerful the MacPro is by running 21 videos at the same time. Today readers are talking about how fast their Macs are and how many videos they can run without slowing down. -- The Mac Observer Forums.
When working with a search results window in Finder, if you select one of the found files and press Command-Up, it will open the enclosing folder for that file.
Command-Up Arrow is listed in the Go menu as the shortcut for Enclosing Folder. However, when looking at a search results window, this menu item is grayed out, and can't be selected. Because of that, I'd been using the Finder's Open Enclosing Folder contextual menu item, not even thinking to try the shortcut. But it seems the shortcut is independent of the menu item's status, because it works perfectly. -- Mac OS X Hints.
In its "May 2009 Mobile Metrics report" released last week, mobile advertising firm AdMob revealed that the iPhone and iPod touch now account for 69% of the U.S. smartphone traffic on its ad network. The figure is up from 59% in April and 50% in March. Worldwide, the iPhone and iPod touch now account for 49% of smartphone ad requests. -- Mac Rumors.
Apple patent involves active impact protection
Apple wants to make its devices even more impact resistant. A new patent (number 20090159408) at the US Patent & Trademark Office is for active cushioning mechanisms that detect imminent impact and activate a damper by driving power from an onboard power supply into an electromagnetic actuator.
Apple patents range from touch pad electrode design to microcontroller clock calibration
A variety of Apple patents have appeared at the US Patent & Trademark Office. Here's a summary of them.
Apple patent involves hibernation mode for computers
Apple apparently wants Macs to sleep more soundly--and for hibernating Macs to wake up faster. Patent number 20090164771 at the US Patent &Trademark; Office is for a method and apparatus for quickly reanimating devices from hibernation.
Apple patents reflect (no pun intended) display, touch technologies
Two Apple patents that have appeared at the US Patent & Trademark Office reflect technologies that may appear in future displays on a variety of Apple devices, as well as touch sensors Patent number 20090161020 is for management techniques for video playback.
A video has been leaked online of what some may hope is Apple's next addition to its laptop line: a transforming MacBook.
In this video, senior editor Roman Loyola will show you how to create an SD card startup disk for the 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pros. -- Macworld.
This is a story of truth, greed and the American Way. Oh, and also laptop battery-life benchmarks. -- New York Times.
Everyone is entitled to medical privacy, whether it's a patient discussing test results in a doctor's office or a celebrity checking into a mental health center. But lately, the right to medical privacy has been challenged by news that Apple co-founder Steve Jobs has undergone a liver transplant -- New York Times.
I have written here, here and here about Apple's inevitable assault on the Tablet market. What I hadn't factored until recently is how symbiotic such a device would be for Baby Boomers. Why Baby Boomers? Well, for the same two reasons that this demographic is unlikely to embrace the palm-sized iPhone en masse. -- O'Reilly Network.
