The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)http://www.tuaw.comThe Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/feedlogo.gifThe Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)http://www.tuaw.comen-usCopyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/MS software architect: Apps don't make the phonehttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/19/ms-software-architect-apps-dont-make-the-phone/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/19/ms-software-architect-apps-dont-make-the-phone/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/19/ms-software-architect-apps-dont-make-the-phone/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

This sounds an awful lot like sour grapes to me: Ray Ozzie, Microsoft's chief software engineer, told a Professional Developers' Conference earlier this week that it wasn't the apps that would make or break the smartphone platforms. Of course, that's what most press and blog outlets seem to be focusing on (maybe because we all already know what the hardware is like -- apps change every day if not every minute, and the hardware only changes occasionally), but Ozzie says customers won't buy a phone for the apps. The biggest apps, he says, will eventually be available on every platform. To put it in as few words as possible, you'll be able to tweet from everything in the future.

And he's got part of a good point there: it's true, the major functionality of "killer apps" will be available across platforms. But Ozzie forgets (or is just ignoring) that that's already the case on desktops. While yes, you could claim that porting to the various smartphones is easier than porting to the various PC platforms, that doesn't avoid the fact that I can tweet, IM, email, browse, edit photos and movies, and do whatever else I want on both platforms as well. And for some reason (ahem, the hardware and the way both software and hardware are designed), I'd rather do them on the Mac. People love their iPhones not just for the apps but for the way it fits in their hand, and how just plain slick it is.

That's not to say that the smartphone platform war is over -- no way, it's only beginning, and we consumers will take innovative ideas wherever we can get them. But Ozzie saying the apps don't count (and echoing his fellow Microsofters in trying to separate Apple from their software strategy) seems to mean that even he thinks he's already lost that race -- they certainly do play a large part in which platform consumers eventually choose.

MS software architect: Apps don't make the phone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)MS software architect: Apps don't make the phone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>choicedevelopersdevelopmenthardwaremicrosoftpcplatformprofessional-developers-conferenceray ozzieRayOzziesmartphonessoftwareMike SchrammThu, 19 Nov 2009 11:00:00 ESTiMac benchmarks and review say it's a beasthttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/17/imac-benchmarks-and-review-say-its-a-beast/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/17/imac-benchmarks-and-review-say-its-a-beast/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/17/imac-benchmarks-and-review-say-its-a-beast/#commentsFiled under: , ,

People have had their chances to put their grubby hands on those "incredible" iMacs that got released a few weeks ago, and the results are in. And they're great, apparently. First up, MacRumors has a collection of a few sets of benchmarks on the new machines, and the Core i7 processor (a $200 upgrade from the still very powerful Core i5) especially kicks up the speed to a place where it's competing with even the Mac Pro. In fact, in the second comparison, when pitted up against the single CPU Mac Pro, the iMac is virtually identical. Not only is it slightly cheaper depending on options, but you get that nice monitor for free.

Electronista has a much more qualitative analysis, but they still love the new machine. Their "biggest" problem (aside from the usual complaints about the glossy screen and a lack of easy-to-reach ports) seems to be just the size of it. The 27" iMac is a big machine no matter how thin it gets. But they agree: with the i7 in there and all of the extra options, the iMac is a monster, matching up to the Mac Pros sitting in the lower atmosphere.

Good stuff. I'm not personally in the market for a new computer, but man -- if I was ready to spend $2000 on a quality machine, it's tough to consider anything else a better purchase than the new iMac.

UPDATE: Chart graphic is from Timon Royer, we regret the omission.

iMac benchmarks and review say it's a beast originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)iMac benchmarks and review say it's a beast originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>analysisbeastbenchmarkscore-i7electronistahardwareimacmacrumorsproblemprocessorqualitativereviewreviewssizeMike SchrammTue, 17 Nov 2009 09:00:00 ESTPutting an SSD upgrade in a 24" iMachttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/02/ssd-upgrade-on-a-24-imac/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/02/ssd-upgrade-on-a-24-imac/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/02/ssd-upgrade-on-a-24-imac/#commentsFiled under: , ,

SSDs, or solid-state drives, are all the rage in portables these days. They come in MacBook Pros and MacBook Airs directly from Apple (with the appropriate upgrades, of course), and we've seen people upgrade their old-school mechanical drives, hack in a second drive to take advantage of the speed of a shiny new SSD, oreven put one in an AppleTV.

Desktop computers are usually left out of the solid-state love-fest. After all, 3.5" drives are usually less expensive than a 2.5" drive of a similar capacity, and desktop machines are less prone to damage to the disk since they are usually stationary when running.

However, there are times when a solid-state upgrade to a desktop machine makes sense. For Jason Siebert, this was one of those times. When the drive on his 24" iMac started showing the tell-tale signs of a drive on the brink of death, he decided to tear the machine apart and throw in a smaller & faster SSD, and use his Drobo for external storage. Installation was simple for the most part, but some adjustments had to be made to allow for installing a 2.5" drive in the space of a 3.5" drive, and some finagling of the drive due to a too-short SATA cable.

The result is a pretty satisfying speed increase when it comes to opening up applications, and especially when running a virtual machine. Check out the installation instructions and first impressions on Jason's website.

Any upgrades like this should be performed only by skilled users, and of course it may will void your warranty. Proceed at your own risk.

Putting an SSD upgrade in a 24" iMac originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Putting an SSD upgrade in a 24" iMac originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>droboimacssdupgradeTim WassonMon, 02 Nov 2009 08:00:00 ESTNew Macs, something else tomorrow?http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/19/new-macs-something-else-tomorrow/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/19/new-macs-something-else-tomorrow/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/19/new-macs-something-else-tomorrow/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Engadget is the latest to report a rumor that's been circulating for months: tomorrow may be the day that we finally see those new Macs we've been waiting on. John Gruber claims we're going to see new MacBooks and iMacs (which we'll rate as "expected"), updated Mac minis (wouldn't be a huge surprise, though we haven't heard that so much about that one, particularly not a mini bundled with Mac OS X Server -- a very nice idea, though), and something called a "Magic Mouse," as well as a multitouch trackpad accessory. I have to admit: those last two sound less likely than the iPod touch camera -- while the new MacBooks and iMacs definitely wouldn't be out of place before a holiday season, breaking out brand new accessories without an event to back them up isn't really Apple's style.

But then again, ours is not to judge: the rumors say new mice and some sort of multitouch trackpad, so that's what we're passing on to you. Believe it or not, as you will. We'll of course be up and refreshing Apple's store constantly here at TUAW -- if anything new shows up there, you'll see it here ASAP.

New Macs, something else tomorrow? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)New Macs, something else tomorrow? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>daring-fireballdesktopexpectedgruberimacsipod-touchmacsmagic-mousemultitouchrumorstrackpadMike SchrammMon, 19 Oct 2009 22:00:00 ESTAnalysts: Windows 7 may boost Mac saleshttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/13/analysts-windows-7-may-boost-mac-sales/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/13/analysts-windows-7-may-boost-mac-sales/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/13/analysts-windows-7-may-boost-mac-sales/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Most electronics industry analysis is obvious at best and misinformed at worst, but this one made us chuckle. Analyst firm Broadpoint AmTech has released a report that claims that, rather than diminish sales of OS X, Microsoft's impending release of Windows 7 may actually help sell Macs. They cite the chart above, which seems to show a boost (especially after Vista) in Mac sales right after Microsoft releases a new OS version.

Now, even they admit they're making connections here that probably aren't there -- there are tons of factors involved in both sales of Windows OSes and Mac computers (we'd just mention that Windows 7 seems to be getting fairly good reviews so far, and while no one would argue that Vista wasn't a disaster, I'd argue that iPods and iPhones were much better "Mac sales helpers" after 2001 and 2007 than Windows would ever be), and there's no real evidence here that Microsoft's releases have any bearing at all on their competitors' numbers.

But it is a nice thought for us Mac faithful to hang on to anyway -- in the next few weeks, as Windows users vibe on their new and shiny and have their super fun release parties, we can know that if we just wait, Mac sales will eventually have their day.

[via Apple Insider]

Analysts: Windows 7 may boost Mac sales originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Analysts: Windows 7 may boost Mac sales originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>analystsbroadpoint-amtechmac-salesmicrosoftrelease-partiessalesvistawindowswindows-7Mike SchrammTue, 13 Oct 2009 16:30:00 ESTReport: 12% of US households own a Machttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/05/report-12-of-us-households-own-a-mac/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/05/report-12-of-us-households-own-a-mac/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/05/report-12-of-us-households-own-a-mac/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A new NPD report says that 12% of US households now own a Mac of some kind. That's a nice gain -- just a year ago, back in 2008, the same stat was at 9 percent, so Apple has made nice jumps just in the last 12 months. But before you start crowing about Apple's impending superiority, here's another fact that might have you thinking twice: of those households, a whopping 85% also own a Windows computer. In fact, 66% of those Apple households actually own three computers or more. So many more Apple owners own more than one computer, and of those, it's pretty darn likely that one of them is still a Windows PC. That's certainly the case at my house (I own a Mac mini, a MacBook, and a PC), and I bet it's true for lots of you Mac users as well.

There is good news for Apple in terms of iPods however: 63% of Apple-owning households also have an iPod on hand, though I'd question whether that's chicken or egg: do they own an iPod because they owned a Mac or vice versa? Additionally, Apple users are more likely to have navigation systems in their cars, they're more likely to earn over $100,000, and they're likely to have twice as many gadgets as other users -- 48 gadgets on average for Mac owners, compared to 24 for the average consumer household.

While those stats are interesting, none of them seem super surprising -- Apple has a reputation for high-end gadgets, and so anyone who seeks out their products is going to pick up some other gadgets as well.

Report: 12% of US households own a Mac originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Report: 12% of US households own a Mac originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>applegainshouseholdsipodlaptopsmacmac-mininpdnpd-reportresearchstatisticssurveyMike SchrammMon, 05 Oct 2009 22:00:00 ESTRumor Roundup: iMac and Mac Mini due to refresh before October 9th?http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/30/rumor-roundup-imac-and-mac-mini-due-to-refresh-before-october-9/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/30/rumor-roundup-imac-and-mac-mini-due-to-refresh-before-october-9/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/30/rumor-roundup-imac-and-mac-mini-due-to-refresh-before-october-9/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We have received countless tips about the availability of iMacs and Mac Minis, or lack thereof. AppleInsider posted earlier that Apple notified retailers that Mac mini orders will not be filled at the moment -- but soon. A later update states that the low-end Mac mini has been discontinued entirely, leaving us to believe that we'll be seeing a hardware upgrade shortly.

Several of our tipsters work for Apple Authorized re-sellers who are running very low on desktop supplies; there's even an Apple Store employee tip saying they have 4 iMacs in stock. When I worked at the Apple Store, there were always 40+ iMacs in stock. Having 4 in a store is just unheard of -- unless there's something in the works. The day of, or a few before, the announcement, we would always get a couple pallets worth of machines that were labeled "Do Not Open Until" with either a date or "notification from corporate."

Another tipster ordered a mini on September 18th, and received shipping information, but today received an email saying that their Mac mini order will ship on October 9th.

Lastly, an Apple Store employee "confirmed" the rumor of new machines being out this October to one of our readers. I have to speculate and say that the employee (who we won't name) is probably reading too many rumor sites. Apple does not tell their retail employees about product refreshes for this exact reason. It's too risky -- one careless employee could essentially steal all of Apple's ability to announce a cool, new product. We're pretty good at digging the information up anyways... but why make it easy for us?

We're hoping that these rumors don't amount to a minor speed bump... SD Card slots, Blu-ray, Cinema Display styled design -- If we don't see something new, we'll all be somewhat disappointed. We're also hoping for a MacBook refresh but that conversation has paled in comparison to the iMac and Mac mini rumors. We've been on the edge of our seats since Monday when the store went down twice. Each time gave us no fruit from the Apple tree, but we'll keep an eye out. Let us know if you hear anything else about it via our tips page or in the comments.

Rumor Roundup: iMac and Mac Mini due to refresh before October 9th? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Rumor Roundup: iMac and Mac Mini due to refresh before October 9th? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>featuresimacimac refreshImacRefreshmac minimac mini refreshMacMiniMacMiniRefreshJosh CarrWed, 30 Sep 2009 11:00:00 ESTApple updates green websitehttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/25/apple-updates-green-website/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/25/apple-updates-green-website/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/25/apple-updates-green-website/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Macworld has spotted a new page over on Apple's website highlighting their dedication to making their products as environmentally healthy as possible. We've seen this pitch from Apple within the past few years -- they've recently slimmed down their packaging and started using recyclable materials in making their computers. It's pretty interesting to see them making such a push on this issue, but then again it not only helps them sell computers (assuming they don't have to raise prices too high due to the new policies), but of course helps the culture and the Earth at large in terms of making sure our environmental footprints are as small as possible.

The new site includes information about the impact of Apple's products both during manufacture and during usage, as well as reports on product performance, as well as a blog on what they're doing lately. They also have a link to their recycling program so that when you're done with whatever Apple products you're using, you can make sure that those recyclable products are actually recycled.

Pretty good deal all around, and good for Apple to make it clear how committed they are to this issue and acting on it.

Apple updates green website originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Apple updates green website originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>appleenvironmentenvironmental-issuesgreengreen-applemacworldperformanceproductsrecycled-materialsreportswebsiteMike SchrammFri, 25 Sep 2009 23:30:00 ESTNew, redesigned iMac models could be coming shortlyhttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/24/new-redesigned-imac-models-could-be-coming-shortly/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/24/new-redesigned-imac-models-could-be-coming-shortly/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/24/new-redesigned-imac-models-could-be-coming-shortly/#commentsFiled under: , ,

As we reported last week, Apple seems to be working on refreshing the iMac, by redesigning it and possibly adding some new professional "features" (maybe related to audio) at the same time. Now, AppleInsider is reporting that these new iMacs will be released shortly. They point to some probable signs, including Apple's education sales teams offering discounts on current iMac models to education customers.

It's expected that the new models will take design cues from the Apple LED Cinema Display, introduced last October, which features a thinner and more consistently-sized profile than the current iMac design.

Finally, these new iMac models could be released anytime from next week to mid-October, around the same time Apple introduced the Unibody MacBook and MacBook Pro models last year.

New, redesigned iMac models could be coming shortly originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)New, redesigned iMac models could be coming shortly originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>iMacrefreshrumorupdateJoachim BeanThu, 24 Sep 2009 15:30:00 ESTHere's your chance to own Gene Roddenberry's Machttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/17/heres-your-chance-to-own-the-first-mac-plus-off-the-production/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/17/heres-your-chance-to-own-the-first-mac-plus-off-the-production/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/17/heres-your-chance-to-own-the-first-mac-plus-off-the-production/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Update: OK, we have to hand it to all of you -- you have successfully pointed out that this Mac's model number isn't consistent with a Mac Plus, but instead with a 128K original Mac. We took that key fact back to the auction house that is listing this machine, and they did their own due diligence to come up with the following explanation:
We've gotten several inquires about this by the fantastically loyal and knowledgeable Mac community. After further investigating the item, here's the information:
Firstly, this Macintosh was, indeed, presented to Gene Roddenberry by Apple. There is no doubt about this.
The conflict between the photo and the serial number is as follows. This computer, given by Apple to Mr. Roddenberry, is an early production Macintosh 128 (#776), which was then upgraded by Apple for Gene to a Macintosh Plus-thus the model number / serial number / panel that "belongs to" a Macintosh Plus. The 0001 led us to mistakenly believe that it was the first one off the line.
Again, the provenance of the item is perfect and it did belong to Mr. Roddenberry. I apologize for any confusion.

So, that's the story as we understand it. The headline has been adjusted to match the new information, and in turn we apologize for the error.

----

How would you like to own the first Macintosh Plus computer? By first, I mean the one with serial number F4200NUM0001, the Mac that was given by Apple to Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry. As you'll remember, a Mac Plus (presumably not this one) was used by Scotty in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.

Profiles in History, an auction house with a storied history of selling amazing Hollywood memorabilia, will be auctioning off the Mac Plus at their October 8-9 auction. While most of the attention will probably be focused on the Michael Jackson glove from the 1984 Victory Tour, Apple aficionados are invited to put in bids on this piece of Apple history.

Here's the description of the Mac Plus from Profiles in History:
This is the very first Macintosh Plus 1Mb personal computer to come off the assembly line at Apple Computer in Fresno, California. It was presented to Gene Roddenberry as a gift by Apple Computer, Inc. and bears the serial number F4200NUM0001. The Macintosh Plus was a revelation among personal computers when it came on the market in 1986. With 1 Mb RAM (upgradeable to 4Mb), it supported the double-sided floppy disk format and was the first Mac with a SCSI port for fast data transfer to and from an external hard drive.

The Macintosh was the first mass produced computer to utilize the mouse and the Macintosh Plus was the longest-lived Macintosh with production until 1990. It features the beige-colored case with 9 in. display, 3.5 in. floppy drive and includes the short keyboard, external floppy drive, mouse and Apple logo deluxe padded carrying case. An incredible artifact with a wonderful association between the visionary computer designer/manufacturer and legendary Star Trek creator. Accompanied by a signed letter of provenance from Gene Roddenberry's son, Rod.
The Mac Plus is expected to sell for $1000 - $1200, less than half of its original purchase price. A closeup photo of the computer showed definite signs of use, including the lovely sludge that tends to build up on keyboards and mice after years of handling. For a view of the Mac Plus in all of its beige (Pantone 453) glory, read on.

Continue reading Here's your chance to own Gene Roddenberry's Mac

Here's your chance to own Gene Roddenberry's Mac originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Here's your chance to own Gene Roddenberry's Mac originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>apple historyAppleHistoryauctiongene roddenberryGeneRoddenberrymac plusMacPlusSteven SandeThu, 17 Sep 2009 17:00:00 ESTNew iMacs and MacBooks coming soon?http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/17/new-imacs-and-macbooks-coming-soon/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/17/new-imacs-and-macbooks-coming-soon/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/17/new-imacs-and-macbooks-coming-soon/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Maybe so, if you believe the predictions of some analysts at Wedge Partners. They proclaim in their neverending analyst-y wisdom that in the next few weeks, Apple will again refresh its lines of iMacs and MacBooks, including a slimmer iMac and an only slightly updated MacBook. Why would Apple announce such a thing, especially so soon after the recent June revamp? Windows 7 is apparently the answer -- Apple wants to distract from Microsoft's big release, according to the analysts

Personally, it all sounds kind of hokey to us -- Apple's already got their back-to-school lineup all set, and while there probably is room for one more update before the holiday season, it's hard to believe they're going to announce some extremely minor updates in a desperate grab against Windows 7.

And not even the analysts will guess at a netbook or tablet release -- they say neither one of those is coming up for an announcement any time soon. You have to think that if Apple is doing one more update before the holidays, it really will come up in the next few weeks, so by the time Halloween candy starts dropping in pillowcases, we should know for sure.

[via PC World]

New iMacs and MacBooks coming soon? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)New iMacs and MacBooks coming soon? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>analystsappleback-to-schoolhokeyholidaysimacsmacbookspredictionsquestionablerumorsslimmerupdatesupgradeswedge-partnersMike SchrammThu, 17 Sep 2009 08:00:00 ESTLANrev speeds mass deployments of Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopardhttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/15/lanrev-speeds-mass-deployments-of-mac-os-x-10-6-snow-leopard/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/15/lanrev-speeds-mass-deployments-of-mac-os-x-10-6-snow-leopard/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/15/lanrev-speeds-mass-deployments-of-mac-os-x-10-6-snow-leopard/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


When you only have a handful of Macs in an office or household to upgrade to a new operating system, it's no great problem to run around with the installation DVD and upgrade one machine at a time. But when you're supporting a large office or school environment, it's impossible to take the time to manually upgrade each machine. That's where tools like Apple Remote Desktop and LANrev come in handy.

LANrev 5.2 has been released today, with full compatibility with Mac OS X 10.6.1 Snow Leopard. LANrev uses a proprietary imaging process that saves the home directory and OS settings of each machine during an automated OS deployment, so that the users are back up and running as quickly as possible afterwards.

IT professionals can not only roll out Snow Leopard faster using LANrev, but the application also tracks Snow Leopard machines for asset inventory and provides for remote management of Macs. LANrev has an asset inventory for storing license numbers and purchasing information, which is critical for audits. LANrev can track the location of stolen Macs and provide law enforcement officials with information to locate and recover the machines. For those who are concerned about power usage, LANrev does automated power management of large Mac installations, putting Macs to sleep or shutting them down when they're idle.

Unlike Apple Remote Desktop, LANrev works in cross-platform environments, so it's useful for situations where a small group of Mac users may exist in a Windows world -- or vice versa. No pricing info is available on the LANrev Web site, so be sure to contact one of their distribution partners if you're interested in this professional administration tool.

LANrev speeds mass deployments of Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)LANrev speeds mass deployments of Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>administrationcross-platformLANrevmac os x 10.6MacOsX10.6managementsnow leopardSnowLeopardsoftwareSteven SandeTue, 15 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EST(Re)locating your Mac mini's or iMac's headphone jack for easy accesshttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/08/22/re-locating-your-mac-minis-or-imacs-headphone-jack-for-easy-a/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/08/22/re-locating-your-mac-minis-or-imacs-headphone-jack-for-easy-a/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/08/22/re-locating-your-mac-minis-or-imacs-headphone-jack-for-easy-a/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Are you wishing for an easier way to plug in and unplug headphones from your Mac mini or iMac? There are a few ways to make it easier. You should be able to reroute the jack, allowing you to speed up your plug-in process.

The first solution, which only works on Mac minis, is to use two right-angle audio adapters. This will relocate access to the headphone jack to the front or side of your mini, allowing for much easier access. You can buy these for less than $4 each (you'll need two) at Radio Shack (or whatever it's called these days). You'll need to plug one into the back of your mini, while you'll want to plug the other one in to the other right-angle adapter. Once you've done this, you should be able to have an easy way to access your headphone jack.

The next solution, which works with both minis and iMacs, is to use a headphone extension cable to provide easier access to plug in your headphones. This offers a more flexible solution to this issue, allowing you to route access where you want it. These cables can be purchased for about $10, and can be found in many places. You can choose a shorter cable or longer one, depending on how you want to manage your cords and where you want access to the headphone jack.

Please note if you use one of these solutions, it will override the internal speaker in your Mac, so you might want to unplug the extension if you're not frequently using headphones. These solutions will also work for microphones, so if you frequently use microphones with your iMac or Mac mini, you can also access the port more quickly.

Yet a third approach is to use a USB audio adapter, which will give you a separate set of headphone and/or mic jacks plugging into your keyboard or USB hub, or at the end of a USB extension cable. These adapters are available from lots of manufacturers and range in price from $8 on up; Plantronics also ships one with many of its audio headsets.

Check out the gallery below to see an example of an extension cable in use:

Gallery: Headphone extensions

Looking towards front of miniTop corner of miniBack of mini


How do you handle this inconvenience? Leave a comment and let us know!

(Re)locating your Mac mini's or iMac's headphone jack for easy access originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sat, 22 Aug 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)(Re)locating your Mac mini's or iMac's headphone jack for easy access originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sat, 22 Aug 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>Joachim BeanSat, 22 Aug 2009 13:00:00 ESTFlorida school may trash 200 Macs to go PC-onlyhttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/08/12/florida-school-may-trash-200-macs-to-go-pc-only/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/08/12/florida-school-may-trash-200-macs-to-go-pc-only/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/08/12/florida-school-may-trash-200-macs-to-go-pc-only/#commentsFiled under: , ,

This could be the saddest thing I've seen all week (and I've watched a few Cubs games): a Florida school is declaring itself PC-only, and apparently was planning to toss almost 200 Macs in the trash to get new Windows computers for the kids and teachers. Hearing that kids will have to use Windows is sad enough, but tossing out working Macs, even if they're old G3 models? Not cool at all. The teachers were apparently also told originally that they couldn't buy them or give them away to kids either -- it was the trash bin for these machines.

Cult of Mac also updates with pictures of the Macs, and we warn you, if all of those machines really are headed for the landfill, it's a little scary to look at. Fortunately, the outcry has caused school officials to reconsider (or at least state their position more clearly), and it looks like what they'll be doing is assessing the machines to see if they can be refurbished and then given away or sent off to a recycling center. The other problem apparently lies in the software -- giving away the machines is no problem, but the school has to make sure all the software is cleaned off of the computers, as they don't have licenses to distribute software that way. And as the school administrator says, the computers aren't much good without an OS on them.

But surely we can save these guys. Apple, want to step in here and grant this school some licenses to keep these computers (208 in total, many of which are likely workable, even at "five to ten years old") in the hands of people who can use them? It would be a shame if the school had to toss working computers because their hands were tied by OS X software licenses.

Florida school may trash 200 Macs to go PC-only originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Florida school may trash 200 Macs to go PC-only originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>costscult-of-macibooksimacsmacmac-massacremacbooksosos-xschoolMike SchrammWed, 12 Aug 2009 10:00:00 ESTGiant iPhone video is cool, but quite fakehttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/16/giant-iphone-video-is-cool-but-quite-fake/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/16/giant-iphone-video-is-cool-but-quite-fake/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/16/giant-iphone-video-is-cool-but-quite-fake/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


This video is making the rounds lately -- on first glance, it looks someone running the iPhone OS on a Mac Pro with a 24" multitouch monitor. As you can see, everything more or less works as you'd expect, and therein lies the rub: anyone who's looked at it with a critical eye, including our friend and former TUAW-er CK Sample III, has pronounced it fake. I'd have to agree -- besides the fact that it comes from a visual effects house, the picture flipping at about :56 is a little bit off. How'd they do it? It's most likely just a movie running on a screen, with a guy pretending to control it. But even so, it's a compelling idea -- if you could find a multitouch monitor that worked like that and ran the iPhone OS with it, wouldn't it work exactly that way anyway?

I've actually brought up this idea before -- there is a ton of software running on the iPhone currently, and some of it is even better than the equivalent versions on the Mac. It would be extremely useful to port the iPhone's OS (and all of its software in the App Store) to another form, whether that be on your TV (I originally suggested a Wii-like interface) or on a multitouch input like this desktop. Apple has sunk a lot of work and design thought into this OS -- they may never do it, but it seems like it would be a terrific decision to bring some of that successful R&D back on to the TV or the desktop.

Giant iPhone video is cool, but quite fake originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Giant iPhone video is cool, but quite fake originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>ck-sample-iiifakefakediphoneiphone-osmac-promonitormoviemultitouchrumorscreenvideovisual-effectsMike SchrammTue, 16 Jun 2009 12:00:00 ESTOS 10.6: PowerPC officially left behindhttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/10/os-10-6-powerpc-officially-left-behind/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/10/os-10-6-powerpc-officially-left-behind/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/10/os-10-6-powerpc-officially-left-behind/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It's not news. It was just less than a year ago that we initially announced that Snow Leopard would likely be Intel-only. Still, it was a report based off an initial developer's release of the software, and PowerPC users prayed that maybe it was a mistake. Maybe Apple would change its mind and toss a bone at these faithful users of Macs-gone-by.

But, the emerging reality showed that Apple has left its PowerPC days behind. In February, we reported on how GarageBand's new Learn to Play feature was Intel-only. In addition to that, not every feature in iPhoto was available to PowerPC users. During that same month, we reported that even more G4 systems were being added to Apple's vintage and obsolete lists.

Now the writing is fully on the wall for PowerPC users. The official release of tech specs for Snow Leopard indicates that it is an Intel-only release, meaning that if you do want to go past Leopard, you'll have to upgrade. There are still a lot of PowerPC users out there, and they're still very good machines... but are owners of older Macs going to be satisfied without the latest OS?

Answer our poll or let us know in the comments: what does Snow Leopard mean to PPC owners?

View Poll


OS 10.6: PowerPC officially left behind originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)OS 10.6: PowerPC officially left behind originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>g4g5intelmac os xMacOsXpowerpcsnow leopardSnowLeopardwwdcwwdc 2009wwdc09Wwdc2009Megan LaveyWed, 10 Jun 2009 15:45:00 ESTMac + desk = Match made in heaven?http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/21/mac-desk-match-made-in-heaven/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/21/mac-desk-match-made-in-heaven/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/21/mac-desk-match-made-in-heaven/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



This article is old, but is still full of inspiration. I stumbled across it a few weeks ago when I was turning my dining room into a home office, and it's always neat to see how other people set up their work spaces.

The News in Print selected these in 2008, but the advice in here in still relevant and you can see how people tackle different issues -- everything from small spaces to multiple monitors and how to use your Mac Mini in conjunction with two 50-inch plasma screens. My favorite? Check out the one featuring a MacBook Pro, four Apple Displays and several digital SLR cameras with zoom lenses.

Unplggd also did an article back in 2008 on desk/computer combos, including pairing a MacBook Pro with a SOLo Lounge, a side table that uses solar power to charge your laptop if you have a spare $9,900 in Canadian dollars lying about. TUAW also had a Rig of the Day feature showcasing reader's setups. How have you dealt with the issue of finding a desk that's worthy enough for your Mac? Please share your thoughts (and photos) in the comments!

Mac + desk = Match made in heaven? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 21 May 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Mac + desk = Match made in heaven? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 21 May 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>deskhome officeHomeOfficemacmacbookrig of the dayRigOfTheDayMegan LaveyThu, 21 May 2009 14:30:00 ESTThe evidence for an Apple game consolehttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/08/the-evidence-for-an-apple-game-console/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/08/the-evidence-for-an-apple-game-console/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/08/the-evidence-for-an-apple-game-console/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

I think the whole "Apple buying Twitter" rumor floating around is about as much of a crock as the "Apple buying EA" one. But I give slightly more credence to this conclusion: that, despite the painful experience of Pippin, Apple is once again putting together a game console. Why? Let the evidence from BNET convince you.

First, Apple is picking up game execs and console chip makers left and right. Second is a whole slew of recent patents, for everything from mixing up media and game environments to management of games acquired from a media server. And third, though BNET doesn't actually connect the dots and say it, we will: Apple is sitting on what might be the best library of independent games anywhere, and it's sitting right in front of us in iTunes' App Store.

For years, console makers have depended on the mercy of publishers to keep their hardware going -- they sell the hardware at a loss, and then rely on the software sales and licensing to make it all back up again. But think of what Apple could do here: improve the AppleTV or Mac Mini, throw in some kind of Wii-like interface, and then break the whole thing open in the same way they did with the App Store: let developers in with a really low cost of entry, give them the tools they need to create solid games, and just take a nice cut from all of the tiny transactions flowing back and forth.

BNET claims that the iPhone's interface wouldn't work on a larger console, but why not? All Apple has to do is figure out a way to translate the iPhone's gestures and taps into a console system, and then they can practically run the games natively. Sure, the resolution would be a little low with a straight port, but that's a small problem to fix. Apple already has the makings of a game console with the iPod touch, and while the rumors may still just be rumors, there's never been a better time for them to leverage what they've already got.

The evidence for an Apple game console originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 08 May 2009 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)The evidence for an Apple game console originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 08 May 2009 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>app-storeappleconsolecrazy-like-a-foxeagame-consolegamesgaminginterfacemike-is-crazyportingrumorsspeculationtwitterwiiMike SchrammFri, 08 May 2009 11:10:00 ESTMac shipments lowest they've been in 1.5 yearshttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/04/27/mac-shipments-lowest-theyve-been-in-1-5-years/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/04/27/mac-shipments-lowest-theyve-been-in-1-5-years/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/04/27/mac-shipments-lowest-theyve-been-in-1-5-years/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Apple reported amazing earnings in its conference call last week, but SwitchtoaMac.com says not so fast -- while it's true that there was a lot of sun shining in Apple's report, there is one small shadow that they obviously didn't mention: their shipments of new Macs have started to drop off for the first time in 5.5 years. And they're the lowest they've been in a year and a half.

A problem? Not a terrible one, but as you can see from the chart over there, there is a definite downturn in new Mac shipments. That might actually be good news for Apple, though -- with the economy doing a nice downturn lately, less inventory might shore up sales a bit, and keep their budgets in line with estimations. Of course it would also mean fewer Mac sales (and despite the recent popularity of the iPhone and the iPod, Macs still make up the majority of Apple's revenue), but if customers aren't there, that's better than having warehouses full of computers paid for but not actually sold.

It's definitely not a sign that the company is going down in flames (in fact, all evidence says exactly the opposite), but it may be a sign that Apple's amazing growth is slowing down a bit.

Thanks, Larry T!

Mac shipments lowest they've been in 1.5 years originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Mac shipments lowest they've been in 1.5 years originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>analysisappleconference-calldownturnearningseconomygrowthmac-salesmac-shipmentsq2revenueswitchtoamacMike SchrammMon, 27 Apr 2009 22:00:00 ESTPixelmator 1.4.1 brings noise filter, Pixelmator Learning with ithttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/04/22/pixelmator-1-4-1-brings-noise-filter-pixelmator-learning-with-i/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/04/22/pixelmator-1-4-1-brings-noise-filter-pixelmator-learning-with-i/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/04/22/pixelmator-1-4-1-brings-noise-filter-pixelmator-learning-with-i/#commentsFiled under: ,

Our friends over at Pixelmator have released a new update, and while it's not quite as big as their point versions, it does add a few new features and a nice online guide to the program. The main new feature in-app is a noise filter that allows users to add random specks and pixels to an image, creating a little more realism and mess to whatever shapes they're working on. But the bigger addition is out-of-app: they've created an online Learning database with tutorials, tips, and lessons on how to make the most of the image-editing app. There's actually quite a bit of stuff there now, from text and video tutorials to even third-party tutorials submitted by users. If you are interested in learning more about how to use Pixelmator, definitely give it a look. They've also updated the user manual, too, so if you haven't seen that in a while, that's worth checking out as well.

There are also a few performance updates and bugfixes -- here's the list if you want to check it for something you're interested in. I still don't see my personal issue on there: it seems like whenever I switch between the Spaces on my Mac that hold iTunes and Pixelmator, the OS doesn't want to stay put -- it keeps jumping back to the iTunes Space while I'm trying to work on Pixelmator. Of course that might be an iTunes issue, but hopefully the Pixelmator team is looking into it.

Other than that, it's still a great app for editing and resizing images, and at $59, is definitely cheaper and simpler than investing in a big Photoshop suite. The 1.4.1 update will show up automatically for current users, and the app can be downloaded as a free trial from their site.

Pixelmator 1.4.1 brings noise filter, Pixelmator Learning with it originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Pixelmator 1.4.1 brings noise filter, Pixelmator Learning with it originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>designimageimage-editorlearningnoise-filterphotophotoshoppixelmatorpixelmator-1.4.1texttutorialsupdateuser-manualversionMike SchrammWed, 22 Apr 2009 09:00:00 EST