Mac notebook and other portable computing is covered
in The 'Book Review, and general Mac
news is in Mac News Review.
All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
News, Reviews, & Opinion
New Products
iPod and iPhone Deals
News, Reviews, & Opinion
Apple Buys Chip Designer
Forbes' Erika
Brown, Elizabeth Corcoran and Brian Caulfield report:
"Late Tuesday, in response to questions from Forbes.com, an Apple
spokesman said Apple has agreed to buy a boutique microprocessor design
company called PA Semi. The company, which is known for its design of
sophisticated, low-power chips, could spell a new future for Apple's
flagship iPhone, and possibly iPod products as well.
"The 150-person chip company, P.A. Semi, was founded in 2003 by Dan
Dobberpuhl, who was a lead designer for the well-regarded Alpha and
StrongARM microprocessors developed by Digital Equipment in the
1990s....
"Apple's choice is a blow for chip maker Intel (nasdaq: INTC - news
- people ), which has been trying to convince Cupertino, Calif.-based
Apple to rely on Intel's chips - particularly its latest low-power line
up, called Atom....
"In February 2007, P.A. Semi debuted a 64-bit dual core
microprocessor which the company asserted was 300% more efficient than
any comparable chips. It consumes only 5 to 13 watts running at 2
gigahertz...."
Link:
Apple Buys Chip Designer
If Send Mail Does Not Work on iPhone and iPod
touch
A new Apple Knowledge Base
article says:
"Email on iPhone and iPod touch works with most industry standard
IMAP and POP3 email systems, and includes preset email configurations
for many of the most popular email services such as Yahoo!, Gmail,
.Mac, and AOL. In most cases sending email just works. However, if you
are having an issue sending email see the suggestions below. For best
results, make sure you are using the most recent iPhone and iPod touch
Software. See this document for information on how to check for
software updates.
"You can also learn what settings you need to enter on iPhone and
iPod touch for many popular email accounts using the Mail Setup
Assistant."
Link: iPhone and iPod touch: If Send
Mail Does Not Work
New Products
SuperSync 2.3 Released with New TiVo MP3
Server
PR: SuperSync is shipping SuperSync 2.3, an application for
iTunes and iPod users to keep their music libraries synchronized across
multiple Mac and Windows computers. Version 2.3 adds a basic TiVo media
server to allow users to browse and play their MP3 music collection
over their home theater.
SuperSync's new TiVo media server lets users share access their
iTunes libraries in a familiar way - with just the click of a settings
checkbox. TiVo access immediately shows up as a service on any series 2
or series 3 TiVo in house, and viewers can use the TiVo IR remote
control to browse playlists, genres, artists, and albums. Once the MP3
file is selected, it is played over the owner's home theater stereo or
television.
SuperSync's core product feature is the ability to move iTunes
content between multiple computers. SuperSync lets you see the contents
of a second media library overlaid on top of your own library. Tracks
not already in both libraries can be selected for synchronization -
moving the files from one library into the other.
SuperSync 2.3 added a number of product enhancements, including:
- A new help system - searchable and also online
- Improved transfer statistics
- Made iTunes playlist transfer more intuitive
- Added compatibility for access by other DAAP music players such as
Rhythmbox
- Improved ease-of-use of some features (such as the filter
table.)
SuperSync lets users synchronize their iTunes libraries between
multiple computers over a home network or the Internet. With SuperSync,
music fans can retrieve songs from a laptop, play or download songs
from a home computer while at the office, upload new music from the
road, or back-up their entire music library to another computer or disk
drive.
When the SuperSync application is started, the user is presented
with a list of tracks that are currently in their iTunes library. When
a second "remote" library is opened, those tracks are overlaid on the
main screen. The user can than select tracks to upload to the remote
library, or download to their own library. As this two-way
synchronization takes place, the new tracks are automatically added to
iTunes with your ratings and played counts restored.
A short 3 minute introduction flash movie is available.
SuperSync is available today on both Mac OS X and Windows, with at
least 512M RAM recommended. For Internet WAN access, a UPnP-enabled
router is recommended for automatic port-forwarding setup.
For an individual synchronizing or remotely accessing their personal
music libraries, a copy of SuperSync is required for each computer.
SuperSync is priced at US$29 for a 2-machine license. Family licenses
are available for $39 per 5-pack, and $59 per 10-pack. Registered users
can download a free upgrade by running SuperSync and checking for a
product upgrade in the Tools menu.
Licenses can be used interchangeably between Mac OS X and Windows
machines. All licensed copies of SuperSync include unlimited library
sizes, advanced library rescan, a basic music player, and free product
updates. Additional information, including the SuperSync demo is
available from the SuperSync website.
Link: SuperSync
USB Fever iPhone Portable Power Station
PR: If you are long away from office or home, how you can
give juice to your mobile/cell phone? It is easy, either bring a second
battery with your or have a portable charger.
However, if you mobile phone/cellphone is an iPhone, how can you
rejuice it? The only way probably is to bring a portable charger with
you. However, that is too bulky.
Here we have an alternative for you, to have a portable power
station for your iPhone. Yes it is bulky, but it is the only
alternative and still handy.
Features:
- Recharge your iPhone in a convenient way
- Still access to key buttons and ports.
- As a docking for your iPhone (the power station could be flip 90
degree to make iPhone on stage)
- LED indicator when power is on
Specifications:
- Input Voltage: DC5V ~ 5.5V
- Input Capacity: Max. 1.8A
- Output Voltage: DC5.1V ~ 5.5V
- Output Capacity: Max. 1.2A
- Capacity: 2200mAh
- Li-Polymer
Package Includes:
- iPhone Portable Power Station x 1
- Silicone case for the iPhone Portable Power Station x 1
Note: For iPhone only.
$41.99
Link: USB
Fever iPhone Portable Power Station
USB Fever iPhone Portable Power Station 2
PR: If the Portable Power is too bulky, and you cannot take
photos while charging, this iPhone charging battery probably is what
you need.
Features:
- Completely integrated as a part of iPhone
- Plug-N-Play
- Portable and Pocketable
- Compact and lightweight
- Additionally dock port for charging the battery directly while
charging iPhone
Charging:
Specifications:
- Capacity: 800mAh
- Input: 5V, 500mA
- Output: 5V 400mA (max.)
Color: Black
Note: It is said that a standard iPhone built-in battery is a
1400mAh one, which means this battery is just an emergency one rather
than one that can charge your iPhone to full.
$27.99
Link: USB
Fever iPhone Portable Power Station 2
Apple Shaped Hard Case for 3G iPod nano
PR: Do you want a special
case for your Nano 3rd?
Do you wan a photo frame on your desktop?
Do you want to wear your Nano 3rd as a necklace?
Here you've got a way to.
Features:
- As a photo frame (you can turn your Nano 3rd to Slide Show Mode and
put this one as a digital Photo Frame on your desk)
- Unique ergonomic design
- Protected from bumps and scratches
- Light weight
- Perfectly fit
- Easy access to all ports, buttons and sockets
Options : Colors
- Solid Black (Default Color to be shipped)
- Pink
- Crystal Clear
- Apple Green
Price: $13.99
Link: Nano
3rd Kick Stand Photo Frame Hard Case
GizMac DuraSport iPod nano Case
PR: DuraSport Case Released for the Apple 3rd Generation iPod
nano.
DuraSport iPod cases are constructed from durable silicone. A tough,
clear polycarbonate shield clips onto the front of the silicone case.
The combination of the silicone and polycarbonate provide improved iPod
protection for the nano
GizMac Accessories, designer and manufacturer of innovative
products for the Apple iPod and iPhone, begin shipping their DuraSport
case for the Apple 3rd generation iPod nano.
DuraSport iPod cases are constructed from durable silicone. A tough,
clear polycarbonate shield clips onto the front of the silicone case.
The combination of the silicone and polycarbonate provide improved iPod
protection for the Nano.
Screen and click wheel of the iPod nano are protected by the
DuraSport case. The screen protector of the DuraSport is part of the
polycarbonate front cover and provides full screen protection for Nano
iPod. The click wheel protection is part of the DuraSports's silicone
case and it protects the Nano while allowing the click wheel controls
to function smoothly.
Attachments for the DuraSport iPod nano case include an
armband, a quick change lanyard and a carabiner clip. DuraSport's
fabric armband is designed for sports and work out activities. The
DuraSport lanyard is a thin and light, yet strong and secure way to
carry the iPod nano. The carabiner clip provides an additional way to
wear or carry the DuraSport Nano case.
"The DuraSport silicone iPod case gives GizMac one more unique Nano
case," explained Ken Vitto, Marketing Director for GizMac Accessories,
"We continue our goal to provide a great overall value to our customers
and the DuraSport is no exception."
GizMac has made choosing the color of DuraSport Nano iPod case easy
by including two different colors of cases in every package. The
additional iPod case can be used to match your changes in style or can
be given to someone else. GizMac will even customize your order with
two of the same color DuraSports when purchasing from their web site
directly.
The DuraSport iPod nano cases are available in translucent shades of
smoke, white, blue, pink and green. Retail price for the DuraSport two
case pack is $29.99 and can be purchased through authorized GizMac
resellers or from the GizMac website.
Link:
DuraSport iPod nano Case
