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News & Opinion
Tech Trends
Products & Services
News & Opinion
Copenhagen Police
Depend on Macs to Secure UN Environmental Conference
IT Pro's Nicole Kobie reports that the Danish Police Department will
be relying on Macs and iPhones to coordinate security at the United
Nations Climate Change conference in Copenhagen this week. Kobie notes
that the Danish police force has been using Macs since 1996, when it
switched from NeXTstep, and that the
force's entire central command is now run by Mac Pros and Mac minis,
with not a single PC to be seen.
Their current Mac-based system uses 25 Mac Pros and 73 Mac minis
with an operations room featuring 14 workstations connected to multiple
large displays.
Link: Copenhagen
Turn to Macs
British Luxury Hotel Dumps TVs, Installs iMacs
Macworld UK's Mark Hattersley reports that Macs are famous for lots
of things, being the tool of choice for designers, writers, and video
editors, and other creative types, popular in the education market, the
stock-in-trade tool for the scientific community, and that the Mac
plays a big, albeit mostly under-the-radar role in certain US
government departments where security is a particular issue.
However, the hotel industry may be next. Hattersley reports that
London's über-cool Bermondsey Square Hotel is taking out its room
televisions and replacing them with iMacs, all networked to an in-house
Xserve, observing that replacing TVs with a computerized system is an
obvious choice for many hoteliers.
Wall-mounted iMacs are now the Bermondsey Square Hotel's mainstay,
although some rooms have Mac minis.
Link: British
Luxury Hotel Dumps TVs; Installs iMacs
Apple Updates Mac Pro with 3.33 GHz Quad-core
Option
In another of its stealth hardware upgrades, late last week Apple
quietly added a faster quad-core processor BTO option to its high-end
Mac Pro tower.
The available 3.33 GHz quad-core Intel Xeon option adds $1,200 the
base configuration price of $2,499. An optional 2.93 GHz processor
remains available at $400 over the base 2.66 GHz quad-core Intel Xeon
"Nehalem" CPU. With four cores and an integrated memory controller, the
Quad-Core Intel Xeon Nehalem processor boosts performance nearly
2x.2
Two Quad-Core Intel Xeon Nehalem processors give you a total of
eight processor cores:
- One 2.66 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon
- One 2.93 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon [Add $400.00]
- One 3.33 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon [Add $1,200.00]
- Two 2.26 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon
- Two 2.66 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon [Add $1,400.00]
- Two 2.93 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon [Add $2,600.00]
Other BTO options include up 32 GB of memory, up to 8 TB storage in
four 2-terabyte hard drives, and a spectrum of AMD and Nvidia GPU
options.
Link: Mac Pro page at the
Apple Store
Website Collecting Data on Problematic iMacs
The Register's Cade Metz reports that what he characterizes as a
"grassroots fanboi site" has been posted to document
what would appear to be widespread hardware problems with Apple's
latest iMac desktops.
There have been widespread reports and complaints of the latest generation iMacs arriving with
cracked screens, flickering displays, and sometimes completely DOA.
The iMac consumer protest site imac.squeaked.com was launched by
Bedford, Nova Scotia-based web designer Scott Pronych, a Mac user since
1984, whose new iMac arrived with a crack in the lower left-hand
corner.
A recent summary of Late 2009 iMac issues posted by
imac.squeaked.com includes:
- Total: 572
- Perfect (no issues): 94
- Flickering display: 264
- Cracked glass (bottom left): 63
- Cracked glass (other location): 16
- Noisy Screen: 28
- Yellow screen: 27
- DOA (won't boot): 18
- Dead pixels: 13
- Noisy hard drive: 12
- Noisy fans: 7
- Hard drive failure: 1
- Other issue: 29
Editor's note: Bear in mind that iMac owners are less likely to post
to a site such as this if they have no problems than if they do have
problems, so this data does not reflect the overall problem rate for
new iMacs, only the distribution of problems among reporting iMac
users. dk
Link: 'Fanboi' Site
Squeaks on Crocked iMacs
California Could Side with Apple on Smoker's
Warranties
ZD Net's Jason D. O'Grady reports:
"Last week I reported that Apple denied warranty coverage on two
customer's Macs because they had been exposed to smoke. Now it looks
like the law may side with Apple on this one, in California anyway.
"According to the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard
Assessment (OEHHA) California became the first state to declare
secondhand smoke a toxic air pollutant on January 27, 2006."
Link: California Could Side with Apple
on Smoker's Warranties
Tech Trends
Canadian Reseller Posts Intel Core i3 Chip
Details
Canadian mail order reseller A-Power Computer Online posted a
product page - since removed - featuring the Intel Core I3 530 2.93 GHz
dual-core processor at a discount price of C$152.19 (Regular Price:
C$156.76)
A-Power Computer briefly listed the Intel i3 CPU on its website.
Specs cited include:
- Model Number - Core i3-530
- Frequency - 2933 MHz
- L2 Cache - 2 x 256 KB
- L3 Cache - 4 MB
Editor's note: Intel's i3 CPU is the entry-level "little brother" to
the quad-core i5 and i7 CPUs used in top-end 27" iMacs. We know of no
plans by Apple to use the i3 in future Macs, but Apple generally keeps
mum on its plans for future products. The i3 is replacing Intel's
Centrino brand for CPUs. dk
Link: Intel's
upcoming Core i3 chip surfaces on retail site
Products & Services
Gboard Dedicated Gmail Keyboard
PR:
Gboard is a USB mini-keyboard dedicated to Google's Gmail email
service, with 19 colored keys in a standard size numpad-only keypad.
Clicking on the various keys executes a particular keyboard shortcut
such as starring messages, launching a search, and switching between
message threads. When used with other applications the Gboard's act as
normal keyboard buttons, and will type in whatever letter or number
corresponds with that shortcut.
The USB device requires no proprietary drivers, but keyboard
shortcuts must be enables in Gmail's settings for it to work.
Dimensions (DxWxH)
- Box: 6.9 x 4.75 x 0.88 in / 176 x 116 x 22 mm
- Product: 4.88 x 3.5 x .38 in / 130 x 88 x 9 mm
Weight
- 0.3 lb / 0.14 kg (product + packaging)
System Requirements
- Recent Apple OS
- Recent Windows OS
- Current Browser
- USB port
Gboard sells for $19.99.
Link: Gboard
RadTech ClearCal Antiglare Film for 21.5" and 27"
iMacs
PR: ClearCal AG (antiglare) films greatly improve the
viewability of glossy glass displays when used in brightly lit or
outdoor environments. ClearCal films combine a tempered 2-mil matte
finished, antireflection layer, permanently laminated to a 3-mil
flexible transparent base. A blemish-healing siliconized adhesive
provides an optically-correct, yet easily removable bond that conceals
existing surface defects like abrasions and scratches. The siliconized
adhesive is permanently bonded to the base layer and will never leave
any residue behind if later removed.
ClearCal's tempered, optically-correct surface resists scratches and
abrasions and is easy to clean. In addition to glare reduction,
ClearCal provides a level of impact protection and minimizes the
appearance of oils or streaking if the display is touched. Detailed,
illustrated instructions included - installation video link located
elsewhere on this page.
Features:
- Provides good impact protection for glass displays
- Significantly reduces glare in brightly lit or outdoor
environments
- Reduces eyestrain, flares and reflections
- Blemish-healing siliconized adhesive layer conceals existing
abrasions / scratches
- Can be removed, cleaned and reapplied several times
- Minimizes the appearance of oils and streaks if touched
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Also available for iPod touch and iPhone
ClearCal Specs:
- Material: Laminated PETE
- Film Thickness: 5 mil
- Transmissivity: 94%
- Size & Weight:
- 13": 296 x 188mm / 114g
- 15": 341 x 217mm / 116g
- 17": 374 x 237mm / 122g
- 20": 446 x 283mm / 187g
- 21.5": 495 x 290mm / 190g
- 24": 535 x 340mm / 204g
- 27": 620 x 355mm / 213g
- Fits:
- 13" MacBook/Pro (unibody)
- 15" MacBook Pro (unibody)
- 17" MacBook Pro (unibody)
- Apple 20" iMac (alum & glass)
- Apple 21.5" iMac (alum & glass)
- Apple 24" iMac (alum & glass)
- Apple 27" iMac (alum & glass)
- Apple 24" LED Display
From: $19.95
Link: ClearCal
Antiglare Film for Glossy Displays
Harman Kardon GLA-55 Speaker System: Audio Luxury
for the High-End Consumer
PR: Harman Kardon, a division
of Harman International, released the GLA-55, a high-end two piece
speaker system for computer, MP3 player, and home entertainment use.
Offering versatility in its function, the Harman Kardon GLA-55 is a
stylized multimedia focal point, boasting breathtaking beauty,
impeccable sound technology and functionality. Combining numerous
proprietary technologies to provide the highest audio quality, GLA-55
delivers with astonishing bass and clear accurate sound in any
direction. Offering the very best of any 2.0 speaker system in today's
market, the GLA-55 integrates beautifully with home and office
decor.
Compatible with virtually any audio
device with an analog output, (MP3 and CD players, desktop and laptop
computers, satellite radio and other home audio systems) the GLA-55
belts out high quality audio while exuding luxury and refinement. From
the facets of the bass reflex enclosure and custom copper tubing, to
the powerful bass of its Atlas woofers and crystal-clear highs of the
CMMD tweeters, the GLA-55 is an expert in both beauty and sound. The
system delivers with a powerfully tuned digital audio path; the clean
and compact digital amplification coupled with DSP (digital signal
processing) equalization efficiently provides the systems transducers
with cool-running power. For added bass response, the subwoofer output
allows connection to most standalone subwoofer systems. Touch-sensitive
volume controls provides an easy user experience; touch both volume
controls simultaneously to mute the audio output and touch again to
unmute. From the chrome base to the fully visible audio engine and
port, the clear diamond like design leaves no detail unrefined.
From inception to final product, Harman's design and engineering
team worked in tandem to create the aesthetics for GLA-55, said
Christopher M. Dragon, director of field marketing for the Harman
International. Our goal was to create a high-end product that not only
has stunning sound and visual appeal, but versatility in its use as
well. GLA-55 does just that by delivering pure Harman sound while
displaying simplicity and class.
While in the design lab, the creative minds at Harman Kardon were
determined to create an audio system that inspires creativity and
beauty along with great sound, said Kurt Sollund, vice president of
industrial design for Harman International. With its unique design and
cut glass motif, we see GLA-55 as a piece of art that will add
aesthetic appeal to any surrounding.
GLA-55 combines many proprietary
technologies to provide the highest quality sound featuring:
Atlas AL and CMMD Transducers
The CMMD drivers provide accurate high frequencies while capable of
low frequency extension to four octaves compared with traditional
powered tweeters. The Atlas AL driver is capable of nearly 1
peak-to-peak travel for tight, accurate bass reproduction. This desktop
pairing provides a full rich frequency response from the lowest bass to
highest highs.
Slipstream Port Design
The GLA-55 port minimizes boundary layer separation providing high
output bass with low distortion, for all to see and hear.
COE (Computer Optimized Equalization)
The GLA-55 system equalization is computer optimized to provide a
rich, complete sound stage over a wide range of listening
positions.
OCT (Optimized Compression Topology)
The GLA-55 utilizes a proprietary compression technology to insure
clean accurate sound at high output levels.
Available in clear with chrome accents, the Harman Kardon GLA-55 is
compatible with MP3 and CD players, desktop computers (all platforms),
satellite radio and laptops. The Harman Kardon GLA-55 has a suggested
retail price of $999.99; it will be available online at Amazon.com and
harmanaudio.com as well as in-store at quality retailers
nationwide.
Purchase link: Currently $999 shipped from Amazon.com,
the Apple
Store, and
J&R Computer/Music World.
Link:
Harman Kardon GLA-55
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