MacBook, PowerBook, iBook, and other portable computing is covered
in The 'Book Review. iPod, iPhone,
and Apple TV news is covered in The iOS News
Review.
All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
"The official shipping times for 27-inch iMacs have shrunk back to 5 to
7 business days, according to Apple's online store. The timing is once
again consistent with that of 21.5-inch systems, and appears to apply
regardless of the processor chosen. During recent months, shipping
times have stretched out to as long as three weeks."
Fortune's Philip Elmer-DeWitt reports that for the third year in a
row, Apple finished first in an annual survey of computer reliability
conducted by Rescuecom, a national tech support company based in
Syracuse, NY.
However, although Apple had the highest score in Rescuecom's 2010
report, its lead over its nearest competitor - Taiwan's Asus - shrank
from more than 200 points in 2008 to just 60 points this year, with
Rescuecom president Josh Kaplan commenting that despite Apple still
being out in front, Asus "won the spotlight" with impressive 190.7%
improvement, year over year, while Dell slipped due to negative growth
and poor reliability scores
"According to Rescuecom's Computer Reliability Report, which it
claims to give factual, unbiased data to determine the reliability of
today's personal computers, the top five manufacturers with the best
overall computer reliability performances for 2010 are:
BusinessWeek Survey Reveals Standouts in Customer
Service
BusinessWeek reports that it may have been a tough year for nearly
every industry, but in their fourth annual customer service awards a
few particularly retail, hospitality and electronics really shone.
The survey's Gold, Silver, and Bronze medal podium finishers
were:
Gold: L.L. Bean Online/Catalog Retailer
Silver: USAA Insurance
Bronze Apple Corporation - Computers & Electronics
Apple Ranks Third in Pan-Industry Customer Service
Survey
Macworld's Dan Moren reports that Apple seems to be doing a pretty
good job of serving its customers as needed, nabbing the number three
spot overall in BusinessWeek's annual customer service survey and first
among computer makers. Iconic Maine-based retailer L.L. Bean and
insurance and banking company USAA were the only forms to rank higher
than Apple.
Moren says that in its bronze medal podium finish, Apple earned A+
ratings for qualify of staff and efficiency of service, increasing its
overall score by almost ten percent over its 2009 rating with 66% of
those surveyed affirming they would definitely recommend Apple products
and 58% saying they would definitely repurchase the brand.
"With all the attention around Apple focused on the growth of the
iPhone and handicapping the potential fortunes of the forthcoming iPad,
Charles Wolf, analyst at Needham and Co. in New York reminds us that
Apple's Mac business is not only still strong, but getting
stronger.
"In his latest 'Wolf Bytes' newsletter, Wolf says that Mac sales are
growing at twice the rate of the PC market in general, and that as the
market for PC owners grows faster than the business market, the Mac is
continues to be a key driver of Apple's continued growth....
"Here's another interesting stat to show the growth of Mac sales in
context: Apple sold more Macs in the December quarter of 2009 than it
did in all of 2003...."
Cautions When Washing Your Dirty Keyboard in the
Dishwasher
MacFixIt's Topher Kessler says:
"There have been a number of reports in recent months claiming an
easy way to clean your keyboard is to run it through the dishwasher. A
few MacFixIt readers have asked questions about these reports, and have
wondered if they should try it. Though we cannot recommend this method
of cleaning for everyone, it may be a last resort for some keyboards.
Even so, there are a few cautions you should be aware of in doing
this...."
Editor's note: Hey, d'ya think? I've heard from folks who have
actually done this successfully, but my own intuition is that the drier
electronics can be kept, the better, and it's not something I would
personally attempt with a keyboard I didn't consider expendable, no
matter how grubby it was. Better grubby and functioning than clean and
defunct. I have, however, had excellent results blowing accumulated
swarf out of keyboard housings using compressed air, and just using a
damp cloth for aesthetic cleaning (see The Compressed Air Keyboard
Repair). cm
What Steve Jobs and Bill Gates Really Think of Each
Other
The Telegraph reports that Bill Gates commented that, unlike the
iPhone, Apple's iPad was not a device he wished he'd made, while Steve
Jobs has, in the past, been highly critical of Microsoft. The newspaper
goes on to cite some of the best quotes from both men referring to the
other or their companies respectively.
One of Bill's nicer comments comes from early on in 1984 when he
observed that: "To create a new standard, it takes something that's not
just a little bit different; it takes something that's really new, and
really captures people's imagination. And the Macintosh - of all the
machines I've seen - is the only one that meets that standard."
On the other hand, in 2009 Gates' wife, Melinda, let slip in an
interview that "There are very [few] things that are on the banned list
in our household, but iPods and iPhones are two things we don't get for
our kids."
Steve Jobs has likewise at times been pretty hard on on Microsoft.
One choice quote that The Guardian unfortunately chose not to cite in
its entirety was a 1996
gem (scroll down) that I've always thought summed up the
overarching problem with Microsoft products rather well:
"The only problem with Microsoft is they just have no
taste, they have absolutely no taste, and what that means is - I don't
mean that in a small way I mean that in a big way. In the sense that
they they don't think of original ideas and they don't bring much
culture into their product ehm and you say why is that important - well
you know proportionally spaced fonts come from type setting and
beautiful books, that's where one gets the idea - if it weren't for the
Mac they would never have that in their products and ehm so I guess I
am saddened, not by Microsoft's success - I have no problem with their
success, they've earned their success for the most part. I have a
problem with the fact that they just make really third rate
products."
Jobs added a year later that "I wish [Bill Gates] the best, I really
do. I just think he and Microsoft are a bit narrow. He'd be a broader
guy if he had dropped acid once or gone off to an ashram when he was
younger."
Also waxing philosophical in 1994, Steve observed that "If you say,
well, how do you feel about Bill Gates getting rich off some of the
ideas that we had ... well, you know, the goal is not to be the richest
man in the cemetery. It's not my goal anyway, although he did allow
that "I think Bill Gates is a good guy. We're not best friends, but we
talk maybe once a month. I think Bill and I have very different value
systems. I like Bill very much, and I certainly admire his
accomplishments, but the companies we built were very different from
each other."
"I've long accepted the fact that the digital lifestyle is
omnipresent, will only accelerate, and that Apple is indispensable to
navigating such digitalia....
"There's always been a kind of smug chauvinism about Apple fans who
recognized that, even though the Mac had a tiny slice of the market, it
was the superior product (to this day): easy-to-use in a human way,
design as the facilitator of function, simplicity as the purveyor of
complexity. Indeed, that market sliver - surviving the juggernaut of
business-oriented Windows-operated PCs was seen as testament to the
precious few with the foresight - the enlightenment - to Think Different & and
appreciate the genius behind Apple....
"Steve Jobs is the Svengali-like digital shaman, and we're hooked on
his aura. One columnist joked that Americans more keenly anticipated
Steve's announcement of the brand-new iPad than they did Barack Obama's
State of the Union the night before...."
"Today we decided to make a guide to help you solve the two most
common complaints people have: 'my computer is slow' or 'my
computer/this application keeps on crashing'. There's a good chance
this could save you a trip to the Genius Bar so give it a try before
you call Apple!"
How Do I Defragment and Optimize Files on My Hard
Drive?
Mac Support's Michel Munger says:
"The way a Mac's hard drive works has its own complexity and there
are plenty of ways to maintain it. One thing is for sure: several
months of moving files around, updating your operating system and other
software will fragment files and slow the computer down.
"Here are suggested solutions...."
Editor's note: Since OS X 10.3, Macs have been able to automatically
defragment growing files as they are modified. Apple says, "there is little
benefit to defragmenting." Unless your drive is nearly full, file
fragmentation is not usually an issue. dk
"You have either heard about or experienced the 'gotchas' associated
with the Solid State Drives (SSDs) sold in 2008 and 2009. Many users
complained of slowdown in write speeds after several months of use.
Anandtech published their well read and often referenced 'SSD
Anthology' discussing this phenomenon. Others experienced data
corruption or hard failures. At one point, Intel stopped production of
two models of SSD to address the issue.
"Other World Computing committed themselves to the task of bringing
to market an SSD that overcomes those issues. It's called the Mercury
Extreme Enterprise Class SSD and is based on the SandForce SF-1500
SSD Processor. What does that bring to the party?"
Editor's note: OWC's drive took top honors in each of Bare Feats'
benchmark tests. dk
New Matias Keyboard Changes the Way You Use Your
iPhone
PR: Matias has released a keyboard that
gives you a whole new way to use your smartphone.
With a stand built into the keyboard, your iPhone or iPod touch can
now be part of your desktop work environment. It's the most comfortable
way to use your smartphone apps, when you're at your desk.
"This new setup is so convenient," said Edgar Matias, CEO of Matias.
"I have all these little apps on my iPod that I use all day. With the
new keyboard, they're in easy reach, all the time."
The thousands of apps available make your smartphone even more
useful than before...
Do quick calculations
Check your stocks
Twitter
Facebook updates
Control iTunes
Custom Keypad & Trackpad apps to control your Mac
"It also lets me keep my personal stuff on my iPod touch totally
separate from the work I'm doing on my PC," said Matias. "I can keep
tabs on things with my iPod, leaving my Mac screen clutter free, and
dedicated to what I'm working on."
Matias is the #3 keyboard brand (after Logitech and Microsoft) and
especially popular in the Mac market. The product was inspired by an
article outlining a similar concept by Jesus Diaz, on the website
Gizmodo.
"It's a little different from Jesus Diaz's idea. We
tried several locations for positioning the smartphone stand.
Ultimately, we found that having it just above the arrow keys was the
most comfortable, especially when you just want to use the keyboard,"
Matias added.
Features:
The non-slip silicone pad cradles your smartphone in place, and fits
all smartphones - iPhone, Blackberry, Android, Palm, and others.
Hi-Speed USB 2.0 dock. Perfect for flash drives and other
USB 2.0 devices, the dock lets you transfer files, photos, and music at
hi-speed, right from your keyboard. Up to 40x faster than regular
USB!
2-port USB hub. In addition to the dock, the keyboard also
has a conventional 2-port USB hub located on the back, for plugging in
your mouse or trackball, and another USB device.
Quiet Dome Switches. High-quality rubber dome keyswitches
provide a quiet tactile feel, yet offer enough resistance to hold the
weight of your hands and reduce long-term fatigue.
This keyboard connects to your computer via two USB plugs - but the
2nd plug is optional.
The (optional) 2nd plug is for the USB 2.0 Dock.
Dimensions:
18.7" x 6.8" x 1.4" (47.5 x 17.3 x 3.5 cm)
Cable length: 5' (152 cm)
Weight: 1.65 lb. (750 g)
At $49.95 suggested retail price, the USB 2.0 Keyboard + Smartphone
Stand is available now at www.matias.ca and will be coming soon to
Matias Authorized Resellers.
PR: SanDisk Corporation has announced that it has begun
shipping its SanDisk G3 Solid State Drives (SSD) to retailers in North
America and Europe. The flash memory-based SanDisk G3 SSD offers a
compelling alternative to a 7200 RPM hard drive for many customers -
including do-it-yourself enthusiasts, IT managers, or anyone seeking
increased durability and performance with high reliability.
"Our rugged drive enables a superior customer experience by
delivering extended endurance and fast performance in a resilient SSD
design," said Eric Bone, vice president, retail product marketing,
SanDisk. "SanDisk believes in an uncompromising development approach
which insists that an SSD's long term reliability and durability are
just as important as its overall speed. We're leveraging our long
history of flash memory and retail expertise to bring the SanDisk G3
SSD to market."
Long-term reliability: The 120 gigabyte (GB)* SanDisk G3 SSD
can endure up to 80 terabytes (TB)* of data written to it over its
lifetimeiv. The solid state drive uses a smart flash
management system called ExtremeFFS™ technology that has the
potential to accelerate random write performance and thus extend the
endurance of SanDisk G3 SSDs inside computers that use operating
systems such as Microsoft Windows XP and Windows 7
Rugged durability: SanDisk G3 SSD uses no moving parts,
enabling improved durability that helps resist drive damage. Backed by
rigorous shock and vibration testing procedures and a 10-year limited
warrantyii, the drive offers some of the best-in-class
quality assurance that could only come from a trusted leader in flash
memory.
Fast performance: SanDisk G3 SSD opens files up to twice as
fast as a 7200 RPM hard drivei, so users can enjoy faster
bootups and improved system responsiveness. SanDisk G3 SSD has
sequential performance of up to 220 megabytes per second (MB/sec) read
speediii and up to 120 MB/sec write speediii.
Lower maintenance costs: By replacing standard HDDs with
SanDisk G3 SSDs, users can defer laptop purchase costs and reduce
maintenance requests associated with disk drive failure.
SanDisk G3 SSD is Microsoft Windows 7 certified and is compatible
with Mac OS X Snow Leopard
as well as Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Linux. The drive also
supports the newest Windows 7 TRIM feature, which contributes to a
substantial gain in the SanDisk G3 SSD's performance by allowing the
drive to continuously manage its resources and retain optimized
performance throughout its lifespan.
SanDisk G3 SSD is available now at sandisk.com via the US and UK
ecommerce sites in 60 GB and 120 GB capacities with prices of $229.99
and $399.99 respectively. The drive will be available at retailers in
North America and Europe soon, with exact pricing to be set by
retailers.
Based on SanDisk internal testing using Microsoft Windows
Performance Tool Kit. Performance varies depending upon OS and
application. Platform: Intel Core 2 Processor E8400, 2 GB DDR2;
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate; HDD: Seagate HDD 7200.4 RPM 250 GB;
SSD: G3 RC304 60 GB
10 Year warranty in regions not recognizing limited warranty.
Based on SanDisk internal testing; performance may be lower
depending upon host device.
Based on 120 GB G3 SSD; Approximations based on LDE (Long-term Data
Endurance) - an industry metric, introduced by SanDisk, that quantifies
how much data can be written to a SSD in its lifespan expressed in
terabytes written (TBW). Data is written using typical PC transfer
size, written at a constant rate over the life of the SSD, and data is
retained for at least 1 year upon LDE exhaustion. Based on SanDisk
internal measurements, a typical client PC user writes
4 GB/day.
ExtremeFFS is a SanDisk page-based flash management algorithm,
optimized for popular operating systems, has the potential to greatly
increase SSD random write speeds and efficiency thus accelerating the
performance and extending the endurance of SSDs inside PCs.
PR: Belkin announces a new line of SuperSpeed USB 3.0
products, including a PCIe Add-In Card, ExpressCard, and Premium A-B
and Micro-B Cables. SuperSpeed USB 3.0 products provide a high rate of
transfer speed that allows you to move content-rich media back and
forth between different devices.
USB 3.0 is specified to transfer at five gigabits per second - 10
times faster than USB 2.0*. In our tests we observed speeds of up to
180 megabits per second, or three times faster than USB 2.0, which is a
great improvement for activities such as large file transfers. USB 3.0
products are backward-compatible with USB 2.0 devices and will
interoperate with them as well.
With SuperSpeed USB 3.0 products, you can do the following faster
than before:
Download HD movies and other multimedia
Transfer high-bandwidth media and files back and forth
Charge and sync devices, like a digital camera or smartphone
An In-Stat 2008 report shows more than 3 billion USB-enabled devices
currently being shipped.
According to The NPD Group data from February 2010, Belkin is the
current market leader in USB connectivity**.
Availability
April 2010 in the US.
May 2010 in Canada.
SuperSpeed USB 3.0 PCIe Add-In Card (F4U023) -
$79.99
Connects up to 127 USB devices (through cascading additional
hubs)
Supports plug and play and hot-swap functionality
SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ExpressCard (F4U024) - $79.99
Fully compliant with ExpressCard specification 1.0 and Universal
Serial Bus 3.0 specification Revision 1.0
Supports plug and play and hot-swap functionality
Connects up to 127 USB devices (through cascading additional
hubs)
SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Premium A-B Cable, 4 ft.
(F3U158-04) - $39.99; 8 ft. (F3U158-08) - $49.99
SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Premium Micro-B Cable, 4 ft. (F3U165-04) -
$39.99; 8 ft. (F3U165-08) - $49.99
RJ Theodore, General Manager of Core Products at Belkin says:
"Belkin has always led in adopting new technology and bringing products
that support these new technologies to consumers. USB 3.0 is positioned
to have a major impact in connectivity for computers, media players,
and other devices. Similar to when USB 2.0 was first introduced, we
plan on leading the integration of USB 3.0 with a line of thoughtful
solutions that are easy for our customers to understand and use."
*This is the theoretical performance of the USB 3.0
standard as specified by the USB-IF. Real-world throughputs will
vary.
**USB connectivity consists of the following NPD
categories: USB Hubs and USB Cables.
Air3G 1 Watt 11n 3G Broadband Router
PR: The Air3G is the latest AirLive AP router that follows
the principles of maximization. It starts with earth-shattering 1 Watt
output power that enables the AP to cover up to area of 1 km in
diameter. It is equipped with both USB and WAN port to share 3G, ADSL,
and cable modem Internet connections. Hotspot authentication function
is provided for those who want to resell the Internet bandwidth. The
passive PoE port allows installation of the Air3G far away from power
source.
The Air3G is the first Wireless-N 3G router to provide 1
Watt output power. That means it can cover up to 9 times the area
comparing with normal powered solutions. The Wireless-b/g/n radio can
run at up to 150 Mbps speed which is 3X faster than 11g solutions.
Ultimate 3G and Broadband Sharing
The Air3G comes with USB 2.0 port for sharing the Internet
connection of 3G USB dongles. In addition, a WAN port is provided for
sharing ADSL or Cable Modem connection. The remarkable WAN and 3G auto
backup function will auto switch between WAN or 3G when one of the
connections failed. This ensures uninterrupted Internet service for
your home or office. Wireless Multimode functions can turn your Air3G
instantly into AP, Wireless Client, Wireless Bridge, or Wireless
Repeater.
Hotspot Authentication
The Air3G can turn into a simple Hotspot Gateway instantly. The
Hotspot Authentication controls the Internet Access by username and
password. It is perfect for Hotel, coffee shops, restaurant, or just to
sell Internet Service to your neighbors. The high-power Wireless-b/g/n
radio means you can provide service to much greater area and faster
speed.
AirLogic System Architecture
Air3G software system is built upon the new AirLogic software
architecture. The under laying system core is our legendary wireless
engine that offers superior performance and rich set of functions. It
features firmware recovery system, multi-operation wireless mode,
Virtual AP function, bandwidth control, and over 100 other features
that make AirLive wireless products famous in the industry. The
AirLogic Web Interface integrates all these powerful functions into an
extremely easy to use multi-language interface that can change language
instantly at any page.
Internet Service on Transportation
With growing need to provide Internet service on public
transportation, the Air3G is a perfect device for such purpose. With
the optional CAR-100DC car adapter, you can easily provide Internet
service on the car, bus, or train.
Green AP Function
AirLive
is conscious of our responsibility as passengers of Planet Earth, which
is why the Air3G is equipped with Green AP function to conserve the
energy and enable users to set the schedule of the wireless
service.
AirLive maximizes the value of Air3G in terms of wireless coverage,
functions, and design. It is designed from ground up to be the perfect
Internet sharing device.
The CAR-100DC is a car adapter with DC Jack. It is an individual
accessory for Air3G. With application of it, you can easily share
Internet service with passengers on the car, bus, or other public
transportation without any restriction of electrical power.
Features:
30 dBm 3G/Broadband Router with USB 2.0, PoE, and HotSpot
functions
Up to 9 times more wireless coverage than normal powered
AP/Routers
Work with 3G/3.5G/UMTS/EVDO/ HSDPA USB Dongle
Hotspot authentication function
Multiple SSID and Bandwidth Control
Green AP power saving function
1 x USB 2.0 Port
WAN port for ADSL/Cable Modem support
3G Router, AP, Client, Bridge, Repeater modes
Notes:
*Power limited to 20 dBm in EU and 23 dBm in the U.S.
*This product does not come with 3G modem. It works with 3G USB
dongle. Check the 3G USB Support List for compatibility.
The Air3G is expected to ship later this month. Pricing has not yet
been announced.
PR: The new Sound Protect Security Kit secures your iMac
computer, video game consoles, and flat screen TVs with audio sensors
that work just like the devices protecting retail merchandise.
The battery powered sensors deliver an 85 db alert when removed or
the cable cut. The Sound Protect is a perfect compliment to existing
hardware security products or as a stand alone security device. Popular
applications include securing your Xbox, Playstation, iMac, computers,
monitors, and flat screen TVs.
Sensors are applied with a removable double-side adhesive. To use
simply activate the main sensor and secure under a desk ledge or table
bottom. Secure the other Sound Protect sensor to the component. Choose
to place the sensor within easy view to discourage theft or out of view
to disguise. Retail $19.95
"Having recently rounded up a range of audio recording apps, we
wanted to spend some time taking an in-depth look at another contender:
TapeDeck. This particular piece
of software stands out on account of the retro concept, interface, and
functionality.
"Rather than fit in with the standard OS X look-and-feel, TapeDeck
takes a step back in time to the day of the humble audio cassette. It's
a great idea, and is executed very well in this quirky application.
Whether you regularly record audio on your Mac, or just take an
interest in application design, this review will be particularly
fascinating."
PR: Pasteboard Recorder is an application to record a content
of your pasteboard of Mac OS X automatically. It can record content of
a paste board to 120 entries. Contents to record are not limited to a
text. you can use it for various uses. And this software supports save,
load. This is tweet and tumbling oriented software.
Features:
Current Pasteboard - You can see the pasteboard status.
Hot Keys - You can swap pasteboard statuses dynamically with
HotKeys.
Text Search - FullText Search supported. You can find the past
pasteboard statuses.
ToolBar - This software supports Tool Bar Mechanism.
Growl Notification - Pasteboard Recorder is supported to Growl
Notification. It reminds you the pasteboard statuses and operation
statuses.
Image Link - You can show the image from URL which has an image. We
planned it to aim to work together with Gyazo application which
presented by Toshiyuki Masui.
Friendly Icon - Simple Icons to avoid avant-garde.
A lot of changes - File-double-clicked, Drug into dock, Context
Menu, and so on.
We believe in the long term value of Apple hardware. You should be able to use your Apple gear as long as it helps you remain productive and meets your needs, upgrading only as necessary. We want to help maximize the life of your Apple gear.
We believe in the long term value of Apple hardware. You should be able to use your Apple gear as long as it helps you remain productive and meets your needs, upgrading only as necessary. We want to help maximize the life of your Apple gear.
All of our advertising is handled by BackBeat
Media. For price quotes and advertising information,
please contact
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Welcome Image and Text
We believe in the long term value of Apple hardware. You should be able to use your Apple gear as long as it helps you remain productive and meets your needs, upgrading only as necessary. We want to help maximize the life of your Apple gear.
PR: Matias has released a keyboard that
gives you a whole new way to use your smartphone.
The thousands of apps available make your smartphone even more
useful than before...
"It's a little different from Jesus Diaz's idea. We
tried several locations for positioning the smartphone stand.
Ultimately, we found that having it just above the arrow keys was the
most comfortable, especially when you just want to use the keyboard,"
Matias added.
PR: SanDisk Corporation has announced that it has begun
shipping its SanDisk G3 Solid State Drives (SSD) to retailers in North
America and Europe. The flash memory-based SanDisk G3 SSD offers a
compelling alternative to a 7200 RPM hard drive for many customers -
including do-it-yourself enthusiasts, IT managers, or anyone seeking
increased durability and performance with high reliability.
PR: Belkin announces a new line of SuperSpeed USB 3.0
products, including a PCIe Add-In Card, ExpressCard, and Premium A-B
and Micro-B Cables. SuperSpeed USB 3.0 products provide a high rate of
transfer speed that allows you to move content-rich media back and
forth between different devices.
SuperSpeed USB 3.0 PCIe Add-In Card (F4U023) -
$79.99
SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Premium A-B Cable, 4 ft.
(F3U158-04) - $39.99; 8 ft. (F3U158-08) - $49.99
The Air3G is the first Wireless-N 3G router to provide 1
Watt output power. That means it can cover up to 9 times the area
comparing with normal powered solutions. The Wireless-b/g/n radio can
run at up to 150 Mbps speed which is 3X faster than 11g solutions.
AirLive
is conscious of our responsibility as passengers of Planet Earth, which
is why the Air3G is equipped with Green AP function to conserve the
energy and enable users to set the schedule of the wireless
service.
Current Pasteboard - You can see the pasteboard status.
