So we can post our three news roundups (Mac News Review, The 'Book
Review, and iNews Review) earlier, we first do a quick proofread and
link check, leaving out images. We add images later when time permits.
dk
MacBook, PowerBook, iBook, and other portable computing is covered
in The 'Book Review. iPad, iPod, iPhone,
and Apple TV news is covered in The iOS News
Review.
All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
"Don't splurge on your next computer. In fact, you should probably
buy a really cheap one.
"That's not exactly the advice Apple, Dell, HP, Sony, Toshiba and
other computer makers want you to hear. It also flies in the face of
what's been the conventional wisdom for years....
"That made sense for a time, but that time is over.
"Today's least expensive models typically can handle everything
you'll need from a computer, and then some. Unless you're a
professional designer or a computer gaming addict, you should be able
to buy a perfectly capable computer for less than $1,000, perhaps less
than $350.
"I bought a new computer earlier this year, and I chose a MacBook - the least-expensive
Macintosh notebook computer, which retails for $999.
"For $350 or so, you can buy a so-called netbook computer, and it
will likely be able to do everything you need...."
Cnet's Dan Ackerman contends that largely overlooked amid the
overwhelming iPad hype is what he deems
its its biggest potential achievement - that Apple's touchscreen
quasi-PC might have finally struck a fatal blow to the long-standing
standard of computer input devices, the computer
mouse, declaring:
"Make no mistake about it, the era of the familiar PC mouse is
coming to an end. It may not be a 2012-style apocalypse (and the mouse
will surely hang on in some form for many years to come), but the door
is slowly shutting on the universal acceptance of this single iconic
piece of hardware that we have equated with personal computing for
decades...."
Editor's note: Douglas Engelbart created the first mouse prototype
in 1963 with the assistance of Bill English. It used two wheels to
track movement. English invented the ball mouse in 1972. dk
"Though about 7 years old, the high level
of expandability on these G4 Macs still make them great workhorses. I
had a FireWire 800 model under my desk for several years, performing a
myriad of tasks, ranging from processing Folding@home work units to
duplicating CDs and DVDs to burning labels on said discs with
Lightscribe.
"Since they're PowerPC Macs, they can only run up to 10.5.8, but
that's all you really need for most jobs. If you can find one
inexpensively, it makes a great 'storage' or 'workhorse' computer.
"That's why we're glad to show you all the different options for
getting these machines tricked out to their maximum potential. All you
have to do is hit us up on our YouTube channel, visit our Tech Center,
or even look us up on iTunes."
Editor's note: The Mirrored Drive Doors (MDD) G4s were the fastest G4
Power Macs and have two full-sized 5.25" optical drive bays, making it
easy to install two SuperDrives. They support up to 2 GB of RAM,
and most MDD models have a 167 MHz system bus - fast, but because it
was unique, very few CPU upgrades were ever made for it. The second MDD
model introduced FireWire 800 and cannot boot into the classic Mac OS.
dk
Alicia's Keys, a Software Piano for Musicians of
All Genres
PR: Native Instruments just introduced Alicia's Keys, a new
software instrument that recreates Alicia Keys' personal grand piano
with outstanding authenticity and playability, allowing musicians of
all experience levels to use her acclaimed signature sound in their own
music production, live performance, and recreational playing. Developed
in close collaboration with the Grammy-winning artist, the software is
also used as the primary instrument on her new album and on her current
world tour.
aliciaskeys.jpg
Designed as a comprehensive digital emulation of Alicia Key's
exclusive custom Yamaha "C3 Neo" concert grand, and based on Native
Instruments' industry-leading KONTAKT technology, Alicia's Keys
provides a soulful and intimate piano tone that perfectly accommodates
R&B, soul and pop styles. By utilizing high-resolution samples and
sophisticated simulation of crucial sonic aspects like sustain pedal
behavior and string resonance, Alicia's Keys sets a benchmark in the
digital recreation of acoustic instruments. The convenient user
interface of the software gives intuitive control over the sound to
further adjust it to the specific musical context and personal playing
style.
Alicia's
Keys can be used on any modern Windows and Macintosh computer in
combination with a conventional MIDI keyboard.
ak2.jpg
"I love this software so much that I used it on my entire new album.
Not once did I record a live piano because there was just no need",
says Alicia Keys. "I plan to tour with this sound and use it all around
the world. I love how it gives those who may not be able to buy an
acoustic piano a true piano experience."
A video with Alicia Keys explaining the creation process of the
software is available on
YouTube.
Alicia's Keys is available from authorized dealers and in the NI
Online Shop for a suggested retail price of $119.
OCRKit 1.1: Drag and Drop for Searchable PDFs on
the Mac
PR: ExactCODE GmbH releases OCRKit 1.1, an update to their
powerful, streamlined, and fast, yet affordable OCR with support for
more than 10 languages for the Mac. OCRKit transforms images and PDF
files into searchable PDFs. With built-in OCR allows for editable PDF
files with a simple drag and drop and to find them with the Mac's
built-in Spotlight desktop search. AppleScript support allows
professionals to create dedicated solutions for specific and even
difficult workflows.
OCRKit 1.1 is a powerful, streamlined, and fast, yet affordable OCR
with support for more than 10 languages for the Mac. The new Mac
application OCRKit transforms images and PDF files into searchable
PDFs. With built-in OCR allows for editable PDF files with a simple
drag and drop and to find them with the Mac's built-in Spotlight
desktop search.
OCRKit comes as a native, Intel Macintosh application focusing on
usability and simple to use. By dragging a document onto the
application icon a searchable and multi page PDF is quickly created.
OCRKit helps to organize the office workflow: By making received
information, in image or PDF form, from a copier, scanner, receipt or
via e-mail editable and indexable to find them with Spotlight or manage
them in a database application.
OCRKit comes with support for many OCR languages, including English,
Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish, and
even more user-interface translations: English, Dutch, German, Italian,
Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, Simplified-Chinese, Traditional-Chinese,
and works with Apple Mac OS X 10.4, 10.5 as well as with the 'Snow
Leopard' version 10.6. on Intel Macs. The support of AppleScript allows
professionals to create dedicated solutions for specific and even
difficult workflows.
What is new in OCRKit 1.1?
Support for new OCR languages: Polish, Russian, Turkish
Control for color detection
Improved automatic color detection
Improved embedding of certain image files
OCRKit can be tested for 14 days and is available for ¤39
(approx. $50) online and several distributors and resellers
world-wide.
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.
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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.
"Though about 7 years old, the high level
of expandability on these G4 Macs still make them great workhorses. I
had a FireWire 800 model under my desk for several years, performing a
myriad of tasks, ranging from processing Folding@home work units to
duplicating CDs and DVDs to burning labels on said discs with
Lightscribe.
