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News & Opinion
Products & Services
Software
News & Opinion
Why You Will Upgrade to 'Snow Leopard'
TG Daily's
Christian Zibreg says:
"The development of OS X Snow Leopard appears to be entering the
final phase. Apple asked a select group of developers to test the
latest build against a number of third-party applications and some
claim the final version will include location-based and multi-touch
technologies. In any case, OS X Snow Leopard is now on the horizon
and some think that Apple will time the release to coincide with the
next iMac hardware update. Despite its lack of major end-user features,
Snow Leopard could be the biggest OS X update ever thanks to one
killer feature - speed and performance that will take everyday
computing to the next level...."
Link: Why You
Will Upgrade to OS X Snow Leopard
Apple's Snow Leopard to Include Location,
Multi-touch Tools
Appleinsider's
Kasper Jade reports:
"Apple's Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard operating system will include
tools borrowed from the iPhone that let developers determine the
geographical location of Macs, as well as extend additional support for
multi-touch to their apps, AppleInsider has learned.
"People familiar with the latest pre-release distributions of the
next-gen OS say the software now includes the CoreLocation framework
previously available via the iPhone SDK, which will allow Mac
applications to identify the current latitude and longitude of the Macs
on which they're running...."
Link:
Apple's Snow Leopard to Include Location, Multi-touch Tools
'Learn to Play' Workaround for PowerPC Macs
MacFixIt
reports:
"Apple has released a minor update to GarageBand '09 (version
5.0.1), which addresses problems users were having with the 'Learn to
Play' features....
"The new 'Learn to Play' downloadable lessons in GarageBand are only
supported by Apple on Intel-based Macs. When PowerPC users go to the
lessons or the lesson store, they are presented with a message that
states an Intel-mac is required. Despite this, non-Intel users can get
lessons to run...."
Link: GarageBand
Update; 'Learn to Play' Workaround for PowerPC Macs
Got a G4 or G5? iPhoto '09 Will Be Missing
Features
TUAW's Mel Martin says:
"As Apple continues a march toward all Intel-based computers, those
hanging on to perfectly good G5 and G4 computers are left to watch
features slowly bleed off.
"In the recently released iLife '09 package, iPhoto has left some
owners of older Macs wondering where their slide show transitions have
gone.
"Apple has now released a support document detailing what is
missing...."
Link:
Got a G4 or G5? iPhoto '09 Will Be Missing Features
Some iPhoto '09 Transitions Missing for PowerPC
Users
9 to5 Mac's
Chauncey Dupree reports:
"According to a recently unearthed Apple Knowledge Base Article,
you PowerPCers out there aren't getting the full iPhoto '09 love when
it comes to transitions effects. G4 users only get Ken Burns and
Classic. G5 users get Classic, Ken Burns, Scrapbook, Sliding Panels.
Intel owners get the whole nine.
"The number of slideshow themes available in iPhoto
'09 depends on your Mac's processor and, in some cases, available
vRAM...."
Link: More
Bad News for iLife '09 on PowerPC G4: iPhoto Transitions
Missing
German PearC Selling Mac Clones
OS News' Thom
Holwerda reports:
"US residents already had the pleasure/disgrace (take your pick) of
buying non-Apple computers with Mac OS X pre-installed through PsyStar.
European customers were left out in the cold, as PsyStar is a US-based
company which undoubtedly makes shipping across the pond rather
expensive. Despair no longer, European clone enthusiasts: German PearC
is here....
"They ship their Macintosh clones to Belgium, Denmark, Finland,
France, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, Italy, The Netherlands, Austria,
Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Spane, and the UK.
"The website is in German, which I happen to speak rather well. The
FAQ of the website contains a question concerning the legality of this
whole setup....
"Basically, it reads that end-user license agreements in Germany are
only valid if they have been offered before the transfer of
goods/money, which in the case of Mac OS X does not happen. As
such, PearC claims, the clause in Apple's EULA binding Mac OS X to
Apple hardware is unlawful...."
Link: German
PearC Sells Macintosh Clones
Germany's PearC Rolls Out Mac Clones
DigitalTrends' Geoff Duncan reports:
"Looking to succeed where Psystar has drawn massive litigation,
Germany's PearC is now offering Macintosh clones for sale...at least
for a while.
"...Germany's PearC is . . . offering three models of
severely generic-looking desktop systems running a version of Apple's
Mac OS X operating system....
"Apple has so far declined to comment on PearC's offerings."
Link:
Germany's PearC Rolls Out Mac Clones
PearPC Thinks OS X EULA Invalid in Germany
Engadget's
Nilay Patel says:
"We're never going to get tired of the insane legal theories
would-be Mac clone companies trot out to try and circumvent incredibly
basic copyright and contract law concepts - like Psystar claiming Apple
has a monopoly on its own products - and today we've got German cloners
HyperMeganet, who'll sell you a 3.2GHz Core i7 Blu-ray-equipped PearC
tower with Mac OS X preinstalled for €2,408 ($3,111).
According to the wonderfully-named Hypermeganet, German law requires
EULAs to be available for review before purchase, so Apple can't
enforce its license restrictions since the Mac OS X EULA isn't
printed on the outside of the box...."
Link:
German Mac Clone Company Thinks Germany Doesn't Have Laws
Intel Accelerates 32nm Chip Plans
Macworld
UK's Agam Shah reports:
"Intel on Tuesday accelerated plans to release two dual-core laptop
and desktop processors, tweaking its road map as it juggles
manufacturing efforts to cut costs.
"The company will ship dual-core processors for mainstream laptops
and desktops made using the 32-nanometer process, skipping plans to
release similar chips manufactured using the 45-nm process.
"The chips will ship in the fourth quarter . . . be
cheaper to manufacture, work faster and draw less power."
Link:
Intel Accelerates 32-nm Laptop, Desktop Chip Plans
Products
Get Well Steve T-shirt
PR: White on Red American Apparel 2001, Fine Jersey, Short
Sleeve T-Shirt.
All profits from this shirt are donated directly to St. Jude
Children's Research Hospital.
S M L XL $20 ($30 International)
Link: Get Well Steve T-shirt
LifeWay Unveils Next Innovation in Digital Music:
SongMap
PR: LifeWay Worship has unveiled the latest innovation in
digital music: SongMap, a web-based application that allows users to
create custom arrangements of songs and produce corresponding audio
files and sheet music. SongMap was developed through the largest known
recording project in Nashville history. Nearly 1,000 songs and 8,000
mixes were recorded in just 10 months by over 150 professional
musicians, vocalists, and engineers.
The technology was unveiled at an inaugural ceremony at LifeWay's
corporate headquarters in Nashville, which was attended by Christian
and mainstream music industry executives; worship and music ministers;
and government and civic leaders. It became available for public use
Monday, February 9, 2009.
SongMap is the first web-based technology that allows users to
choose specific sections of songs: verses, choruses, transitions, and
more - in the keys they prefer - and then download sheet music and
audio files that correspond to the custom arrangement. The technology
was developed specifically to meet the needs of worship leaders who
want more flexibility arranging songs for church services. At the same
time, SongMap has broader implications throughout the mainstream music
world.
"SongMap is the first technology that gives users the ability to
change songs on the Internet to meet their own tastes," said Mike
Harland, director of LifeWay Worship. "Some churches need sheet music
for a full rock band each week, while others rely solely on
accompaniment tracks. We set out to find a way to help these churches
create music that suits their congregations. In doing so, we created a
new music technology that does what none other has done before."
Three years in development, SongMap was created by a team of
software engineers and music industry professionals. It is the
signature product of the LifeWay Worship Project, a ground-breaking set
of new products that includes hymnals, PowerPoint presentations, video
and audio files, and sheet music.
As part of the project, the LifeWay Worship team gathered a lineup
of over 150 professional musicians, vocalists, and sound engineers to
produce recordings of up to 8 recorded formats of more than 900 of the
most loved church songs in just 10 short months. The selection ranges
from traditional hymns to contemporary worship songs, as well as
standards such as "America the Beautiful". The production team then
divided the arrangements into more than 500,000 individual segments.
From these segments, the SongMap technology allows users to "map"
custom mixes of individual songs.
Though sophisticated on the back end, SongMap was designed for use
by anyone with an Internet browser; users simply register free of
charge. The cost to map a song ranges from $1.49 to $1.99 per part.
Once a song is purchased, the user has immediate access to the
corresponding MP3 file and sheet music, and the custom file is stored
in the user's online media library for future use.
Starting February 9, 2009, LifeWay Worship will have over 100 songs
available for mapping and will continue to add "mappability" to its
products on an ongoing basis, including new release titles. Registered
users will receive regular updates as this occurs.
LifeWay Christian Resources is one of the world's largest providers
of Christian products and services. As part of LifeWay's church
resources division, LifeWay Worship developed the Worship Project to
provide churches of all sizes a unique, cost-effective, holistic
package of worship planning tools that includes hymnals, sheet music,
accompaniment tracks and videos.
Link: LifeWay
Worship
ROADmice Car Mice - Cruise the Web in Style
PR: The original Road Mice Car Mice are "Officially
Licensed", optical wireless computer mice with the look of a replica
automobile and the functionality of a top pointing device utilizing the
latest RF and optical technology. These unique mice are high
performance accessories with 800-dpi resolution for enhanced accuracy
and precision movement. The functioning headlights and smooth lines
help give the car a realistic look and feel. So sit down, buckle up,
and "Cruise the Web in Style! " Then enjoy the ride. PC and Mac
compatible.
Prices: $44.95 to $49.95
Road Mice Mouse Pad
Road Mice's custom, licensed mouse pads are the perfect accessory
for your Car Mouse. Brand the mouse pad with the logo of your choice,
so your Car Mouse always has a smooth surface on which to cruise the
Web. The custom mouse pads are sure to rev-up any desk.
Price: $13.95
Road Mice High Performance 2GB USB Flash Drive
Road Mice's high performance 2GB USB flash drive is
reliable and easy to use. The drive is branded with a product logo to
ensure that your brand accompanies you on any drive. It fits nicely on
a key chain, center console, glove box or just about anywhere. The
flash drive is designed to securely store and transfer important data,
songs, photos and more. Drive across country, across town or across
platforms in a flash. Ideal for use at home, work, school or anywhere
on the go.
Price: $19.95
Title, Warranty & Registration
The Title and Registration system
enables new Road Mice owners to register and activate their product
warranty. Upon completion you will receive your unique title (free
& clear!). Visit RoadMiceTitle.com to register. The
unique VIN number is a great way for collectors and enthusiasts to
ensure that their car mice are properly documented. The Title makes for
a great keepsake for mouse drivers of all ages. Moreover, collectors
will find the unique VIN, with accompanying title, a great avenue for
increasing the value of their prized collection.
Location of your Road Mice and Car Mouse VIN (Vehicle Identification
Number) - The Road Mice and Car Mouse VIN # is located at the bottom of
each unit. Look for a 17-digit number that starts with the letters RM.
On this example, the VIN is RM-08FDMGRXB-000001
Road Mice Gift Cards
Road Mice Gift Certificate includes "ground" shipping anywhere in
the continental US.
Not quite sure about the exact make, model, color or design for your
friend, colleague or loved one. Road Mice Gift Cards are the perfect
gift for any occasion. Flexible and convenient, they're sure to please
any car or computer aficionado on your list. Guaranteed to be your
simplest car-buying experience ever.
$55
Link: ROADmice
Software
Sweet New Info-Mac Widget
PR: With the new Info-Mac widget for Mac OS X you can not
only get Apple and industry headlines on your dashboard, but follow
Forum activity, and even search Info-Mac in its entirety (News, Forum,
Archive and even Digest) and get the results right inside the widget
without ever leaving the Dashboard.
This can be an especially useful tool for both new and old Mac users
alike, especially once we have the full Info-Mac Digest going back to
1984 online (so far only about 30% is online).
Searching Info-Mac for "AppleWorks" with the Info-Mac widget.
Searching for the PowerBook 540c - or "Claris Home Page" as a
phrase.
The Info-Mac Widget is free.
Link: Info-Mac Widget
iWork 'Pages' Templates Offered for Free
Use
PR: Apple iWork Pages templates - family created archive for
you to enjoy - over 50 pages templates
Jason Hughes writes, "Created a bunch (50+) and thought you might
like to let your Mac followers for your website know. Add our link if
you wish, or pass it on to some one you think would like it."
Link:
Apple iWork Pages Templates
MyPopBarrier Removes Emails Directly from Mail
Server
PR: This program allows you to remove your emails directly on
the server. It can raise several accounts at the same time.
New in version 2.5.6:
- History is not deleted when quit MyPopBarrier (old removed messages
are removed, see slider history size).
System requirements: Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later.
System support: PPC/Intel
Free
Link: MyPopBarrier
Desktop Mac
Deals
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