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News & Opinion
Apple to Unveil the Future of iOS and Mac OS at
WWDC in June
Apple Worldwide Developers Conference to Kick Off June 6 at Moscone
West in San Francisco
PR: CUPERTINO, California - March 28, 2011 - Apple today
announced that it will hold its annual Worldwide Developers Conference
(WWDC) June 6 through June 10 at San Francisco's Moscone West. At this
year's five-day conference Apple will unveil the future of iOS and Mac
OS, including exciting demonstrations of the new kinds of apps that
developers can build using Apple's advanced frameworks and more than
100 technical sessions presented by Apple engineers.
"At this year's conference we are going to unveil the future of iOS
and Mac OS," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of
Worldwide Product Marketing. "If you are an iOS or Mac OS X software
developer, this is the event that you do not want to miss."
Mobile developers will be able to explore the latest innovations and
capabilities of iOS and learn how to greatly enhance the functionality,
performance and design of their apps. Mac developers will see and learn
how to develop world-class Mac OS X Lion applications using its latest
technologies and capabilities. Developers can even bring their code to
the labs and work with Apple engineers, applying development techniques
and best-practices to enhance their apps.
Activities at Apple's WWDC 2011 include:
- More than 100 technical sessions presented by Apple engineers on a
wide range of technology-specific topics for developing, deploying and
integrating the latest iOS and Mac OS technologies
- Over 1,000 Apple engineers providing developers with code-level
assistance, insight into optimal development techniques, and guidance
on how they can make the most of iOS and Mac OS technologies in their
apps; the opportunity to connect with thousands of fellow iPad, iPhone
and Mac developers from around the world
- AppleDesign Awards which recognize iPad, iPhone and Mac apps that
demonstrate technical excellence, innovation and outstanding
design.
Go to the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference 2011 website to
purchase tickets, as well as for updates and more information.
The conference is already sold out.
Link: WWDC
2011
The Evolution of AppleDesign
Exhibitmag.com says:
AppleDesign, 1977 to 2007
"Mac . . . the mere spell of the name causes sensation among the
tech-lovers. Apple's unique way to say hi to the personal computer
world is known as Mac and no one would ever have a second thought on
rating the products masterminded by Steve Jobs.
"Mac undoubtedly gets an inclined liking, thanks to its exclusive
features, elegant and mesmerising looks and that special oomph factor.
And today, Apple Mac is undeniably way ahead of many contemporary
desktops, laptops and netbooks.
"But was it always like that?
"What are the x-factors that put Mac higher than any other Windows
computer?
"Let's try to find out the whys, what's and whereabouts of the
masterpiece white eye-catchers!"
Link: The Fascinating
Evolution of Apple's Mac
Adobe Hammers Another Nail in PowerPC Coffin
Cnet's Stephen Shankland reports that an Adobe Systems tool that
lets older software handle RAW images from newer digital cameras is
about to leave behind Apple's PowerPC-based Macs, noting that the
upcoming version 6.4 of Adobe's DNG
Converter will be the last to run on the older Macs, according to
Lightroom product manager Tom Hogarty in a blog post over the weekend
that notes:
"The PowerPC (PPC) Mac systems, commonly referred to as G4 or G5
systems, represent a significantly different platform than the
Intel-based solutions Apple started offering in January of 2006. Due to
the differences in software development environments, Photoshop CS5 and
Lightroom 3 both dropped support for PowerPC systems in 2010. However,
there is increasing overhead required to support the PowerPC code base
in the DNG Converter, so the final DNG Converter 6.4 update will be the
last update to support PowerPC systems."
Link: Adobe Hammers DNG
Nail in PowerPC Coffin
Tackling System Fans That Run Loudly after Updating
OS X
MacFixIt's Topher Kessler notes that in some instances after
installing a system update, users may experience problems with the
computer's cooling fans running loudly - either immediately and
continuously or intermittently but frequently - possibly accompanied by
system slowdowns, but at times happening with no other apparent
effects.
Potential causes are cited as corrupt hardware settings, corruption
in software configurations and temporary files, and a fault in the OS
upgrade or update itself.
Editor's note: Another option to reducing loud fans is to use
smcFanControl, which lets you
specify a maximum rotation speed for your Mac's cooling fans. It won't
make them run any less often - and perhaps for longer periods due to
the slower speed - but cutting the RPM rate does reduce noise.
dk
Link: Tackling System
Fans That Run Loudly after Updating OS X
Selling Your Mac: Getting the Most from Your Old
Machine
AppStorm's Sean Williams says:
"One of the great things about Macs is the high resale value they
maintain over time. In the last 4 years alone, I've never had to pay
more than $300 out-of-pocket for a brand-new Macintosh, and that's
because I've been able to get the most value from the Macs I've
sold!
"I've put together a simple list of everything to consider when you
go to sell your Mac. Read on past the break and well look at some steps
for getting the most out of selling your Mac."
Link:
Selling Your Mac: Getting the Most from Your Old Machine
Spotlight Searches on Steroids
Practically Efficient says:
"Your Mac comes with an extraordinary search system called
Spotlight. It's so great, so fast, so near perfection, and oh so
coveted by certain unnamed Apple competitors . . . I'm okay
just calling it magic and using it to find stuff really fast.
"I have to confess that until very recently, I didn't know you could
include file attributes in Spotlight searches. When I found out, it
blew my mind, and I began to scour the web for tips and tricks.
"This post is more or less what I found....
"I find that just using the name attribute [name:searchword]
is a powerful way to narrow searches. It cuts out any hits that come
from matching content. I usually remember some piece of file names, and
I almost always know what kind they are...."
Link: The
Powerful, Mystical Spotlight. On Steroids
Products & Services
NewerTech StoraDrive Media Storage Tray for
Organizing Your Digital Media
PR: Newer Technology, Inc. (NewerTech) it has expanded its
hard drive accessory line with the introduction of the new $7.99 MSRP
Media Storage Tray for use with the NewerTech StoraDrive. The Media
Storage Tray transforms one of the stackable antistatic StoraDrive
cases into a compartmentalized, padded, all-in-one storage solution for
protecting and organizing multiple digital media formats.
Holds Up to 13 Pieces of Digital Media in Multiple Formats
Each NewerTech Media Storage Tray can hold:
- One 2.5" PATA/SATA Hard Drive or Solid State Drive
- Up to two Compact Flash cards
- Up to two Sony Memory Sticks
- Up to four SmartMedia cards
- Up to four SD (Secure Digital), SDHC (Secure Digital
High-Capacity), or SDXC (Secure Digital eXtended-Capacity) cards
Protect and Organize Vital Stored Data in Custom-fitted, Easy
Access Compartments
The NewerTech Media Storage Tray expands the functionality of the
NewerTech StoraDrive by adding secure, organized storage compartments
to hold the most commonly used digital media devices. Made of ESD foam
rubber and weighing a mere 0.8 oz., the Media Storage Tray provides
fingertip access to five different media formats in a single, space
saving desktop location.
"The Media Storage Tray is an effective solution to expand the
usefulness of a StoraDrive," says Grant Dahlke, Brand Manager,
NewerTech. "Now, one StoraDrive case can be utilized to hold a full
sized 3.5" drive and the other case can be fitted with this tray to
store and organize the five most popular types of flash memory storage
formats."
Enhances Functionality of NewerTech StoraDrive
Interlocking Two-Pack Case Solution
The Media Storage Tray insert is the perfect enhancement for the
$9.95 MSRP NewerTech StoraDrive stackable antistatic cases. Economical
yet highly functional, StoraDrive is a superior value to basic, single
unit competing options on the market. A smooth sliding drawer action
provides easy access without disrupting other interlocked cases, and
each drive drawer includes a convenient label area for easy content
identification. The stackable, interlocking design enables more
StoraDrive cases to be added as storage needs grow. Made of antistatic
injection molded ABS plastic, the StoraDrive features nonskid rubber
feet to keep both case and contents securely positioned.
StoraDrive and Media Storage Tray System Ideal for Users Who Hot
Swap & Archive Drives
With today's low cost of hard drive storage and Plug and Play hot
swap drive access products like NewerTech's $34.99 MSRP USB 2.0 Universal
Drive Adapter or the Voyager Drive
Dock.
Priced starting from $39.99 MSRP, a greater number of computer users
are incorporating the ease and convenience of accessing multiple drives
into their workflow. Now, with the StoraDrive and Media Storage Tray
system, photographers, videographers, and other multiple drive users
and storage archivers have a safe, convenient, and organized way to
store and access multiple media storage formats.
The NewerTech StoraDrive stackable case solution and the NewerTech
Media Storage Tray are available immediately from NewerTech's exclusive
distributor, Other World Computing (OWC), as well as through the retail
channel.
Link: NewerTech
StoraDrive
Link: Media
Storage Tray for NewerTech StoraDrive
Software
SideFolders, a Desktop Drawer for Your Stuff
PR: Dennis Van Roeyen's SideFolders keeps your files on the
left or right of your desktop so you can access them with a flick of
the wrist. With the contextual menu you can fire up the file you just
downloaded in your favorite application.
Drag & Drop
files from and to any application without losing sight of the
application you are working in.
Need to upload a file to a website? Just Drag & Drop on the file
chooser dialog and be done with it.
Create a hierarchy of SideFolders to organize your files the way you
want. Unrestricted by the physical location of your files.
When started SideFolders will automatically hide itself on the left
or right side of your desktop. You can make SideFolders popup by moving
your mouse to the edge of your desktop where SideFolders is hidden.
Once SideFolders is open you will see a resemblance with your
Finder's sidebar. But apart from Devices, Shared and Places there is
more. You will see recent files you worked with and files you
downloaded recently.
- Double click a file to open it with the default application.
- Right click it to open a popup menu with a list of all applications
for this file and an option to show it in your finder.
- Drag a file from SideFolders to copy or use it in an
application.
- Drop a file or folder in SideFolders to copy it to a Device, Shared
volume or one of your Places.
SideFolders also allows you to create your own SideFolders where you
can drop the files and folders you frequently work with in a logical
order. SideFolders will keep a link to the original location of the
file so it will always reflect the latest version.
New in Version 1.0.1
- Fixed an issue where unmounted volumes would be remounted.
- Double clicking a folder now opens the contents of the folder
instead of showing the location of the folder.
System requirements: Mac OS X 10.6 or later
$2.99 on the Mac App Store
Link: SideFolders (App
Store link)
VLC 1.1.8 Free Open Source Media Viewer
PR: VideoLAN and the VLC development team have announced VLC
1.1.8, a minor update of the 1.1 branch of this multiplatform app that
many users prefer to Apple's QuickTime.
VLC (Video Lan Client) is a free and open source cross-platform
multimedia player supporting multiple audio and video formats (e.g.:
MPEG, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, Divx, Ogg, many more). Both Windows and MacOS X
builds are available. VLC 1.1.8 plays most multimedia files as well as
DVD, Audio CD, VCD, and various streaming protocols.
New in version 1.1.8: A few small new features, many bugfixes,
updated translations and security patches are included with this
release. Notable improvements include an updated look on the Mac, new
Dirac encoder, new VP8/Webm encoder, and numerous fixes in codecs,
demuxers, interface, subtitles auto-detection, protocols and platform
integration, and many miscellaneous fixes.
System requirements: VLC 1.1.8 requires Mac OS X 10.5 or later
Link: VideoLAN
Bean 2.9.5 Beta
PR: James Hoover's Bean is a small, easy-to-use word
processor (or more precisely, a rich text editor), designed to make
writing convenient, efficient and comfortable. Bean is available free
of charge.
MS Word, OpenOffice, etc. try to be all things to all people. But
sometimes you just want the right tool for the job. That is Bean's
niche. Bean is lean, fast, and uncluttered. If you get depressed at the
thought of firing up MS Word or OpenOffice, try Bean.
New in version 2.9.5:
- tabbed documents
- freeform headers and footers
- the .rtf and .doc formats save images
- document templates with boilerplate text and auto-updating
dates
- split screen editing
- 2-up layout view
- full screen improvements
- advanced selection by styles
- auto-capitalization
- improved interface
- other added features
Bean Page Layout & Inspector
Page Layout & Inspector - Here you see Bean in page
layout mode, using two text columns, with the Inspector panel open.
Changes in the Inspector panel apply instantly to text. Also visible
are the zoom slider and the live word count in the status bar at the
bottom of the window. (Text of Emily Bronté article is from
Wikipedia.)
Bean is not a replacement for MS Word. It doesn't do footnotes or
use stylesheets and is only partially compatible with Word's file
formats.
If you use Text Edit but have to jump through hoops just to get a
word count or change the margins, try Bean.
If you're pining away for Write Now-esque simplicity or just want a
low-pressure writing environment, try Bean.
Features
- A live word count
- A Get Info panel for in-depth statistics
- A zoom-slider to easily change the view scale
- An Inspector panel with lots of sliders
- Date-stamped backups
- Autosaving
- A page layout mode
- An alternate colors option (e.g., white text on blue)
- An option to show invisible characters (tabs, returns, spaces)
- Selection of text by text style, paragraph style, color, etc.
- A floating windows option (like Stickies has)
- Easy to use menus
- Remembers cursor position (excluding .txt, .html, .webarchive
formats)
- All of Cocoa's good stuff (dictionary, word completion, etc.)
Bean doesn't do footnotes, predefined text styles, floating graphics
(but it does do inline graphics).
Bean Full Screen & Statistics
Full Screen & Statistics - Here you see Bean in full
screen mode with the Get Info... sheet open. Alternate editing colors
are turned on (white on blue here, but they are customizable), and the
margins are set at 16% of the screen size. (Text from Wuthering Heights
by Emily Bronté, courtesy Project Gutenberg.)
File Formats
Bean natively reads and writes these file formats:
- .rtf format (rich text)
- .rtfd format (rich text with graphics)
- .bean format (identical to .rtfd)
- .txt format (Unicode and legacy)
- .html format (as source code)
- .webarchive format (Apple's web archive format)
Bean HTML Editing
Rich text editing, Plain text/HTML editing, Export to HTML -
The left window shows Bean editing a rich text document with images (a
version of Beans webpage). This document was then exported to HTML
using Bean (the HTML file is open in Bean in the middle window). In the
frontmost window, this same HTML file is shown rendered as a webpage in
Safari (after copying the image files to the HTML files directory).
Bean transparently imports and exports these formats:
- .doc format (MS Word '97, minus images, margins, and page
size)
- .docx format (Word 2007, minus images and some formatting)
- .odt format (OpenDocument, minus images, margins, and page
size)
- .xml format (MS Word 2003 XML, minus images)
Bean can export all of the above formats to these formats:
- .html (web page format, minus images)
- .pdf
- .doc compatible (with images intact)
- .rtf (with images intact)
System requirements: A Mac with a PPC or Intel processor running OS
X 10.4 Tiger, OS X 10.5 Leopard, or OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard. The
beta requires 10.5 or
later.
Bean is open source, provided at no monetary cost and is released
under the Gnu General Public Licence.
Link: Bean
Desktop Mac
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