August 2004 Archives

Apple has posted the iMac G5 introduction video, which highlights the new features and design of the new desktop... [MacMinute]

"Apple Computer's products aren't just products, they are symbols of the company's long-held belief that style is at least as important as substance in a market," Rex Crum reports for CBS.MarketWatch.com. "Merrill Lynch analyst Steven Milunovich said the new iMac should boost Apple's computer sales from 210,000 in the September quarter to 260,000 in the December period. After the iMac was shown off, Milunovich raised his 2005 estimates for Apple to a profit of 90 cents a... [MacDailyNews]

"One of Apple Computer's biggest challenges with the latest iMac was making sure the machine was cool,' Ina Fried writes for CNET News. "Not hip--that's a requirement for all of Apple's products. This iMac needed to find a way to stay cool, as in 'won't melt the desk.'"

Fried looks at iMac G5's design, cooling, and notes, "Placing the power button in the back, for example, is a good thing because it encourages users to keep the machine in sleep mode rather than... [MacDailyNews]

Did you know that the new iMac G5 offers the smallest footprint ever, but you can make that zero with an optional VESA mount. "Hang it from the wall or swing it around on your desk,' Apple suggests here.

Of course, we'll take this opportunity to remind you that, way back on July 28th, we wrote: "One hint from us: if the new iMac G5 doesn't accept, somehow interact with, or include a built-in VESA Mount Adapter, we'll switch to Windows XP (just kidding). You heard it... [MacDailyNews]

Now I know why MSFT is in the predicament they are in. The Scobelizer is probably one of the most well-known bloggers at MSFT and he decides to make a bone-headed comment like this. Hey Scobelizer.....get a clue - people don't want a tablet and they don't want Windowzzz!!!

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Apple announced a new iMac today.

Personally, why get this when you can actually get a Tablet PC that you can take off your desk and walk around with? For instance, the Averatec Tablet PC is about $50 more than the new iMac, but is a whole lot more useful.

Particularly in schools where you need students to actually take notes with a pen rather than with just a keyboard.

[Scobleizer]

Apple posts Paris Expo keynote video, Photo galleries [AccelerateYourMac News Headlines]

Airport Express Tips/Reports page updated (WDS Setup with Belkin Routers and Airport Express) [AccelerateYourMac News Headlines]

And it lives! Apple has fully unveiled the new iMac G5, and it's basically a Pizza box PC that looks a lot like the new Cinema displays, except white. Available in 17- and 20-inch form, the machines will come with 1.6 and 1.8GHz G5 processors, respectively. I'll go ahead and throw up this post with pictures, then actually wake up and jump up with more details.

Read - Product Page [Apple]

Update: One sort of geeky thing that immediately is noticable is that the iMac G5 doesn't share the "50% of the processor speed" bus as the PowerMac G5s. That's going to be a real performance wrinkler (although still a welcome bump from the G4).

[Gizmodo]

Apple today unveiled the new iMac G5, featuring the high-performance G5 processor and a totally new design that integrates the entire computer right into the flat panel display. The iMac G5 packs a complete computer system into a mere two inches of depth - the world's thinnest desktop computer. The new line offers 17- or 20-inch active matrix widescreen LCDs and G5 processors running up to 1.8 GHz starting at just $1,299.

"Just like the iPod redefined portable digital music players,... [MacDailyNews]

XtremeMac today announced the release of Talking Panda iLingo, a language translator for iPod... [MacMinute]

XtremeMac has released Freefall, a satellite simulator and screen saver exclusively for Mac OS X (10.2 and higher) and a winner of the 2004 Apple Design Award for Most Innovative Apple Technology Performance Demo... [MacMinute]

Elgato Systems today announced major software updates for the EyeTV digital video recorder and EyeHo... [MacNN]

TMO is offering live coverage of the Apple Expo keynote [The Mac Observer]

Apple's .Mac online service last week began to offer downloads of McAfee Virex 7.5, an updated version of the Mac OS X anti-virus software first announced earlier this year. Now .Mac has pulled Virex 7.5 from distribution and is advising users to uninstall the new version of the software and stop using it entirely. [MacCentral]

You Software today announced the free download of a fully functional version of You Control:iTunes, one of the most popular of the You Control menu modules... [MacMinute]

Hello XM, I just wanted to drop you a note to let you know you ALMOST had me. I say almost, because I had already made up my mind to go buy your gear and service this week, until I read what you had done with your PC side of the service. You have done yourselves and the public a disservice with your unfounded fear of piracy.

I absolutely refuse to contribute a penny to any organization that sides with the RIAA and their gestapo bullying tactics to the very consumers that are the core foundation of the music industries business. There are genuine good hearted people with a legit need or reason to record a show. You see...as a SUBSCRIBER to your service, it is OUR RIGHT to record those shows for OUR listening pleasure on OUR schedule, not yours. IF I am paying for a service, I expect to be able to listen to it at my leisure and not be TOLD when I can or can't listen.

The problem with your company and the RIAA is that you want your cake and you want to eat it too. Well XM, I am here to tell you, that you aren't going to get it from me, or millions of other technology-oriented and educated consumers. I for one am taking a stand and fighting for my right to fair-use. There is abslutely no difference between recording a song from the free airwaves of America and recording a song or show from your service, other than QUALITY. So you mean to tell me that because the service, for once, actually sounds great, we lose our rights to make fair-use recordings for PERSONAL use? We aren't talking about pirating here, we are simply asking to be able to listen to what we paid for at a time of our chosing. You people need a reality check. You are every bit as bad as the RIAA. Good luck with your service. I for one will be exploring Sirius and if they are smart, they will capitalize on your ignorance and lack of loyalty and customer service to the very people you depend on for your livelihood.

Frank

Apparently HP made a special diamond-encrusted hPod for Sean "Puffy/Puff Daddy/P-Diddy/Actor" Combs for the MTV Video Music Awards. I can understand the diamonds - who couldn't? - by what's up with the massive dock? What's P-Diddles trying to tell us?

Update: Apparently that's not a huge dock, but actually a chromed out Altec Lansing InMotion Speaker set. I guess what they say about black iPods isn't true after all.

More pics after the jump.

[Gizmodo]

Toyota is prepping a new "Sport" version of its gasoline/electric hybrid Prius that ups the available power of the combustion engine from 77 hp to a whopping 99 hp by increasing the displacement of the engine to 1.5 liters, and bolsters the electrical system for a new total rating of 145 HP. Toyota plans to unveil the sportier Prius at the late September Paris Motor show, along with an ultra-clean Diesel concept.

Can you just imagine how fast a hybrid V8 would be? Or maybe a turbocharged V12 hybrid? Or - oh my god - a rocket-powered hybrid.

Read - Toyota Preps Sport Prius, Ultra-clean Diesel for Paris [GreenCarCongress via WorldChanging]

Update: Reader David Charles sends word that Toyota has given the greenlight to its 408-horsepower "Volta" hybrid sports car concept, as well. That's just insane. Toyota may be more serious about hybrids than I thought.

Update update: It's all ass.
Read - Toyota Hybrid Sports Car "Priapus" Gets Greenlight [GlossyNews]

[Gizmodo]

We have more confirmation of Virex erroneously deleting whole email files, and Apple has now removed its Virex update for ".Mac" subscribers. [MacInTouch]

"It's hard to see what exactly Real hopes to accomplish with this campaign. Don't get me wrong. This is important stuff. Americans spend about $30 billion a year on music, and while downloads make up only 2 to 3 percent of that total, digital music is expected to one day be part of everybody's life. Real wants to get a good chunk of that business. What makes no sense is how the company is going about getting it -- by positioning itself as a groovy liberator, a provider of cheap... [MacDailyNews]

"Apple Computer Inc. led in number of unique visitors to computer hardware manufacturers’ web sites, with 4.5 million, for the week ended Aug. 15, Nielsen/NetRatings reports. Dell Inc. ranked second with 2.9 million visitors, followed by Hewlett-Packard Co., with 1.9 million, Gateway Inc., 453,000; Sun Microsystems Inc., 414,000; and XBOX, 396,000," InternetRetailer.com reports.

"Apple also led in the average time per visit, at 13 minutes, 15 seconds, followed by Dell, at... [MacDailyNews]

Apple and HP on Sunday evening both aired iPod TV commericals during the MTV Video Music Apple's commercial, entitled "Stereo Rock", was first featured in Steve Jobs' WWDC 2004 Keynote earlier this summer. The ad features the company's black sillouette dancers and "Walkie Talkie Man" by Steriogram and has been posted online by Apple here.

HP's new television ad for the 'Apple iPod by HP' also debuted during the primetime awards ceremony and features... [MacDailyNews]

After several months of delay, Microsoft is preparing to release a new version of its Virtual PC Win... [AppleInsider]

I am sick and tired of you lower than life scumbags taking it upon yourselves to spam anyone you please with no regard for our rights to have a spam free site. I have disabled all commenting abilities on this site from here on out. You asswipes of the universe can try, but will NOT succeed on my watch. I look forward to the day you lower than larva piss-ant morons get locked up for eternity so that you can't pollute the gene pool any further. Fuck you and have a shitty day - I hope you get run over by not 1, but a fleet of Mack trucks. May the fleas of 1,000 camels infest your crotches!

frankk74 writes "For those of you interested in Historical Computing and the Apollo manned spaceflights Ron Burkey has created a open source emulation of the Apollo Guidance Computer called vAGC. I use it as my desktop clock of choice. Note it only keeps mission time so after 24 hours you have reset the time :-). P.S. Another cool Apollo toy free and payware can be found here." [Slashdot]

This friggin LOON has been popping too many Zanex. What the hell crack rock is she smoking? KEEP US JOBS IN THE FRIGGIN USA! Maybe they should outsource her overpaid ass to India and see how she feels?

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gManZboy writes "Catherine Mann, from the Institute for International Economics, has a look at What Global Outsourcing Means for U.S. IT Workers up over at Queue. She's got an interesting argument: outsourcing means cheaper IT products, meaning businesses will buy more, meaning more products to make & manage = net gain of IT jobs in the US. Ummm, did you follow that?" [Slashdot]

As Apple prepares its booth for the opening of Paris Expo next Tuesday, all eyes are on a blackdraped... [The Mac Observer]

Wow, HP's iPods really are different looking aren't they? Well, no... well, yes, if you count printing off "tattoos" and sticking them on as different. But otherwise, no, the HP iPods aren't blue or anything else fancy - just the plain ol' white iPods everybody else can get.

HP did announce a whole mess of new equipment today, though, including a $5,000 plasma display, a home theater projector with a built-in DVD player, and a new 14-inch widescreen home theater laptop - yes, laptop, with lots of "for couples" features like dual-headphone outs. How romantic!

ChaitGear has a nice round up of all the new HP stuff if you'd like to get a little more in depth. Or, you can always go around HP's way, too.

Read - HP Unveils Fall CE Lineup [Chait]
Read - HP Digital Experience Launch Press Page [HP]

[Gizmodo]

Chalk up a win for the little guy against corporate America. Thank God for a judge that had some common sense.

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A bid by drive maker Seagate Technology to prevent a former executive from joining rival Western Digital Corp. has been rebuffed. [eWEEK Technology News]

[Graphics.com]

ruland writes "It turns out there was a reason the hosting company CIT/Foonet was raided in February. SecurityFocus.com reports that the CEO of a web-based satellite T.V. retailer has been indicted for allegedly paying Foonet's administrator to arrange denial of service attacks against his competitors, causing outages as long as two weeks at a time, and $2 million in losses. Now he's skipped out on $750,000 bail, while the five packet monkeys who worked for him are left facing felony charges of their own." [Slashdot]

An all-in-one in line with earlier rumors [Insanely Great Mac]

HP today began selling two models of music players, the "Apple iPod from HP 20GB" and the "Apple iPod from HP 40GB," for US$299 and $399, respectively. The white models, identical to Apple's 4G iPod models in every way except for the etched HP logo on the back metal casing, are available for purchase now from HPshopping.com. Each model's product page sports a link to download iTunes and also a link to HP Customer Care's iTunes support webpage which features sections... [MacDailyNews]

Merrill Lynch has reiterated its "Buy" rating for Apple, even after shares have climbed $3.50 in the... [MacNN]

Griffin today announced the Griffin EarJams, which snap onto your iPod’s existing earbud-style headp... [MacNN]

And this would be bad how? Any way you look at it, it is an iPod and it is made by Apple. The damn thing boots up with an Apple logo! So the more people that buy this, the more money Apple makes which = more money for R&D which = cooler, better bad ass products for the real Mac owners! Thanks for contributing to the bottom line HP (but I still wouldn't own your shit)! :-)

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According to at least one analyst, the HP-branded iPod will quickly outsell Apple's version of the popular audio device... [MacMinute]

......this is just WRONG. Can ya hook a brotha up with a Xserve G5? :P

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Funny how one little bit of paper left in the ATM machine by the guy in line in front of you can make you feel like quite the underachiever. If this is his fucking checking account, imagine the rest... [Fuck That Job!]

This is absolute bullshit. We have been making copies of music aired over the radio onto tape for how many decades? All of a sudden, because we have evolved from the stone age and now the signal is digital, we are no longer entitled to make a copy of ANYTHING digital? Someone needs to have their head examined. This is just going too far...

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Strudelkugel writes "USA Today reports: 'Catching Blondie's reunion tour broadcast at 4 in the morning wasn't an option for XM satellite radio subscriber and single father Scott MacLean. "I was missing concerts that were being broadcasted when I was asleep or out," he said. So the 35-year-old computer programmer from Ottawa, Ontario, wrote a piece of software that let him record the show directly onto his PC hard drive while he snoozed.' As expected, the lawyers are coming out. Seems like a good idea, though. This capability might actually entice me to get an XM radio." [Slashdot]

And there you have it - the first pictures of the upcoming Treo 650. More pics to come. Can you say Bluetooth and new backlit keyboard? (Thanks, Michael!)

Read - TREO ACE/650 CRITICAL INFO [TreoCentral]

Update: More pictures after the jump. Looks like no Treo 600 peripherals will work with the 650, either. Somehow I think we'll manage. Oh hey, removable battery, too.

[Gizmodo]

HP has launched an "Extreme Makeover" contest in which the company will give away more than US$40,000 worth of high-tech gear, including several Apple products... [MacMinute]

Shares of Apple stock rose nearly $2 today to set a new 52-week high of $35.18 with more than 11 mi... [AppleInsider]

In an effort to curb illegal downloading of music on campus, Florida State University is close to finalizing a deal with Apple that would presumably provide a customized version of the iTunes Music Store for students to legally purchase tracks... [MacMinute]

"At the low end... PC desktops are marginally less expensive than the Macs -- if you can do without their connectivity and multimedia capabilities -- and considerably more expensive if you can't. At the very high end, however, all of the design focus is on multimedia processing and the PCs simply aren't competitive from either hardware or cost perspectives," Paul Murphy writes for LinuxInsider.

"So, bottom line, are PCs cheaper than Macs? No, despite what you read in the... [MacDailyNews]

I teach music tech and digital audio at the University level and have never had much use for iTunes, as it seems to me to be designed mainly for teenagers' CD collections. But a colleague showed me this trick, and I was so fl... [Mac OS X Hints]

Sprint and Apple announced that the Xserve G5 and QuickTime have been certified as mobile multimedia delivery platforms for Sprint’s new PCS Vision Multimedia Services. [Aug 26] [Apple Hot News]

Rolling Stone magazine is reporting that a source close to Microsoft is saying that Big Redmond "made...

The Mac Observer Spin: There's no big surprise here: Of course Microsoft sought iPod support, and of course Apple said no. What... [The Mac Observer]

Start patching the patch [The Register]

"How can you get rid of spyware and how can you avoid it in the first place? One nearly surefire cure is to dump your Windows machine and buy an Apple Macintosh. Almost all spyware is written to run on Windows, and it simply doesn't work on a Mac, even if it gets downloaded to one,' Walt Mossberg writes for The Mossberg Report.

"It's possible to write spyware for a Mac and install it on a Mac, but there's little incentive to do so because of the Mac's small market share. Also,... [MacDailyNews]

Apple Computer is quietly preparing to launch new products next week as it prepares for a major pres... [AppleInsider]

"You've heard of the Teflon Don and the Teflon president. Apple Computer is the Teflon tech stock," Paul R. La Monica reports for CNN/Money. "Shares of the iPod maker have held up well during a turbulent market. And there's more room to grow.""There is a rather lengthy laundry list of concerns facing the company. So considering how jittery the market has been for the past few months, it's truly amazing how well shares of Apple have held up," La Monica... [MacDailyNews]

Altec Lansing has a new set of speakers for the iPod, the inMotion iM3 portable audio system. Not much to say, really - stereo speakers, with a built-in dock, extra input jack, and the ability to be powered by four AA batteries when you're away from your AC power. The best part, though, is that they fold to "paperback size," just about 5.5-inches high and 1.1-inches deep. Worst part? $180 clams. (Thanks, Jens!)

Read - Product Page [AltecLansing]

Related
Altec Lansing iMmini Speakers for iPod mini [Gizmodo]
Portable iPod speakers [Gizmodo]

A few of you pointed out the new speakers do add a wireless remote, which would explain some of the price increase.

[Gizmodo]

Vital Source Technology, a company that offers a digital collection of 2,000 literary works, will come bundled with Macs sold to U.S... [MacMinute]

by Dennis Sellers - The scores of personal computer companies for the past 10 years, including the latest findings, will be officially released today as part of a report in the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) from University of Michigan/ASQ and CFI... [MacMinute]

What did NASA expect form a DOS operating system? Jesus, just throw an Apple IIc in it why don't ya! :-)

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A software glitch that paralyzed the Mars "Spirit" rover earlier this year was caused by an unanticipated characteristic of a DOS file system, a NASA scientist said Monday. [eWEEK Technology News]

First Modo, now Silo......AWESOME!

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Developer Nevercenter Ltd. announced on Monday that the Mac OS X version of its 3D modeling software Silo is now available. Currently at version 1.2, Silo features a variety of tools, including real-time subdivision surface modeling, polygon-editing capabilities, the ability to build shapes with such techniques as box modeling, polygon-by-polygon modeling and Boolean operations, integrated rendering support and more. In addition, Silo offers support for export in .rib and .pov file formats and its interface can be customized to accommodate individual workflows. [MacCentral]

The next major release of the Mac OS X operating system will include technology that will eventually... [AppleInsider]

An article on IBM's developerWorks looks at how Apple's Airport Express is leading the "new breed" o... [MacNN]

NubKnacker writes "Economic Times, one of India's biggest business daily's is carrying a story about how a small colouring mistake forced Microsoft to recall 200,000 copies of Windows 95. This wouldn't be the first time that has happened to Microsoft. From the article, "Microsoft has also managed to upset women and entire countries. A Spanish-language version of Windows XP, destined for Latin American markets, asked users to select their gender between "not specified," "male" or "bitch," because of an unfortunate error in translation." Ouch!" [Slashdot]

Following McAfee Inc.'s July announcement that its Macintosh anti-virus software utility Virex would be updated to version 7.5 and released in August, the new version of the software is now available for download for subscribers of Apple's .Mac online service. .Mac has offered previous versions of Virex as part of its basic service. Virex 7.5 incorporates new features including a background scanner, an "active" scanner that maintains connections to the local network and the Internet, new tracking and reporting capabilities, a schedule editor that lets you automate scans and updates and more. [MacCentral]

"I believe Microsoft should take full responsibility for the faulty design of Windows and recall every last copy of Windows ever sold. Buyers should get a working, safe, secure operating system in return," Al Fasoldt writes for The Syracuse Post-Standard. "Some say that's just not going to happen. But I can't find anything in the realm of common sense that requires Ford or General Motors or any other automobile manufacturer to act responsibly by recalling defective... [MacDailyNews]

StarBand Communications Inc. has announced its new 484 Small Office service. The satellite-based broadband Internet access service offers 256Kbps upload speeds and download speeds up to 1Mbps -- the service is an alternative for users looking for broadband access who are unable or unwilling to have a cable or DSL line installed. Starband's 484 modem is compatible with Mac, Windows, Unix and Linux operating systems, and comes with 15 free e-mail accounts with a total of 1.9GB of total free storage, 200MB free basic Web hosting space and one free static IP address. The system also includes a four-port Ethernet router, and costs from US$139.99 to $159.99 per month based on term commitment. An additional cost for the dish and associated hardware is incurred -- the cost ranges from $699.99 to $999.99 depending on contract duration. More details are available from the Web site. [MacCentral]

Apple's iPod is helping driving Mac sales, according to The USA Today. The article reports that Appl... [MacNN]

An Independent News writer tells of his switch from Windows to a 15-inch PowerBook: “Two months in, I have a prevailing sense of security and safety. There’s been not a sniff of system meltdown. The software and security updates are easy, convenient and (via broadband) fast. The sense of considerable computing power and massive processing going on is very evident, but it feels secure behind the OS X firewall and a router; and all with no need for antivirus software.” [Aug 20] [Apple Hot News]

Lovely. I am still waiting for my 2.5 Dualie as well. I got the 23" Cinema and new iPod already, but no PM G5 2.5. I have not however, been notified of them shipping the unit with a different video card. Right now that would be smokin hot and I would be happy until they could ship my Ultra 6800. I could use the xtra card to slap it into another G4 tower. We can only hope....

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Several MacDailyNews readers are reporting receiving emails from Apple notifying them of unexpected delays of their Power Mac G5 with NVidia GeForce 6800 Ultra DDL Graphics card configs. The email as follows:

Subject: Important information about your G5

Thank you for ordering the new Power Mac G5 with NVidia GeForce 6800 Ultra DDL Graphics card. Due to an unexpected delay, we cannot meet your estimated August 31st ship date.

Your satisfaction is important to us and we'd like to... [MacDailyNews]

::: Bisonium Scoop Alert ::: You saw it here FIRST! Looks like Apple will be launching it's fifth store in south FL soon. Apple currently has openings for several positions on their website. All positions refer to Miami Beach-Lincoln Road, which is none other than the Lincoln Road Mall, one of the hottest and trendiest spots in Miami. Lets hope it isn't another Aventura tiny store and more like the Falls. --Frank

According to Think Secret, Apple is set to pull the wraps off of a software update for the iPod Mini which would provide the same functionality as the... [MacRumors]

The Yale Daily News, the oldest college daily in the country, is now being produced using Power Mac G5s, Xserves and iMacs... [MacMinute]

"'Cool' was the word of the night as eager members of the Class of 2008 gathered en masse on the East Campus Quadrangle Thursday to receive their long-awaited and highly-publicized welcome gifts: 20-gigabyte Apple iPods," Seyward Darby reports for The Duke Chronicle. "'This is so cool,' freshman after freshman exclaimed as they were handed boxes containing the tiny digital devices that are at the heart of the much-hyped Duke iPod First-Year Experience.""The... [MacDailyNews]

Okay! Here's that proper announcement from Canon we were expecting about the EOS 20D. The 8-megapixel digital SLR definitely ups the ante in the whole Canon/Nikon game. I can't wait to see some proper reviews.

The EOS 20D wasn't the only Canon announced, though, with the seven-megapixel G6, five-megapixel A95, and three-megapixel A400 all showing up in one form or another, too. There are reviews of almost all of the cameras (except the 20D, of course) out today, and Photography Blog has a nice collection of links that they'll keep adding to throughout the day if you'd like to toss them some links.

Oh, and even thought DPReview has been told not to post sample images of the D20, Canon Japan has three sample shots you can chew on for now. The fruit and ice one made me giggle a little.

Read - Canon EOS 20D (P)Review [DPReview]
Read - Canon Review Roundup [PhotographyBlog]
Look - 20D Sample Images [CanonJP]

Related
Canon's EOS 20D Pictures and Specs Leaked [Gizmodo]

[Gizmodo]

Following a reader tip, we looked into a trademark application from Apple for "iWrite," and... [The Mac Observer]

WOOOHOOOO!!!!! Finally a decent OS X Logbook!

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About LogTen
Simple. Fast. Powerful. A professional logbook solution for pilots of all experience levels. Whether you are an Airline Captain logging a thousand hours a year, or a student pilot just taking your first flight, LogTen will provide you with the tools to make your time work for you.

Wondering if you’re still current in Aspen, Colorado? Need to know how many multi-engine approaches you shot in Alaska last year? Anything you need to know about your pilot time is quick and easy with LogTen.

Built for Mac OS X. Quickly add, edit, search, sort, and view your flight information with familiar Mac OS X user interface controls.

All the details... While the streamlined interface of the main LogTen window allows for quick access to your data, the details are all available in the Inspector.

Powerful Reporting and Printing. Create full reports with the touch of a button. Select from default styles, or build your own completely customizable templates using HTML.
- Many more features. [Mac OS X Downloads]

Computerworld columnist Yuval Kossovksy takes Apple Remote Desktop 2 out for a spin and finds that its new management features make it an upgrade well worth considering. [Computerworld Macintosh News]

Following a reader tip, we looked into a trademark application from Apple for "iWrite," and... [The Mac Observer]

Keep on trading for the sake of innovation [The Register]

PC Magazine has published a review of Apple's Xserve G5 and xServe G5 RAID. "If you have a Mac-heavy... [MacNN]

Apple was able to shut down MyTunes, but a replacement called OurTunes allows song trading through iTunes. [CNET News.com]

mindslip writes "According to a job posting at Apple, "The iPod group is looking for a Hardware Engineer." The job involves "...design, implementation, and integration of digital and analog electronics." Required skills include "experience in ... various communication protocols (ie: GSM, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11,..." Could this be a sign?" I actually found two postings for these skills. Requisition numbers 2142016 and 2118478. [MacSlash]

So I'm heartbroken. I've just spent a week using the T-Mobile Sidekick II, and I think it's probably one of the best mobile devices I've ever used. And I can say, with total conviction, that I will never, ever purchase one and neither should you. In fact, after the experiences I've had today with T-Mobile, I'm not sure I can ever recommend one of their products again.

You may have noticed I'm a little slow on posting today. The reason is, besides being really, really high, is that I've spent about two hours on the phone with various customer service reps trying to resolve an issue that's been plaguing my primary account for the last three months. I've stayed away from mentioning it on Gizmodo, because I didn't want to turn my personal experiences into an overall anti-T-Mobile bias, but after my experiences today, with the yelling, the lies, and the misdirections, I am finally leaving them for good, and I have received such consistent horrible, deceitful service that I've come to realize it's indicative of a larger overall problem with the company - and that's worth telling you about.

But first, let me explain why the Sidekick II is so awesome.

[Gizmodo]

Apple has once again enhanced its .Mac service with more free goodies... [MacMinute]

Apple Computer Inc. has agreed to recall about 28,000 batteries used in its 15-inch PowerBook G4 lap... [AppleInsider]

Holy smokes Batman!

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SBC ADSL2+ Trials in Missouri. Users in our SBC Southwestern Bell forum have discovered that SBC is conducting a new trial (see thread) for ADSL2+ service; a circulating e-mail promising speeds up to 25 megabits per second. Unfortunately, the trial is currently only being offered.. [Broadbandreports]

Native Instruments today announced that a User Library for Absynth 2 is now online... [MacMinute]

The AP is reporting that the iPod has become so popular in Japan, despite the introduction of the Sony...

The Mac Observer Spin: This is indeed an impressive performance for the company, and it can't be overstated how amazing it is... [The Mac Observer]

Information Appliance Associates today announces the release of PocketMac Blackberry Edition, the first tool to sync Mac users' data with RIM BlackBerry handhelds... [MacMinute]

In an unconventional "Byte of the Apple" column this week, Business Week’s Alex Salkever writes an apology letter to Apple CEO Steve Jobs... [MacMinute]

WatiWorks.com, the deskop icons and graphics site, today announced the opening of its online shop selling Flags of the World icons and graphics for download. Adding to the large collection of freeware on the WatiWorks.com site, the new store offers beautiful, high quality icons and graphics for both Mac OS X and Windows XP. [MacMerc]

"I am the first to admit that I hate Apple. I do not need anyone to convince me of that. But I do know when to give credit when credit is due. So after hearing all the rave reviews and great comments about the iPod I started to want one. Then they released the new iPod minis and I wanted one even more. But like I said I hate Apple and didn’t get one. But today while at Circuit City I saw it and I decided to get it. The following is my take on the iPod," Michael 'The Apple... [MacDailyNews]

The first external beta version of Skype Technologies' free voice over IP (VoIP) software for Mac OS... [AppleInsider]

Having used Mac's for so long now, I always find it interesting to hear what the newly converted think of the Mac experience while making the switch from Windows. This article (the first of two) by John Dodds of the Independent details the reporters first thoughts while retraining his mind to unlearn Windows and Think Different.

Favorite passage:

Apples don't prompt you when something's gone right, such as plugging in a disk or setting up a wireless router. They just silently incorporate it. That's a major difference in approach: Windows thinks it's a surprise worth telling you about when something works. Apple doesn't.

[MacMerc]

Government Computer News tells of how TetraUSS 2004, originally written for the Irix operating system that runs SGI workstations and custom ported to the Mac, has been awarded NASA's Software of the Year Award. TetraUSS 2004 (or Tetrahedral Unstructured Software System) is a fluid dynamics and aerodynamics analysis application used by NASA on over 300 computers is to simulate aerodynamics over aerospace vehicles. [MacMerc]

Digital Lifestyle Outfitters has announced the iBoom, a 20-watts per channel, four-speaker boombox designed to holster the iPod and iPod mini. Although it looks like most of the controls will still be handled on the iPod itself (although there are separate ones for the built-in FM radio), the iBoom offers yet another way to impose your impeccable music taste on everyone else.

No word on price, sadly, but it should be available in late September at Everything iPod.

Read - Retailer Page [EverythingIpod]

[Gizmodo]

"If you're considering switching to a Mac, you're probably wondering if you'll need to buy a lot of new software," Al Fasoldt writes for The Syracuse Post-Standard. "Maybe not. Apple's OS X (pronounced "oh ess ten") computers might not need extra software to do the tasks you want.""You don't need any extra software if all you want to do is open Word documents. All OS X computers come with a competent word processor called Text Edit, and it knows how... [MacDailyNews]

Macworld UK is reporting that the organization in charge of this month's Apple Expo expects some 70,000... [The Mac Observer]

I saw the recent Nicecast hint for doing audio to multiple audio apps today. Much more interesting to more people (I assume), is this article. According to the article, it looks like Nicecast can be used in conjunction with t... [Mac OS X Hints]

And while we're on the leaked photo tip, Canon has let slip the dogs of, uh, camera... pictures. The EOS 20D hasn't been officially announced yet (it's expected by the end of this week), but the first details are being gleaned from pictures that are still up on Canon's site. There's a mess of projected specs on DPReview, too, and while they seem reasonable enough (they come from a major Korean camera retailer), bear in mind it's still all conjecture at this point. Projected street price for the 8.2-megapixel camera is around $1,300.

The EOS 20D Digital SLR will be an update uses the same lens EF-S lens mount as the Canon's EOS 300D (the Digital Rebel), and will be an update to the 10D (Durr. Thanks, guys.). (Thanks, Geoff!)

Read - Leaked 20D Specs..! [Forums.DPReview via PhotographyBlog]
Look - Canon EOS 20D Shots [Canon]

[Gizmodo]

Recently I cleaned up some of my mail prefs and auto-junk filtering stopped working. If I manually marked a message as Junk, it would go to the Junk box, but messages marked as Junk when downloaded would stay in my Inbox.

... [Mac OS X Hints]

ummmmmm.......where can I order mine? This is a must have for citizens of Miami!!!

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Barrett's prototype XM109 packs no-fuss, some-muss light armor penetration into a convenient point-and-shoot form factor that makes lofting 25mm sniper rounds downrange a relative walk in the park for today's workaday infantryman. Going into testing this month, the XM109 uses the computerized sighting-system "BORS" (Barrett Optical Ranging Sighting System) to automatically compensates for changes in air pressure, temperature, and the angle of the weapon towards the target, "taking all the sweat-math work out of first-round shots." Dial in the distance and take your shot - that armored vehicle should go down in the first round.

The XM109 can hold up to five of the 25mm rounds - derived from the dual-purpose (metal and meat) rounds used in the AH-64 Apache helicopter - and can penetrate up to 50 millimeters of armored plating, such as the stuff that protects many of aging SCUD missile launchers.

If given the green light by the armed forces, expect future production versions to incorporate a range-finder, night-vision capability, and sound suppression. (Thanks, Mikegre, you punk.)

Read - WEAPONS OF THE WORLD: The 25mm Sniper Rifle [StrategyPage]

[Gizmodo]

Pioneer has announce the DVJ-X1, the first (to my knowledge) DVD-based turntable for real-time video mixing straight from source discs. It's got all the normal tomfoolery you'd expect from a digital turntable, like no-tempo-loss reversals, Hot Cues (instantly recall up to three points on the disc), and Emergency Loop functions for when you drop the biscuit and need a quick 4 beat loop. Plus you can save all your wave data and cue and loop points to an SD card and recall your set later. Looks rather hot - expect to see it in an audio retailer near you real quick like.

Be sure to check out the Video Demo, too; it looks like a blast to play with. (Thanks, Chris!)

Read - Product Page (Flash) [PioneerProDJ]

[Gizmodo]

Daaaaaaaaaaaamn! Wowsa. Sick is all I can say....

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Phew ... need to calm down a bit here. Anyway, normally we don't really link to sites that aren't finished, but I'll make an exception for the online presence of Billy Bussey. It really is an insanely smooth 3D flash experience. [KALIBER10000]

I couldn't have said it better myself!

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So ... Real Networks, makers of the crappiest, buggiest, most non-user friendly software known to man, have just launched the Freedom of Music Choice site to spread the word about their Harmony "DRM translation software".

In short, this software allows people to buy DRM-protected music from the Real music store (which also sucks) and play it on iPods. Why anyone would do this instead of buying the music from the nicely-made iTunes music store (or ripping the cds themselves sans DRM) is beyond me, but that's not the point here.

Now ... if this was any other company than Real, this plea might not fall on completely deaf ears here in the Kaliber camp, but, jesus, we're talking about a company that did one cool thing in the mid 90s (video streaming on a modem), and has since then done nothing but try to make their users' lives as miserable as possible.

A company that for years has tried to block all development of players that can access their own RM files, yet, when Apple does the same, suddenly shouts foul & pretends to be the consumer advocate. Holy smokin' hypocrisy, Batman

And just to make matters even worse, the cornerstone of their PR blitzkrieg is the word "choice" (hence the long & unfriendly website title) - YET their bloody Harmony software & music store only runs under Windows.

Fuck you, 'Rock o-n Rob' Glaser - I hope Apple sues your piece-of-shit company out of existence. Update: John Welch says it better. "The only place Real supports openness is the end of its foot. It'll use open standards to get that foot in your door. Then it's a couple roophies in your coffee, and you wake up feeling dirty, and with a $100K PO on it's way to Rob Glaser." [KALIBER10000]

How to use an iPod as a bootable drive

This week’s How to from Engadget is a handy one for the Mac folks out there who want to run multiple operating systems, but not install them to their hard drive, all using an iPod as a bootable FireWire drive. They also cover ways to simply back up your home directory (or anything else to your iPod) which can be handy too, and even used in conjunction with this how-to. Still no word on where Apple's "Home on iPod" is. [MacMegasite]

Netscape 7.2 is the latest version of the next-generation Web browser, mail, and IM application... [MacMinute]

Apple has applied for two more patents, one for a zoom controller, and one for backlit keyboards. These... [The Mac Observer]

A selection of recent comments from the first 333 signatures on the "Hey Apple, Don't Break My iPod!" petition to Apple Computer to which RealNetworks has linked on their so-called "Freedom of Music Choice" website:

Dear Apple, Your company has long stood for innovation and open competition. Wasn't it Apple that ran the famous Super Bowl ad encouraging consumers like us to stand up for our right to make our own choices? We're asking that you do the same now and... [MacDailyNews]

Did you know that you can use speech to activate Exposé in Windows, Apps, and Desktop modes? You can even use speech to switch to Applications in Exposé for "all windows" and "Application windows" mode. Disable the Exposé ac... [Mac OS X Hints]

[Creative Bits]

Ohhh, this is classic. Apparently Gateway hasn't been inside a CUSA lately. This will probably LOWER their sales!

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After shutting down its own retail stories, Gateway continues to look for ways to expand the number of outlets selling Gateway-branded products. [eWEEK Technology News]

iSights have been missing from action as a new model readies for shipment in September, while discontinued AirPort cards are making some people a small fortune and others frustrated. [Think Secret]

whoa! can we say DESPERATION? That burn-rate eating up your corporate funding Real? Shucks....guess your plan to overthrow the iPod really failed miserably huh? So this is how you plan to win the race?

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Company launches 49-cent song downloads, marketing campaign aimed at music consumers'"choice." [CNET News.com]

This just goes to prove my theory: Practical life experience is worth it's weight in gold when compared to the "theory" that you are taught in school by those who have never done it for themselves in the real world. Give me someone who's "been there, done that" over a snot-nosed paper carrying jockey anyday.

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About 40 percent of U.S. workers in computer and math science have just a high school diploma or associate degree. [CNET News.com]

"Prudential Equity Group said the availability of chips for Apple Computer could be 'worse than anticipated' due to manufacturing delays from IBM. 'Following a series of recent checks on Apple, we believe that availability of the company's 1.8 GHz and 2.0 GHz G5 processors may be worse than initially anticipated,' it said. 'Apple had previously stated that it expected to have shortages of its 1.8 GHz and 2.0 GHz processors through July, with supply catching up in August. We now... [MacDailyNews]

An internal Apple customer service document details the guidelines used by the company to determine ... [AppleInsider]

Thursby Software has released ADmitMac 2.0, a new version of its software for integrating Macs into an Active Directory Network... [MacMinute]

Japanese Lego-equivalent Kubrick has released a neato iPod holder that's shaped just like one of its smooth-sided mini-figures, dubbed the iKub. Retailer HMV will be selling it in November for ¥5,000 (around $45).

Read - iPod Robot [RandomURL]

Related
Lego Volvo [Gizmodo]

[Gizmodo]

So how about that new iMac, huh? There has been plenty of talk around Internet about the new machine - set to be announced August 31 at the Apple Expo in Paris, according to most rumors - including this speculative design by fantasy Mac render man Isamu Sanada. All signs are pointing to a pizza box-style unit, like the Sony VAIO W700G all-in-one unit, but thought differently, natch. Sometimes-useful Mac rumor site Think Secret has a long list of specs, including information that the new G5-powered units will come in 17- and 20-inch flavors, with the entry-level "Education" model coming in at $1,300 and without optical drive (so those pesky kids can't steal music or install software, sources say). It all looks sort of interesting, I suppose, but in my heart of hearts I wish that the new iMac were just a plain white box, sans monitor, that could bring the power of G5 into homes and schools for $1,000 a pop. I know this isn't going to happen, but I can dream.

More details and links, including an Apple "colored chameleon case" patent application, after the jump.

[Gizmodo]

Michael Angeles has posted a great read on How to apply for IA jobs. I highly recommend you read this if you are applying to any IA job. I suppose now would be good time to mention that ZAAZ is hiring an additional Information Architect. It would be good if canidates had a history of working as an IA in their previous jobs (we're not in the habbit of hiring designers for IA roles). Memberships to places like AIfIA don't hurt either. [Digital Web Magazine - What's New]

I got my new 4G iPod yesterday and immediately tried to get my mail into the notes folder. So I looked around the net and found the Mail to ipod script [use Safari to view nicely formatted source] from From Concentrate Softwa... [Mac OS X Hints]

I like Phil. Should be an interesting Keynote with him at the helm. Rock on Phil...

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Philip W. Schiller, Apple's Senior Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing, will present the keynote address at Apple Expo Paris later this month... [MacMinute]

Macromedia today starting shipping Contribute 3, its software for letting everyone in an organizatio... [MacNN]

Ummmm,yeah - gimme a lotto quick pick, a large slurpie and an iPod - TO GO! :-P

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Apple plans to open a flagship retail store in downtown Taipei as well as two franchised stores in t... [MacNN]

A recently uncovered Apple filing for a European design trademark may provide a tantalizing glimpse ... [AppleInsider]

"Microsoft made noises about security in Service Pack 1, and with Windows XP when it was first released several years ago. The promises have had a hollow sound, in part because ever since those products were released, Microsoft has been issuing one 'critical update' after another, plugging this security hole and that security hole," Dan Gillmor writes for The Mercury News. "But there's no question that the company with an operating-system monopoly is finally confronting... [MacDailyNews]

"This month, Sony's belated response to Apple's mini-miraculous portable audio player arrives in stores, priced at a premium of one-third over the comparable Apple iPod. We went to Sony Style on Madison Avenue, where the device called NW-HD1 had already landed, the sales tag at $399," Stephen Williams writes for New York Newsday.

Williams writes, "'How's it compare to the iPod?' I asked a salesman. 'Battery life is a lot longer, up to 30 hours,' he said. 'The LCD readout... [MacDailyNews]

Ohhh man, I sure hope this thing works! I am just OVER all this spam lately.

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JunkMatcher 1.19 - A cocktail-styled spam filter add-on for Mail.app. [MacUpdate - Mac OS X]

"If you don't nail it the first time, keep fine-tuning and you'll eventually get the formula just right," Chris Cobbs writes for The Orlando Sentinel. "Examples: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers -- the sequel was a bigger hit with critics and at the box office. Super Bowl III -- Joe Namath guaranteed a New York Jets win, and pro football's biggest game has never been the same. And now, the fourth-generation iPod -- a click wheel and longer-lasting battery have fixed... [MacDailyNews]

This program is WICKED cool. I am drooling and foaming at the mouth waiting to get my hands on this. This will definitely change the way a lot of people are modeling 3D. modo

Apple filed a patent application for an "Active enclosure for computing device." Apparently... [The Mac Observer]

"You have a finite amount of time in a 24-hour day. Daily life is about making constant tradeoffs of your time and money as you choose what you want to accomplish. How you make those decisions, based on your resources and your desires, determines your overall productivity. Time is still valuable for college students in terms of studying, having a part-time job, attending classes, doing independent development, or attending to other recreational pursuits," Julie Starr writes... [MacDailyNews]

[Creative Bits]

More wireless tablet than PDA, we'd say [The Register]

Avid Technology Inc. on Friday announced plans to acquire Midiman Inc., doing business as M-Audio. The deal is valued at US$80 million in cash plus two million shares of Avid common stock and the assumption of all outstanding M-Audio stock options, worth approximately another 325,000 shares of Avid stock. [MacCentral]

The folks at Inside Mac Radio have posted a photo gallery from SIGGRAPH 2004 - the 31st Annual International Conference & Exhibition On Computer Graphics, taking place in Los Angeles this week... [MacMinute]

Think Secret Exclusive The soon-to-be-announced, re-designed iMac will be available in two 17-inch models with a 1.6GHz G5 processor and two 20-inch models with a 1.8GHz G5 processor housed in an all-in-one body; reliable sources have provided Think Secret with incontrovertible evidence of the new iMac specifications... [Think Secret]

Here's a nifty idea. Get rid of your local phone service, and make calls worldwide for free, using that broadband connection. That's the goal of Michael Robertson's SIPphone. We looked at an early version, which featured bulky phones, but the newest adapter is much better. Plug any old POTS phone into one end, and your broadband into the other, and voila! Free calls. Our review details how it works, how much the hardware costs, and a nifty new wrinkle--free! Ziff Davis

Not good. I have high hopes for Vonage and I am hoping they can make a good run at this. We need alternatives to the Baby Bells and this one so far looks the best. Hang in there Vonage!

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Another outage hits user favorite. Users in our VoIP forum are discussing yet another widespread Vonage outage; the third in just a few weeks. The string of outages - and the subsequent finger pointing that have followed - have many wondering what's up with the VoIP industry favorit.. [Broadbandreports]

A new consortium known as WWiSE (WorldWide Spectrum Efficiency) comprised of companies including Texas Instruments Inc., STMicroelectronics and Broadcom Corp. is proposing a new wireless networking standard expected to increase current short range wireless speeds by a factor of ten. The proposal is based upon the 802.11n standard and will be backwards compatible with 802.11b (AirPort) and 802.11g (AirPort Extreme). The group's proposed version of the standard would peak at a speed of 540 Mbps, requiring using a larger communications channel for the signal than most jurisdictions allow. Using the more standard channel size, their 802.11n proposal would peak at 135 Mbps. The WWiSE group plans to license any patents related to the new standard royalty-free. [MacSlash]

With a large presence at SIGGRAPH 2004, Apple is clearly making inroads into the digital film editing... [The Mac Observer]

Packard Hell is still in existence? What a hoot. To call this nasty thing an iPod mini clone is an insult. The idea is ok (I like the FM tuner and ability to record a show to MP3), but they got the design all wrong. Oh well...

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5GB capacity, credit-card size [The Register]

Save your money folks. This is another desperate attempt by Iomega to save their company. I really used to love their products, but it just doesn't make any sense any more. Zip Drive - too small capacity, too expensive. Does anyone remember the click of death? How about those Jaz drives? Wicked cool back in the day, if you like paying $100 for 1GB of storage. With DVD's costing less than a buck these days & CD's at mere pennies, who can justify the cost of these cartridge type products anymore? Certainly not me. With a CD/DVD I can drop off my work and not worry about getting the disc back, or the service bureau not having the same drive. Maybe Iomega can get into the music biz...apparently it is lucrative enough that Roxio dumped their only profitable division in exchange for hopes of success in the online music world. HA! Idiots....

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[Graphics.com]

For the love of God, will somebody please bitch slap the next company that uses the legal system as a way to extort monies as thier last ditch effort because they ran their shitty company into the ground? Whew...that was a mouthful. This is just a waste of time, resources and tax payer money. It needs to stop - NOW.

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deman1985 writes "Forbes reports that Forgent Networks, Inc., developer of scheduling software and holder of a number of technology patents, has settled with both Adobe and Sony for JPEG patent infringement and is going after numerous others to collect their fair share of royalties. The company also plans to go after PVR companies, including TiVo Inc, and MP3 player makers for other various patents they claim to hold. Sounds like more fun in the courts for everyone!" We previously reported on Forgent's JPEG patent shenanigans back in April. [Slashdot]

[Creative Bits]

"The Apple iPod still has the easiest interface to use and is still the most stylish player. The price is friendlier, and the player is a millimeter thinner than previous iPods—all welcome improvements that (again) make it the player to beat. Cons: Still no onboard FM or recording," Bill Machrone writes for PC Magazine, giving Apple's new iPod 4G lineup 4.5 out of a possible 5 and awarding the line PC Magazine's Editor's Choice.

"The new iPod comes in 20GB and 40GB... [MacDailyNews]

daviddennis writes "So what's it really like to use Apple's much-heralded Motion compositing app? [buy it] The world wants to know, and so the Creative Cow's Peter Wiggins tells us. An outstanding review of one of the most amazing software packages I've ever seen. Check it out!" [MacSlash]

Geee...and this comes as a surprise to anyone? Corporate America is blinded by the almighty dollar and hasn't quite figured out the consequences of outsourcing American jobs to foreign countries. We will soon find ourselves without enough skilled and talented workers in the IT field, here in America. Then what will we do? Outsource our National Security? When will the government wake up and put a stop to this outsourcing trend? Oh yeah, that's right. I forgot, we have complete morons in office right now! Maybe the rest of America will wake up and vote for someone who will do this country good.

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With the tech job market weak, undergrad enrollments in computer science departments keep dropping. [CNET News.com]

Now I have seen some crazy shit in my life, but this is just FOUL. How can someone let this happen to a family member? Better yet, how can someone let this happen to themselves! Only in America. I wonder how many Big Mac's this lady ate in her lifetime...wftv.com ���

Jon Lech Johnasen, author of DeCSS, has discovered the public key that the AirPort Express uses to a... [MacNN]

According to sources privy to pre-release builds of Apple's Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger" operating system, ... [AppleInsider]

"A recently announced deal between Apple and Duke University to give the school's 1,650 incoming freshmen an iPod aims to test the trendy techno-gadget's ability to evolve into something more than a digital music player," C. Spencer Beggs reports for Fox News.

"'It's just a one-year initiative right now, but I think we're approaching it in a truly unique and experimental way to see [in] what ways we can expand and use the technology,' said Lynne O'Brien, director of the... [MacDailyNews]

Maxon Computer has introduced Cinema 4D Release 9. The upgrade to the company's 3D animation tool adds over 100 new functions and features, including a Heads-Up Display (HUD) that displays modifiable information in the editor and renders dynamic highlights in preview mode before they're executed, an enhanced MOCCA module that offers more realistic cloth simulations, a re-engineered modeling core with full N-Gon support and more. Cinema 4D can also now directly export multi-pass rendering data to discreet's Combustion and Apple's Final Cut Pro. [MacCentral]

About Java 1.4.2
Provides support for JDK 1.4.2_05, improved behavior for applets in Safari, an increased stability for desktop Java applications.

Note: Your OS X computer will be updated to Java 1.4.2 Update 1. If the system currently has Java 1.4.1, it will be removed.
For more details on this update, please visit
www.apple.com/java/ [Mac OS X Downloads]

About DVD Studio Pro
Gives you unprecedented creative control from start to finish. It integrates easily with Final Cut Pro HD, Motion and Adobe Photoshop to streamline your production workflow, and offers a professional toolset that lets you produce exceptional DVDs in record time. [Mac OS X Downloads]

Kenneth Armstrong writes: Today Altec Lansing announced their bizarrely named iMmini (no that's not a typo; I checked 8 times) speakers for iPod mini. It is similar in styling to their InMotion Speakers for iPod, but about 40% smaller.

"We're delighted that Altec Lansing is bringing out another breakthrough accessory with the iMmini to provide a great sound system designed specifically for the incredibly successful iPod mini." said Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice president of Hardware Product Marketing. (The press release doesn't mention what industrial plastics were insufflated before approving the name.)

The iMmini is priced at $129.95 and will be available "late summer" at the Apple online store as well as at their brick-and-mortar stores.

Read - Press Release [BusinessWire]

[Gizmodo]

Apple has released iSync 1.5, an update to the company's synchronization technology for Macs. iSync 1.5's... [The Mac Observer]

Originally, Apple's system migration ("transfer data") feature was only available on the June 2004 PowerMac G5s. However, the function is now appearing on some newly purchased PowerBook G4s and possibly other models.

One MacFixIt reader writes: "I just walked into the house with a new G4 15' Powerbook, and have finished moving info from my old Powerbook via the migration feature (I thought this migration feature was only for G5 Desktops) but it was there when I powered up the G4 today. I just connected the FireWire cable and followed instructions, it worked perfectly."

As noted in Apple Knowledge article #25773 "[...] this version (System Migration) of Setup Assistant only works with the computer it came with. However, you can copy data from a dizzying array of older computers if they have a FireWire port and Mac OS X 10.1 or later. Make sure the older computer's firmware is up-to-date."

This article, however, still references the June 2004 PowerMac G5 as the only system to sport this feature.

If you have found the System Migration function working on a system other than the June 2004 PowerMac G5, please drop us a line at late-breakers@macfixit.com.

[MacFixIt]

"Can all of Apple Computer's survey success be chalked up to fanatical users? Once again, the company turns in a top-notch performance. Apple has enough responses to qualify for the desktop and notebook categories, and it receives the best "overall rating" score in both: 8.8 in desktops, significantly better than the industry average of 7.8, and 9.0 for notebooks, also significantly better than the 8.0 average. These scores qualify as excellent on our 1-to-10 scale, earning... [MacDailyNews]

Maya Unlimited software for Mac OS X is now shipping from Alias... [MacMinute]

Get your kicks with QuickTime 6.6. [Insanely Great Mac]

VA Tech's Xserve-powered super cluster has been upgraded, ready for benchmarking [Insanely Great Mac]

Apple has begun shipping Motion, which delivers high-performance, real-time motion graphics design and integration with Final Cut Pro HD and DVD Studio Pro 3, at a breakthrough price of $299. [Aug 10] [Apple Hot News]

Production Suite, essential software suite for film and video that delivers real-time production tools in one comprehensive and integrated package, combines Final Cut Pro HD, Motion and DVD Studio Pro 3. Production Suite is available now for a suggested retail price of $1,299. [Aug 10] [Apple Hot News]

iPod Garage let us know that they will be hosting the first-ever iPod Garage Party on South Beach in Miami September 1st... [MacMinute]

Ohh man. This has to go down in history as one of the most stupid moves in corporate America.

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Software company sells old business for $80 million and stakes future on digital music. [CNET News.com]

Salling Software today released Salling's Remote Basics 1.0, a set of free remote controls for popular Mac applications that work with Sony Ericsson's K700 and upcoming S700 models... [MacMinute]

Apple Computer this afternoon released Mac OS X 10.3.5, a system upgrade to Mac OS X "Panther" tha... [AppleInsider]

This is ludicrous. If we allow corporations to dictate where we can work AFTER we quit, then we have a huge problem here Houston. Although these types of clauses are common these days, they are NOT enforceable in most states. What does Seagate expect this man to do for a living? The easy solution: give the man a severance package worth 3 years if they want him to stay at home. That gives him his 2 years and another extra year just in case he hasn't found work and for the inconvenience. Besides, if he didn't sign a contract agreeing to those terms, I don't see any way Seagate has a case. They should have thought about this before the guy became unhappy and left. What would they do if this guy wanted to start his own hard drive company? It's called FREE ENTERPRISE people. It is our God given American right to create a competitive marketplace to avoid monopolies. Lesson to be learned for corporate America: Keep your people happy and treat them with respect. The people are you most valuable asset - treat them as such and they will return the courtesy.

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Hard drive maker Seagate Technology LLC is seeking a court injunction to prevent a former employee, Pete Goglia, from going to work for Western Digital Corp., saying Goglia knows too much about Seagate's hard-drive reading and writing technology to work for a competitor. [MacCentral]

Talking Panda sets a new standard for language translation software. Designed for the iPod, it’s stocked with over three hundred essential words and phrases of the language you want to speak, organized for instant access. Download and install the program right now and begin your adventure abroad. Virtual fluency available in French, Spanish, and Japanese for $10 per language.

Conventional phrase books and dictionaries can’t teach you pronunciation. But with Talking Panda you can replay... [MacDailyNews]

The mothership has posted an online utility for calculating how more productive you'd be with new iron on your desk [Insanely Great Mac]

"Open vs. closed - it's one of the oldest battles in the technology industry. [A] good example is Apple with its iPod music player and iTunes digital music software. Steve Jobs has brilliantly crafted a closed system that is uniquely effective on both ends - the software infrastructure and the portable hardware that enables users to carry music with them," David Kirkpatrick writes for Fortune.

"Other companies want to fight their way into this environment, which has proven... [MacDailyNews]

Exclusive - Apple Computer claims its retail operation is the fastest in history to reach $1 billion... [AppleInsider]

Apple Computer has finally begun shipping its new dual 2.5 GHz liquid-cooled Power Mac G5s to some c... [AppleInsider]

"Apple Computer Corp. agreed Friday to a revised deal that will place laptop computers in roughly one-third of Maine's public high schools this fall, Education Commissioner Susan Gendron said. 'I'm absolutely delighted,' said Gendron, who had been working with Apple officials to salvage the program after her department failed to sign up enough schools to account for 8,400 laptops," The Associated Press reports.

AP reports, "Apple agreed to lower its minimum... [MacDailyNews]

Review It's the midrange flagship. How does it sail? [The Register]

Wired News has a story about the BlueSniper rifle, a yagi-antenna and scope affixed to a gun-like stock that this week broke a distance record for BlueSnarfing (pulling up phone book and text message information from insecure Bluetooth-enabled phones) by slurping data from a Nokia 3610i from 1.1 miles away. There's more to the article than just the BlueSniper, too, including other hacks like Bluebug, an exploit that allows someone to silently instruct your phone to make a call to another phone, thus allowing someone to eavesdrop on your conversations with your own phone.

Read - Security Cavities Ail Bluetooth [Wired]

[Gizmodo]

PC Magazine has published a positive review of Apple's DVD Studio Pro 3... [MacMinute]

Time for a revolution in Louisiana. We need to take the gloves off and fight dirty with the corrupt bastards in that state...

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An anonymous reader writes "According to a story in yesterday's New Orleans paper, the Louisiana Radio and Television Technicians Board has sent letters to computer techs demanding fees to license them as radio and TV repairmen. Apparently, as computers drive more home theater applications, the board is trying to classify them as 'playback and recording device equipment,' which the law gives the board power to regulate. It looks more like a money grab, though, since no test is required, just $55 and an affidavit." It seems to me the better question is not whether computers can be defined in many circumstances as playback and recording equipment (hard to get around), but whether this kind of forced classification makes sense in the first place. Disingenuous quote of the day: "We're not trying to swing our arm around a whole bunch of people to get new revenue." [Slashdot]

In yet another article about Apple this week, BusinessWeek says that Apple is "climbing the ivory...

The Mac Observer Spin: It's interesting to note that Apple is doing very well in those markets where it competes, even if most... [The Mac Observer]

"When teachers at Hays High School tell their students to open their books this school year, there's a chance they won't be referring to a textbook," The Dodge City Daily Globe reports. "Students who showed up for enrollment this week at the western Kansas school -- about 1,000 of them in all -- walked away with a new Apple iBook laptop computer thanks to a school board initiative passed earlier this year.""The laptops were issued during enrollment to give... [MacDailyNews]

"CEO Steven P. Jobs and his troops have clearly been on a college roll. In each of the past three quarters, Apple has posted 40% increases in year-over-year sales for this segment," Alex Salkever writes for BusinessWeek. "During the first half of its current fiscal year, Apple posted an 18% bump in year-over-year education sales. And most of that has come from higher education, since the K-12 market has remained almost flat for Apple. Clearly the Mac is climbing the... [MacDailyNews]

By Larry Angell - Apple filed its quarterly report (SEC form 10-Q) with the Securities and Exchange Commission Thursday... [MacMinute]

"In a recent survey of likely home PC buyers by the Technometrica Institute of Policy and Politics, 8 percent of respondents said they intended to buy an Apple. That's second only to Dell -- and up from 5 percent in May, says tech analyst Constantine Kambanis. 'For Apple, that's very good. People have known about Apple, but they're looking at it again for the first time in a long time,'" Peter Burrows writes for MacNewsWorld. "For years, Apple has argued that the iPod and... [MacDailyNews]

Apple is gaining ground in the higher education market as notebook sales to universities soared by 3... [MacNN]

Although public policy isn't really our niche, there are occasional bits of regulation that are notable for the future products they herald, like the approval yesterday by the FCC of a plan by TiVo to allow sharing of recorded content to up to 10 other users via a new service called TiVoToGo. The first implementations will probably be local network -- sending to other TiVos and PCs around your house -- but there's certainly the possibility that sharing over the internet could be implemented, as well.

Unless the approval gets shut down by the numerous groups protesting the approval -- something not as likely as I at first thought, as at least nine other DRM-encumbered sharing schemes were approved in addition to TiVos, creating sort of an insta-lobby -- we probably won't pay this too much mind until products using the TiVoToGo service are implemented. But we thought you might at least like to know it's coming.

Read - TiVo gets FCC approval for video sharing [ArsTechnica]
Read - Original TiVoToGo Press Release [Tivo]
Read - TiVo Wins Nod for Users to Share Digital Shows [ReutersUK]

[Gizmodo]

[Creative Bits]

IBM has posted an extensive technical article on running Linux on a Power Mac G5... [MacMinute]

Brings out satellite service discounts. Though they announced the partnership last summer, BellSouth only today took the wraps off of their deal with DirecTV. The telco says they'll be offering customers $2, $5 or $10 off of DirecTV service if they bundle it with BellSouth DSL and phone s.. [Broadbandreports]

The software company, which had argued that movie fans have a right to back up their DVDs, couldn't afford to fight the deep pockets of the Hollywood studios. By Katie Dean. [Wired News: DAT's Entertainment]

"It's a good idea to add the Microsoft update site to your list of maintenance sites you check every week or so, along with your anti-virus sites, your ad-aware definitions and your spyware definitions," James Derk writes for Redding.com's Science and Technology section.

"Is anyone else upset about all of this? How often do I have to patch the operating system for my cell phone, my telephone, my PDA, my car or any other numbers of electronic devices I have in my house?... [MacDailyNews]

BusinessWeek has published a piece by Alex Salkever that offers an overview of the many things Apple...

The Mac Observer Spin: Contrasting this piece with yesterday's CNN article, we think Mr. Salkever's overview of Apple is the... [The Mac Observer]

Apple's iMovie can be used to strip the FairPlay digital rights management protection (DRM) on iTune... [MacNN]

"Vijay Sonty loves Apple Computer laptops. The chief information officer of the Broward County Public School District, the nation's fifth-largest with 270,000 students, just ordered 4,500 laptops for the upcoming school year. His purchase is part of an ongoing initiative geared to eventually give every high school student a notebook computer. That's an extension of his strategy to put more Apples into classrooms. The district's computers are 70% Apple and 30% Dell, but Sonty wants to... [MacDailyNews]

iCompositions, the World's Largest GarageBand Community, today announced that every registered user will receive an unprecedented 1 Gigabyte of free space to upload their GarageBand compositions. iCompositions users who have purchased the "Super Star" account upgrade will receive a jaw-dropping 3 Gigabytes of space to upload their compositions.

In addition, iCompositions announced the launch of the largest online GarageBand Contest in history with prize values totaling more than $2500. Entitled "iCompose, iWin", artists will participate in seven contests with chances to win prizes including a 40GB fourth generation iPod, two USB keyboards, Jam Pack, loops, GarageBand tutorials, and GarageBand books. iCompositions has set up a special website, iComposeiWin.com, to provide all specific details on the contest. Winners of contests ranging from Best Overall Song to Favorite Member will be selected by member nominations and polls. The contest begins today and ends August 27th.

iCompositions also announced iComposers.com, a system for its users to build their own template-based website. iComposers will be available next week with one free template. In the future, users will be able to purchase additional templates for $2.99. [MacMegasite]

Apple CEO Steve Jobs has had successful surgery for a rare form of pancreatic cancer... [MacMinute]

This is just friggin great. Our national transportation infrastructure gets taken down by a computer glitch? Lemme guess, it was being run on a Windows based system. Lovely. Just lovely.

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An anonymous reader writes "According to numerous news sources, all American Airlines and US Airways flights were grounded for two or three hours this morning. Both problems were caused by a computer glitch in the systems hosted by EDS. Quote: The operating system that drives the airline's flight plans went down." [Slashdot]

This is just ludicrous. Another fine example of why we need to eradicate these old geezers and technophobe politicians from Congress. I vote for a new law that puts an age cap of 50 on any and all politicians. Those over 50 can serve as advisors. We need some fresh new blood in Congress that understands technology and how it can help and IMPROVE our lives, not hinder it.

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Strudelkugel writes "The Washington Post has a truly Kafka-esque article regarding TiVo, the broadcast flag, the NFL and limited file sharing. "TiVo, the company that makes the digital-video-recorder boxes that inspire such strange idolatry among their users, is in a weird spot. It's asking the Federal Communications Commission for permission to add a new feature -- the option for a TiVo user to send recorded digital TV programs via the Internet to nine other people." Just wait until your read the rest of the story..." This one is actually really worth a read to see just how bizarrely corrupt this all is. Enjoy. [Slashdot]

The speeches held at the Democratic Convention in Boston this week are finding their way onto the iTunes Music Store. The first two days worth of speeches are available here: link

Update: iTMS added speeches from the 3rd day along with major speeches in standalone form. Same link as above ... [iPodhead.com]

Many iPod users have seen "iPod Your BMW" television ads, which advertise the ability to connect your iPod or iPod mini to the stereo included with several late-model BMW vehicles. That's not the only way to directly connect an iPod to a car stereo, however, and one of the most hotly anticipated solutions is coming this September from aftermarket car audio manufacturer Alpine, the same company that designed and manufactured BMW's solution. The KCA-420i is a new interface box designed to work with Alpine car stereos that include "Ai-Net" command capabilities, and the solution actually offers more functionality than BMW's offering, including the ability to view artist, album and track information. [MacCentral]

Earlier this week Apple and Motorola announced the development of a version of Apple's popular iTunes music player software created to run on Motorola cell phones. The software -- expected to make its debut as standard issue on new Motorola mobile handsets planned for release in the first half of 2005 -- will allow Mac and PC users to send music, including songs purchased on the iTunes Music Store, to Bluetooth and USB-equipped mobile handsets. Apple CEO Steve Jobs spoke during the announcement. Now Motorola has posted the video online, in MPEG format. [MacCentral]