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>> Postings for March 2008

Where's the desktop love?

Mon, 31 Mar 2008

I’ve been using a 2.3GHz dual-processor Power Mac G5 as my primary computer at home for the past three years (I also have a first-generation MacBook and a Core Duo Mac mini acting as a server, so I’m not a PowerPC-worshiper by any stretch of the imagination).

And that Power Mac is a bit long in the tooth - in addition to strangely refusing to launch Final Cut Pro or Express, often taking forever to start up, randomly rebuilding parts of my Spotlight database, and a host of other annoying challenges to my productivity (and sanity).

Jonathan Seff | Read more...


Another competitor for the Apple TV

Mon, 31 Mar 2008

Almost a year ago I recommended owners of an Xbox 360 to immediately download a copy of Connect 360, a program that enabled you to stream your media (audio, video and photographs) to your Xbox 360.

The weak link in this equation was the Xbox 360 though. Now, before the PC-brigade jumps on me for being anti-Microsoft, I'll quickly point out that I think the Xbox 360 is the best gaming console on the market. But as a media set-top box it sadly leaves a lot to be desired: the fan is too noisy, the menu system is cumbersome; Microsoft unfortunately backed HD-DVD as via an external drive; and the implementation of Media Center Extender is really only of interest to PC users; and even then it's decidedly ropey.

Mark Hattersley | Read more...


The 10 best April Fools' Day tech hoaxes

Mon, 31 Mar 2008

What is it about April Fools' Day jokes that we love so much? Perhaps it's that, in the midst of the crushing influx of information that many of us cope with daily, a well-constructed prank provides a welcome break. For a moment, we smile, even when the joke is a tried-and-true chestnut.

Google has a strong tradition of sublime hilarity each April 1. Last year, the company announced two faux products designed to elicit a chuckle from unsuspecting (and suspecting) readers: Gmail Paper (6GB of messages, rendered as hard copy) and Google TiSP, a plumbing-based Internet Service Provider dedicated to harnessing the underutilised potential of the world's 'dark porcelain'.

Scott Spanbauer | Read more...


Loving the MacBook Air

Thu, 20 Mar 2008

I’ve had quite a few computers over the years, but none have intrigued me as much as the MacBook Air. I mean really intrigued me—made me think about how I would use it and if it would really work.

Usually when I get a new computer, I take it out of the box and start setting it up right away. Not with the Air—I took it out of the box, and it sat in a chair beside me for two days as I weighed the pros and cons of moving my files over to the laptop’s slender 80GB hard drive.

Jim Dalrymple | Read more...


Fix 1Password for Safari 3.1

Tue, 18 Mar 2008

Safari 3.1 was released today, and it promises vastly improved speeds. (I did a quick test with a CSS testing app and it went from 16ms to 12ms so it's off to a promising start). However, it breaks one of my favourite programs, 1Password. However, a quick fix has already been found.

First of all close down Safari and 1Password (print this out as a PDF or use another browser to look at this page).

Mark Hattersley | Read more...


What's shareware's role on the iPhone?

Tue, 11 Mar 2008

With Apple’s introduction of an iPhone Software Development Kit (SDK) last week, it seems everyone and their brother is hopping on the iPhone bandwagon or considering the jump. There are still some issues about software distribution to be worked through, however—particularly when it comes to shareware.

Just to recap last week’s happenings, Apple plans a June release for the iPhone 2.0 software, which will include new features and capabilities including an App Store—a way for users to buy and download software for their iPhone. With the possible exception of enterprise users downloading software needed by their companies, this will be the one way for iPhone users to get legitimate software for their system.

Peter Cohen | Read more...


5 questions about iPhone software

Fri, 07 Mar 2008

Some Apple press events are full of surprises. Others are... surprisingly dull. Today's iPhone software event was one of the few that was neither of the above. The news involved a lot of things that were not shocking-in some cases because of leaks in the last few days, and in some cases because they simply made sense. (Even the implementation of Microsoft's ActiveSync on the iPhone is just so darn logical that it felt natural and obvious.)

But in this case, the logical was also exciting. Which is why I came away mostly enthusiastic about the day's news and the future of this platform. Even the most controversial aspect of all this-that Apple wants to be the only distributor of native iPhone apps-seems more good than bad given that the App Store looks to be by far the best software delivery system ever devised for a mobile device. An awful lot of iPhone users are going to want applications of all sorts, and they're going to go to the App Store to get them. If I were a software developer, I'd be champing at the bit to reach 'em that way, not grumbling that I can't sell software directly. (On the other hand, I presume that third-party phone software resellers like Handango are bummed out by the prospect of being denied access to the iPhone ecosystem.

Harry McCraken | Read more...


IT wishes for Apple's iPhone event

Thu, 06 Mar 2008

With Apple's planned iPhone SDK and enterprise announcements less than 24 hours away, it's time to focus on potential IT developments coming out of Thursday's press briefing. While there's been plenty of focus on the promised Software Development Kit likely to get unveiled, few have really focused on the second-half of Apple's planned agenda, the part that promises to delve into "some exciting new enterprise features."

Take Macworld's wish-list for iPhone apps it's a fine list, but it lacks a certain... je ne sais quoi that IT administrators find irresistible. So I thought I'd add my own two cents worth on what I, as an IT administrator would like to see coming out of Cupertino Thursday and who I think will provide it. No, I don't think I'll get all of them. But I'll take batting .500 with a smile.

John C. Welch, Macworld.com | Read more...


Banking on Mac users

Tue, 04 Mar 2008

In April 2007, First Direct realised the hard way that not supporting Mac users wasn’t a wise move. When an update to its security blocked all Mac users using Safari, Mac users denounced the internet company.

Credit where it’s due though, First Direct quickly re-worked its system and announced Safari support in January this year. It even goes as far as to proudly proclaim its Mac credentials on the corporate home page.

Mark Hattersley | Read more...


Taking the iPhone to task

Tue, 04 Mar 2008

Elsewhere on the site, we tried to whet your appetite for this week's iPhone event at Apple headquarters by preparing a wish-list of native iPhone apps we hope to see once developers get their hands on the Software Development Kit Apple is likely to unleash Thursday.

As these sorts of things often do, the article sparked a deluge of comments about programs that we left off the list. “What about a financial program?” “We want iWork!” “How ever will I find a way to keep track of my horse-and-buggy’s mileage?” Everyone's got their personal favourites, it seems.

Dan Moren | Read more...


Charlatans new album available now for free from XFM

Tue, 04 Mar 2008

Legendary UK band, The Charlatans, have released their new album through UK radio station, XFM, making it available in its entirety through the channel’s website.

You Cross My Path is the latest tour de force from the Tim Burgess led ensemble. The band got together to record the album last year having already decided to release the collection for free through the internet.

Jonny Evans | Read more...


Ive talks design

Tue, 04 Mar 2008

Fans of the Apple designer known as Jony Ive may enjoy the chance to take another look at a rare televised interview with the man, designer of the iMac, iPod, and more.

The seven-minute interview between Ive and the BBC is available for playback now through YouTube, and while it’s fairly old (recorded in 2002), it remains an interesting clip to take a look at.

Jonny Evans | Read more...