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Kindle 2 Gets a Price Drop

According to an e-mail I received last night from Amazon, the new 6" Amazon Kindle 2 has just come down in price to just $299! Now, it's the same cost as the Sony line of e-readers when they first hit the streets. Most likely, this price drop was done to make way for the new Kindle DX shipping soon. Whatever the reason, now is a great time to get one.

The lightweight and sleek device is as thin as a typical magazine and holds over 1,500 books. It's e-ink display reads like real paper and produces clear images. 3G wireless connectivity gives you access to books, magazines, newspapers, and blogs. To learn more, http://www.thisweekinedtech.com is publishing a review of the Kindle 2 and discussing its implications for education soon.

iLife updates

Apple released several iLife-related updates late yesterday:

• iLife Support 9.0.3 "addresses general compatibility issues, improves overall stability for the Media Browser, and fixes a number of other minor issues."
• iPhoto 8.0.3 Update "addresses general compatibility, improves overall stability" and fixes issues in publishing to MobileMe, Facebook, and Flickr, slideshow playback, GPS information embedded in emailed photos and exported JPEGs.
• iMovie 8.0.3 "addresses general compatibility issues, improves overall stability," and fixes issues with support for 720p AVCHD Lite cameras and camcorders.
• iDVD 7.0.4 "addresses general compatibility issues and fixes an issue where iDVD is unable to add title/comment to an image in the image details list."
• Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 2.6 extends RAW image compatibility for Aperture 2, iPhoto 08, and iPhoto 09 for the Canon EOS 500D, Canon Rebel T1i, Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3, Nikon D5000, and Olympus E-30.

iWork '09 update

Apple on Thursday released an update to its iWork '09 document, spreadsheet, and presentation suite.
The release notes report that iWork 9.0.2 improves reliability when saving some iWork documents, and also when playing some presentations more than once during a single Keynote session. 

Apple recommends the update for all iWork '09 users. 

You can download it from Apple's Support Downloads Web page, or using the Software Update feature in OS X.

The $79 iWork '09 includes the latest versions of Pages, Numbers, and Keynote.

Apple MacBook Pro Firmware Update

Apple released an SMC firmware update on Thursday that adjusts fan behavior of 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pro models when running under high workloads conditions. (The company didn't specificy which 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pros the update is intended for).
MacBook Pro SMC Firmware Update 1.3 is available for download from Apple. As with other firmware updates, running the downloaded installer places an updater application in the /Application/Utilities folder. Apple has a support page calledAbout the SMC Firmware Updates with more information about the installation process.

Apple (quietly) Updates the MacBook

2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

2GB DDR2 RAM

160GB Hard Drive

NVIDIA GeForce 9400m Graphics

Standard Keyboard

Polycarbonate Shell

Still priced at just $999.00, it is just in time for Father's Day, Graduation & back to school. Visit your local Apple Dealer for more information.

DLO Jam Jacket Mod for 3G

I feel bad for case makers. No sooner than a new model hits the shelves, they have to liquidate their stock pile of old, soon-to-be outdated and worthless cases. Well, I decided to help out one case maker: Digital Lifestyle Outfitters (DLO) and bought their Jam Jacket. But there was a problem...

As soon as I put the case on, I got a phone call, and when I put the phone to my face, my cheek hung up on my sister-in-law. I realized that the rubber must be covering the proximity sensor of the iPhone.  This sensor is supposed to be exposed so it can turn off the screen as it senses you put the phone to your face. Apparently this case was designed for the iPhone (first generation), which explained why the slit for the sensor was right above the earpiece. As many of you know, the sensors were moved to the left of the earpiece for the iPhone 3G, so I made a little modification. After all, what a deal...I bought this case for $6.99 at TJ Maxx! This cost $25 brand new. I wasn't about to let a little thing like "proximity" or "ambient light" sensor ruin my joy of finding such an incredible bargain.  

I borrowed a hole punch, and made three little punches where the sensors are. (I had to look up a diagram for the precise location, then mark the spot with a pencil before I committed to each punch). But now, the case works like a charm. It's not the prettiest case, but every time I look at it, I revel in the glory of  almost $20 in savings. And now, my cheek won't hang up on anyone.