TechNauseum

Nice button

2009-11-17T14:16:00.001-08:00

Testing

Kindle 2 Gets a Price Drop

2009-07-09T04:53:00.001-07:00

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

2009-06-05T08:19:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-29T13:15:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-29T07:05:00.002-07:00

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

2009-05-28T07:14:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-12T13:10:00.000-07:00

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.

Dust under the glass- iPhone 3G

2009-04-21T00:29:00.000-07:00

Over the past four months, my iPhone 3G had become quite dusty under the glass. According to the Genius at the Apple store, some iPhones have a wider gap between where the glass sits against the edge of the phone than others. This gap allows small particles to travel down into the case and rest between the glass and the screen. Darker images show the dust better than lighter images. Anyway, Apple replaced my iPhone in the smoothest transaction I've ever had. Way to go Apple. Others around the world have reported the same problem. One user writes:

Let me start by saying I think the new iPhone is great.....never had a device I found so hard to put down! My reason for posting is that I have about 5 or 6 tiny specs of dust on the screen under the glass cover. I got my iPhone on launch day and noticed them while unboxing the phone when it was switched off. I wondered if this was normal and have 2 friends who also have new 3G iPhones and looked at there's.....same story....few specs of dust of a similar size and quantity under the glass.

My advice: if you are having the same issue, and the problem annoys you enough, just make an appointment at the Apple Genius bar and see if they swap yours out for a dust-free iPhone!

Will You Buy Your iPhone from Best Buy

2008-08-13T00:07:00.001-07:00

The Star Tribune in Minneapolis, MN is reporting that Apple will begin to sell its newsest handset, iPhone 3G, in Best Buy retail stores September 7, 2008 throughout the country. I wonder if this means you will be able to buy an extended service plan for the iPhone that would cover accidents. That would be nice, though doubtful. Will you buy your iPhone from Best Buy? This seems like one way Apple will get their phone out there for the rest of the world. What retail stores will it show up in next? I'm thinking office supply stores like Staples or Office Depot, but why not anywhere?

Seamless Backups with Leopard

2008-06-05T12:12:00.000-07:00

In OS X Leopard, Apple has added a new feature called 'Time Machine' which automatically backs up the contents of your hard drive to an external drive... every hour on the hour, every day, every week, every month... automagically! No human interaction required (other than to plug in the external hard drive). This will allow a quick restore of your data to your computer when (notice I didn't say IF) your hard drive fails.

If you want to read more about Time Machine, go to: www.apple.com/macosx/features/timemachine.html

And if you have a network running OS 10.4, I strongly encourage you to look at upgrading to OS 10.5 Leopard... just for this feature alone! It's well worth it.

New Safari - for windows too

2007-06-11T12:33:00.000-07:00

At the Apple World Wide Developers Conference this morning Apple announced Safari 3.0beta for both Mac and windows.

Read the Think secret article here
And download it here from Apple.

I installed it on my windows partition via parallels. No hitches, works quickly and has a nice interface... Give it a shot.

Migrating to a new Computer

2007-06-07T10:06:00.000-07:00

Over the years I have performed many migrations to new computers for clients. Lately I have run into a few snags. I will share.
When migrating data from a PPC Mac to an Intel Mac, sometimes PPC versions of the files overwrite the Intel version. This will cause application failures or quirky-ness. Recently I made the move myself, and I think I have a handle on how to do it more effectively.
Let me back up....
My normal order for migrating a client is to (1)setup the new (Intel) computer with an admin account that I can access (in case of future service). Then(2) I would run all the system updates, to make sure it was up to date. Finally(3) I would run the Apple Migration Assistant to move the client data and applications over.
My new order for migrating a client is to (1)setup the new (Intel) computer with an admin account that I can access (in case of future service). Then(2) run the Apple Migration Assistant to move the client data and applications over Finally(3) run all the system updates, to make sure it was up to date. Running the system updates last ensures that the latest system files are installed, and that the prvious oes are updated to run on Intel.
If you are struggling with a corupt migration already, reinstall the original OS using the 'archive and reinstall' (or what I like to call a repave) feature. This will install a clean OS and move the your data in, then you can run the updates.

Want to help others?

MacBook Pro updated!

2007-06-05T07:29:00.001-07:00

A 2.2GHz or 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo. Next generation 802.11n wireless. Upgraded displays. NVIDIA graphics. Now available in 15- and 17-inch models

Spammer caught

2007-05-31T08:37:00.000-07:00

"Yahoo is reporting that US prosecutors captured Robert Soloway, a prolific Internet marketer responsible so much junk e-mail they called him "Spam King."

I doubt it will actually make a difference in how much spam we continue to get, but I hope the dude gets in big trouble.....

Sony’s Flexible, Full-Color OLED Display

2007-05-25T13:48:00.000-07:00

Sony recently unveiled a new screen that will change the future of electronic devices. This new 2.5-inch OLED screen is made of a glass substrate that allows you to casually bend the screen. This opens up the possibilities of wearable screens and very thin devices...
Get more info from CrunchGear..

iPhone get FCC approval

2007-05-24T07:34:00.000-07:00

The iPhone is still slated for a June 11 release, and now has the FCC approval for the go ahead.

***UPDATE***
Macrumours is reporting the iPhone has a release date of June 20....
we'll seeeee.......

Leaching with get you arrested

2007-05-23T06:40:00.000-07:00

There are several states that has laws against using some one else's open wireless network.
Sam Peterson in Michigan found out the hard way.
Be sure you purchase something or have permission before connecting to any wireless network.

iPhone or Treo 755p

2007-05-22T00:13:00.000-07:00

iPhone or Treo PART 2
iPhone's gonna have some competition from me now, because Palm announced their new Treo. It's the 755p for Sprint, but rumors indicate Verizon should carry it sooner or later. I like the Palm because of all the third party applications...I like that they improved the camera to 1.3 megapixels and lost the antenna. Now it's more like a brother to the 680. If the iPhone was coming to Verizon, it would win for me, but I don't think I can switch to Cingular/AT&T because I was a previous Cingular customer and don't think I want to risk the poor coverage. Maybe coverage has improved, but if I had to decide right now, I'd go Treo. I think I'll wait for a version 2 of the iPhone before I consider switching, assuming coverage has improved. I hate saying Cingular/AT&T...is it "The new AT&T"; Cingular/AT&T; or just AT&T?

Computer recycling

2007-05-21T11:22:00.001-07:00

This is the coolest bit of computer/technology recycling I have seen.

Makes me want to go rip apart some old stuff and re purpose it.

Have you recycled/ re purposed any old technology?

How not to ship a Plasma TV

2007-05-15T08:12:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure I know what to say here other than, duh.

Photos

Finally they're here

2007-05-15T06:48:00.000-07:00

Apple released the updated MacBooks this morning.

Get the info HERE

Here we go again....

2007-05-11T08:55:00.000-07:00

The rumor sites are burning with info on the 'new' MacBook & MacBook Pro's coming.

the latest info

As usual, take this with a grain of salt and a deep breath.

New MacBook??

2007-05-07T20:33:00.000-07:00

Rumor has it that Apple will be announcing a new MacBook model tomorrow. (Tuesday May 8, 2007), and new MacBook Pro models next week.
The source has been a reliable one for me in the past- Hope it is true this time too!!!

Stay tuned for more info as it happens.

**update**
Well, obviously it didn't happen, but the rumblings on the net are that new MacBooks are due out next week- I'm not holding my breath.

Apple moves to certify LED-backlit panels for 13-inch MacBooks

2007-05-07T10:45:00.001-07:00

Apple is looking to make it's products more 'green' and (of course) better battery life. Steve plans to release the new versions this year, more reason to wait a little longer.

MacBook LED backlight

One step backwards

2007-05-04T12:19:00.000-07:00

Apple finally announces the release of the new operating system!!
YAY!!!
We are ready to move in to the next phase of Apple dominance
New Mac OS

Geek Breakfast

2007-05-03T06:38:00.000-07:00

The ulitimate in geek breakfast peripherals... I want one.

Geek Breakfast

What is Apple doing to help the enviroment?

2007-05-02T13:09:00.000-07:00

Apple released a P.R. document about their steps for a greener Apple

RAID your MacBook

2007-04-30T11:52:00.000-07:00

If you need more storage or a mirror backup in your MacBook... well you are in luck!

Raid my MacBook

iPhone or Treo

2007-04-29T02:34:00.001-07:00

I've been dragging my feet for months, postponing the purchase of "Missing Sync," the software by markspace (www.markspace.com) that allows Treos to "talk" with the Mac. I thought, "Why buy it if I'm just gonna buy the iPhone this summer...? But I broke down and bought the software, and I think I'm back in love with my Treo 650 again. I love how it syncs over bluetooth...and I experience no hickups. It's a bit slow, but I figure ketchup is slow, too, and I wait for that.

Over Baked Apples

2007-04-29T01:59:00.000-07:00

This site is a great way to track the EoL or potential EoL of the Apple, Inc. products...

Be informed. Shop smart.

http://www.mactactic.com