The Mac Observer

User Friendly Blog by Ted Landau - Why User Interface Design Matters

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:55:00 -0400

The difference between great vs. poor user interface design can be hard to quantify. Similar to the supposed difference between art and pornography -- you know it when you see it

Apple Trackpad Secrets and Technical History

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:30:00 -0400

There are up to ten different trackpad functions, depending on the Apple notebook model, and not everyone is familiar with all of them, according to Ryan Faas at Computerworld on Monday. Some must be enabled from system preferences and some were secret features on older Macs

iPodObserver - Apple: What to Bring When Buying iPhone 3G

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:05:00 -0400

Apple has posted a note on what to bring with you to the store when buying an iPhone 3G. In-store activation will be required, and that dictates the items you'll have to bring along

Microsoft: We Have a Noisy Competitor

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:35:00 -0400

Brad Brooks, Microsoft's VP of Vista consumer marketing, in a keynote address to to the annual Partner conference, admitted that the Apple "Get a Mac" TV ads have had an impact, and Microsoft is going to start countering

Columnist: Safari Security Fails to Learn from Past

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:50:00 -0400

Three mistakes in the security design of Safari show that Apple has failed to learn from past mistakes, according to a guest editorial at ZDNet by a security team leader

iPodObserver - Services to Unlock Mobile Phones Gaining Momentum

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:20:00 -0400

The technical knowledge needed to unlock a modern mobile phone is daunting for some. As a result, one company is actually offering to unlock a competitor's phone for customers, according to BusinessWeek on Tuesday

Daylite 3.7.4 Adds iWork 08, Dialectic Integration

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:00:00 -0400

Marketcircle, Inc. has announced the immediate availability of Daylite version 3.7.4 with iWork '08 and Dialectic telephony integration. TMO contacted Marketcircle to find out more

FoneLink 2.1 Adds Support for More Cell Phones

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:20:00 -0400

nova media announced the immediate availability of FoneLink 2.1 on Tuesday. The update for the cell phone syncing and dialing app includes support for more cell phones and adds a menu bar icon for quick-sync and quick-text messaging

Freeway 5.1.3 Adds Chinese Support

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:25:00 -0400

Softpress announced the immediate availability Freeway Express and Freeway Pro 5.1.3 on Tuesday. The update for the Web site design applications added Simplified Chinese localization. Freeway 5 Express is priced at US$79, and Freeway 5 Pro...

iPodObserver - Rumor: Canadian Apple Stores Won't Sell iPhone 3G

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:10:00 -0400

It appears that Apple might be even more upset with the iPhone 3G rate plans Rogers has in Canada than originally thought, and now will do nothing more than demo the combination iPod and smartphone in its own Canadian stores. The news follows another rumor that claimed Apple cut the iPhone 3G inventory available to Rogers in response to customer outrage over plan pricing

Microsoft Aligns with Icahn for Yahoo Takeover

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 10:35:00 -0400

Microsoft is ready to revive its plan to purchase Yahoo!, but only after the Internet search company replaces its board of directors, and that's exactly what billionaire investor Carl Icahn intends to do. The Redmond-based company has been discussing its interest in Yahoo! with Mr. Icahn while...

Hot Forum Topic - Is Internet Killing the Video Star?

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 10:00:00 -0400

Today TMO readers are debating whether or not broadcast TV and cable are on the way out and if the Internet, Apple and Google are the winners in the video entertainment war

iPodObserver - MobileMe Launches on July 10

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:20:00 -0400

Apple will be launching its .Mac replacement, MobileMe, on July 10 ahead of the official iPhone 3G launch. .Mac will go offline at 6PM pacific time on Wednesday, July 9, for the transition, but email services will remain available during the scheduled down time. MobileMe should be on line...

iPodObserver - Apple: iPhone 3G Launches at 8AM Friday

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 07:55:00 -0400

Apple finally confirmed on Tuesday that its own retail stores will begin selling the new iPhone 3G at 8AM local time on Friday, July 11. AT&T previously announced on July 1 that its stores will start selling the new combination iPod and smartphone at the same time

iPO Review - BudFits

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 06:00:00 -0400

BudFits are an inexpensive (SRP $8.99) new product that make your iPod earbuds fit more securely and feel more comfortable

Axel Springer Switching 10,000 Employees to Mac

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:40:00 -0400

Axel Springer AG, one of Europe's largest newspapers, is switching its entire publishing operation to Macs, according to Fortune. The changeover, which will involve 10,000 employees in 30 countries, will take five years

iPodObserver - Previous Remarks Overruled, Telstra Opts for iPhone 3G

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:55:00 -0400

Back in February, Telstra's second in command said that one should stick to one's knitting and "Apple is not a mobile phone manufacturer, that's not their knitting." Those words have come back haunt Greg Winn, according to Australian IT on Monday. Telstra struck a deal last week to offer the iPhone...

iPodObserver - Forbes: Apple Hushes Developers, Builds the Buzz for July 11

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:55:00 -0400

In order to increase the buzz surrounding the launch of the iPhone 3G, iPhone 2.0 apps, and the App Store, Apple may have been clamping down on developers, asking them not to tout their software prematurely, according to Forbes on Monday

iPodObserver - Apple Posts Support Article on Upgrading to iPhone 3G

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:55:00 -0400

Apple has posted a support article on how to replace an original iPhone 2G with an iPhone 3G and maintain saved SMS messages, e-mail accounts, photos, notes and other personal settings

BMO Capital Forecasts 2.4M+ Macs For the Quarter

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:30:00 -0400

BMO Capital analyst Keith Bachmann has raised his earnings estimate for AAPL from US$6.21/share to $6.36/share for FY2009 based on continuing strength of Macintosh sales. He believes Apple will report over 2.4 million Mac sales for the current quarter

Xupport 3.4.5 Improves Backup Options, More

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:10:00 -0400

Applicorn Software has announced the immediate availability of Xupport 3.4.5. The update allows the user to add individual files and folders to the copy item list for backups and more

Yahoo! Still Working on AOL Deal

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:05:00 -0400

The Internet search company Yahoo! is still working on putting together a deal that could see it merging with Time Warner's AOL instead of facing a possible buyout from Microsoft. Apparently Yahoo! spent the weekend in discussions with its lead financial advisor, Goldman Sachs, and Time Warner

Segway CTO Joining Apple

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:30:00 -0400

Doug Field, the Chief Technology Officer at Segway will be leaving to join Apple, according to a post on the Segway Chat Forum by the administrator, John Grohol

iPodObserver - Rumor: Apple Spanks Rogers for iPhone 3G Pricing

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:05:00 -0400

Canadian consumers are visibly upset over the price plans Rogers will offer for the iPhone 3G, and now it looks like Apple might be a bit miffed, too. It appears that the Mac and iPhone maker might be diverting iPhone inventory originally intended for Canada to Europe as part of a move to show its displeasure with the high-priced contracts Rogers attached to the combination iPod and smartphone

Hot Forum Topic - Time Capsule, Backups, and Partitions

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:15:00 -0400

Apple's Time Capsule is a handy tool for backing up your important data, and today one TMO reader is looking advice on the best way to configure the device

Mac Gaming News - Kasino 2 Adds Online Gaming Support

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 09:15:00 -0400

baKno announced the immediate availability of Kasino 2.0 on Monday. The new version of the cards simulation game added the ability to compete online against other players

TMO Quick Tip - Smart Mailboxes: Organize Mail by Date

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 07:30:00 -0400

I get so many email messages that it can get overwhelming trying to keep up with all of incoming information. Instead of giving up and walking away, I turned to Mail's Smart Mailbox feature to auto-organize my messages so I always know what's new, what came in recently, and which messages are probably due for archiving

Happy Fourth of July!

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 07:30:00 -0400

In honor of Independence Day -- a U.S. holiday -- The Mac Observer will not publish on July 4th. We will return on Monday, July 7th, with our regularly-scheduled coverage of Apple, Mac, iPod and iPhone news.

Apple Slashes $400 from SSD Drive in MacBook Air

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:50:00 -0400

Apple has reduced the Solid State Drive (SSD) option on the MacBook Air from US$999 to US$599 just in time for holiday shopping

It's Official - Firefox Sets Guinness Record for Downloads

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:05:00 -0400

Mozilla announced on Wednesday that it set a new Guinness World Record with 8,002,530 downloads in the first 24 hours after the launch of Firefox 3 on June 17

Apple Files Patent for a Multi-touch Gesture Language

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:30:00 -0400

Apple has filed a patent for a "Multi-touch Gesture Dictionary." The patent introduces the notion of chords. The patent suggests that Apple's customers may be learning a full-fledged gesture language in the future compared to the limited gestures available now on the iPhone

Editorial - Mac's Market Share and the Cascade Failure of Windows

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:20:00 -0400

Apple enthusiasts were delighted this week to hear that the market share of Mac OS X had leaped from about 6 percent to 8 percent in the last year. Vista fans have countered that Vista's market share has climbed from 4.5 percent to 16.1 percent in the same period obliterating Mac OS X. Is there some middle ground that represents anything really important

iPodObserver - Apple Slurps Up Samsung's NAND Flash for iPhone 3G

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:35:00 -0400

Samsung Electronics has advised their customers that a huge order from Apple for 50 million 8 Gb NAND flash memory chips will force them to reduce their available supply to them, according to DigiTimes on Wednesday

WSJ: Tips for Switching from Windows to Mac

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:05:00 -0400

Walt Mossberg at the Wall Street Journal has posted some tips for users on Thursday who've already decided to make the switch from Windows to Mac

iPodObserver - Google Intros Google Talk for iPhone

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:05:00 -0400

Google introduced a Web-based version of its Google Talk interface on Thursday designed for iPhone and iPod touch users. The app gives users full access to their Google Talk account without having to install any extra software

iPO Just a Thought - iPod nano Versus iPhone: Decisons, Decisions...

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:35:00 -0400

Vern weighed the pros and cons of buying a new iPhone versus something else in Apple's iPod lineup. The end result: Wailing, gnashing of teeth, and spending a little more money than he originally intended

YouTube Ordered to Turn Over All User Records to Viacom

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:55:00 -0400

YouTube users may have lost some of their privacy now that a judge has ordered its parent company Google to surrender every YouTube user's name, IP address and viewing history to Viacom. The order was issued on Wednesday at Viacom's request as part of the company's lawsuit against YouTube for copyright infringement

Hot Forum Topic - Apple vs. Cell Carriers: Who's Winning the Game

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:10:00 -0400

Today TMO readers are taking a look at Apple's position with cell carriers when the iPhone first launched, and where they are now with the iPhone 3G launch only days away

iPodObserver - Rumor: Best Buy, Radio Shack to Sell iPhone 3G

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 09:25:00 -0400

If the latest rumors hold true U.S. customers will be able to pick up a shiny new iPhone 3G at Best Buy and Radio Shack as well as Apple and AT&T stores. If so, Apple's combination iPod and smartphone will be available in a significantly larger number of locations than previously thought

.Mac Bookmark Sync Deadline Extended to July 6

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:45:00 -0400

Apple has extended the deadline for .Mac subscribers to synchronize their Bookmarks to July 6, giving users a few extra days to make sure they don't lose any Web page links they marked with the .Mac Bookmarks feature. Apple will be disabling .Mac Bookmarks as part of the transition into the new MobileMe service

Adobe Reader 9 Hits the Streets

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:10:00 -0400

Adobe completed its Acrobat 9 transition with the release of Adobe Reader 9 late on Wednesday. The free PDF viewer application includes the ability to view Flash content embedded in PDF documents, and offers substantial performance improvements compared to previous versions of Adobe Reader

Microsoft Offers iPod Prizes for Search in Australia

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:45:00 -0400

Microsoft is offering iPod nanos, shuffles, and touches as prizes to promote their Live Search in Australia, according to the Brisbane Times on Wednesday

iPodObserver - AT&T Posts Video on Handing Down Original iPhone 2G

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:00:00 -0400

AT&T has posted a video of the procedures whereby a current AT&T and iPhone 2G customer can "hand down" their original iPhone and upgrade to a new iPhone 3G. One procedure involves a SIM card swap, and the old iPhone can be reactivated when the customer is ready

iPodObserver - U.S. Government Sued Over Mobile Phone Tracking

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:10:00 -0400

The Electronic Frontier foundations (EFF) amd the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have sued the federal government to obtain information about its tracking of mobile phone users, according to the IDG News Service on Wednesday

iPodObserver - Nokia Shores Up Against iPhone with Competing Music Service

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:50:00 -0400

Nokia announced on Tuesday that they're partnering with Warner Music Group and will develop a music service to compete with Apple's iTunes called "Comes With Music"

Playwatch 1.2 Updates Cover Art View, More

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:35:00 -0400

AQUARIUS software announced the immediate availability of Playwatch 1.2 on Wednesday. The update for the iTunes controller application enhanced Cover Art view and added menu bar remote control buttons

PDF Now an ISO Standard

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:55:00 -0400

Adobe's PDF, or Portable Document Format, has moved beyond its ubiquitous status and is now also an ISO standard. The change means that government agencies and other organizations that require open formats for electronic documents can consider using the cross-platform standard for digital file storage and archiving

Hot Forum Topic - iTunes U: Reader Reactions

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:20:00 -0400

Today TMO readers are sharing their impressions on Apple's iTunes U venture

Microsoft Looking for Partners for Yahoo Buyout

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:50:00 -0400

Apparently Microsoft isn't ready to throw in the towel yet and is now looking for partners to team up with for another attempt at a Yahoo! buyout. The Redmond-based company has been in talks with Time Warner and News Corp. along with other companies in hopes of striking a deal that would ultimately lead to Yahoo!'s breakup

Remote Desktop Connection 2.0 Hits the Streets

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:50:00 -0400

After beta testing for more than a year, Microsoft finally released Remote Desktop Connection Client 2.0 for the Mac on Thursday. The new version Mac to Windows connection utility is Universal Binary, allowing it to run natively on PowerPC and Intel-based Macs, and also added support for Windows Vista