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Daily Update for December 18, 2012
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
Skitch for Mac updated with more 'classic' features
After Skitch was acquired by Evernote, the 2.0 update of the screenshot app received flak for removing a lot of useful features. Version 1.0 holdouts eventually found that the button to copy the URL of an uploaded image was broken, along with other issues in the older version. Thanks in part to the backlash, Evernote has released a Skitch update that starts to bring back these older features. These include the return of custom styles and colors, an option to auto copy the URL once an image has been uploaded, an overhauled sharing interface with a plethora of sharing options (yay FTP/sFTP!) and more. There's also a timed snapshot option for doing screencaps via keyboard shortcut or drop-down menu. The update is available via a direct download through Evernote's site. Those who have Evernote downloaded via the Mac App Store will have the updated version as soon as it's cleared by Apple. [via Engadget]
Skitch for Mac update adds back 'classic' features, performance improvements
Skitch's chief designer, Keith Lang, promised that the Skitch of old would slowly return to users in incremental updates and, today, the first of those has arrived. The currently available version 2.0.3 update for Mac users reinstates custom font colors (useful for highlighting annotations), as well as ushering in expanded tool sizes accessible from within the Style bar. As for screen captures, the company's now offering users the ability to time those snapshots either by using a keyboard shortcut (CTRL + CMD + Shift + 5) or selecting the option from the dropdown menu, allowing for ample time to organize desktop layouts. Sharing options have also seen an overhaul, as that particular menu now features dedicated icons for quick sharing via social networks (i.e., Twitter and Facebook) or through OS X apps like Message and iPhoto. In addition to this simplified navigation, users will once again have the option to link out to direct image URLs, HTML and HTML thumbnails, forum code, shortened URLs, FTP/sFTP, in addition to an option to Auto Copy for an efficient workflow. Those are the most headline grabbing improvements, but the team's also made tweaks under the hood (so to speak) to improve text rendering, sync and overall responsivity. Head to the source to download this resurrected Skitch or hold out for the App Store to deliver that eventual update.
Google Drive extension lets you save pieces of the web to the cloud
Earlier today, a new Google Drive extension was released to the Chrome Web Store. This productivity tool provides users with a new way to capture and store web-based content. By clicking the extension's icon, you can save a copy of a webpage, its HTML source code, or a web archive. You can also save items by right-clicking photos or file links. In addition, Google has introduced new scrolling, fit to page and 100 percent image viewing options, along with the ability to comment on selected areas of pictures saved to your Drive. Whether you're looking for a replacement for Skitch, or an easy way to collect snippets of the web, this extension just might be what the doctor ordered.
Skitch for Windows 8 gains portrait mode editing for tablets and 25MB file sharing
Not stopping with its recent update for Android, Evernote gave Skitch for Windows 8 some new features on Monday. Software version 2.0.1128 adds multiple bug fixes and portrait mode support for tablets with x86, x64 and ARM processors. In addition to these enhancements, the new Skitch app for Windows 8 features faster syncing and sharing options for image files up to 25MB, which should hopefully appease the appetite of photogs who crave hi-res imagery. Whether you're looking to label your vacation's next destination on a map, or draw silly mustaches on pictures of your friends and family, Windows 8 users now have a new weapon to add to their growing arsenal of applications.
Skitch co-founder talks 2.0 changes, asks user sufferance
Fans of Plasq's Skitch screenshot utility for the Mac were intrigued when Evernote acquired the product at the end of 2011 (a pairing first suggested way back in 2008). They were charged with anticipation when the 2.0 version came out this September. And many were furiously, storm-the-barricades incensed when it turned out that the revised app had shaved away many of the key workflow features users depended on. Keith Lang, one of the fathers of Skitch, is proud of the work his team has done on 2.0, but he also recognizes that they've left many of its legacy users in the lurch with the new version's changes. In a blog post on Evernote's site, he acknowledges that the 2.0 redesign "underestimated how deeply ingrained Skitch had become in many people's daily workflows and how disruptive changes to the product could be." Lang's new commitment to Skitch's users: "I'd like you to know that we're going to fix it." Some of the app's key capabilities -- a menu bar shortcut, multiple file formats in the drag-and-drop tool -- are already back in the 2.02 version. Some other popular favorites (automatic sharing of URLs and support for FTP/SFTP uploading, both vital for website authors and bloggers) will be returning soon. Lang points out that the long, long arc of Skitch's development with a very small core team (the product remained in "public beta" for three years before going 1.0) meant that underneath the surface, the app was being "held together by five years of duct tape and good intentions." The dramatic changes necessary to modernize the app's internals were accompanied by a rethinking of the UI and feature set to try and simplify the Skitch experience. "[We] re-thought much of how Skitch for Mac looked and worked. We didn't get it all right, and we're certainly not done," says Lang. To make sure that no Skitch users are fighting an uphill battle with the 2.0 app while improvements are made and features restored/rethought, Lang points to the free download of Skitch 1.x that is still available. Alternatives to Skitch include Techsmith's Jing and Snagit, Gyazo, Snaplr and Monosnap. The built-in Preview application on OS X Mountain Lion also includes screenshot, annotation and sharing tools.
Skitch's chief designer talks mistakes, lessons learned, and new / returning features for his screenshot app
They say Rome wasn't built in a day, but no one ever focuses on how quickly it fell. Skitch can't exactly be compared to an empire, but with some ten million users globally, there were a lot of voices shouting a lot of various things when the upstart jumped in bed with Evernote and upgraded itself to version 2.0. Not surprisingly, members of our own staff as well as vocal readers have been forced to look for alternative options after v2.0 yanked and / or maimed some of our favorite features from the original. Truth be told, there's really no alternative that doesn't also come with a severe compromise, but the Skitch team knows full well that said scenario could change if rivals are given enough time. Today, the company's chief designer Keith Lang is clearing the air on what happened, what's happening, and where his program is going in the future. For starters, he mentions that his team was so heads-down on managing the product, that they failed to actually take into account "how deeply ingrained Skitch had become into many people's daily workflows and how disruptive even small changes could be." The good news, however, is that he's vowing to "fix it." He notes that version 1.0 was held together with many years of duct tape, and to ever truly move forward, a new program would have to be built from the ground-up. That new program, of course, was met with near-universal hatred from the prior user base, but it looks as if those in the passionate camp are fixing to be addressed. In updates due to hit between now and sometime soon, Skitch will be regaining Menubar Extra support, FTP / sFTP capabilities, short URLs, direct hosting of Skitch images (!), multiple fonts and custom colors, as well as streamlined cropping and resizing. Aside from bringing v2.0 back up to where v1.0 left off, Keith is promising "really amazing stuff" in the future. We'll be anxious to give the new builds a try -- hopefully, they'll bring back some good memories.
Skitch for Android brings revamped UI, complete integration with Evernote
Users haven't exactly been content with Evernote since it took over the Skitch reigns, but that's not stopping the Smart Notebook creator from pushing out constant updates to its Android offering. To go along with the handy tweaks from earlier this month, Evernote's now updated Skitch with a completely redesigned user interface, the addition of a couple of fresh tools (Pixelate and Highlighter), as well as, naturally, a much-improved integration with its own cloud-based service -- not to mention the ability to sync with Evernote, though said application would have to also be installed on your device. This new version of Skitch is available to download now via Google Play, and be sure to share your first impressions with us in the comments below.
Ask Engadget: best Skitch replacement?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, then here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from Benjamin, who feels a little let down by the most recent changes to Evernote's image-sharing software. If you're looking to ask one of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "Hi guys. I'm a graphic designer who, until recently, used a desktop app called Skitch to quickly share images with clients. I loved being able to just click and drag a portion of my desktop, click "share" and have it uploaded in a seconds. Of course, Evernote has screwed with it, so now it won't default to keeping my pictures private (not so good for the clients, or my reputation) and the new layout hides the sharing feature in a stupid drop-down menu. Frankly, a really useful piece of software has been ruined, so can you suggest a replacement?" We feel your pain Benjamin, even if we did have to slice out your more colorful descriptions of Evernote from your e-mail. A site favorite has been ruined by the changes, and as such we're on the hunt for an alternative. Jing, from TechSmith lets you share screenshots and even record video on your desktop. Slingshot is a Mac exclusive that'll set you back $3, but uses the cloud service of your choice (Dropbox, Imgur etc) Of course, this is the moment where we turn it over to our amazing commenters, who we hope will share the skinny. You never know, maybe some enterprising indie dev has already created the program to replace that hole in our lives -- friends, head down below, grab the candle and bang on.
Skitch 2.0 is like Skitch 1.0 without all those pesky "features"
I knew that when Evernote purchased Skitch they were destined to screw it up. Sure enough, it didn't take long. First they started pushing people to use Evernote accounts. Skitch had done this too, insisting that you keep a Skitch.com account in your "sharing" options, even if you had no interest in actually using Skitch.com. For a while, Skitch.app would actually create an Evernote and a Skitch entry in the Share preferences, and every time you deleted them, Skitch would come right back and re-create them. Because why should users get to decide what to do with software they install on their own computers? *Clearly* Evernote knows best. First they shut down Skitch.com... Well, that wasn't enough for the fine folks at Evernote. One of the things I liked best about Skitch was the ability to share images though my own server. Why? Because companies like Skitch have a habit of going bankrupt, either financially or morally. Sure enough, Evernote decided once again that they know what's best for you, and so they announced (in an email to customers): Sharing in Skitch will go through the Evernote Service, which means that you will be able to access your Skitch notes on any computer, phone, or tablet you use. What Evernote wants to sell you is the idea that it's better to use Evernote for sharing your images because then you can access them anywhere. Of course, "that's a bunch of horse hooey," as we say out here in farm country. You could access your images from your computer, phone or tablet if they were on an SFTP/FTP site. Evernote just doesn't want you doing it that way. They want you to do it through Evernote, which will give them more control and (one assumes) the ability to display ads around your content. Because who wouldn't want that? As of October 10, 2012, the Skitch.com website will be archived. You will no longer be able to sign into Skitch.com as of that date. OK, fine, I understand that they have their own web service and they don't want to manage two of them. I guess we all should have seen the writing on the wall there. How This Affects You Your public and secret images will remain accessible and the links to these will not change. Wow, that's decent of them. If you have private images, then you will no longer be able to access them after October 10, 2012. You can easily download all of your private images to your computer using the link below. Once downloaded, we recommend adding them to your Evernote account so that they're easy for you to access any time. Wow, that's not decent of them. Look, I understand not wanting to let people add content to Skitch.com. If they want to upload content to a server that isn't in their control, well, hey, these are the chances that you take. But if they are keeping the "public" and "secret" images, why not keep the private images too? Well, the answer is that they don't want to, and they don't have to. After all, it's a free service -- even though there are people, like myself, who paid Skitch to be able to use all of the features of the software back when they used a "freemium" (gross) model. OK, well, at least I can still save my own images to my own server. Oh wait, no I can't. Earlier today Evernote pushed Skitch version 2.0. They're getting heavy rotation in the Mac App Store, even being featured as an "Editors' Choice" app. (Gee, why would you release a new version of your app the same day as a new version of iOS and right before the new iPhones come out? Could it be that you knew these changes were going to go over like a leaky-leaky-bean-burrito-with-extra-chili-fart in church? I'm probably being cynical. It was probably just a coincidence.) Whatever the reason, users aren't nearly as excited as the Mac App Store's Editors. Reviews are overwhelmingly negative, and not just in the usual "CHANGE BAD!" reaction you might expect, but an entire list of features which have been simply removed and changes which make the app more difficult to use. Here are some highly rated comments on the new version: "I can't run it in the background anymore. There's no icon in the menu bar. There's no global shortcut key. There's no automatic copy link to clipboard. Why do I want to use this thing again? You've taken away all the features that made me a Skitch user." "I loved Skitch and used it all the time. I downloaded this new version today and it's a huge step backwards. Now I'm forced to have Skitch in my dock? You took away the ability to have it run in the menu bar? No FTP options? No thanks. What's really sad is that I actually paid for Skitch back when the app store was selling it. It's a sad day indeed." "Downloader beware! This changes Skitch substantially. No more menu bar functionality. Forced use of dock icon. New clunky interface. I Time Machine'd this back to the better (older) version. Make sure you have a back-up, or better yet, skip this [version] all together." There are 145 reviews for this version; 105 of them are one star. Ouch. My "favorite" new "feature" of Skitch 2.0: good news! Now you won't have to worry about setting up your own S/FTP accounts on Skitch. Because you can't. See, when Evernote said "Sharing in Skitch will go through the Evernote Service" it might have sounded like they were just saying that they are closing down Skitch.com, but what they apparently what they meant was "Sharing will go through Evernote because all of your other options are being taken away." Version 1.0.12 available for download. (UPDATE) Update 2012-09-21: When this article was originally written, it included instructions for removing the /Applications/Skitch.app/Contents/_MASReceipt directory from the Mac App Store version of Skitch version 1.0.12 (the last version of SKitch 1 which had been released), or downloading version 1.0.7 from http://update.skitch.com/skitch.html. This morning several readers alerted me that Evernote has made Skitch-1.0.12 available for download. (6,534,992 bytes/shasum 256 = b2f4181f5eb40a570547054e8ec22ca9bbe490eca02a28e2389fc5d83fdc6e97). This should be welcome news for those who "upgraded" to 2.0 before realizing what a disaster it is. (As of this writing, 257 out of 325 reviews on the Mac App Store are 1-star reviews, with another 26 reviews giving it 2-stars.) The original instructions, for those who still want to see them, can be found at https://gist.github.com/3761368. The future of Skitch I certainly hope that the folks at Evernote reconsider their decision to remove every method of sharing that isn't based through Evernote.com. But I'm not counting on it. In fact, I think this is their vision for the app: it will be a way to push content directly at their service. I'm sure that sounds great if you work for Evernote, but it's pretty terrible for users. I guess it's time to start looking for a new quick image/screenshot editor. I liked Skitch not because it was a great app, but it was sufficient for what I needed most of the time. Hopefully somewhere out there is a developer who understands and will take advantage of this opportunity to give users back what they have lost with Skitch 2.
Skitch 2.0 features new design, device sync and more
Evernote has released Skitch 2.0 with a new design, cool new features and an app for the iPhone and iPod touch. The desktop app's look has been pared down to the minimum and it looks a lot cleaner than previous versions. There are new functions, too, like pixelate. Plus, everything you create or modify in Skitch is now synced to your Evernote account. The new app for iPhone and iPod touch offers nice-looking tools and, of course, sync with Evernote across devices. We'll have a full-on review of Skitch 2.0 up soon. Until then have fun playing around with the new version.
Skitch.com transitioning to Evernote
Annotation app Skitch is moving even closer to Evernote. According to a recent knowledge base article, Skitch will now upload your images into your Evernote account and not the Skitch.com website. Users will be able to sync and search their Skitch images using their Evernote account. Skitch.com will be archived on October 10, 2012, and users will no longer be able to login to the website. For customers, this means that all private images will no longer be accessible. Evernote advises Skitch customers to download their private images and upload them to Evernote. Customers can then set these images as private in their Evernote accounts. Public and secret images will continue to be accessible as the links for these items will not change. You can read more about these changes on Evernote's website.
Evernote tops voting for TUAW Mac Best Productivity App of 2011
It's the service, Mac app, and iOS app that everybody loves, and it won in our reader polling for the best Mac productivity app of 2011. Evernote (free) pulled in nearly a third (31.3 percent) of the votes from TUAW readers, topping second place winner OmniFocus ($79.99) which had 23.3 percent of the votes. Evernote became even more useful to Mac and iOS device owners during 2011. The company now has a herd of apps that all work well with the Evernote app to help be your "brain in the cloud" -- Skitch became part of the Evernote family this year, and Evernote Hello, Evernote Clearly, Evernote Food and Evernote Peek are all there to help you out as well. Many thanks to the TUAW readers who nominated their favorite Mac productivity apps and then voted in the competition. Congratulations to Evernote founder Phil Libin and the rest of the Evernote team on being the winner in this category for the TUAW Best of 2011.
LittleSnapper on the Mac App Store and on sale
LittleSnapper from RealMacSoftware is on sale for US$5 until January 17 through the Mac App Store. The app normally sells for $25, and it had sold for $40 before the Mac App Store. LittleSnapper is a screenshot management application. Think of it as a combination of Skitch and an iPhoto-like application for managing your screenshots. We covered LittleSnapper before, back when it was released in 2008, if you want more information about the app. You can also download a demo version of the app from RealMacSoftware's website.
Skitch leaps out of beta, 1.0 available now
Since it debuted in beta form at Macworld Expo in 2007, Skitch has become a favorite Mac utility for many, many people. It's great at grabbing screenshots, adding annotations and notes, and sharing them on Skitch.com, Flickr, Mobile.me or even your own server. We've waited three years for a 1.0 release while the beta kinks got worked out, and now the wait is over. Skitch has burst out of beta with a ton of new features and an entirely revamped web app geared toward social image sharing. It's aiming to be the Flickr of screenshots, with a full-featured desktop app to back that up. Most of the features that have made Skitch so popular are still free, including screen capture, image editing and annotation, and online sharing of images. If you want to go "Plus," you'll pay a yearly subscription fee of $14.95 (that's a discount right now; it will go up to $19.95 soon). The Plus subscription adds a range of new features, from the ability to grab full-length web page captures to additional editing capabilities. It will also remove ads from the online experience and provide more storage and options. One of the best features in the Plus package, in my opinion, is automatic copy of direct image links after upload. Yes, you can get that for free using something like Droplr or CloudApp, but when combined with all of the other features, it adds some value to the subscription price.
LittleSnapper sneak peek
Video link Last month, our friends at Realmac Software teased us with some screenshots of their newest application, LittleSnapper. LittleSnapper is a program that will let you take screenshots of full web pages, with adjustment and sharing features similar to Skitch. The Realmac team has now produced a video (above) showing off how you can capture a web page, select a specific element from that page and quickly upload the image to Flickr. The video also shows off how LittleSnapper can be used to organize web screenshots into collections -- kind of like iPhoto -- complete with metadata. For me, the DOM selector (it looks similar to what CSSEdit uses) is the most intriguing aspect of LittleSnapper. It isn't uncommon for me to want to grab a specific section from a web page, only to find that the image is embedded within the stylesheet. I can manually select that section with Snapz Pro or Skitch, but that can lack precision and will ultimately require me to spend more time prepping screenshots. LittleSnapper is expected to be released at the end of the year.
Mac 101: Capture sharp screenshots
Earlier this week, we described several ways to create screenshots with your Mac. Using the keyboard shortcuts in the Finder is great, but you may have noticed that the results aren't very sharp. Ivan at creativebits noticed that, too, and figured out how you can correct the problem.He explains that a basic screenshot creates a JPEG with a resolution of 60 by default. As is often the case, the solution is just a couple of Terminal commands away. Set the default format to png, pdf or tiff for much better results.If you're not the Terminal type, check out Skitch, which takes simple, great-looking screen captures.
TUAW Faceoff: Screenshot apps on the firing line
Whether you want to post something to a web page or blog, or show off an application element in a presentation, taking quality screenshots is becoming an increasingly common task for lots of different Mac users. Although OS X comes with its own built-in screenshot utility, Grab, and onboard F-keys for the task, there are lots of third-party options as well. Contrary to popular belief, not all screen capture applications are created equal. So what program is the best for taking quality screenshots off of your computer? To find out, I put five screen capture programs through their paces to try to find the "ultimate" screen-capture program. The programs I used: Grab - built into OS X Skitch - free (at least while in beta) Snapz Pro X - $29 for image capture only, $69 for image and motion capture InstantShot! - free QuickSnap - $14.95 Read-on for my analysis and take a look at the gallery for screenshots from each program, as well as head-to-head comparisons. %Gallery-22020%
Evernote, meet Skitch
TUAW disclosed an affection for Evernote a little while ago, and our love of Skitch is no secret. While love triangles are often a logistical nightmare, this one actually works out in a fairly organized fashion. An entry at the Evernote blog details the use of Skitch to input notes into Evernote, complete with annotations. It's simple, if not a bit obvious in a why-didn't-I-think-of-that way. There have been several other thoughts on extending and integrating Evernote, but one of my favorites was a bright idea for setting up a liaison with Jott to facilitate voice transcription of on-the-go notes.
Breakfast Topic: Is WoW science fiction?
Yesterday we talked about similarities between World of Warcraft and other fantasy franchises. Commenting on that post, Baluki noted that "Warcraft is also somewhat unique in mixing some sci-fi elements into its fantasy universe." But not everyone thinks that's a good thing: back around the time that Burning Crusade previews were coming out, the draenei and the naaru caused quite a bit of stir among lore fans who felt that "space pallies" and "interdimensional ships" like Tempest Keep were going too far.One poster to the forums linked to this screenshot and said, "When did this turn into a friggin space game... Draenei, Exodar... hell this battleground feels more like UT Facing Worlds map than an RPG..." Drysc replied: "I believe you may be creating your own idea of what Warcraft is and has been, while it's been anything but a traditional medieval fantasy setting. The lore and history is full of interstellar travel and themes one may consider 'sci-fi'. There are warp gates that link various worlds together, planets blowing up, space traveling demons who enslave entire planets, inter dimensional ships, time travel, etc. "You say '[this] feels more like UT Facing Worlds map than an RPG... ', when RPG simply stands for Roleplaying Game. Warcraft has and always will be beyond a singular tolkienesque world, and I think those who know and understand the lore and history are more apt to recognize and accept how the story is progressing as 'clearly Warcraft'."What do you think? Are the "sci-fi" elements minimal enough that WoW still doesn't count as "science fiction" or even "science fantasy?" Or do World of Warcraft and The Burning Crusade launch the lore off the Tolkienenque fantasy homeworld and into the anomalous nebulae of Stargate, Alien, or even Transformers? Personally, I think WoW gets the balance right -- I'm happy to see some creative mixing of different themes that breaks the traditional fantasy molds. I'd like to see more sci-fi elements in future expansions too, though I doubt that's likely. WTB more WoW Lightsabers!
