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Even more on the upcoming Boston Apple Store
We know what you're thinking: "Please, TUAW, not another story on the Apple Store that does not yet exist." Just bear with us. We know that the future Apple Store will be taking over what has been a CopyCop on Boylston street for many years. Bostonian and TUAW reader Jason heard the first hint of an announcement during a radio ad earlier today. Jason writes:"On my way into work this morning I heard a radio ad for the CopyCop on Boylston St. The ad was someone calling the 'Cops' and reporting a missing store. The dispatcher went on to say that it's not missing, it's moving around the corner as a 'big computer store' is taking over the space."So there you have it, straight from the ad agency's mouth. Thanks, Jason!
Researchers develop algorithm to combat photo blur
Since it's unlikely that your hand will get any steadier with age, and we probably won't see optical image stabilization in cameraphones anytime soon, researchers are concentrating on ways to fix your crappy photos once they've already been captured. The latest salvo in the war against so-called hand motion blur comes from a team of computer scientists at MIT and the University of Toronto, who have developed an algorithm that can create a sharper picture by "estimating the distribution of a number of probable images" and coming up with a happy medium. Introduced at this year's Siggraph Conference in Boston, the algorithm could potentially be included in future versions of Adobe Photoshop -- which currently fights blur with a rather ineffective unsharp mask tool -- although it will do nothing for blurring caused by moving objects or improperly-focused shots. Unfortunately, it sounds like this product is still at least a year away from commercial release, so tripods and nerve-steadying Pentazemin are still your best bets for the time being.[Thanks, Alex]
One step closer to Apple Store Boston?
Today, TUAW reader (and Boston resident) Matt sends in this tip that seems to point to the ongoing saga of the future Boston Apple Store. While riding his bike past the Copy Cop on Boylston Street (Apple originally proposed taking over the Copy Cop building for the new store), he noticed a sign stating that Copy Cop would be vacating the premises some time in mid-June. Here's hoping this means the deal with Apple has gone through.Thanks, Matt.PS-Go Sox!
More on the Boston Apple Store
This story has almost as much drama as Apple's recent legal battle. Apple is planning on putting a new flagship store in Boston, Ma. The design initially proposed to Boston's Back Bay Architectural Committee (BBAC) was shot down (the BBAC didn't like its contemporary look). Next, a rumor surfaced that Apple may move into the building on the corner of Mass. Ave. and Newbury street that currently houses the Virgin Mega Store, thereby thwarting the BBAC's complaints by taking over a pre-existing building.Today, the Boston Herald is reporting that Apple has proposed a revamped design for the original Boylston Street location (currently the Copy Cop across the street from the Prudential building). This new design supposedly features a circular staircase, rooftop garden and all-glass facade. Apple has stated that the only option is for them to demolish the existing building and start over, as fixing up the existing structure would add six months and nearly $3 million to their schedule.Can't we all agree and just get this thing built already? I'm dying to check it out![Via ifoAppleStore]
Boston's flagship Apple Store moving to Newbury Street?
NYC has its cube, and Boston has...rumors and red tape.* When Apple first announced their intentions to build a huge retail store right in downtown Boston (Back Bay area), I was very excited. A flagship store right in the city! Soon a sketch of the proposed Boylston Street design emerged, as did the ire of Boston's Back Bay Architectural Commission (BBAC), who were none too pleased with the store's decidedly modern facade.Today, ifoAppleStore is reporting that the massive building that has housed the Virgin Megastore on the corner of Mass. Ave. and Newbury Street for the past several years will close in the summer of 2007 to make way for a new, "...upscale retailer." I can tell you that this is a huge (larger than any existing Apple Store), gorgeous building in a very pedestrian-friendly, upscale shopping district of Boston, and only a few blocks away from the site of their original proposal. Using this property would also keep the BBAC at bay (as it were).Here's hoping this comes true, as this is a wonderful building in an even better location.*Not that I keep track of the NYC/Boston rivalry or anything.
Apple continues to irk nation's architectual boards
It's not easy to be cutting-edge. You may remember last month when Apple was having difficulty getting Boston's Back Bay Architectural Commission to approve the design of what should be a new flagship retail store in Beantown. Similarly, NYC shot down a design for an all-glass storefront facade that was proposed for the city's flatiron district. However, it's been a different story in Alexandria, Virginia.According to ifoAppleStore, the city recently approved Apple's proposal for a steel-and-glass building with two Apple logo signs in place of what used to be a McDonald's. Kudos to Alexandria's Board of Architectural Review, which stated that it "...[discourages] standard, off-the-shelf, aluminum storefront components that tend to result in repetitive storefront designs.” Like I said about the proposed Boston store, I think the juxtaposition of contemporary and historic architecture in a city is quite attractive. Are you listening, Back Bay Architectural Commission?[Via ifoAppleStore]
8bit musicians announce world tour
Former cellmates Nullsleep and Bitshifter have announced plans to embark on a world tour, blasting their blend of bleeps, bloops, and blizzasts from Boston to Brussels and back again. If you're not an 8-bit believer yet, nothing will win you over except trying it out for yourself. To that end, here are links (1, 2, 3, 4) to some MP3s these torturers of Gameboys, Famicoms and other old-school video game consoles have kindly provided for downloading. If you like what you hear, check the tour page and maybe even drop a few dollars in the donation bucket to help make it happen.
Sketch of proposed Boston Apple Store
More information on the upcoming Boston Apple Store is beginning to surface. The Boston Courant newspaper is reporting that the sketch above represents the design proposed by Apple to Boston's Back Bay Architectural Commission (BBAC) last week. Before you begin to ooh and aah, know that Apple is receiving a lot of opposition from the BBAC. They aren't happy with Apple's plans to demolish the building that currently resides on that lot (Bostonians: It's on Boylston directly across the street from the Pru) as well as the store's "extreme" design. Personally, I'm hoping it all gets sorted out. As for the look of the all-glass facade, I've always felt that the blend historical and contemporary architecture that permeates Boston makes the city quite attractive indeed. But that's just me.[Via ifoAppleStore]
Apple Store coming to Boston
Not Peabody, not Brainitree, not Cambridge...I mean Boston, as in directly across the street from the Prudential Center on Boylston street. Mayor Menino is expected to announce the deal later this week for a street level, four-story location that will be among the largest Apple Stores. With Berklee, Northeastern, Emerson, etc. right in that neighborhood, it's a fantastic location (and, ironically, directly across the street from where last year's now defunct Macworld Boston took place).I'm very happy about this announcement. Hurrah![Via ifoAppleStore]
Help the kids, buy an HDTV
Because we're all such huge philanthropists, I'm sure we will be lining up to purchase the 26, 32 and 37 inch LCD HDTV's NuVision is putting up for auction in conjunction with The Light Foundation. Besides their 1366x768 resolutions and 1000:1 contrast ratios, the 2 larger TV's will also be signed by members of the Patriots football team that charity founder Matt Light plays for. To make it even better, any winning bidders with 100 miles of the Patriots home stadium will have the sets installed and set up for free by Home Smart Home.The Light Foundation helps support youth oriented non-profit organizations in Ohio and Boston.The TV specs: 10ms response time 500cd/M2 brightness 16:9 widescreen 1366x768 Native resolution DVI w/HDCP Discrete IR control with IR direct input jack Giving back to the community, football and HDTV's. That's a win-win-win. Auctions end December 29th.[Via Hometoys]
Macworld Expo Boston 06, we hardly knew ye
Even though we've had meetups at and reports from Macworld Expo Boston, and even though Dave Caolo all but promised us Macworld was staying in Boston, it appears more powerful forces were at work, as Macworld is reporting that Macworld Expo Boston has been cancelled - for good. The reason is no surprise: support and attendance. Both have been dwindling since IDG World Expo moved the summer Macworld expo back to Boston from NY, despite Apple pulling out in 2004. IDG World Expo has stated they'll still be working closely with Apple to put on a darn snazzy San Francisco expo from here on out. Honestly I'm kind of surprised. I know support and interest have been slowly declining, but Apple is on such a hot streak right now that I figured the event would rebound sooner or later. So what really gives? Is Apple "that guy" who just has to be at the party to get things rockin?[via MacSlash]
iKeychain
iKeychain is another iPod shuffle cover that makes sure that your little slice of randomness is safe and secure. They have a booth at Macworld running a video of the iKeychain in action, and I must say it is pretty impressive. The video shows an iPod shuffle getting run over by a car, and surviving.The outer case is hard, and inside it is cushioned so your iPod shuffle is all cozy and warm and decidedly not crushed.They go for $29.95, not too shabby I suppose. Now, I know what you're saying, 'But Scott, my full size iPod is often run over by vehicles, am I out of luck?'Well, it doesn't sound like you have much luck to begin with but the owner of iKeychain told me that they are working on a case for the full-sized iPods that should come out in the near future.
Apple hardware at Macworld Boston
This year I have been lucky enough to convince the suits at my day job to send me to Macworld Boston. I went last year, too, and attended a couple of very informative workshops on Filemaker Pro. This year I'll be learning about Xserve administration, since we got a shiny, new one not long ago. Sure, Apple doesn't participate in Boston's Macworld, but that doesn't mean you can't have fun. Last year, I almost met Chris Breen, but that's a different story entirely...Apple's absence doesn't mean a lack of Apple hardware, either. This summer's expo will feature a Specialists Pavillion, which will be demonstrating a number of goodies, including Power Mac G5s, Xserve and Xserve RAIDs, iMac G5s and Mac Minis. Apple Specialists are a network of independent dealers formed to create brand awareness of the Apple Specialist channel through national advertising, marketing and Specialist-only promotions. No ". . one more thing," but still fun.
