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Apple patent hints at "advanced multitouch," iPhone copy / paste
Although the MacBook Air's multitouch trackpad is pretty nifty, it looks like Apple has even grander plans in store -- a recent patent filing describes the MBA's current features as "Basic Multitouch" and contains descriptions of "Advanced" touch operations like system control, file management and browser navigation. While the filing details using a combination of the thumb and two fingers to cut, copy and paste -- something that seems awfully relevant to that little iPhone thing Apple sells -- what we're most intrigued by is the description of the "side pinky swipe" to control system functions like volume and screen brightness. Since the side of the pinky produces a different shape than your fingertip on the touch sensor, the system can automatically recognize it, making it ideal for quick adjustments -- we're already dreaming up lists of macros to trigger. Of course, there's no telling if and when we'll ever see this stuff in a product, but it's probably not a coincidence the iPhone, iPod touch, and MacBook Air all use the same Broadcom touch controller -- let's hope those long-awaited new MacBook Pros join the club, eh?[Via AppleInsider, thanks Kiwi616]
Nintendo's DS Lite retrofitted into MacBook Air ad
It's hard to deny that Apple's MacBook Air advertisement is pretty catchy, and while the DS Lite doesn't exactly pull off the whole envelope exit quite as elegantly as Cupertino's latest lappie, it doesn't do a half bad job representin'. In the spoof waiting for you after the jump, you'll see a black DS Lite retrofitted into the MBA spot, and while the text, lighting and overall smoothness isn't on par with the original, at least the music is spot-on. Click on though to see for yourself.[Via DSFanboy]Update: Psh, thanks for pulling the video, YouTube and / or user. Well, trust us, it like totally existed. ... Ok, looks like we're back. Thanks EspadaUno.
Colorware attacks MacBook Air with crayons, comes out with 35 flavors
It was absolutely inevitable, and now it's arrived: you can get a MacBook Air in any color you choose thanks to those paint huffers over at Colorware. The big draw here is probably going to be the all black version -- for rugby fans and those PowerBook 2400c users out there that never stopped believing -- but not only do you have 34 other color options, you can also customize the laptop part by part with whatever combination of colors you choose. The bad news is that the base cost is $500, plus $50 per customization, so you're going to have to take a long hard look at you child's college fund.
MacBook Air owners, c'mon out for the talkcast Sunday night
Last week's talkcast featured Tod Maffin of the CBC, some interesting technical challenges, and the debut of our Yahoo Live video simulcast -- an experiment we'll be trying again as soon as I get some additional upstream bandwidth. Thanks to Tod for a lively evening and an unflappable demeanor. Download direct, listen in your browser or subscribe to the TalkShoe feed in iTunes. Join us again on Sunday night for our next live show, 10 pm ET, where we want to hear from you -- specifically, the new MacBook Air owners among you. Is it everything you hoped it would be? Are the design choices / limitations of the world's sleekest laptop beginning to make themselves felt? Join cohosts Christina Warren and Chris Ullrich for the MBA chat and a review of the week's top stories. As always, you can join the conversation on TalkShoe either with or without an account by using the shiny new browser-only client (no downloading required and no registration needed). Just click the "TalkShoe Web" button on our profile page at 10 pm Sunday. You can also listen in on the Talkshoe page or call in on regular phone or VOIP lines: dial (724) 444-7444 and enter our talkcast ID, 45077.
Lenovo X300 vs. Apple MacBook Air... Fight!
As long as Lenovo is drawing a direct comparison between their own X300 and the MacBook Air, we thought we'd go ahead and put them side-by-side for you. So dear reader, how do you define perfection?
How would you change Apple's MacBook Air?
Ah, the MacBook Air. Quite the expensive piece of kit, but if you're one to pay a premium for design, chances are you may not mind. Apple's latest ultraportable is certainly one of the most polarizing products to emerge from Cupertino in quite some time, as it makes no apologies for throwing utility to the wind in favor of absolute sexiness. After Stevie J's keynote at Macworld 2008 concluded, many were left wondering why Apple didn't (re)introduce the compact MacBook Pro, and while this little bugger did indeed demand a double take (for a couple of reasons), the initial excitement of such a minuscule machine was quickly deflated after taking one solid look at the specifications. Make no mistake, the MBA has quite a bit going for it. Three pounds, ultrathin, oodles of attractiveness, a LED-backlit display and a trackpad worth drooling over. But for all the things this device is, it seems that folks are honing in on everything it isn't. During our time with the unit, we found plenty of reasons to love and hate it, but folks looking for an impressive showing at the benchmark marathon won't find it here. We already heard quite a bit of ranting when we polled you dear readers and asked if you were plunking down the $1,799+ that Cupertino was demanding, but now that the MacBook Air has shipped to early adopters and has landed in Apple stores everywhere, how would you owners go about changing this hot hot hunk of aluminum? Integrate a user-serviceable battery? How about the ability to upgrade your RAM? Would you toss in an option for built-in 3G? Beyond the typical hopes and dreams, we're also curious as to how you actually will change your MacBook Air. Got an eye on a specific USB hub? Springing for a Bluetooth mouse to keep that sole USB port open for more critical tasks? We're absolutely positive the choices are endless, so don't be shy -- here's your chance to tell Apple how you really feel about its tiniest laptop ever.
Here come the MacBook Pro mockups: get yours in before it's too late
It was inevitable, Apple's got a bit of a new laptop design direction in the MacBook Air, and nothing's going to stand in the way of the hordes of MacBook Pro Photoshops to follow. This one here is from spicu, and we're afraid it leaves some proportionality "to the imagination," but it's as good we've got so far. Think you can do better? Submit yours to contests at engadget dawt com with "MBP mockup" in the subject and we'll get a little gallery going. Optimists have Apple launching an update in February, and while that rumor might be a tad sketchy at the moment, there's no better time than the present to make a bid for Photoshop greatness. Optometrists think you shouldn't look at the computer screen so much. Oh, and there's nothing up for grabs for the best mockup, only pride.
MacBook Air with SSD tested: performance boost nowhere to be found
We've definitely been curious about the difference sticking an SSD would make in the MacBook Air's otherwise average performance and battery life, and it looks like the answer is a resounding "meh." The crew at Ars Technica ran an SSD-equipped Air through a battery of tests, and found that while the increased random disk read / write speeds and slightly faster processor led to a minor overall speedup and less pinwheeling, the dramatically lower sequential read/ write speeds of the SSD made things essentially a wash. What's worse, battery life -- where the SSD should have shone -- was decidedly mediocre. Ars was able to coax the SSD model in to lasting 29 minutes longer than the HDD version they tested, but on average the SSD-equipped MBA didn't have the juice to last any longer than the HDD model, getting to about 2 hours and 31 minutes before petering out. All said, Ars says the extra $1300 for the SSD MacBook Air just isn't worth it -- but c'mon, you know that's not stopping the people who are buying Airs in the first place.[Via Digg]
TUAW Reviews the MacBook Air
As you probably know, I'm one of the people who, upon first opportunity after the Macworld Keynote ended a few weeks ago, exited the hall into the lobby of Moscone West and immediately ordered a MacBook Air -- the 1.6 Ghz version with the 80GB hard drive, to be exact. I've already spelled out my reasons for ordering one and you've all had a chance to comment and otherwise make your views known, good or bad, regarding my decision. Now, after waiting for Apple to ship my MacBook Air to me, its finally here and in my hands. In fact, I'm writing this very review on it. So, now that it's here and I can examine it more closely, use it and otherwise put it through its paces, does it live up to my expectations? Will I really miss not having Firewire or more than one USB port? Will the MBA become my notebook of choice or now that I can actually use it, do I regret ordering? For those answers, and more, read on.Size and WeightFirst, let's talk about what many people (particularly Apple) are talking about: how thin and light the MacBook Air is. At 3 pounds and .76" thick, the MBA is the lightest and thinnest notebook I've ever used and for me, the weight in particular was a major deciding factor in getting the MacBook Air. Now that I have had a chance to carry it around in my bag for a day or so, I can say the lack of weight makes an even bigger difference than I originally thought.To be sure, nobody has ever called me small or weak in the past so its not that I can't carry a couple extra pounds around in the form of a notebook and associated peripherals. Its just that if I don't have to, why should I? The MBA being this small and light and still feeling solid and very usable makes for a winning combination. And let's not forget that the MBA's power brick is very small and light as well. The power brick for the MBA is even smaller and weighs less than the one used by the MacBook, so that makes a difference too, especially as I'm used to carrying the giant brick for the MacBook Pro. If you still can't imagine how little 3 pounds is or how really small the power brick is, head to your local Apple store and heft one for yourself. Then, go pick up a MacBook Pro. The difference is pretty amazing...
Win a MacBook Air poster
One item in our loot from Macworld was a shiny new (though now slightly ruffled from the flight) MacBook Air poster. You want it? Sure thing, just leave a comment and validate. It may be the closest some of us will get to a real MacBook Air, until 2011, when all MacBooks adopt the same form factor, naturally. To enter, leave a comment on this post, validate it so it appears in the comments section. The comment must be left before February 3, 11:59PM Eastern Time. You may enter once. We'll check. One winner will be selected in a random drawing. The one winner will receive a MacBook Air poster, worth whatever is being fetched on ebay, because you can't buy this thing anywhere. Click Here for complete Official Rules (after the jump).
MacBook Air splayed -- multi-touch trackpad controller chip same as iPhone
It's that time of the product cycle again, the teardown. This time, iFixit's applying the Xacto to Apple's MacBook Air. Notable discoveries are an easy to disassemble chassis just big enough for Samsung's 1.8-inch, 80GB disk but not the relatively chubby 160GB variety found in the iPod classic. They also found the new multi-touch trackpad using the same control chip as the iPod touch and iPhone -- the Broadcom BCM5974. That leaves Apple plenty of room to grow the gesture options via software updates. Want to remove the battery? Go ahead, 19 screw removals (in addition to Apple's non-removable feebie) will get the job done. Mmm, silicon and aluminum carnage, smells like... victory. Now hit up that read link IEEE types, where it's high-res all the time.%Gallery-15129%
MacBook Air gets the unboxing treatment
Not that we'd expect any different but, in just two days after the first few shipping notices went out, we now have some of the first MacBook Air unboxing photos, which again show that thing is really thin (and the box isn't too pudgy either). What's more, the folks at Uneasy Silence who did the unboxing honors are also promising to benchmark the system shortly, although there shouldn't be too much surprise as to how it stacks up. Head on over after the break for a couple more pics, and hit up the read link below for the full show.
MacBook Air's custom-built CPU going PC?
That special Intel processor found in the MacBook Air could be getting a lot less special. PC Advisor, citing "a source familiar with Intel's plans," claims that a pair of PC makers will use the MBA processor. Not that this would be unexpected. The custom-built 1.6GHz and 1.8GHz Intel procs remember, are 60% smaller and consume less power than the typical Core 2 Duo while using the same 65-nm manufacturing processes. Of course, with Intel's 45-nm Montevina platform scheduled to ship as early as May, the advantages gained by the processor will likely be short lived, though glorious if a PC maker can dethrone Apple of its claim to the world's smallest thinnest laptop.
A more elegant manila envelope
We posted a while ago about AirMail, a vinyl carrier for the MacBook Air which took the manila envelope idea quite literally. It's conceivable that the sheer sexiness of the MacBook Air may eventually make the manila envelope itself a fashion icon, but in the meantime Studio Leung has come out with a bag that abstracts the envelope concept into a less humorous (and possibly more elegant) design. The Mac bag is water resistant and made from waxed cotton with a felt lining. Its source of inspiration is especially evident in the closure which is an envelope-style wraparound fastener using plastic buttons and a rubber cord. [via Core77]
MacBook Air shipments beginning for the earliest adopters
If you were prepared to snap up whatever ultraportable Steve Jobs threw at you during his Macworld keynote, and started frantically refreshing the Apple Store to buy the MacBook Air as soon as it was announced, you might be seeing a shipping notice from Apple in your inbox pretty soon. Reports are coming in from early adopters that their MacBook Airs are on the way, with some projected arrivals as early as February 1st -- pretty much right on target for Apple's projected two week wait. The rest of you suckers who dilly dallied in your purchasing decision might have to wait a bit longer, and potentially be subject to the humiliation of the laptop hitting stores before it arrives on your doorstep.
MacBook Air in stores Tuesday, empty pocketbook in your future
Just in case you were really, really anxious to get your hands on the MacBook Air, word on the street is that the little slivers are already in stores, and you'll actually be able to stroll up into the place and nab them this Tuesday. Of course, old Jobsy has already said as much ("two weeks"), but the Boy Genius is making extra-dextra sure that everyone knows they really will be on the floor come next week. If you're lucky enough to be employed by Apple as a "Genius," then you'll be getting some Air training tomorrow. Hey, it's never too late to sign up and instantly be accepted for a job... oh, wait, it probably is.
The Today Show's Meredith Viera licks the MacBook Air
There's nothing quite like hearing a group of network talk-show hosts heaping praise on a piece of technology they barely understand to jumpstart your day. We think you'll agree that listening to Matt Lauer loudly declare "It's awesome!" and watching Meredith "You're blowing the whole schtick" Viera vigorously mime licking the new MacBook Air is pretty wretch-inducing stuff -- though Al Roker informing us that if you want the SSD, you'll only have to pay "a little bit more," was definitely one toke over the line. Thanks for ruining our breakfast guys. Every breakfast.Watch the video after the break. We've included the crew's earlier encounter with the iPhone just in case you needed your memory jogged.
MacBook Air review
It fits in a manila folder, you can slide it under a door, and if you threw it hard enough you could probably chop someone in half with the thing. It's the thinnest, and if we may say so, sexiest laptop around today: the MacBook Air. But looks aren't everything to everyone, and despite all the rhetoric about being a no-compromises ultraportable, Apple did leave plenty on the cutting-room floor in its quest to make an absurdly thin ultraportable that doesn't skimp on a full size keyboard or roomier 13-inch display. But, as many potential buyers have been asking themselves since last week, is the Air right to be your next machine? Read on, we'll tell you what we think.
First benchmarks: MacBook Air is the slowest Apple machine on the block
No one should be surprised, but if you were looking for a speed freak of a laptop, you're going to want to glaze those lustful eyes over the MacBook Air. While the new hotness has a speedy memory bus, overall its performance is dramatically smushed by its integrated graphics, anemic 1.6GHz Core 2 Duo processor, and 1.8-inch hard drive. Yes, you can officially call the MacBook Air the slowest machine Apple makes -- but you already figured as much, right? No one buys an ultraportable for its real ultimate power.
Remote Disc: no movie playback, no HD support, and everything else you need to know
One of the more more interesting, albeit minor, announcements at Macworld was Remote Disc, Apple's method to undermine the need to bundle an optical drive with the Air. To our chagrin, Apple also undermined the ability to do much fun or useful with the disc sharing system. Here's what you need to know about Remote Disc, top to bottom: The Remote Disc installer is 42.3MB for Mac, and claims to take almost 86MB of space. (Apple let us know it shouldn't take anywhere near that, and the installer app overestimated the space required.) Also, expect a restart of the host Mac. (Windows, ironically, does not require a restart to begin sharing media.) Although you can disable the "ask before allowing others to use my drive" sharing option, if you have not done so users will be prompted to ask permission to use the drive at each connection. (Also, there's no client whitelist or anything like that, it's all or none for asking permission.) If you've already asked permission on that drive and disc and stop using it, you have to ask permission again the next time (unless the host turns off the whole permission asking thing). Every time you ask permission as a Remote Disc client, the host gets a popup asking if it's cool to share your drive. You can, of course, accept or decline (but the only way to stop getting prompts is to turn off disc sharing). Ejecting the disc on the client side does not eject it on the host side. Ejecting it on the host side, however, gives a host-side prompt about the disc being in use. You can override and eject, however. To reinstall or boot from CD using Remote Disc, the host must use the installed Remote Install Mac OS X application. It's a fairly simple process, but sharing an install CD over a wireless network is asking for trouble. It took an absurd amount of time (nearly 10 minutes) to boot over 802.11g. You need bandwidth, so be sure to get on 802.11n or, preferably, wired (with the dongle). To remote boot from a shared CD, hold the option key while starting up. You'll be presented with a BIOS-level WiFi / network selection that looks surprisingly unpolished for Apple (but works with WPA and advanced WiFi crypto all the same) Bummer for media: You can browse the file contents of DVD discs, but you cannot actually play that media back over the network. Apple let us know that this only applies to commercial DVD media, and you should be able to play back home-burned iDVD movies via Remote Disc. You can't rip DVDs over the network using a tool like Handbrake. You can't browse a music CD or listen to tracks. Don't even think about burning a disc remotely. Remote Disc appears only to be able to share CD / DVD drives and CD / DVD discs, not high capacity / HD optical drives. We tested sharing a regular DVD over an HD DVD drive, no luck. Data CDs on DVD drives worked fine though. We've heard of some client firewalls harshing on Remote Disc, but we didn't see any issues when testing. Despite its shortcomings, it did work exactly as advertised, and with zero fuss. We miss anything? %Gallery-14571%%Gallery-14572%%Gallery-14573%
